A Diploma was presented to Gabriel Meyer at the regular meeting of the California R-I School Board Wednesday, Nov. 19. The diploma was earned through the Missouri Option Program (MO-OP). After being introduced to the board by Lorri Brauner, Meyer made a short video presentation to the board about why the diploma was important to him. He has been learning construction work. He said the work is hard, but the pay is good and he finds it to be fun. He also has a goal of, at some time, traveling to every state. "Everything starts with a diploma," Meyer said. "That's why I'm in MO-OP"
The school board approved the candidate filing period for the school board election on April 7, 2015. Filing will be Dec. 16 - Dec. 19, and Jan. 5 - 16, 2015, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Jan. 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be two positions up for election.
Dr. Kevin Kohler presented information on the Mid-Missouri Mission Team (3MT) with a request to utilize school facilities in late June of 2015. The request was for accommodations for the approximately 200 volunteers during the organization's annual volunteer work effort. He said 70 percent are teenagers and 30 percent are adults who work and supervise. Kohler explained that the organization began about 10 years ago with 40 volunteers, and through experience, found that 200 is about the largest number which could be adequately supervised. He explained that the volunteers began by painting for people who need assistance, but has expanded to landscaping, cleaning out garages and basements. Recently, the volunteers assisted in roofing work at Senior Housing. The board will take the request for accommodations under consideration.
High school counselors Kathy Hight and Kim Wilkins presented information on the dual credit classes offered at the school. The school is contracted with Central Methodist University, State Fair Community College and Lincoln University for dual credit classes. The teachers must be approved by the colleges before the courses count for college credit. Classes qualifying for dual credit include students studying: in Agriculture - Agricultural Construction, Animal Science, Conservation, Greenhouse Management, Landscaping; Spanish 101 and 102; English 101, 102 and Public Speaking; History 101 and 102; College Algebra; Environmental Science and Geology; four different Automobile Technology classes; two classes in Construction Methods; and two Computer Science classes.
Elementary Principal Daniel Williams reported enrollment at 604, an increase of two from the previous month. Parent-teacher conferences were successful, with 95 percent of the students' parents attending, with the remainder contacted outside of the conference evenings. The after-school tutoring program began Nov. 3, with students staying after school on Monday and Wednesday, to receive additional assistance in English language and math. A literacy night was held along with the elementary school book fair on Nov. 11. More than 100 students attended. Staff members dressed as their favorite book characters on that day. More than $6,000 was raised for the American heart Association through the Jump Rope for Heart program.
Middle school and high school students attended and participated in the Veterans Day Assembly at the high school on Nov. 11. The middle school choir Pinto Express and the high school Sounds of Joy performed. The main speaker was Maj. Scott Davis (retired). Seventh grade Kiwanis essay winner Makayla Schanzmeyer read her essay. The VFW essay of Drew Norton was also read. Veterans present were recognized. There were 22 veterans served breakfast before the assembly.
Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported May enrollment at 312, an increase of two from the previous month. The school had Red Ribbon Week the week of Oct. 20, with education videos and lessons related to negative effects of drugs and alcohol every day. The Middle School Student Council hosted a "Party in Pink" dance Thursday, Oct. 30, wrapping up cancer awareness month.
High School principal Mike Hight reported May enrollment at 414, five less than last month. Ashtyn Goans, Sophie Brant and Lyndsey Morris submitted essays which qualified them to compete for top honors in the Co-Mo Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Finals Nov. 20 in Tipton. The winner of the event will attend the youth tour summit in Washington, D.C., this summer.
CHS hosted a math contest Saturday, Nov. 8, with more than 200 students representing 14 schools. Camdenton High School received top honors in Division II. Northwest High School, Hughesville, was the top school in Division I.
In the recent FFA Area 8 Speech contest, Katie Imhoff took first place in Pet Breeders; Jack Johnston, first place, Soil and Water; Halle Oliver, second, Farm Bureau; Jasmine Wells, second, Pork Producers; and Ethan Hodges, second, Sheep Producers.
The Celebrate My Drive was a success, with CHS being one of three Missouri schools winning.
The next regular monthly meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.