The Hornet Buzz

To empower, enrich, and enlighten students to reach their full potential while respecting our past.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your families. Funny to think we are just a couple weeks away from our Christmas break now. I am loving all the Christmas cheer around the school each day!

Have you heard the great news? Under the MSIP 6 guidelines from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Hornets of St. Elizabeth are the best public school in Missouri. This year, the Hornets have improved their score from last year to achieve a #1 overall ranking, scoring an astounding 100%. St. Elizabeth was the only school in the state with a perfect score. The St. Elizabeth administration and school board would like to thank everyone involved in maintaining such high expectations from our school district. This group comprises the administration, teachers, staff, students, parents, and our school communities. As always, every day is a great day to be a Hornet!

Ashley Musick

St. Elizabeth Principal

amusick@ste.k12.mo.us

573-493-2246

December 9, 11, 12: JV Boys Basketball @ Dixon Tournament

December 10: Boys Basketball @ Crocker

December 12: Girls Basketball @ Home VS Crocker

December 13: Norm Stewart Classic Boys Basketball @ MU 12:00

December 14: HS Scholar Bowl @ Fatima

December 16: Christmas Concert

December 17: Picture Retakes and Winter Sports Pictures, Girls Basketball @ Russellville 6:00, Boys Basketball @ Home VS Dixon 6:00

December 18: Board Meeting

December 19: Girls Basketball @ Osage 6:00, Finals in hours 5-7

December 20: End of 2nd Quarter, Finals in hours 1-4, Christmas Parties and Reindeer Games, Boys Basketball @ Eugene 6:00

December 21: Boys Basketball @ OCHC Shootout @ Weaubleau, Girls Basketball Waynesville Shootout

December 23-January 6: Christmas Break

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

January 2: Boys and Girls Basketball @ Home VS Jamestown 6:00

January 3: Girls and Boys @ Tipton Shootout VG 2:30, VB 4:15

School Closing Information for SY 2024-2025

With winter months comes the possibility of school closures and schedule changes. The decision to close school due to weather conditions is based on one factor: the safety of our students and staff. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about emergency school closures:

How are decisions made about school closures, and how will I know?

The district makes every effort to decide and announce whether to close the school before 6 AM. This plan and review process begins the night before. Once a decision is made, messages will be sent to all families through school Text, Facebook, and local media.

What factors go into the decision?

Weather and road conditions are checked beginning the night before. The school will be closed on days when roads, parking lots, and/or driveways and walkways are considered unsafe for school bus transportation and student travel. Sometimes, blacktop highways are clear, but the gravel roads are not, preventing our buses from driving safely. If a decision is made to have school and run special snow routes, individual people will be notified about the changes. The superintendent makes the decision to close the school as early as possible on the morning in question. In most cases, this will be done before 6:00 AM.

The superintendent gathers as much information as possible before making the decision. The superintendent and transportation director monitor ongoing weather reports, and road conditions from the Missouri Department of Transportation and local and state law-enforcement agencies. “Weather spotters,” such as transportation personnel arriving at school and maintenance crew members assigned to plow the parking lots and sidewalks, are consulted. The superintendent communicates with area school superintendents before 6 AM before making a final decision. If classes are to be canceled, the superintendent will notify local media - television stations between 5 and 6 AM. A text and email alerts will also be sent out using our Hornet Alert System, and a message will be placed on the district's Facebook Page. The following television stations will be notified: KRCG/Channel 13, KOMU/Channel 8, and KMIZ/Channel 17. Please remember that if necessary, our district also implements a 2-hour late start option. Every effort will be made to call a 2-hour late start no later than 9:00 p.m. the evening before. However, there may be times when the decision will be made that morning. Morning delays will be made as early as possible before the Before Care program begins.

NOTE: If you have recently changed cell phone providers, you must sign up again for the Hornet Alert System.

Is there a set temperature that could cause the district to close school?

No. No set temperature would cause the district to close school, but it is one of the many factors, along with road conditions, that are considered when making a school closing decision. Extreme temperatures may cause schools to limit recess and extracurricular activities.

How can I make sure my student is safe?

Since parents are primary protectors, they must decide what is best for their children. In cold weather, students should be dressed appropriately. Please send your child to school wearing appropriate clothing and shoes. No one can predict when a fire alarm might go off or if buildings must be evacuated due to an emergency.

Parents are urged to make arrangements for their children at the beginning of each school year in case of school closures. Children should know where to go if a parent is not home and how to contact parents/guardians. Parent contact information, including work telephone numbers, should be updated with the school office.

Sincerely,

Doug Kempker, Superintendent

Box Tops News

The winning class for scanning the most BoxTops last year was this year’s Fifth Graders! Thank you to all who scanned receipts for Box Tops for our school last year; we earned $163! This money is used for extra classroom materials and activities for our students. Downloading the app is a fairly quick process and taking a picture of your receipts with the app, before you even leave the store if you wish, is a simple habit to get into! They have also made it easier to submit digital receipts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Box Tops App

Step 1: Download Box Tops for Education App and Log in

Step 2: Find a School (Type in 65075, Select School)

Step 3: Complete Profile (Must be 18 to use)

To Earn Box Tops

Step 1: Click Scan (App will guide you through the steps to scan your receipt)

Step 2: Credit a Class (If you choose to)

- After you scan, click the Credit button

- Type your choice of grade level (K-8)

- Click Done/Submit

Practices began on Friday! Our sponsors are Mrs. McDonnell nicole@ste.k12.mo.us and Mrs. Holtmeyer kristen@ste.k12.mo.us.

Our seasons have started! If you need something to do, come watch our basketball teams!

The boys finished 4th and the girls finished 2nd in the Eugene Tournament.

Congratulations to Reagan Wobbe on scoring her 1000th point Saturday! She was also selected to the Eugene Tournament All-Tournament team!

Congratulations to Sarah Backes on signing her Letter of Intent to continue her Track & Field career at William Woods. Good Luck, Sarah!!

Riley Hammond is proud to announce that she is continuing her Softball career at William Woods University. Good Luck, Riley!

Here are the upcoming dress up days for January 13-17th!

I have loved seeing kids in the office for positive things! I have had preschool all the way up to a senior in my office for something good! They have a variety of prizes to choose from when they come to my office and spin the wheel--coupons, candy, snack, etc. Snack has been pretty popular!
Congrats to the following students for earning one for the week of November 18-22:

Brayden Kempker

Eli Kemna

Morgan Oligschlaeger

Natalee Derkum

Olivia Oligschlaeger

Kameron Wilderson

Daniel English

Hadassah Wieberg

Carter Reinkemeyer

Mallory McDonnell

Owen Hagenhoff

Cash Holtmeyer

Tessa Wilde

Blake Herx

Gemma Holtmeyer

Congrats to the following students for earning one for the week of December 2-6:

Corbin Kuester

Sage Bax

Preston Reinkemeyer

Evie Libbert

Hadley Lane

Kiptyn Green

Gemma Holtmeyer

Makenna Franks

AJ Streumph

Tegan Holtmeyer

Darci Buechter

The Student Community Outreach Program (SCOP) members delivered treat bags today to St. Elizabeth & St. Anthony community members and businesses to thank them for their support of our school.

Change to your child's end of day routine: Please be sure to let the office know of any changes to end of day routine by 2:30.

Unprepared: Students in grades 5-12 can be marked unprepared. Once class starts, students are unprepared if they don't have their book, notes, homework, chromebook, or charger. It can also be marked unprepared for an uncharged chromebook. Once a student gets three, a note will go home. Once they receive the 4th, a phone call will be made by me and they will have to serve a detention. More detentions come after the 4th unprepared if more are given. These will restart at semester. I wanted to make sure to clarify on these since we have had a few now. Unprepared is also listed in our handbook if you have any questions.

Coats/Jackets: With the change in weather, please make sure your child is coming with a coat or jacket!