TIGER TIMES

As the Houston R-1 School District moves through the process of gathering information about a 4-day school week, we would like to hear from our stakeholders.

Please only fill out ONE (1) survey per household. Surveys are due by Friday, December 20. For a hard copy, please call the Central Office at 417-967-3024 or stop by during business hours.

𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙇𝙀𝙏𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙐𝙍𝙑𝙀𝙔 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀 ➡️ https://forms.gle/gUcCL1VozWvpLLaZ6

🎓💵 𝙁𝘼𝙁𝙎𝘼 𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙀... A big step for seniors considering college or career training is completing the 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘼𝙞𝙙 (𝙁𝘼𝙁𝙎𝘼) form, which is now open. We have appointments available from Dec. 2-13 for seniors and/or families to receive assistance with completing the form. Use the links below to schedule a date and time:

🔔 Schedule appointment with Ms. Volk ➡️ https://calendar.app.google/TPH4RDNi3WbFewwv6

🔔 Schedule appointment with Mr. McNiell ➡️ https://calendar.app.google/4CEoLNd2gSCGZHZC8

Have questions or need further assistance? Email tvolk@houston.k12.mo.us or jmcniell@houston.k12.mo.us.

Player registration is now open for TDA teams playing in the Showcase Originals League. League games will be played in Houston.

If players participated in TDA Basketball Skills Development, league registration is free, but the registration form still needs to be completed.

If players did not participate in TDA Basketball Skills Development, there will be a $25 registration fee.

Player registration will close Monday, 12/23. Please email daburchett@houston.k12.mo.us with any questions. Register here: https://forms.gle/umwSQgy6cKW7Ag4d6

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 🟥

• Recognized Cross Country coaches Justin Brown and Heather Copley; along with Cross Country State Qualifiers; Jessyn Allen, Allie Benoist, Kristin Ely, Natalie Clinton, and Lilly Kincaid for qualifying for state.
• Recognized Middle School Student of the Month, Carly Reddy, who consistently demonstrates the character trait of courage. She led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Mike Catlett, Catlett & Associates, stated that the school’s financial audit went smoothly. He was impressed with the staff’s compliance. It was unanimously accepted by the board.
• Were presented a draft of a policy related to school protection officers on campus. It pertains to allowing officers who work at other schools to carry a weapon while on campus.
• The board voted unanimously to renew a three-year contract with Penmac Staffing, which contracts substitute teachers, training and absence management.
• Members approved a budget revision for review to the board. A little less than $200,000 was changed on the revenue side. For expenditures, the change represents about 1.5% of the total expenditure budget – approximately $237,000.
• Calendar proposals for the 2025-26 school year were presented with three options to review: A calendar similar to the current one; a 169-day calendar eligible for an additional 2 percent state reimbursement; and a hybrid blending traditional and four-day weeks.
• HHS senior Brody Adkison, student liaison, updated the board on athletics, art club competition, chess club competition and a Beta club program. The chess club is working to host a tournament in January.
• Mrs. Jarrett, elementary principal, reported a 96 percent contact rate for elementary parent/teacher conferences. Of those, 84 percent were in person. She also noted that the school’s book fair had record sales for the district. The elementary has 454 students, compared to 435 at this time last year.
• Mrs. Hughes, middle school principal, reported that about 100 students attended the recent fall social.
• Mrs. Munson, high school principal, said that the school will host a career day event for high school students Friday, Nov. 22.
• Extended an Exceptional Child Cooperative stipend to Amy Allen for MOSIS/Core Data state reporting.
• Kelsen Gilbert, technology director, was moved from step 10 to step 13 on the technology salary schedule.
• Accepted resignations from: Matt Robertson (transportation director) effective Oct. 21; Madyson Tune (paraprofessional) effective Oct. 18; and Jacob Boldon (transportation director/mechanic).
• Extended contracts to: Kelcie Shaver (middle school secretary); Preston Wade (bus driver); Cason Popham (archery instructor); and Zack Romines (bus mechanic).

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