Fordland Focus

Fordland Families,

It’s hard to believe we are already into October! The first several weeks of school have gone by quickly, and it has been great to see our students and staff settle into the routines of a new school year.

As I visit classrooms, attend activities, and spend time in our buildings, I continue to be impressed by the many ways our students and staff represent Fordland. From learning and growth in the classroom to success in athletics, there is a lot to be proud of across our district.

One of our focuses this year has been Fordland Forward. Moving forward doesn’t always mean making big changes. Often, it means finding ways to get a little better each day. We see that happening when students challenge themselves, teachers find new ways to help students learn, staff members step up to support one another, and families partner with us to help their children succeed.

October is always a busy month, with plenty of opportunities to support our Eagles. I encourage you to attend a game, performance, school event, or activity when you can. These events are not only a chance to support our kids but also an important part of what makes Fordland such a special community. I've been blown away by the many ways this community supports the school!

As I continue my first year serving as Superintendent of Fordland R-III, I am grateful for the conversations and connections I’ve already had with so many of you. Please continue to introduce yourself when you see me around. Getting to know our students, families, staff, and community members is one of the parts of this role I value most.

Thank you for the tremendous support you continue to show Fordland Schools. We have had a great start to the year, and I’m excited to see what the months ahead bring.

Fordland Forward!

Sincerely,
Marty Spence
Superintendent
Fordland R-III Schools

I know...it's still 90 degrees outside, but soon we will all be watching the forecast for snow accumulations. Calling off school is never an easy decision. We understand the safety concerns and last-minute impact that a snow day has on our Fordland families. Here are some action steps taken during the process:

National Weather Service Calls: Our NWS office holds conference calls for area superintendents at 4:15 am if bad weather is moving in. These calls are informative and give us a better idea as to when inclement weather will arrive in Fordland and how roads could be impacted.

Transportation: Before making a decision, our staff checks the road conditions in the Fordland school district. This process could begin the night before or the morning of the event. We will ere on the side of caution if roads are hazardous. We not only consider school buses, but staff and student drivers as well.

Communication: When school is cancelled, we communicate to our families in multiple ways. You should receive a phone call, email, text, and the announcement is also posted to Facebook. If you have not received school communication this year, please call our offices and we'll make sure that your contact information is updated. Ideally, we would love to communicate cancellations to our families the night before, however that's not always possible.

Make-Up Days: With our current calendar (copy below), we have built in enough hours to forgive two snow days. After that, we will start making up snow days on Mondays. In addition, we have the option of AMI. AMI days will only occur if we have eight or more snow days.

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