The Eagle Eye
A Focus on Well-being
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In this month's edition...
News & Updates
- Golden Apple Awards
- School Telemedicine - Coming Soon!
- 1095c and W-2 Update
- How to change income tax withholdings
Eagle Nation Benefit News
- Summer Insurance Premiums - 9/10/11 - month Classified Staff
- Free COVID Testing and At-Home Test Kits
- Medical Plan Financial Review
Wellness
- Wellness Challenge - Month 4 - It's not too late!
Cheer & Tears, Safety Tip, Wellness, Trivia, and more!
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Check out the trivia questions and
wellness challenge below for a chance to win!
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The Golden Apple Award
Nominations for the 2021-2022 Golden Apple Awards are being accepted now through February 11, 2022. This is the 37th year for this popular program from Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, which recognizes instructional excellence in our Joplin schools, both public and private.
Click HERE for more information and the nomination form.
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COMING TO JOPLIN SCHOOLS IN 2022!
This is in addition to our current Teledoc program for Joplin Schools' medical plan members. This telemedicine program is offered through Freeman and is available for students and employees during regular school hours.
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Until Telemedicine is available in your school, you'll be directed to the closest facility.
COMING IN...
FEBRUARY - Memorial Education Center and McKinley Elementary
MARCH - Soaring Heights Elementary and Joplin High School
To schedule a telemedicine visit, see your School Nurse.
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1095c Forms were mailed January 23, 2021
W-2's were distributed to buildings on January 21, 2022.
UNSUBSTANTIATED FLEX CLAIMS CAUSES DELAY IN W-2'S
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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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Summer Insurance Premiums
9-10-11 Month
Classified Staff
It's almost that time again. Premiums to cover Summer insurance begin in March.
Your regular insurance premiums (excludes dependent medical) and District paid benefits will be doubled on March 2, 16, April 13, 27, May 11, and 25 to cover the cost of insurance through September 30, 2022.
Don't forget, the Health, Benefits, and Retail Therapy Fair is in August each year! The Fair kicks off our Open Enrollment period!
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Free COVID testing provided by Joplin Schools
Contact your School Nurse or Memorial Education Center
Monday - Friday
7:30 - 3:00
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FREE AT-HOME COVID TESTS
or
Joplin Schools Medical Plan Member
(this is a cost to our medical plan)
AFTER JANUARY 15, 2022
HOME COVID TEST KITS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING
PHARMACIES AT NO COST TO PLAN MEMBERS
Sam's Club, Walmart, Bartel, Rite Aid
Purchase at-home test kit through other area pharmacies to be reimbursed through UMR
(details pending)
8 tests are covered per month - kits contain 2 tests
4 kits = 8 tests
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Medical Plan Financial Review
Remember, when we save money today by reducing our costs, we may also save money tomorrow if we avoid increasing premiums or plan design changes!
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HEALTH PLAN BALANCE - JULY 2020 ---------------------------------------------- $5,686,559.58
FY20 PREMIUMS COLLECTED ------------------------------------------------------- $5,988,021.70
FY20 FEES AND CLAIMS PAID -------------------------------------------------------- $6,501,256.53
FY21 PREMIUMS COLLECTED -------------------------------------------------------- $2,866,131.20
FY21 FEES AND CLAIMS PAID -------------------------------------------------------- $3,361,320.05
HEALTH PLAN BALANCE - DECEMBER 2021 ----------------------------------- $4,678,135.90
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July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
(From the Report of the Superintendent to the School Board)
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Premiums Collected
District ------------------------- $3,990,227.16
Employee --------------------- $1,625,781.27
Retiree and Cobra -------------$342,918.38
Interest Earned ------------------ $29,044.89
Total ---------------------------- $5,988,021.70
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Fees and Claims Paid
Admin/Teledoc ----------------- $238,307.45
Insurance Premium ----------- $610,596.92
Health Claims ---------------- $4,393,430.40
Prescription Claims -------- $1,258,921.76
Total ---------------------------- $6,501,256.53
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July 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
(From the Report of the Superintendent to the School Board)
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Premiums Collected
District --------------------------$1,900,550.00
Employee ----------------------- $785,357.30
Retiree and Cobra ------------ $171,446.22
Interest Earned -------------------- $8,777.68
Total -----------------------------$2,866,131.20
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Fees and Claims Paid
Admin/Teledoc ----------------- $135,308.39
Insurance Premium ----------- $297,085.41
Health Claims ---------------- $2,028,879.53
Prescription Claims ------------$900,046.72
Total ---------------------------- $3,361,320.05
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Mid-year insurance changes
The benefit elections made during open enrollment or as a new hire continues through the following September 30. Mid-year changes are allowed if it meets the plan document or cafeteria plan requirements, and you submit documentation of the qualifying event within 30 days of the event.
Contact Employee Benefits for details!
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Eagle Spotlight
February 2022
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Kimberly Lankford, Juvenile Detention Teacher
Jasper County Juvenile Detention Center
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Kimberly is a teacher at an alternative classroom at the Juvenile Detention Center where students have been suspended or referred by juvenile officers. This classroom is far from a detention facility. Kimberly ensures that it is a very caring and non-judgemental environment. It doesn't take long for her students to see that she not only cares for them, but she also believes in them and their abilities, and sets high standards for success. |
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This year, in particular, Kimmy has seen an increase in the number of students who are being referred due to a lack of work ethic and self-sufficiency. Kimmy willingly accepts the challenge of teaching these students, not only in their academic areas but also in organizational skills, communication skills, life skills, and daily living skills. Kimmy has the ability to identify root causes of poor performance in the classroom and help students set goals for improvement. Challenges become their stepping stones to success. Kimmy is also very good at helping students identify personal strengths they don’t even know exist. Kimmy finds community mentors for students, gets them involved in after-school activities, and uses volunteering at the Humane Society as a way to empower students to do good while also putting them on a path to become more thoughtful, empathetic, civic-minded students. |
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Kimmy is the most positive person who is constantly looking for ways to motivate her students to complete courses. She teaches by modeling expectations of kindness, having healthy conversations, and overcoming hardships they have faced and are facing each day. Kimmy makes a huge impact in their lives through showing how much she loved them while pushing them as far as they can go. |
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Thanks to our prize pack sponsors: Guaranty Bank, Higdon Florist, J-H Cattle Co. Meat Store, The Candy House, Chick-fil-a, Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change, 24 Hour/Elite 24 Hour Gym, Woody's Wood-fire Pizza, Texas Roadhouse, and Jefferson's Restaurant. |
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Joplin Eagles are on the move!
There are great things being done by Joplin Eagles!
Do you know an Eagle that deserves to be recognized for their extraordinary service to the District? If so, let's spotlight them!
Nominate someone to be recognized HERE!
Selected winners will receive a prize pack valued at over $300!
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Danny Crane
Danny Douglas Crane, age 48, passed away at his home in the Carl Junction Residential Care Facility on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Danny was a graduate of the Joplin R-VIII School district and would later retire as an employee of the "Joplin Schools" after a lengthy career in maintenance.
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Diane Schwarting
Vallye Diane Harwell Schwarting, 72, passed away on January 24, 2022, at her home and went to be with our Lord. She was born on May 7, 1949, in Hobbs, New Mexico, the daughter of Jay and June Reed Harwell.
Diane taught mathematics at Joplin Junior High and Joplin High School for 25 years and was the Joplin Schools Mathematics Teaching Specialist for 15 years.
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Wynne Krell
LCDR Leland Wynne Krell, U. S. Coast Guard (Ret.), age 85, Carthage, MO. passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Freeman West Hospital.
Wynne worked at Franklin Technical School in Joplin from 1981 until his retirement on February 27, 1996. He taught students in Mechanical, Civil, and Architecture Engineering as well as Drafting and CAD, both AutoCAD and Matc-CAD.
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Workplace Injury?
IMMEDIATELY REPORT IT!
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2021-22 Wellness Challenge!
Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental outcomes.
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE!
This challenge started in November and will run through March. However, it's not too late to join the fun. The focus is on 5 aspects of wellness. Complete a recommended activity from each month's category to be eligible for random drawings for some fantastic prizes!
Don't forget to register each month!
If you complete one activity during the assigned month, you'll be eligible for a monthly random drawing for a themed basket. By completing all 5-months, you'll also be eligible for a random drawing in April for one of these great prizes!
- Apple Watch Series 7 41mm GPS
- Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch
- BOSE Soundlink Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Beats by Dr. Dre-beats flex wireless earphones
- Portable Hammock
- $150 toward Athletic Shoes at The Run Around
- Theragun Prime Handheld Percussive Massage Device
- and more!
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February's Category - Financial Health
Financial Health is a term used to describe the state of one's personal monetary affairs. There are many dimensions to financial health, including the amount of savings you have, how much you're putting away for retirement, and how much of your income you are spending on fixed or non-discretionary expenses.
“Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.” –Nathan W. Morris
Complete one of these new activities, then register for this month's drawing!
- Schedule to attend a PSRS/PEERS seminar, learn about Joplin Schools' 403b and 457b savings options (go to joplinschools.org>Staff>OMNI>Employees>Employees FAQ), or meet with a Financial Advisor
- Create a budget
- Set a monthly savings goal.
- Execute a plan to pay off debt.
- Utilize Joplin School's Employee Discounts
Don't forget to check March's Eagle Eye for the last challenge!
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January's Category - Nutritional Health
Good nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life. You can improve your health by keeping a balanced diet. You should eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and a source of protein. ~ familydoctor.org
A healthy outside starts from the inside. ~ Robert Urich
"I totally regret eating healthy today" - said no-one ever ~ wellnessstockshop
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January's Nutritional Health Prize Winner
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Julia Wood-Narrell
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December's Category - Mental Health
It's up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind. ~ author unknown
The smallest act of kindness can make the biggest impact. ~ unk.
Pay it forward - to show appreciation of a good deed one has benefited from by making a kind gesture towards another person.
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Need help?
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November's Category - Family Time (work/life balance)
Life gets busy, and sometimes we forget to set aside time for those we love. Spending meaningful time together is an essential part of our overall wellness.
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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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2021-2022 School Calendar Available
2021-2022 Employee Work Calendars
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Question: What are 2 ways to get free At-Home COVID test kits?
The first 3 employees that email Melissa Smith in Human Resources with the correct answer will win a T-shirt.
HINT - the answer is in this edition of the Eagle Eye!
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Previous editions of The Eagle Eye are archived on our website.
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