April 2026 Academic Newsletter

Visual Design — This month, freshmen will focus on creating a class-wide coloring book as a potential school fundraiser. In addition, students will complete oil pastel projects and participate in a group collaboration piece. They will also begin organizing and preparing a display of their work from throughout the year, which will be showcased at Fine Arts Night next month.

Art Design — Over the coming weeks, students will design and create a variety of handcrafted items in preparation for the end-of-year Fine Arts Night. They will finalize their inventory and make necessary preparations for the event next month.

Ceramics and Sculpture — This month, students will complete their independent, project-based work. They will also begin bringing in and organizing their finished pieces in preparation for Fine Arts Night next month.

Mass Media: The yearbook class is wrapping up the year by completing their final pages, carefully reviewing layouts, and ensuring every detail is polished. They are also finishing end-of-year sections covering track, golf, graduation, and organizations, while putting the final touches on their contest submissions.

2025-2026 Yearbooks are for Sale! All orders will need to be completed online. Please use the QR code or website link to purchase. The price is $40 until May 31st, and then it increases to $50 until the end of June—limited Supply.

or 2025-2026 Yearbook For Sale

Business Skills: Students in the business skills class are focusing on developing essential soft skills that will strengthen their resumes and prepare them for future careers. They are also preparing resumes and cover letters, learning how to present their experiences and strengths effectively. To bring these skills together, students participate in mock interviews, gaining confidence and practicing professional communication in a real-world setting.

Personal Finance: Students in the personal finance class are learning about income, taxes, and the basics of housing and real estate. They are gaining practical experience by learning how to complete important tax documents such as the W-4 and W-2 forms. These lessons are helping them build the knowledge and confidence needed to manage their finances responsibly in the future.

Accounting: Accounting students are learning the payroll process, including how to calculate employee hours worked, total earnings, gross income, net income, and deductions such as Social Security taxes, federal taxes, as well as how to properly pay employees. They are also preparing payroll registers and employee earnings records.

FBLA: Six members will compete at the State Contest in Springfield, MO, April 12–14. The organization is also planning a field trip in mid-April.

Integrated Science 9 (Physical Science) - Physical Science has two main components: Chemistry and Physics. Newton's laws set the foundation for our upcoming study of work, power and machines.

Chemistry - Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. We are deep diving into the periodic table of the elements. Studying the periodic trends and laws will set the stage for the study of each group and block's general properties.

Biology - Biology, or life science, will provide students with the knowledge of the nature of living things. We will investigate Darwin's Theory of Evolution, with a focus on molecular evolution and natural selection. In preparation for the EOC at the beginning of May, we will wrap up the month practicing EOC style questions and reviewing major concepts.

Anatomy - Human anatomy is the study of the body, its parts and their locations. The seniors are finishing up their study of the nervous system. Next will be a short unit on the digestive to prepare for the final project - a dissection!

Earth Science - Earth Science is the name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space. After our conclusion of the weather unit, we will move on to Earth's neighbors in space and study the solar system.

Pre-Algebra - We will be working on absolute value functions.

Algebra 2 - We are still working on trigonometric functions and using identities to solve equations.

Algebra 1 (Soph.) - We will start reviewing for the EOC. Along with reteaching anything that we are needing a little more practice on.

Life Skills - We will be doing a drywall unit where the students get to punch a hole in drywall but then they have to fix it.

Geometry - We will be learning about our trigonometric functions.

Statistics/Research - The students have been examining correlational research. Two key areas of concern are creating and using proper surveys and the use of a random numbers table and sampling frame to create a sample of participants. Upon completing the unit, students will explore a topic of research, design a survey, determine a sample, and analyze survey results.

Criminal Justice - Students are currently studying microscopes and what specific types of microscopes are used for. They are also learning about spectrometers, and how the function of these scientific tools are used in solving crimes.

Contemporary Literature - Students are finishing The Road. Upon completion of the novel, students use three important activities to relate themes and plot points. These include a 20-item survival list of things found in the story, plot outline of important events, and a dialectical journal detailing common themes carried throughout the story. Once these activities are completed, students will participate in a culminating activity that compares the two survival novels they read - The Road and The Girl Who Loves Tom Gordon.

Psychology - Students recently looked at different psychological disciplines (psychoanalysis, behaviorism, etc.) and the differences in therapeutic techniques. They previously also looked at different jobs or types of psychologists earlier in the year. Now students are choosing several fictional characters to examine, analyze, and possible treat using different disciplines and/or psychological professions.

Panther Band- The Panther Band is working hard in preparation for the Fine Arts Night on April 27th. Along with 3 students working hard to get their solos ready for State Solo/Ensemble festival in May.

Ag Science 1- Students are finishing up Hunters Education and towards the end of the month will start in on shop safety and wood working tools

Ag Science 2- Students are entering the shop to learn how to weld and utilize metal working tools

Greenhouse- Students are growing greenhouse plants and will start to prepare for our greenhouse which will take place in the next 5 weeks

Ag Business- Students are looking into running Agricultural Businesses and finances required to run them

Ag Construction- Students are finishing personal projects along with helping to improve a livestock trailer.

Animal Science- Students will finalize reproduction and then move into learning about digestion systems in livestock.

FOODS:

We will start a new unit covering International Foods. Students will research a country and eventually make a dish from that country.

Interpersonal Relationships:

We will be starting a chapter covering developing friendships and relationships in the family. Students will learn how to improve parent-teen relationships. They will also be able to explain the benefits of developing strong relationships with siblings, grandparents, and extended family.

Health:

We will be discussing the health effects of tobacco. Students will find various forms of tobacco and the addictive substance in tobacco products. They will assess the difficulty of quitting tobacco and analyze the government’s role in preventing tobacco use and encourage quitting.

Nutrition & Wellness:

Students will be learning how to determine a meal schedule, and plan and serve a meal. They will divide into 3 groups where they will plan a meal, delegate roles to different people and make a meal of their choice. I’m excited to see what they come up with.

Child Development:

Students will be learning about children from ages 7-12. They will discuss their physical growth and development, as well as nutrition and self care. They’ll look at the emotional and social development of children these ages. At the end of the unit, they will be introduced to the developing brain’s distinct intellectual and emotional needs.

7th Grade:

Students will be making grilled cheese sandwiches and will start a unit on microwaves.

Apparel & Textiles:

Students are sewing easter baskets for gifts, memory bears, and whatever else they decide to do a project on.

FCCLA:

Our chapter took 8 competitors to Springfield in March for the FCCLA State Leadership Conference. We had 8 ladies compete at the state level for STAR Events, and 5 received a Gold rating. Five of them will move on to the National level this July to compete at Washington DC! We will be doing some fundraising from now until then in hopes to help our chapter be able to pay for this expensive trip. We will work the concessions at the track meets MC will host this month, and be on the lookout for flyers about fundraising! The art and music departments are putting on a fun event before the music concert on April 27th. Be looking for more info on that. We appreciate the community and all that they do to help make our chapters successful!

Freshman English

Freshmen are concluding their study of A Monster Calls. To deepen their understanding of the text’s central themes, students will view Monsters, Inc. and a selected episode of Fear Factor, using these as comparative texts to explore the concept of fear. Through class discussions, students will examine how fear can impact and, at times, paralyze individuals in real-life situations. They will conduct research on the nature of fear and effective strategies for overcoming it, then synthesize insights from multiple sources to develop a unified thematic statement. The unit will culminate in a student presentation.

Sophomore English
Sophomores are finishing Fahrenheit 451 and engaging in discussions that connect the novel’s themes to contemporary society. Students will explore arguments regarding the potential impact of technology on cognitive functioning when used irresponsibly. Building on their research, they will compose an argumentative essay supported by evidence from both the text and outside sources. In addition, students are reviewing Missouri Learning Standards in preparation for the EOC assessment.

Junior English
Juniors are currently reading Hamlet and working to translate selected passages into modern English to enhance comprehension. After completing the play, students will view a performance of Hamlet as well as The Lion King, analyzing the thematic and structural parallels between the two works. This comparative study will culminate in an analytical essay.

Senior English
Seniors are studying Atomic Habits and applying its principles through the development of personal Life Improvement Charts, which address six key areas of their lives. Emphasis has been placed on the concept of incremental growth, encouraging students to adopt a “one percent improvement” mindset rather than focusing solely on outcome-based goals. Through this approach, students are learning how small, consistent changes can lead to meaningful and sustainable personal development.

Strength & Conditioning - weights

Athletic Conditioning - Speed/Agility/Mobility

Freshmen: Marley Eyman, Mayson White

Sophomores: Madilynn Griffin, Cole White

Juniors: Maggie Osburn, John Gard

Seniors: Rayla Hufford, Calvin Knowles

April 23rd high school students will be attending a speaking event with three-time gold medal-winning USA Olympic gymnast, Aly Raisman.

Quick facts about Aly

• World champion gymnast and three time gold medalist
• Team captain of the gold medal-winning USA women’s gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016
• The first American to win gold on the floor exercise
• Raisman uses her platform to help normalize the conversation around mental health, encourage positive body image and promote the importance of self-care.
• A two-time New York Times best-selling author

April 30th Senior Decision Day -- a day where we will celebrate Senior students "declaring" their post grad plans!

Good Morning,

April is here. We are at a very busy time in the school year. April is testing for our entire building (EOC April 27-May 1st). We will be doing EOC Lunch Kickoff on April 24th, with an incentive movie morning for all who received Proficient or Advanced on EOC's from last year. Both our FBLA (April 12-14th) and FFA (April 15-17th) will be having their state conventions this month as well. Our 6-12th Band students will be performing on April 27th starting at 6 pm INFO: https://aptg.co/GS2pMn. FFA Awards night will be April 29th. April 23rd we will be taking the entire High School to an event on NWMSU for Aly Raisman focusing on Mental Health. Please make sure you are checking your students grades on Lumen. Changes that need to be noted: HS Awards Ceremony will be May 6th at 12:30 pm in the Multi. Senior Trip will be May 7th. With everything being so busy, I encourage all to look for our website and school app for up to date information along with textcasters when necessary. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you might have. You can reach me by email or calling the office @ jake.shipman@mndcty.org or 660.442.5429.

Go Panthers!

Email: jake.shipman@mndcty.org

Website: https://www.mndcty.k12.mo.us/