Parents & Students, 

Beginning August 23, 2022, no student cell phones, air pods, bluetooth headphones, or smart watches will be allowed in the classroom during the school day.  These devices should be stored in the student vehicle, locker, or left at home.  Students will be allowed to use their device during their lunch period; however, students who use their device inappropriately (i.e. bullying, filming fights, etc.) will be held accountable and lose this privilege. 

We understand it is difficult to feel disconnected from your student(s).  Parents can call the office to relay messages to students, and students can be reached via their school email throughout the day.  

We also understand this is a significant change, and we want you to know this decision was made in the best interest of our students.  Last Spring, our students, community members, and employees had the opportunity to complete a survey about our school.  We learned a lot from this survey, but one common theme was a presence of bullying that must be addressed.  Some of the difficulties we face with hundreds of cell phones being used by students include the possibility of: 

• Pictures/videos of students taken without permission and posting to social media
• Glorification of poor behavior (i.e. fighting)
• Constant distractions in the classroom
• Cyberbullying
• Academic dishonesty

A description of the consequences for not following approved Cassville School District policies is available in the 2022-2023 Student Handbook.  

Thank you for your support as the Cassville School District continuously strives to educate your child in a safe environment that is free from distractions. 

Sincerely,

Tyler Willis                             Jody Cavness

Principal                                 Assistant Principal 

The 2022-2023 school year will begin on Tuesday, August 23. We are excited to welcome our students and staff back for another great year at Cassville R-IV School District. As we enter into this new school year, I am excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead. We continue to build a strong foundation based on great teachers and staff, a supportive Board, and an engaged community. The week before students arrive, our educational staff participates in professional development days to learn, share their expertise, and collaborate with each other to improve their teaching skills. They also participate in other trainings, including student safety preparedness and strategies to recognize and address the many challenges our students face. All of this great work takes place to provide improved academic opportunities for all of our students. What makes our staff so special is their ability to keep the focus on providing exceptional learning events for our students despite the many outside distractions they may face every day. With the support of our community and families, we continue to shape our District to exemplify excellence in all we do, every day. Our overarching theme, an attitude of excellence, is exhibited daily in the endeavors of our teachers, staff, administration, and students. I know Cassville R-IV Schools will continue to build on this excellence in the coming year! 

The beginning of the year will see some challenges due to the playground equipment delays on the primary and intermediate school campuses. The delayed completion of the playground projects on both campuses will create some issues related to movement and locations during recess time throughout the first three months of the school year. Our construction manager, R.E. Smith has coordinated a sound plan moving forward to work around each phase of the playground construction process until completion. Mrs. Gates, Mr. Swadley, Mrs. Schell, and their staff have modified the primary and intermediate building recess schedule to work around these early school year playground challenges. The maintenance and custodial team did a great job working around the playground projects to get our facilities and grounds ready for the first day with students. Teachers have been coming in for weeks outside their contracted time preparing their rooms for the first day with students. It's been fun watching everyone return with new ideas and energy from a fruitful summer vacation. We are so fortunate to have so many awesome people influencing our children!

We are extremely proud of our schools and our continued commitment to high academic standards and improved student achievement. Our district has a comprehensive instructional program with opportunities for every student at every ability level. We offer Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses, Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, services for gifted children, early childhood services, and many other academic and student support programs.  In response to the workforce ready initiative promoted by Governor Parson, we continue to work to improve workforce ready opportunities for our students to be better prepared for jobs after high school through the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program. We are also excited about the addition of the Success Academy for high school students who are eligible for an alternative pathway to graduation opportunity. Year after year, our students excel in every arena: in the classroom, on the athletic field, in the performing arts, and through extracurricular activities. Our highly qualified employees care deeply about the success of students, and our parents and community/business partners offer tremendous support to our schools.

As we begin a new school year, we invite you to visit our district website (https://www.cassville.k12.mo.us/) for the latest information, news and announcements. Parents who have questions or concerns during the year are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher or the school principal.

The Board of Education joins me in extending best wishes to you for a productive school year filled with many opportunities. Working together, we will inspire success and a lifetime of learning at Cassville R-IV School District.

Sincerely,

Dr. Merlyn Johnson

First day of school for students: Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Click here to view the 2022-23 District Calendar.

School supply lists are available online by clicking here.

New students may enroll for the upcoming school year by contacting our district registrar via email at lsanders@cassville.k12.mo.us or via phone at 417.847.2221.

Eunice Thomas Elementary:

(preschool-second grade)

• Stop, Drop and Go (supply drop off and meet teachers): Thursday, August 18, 4-5:30 p.m. Parents and guardians will be permitted inside the building during this time.
• Members of our transportation team will be available to answer questions during Stop, Drop and Go. You will find transportation staff at the bus parked at the event.
• Preschool and kindergarten parents will be allowed to escort their child to their classroom on the first day of school.

Cassville Intermediate:

(third-fifth grade)

• Stop, Drop and Go (supply drop off and meet teachers): Thursday, August 18, 4-5:30 p.m. Parents and guardians will be permitted inside the building during this time.
• Members of our transportation team will be available to answer questions during Stop, Drop and Go. You will find transportation staff at the bus parked at the event.

Cassville Middle School:

(sixth-eighth grade)

• Stop, Drop and Go: Thursday, August 18, 4-5:30 p.m. During this time students, along with parents and guardians, can pick up their schedule and locker assignment, meet their teachers and drop off school supplies.
• Any middle school student who is unable or does not wish to attend Stop, Drop and Go that evening, may pick up their schedule and locker assignment earlier in the day on August 18th in the middle school office from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.
• Any student who is unable to pick up their schedule before the start of school will receive it on the first day of school in the Early Room.
• Reminder- All 8th grade students will need to provide proof of vaccination booster for meningococcal meningitis and T-Dap before picking up schedules.

Cassville High School:

(ninth grade-twelfth grade)

• Schedule and locker pick-up will take place in the high school FEMA building entrance.  Pick-up times are as follows:
  • Wednesday, August 17, 9 a.m. - noon: Seniors pick up schedules and locker numbers
  • Wednesday, August 17, 1- 3 p.m.: Juniors pick up schedules and locker numbers
  • Thursday, August 18, 1- 3 p.m.: Sophomores pick up schedules and locker numbers
  • Thursday, August 18, 6 p.m.: Freshman and New Student Orientation in CHS Gymnasium

• All senior students will need to provide proof of meningitis immunization.
• Students will be assigned lockers alphabetically, however students will not be permitted to enter the building due to teacher in-service.
• New Student and Freshmen Orientation will be held Thursday, August 18 at 6 p.m. in the Cassville High School Gymnasium. Parents and students are encouraged to attend this event. Students and parents will be allowed to enter the building during orientation.

We look forward to greeting our wildcats on campus!

Public Release

July 1, 2022

Cassville R-IV School District announced its revised free and reduced price policy for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

Local education officials have adopted the following family-size income criteria for deter­mining eligibility:

Children from families whose current income is at or below those shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.  Applications are available at the school office.  To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school.  The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.  Applications may be submitted any time during the school year.  A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility.  A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of social security number or indication of no social security number of adult household member signing the application.  School officials may verify current income or other information provided on the application at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.  Households with children who are eligible under the foster, Head Start, homeless, migrant, or runaway programs should contact the school for assistance in receiving meal benefits.  Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants may be eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Children who are members of households currently certified as receiveing Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR are eligible for free meals.  To complete an application, the household must provide the names of the children, a statement that the household receives the qualifying benefits, the Food Stamps/TANF/FDPIR case number, and the signature of the adult household member making application.  When known by the school that members of a household are receiving assistance from Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free school meals.  If any children in the household were not listed on the eligibility notice or not listed on the application, the household should contact the school to have benefits extended to all children in the household.

If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application.  Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits.

Under the provisions of the policy, the Cassville R-IV School District will review the applications and determine eligibility.  If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the Cassville R-IV School District  Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy.  A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the central office where any interested party may review it. 

USDA Non-discrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)      mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

  1400 Independence Avenue, SW

  Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)      fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)      email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Barry County OACAC Center invites all students in Barry County to sign up for the 2022-23 School Readiness Fair!