Good Afternoon Joplin High School Eagles Family! I hope you all have had an awesome week and have gotten to spend some quality time with those you love this weekend.
We had another AWESOME week of school, and as we head toward Thanksgiving, I hope you are as thankful as I am for the staff we surround your student with each and every day. They are selfless, dedicated, and all about student success. In this edition of the Weekly Memo, you will learn about two of those staff members Mr. David Smith and Ms. Logan Ross.
If there is anything you ever need, please feel free to call me at 417.625.5230 or email me at randyoliver@joplinschools.org. As we make our way toward parent-teacher conferences, please remember to WORK HARD, BE KIND, and GO EAGLES!
Your Proud Principal,
Dr. Oliver
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Student Spotlight - - - A CHAMPION AMONGST US - Senior, Ava Doll
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David Smith is part of FTC here at JHS and specifically works down in the B1 cave with Broadcasting and productions. Before joining JHS, Mr. Smith spent 13 years in radio and television, wearing just about every hat imaginable — from morning announcer to production director. He later transitioned to TV, working as a producer for the morning news at KSN and the Living Well show in the afternoons (where he first met Brad Douglas— who later recruited him to JHS!).
Mr. Smith joined the JHS team in 2021, and this marks his 5th year inspiring students through media and storytelling. He currently teaches Intro to Audio Production, Audio Engineering, and Film Production through FTC. Next year, he’s hoping to launch JET HD Production Services, a senior capstone course that will take student learning to the next level — producing professional-quality coverage of school events from orchestra concerts to basketball games.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Smith has been married to his wife Lanette for 24 years. She’s also an educator, teaching English at Webb City Junior High. Together, they have three amazing kids: Elijah, 21 and a Senior at MSU majoring in Theater Education, Lacie, 19 FTC Early Childhood alum and Behavioral Specialist at JEC and Katie, 18 a senior at Webb City with dreams of majoring in Art and Business.
If you’ve ever visited Mr. Smith’s classroom, you know he proudly owns his title as a “big nerd” — with Star Wars memorabilia and superhero gear filling the space. Each fall, he brings that same creative energy to the community as a professional santa. You’ll catch him in holiday commercials, parades, and professional photos. He’s the creator and performer behind “Evening in Kringle City” at the Cornelsen Center — a true holiday favorite!
Looking ahead, Mr. Smith hopes to continue his Santa career, travel with Lanette after she retires, and spend time visiting their kids and maybe future grandkids — enjoying the next chapters of life together.
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Logan Ross serves as one of our Math teachers here at JHS! This is her 6th year here teaching overall and all at Joplin. Originally from Walnut Grove, Logan attended Missouri State University. A third-degree black belt, Ms. Ross started martial arts when she was just 6 or 7 years old and continued until COVID hit. It was actually teaching martial arts that led her to develop a passion for teaching. Although her original major didn’t quite feel like the right fit, she realized that teaching did — so she combined her love for both and found her perfect path in Math education.
After college, she moved to this area to be with her husband, Lucas, a police officer in Kansas who’s originally from Baxter Springs. Together they have an 8-month-old daughter, Madeleine, and love spending time as a family. The rest of her family still lives back in Walnut Grove, keeping her small-town roots close to her heart.
When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Ross enjoys all things crafty — from stained glass to handmade creations. You might find her and Lucas out on the disc golf course or playing a friendly game of pickleball. She’s also an avid reader and recently is into Sarah J. Maas if you are looking for a recommendation. And if you ask her about her future dreams? She’ll tell you she wants to be that “old lady at craft fairs” — selling her handmade goods, traveling around, and simply enjoying life surrounded by creativity and community.
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QUALITY ATTENDANCE - Exempt From Finals |
Below, you will find a flow chart that explains the process for determining Quality Attendance at JHS. We define quality attendance as 93% Attendance Rate or higher. If a student has a 93% attendance rate or higher, they may be exempt from finals.
Please keep in mind, for this exemption, 93% is 93% attendance rate, factoring out all absences. In other words medical appointments is counted as an absence. It is not a punishment if a student has to take the finals if the student doesn't reach 93%. It is a reward for those students who earned a 93% attendance rate for the entire semester.
Further, remember that some advanced, AP, and/or Dual Credit classes may have a REQUIRED final.
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Senior Student, Miss Ava Doll for winning the MSHSAA State Title in Cross Country. Your drive and dedication to your sport is amazing. She is our first cross country state champion for Joplin High School. Way to go, Ava! We are all so proud of you!
Mr. Brad Cox, Ms. Amber Travis, Ms. Cara Clark, Dr. Chris Young, and Mr. Sean Woods presenting to our staff during PD last Monday. One of the hardest things to do is get up in front of your peers and present new and exciting strategies to use in the classroom. Thank you for being willing to provide our staff to learn from you! The day was amazing, based on many feedback comments we received.
Mr. David Lynn for diffusing a situation between two students after school this week. Having the courage to step in is greatly appreciated Mr. Lynn.
Ms. Erika Blank and Ms. Julie McCain, as they were chosen as our Staff Members of the Month. Thank you for all you do for our students, staff, and school, Ms. Blank and Ms. McCain. Congratulations!
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Bell Schedule This Week and Important Upcoming Dates |
Monday, November 10, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Thursday, November 13, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, November 14, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
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November
11 - Veteran's Day
11 - Lockdown Drill - 6th Hour
12 - ASVAB Testing For Juniors - ROI S WOOD CAMPUS
18 - Site Council Meeting - 7:30 AM - Location TBD
18 - ASVAB Testing For Juniors - 9:00 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 - 3:00 PM - Gym 3
19 - ASVAB Testing For Juniors - 9:00 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 - 3:00 PM - Gym 3
20 - ASVAB Testing For Juniors - 9:00 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 - 3:00 PM - Gym 3
24 - Grateful Feast - Freshman Fusion Activity - Gym 3 (During Lunch Periods)
26 - 28 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
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Senior Class of 2026 Info |
Attention Seniors and Senior Parents / Guardians, please see the link below. This will take you to some timely information for all Seniors in the Class of 2026.
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Dear Students and Families,
We’re excited to share that the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now open at fafsa.gov.
Completing the FAFSA form is a key to accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid that can help cover the cost of college or career training. We strongly encourage all students to complete the form as soon as possible.
Start your FAFSA form now: FAFSA.gov
The earlier you apply, the better your chances of maximizing aid.
If you need help or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor or college.
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ASVAB DATES FOR JUNIORS BY LAST NAME:
Tuesday, November 18th:
- A–C — 9:00–11:30
- D–G — 12:30–3:00
Wednesday, November 19th:
- H–K — 9:00–11:30
- L–P — 12:30–3:00
Thursday, November 20th:
- Q–T — 9:00–11:30
- U–Z — 12:30–3:00
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COUNSELORS BY ALPHABET:
Students are assigned to counselors by the student’s last name:
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“Nothing we ever imagined is beyond our powers, only beyond our present self-knowledge” – Theodore Roszak
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