TIGER TIMES
District news to community, parents, staff, and students!
Youth Transportation Conference open to students interested in transportation and engineering
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) invites students to apply to attend our annual Youth Transportation Conference (YTC). The last conference was held in July 2018, and we are so excited to bring our youth conference back this year! The 2024 Youth Transportation Conference is scheduled for July 10, 2024, to July 13, 2024.
MoDOT is pleased to offer this conference free for up to 30 students around the state interested in the transportation and engineering field. The conference is packed with fun and exciting hands-on activities, field trips, and social activities. Our academic curriculum will apply math, science, and computer-related concepts learned in school to solve transportation-related problems, so students gain valuable insight into how our transportation infrastructure works. Students will stay overnight on the campus of Lincoln University (LU) in Jefferson City, Missouri. While students stay at Lincoln University, they will have the opportunity to visit other universities and MoDOT facilities around the state. In the past, we have visited the Canton
Missouri Lock and Dam, Missouri University of Science and Technology, the Springfield-Branson Airport, MoDOT labs, and more.
Special Olympics shirts available to purchase; proceeds support program
Wear the shirt our Special Olympics athletes wear and support the program while doing so 🤝 The shirts are $20 no matter the size (available in youth through adult 5XL) with all proceeds used to assist with competition, equipment and adding other sports. Orders will be available through May 8.
ORDER HERE ➡️ https://forms.gle/UP7V2U7sbeqUTTGFA
For more information, contact Coach Nikki Stilley at nstilley@houston.k12.mo.us.
2023-24 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
The elementary teacher of the year is Ms. Chris Curry.
The middle school teacher of the year is Mrs. Olivia Poynter.
The high school teacher of the year is Mrs. Jennifer Gunter.
Community Connections Resource Fair
In partnership with Ozarks Healthcare, Texas County System of Care is hosting the Community Connections Resource Fair on May 2nd, from 10AM to 3PM, at Emmett Kelly Park.
This is a free, drop-in event. The fair will host agencies, businesses and organizations that offer services to both adults and children. Applications will be available on site for many services, and door prizes will be given throughout the day.
For more information, please see the attachment.
Elementary book fair on the horizon; set up eWallet now for students
Houston Elementary's "buy one, get one free" book fair begins May 2 through May 10. You can set up your student's eWallet account anytime for cashless, stress-less shopping. Friends and family can even contribute funds.
Follow this link to create an eWallet: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/houstonelementaryschool16
Doors installed on campus through safety grant
CAMPUS SAFETY: As the district continues to focus on safety, a brand new door has been installed for additional egress at the Piney River Technical Center (PRTC). The effort was supported by a Safety Grant. We have installed nine new doors this year at various locations on campus. Our administration, in cooperation with the district Safety Team, will continue to assess and prioritize safety needs in the district.
Summary of April School Board Meeting
Here is a summary from the April 10 Board of Education meeting:
- Certified the election results and welcomed, returning board member, Mr. Charlie Malam (565 votes) and newly elected member, Mr. Marty Merckling (461 votes).
- Mr. Malam and Mr. Merckling were sworn in.
- Re-organization of Officers included Mrs. Jennifer Scheets as President, Mr. Darren Ice as Vice President, Mr. Jeff Gettys as Secretary/Treasurer.
- Recognized the following Teachers of the Year for their respective building: Ms. Chris Curry (Elementary), Mrs. Olivia Poynter (Middle School), Mrs. Jennifer Gunter (High School).
- Recognized Ms. Chris Curry as the District Teacher of the Year.
- Recognized Mrs. Amy Allen as the Classified Member of the Year.
- Approved continuing with the Missouri Educators' Trust (MET) partnership, approved to subsidize $659 toward an employee health plan. The 2024-2025 rate for Plan 8 is $659.
- Received a HALO verbal update from Mrs. Courter and Mrs. Hudson regarding the current progress being made.
- Received a Building Trades verbal update from Mr. Wade regarding the status of the building trades house. Specifically, Mr. Wade updated on the lift station situation, brick and rock plans, and general progress.
- The PRTC Director Position job posting was discussed and was tabled for future discussion and consideration.
- Approved Control Access bid by Elliott Data Systems, Inc. for the material and labor to install control access in the building where the HALO Program will operate.
- Approved an agreement between the District and the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce for the use of the ballfields located at 501 East Walnut.
- Approved to post a summer (only) lawn care/maintenance position for hire.
- Approved the declaration of Bus #2 and Bus #16 as surplus property and authorized the sale of the property.
- Approved the annual agreement regarding the partnership between the District and the Exceptional Child Cooperative.
- Received a verbal report from Dr. Copley HALO Program progress.
- Received a verbal report from the Climate, Culture, and Compensation (CCC) Team regarding information that was gathered per our District Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Specific items included the committee priorities and local comparative data.
- Received a Curriculum and Instruction Program evaluation verbal report from Mrs. Barbagiovanni.
- Reports by building administrators and student liaison were presented.
- Superintendent report was presented and included the following:
- Update on PRTC roof leaks.
- PRTC ramp construction completed.
- Discussion regarding future engagement with Dake Wells Architect Firm as it relates to a schematic design planning for PRTC.
- Update on water and lead testing. Lead testing was conducted on March 8 and the district is still awaiting those results. Additional testing is being scheduled for an updated inventory.
- Briefly discussed the Track and Field failed proposition.
- Discussion regarding dates for future board work session.
- Congratulated Mr. Matt Robertson, Director of Transportation, and the transportation department for earning a 94% on their latest inspection.
- Presented the 2023-2024 budget expenditure review. Presentation included types of funds, fund sources, types of expenditures, operating funds (funds 1 and 2) (salary and benefits, purchased services, and supplies), capital projects fund, and debt service fund.
- Accepted resignations from Tory Wade (middle school head volleyball coach); Abbie Wheeler (middle school cheerleading coach); Jeff Richardson (middle school girls head basketball coach); Alyssa Wildhaber (elementary teacher); and Sherri Gale (high school business teacher).
- Extended contract offers to Larissa Sander (HALO program paraprofessional); Aaron Gebbie (HALO program paraprofessional); and Jillian Adey (middle/high school FACS instructor and FCCLA sponsor).
- Extended extra duty coaches/sponsors on the emended list. Jim Moore (high school boys head basketball coach) was not extended a contract. Jake Brookshire (high school assistant football coach) was extended with an improvement plan in place.
- Received updates from Dr. Copley on legal matters.
Click here to read school board minutes from any meeting, anytime.
The district's annual Academic Awards Night is set for May 6. Elementary (5:30 p.m.), Middle School (6:15 p.m.) and High School (7 p.m.) will be honored in separate ceremonies inside The Tiger Fieldhouse.
We are exceptionally proud of all our students K-12 have accomplished this school year and look forward to honoring them. Make plans to join us!
Safety Team Update
The District's Safety Team meets bi-weekly to address needs, issues and concerns on campus. Here are highlights from a recent meeting:
- Received a bid for security laminate for windows around campus.
- Applied for a bid to add numbers to windows at the Early Childhood Center for increased security.
- Discussed additional camera possibilities on campus.
COLLEGE PREP SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
Juniors & Families - The application is now open for the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program! Awards include full scholarships to college summer programs, essay workshops, $1,000 awards, and more. See the information below or visit questbridge.org to learn more.
Job openings in our district
Looking to make a difference in education? Want to join an amazing team? Desire to be part of a special community? We may have the opportunity for you! Houston Schools has positions available. They include:
🔴 High School Business Instructor
🔴 Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
🔴 Special Education Teacher
🔴 Kindergarten Teacher
🔴 Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
🔴 Psychological Examiner/Diagnostician
🔴 Middle School Science Teacher
🔴 Speech Language Pathologist
🔴 High School Mathematics Teacher
🔴 Paraprofessional
🔴 School Social Worker
🔴 Custodian
🔴 Summer Grounds Keeper
🔴 Houston Alternative Learning Opportunities (H.A.L.O) Paraprofessional/ Behavior Technician
READ MORE AND APPLY https://bit.ly/3HXhdX3
Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act
In order to be compliant with the Missouri law known as the "Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act," the Houston District will conduct sampling and testing of all potential drinking water sources in the school. The results of the water testing, including any corrective actions and retesting needed, will be posted on our school website (www.houston.k12.mo.us) and placed in the districtwide and community newsletter, Tiger Times. The results are typically available 7-14 days after the water samples have been submitted to the lab.
READ THE LATEST RESULTS SUBMITTED 3/8/24: Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water Index.
Additional information and resources on the health effects of lead contamination are available here: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#health
School Board DRAFT Policies
The most recent draft school polices for consideration can be found by clicking the link below. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to direct those to Dr. Copley at jcopley@houston.k12.mo.us or communications@houston.k12.mo.us.
Bond refinancing will save taxpayers about $375,000
Houston Schools recently refinanced its general obligation bonds to save the district just over $375,000 in future expenses. Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent, expressed enthusiasm and support for the refunding option selected by the board of education in cooperation with the district’s municipal bond underwriter.
“This plan achieves significant savings and allows the district to capture better conditions in the municipal bond market for the benefit of our taxpayers,” Copley said. “It also preserves considerable flexibility for the district in the future for building improvements with no-tax rate increase opportunities.”
We have a new official address
206 West Spruce Street
Houston, MO 65483
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Information
Last week, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched a new website: www.missouri988.org. The site provides information for anyone who may be experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis.
The newly designated 988 phone number went live nationwide on July 16, 2022. Since that time, it has routed thousands of individuals to local, trained crisis specialists at Missouri’s 988 centers. The 988 crisis line connects anyone experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis to compassionate, accessible care and support, available 24/7. Support is free and confidential.
Programs and Resources for Homeless Students
Eligibility for Services
Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include the following:- Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.
- Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
- Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.
- Migratory children who meet one of the above-described circumstances.
What's going on with our CSIP... (Update: 1/9/24)
Celebrations:
- Our CSIP was approved and amended on 10/10/23 by the local Board of Education. The amendment included some required literacy language/goals.
- We successfully submitted the plan to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
- The plan was approved. We received our scoring guide from the DESE State Supervisor on January 5, with positive feedback. We earned 30 out of 30 points possible in this area of our Annual Performance Report (APR). Great job team! For your reference, I have included the guide below.
General Information:
- Next meetings:
- March 6, 3:30-5:30, MS/HS Library
- May 1, 3:30-5:30, MS/HS Library
- Click here for the current/approved CSIP (2023-2026).
- As you all know, the CSIP is a living-working document. As the year and years proceed, there may be areas that we need to omit, add, adjust, etc. We have provided the following guidance for those requesting a change: CSIP Proposal for Change. This form can be used by internal and external stakeholders.
- As you may or may not be aware, our district Annual Performance Report (APR) was released recently. Below you will find the links for a district/building breakdowns:
- As an ongoing process, if you are team leader of a specific strategy and have an update on any of your action steps listed in the CSIP, please let me know. The document listed above reflects the last quarterly presentation to the Board of Education. Each quarter I will update the master prior to presentation.
Join our team! Click below for active openings.
Dr. Justin Copley
#houstonfutureready I #thebestwillbe I #thetigerway
Email: jcopley@houston.k12.mo.us
Website: www.houston.k12.mo.us
Location: 423 West Pine Street, Houston, MO, USA
Phone: (417)967-3024
Facebook: facebook.com/houstonmotigers
Twitter: @houstonmotigers