Students reach reading goal; principals get legs waxed

Story and Photo Essay
By SARAH KESSLER and RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editors

South Middle School students were able to read 1,439 books by Nov 20, far surpassing the goal of 1,200. Therefore, Mr. Ron Mitchell, principal, and Mr. Jarrett Cook, assistant principal, had to wax their legs. Then Mr. Cook buffed Mr. Mitchell's head with his sock. While this was going on the top readers were able to get a close up look on the event. The top readers were:

Mary Jean Miller, Sarah Kessler, Amie Howard, Molly Baker, Anh Nguyen, Ian Mitchell, Chance Ewing, Shalea Purdy, Megan Walls Alexandra Owens, Marissa Shofner, Cayley Hardison, Caleb Wills, Rebekah Walters, Mackenzie Shamblin, Cassie Lloyd, Stesha Hiebert, Aaron Dunaway, Damon Monasco, Emily Yarbbowugh, Thomas Richins, Paiton Anderson, Aaron Daum, Jacob Wyrick, Elaina Warren, Victoria Baker, Anna Johnson, Abby Boss, Ricky Hutchinson, Brandon Coub, and Storm Whittington

Students honored for academic accomplishments

South Middle School students who scored at the advanced or proficient levels on the annual MAP tests last year were honored Monday night at the annual Academic All Stars celebration held in the Joplin High School Auditorium.
The students were introduced by Mr. Ron Mitchell, principal, had their photos taken, and then later received gifts and had refreshments.
Those who were named Academic All Stars were:

Sixth Grade- Desirae Anaya, Mason Atwood, Forrest Barnard, Keenan Beverlin, Joceline Bogarin, Gram Booth, Kenneth Braun, Brendyn Burns, Preston Carpenter, Luis Cepeda, India Coleman, Heather Copeland, David Cox, Drew Cox, Leigh Ann Craig, Lavinia Cure, Khristopher Dailey, Summer Dean, Gavin DePaul, Shelbie DeWitt, Abigail Dial, Aaron Dunaway, Katelyn Earl, Bain Edens, Sammatha Eshom, Johnathon Gibson, Oswaldo Gomez, Kaci Gowen, Kyle Gradwohl, Khaled Graham, Lane Grims, Bailey Hale, Chase Hall, Erica Handy, Cayley Hardison, December Hedge, Sarah Helmberg, Chandler Hendrix, Wesley Hooks, Courtney Huggins, Brittnie Hunter, Colton Johnson, Miranda Kemmery, Spencer Layne, Lauren Leibee, Jawni Lemmons, Jessica Little, Cassandra Lloyd, Joanna Lopez, Amanda Marvin, Chanci McGowen, Nicholas McKay, Bethany Meehl, Robert Metsker, Preston Miller, Michael Munalem, Michael O’Dell, Taryn Parker, Hailee Peek, Amara Pendergraft, Salena Perez, Michael Peterson, Dakota Pilgrim, Dakota Pliler, Malachai Poling, Gannon Purdy, Kahla Quinn, Luke Randolph, David Reed, Kymbre Resler, Austin Romano, Levi Russell, William Rust, Amanda Schilling, Kenya Schmidt, Dominic Searle, Mackenzie Shamblin, Marissa Shofner, Erika Smith, Eric Spicer, Devon Stahl, Matthew Stevens, Christian Still, Alexander Taylor, Ashley Taylor, Cheyenne Thomason, Zachary VanLoon, Brooklyn Vickers, Nicole Walker, Megan Walls, Rebekah Walters, Justice Ward, Alexia Westfall, Martianna Westfall, Sterling White, Caleb Willis, Olivia Willis

Seventh Grade- Torri Ackerson, Calvin Alumbaugh, Jodi Anderson, Victoria Baker, Sierra Bartholomew, Abigail Bass, Eric Bauersfield, Austin Boyd, Lisa Bromley, Alexis Brown, Clayton Brown, Nathan Brummer, Casey Burkhart, Tyler Burkhart, Courtney Burns, Hollis Cady, Dylan Caldwell, Joseph Capeheart, Cole Darby, Aaron Daum, Felisha Derrick, Danielle Doerr, Laila Douglas, Karissa Dowell, Caroline Dutton, Shelby Eaton, Calisha England, Wesley Estes, Eliza Fausto, Trevor Garrett, Caleb Garton, Kelsey Gould, Olivia Hampton, Allison Hankins, Hannah Hare, Alex Hill, Esteban Hinojosa, Brittany Holden, Anna Johnson, Carson Jones, Paula Jones, Kevin Justus, Brandon Laub, Nicholas Laub, Kylie Lewsader, Elisha Mansour, Sherry Marlett, Dustin Martin, Tianna McCarthy, Dominique Michael, Blake Miller, Hunter Mills, Damien Mitchell, Damon Monasco, Chip Munalem, Alexander Musgrave, Curtis Nollner, Morgan Osburn, Michael Oyler, Bethani Patterson, Spencer Patterson, Blake Price, Orlon Quintana, Dakota Reasoner, Rachel Redwine, Stefon Rich, Thomas Richins, Alexandra Ritter, Gabriel Sachetta, Bryson Sexton, Benjamin Story, Logan Terry, Victoria Thompson, Kristin Tippett, Axle Vene, Theodora Voutiritas, Elaina Warren, Ethan Warstler, Andrew Welch, Ashley Wescoat, Allison White, Alex Whittington, Andrew Williams, Emilee Willis, Alexis Woods, Jacob Wyrick, Emily Yarbrough

Eighth Grade- Merisha Alderman, Monica Anderson, Omar Arreola, Stephen Austin, Molly Baker, Nathan Baker, Jonathan Ballard, Kirsti Banning, Abby Bartow, Cody Borgstede, Emylee Brown, Sara Buck, Sara Burns, Taylor Camden, Jordan Chambers, Marcus Clark, Cecil Cornish, Tanner Crawford, Matthew Cruzan, Britteny DeMasters, Breanne Diles, Derek Dillon, Zachary Dorris, Mallory East, Shane Ellis, Gareth Evans, Taylor Fetterman, Brittany Frisbie, Shawn Fronce, Christina Gates, Devyn Hale, Gage Haskew, Levina Hayzlett, Chelsea Hernandez, Zachary Hibbard, Brandon Holman, Amie Howard, Cody Jenkins, Jacob Johnson, Amanda Jones, Heather Jones, Alex Kangethe, Alexander Karns, Katherine Kemmery, Amanda Kennedy, Sarah Kessler, Tera Knight, Allie Lacey, Luke Lenhart, Amanda Liontas, Sydney Long, Itzel Lopez, Hunter Lynn, Richie Lyons, Wade Mathis, Sarah Matthews, Ian McPherson, Mary Jean Miller, Brittany Mitchell, Ian Mitchell, Tori Mitchell, Travis Morris, Kelli Newberry, Anh Nguyen, Billy Nguyen, Holly O’Dell, Olivyah Parker, Logan Perry, Christopher Perry, Sarah Phillips, Caitlyn Pilgrim, Chloe Potts, Shalea Purdy, Blake Putnam, Gilbert Randolph, Sabra Reddell, Andrew Roberts, Bryan Ross, Mariah Sanders, Adam Schilling, Robert Scott, Beau Scroggins, Adrienne Self, Dylan Shaner, Braden Showers, Dalton Smith, Sydney Snider, Shawn Spicer, Sarah Stephens, Bayley Strella, Nathan Stripling, Jeffrey Terry, Raycee Thompson, Brittany Utley, Katherine Uttley, Greggory VanLoon, Kyle Vene, Jamie Walters, Hannah Ward, Dillon Warlaumont, Casee Wheeler, Nichole Yeoman

Wrestling season begins

By SARAH PHILLIPS
Room 210 Staff Writer

Wrestling season began Nov. 8 for South Middle School.
"It makes me feel like a million bucks when I wrestler," eighth grader Yainer Oviedo said. His teammates are: Adam Schilling, Beau Scroggins, Blake Putnam, Logan Terry, Jeffery Terry, and Ian McPherson. The team is coached by David Myers.
The team's next meet will be Nov. 29 against Carl Junction at Memorial, followed by the Seneca Tournament Dec. 1, a match at Lebanon Dec. 6, and the season-ending city championship meet at Memorial.

Kessler, Thompson named Room 210 News Editors

Eighth graders Raycee Thompson and Sarah Kessler have been named Room 210 News editors and will head the 2007-2008 South Middle School Journalism Club, according to sponsor Mr. Randy Turner

"Raycee and Sarah have worked hard this year and have helped this to make this one of our most productive years ever," Mr. Turner said. "They have earned the editing positions and I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish the rest of this year."

SMS observes Veterans Day

By SARAH KESSLER
Room 210 News Editor
South Middle School students learned the true meaning of Veterans Day last week during a brief assembly.
The Joplin High School ROTC Honor Guard posted the colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and a video prepared by Mr. Rocky Biggers, eighth grade social studies teacher honoring veterans from the beginning of the United States to the present.

(Photo by Sarah Kessler)

Mr. Mitchell celebrates birthday

Faculty and staff at South helped Mr. Ron Mitchell, principal, celebrate his birthday last week,, providing him with a cake, card, and gift.

Students collect cans for needy families

South Middle School TAs have been collecting cans to help needy families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. The collections ended last week. The cans will be used for families of SMS students, according to school officials.

(Joey Capeheart, Elaina Warren, and Alex Kangethe, help sort cans. Room 210 News photo by Tanner Crawford)

Assistant principal completes first round of teacher evaluations

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 News Editor

"I love to watch and make sure the teachers are teaching and the students are
learning, said South Middle School Assistant Principal Mr. Jarrett Cook, who just completed his first round of teacher evaluations.

Mr. Cook and Mr. Ron Mitchell, principal, evaluate teachers randomly, formatively (formally, during the fall semester) and summatively (a whole year's summary after a spring observation).
Teachers are evaluated to make sure that students are learning and teachers are teaching.
Mr. Cook doesn't put the teachers down. He is there to help the teachers teach
the students better and encourage them to keep up the good work. The principals
are required to evaulate the teachers. .

On the other hand, teachers don't do anything out of the norm to prepare for
teacher evauations. Teachers are just required to fill out some paperwork for
the principal, which states what the lesson plan is and what objectives they
will be covering. They can also leave special notices in the paperwork as well
for things they want the principal to notice.

Sixty-three SMS students record perfect 4.0 grade point averages

Sixty-three South Middle School students recorded perfect 4.0 grade point averages during the first quarter.
Those who received no grades lower than an A were:

Sixth Grade- Jalen Carter, Heather Copeland, Drew Cox, Leigh Ann Craig, Shelbie DeWitt, Katelyn Earl, Bailey Hale, Cayley Hardison, Chandlar Hendrix, Wesley Hooks, Chanci McGowen, Preston Miller, Michael Munalem, Taryn Parker, Hailee Peek, Stormi Potts, Gannon Purdy, Kymbre Resler, Amanda Schilling, Kenya Schmidt, Mackenzie Shamblin, Marissa Shofner, Scott Simmons, Eric Spicer, Kristen Tyler, Megan Walls.

Seventh Grade- Calvin Alumbaugh, Victoria Baker, Abigail Bass, Lisa Bromley, Ronald Darby, Aaron Daum, Danielle Doerr, Victoria Thompson, Ethan Warstler

Eighth Grade- Molly Baker, Taylor Camden, Brittany Frisbie, Devyn Hale, Amie Howard, Alex Karns, Sarah Kessler, Tera Knight, Lauren Layne, Thomas Loucks, Wade Mathis, Mary Jean Miller, Holly O'Dell, Olivyah Parker, Logan Perry, Shalea Purdy, Sabra Reddell, Mariah Sanders, Adam Schilling, Adrienne Self, Candace Smith, Bayley Strella, Nathan Stripling, Jeffrey Terry, Raycee Thompson, Brittany Utley, Greg VanLoon, Casee Wheeler

First quarter honor rolls trips to be held week after Thanksgiving

First quarter honor roll trips for South Middle School students will be held the week after Thanksgiving, beginning with the sixth grade trip Tuesday, Nov. 27, followed by the seventh grade and eighth grade trips the following two days.

Students who qualified for the trip are:

Eighth Grade- Spencer Abts, Stephen Austin, Molly Baker, Nathan Baker, Kirsti Banning, Abby Bartow, Emylee Brown, Sara Buck, Sara Burns, Tozia Burris, Taylor Camden, Jordan Chambers, Marcus Clark, Cecil Cornish, Matthew Cruzan, Brittney DeMasters, Breanne Diles, Zachary Dorris, Shane Ellis, Dermott Evans, Taylor Fetterman, Tara Fleming, Brittany Frisbie, Shawn Fronce, Taylir Gudgen, Devyn Hale, Dustin Hall, Gage Haskew, Jeffrey Haynes, Aron Hembree, Zach Hibbard, Jessica Highley, Icesus Holland, Brandon Holman, Amie Howard, Ashley Howe, Rachelle Hughbank, Joselyn Irrizary, Jacob Johnson, Amanda Jones, Alex Kangethe, Alex Karns, Amanda Kennedy, Sarah Kessler, Tera Knight, Allie Lacey, Blake Lamb, Lauren Layne, Luke Lenhart, Sydney Long, Thomas Loucks, Hunter Lynn, Jacob Lyons, Austin Mallory, Wade Mathis, Candace McGillvray, Mary Jean Miller, Brittany Mitchell, Ian Mitchell, Tori Mitchell, Travis Morris, Anh Nguyen, Billy Nguyen, Holly O'Dell, Olivyah Parker, Logan Perry, Sarah Phillips, MacKenzy Pierce, William Potter, Chloe Potts, Shalea Purdy, Blake Putnam, Tyra Raby, Gilbert Randolph, Sabra Reddell, Chelci Reed, Andrew Roberts, Bryan Ross, Joshua Ruiz, Mariah Sanders, Adam Schilling, Adrienne Self, Unyajit Sirichok, Candace Smith, Adam Snearly, Shawn Spicer, Brett Stearnes, Bayley Strella, Nathan Stripling, Rebecca Tanner, Raven Taylor, Jeffrey Terry, Raycee Thompson, Latosha Treat, Christian Underwood, Amanda Uselton, Brittany Utley, Katherine Uttley, Greg VanLoon, Kyle Vene, Jamie Walters, Hannah Ward, Michael Webb, Casee Wheeler, Nichole Yeoman

Seventh Grade- Torri Ackerson, John Alumbaugh, Dalton Anderson, Mallory Augustosky, Victoria Baker, Sierra Bartholomew, Abigail Bass, Austin Boyd, Lisa Bromley, Casey Burkhart, Austin Burns, Hannah Cody, Joshua Cochran, Ronald Darby, Aaron Daum, Danielle Doerr, Karissa Dowell, Caroline Dutton, Preston Eafrati, Judith Fausto, Danielle Gideon, Kelsey Gould, Olivia Hampton, Hannah Hare, Christopher Harpole, Taylor Harris, Shanice Hazley, Elisabeth Heimberg, Alex Hill, Esteban Hinojosa, Brittany Hudson, Anna Johnson, Kevin Justus, Brandon Laub, Nicholas Laub, Kylie Lewsader, Shyann Lutes, Tianna McCarthy, Dominique Michael, Hunter Mills, Damon Monasco, Alexander Musgrave, Hailey Oxford, Spencer Peterson, Devin Plassman, Blake Price, Thomas Richins, Alexandra Ritter, Gabriel Sachetta, Krystal Schulze, Bryan Sexton, Victoria Thompson, Theodora Voutiritsas, Elaina Warren, Ethan Warstler, Andrew Welch, Ashley Wescoat, Allison White, Storm Whittington, Emilee Wills, Alexis Woods, Emily Yarbrough

Sixth graders' names will be added when the list is available.

Cheerleaders to perform at wrestling matches

By JORDAN CHAMBERS
Room 210 Staff Writer
This year in South Middle School eighth graders have combined the fall and winter squads, for cheerleading. The squad has eight new cheerleaders. Our eighth grade cheerleaders this year are: Emylee Brown, Sara Buck, Taylor Camden, Jordan Chambers, Lauren Layne, Candace McGillvray, Bayley Strella, and Nichole Yeoman.

Nichole Yeoman says, “ I’m a cheerleader to support my school.”
Emylee Brown says, “ I just love cheerleading.”
Lauren Layne says, “South cheerleaders are looking forward to supporting South wrestlers.”
Their first wresting match will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Middle School.

Seventh graders attended motivational session at high school

By ELAINA WARREN
Room 210 Staff Writer
On November 2nd, the 7th grade students at South Middle School went to Joplin High School and saw a motivational movie that took six months to create. There were many sponsors that helped create this movie,including McDonald’s, MoDot, MSSU, Roper Honda, KOAM, and Fox 14. There were many movie clips involved such as Over the Hedge, How to Eat Fried Worms, Dreamer, Barnyard, Ice Age, Click, Akila and the Bee, Stick It, Monster House, Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2, and 3, Curious George, Spider Man 1, 2, and 3, and Open Season.
There were also many music artists and musicians involved in this movie, including Destiny’s Child, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson, Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban, High School Musical Soundtrack, Jack Johnson, Ice Age Soundtrack, Cheetah Girls Soundtrack, and Bethany Dillion.

Sub fills in during Mr. Barnes' absence

By BRITTANY FRISBIE
Room 210 Staff Writer

Mr. Reed Barnes, the South Middle School band teacher, took a three-week leave Monday, Oct. 29. His sub is Mr. Bob Estes, who taught here at South for eight years. Now that he is subbing, the 7th and 8th grade band have a new marching routine.
The band had to relearn the Top Gun Theme. Mr. Estes rewrote the music as a shorter version. The new version will be performed for the first time at the Veterans Day Parade, 10th and Main, Joplin, 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Mr. Estes told the band, "You guys are looking really sharp!"

Unsats to be mailed Friday, Nov. 16

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 News Editor

The dreaded unsats (unsatisfactory notices) will be sent out again next week.
Mid-quarter is Nov. 12 and the unsatisfactory notices will be sent out Nov.
16 to people with D's and F's.
The unsats are designed to warn parents of their children's grade.

Basketball teams split with College Heights

South Middle School girls basketball teams split with College Heights Tuesday night with the seventh grade team winning 29-15 and the eighth grade falling 19-17.
Casee Wheeler led the eighth grade with five points, while Holly O'Dell, Mariah Sanders, and Molly Baker added four apiece.

(Photo: Mariah Sanders yanks down an offensive rebound. Also shown for South are Casee Wheeler and Brittany Mitchell.)

Update from Miss Medlock

(Note: Former SMS eighth grade reading teacher Miss Sheri Medlock is providing weekly updates from Russia where she has taken a teaching job.)

Greetings Friends!
Big events this past week:

* After I wrote last week about my new class, it didn't happen. No one showed up. Apparently there was a Halloween party the children all went to, and the director forgot to tell me. However, in 30 minutes my class should start. Maybe.
* Last Saturday home group was again John, Masha, and me.
* Sunday after church I went with the Wolfes to a party for EF. It was quite an experience. The restaurant had Georgian food. Not like the Georgian food I was born with, though.

Struggles this past week:

* I have had a sinus infection all week. Because of this I haven't really done much. I am starting to feel a little better.

Victories this week:

* Despite feeling horrible from the sinus infection, I was able to teach all week. God always gives me the strength to do what I need to do.
* I received my first care package from my friends in Joplin. This was an amazing encouragement all week.

Family:

* Please continue to pray for my grandfather's health.

Daily Walk:

* Though still memorizing 1 Peter, I have also been reading Mark. I'm falling more in love with Jesus.

Ahead this week:

* Home group meets after my English lesson today. Today I expect John and Egor. Masha is out of town. Egor came to our first meeting but hasn't made it since then. I'm encouraged that he is coming today.

Prayer Requests:

* Please pray for my health. I'm not over the sinus infection.
* Pray that I will develop more relationships with those I work with.
* Pray for the home group that God will lead and direct us.

It's been a quiet week. I've slept late then gone to work, not feeling really prepared. But in this time I have felt how completely I am in God's hand. I heard a song this week that said of God "Warm is Your hand." I like that. We often think of God's hand as strong and mighty. But warm has the idea of a hand that strokes your cheek with compassion and love. His hand has been warm.
Sheri

Ervin TA sponsoring Read-A-Thon to help annual promotion

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor
South Middle School students have two weeks left to reach their reading promotion goal of 1,200 books and they are still quite a few books short. Mrs. Ervin's T.A. has decided to help students reach the goal by sponsoring a read-a-thon, as well as challenging all the other T.A.'s to see which one can have the most people come.
It will be held in the library after school Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Students can bring a blanket and pillow if they wish since they will be there until 8 p.. unless their parents come to get them earlier. During school hours, the blanket and pillow must be kept in the locker.
Mrs. Ervin's T.A. will also provide pizza for anyone who attends.

Update on Reading Promotion provided

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor
South Middle School students have only read 397 books after the first two weeks of the annual Reading Promotion. Over the intercom, Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell said we should have read 800 books by now.
Reading Department Chairman Mrs. Linda Weaver said she would like to see more yellow slips (each one signifies that a book has been read) and wants to remind everyone to ask for the slips.
So, if you want to see Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Cook get their legs waxed then read some more books. The goal is 1,200.
The final results will be announced Monday, Nov. 19, during an assembly.

Half-day scheduled for Wednesday

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor
School just seems to go on forever right? Well, this Wednesday, Oct. 31, we have a half day. We'll get out at 11:30 am. Students will only go to T.A. - 4th hour.
But, why bother going at all? For three reasons: 1. So the elementary kids can have a party in the morning and then be able to go home. and 2. So we can count this as a full day. We need to have 174 days in a school year and this makes it so we don't have to go past May 26. 3. Lastly so the teachers can have a meeting to go over the M.A.P. scores during the afternoon.
Each school in the Joplin R-8 School District has a meeting for different reasons, but South's staff will go over the M.A.P. scores.
Have a good Halloween, but remember that we have school the following day so don't party too hard.

Second round of clubs completed

The second round of clubs was completed Thursday morning at South Middle School. Ms. Lara Stamper's club explored Harry Potter. More information will be featured in an upcoming article on Room 210 News.

(Room 210 photos by Mary Jean Miller)

First quarter honor roll field trips planned

By SARAH PHILLIPS
Room 210 Staff Writer
Skating during school. Sounds like fun!
All you have to do is have A's, B's and no D's Or F's and an A for every C.
Students who meet those qualifications will leave around fourth hour, most likely one day during the week of Nov. 12-16 and go to Northpark Mall for lunch, but they won't leave the food court so they shouldn't count on getting in any shopping.
After that, the students leave to skate. They will return just before seventh hour.
More information about the trip, including which students qualified for it, will be featured later on this website.

TAs participate in pumpkin-decorating contest

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor

Teachers, celebrities, and monsters, oh my! That's exactly how our little pumpkin patch could be described.
The winners for this year's TA Pumpkin Decorating Contest are: Mrs. Ervin's T.A. for most like a south teacher, Mrs. Stamper's T.A. for most like a celebrity, and Ms. Cathy Weaver's T.A. for the scariest pumpkin.

(Photo by Raycee Thompson)

Top fundraiser salesmen announced at assembly

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor
The South Middle School fundraiser went very well this year. During an assembly Wednesday morning, Assistant Principal Mr. Jarrett Cook announced that as a school we raised over $7,000! Forty-four students sold at least 15 items and are able to go on a limo ride and receive a free lunch. The winners are:

Sammatha Eshom, Dalton Smith, Tara Fleming, Chelsey Patch, Breanne Diles, Josh Ruiz, Sterling White, Kaci Gowen, Victoria Baker, Chance Ewing, Lynnlee Shepherd, Kortnie Roberts, Elaina Warren, Calisha England, Curtis Nollner, Chris Harpole, Kyle Gradwhol, India Coleman, Hailee Peck, Kevin Justus, Joshua Cochram, Leigh Ann Graig, Levina Hayzlett, Shawn Fronce, Lisa Bromley, Shane Ellis, Emily Merritt, Ashley Taylor, Kyle Thompson, Alexander Tanner, Cailin Brown, Nicole Walker, Khaled Graham, Spencer Layne, Keaton Jones, Sarah Stephens, Kenya Schmidt, Katie Uttley, Mac Owen, Chandler Hendrix, Casey Sharp, and Balton Stayesha.
(Assembly photo by Raycee Thompson; limo photos by Sarah Kessler)

Quiz bowl team has strong season opener

The South Middle School Quiz Bowl teams opened strongly during a communication arts competition at Carl Junction Middle School Oct. 15.
The teams won seven matches, led by Joey Capeheart, who answered 14 questions correctly, Alex Kangethe, who had 12, and Calvin Alumbaugh, who chipped in with 10.

Team One, consisting of Capeheart, Alumbaugh, Mary Jean Miller, and Sarah Kessler, captain, won five games and lost four, defeating teams from Lamar, Diamond, and Monett.

Team two, consisting of Kangethe, Amanda Jones, Nicol McDonald, Zac Short, and Matt Cruzan, won two matches.

The next contest, a science meet, is scheduled for late November at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School.

Update from Miss Medlock

(Note: Ms. Sheri Medlock, who taught eighth grade reading at SMS from 2004-2007, is updating us weekly on her experiences teaching in Russia.)

Greetings Friends!

Big events this last week:
We had our second home group meeting. Four came. We discussed the ways God has been faithful in our lives. It was encouraging to hear others' stories.
Sunday, I attended an international English speaking church called ICA. I was deeply blessed by this service and hope to return. They have an early service, so I can go without missing my home church. However, the trip is about an hour away, so I may only go once a month.
I have decided to visit my sister in North Africa in January. This week I bought a ticket!
Victories this week:
I have become more accustomed to my job. Some days I feel unprepared, and yet the lesson still goes smoothly.
This weekend I spent a lot of time with Masha. We were able to discuss serious issues regarding our identity in Christ (one of my favorite topics).
Struggles this week:
The two Russian men who came to the meeting the first Saturday were unable to make it this week.
Personal Walk:
I continue in 1 Peter. I'm now in Chapter 4.
I've also been reading the Psalms.
Prayer Requests:
I have agreed to teach two more classes. One is on Saturday at 11:30. This won't prevent me from attending home group, which starts at 3:00, but it is still a nuisance. In fact, I'm not entirely sure why I agreed to teach the class except for the fact that I was asked to. Please pray that my job won't interfere with my ministry. In fact, pray my job can be a facet of my ministry.
Please continue to pray for my health. Some days I feel fine. Others not at all. I'm learning though that the more I rely on God's strength to do things, acknowledging my own powerlessness, the more I can accomplish.
Pray for the home group which meets tomorrow.
Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements. I feel deeply loved and covered in prayer.
Grace and peace!
Sheri

South students participate in Special Olympics

By MARY JEAN MILLER
Room 210 Staff Writer

You’ve all seen the special needs kids in your classes and the hallways. But on September 28, 2007, you may not have seen them. That’s because they were at Special Olympics Bowling.
Special Olympics are designed for people who want to be in the Olympics, but can’t be due to mental or physical disadvantages.
Recently, the Special Olympics athletes,Christian Underwood, Brittany Utley, Cole Darby, Jacob "JJ" Johnson, Robert Scott, Emily Goucher, Samantha Eshom, Esteban Henojosa, Austin Romano, Austin Oxford, Hailey Oxford, Alexia Westfall, Jeff Haynes, Elisabeth Heimburg, and Taylor Fetterman, and the peer tutors, Chloe Potts, Candace McGillvray, Shawn Spicer, Sydney Long, Thea Voutiritsas, Mary Jean Miller, Allie Lacey, Sidney Snider, Damon Monasco, Alex Karns, Shalea Purdy, and Caleb Garton, got on two buses and went to Carl Richard Bowl for mild competition and a whole lot of fun.
Not only did they bowl with friends from South, but also with friends from neighboring schools such as Memorial and North middle schools. This is the second year to go on the bowling trip, and both years the kids had unmistakable amounts of fun. They enjoyed the bowling, but they also get to see old friends and meet new ones.
At the end of the day, they even received medals and ribbons based on their scores.

(Room 210 photos by Mary Jean Miller)

Communication arts teacher holds book signing

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor

The first Joplin signing for eighth grade communication arts teacher Mr. Randy Turner's book, The Turner Report, was held Saturday at Always Buying Books.
The signing was mainly for The Turner Report, but Mr. Turner's earlier books, Small Town News and Devil's Messenger, were also on sale.
Mr. Turner was 14 when he wrote his first book, but it was never published. He said it wasn't his best work. While he was a reporter he never really had time to write a book, he said. Once he started teaching in Diamond, Missouri his students inspired him to take a shot at writing a book again.

Fall pep rally held

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Editor

The fall pep rally was held Tuesday, Oct. 16 during seventh hour. Volleyball and football players and seventh and eighth grade cheerleaders were introduced and students were encouraged to attend the final two football games for the season.
This year, the eighth graders were able to win the spirit stick by being the loudest. How did they win? Majority of the 8th graders just gave it there all.
"I wasn't here yesterday, but I'm ecstatic that my class could do it without me," Zach Dorris said.
Merisha Laderman said, " Yes, I'm happy that we won and I'm confident we'll win next time as well."

Reading Promotion kickoff assembly held

By MARY JEAN MILLER
Room 210 Staff Writer

South Middle School held a kickoff assembly for the 2007-2008 Reading Promotion Oct. 8. This year, the big theme is if students read enough books, Mr. Jarrett Cook, assistant principal, will buff Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell’s head and both principals will wax their legs. Mr. Mitchell might say "shave", but it’s wax. The Reading Promotion has been a tradition that Ms. Linda Weaver, the chairwoman and director of the Reading Promotion, has been trying to keep going at South Middle School.

The whole purpose of the Reading Promotion is to keep kids reading. Kids today are too busy goofing off with their friends, playing video games, or being a couch potato and watching T.V. all the time. We have forgotten what enjoyment reading can bring to us. The promotion has been going on for 10 years, and it’s not about to stop.
"We're just trying to give kids a reason to want to read." says Ms. Weaver, the director of the promotion. All the students of South are allowed to participate in the Reading Promotion, and everybody really enjoys seeing the principals have to do something really ridiculous and funny.

"It’s a school-wide deal," says Ms. Weaver. The end of the 2007-2008 Reading Promotion will be on Monday, Nov. 19. So remember to read as many books as you can!

Parent-teacher conferences planned

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Staff Writer

Parent-teacher conferences will be held 3:15 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, and 7:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at South Middle School.

That means no classes for students on Friday. A majority of the students are going to sleep in and then hang out with friends, unless they are going with their parents to the conferences.

Conferences can be arranged throguh an e-mail or a phone call. Some students are not worried about the conferences. Eighth grader Chelcy Reed said, "I don't care if my parents go or not because I'm making good grades."

First year eighth grade reading teacher Miss Andrea Taylor is looking forward to conferences. She is hoping to be able to encourage her students to work harder. "It'll be nice, fresh start to the second quarter."

Cartoonist Club members selected for 2007-2008

Cartoonist Club members for the 2007-2008 school year have been selected.
Those chosen were: Elisha Derrick, Kevin Justus, Jared Fuller, Casey Sharp, Derek Dillon, Taylor Johnson, Aaron Kraft, Christina Gates, Jamie Walters, and Junior Ochoa.
The club sponsor is Mr. Seth Wolfshorndl.

Quiz Bowl demonstration held at R-8 Board of Education meeting

The South Middle School Quiz Bowl team showed off its knowledge in a demonstration before the Joplin R-8 Board of Education Tuesday night.
After an introduction from Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell and an overview of the program from sponsor Mr. Randy Turner, eight Quiz Bowl members played a brief game, answering eight of 10 questions correctly.
Quiz Bowl members participating were: Alex Kangethe, Mary Jean Miller, Sarah Kessler, Matt Cruzan, Zac Short, Joey Capeheart, Calvin Alumbaugh, and Danielle Doerr.
The Quiz Bowl team co-sponsor is Mrs. Kathy Weaver.

(Photo by Mrs. Kathy Weaver)

Twelve hundred book goal set for annual reading promotion

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Staff Writer
South Middle School students will have to read 1,200 books if they want to see Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell or Assistant Principal Mr. Jarrett Cook having their legs waxed.
The annual Reading Promotion began today with a kickoff assembly in the auditorium. Promotion Coordinator Mrs. Linda Weaver announced the goal, with cheerleaders encouraging reading with a routine, and the band under the direction of Mr. Reed Barnes pepping up the crowd.
The results of the promotion will be announced during an assembly Tuesday, Nov. 20.

(Photos: Top, SMS cheerleaders and band pumped up the crowd during the Reading Promotion Kickoff. Bottom, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Cook prepare to meet their fate. Photos by Raycee Thompson)

Show Choir, Concert Choir featured in first Room 210 News videos

The South Middle School Concert Choir and Southern Belles, under the direction of Ms. Julie Yonkers presented their fall concert Monday night in the SMS Auditorium.

The Concert Choir performed six numbers, followed by the Southern Belles, South's show choir, entertaining the audience with a medley of '50s and '60s tunes. Concert Choir members performing solos were: Hannah Cady, Tanner Crawford, Sarah Matthews, and Tozia Burris.

Members of the Concert Choir are:

Torri Ackerson, Jodi Anderson, Gina Andujar, Sierra Bartholomew, Kendra Bauersfield, Lindsey Beall, Haley Bowers, Madison Briggs, Charlee Brown, Clayton Brown, Lexi Brown, Ethan Bryan, Courtney Burns, Tozia Burris, Hannah Cady, Taylor Camden, Jordan Chambers, Marcus Clark, Cheslie Cook, Cecil Cornish, Tracie Cottrill, Tanner Crawford, Shaney Delzell, Felisha Derrick, Laila Douglas, Ariana Dudley, Caroline Dutton, Shane Ellis, Calisha England, Justin Fleming, Tara Fleming, Jared Fuller, Christina Gates, Eleena Gonzales, Kelsey Gould, Jordan Hamilton, Allison Hankins, Taylor Harris, Erika Hinojosa, Ashley Dudley, Rachelle Hughbank, Shelby Ingram, Anna Johnson, Carson Jones, Heather Jones, Kevin Justus, Katie Kemmery, Shani Knight, Tera Knight, Lauren Layne, Elisha Mansour, Sarah Matthews, Dominique Michael, Tori Mitchell, Ghennesa Moore, Jade Moore, Kamaira Morgan, Travis Morris, Holly O'Dell, Brianna Oxford, Sarah Painter, Bethani Patterson, Katie Phelps, Mackenzy Pierce, Kayla Pinkerton, Melody Plank, Justice Pullam, Cady Reddell, Emma Rice, Barbara Rodriguez, Jade Roeder, Abby Sadler, Mariah Sanders, Adam Schilling, Krystal Schulze, Adrienne Self, Shelby Shumaker, Taylor Shutte, Mindy Sirichok, Candace Smith, C. D. Smith, Brittany Utley, Katie Uttley, Hannah Ward, Storm Whittington, Tiffany Williams, Nichole Yeoman.

Southern Belles members are:

Jodi Anderson, Haley Bowers, Lexi Brown, Courtney Burns, Tozia Burris, Hannah Cady, Taylor Camden, Jordan Chambers, Shaney Delzell, Tara Fleming, Carson Jones, Tera Knight, Lauren Layne, Sarah Matthews, Tori Mitchell, Holly O'Dell, Sarah Painter, Krystal Schulze, Nichole Yeoman

(Photos from top: Concert Choir, Hannah Cady performs a solo, Southern Belles)

(Videos from top: Southern Belles, Concert Choir)

SMS reading teacher is published writer

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Staff Writer

When she was growing up, Miss Andrea Taylor, South Middle School eighth grade reading instructor, never imagined herself becoming a teacher. She actually wanted to be a zookeeper or Supreme Court justice. She has always wanted to be a writer, though, and has been published in a magazine.
Miss Taylor went to college at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. She worked at the Bridge at one time, but then decided that she might enjoy teaching more. She substituted before she actually became a regular teacher. Her friends said she'd be a great teacher so she went for it.
So far she really enjoys South. Ms. Taylor attended North Middle School and Memorial Middle School when she was our age.
"I learned that this is a part of life that matters, but there are always going to be other parts. Like that one quote, 'Don't sweat the small stuff, it's just small stuff.' "

Update from Russia

(Miss Sheri Medlock, former SMS reading teacher, is teaching in Russia, and is providing us with weekly updates.)

Greetings friends!

Big events this week:

* I had a good time at the Wolfes' home group. We are discussing the Purpose Driven Life.
* Church Sunday was also very good. After church Masha and I took a walk. She showed me an Orthodox church. Then Rex, Sue, John, Masha, and I played cards. The best part of this evening for me was that Masha and I are continuing to develop a friendship.
* Yesterday I had a language lesson with Masha. After studying Russian for an hour, we spent sometime discussing spiritual things. It was good and encouraging for both of us, I think.


Victories this past week:

* I continue to acclimate to my new environment.
* I've spent a lot of time praying this week for the home group that we are starting on Saturday. This time has renewed my purpose for being here.

Struggles this past week:

* As always, I struggle with headache and other pain. But God continues to give me grace.
* Still no books.

Daily Walk:

* I continue to memorize 1 Peter.
* I'm also finishing Richard Foster's Streams of Living Water. This weekend I read a chapter discussing the inerrant of Scripture. But he also pointed out that only Christ is supreme. That the Bible is a tool to point to Christ. This renewed my passion for reading the Word, but also my passion for knowing Christ more intimately.

Ahead this week:

* Saturday morning Masha is taking me sight-seeing. Again, we continue to develop a friendship. I pray that I can be an encouragement to her in her walk with the Lord.
* Saturday we start the home group, with or without the books. It is my prayer that we will decide to be more then just another group. I pray that the believers who come will decide to love and honor one another. I pray that we will be a place of fellowship and outreach.

Prayer Requests:

* Pray I will be a witness of Christ to my students and to the other teachers.
* Pray for Saturday. Pray that those who have stated they will come show up. Pray for the decisions we make as a group.
* Pray we get the books.

Grace and peace,
Sheri

TA: an important part of the school day

By SARAH KESSLER
Room 210 Staff Writer
Every morning we get out of bed, throw on some clothes, comb our hair, and then head out to school. When we get to school, what is the first thing we do? We go to our TA classrooms.

Mr. Jason Weaver, one of the TA leaders at South Middle School, said, "The purpose of TA is to build community." Throughout the year, TA classes will compete in several activities that include team competitions such as tug of war and free-throw basketball shooting contests. TAs will also work together to raise money for the Cerebral Palsy (CP) Center in Web City and they will collect canned goods for the Salvation Army.

These activities aren't the only things that TAs do. Each TA is required to make a banner to hang outside its classroom and, if they choose, TAs may compete for points with a "TA challenge." These challenges can consist of anything from making a scarecrow for Halloween, to naming the freedoms listed on the Bill of Rights.
The 20 minutes spent in TA each morning can be beneficial to the student in many other ways, as well. For example, if a student doesn't finish his or her math homework, then he or she can finish it during TA. TA also gives students a chance to socialize with friends and just relax. TA is a very important part of the school day at SMS.

See You at the Pole observed

By SARAH KESSLER
Room 210 Staff Writer
The annual See You at the Pole was held Wednesday morning before school at South.
During the annual observance, students, faculty, and staff meet at the flagpole in front of the building for music, prayer, and testimony.
(Room 210 photo by Sarah Kessler)

Assistant principal celebrates 30th birthday

A surprise birthday party was held this week in the office for South Middle School's first-year assistant principal Mr. Jarrett Cook, who turned 30. School faculty and staff signed a birthday card and bought a cake for Mr. Cook.

Morning worship time at South

Eighth grader Gil Randolph is shown playing praise music during one of the regular pre-school worship meetings.
Students meet each week for worship. The activity is not sponsored by the school.

TAs battle in annual tug-of-war competition

South Middle School TAs will complete the annual tug-of-war competition next week. More information will be featured on Room 210 News.
(Room 210 photos by Alex Kangethe)

Volleyball teams fall to Carthage

South Middle School volleyball teams lost to Carthage Thursday night in matches played in the Memorial Middle School gymnasium.
The eighth grade A team got off to a strong start in game one, with Bayley Strella serving the first four points, including two aces, but the squad ended up losing 25-12, 25-15. The eighth grade B team lost 25-22, 25-15.
The seventh grade A team fell to Carthage 25-16, 25-20, while the seventh grade B team also lost.
The volleyball teams are approaching the end of the 2007 season. The eighth grade teams will play in the Seneca Tournament Saturday. The seventh grade team will play in the Tri-County Tournament in Webb City next week, while the eighth grade will be in the Tri-County Tournament at Carthage.

Update from Russia

(Former South Middle School eighth grade reading teacher Sheri Medlock is in her first year of teaching in Russia. She is providing weekly updates to Room 210 News.)


Greetings friends!

Big events of this week:

* Saturday John and I made some decisions about the English Club. The first decision we made was that it won't be an English Club. We decided it will be a home group conducted in English. If anyone wants to practice their English, they can come and converse for a few hours. But the purposes will be to create an opportunity for fellowship with believers and an opportunity for non-believers to ask questions about God and the church. We will read through Blue Like Jazz. Several copies of this book has already been sent to me.
* Saturday I also had an opportunity to see more of Moscow. I went to several bookstores and even bought a few books in English! If you know me at all, you know what a job this was to me.
* I continue my English lessons with Masha. This is a very slow process, especially since I spend more of my time preparing English lessons then studying Russian. However, I am slowly beginning to learn the basics of the language. I'm still working up the courage to try communicating, though.

Victories this week:

* I'm feeling much better then the last time I wrote an update. This is thanks to the prayer of the saints and the fact that I finally bought some ibuprofen.


Struggles this week:

* Last week I had a severe headache which lasted most of the week. Around the fourth or fifth day this started to effect me emotionally. I spent quite a bit of time praying through this, and God, as always, was good. In some ways this was a blessing. I spent more time in intense prayer then I had since I got here.
* My job has taken some getting use to. I have obviously taught for three years. But teaching English as a foreign language is quite different. There is also the added complication of working with those from a different culture. A teacher observed one of my classes last week. In Joplin, post-observation discussions usually began with a list of good things I had done. This isn't how she started here. However, before I could get too offended, I realized that there were some cultural differences. It was also a good lesson in humility. I believe my lessons have improved since my observation, so it was effective.

Family:

* My nephew Josef turns 10 Saturday. Happy Birthday, Jo!

Daily Walk:

* I'm still memorizing 1 Peter. I'm working on Chapter 2 now.

Ahead this week:

* Saturday I will attend Rex and Sue's home group discussion of The Purpose-Driven Life.
* I will continue to pray and plan for the home group. John and I hope to start it in the next few weeks.

Prayer Request:

* Please pray that I'll get the books soon! We need them to start the home group. The longer we wait, the more I worry that they have been lost to the US postal service.
* Pray that I will be an effective teacher and a loving example to my students.
* Pray that I will continue to develop relationships with those God has placed around me.

Blessings.
Sheri

eMints brings technology to South classrooms

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Staff Writer
Can you imagine that 15 years ago we could not even grasp the concept of the Internet? Now we have smart boards and laptops in classrooms! These classrooms are called eMINTS classrooms.
eMints classrooms use technology to enhance the way teachers teach and students learn to search for answers. eMINTS stands for enhancing Missouri's Instructional (teaching) Network. eMINTS classrooms are helpful in providing teachers with more tools.
Teachers who have eMINTS classes have to go through training for two years, 100 hours each. After the first year, they get their equipment over Christmas break. Every year an eMINTS coach comes in 10 times a year and answers questions the teacher has or makes suggestions to help the teacher. In our school Mr. Jason Weaver and Mrs. Angela Mense have eMINTS classrooms. Mr. Rocky Biggers will have an eMINTS class after Christmas break. Throughout the Joplin R-8 School District, district there are 24 eMINTS classes. For more information on eMINTS, go to www.emints.org .

Football team to play Memorial today

BY SARAH PHILLIPS
Room 210 Staff Writer
The Joplin North-South eighth grade football team will play Memorial 5:30 p.m. today at Junge Stadium.
Those playing on the team are:

Gill Randolph, Hunter Berlien, Bryan Ross, Daulton Mitchell, Martez Wilson, Ameil-Ray Overman, Nathan Stripling, Andrew Ideker, Zachary Dorris, James Evans, Derek Dillon, Desean Triplett, Evan Wilson, Michael Jenness, Hunter Lynn, Thomas Wickman, Adam Schilling, Logan Perry, Clayton Jenkins, Kyle Vene, Josh Valipulu, Cecil Cornish, Cody Bergstede, Marcus Clark, Ian McPherson, Travis Morris, Tolby Clemons, Paden Lacy, Malakai Mounce, James Olson, Geoffrey Aiken, Malaki Harper, Cameron Rector

Twenty-eight playing volleyball for SMS

By BRITTANY FRISBIE
Room 210 Staff Writer
Twenty-eight seventh and eighth grade girls are representing South Middle School on this year's volleyball team. Those players are:

Seventh Grade- Elaina Wareen, Hannah Hare, Danielle Doerr, Laila Douglas, Allison White, Brittany Hudson, Bethani Patterson, Olivia Hampton, Krystal Schulze, Tera Hall, Kelsey Gould, Shanice Hazley, Jodi Anderson, Rachel Redwine

Eighth Grade- Bayley Strella, Holly O'Dell, Anyh Nguyen, Molly Baker, Nicole Yeoman, Casee Wheeler, Brittany Frisbie, Jordan Chambers, Chloe Potts, Mackenzy Pierce, Tori Mitchell, Jamie Walters, Kirsti Banning, Amber Chacon, Allie Lacey

JHS sophomore receives USAA scholarship

Mary White, a sophomore at Joplin High School, received a United States Achievement Academy scholarship, according to an announcement issued recently by the USAA Scholarship Foundation.
Miss White became eligible for the scholarship when her eighth grade communication arts teacher Mr. Randy Turner nominated her for inclusion in the USAA's annual book listing top eighth grade English students.

Moving to the "Big Kid" School

By BECKY COOPER
(Note: Becky Cooper, a freshman at Joplin High School, is a former SMS student.)
Ever since I started school, I had always considered high school as the "big kid" school.
In elementary, I thought of the students as princes and princesses, but by the time middle school came along, they were just cool people with cars.
Well, here I am, attending JHS and I can barely classify myself as a "big kid." Things seem the same. The work isn't that different, and you still switch classes. I suppose I shouldn't have expected that much of a difference. Guys are still immature, and girls are still full of themselves. High school does have some advantages though; the french fries are absolutely amazing.
Several teachers have told me that being in high school is the best time of my life. I'm just going to have to take that chance.

Eighth graders studying "The Diary of Anne Frank"

By RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Staff Writer
Can you imagine being 13 years old and being forced to go into hiding to stay alive? Anne Frank and her family had to. Just because they were Jews they were persecuted for their beliefs. Thousands of Jews were killed during the Holocaust. It's just sickening and sad.
In our library, we have some books about Anne Frank and the Holocaust such as: "The Diary of Anne Frank," "Anne Frank: The Life of a Young Girl", and "The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank". Those are just a few.
Altogether we have 12 books about Anne Frank available in our library. Plus, if you go to www.room210.com and you go to the links page you will find some links for information about Anne Frank.
In Ms. Andrea Taylor's reading class, eighth graders are reading the play of "The Diary of Anne Frank". While reading the play they are asked,"How can you relate to Anne Frank?"
Breanne Diles said, "Anne is energetic, I'm energetic so I can relate"
Taylor Johnson said, "I can relate to Anne Frank because she's 13 years, and I'm around that age."
"What really interested me about her," Breanne Diles said, "is how she managed to stay in a small place for so long and not go crazy."
Taylor Johnson said, "She was about my age and she went went through all that... I can't even imagine going through all she went through."
Anne Frank's story is sad, but true. Anyone can relate to her some way or another. If Anne Frank hadn't kept a diary teenagers probably wouldn't care much about the history of the Holocaust because we wouldn't have anything to relate to.
"Anne's story is so sad," Taylor John said, "but now that I can relate I crave to know more about this event in history."

State math, reading scores up

(This story was taken from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.)

Missouri fourth- and eighth-graders posted significant gains this year on the mathematics section of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests, state education officials said today.

Missouri scores on the reading section of the NAEP exams did not change from 2005 and remained virtually the same as the national averages, according to the latest statistics.

The NAEP is known as "the nation’s report card." The 2007 exams were given early this year to about 350,000 students nationwide. In Missouri, the sample groups included about 3,000 students in each subject and grade level. Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, all states are now required to take part in NAEP testing in odd-numbered years.

"Missouri students made strong progress in math in both fourth and eighth grade, and Missouri is one of only six states in which students scored higher on all five subsections of the math exam," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King.

"I am disappointed that we are not seeing any movement in the NAEP reading scores, but I am delighted with the amount of progress our students demonstrated this year in mathematics," King said.



Highlights of Missouri 2007 NAEP results:
# In grade 4 mathematics, Missouri students posted an average scale score of 239, which is above the 2005 score of 235, and equal to the national average score.

The percentage of fourth-graders at the "proficient" level or above is significantly higher this year (38%) than in 2005 (31%).

# In grade 8 mathematics, Missouri students posted an average scale score of 281, which is above the 2005 score of 276 and nearly identical to the national average (280).

The percentage of eighth-graders at the "proficient" level or above is significantly higher this year (30%) than in 2005 (26%).

The average scores for female, white, and black students increased significantly.

# In grade 4 reading, Missouri students posted an average scale score of 221, which is unchanged from 2005, and nearly identical to the national average (220).

32% of fourth-graders were "proficient" or above, which is unchanged from 2005 and nearly identical to the national scores (31%).

# In grade 8 reading, Missouri students posted an average scale score of 263, which was not significantly different than 2005 (265) and about the same as the national average (261).

31% of eighth-graders were proficient or above in reading, the same as in 2005 and above this year’s national average (29%).

Miss Medlock offers weekly update from Russia

Greetings friends!
In some ways this has been a very momentous week. In others, it has felt very normal.
Major events this week:

* I started work. Right now I have 6 classes spread out through the week. Each class is two hours. Teaching, as always, is frustrating and fun and exciting and annoying and very, very familiar. It has been nice to be doing something again that I know. However, the students here have something that the students in America didn't. They can all speak a language that I can't. They have enjoyed this, and I'm fairly certain have been using this to their advantage. But as a whole, they are motivated. I have learned teenagers are teenagers everywhere.
* I met with Masha. Masha is a Russian college student at the Christian university. She is going to be tutoring me this year. It was good to begin this study. It was also good to begin to develop a friendship.

Struggles this week

* The first week of school has had many frustrations. I didn't find out my classes until the night before I started teaching. I still don't have my materials yet. One night I was told I was teaching two classes. I had begun walking home when the director called me and told me I had another class. I quickly came back and had to teach a third class until 10. I had only made copies for two classes. I survived all of this, but it has been frustrating.

Victories this week:

* Despite all the frustrations, I have survived my first week of teaching. It is nice to have a schedule and begin a daily routine.
* This week I have ventured more out on my own, exploring the neighborhood that I am living in.

Daily walk

* I am still memorizing 1 Peter.
* I am also reading a book entitled Devotional Classics. Tomorrow several friends from America will call me and we will discuss a chapter. These "meetings" are a wonderful blessing.

Ahead this week:

* Tomorrow Masha is going to show me around the city. We are going to use this as an opportunity for me to practice the language.
* If John is able to make it to the bible study on Sunday, we will discuss starting the English Club

Prayer concerns:

* Pray that I will be able to establish good relationships with my students. Pray that I will be an effective teacher and an effective witness of Christ's love.
* Pray for John and me as we establish this English Club. I'm not sure what God has in store for this.
* Pray for the church. Pray that the believers will be encouraged daily in their faith.
* Pray that I won't allow myself to become discouraged by not knowing the language, health problems, are anything else that comes my way. I know better than to be discouraged, but it is still a fight that I have to face. I think I can say honestly, it is a fight I have winning this week. This morning as I was praying I asked God "Why am I here?" I read a quote in a book by Richard Foster about the church. He referred to not the establishments but to communities of comfort, fellowships of faith and liberation, places where people grew in faith and love. It was clear to me as I read this that this is not only why I am here in Russia, but why you are where you are. We are all "here" to establish such communities.

Grace and peace.
Sheri

Comments have to be moderated

I apologize to readers who saw some disgusting remarks and obscenities placed in the comment section on one of the stories. I had thought I had turned comment moderation on, but obviously I had not.
It is now turned on, and no comments will be allowed on the site until they have been approved by me. Again, I apologize for the comments that were made. I would have hoped that students at South would have better judgment (and I know that most of them do).

Randy Turner

Neugebauer is new eighth grade math teacher

By RAYCEE THOMPSON and
ALEX KANGETHE
Room 210 Staff Writers

Did you know that one of our new teachers at South Middle School was born two months early? He is the same teacher who grew up outside of Denver,Colorado.
Growing up he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and loved to snowboard. He went to college at Ozark Christian College in Joplin and also went to Missouri Southern State College and earned a bachelor's degree. He was a student teacher at Carl Junction last spring. This is his first time being a full time teacher. Can you guess who we are talking about?
The name you are looking for is Mr. Brian Neugebauer. The reason he went into teaching is because he enjoys middle school age students and he loves math. "I was thinking about teaching social studies, but I prefer math."
So far Mr. Neugebauer enjoys teaching at South Middle School. He said he is excited to be here, and he's looking forward to the rest of the school year.

Ms. Medlock: update from Russia

(Note: Ms. Sheri Medlock, former SMS eighth grade reading teacher is now teaching in Russia and is sending weekly updates.)

Greetings!

Big Events of the last week:

* Sunday we had Bible Study and an English lesson at the Wolfes. It was very good to fellowship with my Russian brothers and sisters.
* Tuesday the Wolfes and I went to the main English First office. We had to sign our contracts and fill out paperwork for our visa renewals. My visa expires September 29.

Struggles this week:

* The major struggle was finding an apartment. I looked at several, each with something that made it impossible for me to live there.
* I have had some problems getting use to all the walking here. This is something that will take sometime for my body to get use to it.

Victories this week:

* I found an apartment! I move in today!

Relationships:

* The time I have had living at the Wolfes has been wonderful. I am very thankful for the opportunity to get to know them better.

Daily Walk:

* I am still in 1 Peter.

Ahead this week:

* Today I move in.
* I will be talking to my supervisor at the school about what classes I will be teaching.
* Monday I start work.

Prayer:

* I am meeting with a college student, Masha, who needs a roommate. Though she can't pay much rent, she would be able to give me Russian lessons and act as a translator. There are pros and cons to this arrangement. Pray that we will make a wise decision for both of us.
* Please pray for my new students who I will soon be meeting. Pray that I will be an effective teacher and an accurate portrayal of Christ.
* Pray my health can adjust to the amount of walking I am doing regularly here.

Thank you for all your prayers. I love getting your e-mails.
Sheri

First lockdown drill held at SMS

By SARAH PHILLIPS
Room 210 Staff Writer

South Middle School was safely locked down in one minute and thirty seconds during the school's lockdown drill Aug. 30.
As recently as last year, SMS Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell said, he didn't think it was important
to do the lockdown drill, but his opinions changed thanks to he actions of a seventh grader at Memorial Middle School last October.
"Ever since Thomas White brought a gun to Memorial Middle School, we've seen reason to worry about safety. This is the first lockdown drill we've had in a few years."
Overall, Mr. Mitchell thought things went well.
The lockdown drill was one of four held at the school during the first three weeks. Two fire drills and a tornado drill were also held.
"We are required to have two fire drills, one lockdown drill, and one
tornado drill in the first weeks of school," Mr. Mitchell said. "We know everyone hates fire drills, but we are required to have 10 fire drills a year. Last year we didn't have a tornado drill until the spring, but this year it was required."
All 19 schools in the district are required to have all these drills. Even private schools have to follow city ordinances.
"We practice these drills so that you'll be able to know how to react in situations like these!"

Football season starts Tuesday

By SARAH PHILLIPS
Room 210 Staff Writer

The Joplin North/South football season opens 5:30 p.m. Tuesday with the seventh grade playing host to Webb City. The eighth grade will do the same 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Members of this year's seventh grade team are:
Jared Bader, Evan Bass, Hollis Cady, Conley Bellamy, Brayden Bunch, Ethan Bryan, Chelie Cook, Cody Cooper, Nick Duke, Chad Ellis, Justin Fleming, Garret Gilbert, Jack Hardy, Josh Hudson, Abe Hueller, Ricky Hutchinson, Keith Inscore, Hank Millard, Hunter Mills, Damien Mitchell, Mallakal Mounce, Dominique Michael, Kaleb Owens, Matt Parsons, Johnny Presley, Jacob Pittman, Kermith Rever, Stefan Rick, Thomas Richins, Brandon Ross, Tyler Russell, Gabe Sachetta, Brock Smiley, C. D. Smith, Blake Sneed, Adam St. Peter, Joshua Stewart, Shane Striegel, Andrew Swadley, Robert Sweeton, Sam Taylor, Tucker Wallace, Tristan Weathers, Rex Whisner.
Seventh grade coaches are Mr. Kasey Pliler and Mr. Mike Wallace.
Eighth grade players and coaches will be featured later on Room 210 News.

Remaining games on the schedule are:

Seventh Grade

Tuesday, Sept. 18- Nevada at Joplin
Tuesday, Sept. 25- Joplin at Memorial
Tuesday, Oct. 2- Joplin at Carl Junction
Tuesday, Oct. 9- Joplin at Carthage
Tuesday, Oct. 16- McDonald County at Joplin

Eighth Grade

Thursday, Sept. 20- Nevada at Joplin
Thursday, Sept. 27- Joplin at Memorial
Thursday, Oct. 4- Joplin at Carl Junction
Thursday, Oct. 11- Joplin at Carthage
Thursday, Oct. 18- McDonald County at Joplin

Unsats to be mailed out next Friday

BY RAYCEE THOMPSON
Room 210 Staff Writer

Unsatisfactory notices will be mailed out a week from today, Friday, Sept. 14, at South Middle School.

"If you get an unsatisfactory, you better notice and get your grade
up!" said Ms. Sue Macy, secretary, who is responsible for sending out the notices.. Anyone who has an D or an F will receive one.
These notices are for parents so they can find out what is going on
with their children and help them get their grades up. So remember to get
your grade up before the end of the quarter!

First fundraiser ends Monday

BY SARAH KESSLER
Room 210 Staff Writer
The school year has begun, and with it, so have the fundraisers. Fundraisers provide an opportunity for students to pitch in and help their school raise money. The current fundraiser at South Middle School started Aug. 24 and will end Sept. 10.
Students are encouraged to sell items out of a magazine full of holiday goodies and other items. Students are also rewarded for selling these products. For example, if you sell 15 items, then you get to take a ride in a limo! Some students sell only to their friends and family, while others take the "door to door" approach. If you go door to door when you sell these items, it is a good idea to take a parent with you.
All the money made from this fundraiser is to be spent on things the students at SMS will enjoy. Some of these things include hoodies, t-shirts, snacks for TA winners, and MAP parties at the end of the year. In the past, funds gained from this fundraiser have been spent on new basketball goals and playground balls. This year support South Middle School and participate in the fundraiser!

First weeks of school have gone smoothly

The first weeks of the 2007-2008 school year have gone smoothly, Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell told the South Middle School faculty during meetings before and after school today.

(Room 210 Photo by Sarah Kessler)

Fox Navarre to appear in Stone's Throw production

Former South Middle School student Cheyla "Fox" Navarre has a leading role in the Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre performance of The Fantasticks, scheduled to begin this Thursday in Carthage.
Miss Navarre, is a sophomore at Joplin High School. She has appeared in numerous Stone's Throw productions in the past.

Doors open for the evening performances at 6 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Sundays, the doors open at 12:30 p.m., dinner begins at 1 p.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m.

Admission is $20 for ages 17-54; $19 for those over 55; $17 for those under 16 and free for those ages 5 and under.

For reservations and information, call 358-9665 or 358-7268. Paid reservations are always required.

Former South student featured in Joplin Globe

The beginning of school found one of South Middle School's former leading lights, Lindsey Hamm, on page one of the Joplin Globe.
Miss Hamm, now a senior at Joplin High School, was featured in a back-to-school photo. She attended South Middle School from 2001 to 2004.