(From the Joplin R-8 School District)
First Priority: Our People
We have accounted for 100% of our students and staff. Thank you to everyone who assisted in this effort. We grieve the loss of 8 members of our family- 7 children and 1 educator.
New Information
Facility Losses
After further review by our insurance company, Joplin High School has been declared a total loss.
Joplin Schools Adopt-a-Classroom
Since the May 22 tornado, the outpouring of support from across the country has been amazing. Joplin Schools has identified a new method for schools, individuals and organizations to provide a warm and inviting space for students returning to school on August 17 through the Adopt-a-Classroom program.
“What the school district really needs now is help getting those classrooms ready for the new school year,” according to Joplin Schools Director of Community Development, Kim Vann. “We want our students to be able to return to a warm and inviting environment on August 17.”
Classes at Joplin Schools will begin in 72 days and more than 260 classrooms must start from scratch. These teachers must restock their classrooms with supplies and materials other than textbooks that insurance does not cover this expense. When students come back to school, Joplin Schools would like the classrooms to feel as normal, warm and welcoming as possible.
If you would like to help make a classroom warm and welcoming for the students of Joplin Schools, please participate in the “Adopt-a-Classroom” program. Joplin Schools will partner you or your organization with a Joplin teacher who will let you know the specific things he or she needs to create a fun and inviting classroom again.
To adopt a Joplin classroom, contact Kim Vann at kvann@joplin.k12.mo.us, and include your name, organization name and phone number, or call 417-625-5270 ext. 3430.
Ongoing Updates
Summer School
Open enrollment for summer school will began today and will take place until Friday, June 10. Families may enroll students in person at Stapleton Elementary School or Memorial Education Center from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, or by phone at 417-625-5290.
A Public Service Announcement is available at www.joplinschools.org and facebook/joplinschools.
Students previously enrolled in middle school or high school summer school must re-enroll. Families with elementary students who previously enrolled need to contact the district only if their enrollment status has changed. Please call us at 417-625-5290 with any changes.
Elementary summer school will take place from June 13 to July 29 at West Central, Stapleton and McKinley. Students enrolled in summer school at Cecil Floyd will attend Stapleton and students enrolled at Emerson will attend McKinley. Hours will be 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Summer school for middle school students will take place at South Middle School from June 13 to July 1. Hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Summer school for high school credit recovery students will take place at South Middle School from June 13 to July 1. Hours will be 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 to 3:00 p.m.
All students will receive free breakfast and lunch and transportation will be provided. Pick-up and drop-off locations will be determined by enrollment.
Summer Send-Off Events
Each building will host a summer send-off event for staff and students. Students will be able to pick up personal belongings, turn in books, and reconnect with classmates and teachers. If students are unable to attend the Summer Send-Off event, they may pick up their belonging prior to the start of school on August 17. These events are not open to the media.
Tuesday, June 7
■Cecil Floyd Elementary School from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at South Middle School.
■Columbia Elementary School from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Columbia Elementary School. Ice Cream will be served.
■Memorial Education Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Memorial Education Center café.
■Stapleton Elementary School from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Stapleton Elementary School. Dinner and drinks will be provided.
■West Central Elementary School from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at West Central Elementary. Ice cream will be served.
■Royal Heights from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Royal Heights
Thursday, June 9
■East Middle School from 2:00-4:00 p.m. 7th and 8th grade will be at 4th Street Bowl and 6th grade at East Bowling Alley.
■Joplin High School from 6:00-9:00 p.m. 9th and 10th grade will be at 4th Street Bowl and 11th and 12th grade will be at Carl Richard's Bowl East - 3131 Ten Pin Lane. Textbooks and library books can be dropped off at the Joplin Public Library.
Reconstruction
We are committed to beginning the 2011-2012 school year on time, 72 days from now on Aug. 17. We are partnering with Crossland Construction, R. E. Smith, and PLJBD Architects to meet this goal.
We began repair at Cecil Floyd Elementary and the administration building on May 30, 2011.
We received an initial $5,000,000 from Traveler’s Insurance to begin our reconstruction efforts.
Facility Losses
As a result of conversations with Governor Jay Nixon, insurance adjusters, FEMA representatives, SEMA representatives, architects and construction companies, Joplin Schools determined that the district suffered roughly $151 million in damages to its buildings.
As a result of the conversations with the insurance company, the district has determined the following levels of damage:
Total Losses:
§ Franklin Technology Center
§ Irving Elementary School
§ Joplin High School
Still Pending Further Investigation by Insurance Company:
§ Old South Middle School
§ Emerson Elementary School
§ Joplin East Middle School
Suffered Significant Damage:
§ Cecil Floyd Elementary School
§ Roi S. Wood Administration Building
Suffered Minor Damage:
§ Kelsey Norman Elementary School
§ Duquesne Elementary School
§ Duenweg Elementary School
Joplin Schools will continue to work with insurance company representatives and other officials to find a way to rebuild its schools. District leaders expect a resolution to the pending damage questions by Wednesday, June 8.
Donations
On June 2, David and Debra Humphreys made a significant contribution to rebuilding our Joplin School family by donating $250,000 to our efforts. The Humphreys also issued a matching challenge, pledging a dollar-for-dollar match of up to an additional $250,000 for any contributions made to Joplin Schools that are marked “Matching Grant.” That brings the potential value of this gift, including matching contributions, to $750,000.
Anyone wishing to make a donation that the Humphreys will match should mark their cash or check donation with “Matching Grant.” Checks can be made out to Joplin Schools Tornado Relief Fund and sent to:
Joplin Schools
Attn Kim Vann
102 N Gray Ave.
Joplin, MO 64801
US Bank has also set up the ability for anyone across the country to donate to Joplin Schools by dropping off their donation by any US Bank.
JET-14 Back Up and Running
Thanks to the help of KGCS at MSSU and Cable One, JET-14 programming is back up and running. Programming can be viewed on channel 14 on Cable One. JET-14 On Demand has also been restored and will be updated with new programming very soon. JET-14, which has been on the air since 2005, was completely destroyed in the May 22 tornado.
Joplin Board of Education Recovery Statement
Members of the Joplin Schools Board of Education are in constant contact with Superintendent C.J. Huff and district administrators and work continues to take place in order to provide educational services to students.
Earlier today Board President Ashley Micklethwaite, stated, “Our first concern is for the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families, and our prayers are with those in our community who have lost loved ones.”
Several district facilities have seen significant damage, but plans for both summer school and the start of school in the fall are moving forward.
“As a Board we could not be prouder of the work being done by Superintendent Huff, district staff and the many volunteers. Every person on staff is focused on doing what is best for our students. Does that mean that some hard decisions are being made? Absolutely. But we want the families of this community to know that the Joplin Schools is strong and will serve students this summer and when the 2011-12 school year begins in the fall,” stated Micklethwaite.
Micklethwaite noted that district officials are holding daily briefings with administrative and principal staff to make sure communications are ongoing and the plan of action is clear.
Communication
The district’s website is available at www.joplinschools.org.
We will continue to post the most up-to-date information on our Facebook page as well at facebook.com/joplinschools
Rebuildjoplin.org
Rebuildjoplin.org is live. This site provides a master list of resources available for those affected or those wanting to help. Rebuild Joplin is an initiative by Bright Futures to serve those affected by the May 22 tornado.
Technology Update
One of the keys to helping our schools respond to the tornado has been getting our technology up and running as quickly as possible.
The tornado tore the roof off our administration building and cut off electricity. Thankfully, the district computer servers were protected downstairs. Our technology team worked to power these systems with generators until the electricity could be restored, allowing us to access our student records, financial documents, email server and other important information.
The technology team also worked to provide internet access to our remaining offices, working with the district communications team to support the communications workload.
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