This is a continuation of a 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.  

The end of any school year is always busy.  So many activities have taken place in our member schools, and NEE congratulates all teachers and their students for their accomplishments during 2022-23.    

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

  • School principals on May 1, recognizing the importance of building leaders, from elementary to high school, and all the work they do for the betterment of schools. 
  • Classroom educators during Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12 and school nurses during School Nurse Day on May 10.  NEE commends these individuals for their dedication to their schools and all they do to promote student success each and every day. 

Obviously, graduation takes center stage during the month of May.  NEE congratulates all students who have or will graduate this month.  Here, students at Ozark Schools celebrate at the end of their ceremony.  Scenes like this played out in NEE member schools everywhere. 

Here are some additional highlights leading up to the final few days of the school year: 

  • To infinity and beyond!  Mrs. Lena Menning from Morgan County R-I read to a kindergarten class dressed up like Buzz Lightyear. 
  • Doniphan-Trumbull Public School students competed at the state journalism competition April 24th.  This was one of several events during a very busy month at the school. 
  • Students throughout Missouri attended the 95th Annual Missouri FFA Convention on April 20 and 21.  Many of our NEE member schools were well-represented at this event. 
  • Fifth graders from Falls City Public traveled to the Nebraska State Capitol and met with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen.  They were there to celebrate Financial Literacy Month. 
  • April and May are often filled with field trips.  Here, some great pictures highlight students from Hallsville School District when they visited Rock Bridge State Park.    
  • Layla Harbin from Chanute competed at this year’s Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge in Manhattan.  She showcased her business (LH Designs) during the event.   
  • The baseball team from Maries County R2 Schools had an experience of a lifetime, playing at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. 
  • Fourth through sixth grade students at Washington Middle School participated in the “Battle of the Books”.  Be sure to view the entire post for more information about the event!  
  • National Bus Drivers’ Appreciation Day was April 25. Ozark Schools honored previous drivers with a look back on a recent Throwback Thursday.  
  • In conjunction with this year’s National Football League draft in Kansas City, Bridger Middle School in Independence hosted Character Playbook, a nationally-broadcast panel discussion in partnership with the NFL. 
     
  • Speaking of the NFL draft, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District is beaming with pride.  Former LSHS standout Felix Anudike-Uzomah was drafted 31st overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.  Congratulations to Felix and good luck in the NFL! 
  • Band directors at Troy Buchanan High School in Lincoln County R-III Schools found a great way to honor the history of their program over the years by showcasing former band uniforms in their classroom. 
  • David Boyer, from Kingston K-14 School District, headed to the archery national meet in Utah ranked 11th in a field of 3,400 participants!  In the end, David won his division.  What an honor for him and his school! 
  • Union R-XI went all out as it hosted The Great Gatsby Gala, an event to recognize both teachers and classified employees for their contributions to the district. 

There is so much to celebrate as another school year comes to a close in NEE member schools!  While we can’t highlight everything each month, we want to recognize all our outstanding schools for the work administrators, teachers, support staff, and students are doing every day. Watch for our next post coming in June as we highlight summer school happenings! 

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.