Good Afternoon Joplin High School Eagles Family!

We had another outstanding week at JHS. I am so excited to see all the teaching and learning occurring every day. Can you believe it is already March? Time flies when you are having fun!

If there is anything you ever need, please feel free to call me at 417.625.5230 or email me at randyoliver@joplinschools.org. I would like to remind our students as we head for Spring Break in a couple weeks to WORK HARD, BE KIND, and GO EAGLES!

Your Proud Principal,

Dr. Oliver 

Meet Mrs. Karisa Boyer, a true JHS original who is celebrating her 24th year at Joplin High School. A proud JHS graduate from the Class of 1997, Mrs. Boyer has dedicated her entire teaching career to Joplin (even if it’s been in 4 different “buildings”). 

Mrs. Boyer teaches Dual Credit Biology Research, Intro to Health Occupations, Biology, and Advanced Biology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Missouri Southern, originally thinking she might work at a zoo or become a veterinarian. In fact, she was offered a position at the Tulsa Zoo at the same time she was offered a full-time para position at Cecil Floyd. Faced with two very different paths, she chose education and Joplin has benefited ever since. She later earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Missouri State University and went on to complete a Master’s in Biology from Pittsburg State University. In addition to teaching at JHS, she also serves as an adjunct instructor for Crowder College and Missouri Southern, continuing to expand opportunities for students.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Boyer loves to travel, read, and collect Dr Pepper memorabilia. Her love of Dr Pepper started in childhood, her mom collected antiques, her sister collected Coca-Cola items, and Mrs. Boyer decided she needed her own thing. She now attends other Dr Pepper Collectors at the Dr Pepper convention in Waco, Texas, where Dr Pepper originated. (Fun fact: Dr Pepper is one year older than Coca-Cola.)

Family is incredibly important to her. She and her husband, Waylon, who is a talented handyman and has flipped homes in Florida for years, are serious pet parents. They have two Mini Aussies named Sam and Dean, a nod to the show Supernatural. The pups even require a minivan for travel. She is very close with her mom and proudly embraces her role as a full-time aunt to her six nieces and nephews. Looking ahead, Mrs. Boyer dreams of retiring somewhere warm year-round, possibly in the Fort Myers, Florida area, enjoying sunshine, travel, and a slower pace of life.

Starting in January 2026, all Joplin High School students will have the opportunity to receive dedicated, in-school support services to help them Level Up their academic success in the classes and subjects they need it most. Level Up options will fill the former Transitions period, and will be offered every day of the week.

Level Up is designed to help students improve grades, build skills, and stay on track for graduation before small problems become large obstacles. The time is focused on individual growth and success, not punishment. We understand that everyone needs support sometimes, even when the grade card shows an A or a B, and Level Up is designed to meet those needs right in the middle of the school day, without asking students to come early or stay late for tutoring. The goal is effectively to help students take ownership of their own learning so they can Level Up their academics.

This is a 30-minute session that provides focused help on a SPECIFIC LEARNING STANDARD. Students will work with a teacher to relearn, practice, and retest to master a specific standard in a specific content area.

This is 30 minutes of structured time for students who have a D or an F to work with a teacher to improve their grades, complete missing work, retake assessments, and get help.

This is a 30-minute reward period for students who are meeting expectations and mastering standards as expected. Students can choose from a variety of non-classroom locations to socialize, get ahead on work, read, or relax.

On April 7, Joplin voters will decide on the Eagle Bond—a community-driven plan to improve elementary schools and create safe, healthy spaces for students across the district.

This bond puts kids first, strengthens our schools, and does not raise the school tax rate.

For more information about the No-Tax Increase Bond Issue, please click HERE. The website will provide you all the information to make an informed decision on April 7th.

I sent an e-mail to all students who will be 18+ on the day of the election (April 7, 2026) giving them instructions on how to register to vote. Students who fall into this category, please check your school e-mail for information.

Jasper County Clerk’s Office 302 S. Main, Room 103 Carthage, MO 64836 417-358-0413 

OR

Jasper County Clerk’s Office 633 S. Pearl Room 198 Joplin, MO 64801 

417-625-4307 

https://www.jaspercountymo.gov/county-clerk 

Register on-line at: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register 

You can also click the QR Code in order to register to vote.

Please nominate a teacher for this year's Golden Apple Awards, hosted by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce! Nominations are open from Monday, Feb. 9 through 5pm Monday, March 9 at https://joplincc.com/goldenapple/. Nominations must be accompanied by a parent and student letter of recommendation. 

This local program works to recognize PreK-12th grade teachers from public and private schools in Joplin. They are looking to celebrate teachers who demonstrate the ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to reach their full potential. We have amazing teachers who do this every day, and it means the world to them to be nominated by their students. Nominate early and often to help us celebrate our amazing teachers!

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.

Senior Stuff: February Info

Link for Class of 2026 Graduates to Apply for Scholarships:

Every year thousands of dollars of scholarship money is awarded to JHS seniors for their post-high school plans. Now is the time to begin checking the JHS Scholarship website and get those applications in! The dates listed on the site are the due dates, but start early and get those applications in NOW! 

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” –John Dewey