Harrisburg R-VIII School District

COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Our annual Bulldog Express newsletters have gone digital! If you are a community member who does not work or have students in our district and did not get signed up for our July newsletter, be sure to sign up now to receive the Fall newsletter by email on October 25, 2024. If you have students in or work in our district, you will automatically receive our digital newsletters at the email address on file with the district. You will also always find them linked to our district website, app, and social media accounts. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of this newsletter in the mail, please call the administration office at 573-875-5604. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEewKLhEhOPsV9NW2SfxOCj1NHc8mYym76SiJvPXgiQgjudg/viewform?usp=sf_link

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Katie Monroe. Mrs. Monroe has been an educator for 15 years and has spent the last 11 of those years in public education at Harrisburg Elementary as a Pre-K teacher in our 4 year old program. You only need to step into Katie’s Pre-K classroom to understand the gift she has for guiding our youngest students in self-discovery, imaginative learning, and problem solving with a growth mindset attitude. Her classroom is a vibrant and safe place for students to explore and learn. Partner teacher, Kimberly Eaton, shares that “Katie has been a great mentor to me as a new Preschool teacher over the past year and a half. She is always thinking of new ways to engage our littlest Bulldogs in the classroom and is always able to go with the flow when things change. I love working with her and sharing ideas to make school and learning fun in Pre-K! I am so thankful I get to work with her everyday!” Kindergarten teacher Brianne Overfelt adds that “Katie’s calm, patient demeanor makes her a great fit for the preschoolers. She provides a fun learning environment that keeps kids engaged and excited about school.” Outside of her busy classroom, Mrs. Monroe also sponsors our elementary Lego Club, serves on the district Professional Learning Committee, elementary Carnival Committee, and district Sustainability & Compost Team. Thank you, Mrs. Monroe, for all that you do for your students, colleagues, and community. #BulldawgPride

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Amy Hunziker. Mrs. Hunziker has been a teacher for 12 years. This is her first year as a Learning Specialist at Harrisburg Middle School where she also serves on the Middle School Student Success Team. Some fun facts about Mrs. Hunziker: she is married to the Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, has 3 kids - Lorelai (11th grade), Hayden (7th grade), and Grant (1st grade), loves coffee, cooking, and biking the Katy Trail. MIddle School Principal, Jeff Wardrip shared that “Mrs. Hunziker is a top-notch educator; we are fortunate to have her on our team. She makes it a point to get to know all of her students and help them in any way she can. Mrs. Hunziker, thank you for all you do for our students, staff, and community.” Carmen Combs, Director of Special Services adds “Amy comes with a wealth of experience working with diverse styles of learners. Amy is an integral part of our Middle School education team and provides teachers and students extensive support when needed to improve the success of our middle school students. We are so happy Amy, her husband Jaryt and their 3 children have joined the Bulldog family!” #BulldawgPride

🎟️2025 Senior Class🎟️ is offering a Homecoming Tailgate Raffle THIS Friday at the football game!! Buy your tickets ($10 each) by contacting a senior this week or at the game! Drawing will be 4th quarter of game. Brats, patties, chicken wings, summer sausage, a smoked chicken, andouille sausage and Coney dogs!

MEET OUR NEW BULLDOGS: We’ve added a few new faces to our excellent staff of educators at Harrisburg R-VIII this year. Welcome to our new Bulldog staff members. #BulldawgPride

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mrs. Charlyn Crowley. Mrs. Crowley is a 32 year veteran teacher and returned to her alma mater 21 years ago to teach. She was an elementary and middle school classroom teacher for 30 years and, after retiring two years ago, decided to continue sharing her time, talent, and incredible educational experience as a library assistant in the high school. The positive impact Mrs. Charlyn Crowley has made on the hundreds of students, staff, and community members she has taught and worked alongside over the years is unquestionable. A few of her high school colleagues shared the following: “Charlyn’s presence and expertise is such a blessing to our students, staff, and to me personally. Her ability to exude calm in chaotic and stressful situations is truly a gift. She is a natural leader and problem solver among her colleagues and, most importantly, genuinely cares about her students. She takes time to get to know each and every high school student in the building. She celebrates them, listens to them, comforts them, and supports them. She is truly authentic in her compassion and commitment and I am so very thankful to be able to learn from her each day.” - Jennie Simpson “Charlyn was my teaching mentor when I started 3 years ago. Her willingness to answer and help me out with every question I asked means the world to me.” - Cameron Mackey “Charlyn has a very calming presence while in the storm of education. She is always positive towards the students and staff.” - Chris Ackman “Charlyn’s dedication to students is super hero-like! She always has a smile and I enjoy working with her!” - Christy Segress “Charlyn makes me want to be a better teacher by the way she cares for every student and by putting her all into each student every day. She is there if anyone needs help whether it is teachers or students.” - McKenzie Wanner Thank you Charlyn Crowley for your life-long dedication to education, to your students, and to your community. We are all better because of you. #BulldawgPride

Harrisburg Parents and Teachers Organization (PTO) will meet Tuesday Sept 3 at 6 p.m. in the elementary/middle school library. This organization does fundraising to support our classrooms preK-12. This organization is for Harrisburg Parents and Teachers for grades preK-12. Our big fundraiser of the year is selling cookie dough. The organization also tries to think of other fundraisers so we can buy things for the classroom and help support teachers in the classrooms. They also support our teacher appreciation week. Join Zoom Meeting https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/93413693045?pwd=UTJiMFBBekZLL29yY1Q4dVBHZlZ5UT09 Meeting ID: 934 1369 3045 Passcode: 292178 One tap mobile +13052241968,,93413693045# US +13092053325,,93413693045# US

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mr. Jaryt Hunziker. Coach Hunziker has been an educator for 24 years. Prior to becoming a Harrisburg Bulldog he taught and coached in the Scotland County, Boonville, and School of the Osage districts. He is enjoying his first school year in Harrisburg and is teaching 7th Grade PE, High School Walk/Jog/Run, High School Health, and Academic Support this semester. In addition to his full teaching schedule, Coach Hunziker is excited about his first season as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs Basketball team. A few fun facts about Coach Hunziker are that his wife Amy also teaches in the Harrisburg School District as a Learning Specialist at the middle school and he has an identical twin brother, Heath, that lives in Normal, IL. High School Principal Kyle Fisher shared: “Coach Hunziker has been a tremendous addition to the Bulldog community. His coaching record speaks for itself, but he is also an outstanding teacher and a great role model for all our students. We are very fortunate to welcome the entire Hunziker family to Harrisburg!” #BulldawgPride

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education celebrated the recent statewide expansion and funding of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library on Tuesday, August 27 at the Folly Theater in Kansas City. Dolly Parton shared the history of the Imagination Library and performed for the audience. Toby Class, Library Media Specialist, and Dana Byrd, Parents as Teachers Coordinator, were invited to join the celebration as a result of our district's efforts to bring the Imagination Library to Harrisburg in June 2023. #showmemorebooks If you have a child age birth to five years, you may register them to receive one free book per month at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/.

The deadline to apply for the Missouri SuN Bucks Summer Food Program has been extended to August 31, 2024. Please look over this information to determine if your family is eligible and apply if you did not do that in May when this program was first announced. If you have any questions about this program, please contact District Food Services Director Lisa Baker at bakerl@harrisburg.k12.mo.us. OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE Missouri has been approved to administer Summer EBT 2024. This program is a dedication and commitment between the lead agency, the Department of Social Services (DSS), along with DESE. Summer EBT provides Missouri children who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals the opportunity to receive critical nutrition benefits. Households who need to apply can submit the application online by August 31, 2024. Families can use the Missouri SuN Bucks Eligibility Navigator to see if they need to complete an application. Eligible families will receive a one-time $120 benefit per eligible student. The funds will be loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card and mailed to the household address or loaded onto a SNAP household member’s card. Families with children who meet the criteria will receive an EBT card by mail, or the benefit will be added to their existing EBT card. Criteria for automatic eligibility includes: The household already participates in SNAP or Temporary Assistance; including extended eligible household members, or The child is age 7-17 and in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or The child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals. Families and other stakeholders with questions about the Missouri SuN Bucks Program should contact DSS directly.  For additional information, resources, and frequently asked questions about the Missouri SuN Bucks program, please visit the DSS SuN Bucks webpage.  DESE, Food and Nutrition Services 573-751-3526

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Ms. Tessia Balke. Ms. Balke has been an educator for four years having started her career as a 5th Grade teacher in Jamestown. She is starting her second year as a Harrisburg Bulldog this year and will return to her role as a 5th grade classroom teacher after serving as a 4th & 5th grade Learning Specialist for our district last year. In addition to her busy classroom schedule, Coach Balke dedicates countless hours to our high school and middle school student athletes in her roles as Head Softball Coach, Assistant Track & Field Coach, and Co-FCA Sponsor. She also lends her time and talent to numerous building and district committees and initiatives. She serves on the Elementary Instructional Support Team, 3rd-5th Grade Professional Learning Committee, and is a member of our district CTA where she serves on the social committee. Partner teacher, Sarah Earlywine shared “Tessia and I just began our partnership in teaching and I absolutely love having her constant support and encouragement right next door. Her passion for teaching is contagious. She naturally accommodates her instruction to reach all learners in her classroom. Our fifth graders are eager to tell me about the engaging activities they do with Miss Balke in math and science. Her genuinely caring heart and inviting classroom create such a welcoming atmosphere for all who enter. Our district is blessed to have her impacting our students in the classroom, on the softball field, and during their track and field season. Miss Balke, thank you for inspiring our students in the classroom and beyond.” Prior to her career in education, she played softball at State Fair Community College where she received her Associate Degree beforeI transferring to the University of Central Missouri where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This will be the last school year we’ll get to call her Coach Balke as she and her fiance Blake will get married in June, 2025. Principal Gabe Burris adds “Tessia is a valued member of our team. She goes above and beyond to make sure learning activities are planned just right for students. Tessia is always willing to help out with whatever is needed, whether covering an extra recess duty, or helping her partner teacher. Tessia also makes an impact on students district wide through softball and track. Thank you for the time and effort you put into our students.” #BulldawgPride

Don't miss out on this month's Box Tops for Education bonuses. Use our referral code to earn 25 extra box tops and start submitting your receipts through the Box Tops mobile app. We can also earn an extra $5 for every user that connects their Walmart account in August. Once connected, your Walmart purchases will automatically be credited. Thanks for helping our district!

DIGITAL BULLDOG EXPRESS NEWSLETTER- JULY EDITION: If you are a community member who signed up to receive digital news emails or are a parent, guardian, or employee in our district, you will receive the first digital Bulldog Express Newsletter in your email inbox this morning. This newsletter contains important Back To School information, dates, and district updates. If you did not receive the newsletter by email you can read it at the link below and/or find it linked under the district tab on our website. If you are a community member who has not already signed up you can also click the link below the newsletter link to sign up to receive future newsletters. If you are a parent, guardian, or current employee of the district you do not need to sign up. #BulldawgPride https://harrisburg.edurooms.com/engage/harrisburg-r-viii/newsletters/the-bulldog-express-7954 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddUpK1cXwohS0aD5vqJVNgE9qzQBZCwBymEt5u-ZVv_T28Rg/viewform

2024-25 School Supply Lists

COMMUNICATION UPDATE: Our annual Bulldog Express newsletters are going digital! If you have students in or teach in our district, you will automatically receive our first digital newsletter at the end of this month at the email address on file with the district. If you do not have students enrolled in the district but are a patron who would like to be added to the electronic mailing list, please fill out the following form to sign up for digital news. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of this newsletter in the mail, please call the administration office at 573-875-5604. #BulldawgPride https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddUpK1cXwohS0aD5vqJVNgE9qzQBZCwBymEt5u-ZVv_T28Rg/viewform

COMMUNICATION UPDATE: Our annual Bulldog Express newsletters are going digital! If you have students in or teach in our district, you will automatically receive our first digital newsletter in late July 2024 at the email address on file with the district. If you do not have students enrolled in the district but are a patron who would like to be added to the electronic mailing list, please fill out the following form to sign up for digital news. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of this newsletter in the mail, please call the administration office at 573-875-5604. #BulldawgPride https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddUpK1cXwohS0aD5vqJVNgE9qzQBZCwBymEt5u-ZVv_T28Rg/viewform

COMMUNICATION UPDATE: Our annual Bulldog Express newsletters are going digital! If you have students in our district, you will automatically receive our first digital newsletter in late July 2024 at the email address on file with the district. If you do not have students enrolled in the district but are a patron who would like to be added to the electronic mailing list, please fill out the following form to sign up for digital news. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of this newsletter in the mail, please call the administration office at 573-875-5604. #BulldawgPride https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddUpK1cXwohS0aD5vqJVNgE9qzQBZCwBymEt5u-ZVv_T28Rg/viewform

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Coach Brennan Claas. Coach Claas has been teaching and coaching for seven years. He began his career in Macon in 2017 and then spent two years in the Clark County School District before becoming a Harrisburg Bulldog. Coach Claas teaches Middle School Strength Training, HS Lifetime Sports and Team Sports, and HS Walk, Jog, Run. “Coach Claas has had a great 1st year of teaching and coaching, and, specifically, he has done a great job with his middle school strength training classes. He does a great job of trying to maximize the potential of each one of his students.” - high school Principal Kyle Fisher In addition to a full teaching schedule, Coach Claas is the head high school football coach and head middle school track coach. Athletic Director Chris Ackman shared “Coach Claas has done a great job with our high school football program and our middle school track & field program. He has made an impact by developing strong connections with our students at both the high school and middle school. We are excited about the future of Harrisburg football with Coach Claas leading the program.” Thank you, Coach Claas, for all that you do for the students of Harrisburg School District. #BulldawgPride

Daniel Boone Regional Library presents FREE Books by Snail 2024 - Are you a student entering grades K-12? Throughout the summer, tell DBRL what books you’d like to borrow, and they will mail them to you, all for free. If you finish your books or just want something new, you may request more! Just mail your books back to the library using the postage-paid bag they send you, and you can keep ordering books until the end of the program. Elementary students received registration forms last week in their Friday folders. All K-12 students may also sign up at https://booksbysnail.org/.

“To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can, in spite of all we go through, is to be a nurse.” —Rawsi Williams, JD, BSN, RN, PhD HAPPY SCHOOL NURSE DAY, NURSE JACKIE!!! You take the best care of all of us. We are so blessed to have your skill and knowledge at work in our district every day. Thank you so much for being the most amazing school nurse! #BulldawgPride