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Students & Parents Weekly Communication - 8.23.26

Posted Date: 08/23/26 (05:00 PM)
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Joplin High School Memo

Students and Parents Weekly Communication

August 23, 2026
Portrait of a Graduate
 

Message from the Principal

Welcome Back, JHS Eagles!

There is something special about the beginning of a new school year. Our hallways once again come alive with energy, excitement, and endless possibilities as we welcome our students, families, and staff back to Joplin High School.

Whether you are entering JHS for the first time or returning for another year, we want every student to know that you are an important part of our Eagle family. This year will bring new friendships, meaningful learning, exciting activities, and countless opportunities to discover your strengths and pursue your goals.

To our families, thank you for your continued trust and partnership. To our faculty and staff, thank you for the passion, dedication, and care you bring to our school each day. Together, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.

We are excited about what lies ahead and cannot wait to celebrate the accomplishments, experiences, and unforgettable moments this year will bring.

Welcome home, Eagles—let’s make it a great year!

If there is anything you ever need throughout the school year, please feel free to call me at 417.625.5230 or email me at randyoliver@joplinschools.org. 

Your Very Proud Principal,
Dr. Oliver 
 

Student & Parent Reminders & Updates

Picture Day Is Coming


 School: Joplin High School
Date: Tuesday, August 31st (9th & 10th Graders) & September 1, 2026 (11th and 12th Graders)
Pre-Order Online: www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Pre-Order Password: 4H2Q4R9U

 

JHS Night at MSSU Football Game

JHS Night at MSSU Football Game
MSSU and JHS are partnering on a JHS Night at the MSSU Football Game on September 5, 2026. MSSU will be hosting Upper Iowa. Free Hot Dogs will be provided to all JHS Students, so students will need to purchase their tickets by this Friday August 28, 2026. For the high school students, you will use code ROAR26 and discounted tickets for parents/family members would be code JOPLINPRIDE. The code for the student will allow one per purchase. So if there are any families with multiple students, they will just need to purchase each student individually. Go Lions!
 

Level Up

Within the first few weeks, your student will be hearing about Level-Up, so we wanted to give you some information ahead of time. Please see the informational flyer below.
LEVEL UP

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedure

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
As we begin the a new school year, I wanted to send a quick reminder about the drop-off and pick-up procedures at JHS. As we strive for student safety, we will continue with the coned off lanes, forcing students to exit the vehicle on the right side, closest to the school.

Some reminders:
  1. Pull up as far as you can go. Students will exit and be able to enter either the front entrance or the gym entrance, whichever is closest to the drop off spot.
  2. Watch for the drop off and pick up staff who will be there to move you forward and assist with getting you out at pick up time.
  3. During the day, you will no longer be able to park in the fire lane up closest to the building. Please park your car in the parking spots in the front lot. If you park in the fire lane during the school day, no cars pulling through can get by. Please do not inconvenience everyone by not following this procedure.
 

FInals Exemption Plan Update

Joplin High School
Finals Exemption Plan
Criteria 
  1. 0-2 absences (in the class) per semester AND
  2. No ISS or OSS on the student’s record for that semester AND
  3. Students must have a grade of 70% in the class as of the date of finals.
ALL THREE ITEMS MUST BE MET TO BE EXEMPT.

Students would be eligible for finals exemption if they met the following criteria:
  • Student must complete and submit a Finals Exemption Form, signed by parent or guardian. This form must be turned in by the due date and time (which will be determined and communicated per semester).
  • Student has 0-2 absences in a class with the exception of:
  • School-sponsored activity, athletics, competitions, field trips.
  • Death or funeral- program must be presented to the grade level principal. The number of days missed will be at the discretion of the grade level principal. 
  • College Visit- Students may be exempted dependent upon advance approval through the office AND return of documentation to the grade-level assistant principal. Documentation must be visit specific and signed by a college official.
  • Court ordered appearances should be discussed prior to absence with the grade level principal. 
There is no distinction between “excused” and “unexcused” absences (including doctor’s notes or parent permission). Note: The administration reserves the right to make a final decision on any situation. 
  • Student has not received ISS or OSS during the semester.
  • Student has a grade of 70% in the class as of the date of the final. 
Please make note of detailed criteria below. 
  • If a student has seven or more tardies in a class per semester, he/she will NOT be eligible for Finals Exemption in that class because 6 tardies is equal to two absences.
  • 3 tardies = 1 absence
  • Being more than 10 minutes late to a class = absent
  • Homebound status does not disqualify the student from exemption as long as they attend their daily meeting with their homebound instructor. If they miss a scheduled meeting with their instructor it will be counted as an absence. 
  • A student who transfers to JHS after September 1st or January 15th is not final exempt. 
  • Students must be passing the class with a 70% or higher by the deadline for submitting final exemption forms to qualify for final exemption. After the deadline, a student may lose their exemption if their grade falls below the required percentage but cannot gain exemption status. 
  • If a student is exempt from the final and chooses to take the final to improve his/her grade, the final grade CANNOT hurt his/her overall grade.
  • Students are NOT required to attend a class period on finals day if they are exempt from that class period’s final. They should not be at school during that period.
  • If a student is on campus and not required to take a final, they should follow their regular schedule. They will be required to take the final but it cannot hurt their grade.
  • Parents can opt to require an exempt student to take a final by not signing the exemption form.
  • Finals are required for students enrolled in weighted classes, dual credit and AP classes, regardless of DC enrollment or AP exam participation. 
Attendance during finals week for non-exempt students
  • Students who are not exempt are required to be present during their scheduled final exam time. If a student does not attend their final, they will receive a zero and will not be given another opportunity to complete the exam.
  • Students who are absent due to illness during finals must take their exam on the designated make-up day. A parent or guardian must notify the school’s attendance office regarding the illness in order for the student to qualify for the make-up opportunity. The attendance office will notify the grade level principal and arrangements will be made for the test to be taken during the designated make-up day. 
  • Students with a pre-planned absence, such as a vacation, must also complete their finals on the assigned make-up date. Failure to do so will result in a zero, and no additional opportunity to take the exam will be provided. Students must communicate with their grade level principal prior to finals regarding this trip in order to qualify for this opportunity. 
 

Images from this week

Cheer
Hi there!
Dr. Mwangi Flip (With Some Help From Her Friends)
Ms. Rakes
I would like to give a shout out to the following people:
We would like to shout out the following people:

The Secretaries for coming in early and getting breakfast set up for our staff for PD Days. Thank you for getting up early to take care of all of us!

Ms. Lupita Banda (Counseling Secretary) for staying late on Thursday night to translate for a family that needed assistance. Thank you Lupita for utilizing your skill set to help a family!

Ms. Jennifer Hancock for her patience and positivity even when having so many changes to the Master Schedule this past week! If you have never had the opportunity to experience putting that puzzle piece together, it truly is a beast. And then once she thinks she got it set, people come with changes and she handles them with such class! Thank you Ms. Hancock for your dedication and positivity when things certainly could be more negative!

Mr. Reid, Mr. Cessna, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Robertson, and their boss Ms. Kerry Cravens for all their help in hanging Staff Bios. Thank you for volunteering your time to assist us in getting all of these up!

The Level Up / Transitions Team for all their hard work in planning for a great start to the school year! Thank you, team!
 

Bell Schedule This Week and Important Upcoming Dates



Monday, August 24 - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, August 25 - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, August 26 - Regular Bell Schedule
Thursday, August 27 - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, August 28 - Regular Bell Schedule
 

Important Upcoming Dates

August
24 - 1st Day of School - School starts at 8:30 AM - Doors open at 8:00 AM for breakfast
25 - Fire Drill - 1st Hour
27 - Class Meetings - 2nd Hour (9th Grade), 3rd Hour (12th Grade), 5th Hour (11th Grade), 6th Hour (10th Grade) - Performing Arts Center
28 - Lockdown Drill - 2nd Hour
31 - School Pictures - 9th and 10th Graders During English Classes - PAC

September
1 - School Pictures - 11th and 12th Graders During English Classes - PAC
2 - Tornado Drill - 3rd Hour
4 - Club Fest - Using Pep Assembly Schedule - during assembly time
7 - No School - Labor Day
8 - Finish in 4 Ceremony - During Transitions - PAC
10 - Fire Drill - 5th Hour - E1 Hall
11 - Food Truck Friday - During Lunch Time
15 - Senior Sunrise for the Class of 2027 - 6:30 AM on Soccer Field
15 - Site Council - 7:30 AM - Hospitality Room
21 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Professional Development for Staff
24 - AG Expo - ALL DAY - Gym 3 & FTC Parking Lot
30 - Homecoming Parade - 6:30 PM

October
2 - Homecoming Pep Assembly - Pep Assembly Bell Schedule - 10:54 AM
3 - Homecoming Dance - JHS Commons/Cafeteria - 7:30 - 10:00 PM
Important Upcoming Dates
 

Senior Class of 2027 Info



 
Counseling Department Info - JHS

Counselor's Corner

 
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Students should check PowerSchool regularly for updates, including on the first day of school.

The Schedule Correction Form will be available beginning on the first day of school. The deadline to submit a schedule correction request is the end of the school day on FRIDAY August 28.

SENIOR TEACHER ASSSISTANT FORMS
These forms can be picked up in the Counseling Office on Monday, August 24th.

ACT Dates and Registration
Please visit the counseling center for information on how to register for the ACT.

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

Caseloads for the Counselors are as follows:

A-Cr - Ms. Amanda Rich amandarich@joplinschools.org 
Cs-Hi - Ms. Julie Russell julierussell@joplinschools.org 
Hj-Mi - Ms. Korra Hardman korrrahardman@joplinschools.org
Mj-Sh - Ms. Morgan Ramsey morganramsey@joplinschools.org 
Si-Z - Ms. Karthryn Willhoite kathrynwillhoite@joplinschools.org
A+, Dual Credit, and Associates Degree Coordinator - Ms. Kellie Bowman kelliebowman@joplinschools.org
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Education is the adventure that never ends, always leading you to new discoveries.”