Everyday Prevention Actions Can Help Fight Germs, Like Flu
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends three actions to fight flu.

  1. The first and most important step is to get a flu vaccination each year.
  2. If you get sick with flu, take prescription antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. Early treatment is especially important for the elderly, the very young, people with certain chronic health conditions, and pregnant women.
  3. Take everyday preventive actions that may slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

Check out this resource, The Flu: A Guide for Parents.
These are the highlights from the November 20th meeting of the Smithville School District Board of Education (BOE).
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The Board approved the following consent agenda items:
  1. Approve Bills for Payment 
  2. Supplemental Pay
  3. Assistance League Agreement
  4. Surplus Property
  5. Graduation 2020 Contract with Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
  6. Approve Second Reading of 2019B Policy Revision
  7. Missouri State Dual Credit Agreement
  8. Out-of-State Travel Request
COMMUNICATIONS
Eagle Heights Elementary Presentation
Staff and students from Eagle Heights Elementary demonstrated Restorative Practices strategies for the Board. Ms. Holly Schrage, principal, described Restorative Practices as approaches to proactively build community and promote dialogue “to make amends and repair the harm”. Although consequences remain a component, the emphasis shifts to making things right between the impacted parties. Callie Downey, counselor, shared “I statements” with the Board which encourage individuals to explain how they feel and why they feel that way. Teaching these communication skills has been the focus of counseling lessons for the past month and are used in mediation sessions with the counselor. Lacey Lewis, technology and innovation teacher, along with sixth grade students, Camy Sybert, Felix Andrade, Parker Schwab, Jordan Mason, Hemi Courtney, Jessa Macey, Hailey Blizzard, Lilly Eastep, Tucker Lee, and Mason Mackey , demonstrated several Restorative Circles in which students took turns introducing themselves, sharing feelings about classroom issues, and proposing solutions to problems identified.
The Board received a thank you note from the following community members about removing Random Student Drug Testing from their agenda: Erika Stiles and Family, Christi Green, Trinda Wolfe, Lisa Taylor, Carmen Xavier, Amanda Maynes, and Shauna L. Holman and Family.

The Board received a thank you note from the librarians.
  1. A Key Communicator meeting took place at Horizon Elementary on November 12, 2019. (BOE Priority #1)
  2. DLR will be present at the December Board meeting to discuss the master building plan. (BOE Priority #2)
  3. The comprehensive staff survey has been released. (BOE Priority #3)
Comments from the Assistant Superintendent from Support Services
Mr. Wayne Krueger
Mr. Krueger shared information on a Restorative Discipline workshop building administration and a small group of staff members recently attended at the KC Regional Professional Development Center at Union Station. Restorative Discipline focuses on building relationships and developing a community. When undesirable behavior occurs, Restorative Discipline focuses on the harm done, gives a voice to the person harmed, engages in collaborative problem solving, and enhances responsibility for all rather than just punishment. Current discipline practices, for most offenses, are not working and rarely change behavior and often builds resentment, shame, and isolation. The underlying premise of restorative discipline is that people are happier, more cooperative, more productive and more likely to make positive changes when those in positions of authority do things with them rather than to them or for them. Mr. Krueger stated that Restorative Discipline is a shift from a traditional approach to school discipline and in schools that are implementing this approach, it has made a significant difference in the school community, attendance, behavior, and especially student achievement

Mr. Krueger gave a brief update regarding discussions with Coulter Bus and the district to implement new technology for transportation including upgraded cameras, wi-fi, ridership tracking, and GPS tracking which will allow students and parents the ability to monitor their bus location. A recommendation will be brought to the Board in December.

Mr. Krueger also shared during the fall of 2019, the Smithville School District was randomly selected by the IRS to audit the district's use of the Series 2010A General Obligation Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB). The amount of the bonds totaled $3,489,000 and we used to assist in the construction of the District Performing Arts Center and FEMA Safe Room approved by the voters on April 6, 2010. On October 28, 2019, the district was notified the IRS examination was closed (clean findings) and will remain eligible for tax advantage status, which saves patrons thousands of dollars in interest payments.

DLR group will present the district Master Facilities Assessment and Building Plan at the December 18 Board meeting. Also, in December, Westbrook and Company will share the FY19 audit for approval.

Finally, Mr. Krueger shared that the district is working on an agreement with the National Federation of High Schools to have all regular season events held at the stadium and inside the main HS gymnasium broadcast on-line free of charge for viewers as a result of a $3000 annual advertising opportunity supported by local businesses. The timeline for the project is to have the system operational before the end of the winter sports season.
Comments from the Assistant Superintendent from Academic Services
Dr. Michelle Kratofil
Dr. Kratofil shared the outcomes of the Library Media Program retreat which was held on October 22. The district Library Media Specialists, building administration and district administration reviewed recent research in best practices for library media programs and the recently published Exemplary Library Program Scoring Guide established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Using these resources, a vision statement for the Smithville School District Library Media Program was established along with immediate, mid-term and long-term goals for our program. Each building will determine action steps to meet these goals, which will become the basis for future Library Media Program Evaluations. Dr. Kratofil thanked the Library Media Specialists and administrators for their participation in this process.

At the time that the district Assessment Executive Summary was presented to the Board, only local science data was available. Since then, state scores have been released; these were presented to the Board. The district performed above the state in all three tested grade levels. In addition, the Board had requested longitudinal data for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch; these data were also presented to the Board.
PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
Dr. Kratofil presented highlights from the program evaluation. The Board discussed opportunities to tour and learn more about offerings at Northland Career Center.
OLD BUSINESS
Rick Nobles of ExcellenceK12 was at the meeting to discuss the survey results. In this survey, 300 randomly selected partons participated. Highlights of the responses include quality of facilities and overall quality of education. The full report can be accessed here .

During the month of October, we received $1,665,058.28, making a total of $5,668,096.29 received since July 1, 2019.  

Expenditures for October were $2,413,713.90, making a total of $9,140,848.45 expended since July 1, 2019.

Patrons can access the revenue report, expenditure report, and check register for the district on the district webpage under Departments and Business & Finance.

The current district enrollment is 2,655.

B oard Visit Recap
Members of the Board visited all schools on November 15. Highlights of the visits included:
  • The DNA (dreams, needs, and abilities) boards at Maple Elementary in which every student identified their “DNA”
  • The Jazz Band welcome at the high school
  • The amount of choice available to high school students
  • The variety of instructional strategies in all buildings
  • The use of collaboration spaces at Eagle Heights Elementary
The Board commented that the entire day was “awesome” and they enjoyed the opportunity to interact with students and staff.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Self-Evaluation
For the past several years, the Board has used an evaluation instrument provided by MSBA. The Board determined to use the same tool and meet to discuss questions after completed individually.

Date for Student Recognition Night and Board Recognition Dinner
The Board selected Monday, January 27. The recognition dinner will begin at 5:30 pm in the SHS cafeteria with the student recognition beginning at 7:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center.

Election Filing Dates
In compliance with state law, Dr. Schuetz recommended that the Board set the filing dates for the April 7, 2020 Board of Education election for December 17, 2019 to January 21, 2020 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) on days when school is in session.

As per Board policy (File: BBB), each candidate filing on the first day shall draw a number at random at the time of filing. The names of candidates filing on the first day of filing will be listed in ascending order of the numbers drawn and ahead of the names of candidates filing on a later date.

The positions currently held by Russell Fries, Denney Fales, and Greg Chastain will be considered by the voters at the April 7, 2020 election.

The Board approved personnel items as presented.

Discuss Potential Agenda Items for Joint Boards Meeting with the City
The Board of Education and the Board of Alderman with the city have a joint meeting scheduled for Monday, November 25. Potential agenda items were provided by the city for the Board’s consideration. Dr. Schuetz recommended focusing on needs that the district and city have in common. Ian Saxton suggested adding internships for students that meet the needs of the community to the agenda.

Miscellaneous
  1. The annual Christmas Open House will take place on December 5 in the Board Room.
  2. The annual audit concluded on October 30. Brad Steele of Westbrook will be at the December meeting to report the findings.
  3. The Board is purchasing Christmas turkeys for staff again this year. The Board will pass out turkeys mid-day on December 20.

The meeting adjourned at 9:29 PM. 
Lady Warriors XC Team Finished Third at State Championship
Since the 1970’s the Missouri State Cross Country Meet has always been held in Jefferson City…but 2019 marked the beginning of a new era. In conjunction with the University of Missouri, the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department built a new course on the southside of town as a part of the Gans Creek Recreational Area.

Boy's Swim Team Finishes Eighth at State Championships
How do you go from 12th at State to finishing 8th place at State with four minutes left in the game? You throw a “Hail Mary”, or in this case, you swim a “Hail Mary” with the four fastest swimmers in Smithville history, Kolby Ruff, Raymond Fugett, Brady Bell, and Nathan Noll.

Cheer finishes Second at Missouri Cheerleading Championships
Smithville Cheer participated in the Missouri Cheerleading Championships at Lindenwood University on November 16 & 17 earning second place in the 3A Large Performance Division and 3A Timeout Division.
WE ARE HIRING!
Consider joining our amazing team as a substitute teacher or instructional assistant! For more information, click here .

It's a great day to be a Smithville Warrior!
SSD Holiday Help
Please join us in providing a happy Holiday to our Warrior families. Sign-up to purchase a gift for a Smithville student. The sign-up link will go live in the Announcements section of the district website on November 26. Questions? Please contact Lisa Manz.

The Smithville Community Christmas Toy Store is an invitation only event for children 14 years old and under. Items are provided on a first come, first served basis. Smithville School District families interested in receiving an invitation should contact Lisa Manz.

Family Resource Specialist
816.532.3178
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DISTRICT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We are frequently approached by members of the business community wanting to promote their business to the staff of the Smithville School District. We appreciate the services local businesses offer to our community and staff and would like to work together to promote businesses while supporting the students and staff of Smithville School District.
 
For this reason, we provide a format to assist in the promotion of businesses through our District sponsorship program. The sponsorship dollars will assist in providing staff and student activities, services, or awards in addition to creating ways for you to share and promote your business and services.
 
Sponsorship and support of the District is available at various levels – bundled or separately. 
 
To learn more about our sponsorship program, click here .
IMPORTANT DATES
  • November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
  • December 18 - Board of Education Meeting
  • December 20 - End of 2nd Quarter (Early Dismissal)
  • December 23-January 3 - Christmas Break
Smithville School District
655 S. Commercial Ave.
Smithville, MO 64089
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