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2 / MAKE THE GRADE

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MAKE THE GRADE / 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS American Family Insurance .......................................Page 2 MCC: Blue River ........................................................Page 15 State Farm Insurance .................................................Page 4 Major Awards ............................................................Page 16 Notes from The Superintendents .............................Page 4-5 Spectrum Station ......................................................Page 17 School District Updates ........................................... Page 6-7 Keep it Positive: Returning to School ........................Page 17 Timothy Lutheran School ...........................................Page 8 Missouri’s Tax-Free Weekend................................... Page 18 Courtney Brothers Barber ...........................................Page 8 Teen Spirit: Back to School Fashions........................Page 19 The Newest School in Lee’s Summit ..........................Page 8 School Daze: Easing Back into Routines ..................Page 20 Public School Directory ..........................................Page 9-10 Keep Calm and Study On: Test-Prep Tips ................. Page 21 Private School Directory ............................................ Page 11 Fort Osage School District ........................................ Page 21 Important Dates for Public School ............................ Page 12 Talk the Talk: Cellphones and Children ...................Page 22 Important Dates for Private School............................Page 13 Stand Up to Cyber Bullying .......................................Page 23 Featured Principal .................................................... Page 14 Independence School District ...................................Page 24 New Principals ......................................................... Page 14 A Great Paying Part-Time Job ....................................Page 15

CONTACT US Phone: 816.254.8600 Fax: 816.836.3805 EDITORIAL localnews@examiner.net ADVERTISING displayads@examiner.net Make the Grade is created annually by GateHouse Media LLC, The Examiner’s parent company, and is distributed with various GateHouse papers across the country. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the management of the publication. Cover illustration: Pixabay ©2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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 INDEPENDENCE

NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENTS

Now is an exciting time for the Independence School District!

DR. DALE HERL Superintendent of Schools Independence

The first day of the new school year is quickly approaching, and momentum continues to build in the ISD. Our students, teachers, staff, board members and administrators continue to work hard to positively impact our district

and our community. Looking back on the last year, I am proud and thankful for our many accomplishments as a district. Last school year, we celebrated the district’s 150th anniversary. This milestone was a cause for celebration, marking 150 years of learning, growing and advancing in Independence. Each of our schools celebrated the 150th anniversary by hosting special events and service projects throughout the year, spreading positive impact beyond school walls. In April, voters in the Independence School District approved a $38 million bond with an overwhelming majority of 84.95 per-

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cent support. The projects resulting from the bond will ease overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the district and advance the Academy model for all ISD high school students by adding and enhancing classrooms for STEM, Culinary, Vocational and Business coursework. Construction is already underway. These projects would not be possible without the support of our community. As a district, we continue to focus on preparing our students for their futures. The ISD is one of only 19 districts in the nation chosen to implement the Academy model, giving our students an advantage toward college and careers. We are proud

to offer our students dual credit opportunities, including 91 college credit courses with more than 400 college credit hours available. With the Academies of the ISD, students embrace and develop skill sets aligned with their interests and earn college credit as high school students. Student achievement is at an all-time high in the Independence School District, and our students continue to improve academically year-after-year. Let the first day of school inspire and motivate you for the exciting months ahead. Our future is bright, and the 2017-18 school year promises to be the best year yet. We look forward to seeing everyone on August 17!

 FORT OSAGE You’ll see much that’s new this school year As another eventful school year rapidly approaches, we are eager to begin. Our teachers work hard each day to engage students in the curriculum and prepare them for the JASON SNODGRASS future. The Superintendent of Schools support staff Fort Osage cares for our students helping them be successful. Our administrators lead their respective buildings and departments with passion. I am thrilled to see everyone working cooperatively toward student achievement. A successful school district takes the efforts of many stakeholders. I want to thank the parents and patrons in the Fort Osage School District for supporting the bond and levy in the April 2017 election. The passage of both issues is crucial for the

continued success of our students. Thanks to our community’s support various capital improvements began this summer which will directly impact students. Elementary school families will be excited to see the newly renovated playgrounds when school starts in August. Other major improvements like the construction of the new Early Childhood Center and stadium renovations will begin later this fall. The passage of the levy will impact the District in years to come by providing needed revenue to effectively educate students. New to Fort Osage this year is a welding program. It joins 14 other course offerings at the Career and Technology Center. Available to students in 11th and 12th grade, welding will offer another opportunity for students to excel after high school. The Fort Osage School District prides itself in promoting excellence in all areas. I appreciate the commitment and hard work of those who strive to make this the best school district possible. I look forward to seeing the students August 16 on the first day of classes. It’s great to be a Fort Osage Indian.

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MAKE THE GRADE / 5

NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENTS

 BLUE SPRINGS

District always among the best in state

During the 2017-18 school year we will welcome the kindergarten class of 2031 and say farewell to the graduating class of 2018. As an educator, colleague, friend and fan DR. JIM FINLEY I look forward Superintendent of Schools to everything Blue Springs from the first day of school to homecoming to special persons’ day to graduation and more. We certainly have much to look forward to. Each new school year brings new beginnings, excitement and opportunity. As we open the doors and welcome back our students our mission is to create an educational environment in which students acquire knowledge, develop skills, and achieve personal goals. We want our stu-

dents excited to come to school every day in a safe, caring environment where they can learn, grow and flourish. The Blue Springs School District continues to be among the best in the state. I attribute our success to our tremendous staff and supportive community. Our staff are constantly learning, collaborating and evolving to provide the most effective, relevant and progressive learning opportunities available. The students in our district are each special, unique and capable. Our students amaze us on a daily basis with their dedication, innovation and ability to take the learning opportunities they are provided to levels even we, as educators could not have predicted. Our greatest moments are each day when our students walk into our schools knowing that the possibilities available to them that day and in the future are limitless. The 2017-18 school year will be the best yet. We look forward to meeting the class of 2031 and welcoming back all our students and families.

 LEE’S SUMMIT

 GRAIN VALLEY

Preparing students for a complex world It is my pleasure to welcome our families back for the start of the 20172018 school year! This is the start of my first school year as superintendent of schools after beginning in DR. MARC A. SNOW the role last Superintendent of Schools February. This Grain Valley begins my 17th year serving the students of the Grain Valley School District overall, having previously served as assistant superintendent, elementary principal, and middle school principal. Grain Valley is a special place where an excellent education is valued, where students are challenged to be their personal best, and where the school and district staff recognize the importance of positive relationships with students. Our vision statement sets our focus: It reads, “We are determined to be the best model of student success, whose graduates are prepared to excel in a complex world.”

This statement drives the decisions we make every day. We are committed to preparing students for their future and have an ambitious five-year plan for continuous improvement. In order to provide a meaningful education for each student, our teachers are working to address each student’s learning needs and to helping each student understand how to get where they need to be. Additionally, we are committed to ensuring a safe environment for our students. This is essential so students can take the risks necessary to achieve their personal best. The Grain Valley School District continues to be one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state. Our community has consistently stepped up to support the addition of classrooms, schools, and other facility needs over the years and we are grateful for that support. We are about one-third of the way through our planned additions and renovations to the high school campus and we are reviewing other facility needs as well at this time. It is a pleasure to lead our remarkable team of adults who have been assembled to teach, train, and supervise the children of our community!

Teacher of the Year, was named a regional Teacher of the Year earlier this summer and is in the running for Missouri Teacher of the Year. Our entire seven-member Board of Education completed a two-day work session during June. Board members worked together to develop Board of Education priorities for 2017-18 and Board/superintendent norms of operation. This meaningful work will guide the district’s efforts during the school year ahead. Our district is also welcoming a number of new principals and district-level administrators. The leadership team met during July for a two-day institute to help us ensure an outstanding start to the new school year. In addition, all staff members are getting together a few days before the start of school for kick-off meetings. Families returning to school on Aug. 16 are seeing a slight decrease in student fees impacting items such as secondary activi-

ties, Chromebook repair/replacement and parking fees. Our district made several changes to the start/end times for schools with these adjustments resulting in savings and cost avoidance of around $640,000 for our Transportation Department. Families will see a slight increase in the regular student meal prices -- 5 cents for elementary and middle school and 10 cents for high school. The change is based on the federal meal price equity formula, and it is noteworthy that our district’s meal prices continue to be in the mid-range among metro-area districts. On behalf of our entire school district, I wish all our students and families all the best for 2017-18.

Preparing each student for success in life

Welcome to what I believe will be an exciting and meaningful school year! Throughout this summer, district staff members have been working to continue our district’s tradition of excellence and meet DR. DENNIS CARPENTER our mission Superintendent of Schools -- to prepare Lee’s Summit each student for success in life. This is my first year as Lee’s Summit R-7 superintendent, and I am enthusiastic about being of service to our students, em-

ployees and greater community. Over the past few months, I have been meeting with staff and community members and look forward to getting better acquainted with more individuals as the year begins. I wanted to touch on a few highlights from this summer, including the following. We remain on time and within budget for the numerous projects funded through our 2015 no-tax-increase bond issue. This issue, approved by nearly 80 percent of voters, is funding the new Missouri Innovation Campus as well as facility improvements at each R-7 school. We will celebrate the opening of our state-of-the-art Missouri Innovation Campus at a community event, scheduled for Sept. 5. Our district is continuing to gain enrollment, and we anticipate that we will have more than 18,000 students for the first time in our history this fall. Brad Rackers, a teacher at Lee’s Summit West High School and our district’s

6 / MAKE THE GRADE

UPDATES By Debbie Coleman-Topi Special to The Examiner

Districts busy with projects voters made possible The dog days of summer are here and Eastern Jackson County school districts are preparing for the 2017-18 school year, with major construction projects in some districts and changes possible because of voter-approved funding. While the Blue Springs and Grain Valley districts currently have no major projects, construction plans at other districts are detailed below.

Pictured Above from Right to Left: Fort Osage Construction, Blue Hills, ClerMont, Elm Grove, Indian Trails and Lewis and Clark. [Submitted by Fort Osage school district]

 Fort Osage School District

In April, voters approved an $11.4 million bond and a levy increase of 67 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The levy represents the first increase since 2004 and will be used to balance the district budget, for operational costs including salaries, buses, fuel and other such expenses, said Stephanie Smith, director of public relations. The increase also will allow an additional 106 district employees to be eligible for health insurance benefits, she said. The bond is paying for construction of a new early childhood center, improvements to the district stadium, upgrades to playgrounds at four elementary schools, safety and security improvements at district facilities and replacement of district warehouse freezers. The early childhood center, which district officials hope to open for use in 2020, will include eight classrooms, space for therapy and will house the district’s Parents as Teachers program. District sta-

dium improvements include expanding the track from six to eight lanes, replacement of grass by synthetic turf on the football field, new visitors’ restrooms and will include the addition of 800 feet of bleacher space. The track is used for physical education classes throughout the district, band, football, soccer and youth sporting events. The track is used by multiple groups, including for physical education classes, upper elementary, middle and high school meets, elementary field days, summer track club and community events such as Eastern Jackson County Track Club and other community youth sporting events and is accessible to community members for walking after school. Construction underway includes playground upgrades at four of the district’s five elementary schools, the installation of new playground equipment, soft play surfaces, a hard play surface at Fire Prairie Elementary and re-pavement of existing walking tracks. District officials hope to complete

safety and security improvements at Fort Osage High School during the summer of 2018, Smith said. These include installation of an enclosed walkway or breezeway between the cafeteria and the south building. Students currently walk outside when moving between the buildings. “It will keep the kids within the confines of the building at all times during the school day,” Smith said. Upgrades to playground equipment, which are 20 to 40 years old, and installation of new equipment, are underway and will be ready for use by the start of the school year, Smith said. In addition, a hard-play surface at the district’s newest school, Indian Trails Elementary, is being replaced by a soft surface, Smith said. Repairs to several district roofs, including a partial roof replacement at Fire Prairie and Blue Hills elementary schools and a new roof at the district warehouse, also are planned. The 45-year-old stand-alone, outdoor freezers at the district warehouse, will

be replaced by one large unit. Food for all district schools is stored in the freezer. In addition, the new, larger unit will be made accessible from inside the warehouse building, which is located on the main campus at Missouri 7 and U.S. 24.

 Independence School District

Voters approved a $38 million bond this past April and money will be used to ease overcrowding, eliminate mobile trailers and enhance the academy model by adding and upgrading classrooms for Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), culinary and vocational and business coursework. Construction of the district’s 20th elementary school began with a June 29 groundbreaking. The new building will be at 31st Street and Hardy Avenue and will be equipped with technology, including Chromebooks and a curriculum

Continued on Page 7

MAKE THE GRADE / 7

UPDATES By Debbie Coleman-Topi Special to The Examiner

Continued from Page 6

Pictured Left to Right: Independence School District: William Chrisman Construction, New Elementary Ground breaking, & Truman High School Construction [Submitted by the Independence School District]

component, Project Lead the Way, will be available. The building will have a capacity of 450 to 500 students and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2019. Demolition of the 30,000-square-foot E building, a detached building near the football field, is currently underway at Van Horn High School. In addition, a new competition gym and locker rooms will be added to the school. Culinary Pathway will be expanded by the addition of five commercial kitchens that will be available to students from the district’s three high schools. In addition, a metals classroom and wood shop will be constructed as well as remodeled science classrooms and new physical therapy and athletic training classrooms will be added for use by a program designed to enhance student career and college readiness, called Academies. Construction at both Truman and William Chrisman High Schools will include physical therapy and athletic training classrooms spaces for use by Academies. Construction at Truman High School is currently under way and will include a new entry and exterior upgrades will address safety concerns and modernize the exterior. Four math classrooms will be moved from mobile

trailers to four new classrooms being constructed inside and the lunchroom will be remodeled. Four additional classrooms will be added at William Chrisman High School, including two Cisco computer networking rooms for use by Academies. Science classrooms also will be remodeled and the addition of a weight room will allow the wrestling room to move to alreadyexisting space.

 Lee’s Summit School District

District voters approved a $40 million bond issue in 2015 to pay for a new Missouri Innovation Campus to be the home of Summit Technology Academy. The campus, located at Ward and Tudor roads, is scheduled to open in time for the upcoming school year, in August. MIC is a nationally-recognized, accelerated program designed to save students time and money while earning a fouryear degree. A grand opening is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the school’s new address, 1101 N.W. Innovation Parkway, Lee’s Summit. The new facility will house the Missouri Innovation Campus program,

Pictured Above from Left to Right: Pleasant Lea Elementary New Office, Underwood Elementary Playground, Hazel Grove Elementary Remodeled Kitchen, Mason Elementary Gym, Missouri Innovation Campus [Submitted by the Lee’s Summit school district.]

Summit Technology Academy and the University of Central Missouri -Lee’s Summit program. The facility is a partnership between the district and University of Central Missouri, with sole ownership belonging to the district. Both institutions will share in use and operating costs. The district will absorb 40 percent of the cost of the new facility while UCM is entering into a lease agreement in which the school will pay 60 percent of the cost. UCM offers graduate and undergraduate level completion programs to Kansas City area students. Summit Technology Academy, a program that serves students from 12 surrounding school districts and prepares students for careers in technology-related fields, and MIC, have been housed in leased space. In addition, about half of the district bond money will be used for numerous school improvements in classroom

instruction, safety, health, and special education. Playground upgrades, including soft play surface and new equipment, also are a major improvement at all 18 district elementary schools. In addition, there are classroom renovations at Lee’s Summit High School, entry security upgrades at Lee’s Summit North High School, a new concession/restroom building at the softball/baseball complex at Lee’s Summit West High School. An addition to Mason Elementary will house a larger, updated gymnasium. The school’s previous undersized gym was converted into classrooms. Classroom renovations have taken place at Lee’s Summit Elementary while Hazel Grove Elementary receives a kitchen and cafeteria renovation.

8 / MAKE THE GRADE

UPDATES By Mike Genet mike.genet@examiner.net

St. Michael the Archangel is area’s newest high school The new St. Michael the Archangel High School opens this month in Lee’s Summit. The Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Diocese has been planning the new school for several years, and with its opening the diocese closed Archbishop O’Hara High School last spring. The change takes into account shifting Catholic populations in the Independence, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit suburbs. The school site is on 80 acres off Lee’s Summit Road, south of Strother Road near the Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport. Jodie Maddox, the principal, and Rev. Richard Rocha, the school president, will be its first leaders and spent the past school year putting the staff, curriculum and other logistics in place. Some of the staff and students – 280 enrolled for this year as of last month – are simply transitioning from O’Hara. Maddox said a room overlooking the gymnasium – the Legacy Board Room – will

from the pay homage commons in some way area and to O’Hara, above that, as well as looking out previously the northclosed dieast to a ocesan high small, treeschools St. lined lake. Mary’s in InA threedependence community and De La system of Salle in Kanstudents is sas City. Pictured Above: St. Michael the Archangel School [Photography by Mike designed to Inside Genet] build relathe main tionships and entrance, a sense of family across all four classes. across the open-space Learning Stairs The learning academies are designed for that descend to the bottom floor, people entering St. Michael will notice the chapel, career discovery, there will be several dual-credit post-secondary class offerwhich Maddox likes to say was “designed ings, and the inclusive special education to be an old-world, traditional church program will continue O’Hara’s successful dropped inside a 21st-century school.” model. That program will be housed in the Another eye-catching view will be

SMILE Zone – St. Michael Inclusive Learning Enhancement. One special addition, due in part to the airport proximity, will be the aviation course offerings – one of just 31 such high school programs in the country and the first for Catholic schools, Maddox said. Collaboration among students and between students and faculty is a constant focus, she says, and the school will immediately be 1-to-1 with laptops for students. St. Michael will open with about the same enrollment O’Hara closed at, and there’s plenty of room to grow. Future plans, based on available funds, include a stadium and other athletics facilities, plus building space if needed. Practice fields will be in place soon, and the football and soccer teams will be play games at Lee’s Summit North High School this year, while baseball, softball, tennis teams use facilities throughout the city.

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PUBLIC SCHOOL DIRECTORY • INDEPENDENCE SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS

2800 S. Hardy 816-521-5380 Cristin Nowak, principal • George Caleb Bingham Middle School 1716 S. Speck Road 816-521-5490 Brett Playter, principal • James Bridger Middle School 18200 E. Missouri 78 816-521-5375 Jeff Williams, principal

Truman Patriots • Truman High School 3301 S. Noland Road 816-521-5350 Pam Boatright, principal

• Pioneer Ridge Middle School 1656 S. Speck Road 816-521-5385 Michael Estes, principal ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • Abraham Mallinson Elementary 709 N. Forest Ave. Sugar Creek 816-521-5530 Sarah Brown, principal • Alexander Proctor Elementary 1403 W. Linden 816-521-5440 Amy Hawley, principal

Van Horn Falcons • Van Horn High School 1109 S. Arlington Ave. 816-521-5360 Randy Maglinger, principal

• Blackburn Elementary 17302 R.D. Mize Road 816-521-5395 Christy Lamb, principal • Bryant Elementary 827 W. College 816-521-5400 Jon Pye, principal • Christian Ott Elementary 1525 N. Noland Road 816-521-5435 Ronnee Laughlin, principal • Fairmount Elementary 120 N. Cedar Ave. 816-521-5405 Jeff Anger, principal

William Chrisman Bears • William Chrisman High School 1223 N. Noland Road 816-521-5355 Mike Becker, principal

• Glendale Elementary 2611 Lee’s Summit Road 816-521-5510 Todd Siebert, principal • John W. Luff Elementary 3700 S. Delaware Ave. 816-521-5415 Melissa Carver, principal

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

• Korte Elementary 2437 S. Hardy Ave. 816-521-5430 Ron Alburtus, principal

• Clifford H. Nowlin Middle School

• Little Blue Elementary 2020 Quail Drive

816-521-5480 Joe Armin, principal

18109 E. 12th St. N. Independence 816-650-7480 Karen Harrach, principal

• Mill Creek Elementary 2601 N. Liberty 816-521-5420 Lindsey Miller, principal • Randall Elementary 509 Jennings 816-521-5445 Bobby McCutcheon, principal • Santa Fe Trail Elementary 1301 S. Windsor 816-521-5450 Gib Rito, principal • Spring Branch Elementary 20404 E. Truman Road 816-521-5455 Aaron Kirchhoff, principal • Sugar Creek Elementary 11424 Gill, Sugar Creek 816-521-5460 Shellie Dumas, principal

• Lewis and Clark Academy 24801 East U.S. 24 Independence 816-650-7708 Kim Hawley, principal

Fort Osage Indians SECONDARY SCHOOLS • Fort Osage High School 2101 N. Twyman Road Independence 816-650-7063 Scott Moore, principal

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • Blue Hills Elementary 1911 N. Blue Mills Road Independence 816-650-7440 Monica Shane, principal

• Thomas Hart Benton Elementary 429 S. Leslie 816-521-5390 Leslie Hochsprung, principal

• Buckner Elementary 013 S. Sibley St., Buckner 816-650-7300 Karen Hile, principal

• Three Trails Elementary 11801 E. 32nd St. 816-521-5470 Kevin Lathrom, principal

• Cler-Mont Elementary 19009 Susquehanna Ridge Independence 816-650-7350 Julie Stout, principal

OTHER

• Elm Grove Elementary 18000 E. Kentucky Road Independence 816-650-7400; Pam Fore, principal

• Hanthorn Early Education 1511 S. Kings Highway 816-521-5485 Amy Cox, principal

• Fire Prairie Upper Elementary 24810 East U.S. 24 Circle Independence 816-650-7158 Susanne Boyer-Baker, principal

• Sunshine Early Education Center 18400 E. Salisbury Road 816-521-5526 Patti White, principal

• Indian Trails Elementary 24300 E. Bundschu Independence, 816-650-7645 Emily Cross, principal

• Independence Academy 600 W. Mechanic 816-521-5505 Rebecca Bressman, principal FORT OSAGE SCHOOLS

HIGH SCHOOLS

• Osage Trail Middle School 2101 N. Twyman Road Independence 816-650-7151 Robbie Shepherd, principal

• Sycamore Hills Elementary 15208 E. 39th St. 816-521-5465 Amber Miller, principal

• William Southern Elementary 4300 Phelps Road 816-521-5475 Gwenn Tauveli, principal

• BLUE SPRINGS SCHOOLS

OTHER • Career and Technology Center 2101 N. Twyman Road Independence 816-650-7180 Mike Pantleo, director • Early Childhood Center

Blue Springs Wildcats • Blue Springs High School 2000 N.W. Ashton Drive 816-874-3400 Robert Jerome, principal

Blue Springs South Jaguars • Blue Springs South High School 1200 S.E. Adams Dairy Pkwy. 816-874-3500 Charles Belt, principal • Freshman Center 2103 N.W. Vesper 816-974-3440 Brandon Martin, principal • Valley View High School 5000 N.W. Valley View Road 816-874-3750 Charlie Weber, principal MIDDLE SCHOOLS • Brittany Hill Middle School 2701 N.W. First St. 816-874-3470 Dallas Truex, principal

10 / MAKE THE GRADE

PUBLIC SCHOOL DIRECTORY • Delta Woods Middle School 4401 N.E. Lakewood Way Lee’s Summit 816-874-3580 Steve Cook, principal • Moreland Ridge Middle School 900 S.W. Bishop Drive 816-874-3540 Kevin Grover, principal • Paul Kinder Middle School 3930 N.W. R.D. Mize Road 816-874-3560 Steve Goddard, principal ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • Chapel Lakes Elementary 3701 N.E. Independence Ave. Lee’s Summit 816-874-3600 Lizabeth White, principal • Cordill-Mason Elementary 4001 S.W. Christiansen Road 816-874-3610 Todd Nurnberg, K-2nd principal and Kacey Roush 3rd-5th principal

• Voy Spears Jr. Elementary 201 N.E. Anderson Lee’s Summit 816-874-3720 Renee Murry, principal • William Bryant Elementary 1101 S.E. Sunnyside School Road 816-874-3730 Jennie Alderman, principal • William Yates Elementary 3600 Davidson Road 816-874-3740 Kerri Edwards, principal OTHER • Liggett Trail Education Center 3575 S.W. Liggett Road 816-874-3680 Stephanie Owings, principal • Hall-McCarter Education Center 5000 N.W. Valley View Road 816-874-3762 Rhonda Malone, director • LEE’S SUMMIT SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS

• Daniel Young Elementary 505 S.E. Shamrock Lane 816-874-3630 Ryan Crum, principal • Franklin Smith Elementary 1609 S.W. Clark Road 816-874-3640 Ramona Dunn, principal • James Lewis Elementary 717 N.W. Park Road 816-874-3650 Lori Reynolds, principal • James Walker Elementary 201 S.E. Sunnyside School Road 816-874-3660 Kelly Flax, principal

• Sunny Pointe Elementary 3920 South R.D. Mize Road 816-874-3700 Nick Goos, principal • Thomas Ultican Elementary 1812 N.W. Vesper St. 816-874-3710 Abbie Swisher, principal

• Lee’s Summit West High School 2600 S.W. Ward Road 816-986-4000 Chad Hertzog, principal MIDDLE SCHOOLS • Bernard C. Campbell Middle School 1201 N.E. Colbern Road 816-986-3175 Sherri Lewis, principal • Pleasant Lea Middle School 630 S.W. Persels Road 816-986-1175 Janette Miller, principal • Summit Lakes Middle School 3500 S.W. Windemere Drive 816-986-1377 David Mitchell, principal ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Lee’s Summit Tigers

• Lee’s Summit High School 400 S.E. Blue Pkwy. 816-986-2000 John Faulkenberry, principal

• Cedar Creek Elementary 2600 S.W. Third St. 816-986-1260 Jenifer Opie, principal • Greenwood Elementary 805 W. Main St. Greenwood 816-986-1320 Carrie Freeman, principal • Hawthorn Hill Elementary, 2801 S.W. Pryor Road, 816-986-3380; Carol Germano, principal

• John Nowlin Elementary 5020 N.W. Valley View Road 816-874-3670 Seth Shippy, principal • Lucy Franklin Elementary 111 N.E. Roanoke Drive 816-874-3690 Doug Nielsen, principal

LS West Titans

• Hazel Grove Elementary, 2001 N.W. Blue Pkwy., 816-986-3310; Kristen Merrell, principal

LS North Broncos

• Lee’s Summit North High School 901 N.E. Douglas St. 816-986-3000 Jeff Meisenheimer, principal

• Highland Park Elementary 400 S.E. Millstone Ave. 816-986-2250 Jodi Mallette, principal • Lee’s Summit Elementary 110 S.E. Green St. 816-986-3340 Tracy Sample, principal • Longview Farm Elementary 1001 S.W. Longview Park Drive 816-986-4180 Kim Hussler, principal

• Mason Elementary 27600 E. Colbern Road 816-986-2330 Beth Ratty, principal

• Summit Technology Academy, 777 N.W. Blue Pkwy., Suite 3090, 816-986-3410; Elaine Metcalf, director

• Meadow Lane Elementary 1421 N.E. Independence Ave. 816-986-3250 Sheryl Cochran, principal

• GRAIN VALLEY SCHOOLS SECONDARY SCHOOLS

• Pleasant Lea Elementary 700 S.W. Persels 816-986-1230 Aaron Barnett, principal • Prairie View Elementary 501 S.E. Todd George Pkwy. 816-986-2280 Amy Fennewald, principal • Richardson Elementary 800 N.E. Blackwell Road 816-986-2220 Lisa Detig, principal • Summit Pointe Elementary 13100 E. 147th St., Kansas City 816-986-4210 Heather Kenney, principal • Sunset Valley Elementary 1850 S.E. Ranson Road 816-986-4240 Greg Johnson, principal • Trailridge Elementary 3651 S.W. Windemere Drive 816-986-1290 Jeffrey Scalfaro, principal

Grain Valley Eagles • Grain Valley High School, 551 S.W. Eagles Pkwy., 816-847-5000; Jeremy Plowman, principal • North Middle School, 31608 N.E. Pink Hill Drive, 816-994-4800; Theresa Nelson, principal • South Middle School, 901 S. Ryan Road, 816-229-3499; Jim Myers, principal

• Underwood Elementary 1125 N.E. Colbern Road 816-986-3280 Anna McGraw, principal

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • Matthews Elementary, 144 McQuerry Road, 816-229-4870; James Pinney, principal

• Westview Elementary 200 N.W. Ward Road 816-986-1350 Dave Boulden, principal

• Prairie Branch Elementary, 2100 Dillingham, 816-847-5070; Heather Gross, principal

• Woodland Elementary 12709 Smart Road 816-986-2360 Stacy James, principal

• Sni-A-Bar Elementary, 701 S.W. Eagles Pkwy., 816-847-5020; Carrie Reich, principal

OTHER

• Stony Point Elementary, 1001 Ryan Road, 816-847-7800; Scott Schmitt, principal

• Great Beginnings Early Education Center 905 N.E. Bluestem Drive 816-986-2460 Kerry Boehm, principal • Miller Park Center 600 S.E. Miller St. 816-986-1510 Kelly Twenter, director • Summit Ridge Academy 2620 S.W. Ward Road 816-986-4120 Andy Campbell, principal

OTHER • Early Childhood Special Education, 31604 N.E. Pink Hill Road, 816-994-4901 Shannon Jenkins, associate director

- Ronda O’Brien

MAKE THE GRADE / 11

PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY

 INDEPENDENCE

Center Place Restoration School Grades: kindergarten through grade 12 Affiliation: Christian, Restoration Administrator:Dan Schoenemann, school administrator Address: 819 W. Waldo Ave. Phone: 816-252-1715

Nativity of Mary Grades: preschool through grade 8 Affiliation: Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Administrator: Mary Parrish, principal Address: 10021 E. 36th Terrace Phone: 816-353-0284

Nova Center School Grades: kindergarten through grade 12 Affiliation: not-for-profit corporation, special education Administrator: Georgette Elder, principal Family Christian Academy Address: 2425 S. Hardy Ave., Grades: kindergarten through Independence grade 12 Affiliation: Christian, nonPhone: 816-924-1703 denominational Administrator: Rita Website: novacenter.org Schowengerdt, administrator Address: 11625 E. 15th St. S. Phone: 816-836-1075

Messiah Lutheran School Grades: kindergarten through grade 8 Affiliation: Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Administrator: Eric Eckhoss, principal Address: 613 S. Main St. Phone: 816-254-9409

St. John LaLande Catholic School Grades: preschool through grade 8 Affiliation: St. John LaLande Catholic Church Administrator: Ann Wright, principal Address: 801 N.W. R.D. Mize Road Phone: 816-228-5895

Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic School Grades: kindergarten through grade 8 Affiliation: Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church Administrator: Jodi Briggs, principal Address: 150 N.W. Murray Road Phone: 816-251-1150

Timothy Lutheran School Plaza Heights Christian Academy Grades: kindergarten through grade 8 Affiliation: Lutheran MinisGrades: preschool through grade tries Administrator: Ed Kuerschner, 12 Affiliation: Plaza Heights Baptist Administer of School Ministries. Church Administrator: Chuck Address: 301 W. Wyatt Road, Lawson, administrator Address: Phone: 816-228-5300 1500 S.W. Clark Road Phone: 816-228-0670

Summit Christian Academy Grades: preschool through grade 12 Affiliation: Christian, non-denominational Administrator: Linda Harrelson, head of school Address: 1450 S.W. Jefferson St. Phone: 816-525-1480

Marillac Therapeutic Day School Grades: kindergarten through grade 12 Affiliation: Cornerstones of Care, behavioral health Administrator: Colleen Farley, principal Address: 5000 N.W. Valley View Road Phone: 816-224-9541

Rainbow Center Grades: ages 3 through 21 Affiliation: day school, communiThe Schoolhouse Grades: pre-kindergarten through cation disorders grade 6 Affiliation: independent Administration: Marilu W. Herrick, Administrator: Mary Childers, prin- executive director cipal Address: 14709 E. 35th St. Address: 900 N.W. Woods Chapel Phone: 816-373-5938 Road, Blue Springs Phone: 816-229-3869 Website: rainbow-center.org

 BLUE SPRINGS

 LEE’S SUMMIT

St. Michael the Archangel Grades: High School 2901 NW Lee’s Summit Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 Affiliation: Christian, Catholic Administrator: Jodie Maddox, Principal Phone: 816-763-4800

Summit View Adventist School Grades: kindergarten through grade 8 Affiliation: Seventh-day Adventist Church Administrator: Nancy J. Carpenter, principal Address: 12503 S. Missouri 7 Phone: 816-697-3443 - Ronda O’Brien

12 / MAKE THE GRADE

INDEPENDENCE

OOL:

FIRST DAY OF SCH August 17, 2017

ARADE: 2nd ANNUAL ISD P September 30, 2017 WINTER BREAK: through December 21, 2017 January 2, 2018 SPRING BREAK:

ugh March 27, 2017 thro March 31, 2018 OOL: LAST DAY OF SCH May 22, 2018

PUBLIC SCHOOL - DATES TO KNOW Compiled by Mike Genet mike.genet@examiner.net

FORT OSAGE

BACK TO SCHOOL / ORIENTATION:

August 14 throug h August 15, 2017

FIRST DAY OF SCH OOL:

August 16, 2017

WINTER BREAK:

December 22, 201 7 through January 2, 2018

SPRING BREAK:

March 26, 2018 th rough March 30, 2018

LAST DAY OF SCH OOL:

May 17, 2018

LEEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUMMIT CHOOL: FIRST DAY OF S August 16, 2017 WINTER BREAK: 7 through December 21, 201 January 2, 2018

SPRING BREAK: rough March 19, 2018 th March 23, 2018 HOOL: LAST DAY OF SC May 17, 2018

BLUE SPRINGS HOOL: FIRST DAY OF SC August 16, 2017 WINTER BREAK: 7 through December 22, 201 January 2, 2018 SPRING BREAK: rough March 12, 2018 th March 16, 2018 EASTER BREAK: rough March 30, 2018 th April 2, 2018 OOL: LAST DAY OF SCH May 22, 2018

GRAIN VALLEY FIRST DAY OF SC

August 16, 2017

HOOL:

CHRISTMAS BRE

AK:

December 22, 201 7 through January 2, 2018 SPRING BREAK:

March 9, 2018 thro ugh March 12, 2018 EASTER BREAK:

March 30, 2018 th rough April 2, 2018 LAST DAY OF SC

May 16, 2018

HOOL:

MAKE THE GRADE / 13

PRIVATE SCHOOL - DATES TO KNOW

FAMILY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

FIRST DAY OF SC

August 29, 2017 WINTER BREAK

HOOL:

December 21, 2017 through January 2, 2018 SPRING BREAK:

April 24, 2017 throug h

April 28, 2018

LAST DAY OF SCH

May 20, 2018

OOL:

GRADUATION:

May 26, 2018

STIAN ACADEMY PLAZA HEIGHTS CHRI HOOL: FIRST DAY OF SC August 17, 2017 K: CHRISTMAS BREA through 17 20 , 21 r Decembe January 2, 2018 SPRING BREAK: rough March 12, 2018 th March 16, 2018 EASTER BREAK: rough March 30, 2018 th April 2, 2018 OL: LAST DAY OF SCHO May 18, 2018

ADUATION: HIGH SCHOOL GR May 20, 2018

ENTATION OUR LADY OF PRES

PLAZA HEIGHTS OL: FIRST DAY OF SCHO August 18, 2017 K: CHRISTMAS BREA through December 22, 2017 January 3, 2018 SPRING BREAK: ugh March 20, 2017 thro March 24, 2018 OL: LAST DAY OF SCHO May 19, 2018

GRADUATION: May 21, 2018

ST. JOHN LALAND E BACK TO SCHOOL

: August 14, 2017 FIRST DAY OF SC HOOL: August 17 2017 , BOOK FAIR: Oct.

7 through Oct. 13 CHRISTMAS BR EAK: December 21, 2017 through January 3, 2017 CATHOLIC SCHO January 29, 2018 OLS WEEK: through February 2018 2, EASTER/SPRING March 29, 2017 th BREAK: rough April 6, 2017 GRADUATION (8 th Grade): May 18, 2018 LAST DAY OF SC HOOL: May 23, 2018

SPRING FIRST DAY OF BREAK: 18 SCHOOL: rough March 16, 20 March 12, 2018 th 17 20 , 16 st gu Au OLS WEEK: EASTER BREAK: CATHOLIC SCHO 18 20 2, ry rough April 2, 2018 ua br Fe h March 30, 2018 th January 29 throug 17 ber 16-18, 20 HOOL: BOOK FAIR: Octo LAST DAY OF SC K: EA CHRISTMAS BR May 23, 2018 through January 2, 17 20 , 21 r be m ce De 2018

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL HIGH SCHOOL

Compiled by Mike Genet mike.genet@examiner.net

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: August 15, 2017 through August 16, 2017

MESSIAH LUTHERAN

CHRISTMAS BREAK: December 22, 2017 through January 2, 2018

HOOL: FIRST DAY OF SC August 17, 2017 FALL BREAK: October 9, 2018 October 6 through K: CHRISTMAS BREA through January 3, December 22, 2017

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: January 29, 2018 through February 2, 2018 SPRING BREAK: March 12, 2018 through March 16, 2018 EASTER BREAK: March 30, 2018 through April 2, 2018

2018 K: AN SCHOOL WEE NATIONAL LUTHER h January 27, 2018 January 21 throug

FINAL EXAMS: May 11, 14, 15, 21-23, 2018 BACCALAUREATE & GRADUATION: May 18, 2018

EASTER BREAK: rough April 2, 2018 March 30, 2018 th NTIST OOL: SUMMIT VIEW ADVE LAST DAY OF SCH May 24, 2018

TIMOTHY LUTHERAN FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: August 22, 2017 BOOK FAIR: September 22, through October 1, 2017 CHRISTMAS BREAK: December 21, 2017 through January 2, 2018 NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL WEEK: January 21, 2018 through January 27, 2018 EASTER BREAK: March 30, 2018 through April 2, 2018 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL/ GRADUATIONS (8th Grade): May 18, 2018

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: August 15, 2017

CHRISTMAS BREAK: December 15, 2017 through January 2, 2018

NATIVITY OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: January 29, 2018 through Februa ry 2, 2018

Y SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEM

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: August 16, 2017 CHRISTMAS BREAK: December 22, 2017 through January 3, 2018

SPRING BREAK: March 12, 2018 through March 19, 2018

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: May 17, 2018

14 / MAKE THE GRADE

FEATURED PRINCIPAL

Christy Lamb Blackburn Elementary, Independence School District

Information obtained from www.smore.com/70m2s-congratulations

hristy’s biggest professional influences have been former CPPP graduates and colleagues. Her previous principal, Danielle Miles (current principal of Blue Ridge Elementary in Raytown), taught her the importance of servant leadership, and she tries to carry that idea with her in every position. Her goal is to truly serve students, staff, and families and leave the school better than she found it each day. Her previous assistant principal, Karen Hile (current principal of Buckner Elementary in Fort Osage), taught her how to put feet to ideas and become effective in communication and execution.

Christy initially never wanted to pursue administration; She was really into the curriculum and instruction aspect of leadership. However, after having positions that allowed her to see that no amount of curriculum or instructional support could overcome the strengths and weaknesses of a building principal, she realized to have the most impact, she needed to move into administration. Everything starts and ends with the building principal, and to have an effective staff, curriculum, instruction, culture - to have an effective anything - requires an effective building principal.

WHO’S NEW?

New principals for the 2017-2018 school year in Eastern Jackson County  BLUE SPRINGS

 GRAIN VALLEY

 LEE’S SUMMIT

Kerri Edwards

No New Principals

Kim Hassler

Chad Hertzog

Principal William Yates Elementary

 FORT OSAGE

Principal Longview Farm Elementary

Principal Lee’s Summit West High School

Stephanie Owings Principal Liggett Trail Education Center

No New Principals

David Mitchell Principal Summit Lakes Middle School

 LEE’S SUMMIT

MAKE THE GRADE / 15

A Great Paying Part-Time Job By Mike Genet mike.genet@examiner.net

Grain Valley woman has been behind the wheel for years A dozen years ago, Becky Drabik wanted to supplement her husband’s income for the family, but she also wanted to be able to care for her three young children, who were starting or about to enter the Grain Valley schools.

Pictured Above: The Independence School District is in need of bus drivers, and they get the word out by posting notices on school buses parked throughout the district. [Photography by Mike Genet/The Examiner]

As a school bus driver, Drabik was able to work part-time, and she could take her children with her. “Not every district is like that,” said Drabik, who is entering her 12th school year driving for the Grain Valley district. “With ours, fortunately I could to that. It was a big selling point. “The job is perfect for parents that want to be more available for their kids.” Drabik is a substitute driver for the morning and afternoon shifts and drives for school trips in the afternoon or some evenings, so there’s not too many off days. Her oldest child graduated in 2014, and the youngest will be a high school junior, and many times she’s been able to drive for various school-related trips. Drabik said she most enjoys the feeling of being her own boss. “I’m not stuck in a cubicle,” she said. “I love being able to see the sunrise, and sometimes when I drive in the evening for activities, I get to see the sunset.” Initially, Drabik said she said was a bit

surprised at how intensive the driver’s test was. But she passed it well, and though a driver inevitably encounters some stressful driving situations due to traffic, construction and maybe some weather, she has no big qualms about the job. “It’s always been focused on driving safely and keeping the kids safe,” she said. “I’ve always told newer drivers that I’d rather be driving a school bus than my own car in some of this snowy weather because it handles so well.” In Drabik’s district, Grain Valley employs 50 drivers – all part-time – and generally has turnover of about 10-12 percent. “This summer we’re looking for three to five (drivers),” transportation director Shawn Brady said. “We actually manage to get fully staffed every year, while our bigger neighbors I know never get caught up.” Independence School District, for instance, has several buses parked around the city this summer with signs seeking driver applicants.

Brady said the area school transportation directors have monthly meetings, and staffing shortages are part of the business. “I used to manage a larger operation in Columbia, and it was always a struggle to fill it,” he said. “You never stop looking for new employees.” Fort Osage has a staff of 44 regular everyday drivers. Add in subs, mechanics and the office staff and the transportation department has 80 people. “We’ve been able to retain pretty well,” spokesperson Stephanie Smith said. “We had a number of folks retire, but we’ve been able to retain well. “We are always looking for qualified drivers and substitutes.” Blue Springs’ fleet includes 145 buses, with 125 drivers and 40 aides. Lee’s Summit, which this past spring received a 100 percent inspection rating for its buses, has 165 buses and nearly 150 drivers. Transportation Director Keith Henry said he had a turnover rate of 17 percent from last year and still had 10 openings as mid-July, though he wasn’t concerned at that time. “We have a steady flow of applicants, although we could always use more, especially for the hourly school bus positions,” he said. “Nationally, there is a shortage of qualified school bus drivers, and we have seen this reflected locally in recent years.” Brady said the economy can factor into retention rates, in that a good economy

leads to less full-time applicants. In a bad economy, more people might seek full-time driver position for the benefits, which can subtract from a district’s part-time crew. “A driver for me is working 24 or 25 hours a week,” he said. “It’s a tougher hire for me, but I don’t have as much to fill.” Brady said school districts might ask drivers to be more aware and alert for possible “stranger danger” cases and have an idea of where sex offenders are in certain neighborhoods – “We want them to be the eyes and ears for parents,” he said – but by and large the driving is the same. “The primary focus is working with children; that hasn’t changed since buses began taking kids to school,” Brady said. “If you don’t enjoy working with kids, it’s not going to be a happy workplace.” Drabik said some might shy away from being a bus driver because of dealing with children, or because they don’t like driving a big vehicle. Or even they fear the driver’s test because it harkens to bad teenage memories. All that can be overcome, she said. “When you think about it, you’re only with (children) a certain amount of time, and the district works with us if we have behavior issues,” Drabik said. “If they get in the driver’s seat and give it a whirl, they might realize it’s not too bad. It’s a different driving test, but it’s a great license and great-paying part-time job.”

16 / MAKE THE GRADE

MAJOR AWARDS

INDEPENDENCE SCHOOLS

• Little Blue Elementary kindergarten teacher Tracey Morton is a 2017 Kansas City Regional Teacher of the Year • The Board of Education earned the Governance Team Award from the Missouri School Boards Association, one of 24 school boards to be honored. • The district received the Early Childhood Education Program of the Year Award from the MSBA. ISD’s early ed program serves nearly 900 children under 5 years old – one of the state’s largest programs. • The Truman High School concert choir was invited to perform a 20-minute program on Memorial Day at a concert in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. • The Truman High School marching band traveled to Hawaii to perform at the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor.

BLUE SPRINGS SCHOOLS

Submitted by the school districts • Lucy Franklin and William Science and Technology Leaders. Yates elementary schools were • High school speech and named 2016 Missouri Gold Star debate students Alexis Cook and schools, and then National Blue Gabrielle Vaoifi qualified for NCFL Ribbon schools. Voy Spears, Jr. Grand National Tournament. Elementary has been named a • High school broadcasting 2017 Missouri Gold Star school. team selected as one of three • Morgan Payton was a 2016 finalists out of 1,900 for Broadcast Kansas City Regional Teacher of Programs of the Year from the the Year, and Tara Pennington is a NFHS Network. 2017 Regional Teacher of the Year. • Robotics team competed at • The transportation departthe world championships. ment received it state’s highest • Allison Shewmaker received safety rating for the 25th year. her State FFA Degree. • The Blue Springs High • School board member Floyd School jazz band performed at the Hawkins received master certifiNational School Board Associacation from the Missouri School tion Conference, and the Golden Board Association. Regiment marching band played at • Kyra Vermeland had artwork the Waikiki Parade in Hawaii after selected for the President’s Choice Thanksgiving and for the 75th Award for high schools at the anniversary of the attack on Pearl State Youth Art Exhibit. Harbor. • High school students Lewis • South High School’s Air Force Chastain and Megan Hall attended Junior ROTC earned the Distinthe Missouri Scholars Academy. guished Unit Award with Merits • The high school marching – given to the top 8 percent of band was selected to participate units in the country. in the National Independence Day • The Blue Springs boys track Parade in Washington D.C. and field and South cheerleader • High school English teacher teams won state titles. Lindsay Thompson was a finalist • The Board of Education for 2016 Missouri Teacher of the earned the Governance Team Year. Award from the Missouri School Board Association, and Rhonda GRAIN VALLEY SCHOOLS Gilstrap became the first board member to achieve Distinguished, Advanced and Master Certification from the MSBA.

FORT OSAGE SCHOOLS

• High school student Emily Akright represented school and state at Congress of Future

• The high school marching band participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and also appeared on NBC’s Today Show the day before the parade. • GVHS was named by the

Washington Post as one of “America’s Most Challenging High Schools 2017,” the fifth time this decade the school has been name. • Voted “Best of Eastern Jackson County 2016” among area school districts in The Examiner’s Readers’ Choice awards for best high school, best middle school (South Middle School) and best activities program. • Football coach David Allie named by Kansas City Chiefs as Missouri High School of the Year for 2016, which made him eligible for a national award sponsored by the NFL.

LEE’S SUMMIT SCHOOLS • The new Missouri Innovation Campus, home of the Summit Technology Academy has been completed. The new campus and improvements at other district schools are courtesy of a 2015 notax-increase issue. • Brad Rackers, theater teacher at Lee’s Summit West, is a 2017 Kansas City Regional Teacher of the Year. • Tavish Whiting of Lee’s Summit North is the Missouri VFW Teacher of the Year. • An alliance of teams from North and West won first place at the Missouri Robotics Championship, and the West team nearly won a world championship. • The three 2017 graduating classes earned about $28 million in potential scholarship money.

MAKE THE GRADE / 17

CHANGES

FREEPIK.COM

More advice

KEEP IT

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

POSITIVE

hange is hard for everyone. Entering a new school is one of the biggest changes a child may encounter in his young life. Parents can help smooth the transition and make it less traumatic. “A lot of parents may feel anxiety about a change of school, but they should be careful not to project those feelings on their kids. Their child may not be feeling the same thing,” said parenting expert, blogger and author Richard Greenberg, who shares an analogy: “If you got in a taxi and said to the driver, ‘Take me to the airport’ and he said, ‘I

don’t know how to get there,’ you wouldn’t feel too good about it. Kids are in the back of our cab. The key is to project confidence.” Put yourself in their shoes and try and remember how it felt to be a kid in a new situation, he added. “Let them know you’re part of the process. Project that this is going to be great. They’re going to have fun. Change is a part of life. It’s a part of growing up. Tell them that you’re proud of them. Use the power of positive thinking,” Greenberg said.

Make a friend early “Friends play an enormous part of success in school,” said educational psychologist and parenting, bullying and character expert Dr. Michele Borba, author

of “UnSelfie.” “Friends keep kids happy. They make a child want to go to school. They are a support system.” If you can connect your child with one friendly face before school starts, it can ease the process of changing schools. “Walking into a new school without knowing someone is stressful,” Borba said. “The goal is to make your child feel secure in dozens of ways. Whatever you can learn and discuss ahead of time will reduce their anxiety.” Look for opportunities for your child to meet neighbors and potential classmates over the summer. Check out library and park district programs and the local newspaper to see what’s happening in your area.

Here are some more tips: • Visit the school’s website. Take a virtual tour and download a map of the school if possible. Check the school calendar and read the school rules and dress codes. • If possible, visit the school and talk to the teacher or an administrator before classes begin. • Practice your introductions. Have your child come up with a short conversation-starter: “Hi! My name is Mike. I just moved here from Baltimore and I play baseball.” That way he’ll be ready with something to say to new acquaintances. • Remind your child that it’s normal to feel anxious and let them know you’re there for them if they have questions. • If your child is concerned about riding the bus, brief your child on safety rules and visit the bus stop in advance. Point out familiar landmarks and reassure your child that an adult will be on hand when they disembark at the school. • Parents can contact the school’s parent teacher organization, which can provide information about the new school. Volunteering is a great way to become a part of a new community and make new friends for both parent and child. • No matter how anxious you are when dropping off a child at a new school, don’t linger, Borba said. That will only increase their anxiety.

NOW OPEN!

Call Today! 816-427-5858 1353 NW Jefferson, Blue Springs, MO 64015

www.spectrumstation.com email: bluesprings@spectrumstation.com

18 / MAKE THE GRADE

MISSOURI TAX-FREE HOLIDAY

Save on school supplies this weekend Missouri is again offering the first weekend in August as a tax-free holiday for families doing their back-to-school shopping. It starts at 12:01 a.m., Friday, Aug. 4, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 6. The Missouri Department of Revenue decides what qualifies for exemption from state and local sales taxes over the tax-free weekend: • Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less • School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase • Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less • Personal computers – not to exceed $1,500 • Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $1,500 • Graphing calculators – not to exceed $150 HOW MUCH WILL YOU SAVE? The state sales tax is 4.225%. Add on to that your local city and Jackson County sales taxes. For instance: • Independence has a total combined city, county and state sales tax of 7.85%, minus two special districts that opted out. • Blue Springs has a total rate of 8.1%. • Lee’s Summit in Jackson County has a total rate of 7.85%. • Grain Valley has a total rate of 8.1%. • Buckner’s total rate is 7.6%. • Raytown’s total rate is 8.35%. EXCEPTIONS Cities can choose not to participate in the taxfree weekend. In Eastern Jackson County, only Sugar Creek has opted out. In addition, certain taxing districts can opt out. Locally, the Independence Events Center Community Improvement District (0.75%) and the Crackerneck Creek Transportation Development District (1%) opted out, meaning you will pay those sales taxes. The Independence Events

Center Community Improvement District includes such areas as Bolger Square (Target, J.C. Penney), Independence Commons (Kohl’s, Best Buy, Marshall’s), The Crossroads (Wal-Mart) and Eastland Center (Costco, Lowe’s). The Crackerneck Creek Transportation Development District includes Bass Pro Shops, Hobby Lobby and Mardel. Independence Center businesses will be participating. MORE DETAILS Section 144.049, RSMo, defines items exempt during the sales tax holiday as: “Clothing” – any article of wearing apparel, including footwear, intended to be worn on or about the human body. The term shall include but not be limited to cloth and other material used to make school uniforms or other school clothing. Items normally sold in pairs shall not be separated to qualify for the exemption. The term shall not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties,

headbands, or belt buckles. “School supplies” – any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes, including but not limited to, textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, graphing calculators, chalk, maps, and globes. The term shall not include watches, radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers or other office equipment, furniture, or fixtures. School supplies shall also include computer software having a taxable value of three hundred fifty dollars or less. “Personal computers” – a laptop, desktop, or tower computer system which consists of a central processing unit, random access memory, a storage drive, a display monitor, and a keyboard and devices designed for use in conjunction with a personal computer, such as a disk drive, memory module, compact disk drive, daughterboard, digitizer, microphone, modem, motherboard, mouse, multimedia speaker, printer, scanner, single-user hardware, singleuser operating system, soundcard, or video card. OTHER THINGS TO NOTE: • If you are a teacher buying supplies for your classroom, that qualifies for the tax exemption. • If you buy school supplies over the internet, the purchase occurs and the transaction is completed during the sales tax holiday, it qualifies. As long as it’s paid in full during the weekend, the item can be delivered after the holiday. • You don’t have to live in Missouri to take advantage of the holiday. ONLINE For more details about the sales tax holiday, go to the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website at http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/ school/

MAKE THE GRADE / 19

TRENDS