Good Afternoon Joplin High School Eagles Family!

I am so excited to get our students and staff back. It is awfully quiet, and actually boring, when everyone is off during this week. I am looking forward to seeing all the teaching and learning occur during this next week. We will then be in full-force as we gear up for End of Course Exams and Graduation during the 2nd semester.

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 to WORK HARD, BE KIND, and GO EAGLES!

Your Proud Principal,

Dr. Oliver 

Meet Mr. McCade Gordon, one of the talented educators serving in the fine arts program at JHS. This is his third year at Joplin High School, where he teaches sections of Show Choir, and Piano/Keyboarding. Mr. Gordon graduated from Nevada High School and went on to attend the University of Missouri, where he spent five years studying Music Education. While completing his student teaching in Neosho, the choir director there encouraged him to apply for the open position at JHS. It turned out to be the only interview he took, and it led him right here to Joplin—where he’s been making an impact ever since. Music has always been a big part of his life, he participated in show choir and band throughout high school, which helped shape the path he’s on today.

Mr. Gordon has a cat named Ash, and his family remains close by in Nevada, Missouri. He’s an only child, and his mom is one of his biggest supporters, regularly making the trip to Joplin to attend his students’ performances. Outside of school, Mr. Gordon enjoys a variety of hobbies. He’s a huge music fan, which probably comes as no surprise. He’s also a big movie enthusiast, with favorites including the new Dune films and the original Jurassic Park. When he’s looking to unwind, he often plays video games with friends from high school and college.

Looking ahead, Mr. Gordon hopes to continue growing in the music world by arranging music for show choirs and choirs, designing pieces for performances, and possibly judging. His passion for music education and performance is clear, and we’re excited to see where his career takes him.

Meet Lt. Col. Charles Haase, one of our JROTC instructors at JHS who brings a lifetime of leadership and service to the classroom. After 25 years in the military, Lt. Col. Haase began the process of transitioning out when an opportunity to teach JROTC came along. As it turned out, he lived within commuting distance of Joplin, and at just the right time, Dr. Gloyer reached out with an offer. The same day Lt. Col. Haase signed his military discharge paperwork, he accepted the position at JHS. Instead of fully stepping away, he simply shifted from military service into teaching, even spending part of his terminal leave helping at the school. This year marks his third year at JHS. Lt. Col. Haase built his educational background along the way, earning his Associate’s degree from Barton County Community College and later his Bachelor’s degree in History from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri.

Family and hard work are central to his life. He and his wife, Amber, have four children. Their 23-year-old is a sergeant in the Missouri National Guard who works in traveling construction. Their 21-year-old son works on the family farm, while their 18-year-old son James, a senior at JHS, is already an E4 in the Missouri National Guard. Lastly, the only daughter, Cheyanna16-year-old, a sophomore at JHS, is also involved in JROTC, continuing the family’s strong tradition of service.

Life at the Haase home is anything but quiet. They operate a 100+ acre farm, raising Angus and Hereford cattle and caring for a lively collection of animals—including around 200 chickens, 75 ducks, geese, and even peacocks. The family sells fresh eggs from the farm. When he’s not teaching or working outside, Lt. Col. Haase enjoys tinkering with old cars and tractors, a skill he’s had since growing up working on mechanics. When it comes to fun, Lt. Col. Haase enjoys fishing trips, especially trout fishing at Roaring River, as well as traveling to the ocean whenever possible. 

Looking toward the future, Lt. Col. Haase hopes to fully retire someday near the water, either on a lake or the ocean, where he can spend plenty of time fishing. One of his long-term projects is building his dream vehicle, a 1955 Chevy pickup, which he jokes “can’t be fast enough.”

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.

This is a reminder to vote April 7th. The Joplin Schools has a Bond Issue on the ballot. For more information regarding the Bond Issue for Joplin Schools, please click on the following link.

Further, please remember that we need everyone to go out and vote. If you get an opportunity to encourage friends and family who live within the Joplin Schools Boundaries to get out and vote, please do so. Every vote matters!

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.

Monday, March 23, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - Regular Block Schedule

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule

Friday, March 27, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule

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.

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! 

“I hear, and I forget.  I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.” – Chinese Proverb