Three young people received California High School diplomas as part of the Missouri Option program at the regular California R-I School Board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Austin Porter, Cody Rayburn and Juliane Brizendine each made a presentation to the board about how much they appreciated the opportunity to earn their diplomas and the difference expected in their lives.
Several resignations were announced. The resignation of Sarah Hays as assistant coach of high school softball was accepted. Also accepted were the resignations of Elementary Teacher Rhianna Kendrick and Title I Math Teacher Angie Rowles.
In new business, the board approved the 2015-16 school calendar, and approved the low bid of Durham, the current carriers, of the three bidders for the school transportation contract.
History and government teachers appeared before the board with the proposed changes in the lineup of courses in history and government. The new End of Course tests for American History contains many questions involving government. Since the government courses have been junior level and American History, freshman level, the government questions have pulled the overall test scores down. It will take three years to re-align the courses to take care of the problem. Eventually, the idea is to have freshman World History, sophomore Government and junior American History. Next year, plans are to have two grade levels in Government. This should take care of the problem.
Elementary School Principal Daniel Williams reported the enrollment at 606, an increase of two from last month. Several events took place during the last month. On Jan. 27 and 28 a team of elementary teachers attended the Powerful Learning Conference. The team provided training to the staff on the Feb. 13 Professional Development Day. The focus was on "commitment over compliance" and "we have all the right answers right here, we just have to identify them."
Williams attended a training session Jan. 29 about preparing for the Smarter Balanced Assessment which will be replacing the MAP assessment in the spring. The next week, a representative from each of the testing grade levels, three to five, and the building testing coordinator attended.
On Feb. 3 and 5, Jana Schmidt provided a two hour training on continued implementation of RTI (Response to Intervention), a school-based, multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems. She provided all-day training for the fifth grade team to assist in learning to make data-driven decisions based on diagnostic tools when identifying student strengths and weaknesses. Each of the data teams was worked with through the data dissemination process offering ideas for remediation. A common discussion involved how to provide phonics instruction to students who are "identified as having an intensive need." The second grade team provided training to grades pre-k through first grade on the use of Google Docs to create a tracking spreadsheet for the collection of all building-wide assessments.
Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported 308 students enrolled, two less than last month. On Feb. 6, the top five spellers from each grade level competed in a building-wide spell-off to determine the building winner. The winner Taylor Barnes. The second place winner, Lily Ogg, will represent CMS at the regional competition in Columbia later in the year. Stephanie Jumps of the American Heart Association organized a "hands only CPR" training session using manikins.
Grade level staff had a refresher on SRI, the Scholastic Reading tool used to assess each student's lexile (reading) level, as well as z:drive, a shared drive all the middle school staff has access to files and folders related to CFA's, eValuate and the upcoming SBA.
All middle school coaches were trained on wrapping injuries and handling concussions. Abernathy met with Coach Miller and Coach Porter to discuss Common Core curriculum for physical education in preparation for next year. Also discussed was ways to bring swimming back into the middle school PE curriculum.
All the middle school staff met with Julie Lenz concerning preparation for administering the Smarter Balance Assessment, with discussion of guidelines, expectations and the time frame.
High School Principal Mike Hight reported 402 students enrolled.
The Camdenton Math Contest was held Saturday, Jan. 17, with 11 students participating. California's mixed grade team placed first. The top sophomore at the event was Trevor Hall.
The Sedalia Smith Cotton Math Contest was Saturday, Jan. 31, with 12 students participating. California's sophomore team took first place among sophomores; junior team second among juniors; and mixed team first place among mixed teams. The top junior was Morgan Carpenter. California placed second among schools, behind first place Battle High School, Columbia, .
The FBLA District Contest was Friday, Feb. 6, at Moberly Area Community College, with 13 students participating. Sarah Bryant took first place in Spreadsheet Applications.
The next regular board meeting is Wednesday, March 18.