PTO holds first meeting of 2010-2011 school year

The Joplin East Middle School PTO held its first meeting of the 2010-2011 school year Thursday night in the library.

Principal Mr. Bud Sexson gave an update on the opening of school, the district's Bright Futures program, the clothes closet, the school newsletter, the upcoming magazine drive, the new PBS (Positive Behavior Support) program, and the Encore program.

PTO President Mrs. Lucretia Huffman conducted the meeting. Meetings will be held 5:45 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the library.

East Middle School PBS works on improving lunch room behavior

As part of East Middle School's PBS (Positive Behavior Support) program, drama teacher Ms. Lara Stamper presents a lesson during the first week of school on proper lunch room behavior:

Cheerleading squad prepares for busy year

Volleyball team prepares for first match

Football practice underway

2010-2011 school year begins at East

The first day of classes for the 2010-2011 school year was held Wednesday at East Middle School. For most of the first day, students learned teachers' rules and classroom procedures. The first full week of school begins Monday.

Large crowd attends EMS Open House

Parents and students filled the halls of East Middle School Tuesday night for Open House.

Students were able to pick up their schedules and parents met with teachers to find out what supplies their children would need and what would be taking place in their classes.

More videos from the Talent Show

In the accompanying videos, eighth grade history teacher Mr. Rocky Biggers and eighth graders Cayley Hardison, Kenya Schmidt, and Mackenzie Shamblin perform during the talent show Friday, May 28.

Job Fair held at East Middle School

East Middle School eighth graders had an opportunity to learn about various occupations during a job fair May 5.

Fifth and sixth hour classes were canceled and the students went to 20-minute sessions with representatives from three job. The placement of the students was based on forms they filled out earlier in the year.

Citizens of the Year named during Awards Assembly

By LAELA ZAIDI and

CELESTE GRAVES

Editors

Citizen of the Year awards were presented during the Awards Assembly Friday, May 28, in the auditorium.

Those receiving were the awards were sixth graders Logan Whitehead and Justin Shyker; seventh graders Ashley Youngblood and Ethan Crider, and eighth graders Haleigh Hawkins and Oswaldo Gomez.

Reception held for Jean Williams

Longtime East Middle School secretary Jean Williams, who is retiring, was honored with a reception following the close of school Friday, May 28.

Goodbye, Mr. Mitchell

By KAYLA JOHNSON
Staff Writer

Our dear beloved principal, Mr. Ron Mitchell is leaving to become principal at Lamar High School.

The times we have had with our principal will never be forgotten. He puts a smile on all of our faces and he will do the same thing at Lamar. It all started when he decided to become a principal.

As a teacher he was able to reach 25 students, but as a principal, he gets to educate all students.

He has been our principal, first at South, then at East, for nine years. and we have had so many memorable times, especially the reading promotions. He has dressed like a cheerleader, danced to "Thriller," had his legs waxed and his head buffed, and this year, dressed in a pink gown with a blonde wig, all to encourage students to read books.

We will all miss Mr. Mitchell, but we wish him happiness and good luck in Lamar.

(Photo: Mr. Mitchell with Mrs. Jean Williams and Ms. Sue Macy at a surprise celebration at El Charro's Friday, May 21. The accompanying videos are from the same event.)

Drama class performs at talent show

Teachers win annual competition with quiz bowl team

The teachers' team pulled away in the second half to defeat the seventh and eighth grade quiz bowl team during an assembly Wednesday in the school auditorium.

The teacher team included Mr. Rocky Biggers, Mrs. Angel Mense, Mr. Mike Wallace, Mr. Brian Neugebauer, Ms. Areke Worku, and Mr. Jarrett Cook.

Playing for the quiz bowl team were Drew Cox, Laela Zaidi, Jaired Collins, Celeste Graves, Megan Walls, Kenya Schmidt, Rylee Hartwick, Evan Blue, Hannah Huffman, Alexis White, and Alexis Gifford.

In the preliminary match a different group of teachers defeated the sixth grade quiz bowl team.

Taryn Parker performs during Talent Show

Jordyn Ganes rocks the show

Communication arts, writing, journalism awards presented

Awards for top students in communication arts, writing, quiz bowl, and journalism were presented by Mr. Randy Turner during the Talent Show/Awards Assembly Friday at East Middle School:

Top Communication Arts students- Cayley Hardison, Ian O'Flaherty
Top Writers- Chanci McGowen, Katey Rhodes, Nicole Walker
Top Researchers- Celeste Graves, Taryn Parker, Adison Wright
Most Improved Writer- Mikayela Richey
Outstanding Achievement in Quiz Bowl- Drew Cox
Outstanding Achievement in Journalism Club- Laela Zaidi
Outstanding Achievement in Writing- Madeline Webber

Courtney Huggins presented Mr. Ron Mitchell with the Inspirational Principal award, while Taryn Parker presented Mrs. Kim Frencken with the Most Inspirational Teacher Award.

Neugebauer, Weaver make bid for stardom in teacher skit

The annual teacher skit/dance was a highlight of the Talent Show/Awards Assembly today with star-marking turns by eighth grade math teacher Mr. Brian Neugabauer and seventh grade reading teacher Mrs. Linda Weaver.

(Video work and information provided for Talent Show/Awards Assembly by Jaired Collins, Celeste Graves, and Laela Zaidi)

Kim Frencken named most inspirational teacher

Sixth grade block teacher Mrs. Kim Frencken was named Most Inspirational Teacher at East Middle School during the Awards Assembly/Talent Show today. The award was presented by her former student, eighth grader Taryn Parker, who wrote the paper nominating Mrs. Frencken for the honor.

Mrs. Frencken is the first teacher at East Middle School to receive the honor, which began three years ago at the old South Middle School. Previous winners at South were Mr. Rocky Biggers, Ms. Kathy Weaver, and Ms. Debbie Moore.

Drama class puts on final production

The drama class, under the direction of Ms. Lara Stamper, put on its final performance of the 2009-2010 school year Monday during seventh hour.

The production, "Snow Yellow" was a parody on the famous fairy tale.