Harrisburg R-VIII School District

PTO Vendor Fair is Saturday, April 20th in the Harrisburg High School Commons. It will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. PTO is still needing to add some vendors for this event. Please share this information with vendors that you know. Please also plan on coming to shop.

REMINDER: Join First Impact as they teach parents and students about Missouri's Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law. They will hold a FREE session for parents and their new teen drivers in the Harrisburg Elementary Library on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. We hope to see you at this informative event. You may register at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA5A92CA3FDC16-48464282-first.

HAPPY PARAPROFESSIONAL DAY to the incredible staff of specially trained and credentialed educators who support and work with our students each and every day. Paraprofessionals are "the heartfelt heroes. Using their talents to help students discover their own. Dedicating their time and energy each day to the students in their care, and doing it all while meeting the individual needs of many." - Teresa Kwant #Bulldawgpride

PTO meeting tonight April 2nd at 6pm in the elementary/middle school library. Here is the Zoom Link Information: https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/93413693045?pwd=UTJiMFBBekZLL29yY1Q4dVBHZlZ5UT09 Meeting ID: 934 1369 3045 Passcode: 292178 One tap mobile +13052241968,,93413693045# US Thanks! Nicole Fritts PTO Co-Secretary

We are searching for volunteers to assist with our BOGO Book Fair April 22-26. If you would like to help our youngest bulldogs make wish lists and shop our book fair, please consider signing up using the included link. If you would like to help, but need a modified time slot, please reach out to Toby Class at classt@harrisburg.k12.mo.us. Thanks for helping to make our book fairs possible! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FAFA729A4F4CF8-48694631-2024

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mrs. Kimberly Eaton. When asked how long she has been in education, Mrs. Eaton replied “I have been working with children since I was 14 as a babysitter, then as a paraprofessional, then as a childcare provider and finally as a teacher. So a lot of years!” The 23-24 school year marks her 7th year teaching in Harrisburg. She has been a Learning Specialist Instructor in our Elementary and Middle School buildings and transitioned into a familiar early childhood role this school year as one of our 4 year old preschool educators. Outside of her Pre-K classroom, Mrs. Eaton volunteers her time and talents to several school and community organizations and events. She plans, coordinates, and facilitates the annual elementary Bike Rodeo event, helps each year with the elementary Carnival, and serves on our local CTA Social Committee. For the past 2 years she has served as a senior sponsor for the Senior Trip that our students take to Walt Disney World. In addition to a variety of school district activities, Mrs. Eaton is also very involved with community organizations. She is an active member of the Harrisburg Community Betterment Committee. Thank you, Mrs. Eaton, for making such a positive and enduring impact on your school district and community. #BulldawgPride

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mr. Blake Logan. Coach Logan has been an educator for 16 years and has spent the last 5 of those years as a Harrisburg Bulldog. He teaches high school Athletic Wellness & Nutrition, Lifetime Sports, Team Sports, and 7th-12th grade Strength & Conditioning classes. In addition to a full teaching schedule, Coach Logan is the head track & field coach for grades 7-12 and is an assistant JV/Varsity football coach. “Coach Logan is very passionate and wants to see all students succeed.” - HS Senior “Coach Logan has been an integral part of our strength and conditioning program that has elevated all of our student-athletes. His dedication to track and field has led to multiple district championships for both girls and boys teams, along with individual district, sectional, and state champions. He has been a major part of the success our football program has seen over the past 4 years at Harrisburg.” - Chris Ackman, Middle School Athletic Director. “Coach Logan has had a tremendous impact on our entire athletic program. His strength & conditioning program has allowed all of our athletes in the high school and the middle school the opportunity to fully maximize their potential. We are extremely lucky to have Coach Logan here at Harrisburg and our student athletes have greatly benefited from his coaching.” Kyle Fisher, High School Principal Thank you, Coach, for the many ways that you support, motivate, and lead our students at Harrisburg R-VIII. #BulldawgPride

March is School Board Appreciation Month and we are honored to recognize the men and women who have served and who currently serve on the Harrisburg R-VIII Board of Education. Thank you for your commitment to the staff, students, and families of our district. #BulldawgPride

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Kelsey Fisher. Mrs. Fisher has been in education for 10 years and has spent all of those years as a Harrisburg Bulldog. Mrs. Fisher taught 1st grade for 8 years and has spent the last 2 years as a Preschool teacher in a three year old program and as a K-1 Learning Specialist. Mrs. Fisher has a natural ability to set firm boundaries with her students and simultaneously ensure that they feel safe, cared for, loved, and encouraged. She leads by example in the way she meets students and colleagues where they are with grace and respect. Mrs. Fisher serves on the Elementary Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Committee and on the District Harrisburg Community Teachers Association. A few of her K-1 colleagues had the following to say about the impact that Mrs. Fisher makes in their classrooms and on students every day: “Kelsey always takes time to collaborate with classroom teachers, checks in to see how we're doing, and gives extra support to students who need it. She is very helpful, kind, and flexible/works around schedules if needed. I'm so thankful that Kelsey is our K1 Learning Specialist!!” “Having Kelsey is like co-teaching. She has gotten to know our students like her own. She advocates for them just as classroom teachers do. She is there to meet students at their level and give them what they need, when they need it. I couldn’t do it without her. She’s amazing!” “Kelsey is amazing! She touches the lives of so many students each day. She is in constant motion so that she can get to as many kids as possible in one day. She gives them strategies to learn information as well as extra time to practice a skill that needs extra work. The kids are excited to see her come into the classroom. She is always willing to help wherever she can. She not only helps students, but teachers as well. She is a wonderful tutor, friend and mentor. We are very lucky to have her in our school district! Thanks for all you do Kelsey!” Thank you, Mrs. Fisher, for the many ways you are making a difference in the lives of so many in your school and community. #BulldawgPride

Our district has partnered with “Team Pearly,” Compass Health Network's mobile dental team! The mobile dental bus will provide preventative and restorative services for students while at school. The school-based dental program prioritizes providing students with a safe and comfortable atmosphere. Compass Health will provide dental services to students eligible for service through this program. Services include examinations, cleaning, X-rays, fluoride, sealants, restorations, extractions, and stainless steel crowns. Consents will be sent home with all elementary students on March 8th, and middle and high school consents will be available in the office. Team Pearly will be on site April 23rd-26th in the Elementary parking lot. Please contact Jackie Wardrip, school nurse, with any questions about the mobile dental program.

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mr. Ryan Lyons. Mr. Lyons has been an educator for 21 years. He taught and coached in New Franklin, Fayette, and Boonville prior to coming to Harrisburg R-VIII. This is his first year as a Harrisburg Bulldog. Mr. Lyons teaches high school geometry, concepts of mathematics, and ACT Prep. In addition to a full teaching schedule, Mr. Lyons also coaches 8th grade boys basketball and JV boys basketball. We are thrilled to have Mr. Lyons on our faculty and coaching staff. Thank you for all that you do for our students and district, Mr. Lyons! #BulldawgPride

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mr. Dan Bachmeier. Coach Bach has been an educator and coach for 42 years. During this storied career, Bach coached alongside Steve Combs in Moberly in the 90’s and in 2006 began his career as a Harrisburg Bulldog when he returned to the bench with Coach Combs. In the past 17 years, Coach Bach has been an incredible coach and teacher to hundreds of students and athletes. In that time he has coached girls basketball, assisted with boys basketball, coached middle school football, assisted with high school football, and is head coach for our youth football program. In his Harrisburg career, Coach Bach has led his Bulldogs to two state titles in girls basketball (2010 & 2012) and four district titles in girls basketball (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012). Coach John Wooden said “a good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life”. Anyone who has worked with, coached alongside, or has played for Coach Dan Bachmeier would attest that he is a great coach. Those who know him well also know that he is humble and does not like to be in the spotlight, preferring to celebrate the accomplishments of his students and athletes. His career and accomplishments are, however, most definitely worthy of celebration and attention. Thank you, Coach Bach, for dedicating your life to working in education and having such an incredible impact on the lives of so many. #BulldawgPride

HAPPY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY to our amazing team! They are the first and last faces that many of our students see every day and we are truly blessed to have transportation director Cara Douglas and her team of drivers taking such good care of our students and families. Clark, Gene, Shannon, Rachel, Bill, Kevin, and Cara go above and beyond and are simply the best! #BulldawgPride

We need volunteers March 5-8 to assist students at our Literati Book Fair. If you are interested, please use the SignUpGenius link below. We appreciate your time and support! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FAFA729A4F4CF8-47658761-2024

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mr. Cameron Mackey. Mr. Mackey has been teaching for 5 years and has spent the last three of those years teaching at Harrisburg. Mr. Mackey currently teaches English 9, English 11, Creative Writing, and Fiction & Film at Harrisburg High. In those classes, he encourages his students to write about topics of interest through the steps of the writing process with meaning and authentic audience in mind. Mr. Mackey has also made free-choice reading a significant focus in his English courses. Allowing students to choose the books they want to read, even if there is an assignment attached, results in more engagement and more motivation to read. If the number of books being checked out from the high school library this year is any indication, this focus has been extremely successful. In addition to a full teaching schedule, Mr. Mackey is also an assistant coach for Middle School football and an assistant coach for track and field. Thank you for all that you do for our students and district, Mr. Mackey! #BulldawgPride

In honor of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, we recognize and celebrate the dedication and invaluable service of our School Resource Officer, Eli Burkholder. Thank you for the many ways you work to build relationships and to keep our school and community safe! #SROAppreciationDay #BulldawgPride

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mrs. Rebecca Pekkarinen. Mrs. Pekkarinen has been a teacher for eight years and has spent the last three years teaching 2nd grade at Harrisburg Elementary. Mrs. Pekkarinen is a master of the calm, clear, and kind approach with her students as well as with her colleagues. Through her words and actions she creates an environment of calm both in her classroom and in her interactions with others that is incredibly powerful. “Becca creates a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for all who enter her classroom. Her love for her students is inspiring. Mrs. Pekkarinen's second grade students are learning that they can be leaders at a young age. They read to Kindergarten students throughout the school year to practice reading fluency and engaging their audience. Her smile is contagious and we are blessed to have her as such a positive light in our building, district, and community.” - Sarah Earlywine, 5th Grade “We are glad to have Becca as a part of our team, her calm nature is contagious. Becca always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She spends a lot of time making learning fun and engaging for the students in her classroom.” - Gabe Burris, Elementary Principal Thank you, Mrs. Pekkarinen, for being such an inspiration to your students and colleagues at Harrisburg R-VIII. #BulldawgPride

PTO Meeting Tonight: Tuesday 2/6 at 6pm, Elementary Library or Zoom All are welcome! Join Zoom Meeting: https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/93413693045 Meeting ID: 934 1369 3045 Passcode: 292178 One tap mobile +13052241968,,93413693045# US +13092053325,,93413693045# US

TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: “Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” - Plato (Source: The Republic) Today’s featured teacher is Mr. Kevin Fearn. If you’ve been in Harrisburg any time at all you have, no doubt, had the opportunity to witness the talent and time that Mr. Fearn, along with his wife Haydan, have poured into building and sustaining our amazing music program at Harrisburg R-VIII. Mr. Fearn has been in music education for the past 11 years and has spent all of those years leading our band, choir, and music programs. In addition to leading an award winning music program, Mr. Fearn has been our resident school dance DJ and a district school bus route driver for the past 10 years. In the Fall of 2023, he also served as Interim Marching Band Director at Central Methodist University while still keeping his regular Harrisburg Marching Band and teaching schedule. Because he pours his passion for music into his work and because the love for what he is doing is obvious, it might be easy to overlook just how much work and time is required to coordinate Marching Band & Pep Band, Band Camps, practices, to prepare students for Band and Choir contests, and to fundraise for Band equipment and trips to competitions. However, Mr.(and Mrs.) Fearn has created a program that is not only impossible to ignore but inspires others to get involved and support. The Band Boosters was established in 2020 and, in conjunction with district and community support, has been fundraising for new uniforms, instruments, and this past December, sent our Marching Band on a chartered bus to perform at The Liberty Bowl in Memphis. “As a senior, it was the last time I would be with the Marching Band and was the first major trip and recognition of our Marching Band.” - Harrisburg Senior Band Member “The parade was my favorite part of the performances. It was so cool to see how many people were there supporting bands.” - Harrisburg Junior Band Member Thank you, Mr. Fearn, for making such a tremendous impact on our students and in our community. #fireup #BulldawgPride

Happy National School Counseling Week to Mrs. Chott and Mrs. Hasekamp. We are very fortunate to have your skills and talents in our district. Thank you for all that you do everyday for our students, staff, and patrons. #BulldawgPride