Milan School District C-2

EDUCATION MATTERS #51

By Dr. Ben Yocom – Milan C-2 School District Superintendent

“STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING”

                Greetings – Milan Wildcat Nation!  I hope and pray everyone is experiencing an “Extra-Special” December so far…  For those of you that subscribe to the notion that there will be as many days of “Snowfall” as the number of the date when the first “Snow” fell, we are on our way to fifteen (15) “Snow” occurrences.  Our first date of “Snow” this year was on November 15^th, 2018 and as of today (December 5^th, 2018) – we have had at least three (3) days of recordable “Snowfall” – that leaves roughly twelve (12) more snows!  Either way, the winter weather is here and I encourage everyone to be careful in these conditions.  If inclement weather causes the school to adjust or change the regular schedule – it will likely be in one (1) of the following manners:  Full day of canceled school; Late start-causing school to start at 10:00 a.m.; or, Releasing school at 12:45 p.m.  The school will communicate in multiple platforms – automated text, email or voice messages; the district’s website; through social media and on local radio-television stations.  Please pay attention to any/all of these outlets for school related information and do not hesitate to contact the school with any questions.

            School will release on Friday, 12/21/18 at 12:45 p.m. for the annual Winter Holiday Break.  School will resume for the 2^nd semester on Thursday, 1/3/19.  The High School girls’ and boys’ basketball teams will be competing in the Holiday Hoops activities at North Central MO College in Trenton on 12/20/18 and 12/27/18.  Both teams will play against Marceline on the 20^th (Girls at 5:30 p.m. and Boys at 7:00 p.m.) – on the 27^th – the girls team will play Knox County at 6:00 p.m. and the boys team will play Summit Christian Academy at 7:30 p.m., respectively.  Our student-athletes are fortunate to participate in this event and the representatives from the college provide an outstanding environment for all involved!

            The school will also disseminate a SURVEY prior the break – it will be shared via the school’s website, social media outlets and throughout the mass communication platform.  The purpose is to evaluate understanding regarding the upcoming Facility Project and measure effectiveness of other initiatives within the school’s existence.  If/when you see the ‘invite’ for the survey; please take a few moments and complete it.

            The Standardized Assessment Results from last year’s testing session will be distributed in the coming days/weeks.  These scores are from last spring’s Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) process – students in grades 3 through 8, last year, took Grade-Level exams and students in grades 9 through 12, last year, took End-of-Course exams.  The assessments administered last spring were completely different from previous assessments – in fact, one could cite the comparison between the 2017 exams and the 2018 exams, is similar to comparing “Apples and Oranges”.  It is impossible to fairly compare these results with the previous results as the exam is not the same.  The United State Department of Education analyzes a school building’s effectiveness through federal mandates; this process is titled Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and from this, schools that are designated as Title One (1) schools could be designated as Comprehensive or Targeted.  These designations will be completed based off of student performance on the MAP process from last spring.  The Federal Department of Education must communicate the designations by December 31^st, 2018 and the information will be shared when school resumes in the 2^nd semester.  While this is confusing, please do not hesitate to contact the school with questions and remember, the Targeted and Comprehensive classifications are not state classifications – the Annual Performance Report (APR) is the state’s accountability tool.

            Lastly, if anyone has questions about the school district’s LONG-RANGE MASTER FACILITY PLAN and specifically the New Construction component – please do not hesitate to contact the school.  This component addresses four (4) key components – 1) Improved Safety/Security by stopping use of the separate standing Modular building; 2) Larger cafeteria to allow student lunch times to start no later than 11:00 a.m. – kindergarten students currently start at 10:30 a.m.; 3) Modernized Library-Media Center that meets the state department’s expectations for space; and lastly a 4) Competitive gymnasium that will increase student activity offerings, expand community options for large-spatial needs.  The projected cost for this is $4 million; this amount will be funded through two (2) manners – one-half through the district’s current financial system and the other-half through a $.35 per $100 of Assessed Valuation Operating Tax Levy increase.  The Operating levy will be on the April 2^nd, 2019 General Election ballot and be specified as Proposition One (1).  Again, please do not hesitate to contact the school with questions.

            We continue to provide an outstanding educational experience for our students!  Please make sure you are staying current on all things Milan C-2 through the website and on social media.  Have an outstanding holiday season and remember – EVERY DAY is a GREAT DAY to be a MILAN WILDCAT!

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