The California R-I School Board members were informed, at the regular board meeting on Sept. 17, of details concerning the Homecoming which is Friday, Oct. 3. This year, because of the time needed to get from the lineup at the swimming pool to the new football field. The students will be dismissed from school at 1 p.m., with the parade starting at 1:30 p.m. at the swimming pool. The parade route will be the same as last year, with Grand Marshals Dean and Billie Bolin, Class of 1964. The Pep Rally at the high school will begin about 2:30 p.m. The Homecoming Coronation will be at 6:30 p.m.
The Student Council set the overall Homecoming theme this year as "Please Don't Stop the Music." The music genre of the floats are: seniors - Rock n Roll; Juniors - Retro-60s; sophomores - Country; and freshmen - Pop. Spirit Days are songs: Monday - American Pie (red, white and blue); Tuesday - Wipeout - (Beach theme); Wednesday - Love Shack - (80s); Thursday - Back in Black (black clothing); Friday - California Dreaming (Pinto Spirit Day).
The athletic event parking has worked well with the newly-paved area in the auditorium-vo ag area, and the newly-graveled parking area north of the new football field. There is some problem exiting from the parking lots. Several options are being considered.
Superintendent Dwight Sanders reported the best average ACT score ever for the state of Missouri, at 21.8. California students also did well with an average score of 21.4. He said this is something the school can be proud of.
On a more somber note, Sanders added that the state and local average ACT scores will drop next year, possibly to a significant extent. Up to this point, the ACT was paid for and taken primarily by students planning on going on to college. Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has decided that a one-time administration of the ACT exam will be given to every Missouri 11th grader. Accommodations will be provided for English language learners, students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), or 504 plans. The exam will be offered at no charge to the students and their families.
When the ACT was taken by a more select group planning for higher education, preparation for the test brought the average scores higher. With everyone taking it, the average scores are expected to be lower.
According to High School Principal Mike Hight, California is an ACT Test Site and is working to remain one.
The elementary staff took part in several professional development opportunities. Pre-K through first grade took part in training offered by Heart of Missouri Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) to learn research-based instructional strategies for this year. The staff of second through eighth grades were trained on the newly purchased Evaluate Software, a predictive tool to help teachers identify students needing assistance. Training was provided to all staff members on English Language Learning (ELL) instruction.
The high school Tech Team is continuing to research possible technology upgrades and increased use of the technology updates and improvements made at the school so far. Future needs have been discussed with the superintendent.
Elementary Principal Daniel Williams reported enrollment at 601. Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported enrollment at 307. At the high school, Principal Hight reported beginning enrollment at 423. The enrollment at each of the three schools are a few students more than in May of the 2013-14 school year.
In other routine business the board approved the consent agenda and payment of bills not included on the consent agenda. The next regular monthly board meeting was set for Wednesday, Oct. 15.