Blue Jay Briefings
January 8, 2022
It's hard to believe that we have made it to 2022. We are looking forward to a great second semester with a lot of things happening here at Marshfield R-I. If you have driven by our west campus, you have seen the progress taking place on our new Early Childhood Center. While we still have a long way to go, we are very excited to have that facility operational next school year. Winter sports are in full swing with basketball, wrestling, and swimming. We also have Junior High and High School plays being prepared for this semester as well. COVID-19 continues to impact everything. We are currently seeing an increase in our Webster County numbers and will continue to work through this pandemic together. There have been many changes to the Webster County Health Unit's requirements of people who test positive and close contacts. Please make sure to read that information and call the school or Webster County Health Unit if you have any questions. One big discussion item at the school district is investigating changing our school calendar for next school year. We are investigating a 4 day school week for next year. We will have two parent/community meetings on Monday and Friday (1/10 & 1/14) @ 6:30 in the Junior High Cafeteria if you would like to hear more about the possible calendar and ask any questions. Of course, you are always welcome to call with any questions. Thank you for allowing us to partner with each of you as we work together to educate your children. We are so proud and thankful to be part of this wonderful community.
Proud to Be a BlueJay,
Mike Henry
Superintendent
Marshfield Schools is excited to join districts all across the region and the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts for “Teacher Proud Tuesdays!” On the second Tuesday of every month we’ll be highlighting one of our fantastic teachers, BUT we need your help. To nominate an outstanding teacher for “Teacher Proud Tuesdays,” please complete the form at HERE. Nominate as many teachers as you’d like, and keep in mind the nominations will roll over from one month to the next, so no need to resubmit your nominations. We’re looking forward to celebrating our teaching staff through this initiative along with other fellow school districts all across the area!
Parent and Community Meeting
Topic: possible 4 day week calendar for the 22-23 school year
Monday, January 10th: 6:30 p.m. Jr. High Cafeteria
Friday, January 14th: 6:30 p.m. Jr. High Cafeteria
Hubble Elementary
Friday, January 14: PD Day - No School
Monday, January 17: No School
Friday, February 18: PD Day - No School
Monday, February 21: No School
Webster Elementary
Friday, January 14: PD Day - No School
Monday, January 17: No School
Friday, February 18: PD Day - No School
Monday, February 21: No School
Shook Elementary
Monday, January 10: Science Fair permission forms due
Friday, January 14: PD Day - No School
Monday, January 17: No School
Friday, February 18: PD Day - No School
Monday, February 21: No School
Jr. High
JH Tutoring: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Friday, January 14: PD Day - No School
Monday, January 17: No School
Friday, February 18: PD Day - No School
Monday, February 21: No School
High School
Friday, January 14: PD Day - No School
Monday, January 17: No School
Friday, February 18: PD Day - No School
Monday, February 21: No School
Spring Break will be the week of Monday, March 14th.
Students return to class on Monday, March 21st.
BlueJay Families,
As we reach the halfway point of the 2021-2022 school year, we want to update our parents and guardians regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the district. The Webster County Health Unit (WCHU) has revised its guidance regarding quarantine recommendations for close contacts. This change allows parents or guardians to choose to follow WCHU recommendations for close contacts. As a district, we are still communicating with parents/guardians regarding close contacts occurring on campus. Please note, for families choosing to quarantine school-related close contacts and those occurring outside of school, school work will be provided as it has since the beginning of the year. All questions regarding quarantine work should be directed to your student’s building office.
A COVID-19 Positive Case indicates that the person has been tested and received a report confirming that they have COVID-19. These individuals will be Isolated by the County Health Unit and will have to complete this isolation period before returning to school. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Webster County Health Unit recommends positive individuals to isolate and monitor for symptoms for 5 days from the onset of symptoms. Please note, Marshfield Schools requires students to be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
As we are made aware of a positive COVID-19 case, we will continue to work with the WCHU to conduct contact tracing. Contact tracing is the process of identifying close contacts or individuals that have been within 3 feet for 15 cumulative minutes or longer within 24 hours to a person with a confirmed positive case. Individuals who are vaccinated and not showing symptoms do not have to quarantine. Parents and guardians of close contacts may choose to follow quarantine recommendations from the Webster County Health Unit. The district is still communicating this information to parents and guardians.
Our goal is to keep all of our students, families, and staff up-to-date on our dedicated COVID-19 webpage. The data on this site is to provide our BlueJay families and staff with a transparent summary of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases and close contact quarantines. The numbers reported are from parent and guardian communication and the WCHU. The information on this site will be updated regularly when the district is notified of an active case and any resulting quarantines.
If you have further specific questions about positive cases, quarantine recommendations, please contact the WCHU. We look forward to a great start to the 2nd semester!
The Early Childhood Center is beginning to take shape. Over the last month, the tornado shelter/cafeteria walls have started going up. Soon, this area will have its metal roof placed. The concrete pad for the classroom wing is in place, and the concrete pad for the office and entrance will soon be completed. Over the next three weeks, the traffic in and out of the job site will begin to pick up as more workers are needed. Please be mindful of this increased traffic before and after school each day. We appreciate your understanding and patience as the project contractors are working. The district is eager to see the finished project for our community’s youngest Bluejays!
Visit the Marshfield ECC Project Page on the district web site to learn more. You’ll find videos, monthly progress reports, and a timeline of the expected progress through our planned opening in August of 2022.
Student addresses can be updated by emailing proof of residency to enrollment@mjays.us . Setting up new bus transportation does not change the home address for the student records. Proof of residency MUST be provided.
At Marshfield R-1, the safety of our students is our highest priority. However, we place a high value on instructional time, and snow days mean our students are missing out on classroom learning. For this reason, the decision to cancel classes is rarely simple. And, with Missouri weather, it often requires a certain amount of guesswork and faith in weather forecasts. Below is a reminder of the Marshfield R-I inclement weather protocol:
- The superintendent, assistant superintendents, and two individuals with our transportation department check roads, including side roads, to determine the safety of transportation during inclement weather. This generally takes place before 5:00 a.m. It may take place between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. if the weather warrants that timing.
- These individuals share feedback with one another and, based on this feedback and current and forecasted weather conditions, the superintendent determines whether classes will be canceled. If possible, this decision is made by 9:00 p.m. If not possible, the decision is made by 5:30 a.m. the following morning.
- If weather conditions may deteriorate when school is already in session, a similar protocol is followed, but with a heavier reliance on forecast data from the National Weather Service.
- If classes are canceled or school will be dismissed early, this information is shared with staff, students, parents, and the community through the district's mobile app, social media, local media outlets, and a phone message and text.
Marshfield R-1 Schools will notify Springfield television stations and radio stations that subscribe to the school closing notification service utilized by the district.
It is hard to predict Missouri weather, but planning ahead can help parents and students manage its unpredictability. Taking a few moments to develop a plan for when school is dismissed early or canceled, especially with short notice, can help parents and students prepare for the dreaded (or beloved) snow day!
- ALL permanent bus transportation changes MUST be communicated through Central Office. 859-2120 ext. 0 Changes to transportation will go into affect 2 school days following the request. DO NOT give this information to the classroom teacher OR the building office.
- Students will be allowed ONLY 3 permanent bus changes throughout the entire school year.
- Students may only be set up for TWO transportation addresses at any given time.
- Students may only travel to permanent addresses. There will be NO after school notes accepted for students traveling to addresses parents have not previously listed for their child. In the event that your student needs to travel to an occasional address already requested, you will either send a note to school with your child or call the building office.
Click Image Below for the complete Blue Jay Athletic Calendar
Hubble Elementary
Students at Hubble Elementary worked on personal academic goals throughout the month of December. Goals ranged from knowing all of the letters in their name in Preschool to spelling, phonics and sight word goals in Kindergarten and First Grade! When students reached their goal they put an ornament on the Christmas tree hanging in the hallway just outside their classroom. This was organized by the Student Learning Action Team and made possible by parent volunteers who made the Christmas trees and ornaments! Congratulations to all the students who met their WIG (Wildly Important Goal)!
Webster Elementary
The December 22nd edition of the Marshfield Mail featured Christmas cards designed by Webster Elementary students.
Shook Elementary
Book Character Day was a "hair raising" success at Shook Elementary, according to Pippy Longstocking.
Jr. High
Mrs. Archer's classes recently created series and circuits using Christmas lights.
High School - Contributed by Justin Cron
SAE Spotlight - Sean and Quintin Casperson
Sean and Quintin are Ag boys through and through. Their days after school consist of helping their Grandpa and Dad doing various jobs around the farm. They help their Dad run their fencing business over the summer along with doing hay for their family's cattle. They are particularly proud of their classic tractors they are rebuilding and plan on selling when they are finished. They took us around their family farm explaining what they do at certain times throughout the year. Seeing them work alongside their Grandpa was great to see. Knowledge that they gain each and everyday by firsthand experience helps them tremendously in the classroom.
Their Grandpa made one classroom suggestion, spend more time teaching kids how put the dang tools back where they go after using them. I told him that was definitely a loosing battle!
Marshfield R-I Schools
Email: marshfieldr1@mjays.us
Website: mjays.us
Location: 170 State Highway DD, Marshfield
Phone: 417-859-2120
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marshfield-R-I-School-News-245937932251091
Twitter: @Marshfield_R1