Ozark County Schools gear up for opening day


After a construction delay tied to questions about the modular building’s proximity to the Gainesville Memorial Airport across Bull Dog Drive, the Gainesville School District’s new Preschool Center now is ready for the opening of the school year on Aug. 13. Site preparation began in May, but work stopped after questions were raised about the safety of the building’s location a short distance east of the junior high wing of the high school building near the end of the airport runway. But by the end of the month, the Federal Aviation Administration had ruled that “the structure does not exceed obstruction standards and would not be a hazard to air navigation.” The new sign proclaims, “Home of the Little Bulldogs.”

County schools are gearing up for the 2019-2020 school year. Important dates and guidelines are listed below.

Bakersfield R-IV School

Registration for all new students will be held Thursday, Aug. 1; Friday, Aug. 2; and Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Teachers report for in-service Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 7-9, and Monday, Aug. 12. The school will hold an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8

Classes begin with a full day of school on Tuesday, Aug 13. The day begins at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 3:38 p.m. for the high school and at 3:42 p.m. for the elementary. Bakersfield operates on a four-day school week, Tuesday-Friday.

Bakersfield teachers completed several fundraisers throughout the year to provide basic school supplies for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade. There is a limited school supply list of things not provided by the fundraisers such as backpacks and hand sanitizer. The list is available on the Bakersfield Alumni Facebook page, the Bakersfield School webpage (bakersfield.k12.mo.us), and at Walmart.

Bakersfield school officials remind all students and parents that state law and health regulations require students to be properly immunized and provide verification to attend school unless they have an appropriate exemption card on file. All incoming kindergartners, eighth graders and seniors need updated immunizations. Parents of children who have not received these required immunizations should call the Ozark County Health Department (679-3334) or their healthcare provider to schedule a visit before school starts.  

Dora R-III School

Dora student registration will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 8-9. This year’s Back-to-School Fair at Dora will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 3, in the Dora School cafeteria. Free clothing, shoes, haircuts and other goods and services will be available to students. Organizers expressed thanks to area churches and individuals who have helped make the event possible.

All required school supplies for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are being donated to the school again this year and will be given to students on the first day of classes. Paper, pens and pencils are also being donated to the high school classrooms. The provisions are supplied through the Back to School Basics of Ozark County nonprofit group. 

Anyone wishing to donate children’s clothing or funds for this year’s fair is asked to contact Teri Shipley at 712-1027 or Shanna Barnett at 417-293-7471. For more information, visit backtoschoolbasics.org.

Dora School will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13. 

Students return to school on Thursday, Aug. 15.

 

Gainesville R-V School

Gainesville R-V School District will hold registration Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 7-8. Students may pick up their schedules and paperwork and pay fees at this time. Insurance information and lunch applications also will be available. School officials ask that all paperwork be completed and turned in during the registration times listed below. 

Students must have up-to-date immunizations before they can attend school. New students to the district should have a copy of their current immunizations, transcript from previous schools and the name, address and telephone number of their previous school.

Correcting a previous story in the Times, school officials said book bags, duffle bags or backpacks will be allowed at school.

Registration for returning high school students will be Aug. 7, with seniors registering at 8 a.m., juniors at 9 a.m., sophomores at 10 a.m., freshman at 11 a.m., eighth graders at 1 p.m. and seventh graders at 2 p.m. New students may register anytime from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. 

Registration for returning elementary student will also be on Aug. 7, with sixth graders registering at 8 a.m., fifth graders at 9 a.m., third and fourth graders at 10, second graders at noon, first graders at 1 p.m., and kindergarteners from 2 to 3 p.m. New students can stop by the elementary office starting July 29 to pick up paperwork.

Siblings are encouraged to come together. For more information, call Gainesville School at 679-4200.

Teachers will start their school year with fall in-service Aug. 9 and Aug. 12.

An open house for students and their parents is set for 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

Students report for school with a full day on Tuesday, Aug. 13. 

 

Gainesville students who need school supplies 

should pre-register with OCHD before Aug. 6

 

The Ozark County Health Department is accepting financial donations for school supplies to help with a program sponsored by the Ozark County Inter-Agency Council that provides free school supplies to Gainesville students who need them. Health department administrator Rhonda Suter says OCHD staff members are able to buy supplies in bulk at a discounted rate, so financial donations are stretched a bit further if cash is given.

Suter asks parents of elementary students who need help with school supplies to register before Tuesday, Aug. 6, by calling the health eepartment at 417-679-3334. A backpack labeled with the pre-registered student’s name will be ready to pick up, filled with school supplies, during the elementary school’s open house set for 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12. School supplies are also available for students in seventh through 12th grade by asking at the office.

To donate to the program, make checks payable to Ozark County Inter-Agency Council and mail them to P.O. Box 63, Gainesville, MO 65655; indicate that the check is for the Back to School Fair. Donations may also be left at the Ozark County Health Department or mailed to Century Bank of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 68, Gainesville, MO 65655.

 

Lutie R-VI

Lutie student registration is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 8-9.  Free sports physicals will be held from 9 a.m. to noon by nurse practitioner Trisha Vigna from the Gainesville Medical Clinic.

The school district is providing all school supplies for all elementary students and for high school students as needed, thanks to donations from the community. Donations may be dropped off at the office and designated for this fund.

Teachers will have in-service Aug. 7 through 12. A community open house and barbecue is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12. Parents, students and members of the community are invited to tour the school and meet teachers and administrators at the event.

Students start school with a full day on Tuesday,  Aug. 13. Lutie will operate on a four-day school week this year, Tuesday-Friday.

Parents and guardians of 3- and 4-year-old children are encouraged to call the school, 273-4274, and register them for Lutie’s preschool program.

 

Thornfield R-I School

Thornfield School’s K-8 new student registration is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. Students should bring shot records, birth certificate, social security card and proof of residency.

Open house will be held for students and families from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15.  The first day of school for students is a full day on Friday, Aug. 16. For more information, contact the school at 265-3212.

 

Mark Twain R-VIII School

Mark Twain School’s K-8 open house is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. The first day of school for students is Thursday, Aug. 15. For more information contact the school at 785-4323.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423