Bulldog Bytes
Newsletter for Employees of the Mexico59 February 22, 2017
Congratulations to the wrestling team on a fantastic weekend at state!
Mexico Wrestling places 2nd at MSHSAA State Championships.
The Mexico High School Wrestling team finished 2nd in the State Competition, the highest finish in school history. Scoring a school record 132 team points.
Congratulations to the State Champion Wrestlers:
160 Kellen Ekern, 170 Brit Wilson, and HWT Terrese Aaron.
138 Dillon Nichols finished 5th and 120 Dylan Patton finished 4th in their respective weight divisions.
Nine wrestlers qualified at district's to go to state.
113 Brayan Juarez 0-2 DNP
120 Dylan Patton (4th) 3 time State Placer
126 Kevin Duong 1-2 DNP
138 Dillon Nichols (5th)
160 Kellen Ekern (1st) 46-1, 2x State Champion
170 Brit Wilson (1st) 51-0, 2x State Champion, 4-time Placer
195 Cameron Fox (2-2) DNP
220 Wyatt Turner (2-2) DNP
285 Terrese Aaron (1st) 51-0, 3-time State Placer
A lot of history was made this season between winning conference for the first time in 40 years as well as winning districts for the first time in 49 years. Capping the season with a runner-up finish at the state meet is something to be very proud of. Three state champions is also a school record for most in a season as well as having two wrestlers finish the season unbeaten. This has happened only once before when Sean Lamberson won state and finished the season 41-0.
Pictured with the wrestling team are their coaches, Gayle Adams, Sinjon Adams, Jake Vitale, and Tony Senor.
Quote of the Week
Drawstring Backpacks needed
If you have any of these that you would like to donate, please take them to Dana at the Chamber or bring to me at the Central Office.
Mexico Speech Team receives multiple awards at the Rockbridge Invitational Saturday, February 18th, 2017.
Here is the list of winners!
In Prose...
Leon Brown 6th
Abbygail Deihl 5th
Aurora Schneider 3rd
In Poetry...
Kylie Yeast 2nd
In Dramatic...
Kylie 1st
Leon 4th
Maddie 6th
In Humorous...
Andrew Kristofferson 1st
In Storytelling...
Riley Given 2nd
Aurora 4th
In Duet...
Andrew and Riley 1st
In oratory...
Brooke Ransom 1st
In Extemporaneous...
Brooke 6th
In Lincoln-Douglas DEBATE
Leon 3rd
Brooke 1st
Alie Finch semi-finalist in Poetry
Polar Plunge Benefits Special Olympics (photo and article by Brenda Fike, Mexico Ledger)
Money raised supports Special Olympics Missouri
By Brenda FikeSaturday's temperatures were more like spring than winter, which made a great day for the Mexico Polar Plunge held at Kiwanis Lake in Plunkett Park. According to plunge officials, Saturday's event was the warmest one held in Mexico.
The outside temperature was warm, but the water inside the lake not so much. The 165 plungers were quick to exit the water once they plunged. The amount of money raised was in excess of $20,000, reported Monday morning by Tim Schuster, development director for Special Olympics Missouri. The money from the plunge will go toward Special Olympics Missouri.
Prior to the plunge, Schuster announced the winners for best costume and the team and individual who raised the most money.
Taking home the golden plunger for first place for best costume was Finck and Associates; Mexico Middle School Finding Dory took home a silver plunger for second place; and Pic-a-Chew, took home a bronze plunger for third place.
The students from Montgomery County R-2 High School raised the most money as a team. Their total was $6,000. More than 70 students from Montgomery participated in Saturday's event. Rob Scheiner, who raised $800 took home the award for most money raised by an individual.
Following the plunge, plungers and sponsors were invited to an after party sponsored by St. John's Lutheran Church.
McMillan Elementary wins Page Turner Grant
McMillan will use these grant funds to continue the Book Gotcha Program, giving away 6 books each year to every student at McMillan with the hopes of building home libraries to continue reading strategies with families outside of school.
Staff Meal Pricing for SY2017-18
In reviewing the current USDA regulations for the way staff meals are to be charged for 2017-18, the price will increase to $3.25 for lunch from the current $2.90. Breakfast price will not have an increase and will remain at $1.60.
As part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA requires districts to calculate staff meals based on the amount the district receives for full price student meals. This regulation requires the increase for next year to be more than it has been in the past several years. However, this is a one-time jump of this amount. In future years, the rate increase will go back to coinciding with increases for students as needed per regulations.
Questions regarding this should be directed to Joyce Fenner x2406.
Links for the above letter
Bowls for Bright Futures
Mexico Middle School Art Department, Mexico High School Art Department, and Mexico High School FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) will be hosting the Second Annual event called "Bowls for BRIGHTfutures". The event will take place on March 7, 2017 from 430 to 7 pm in the Mexico High School Cafeteria. Attendees will choose a bowl handmade by MMS & MHS art students, and then eat a meal from the bowl, which is theirs to keep. For a meal, there will be soups handmade by FCCLA students. Everyone is welcome to attend.
There will also be other art items available for raffle. All proceeds benefit BRIGHTfutures Mexico. For more information, contact Alicia Pigg at apigg@mexico.k12.mo.us or Jo Ann Diffenderfer at jdiffenderfer@mexico.k12.mo.us
Tuesday, Mar 7, 2017, 04:30 PM
Mexico High School, North Wade Street, Mexico, MO, United States
Teachers - Use TalentEd for Transfer requests
Teachers -- it is nearly hiring season again and that means the possibilities for openings in the district. Below is the process you need to follow in regards to transfer requests to another teaching position.
Process: (Transfer requests are now done on TalentEd. No paperwork needs to be sent to the principal)
A. If an opening becomes available in your own building that you are interested in, you just need to talk to your principal about the process.
B. If an opening becomes available in a different building, then you need to fill out an internal application in TalentEd so that principal and Central Office know you have an interest.
There are no guarantees on transfer requests. Every situation is different and we will try to do what is best for kids in the long run. All openings will be handled on a case by case basis.
Please contact Bethany Collis if you have questions on filling out an internal application.
Retirement reminder
Certified Staff: March 1, 2017
Support Staff: March 18, 2017 (for those retiring on the last day of school)
NOTE: Those retiring on any other day then the last day of school will need to give 60 days notice in order to receive payment for sick leave.
ALSO NOTE: This is only for retiring employees; resigning employees are not eligible for the sick leave payout benefit.
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: @LetJoKnow