Bulldog Bytes
A Newsletter for Employees of the Mexico59 09/02/15
Bulldog Bytes
Use Bulldog Bytes for District Wide Communication
From Kevin Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Thank you for taking to heart what I had to say at the opening convocation. I have heard numerous stories of people selecting their 10 kids and setting out to make a difference. I so very much appreciate your dedication to kids! If 10 is a daunting number for you and you just can't seem to get started, find one. Start small. If you don't know who or how, go talk to one of the counselors or principals, I know they have a list of kids that can benefit from your involvement in their life and education. And remember support staffers who are not normally with students, we would LOVE to have you as a lunch buddy with BRIGHTfutures! If you haven't already, please talk with your principal or myself on how this can happen. Thank you, all of you. --Kevin
FORREST T. JONES Representative will be here next week to discuss 403b (retirement investment accounts)
Tuesday, 9/8: MHS 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday 9/9: MMS 8 am to Noon, Early Childhood Center 1-3:30 pm
Thursday 9/10: EF 7:30 am to Noon, Hawthorne 1-3:30 pm
Friday 9/11: McM 7:30 am to Noon, Hart Career Center 1-3:30 pm
Tuesday 9/15: Central Office 7:30 am -Noon
If you have any questions, please contact Ondrea in Payroll, x 2410.
Click the above link for the District Wide Crisis Communication Plan. Staff members are also encouraged to save a copy of the link to their computer desk top, tablets and smart phones.
BUS DRIVERS NEEDED
In case you did not know, we need certified teachers as bus drivers. This would be extra money for you and it will also help you when you retire, if you keep it up, as it logs more income for you when reported to PSRS. For more information about becoming a bus driver, contact Curt Jackson x2424.
District Calendar
Wednesday, September 2
8:30am MHS Girls Golf - Paris Tournament
Thursday, September 3
Junior Class Fundraiser Kick-Off Day
9:00am MHS Girls Golf - Kirksville Golf Tournament
4:00pm MHS Girls Tennis vs Kirksville
5:00pm MHS Softball V/JV vs Hannibal
5:00pm MHS Volleyball @ Marshall
5:00pm MHS Boys Soccer vs Battle
Friday, September 4
High School Student Picture Day
2:30pm High School Student Involvement Day
6:00pm MMS - Band playing at MHS Football Game
7:00pm MHS Football Varsity vs Marshall
Saturday, September 5
9:00am School Days Stomp Fun Run, MHS Track
Sunday, September 6
7:00pm Young Farmers Tractor Pull
Monday, September 7
No School - Labor Day
4:30pm MHS Girls Tennis vs School of the Osage
7:00pm MHS Football - JV @ Marshall (updated 8/31/15)
Tuesday, September 8
4:00pm MHS Girls Tennis vs Palmyra
5:00pm MHS Softball V/JV vs Centralia
5:00pm MHS Boys Soccer vs Kirksville
Wednesday, September 9
9:00am University of MO St. Louis College Visit - Jrs & Srs
4:30pm MHS Girls Tennis vs Battle
5:00pm MHS Softball V/JV @ Boonville
Click here for the most up-to-date calendar http://www.mexicoschools.net/calendar-google.php
Mexico School District 59 Position Openings 2015-2016
CERTIFIED
Part-Time Evening welding
Speech Pathologist (4)
SUPPORT STAFF
Bus Drivers & Substitute Bus Drivers
Paraprofessional
Substitute Food Service Workers
Substitute Nurses
Substitute 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 Baseball Coach - MHS
MHS Theater Cookbooks ready to be purchased....Get yours NOW!
From Sara Given - MHS Theater Department---It is a great honor to be selected to represent not only our school and community but the state of Missouri at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland August 2016.
We are in need of your support.
“Dramatically Delicious” is our new cookbook. The entries look AMAZINGLY scrumptious! $15 per cookbook with a 75% kickback to our group traveling abroad.
If you are interested in donating to our group, please contact Sara Given at MHS or Bethany Collins at Central Office.
Missouri PTA has a monthly magazine. Here is the link to this month's edition with some great information for us all. https://goo.gl/Eg9XIp
Social Media shout outs!
Interview Girl @InterviewGirl
Take The Challenge: #MakeLifeBetterin3Words : Today's Words: Your Future Awaits pic.twitter.com/E0LKNDK0zI
Practical Ed Tech Tip of the Week – Create Freehand Drawings in Google Slides | Practical Ed Tech ln.is/practicaledtec…
Instructional Technology Facilitator Casey Echelmeier's Blog | Sue Nixon offers topics for reading instructional help | Elaine Hansett offers topics for math instructional help |
Instructional Technology Facilitator Casey Echelmeier's Blog
Sue Nixon offers topics for reading instructional help
Elaine Hansett offers topics for math instructional help
The wellness committee offers incentives for good health this year.
The incentives are:
- Providing healthy snacks once a month in each building. Look for the red tub in your building workroom.
- Encouraging regular exercise at least 3 times per week. A google form will be sent out at the end of each month for you to enter the drawing.
- Health information will be displayed in the workroom of each building and sent out in Bulldog Bytes monthly.
- Staff members may order a fitbit at a discount. Click here to Fill out the form and return to Nurse Angie at Middle School.
- Staff members reaching 1,000,000 steps on a computer printable system, can receive $50.00 reimbursement. Must be a printout with your name, dates, and steps. The incentive is from April 1- December 1. Send printout to Angie Anderson at the Middle School.
- Family Fun Night at the YMCA will be Jan. 3 from 6:00-8:00. Staff and their families are encouraged to come play games, snack and fellowship. Volleyball, pickle ball, ping pong, swimming pool, and racquetball.
Wellness committee offers healthy tips
Morning bus routes change/update
17 Illustrations That Are Incredibly Real For Anyone With Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Student Health Screenings to be held at YMCA
Students in grades 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th will travel to the Mexico YMCA for health screenings. The dates are:
Sept. 3 Middle School
Sept. 10 Hawthorne
Sept. 17 McMillan
Oct. 8 Eugene Field
If you have any questions about this, please contact your school's nurse or Angie Anderson, Head Nurse at x2802.
MHS Cheer Clinic
Friday, Sep. 4th, 3:15pm
639 North Wade Street
Mexico, MO
School Directory is being created for the 15-16 School Year
Please also remember, if you move anytime during the summer or school year, you need to update your address in HR Portal!
School Days Stomp FUN RUN
Saturday, Sep. 5th, 9am
639 North Wade St. Mexico MO 65265


CPI Training Reminder
Wednesday, Sep. 9th, 3:30pm
1200 West Boulevard Street
Mexico, MO
United Way Kick Off
Wednesday, Sep. 9th, 4-6pm
101 North Jefferson Street
Mexico, MO
It is time to kick off the United Way Campaign!
Mexico Public Schools is a top five employer in Audrain County with a little over 370 regular and part-time employees (with another 60+ on our sub teacher list). We are constantly asking for community support. This is one way for us to give back to the community.
United Way supports dozens of local organizations that impact our students and our schools, such as A+ for Mexico Education grants, Red Cross, YMCA, 4-H, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rainbow House to name a few.
Please consider your support of United Way this year. We have structured the building goals so that approximately $20 per employee will allow the district to meet our overall goal total.
Your building/department goals:
Fall 2015 Goal
CO/Bus.Maint.$880.00
HCC/MEC $600.00
MHS $1,500.00
ECC $280.00
HAW $1,080.00
EF $1,060.00
MMS $1,260.00
McM $740.00
$7,400.00
99% of the funds that Audrain County raises will stay right here in Audrain County.
Some examples of fundraisers in the past have included: jeans days, silent auction. penny wars, carry-in luncheon and an administrator and/or teacher getting a pie in the face.
Payroll Deductions: Please remember: If you are going to donate with a payroll deduction the total amount of months you can donate is no more than 6 months. Any more and it creates a payroll mess. Deductions will begin January 2016.
If you are doing something neat/creative for a fundraiser and want some PR, please let Jo Ann Diffenderfer know ahead of time, it might help the cause.

Next Step Program Open House at Hart Career Center
Thursday, Sep. 10th, 5-5:30pm
905 North Wade Street
Mexico, MO
Eugene Field Ice Cream Social
Thursday, Sep. 10th, 5:30-7:30pm
704 West Boulevard Street
Mexico, MO
MHS Key Club to host Red Cross Blood Drive
*Coaches (note from Mrs. Galloway): If you would consider letting athletes participate, they could perhaps be excused from practices that day. If it is a game day I understand them not participating.
Thanks everyone for helping with a good cause!
A+ for Mexico Grant Applications due!
A+ for Mexico Grant Applications need be turned in ASAP. The deadline is September 25th.
Information can be found at http://goo.gl/yjtO44
The application can be found at https://goo.gl/7TDCqz
Nominations are now being accepted for Pioneer in Education Awards
During the Annual Christmas Reception we will present the Pioneer in Education Awards. Employees are encouraged to nominate a retired staff member or former Board of Education member. Nominees must have been retired at least three years.
If you wish to nominate someone, please complete the form below and return to the Board Secretary at Central Office not later than November 15.
These two documents are what you need to submit an application. The nomination form. The list of eligible retirees.
Contact Bethany Collins for more information. x2401

Click the above link for information on the Orlando trip and how you can help.