The Eagle Eye
A Focus on Well-being
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Please look for our sponsors trivia questions below to win! |
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Now more than ever, we must LIVE UNITED to help local people thrive. Now more than ever, when you support United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas, you inspire hope, strengthen the hearts of those who need it most and literally change lives in our community. If you're interested in supporting the United Way please click here!
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The Governor has just announced that because extraordinary numbers of students are being quarantined, DESE and the Department of Health have been examining options to safely reduce this number and increase the number of students who can receive onsite instruction. As of November 12, guidance on close contacts and quarantining has been modified please click here for more details.
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Eagle Nation Benefit News |
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Hey, Eagle Nation!
Do you want to learn more about your benefits and ways to save money? Keep an Eagle Eye out each month as we focus on your health and financial well-being. Watch for money saving tips and other information you need to know!
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The coverage you select as a new hire or during open enrollment will continue to September 30, 2021, provided you maintain employment during this time. To make mid-year changes requires a qualifying event and election of your new benefits within the first 30 days following the event. An event would include:
- marriage
- birth or adoption
- divorce
- loss of coverage through a spouse, and others.
If you believe you may have a qualifying event, contact Employee Benefits at 625-5200 ext. 2001.
TIP: Keep in mind the District collects insurance premiums the month for coverage begins, so call to enroll as soon as possible!
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NEW HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
Optum Rx is our new pharmacy provider. Due to this change, UMR issued new insurance cards this year. Did you receive yours? Cards were mailed the last week in September and came in a plain envelope that looked like junk mail.
TIP: If you need to order a card, go to umr.com and login or create an account (you will need your insurance card). Click on ID card, then you may view, print, or order a new card.
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While you're on the UMR website, check out the pharmacy link. You will find the best prices or lower cost alternatives for your prescriptions.
TIP: Be sure to edit the search area and increase the radius for each prescription you look-up.
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A new pharmacy vendor also means a new formulary. Optum Rx mailed information that includes lower-cost alternatives to anyone who will experience a disruption. If you missed this letter, reach out to Optum at 877-559-2955 or speak to your pharmacist.
TIP: You may find the new formulary on the District website under the Staff tab. Look for the Employee Benefits icon!
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MEDICAL PLAN FACTS
July 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020
(Report of the Superintendent to the School Board)
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Premiums Collected
District ---------------------------- $860,550.00
Employee ------------------------ $368,129.34
Retiree and Cobra -------------- $67,860.75
Interest Earned ------------------ $14,794.11
Total -----------------------------$1,311,334.20
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Fees and Claims Paid
Admin/Teledoc ------------------- $66,668.77
Insurance Premium ----------- $125,221.68
Health Claims --------------- $1,099,880.68
Prescription Claims ----------- $368,498.38
Total ---------------------------- $1,660,269.50
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MEDICAL PLAN FACTS
July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
(Report of the Superintendent to the School Board)
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Premiums Collected
District ------------------- $3,896,640.00 Employee --------------- $1,531,130.87
Retiree and Cobra ------ $322,346.13
Interest Earned -----------$113,455.94
Total ---------------------- $5,863,572.94
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Fees and Claims Paid
Admin/Teledoc ------------- $257,032.62
Insurance Premium ------- $467,560.69
Health Claims ------------ $3,541,651.60
Prescription Claims ------$1,565,906.72
Total ------------------------- $5,686,559.58
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Welcome to the Eagle Family |
Please join us in welcoming our newest employees to the Eagle Family!
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George Rogers Duff, age 95, of Joplin MO passed away on November 4, 2020 at 5PM after a long and loving life. He was born in Carthage MO October 18, 1925 to George Euin & Nellie Faye Rogers Duff. Both families were lifelong residents of the Carthage area since the mid 1850’s.
Upon returning to the farm Rogers attended Joplin Junior college and Southwest Missouri State College. Prior to earning his Bachelors, Masters and Educational degrees in Educational Administration at Kansas State Teachers College (now PSU), he married Lorrain Gillette on May 21, 1947 in Monett, MO. The couple had five sons Edward, Steven, David, Phillip and Douglas. Starting his career in education Mr. Duff first served as principal of Oronogo, then East Central, Royal Heights, and Kelsey Norman finishing at McKinley Elementary holding positions as Elementary School Principal some 38 years. He worked in the R-8 School System in development and administration of nationally recognized programs for advanced reading and math as well as working with students on his beloved art projects. Rogers was recognized by the Missouri State House of Representatives in 2005 for meritorious endeavors as a citizen, educator, civic servant, man of faith, and veteran. He also served as president of the MSSC alumni associations. During the summer breaks he took on additional work as an Insurance Adjuster to supplement the family income as well as taking his family on extended vacations with close family friends.
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Linda Sue (Zweighaft) Klepper, 73, of Joplin, Missouri, departed this life on Friday morning, November 6, 2020, while at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri.
Linda entered this life on July 7, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the only child born to the late Benard and Chloe (Roller) Zweighaft. She resided in New Jersey until moving to Joplin in 1960. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1965 and furthered her education at Missouri Southern State College, receiving a Bachelor's degree in education.
Linda was an educator for 30 years with the Joplin R-8 School District, teaching a majority of those years at Kelsey Norman Elementary teaching over 700 students an many keeping in touch with her. Linda was an amazing teacher, twice receiving the "Who's Who of American Teachers" award.
Linda is survived by her good friend and caretaker, Lee Wooten and wife, Janeie, of Joplin; as well as a host of extended family.
Graveside services are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin with Pastor Alan McCamey officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary in Joplin.
Memorial contributions maybe made to the Salvation Army in care of the mortuary.
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Joplin Eagles are on the move!
There are great things being done by Joplin Eagles! Please join us in recognizing the following Eagles for their remarkable service to the District and it's students!
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A challenge presented by Covid19 was providing a sanitary way to keep our kids hydrated. Our newer schools have water bottle fillers, but many of our older facilities do not. So, this Summer our Plumbers Terry Thompson (right) and Jayme Pearce (left) saw this challenge and began to think "outside of the box". After checking local venders, Terry was able to procure glass fillers that are common in full-service restaurants. Together, Terry and Jayme modified existing water fountains to provide an ingenious, and relatively inexpensive, solution that met a great need that helped allow our students to come back to school.
Thanks to Terry and Jayme for their resourcefulness, skill, and initiative in providing sanitary water for our kids!
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Earlier this year South Middle School was introduced to Ms. Dana Newman, one of the District's Substitute Teachers. Due to her gregarious personality and eagerness to work with students, she was asked to serve in a long-term role at the building. She has taken on the challenge and has worked beyond expectations. She has learned the curriculum, procedures, and has built great relationships with students and staff members so the education can continue positively.
An example of her exemplary service to SMS's students is shown when she went out of her way to try and win a radio contest for teachers on a nationally syndicated show. She was soon contacted by the show, and they brought her on-air to announce that she had won the contest and an award of $500 for her classroom. This will be put to good use for atlas books and other supplies for the classes.
Thank you Ms. Newman for going above and beyond to provide for the students of South Middle School!
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Access our District Calendar on our website or by clicking here for the Google calendar. Stay up to date with district events.
Don't see a district-wide event on here? Email justincrawford@joplinschools.org to get it added. Thanks for helping us help you know about district happenings.
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2020-2021 UPDATED School Calendar Now Available
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5 Surprising Health Benefits of Cold Weather |
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It might not feel like it right not but rest assured cold weather is just around the corner. Here are some health benefits of cold weather.
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Cooler temps can boost your brain-cooler temps help people think better
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It might help you burn calories-When it’s cold, your body works harder to maintain your core temp.
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It improves allergies-Pollen counts are virtually nonexistent in cold and snowy weather. YES!!
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You will sleep better. Your body’s core temp naturally drops when you’re trying to sleep: this process can take up to two hours in the summer but is much faster in the winter.
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It can help you fight infections. Yes, you might get more colds during the winter (YUCK!), but you are better primed to kick your immune system into gear and fight infection more effectively. So get outside and enjoy the brisk air!
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"It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy." |
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Don't forget to use Employee Discounts while shopping locally - you can find those at the link below.
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DID YOU MISS IT?
No worries!
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The Eagle Eye: A Focus on Well-being is a monthly e-newsletter where you will find news, updates, reminders, wellness challenges, celebrations, etc. from the human resources department! The e-newsletter will be shared during the last week of each month. Thanks for viewing!
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