Fulton Focus
For the parents and patrons of the Fulton School District
February 14, 2019
A message from the Superintendent
Dear Parents and Patrons:
This has been quite the winter and we have now experienced 9 school cancelations for the 2018-19 school year. It is only February 12, which means there is a lot of time for more inclement weather before we finally reach spring. Safety is the first priority for Fulton Public Schools. Careful consideration is taken each and every time while making the decision about canceling school. (The January 18, 2019 Focus reviewed school cancelation factors) Due to the number of cancelations this year, there have been some questions regarding how the days will impact our school calendar.
Foremost, the past four years FPS has taken advantage of the School Calendar process which counts student attendance hours rather than attendance days. Consequently, the maximum required inclement weather make-up days have been included in the regular calendar. Hopefully, the information below helps!
May 15, 2019, was established as the last scheduled day of student attendance and remains the last scheduled student attendance day.
The state maximum of ten make up days is included in the approved calendar.
Spring Break and other out of school dates remain as holidays.
As other Districts revise calendars for inclement weather days, we have already included those days as student attendance which helps both families and the district. For families of students and staff, spring break and summer plans can confidently be made without concern for changes to the school schedule. For the District, we are able to set summer school, cleaning, and construction schedules in advance, which allows for greater efficiency.
Perhaps you have noted the Annual Performance Report, APR, being released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. APR is not a ranking but an accreditation tool. I am pleased to report that the Fulton Public Schools continues to be a fully accredited School District.
As noted in the Fulton Sun the District APR is 85.30% which is a decline from last year. Obviously, the decrease is concerning. However, when reviewing ELA and Math academic proficiency, we are in the upper quarter of our conference and comparison group. Social Studies does not fare as well; yet a reorganization of courses which affects the grade level of the Social Studies End of Course test requirement is in place; hence, an expected score improvement in two years.
Next year we hope to positively impact attendance and College and Career Readiness. We are working to improve data collection, follow up procedures, and attendance strategies. Dr. Crain’s APR Board of Education presentation is available at https://tinyurl.com/yxzyqyjw.
Looking to the future your Fulton Board of Education has secured Hollis + Miller Architects to conduct a comprehensive facilities plan. It is anticipated results of the plan will be used to formulate overall facilities improvement and project future space needs. A special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fulton High School Library when the Board will discuss facilities with Hollis + Miller representatives and funding strategies from the District Financial Advisor.
Feel free to contact Dr. Crain or me if you have questions regarding our school calendar or District Accreditation.
Thanks for sending great kids to work with!
Sincerely,
Jacque A. Cowherd, Ed.D.
Superintendent
There's still time!
Important Dates
Friday, February 15 - No School, Teacher PD Day
Monday, February 18 - No School, President's Day
Wednesday, February 20 - Board of Education Meeting 6 p.m. FHS Library
Wednesday, March 13 - Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. FHS Library
Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29--No School, Spring Break
Monday, April 1 - Classes Resume
Wednesday, April 10 - Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. FHS Library
Friday, April 19 - No School, Mid-Quarter Break
Wednesday, May 8 - Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. FHS Library
Wednesday, May 15 - Last Day of School, Dismiss 2 hours early
Wednesday, June 12 - Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. FHS Library
Fulton Public Schools
Email: ksnethen@fulton58.org
Website: www.fulton58.org
Location: 2 Hornet Drive, Fulton, MO
Phone: 573-590-8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FPSHornets/
Twitter: @FPSHornets