This is a continuation of a newly created monthly series from NEE. We are looking to share the accomplishments, creativity, and good news of our partner districts based on schools’ social media activity. Our hope is to spread positivity and bring even more attention to the amazing work happening in NEE schools.

Spring is such a busy time.  So many activities have taken place in our member schools and will continue throughout the remainder of the school year.  

Many NEE schools recognized important groups in the last few weeks.  These included: 

  • District leaders during School Board Recognition Week March 6-11. 
  • Building leaders during Assistant Principals’ Week April 3-7. 
  • Dedicated educators on Paraprofessional Day April 5. 

NEE would like to commend these individuals for their dedication to their schools and all they do to promote student success each and every day. 

There were many other events unique to our member schools.  Here are some additional highlights from the last few weeks: 

  • Once the rain subsided, schools have been involved in many outdoor activities such as soccer, tennis, track and field, baseball, softball, and golf.  Here’s an example of a busy day at Mt. Vernon R-V Schools.   
  • Frederick Intermediate School Counselor Rachelle Parson and the office staff recognized and celebrated Music in Our Schools Month and St. Patrick’s Day during morning announcements. 
  • The Clark County R-1 band performed in New York City during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  The Republic R-III high school band performed at Disney World as part of the park’s 50th anniversary celebration.  Congratulations to both of these groups and for representing your schools so well. 
  • For the seventh successive year, the high school band from Superior Public Schools earned the Excellence in Academic Achievement Award from the Nebraska Bandmasters Association.  An ensemble must have an average GPA of at least 3.5 in order to be eligible for the award.  What a tremendous honor for this group! 
  • Students at Altenburg Public School District have started planning a very exciting field trip.  During the summer of 2024, 7th and 8th grade students will be traveling to Washington, D.C.  Good luck as you prepare for this excursion! 
  • Many drama departments have entertained audiences this spring.  Students at Doniphan-Trumbull presented “The Wizard of Oz” while the group at Smith-Cotton HIgh School presented Clue–High School Edition.    
  • Students at Weaubleau R-3 participated in a “Reality Check” event in cooperation with the Central Bank of Sedalia. Juniors and seniors were given a real-life scenario, an occupation, and a salary in order to make necessary purchases.  Seniors at the same school will also be part of the 2nd Annual Decision Day on May 2.  This is a community-wide celebration of every graduating student.   
  • Garrett Kirkendall from Falls City Public District 56 was the top fundraiser in his district’s Kids Heart Challenge. Garrett collected just over 40% of the total $2893 raised. 
  • Principals everywhere have taken a pie in the face for a good cause.  Students at Antonia Middle School (Fox C-6 School District) “pied” Mr. Matt Metz and Dr. Lisa Brake as they celebrated surpassing fundraising goals.  Thank you for sharing these great pictures! 
  • Congratulations are in order for Mr. Aaron Knipmeyer (Lafayette County C-1) for receiving the Emerging Superintendent Award from the Missouri Association of School Administrators.   
  • Aleigha Wadlow of Kingston K-14 School District earned a first-place finish at the state SkillsUSA competition in Mobile Robotics Technology.  Aleigha and her team will be advancing to compete at the WorldSkills USA competition this summer.  Students from Clinton Schools are also advancing to national competition. 
  • And finally, things at one NEE school have gone to the dogs.  Meet Doc of King City R-I School District, the newest member of Wildkat Nation. Doc is an 11-month-old border collie who has been going through therapy training since October. He will soon be visiting classrooms at the schools to help meet the requirements for certification. 

There is so much more going on in our member schools.  While we can’t highlight everything each month, we do want to recognize all of our outstanding schools for the work administrators, teachers, support staff, and students are doing every day.  Watch for our next post coming in May as we wrap up another school year! 

The Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is a simple yet powerful comprehensive system for educator evaluation that helps educators grow, students learn, and schools improve. Developed by preK-12 practitioners and experts at the University of Missouri, NEE brings together classroom observation, student feedback, teacher curriculum planning, and professional development as measures of effectiveness in a secure online portal designed to promote educator growth and development.