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 2004-05 school year is available at http://registerevent.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.TV@ed.gov, or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

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

Jack Pulis for his donation of orange drainage tile for the ball field

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Templeton for their donation to the school in memory of Mary Jolene Delaney Long

Jackie Church, Floyd Owings, Mike Elam, Shirlene Hettinger, Joyce Salter, and Doug and Paula Clarkson for their donations to the FBLA Courtyard

FBLA will be selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts again during the month of November. The cost is $6 per dozen. Money raised from the sale of doughnuts will help to fund the field trip to Chicago, district contest, state leadership conference, community service projects, school service projects, and club activities. If you are interested in purchasing these doughnuts, please contact any FBLA member or Martha Reese, FBLA advisor.

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

TIGER PRIDE

Our softball and baseball teams recently completed their fall seasons. The softball team finished 8-9 overall and 4-3 in conference. The baseball team finished the season 1-7 overall and in conference. Dani Moyer and Brooke Salter were selected to the All-Conference 1st Team. Brent Platz and Christina Scudder were selected to the 2nd team and Tyler Killen and Andrew Linhart were selected for the Honorable Mention Team. All-District Team players were Dani Moyer, Brooke Salter, and Christina Scudder.

The Marching Tigers completed an outstanding marching season. They finished 2nd in the Culver Stockton College Homecoming Parade and 4th in the Truman State University Homecoming Parade.

Congratulations also to Stephanie Linhart, Kayla Moots, and Katie Stewart for their wonderful performances with the Tri-County Conference Choir tour held on Monday, October 25.

EARNED INCOME CREDIT

Will you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) this year?

You need to have worked and have earned income less than

$34,458 ($35,458 if married filing jointly) and have more than one qualifying child

$30,338 ($31,338 if married filing jointly) and have one qualifying child

$11,490 ($12,490 if married filing jointly) and have no qualifying child

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 1-800-829-1040 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

Monday: Waffle, syrup/Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, cookie, milk

Tuesday: Egg mcmuffin/Chicken patty, creamed peas & potatoes, strawberries, cake, milk

Wednesday: Breakfast casserole/Hot dog, chili and or/cheese sauce, chips, cottage cheese, cookie, milk

Thursday: Scrambled eggs, ham, toast/Tenderloin, california blend w/ cheese, pineapple, jello, milk

Friday: Cereal, toast/Taco casserole, corn, lettuce, ice cream, milk

Monday: French toast sticks, syrup/Country fried steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, peas, pudding tart, milk

Tuesday: Sausage patty, toast/Hamburger on bun, potato bites, mixed vegetables, cookie, milk

Wednesday: Blueberry muffin, fruit cup/Nacho pie, lettuce, fruit, dessert, milk

Thursday: Bacon, hash brown patty/Chicken tenders, augratin potatoes, carrots & dip, jello cake, milk

Friday: Omelet, toast/Pizza sandwich, corn, peaches, ice cream, milk

Monday: Donut/Beef stew, corn bread, peaches, cookie, milk

Tuesday: Breakfast bagel pizza/Grilled cheese sandwich, chips, fruit, rice krispie treat, milk

Wednesday: Biscuit & gravy/Fish, macaroni & cheese, green beans, cheesecake, milk

Thursday: Breakfast bites/Taco, lettuce, cheese, refried beans, dessert, milk

Friday: Sausage, toast/Corn dog, tater chunks, strawberries, cake, milk

Monday: Cereal, toast/Hot ham & cheese, chips, cottage cheese, brownie, milk

Tuesday: French toast sticks, syrup/Turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, pumpkin bars, milk

Wednesday: Cinnamon roll/Beef ‘n bean burrito, lettuce, pears, dessert, milk

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

Monday: Breakfast pizza/Lasagna, lettuce, peaches, cookie, milk

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, toast/Mr. Ribb, baked potato, mandarin oranges, dessert, milk