News from Carl Junction Schools - September 2016

 Bulldog Bytes - October 2016
News briefs about the people, places, and events of the Carl Junction School District.
Upcoming Events

Oct. 10-14: National School Lunch Week
Oct. 14: CJ Day - Show your school spirit by wearing RED & WHITE
Oct. 18: End of 1st Quarter
Oct. 20: Central States Earthquake Drill, 10:20 am
Oct. 21: CJ Day - Show your school spirit by wearing RED & WHITE
Oct. 24 - 28: Red Ribbon Week
Oct. 24: 5th Grade Classes visit PSU
Oct. 25: Parent/Teacher Conferences (4-8 pm)
Oct. 27: Students Dismissed at 1:30 pm; Parent/Teacher Conferences (2-7 pm)
Oct. 28: Intermediate Honor Roll Assembly - 6th @ 8:30 am, 5th @ 9:15 am, 4th @ 10 am
Oct. 28: Fall Parade, 10:15 am
Oct. 28: Early Out - 11:30 am; Staff Inservice
Oct. 28: CJ Day - Show your school spirit by wearing RED & WHITE
Oct. 31: NO SCHOOL for students or staff

Girls Swim Team to begin Fall 2017-18

The Carl Junction Board of Education approved the addition of Girls Swimming to the high school athletic offerings beginning in the 2017-18 school-year. Athletic Director Jesse Wall presented the proposal to the board surrounded by future team members and their parents who were there to show their support.
 
The Carl Junction team will begin practices in November of 2017. The team will share pool time at Missouri Southern State University with the Joplin Girls Swim Team. They will also share a coach for the first year. According to the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), girls swimming is a winter sport.
 
"Several schools in the COC conference have girls swimming teams and a few more will be adding it soon," said Wall. "This is a good time to add the sport and it will offer another athletic opportunity to our winter line-up."
 
Currently, basketball is the only sport available for girls in the winter season. Wall estimates that it will cost approximately $15,000 a year to add swimming.

Board of Education sets tax rates

 The Carl Junction Board of Education decided to hold 2016-2017 school district taxes at the previous year's level: $3.00 for incidentals and $.99 for debt service. Based on the reports from Jasper and Newton County, the District should see about a 1.7% increase from economic growth which should meet the needs of the coming year.
Red Ribbon Week - Oct. 24-28

During Red Ribbon Week, messages about living a healthy, drug-free life will be incorporated into the daily lessons of our elementary students. Students are encouraged to "dress-up" each day to support the daily theme.
Monday - Saying "NO" to Drugs is No Sweat (wear sweats)
Tuesday - Don't Get Tied Down with Drugs (wear ties or Tie-Dye)
Wednesday - Follow Your Dreams (wear PJs)
Thursday - Absolutely "Paws"-itively Drug Free (wear Bulldog gear)
Friday - Say "Boo" to Drugs (wear Halloween costumes or Halloween clothes)
Legacy of Survivors Breast Cancer Walk
 
A record crowd formed the largest pink ribbon and balloon release at Bulldog Stadium in the seven-year history of the annual Breast Cancer Walk. The walk was sponsored by the Carl Junction High School Futures Business Leaders of America and was held on Sunday, October 9. Twenty-four teams and lots of individuals walkers participated in the fun walk which included food vendors, face painting, inflatables, raffles, a silent auction, and Bubble Soccer. Cancer survivors Emily Lewis and Beth Brower cut the ribbon to begin the 2016 walk for the cause. This year's walk is also expected to set a record for donations made to CJ Cares. CJ Cares' mission is to promote cancer awareness through education, promotion, & financial support of local breast cancer-related organizations.
 

Friends for Change week at Junior High

Everyone needs a friend, everyone deserves to feel loved and be valued. With that in mind, the Junior High implemented the "Friends for Change" initiative. This program aims to instill in these impressionable youths, messages of inclusion and anti-bullying. On Friday, September 30, students found positive affirmations on sticky notes stuck to their lockers. Related videos were been shown school-wide each day.

One particular story, "Rachel's Challenge" was featured. This story shares an impactful message, "I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go."
To learn more about Rachel's Challenge, click the hyperlink.



Early Education Transportation Night
 
The Carl Junction Early Education Center hosted their annual "Transportation Night" on Thursday, September 29. CJ Preschool children, their families, and members of Parents as Teachers, had the unique chance to view all kinds of different vehicles: campers, race cars and trucks, a dump truck, a school bus, a police car, a firetruck, and many more.

Duck Race put the "Fun" in fundraising

The annual Carl Junction Bluegrass Festival was held Saturday, September 24. One event featured was a rubber duck race down Center Creek. A contribution of $2 sponsored one duck entry in the race.

From duck sales, students from K-1 raised a total of $1082, the 2-3 students raised $332, and the Intermediate students, $225. The Technology Student Association group (TSA) from the Junior High raised $202, for a combined school total of $1841. The money raised by the buildings will be used to meet the needs their students.

Of the entries, the first three ducks to cross the finish line received cash prizes. Winners of the duck race were: First Place - Nicole Shannon, $200 prize. Duck sponsorship sold by Camden Cusick, 2nd grade, Ms. Miller's class. Second Place - Cindy Smith, $100 prize. Duck sponsorship sold by Zeke Fenix, Kindergarten, Ms. Passley's class. Third Place - Kathy Jones, $50 prize. Duck sponsorship by Anna Goedeke, 3rd grade, Ms. Nelson's class.
 
Sponsors for the race included Brad McIntyre and Jennafer Johnson of Edward Jones, Joplin Metro Credit Union, and Pop a Top Car Wash.
Glowing and Giving
Glow Run held Benefitting CJ Bright Futures
 
An estimated 100 runners and
spectators hit the streets of
Carl Junction on the evening of
Saturday, September 24. 
Several fun events  were featured
including a Banjo Dash and 5K Glow Run.
 
Runners were Illuminated with
glowing paint, bracelets, and other items before weaving through the lighted race course. The event was organized
 and orchestrated as a fundraiser
for the Carl Junction chapter of Bright Futures.
 
Presenting Sponsors included Northpoint Church, Jennafer Johnson - Edward Jones, and the Bridgestone Christmas Tree Farm.
 
WWII: Remembering an Era
 
The Carl Junction Band's halftime and competition show is getting rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

At the first field competition of the year in Oologah, OK, the band finished 3rd in their class in prelims with caption awards for 1st place Drum Major (Brett Boline, Edith Sigler, and Will Vance), 1st place percussion, and 3rd place color guard. The band qualified for finals competition and finished in 8th place out of 26 bands from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.

At Springfield-Parkview's "Valhalla" marching festival, the band finished 3rd in Class D (large class) with 1st place color guard in prelims. They qualified for finals, earning 6th place overall and the color guard earning first place, the highest score all day out of 26 bands.

The guard members are Brianna Ackerson, Meghan Byron, Tyler Clyde, Coral Corbin, Katie Dankelson, Abby Davis, Hope Gardner, Ruth Graham, Tatum Graham, Melissa Hendrickson, Madison Leary, Emily Madison, Emma Nelson, Juliet Newman, Lindsey Ritchie, Mallory Tate, Heather Wallace, and Cheyenne Watkins.
 
On October 7, the Junior High Band joined the High School Band on the field. Over 340 band members filled the field in an awesome show of sight and sound. This performance was highlighted by fireworks.
 
You can still catch the show this weekend at the Maple Leaf Parade and Band Competition in Carthage or at upcoming home football playoff games.
 
Students earn All-District Choir honors

Twenty-three CJ students received All-District honors and will join 200 students in the area honor choir. Students auditioned by singing a solo and also identified notes and key signatures on musical pieces they had never seen before. The honor choir will sing in a special performace Saturday, October 22. 
 
From Left to Right:
9/10 Honor Choir: Row 1- Davin Ducre, Kryslin Crandell, Tim Kowis, Hannah Huffman; Row 2- Gracie Jackson, Maici Craig, Alex Moore, (Not Pictured- Olivia Bliss, Madelyn Bailey)
11/12 Honor Choir: Row 3- Harmouni Cundiff, Madisyn Leary, Heather Wallace, Kathryn Martinez, Jarrett Little, Lydia Tucker; Row 4- Megan Richins, Sophia Day, Lindsey Searle, Rachel  Eaton, Lindsey Ritchie, Edith Sigler, Brett Boline (Not Pictured: Stormi Norton)
  
Homecoming Queen crowned

Senior Zoey Farley was crowned Homecoming Queen 2016 during Homecoming festivities on Friday, September 16. Members of the Homecoming Court included Freshman Danielle Wrensch, Sophomore Breanna Maxwell, Junior Sylvia Lawson, and Seniors MacKenzie Stinnett, Lauren Taylor, and Zoey Farley. Rainy weather caused a cancellation of the traditional parade and moved the ceremony into the gymnasium.
 

Alumni Reunion reunites former CJ s tudents

The All-School Carl Junction Alumni Reunion was held Saturday, September 17 at the High School Commons. The morning festivities provided a chance for Carl Junction High School graduates from all years to reminisce and reunite.


Recognized throughout the day's activities, were honored guests: Maxine Hood Carlson Davies,
class of 1949; Barbara "Bobbye" Lundien Russell,
class of 1944; and Dorothy Mae Reis Johnson,
class of 1947. Also, a short speech was given by
former scholarship recipient and CJ graduate,
class of 2012, 2nd LT Nathan Skaggs.
 


In the evening, a banquet was provided for alumni who had preregistered. An estimated 100 guests were in attendance. The next reunion will be planned for 2018. For more information or to make a donation to the scholarship fund, visit the Alumni website.



Skaggs receives commission
 
Carl Junction 2012 graduate, Nathan Skaggs recently received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Missouri Army National Guard. Skaggs, a senior Environmental Health and Safety major at Missouri Southern State University, has participated in the National Guard Officer Training Program (Show Me Gold) at the University for the past three years.
 
Supplementing his course work at MSSU, Skaggs also went through basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, and officer candidate school at Fort Meade in South Dakota. He received the Neilson B. Rudd award following his commissioning. This award honors the memory of Officer Candidate Rudd who was killed on his way home from weekend drill when he stopped to help a stranded motorist. Skaggs received this award by a vote of his peers in OCS.
 
2nd Lt. Skaggs will serve as a platoon leader with the 3175th Chemical Company based at Lambert Airfield near St. Louis. As he is finishing his last semester of college, he is also interning with Owens Corning at their new plant near Joplin.
Shape the future by feeding hungry kids

A well-known candy bar is running a humourous television ad campaign with the tag line "you're not you when you are hungry." For many students in Carl Junction, there is nothing funny about hunger. For students who depend on eating breakfast and lunch at school, an empty stomach is a scary reality they face every weekend.

The Weekend Food Pack Program ensures that students who are facing food shortage have the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have food over the weekend. Currently over 110 students benefit from the program each week. The bag of food contains meals and nutritious snacks such as fresh fruit and vegetables. This food not only chases away weekend hunger but it also helps students be ready to learn when classes resumes Monday morning.
 
If you would like to help fight hunger, there are many ways you can get involved:
  • Donate food - individual serving sizes of shelf-stable items like oatmeal and canned soup are always in need
  • Donate time - twice a month volunteers gather to assemble the Food Packs
  • Donate money - it takes about $3 per week to feed a student. You can make a one-time gift, or choose to sponsor a child for a quarter, semester, or year.
  • Donate bar codes - collect the bar codes from all your Best Choice products. We redeem them for cash to support the program.
To find out more about any of these opportunities, email brightfutures@cjr1.org  or call 649-7026 ext 2234.
Students honor 15-year anniversary of 9/11

 

The anniversary of the devastating events of September 11, 2001 is always a day for reflection and rememberence. This year, in honor of that anniversary, students from the Intermediate Building constructed hand-made handprint flags. These flags were presented to the first responders of the Carl Junction police department and fire department on Monday, September 12.


The Carl Junction High School vocal group, Dynamics, performed at the First Responder Dedication Ceremony. The event was held on September 11, at Crowder College, Webb City Campus.


Earthquake Drill

Each fall, public school students return to classrooms, meet new teachers and friends, and settle into a routine of learning. These beginning days also include safety drills to prepare students in case of an emergency. For Carl Junction students, a number of drills are practiced, including those for fire, intruders, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
 
"We've practiced earthquake drills forever, but it was always something that you thought wouldn't happen here. This year's drill will be more relevant. We're going to be really focusing on what to do," said 5th grade teacher Ela Winder. In light of the recent 5.8 earthquake that hit Pawnee County, Oklahoma, local residents are realizing that this type of emergency can hit closer to home than originally thought. Such an uncommon occurrence has definitely justified the need for these preparedness drills.
 
Many local schools take part in a regional initiative of a national program called "The Great Central U.S. Shake Out". During this organized
drill thousands of people all over the Midwest, including the students of Carl Junction, will practice an earthquake drill simultaneously. The Shake Out will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 10 am. The Shake Out program and CJ schools follow a method for earthquake safety known as: Drop, Cover, Hold On. First: Drop to the ground, most injuries from earthquakes are reported from people trying to move to a safer area once the event is already underway. Next, Cover your head and neck. The best place to be is under a sturdy piece of furniture. For students, this usually means their desk or work table. And lastly, Hold On, to whatever you can and don't move until the event is completely over.
Student Blake Starks gets the chance to be the Wolf.
KC Wolf makes a guest appearance

KC Wolf stopped by the Primary 2-3 Building to bring a special message to the students - Don't be a Bully - Be a Buddy. The focus was on treating everyone with Respect and Kindness despite our differences.
The program was kicked off with a positive message skit by staff members showing the students how to treat others.
Athletic Updates
  • Softball: ended the season 3-27        
  • Girls Golf: COC Champions, District Champions, and Sectional Champions, the team placed 7th in the State Tournament
  • Boys Soccer: Record at this time 11-8-1. Districts will be at Bulldog Stadium Oct. 25 & 27
  • Football: Record at this time is 6-2. We play at Nixa on 10/14. District playoffs begin the following week. CJ is currently ranked first in the District and should play at home in the first round of the playoffs.
  • Girls Tennis: Finished their season Tuesday 10-4-16. Chase Boyd made it to Sectional round
  • Cross Country: Finishing in the top 3 in most meets. Freshman Kaitlynn Franks placed 4th in the COC meet. Districts will take place 10-29
  • Volleyball: Record at this time is 17-11-1, 2nd place overall in the COC, Districts will be played at Webb City week of Oct. 17. Their first game is 10/18 at 5 pm.
  • 8th Grade Volleyball: Tri-County Champions and will host the COC Tournament on 10/15
  • 7th Grade Volleyball: Tri-County Champions and will play in the COC Tournament on 10/15
  • Varsity Football: Be sure to catch the live-stream video and radio broadcasts of the games at http://citylinktv.com/channel/carl-junction-tv/ and 1560 AM/101.3 FM
  • Athletic Booster Club: Meetings are the first Wednesday of the month at 6 pm in the High School Media Center. Everyone interested in CJ Junior High or High School athletics is encouraged to attend.
Bulldog Bytes | Carl Junction Schools | 417-649-7026 | www.cjr1.org
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