Salem R80 School District

Due to inclement weather the Salem R80 School District has Cancelled School for Friday, December 6, 2013

Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
by John McColloch

John McColloch,
Assistant Superintendent

December 2, 2013 -- The Salem R-80 School District is beginning the process of developing a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, also known as a CSIP. This purpose of this plan is to provide direction for the district on its continuous improvement journey. The Comprehensive School Improvement Plan identifies goals, objectives, strategies, and action steps for the district to follow over the next five years. The development of this plan is a collaborative process among district stakeholders. Input from parents, students, community members, board members, teachers, and other school employees is vital to the success and implementation of the improvement plan. A series of planning workshops will be scheduled beginning in January. During these workshops, participants will consider and discuss data from various sources and then use that data to evaluate the needs of the district. Once the needs have been identified, goals will be created to address those needs, followed by strategies and specific action steps. Possible sources of data include the district’s Annual Performance Report, attendance data, student achievement data, discipline and Positive Behavior Support data, and program evaluations from various departments.

Public education currently faces a myriad of mandated changes both from the state and federal governments. A new teacher evaluation system, new teaching and learning standards, new assessment systems, a new accountability system, and a new growth-based model for student achievement have all been put in place for next school year. The new Salem R-80 Comprehensive School Improvement Plan needs to reflect the goals and increased expectations put in place by the upcoming changes.

Once the district CSIP has been finalized and approved by the Salem Board of Education, each building will then develop a School Improvement Plan which will embrace more building-specific goals, strategies, and actions steps. The specific building plans will be based on the broader categories of the district plan.

Dates and times for the January planning workshops will be posted on the district website in a few weeks. An AlertNow message will also be sent to parents with an invitation to participate in the planning workshops. Please contact John McColloch, assistant superintendent, at the district office with any questions regarding the CSIP process.

Salem Upper Elementary Reading Fair
by Amy Halinar

Amy Halinar,
3rd Grade Teacher

November 22, 2013 --The Salem Upper Elementary third and fourth grade students were able to show off their love of reading by hosting a Reading Fair on November 21st. Students were able to complete their reading fair projects by using resources within our community and help provided from home. Classroom teachers were very impressed with the commitment and ability to dive deep within the literary elements of a book. The evening was a great success with almost 400 students and family members in attendance.

The New HS Addition taking shape!
November 18, 2013

Operation Christmas Child
by Dawson Conway and Kolson Seay

Dawson Conway,
6th Grade

Kolson Seay,
6th Grade

December 3, 2013 -- This year the 6th grade Student Council did a program called Operation Christmas Child. This program is sponsored by First Baptist Church and the packages are delivered to needy children all over the world. It was a success. We gave each class a box to fill and students brought items to fill their box with. Some of the items included personal hygiene, school supplies, and toys. We organized and packed the boxes and filled around 20 boxes and bags. We think all the kids enjoyed this experience a lot and would like to do it again in the future. We would like to say thank you to all the kids and teachers who packed boxes.

SCA Choral Festival - 1st Place Win
by Elaine Russell

Elaine Russell,
Choir Director

November 26, 2013 -- The SHS Chamber Singers performed in the South Central Association (SCA) Choral Festival on Sat., Nov. 23 in Willow Springs. The Chamber Singers received straight 1 ratings, in addition to winning 1st place out of all SCA choirs.

Superintendent's Message
by Steve Carvajal

Steve Carvajal,
Superintendent

November 21, 2013 -- Just a quick update on some of the things going on around the district.

Thanksgiving break starts next Tuesday as school will let out for the remainder of the week.

We had another group of students take the ACT test in October and we just found out that 4 students scored over a 30!!! That is amazing.

The building project is in full gear now and hopefully the weather will cooperate. Footings have been poured in both buildings, walls formed and poured at the high school and are are waiting on the plumber to finish his work before they pour the floor. Then they will continue to raise the walls. They have started forming up the walls in the middle school section as well. It has been quite a process to watch them work. Monday alone, they moved 80 dump truck loads of gravel to prep for the concrete. The new windows have been added to the junior high and look outstanding. It is going to be a long and busy winter and I want to remind everyone to try and be patient as it is going to be a hassle getting to events in the high school and specifically the gymnasium.

The drama club production is Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at city hall. The performance is “A Christmas Carol”.

The basketball jamboree scrimmage is Friday the 22nd at Willow Springs at 5:30pm.

Blue and white night is Tuesday the 26th for the basketball teams. The season starts at Rolla next Saturday the 30th at noon vs. Northwest High School.

EOC testing is the week of Dec 9th for American government.

Quiz bowl varsity took 2nd and the JV1st and 2nd last week.

Congrats to Mrs. Russell and the Salem Choir. They had 7 members make all district and 19 make the all-conference team and Congrats to Haley Cason on making all-state choir. She performs January 25th at the state music contest.

A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Jadwin as this was bullying awareness week and she put a lot of time and effort into it. It was capped off with a successful assembly for the students.

It is hard to believe that we have nearly made it through a semester of school. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your families!