JHS Students, Families, and Staff,
As we begin our eighth week of school, I want to thank everyone for the effort, encouragement, and care you bring to Joplin High School. A strong school community grows through everyday actions, whether that is a student asking for help, a teacher offering encouragement, or a family checking in about how school is going. Those moments make a difference.
Students, with parent-teacher conferences coming up in a couple weeks, this is a great time to reflect on your progress. What is going well? Where could you improve? Review your grades, take care of missing assignments, and reach out to your teachers when you need support. Whether you have had a strong start or faced some challenges, the choices you make this week can help you move forward.
Families, thank you for being our partners. Your conversations about attendance, learning, and involvement help students stay connected and focused. Please continue communicating with our teachers and counselors so we can work together to support your student.
Staff, thank you for your continued commitment to our students and to one another. Your patience, preparation, and willingness to make a personal connection help students feel valued and give them the confidence to keep trying.
Our theme, “Every Kid. Every Adult. Every Time.”, reminds us that everyone has a role in making JHS a place where students belong and succeed. As we begin week eight, let’s keep showing up, supporting one another, and making the most of each opportunity.
Go Eagles!
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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Mrs. Gilbert is one of our Science teachers, specifically teaching Physical Science and serving as the science department Cochair. Originally from Webb City, Tarryn graduated from Webb City High School before attending Missouri Southern State University. She began teaching in 2005 at Carl Junction and knew almost immediately that education was what she was called to do. In 2009, Tarryn stepped away from the classroom to stay home with her children while also working as an adjunct professor for Crowder College. When her youngest started kindergarten, she knew it was time to return to teaching. She prayed about where God was leading her next, and just a week later, an opening became available with Joplin Schools. She has been with JPS ever since and is now entering her 11th year.
Tarryn married her husband, Dan, in 2004, and together they have three children. Their daughter, Hannah, is a junior at Missouri State University pursuing a degree in Music Education. Shiloh is a senior and plans to pursue nursing, while their son, Sam, is a freshman and is still deciding what path he wants to take. Faith and family are at the center of Tarryn’s life, and she stays actively involved in her church, where she volunteers in children’s ministry. She and Dan also enjoy spending time together outdoors, going for walks, watching movies with their kids, and simply making memories as a family.
Tarryn absolutely loves fall and takes full advantage of the season with football, fall festivals, corn mazes, hayrides, and time spent with church friends. Dan builds things, and she helps him sell them, so fall festivals have become a fun family tradition. She is also a huge Disney World fan, so much so that when Dan doesn't share quite the same enthusiasm, she has been known to make Disney trips with her parents and kids while leaving Dan at home! She also taught group fitness for 20 years and loves staying active.
Looking toward the future, Tarryn doesn't necessarily see herself ever fully retiring. She knows she will want to stay busy and involved, and one day she could even see herself running something completely different, like a food truck. Whatever comes next, she wants to keep working, serving others, and finding something that keeps her moving.
Tarryn once broke both ankles within a week of each other while on a mountain and there were reportedly three bear attacks on the mountain that week! She jokes that the broken ankles were God's way of keeping her safe. And if you're ever looking for another fun conversation starter, ask her about her family connection to NFL quarterback Troy Aikman, he's her fourth cousin.
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Ms. Brandy Leavitt is our JHS Cafeteria Manager. Originally from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Brandy moved to Joplin 28 years ago. She started at Joplin High School the same year the current building opened and has been an important part of the JHS family ever since. Brandy has spent 13 years working as part of the kitchen staff.
Brandy and Paul have four children, three boys and a girl, and all four attended Joplin High School. Her children, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua and Cayley, have continued to build their lives in the area. Cayley is a veterinarian in Springfield, while her sons work in fields including sales and Amazon. Brandy is also a proud grandmother of four and enjoys every opportunity she gets to spend time with her grandchildren.
Outside of JHS, Brandy enjoys photography, baking and selling cakes, and riding motorcycles with Paul. When she has some downtime, she is happy to relax and enjoy a little Netflix. She also loves spending time with her family and grandchildren. Looking ahead, Brandy hopes to do more traveling and is dreaming about retirement within the next five years. She and Paul are hoping to retire around the same time and enjoy this next chapter of life together.
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Students & Parents Reminders & Updates |
Parent Communication Message:
Wagner Portrait Group will be at school to photograph any students who were absent on the original Picture Day. Retake photos will also be available upon request.
If your student is having a retake, please return the entire portrait package (including the insert sheet) to the photographer on retake day. Feel free to attach a note describing what you’d like done differently.
FOR ABSENTEE STUDENTS WHO NEED TO ORDER:
Joplin High School ABSENTEE Absentee & Retake Picture Day
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Parent-Teacher Conferences are Wednesday and Thursday October 21st and 22nd. Teachers will create their own appointment sign ups in Parent Square and send out to parents, so please be on the lookout to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences. It is not mandatory to sign up, as we will always welcome you if you just walk in, but you might have to wait a bit if other parents make appointments with the teacher(s) you want to see. |
The JHS Book Fair will be from October 19-23. |
I just wanted to remind you of the opportunity to celebrate students and staff. Please see the links below to do so.
Anytime you'd like to recognize a student, please fill out this Rising Eagle form. Your response will be sent to the student, Dr. Oliver, and the parents/guardians of the student. At the end of the month, we will collect all responses to choose the Student of the Month.
If you would like to recognize a colleague, you'll fill out the Caring Colleague form. Keep in mind, these responses will also go to the colleague and Dr. Oliver https://forms.gle/zNDKgDp913SPQLdRA
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Reminder about dress code... |
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:
Dr. LTC Gloyer for his assistance in making sure a student had the necessary resources to be successful. Thank you Dr. Gloyer!
Ms. Coble, Ms. Davis, and the Nursing Program Students for organizing and helping run Friday's blood drive. They surpassed their goal of 75 units of blood collected.
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Bell Schedule This Week and Important Upcoming Dates |
Monday, October 12, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule
Thursday, October 15 - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, October 16 - Regular Bell Schedule
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October
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
14 - Fields of Faith - Football Field - 7:00 - 10:00 PM
15 - Tornado Drill - 7th Hour
16 - VU Scholarship Assembly - Juniors and Seniors are dismissed to the Kaminsky Gym - 9:10 AM
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!
November
2 - No School for Students - Teacher Professional Development
6 - Fire Drill - 7th Hour
10 - ASVAB Testing for Juniors at Roi S. Wood - 8:30 - 11:30 AM & 12:00 - 3:00 PM
10 - ASVAB Testing for Juniors at JHS - 8:45 - 11:00 AM - A-CH, 1:30 - 3:30 PM - CI-GO - Gym 3 at JHS
11 - Veteran's Day
11 - ASVAB Testing for Juniors at JHS - 8:45 - 11:00 AM - GR-LE, 1:30 - 3:30 PM - LI-NI - Gym 3 at JHS
12 - ASVAB Testing for Juniors at JHS - 8:45 - 11:00 AM - AO-SE, 1:30 - 3:30 PM - SH-Z - Gym 3 at JHS
17 - Site Council Meeting - Hospitality Room - 7:30 AM
24 - Grateful Feast - Freshman Fusion Activity - During Lunch Periods
25-27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
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Senior Class of 2027 Info |
PSAT / NMSQT INFO:
10th & 11th grade Joplin High School students: Registration is now open for the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT!
Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: JHS Black Box
The PSAT/NMSQT is a great opportunity to get a feel for the college entrance testing experience and potentially qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
If you would like to take the PSAT/NMSQT, please complete the PSAT/NMSQT Sign-Up Google Form to reserve your spot.
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FAFSA:
MSSU financial aid reps will be in the Counseling Center during Parent - Teachers conference to help with FAFSA
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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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“Education is the magical key that opens the door to a world of possibilities.”
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