North Nodaway Hires Dance Coach, Paraprofessional; Tentative Timeline for Bond Project Presented

The North Nodaway School Board made two personnel moves at their regular meeting Wednesday, August 17th. The board hired MacKenzie Finney as their dance coach for the upcoming school year. The board also voted to hire Shai Barber as an elementary paraprofessional. Both votes were unanimous.

The board approved the substitute list for the upcoming school year. More substitutes could be added later. Added were Robin Teucher, Matthew Loudon, Abbie Stoll, Mason Hawk, Lindsay Alexander, Isaiah Prebe, Adam Marriott, Cameron Morrison, Rinda Gladman, Jennifer Torres, and Chelsey Harper.

Jeff Ellison gave an update on the tentative timeline of the bond project. Drawings are nearing completion; then, they go out for bid. Contractors will be taken on a tour of the facilities. Bids will then be submitted and recommendations will be made for the board, which will select a contractor. There will be a preconstruction meeting and then construction will begin. Mr. Ellison presented drawings of the three projects at the board meeting.

The plan is to do all three projects simultaneously. The goal is to start in October, work through the winter if it is mild, and be close to completion by the start of the next school year.  Mr. Ellison will update Superintendent Chris Turpin in 1-2 weeks. 

The $2.6 million bond project passed by voters involves the school building an addition to the elementary to house the preschool, build a bus barn, and create an elevator and secure entrance at the high school.

The “Hopkins School” facade will be saved and moved to a place where it will be visible.

With the construction at the high school, the tentative plan is to set up the entrance and drop off students at the commons entrance to the gym. Various offices and rooms will be moved when the project starts. 

The board voted to leave the tax levy at $4.6505 per $100 assessed valuation. The school could have raised it two cents this year, but Mr. Turpin recommended leaving it the same, saying he had promised the voters that the school would not increase taxes if the bond issue passed. The rate includes $3.5305 for the general fund, 59 cents for the debt service levy, and 53 cents for the Capital Projects Fund. 

Athletic Director Cody Jenkins reported that there were 23 football players for the Platte Valley franchise, with 8 from Jefferson, 9 for South Nodaway, and 6 for North Nodaway. Hopkins will host games against Mound City on August 26th and Rock Port on September 2nd. The other home games will be played at South Nodaway. Homecoming will be September 16th at South Nodaway against South Holt. Senior Night will be October 14th at South Nodaway.

There are 27 students out for junior high football. This includes 11 for North Nodaway, 12 for South Nodaway, and 4 for Jefferson. Five North Nodaway sixth graders came out for football. There are 9 out for the cheer squad, 5 for the dance squad, and 9 for girls volleyball. There are two out for cross country, and 13 for junior high volleyball, including 5 sixth graders.

FFA and Ag teacher Troy Nally reported that the FFA had sold 150 flower baskets last year. Officer interviews were held, and there were 9 named, 8 girls and one boy. The FFA will sell fruit this fall. There are over 40 students in FFA this year, as opposed to the mid-20’s in a normal year. Mr. Nally said he plans to take some kids to convention this year if funds permit. He reported that several grant items had been approved.

The board authorized Superintendent Chris Turpin to pursue a National School Lunch Equipment Grant. If approved, the school will purchase a milk cooler for the high school for $5,978 and a refrigerator for Pickering for $5,158. All funds will get a 100% reimbursement from the USDA and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Elementary Principal Ashley Marriott reported that the elementary building was close to ready for the school year. Staff was working on cleaning out and preparing the preschool trailer. The preschool room will be in the old teacher workroom, so all of the supplies were dispersed around the building. The old schoolhouse was organized and decluttered so that some of the items could go there.

A new ceiling was put in the gym, and a new mural in the mail hallway of the elementary. All rooms have been cleaned and new carpets shampooed.

The elementary teachers met on August 2nd to revamp grade cards and discuss grade scales.

MacKenzie Finney started in the office this week. All staff was welcomed back August 22nd. Back to School Open House was held August 23rd, and school started the 24th.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that staff had been working on building and painting improvements throughout the summer. The 275 Conference met and voted to set entry fees for gate at ballgames for $5 for adults and $3 for students. There was good participation in summer athletic and activity camps. Various grades participated in fundraising during the Hopkins Picnic.

Staff and Paraprofessional Development was held on August 22nd and 23rd. Topics included expectations, trainings, CPR, intruder training, goals, the CSIP, and intervention plans.

The PTO purchased planners for the middle school students and various school supplies as well.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the CDC has relaxed most of their guidelines (See last week’s edition for details). He will present the board with an updated plan. A big tree fell behind the old schoolhouse in Pickering that needs to be removed. All buses have now been inspected and are ready for the school year. The school audit went smoothly. The asphalt and ceiling projects have been completed. All of the new monitors and touch screen panels for classrooms have been installed. The gravel lot has gravel and lines painted for parking.

Hopkins Picnic 2022 Gramps & Granny Show Results

Three Year Olds

Kamryn Fisher – Parents: Cole & Stacey Fisher; Jack Fisher, Great-Grandpa; Grandpa’s Girl.

Two Year Olds

Brayzlie Baldwin – Parents: Joel & Kayla Baldwin; Rich Baldwin, Grandpa; Miss Personality.

Amy Ogle – Parents: Josh & Erin Ogle; John Ogle, Grandpa; Golden Locks.

13 to 23 Months

Coralin Hansen – Parents: Justin & Cassi Hansen; Rhonda Hansen, Grandma; Curliest Hair.

Paetyn Brittain – Parents: Kiel & Ali Brittain; Marcia Beason, Grandma Cia; Sweetest Smile.

7 to 12 Months

Bodie Lawson – Parents: Wayne & Ashley Lawson; Ashley Lawson, Mom; Mr. Personality.

Cecilia Ogle – Parents: Josh & Erin Ogle; Elizabeth Coleman, Great Aunt; Most Curious.

Gage Stogdill – Parents: Brandy & Justin Stogdill; Angela Parker, Grandma; Future Heart Throb.

Adelie Stevens – Parents: Christy & Dustin Stevens; Heather Smyser, Grandma; Most Hair.

Karsyn Fisher – Parents: Cole & Stacy Fisher; Patty Fisher, Great Grandma; Best Dressed.

Birth to 6 Months

Collins Chor – Parents: Nichole & Andy Chor; Phil Larabee, Grandpa; Sweetest Face.

Sawyer Partridge – Parents: Karie & Dexter Partridge; John Ogle, Grandpa; Most Talkative.

Andie Jean Gladman – Parents: Shea & Nick Gladman; Rick Gladman, Grandpa; Sleeping Beauty.

Colette Wallace – Parents: Brad & Kenzie Wallace; Dee Wallace, Grandma; Beautiful Locks.

Malcom Bix – Parents: Cody & Emily Bix; Melody Bix, Grandma; Grandma’s Snuggle Bug.

Mission Possible Receives $5,000 Donation

The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, a Bayer Fund program, partners with farmers to provide grants to local nonprofits and schools to help their communities. Through the program, farmers enroll for the chance to direct a donation to a local eligible nonprofit organization or school of their choice.  In 2022, Bayer Fund doubled America’s Farmers Grow Communities individual donations from $2,500 to $5,000.

In Worth County, Pat Hardy recently won the opportunity to direct a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation.  He picked Mission Possible Food Pantry and Thrift Store in Grant City to receive this donation. Mission Possible will use the funds to buy meat and other nutritious food for its food pantry clients.

“Food costs have risen for food pantries just as they have for every household.  We are so grateful for this donation which will enable us to restock our freezers and shelves for three months!” said Mary Kay Hunt, manager of Mission Possible’s food pantry.

Farmers can enroll for the opportunity to direct a 2023 Grow Communities donation starting on August 1, 2022. To learn more about the enrollment process and how America’s Farmers programs are making an impact, visit www.Americasfarmers.com. 

Al Mitchell, Bayer Fund president said, “Bayer Fund is proud to work side-by-side with farmers to identify local nonprofit organizations and schools that are improving rural communities in the areas of health and wellness, food and nutrition, and STEM and ag education.”

Obituary -- William Harold Brown 1921-2022

William Harold Brown was born February 1, 1921 in Coin, Iowa to Ada Mae (Fox) and Edward Newton Brown.  He was educated in the Coin  area schools.

Harold served his country in the United States Army during WWII and was a Prisoner of War.

On July 4, 1945 Harold was united in marriage to Olive M. Crenshaw in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  To this union five children were born, Edward Eugene, Garold Lavelle, Olive Elaine, Larry Wayne and Daniel Rue.  They settled in the Hopkins area where he worked several jobs through the years.  He was a farm hand, worked for the state highway barn, Merrigan Brothers Livestock Auction and farmed on his own.

Harold was a past member of the Burlington Junction American Legion and VFW Post 100 in Maryville.

Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Larry (Carol) Brown of Cameron and Daniel (Ronda) Brown of Ravenwood; one brother Melvin Brown of Forsyth; 12 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Olive; children Edward Eugene Brown, Garold Lavelle Brown and Olive Elaine Jerde; one grandchild Daniel; siblings Carrie, Virgil, Oren, Wilma, Ira, Delsie, Stella, Homer, Kenneth and Clifford.

Funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City.  Burial was in the St. Joseph Cemetery near Parnell with military honors by James Edward Gray VFW Post 100 of Maryville.   

Lattin Reunion Held for 2022

The Lattin Reunion was held on August 8th, 2022 at Beal Park in Maryville. Those attending were:

 Carmen Allen, Bret Allen, Monica Kock, Dommique and Kallen Mosley, Autumn Cerka, Lance Frahm from Ames (IA);

Ken Willtrout, Julia DeConcini, Glen Carbon (IL); Amy Monroe & friend Grant, Emily & John Monroe from Maryville (IL);

Warren, Tiffany, Noah, and Remi Vandever, Jana Vandever, Sandra Vandever, and Taegan Cannon, all from St. Joseph;

Janssen and Ed Wiese, T.J. Wallace; Sebina Hansen and Jacoby Davis, Mary Ann Cordell, Annabelle Morton, Errol, Adrianna, and Braxton Cordell, Connie McMichael, Justin, Cassi, and Cora Lynn Hansen, all from Maryville;

Barb, Cary, Trevor, and Jeremy Hansen from Nevada (IA); Kenneth Morton from Granite City (IL);

Art & Rhonda Hansen, Lorrie Schatz, and Hazel Young, all from Hopkins;

Timothy Vandever, Ape, Voss, Jr., And Nevaeh.

Hope to see you all next year!

Editorial -- Book of Virtues

When William Bennett, former Bush I Education Secretary, came out with his “Book of Virtues,” we thought it was an overly simplistic look at virtue. Now, we are not so sure.

Since the time that book was written, politicians have increasingly lost sight of right and wrong. Mob violence is now OK as long as your side does it. If your side’s politician commits some kind of egregious sin, it’s forgivable; if it was committed by the other side, then it’s not. Negotiation with one’s enemies, a practice carried out by presidents of both parties from Eisenhower to Trump, is now viewed as a sign of weakness even as the country careens to the brink of World War III. 

Our politicians can’t tell right from wrong because our society can’t tell right from wrong. If your side didn’t win, then the election was rigged somehow. But if your side won, then the other side needs to shut up because we beat you fair and square. 

The third parties, on both the right and left, avoid the mistakes of the two main parties. But we have a political system which is rigged so that it is extremely hard for anyone on the ballot who does not have a (D) or an (R) beside their name to get on the ballots on onto the debate stage. 

The more we vote for the same politicians as usual, the more we will get the same results as we are now, including the dysfunction, the partisanship, the belief in war as a means of solving problems, the belief that we need to stick it to the Russians and now the Chinese, the neglect of our infrastructure, the neglect of our schools, criminals being coddled and blown off as sympathy cases, and anything else that we care to name.

But the real solution is spiritual. We have to teach ourselves right from wrong and teach our children as well. We have to hold all human life, and all life in general, as sacred. After all, you can’t love the creator without loving the things He created. 

It starts with celebrating people who are doing things right, not just cursing the darkness. Jesus said he would never destroy the world by water again after the Flood, but he didn’t say anything about fire. The passages about destruction by fire are eerily relevant today. Even if we only buy ourselves a generation, it would be worth it. King Josiah was praised because his righteous actions allowed Judah to last another generation. The purpose of this paper needs to go beyond just the news. We need to create a living Book of Virtues.

CDC Revises COVID-19 Guidance

On Thursday, CDC streamlined its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic.

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” said Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH, MMWR author. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation.  This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”

In support of this update CDC is:

–Continuing to promote the importance of being up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Protection provided by the current vaccine against symptomatic infection and transmission is less than that against severe disease and diminishes over time, especially against the currently circulating variants. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available.

–Updating its guidance for people who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines on what to do if exposed to someone with COVID-19.  This is consistent with the existing guidance for people who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.

–Recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.

–Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.

–You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.

–If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations.

–If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.

–Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.  You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.

–If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.

–Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.

–You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.

–Recommending that if you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19 or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.

–Recommending that if you had  severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.

–Clarifying that after you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.

–Recommending screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures will no longer be recommended in most community settings.

–Emphasizing that physical distance is just one component of how to protect yourself and others.  It is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance.

Actions to take will continue to be informed by the COVID-19 Community Levels, launched in February. CDC will continue to focus efforts on preventing severe illness and post-COVID conditions, while ensuring everyone have the information and tools, they need to lower their risk.

This updated guidance is intended to apply to community settings. In the coming weeks CDC will work to align stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings, congregate settings at higher risk of transmission, and travel, with Thursday’s update.