Dear JHS Students, Parents, and Staff,
As we begin our ninth week of school, I want to thank each of you for the effort, care, and commitment you bring to Joplin High School. The daily work of learning, teaching, and supporting one another matters, and every member of our school community has a part in helping our students succeed.
Students, this is a good time to pause and check your progress. Celebrate what is going well, identify where you need support, and take that next step. Attend every day you can, complete your assignments, ask questions, and reach out when you need help. Whether you are working toward a better grade, exploring a career interest, or finding your place in an activity, your efforts today create opportunities for tomorrow.
Parents and families, thank you for staying involved. Conversations about school, encouragement at home, and communication with teachers help us support your student together. Please reach out whenever you have a question or concern.
To our staff, thank you for seeing the individual behind every name on your roster. Your patience, high expectations, and willingness to check in with a student can make a lasting difference.
As we enter this week, let’s also remember to take care of one another. We may not always know what someone else is carrying. A kind word, a listening ear, or a simple “How are you doing?” can help someone feel seen and supported.
Our theme, “Every Kid. Every Adult. Every Time.”, lives in these everyday actions. Let’s begin week nine with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to helping one another move forward.
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
|
Originally from Baxter Springs, Kansas, Carly Locke found her way to Joplin High School through a combination of science and volleyball. She initially attended Southwest Baptist University before moving back home during COVID and completing her degree in Biology at Missouri Southern State University. When she saw an opportunity at JHS that combined a science teaching position with volleyball coaching, she knew it was the perfect fit.
Now in her fifth year at JHS, Carly teaches Biology, AP Biology, and Medical Interventions. She also serves as an assistant volleyball coach and prom sponsor. Outside of school, she coaches club volleyball during the offseason and enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her fiancé, Tate. The two are set to tie the knot on December 11, 2027.
Carly loves winter, snow, reading, and working out. She is especially close with her sister and niece, and she always enjoys making memories with the people she loves. A couple of fun facts about Carly: she used to throw the javelin, and she makes a really good chocolate chip cookie!
When asked what she looks forward to most in the future, Carly's answer is simple: retirement, traveling, and spending time with her kids and grandkids.
|
Students & Parents Reminders & Updates |
October PBIS Focus: Beat the Bell!
October is our PBIS focus month for reducing tardies. Getting to class on time helps you start strong, stay on track, and make the most of every learning opportunity. Take responsibility for your schedule, plan ahead, and beat the bell every day!
|
Greetings Safe Drivers!!!
It’s almost time for the 2026 Buckle Up - Phone Down High School Showdown safe driving pledge contest!
AAA Missouri, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation, invites JHS/FTC to compete against other Missouri high schools for bragging rights and a chance to win school monetary prizes worth $1,000 to $5,000!
The goal of the Buckle Up Phone Down High School Showdown is to promote and reward safe driving in and around our community, by putting down phones while driving, encouraging other drivers to do the same, and always buckling up.
It only takes two easy steps!
a. Put their phones down while driving
b. Speak up for others to the same
c. Always wear a seat belt
2. Encourage faculty, families, and community members to take the BUPD High School Showdown pledge on behalf of JHS/FTC any way you can. Share https://www.savemolives.com/mcrs/AAAShowdown publicly so they can submit a safe driving pledge for us also!
Safe driving pledges can be submitted online Wednesday, October 14th through December 18th. The pledge form will be available on the BUPD High School Showdown webpage. High schools with the most students, faculty, and community pledges in their BUPD High School Showdown Class will win!
Since the BUPD High School Showdown began in 2021, AAA Missouri has awarded 25 Missouri high schools more than $55,000 in donations. Let's beat last year’s BUPD High School Showdown participation that generated more than 12,400 safe driving pledges!
Pledges open Wednesday, October 14th!!!
|
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Wednesday and Thursday October 21st and 22nd. Teachers will create their own appointment sign ups in Parent Square using the directions below, and as always, we will provide dinner both nights.
Conferences will be held between 4:00 -7:30 each night.
|
The JHS Book Fair will be from October 19-23. |
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.
|
- 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.
|
We would like to shout out the following people:
Food Service Department for decorating the cafeteria this week.
Ms. Webster for working to organize Caught in Class to help improve attendance and reduction of tardies.
The nurses, Ms. Mueller and Ms. Staab, for their help in handling a situation with a student. Thank you nurses for your constant care and attention!
The 6 teachers (Carter, Halbach, Bagby, Woolverton, Jasmin, Yarbro) who participated and opened their rooms for teaching studies, a day aimed at improving first year teacher knowledge. Thank you Mr. Carter, Ms. Halbach, Ms. Bagby, Mr. Woolverton, Mr. Jasmin, and Mr. Yarbro for bring vulnerable and allowing new teachers to observe, and more importantly, de-brief with you after the lesson. This is true, job-embedded professional development!
|
Bell Schedule This Week and Important Upcoming Dates |
Monday, October 19, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - Regular Bell Schedule
Thursday, October 22 - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, October 23 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
|
October
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
|
|
Senior Class of 2027 Info |
Please click on the link below for the Counselor's Corner Newsletter:
COUNSELORS BY ALPHABET:
Students are assigned to counselors by the student’s last name.
Caseloads for the Counselors are as follows:
|
“The Best way to predict your Future is to create it.”
– Abraham Lincoln
|
|
|
