Tuesday, August 29: First day of school for ECSE students

Thursday, September 7: PreK-12 School Picture Day

Wednesday, September 20: Board of Education Meeting

 

You can view the district calendar online here or subscribe to the calendar here.

 

You can subscribe to the District and Athletics & Activities events and calendar here.

The 2023-24 school year is shaping up to be busy and exciting for the students and staff in Hallsville.

The district continues to support our vision of improving lives through learning by expanding our early childhood program. With the opening of a new all-day preschool program, fifteen to twenty of Hallsville’s under-resourced four-year-olds will have increased opportunities to prepare for kindergarten. The new program will be housed in the primary school building and funded through a grant and expanded access to state revenues for early childhood education.

 

After strong community approval of a $6 million bond issue in April 2022, work is fully underway on the construction of an eight-classroom wing at our middle school, the relocation of the athletic track to our stadium complex, and the installation of an artificial playing surface on the football field. All projects remain on schedule, presuming the continued cooperation of the weather and construction supply chains, with the substantial completion of the stadium work in October and the middle school in time for the 2024-25 school year.

 

Another major focus for the year is the strategic implementation of our district-wide Positive Behavior Support system. This program will ensure that our students are able to maximize their learning in our schools when responding to consistent and reliable expectations. Parents and the community can expect to hear more about this research-supported program over the coming school year.

 

All of this activity serves our singular mission to provide the best education possible for our students. Children deserve excellent schools in which they can learn and grow. We are excited that our efforts will result in increased learning and improve the lives of our kids.

 

John Downs

Superintendent of Schools

The district is grateful for the hard work and dedication of our teacher-leaders. Their efforts are focused on increasing student learning, including the expansion or enhancement of programs, curriculum, or opportunities. Examples of duties and responsibilities they take on include planning and facilitating grade-level or content team meetings, planning and facilitating vertical team meetings, planning and leading professional development efforts, conducting research and data analysis, leading or assisting with curricular review and revision, and building projects assigned by or approved by administration. Our teacher-leaders serve on leadership teams in each building and are a valuable resource for the Hallsville School District.

We are excited to welcome new members to our Hallsville family!

 

Courtney Aitkens, Kindergarten; Molly Hutson, Second Grade; Brynn Wheaton, Second Grade; Desiree Pezley, Third Grade; Megan Jones, Fourth Grade; Megan Kulage, Fifth Grade; Sarah Rausch, Elementary Library Media Specialist; Nate Isenberg, Middle and High School Physical Education and Health; Mark Garcia, High School Spanish; Sean Nevills, In-School Student Support; Haley Nielson, High School English; Jared Ravotti, High School Science; Taylor Fortunato-Middendorf, Special Services Process Coordinator; Lauren Anderson, Instructional Aide; Alaina Berendzen, Paraprofessional; Samantha Huff, Paraprofessional; Angella Masters Paraprofessional

Additionally, the following staff members have transitioned to faculty members within the district:

Lisa Breuer, Middle School Business; Lacie Smith, Special Education; Hilary Nichols, Special Education; Brittani Heater, Special Education

The Hallsville School District is excited to welcome Officer Ryan Hill to the school family! In partnership between the City of Hallsville and the district, Officer Hill will serve as the district’s new School Resource Officer.

Officer Hill received his degree in Law Enforcement at Moberly College. He was most recently a Police Officer for the Macon Police Department and before that he was a School Resource Officer for Mississippi County near Cape Girardeau.

Please join us in welcoming Officer Hill to the Hallsville community!

SM Wilson provided the fourth monthly progress report for review at the August 16 board meeting.

 

Athletic Complex: The outer concrete curb for the track is almost complete. The concrete pad for the field events has been poured, and the field crew is installing the geofabric, flat drains, and field rock. The base rock for the asphalt track is also installed. The retaining wall footing near the water tower has been dug, and prep work for the outer sidewalk along the North has started. Asphalt has been demoed at the drive lane North of the track, and grading started on 8/11. Asphalt crew is scheduled to be done with that new lane on 8/18.

*Please note that due to excessive rain, the asphalt crew could not complete the project until 8/23.

Anticipated Milestone Activities:

• Field Rock - Finish Placing by 8/18

• Concrete for Track Curb, Jumping Events (7/17 - 8/14)

• Install Synthetic Turf (8/28 - 9/29)

Middle School: The Ameren Transformer relocation occurred on 8/7. The plumbing contractor has started under slab rough-in. They have extended the sanitary sewer from the science building and connected it to the rough-in at the building pad. Once they are complete, the concrete crew will return to install the interior bearing footings and wrap up the last section of foundations. We expect preparation for slab on grab pours to start the week of 8/21.

 

Anticipated Milestone Activities:

• Foundations (6/27 - 8/18)

• Underslab Electric & Plumbing (8/07 - 8/18)

• Slab on Grade - (8/28 - 9/08)

• Structural Masonry - Start 9/11

 

The monthly update also includes one Change Order Request the Board approved:

• Change Order Request #10: Installation of a fence at the stadium complex to restrict spectator access to the track and field event performance areas.

 

SMWilson was again in attendance at the meeting and reviewed their timeline and progress. Work at the stadium complex and middle school is running on schedule. Substantial completion of the middle school building addition is scheduled for July 16, 2024, and the track and field on October 6, 2023. You can view the entire timeline for each project on pages 25-27 here.

 

Progress Report #4: August Monthly Update

With construction on main campus and at HPS, it is important that families and students are patient and follow the maps. There will be additional cars trying to navigate into the back parking lots.

Primary families can enter off Highway 124 or off of North Street. All families dropping students off or picking up students should enter at the purple circle on the map and snake around to the main entrance. In an effort to ensure student safety as well as a streamlined process for arrival time, please utilize the entire sidewalk (from Preschool doors past the gym near the end of the parking lot) to unload car riders every morning. All cars must exit onto North Street so buses can still enter and exit the campus. Doors open at 7:45 a.m., and class begins at 8:10 a.m. HPS dismisses at 3:35 p.m.

Intermediate families dropping off or picking up students must enter from North Street heading east and turn right into the intermediate parking lot. There is no left turn into the intermediate lot. Please note that there is no stopping, standing, or parking on North Street or Wesley Ave. Doors open at 7:40 a.m., and class begins at 8:05 a.m. HIS dismisses at 3:30 p.m.

If your student walks to school, please remind them to use the sidewalks and cross where the crossing guards are located. Students should not cut through the parking lots of Little Indians Preschool.

Secondary families dropping off or picking up students can enter and exit the high school parking lot from Highway 124 and Ricketts Rd/North St. When entering or exiting, please do not block the bus lane in front of the main campus. Please use the entire area marked for student drop off. There should be 3-4 cars unloading at a time, and students can walk to the HHS or North Gym entrance. Doors open at 7:40 a.m., and class begins at 8:00 a.m. HMS and HHS dismiss at 3:30 p.m.

 

AG PARKING LOT: Students must enter from North Street heading east and turn right into the Ag/Intermediate parking lot. There is no left turn into the Ag/Intermediate lot. Please see the HIS map above.

If your student walks to school, please remind them to use the sidewalks and cross where the crossing guards are located. Students should not cut through the parking lots of Little Indians Preschool.

Below are highlights of items discussed during the open session on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, Board of Education Meeting. The full agenda with document links is available on the district website. The next regular session meeting is Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hallsville Primary School cafeteria.

 

RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Downs recognized the admin team for their efforts in preparing for a new school year, including organizing and hosting New Teacher Academy and PLC days for incoming staff.

Mr. Downs recognized Kari Yeagy, Director of Communications, for her efforts in helping to keep famiies informed about beginning-of-year events, back-to-school information, and highlighting the district’s new staff members.

Mr. Downs recognized Billy Roberts, Head of Operations, for his leadership in organizing summer cleaning projects. He leads a department that is understaffed and overworked, and Billy has been strategic throughout the summer to address the district’s most critical needs.

Mrs. Esquivel recognized the district’s 2023-2024 teacher leaders. Their efforts are focused on increasing student learning, including the expansion or enhancement of programs, curriculum, or opportunities.

AMENDED 2023-2024 DISTRICT CALENDAR

An updated calendar for the 2023-2024 school year was presented and approved by the Board. The updated calendar includes two minor changes:

• Shift one PLC date from Monday, February 12 to Monday, February 26
• Change the time of dismissal on the last day of the school year from 3:30 PM to 12:30 PM

CTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PURCHASES

Each year, the district submits an application for Career and Technical Education enhancement grant funds. This year's district application included purchasing the following equipment for use by the agriculture education department:

• New Holland Boomer 45 T4B tractor

• Five (5) Millermatic 252 welders

• Grizzly Industrial tools package

The Board approved the purchases, and the district anticipates receipt of $75,416.58 in grant funds to reimburse 75% of these equipment purchases.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS A review of districtwide data has led us to engage in two significant professional development goals for the 2023-2024 school year:

• District-wide Positive Behavior Support (PBS): Aligned to CSIP Goal 2.1: Foster a positive environment focused on students and their learning, our first professional development goal is to implement a districtwide PBS program. PBS has been in place in our elementary schools for several years, and this year, the secondary schools will be joining efforts to implement the PBS framework districtwide. We will continue to partner with the Missouri State PBS organization to guide our work
• Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS): Aligned to CSIP Goal 2.2.1: All instructional staff participate in quality, embedded professional development focused on student learning, our second professional development goal is to engage K-5 staff including classroom teachers, interventionists, special education teachers, and Title I teachers in a two-year LETRS training which is based on the science of reading. The course focuses on the how, what, and why of literacy acquisition to improve instructional practice and literacy instruction. LETRS is not a program to teach, it is the foundational knowledge and fundamental skills needed to equip teachers to better meet the literacy learning needs of all students.

SCHOOL SAFETY The District Safety Meeting is scheduled for September 13, in HMS room 106 at 3:45 p.m. The meeting is open for anyone to attend. On June 30, 2023, Governor Mike Parson signed House Bill No. 2 for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY2024), which appropriated $50 million in funding for a second round of School Safety Grants to support physical safety improvements in local education agencies (LEAs) and nonpublic schools (NPSs) across the state. The grant application window began on August 3, 2023, and concludes on September 8, 2023.

TAX RATE HEARING

August is when the district holds its annual tax rate hearing and sets the levy for the coming year. This is required for every Missouri district, and the tax rate must be established before September 1. Per his agreement with the district, Jason Hoffman has computed the tax rate, and the board approved it as presented. The proposed rate was submitted to the State Auditor’s Office and reviewed for compliance.

The Hallsville School District has immediate support staff openings in our Operations Department. Please reach out to our Director of Operations Billy Roberts at [email protected] or call 573-696-5512 ext. 7001.

IMMEDIATE NEED: FULL-TIME BUS DRIVER

• Pay begins at $43.75 per route.
• Paid training is available, and the district provides 100% paid medical and life insurance and offers retirement matching. Staff members are also offered paid time off and paid holidays.

IMMEDIATE NEED: 4-5 SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVERS

• Pay begins at $43.75 per route.

IMMEDIATE NEED: DAY, MID-SHIFT, & NIGHT CUSTODIAL

• Pay begins at $13.15 with 100% paid medical and life insurance and offers retirement matching. Staff members are also offered paid time off and paid holidays.

Please see the links below for fall activities for students! Deadlines are quickly approaching. Each flyer link includes registration and contact information.

 

Join Hallsville 4-H

Join the Hallsville 4-H Club on Saturday, August 26, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Bob Lemone Building to learn what 4-H is all about! Current 4-H students will be demonstrating different projects and showing all 4-H has to offer! Registration for 4-H will begin in October.

 

Join Cub Scouts: Hallsville Pack 12

Hallsville Pack 12 is inviting all K-5th grade boys and girls to join their pack! In Cub Scouts, you can experience outdoor and indoor fun throughout the school year and support your community. Pack 12 will hold a meeting on Tuesday, August 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Tribble Park. They will be serving hot dogs, chips, and dessert.

 

Hallsville Optimist Trailblazers: Youth Cross Country (Contact for registration deadline)

Hallsville Optimist Trailblazers Cross Country is available for 6-14-year-olds. The season consists of 5-6 meets in Central Missouri. Registration and parent meeting will be on August 24 from 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. in front of the Bob Lemone Building. The first practice will be on August 29 at Hallsville City Park from 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Hallsville Optimist Youth Cheerleading (Register by 8/31)

Join the Hallsville Optimist Youth Cheerleading to cheer on our Optimist Football program! Students in grades 3rd-6th are invited to participate and must register by August 31. You can also register in person on August 7 and 9 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hallsville Primary School. A parent meeting will also be on August 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Hallsville Intermediate School.

Hallsville Optimist Flag Football (Register by 8/29)

The Hallsville Optimist Youth Football season is here! Youth flag football is available for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Teams will be divided on August 30, so practices can begin immediately. Registrations must be postmarked by August 23.

Hallsville Optimist Tackle Football (Register by 8/31)

The Hallsville Optimist Youth Football season is here! Tackle football is available for students in fourth through sixth grade. Equipment pickup is August 12 and 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the storage units at 14601 Allison Industrial Drive. There is a parent meeting on Sunday, August 20, at 5:00 p.m. at the football stadium, and practices begin that evening at 6:00 p.m.