News from Carl Junction Schools - October 2020
News briefs about the people, places, and events of the Carl Junction School District.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 5-9: Homecoming Week
Oct 8: Family Library Night, 3:30-6:30 pm at K-1, 2/3, and Intermediate (all in-person, one adult and one student allowed entry, facial coverings required)
Oct. 9: CJ Day - Wear your Red & White
Oct. 9: Homecoming - Football vs. Republic @ 7 pm
Oct. 12-16: School Lunch Week
Oct. 15: Great American Shakeout - National Earthquake Drill
Oct. 16: PAT and Early Childhood play date - Fire Station Friday Fun (200 E Pennell St), families with birth-2 year olds: 9-10 am, 3-5 year olds: 10-11 am, facial coverings & social distancing encouraged
Oct. 16: CJ Day - Wear your Red & White
Oct. 19-23: School Bus Safety Week
Oct. 23: CJ Day - Wear your Red & White
Oct. 26-30: Red Ribbon Week (dates and participation may vary by building, watch for their publications on details)
Oct. 30: CJ Day - Wear your Red & White
Oct. 30: Early out - students release at 11:30 am
Nov 1: Time change, daylight saving time ends, set non-cellular clocks back one hour!
Nov. 2: Parent/Teacher Conferences (4-8 pm)
Nov. 3: Election Day
Nov. 5: Parent/Teacher Conferences (4-8 pm)
Nov. 6: No School for students or staff
Nov. 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
For more information, check out your
student's building newsletter, social media, or daily announcements:
The Cookie Chronicle: Good News Continues
Welcome back to The Cookie Chronicle, a video blog series by Dr. Phillip Cook, Superintendent of Carl Junction Schools.  This recurring series focuses on the great things that are happening in Carl Junction Schools and our community.

"In this video I discuss the month of October, including upcoming events at CJ Schools, and commend the great start to our school year." Click on the video below to watch (recorded on September 29).
Homecoming Week
Homecoming plans look a little different in 2020 but Carl Junction Schools are excited to celebrate this tradition.

Members of the Carl Junction High School Homecoming Court are Seniors – Chloe Johnson, Gabby Flores, and Emma Lacey; Junior Attendant Olivia Vediz, Sophomore Attendant Logan Jones, and Freshman Attendant Laynie Brock.

FFA will sponsor a Homecoming Chili Supper before the game (4:30-7:00) outside the stadium gates or inside the HS Commons (depending on the weather). The meal includes chili, dessert, and a drink for $6 a person.
 
The football game will see our Bulldogs take on the Republic Tigers. Kick off will be at 7 pm. Pregame festivities including the Homecoming Court presentation will begin at 6:30. Admission is $4/adults and $2/students. Fans are asked to social distance and when that is not possible, please wear a mask.
 
The Fall Homecoming parade and dance have been cancelled.
Homecoming Court
Board of Education brings back extended Thanksgiving break
The Carl Junction Board of Education made the following changes to the school calendar at their September meeting.

• Moved the first day of parent/teacher conferences from Election Day, Tuesday, November 3 to Monday, November 2.
• The second change was made because the Board is so appreciative of our students and staff for a great start of the year. They recognize that without their hard work and ability to adapt to daily challenges, this year could have started much differently. They know that our CJ Community has accepted these challenges head-on for the benefit of our kids. Because of the stresses and uniqueness of this school year, the Board wants to give our students and staff something back. Therefore, they decided last night to cancel classes on Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving for students and staff. The Board hopes that you will all enjoy this extra time with your family.

There are already snow days built into the calendar so unless we exceed ten snow days, we will not need to make up these two extra days away from school.

Honoring the life of Mrs. Bunny Collins
Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Bunny Collins, our Primary 2-3 counselor. Mrs. Collins was employed by Carl Junction School District for the past 15 years, 2005-2016 in the role of 3rd grade teacher, 2016-presently as building counselor.

Mrs. Collins had been bravely fighting cancer for several years. Mrs. Collins was a loyal staff member of the 2-3 building, continuing to serve our students even as recently as October 2. Bunny was wonderful, compassionate, passionate, and resilient. She is already greatly missed.
All CJ students receive free meals
As of September 1, all Carl Junction student school meals (breakfast & lunch) are free through December 22. We are able to do this under USDA waivers.

*** Please note that a la carte items and extra milk are not included.***

Carl Junction School District is now on Instagram!
We are kicking off the launch of our new Instagram page with a High School Student Take-Over! The Senior STUCO members have control and they are showing their Homecoming School Spirit. Jump over to Instagram by clicking on the hyperlink below and follow the FUN!

District COVID-19 Information Page
The safety of our students and staff continues to be our highest priority. In order to offer pertinent and current information to our families, the District has created a COVID-19 webpage. Data and information at the site include: Safety plans, communication archive, District COVID-19 statistics (updated and archived weekly), the morning health screen information, and frequently asked questions.

October is National School Principals Month
Niess sets goals for an Agriculture future
Carl Junction Senior Aubrey Niess is already looking toward her future and is putting the pieces together to reach her academic and career goals. Aubrey is in her second year involved in the Agriculture Work Experience program and at eighteen years old, she is already an assistant manager at Cavender’s Western Store in Joplin.

As a Junior, Aubrey began working at Cavender’s with a ten hour a week commitment through the Agriculture Work Experience class. This year, that commitment has grown to twenty hours a week but with her new promotion, she usually works thirty hours a week.

Aubrey has been taking classes in the agriculture department and been involved with FFA since entering high school, but she has also been in 4-H since moving to the Carl Junction area following the Joplin tornado in 2011.

“I think that I have taken all of the classes offered in our high school agriculture program,” said Niess. “Basic life skills like leadership, management, and technology are always included in all of these classes. I also think that employers always look for things like involvement in FFA and 4-H. To be successful in these programs, you must be a hard worker. I think that is what I have learned the most from my experiences in the Ag program.”

Aubrey’s other experiences include raising and showing goats, serving as FFA president during her junior year, 2nd vice president this year, and serving as an area officer.

Aubrey plans to continue her education in agriculture at Crowder and then go on to get her teaching degree on her path to becoming an Agriculture teacher.

According to Carl Junction Agriculture Teacher, Kelli Nolting, there are currently twelve students in the Agriculture Work Experience program, meeting objectives in dependability, public relations, accountability, hands on experience, and gaining industry knowledge.
Apples, apples, everywhere!
It is finally Fall, and students in our K-1 building have been celebrating by enjoying learning about a seasonal favorite: apples! Children were taught lessons on Johnny Appleseed, focused on the growth process of apples, and finally got to taste-test a number of apples and apple flavored treats.
Mrs. Kelley's First Grade class shows their approval during the apple taste-test.
National School Bus Safety Week: October 19 - 23
This year, and every year, Carl Junction Schools designates a week in October as National School Bus Safety Week. This year's theme, as determined by NAPT, is titled " Red Lights Mean Stop," and is an informative campaign about the "Danger Zone", seeking to educate other drivers and student passengers alike, about the potential dangers within this 10-foot radius around all sides of the bus. Please read through the websites below in order to get helpful pointers about keeping our children safe around school buses.

Motorists risk children’s lives when they fail to stop for the school bus as it loads and unloads its passengers. Yet it’s estimated that over 10 million drivers illegally pass school buses every year. To keep children safe, start by learning the laws in your state. It’s illegal to pass a school bus within the roadway as it drops off or picks up passengers—regardless of the direction of approach. Remember that there is no “safe” way to illegally pass the school bus. Take a pledge to brake for the school bus, and to stop at least 25 feet away from the bus while the stop sign is deployed and the red lights are flashing.

Bulldog Athletic Updates
  • Athletic Calendar
  • There have been a lot of schedule changes. We try to keep this calendar up to date. Please check the calendar/schedule information often
  • Athletic event safety guidelines:
✔ Social Distance and when you can't wear a mask
✔ No fans on the court or field after the game
✔ Stay Safe to Keep Playing
Lewis enters state record book
Senior Outside Hitter, Salma Lewis has earned many honors as a Carl Junction Volleyball player. Adding to that list now includes 1000 kills, making her the 19th player in state history to reach that mark according to the MSHSAA record book. The Varsity team has six more regular season matches on their schedule, one tournament, and then post-season play. Check out their schedule.
October featured teams
High School Dance
Cross Country Team
Girls Tennis
Volleyball
Varsity & JV Football
9th Grade Football
Carl Junction Bulldog Athletics
@CJHSAthletics
Bulldog Broadcast Network
Bulldog Bytes | Carl Junction Schools | 417-649-7026 | www.cjr1.org