Vol. 4 No. 38 | September 16, 2021 | www.grainvalleynews.com
Traffic Alert: Bridge work at Buckner Tarsney north of Ryan Rd.
Board approves 2021 tax levy, 11th plat of Rosewood Hills Following an extensive citizen participation session in which two residents spoke about a parking issue on SW Nelson Drive raised at the prior Board meeting by a resident on the street, the Board of Aldermen approved several ordinances, including the approval of the annual tax levy. The total City levy will be $1.4494 on each one hundred dollars ($100) assessed valuation. The levy breaks down as follows: A. General Municipal Government Operations - $0.4685 for general municipal government operations to be deposited in General Fund. B. Retirement of General Obligation Debt - $0.8362 for the retirement of general obligation debt, including the payment of principal and interest, to be deposited in the Debt Service Fund. C. Park Fund - $0.1035 for park
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Jackson County will begin work replacing the bridge on Buckner Tarsney Road just north of Ryan Road.
maintenance to be deposited in the Park Fund. D. Public Health - $0.0412 for public health purposes to be deposited in the Public Health Fund. As reported by Finance Director Steven Craig at the August 23rd Board meeting, the 2021 tax levy is a reduction of $.15 per $100 of assessed value. The Board also approved an ordinance escrowing funds for payment of the Series 2018A General Obligation Bonds maturing in March 2028. In other business, the Board voted to approve the 11th plat of the Rosewood Hills subdivision, which includes 29 single family lots. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held Monday, September 27th at 7:00pm.
The road will be closed from September 20th to approximately November 20th.
Good News: National Night Out event scheduled for September 28th The Grain Valley Police Department will host a National Night Out event on September 28th from 6:00pm—8:30pm at Armstrong Park. The family event is to inform community members of police
department operations through demonstrations and information. The event will include free food, family activities, games, and prizes. For more information on the event, call 816-847-6250.
Fair’s Cutest Baby Contest voting begins online through September Weston (right) is just one of 13 entrants in the Grain Valley Fair’s annual Cutest Baby Contest. Voting is now available online at www.grainvalleynews.com (under the Community tab) and in person at Crosetti’s Health & Wellness through September. See page 8 for all entrants in this year’s contest. All funds
raised benefit Partnership.
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In This Edition: Looking Back: Let the Fair Begin!
4
Cutest Baby Contest Entries
8
Your Health: Healthy eating on a budget
10
Sports: Eagles stay unbeaten after three-set sweep of Oakies
14
Cover Image: Students from Releve Performing Arts participated in the September 11th Grain Valley Fair parade. More photos on page 6. Photo credit: Sara Unrein
Image credit: City of Grain Valley
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S Our advertisers support your local news. Support Small Business. Shop Local.
The Grain Valley Fair would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of our 2021 Fair.
Broadway Smiles Dental
3 Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of September 1-6, 2021.
September 1, 2021 1100 Block of Pamela 700 Block of Main Ryan & Minter 1200 Block of SW Blue Branch 100 Block of S Buckner Tarsney Elizabeth & RR 500 Block of Broadway September 2, 2021 700 Block of Main 1000 Block of RD Mize Sni A Bar & Gateway 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main
September 3, 2021 100 Block of S Main 1000 Block of Hickory CT 200 Block of Kim CT 700 Block of N Main ST Main & Walnut 1100 Block of N Main ST 700 Block of N Main ST 100 Block of S Main 1000 Block of Hickory CT Sandy & Laura 600 Block of BB Burr Oak LN 100 Block of Main Pamela & Jefferson
Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Verbal Disturbance Possible Stolen Auto Animal Complaint Assault Suspicious Person
Welfare Check Req Via Phone Agency Assist-CJC Motor Vehicle Accident Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Stealing
Welfare Check Citizen Contact Alarm Disorderly Conduct Motor Vehicle Accident Welfare Check Fraud Suspicious Person Citizen Contact Abandoned Auto Trespassing Vehicle Blocking Sidewalk Welfare Check ATV on Roadway
September 4, 2021 SW Hillside Area
Kids on BikesUnfounded 700 Block of Main ST Citizen Contact 100 Block of Main Suspicious Person 1200 Block of Phelps CT Possible Harassment 1200 Block of Sycamore Assault 1200 Block of NW Phelps DR Citizen Contact 1200 Block of SW Eagles PKWY Verbal Disturbance 700 Block of NW Albatross Welfare Check September 5, 2021 400 Block of SW Eagles PKWY 800 Block of Hereford 1100 Block of SW Smith 700 Block of Main 200 Block of Walnut 1100 Block of BT RD 700 Block of Main 1500 Block of Broadway 1300 Block of Broadway 700 Block of Main 900 Block of Ryan 700 Block of Main
Welfare Check Verbal Disturbance Prisoner Transport Disturbance Alarm Trespassing Found Dog Alarm Alarm Citizen Contact Via Phone Area Check Citizen Contact
September 6, 2021 Deer Creek & McQuerry Eagles & Jackie 1100 Block of NW Sawgrass DR 200 Block of Aaron LN 400 Block of W Walnut 1200 Block of NW Willow DR
Suspicious Person Suspicious Vehicle Animal At Large Welfare Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact
Grain Valley News is a free community paper, published weekly on Thursdays online at www.grainvalleynews.com and on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month in print. Cory Unrein | Co-Owner/Publisher John Unrein | Co-Owner/Production Manager Cathy Allie | Staff Writer, Proofreader John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer Michael Smith | Staff Writer, Sports
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Looking Back
4 Looking Back: Let the Fair Begin! by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society A big thank you to Valley News for selecting The Grain Valley Historical Society as the Honorary Grand Marshall for the 2021 Fall Festival Parade. I believe Grain Valley was ready for a parade after it was cancelled last year due to COVID. People had already staked out their spots along Eagles Parkway when I went to line up for the parade 90 minutes before the start time! And there were people all along the route down Main Street and along Walnut. As we wove our way back to high school, there were still lots of folks waving and cheering all along Kirby Road. Two years ago I did some research on our community fair for The Voice, an on-line newsletter I write each month. Here is an excerpt from the August, 2019 newsletter. From the 1983 Guide to Grain Valley, published by The Examiner.
“Community fair will be a first-time event for town “ By Alyson Fortney After two years of planning, Grain Valley will have its first annual fair this fall. Dennis Bundren, chairperson of the Grain Valley Fair Association, explained the idea originated as a brainstorm of his two years ago. Burden chose representatives from various organizations in town to serve in the 10member association. The Grain Valley Fair Days, scheduled for Sept. 29, 30 and October 1, promises to be full of thrills, food, contest and exhibits. The article went on to discuss the rides and games of chance, crafts and baked goods from local 4-H clubs, a hotair balloon race, a demolition derby, a ’66 Mustang display by the Mustang
The Grain Valley Historical Society served as this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal for the Grain Valley Fair Community Parade on Saturday, September 11th. Photo credit: Sara Unrein Club of Kansas City and a beer garden. There was no mention of a parade. In 1993, the fair was held at the 94acre Grain Valley Memorial Fairground on Old U.S. 40 east of Main Street. In 1995, the board purchased GannonThomas Hall, formerly owned by the VFW, on Old 40 just west of the fairgrounds. In addition to the fair, the facilities were used for community and private functions, sand drag races and the Kansas City Indian Club Pow-Wow.
In the 1997 Guide to Grain Valley, Bill Bushey, president of the Grain Valley Fair Association boasted the fair was “one of the biggest activities in the city this year”. The fair must have been held in June for a few years, because in 1997 the association changed the date to July 24-27 to have a lesser chance of rain. The parade that year was the biggest in history as some 300 Shriners were there with motorcycles and trick cars, bands and flashy outfits!
After the Grain Valley Community Center was completed in 2001 and the fair moved to the present location. It was obvious from the traffic in town on Saturday before, during and after the parade that the citizens of Grain Valley continue to support and enjoy this nearly 40 year-old tradition. Note: If you would like to receive The Voice contact us at gvhistory1878@gmail.com
Bicentennial Parade to be held Saturday, September 18th As part of Missouri's statewide bicentennial celebration, the Governor's Office will be hosting a Bicentennial Inaugural Parade in Jefferson City on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 10:00am to showcase Missouri’s past,
present, and future. The Bicentennial Inaugural Parade will celebrate the swearing-in of Missouri's elected officials from this year's Bicentennial Inauguration as well as highlight the history and significance of the state of
Missouri. The parade will be livestreamed on Governor Parson's Facebook Page with two emcees announcing each piece of the parade live. The Missouri State Capitol will feature various community engagement items on display from 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, including the following: Missouri Bicentennial Quilt Missouri State Parks Quilt Missouri Bicentennial Mural Championship trophies will be on display and available for photo
opportunities for the general public on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 8:00am - 2:30pm. Trophies on display will include: Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl IV & LIV Trophies St. Louis Rams Super Bowl XXXIV Trophy Kansas City Royals World Series Trophies - 2015, 1985 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Trophies - 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011 St. Louis Blues 2019 Stanley Cup Replica Trophy
Business Grain Valley alumni team up seek to help others, serve community through KC Cannabis venture Corey Martin, Chief of Staff with KC Cannabis, and Dan Nelson, Chief Operations Officer, are proud products of Grain Valley. The lifelong friends were in Boy Scouts, played football, and graduated from Grain Valley. “Dan and I have been best friends since 7th grade. After high school, Dan went into the commercial trades, and I went into the Army,” Martin said. After 20 years in those respective fields, the pair have teamed up with others to build KC Cannabis, a medical cannabis dispensary that opened in April in four locations in the metro, including a store in Blue Springs. “We want to provide access to patients, but we also want to be active in our community,” Martin said. “We’re doing a lot of community outreach and engagement, working with multiple nonprofits, and just trying to do the right thing for the community in which we grew up in and we live in.” Martin said a big part of their job is to help dispel the many myths surrounding the industry, as well as encouraging prospective patients to not be shy about learning about the options available to them. “Of course, one of the biggest misconceptions is that cannabis is just for people to get high. But there are many medical benefits to cannabis. One of the biggest things we do is educate people about the benefits of cannabis over opiates and other prescription medications.” “We always encourage patients to talk to your primary care doctor first. Tell them you are curious about using cannabis for their condition. We are finding that most doctors are open to patients trying something that might work for them.” Recommendations can come from a patient’s primary physician, or prospective patients can meet via telehealth or in-person appointment with KC Cannabis partner Kind Remedy. Prospective patients complete an application through the State, and the approval process takes approximately 23 weeks. Once a patient is approved and receives a patient card, KC Cannabis staff can work with the patient to find the ingestion methods, potencies, cultivars of strains that gives them the proper effects. “I see people every single day that are
Corey Martin, Chief of Staff with KC Cannabis. Photo credit: Valley News staff benefiting from cannabis. Some people don’t want to take opioids and are finding relief for pain and other conditions through cannabis products.” Martin shared the story of an older gentlemen who has been taking 8 hydrocodone per day to try to manage his pain. After trying some low dose gummies in conjunction with a THC vape pen, he reduced his hydrocodone to two pills per day. “He told us it’s the first time he’s had relief in a decade. In a week in a half, he was down to two pills. That’s a huge success story,” Martin said. “We’ve got multiple patients who come in that are being treated for cancer and are using full extract cannabis oil (FECO). We were able to bring this product to the Missouri market and sell it at cost. That has been huge for people.” Martin said they also see patients with epilepsy as well as patients dealing with chronic arthritis and pain, among other conditions. In addition to the Blue Springs location, KC Cannabis currently has locations in Kearney, Excelsior Springs, and a location in Lake Lotawana opening in October. The Blue Springs location at 1713 NW Burdett Crossing is open daily from 11:00am – 7:00pm. For more information, prospective patients are welcome to visit the store or visit their website at www.kccannabis.org.
Sponsored article.
5 August 2021 Monthly Jobs Report Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from July 2021 to August 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by twotenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,300 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August 2021, down from 4.2 percent in July 2021. Recovery from COVID-19related layoffs continued with an increase of 73,400 jobs from August 2020 to August 2021. Short-term shortages of semiconductor chips may hold down employment in manufacturing in the next few months. Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point in August 2021, dropping to 4.0 percent from the July 2021 rate of 4.2 percent. The national unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in July 2021 to 5.2 percent in August 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 123,158 in August 2021, down by 5,448 from July’s 128,606.
A year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 6.0 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 6.1 percent. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic now more than a year in the past, the August 2021 rate was 2.0 percentage points lower than the August 2020 rate. Due to benchmark revisions, Missouri’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point higher than the national rate in January and February of 2020, but has been below the national rate for every month since February 2020. Goods-producing industries gained 5,300 jobs over the month with gains in both durable and non-durable goods. Meanwhile, service-providing industries gained 2,000 jobs between July and August 2021, with increases in leisure & hospitality (+3,300 jobs) and professional & business services (+1,600 jobs). Government employment showed a decrease of 3,200 jobs over the month. Total payroll employment increased by 73,400 jobs from August 2020 to August 2021, reflecting the recovery from job cuts brought on by the initial wave of COVID-19 infections.
Current and prospective patients are welcome to visit KC Cannabis to learn more about the products best suited to their condition. The Blue Springs store is located at 1713 NW Burdett Crossing. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Community Voices
6
Guest Column: Mike Todd, Grain Valley Fair Committee The 2021 Grain Valley Fair is in the books, and I have to say that it was a great one. We loved seeing the large crowds come out and all the smiling faces having a good time after having to take 2020 off. We were a bit rusty getting it all together, but with the help from a lot of people and the support of our great sponsors I think it was great. We are already looking forward to 2022 and will work to make it even better. Make sure to follow us on Facebook at Grain Valley Fair because we will be looking for suggestions for music for next year and any Fair info is always found first there. We do want to thank the following
people who volunteered to help us at the Fair or in the planning process: Steve, Carol, Tosha, and Harper Todd Tasha, Matt, and Matthew Lindsey Scott Shafer Lynn and David Berend Darren Mills Cory Unrein Brian Schoonover Justin Tyson and all the Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Staff, Public Works Staff, and Police Department who helped throughout. We also do not want to forget all our great sponsors who make everything possible with their support:
Letters to the editor and guest columns are welcome. This is YOUR community news source. Send your letters, comments, and story ideas by email, mail, or send us a message on social media (@grainvalleynews).
City of Grain Valley Broadway Smiles Dental T-Mobile Drew’s Diesel KC Cannabis ASI St. Mary’s Hospital MO Country Valley News State Bank Grain Valley Price Chopper OOIDA KAT Excavation Spire HCA CenterPoint Hospital Keeports Remodel beHome EKC Cross Baseball Sheet Metal Workers Show-Me Hydro
Kohl’s Distribution Center Nick Mortallaro State Farm Grain Valley Edward Jones Big O’s Rental Blue Moon Lounge Star Development University Health Truman Medical Centers Casey’s General Stores Metropolitan Community Colleges Finally, we want to thank all of our vendors and food trucks for coming out to make it all a big success. With all of these great things going on we go through a lot of trash and Lies is there every step to help us out with their continued support. See everyone stating on September 9th 2022.
2021 Parade Winning Entries Commercial Vehicle or Float: Releve Performing Arts
Email: news@grainvalleynews.com Mail: Grain Valley News: PO Box 2972, Grain Valley MO 64029
Non-Commercial Vehicle or Float: Grain Valley Historical Society Float pulled with vehicle: Prairie Branch Elementary Walking Unit: Grain Valley Marching Eagles Our honorary Grand Marshals, the Grain Valley Historical Society, will receive 100% of the entry fees from this year’s event. Thank you to all our our entrants for their participation. We'll see you next year!
Photo credit: Sara Unrein
Community Voices
7
Musings from the Middle: Little Victories by Cathy Allie Belying my current less than athletic appearance, I once reigned as the 12 year old girls tennis champion in Lexington, Kentucky. I was a bit of a tennis junkie, watching every slam and open carried on our precable-console-complete-with-stereo-tv. And I looked the part for sure. I had a wooden Slazenger racket and Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoes, and I was rarely without a Billie Jean King looking visor. My folks were smart enough to make sure we had summer lessons for activities in which we showed an interest. Since there were no lessons for reading, which is what I spent most of my time doing, I suppose tennis was my only other option. We spent mornings on the courts, getting a little parks and rec type instruction, making sure to take lots of water breaks, in a time when nobody had a Yeti, and we waited in line at the fountain, hoping the weak stream of water would be cold. As August approached, we toiled through challenge matches in the southern humidity to earn a bracket spot, and the tournament began. There was no magical Wimbledonlike setting, just the old acrylic coated green asphalt courts with nets that had seen better days. I don’t remember every opponent, but I am sure I must have received a forfeit or two along the line, some other pre-teen begging off a match that day, claiming her mouth hurt too much from the previous day’s visit to the orthodontist, really just wanting to stay home and work on her baby oil and iodine tan or ride her bike with friends. The winner got an 8 inch trophy and free entry into the following year’s tournament, which were great prizes for a 12 year old. The winner also got a healthy dose of self-esteem, a pretty good memory to talk about at Happy Hours and family bragging sessions many years later, and the perfect entry into one of those ‘Three truths and One Lie’ getting to know you games we are forced to play when we are in a new group. Literally no one ever guesses I have
been a 12 year old tennis champion. Once I listed the tennis championship, my ability to recite Eugene Field’s 32 line poem The Duel from memory, and the fact that I once played the piccolo as my truths, and then listed my skydiving hobby as the big whopper, and they still picked tennis as the lie. Go figure. As of late, I have been looking for somewhat smaller victories. For instance, just a couple of weeks ago, on two separate occasions, I finished my morning cup of coffee while it was still warm, without a visit to the microwave to re-heat it. All you fast coffee drinkers, those willing to scald your tongues, will never understand the perfect coffee drinking window, where the beverage is not too hot to swallow, yet not cold enough to offend. Never mind that one of those cups of coffee was actually my husband’s cup that I just thought was mine. I am also celebrating the small win of keeping track of my paperback book through the entire four weeks it took me to read it, as my memory about where I have left things is not as good as it once was. I am an avid reader, one who appreciates a variety of genres and authors. But I don’t have a lot of spare time for reading-which is not to say I don’t think I will have the time- so my books become my traveling companions. If I drive my daughter to a lesson, a rehearsal, or a practice, I take my paperback because I might have time to read in the car. If I head to the dentist for yet another crown (trust me, I am full -blown royalty), I pack that novel for a little reading time while the Novocain takes effect. And sometimes, that means I can’t quite remember where I have last had my book. Usually I have to check bags, my bedside table, the family room, and the car before I find it. Once I found my book in the laundry hamper, and it wasn’t even a dirty novel. See what I did there? Saturday morning, I found I had exactly one hour to myself. I pondered the possibilities. Continue my advance meal planning? Try to create my Christmas budget? Exercise? Nah, none of those are any fun. Finish my novel! That’s it! And lo and behold, I walked right to the shelf where I had placed it
for safe-keeping. I will take the win, even if the novel didn’t end exactly the way I had hoped. Other small successes come in the area of biting my tongue. Since sarcasm really is my native, primary language and full scale English comes a little less naturally, I often find myself in situations where my sarcasm would be fitting, but perhaps not appreciated. Here is the short list of places I did not use my sharp tongue just this week: waiting in line inside a Starbucks when the barista called out the name Bambi (Come get your coffee, DEER, I thought); at the gas station where I had to go in to get a receipt because it didn’t print at the pump, and the clerk said, “I guess this didn’t print at the pump?” (No, I just came in because I enjoy the hot dogs on rollers combined with coffee brewing and antiseptic bathroom cleaner smell that convenience stores have, I thought); and at my husband’s football game when the opponent scored and a very vocal critic informed all of us in earshot that we should have tackled that guy before he got into the end zone (I can’t put in a family paper what I thought on this one). Some victories are truly hard earned. The final area where I am happy with some miniscule triumphs is in raising a teenager. Those of you who have completed this arduous journey know it is not for the faint of heart. The Vegas odds makers won’t even make book on a parent’s chance of surviving the teen years unscathed. My daughter recently started back to school, a tenuous parenting time. Should I ask if she would like to find something new to wear on the first day? Is a trip to buy school supplies too babyish? Are really clean white tennis shoes still a thing? I decided to play it cool…and to tell a little white lie. I saw a backpack I knew she would really like. I also knew that if we were together and I pointed it out, she would no longer like it. I bought that backpack, took it home, tucked it in the
guest room closet on a shelf and began my plan. That night I asked if she would need a new backpack for school. “Probably,” she mumbled. At least, I think that is what she said. I was keeping my distance, because sometimes if I breathe or blink too loudly it irritates her. “Oh, wait,” I said. “Didn’t we buy one last spring? Where would we have put that?” I was Academy Award convincing in my ditzy mom brain search. “Maybe,” she said. “But it’s not in my room,” to which I thought, “And with all that mess, I am sure you would know,” but of course I didn’t say it, because as you might remember, I am no longer being sarcastic. “I might have put it in the guest room closet,” I say, as if it is an afterthought, so light, so casual, so airy. She doesn’t move immediately because a part of her teenage persona is to never show excitement in the presence of an adult. But when she finally has to go get her phone charger because something could be happening on Instagram that she will miss and her phone needs some juice, she goes to the bedroom and looks for the backpack. “Here it is,” she says, holding it up for examination. “Yeah, this is the one I picked out last year. This will work fine.” She will never know about my internal high five for my most recent, very underhanded success. She will also never know I have just been topping off the body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in her shower from larger bottles stashed in my bathroom because apparently the stress of having to ask ones parents for toiletries is just too much for a teen. It’s the small victories that count. No 8 inch trophy needed here.
Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
Cutest Baby Contest
8
We are pleased to present the entrants in this year’s Grain Valley Fair Cutest Baby Contest. Voting is open through September. Your “vote” is a donation to support the Grain Valley Partnership, our local chamber of commerce/economic development organization. You may vote online at www.grainvalleynews.com or in person at Crosetti’s Health & Wellness, 510 N Main. The winner will be announced in the October 7th edition of Valley News.
Weston
Everlee
Hadley
Cara
Kingston
Zane
Henry
Kala
McKinley Grace
Stella Jayne
Lucrecia
Ryder
“Vote” online by making a donation at www.grainvalleynews.com (under the Community tab) now through the end of September. All funds raised will benefit the Grain Valley Partnership. For more information on the Grain Valley Partnership, visit www.growgrainvalley.org.
Abigail
State News
9
Amid the pandemic, Missouri standardized test scores decline across grades, subjects by Tessa Weinberg, Missouri Independent (www.missouriindependent.com) Preliminary results from Missouri statewide assessment tests administered last spring amid the pandemic show scores declined across nearly all grade levels and subjects tested, with the greatest drop in mathematics. The 2020-21 school year results, which were released Tuesday by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, show that fewer than half of Missouri students passed with proficient and advanced scores across all subjects. The tests show only 45 percent of students are proficient or advanced in English, 35 percent in math and 37 percent in science. Results from social studies exams will be available in the coming weeks. Compared to results from the 2018-19 school year, that represents a drop of four points in English, seven points in math and five points in science — though state education officials stress that the unprecedented circumstances surrounding last spring’s tests make blanket comparisons to previous years a misapplication of the data. The early results mirror what nationwide estimates have indicated: That students are behind where they would normally be, with wider disparities in math, among younger students, minority students and those in high-poverty schools.
Early results also indicated that proficiency rates were higher for Missouri students in onsite and hybrid instruction than those in distanced or virtual. The results are the first statewide glimpse at students’ performance since 2019, as the Missouri Assessment Program, or MAP, tests were suspended in 2020 and performance reports were not issued for the 2019-20 school year. Margie Vandeven, the commissioner of education, told reporters Monday that the department hopes to use the results as a flashlight to illuminate issues, rather than a hammer to crack down on them. “Our students are more than test scores,” Vandeven said. Last December, Missouri’s State Board of Education voted to require state assessments be administered but not factor their results into either state or federal accountability systems. DESE also received approval from the U.S. Department of Education to waive federal reporting and accountability requirements. With teachers and students out for weeks at a time due to quarantines, adjusting to hybrid and virtual learning and experiencing greater levels of stress and fatigue navigating the school year amid the pandemic, DESE officials stressed that the results should not be used to make “high stakes” decisions
like teacher evaluations. “Blanket comparisons to previous years’ assessment data that ignores this long list of variables would be a serious misuse of the data,” Vandeven said, “and absolutely not what we’re working to do.” The largest decrease in any subject was a 9.8 percent drop in the percentage of students passing Algebra 1. Similarly, the percentage of third graders passing math dropped roughly nine points from 2019 to 37 percent. For fourth graders that score dropped about seven points to 40 percent, and for fifth graders that score dropped seven points to 33 percent, according to data presented to the State Board of Education. Meanwhile, the smallest decreases were in English assessments for fourth and eighth grade, which stayed the same and dropped one percentage point respectively, and math for eighth grade students, which resulted in a two percentage point decrease. Proficiency rates in the optional English 1 end-of-course assessment were slightly higher at 62 percent compared to 2019 scores, and the percent of students passing physical science end-of-course exams remained steady at 37 percent. When broken down by ethnicity, students that identified as Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or Multiracial experienced the largest dips in proficient and advanced scores from 2019, with drops of six percentage points each. Hispanic students saw a five percentage point drop, and white and American Indian or Alaska Native students each saw a four percentage point drop — lower than the average of a five percentage point decline for all students. Overall, students that identified as Asian or Pacific Islander had the highest proficiency rate at 56 percent. Black students had the lowest at 15 percent. Vandeven said parents and families should welcome the test results as another data point. Within the next few weeks, students should be receiving their individual reports that can help indicate where they may need additional support, like one-on-one tutoring, Vandeven said. District and school results will be released later this fall. “We are all in the same ocean, but not in the same boat,” Vandeven said. “Meaning, of course, that a global pandemic impacts each of us, but in different ways.” The department said it will continue to study the results to help identify trends in learning across modes and demographics and aims to allocate federal relief funds toward resources like targeting the digital divide and evidence-based professional learning
for teachers. “We don’t just want to meet where we were before the pandemic, we want to exceed it as a state,” Lisa Sireno, DESE’s standards and assessment administrator, told the State Board of Education Tuesday. Studying modes of instruction While participation was lower — with an average of about 4,300 fewer students tested in each grade level — Sireno said Monday that overall participation was still high, bolstering the results’ validity. The participation rate for English assessments was at 91.4 percent, mathematics was at 90.5 percent and science was at 92.5 percent. Just over half of students, 51 percent, were in onsite instruction; 31 percent in a hybrid model; 10 percent in virtual instruction; and 8 percent in a distanced method where some instruction is given online. It was the first time the department captured data on learning modes at a student level, Sireno said, stressing it was too early to tell if there’s a cause and effect relationship. Overall, proficiency rates were higher for students in onsite and hybrid instruction than those in distanced or virtual. For example, in math 77.2 percent of students in virtual instruction performed at basic or below basic levels and 82.2 percent of students in distanced instruction also were at basic or below basic levels. That compares to 60.7 percent of students at those same levels in onsite instruction and 63.3 percent in hybrid instruction. Overall, 81 percent of students had access to a device while 78 percent had internet access, and similarly passing rates tended to be higher for those with access to internet or a device. Vandeven said the department plans to take that data on the primary mode of instruction — which was collected three times throughout the last school year — and work with University of Missouri researchers to assess differences in modes of instruction and performance. Melissa Randol, the executive director of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, said in a statement after the results’ release that they reinforced what was already known: that teaching in person makes a difference. “And when you can’t teach in person, access to the internet and adequate bandwidth make a difference,” Randol said. “Our teachers and students did a fantastic job under the circumstances during this pandemic – we can’t lose sight of that.” Last year, a survey of Missouri State Teachers Association members found that most wanted this year’s
see TEST SCORES on page 16
Your Health
10 Healthy eating on a budget by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD There are many ways to save money on your grocery bill and also eat healthier. Here are five budgetfriendly shopping tips: Plan to Save Your Pennies: Meal planning and weight management go hand in hand, but meal planning can also help you save your hard-earned paycheck. Planning meals helps as you compile your grocery list and makes shopping more efficient. Without a plan, you’re more likely to purchase extra items or not enough – and then takeout becomes more tempting. Pro tip: Don’t shop on an empty stomach – hitting the store while hungry will push you over your budget faster than you can say “junk food.” Buy Whole Foods: It’s no secret that some foods are less expensive in a less processed form. For example, a block of cheese is cheaper than shredded
cheese, and a canister of oats is less expensive than a box of instant oatmeal packets. Of course conveniently cut up fruit and portioned yogurt saves you time, but this is an area that can save you some extra dough. And speaking of dough – when selecting grains, like bread, choose the whole-wheat options, rather than their white counterparts. This small swap will provide you a healthier nutritional profile without spending more. Shop Smart to Fill Your Cart: At HyVee, we offer our own private label That’s Smart! brand for nearly any product you can think of. Full Circle is Hy -Vee’s organic brand, which can be found in the HealthMarket. Store brands offer the same quality; they’re just less expensive. Be on the lookout for these and watch your savings add up. Stock Up on Sales: We all love a good deal, but it can backfire. Ask yourself: “Is
this item something I’d normally buy, or am I just interested in it because it looks like a steal?” Pro tip: Make sure a product is going to last for a while (if not using soon), because it won’t save you money if you end up throwing it out later. Frozen Produce is Your Finance’s Best Friend: We all have good intentions of using the head of broccoli staring at us each time we open the fridge, but as the week goes on, unfortunately so does the quality. That’s where frozen vegetables come into play – they are convenient and an easy addition to any meal. The freezer is also the perfect place to house make-ahead meals, which you’ll need ample room for after attending one of our Family Friendly Freezer Meal Classes. Free up time in your week by prepping ahead in this virtual class held by one of your Hy-Vee dietitians. In under an hour, prepare five freezer meals to feed 4-6 people.
Sign up for this freezer meal class by visiting hy-vee.com/health. Or reach out to your local Hy-Vee dietitian for more expert healthy budget-friendly tips.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice Tara Sallee is a Hy-Vee corporate dietitian dedicated to helping people live healthier and happier lives. Tara received a Bachelor degree in dietetics and nutrition from Missouri State University. Tara went on to attend Kansas University Medical Center where she received her Master of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition and completed her dietetics internship. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. With a passion for nutrition and wellness, Tara is dedicated to educating customers and promoting healthy lifestyles. .
Reduce your risk of falling by taking these simple steps (StatePoint) A fall can result in unwanted outcomes, including injury, loss of independence, and a decreased ability to do the things that are most important to you or a loved one. Each year, 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Even falls that don’t lead to injury can provoke a fear of falling that causes you to avoid the activities that keep you healthy, strong, and ultimately less likely to fall. While falls are dangerous, the good news is that experts say they’re largely preventable. “While many factors can contribute to our chances of falling as we get older, falling is not a normal part of aging,” says physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson Greg Hartley, PT, DPT. “Working with a physical therapist can empower you or a loved one to regain balance and strength.” The American Physical Therapy Association offers the following tips to help you reduce your risk of falling: 1. Get moving. For older adults,
physical activity reduces the risk of falling and fall-related injuries. Stay active to maintain the strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance needed to prevent falls. From swimming to yoga to walking, take part in a variety of physical activities that you enjoy. Talk to your physical therapist to determine which activities are safe for you. 2. Know your risks. A physical therapist can help you assess your risk factors and develop a plan to address them so you can remain independent. Tell your doctor or physical therapist if you have any dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble seeing. Be sure to tell them whether you fell in the last year. 3. Check your medications. Many drugs can cause dizziness, loss of balance, blurry vision, and more. If you have any of these symptoms, review your medications with your pharmacist or doctor. 4. Assess your home’s safety. Assess your home to fix or remove anything that could cause trips or slips, such as throw rugs, clutter, poor lighting, and
wobbly furniture or handrails. It’s also a good idea to install a secure grab bar in the shower and next to the toilet for sturdy support on slippery floors. If you can’t make these safety improvements yourself, ask a friend or family member to help. Check with your doctor, physical therapist, or area agency on aging for local programs that offer home safety assessments. 5. Work with a physical therapist. Physical therapy (with exercise) focused on balance, stability, and the ability to perform common tasks is recommended and can prevent falls, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Physical therapists are able to help you avoid a fall in the first place, as they are movement experts who can work with you to assess your fall risk factors and develop a plan to address them. They will advise you on making your home safer, educate you about medical risk factors linked to falls, and design a safe balance training program specific to you. To learn more about the hands-on
care, patient education, and prescribed movement that a physical therapist can provide, visit ChoosePT.com, where you can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit ChoosePT.com/FindaPT. With the right resources and support, you can reduce your risk of a fall and maintain your quality of life.
11 Capitol Report Representative Jeff Coleman, District 32 Missouri Revenue Numbers Continue to Hold Steady The state continues to receive encouraging news in regard to economic activity. While general revenue collections were down slightly for the month of August, the state remains on track to collect sufficient revenue to fully fund the Fiscal Year 2022 state operating budget. The state’s August collections for 2021 came in at $962.2 million which is down slightly from the $991.6 million collected in August of last year. For the fiscal year to date, the state is also down with total collections coming in at $1.66 billion. The state had collected $2.15 billion at the same time last year. The drop in revenue collection was anticipated because last year’s numbers were inflated as the tax deadline was moved from April to July and many Missourians paid their taxes later than usual. The decrease in this year’s numbers is the result of fewer individual income tax collections and fewer corporate income and franchise tax collections in July and August. The good news is Missouri continues to see increases in sales and use tax collections, which indicate increased economic activity. For August, sales and use tax collections were up by 29.4 percent. For the fiscal year to date, collections are up by 23.9 percent. The state budget director for Missouri said, “The Missouri economy is still performing well and revenues are, even though they're down for the year, they're actually pretty strong when you look at them in the right context.” Missouri Office of Childhood Now Providing Assistance to Children and Families
On August 28 the new Office of Childhood officially began work in Missouri to ensure children and families across the state have better access to more consistent, quality programs and services. The new office was created by an executive order issued by the governor that consolidated several early childhood programs across state government into a single office. Missouri’s previous early childhood system had been ranked 45th in governance by the Bipartisan Policy Center, which made the system one of the least coordinated in the country. Knowing that early childhood education delivers one of the greatest returns on investment of taxpayer dollars, state leaders sought solutions to strengthen Missouri’s system. The move to one office gives Missouri an improved structure to support, coordinate, and monitor programs and activities, including an enhanced ability to share goals and best practices across programs. The change is meant to promote effectiveness, excellence, and equity for Missouri children. At the time the new office was announced, Gov. Parson said, “Missouri families deserve the best early childhood system our state can provide. This is also a critical area of workforce development for our state. We must see to it that the workforce of tomorrow starts off on the right foot, and that means better support for Missouri children and their families.” The Office of Childhood consists of approximately 145 employees across the state. The office has a Fiscal Year 2022 budget of approximately $660 million. For more information on the new office, please visit https:// earlyconnections.mo.gov/who-we-are/ new-office-childhood.
College Savings Month Kicks Off September 1 marked the beginning of College Savings Month to encourage Missourians to start saving for college now. State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick has joined with the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) to encourage savings for education. Treasurer Fitzpatrick said, “Data demonstrates that having an education savings account makes it more likely a child will attend a higher education institution. Data also shows that education influences socioeconomic mobility. This is why I have worked to lower accounts fees and to make MOST 529 as versatile as possible. Regardless of what higher education looks like for you—college, trade school, an apprenticeship—being financially prepared is necessary to avoid burdensome debt down the road.” In partnership with Sallie Mae and the MOST 529 Education Plan, Treasurer Fitzpatrick and MDHEWD will host a webinar providing information about saving for higher education and finding scholarship opportunities. How to Find Free Money and Save for College will take place on Tuesday, September 21 at 6 p.m. The free virtual event will feature speakers from Sallie Mae, a nationwide consumer banking institution specializing in private student loans, and MOST, Missouri’s 529 Education Plan. Those who wish to participate can
register at https://ascensus.zoom.us/ webinar/register/ WN_330RHUExRMSmLeZt5mGd_w. MOST, Missouri’s 529 Education Plan, is a tax-advantaged savings plan for education expenses. Money in MOST accounts can be used to pay for K-12 tuition and apprenticeships, trade, college, and graduate school tuition and expenses. Contributions are eligible for state tax deductions, which can save families up to $864 a year, and assets in MOST 529 accounts grow tax-free. More information about MOST 529 can be found missourimost.org. Missourians can also visit the treasurer’s Financial Literacy Portal for information about saving for higher education and paying for higher education. The Financial Literacy Portal can be accessed at https://treasurer.mo.gov/financialliteracy/. Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-7511487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov. Best regards, Jeff Coleman Missouri State Representative District 32
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Outdoors & Recreation
Find the best places for viewing fall foliage with fall color report by Michael Smith Missouri is blessed with a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines that make the fall season come alive with color. You can find best places to view the changing foliage using the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) fall color report at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. “Our fall color report is updated weekly from MDC foresters all over the state,” explained MDC Community Forester Ann Koenig. “Users can see where trees are beginning to turn and get recommendations on great places to view the changing leaves.” Leaves change color at different times, so a fall color season in Missouri may last four-to-six weeks. Missouri trees first begin changing color in the northern part of the state, then move
southward. Sassafras, sumac, and Virginia creeper are some of the earliest to change, beginning in mid-September. By late September, black gum, bittersweet, and dogwood are turning. Generally, the color change is predictable, but much depends on the weather. Chilly fall nights play a big role in the color display. Sugars produced by photosynthesis become trapped inside leaves. Those sugars are the building blocks for the rich red, yellow, orange, and purple pigments. Cooler nights cause the breakdown of green pigments, allowing fall colors to show through. Koenig noted bright, cloudless fall days are ideal for a good display of autumn color.
“As a general rule, the third week in October is a good time to pay attention to fall color in Mid-Missouri,” she said. “Colors are usually fading and leaves are falling by the end of the month.” Missouri’s fall color can be enjoyed from nearly everywhere. MDC conservation areas or Missouri state parks offer scenic views to enjoy the changing leaves. Prairies and roadsides will even display beautiful shades of gold, purple, olive, and auburn with autumn wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses. View MDC’s weekly fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. The updates run September through November.
View MDC’s weekly fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. The updates run September through November. Photo credit: MDC
THEME: THE 1990s ACROSS 1. Ridden or pushed around yard 6. Chlorofluorocarbon 9. Spiral-horned antelope 13. Make a canyon, e.g. 14. Much of this about nothing? 15. Forest destroyers 16. Basic belief 17. Popular pickup 18. Lake scum 19. *Popular email service eventually bought by Microsoft 21. *CD "maker" 23. FEMA's assistance 24. Musician's time to shine 25. Stephen King's Christine, e.g. 28. Plural of locus 30. Mongolian monetary unit 35. Wraths 37. Jar covers 39. Like yellow polka dot bikini? 40. Desert in China and Mongolia 41. Knight's mount 43. Cogito ____ sum 44. Change the Constitution, e.g. 46. Ready and eager 47. Table mineral 48. *Jennifer Aniston-inspired haircut, with "the" 50. Bank on 52. Modern prefix 53. Beacon light 55. Oolong, e.g. 57. *____ Sese Seko, overthrown Zairian dictator 60. *African National Congress leader released from prison 64. Like a candle? 65. *1997's "Fly" by Sugar ____ 67. Lowest point 68. Smart ____ 69. Marching insect 70. Opposite of digest 71. *Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan's domain 72. Employer Assisted Housing, acr. 73. Fender bender consequences
DOWN 1. Crystalline hydrochloride, colloquially 2. Nabisco top best-seller 3. Refuses to 4. Bodily swelling 5. Not wholesale 6. Lewis of sprinting and long jumping fame 7. Vaccine-approving agency, acr. 8. Burger, fries and soda 9. Brick-drying oven 10. It's hard to resist 11. Precedes Abby 12. Consume, as in drugs 15. Slang for radical or cool, 2 words 20. America's singer choices 22. Last, abbr. 24. Weapon in a holster 25. Fidel Castro's smoke 26. Pleasant odor 27. Renaissance instrument resembling a violin 29. *TV hit "Sex and the ____" 31. "Bee ____" 32. What many TV hits have done 33. Fireplace 34. *_____ Protocol, climate change-related international treaty 36. Hyperbolic sine 38. Withered 42. COVID-19 variant 45. Expose the falseness 49. "____ the Games Begin!" 51. Pined 54. Sign of a saint, pl. 56. "Bad news travels fast," e.g. 57. Algeria's neighbor 58. Plow-pulling duo 59. *"Where It's At" singer 60. Urban story 61. Adam and Eve's garden 62. *Oscar winner "Schindler's ____" 63. A in BA 64. *Gulf ____ or Bosnian ____ 66. American Nurses Association
Sports
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Small but mighty swim team setting big goals for season Coming off a first place Purple Division win at the Pirate Invitational in Belton last weekend, the Boys Swim and Dive team was back at practice this week preparing for a Wednesday meet in Belton and the Independence Invitational this weekend. “I’m really proud of them, for as small as we are, they have held their own. The improvement from last year is just great to see. They’re a great group of guys and they work really hard. They hold each other accountable and push each other,” Head Coach Kara Liddle said. Seniors Isaac Burd and Riley Fangman said the team is strengthened by the number of upperclassmen on the roster. “We are driven to do our best every day. We have a lot of older swimmers that has helped quite a bit,” Burd said. “One of our main goals is to keep cutting time toward state times, and we are all pushing each other toward that goal,” Fangman said. The team begins practice each day at 5:30am, and keep each other motivated
with a loud sing-a-long halfway through practice. They may not win any singing competitions with their daily renditions, but according to Liddle, it is another example of how the team has taken ownership of the camaraderie needed to be successful. In addition to the first place team win at Belton, the 200 free relay team of Burd, Fangman, Evan Reich, and Tom Fligg came in 2nd last weekend. Burd placed 1st in the 50 yard free with a time of 24.79 and 2nd in the 100 yard free with a time of 53.82. Fangman placed 3rd in the 200 yard free with a time of 2:15.62, and 3rd in the 100 fly with a time of 1:07.04. Junior Evan Reich placed 4th in the 100 yard free with a time of 57.27. After graduation, both Burd and Fangman are planning to head to community college through the A+ program. Fangman plans to pursue a degree in marine biology.
Seniors Isacc Burd (left) and Riley Fangman (right) have their sights set on State, and are off to a good start after a successful meet last weekend in Belton. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Following a first place win at the Pirate Invitational in Belton last weekend, the Boys Swim and Dive team were back in the pool this week preparing for another visit to Belton on Wednesday and an invitational in Independence this weekend. Photo credit: Valley News staff
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Eagles stay unbeaten after three-set sweep of Oakies by Michael Smith The Grain Valley volleyball team has looked really strong so far in the 2021 season. That was no different in its Tuesday night game against Oak Park. The Eagles easily won the first two sets, but got an unexpected challenge from the Oakies in the third. The visitors jumped out to a 6-0 lead and looked like they might have a chance to win at least one set. However, because of the serving of junior Dru Iles and the clutch play of senior outside hitter Olivia Williams, the Eagles withstood Oak Park’s late push to get back in the game and came away with a 25-14, 25-9, 25-19 victory to improve to 5-0 on the season. So what’s been the key to the Eagles fast start? “The girls work well together and they want to win,” Squires said. “It’s showing. I think we just need to keep the positivity on the court and the want to win. It will pay off.” Grain Valley made it look easy in the first two sets. After winning the first set by 11 points, the Eagles ran away with the second set. Behind the serving of Williams, Grain Valley went on a big run that was aided by miscues from the Oakies. Just when it appeared Grain Valley was going to coast to a three-set victory, Oak Park put up a challenge,
going up 6-0 as the Eagles looked like it had some communication errors at times. After Oak Park went ahead 12-6 after a serve that went out of bounds for Grain Valley, a Williams kill sparked an 8-0 run. “I think we had it in our minds that we were going to win that third set, and we didn’t come out as strong as we should have,” Iles said. ”It’s all about playing your best at all times and I don’t think we did that in the third set.” During that span, Williams had a pair of kills that are called Tonya tips. It’s a short shot that lands just over the net on the opposite side. She did that pair of times to catch the Oakies off guard. “Our passing and our serving got better, and moving more,” Williams said of what the team did differently during the 8-0 run. “Honestly, we actually started trying. We weren’t before.” Added Squires: “Olivia is a real athlete. She hustles for every ball and works hard in every single practice. She just loves the game and it shows.” Meanwhile Iles helped get the team back on track in the third set as the Eagles went ahead 14-12 that was capped by an ace on a serve that found open space in the middle of the Oak Pak defense. Grain Valley never trailed after the run. “I think my serving is getting better and a lot more consistent,” Iles said. “It
Senior outside hitter Olivia Williams got six of her eight kills in the third set. Photo credit: Michael Smith
The Grain Valley volleyball team waves to the Oak Park players after a 25-14, 25-9, 25-19 victory Tuesday at home. Photo credit: Michael Smith felt really good to get all those serves.” Although the Eagles had some mistakes on their end during the third game, Squires had to give credit to the Oakies for putting up a strong fight despite losing the first two sets by a big margin. “Oak Park came out to play in that third set. They wanted to get a win
under their belt,” Squires said. “They weren’t quitting. That says a lot about their team.” Junior Adeyn Bybee led Grain Valley with 11 kills, Addison Baumgartner and Iles were tied for the team lead in aces with five each and senior Kellie Overturf led with nine blocks.
Grain Valley setter Dru Iles led her team to an 8-0 run midway through the first set. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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Grain Valley finds positives in 38-28 loss to Park Hill South by Michael Smith Through three games, the Grain Valley football team has had issues with getting off to slow starts. Against Park Hill South on Friday, the Eagles offense sputtered in the first half and the defense surrendered big plays in a 38-28 loss at Moody Murry Memorial Field. The Eagles were unable to overcome a 24-7 halftime deficit, but can build off some positives of the second half in which they outscored the Panthers 21-14. After being down by 17 points, Grain Valley linebacker Cole Elliott helped the Eagles get some momentum when he undercut a South receiver and intercepted a pass from quarterback Nathan Ricco. He returned the ball 65 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-14. “I was reading the quarterback’s eyes and I knew there was a wide receiver close to me,” Elliott said. “I was just in the right place at the right time.” The play even raised the eyebrows of head coach David Allie. “He’s a ball hawk and he showed some speed going down the sideline for us,” Allie said. “That kind of surprised me even.” The Eagles scored a couple of later touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cap off a big second half. Caleb Larson hit wide receiver Keegan Hart on a short crossing route that resulted in a 54-yard play. That eventually set up a 1-yard scoring run from quarterback Caleb Larson with 4:25 left in the game. South, however, never let the Eagles (1-2) get any closer than 10 points. Touchdown runs of 30 and 20 from running back Lucas Oitker kept Grain Valley at arm’s length. After Oitker’s second score, Grain Valley scored its final TD with 18 seconds left when Larson lofted a perfect pass over the middle to Hart for a 29-yard score. Both players ended up with strong games. Hart caught four passes for 119 yards. Larson added 66 yards on 15 carries and he also completed 11 of 17 passes for 158 yards. Running back
Jaxon Wyatt chipped in with 97 yards on 22 carries. “Caleb threw the ball, especially in the second half,” Allie said. The Eagles totaled 356 yards of offense and had three offensive touchdowns against a South team that allowed just one touchdown in its first two games combined. “We could have easily rolled over and died,” Allie said. “This team has a lot of heart and fight and a lot of belief. The guys fought until the very end and that will be a great character builder for weeks to come.” “There’s no such thing as moral victories or a good loss. But if you can learn something from a loss, and correct our errors, if we do that, who knows what the scoreboard says?” The scoreboard didn’t end up in Grain Valley’s favor, though. Park Hill started the game on a 17-0 run. Ricco found a wide open Mudia Reuben over the middle of the field for a 50-yard scoring pass, Mason Love made a 32-yard field goal and Darrian Jones punched it in from 5 yards out. Grain Valley got the ball into South territory on its first drive, but it eventually stalled. The next three possessions were a struggle for the Eagles. It wasn’t until the fifth drive when the Eagles scored. It was capped by a 3-yard pass from Larson to a wide-open tight end Trent Weber on a play action toss to cut the deficit to 17-7 with 2:35 remaining. The Panthers immediately responded to quash any momentum the Eagles gained. On its first play of the ensuing possession, running back Briggs Bartosh, who had 198 yards rushing on 18 carries, took a sweep along the right sideline and got around the Grain Valley defense and went 80 yards to the end zone for a 24-7 lead that held until halftime.
The Eagles celebrate a touchdown in the first half, on a 3-yard pass from quarterback Caleb Larson to tight end Trent Weber. Photo credit: Michael Smith
Coach David Allie addresses the team following the 38-28 loss to Park Hill South. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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TEST SCORES continued from page 9 assessments suspended altogether. Bruce Moe, the organization’s executive director, echoed Randol’s comments in a statement Tuesday on the importance of in-person learning and lauded educators as “heroes in their communities across the state.” Doug Hayter, the executive director of the Missouri Association of School Administrators, said district leaders will be using Tuesday’s results as a snapshot that can help guide where to target federal aid dollars, like to boost math scores. “We went through a very difficult time,” Hayter said. “Now, how do we assess, move forward, utilize resources and then move children back to the levels where they need to be for those that need that additional assistance.” This year, schools must prioritize inperson learning after the State Board of Education rescinded a rule allowing for long-term mass remote learning. In the first weeks of school, thousands of
students and staff have been quarantined. Vandeven said it was too early to assess if statewide tests would also be exempt from accountability measures this upcoming school year, but emphasized the importance of in-person learning and mitigation measures that can help safely facilitate it. However, when asked if the department plans to implement more uniform requirements, like wearing masks, to help ensure students are in class statewide, Vandeven said she feels the current statewide guidance provides a uniform approach. “We’ve started this pandemic, and we’re continuing through this pandemic, understanding that local context matters and that Missouri is a local control state,” Vandeven said.
This story has been updated since it was first published.
Community Calendar September 17, 2021
September 27, 2021
Coffee Connections Hosted by Grain Valley Partnership 8:00am Price Chopper Grain Valley www.growgrainvalley.org
No school—In Service Grain Valley Schools
Homecoming Game vs. Truman Grain Valley High School 7:00pm
September 18, 2021 GVHS Alumni Breakfast 8:00am—9:30am Grain Valley High School
September 20, 2021 KC Wolf Presents Read to Succeed 7:00pm Join mascot KC Wolf and learn how a love of reading can help us throughout life. KC Wolf has been dazzling fans in Kansas City, throughout h
September 23, 2021 4th Thursday Meet Up Hosted by Grain Valley Partnership Noon El Tequilazo www.growgrainvalley.org
September 27, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall
September 28, 2021 National Night Out Event 6:00pm—8:00pm The Pavilion at Armstrong Park
October 2, 2021 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event 8:00am—Noon Jackson County Public Works 34900 E Old US Hwy 40 Accepted materials include batteries, paint, lawn and garden chemicals, automotive fluids, fluorescent light bulbs, and household cleaners. www.recyclespot.org
October 29, 2021 Trail or Treat 6:30pm—8:30pm Butterfly Trail Park Free event—Haunted Hayride, Gruesome Graveyard 30+ local businesses/organizations will hand out treats along the trail. Costumes and flashlights are encouraged! www.cityofgrainvalley.org
Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com.
Grain Valley Community Calendar sponsored by
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