TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Dana Byrd.
November 8th was National Parents As Teachers Day and the Harrisburg R-VIII School District PAT Program, under the leadership of Mrs. Byrd, sets the standard for programming excellence by supporting the families of our youngest students. From coordinating services, providing resources, planning educational events, and leading our Parents As Teachers Advisory Committee, Mrs. Byrd along with Parent Coordinator, Emily Furlong, actively serve as a bridge between families with young children, our school district, and essential community resources.
Before becoming our PAT Coordinator eight years ago, Dana worked for twelve years as a Child Welfare Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. She recently completed the credential requirements in home visiting for PAT.
A fun fact about Mrs. Byrd is that she loves to travel and recently took a trip to Italy.
If you would like to know more about the PAT Program, follow the Harrisburg PAT Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/harrisburgPAT and visit the PAT Page of the district website at https://www.harrisburg.k12.mo.us/page/harrisburg-early-learning-partners
November 8th was National Parents As Teachers Day and the Harrisburg R-VIII School District PAT Program, under the leadership of Mrs. Byrd, sets the standard for programming excellence by supporting the families of our youngest students. From coordinating services, providing resources, planning educational events, and leading our Parents As Teachers Advisory Committee, Mrs. Byrd along with Parent Coordinator, Emily Furlong, actively serve as a bridge between families with young children, our school district, and essential community resources.
Before becoming our PAT Coordinator eight years ago, Dana worked for twelve years as a Child Welfare Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. She recently completed the credential requirements in home visiting for PAT.
A fun fact about Mrs. Byrd is that she loves to travel and recently took a trip to Italy.
If you would like to know more about the PAT Program, follow the Harrisburg PAT Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/harrisburgPAT and visit the PAT Page of the district website at https://www.harrisburg.k12.mo.us/page/harrisburg-early-learning-partners
Happy National Parents As Teachers Day! Today we celebrate our district PAT Coordinator Dana Byrd and Parent Educator Emily Furlong and the families they partner with to support the educational goals of our youngest Bulldogs.
The PAT program is available to all families expecting a child or those parenting children that have not yet entered kindergarten who live in the Harrisburg R-VIII School District.
Elementary Principal Gabe Burris shared the following: “Dana and Emily are both major assets to our district as they often provide the first contact for the district with many of our families. As a parent that has had kids in the PAT program, I can say our parent educators definitely go above and beyond to put families in touch with resources, provide information about development milestones, and provide peace of mind in regards to different obstacles of being a parent.”
Thank you Dana and Emily for the many ways you support the youngest Bulldogs and their families in our district. #BulldawgPride
Follow the Harrisburg PAT Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/harrisburgPAT for more information about this wonderful program. #BulldawgPride
The PAT program is available to all families expecting a child or those parenting children that have not yet entered kindergarten who live in the Harrisburg R-VIII School District.
Elementary Principal Gabe Burris shared the following: “Dana and Emily are both major assets to our district as they often provide the first contact for the district with many of our families. As a parent that has had kids in the PAT program, I can say our parent educators definitely go above and beyond to put families in touch with resources, provide information about development milestones, and provide peace of mind in regards to different obstacles of being a parent.”
Thank you Dana and Emily for the many ways you support the youngest Bulldogs and their families in our district. #BulldawgPride
Follow the Harrisburg PAT Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/harrisburgPAT for more information about this wonderful program. #BulldawgPride
Today, Nov 4th is our monthly PTO meeting at 6 p.m. and it will meet in the Elementary Teachers' Lounge which is right next to the elementary/middle school library. If you can't make it in person here is the link to follow.
https://harrisburg-k12-mo.zoom.us/j/84836178164?pwd=tIdjmGegpDrtMTBIIZAZonoOicAUpd.1
Meeting ID: 848 3617 8164
Passcode: 65256
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One tap mobile
+16469313860,,84836178164# US
PTO is a preK-12th grade parent/teacher organization that fundraises and supports the school district. Without their help we would not have many of the technologies or classroom items in the classroom that we do now. If you can't make it tonight please try to join us another month. We can always use your help and input. The parents love to have the perspective of the teachers.
Hope to see you there!
Nicole Fritts
PTO Co-Secretary
Harrisburg R-VIII
https://harrisburg-k12-mo.zoom.us/j/84836178164?pwd=tIdjmGegpDrtMTBIIZAZonoOicAUpd.1
Meeting ID: 848 3617 8164
Passcode: 65256
---
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,84836178164# US
PTO is a preK-12th grade parent/teacher organization that fundraises and supports the school district. Without their help we would not have many of the technologies or classroom items in the classroom that we do now. If you can't make it tonight please try to join us another month. We can always use your help and input. The parents love to have the perspective of the teachers.
Hope to see you there!
Nicole Fritts
PTO Co-Secretary
Harrisburg R-VIII
STAFF SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY: Today’s spotlight is shining on Mrs. Cara Douglas who has been on staff at Harrisburg R-VIII School District for the past twenty eight years. She currently serves as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools in our administrative office.
Cara shared that “I started my career at Harrisburg in April of 1998 as a substitute bus driver. I began this journey out of a desire to be a stay at home mom. Raechel and Craig were 3 and 2 at the time. Later Hannah, my youngest, started riding when she was only 6 weeks old and eventually my granddaughter Paisley started riding when she was 11 weeks old and rode for the first year of her life. Most people here probably don't remember that I was also a substitute teacher briefly. I have trained approximately 35 people to drive a school bus and numerous students how to parallel park for their driver's test. I have a passion for transportation and student safety. I loved every minute I spent in transportation and have joked that I bleed yellow. I have loved the transition into my Central office position while still maintaining my morning route and my connection to the students I love to transport.”
In addition to providing support to the entire district through her jobs in Admin and with Transportation, Cara has been one of our basketball programs biggest supporters having kept the official scorebook for years.
We are incredibly fortunate to have your talents and skill working for our district, Cara, and we are thankful you have been a Bulldog for life! #BulldawgPride
Cara shared that “I started my career at Harrisburg in April of 1998 as a substitute bus driver. I began this journey out of a desire to be a stay at home mom. Raechel and Craig were 3 and 2 at the time. Later Hannah, my youngest, started riding when she was only 6 weeks old and eventually my granddaughter Paisley started riding when she was 11 weeks old and rode for the first year of her life. Most people here probably don't remember that I was also a substitute teacher briefly. I have trained approximately 35 people to drive a school bus and numerous students how to parallel park for their driver's test. I have a passion for transportation and student safety. I loved every minute I spent in transportation and have joked that I bleed yellow. I have loved the transition into my Central office position while still maintaining my morning route and my connection to the students I love to transport.”
In addition to providing support to the entire district through her jobs in Admin and with Transportation, Cara has been one of our basketball programs biggest supporters having kept the official scorebook for years.
We are incredibly fortunate to have your talents and skill working for our district, Cara, and we are thankful you have been a Bulldog for life! #BulldawgPride
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The fall dental clinic will be held on November 12, 2025. Consent forms will be sent home with all elementary students and are available to pick up from the middle and high school offices.
Leap into a storybook at the Literati Book Fair! Explore the book fair in person November 3-7, or shop online at literati.com/store. Families may purchase gift cards for students instead of sending cash to school. Every purchase benefits our library.
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Lily Maxwell. This is Mrs. Maxwell’s 7th year in education but her first as a Harrisburg Bulldog.
When asked about her career in education, Lily shared “I started teaching 2nd grade in Tennessee (which is where I’m originally from). Then my husband and I moved to Missouri and I taught 4th grade in Jefferson City. I then taught 2nd grade for two years at Columbia Independent School.”
She also shares that “I am so happy to be teaching in Harrisburg, and being a part of an amazing community! When I’m not at school (teaching 2nd grade), I’m busy chasing my very active two year old son around!”
We are very excited that Mrs. Maxwell has joined our Bulldog teaching staff and hope that she and her second graders have the very best year! #BulldawgPride
When asked about her career in education, Lily shared “I started teaching 2nd grade in Tennessee (which is where I’m originally from). Then my husband and I moved to Missouri and I taught 4th grade in Jefferson City. I then taught 2nd grade for two years at Columbia Independent School.”
She also shares that “I am so happy to be teaching in Harrisburg, and being a part of an amazing community! When I’m not at school (teaching 2nd grade), I’m busy chasing my very active two year old son around!”
We are very excited that Mrs. Maxwell has joined our Bulldog teaching staff and hope that she and her second graders have the very best year! #BulldawgPride
READ the latest issue of the Bulldog Express Newsletter featuring important news and information about upcoming events in the Harrisburg R-VIII School District.
The Literati Book Fair will be in the HEMS Library November 3-7. The fair will be open on Monday, November 3, during parent teacher conferences. We hope to see you at the book fair!
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mr. Charlie Bronakowski. This is Mr. Bronakowski’s first year in education. He graduated from Central Methodist University in May of 2025 and joined our high school Social Studies department and is currently teaching ninth grade World History along with two elective courses - Current Events and World War II.
In addition to his full-time teaching schedule, Mr. Bronakowski also assists in coaching Middle School football and High School basketball.
Welcome to Harrisburg, Mr. B, we’re excited to have you on the Bulldog Team! #BulldawgPride
In addition to his full-time teaching schedule, Mr. Bronakowski also assists in coaching Middle School football and High School basketball.
Welcome to Harrisburg, Mr. B, we’re excited to have you on the Bulldog Team! #BulldawgPride
JOIN US FOR SENIOR NIGHT AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD! Come cheer on your Harrisburg Bulldogs and enjoy some delicious food featuring the following special items available tonight at the concession stand. Enjoy some great food and help send the Class of 2026 on their Senior Trip! #BulldawgPride
Now Hiring – District Bookkeeper!
The Harrisburg R-VIII School District is seeking a full-time Bookkeeper to join our central office team. This position handles district accounting, payroll support, and financial reporting.
Please visit our District Employment Page for more information, current salary schedule, and for the application form.
https://www.harrisburg.k12.mo.us/page/employment
The Harrisburg R-VIII School District is seeking a full-time Bookkeeper to join our central office team. This position handles district accounting, payroll support, and financial reporting.
Please visit our District Employment Page for more information, current salary schedule, and for the application form.
https://www.harrisburg.k12.mo.us/page/employment
Congratulations to Grayson Dietiker!! You are the VIP for this Friday night's game as the Harrisburg Bulldogs take on the Fayette Falcons!! The Class of 2026 appreciates your support! #BulldawgPride
It's National Box Tops week November 13-19! 🎉
✅ Every participating product earns DOUBLE this week*
✅ When you buy 4, we'll earn 20 all week
✅ If you refer a friend and your friend scans their first receipt before the end of the month, you'll earn 100 Bonus Box Tops for our school**
*Receipts MUST be scanned during National Box Tops Week to earn double Box Tops.
**The Refer a Friend bonus runs through 10/31. Use code QBHT60B1
Learn more: https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/news/nbtw
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Lindsey Heinlein. Lindsey joined our teaching team this school year as a full-time substitute teacher. As a full-time sub, she is on-site every school day and along with the district’s other full-time sub, Clark Chickering, guest teaches in all three buildings in our district on a daily basis.
In addition to substitute teaching, Lindsey is also on staff as our assistant high school softball coach.
Some fun facts about Mrs. Heinlein: she and her husband Chris have four kids and their three oldest are students in the district. They also own a business, Full Swing, which provides private baseball and softball lessons.
Lindsey shares that they have lived in Harrisburg since 2018 and absolutely love the school district. She is grateful to be a part of such an amazing community. Welcome to the district, Lindsey. We’re very glad you’re here! #BulldawgPride
In addition to substitute teaching, Lindsey is also on staff as our assistant high school softball coach.
Some fun facts about Mrs. Heinlein: she and her husband Chris have four kids and their three oldest are students in the district. They also own a business, Full Swing, which provides private baseball and softball lessons.
Lindsey shares that they have lived in Harrisburg since 2018 and absolutely love the school district. She is grateful to be a part of such an amazing community. Welcome to the district, Lindsey. We’re very glad you’re here! #BulldawgPride
ATTENTION BULLDOG FANS: Next Friday, October 17, is your last chance to get VIP Seating and Concession delivery as your Harrisburg Bulldogs take on the Fayette Falcons! Enter to win this Harrisburg Bulldog Football VIP Fan Experience sponsored by the Senior Class of 2026. To enter, fill out the Official VIP Experience Form and purchase your spot in the drawing. See flyers for details!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvZ_33P6vnJ4NTrEc54YVwjiPaBc-mARbAErPd_x5XFQ4pAg/viewform?usp=header
Congratulations to the South Callaway 7th & 8th grade teams for winning the first annual Middle School Central State 8 STEAM Day Competition. 7th and 8th grade teams from Eugene, Harrisburg, Linn, New Bloomfield, Russellville, South Callaway, and Tipton competed in three different challenges at Harrisburg High School this morning that tested their abilities to use Design Thinking, collaborative problem solving, and a growth mindset. South Callaway finished the contest with a total score of 62 points. Your Harrisburg Bulldogs came in a close second with 56 points and the teams from Linn finished just behind them with 53 points. We want to congratulate all of the schools on doing a phenomenal job attempting to break in to the physical and digital BreakoutEDU puzzles, for using quick skills to program a code that would navigate Sphero robots through the challenge maze, and for being incredibly creative with the designs in the Egg Drop competition. Special shout out to Eugene - the only school to successfully construct an egg enclosure within the time constraints that protected your egg from breaking. Check out the link below to watch the video of their successful drop. Special thanks to Harrisburg High School students Thomas Harrison and Colton Guthrie for your assistance with our challenges today.
We are excited to announce that the Linn Wildcats will host next year's CS8 STEAM Day competition.
Watch Eugene's Egg Drop Success: https://youtube.com/shorts/dnVDc6DXJG8?feature=share
We are excited to announce that the Linn Wildcats will host next year's CS8 STEAM Day competition.
Watch Eugene's Egg Drop Success: https://youtube.com/shorts/dnVDc6DXJG8?feature=share
Good luck to the 7th and 8th grade teams who will be competing in the first annual Middle School Central State 8 Conference STEAM Day Competition at Harrisburg High School this morning. The competition will consist of challenges that are team-based, emphasize the design thinking and engineering process, and focus on persisting through challenging outcomes with a growth mindset. 7th Grade Team Members: Gracie Christopher, McCall Mackey, Westley Miller, and Logan Woods - 8th Grade Team Members: Andrew Head, Austin Ryden, Vernon Burton, and Hayden Hunziker. #BulldawgPride
Today 10/7 is our monthly PTO meeting at 6 p.m. in the elementary/middle school library. If you can't make it in person here is the link to follow.
PTO is a preK-12th grade parent/teacher organization that fundraises and supports the school district. Without their help we would not have many of the technologies or classroom items in the classroom that we do now. If you can't make it tonight please try to join us another month. We can always use your help and input.
I've created a New Monthly PTO Zoom link.
https://harrisburg-k12-mo.zoom.us/j/84836178164?pwd=tIdjmGegpDrtMTBIIZAZonoOicAUpd.1
Meeting ID: 848 3617 8164
Passcode: 65256
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One tap mobile
+16469313860,,84836178164# US
+19292056099,,84836178164# US (New York)
Hope to see you there!
Nicole Fritts
PTO Co-Secretary
Harrisburg R-VIII
PTO is a preK-12th grade parent/teacher organization that fundraises and supports the school district. Without their help we would not have many of the technologies or classroom items in the classroom that we do now. If you can't make it tonight please try to join us another month. We can always use your help and input.
I've created a New Monthly PTO Zoom link.
https://harrisburg-k12-mo.zoom.us/j/84836178164?pwd=tIdjmGegpDrtMTBIIZAZonoOicAUpd.1
Meeting ID: 848 3617 8164
Passcode: 65256
---
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,84836178164# US
+19292056099,,84836178164# US (New York)
Hope to see you there!
Nicole Fritts
PTO Co-Secretary
Harrisburg R-VIII
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Lesley Arnold. Mrs. Arnold has 21 years of experience in education and we are excited to have her in Harrisburg Elementary this year.
Before becoming a Bulldog Mrs. Arnold taught in the Fulton School District. She has spent her 21 years working with students from Preschool through 3rd grade. This year she is serving as one half of our Preschool Program team working with our youngest Bulldogs every day.
When she’s not in the Preschool classroom, you’ll find Mrs. Arnold following high school basketball and cheering for her daughter who is a senior this year.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Arnold and the Arnold family to the Harrisburg Community! #BulldawgPride
Before becoming a Bulldog Mrs. Arnold taught in the Fulton School District. She has spent her 21 years working with students from Preschool through 3rd grade. This year she is serving as one half of our Preschool Program team working with our youngest Bulldogs every day.
When she’s not in the Preschool classroom, you’ll find Mrs. Arnold following high school basketball and cheering for her daughter who is a senior this year.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Arnold and the Arnold family to the Harrisburg Community! #BulldawgPride
