Good Afternoon Joplin High School Eagles Family!

First and foremost, Happy New Year! I cannot believe the second semester is upon us. During the winter break, I hope you all have been able to spend some quality time with those you love, and have been able to re-charge the battery.

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 start the second semester, I would like to remind our students to WORK HARD, BE KIND, and GO EAGLES!

Your Proud Principal,

Dr. Oliver 

We would like to shout out the following people:

Ms. Bethany Shultz, Ms. Karisa Boyer, Ms. Misti Ard, Ms. Tarryn Gilbert, and Ms. Cara Clark for the work they completed over the break preparing for the PD Day for our staff. Thank you Ms. Shultz, Ms. Boyer, Ms. Ard, Ms. Gilbert, and Ms. Clark. We appreciate your willingness to put in extra time for the benefit of our school, staff, and most of all, our students' success.

Ms. Lindsay DeWelt and Mr. Craig Gullett for all their work on the All-School Basketball Games. Thank you for creating unforgettable experiences for our students, Ms. DeWelt and Mr. Gullett.

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.

If you, or your student, needs to make a schedule correction for 2nd semester, there will be a "Schedule Correction Form" posted to the students' canvas. The form will be available Tuesday and Wednesday. Again, it is only for a correction to a schedule. When second semester starts we send out a Google Form for Schedule "Corrections". Schedule Corrections will occur when the student doesn't have a class every hour, the student has already taken the class, or they need a different level of the class. Students must complete the Google Form on Tuesday or Wednesday of the 2nd semester.

This opportunity is open to students in grades 9 through 12.

 

The contest invites students to explore an ethical dilemma they have personally faced and apply the Rotary Four Way Test as a framework for decision making. As outlined in the attached manual, the speech should address each of the following questions:

 

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

Students will prepare a 5–7 minute speech, record it using a cell phone or school video resources, and submit the video link along with the required application and consent forms. Local Rotary members will review submissions using the standardized judging criteria included in the manual.

 

Cash prizes are awarded for the top three speeches at the local level in the following amounts:

1st place: $300.00

2nd place: $150.00

3rd place: $75.00

 

Following the local competition, the top three finalists will be invited to Joplin High School to have their speeches professionally recorded. These recordings will be submitted to the District 6110 Four Way Test Speech Contest, where a new panel of judges will review and score each entry. From this round of evaluation, the District will determine the top three grand prize recipients. The District Champion receives a $1,000 cash award, and each runner-up receives $350.

Detailed rules, instructions, and examples can be found in the attached Four Way Test Speech Contest General Information.

11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026

Videos and forms should be emailed to: 4WaySpeech@mssu.edu

If you or your students have any questions, I would be more than happy to assist. You’re welcome to contact me directly at Castell-B@mssu.edu or 417-434-7884.

 

Feb. 2-13, 2026 (Exact date TBD) at Joplin High School

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.

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