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? The Madness as we head for Spring Break is upon us. There will not be a memo next Sunday, as it will be Spring Break. The next weekly memo you will receive will be March 22, 2026.

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. Teresa Morris, one of our Spanish teachers at JHS. She began her teaching career in 2005, spending three years teaching 1st grade, two years teaching 2nd grade, and then 14 years as an EL teacher at the elementary level. After many years in elementary education, she was ready for something new and made the move to high school, joining the JHS team. This is her second year at Joplin High School, where she teaches Spanish I and Spanish II.

Mrs. Morris graduated from Miami High School in Oklahoma and comes from a family with strong roots in Mexico. Her dad worked at a broom factory in Miami, Oklahoma before eventually opening his own broom business, and the entire family would help out in the garage. Those moments built some strong memories and sense of family that she still carries today. Her dream of becoming a teacher began early. When she would visit cousins in Mexico during the summer, she would teach them English using an easel, and those moments inspired her. From then on, she knew she wanted to become a teacher herself.

Mrs. Morris’s path into education was non-traditional. She started a family first, later attending school to earn her degree. She graduated from Pittsburg State University and is currently finishing her Master’s degree, which she will complete this July. She also holds a cosmetology license and first worked in schools as a para in Oklahoma before becoming a certified teacher.

Family is at the center of Mrs. Morris’s life. She and her husband, Ralph, who works for FedEx, have two children. Her son Clayton, who turns 30 this month, works for a traveling lineman company, which takes him all over the country. Her daughter Isabella (21) lives in Miami, Oklahoma. Outside of school, Mrs. Morris enjoys relaxing with movies on her iPad, shopping (she admits she has three closets full of stuff due to this said passion), and hosting gatherings for family and friends by the pool.

With about four years left before retirement, Mrs. Morris plans to take some well-deserved time to relax and enjoy the scenery for the first six months. After that, she may look for a way to stay involved in education somewhere in Oklahoma or Kansas, since she lives right on the tri-state border.

Meet Ms. Charity Goode, a familiar and caring presence at JHS who has dedicated 23 years to supporting students and helping them succeed. She works with students through Social Skills classes and co-teaching in classrooms, helping support students with behavior and learning needs while building strong relationships along the way. 

She is a Webb City graduate, but we won’t hold that against her. She attended Missouri Southern State University, where she initially planned to pursue Art Education. Along the way, however, life took a different turn and she discovered a true passion for Special Education. She ultimately earned her degree in K–12 Special Education from MSSU. Ms. Goode began her career as a para at the old high school and has spent nearly her entire career at JHS, with one year teaching elementary at East Moreland. 

Family is incredibly important to Ms. Goode. She has two children who are both JHS graduates. Her son Hunter (28) works as a Network Administrator for Joplin Schools, and her daughter Sophie (24) is a para in Webb City Schools, continuing the family’s connection to education.

Outside of school, Ms. Goode enjoys spending time outdoors and making memories with friends and family. She loves solo camping trips, hiking, concerts, and relaxing by the creek. She’s seen some great shows over the years—her first concert was Metallica, and one of her favorites was Snoop Dogg—though she admits she’s still dreaming of seeing Taylor Swift someday.

She also enjoys reading and spending time with her book club, which includes several friends from school. Living in the country suits her well, and she’s often known to drive her golf cart around and enjoy the quiet life. Ms. Goode is also a big Dallas Cowboys fan, a tradition that started with her son Hunter. In fact, their family has a unique Thanksgiving tradition—they attend a Dallas Cowboys game every year.

When it comes to retirement, Ms. Goode says she’s not looking forward to it just yet. Having spent her entire career working with students, the school environment feels like home.

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.

To register through Jasper County Clerk's Office, please click HERE.  

To register through Newton County Clerk's Office, please click HERE.

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!

We would like to shout out the following people:

Ms. Tarryn Gilbert, a science teacher at JHS, for being named as a Teacher of the Year Finalist for Joplin Schools. Congratulations Ms. Gilbert on a truly-deserved honor. Best of luck as you advance in the Teacher of the Year Program.

Ms. Misti Ard and Mr. Caleb Hatfield for helping get resources for a kid who was really struggling over the weekend. Thank you Ms. Ard and Mr. Hatfield for giving up part of your weekend to assist a student at JHS!

Ms. Janet Parker and the JAG Students for pacing 2nd at State for PBL Project. Congratulations Ms. Parker and all of the JAG Students for this well-deserved recognition. Best of luck at Nationals!

Ms. Erika Blank and the paras for supervising the 1st sensory dance at JHS this weekend. This was a wonderful event that gave many of our students who would otherwise not be able to attend a dance, that opportunity. Thank you Ms. Blank and paras for making this a special night for our students!

Mr. Jonny Wood for filling in last second for a presenter who got sick on Friday. Thank you, Mr. Wood for your willingness to assist a fellow Eagle.

Ms. Cara Clark, Mr. Aaron Brown, Mr. Alan Linden, Ms. Holly Yust, Mr. Dustin Haywood, Ms. Molly Bond, Mr. Taylor Bond, Mr. Dustin Dixon, Ms. Tarryn Gilbert, Ms. Bethany Shultz, Ms. Karisa Boyer, Mr. Andrew Seavy, 1SG Haase, Dr. Gloyer, Ms. Lacey Santillan, Director Kaci Dorton, Ms. Jennifer Hancock, Ms. Jada Reed-Mason, Ms. Ali Praytor, Ms. Amber Travis, Ms. Shelly Greninger, Mr. Seth Wolfshorndl, Mr. Ben Coltharp, Ms. Leslie Webster, Ms. Tracy Nelson, Mr. Garrett Clark, Mr. Jonny Wood, and Ms. Erika Blank for their willingness to share their expertise during Joplin Connect. It is not easy to make presentations in front of your peers, so I wanted to thank each of them for their willingness to be vulnerable. I stopped by many different presentations throughout the day, and it makes me so proud to see our JHS Eagles shine! Thank you to everyone who presented on Friday!

Monday, March 9, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - Regular Block Schedule

Thursday, March 12, 2026 - Block Schedule - ODD

Friday, March 13, 2026 - Block Schedule - EVEN

2nd Hour: 8:30–10:06

Make Up from Thursday Level Up: 10:11 - 10:56

Passing: 10:56–11:01

Friday Level Up: 11:01–11:47

4th Hour: 11:52–2:00 (Food Trucks)

6th Hour: 2:05–3:40

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! 

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”– Maimonides