The State Board of Education has approved new and tougher minimum requirements for high school graduation that apply to all of Missouri’s public schools.

The new policy applies to members of the Class of 2010. Students who are now in eighth grade must plan their schedules for next year (2006-07) and the remainder of their high school careers based on the new standards.

"All students – and we emphasize ALL – need more knowledge and skills to be successful in today’s economy and in the workforce of tomorrow," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King. King has advocated the adoption of more rigorous high school standards for more than a year.

"While the new graduation requirements put more emphasis on the core academic areas, they still allow enough flexibility for students to pursue their interests in the arts, foreign language, or career-oriented courses. Kids still need to be able to make choices and explore their interests in high school," King said.

The new standards raise the minimum number of credits needed to graduate to 24. The current requirement is 22 units. Students will be required to earn four units in English and three units each in the areas of math, science and social studies. This represents an increase of one full unit in each of the four core academic areas.

In addition, the new standards require a half-unit course in "personal finance" and a half-unit course in health education.

State education officials received more than 600 comments about the proposed graduation requirements this summer. Most were positive, and more than half of all the comments (381) related to the required course in personal finance.

Nearly 200 comments expressed support for maintaining the existing standards (one unit each) in fine arts and practical arts. The new policy makes no change in these requirements. The board had initially considered a proposal to combine the two areas and give students the option of taking two units of credit in just one of the subjects.

About 50 individuals voiced opposition to the new standards, primarily because of concern that the additional academic requirements would reduce students’ ability to take elective classes in various areas.

"There has been a good debate about this issue over the past year, and we appreciate all the comments and suggestions. The new standards will create some challenges for schools and students, but I think there is a clear consensus that these requirements are a step forward for Missouri schools," King said.

King said he hopes the increased emphasis on academic courses will lead to more students choosing to take a college-entry exam, such as the ACT.

"Schools and parents should encourage all students to take more demanding courses in high school," King said. "It is clear that today’s jobs and the jobs of tomorrow require more of our graduates. The knowledge and skills that young people need have become much more similar than in the past, regardless of whether students plan to go to college or directly into the workforce after graduation."

Here are the minimum graduation requirements approved by the State Board of Education:

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

Our softball and baseball teams recently completed their fall seasons. Andrew Linhart was selected to the All-Conference 1st Team. Kimberly Elsea, Christina Scudder, and Jacob Shipman were selected to the All-Conference 2nd Team and Tyler Killen and Shanea Rusk were selected for the Honorable Mention Team. Kimberly Elsea was also selected to the All-District Team.

Congratulations to the Brashear Marching Tigers for placing 3rd in Class A Competition at the Truman State University Homecoming Parade on October 22.

Six singers from Brashear participated in the 2005-06 Tri-County Conference Choir Tour on Monday, October 24. They were among 86 students from eight schools that rehearsed together for four hours on Sunday, the 23rd before performing on tour at Green City, Novinger and LaPlata. Those students participating were Stephanie Linhart - Soprano; Amanda Horton, Shelby Rogers, and Abigail Wheeler - Mezzo Sopranos; and Sydney Slavin and Katie Stewart - Altos.

Band Boosters Fundraising Project is continuing through November 1. They will be offering for sale cheeses, sausages and various candies through 4 Seasons Fundraising of Norwalk, IA. All proceeds from the sale will go toward a uniform fund and will help with trip expenses. If interested in seeing a brochure, please contact any Brashear Band Member.

The Elementary Student Council will be sponsoring a Soup Supper, November 14 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. They will be serving chili and vegetable soup along with crackers, cheese, and tea/lemonade. If you would like to donate a dessert for the supper, contact Mrs. Whitlow, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Milles, or Mrs. Shipman. Any donation will be appreciated. The meal is free of charge, but donations will be accepted for the hurricane relief fund.

Evening in Education will follow the Soup Supper in the elementary gym beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Primmer for donating Random House Children's Treasure Chest in memory of Lucia Freeman

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bradley for donating Halloween Merrymaking and Scary, Scary Halloween in memory of Stella (Edie) Fox

Steve Harvey for donating Guinness World Records, 2006 and Nascar Vault

Josh Edwards for donating Lake House

Denise Brown for donating The Cat Who Went Bananas

Brashear School for donating MSHSAA Records Book and 2005 BHS Yearbook

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bradley for their donation to the schools scholarship fund in memory of Lucia Freeman, John (Jack) Ross, Albert Mountain, Geraldine Kite, and Larry Kelso

FBLA will be selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts during the month of November. The fundraiser will be November 1-15 with delivery on Monday, November 21. The cost is $6 per dozen. Money raised from the sale of doughnuts will help to fund the annual business field trip, 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.

Tuesday: Pancake, syrup/Chicken nuggets, baked potato, broccoli & cheese, strawberries, white cake, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast bites/Hamburger on bun, french fries, carrots & dip, mandarin oranges, no bake peanut butter cookie, milk
Thursday: Cereal, toast/Hot dog on bun, chili, lettuce, oranges, jello cake, milk
Friday: Cinnamon roll/Pizza, corn, fruit, cherry cobbler, milk

Monday: Donut/Garlic cheese bread, beanie weenies, cottage cheese, pears, apple crisp, milk
Tuesday: Bagel, cream cheese/Tenderloin on bun, cheesy potato wedges, jello, chocolate chip cookie, milk
Wednesday: Biscuit & gravy/Nachos, lettuce, peaches, pudding, carnival cookie, milk
Thursday: French toast sticks, syrup/Spaghetti, breadsticks, veggies & dip, fruit, no bake cookie, milk
Friday: Breakfast pizza/Pizza, corn, pineapple, ice cream, milk

Monday: Bacon, hash brown/Chicken patty, mashed potatoes & gravy, vegetable, fruit, peanut butter square, milk
Tuesday: Omelet, toast/Tacos, lettuce, refried beans, fruit, no bake peanut butter cookie, milk
Wednesday: Long john/Cheesy quesadilla, nacho cheese chips, vegetable, fruit, strawberry cake, milk
Thursday: Cinnamon roll/Country fried steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, vegetable, mandarin oranges, jello w/ fruit, milk
Friday: Biscuit & gravy/Pizza, corn, mixed fruit, ice cream, milk

Monday: Donut/Grilled cheese, chips, vegetable, fruit, sugar cookie, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast pizza/Turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, hot rolls, green beans, pie tarts, milk
Wednesday: Scrambled eggs, toast/Corn dog, chips, veggies & dip, fruit, rice krispie treat, milk
Thursday: No School
Friday: No School

November 28-30

Monday: Long john/Mr. Ribb, mashed potatoes, baked beans, carnival cookie, milk
Tuesday: Pancake, syrup/Baked potato, chili & cheese, corn, fruit, milk
Wednesday: Biscuit & gravy/Ham & cheese roll-up, fries, vegetable, jello w/ fruit, milk

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