ENews: March 24, 2023
School Calendar: Dates to Remember
March 27-31: Spring Break
April 5: K-5 Art Show
April 6: Kindergarten Readiness Event hosted by Parents As Teachers
April 19: Board of Education Meeting
April 26: Kindergarten Orientation
You can view the district calendar in ParentSquare or subscribe to the calendar here.
You can subscribe to the District and Athletics & Activities events and calendar here.
Donna Simkins Named New Director of Special Services
The Hallsville School District is proud to announce Donna Simkins has been selected as the Director of Special Services. Mrs. Simkins will work closely with Mrs. Angie Maseman, who is retiring at the end of the school year, to ensure a smooth transition in leadership and will officially begin work as the new director on July 1.
Mrs. Simkins joined the Hallsville School District in 2022 as the district’s process coordinator, supervising the Special Education process, appropriate identification and placement of students with disabilities, and ensuring compliance with State and Federal requirements for special education. Prior to joining the district, she was a Special Education teacher for nine years in Centralia and a Learning Specialist for six years in Columbia. Prior to entering education, Mrs. Simkins was the Director of Public Relations for the City of Ottumwa.
“I am excited to continue my professional journey with the Hallsville School District as the next Director of Special Services. It's a great opportunity to continue working with an outstanding team, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with an amazing staff, administration, parents, and the community to ensure that our students are provided with high-quality instruction and are able to acquire skills necessary to live productive, independent adult lives. We will strive to build a positive atmosphere and to make Hallsville’s Special Education Program one to be admired in our community and throughout Missouri,” states Simkins.
John Downs, Superintendent of Hallsville Schools, states, “Mrs. Simkins brings a range of knowledge to this position and has shown her dedication to providing open communication to our families during this past year. Her leadership and qualifications will continue to grow partnerships between our parents and teachers in supporting all of our students.”
Mrs. Simkins holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in Special Education from Columbia College.
Spring Break
A reminder that school is not in session Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, for Spring Break. You can view and subscribe to the full district calendar here.
Yearbook Deadline Today!
Yearbooks are now on sale! Elementary books (PreK-8th grade) are $15, and High School yearbooks are $40. Online order form links are below. All orders must be placed by today, Friday, March 24.
Order an elementary book (grades PreK-8): Code 23929
Order a high school book (grades 9-12): Code 23923
Spring Sports
Spring sports have officially kicked off! With spring weather, there is always the possibility of game delays and cancellations. To stay up to date on game cancellations, please subscribe to the District and Athletics & Activities events group here. You can also view and subscribe to the Athletics Calendar here.
Board of Education: April Meeting
The Hallsville Board of Education will hold its regular session meeting on Wednesday, April 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hallsville Primary School cafeteria. When available, an agenda for the meeting can be found here.
Kindergarten Registration: Class of 2036
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is still open! All documents must be completed and submitted before students can attend Kindergarten Jumpstart in June. More information on documents needed to complete online registration can be found here.
Online registration must be completed using a computer and can not be completed on a smartphone. For families that need access to a computer, on-campus registration is available. Please call our district registrar, Michelle Threlkeld, at 573-696-5512 ext.
Parents as Teachers Presents Kindergarten Readiness Event
Join the Hallsville Parents as Teachers program for a “Kindergarten Readiness” event on Thursday, April 6, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hallsville Primary School. This event will have activities for children and families to explore kindergarten readiness skills. Families will be able to visit stations set up in the cafeteria with activities to support kindergarten readiness. Each child will also go home with a goodie bag!
Kindergarten Orientation: Class of 2036
Hallsville Primary School will host a Kindergarten Orientation night on Wednesday, April 26, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Hallsville Primary School. Families will be able to meet the kindergarten teachers, community support organizations, Title I reading teachers, and more! Families will also have the opportunity to tour the building, go through the cafeteria line for a special treat, and visit the school bus.
Summer School Registration
Registration for summer school is now open! Summer school is offered Tuesday through Friday, June 13, 2023 through June 30, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. for students entering 1st-12th grade. Kindergarten Jumpstart is a half-day program for students entering kindergarten in the fall of 2023. The program runs from June 20 - June 30. There is a morning AM class from 8:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. and an afternoon PM class from 12:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Now Hiring
The Hallsville School District has multiple openings for classroom teachers and support staff. New teachers are assigned a mentor and participate in ongoing professional development opportunities, including New Teacher Academy, New Teacher Cohort meetings, and Professional Learning Communities throughout the school year. The district is also focused on providing teachers the opportunity to attend professional development conferences. You can view a list of current openings here.
Be Involved: Hallsville Youth Opportunities & Events
Hallsville Little League registration is still open for students entering kindergarten through 8th grade.
City of Hallsville Easter Egg Hunt
Join the City of Hallsville for their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 at Tribble Park! The hunt begins at 9:00 a.m., and they will have staggered start times for all ages. You can also stop by and have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!