Back To School Newsletter

New Students

We want to welcome all of our new families that are joining us this school year. Please bring with you proof of residence, birth certificate, immunization record, and social security number.

816-770-3922 for elementary students

816-770-3327 for secondary students.

Returning Students

We are excited to see all of our returning Bearcat families for the upcoming school year.

All families need to come in and update paperwork to get their student(s) enrolled for the year.

Elementary 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm (come and go)

• Come to meet your teacher and see your classroom

High School 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm (come and go)

• Find your locker, classes and meet your teachers
• 6:30 pm - Senior Student/Parent Meeting in Room 5
  

Student Transportation:

District transportation will continue to be run internally in 24-25. Mrs. Alicia Lee (transportation director) will be available in the cafeteria to answer questions concerning transportation.

Student Cell Phone:

Mr. Guilkey will lead a presentation on the use of YONDR pouches and new student cell phone policy in Room 5 at 6:15 pm.

Student Health:

Mrs. Michelle Krier (school nurse) will be available to answer questions and take health information from parents.

Meet the Bearcats will follow Open House this year and be held in the gym. Lions Club will be providing hotdogs, chips, and water. This is an opportunity to highlight our fall activities participants as we prepare for the 24-25 school year.

While we will not be handing out devices (Chromebooks/iPads) until school begins for the fall. We do have several students that owe money for lost or broken blocks and cords or chargers from prior years. Families will need to pay for any missing/broken items along with their insurance balances before devices will be checked out.

All students receiving a district-owned Chromebook/iPad must purchase an insurance policy or be liable for full device repair or replacement costs.

Insurance Cost:

• $20 per student
• $15 per student qualifying for reduced lunch
• $10 per student qualifying for free lunch

$20, $15, or $10 (depending on free and reduced lunch status) will provide insurance protection with no deductible for a claim without negligence.

Beginning this school year the Orrick School District will transition to a phone-free school for students. While a no-phone policy has been in place at the elementary school previously, JH/HS students have previously been allowed to access their phones during non-class times (lunch, passing periods). This changes is being made for several reasons, but the most important reasons for this transition are student academic engagement, student mental health, and student social engagement.

The district will rollout the use of YONDR pouches toward the end of the first week of school for students in upper elementary (5th & 6th grade) through high school. This policy will have students "pouch" their phone when entering the building in the morning, and student cell phones will remain with the student and locked in their YONDR pouch throughout the day. At the end of the day students will unlock their pouch at an unlocking base and keep their pouch with them for the next school day.

We understand that this is a significant change and will come with a number of questions. The general student policy for the use of YONDR pouches is attached below. Next week a document with frequently asked questions and answers will be sent to parents on the rationale and implementation of YONDR pouches. Mr. Guilkey will give a presentation on the rationale and use of YONDR pouches on the night of Open House (8/15) at 6:15 pm in Room 5.

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Whether you are coming back for a new year, or are new to the Orrick School District, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to all of our families and community. As a district, we are excited to usher in a new school year and we hope that we make this year the best year our students have experienced at Orrick. I can say that our team has worked diligently to prepare for the upcoming school year and we are truly excited about the upcoming year and the future of the Orrick School District.

It is the district’s sincere hope that we can partner with the community and parents to maximize the potential and positive experiences of each student who comes through our doors. As the district strives to work within our mission of being, “dedicated to every student every day,” we recognize that partnering with families and the community provides the district the opportunity to leverage resources and support to positively impact the lives of our students. The district’s mission, “dedicated to every student every day,” supports our vision to Encourage – Empower -Educate. The district’s vision and my long-term goal will be to help lead the Orrick School District to Encourage – Empower – Educate better than any district in the state of Missouri. To reach that goal, we will make decisions in the district centered on being “dedicated to every student every day.”

As Superintendent, my goal is to make the district better every day, to make decisions that benefit students, and to have a positive influence daily. I am excited to be a part of the team and community at Orrick and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.

-Mission-

Dedicated to Every Student Every Day

-Vision-

Encourage – Empower – Educate

Go Bearcats!

Mr. Scott Guilkey, Superintendent

Email: sguilkey@orrick.k12.mo.us
Website: www.orrickbearcats.org
Location: 100 Kirkham Street, Orrick, MO, USA
Phone: 816-770-0094
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orrickbearcats