Thanks to all of our volunteers

National Volunteer Week comes to a close today. I’m fortunate enough to spend plenty of time in our schools every week where I get to see the positive difference volunteers make for students.

I wanted to share two more notes of thanks from staff at our schools.

From Nicole Kimbrough, Holland Elementary principal:

Margaret Lockmiller, “Miss Margaret,” is here almost every day, serving students and helping in first grade. She is a like a stand-in grandmother to the students and supports the teacher in any way that she can. Mrs. Carol Lohmeyer is here on a weekly basis to support the work in our other first grade classroom. She does a variety of activities, including a weekly Book Bag program which helps students become more fluent readers.

From Barbie Lyons, Pershing Elementary/Middle School volunteer coordinator:

Shannon Nagy is a parent of a Pershing seventh grader. She volunteers her time not only with multiple PTSA responsibilities and goes beyond that as well. Shannon is in charge of our watchdog program and works several times a month in our school office answering phones and assisting the secretaries.

Renee Gammon and Ann Neu are two very special volunteers that Pershing is lucky to have. Both ladies had students here years ago, students who are now college-aged. Because of their fond memories at Pershing and their desire to volunteer, they have been faithfully spending many hours in the Pershing school office helping wherever needed.

I want to thank everyone who gives their time on behalf of Springfield’s children. Your selfless dedication builds strong school communities which foster student success.

If you haven’t yet volunteered to help out your neighborhood school, I strongly encourage you to do so. I promise that you’ll find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. So will the kids you meet.

Contact our Partners In Education office at 523-0021 to get started.

Meet the new Parkview principal

I'm pleased to announce that Springfield Public Schools has selected Eric Ramsey as the new principal for Parkview High School. He is a veteran educator with eight years’ experience as a high school assistant principal. He comes to SPS from Willard High School where he currently serves as assistant principal.

Mr. Ramsey will be a great addition to our staff. He brings with him extensive leadership experience and a reputation for developing relationships with students, staff and patrons.

Ramsey has 14 years of experience in teaching and/or coaching which spans education levels K-16. He has earned his Masters of Science in Educational Administration and Specialist in Education Administration degrees and will begin working toward an Educational Doctoral Degree this summer.

Earlier in his career, Ramsey coached multiple varsity sports including three years as head football coach at Willard High School. Previously, he taught health and physical education at Winnetonka High School, 7th and 8th grade science at Stockton Middle School, elementary physical education at Campbell and York elementary schools, and served as an adjunct professor for Missouri State University.

I also want to thank Chance Wistrom for his excellent work as principal at Parkview over these last few years. Chance is leaving SPS to become the superintendent in Miller, MO. They're getting a great leader for their district, and I wish Chance all the best.

We've also named four new assistant principals for 2010-2011.

Kelly Jacobs will be the new assistant principal at Pleasant View Elementary and Middle School. She comes to Pleasant View after serving as an instructional specialist for the district since 2007. From 1999-2007, Jacobs was a teacher at McBride Elementary School.

Robert Kroll will be the new assistant principal at Pershing Elementary and Middle School. He has taught science since 2003 at Reed Middle School.

Stacye Manlove will be the new assistant principal at Hickory Hills Elementary and Middle School. She is currently assistant to the principal at Disney and Wanda Gray elementary schools. Manlove has been employed by SPS since 1998 at Sherwood, Doling, Twain, Rountree, Jeffries, and McBride elementary schools, serving as classroom teacher and librarian.

Tammy Quinn is a 20-year veteran educator with 14 years experience with SPS. She will be the new assistant principal at Glendale High School. She currently serves as coordinator of site interventions at Kickapoo High School where she has managed those responsibilities for the past three years. Prior to her current responsibilities, Quinn taught communication arts, speech, and drama, along with spending four years as a STARR teacher with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Dads volunteering in our schools and a special recognition for one long-time volunteer

As you know, I’ve been sharing some stories about the impact volunteers have at our schools on my blog this week in celebration of National Volunteer Week. Today, I want to tell you about a really interesting program at several district schools called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students).

The National Center for Fathering has an initiative promoting the involvement of dads at school, helping foster positive male role models for students within the school setting. Watch D.O.G.S. dads spend time in their children’s schools performing a variety of roles, including welcoming kids to school in the morning to mentoring students. Gerry Lee, our board president, has been a Watch D.O.G.S. dad at Wilder Elementary.

Also, congratulations to Edna Arbeitman, a volunteer at Field Elementary for receiving the Silent Hero award. For 14 years, Edna has been a volunteer at the school, working full-time in the office. The Silent Hero award was developed by Ralph Slavens, a former legislator, and was designed to recognize individuals who are involved in the community, give of their time and contribute in numerous ways without public recognition of their efforts. Field held a ceremony in Edna’s honor last Friday. 

Recognizing Springfield's faith-based community for their volunteer efforts in our schools

This week is National Volunteer Week. To celebrate and say thanks to all of our volunteers I’m sharing some stories about the impact volunteers have in our schools.

Springfield has a supportive faith-based community, and local churches have taken a leading role in partnering with schools.

Here’s Danielle Carson, the volunteer coordinator at York Elementary, discussing one of the partnerships their school has with a Springfield church.

We have volunteers from Wesley United Methodist that come on Wednesdays to greet the students in the morning. I believe it makes a difference to these kids to see someone other than staff that are smiling and welcoming them to school. All of our volunteers are amazing, and I am excited to show then how much all appreciate them.

A dozen or more volunteers from Christ Episcopal Church descend on Bissett Elementary each week to read to children and work with classroom teachers. Volunteers from the church help with the events that promote parent participation in the school community. That includes Fall Festival Day, an event created and hosted by Christ Episcopal Church for families to enjoy a day of fun together.

Bissett first graders got the opportunity in the fall to see Springfield Little Theatre’s performance of Alice in Wonderland, thanks to the generosity of church members. Partner efforts such as this enhance the educational experience for children, getting them further engaged in the learning process.

Our schools are truly blessed to have such strong links with Springfield’s faith community.

If you or your church would like to get involved at a neighborhood school, just give us a call at 523-0021.

National Volunteer Week

Every day parents, grandparents, co-workers, church members and neighbors give their time on behalf of Springfield’s school children. They open doors and greet kids on their way into the building. They chaperone field trips, help out with Algebra, mentor students, make props for the school play and all kinds of other things that give our buildings their spirit of community.

This week is Volunteer Appreciation Week. Please join me in thanking the hundreds of people who take time out of their own schedules to make our schools a better place.

This week, I’ll be sharing some stories about volunteers and their impact from principals and other staff members at our schools. I would also invite you to contribute stories about the difference volunteers make at your school or tell us about your experience as a volunteer.

To start, here’s Janet Austin, volunteer coordinator at Sunshine Elementary, saying thanks to a very special volunteer at their school.

Sunshine has an OUTSTANDING volunteer named Dixie Sleight! Dixie has been a volunteer at our school for several years and goes above and beyond every time she walks through the door. She is a retired professional with extensive experience working with children in various settings, including hospitals. She has regularly scheduled days that she comes to Sunshine and last month Dixie logged 17 hours with us. She is also a volunteer at the Dickerson Park Zoo, conducting presentations, programs and tours. Ms. Sleight is such a valuable asset to our school in many different ways. She read with individual students and small groups. She provides help to students needing special assistance. She is always willing to assist teachers in any way possible by making copies or performing whatever tasks are needed. She has done so many special things for our school; they are too numerous to include in a short paragraph! We are very fortunate to have Dixie Sleight as a volunteer at our school!

If you or your organization would like to get involved at a neighborhood school, just give us a call at 523-0021.

2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalist: Linda McFarland

Here's the fifth 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalist, Linda McFarland. Linda is a communication arts teacher at Carver Middle School.



All five finalists will be honored at the Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Monday, April 19. The winner will be announced that night as well.

2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalist: Abby Lowe

The next 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalist I want to introduce you to is Abby Lowe, a kindergarten teacher at Harrison Elementary.

Here's Abby.

2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalist: Suzanne Hadden

I want to continue introducing you to the five finalists for the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year. Today, meet Suzanna Hadden, Central High School math teacher.

Meet Faith Chaney, 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalist

I want to continue introducing you to the five finalists for the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year. Today, meet Faith Chaney, English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher at Hickory Hills school.




Yesterday, we met Julia Armstrong, social studies teacher at Pipkin Middle School.

The 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Monday, April 19.

State funding update for 2009-2010 school year

We are hearing promising things out of Jefferson City today. Gov. Jay Nixon announced that he will distribute funding cuts for this school year among all 523 Missouri school districts rather than exempt more than 150 "hold harmless" school districts. Legislation previously approved by both the House and Senate would have left 372 school districts, including Springfield Public Schools, shouldering the burden of the funding cuts.

We appreciate Gov. Nixon and Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro for all they have done to help preserve funding for education and to ensure that cuts are fairly distributed among all school districts.

This news is a relief to SPS and many neighboring school districts. It will mean SPS will lose about $850,000 in revenue in 2009-2010 rather than $1.1 million. It is unfortunate that we will have to make any reductions, but thanks to our conservative budgeting practices and efficient and effective use of resources, we anticipate SPS will be able to adapt to the lesser reduction without any drastic cuts between now and June 2010.

The funding outlook for 2010-2011, however, still remains bleak. Due to continuing debate among legislators, we have had to delay our budgeting process and may not know anything certain until after May 7.

The school board will meet May 10 for its budget work session so we should have more information to share by then.

Meet the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalists: Julia Armstrong

Earlier this month we announced the five finalists for the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year.

Prior to announcing the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Teacher Appreciation Banquet, I wanted to give you the chance to learn more about each finalist. This week, I'll be sharing a series of five short videos with you introducing each finalist.

Julia Armstrong is a social studies teacher at Pipkin Middle School. I'll let Julia tell you a little bit more about her passion for teaching.

MAP testing and the positive difference you can make at home

Students started taking the MAP test last week. Some schools have finished, while some schools just started.
I want to share a few reminders with you that can help foster success on the MAP test as you fill in the circles with a #2 pencil this week.

• Parents, remember to keep the lines of communication open between your child and your child’s school this week…and every week. Find out how you can support learning at home.
• Encourage your kids to get a good night’s sleep and start the day with a healthy breakfast. Studies show that rested, well-nourished children learn better.
• Be encouraging and positive. Let your children know that you are confident in their abilities.
• Try to make studying fun for your child and take breaks when needed. Encourage your child to get some exercise during breaks. Just like eating and sleeping well, studies show that physical activity stimulates the brain for learning.

I am confident in our teachers and students, and I know that you’ll all do great this year.

Budget update

Our school board had planned to meet this evening for a budget work session. Unfortunately, because so many factors regarding state funding for 2010-2011 are still undecided, the work session has been postponed. The board will likely schedule another budget meeting in early May.

Currently being discussed in the state legislature are bills that would impact the amount of funding for the foundation formula and the dollar value modifier (used to adjust the foundation formula for cost of living differences between districts). Typically we receive an annual increase of $2 million in revenue from the foundation formula. That will not be the case in 2010-2011. Other programs legislators have targeted for cuts next year include transportation, Parents as Teachers and summer school.

When we began our annual budget process this year, we were expecting our revenues to remain flat for next year. Depending on decisions at the state level, though, we could be facing funding cuts amounting to several million dollars. Right now we have no choice but to wait for the state funding picture to crystallize.

An opinion piece by school board president Gerry Lee is printed in today's newspaper. He offers some insight into the funding dilemma we face. I encourage you to read it.

It is possible that we won't have any clearer information about our budget until May. Check The Bottom Line section of our web site for updates as they are available.

Congrats to the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year finalists

Congratulations to the five finalists for Springfield Public Schools 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year. The five finalists are:

• Julia Armstrong, social studies teacher, Pipkin Middle School
• Faith Chaney, English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher, Hickory Hills Middle School
• Suzanne Hadden, math teacher, Central High School
• Abby Lowe, kindergarten teacher, Harrison Elementary School
• Linda McFarland, communication arts teacher, Carver Middle School.

Parents, principals and other teachers nominate candidates for the Teacher of the Year award. These five finalists will be recognized at the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Monday, April 19. The winner will also be announced at that event.

I’m fortunate enough to spend time in our schools, and I’ve see a number of impressive, innovative things happening everyday in our classrooms. I want to congratulate every teacher for what they do and thank them for their dedication to kids. It’s a tough job.

Congrats again to these five teachers.