Bulldog Bytes
A Newsletter for Employees of the Mexico59 12/16/15
Merry Christmas Mexico59!
Merry Christmas Mexico59!
Christmas movies, everyone has a favorite, and for different reasons. Some make us
laugh, some make us cry, some make us think and the really good ones make us do
all three. My personal favorite, and the one we watch every Christmas Eve, is A
I’m not sure why this is my favorite (and by default my boys favorite), as it is just
one of dozens you could choose from. Movies like It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas
Story, Elf, Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and a whole list of others.
Maybe it is because my mother was such a Muppet’s fan and we used to watch The
Muppet Show (along with Carol Burnett, I Love Lucy and MASH) in our house
growing up. Possibly it is all the great lines in that movie, that we seem to know by
heart now, such as “light the lamp, not the rat, light the lamp, not the rat!” (you need
the context of the movie to understand that one). Or maybe it is this one: “it was the
afternoon of Christmas Eve and Scrooge was conscious of a thousand odors, each one
connected with a thousand thoughts and hopes and joys and cares long, long
forgotten” spoken as Scrooge encountered his childhood with the help of the ghost
from Christmas past.
So maybe that’s it…that Christmas is about connection. It is about our past,
memories of our favorite foods and Christmas mornings from long ago. Family and
friends. Dinners where the kids table was a card table in the garage! It is also about
our present, the gathering of family and friends, enjoying the company of others.
The joy on little ones faces at Christmas morning or the joy on grandma’s face at
having the family all together. And it’s about the future. Future children and
grandchildren, future friends and relationships, dreams of a better life and a better
world. I think it is about all those things (and much more as well).
For us, educators all in employ of Mexico59, school is about all of those things too.
Memories of past and former students and times, both good and bad, each a
different flavor of sweetness as time passes. It’s about our current students and all
you do for them. And it’s about their future. The lessons you give today that help
them to become the people they will become tomorrow.
Thank you for all you do. Every single category of employee we have and every job
that is performed is ultimately done in service to our students. Your heart, your
mind and your energy, thank you for giving so much of yourself for our students. I
hope you have a very Merry Christmas. I pray that you are refreshed and revived
and filled with warmth and good cheer this holiday season.
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. We’ll see you in 2016!
--Kevin Freeman
Family Fun Night at the YMCA
Sunday, Jan 3, 2016, 06:00 PM
YMCA, Adams Street, Mexico, MO, United States
MHS Annual Art Club Ornament Auction
Hello All!
The students have been having fun painting the ornaments for you, and they have produced many beautiful ones! There is a limited number of ornaments this year, so please come as soon as you can to view the ornaments and place your bids! If you have the highest bid on any ornaments, we will do our best to get your ornaments delivered to you on Friday, or you will be welcome to come pick them up if you are not at MHS.
Remember that the ornaments make great gifts, and all funds help support Art Club activities and a spring trip each year!
Have a great day and come see the ornaments next week!
Sincerely,
MHS Art Club
Welcome "future" Bulldog
Inclement Weather Procedures and Snow Day Hashtag
FFA is hosting Toy Drive
Welcome "future" Bulldog
Congratulations to Nikki Welch, FFA
BRIGHTfutures Mexico and Dixie Gray Band receive $3000 each
Who will get to wear the Kilt?
The contestants are:
Adam Barnett
Joe Barnett
Max Stolte
Mark Holman
Dr. Robinson
Mr. Anderson
Mr. Ellebracht
Wade Aldridge
Dale Schenewerk
Greg Seward
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=782552248521424&id=488904251219560
Parent Involvement at Early Childhood Center
"Something from Nothing" Players entertain/educate all Elementary Students
Eugene Field Third Grade Christmas Program
Pioneers in Education award recipients
Helen Hynes, Willie Thomas, Annabel Gooch, Beth Shields, Melanie Richter, Velda McKenzie, Glenda Adair
Board of Education Meeting recap
Board of Education Meeting - Regular Session 12/15/2015 - 6:00 PM
Mexico Public School District #59 Board Room
Superintendent’s Notes:
The Pioneer in Education Awards were presented at 4:30 PM to:
Willie Thomas
Beth Shields
Glenda Adair
Melanie Richter
Velda McKenzie
Annabel Gooch
Helen Hynes
Following the Pioneer awards the board held a quick closed session to select the district Belcher Scholarship recipient. The board selects this for MSBA. Our selection goes on to the Region 17 Committee. The regional winners then compete for state level selection.
Link to the December Agenda, which will give you access to all the reports, presentations and documents presented during the board meeting.
1. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
2. Adopt Agenda - adopted/approved
3. Staff & Patron Input
Individuals who spoke to board:
Andrew Spurling - GFI (copier salesman)
Mark Stockwell - Ex. Dir. MUSIC (liability insurance)
Michael Gilman - Representative, Winter-Dent Agency (liability insurance)
Steve Haag - speaking on behalf of naming track for Coach Ron Whitaker
Austin Miller - speaking on behalf of naming track for Coach Ron Whitaker
Steve Wolf - speaking on behalf of naming track for Coach Ron Whitaker
a. December MSBA Board Report - Due to the large number of individuals wishing to speak during Patron Input, the board report was not viewed this month to save time.
It can be accessed on the agenda.
4. President’s Comments
Dr. Perll recognized that William Baker donated $500.00 to the Betty Baker
Scholarship Fund.
Board members wished a Merry Christmas and safe travels for the holidays.
5. Consent Agenda - approved
a. Minutes - November 17, 2015 Regular Session & November 30, 2015 Study Session
b. Personnel
c. Reading of the Bills (except agenda item 6)
d. Declare Items No Longer Needed for School Purposes
6. Bills - See Itemized List - approved
7. Reports & Presentations
a. Building Reports
i. Mexico Senior High School Building Report
ii. Davis H. Hart Career Center Building Report
iii. Mexico Middle School Building Report
iv. Eugene Field Elementary School Building Report
v. Hawthorne Elementary School Building Report
vi. McMillan Elementary School Building Report
vii. Early Childhood Center Building Report
b. Construction Report
c. Attendance Report kudo’s to MMS, McM, EF and Haw - all 95+%!!!
d. Board Candidate Filing (December 15, 2015 - January 19, 2016) No candidates filed on Dec 15th.
e. District Report Card - can be viewed in the board agenda (as can all the reports above). Dr. Templeton answered questions from the board of education.
8. Unfinished Business
a. 2014-2015 Audit - Lynn Graves, District Auditor, presented the district annual financial audit. Mr. Graves reported no deficits in our financial accounting. It was an excellent audit report and kudo’s to our business office, and to all the individuals in the buildings that work with PO’s, etc… Your attention to detail is commendable and thank you very much for all your work to keep the district in good standing with regard to financial accounting. Audit approved by the board and the audit will now be presented to DESE per requirements.
b. 2015C Policy Updates - Second Reading - policies approved.
c. Facility Plan - John Brown from Hollis & Miller was in attendance to present the latest information about the proposed facilities plan.
d. Copier RFP approved GFI for replacement of current 11 copiers up for bid.
9. New Business
a. Treasurer's Report - Mrs. Norris gave the treasurer's report. Approved.
b. John T. Belcher Scholarship - selection was Rachel Owings. She moves on to the regional level for further scholarship opportunity. Congratulations Rachel!
c. Bid - Liability Insurance Board approved Winter-Dent for liability insurance coverage.
d. Plaque in Honor of Darriel Douglas Approved by board. A group of alumni will raise funds for the plaque to be placed in the high school.
e. Discuss - Board of Education Budget Workshop Session - tentatively set for Monday January 11th, 7 PM
f. Special Request - this agenda item was placed on the agenda in order to hear from the track individuals in patron input at the start of the meeting.
g. Superintendent's Evaluation No action taken. Board will gather their individual evaluations, Mr. Freemen will present his information, and the formal evaluation will occur at the January meeting in closed session.
h. Next Month's Agenda
10. Adjournment
There was no closed session.
Merry Christmas!
Mexico School District 59 Position Openings
CERTIFIED
Part-Time Evening welding
Speech Pathologist/Assistant (4)
SUPPORT STAFF
Food Service Worker
Bus Drivers & Substitute Bus Drivers
Substitute Food Service Workers, Nurses, and Teachers
The following coaching/extra-duty positions are available for the 2015-2016 school year. Please contact Jeff Anderson x3008 at Mexico High School for additional information.
MHS
Assistant Track Coach - MHS
Bulldog Bytes
Email: jdiffenderfer@mexico.k12.mo.us
Website: www.MexicoSchools.net
Location: 2101 Lakeview Road, Mexico, MO, United States
Phone: 573.581.3773
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mexico-School-District-59/692521830775778
Twitter: @MexicoMoSchools