BY JORDAN TROUTMAN
New shoes, backpacks and even some new faces filled the halls and classrooms as students were welcomed by teachers and staff for the 2022-2023 school year.
Exeter welcomed 316 students from pre-K to twelfth grade on the first day of school, Aug. 23, which is a decrease of only 11 students from the first day of the 2021-2022 school year.
Tim Jordan, Exeter superintendent, said the largest class this year is the kindergarten class with 31 students and two teachers.
“Our largest middle school class is eighth grade with 28,” Jordan said. “Our largest high school is freshmen with 28.
“Our smallest class is second grade with 10 students, [and] our smallest middle school class is seventh grade with 21. Our smallest high school is seniors with 16.”
Jordan said the high school numbers are a bit higher than they expected them to be.
“There were no surprises in elementary, but we had an increase in kindergarten students this year,” he said. “[Overall], our numbers are consistent with last year.”
By building, there were 143 students from pre-K to fifth grade, 75 students from sixth grade to eighth grade and 98 students from freshman to seniors.
“Bus routes have not changed and are going well,” he said. “We have 6 new teachers in our district: Donna Wood, kindergarten; Stephanie Crumpler, third grade; Chase Bradfield, high school P.E.; Stephanie Davis, high school English; Dustin Weiser, high school math; and Mike Driskill, K-12 music and band.”
Jordan said the first few days focused on learning procedures and getting to know classmates and students.
“We have a new organization on campus, Educators Rising,” he said. “This organization is focused on finding future teachers and promoting educational careers.
“I am most excited to watch students grow and learn new things.”
Wheaton
Wheaton welcomed 466 students on the first day of school on Aug. 23, which is a decrease of 8 students from the first day of school last year.
However, Trish Wilson, Wheaton superintendent, said that is an increase of 34 students from the student enrollment numbers from May 2022. “We have had to add more tables and chairs in several classrooms on day one,” she said. “We love to welcome new students to our district.” Wilson said the largest class was the fourth grade class with 50 students. The smallest class was tied between seniors and preschoolers with 25 students in each. “Bus routes went well on first day,” Wilson said. “Transportation director has been busy with making sure we get all our new students correct addresses so we get them on the right bus.” Wilson said the district has 8 new staff for the 2022-2023 school year.
“One is Jackie Norris, elementary counselor, as we have not had an elementary counselor for several years,” she said. “We also have Kerry Mattingly in kindergarten; Alyssa Casas in first grade; Caleb Wheeler as elementary principal, Seth Lash as athletic director, physical education teacher and the boys basketball coach; Adam Grant as in-school suspension teacher; Jessica James as junior high English teacher; and Leah Treadwell as elementary special education teacher.”
Wilson said on the first day of school, the focus was to build relationships with students, getting them to and from school safely by getting them on the right bus, and getting new students enrolled.
“[I’m most excited to be] welcoming everyone back, students and staff,” she said. “We have ‘The best of the best,’ our theme for this year, from ‘Top Gun.’ “[We are] moving past COVID and focusing on teaching and doing what is best for our students every single day.”
Southwest
Southwest welcomed 798 students on the first day of the 2022-2023 school year, which was an increase of 23 from last year’s first day. Tosha Tilford, Southwest superintendent, said the largest class was ninth grade with 73 students, and the smallest was sixth grade with 39 students. “This is close to the amount we expected,” she said. “Bus routes did not change from last year, [and the] bus routes went exceptionally well for the beginning of the school year.”
Tilford said there were a total of 798 students, with 334 from pre-K to fourth, 213 from fifth to eighth, and 235 freshmen to seniors. In addition, 16 high school virtual students brought the total high school students to 251. “[There are] 12 new [staff] to the district several others moved positions within the district,” she said. “Southwest added an additional third-grade class for the 2022-2023 school year.”
Tilford said the focus for the first few days was providing the Southwest students with an inviting and enjoyable learning experience.
She also said she was most excited about the new bus barn opening, the new athletic complex opening, and seeing the student’s growth over the school year.
Purdy
Purdy welcomed 645 students pre-K through twelfth grade, which is a decrease of 14 students from the previous year.
Travis Graham, Purdy superintendent, said the largest class is the third game class with 60 students followed by the seniors with 57.
“Our enrollment is up from last year as we have had several move-in to the district,” he said. “We have consolidated one [bus] route and have made slight adjustments to another route. “These adjustments have been made in order to ensure uninterrupted service as finding bus drivers to fill our routes has been challenging. We have a great crew of drivers and believe the adjustments will help us serve our student riders better.”
Graham said there are 12 new staff ranging from Instructional Coaches to K-12 Classroom Teachers.
“We are excited about the faculty and staff we have on board and looking forward to a great year with our Eagles. “Our focus the first few days of school is getting our Eagles back into the routine of learning while also creating an environment that is fun, engaging and caring.”
Purdy welcomed 40 students in pre-k, 55 kindergarteners, 41 first graders, 33 second graders, 60 in third grade, 39 in fourth, 52 in fifth, 41 in sixth and in seventh, 46 in eighth, 53 freshmen, 47 sophomores, 40 juniors, and 57 seniors.
“This year, our district will be going under construction with many facility improvements taking place,” Graham said. “We are looking forward to the coming months where we will begin to see the many improvements taking place in our bathrooms, offices, kitchen/cafeteria and other district items.”
Crowder
Crowder Cassville campus opened its doors to 221 college students on August 22. Sarah Smith, Cassville Crowder College director, said that number is on par with what they had expected. “We have been lucky to not have any staff turnover,” she said. “But, we have two new instructors this fall teaching Speech and Psychology.”
Smith said the focus for the first few days was to build excitement for the semester and let students know staff was there to support them.
“We are most excited about the energy our campus is creating with both the students and the staff,” she said. “And all of the new events we are ready to do to involve our community as well.”
