Eagles,
We are off to a fantastic start this school year, and we have our staff, students, and parents to thank for that. You probably know by now that I believe education is a shared journey, and that it takes all of us pulling in the same direction to give our students the best chance at personal and future success. Thank you for all you do to support this process.
We're also excited to share details about our newly approved goals to create classrooms, support spaces, and district facilities that will continue to fortify student and staff excellence for decades to come. We're proud that we have used taxpayer funds carefully and invested wisely so that we've been able to foot the bill for Phase 1 of these projects. Phase 2 will widen the scope of improvements to impact facilities used by nearly every student and staff member in the district.
For more details about the district's improvement plans through a proposed bond election that will extend our current tax rate without a levy increase, see the article in this newsletter below, or visit our website.
This, too, will be a shared journey. Any time we undertake building improvement projects, we rely on our families, neighbors, alumni, and community to see not only the value, but also the good stewardship in such plans.
Now and for the future, Joplin Schools exists to give our community's kids the best foundations for work and life. We're honored to be entrusted with that work every day.
Thanks for a great first quarter, Eagles.
Kerry
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In January 2025, the Joplin Schools Board of Education approved the Long Range Facility Planning Committee (LRFPC) Phase 1 recommendations to address the facility needs they considered to be of highest priority:
- Suitable educational spaces for all students
- Suitable Special Education spaces for intensive programs
- Early Childhood/PreK expansion.
Those Phase 1 facility upgrades will soon be implemented at Jefferson Elementary, McKinley Elementary, and Royal Heights Elementary, using nearly $11M of the district’s financial reserves – our savings accounts – made possible by careful stewardship of taxpayer funds.
The LRFPC made further recommendations in October 2025 to address additional facility requirements in support of student success well into the future of our community. These Phase 2 recommendations would be paid for by an additional $10M of district reserves, plus a proposed bond issue that would extend the current tax rate while maintaining our district’s current tax levy. We are thankful to be in such a safe financial position that we don’t need an increase to our tax levy, as property tax assessments are fully expected to support the district’s improvement needs.
These improvements would impact facilities that will be used by the vast majority of our students and staff members in the district at some point during their time with us, making a substantial investment in our kids’ future opportunities. Broadly speaking, the proposed upgrades will address:
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Additions, and Interior + Classroom Renovations: Stapleton, Eastmorland.
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Interior + Classroom Renovations: Cecil Floyd, Kelsey Norman.
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Classroom Renovations: McKinley, Royal Heights, Jefferson.
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Comprehensive Window Replacement: Eastmorland, Stapleton, Kelsey Norman, Cecil Floyd
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Site Access, Safety, and Parking Improvements: Eastmorland, Stapleton, Cecil Floyd, McKinley, Jefferson, Royal Heights
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Indoor Activity Facility – JHS Site: Includes classroom space for physical education, athletic & activity spaces, storage, and community space.
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Junge Campus Improvements: Buildings, Grounds, & Transportation Facility Remodel; Bus Lot concrete and parking improvements; Locker Room and Concession Renovations at Stadium
More information will be shared in the coming months. We look forward to planning the strong future of Joplin Schools with you!
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The JHS graduating class of 2026 has cumulatively qualified for nearly $724 million in automatic scholarship offers!
JHS partners with VU Scholarships to provide reports to each senior, outlining automatic scholarship offers to dozens of universities and colleges around the nation. Students are matched based on their current GPA and ACT scores, and as those scores are updated throughout their senior year, so are their monetary offers. Students were invited to celebrate and explore their offers at the VU Your Horizons Scholarship Ceremony earlier this month.
We will be watching these students' progress as they make their way to graduation this May and supporting them to find the right post-secondary pathways to build their futures.
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One of our outstanding Joplin Schools alumni is still racking up accolades post-graduation, and we couldn't be prouder. Christian Cavener, class of 2025 graduate, has been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Christian, who is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology, is among only 161 students from around the nation who were selected for this honor. Scholars are selected annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
We are proud to see our alumni reaching success and making new pathways for their futures!
If you know an impressive Joplin Schools graduate with a story to share, please reach out to Communications@JoplinSchools.org. We would love to highlight the amazing things our alumni are doing in the world!
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There are more than 30 Cadet Teachers this year at Franklin Tech and Joplin High School, preparing for an impactful and fulfilling future in teaching.
Designed for juniors and seniors interested in working with children or pursuing a career in teaching, this two-year program provides a strong foundation in child development, educational theory, classroom management, curriculum design, the history of education, and childcare licensing procedures.
Students gain hands-on experience through work-based learning as Cadet Teachers in local childcare centers, Early Head Start, Head Start, and Joplin Schools classrooms. By the end of their senior year, students have built a professional portfolio, completed requirements toward the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and earned their substitute teaching certification, equipping them for success in the education field.
Cadet Teaching is one of FTC/JHS's Human Services Career Academy pathways, and we are proud to see so many students taking advantage of its possibilities.
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We were honored earlier this month to celebrate the induction of five incredible alumni into the Alumni Hall of Fame, with three able to attend and speak in person. Many thanks to the Joplin Schools Foundation for continuing this prestigious tradition.
The 2025 Class of inductees includes:
- The late Samuel Austin Allen, 1898 graduate of Joplin High School
- Debi Vowels-Durham, 1978 graduate of Parkwood High School
- Vance Powell, 1982 graduate of Parkwood High School
- Dan Stanley, 1963 graduate of Joplin High School
A meritorious award was also given to:
- Jack Holden, 1939 graduate of Joplin High School. His nephew was present to accept the award on his family's behalf.
You can learn more about the paths these individuals have taken toward nurturing creativity, beauty, progress, connections, and success in their own lives and the lives of their communities on our Alumni Hall of Fame website. We are proud of their time in Joplin Schools and the ways they used their hometown education and support systems as a springboard for lives of great impact. |
Teacher Proud Tuesday is one way we work to celebrate the fantastic efforts of our educators all year long, thanks to our partnership with GOCSD and sponsorship by our friends at Mid-Missouri Bank.
Teacher Proud Tuesday winners from first quarter include Virtual Special Education Teacher Maggie Hinojoza at Roi S. Wood and Band Teacher Philip Soule at Joplin High School. Thank you for making such an impact on your students and their families!
Winners are chosen at random from the list of nominees and celebrated on the second Tuesday each month. Please nominate a teacher you feel deserves some recognition for their efforts!
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This year, to spread our appreciation of even more amazing Joplin Schools employees, we've started recognizing a monthly Support Staff Star. These staff members are in non-certified roles like paraprofessionals, custodians, secretaries, nurses, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, and more, and they truly make our school days better from top to bottom!
This quarter's winners, with awards sponsored by our friends at Mid-Missouri Bank, are Melinda Preston, a Sign Language Interpreter at East Middle School, and Judy Stoll, a building engineer at Royal Heights Elementary School. We are so thankful for the exceptional skill, professionalism and compassion they bring to their work each day. Thank you, Support Staff Stars!
Winners are chosen at random from the list of nominees and celebrated on the third Saturday each month. Please nominate a support staff star you feel deserves some recognition for their efforts!
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No more flyers lost in backpacks! Please bookmark and visit the Community Bulletin Board for updated links to events and opportunities from local nonprofits and groups serving local families.
We hope this streamlines the information available to our families, and offers an easy, one-stop-shop for regional non-profits to publicize their events to our Eagles. Check back regularly as more flyers are always being added!
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No School: Monday, Nov. 3
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Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 26-28
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End of 1st Semester: Dec. 19
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Christmas Break: Dec. 22-Jan 2
- No School: Monday, Jan. 5
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First Day of 2nd Semester: Jan. 6
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The Eagle Express is sponsored by Mercy Hospital Joplin |
No one likes to wait, especially when your child’s not feeling well.
Mercy has been working hard to eliminate the wait for great care. Their easy-to-use, online tools help you find the care you need now. From office visits to video visits, digital visits, urgent care and medical advice on-call, Mercy’s variety of options makes getting care as quick and convenient as possible. Learn more at MercyNow.net
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