Federal Legislation – "No Child Left Behind"

The meaning of this legislation is still being interpreted, but it appears full implementation will require schools to make many changes. Yearly testing of reading and mathematics in grades three through eight starting in 2005-2006 is the most obvious change. Early discussions with DESE indicate a desire to create tests that will be similar to MAP tests in the content assessed and in question types. The legislation appears to contain requirements that differ somewhat from MAP but the exact details are still being defined.

How does this affect our students? The bill requires that 95% of students taking the assessments score at a "proficient level." "Proficient" appears to be defined as meeting the grade-level expectation. This will require a change in the way Missouri defines "proficient." Our present definition is significantly above grade-level expectation. So as the "No Child Left Behind" Legislation takes effect, it will require a shift in our way of thinking in regard to the definition of "proficient".

Signifying the start of a historic, new era in education with the No Child Left Behind Act, the U.S. Department of Education is airing a new television series to help parents understand the new law and all the important changes that it will bring. Education News will broadcast on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year. A schedule of topics for the entire 2003-04 school year is available at http://register

event.ed.gov. In addition, live and archived webcasts of each show will be available at http://www.connectlive.com/events/edtownmeetings.

To find out how you can watch Education News in our community, e-mail Education

As we approach the cold and flu season, I thought I would take this opportunity to send out a guideline to assist you in knowing when to keep your child home from school.

No child should be sent to school with a temperature over 100 degrees. This is a warning sign that all is not right with the body. Your child should stay home until they remain free of a fever for 24 hours.

If your child has a deep cough or is severely congested they should remain home even in the absence of a fever. A child with a mild cold, but otherwise feeling well, may come to school.

If your child has experienced either diarrhea or vomiting they should be kept at home until they are free of symptoms for at least 24 hours. If the pain persists for more than 24 hours or is bad enough to limit their activity, you should contact your physician.

Your child’s health is very important in the education process. A child who returns to school before he/she is well often becomes ill again and spreads the illness to others.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

Nurse Sheri

The 2003-2004 Future Business Leaders of America club started off its second year with 69 members. Officers of the club include: President Brooke Crandall, Vice-President Kristin Osborn, Secretary Katie Thudium, Treasurer Jenny Elsea, Parliamentarian Holly Hazen and Historian Danielle Lowe. Business instructor, Martha Reese serves as the advisor of this extracurricular club.

The club has already completed one fundraising activity to help purchase supplies for their service project of building a courtyard between the cafeteria and high school gym. The courtyard consists of 4,200 bricks which were laid by FBLA members and other volunteers. We would like to thank all members, parents and patrons who helped to make our fundraiser and courtyard project a success. Future plans to the courtyard include landscaping, picnic tables and lighting. Please take time to view the new courtyard.

Congratulations to the softball team for completing a successful softball season. They finished the season 14-6 overall and 7-1 in conference. Brooke Crandall and Dani Moyer were selected to the All-Conference 1st Team, Jenny Elsea to the 2nd team and Kristin Osborn and Brooke Salter Honorable Mention. First Team All-District players were Brooke Crandall, Jenny Elsea and Dani Moyer. Our All-Region players included outfielder Brooke Crandall and infielder Jenny Elsea.

Congratulations also to Danielle Lowe, Kayla Moots and Brooke Salter for their wonderful performances with the Tri-County Conference Choir tour held on Monday, October 27.

Thank you for all the desserts and help that was offered for the craft fair and chili supper. Your efforts helped to make it a success and we appreciate it.

PTS Officers

We were saddened to hear earlier this month of the news that former superintendent, Harold Means, had passed away on June 12 of this year. Mr. Means served as superintendent of the Adair County R-II School District from 1989 to 1996 with a fierce commitment to the students, staff, faculty, and patrons to this community.

There will be many who remember him as a caring, jovial and dedicated educator who always had a kind word and a story to tell. There might also be those that remember him in the lunchroom milling around the kindergarten table amazing "his favorite kindergarten" class with his coin magic.

We are planning to give a scholarship, this year, in memory of Mr. Means. We would welcome any donations toward this tribute to our former educational leader and friend.

Betty Burnett of St. Louis, co-author of the new book Missouri: Crossroads of the Nation will do a book signing at the Adair County Public Library on November 8 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Missouri: Crossroads of the Nation, with lively stirring prose, tells the story of the home state of Twain and Truman, ragtime and renegades, Dred Scott and the Pendergast machine. More than 400 vintage photographs, maps and illustrations illuminate the text. The book will inform and fascinate long time residents and newcomers alike.

The book signing is sponsored by the Adair County Historical Society and the Adair County Public Library. For more information, call Pat Ellebracht at 660-665-6158.

US Savings Bonds offer a low-risk and modest return investment for saving for your children's college education. Series EE Savings Bonds and Series I Savings Bonds offer special tax benefits when used for qualified education expenses.

Savings bonds are very safe investments, since they are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Principal and earned interest are safe and cannot be lost due to market changes, because Savings Bonds are not marketable securities. Savings bonds are registered with the US Treasury Department, and can be replaced at no cost if lost, stolen or destroyed.

The Education Bond Program makes the interest on certain savings bonds tax-free when the bonds are redeemed to pay qualified higher education expenses or to roll over into a section 529 plan.

Eligible bonds include Series EE Bonds issued after December 31, 1989 and all Series I Bonds. Series HH bonds are not eligible. Bonds purchased before 1990 may not be exchanged for bonds issued later to make them eligible.

The bond owner must be at least 24 years old on the bond issue date (the first day of the month in which the bonds were purchased). Parents can purchase bonds for their children, but the bonds must be registered in the parent’s name. The child cannot be listed as a co-owner, but may be listed as a beneficiary. You can also purchase bonds for your own education, in which case the bonds must be registered in your name.

You can find more information on this topic at http://www.finaid.org/savings/bonds.phtml

The annual Adopt-A-Child Christmas program is sponsored by the Kirksville Fire Department, KTUF Radio Station and the Adair County Family Services Office. This program is designed to provide a special Christmas gift for some 300+ children in Adair County ages 0-16 that otherwise, in some cases, might not have a gift.

Adair County children whose families qualify for Food Stamps and/or MC+ may sign up for the program.

Starting November 10^th at the Adair County Family Services Office (660-785-2440) located at 1412 North Osteopathy in Kirksville.

Deadline To Sign Up: Deadline for qualifying participants to sign up is November 26^th at the Adair County Family Services Office in Kirksville.

Further questions may be directed to Teresa Attebery at the Kirksville Fire Department at 660-665-3734. A brochure announcing this program is available in the high school and elementary principals’ offices.

You may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit on your 2003 tax return.

IF you earned under $33,178 and have more than one qualifying child ($34,178 if married, filing jointly)

IF you earned under $29,201 and have one qualifying child ($30,201 if married, filing jointly)

IF you earned under $11,060 and have no qualifying child ($12,060 if married, filing jointly)

Over eighteen million lower-income workers already benefit from the EITC. Yet some people who are eligible don’t know it exists, how to qualify, or how to claim it.

DO YOU QUALIFY? Call 1-800-829-3676 for the free IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit—and find out. This publication can also be downloaded from the Internet at the IRS web site: www.irs.gov/eitc

Mr. & Mrs. Travis Freeman

For their donation of a potter’s wheel and supplies to the Art Department

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bradley
For their donation of The Ultimate Guide to Tractors In memory of Clarence Gramling and for their donation of Coin Magic & Modern Coin Magic in memory of Harold Means and for their donation of Diana, Her Life & Legacy and Pro Football: Heroes of the Hall in memory of Mr. & Mrs. John Dabney

FBLA will be selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts during the month of November. FBLA will be selling these donuts for $6 a dozen. If you are interested in purchasing these doughnuts, please contact any FBLA member or Martha Reese, FBLA advisor.

Monday: Cereal, toast/Hamburger on bun, cheese slice, french fries, peach crisp, milk

Tuesday: Waffle w/ syrup/Tater tot casserole, green beans, mandarin oranges, cookie, milk

Wednesday: Scrambled eggs, toast/Roast beef, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, carrots, jello cake, milk

Thursday: Sausage patty, toast/Chicken patty, cottage cheese, corn, peaches, milk

Friday: Donut/Pizza, carrots & dip, applesauce, brownies, milk

Monday: Cereal, toast/Tenderloin on bun, baked beans, potato salad, strawberries, milk

Tuesday: Egg mcmuffin/Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, yellow cake, milk

Wednesday: Pancake w/ syrup/Nachos, lettuce, jello, cookie, milk

Thursday: Biscuit & gravy/Spaghetti, breadsticks, lettuce, fruit salad, milk

Friday: Cinnamon rolls/Mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, corn, vegetables & dip, ice cream, milk

Monday: Cereal, toast/Chicken noodle soup, 1/2 grilled cheese sandwich, vegetables & dip, peanut butter cookie, milk

Tuesday: Breakfast bites/Lasagna, texas toast, lettuce, peas, chocolate cake, milk

Wednesday: Sausage & toast/Fish, macaroni & cheese, peas, cherry delight, milk

Thursday: French toast sticks w/ syrup/BBQ pork on bun, potato casserole, jello, no bake cookie, milk

Friday: Breakfast burrito/Hot dog, sauerkraut, chips w/ cheese sauce, apple cobbler, milk

Monday: Cereal, toast/Garlic cheese bread, marinara sauce, lettuce, strawberries & bananas, chocolate chip cookie, milk

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, toast/Turkey, noodles, green beans, hot roll, pumpkin bars, milk

Wednesday: Breakfast pizza/Sub sandwich, chips, cottage cheese, peaches, milk

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

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