
Here are the Spirit Days for the MCHS Football Homecoming for the week of October 2 through 6.


๐บ๐ธ ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฒ: ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐/๐๐/๐๐ ๐บ๐ธ
Today we remember the heroes and honor the fallen. ๐ฝโค๏ธ On this Patriots Day, we stand united, reflecting on the strength of our nation. ๐ค
๐ Many of our teachers will be sharing the importance of this day in Americaโs history with our students, ensuring that the legacy lives on. ๐๐
Let us never forget. ๐๏ธ๐บ๐ธ
๐บ๐ธ๐ฝโค๏ธ


Mark your calendars, everyone! ๐
We are thrilled to announce the McDonald County School District's Open Houses on Thursday, August 17th! ๐๏ธ
๐ฐ๏ธ Open House Times: ๐ฐ๏ธ
๐ซ McDonald County High School: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
๐ซ Anderson Elementary School: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
๐ซ Anderson Middle School: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
๐ซ Pineville Primary: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
๐ซ Pineville Elementary School: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
๐ซ Noel Primary: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
๐ซ Noel Elementary: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
๐ซ Rocky Comfort Elementary: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
๐ซ Southwest City Elementary: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
๐ซ White Rock Elementary: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
๐ Join us for an evening filled with fun and excitement! ๐ Meet your wonderful teachers, explore your new classrooms, and get ready to make amazing memories in the upcoming school year! ๐๐คฉ
๐ Let's kick off this academic year with positivity and enthusiasm! ๐ See you all at the Open Houses! ๐ซ๐ #BackToSchool #OpenHouse #McDonaldCountySchools #EducationMatters ๐๐


Join us for Mustang Pride Day - a day full of activities highlighting our McDonald County Mustangs Fall Sports Teams.
Here is a schedule of events and scrimmages:
8:00 am - Cross Country Team Run at "The Rock" cross country course at White Rock Elementary
11:00 am - Vendors open at the MCHS
12:00 pm - Coaches Meeting
2:30 pm - Softball, Volleyball, and Soccer scrimmages
4:30 pm - All sports parent meeting in the Performing Arts Center
6:00 pm - Team Intros at Mustang Stadium
7:00 pm - Football Scrimmage at Mustang Stadium
Be sure to mark your calendars and come out to support our student-athletes as they prepare for the school year!


๐๐๐ Summer School Announcement! ๐๐๐
Hey there, McDonald County families! ๐๐ Are you ready for an exciting summer of learning, laughter, and making new friends? We sure are! ๐โจ
๐
Mark your calendars: Summer school kicks off on Wednesday, May 31, and runs until Friday, June 30!
Here's a breakdown of the locations and grades, so you know where to head:
๐ซ McDonald County High School: Incoming 9th - 12th grades
๐ซ Anderson Elementary: Anderson and Rocky Comfort incoming K - 8th grades
๐ซ Noel Elementary: Noel and Southwest City incoming 4th - 8th Grades
๐ซ Noel Primary: Noel Primary and Southwest City incoming K - 3rd grades
๐ซ White Rock Elementary: White Rock and Pineville Primary and Elementary incoming K - 8th grades
โฐ Classes start at 8:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. We're going to make every minute count, so get ready for some fantastic learning adventures! ๐โ๏ธ
๐ฝ๏ธ ๐๐ฅช๐ฅ During summer school, all breakfasts and lunches at the schools will be FREE for students 18 and under, regardless of whether they attend summer school or not! ๐๐
If you have any questions or need more information or to enroll your students, don't hesitate to reach out to one of the schools listed above. Our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you! ๐๐ฉโ๐ซ๐จโ๐ซ
Remember, summer school is all about new experiences, building memories, and having a blast while expanding your horizons! ๐๐ So let's make this summer the best one yet! ๐ช๐ซ
See you all soon! ๐โจ


๐บ๐ธ #RememberAndHonor ๐๐๏ธ
This Memorial Day, McDonald County Schools stands united with our community to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. ๐ฝโค๏ธ
Their courage and selflessness inspire us to cherish the liberties we enjoy every day. ๐๐
Join us in expressing our gratitude and paying our respects to these extraordinary heroes. ๐บ๐๏ธโค๏ธ๐ค
#ForeverGrateful #UnitedWeStand #MemorialDay2023 #McDonaldCountySchools #MCR1Proud #WeAre1 ๐บ๐ธ๐ช๐


๐ It's a wrap! ๐
Today marks the last day of the year for our incredible teachers in McDonald County Schools. ๐๐ They came together for their annual end-of-year celebration, and what a celebration it was! ๐ฅณ
We took this moment to recognize the dedication and hard work of our amazing teachers and staff who have been with us for 5 to 30 years. ๐๐ผ They are the heart and soul of our district, shaping young minds and inspiring our students every day. Thank you for your unwavering commitment! ๐
This year, we bid farewell to two exceptional individuals who have made a tremendous impact on our district. ๐๐ผ Dr. Mark Stanton, our long-time Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent Joy Hardridge are retiring. ๐ We had the opportunity to shake their hands, give hugs, and express our heartfelt appreciation for their many years of dedicated service. ๐ค
We also had the chance to recognize all our retiring teachers. We wish you the very best as you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life. Enjoy every moment and embrace the adventures that lie ahead! โจ
For our returning teachers, we hope you have an incredible summer filled with relaxation, rejuvenation, and plenty of memorable moments. You deserve every bit of it! โ๏ธ๐ด
And to everyone at McDonald County Schools, from our administrators to our support staff, we want to extend a massive THANK YOU for your unwavering dedication and commitment. ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ You are truly superheroes in the eyes of our students, and we appreciate you more than words can express.
Thank you for making a difference in every child, every day, whatever it takes!โค๏ธ๐ค๐
#LastDayOfSchool #EndOfYearCelebration #TeacherRecognition #RetirementFarewell #NewBeginnings #SummerVacation #ThankYouTeachers #McDonaldCountySchools #MCR1Proud #WeAre1










Happy National School Nurse Day to our amazing school nurses and nurse aides at McDonald County Schools! ๐ฉบ๐ฉโโ๏ธ๐จโโ๏ธ๐
From checking temperatures and handing out band-aids to administering medications and providing emotional support, you all play a vital role in ensuring our students can learn and grow in a safe and healthy environment. We appreciate you more than words can express! โค๏ธโค๏ธ ๐
So, let's give it up for our incredible school nurses and nurse aides today! ๐๐๐๐
Thank you so much for helping McDonald County Schools make a difference in every child, every day, whatever it takes! ๐๐ซ


๐ฉโ๐ซ๐ Letโs have a big round of applause for Bridget Epperson, the 2023 McDonald County Schools Teacher of the Year! ๐๐
Bridget's years of dedication to teaching Early Childhood Special Education students at Noel Primary School are truly inspiring. ๐๐
She is a role model for all educators, and we are proud to have her on our team. ๐๐
Epperson was selected from a group of amazing candidates from schools all across the district who were also recognized at tonightโs McDonald County Teacher of the Year Banquet.
๐
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ
Congratulations, Bridget, and thank you for making a difference in every child, every day, whatever it takes. ๐๐๐
#TeacherOfTheYear #Education #NoelPrimarySchool #Inspiration #Dedication #Commitment #McDonaldCountySchools #ProudEducators #MCR1Proud #WeAre1 โค๏ธ๐ค




๐ Itโs time to celebrate our amazing Teachers of the Year at McDonald County Schools!
Over the next few days, weโll be highlighting our Teachers of the Year at each school in the district. ๐งโ๐ซ๐ง๐ปโ๐ซ
๐ A big congratulations to Bridgette Epperson, Early Childhood teacher at Noel Primary School, for this well-deserved recognition! ๐
Thank you for your dedication to making a difference in every child, every day, whatever it takes! ๐
The overall district Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet on Thursday, April 20. ๐
Stay tuned for the big news! โด๏ธ๐๐จโ๐ซ๐ฉโ๐ซ


๐ค Robots, ๐ข roller coasters, and ๐ป right clicks!
๐ Get ready to witness the ultimate showcase of STEM skills! McDonald County students from kindergarten to eighth grade brought their A-game at the annual STEMAPalooza contest held at McDonald County High School. ๐ฌ๐ฅ๏ธ๐งโ๐ฌ๐ข
๐๐ป The competition was fierce as grade levels battled it out to engineer cardboard roller coasters, program robots to move across the floor, and write actual computer code!
Through #STEMAPalooza, students learned the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, gaining valuable experience applying their STEM knowledge and skills to real-world challenges. ๐
We are bursting with pride for our students and can't wait to see the incredible things they will achieve in the world of STEM! ๐ช๐ผ๐ฉโ๐ฌ๐จโ๐ป
Join us in celebrating our future innovators and the McDonald County Schools' commitment to #STEMeducation and #MakingADifference in every child, every day, whatever it takes! โค๏ธ๐ค
#STEMeducation #FutureInnovators #MakingADifference #McDonaldCountySchools #MCR1Proud #WeAre1 ๐๐ผ๐










๐ฆ๐๏ธ Shining the spotlight on some of our awesome teachers, programs, and supporters at McDonald County Schools. ๐
Letโs give a big round of applause for the more than 20 educators and supporters who were honored at the Celebration of Schools Awards Ceremony hosted by the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence last night! ๐
๐ Congratulations to our incredible honorees from McDonald County Schools including:
๐ซ Board Member Recognition - 10 years + service: Frank Woods
๐ซ District Outstanding Achievement Awards: Sean Mccullough, Brandon Joines, Josh Factor, Beau Bennett, Josh Tyler, Allen Callahan, Oscar Ortiz, Reed Davis, Daniel Sumler, and Christine Ellis
๐ซ Teacher of the Year Recipients: Theresa Walthall, Crystal Crust, Terri Casto, Karen Woods, Bridgett Epperson, Reneโ Jennings, Maggie Johnson, Alison Payette, and Morgan Williams.
๐ซ Friend of Education: Randy Smith
๐ซ Making Learning Come Alive, PreK-6th Grade: Art and Culture Night, Noel Elementary;
Art Trading Cards, White Rock Elementary
๐ซ Making Learning Come Alive, 7th - 12th Grade: Dabbs Greer Little Theater, McDonald County High School; To Kill A Mockingbird/Place-Based Learning, McDonald County High School
๐ซ Dr. Al Cade Educational Service Award: Joy Hardridge, Asst. Superintendent MCR1
We are thrilled to share that McDonald County Schools had the biggest showing of nominees of any school in the region! ๐คฉ
Thank you to these excellent educators and supporters for making a difference in the lives of every child, every day, whatever it takes! โค๏ธ๐ค

McDonald County School District families and friends...
This week, several schools around the area have been impacted by an increasing number of hoax reports of active shooter incidents.
We want to assure everyone that we are aware of the incidents and we take all threats seriously until proven otherwise.
If we receive such a threat, our plans include rapid communication of accurate information.
We will use our schoolโs mass notification system to send out updates via phone and text messages to parents and staff along with posting to our districtโs social media pages and our website at www.mcdonaldr1.net.
The McDonald County School District will always remain vigilant regardless of false reports, and will also pursue any potential prosecution regarding those who seek to disrupt school by making a false threat.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.


๐๐๐ It's back to class for McDonald County Schools! ๐๐๐
We hope you've had a great Spring Break ๐ธ๐๐ and we can't wait to see all of our amazing students and staff back at school on Monday, March 27!
Let's make it a great week together! ๐ช๐๐


๐ฃ๐ธ๐๐ HAPPY SPRING BREAK! ๐๐๐ธ๐ฃ
Just a quick reminder that McDonald County Schools are out for Spring Break from March 20-24!
๐๐ผ๐ Take some time to relax, have fun, and recharge! ๐๐๏ธ๐ด
Weโll see you back in class on Monday, March 27! ๐๐จโ๐ซ๐ฉโ๐ซ ๐ธ๐๐


๐ฃ Happy #MotivationalMonday everyone!
๐ฅ Let's start the week with this inspiring reminder from William Butler Yeats: "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." ๐ฅ
We hope this quote inspires you to approach your learning with a passion and curiosity that ignites a lifelong love for education. ๐๐
๐ค Remember, every day is an opportunity to learn and grow, so let's make the most of it! ๐


๐ ๐ Seeking out the best!
Itโs what recruiters from McDonald County Schools are doing as current teachers are retiring and others are moving from the district. ๐ซ
The team recently gathered several top prospects from the Missouri Southern State University Education Career Fair. ๐งโ๐ซ๐ฉโ๐ซ
Itโs just part of a push by school leaders to attract educators who are passionate, dedicated, and motivated to make sure our students are provided with the highest quality education. ๐๐
Hereโs a look at a story by KODE/KSN TV highlighting McDonald County at the career fair: https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/mssu/learning-about-teaching-opportunities-at-the-education-career-fair/
Just another way McDonald County Schools make a difference in the lives of every child, every day, whatever it takes! โค๏ธ๐ค






๐ฃ How about a big shout-out to some real heroes in McDonald County Schools? ๐ฆธ๐ช
Wednesday, February 22 is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! ๐๐๐
With more than 420 square miles in the school district, our bus drivers travel hundreds of thousands of miles each year to get our students safely transported to and from school. ๐๐ซ
To all our dedicated bus drivers, we want to say a big THANK YOU for everything you do. Your commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is truly valued and appreciated. ๐โค๏ธ
Let's give a round of applause to all the hardworking and caring school bus drivers out there who make a difference in every child, every day, whatever it takes!! ๐๐๐


Itโs National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! ๐๐ฎโโ๏ธ๐ฎโโ๏ธ
๐๏ธ Today, we celebrate and honor the incredible work of our SROs here in the McDonald County School District.
From ensuring the safety and security of our students to serving as positive role models and building relationships within our community, our SROs go above and beyond in their line of duty. They work tirelessly to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students and staff, and their dedication is truly appreciated.๐ช
So let's give a big shoutout and thank you to all of our amazing SROs for making a difference in every child, every day, whatever it takes! ๐๐


๐ Weโre ready! ๐
๐ Hearts cut and glued.
๐Cards made with help from high school friends.
๐ Balloons filled and delivered.
All across the district, our students are โvalentinedโ up!
๐ซถ We hope you are too!
๐ Happy Valentineโs Day from your friends at McDonald County Schools!
#HappyValentinesDay #Balloonsfilled #CardsMade #Heartscutandglued #McDonaldCountySchools #MCR1 #WeAre1 #BeMine
