TIGER TIMES

Are you interested in serving our community, students and staff on the 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙍-1 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? Filings open today (Dec. 10) for two seats of three-year terms that will be decided during the April 8, 2025 election. Here are more details:

• Prospective candidates must be at least 24 years old, a U.S. citizen and resident of the district for one year preceding the election.
• Filings are available in person weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Dec. 10-31 as well as 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Central Office (206 West Spruce Street).
• The office is closed weekends as well as Dec. 23-27. No filings will be taken during this time.
• In the event of inclement weather, the Central Office may be closed. Please call 417-967-3024 ext. 2102, to ensure someone will be in the office.
• The two candidates will fill the expiring terms of board members Jeff Gettys and Jennifer Scheets.

Would you like to 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙂𝙀𝘿 𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙞-𝙎𝙚𝙩? We host classes on our campus with Missouri State University-West Plains. There is no cost, but you must sign up in advance and attend orientation. The next round is January 14 and 16.

𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙪𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 ➡️ https://blogs.wp.missouristate.edu/ael/contact-us/

It finally feels like fall! Although the cooler weather can be a welcomed change for some, it may be a burden to others considering how to cover the costs of heating their homes. Thanks to Ozark Action, Inc., energy assistance may be available for you! To print off and complete the application for financial assistance for home energy costs, click here.

If you need a physical copy of the application, please email me at tvolk@houston.k12.mo.us and I will have it ready for you to pick up at the high school office.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 2023-24 𝙃𝙃𝙎 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 was distributed on campus this week. Any graduated seniors or students who transferred out of the district can pick up their copy at the high school office.

Didn't get a copy and need one? Or need another? Contact Ms. Rebecca Clark at jclark@houston.k12.mo.us.

We want to congratulate the HHS Yearbook Staff on a wonderful production and celebration of Houston High School. This year's yearbook is dedicated to our former yearbook sponsor, Mrs. Kristy Ijames ❤️🖤

Houston Schools would like to extend free District ACT testing to any Junior on March 25, 2025. Sophomores and Seniors can take advantage of District testing as well but it will cost him/her up to $51.75 to test. You will not be billed for the test until after the test date. We are only charged for students that take the test.

Some of the advantages of district testing are:

1. It is testing during the school day. You do not need to find transportation to an ACT location on Saturday.
2. The location is guaranteed. They won't close the site due to low numbers like they can for National testing.
3. It is cheaper than a National Test ($51.75 compared to $69 for the exact same test).
4. You can improve your score the more times you take the ACT. Most colleges accept superscores. Your superscore is the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts.

You may be aware that ACT is making some enhancements. I have attached a handout with an explanation of those enhancements and when they will be implemented.

If this is something you are interested in, please sign up using the Google form below. You must sign up by January 6, 2025 .

Here's a copy of the Google form we use: https://forms.gle/bWJz4uQV2qzpNvrZ7

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Volk at tvolk@houston.k12.mo.us

🚧 𝘾𝘼𝙈𝙋𝙐𝙎 𝙎𝘼𝙁𝙀𝙏𝙔 🚧 Thanks to safety grant monies and with installation assistance from the City of Houston Missouri, two street lights were recently added to the Hiett Gymnasium parking lot. The lights provided additional visibility and security overnight.

Want to be part of an effort to 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚? We're seeking students, parents, business representatives, charitable groups and other members of the public to be part of our CSIP Committee.

Interested? Fill out this survey 👉 https://bit.ly/4erN2og

Need more info? Read details 👉 https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/article/1768648

We look forward to partnering with you on this journey to create a plan that will lead our district for years to come.

🟥 #𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 🟥

• Budget amendment was approved.
• • Alexandria Benoist was selected as the John T. Belcher Scholarship nominee.
  • Substitute rates were approved: Non-Retired Teacher Substitute Rate: $105 (Full day) // $55 (Half day); Retired Teacher Substitute Rate: $115 (Full day) // $60 (Half day).
    
  • District administrators and directors presented an Annual Performance Report to the Board.
  • Coach Burchett provided a Tiger Development Academy (TDA) presentation and update to the board.
  • Mr. Munson provided a Career & Technical Education (CTE) program evaluation to the board.
  • MSBA Delegate, Mr. Charlie Malam, discussed Board of Education annual refresher training.
  • Building reports were provided by principals and directors.
  • Superintendent report was provided by Dr. Copley. Items included information on the following: Anthem and Mercy successful negotiations, 4-day survey preliminary results, water testing results, CSIP meeting updates, board candidate filing, facility updates on HVAC systems, and project updates regarding the FACS kitchen and softball renovation.
  • Agreed to reimburse the Licking School District as billed for a .5 FTE for ECSE Paraprofessional services.
  • Accepted resignations from: Deborah Dorman (Food Service, last day of work was Nov. 19); and Savanna Wofford (Exceptional Child Cooperative Paraprofessional, last day of work was Nov.18).
  • Accepted the retirement of Mrs. Julie Allen, Elementary Art Teacher, at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
  • Accepted the retirement of Mr. Gaylord Ragain, Custodian. Mr. Ragain’s last day of work is Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Extended employment contracts to: Laura Twyford (Food Service); Robbie Mortenson (Middle School Head Baseball Coach); Destiny Wallander (Assistant Scholar Bowl Coach); Chrystel Michelle Long (Paraprofessional); and Dave Rust (Transportation Director).

The weather in Southern Missouri can be unpredictable, which can make it challenging for the district to navigate school closures and cancellations. However, Houston Schools will make every possible effort to make and communicate informed decisions as early as possible. The safety of our students, staff and community will be the top priority of all decision making.

If inclement weather arrives in the district, the Superintendent and Director of Transportation will monitor conditions and determine if school can be held. They will follow these procedures for decision making and communications:

• Cancellations the night before classes will be made by 9 p.m.

• Cancellations the morning of classes will be made no earlier than 5 a.m. and no later than 6 a.m.

• If school is already in session and inclement weather arrives or moves into the area, early dismissal may be made at any moment at the discretion of school officials.

• Notifications will be shared by phone call, text message, school app, social media and local media outlets.

• Private messages and comments will not be answered by the district when it relates to weather announcements. All decisions will be shared formally by the mediums listed above.

• Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) may be used at the discretion of school officials. Further information would be provided at that time.

  
  

• Reviewed feedback from the Intruder Training with staff, including equipment improvements recognized during the drill.
• Discussed the Raptor app used by school staff for emergency alerts. Plans in place to use the app for drills beginning in the spring.
  
• Allocated federal safety grant funds to softball field fencing.
• Talked about room numbers on campus for maps as well as exterior numbers on windows.
• Discussed Control Access points on campus. Additional entries/exits were identified.

Speak up, save lives. Reporting school violence can make a difference. Report your concerns at www.courage2reportmo.com, via the mobile app: Courage2ReportMO, or by calling 866-748-7047. #StopSchoolViolence #SpeakUp

Seniors & Familes: Join the Remind text group from Ms. Volk and Mr. McNiell for 2024-25 scholarships via this link: https://www.remind.com/join/hhsmo25.

Houston Sports Passes 🐯🎟️ are available from the Houston Tiger Booster Club for admission to high school and middle school home games, excluding tournaments or postseason competitions. Passes are $25 (students), $50 (individuals) or $75 (family).

They are available by contacting Booster Club President Jessica Dzurick at 417-967-6781.

As announced earlier this summer, all enrolled students at Houston Schools will receive 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙁𝘼𝙎𝙏 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙇𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙃 for the upcoming school year. No application required.

Under the new Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) formula and with financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, Houston Schools will serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students this year. Families will not have to complete free meal applications to qualify.

𝙋𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀: The free meal applies to an entire reimbursable meal. Students will still have to pay for any à la cart or additional items they'd like to purchase.

Breakfast and lunch menus are posted daily on the free school app (https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/app) or the district's website at https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/

In order to be compliant with the Missouri law known as the "Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act," the Houston District will conduct sampling and testing of all potential drinking water sources in the school. The results of the water testing, including any corrective actions and retesting needed, will be posted on our school website (www.houston.k12.mo.us) and placed in the districtwide and community newsletter, Tiger Times. The results are typically available 7-14 days after the water samples have been submitted to the lab.

READ THE LATEST RESULTS SUBMITTED 8/27/24: Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water Index.

Additional information and resources on the health effects of lead contamination are available here: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#health

HEF, the Houston Education Foundation, has a mission of promoting education excellence and opportunity beyond the scope of the Houston R-1 school system by generating financial resources from private funds to provide support for education programs.

READ MORE ABOUT HEF: https://www.houston.k12.mo.us/page/hef

GIVE TO THE HEF: https://donorbox.org/houston-education-foundation

Looking to make a difference in education? Want to join an amazing team? Desire to be part of a special community? We may have the opportunity for you! Houston Schools has positions available.

READ MORE AND APPLY https://bit.ly/3HXhdX3

From menus and events to news and everything in between, our school app is the absolute best way to stay connected to everything at Houston Schools.

Download it: App Store | Google Play

Last week, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched a new website: www.missouri988.org. The site provides information for anyone who may be experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis.

The newly designated 988 phone number went live nationwide on July 16, 2022. Since that time, it has routed thousands of individuals to local, trained crisis specialists at Missouri’s 988 centers. The 988 crisis line connects anyone experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis to compassionate, accessible care and support, available 24/7. Support is free and confidential.

The Houston R-I Board of Education recognizes that homeless students are particularly vulnerable and need special assistance to access and benefit from the education environment. Therefore, the district, in accordance with state and federal law and the Missouri state plan for education of the homeless, will give special attention to ensure that homeless students in the district are promptly identified and have access to a free and appropriate public education and related support services. (Click here for Board Policy)

Eligibility for Services

Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include the following:

1. Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.

1. Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

1. Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.

1. Migratory children who meet one of the above-described circumstances.

#houstonfutureready I #thebestwillbe I #thetigerway

Email: jcopley@houston.k12.mo.us
Website: www.houston.k12.mo.us
Location: 206 West Spruce Street, Houston, MO
Phone: (417)967-3024
Facebook: facebook.com/houstonmotigers
Twitter: @houstonmotigers