It is hard to believe that we have already completed the first three weeks of school! Across Joplin High School, students are settling into their routines, relationships are growing stronger, and meaningful learning is taking place each day.
Our classrooms, Career Academies, athletic programs, performing arts, clubs, and student organizations are already filled with energy and opportunity. It has been exciting to see our students challenging themselves, supporting one another, and representing JHS with pride.
Thank you to our teachers and staff for the care, dedication, and high expectations you bring each day. Thank you to our parents and families for your encouragement, communication, and partnership. Most importantly, thank you to our students for the enthusiasm and effort you have brought to the beginning of this school year.
We have established a strong foundation, but we are only getting started. Let’s continue building on this momentum and working together to ensure that every member of our JHS family feels known, valued, supported, and challenged to succeed.
Every Kid. Every Adult. Every Time.
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
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Coach Curtis Jasper is entering his 12th year at Joplin High School and his 25th year in education. He teaches Weights and serves as Head Football Coach for the Joplin Eagles. Before Joplin, he coached at Odessa, Avila University, Moberly, and Westran High School. Jasper earned his bachelor's degree in History from William Jewell College, a master's degree in Education from Avila University, and a Specialist in Education Administration degree from William Woods University.
Family is a huge part of Coach Jasper's life. He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 23 years, and Julie is in her 12th year with Joplin Schools, currently working in Special Education.
Their four children keep the family busy. Joe is married to Jovi and works in the accounting department at Roper Kia. Claire is a first-year teacher at South Middle School teaching reading and also coaches football and girls basketball at the High School. John is a freshman at Truman State University, where he plays football and is currently majoring in accounting, and Caleb is a freshman here at JHS and participates in football, wrestling, and track.
The family enjoys attending sporting events together and trying to take at least one trip each year. In his limited free time, Coach Jasper also likes to cook using his smoker.
With busy schedules right now, Coach Jasper looks forward to retired life being filled with new adventures and traveling with Julie, and maybe down the line spoiling grandkids as well.
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Jennifer Journeycake is beginning her sixth year at Joplin High School, where she teaches Art Survey, 2D Art, Painting, and Drawing. Originally from Oklahoma, Jennifer continues to make the commute from Oklahoma to JHS each day. Before joining Joplin High School, she taught at Seneca. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Missouri Southern State University with the original goal of teaching at the university level. However, professors and advisors encouraged her to pursue a master’s degree in education and teach K–12, which ultimately led her to the classroom. For Jennifer, painting is her favorite artistic outlet, and she especially enjoys sharing that passion with her students and helping them discover their own creativity.
Outside of school, Jennifer stays busy as a single mom to her twin daughters, Jazlyn and Bella, who are both JHS seniors. Her older daughter, Marissa, lives in Georgia with her husband and their three children, and Jennifer enjoys traveling there during the summer for some grandkid time. She loves live music and admits she spends way too much money going to concerts. She also enjoys traveling, road trips, and exploring new places. When she isn't at a concert or traveling,
Jennifer loves being outdoors, especially kayaking and spending time around creeks, even if she hasn't quite convinced her girls to join her yet. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue making art, spend more time gardening, and find plenty of opportunities to paint and explore new adventures.
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Students & Paernts Reminders & Updates |
Here is the information for ordering a yearbook. |
Reminder about dress code... |
Level Up will be starting this week! |
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
After 3 weeks of school, 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:
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Pull up as far as you can go. DO NOT JUST STOP AT THE FRONT DOOR. Students will exit and be able to enter either the front entrance or the gym entrance, whichever is closest to the drop off spot. It is actually closer to get breakfast if the students enter at the cafeteria.
- 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.
- 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.
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Joplin High School
Finals Exemption Plan
Criteria
- 0-2 absences (in the class) per semester AND
- No ISS or OSS on the student’s record for that semester AND
- 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.
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- 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.
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We would like to shout out the following people:
Ms. Amber Travis and the PBIS Team for pulling off a very successful Food Truck Friday. Thank you Ms. Travis and PBIS Team for creating unforgettable experiences for our students.
Mr. Brian Bandy for always getting students quickly enrolled virtually and for always being a resource when questions about virutal comes up. Thank you Mr. Bandy!
Ms. Karen Self for being present after school one day this week to help defuse a student situation. Thank you Ms. Self for being a resource to our kids.
Ms. Shandon Hall for creating name cards about each of her students outlining their needs for any other adults who may work with the students. Thank you Ms. Hall for going above and beyond for our students.
Our Athletic Trainers, Mr. Tracy Saunders and Ms. Mylene Ray for all of their work keeping our kids and coaches safe through the heat wave the 1st three weeks of school. Thank you for making student safety a priority for all our activities participants.
Dr. Dave Armstrong for revamping In-School-Detention (ISD) and for being a great resource for our administrative team. Thank you Dr. Armstrong for your dedication to providing a consistent experience for our students in ISD!
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Bell Schedule This Week and Important Upcoming Dates |
Monday, September 14 - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, September 15 - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, September 16 - Regular Bell Schedule
Thursday, September 17 - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, September 18 - Regular Bell Schedule
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September
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 - Downtown Joplin
October
2 - Homecoming Pep Assembly - Pep Assembly Bell Schedule - 10:54 AM
3 - Homecoming Dance - JHS Commons/Cafeteria - 7:30 - 10:00 PM
5 - Winter Sports Meeting - During Transitions Class
8 - All School Softball Game - 1:30 VS Neosho - Teacher Discretion on going to game or not
9 - Fire Drill - 6th Hour
12 - Josten's Class Meeting with Seniors for Cap/Gown/Announcements for Graduation - PAC - 10:14 - 11:01 AM
13 - Wagner Portrait Re-Takes for Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
15 - Tornado Drill - 7th Hour
16 - Earthquake Drill - 10:27 AM
20 - Site Council - Hospitality Room - 7:30 AM
21 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:30 PM
22 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:30 PM
23 - No School for Students or Staff
26 - Josten's Deadline to Order Cap/Gown/Announcements for Graduation
30 - 1/2 Day for Students and Teachers - DISMISSED AT 12:30 PM - LUNCH IS NOT SERVED THAT DAY - If your student participates in activities after the school day, please send a lunch with them!
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Senior Class of 2027 Info |
FAFSA:
The FAFSA Form opens October 1, 2026. The September prep list for this information includes:
- Create FSA ID's Now (One for the student and one for the parent.)
- Make a list of schools you are interested in having your FAFSA sent to. Adding Schools later can create delays.
COUNSELORS BY ALPHABET:
Students are assigned to counselors by the student’s last name.
Caseloads for the Counselors are as follows:
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“Every book read and every lesson learned is a step on the exciting journey of education.”
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