This is a continuation of a monthly series from the Network for Educator Effectiveness. 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.  

There is so much going on in our member schools and it is always wonderful to see.  While we can’t highlight all the good things happening in every school, we do want to recognize our outstanding schools for the work administrators, teachers, support staff, and students are doing each and every day.  Watch for our next blog coming in November as we continue to highlight the positive happenings in NEE schools.  

During the month of November, NEE member schools celebrate a variety of events, including: 

  • November 8: Parents as Teachers Day 
  • November 8: STEM Day 
  • November 11: Veterans Day 
  • November 23: Thanksgiving 
  • November 30: Mark Twain Day 

While NEE schools commemorate these important days, there are additional highlights from October and November as we moved past Halloween and closer to Thanksgiving: 

  • Lots of great activities during Red Ribbon Week.  Check out these events at Newtown-Harris R-III, Braymer C-4, Mound City R-2, and Osage County R-2. 
  • Halloween fun was in full swing.  Students at Harrisburg R-8, for instance, created wonderful storybook pumpkins that were displayed in their library, and the Drama Club at Valley R-VI performed a Halloween Showcase.  Here’s also a quick look at Halloween festivities at Dunklin, School of the Osage, Eldon, Liberty, Ravenna, Salisbury, Moberly, Warrensburg, Owensville, Keytesville, and Stockton. 
  • FFA students took center stage during the last few weeks.  Diamond R-IV FFA featured their two “donkey kissers.”  During the first week of November, FFA students from many of NEE’s member schools traveled to the  National FFA Convention in Indiana.  Check out these posts from  Maysville, Koshkonong, Tina-Avalon, Archie, West Plains, and North Shelby.  Congratulations to each student recognized during the prestigious event. 
  • Fall is also the time for bands to showcase their talents.  The School District of Washington High School’s Marching Band,  Pride of Washington, recently competed at the Bands of America St. Louis Regional against 65 other bands representing 8 states.   
  • Classroom teachers continue to shine as they provide great activities for their students.  Fifth graders from Salisbury R-IV, after reading “Thunder Rolling in the Mountains,” recently met with an educator manager for the Nez Perce Indian Tribe.  Joyce McFarland shared information on the tribe’s past lifestyle and culture compared to present day. Important historical figures and landmarks mentioned in the book were also explained.  
  • Clever R-V has honored veterans in a unique way for years.  In 2009, the middle school introduced a heartwarming tradition that was simple yet profound – present a homemade quilt to honor a veteran.  What began with one quilt has grown each year, and Kerin Hatch has crafted over 100 quilts to date. 
  • JROTC students from Truman High School in Independence hosted a Veterans Day Parade to honor those who have served our country. JROTC units from Kansas City area schools, as well as local veterans and community groups, participated in the march through Independence Square. 
  • Clinton Schools took time to recognize educators during  American Education Week, which took place November 13-17.   
  • There are lots of wonderful moments to share as we approach Thanksgiving!  Dunklin R5 School District’s Senn-Thomas Middle School teamed up with six other area schools to collect food for local pantries, while runners and walkers from Clever R-V will support Parents as Teachers on Thanksgiving Day with a “Wobble Before You Gobble” event. 
  • Fall sports are winding down.  Congratulations to all NEE member schools who brought home district and state championships, and good luck to those who are still competing this fall. 

There is so much going on in NEE member schools, and it is always wonderful to see.  While we can’t highlight all the good that is being done each month, we do want to recognize our outstanding schools for the work administrators, teachers, support staff, and students are doing each and every day.  Watch for our next blog coming in December as we highlight holiday happenings happening in NEE schools! 

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.