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Weekly Memo for Students and Parents - 11.30.25

Posted Date: 11/30/25 (05:00 PM)


Joplin High School Memo

Students and Parents Weekly Communication

November 30, 2025
Portrait of a Graduate
 

Message from the Principal

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 over the Thanksgiving break.

We had a great couple days of school this week! In this week's edition of The Weekly Memo, you will learn about staff members Mr. Jeremy Finley and Ms. Bethany Shultz.

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 Thanksgiving, I would like to let you know how thankful our Eagle Family is for all of you! During this time of thanks, please remember to WORK HARD, BE KIND, and GO EAGLES!

Your Proud Principal,
Dr. Oliver 
 

Teacher Spotlight #1

Mr. Jeremy Finley

Jeremy Finley serves as a Foundations of Technical Science and Explorations of Technical Science in FTC, helping students build hands-on skills in shop and graphic design. He is celebrating 20 years in education. His teaching journey began in Cherryvale, Kansas, where he started as an ISS teacher and coached wrestling and football. From there, he moved to Carl Junction, where he taught shop, coached girls golf, and served as head wrestling coach for a decade. Eight years ago, Jeremy joined Joplin High School as head wrestling coach and has been teaching and mentoring students ever since. This year marks his first in 20 years not coaching a sport—a well-deserved breather after two decades of guiding athletes.

Originally from Chanute, Kansas, Jeremy now lives in Galena after recently relocating from Jay, Oklahoma. Family life keeps him on the go with his two daughters, Regina (6th grade) and Emma (4th grade), who attend Carl Junction and stay active in just about every sport and activity imaginable. When he’s not teaching, Jeremy enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing golf. These days, most weekends revolve around supporting his daughters—spending Saturdays at cheer competitions and Sundays on the softball field. Looking to the future, Jeremy dreams of embracing “lake life”—spending his days outdoors, relaxing by the water.
 

Teacher Spotlight #2

Ms. Bethany Shultz

For 13 years, Bethany Shultz has been sharing her love of math with students at Joplin High School serving in the Math department. With both parents in education—her mom an English teacher and her dad an administrator—teaching was always in her blood. She initially fell in love with math while tutoring in college and realized she could combine her passion for problem-solving with her family’s legacy of education. Bethany holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Mathematics. Before joining JHS, she spent five years as a graduate assistant at Pittsburg State University, where she taught college algebra and honed her teaching craft. 

Originally from Baxter Springs, Kansas, Bethany later moved and graduated from Southeast High School, where her dad served as superintendent. She and her husband, Jeremy—her high school sweetheart—have been married for 13 years and still live in the Kansas area. They have two sons: Noah, a senior at Riverton High School, and Jude, a fourth grader at Kelsey Norman.

Outside the classroom, Bethany’s life is full of family, pets, and outdoor adventures. She and her family have a dog, two cats, and even raise chickens and bees—producing their own honey. They enjoy camping, canoeing, and kayaking whenever possible. With Jeremy serving in the military reserves, their schedule is always full, but they make the most of every moment together. Looking ahead, Bethany dreams of retiring by the lake, spending time with family, and continuing her honey-making hobby. While her sons might cringe when she talks about future grandbabies, she’s already looking forward to spoiling them someday—and enjoying a well-earned retirement surrounded by nature.
 

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.
Finals Exemption Flow Chart
 

Annual Performance Report Information

Joplin Schools 2025 Annual Performance Report Highlights
 

Student and Parent Reminders

National English Honor Society Fudraiser

WHERE: Chipotle

WHEN: December 10th

TIME: 4:00 - 8:00 PM

WHY: 20% of Event Sales Donated to JHS NEHS
 
I would like to give a shout out to the following people:

I would like to give a shout out to the following people:

The Fusion Leaders and Mr. Brad Cox for the Grateful Feast. This is another reminder for our 9th graders of how important grades are. Thank you for continuing to instill in our Freshman how important grades are at JHS. Thank you Fusion Leaders and Mr. Cox.

To FTC Teachers for welcoming 150 Middle School students into their programs for 7th Graders Go To Work. This is one EXCELLENT way to help students understand what our Career Academies are all about! Thank you FTC Teachers for opening the eyes of our youngest secondary students!
 

Bell Schedule This Week and Important Upcoming Dates

Bell Schedule This Week

Monday, December 1, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, December 5, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule
 
Important Upcoming Dates

Important Upcoming Dates

December
1 - Fire Drill - 5th Hour
2 - The Gauntlet - Freshman Fusion Activity (During Lunch)
5 - Senior Potential F Grades Sheet is Due
10 - EOC Testing
11 - EOC Testing
10 - Block Day - Odd
11 - Block Day - Even - Order of Hours (2nd, 6th, 4th, Transitions)
16 - Site Council Meeting - Black Box - 7:30 AM
18 - Odd Hour Finals - FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
19 - Even Hour Finals - 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL
19 - Semester Grades Due
Dec 20 - Jan 5 - NO SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK

January
5 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Professional Development Day for STAFF
6 - 1st Day of Second Semester
7 - Block Day - ODD Schedule - 1-3-5-7
8 - All School Boys Basketball Game - EVEN Schedule
13 - Lock Down Drill - 3rd Hour
13 - All School Wrestling Match - Regular Schedule
14 - Fire Drill / Reverse Evacuation - 2nd Hour
15 - Tornado Drill - 1st Hour
19 - No School - Martin Luther King Jr Day
20 - Site Council - Black Box - 7:30 AM
21 - SIT Team Meeting - All Day - 2 Sessions
22 - FTC Sophomore Tours - BLOCK SCHEDULE - ODD - (During World History
23 - FTC Sophomore Tours - BLOCK SCHEDULE - EVEN - (During World History)
 

Virtual Enrollment

Joplin Virtual Enrollment for Spring Semester

Dates of Enrollment - November 17 - December 12

Contact: 417.680.5123

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.

 
Counseling Department Info - JHS

Counselor's Corner

FAFSA Update - College Bound Students

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.
 
COUNSELORS BY ALPHABET:
Students are assigned to counselors by the student’s last name:

A-Cr - Ms. Amanda Rich amandarich@joplinschools.org 
Cs-Hi - Ms. Julie Russell julierussell@joplinschools.org 
Hj-Mi - Ms. Jessica Holt jessicaholt@joplinschools.org 
Mj-Sh - Ms. Morgan Ramsey morganramsey@joplinschools.org 
Si-Z - Ms. Jennifer Hancock jenniferhancock@joplinschools.org 
A+, Dual Credit, and Associates Degree Coordinator - Ms. Kellie Bowman kelliebowman@joplinschools.org
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.” – Ernest Dimnet