HAPPY SUBSTITUTE TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY! A HUGE thank you to all of our incredible substitute teachers! Your dedication, flexibility, and commitment to our students make a world of difference every day. Whether you're stepping in for a day or a week, we appreciate all you do to keep our classrooms running smoothly and our students learning.
You are truly appreciated, and we’re grateful for your hard work and positive impact!
If you are interested in substitute teaching in the Harrisburg R-VIII School District, please see the information included in this post. This position requires a Missouri substitute teaching certificate. Substitute teachers have flexible hours and lesson plans are provided.
Substitute Teacher Application https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1774009/Substitute_Teacher_Application.pdf
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Natalie Dixon. Mrs. Dixon has been an educator for 17 years. She is enjoying her first year as a Harrisburg Bulldog with her Kindergarten class.
Partner teacher, Brianne Overfelt share that “Natalie is easy going and ready to handle anything that comes her way. She is dedicated to ensuring that her students are successful in the classroom and goes above and beyond for them.”
Natalie is currently finishing up her final two classes and will have her Elementary Math Specialist Degree through the University of Missouri. She has a Masters of Education in Differentiated Instruction. In addition, she has participated in the MU Wipro program and completed LETRs training Session 1 and 2. We are thrilled to have her experience in the classroom and with literacy instruction in our district. “It takes a big heart to shape little minds” - unknown
Thanks, Mrs. Dixon, for having a heart for education and for the many ways you support your students and their families each day. #BulldawgPride
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
REMINDER: Community Flu Clinic today from 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM in the Harrisburg Administration Building Community Room. See flyer for more information.
Please join us for PTO (Harrisburg Parent/Teacher Organization preK-12) tonight (Nov 5) at 6 p.m. in the elementary/middle school library.
If you can't make it in person here is the NEW Zoom link. T
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82299551944?pwd=gzb7LKOAohMxBz2NRi1NP4husKNppS.1
Meeting ID: 822 9955 1944
Passcode: 884107
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,82299551944#,,,,*884107# US
We are also seeking help with some of our PTO events . Here is a survey to fill out to share when you would like to help:
https://forms.gle/ZfK2v7xhSj8SsqX19
Hope to see you tonight!
Nicole Fritts
PTO Co-secretary
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Dana Byrd. Dana has been working in education at Harrisburg R-VIII for the past seven years in our Parents as Teachers Program.
Elementary Principal Gabe Burris shared “Dana has transitioned to the Program Coordinator role this year and has done a great job of coordinating all program events, training, and organization. Dana does a wonderful job of staying in touch with families, answering questions, providing information and being a tremendous asset to our district and parents. We are thankful for the collaboration that she provides to our preschool teachers, as well as others. Dana works hard to make sure parents have the resources they need.”
Prior to moving to Missouri with her family, Dana was employed as a social worker in the state of Pennsylvania. She shared that she “loves working in the district and community with our littlest Bulldogs and their families.” Thank you for everything that you and the Parents as Teachers Program do for our district, Mrs. Byrd! #BulldawgPride
Students have enjoyed our Storybook Pumpkin Patch in the library. This afternoon they will be on display outside of the elementary office.
Check out the latest events and news from Harrisburg R-VIII in our Fall Bulldog Express Newsletter. https://harrisburg.edurooms.com/engage/harrisburg-r-viii/newsletters/the-bulldog-express-fall-2024
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mrs. Alexandra Geisler. This is Mrs. Geisler’s first year of teaching and we’re thankful to have her at Harrisburg Middle School teaching 7th & 8th grade Life and Earth Science.
Mrs. Geisler holds a dual Bachelors of Science in Geology and Geography. She was a Resource Planner for the Kansas Water Office for three years where her work included educational initiatives. She also spent a year working for Veterans United before taking some time to be home with her two children. Mrs. Geisler grew up in Glasgow, MO and comes from a family that is very involved in the school community. Her husband, Devon, is also a teacher and coach at Harrisburg and both of her parents were volunteer coaches. Mrs.Geisler also has experience coaching cheerleading, basketball, and track. She shared that “due to my experiences and interests, stepping into the classroom and sharing my love for science, learning, and the outdoors has been a natural transition for me.”
Middle School Principal Jeff Wardrip adds that “Mrs. Geisler is doing a tremendous job. She makes it a point to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to learning about Science. Mrs. Geisler, thank you for all the effort you give to our students, staff, and community.” #BulldawgPride
HONOR FLIGHT FUNDRAISER: Our Student Council members district-wide are teaming up to raise funds to send a Veteran to his or her memorial in Washington DC.
Please see the flyer for dates and please send your donations to any building office or with your student. Elementary students will be bringing home information in their Friday folders tonight.
Checks should be made out to "Central Missouri Honor Flight".
We will accept donations through November 6th. Thank you for your help in honoring our Veterans! #BulldawgPride
The Literati Book Fair is coming! Join us for an intergalactic adventure on November 4-8, or shop online now at fairs.literati.com to find books for all ages. Every purchase benefits our school.
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: This week’s featured teacher is Mrs. Megan Breece. Mrs. Breece has been a teacher for four years and has returned to her alma mater this year to teach 2nd grade.
Elementary Principal Gabe Burris shared that “Megan has been a great addition to our second grade team! We are glad to have her expertise, experience and easy going attitude as a part of our team. She is always willing to help others out and go the extra mile to meet her students' needs.”
Mrs. Breece was born and raised in Harrisburg and graduated from Harrisburg High School in 2016. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Columbia College and spent her first three years teaching 2nd grade at Southern Boone Elementary before coming back to her hometown. We are thrilled to have Megan back at Harrisburg! #BulldawgPride
You are invited to Harrisburg Schools' annual Veterans Day Program "Honoring All Who Served" on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 9:00 AM in the High School Gym. There will be a reception for all Veterans and guests immediately following the program.
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” - Peter Drucker
Thank you, Mr. Combs, for your leadership and commitment to making Harrisburg R-VIII School District a great place for all students, educators, and staff. #BulldawgPride
In preparation of our 2024 Veterans Day Program we are collecting images of our local Veterans and Servicemen and Women for a slideshow that will play during the event. If you would like to submit a photo for this presentation, please send it by email to Nathan Carey at careyn@harrisburg.k12.mo.us by November 6, 2024. Any submissions received after this deadline will be included in future programs starting in 2025. #BulldawgPride
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mrs. Kimberly Strawn. Mrs. Strawn has been working in education for 26 years and has spent the last 11 of those at Harrisburg School District.
Mrs. Strawn currently works with our youngest Bulldogs in Mrs. Monroe’s Pre-K classroom as a Paraeducator.
Katie Monroe shared “Kimberly is a great teacher to work with. She is super organized, has great ideas to share, and cares deeply for our students. She is very observant about how students are feeling and always goes the extra mile to help students with their needs. She is great at teaching our preschoolers how to do things independently- a task that requires lots of patience. She is invaluable to our preschool program!”
Elementary Principal Gabe Burris shared that “Kimberly is a tremendous asset to our Preschool program. She is always in the right place at the right time and willing to go above and beyond to help in any way that she can - we’d be lost without her.”
In addition to her role in our preschool program, Mrs. Strawn served as a senior sponsor in 2023-24, has been actively involved with our Parents and Teachers Organization over the years, and is the current President of the Harrisburg Band Booster Club.
Thank you, Mrs. Strawn, for the many ways you support our district with your time and talents. #BulldawgPride
The 2024 School & Community Flu Clinic will be held Thursday, November 7. Consent forms for the free school clinic will be sent home with all elementary students, are available in the MS and HS office, and can be printed from the link below. Please return the consent form by Friday, October 25 if you would like your student to receive the flu vaccine on Nov. 7. The Community Flu Clinic will be held in the Community Room (Administration Building) from 3:30-6:00 PM. Please see flyers for more details and email Jackie Wardrip at wardripja@harrisburg.k12.mo.us for more information.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cj8cush0dMQJUZned3EhcHCLbEX-T7pK/view?usp=sharing
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mrs. Molly Halterman. This is Mrs. Halterman’s ninth year in education and she has spent all of those years as a Harrisburg Bulldog. Mrs. Halterman started her teaching career as a 2nd grade classroom teacher and, after a brief hiatus from teaching after the birth of her two children, returned to Harrisburg this year as our 2nd & 3rd grade Learning Specialist. In this role Mrs. Halterman works closely with classroom teachers to ensure that all students are receiving individualized instruction and support.
Special Services director Carmen Combs shared that “Molly is a fantastic addition to our team in her new role of learning specialist. As an experienced former classroom teacher, we are excited for Molly to use that expertise in all facets of teaching and learning to support our students.”
Elementary Principal Gabe Burris added "We are glad to have Molly back on our team! She is a great asset to our students! Molly is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure student needs are met! "
In addition to the work that she does with those two grade levels, Mrs. Halterman also serves on the Elementary Instructional Support Team that uses data to identify the needs of all students in the building. She also serves on our Community Teachers Association Calendar Committee and Social Committee.
We are thrilled to have Mrs. Halterman back on staff at Harrisburg Elementary this year. #BulldawgPride
We are so thankful to the men and women who work tirelessly each day to ensure our buildings are clean and safe. Thank you to Blakemore Cleaning and each and every one of our team members who do this important work. We appreciate you! #BulldawgPride
TEACHER FEATURE TUESDAY: Today’s featured teacher is Mr. Caiden Webb. Mr. Webb has been a teacher for six years and started his career in Harrisburg in 2019 as a student teacher working with Mr. Chris Ackman. He returned to Harrisburg High this year to teach part-time while working on his PhD at the University of Missouri.
Mr. Ackman shared that “As a student teacher Mr. Webb did an amazing job and made quite the impression on students by developing connections with them. We were excited to learn that he was returning to Columbia from Sullivan, Illinois where he had been teaching and would return to Harrisburg as a faculty member.”
Mr. Webb is teaching Current Events, Dual Credit Government, Dual Credit Geography, Dual Credit American History to 1865, and Dual Credit American History from 1865 in the 2024-25 school year.
In addition to his part-time role at Harrisburg, he teaches classes and conducts research at Mizzou, lives in Columbia with his fiancé, and is so glad to have the opportunity to be back at Harrisburg.
Welcome back to Harrisburg, Mr. Webb. We are glad to have your expertise and experience available to our students this year. #BulldawgPride
