Cardinal Connections Newsletter

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February is feeling a lot like spring, which means baseball season is right around the corner! We’re excited to share an exclusive first look at the turf coming together on our new baseball and softball field.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, students and athletes will soon have a state-of-the-art space to practice, play, and make memories that last a lifetime. We can’t wait to see the first games take place on this beautiful new field soon!

Are you interested in learning more about the Home Run for the Future campaign or making a tax-deductible donation? Learn more here.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and the Ambulance Simulator pictured below is just one example of the incredible hands-on learning happening in our CTE programs.

Clinton Technical School EMT students are training in a realistic environment using authentic equipment and real-world emergency scenarios. This immersive experience helps students build skills in patient assessment, teamwork, communication, and critical decision-making while preparing them for future careers.

This valuable learning tool was made possible through the generous support of Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, which donated the ambulance, and the Education Foundation for Clinton Students, which contributed $2,500 toward project costs. We are grateful for partners who help make opportunities like this possible for our students.

Students are taught by Megan Weiss.

See more pictures here.

Welcome to BEYOND THE NEST, a spotlight on recent alumni and the journeys they’ve taken since graduating from Clinton High School.

We call it Beyond the Nest because, just like young birds leaving the nest, our graduates leave our halls PREPARED, CONFIDENT, and READY to soar into the world. From college, the workforce, trade school, military, and careers, this weekly series celebrates how our alumni are spreading their wings and making their mark. Join us as we share their stories, achievements, and the paths that began right here in our halls.

After graduating from Clinton High School in 2020, Spencer Jones joined the military and spent his first three-year contract in the U.S. Army stationed in Okinawa, Japan, serving as a Patriot Missile Enhanced Operator. During this time, he participated in live-fire missions and training exercises, most notably working with and training the Taiwanese in Hawaii in August of 2021. Following this mission, he was sent to Iwakuni, Japan, where he worked in a joint force with the Marines in October of 2023.

Once his contract was complete, Spencer reenlisted to remain overseas and, in March of 2024, was stationed in Baumholder, Germany. While there, he was promoted to SGT (Sergeant/E-5) and is currently stationed at that location. During his time overseas, Spencer has also traveled extensively, visiting 12 different countries and learning about a wide variety of cultures.

"My time at CHS taught me how to be prepared for what's to come and helped me build a solid foundation. Ryan Guenther's guidance and support definitely impacted me and pushed me to be the person I am today. Jamie McCoy's guidance and advice also impacted my life. I will always be appreciative of those two for being the stepping stones in my life to be the person I am today."

We’re proud of you, Spencer, and grateful for your service. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal.

In celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, Beyond the Nest is spotlighting former students whose paths were shaped by the district's CTE programs and hands-on learning experiences. These stories highlight how classroom learning turns into real-world skills, and lasting success beyond the halls of Clinton High School.

Alana Alexander, a 2021 graduate of CHS, attended Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Movement Science, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is currently continuing her education at Missouri State University as a first-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. During her time at MSU, Alana was actively involved in Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Centennial Leaders, the Pre-Physical Therapy Society, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. One of her most meaningful experiences was serving as Director of Philanthropy for Alpha Delta Pi, where she helped raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks. Alana also gained hands-on experience in the physical therapy field through an internship at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare and by working as a Physical Therapy Tech at Cox South in Springfield. These opportunities have further strengthened her passion for helping others through physical therapy.

"Looking back, my time in the Clinton School District really helped prepare me for where I am today. The Health Occupations class at Clinton Technical School was such an important starting point, it gave me my first real look into the healthcare field and allowed me to earn my CNA license, which opened up opportunities I never would have had otherwise. Being involved in sports also shaped me in big ways. My coaches pushed me to stay committed, work hard, and persevere even when things got tough, lessons I still carry with me now. Most of all, I’m so thankful for the support of the Clinton community. The encouragement I received, along with the scholarships generously provided by people in the community and the opportunities that came through our school’s connection with the rootEd program, have been a huge reason I am able to continue my education and pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy."

Congratulations to this year's Court-Mat Warming candidates.

Front row (left to right): Kalynn Matney (freshman), Miyah Carmichael (sophomore), Natalie Golder (junior), Addison Little (senior), Myleigh Willings (senior), and Allie Vandenberg (senior)

Back row (left to right): Landen Newman (freshman), Ethan Newman (sophomore), Ryan Lowe (junior), Jase Wilson (senior), Maddax Nicholson (senior), and Malachi Wilson (senior)

Coronation will take place on Friday, February 13th, during halftime of the boys basketball game.

Learning went hands-on in Mr. Taylor's 8th grade science class as students wrapped up their study of the nervous system with a sheep brain dissection.

This lab allowed students to connect classroom lessons to real-world anatomy by identifying key brain structures and regions they’ve been learning about.

See more pictures here.

Preschoolers in Ms. Madi’s class have been exploring ice and snow through fun, hands-on activities.

Students made ice cubes, investigated how ice and snow-like materials feel and change, practiced counting for early math skills, and worked together to sort "snowballs" by size. These activities strengthened fine motor skills, problem-solving, teamwork, and curiosity, all while having fun learning together!

See more pictures here.

FCCLA Region 12 competition and elections were held in January at UCM, and CHS FCCLA members made us proud with an incredible showing!

Advancing to State

• Mallory Cole – Professional Presentation: The Digital Brain (Gold Medalist)
• Isabel Gastaudo – Chapter Service Project: Feeding the Homeless (Gold Medalist)
• Tianta McNack & Julia Cochran – National Programs: Hygiene Education (Silver Medalist)

Brooklyn Wisniewski – Repurpose and Redesign: New Uses for Old Towels (Silver Medalist)

We also celebrate Isabel Gastaudo, who concluded her reign as the first Regional President from Clinton High School, a milestone for the CHS FCCLA program!

And another first for CHS FCCLA: Mallory Cole was elected as the Missouri FCCLA State Officer representing Region 12!

Congratulations to our CHS FCCLA students and advisors, Liane Hager and Melissa Peery, on these outstanding achievements.

See more pictures here.

Kindergarten students in Ms. Sherer's class recently stepped into the role of paleontologists.

Students used their imaginations to explore a hands-on “dig site” made of chocolate chip cookies and toothpicks. With cups to collect their “bones” and fossils, students carefully excavated their finds before enjoying a well-earned cookie treat.

See more pictures here.

Big congratulations are in order for our CHS FBLA program!

Students competed at the district-level competition last week, with 16 events moving on to state competition later this year! Students are taught by Mrs. Kelly DeHaan and Mr. Jason Pleacher.

Below are a list of groups and individuals who placed.

*An asterisk indicates those advancing to SLC in April.

Broadcast Journalism - Kat Cole, Faith Klahs, Allie Vandenberg - 5th place

Business Management - Nikolas Kamal, Alaina Witherspoon - 1st place*

Business Plan - Maddie Hess, Gabby Phillips - 1st place*

Career Portfolio - Malachi Wilson - 1st place*

Computer Applications - Brandt Hendrich - 3rd place

Customer Service - Ryan Custer - 1st place*

Digital Video Production - AJ Phillips - 4th place

Entrepreneurship - Kat Cole, Faith Klahs - 1st place*

Future Business Leader - Malachi Wilson - 2nd place*

Healthcare Administration - Maddie Hess - 4th place*

Hospitality & Event Management - Allie Vandenberg, Izzi Yates - 1st place*

Intro to Business Concepts - Kasey Hess - 5th place*

Intro to IT - AJ Phillips - 5th place*

Intro to Retail & Merchandising - Lily Ann Schussler - 4th place*

Marketing - Warner Wilson - 4th place

Project Management - Onlee Avis - 2nd place*

Project Management - Brandt Hendrich - 1st place*

Real Estate - Ryan Custer - 1st place*

Social Media Strategies - Cody Mitchell, Dylan Lutjen - 1st place*

Sports & Entertainment Management - Onlee Avis, Ryan Custer, Jake Kirk - 4th place

Visual Design - Maddie Hess, Gabby Phillips - 2nd place*

Website Design - Tianta McNack - 3rd place

See more pictures here.

Congrats to the employees below who were recently recognized for their outstanding dedication to Clinton Schools!

Clinton Schools will not be in session on Monday, February 16th, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Do you know a CSD employee who has made a difference in your child's life? Someone who consistently goes above and beyond?

Now’s your chance to recognize their hard work! Nominate an outstanding teacher or staff member for one of the three awards below. Finalists will be announced later this school year!

Nomination deadline is March 9th.

• Educator of the Year Nomination Form
• Cardinal Rising Star Nomination Form
• Support Staff Employee of the Year Nomination Form

Thanks to the generous support of the organizations listed below, the Clinton School District is bringing a powerful and potentially life-saving presentation to our community.

Be Alert is a nationally recognized program designed specifically for parents and guardians. It provides critical information about online safety and the very real risks children face in today’s digital world. This presentation equips adults with the tools and knowledge needed to better protect their children.

This is a FREE event for ALL parents in our community (children are not allowed to attend). Learn more about the Be Alert program here.

Event Details:

• Wednesday, March 4
• 6:00-7:30 PM
• Clinton High School

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Clinton Police Officer Association
• Compass Health
• Month of the Child Committee
• Booster Club
• Education Foundation

We can't wait to see all of our Cardinals showing their #CardinalPride in their red, white and blue tomorrow (Friday, February 13).

The academic calendar for next school year (2026-2027) has been approved by the Board of Education. A printable version of this calendar can be found at the link below.

Important Dates:
• First day of school for students: August 26, 2026
• Last day of school for students: May 19, 2027

PRINTABLE VERSION AVAILABLE HERE

Can you believe that we are already starting to plan for next school year?

If you know of someone who would make a great addition to our team, we encourage you to share the job openings below with them!

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

• Paraprofessional (Henry)
• Payroll/Benefits Clerk (Central Office)

26-27 SCHOOL YEAR OPENINGS

• Special Education Teacher (CIS)
• Classroom Teachers (Henry & CIS)
• Science Teacher (CHS)
• EMT Instructor (CTS)
• Speech Language Pathologist (CIS)
• Volleyball Coaches (CMS)

Clinton High School Student Council will be hosting a blood drive on Friday, February 27th.

Please use the link below to register (several Clinton High Schools are listed, make sure you choose the correct one).

REGISTER HERE

If school must be canceled due to inclement weather, the district will make every effort to notify parents by 5:30 am (these communication methods are outlined below). We encourage all families to develop contingency plans if school must be canceled or released early. It is especially important to have plans for younger children who are too young to stay home alone.

When school remains in session during winter weather, please plan for potential bus delays. The bus company may use snow routes if most roads are safe for travel but some rural roads are not. Parents are also encouraged to ensure their children dress appropriately for protection against prolonged exposure to cold weather. Download our bus tracking app here.

On days that inclement weather forces the district to close school buildings, our messaging to you will inform you if the day will be a "traditional inclement weather day" or an "AMI day". Please watch for this information in the communication we provide.

COMMUNICATION METHODS
SOCIAL MEDIA-The first notification you will receive about a school closure will come from our district's social media pages (Facebook and Instagram).
TEXT, EMAIL, AND PHONE-This will quickly be followed by a text message, email, and phone call. The successful delivery of this information is dependent upon accurate contact information obtained from school records. If your contact information changes, please let your child's school office know as soon as possible. Only those who have opted-in to receive text messages (text Y to 67587 from the cell number the district has on file for you) will receive the text message.
WEBSITE-This information will also be placed on our district webpage, www.clintoncardinals.org.
NEWS MEDIA-The cancellation info will be provided to KDKD and Kansas City news stations.
PLEASE BE AWARE-Private social media messages and comments will not be answered by the district when it relates to weather announcements. All decisions will be shared formally by the methods listed above.

LATE START INFO
Please be aware that if the district chooses to have a late start due to weather factors, all buildings will start 2 hours later than normal. Students riding the bus to school, would be picked up 2 hours later than normal as well. Breakfast will not be served.

The following would be the start times for each building for a late start.

• CHS/CTS-9:45 (doors open at 9:15)
• CMS-9:45 (doors open at 9:25)
• CIS-10:05 (doors open at 9:30)
• Henry Elementary-10:10 (doors open at 9:30)
• CECC-morning classes cancelled
  full day classes start at 10:00 (doors open at 9:55)
  1/2 day afternoon classes regular start time

If you have ever considered substitute teaching, we would love to have you join our team and help fill this very important role in our district **(substitute teachers pay has increased to $120/day).**

There are currently two paths to becoming a substitute teacher, 36 hours of college credit or 20 hours of online training.

You can learn more and apply to be a substitute teacher in the Clinton School District at the link below:

https://www.clintoncardinals.org/cms/One.aspx...

If you have questions, please call 660-885-2237.

Know a staff member who deserves some recognition?

Use the form below to give them a Cardinal Compliment.....it’s a quick, meaningful way to say “thank you” and recognize the difference they’re making.

Let’s start the year with gratitude!

Submit your compliment here.

FirstView is a bus tracking and communications app, offered in partnership with First Student, the district's transportation provider. The FirstView app offers parents live bus tracking with custom alerts and notifications.

To get started using FirstView, please use this link. If you should have questions, please contact Transportation at 660-885-2644.

Want to catch our Cardinals in action this year?

You can view a full athletic calendar on the MSHSAA website.

The 2025-2026 school year calendar can be found below.

You can also find a printable version on our website.