Fordland Focus

Fordland Families,

It’s hard to believe we are already well into the second semester. The recent stretch of mild temperatures has certainly been a welcome change, and as we move toward spring, there is a great deal of positive momentum across our district.

Our winter sports season is heading into its final stretch. The boys’ basketball team sits at 18-6 with one home game remaining before district play begins next week. The girls’ team holds a strong 15-9 record, with their final regular season game tomorrow night at Hartville. Both programs have shown growth and resilience throughout the season, and we look forward to cheering them on as they enter district competition. Believe it or not, spring sports practices will begin soon, marking another transition in our activity calendar.

Our cheerleaders proudly represented Fordland at the Missouri Cheer Competition this past weekend, delivering a flawless performance and finishing 13th. This marked the program’s first state appearance in nearly 20 years and provided valuable experience to build on for the future. We are proud of their dedication and the way they represented Fordland.

The Academic Team continues to demonstrate impressive improvement, winning two of their last three contests and showing noticeable growth since the beginning of the season. They have one regular-season match remaining before competing in the Conference Tournament.

The Ag department is also preparing for an exciting few weeks ahead. FFA Week is just around the corner, including the annual Farmers’ and Community Appreciation Breakfast on February 27. Students are gearing up for a busy spring contest season, with teams competing in multiple areas and preparing projects for the agriscience fair. We are proud of the leadership and dedication shown by our FFA members.

At the elementary level, we are already looking ahead to March 12, when we will host our annual Spring Title Night in conjunction with Grandparents/VIP Day, a special opportunity to celebrate literacy, learning, and family involvement. We hope to see you there!

As a reminder, school will be in session Monday, February 23, as this is a scheduled make-up day.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. The energy and commitment of our students, staff, and families make a meaningful difference each day. Let’s continue building on this strong second semester and keep making it a #BannerYear at Fordland!

Sincerely,

Dr. Stephanie Vickers

Superintendent

Fordland R-3 Schools

Meet Mrs. Tunnell. She is our Ag and Science teacher at Fordland High School. She is also one of our FFA sponsors. Mrs. Tunnell has been with our district for 3 years. She is described as caring, enthusiastic and passionate about agriculture education!

Her favorite thing about working at Fordland is witnessing the ambition from all staff to make sure the best decisions for students are made.

Q: Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

A: "I visited Taiwan as a college freshman with MSU. We toured different aspects of agriculture in the country and were questioned by customs. That was intimidating!"

Q: What is the greatest challenge you've had to overcome in your life thus far?

A: "In August of 2026, the greatest joys, privileges, and challenges my husband and I will face are two children under 2 years old."

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?

A: "My great-grandma, Lovie, is my biggest inspiration. She was the last one-room school house teacher in Dallas County. She always said, "Education is the one thing no one can take from you!"

Q: What advice would you give our students?

A: "Be humble enough to be teachable."

Meet Ms. Rushing! She is our OTC bus driver and substitute teacher. Ms. Rushing has been with our district for 5 years. She is known for her good sense of humor and dedication to our students. Her favorite thing about working at Fordland is hearing the kids say, "Hi Ms. Rushing!" and all the hugs they give her. She says that everyone feels like family!

Q: What's something you can't live without?

A: "My daily naps! I'm not me without a nap."

Q: What is the greatest challenge you've had to overcome in your life thus far?

A: "The greatest challenge but biggest blessing is raising 2 kids on my own."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you're not at work?

A: "When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time hunting, fishing, and at the lake with my family...also naps!"

Q: What advice would you give our students?

A: "Don't ever stop believing in yourself. You can do all things when you put your mind to it."

Website: https://www.fordlandschools.org
Location: 1230 School Street, Fordland, MO, USA
Phone: 417-767-2298
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087640789888
Twitter: @FordlandR3Scho1