Kris Hilgedick

Helias campus goes smoke-free

Helias High School’s entire campus — not just inside the building — is now smoke-free, thanks to an initiative spearheaded by faculty and students and supported by parents.

Blair Oaks board approves projects

The Blair Oaks Board of Education dispatched a number of financial decisions Tuesday night, including the approval of a list of minor capital projects designed to maintain the quality of several campus buildings.

Innovation Campus aids credit transfer

As part of the Central Missouri Innovation Campus initiative, students will be able to transfer credits more easily from Linn State Technical College to Lincoln University.

Mitchell outlines challenges, responses

Three-pronged approach eyed for Jefferson City Public Schools’ future

Superintendent Brian Mitchell on Monday laid out some of the challenges facing Jefferson City school district, but he also talked about his plan for meeting those challenges in the years to come.

Students take home awards at physics competition

A team of Helias Catholic High School students captured first place in the St. Louis Area Physics Teachers competition in late April.

JCAC earns national honor

The Jefferson City Academic Center has been named a National School of Character. It is the first time an alternative school in Missouri has received the honor.

Diocese names interim leaders at Helias

Board of directors to meet today to discuss presidential search

The Helias Board of Directors is meeting this morning to discuss the steps it will need to take to replace Didier “Di” Aur, who has served as the Catholic high school’s president since 2006.

Students from France get glimpse of America

Thirty students and three teachers from Lyon, France, have spent the last week visiting some of Central Missouri’s most-prominent tourist destinations and connecting with pen pals at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson City.

Tours hope to attract bargeload of tourism

What could be more divine than taking in a nice glass of wine while watching the sun set over the Missouri River?

JCHS graduation rate lags state

District undertakes measures to improve performance

In 2012, the graduation rate for the Jefferson City Public School district was 84.1 percent, slightly lower than the 86.07 percent statewide average.

Academic center strives to help struggling teens graduate

JCAC is a school-credit recovery program located in the Miller Performing Arts Center. Its goal is to prevent at-risk students from dropping out of school and provide them the nurturing environment they need to recover the course credits for graduation.

Prom invitations get more creative

Teens are finding new and innovative ways to ask each other to prom. With the help of two friends, Jefferson City High School junior Madison Bond covered every inch of her boyfriend’s truck with 1,300 Post-It notes.

Trinity Lutheran husband-wife team retiring

In 1973, Ken and Sally Hartman graduated from college together. For 40 years, they worked together. And this spring, they will retire together, after giving two lifetimes of service to the students of Trinity Lutheran School.

JCAC celebrates seniors, character award

Alternative school one of 15 schools in state to be chosen

On Tuesday, not only were 100 seniors at the Jefferson City Academic Center honored for attaining enough credits to receive diplomas, the school itself was honored with the state School of Character Award.

Going ‘toe to toe with the best’

This summer, six members of the Jefferson City High School Speech and Debate team will travel to Birmingham, Ala., to compete in the National Forensic League competition.

‘As good as it gets’

Working to meet the needs of every student in her class — and not just the ones for whom school work comes easily — has been the hallmark of Laura Dampf’s teaching style.

Despite rain, volunteers show up in force to do projects around city

On Saturday, several dozen volunteers participated in “Serve Jeff City,” a grassroots effort designed to leverage Jefferson City’s volunteer workforce. Raising consciousness about volunteering is part of the idea, said organizer Ken Hussey.

Contest draws pros and amateurs

Uncooperative weather no surprise for barbecuers

A little bit of sweet and a little bit of heat was the holy grail for barbecue teams who competed in the 7th Annual Capital City Cook-Off this weekend. 19 teams competed for $3,500 in total prize money Saturday.

Gillam honored as Teacher of Year

Aaron Gillam makes terrific teaching look magical, but his success is because of his insistence on high expectations for his students, he said.

Educators' contributions recognized

Nearly 400 educators celebrated a year’s worth of hard work at the Jefferson City Public School’s 2013 Teacher Appreciation Banquet. The event was a way to recognize the contributions and achievements of first-year teachers, impending retirees and everyone in between.

Rare rock cut comes tumbling down

The tallest rock cut along U.S. 63 between the Capital City and Columbia is being blasted by heavy equipment this month.

Teachers get a turn to go ‘camping’

In an environment where dollars for professional development are increasingly hard to come by, two Jefferson City High School (JCHS) Spanish teachers have hit upon a way to share teaching ideas almost for free.

Piano, brass to be featured at Symphony Orchestra concert

The Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra’s brass section is prominently featured in Tuesday evening’s spring concert, but the section’s players are handling the challenge nicely, said conductor Patrick David Clark.

Kevin McLain: Running things at ground level

As director of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s geo-technical section, Kevin McLain oversees a team that helps answer the geology and soil science questions asked by other department engineers.

Blair Oaks explores four building projects

Entering into a lease-purchase agreement to accomplish some relatively minimal construction projects now would allow the Blair Oaks Board of Education to preserve enough bonding capacity to build another school sometime later.

Rotarians host teens for lessons in politics

‘Eye opening’ experience at the Missouri Capitol

Politicians often get a bad rap, but a group of high school students came away with a better first impression after visiting the Capital City Tuesday morning.

Healthy dose of the stage bug

When Osvaldo “Cos” Acosta was 13, he would run away from his home in Queens, New York City, to camp in the Catskills with his friends.

Kansas’ economic strategy: As great and powerful as The Wizard of Oz?

Or should Missouri pay no attention to the man behind the curtain?

In a bid to generate more jobs and economic growth, many Missouri lawmakers would like to see the Show-Me State follow in the footsteps of Kansas, where Gov. Sam Brownback has put the state on what he calls a “glide path to zero” income tax. But detractors say Brownback’s plan will inevitably lead to cuts to education and jeopardize the state’s fiscal stability.

Former drug dealer paints bleak picture of addiction at JCHS

Far too many young people use drugs and alcohol to mask the pain of verbal and physical abuse, motivational speaker Ron Glodoski told the Jefferson City High School body Thursday afternoon.

Blair Oaks pondering expansion

Blair Oaks School Board agreed Tuesday night to meet again next week in special session to further explore plans for facility expansions.

School issue opponents offer to work for future

Four people who support building a second senior high — as opposed to a constructing a single high school to replace the existing campus — stepped forward Monday night to announce their willingness to help the Jefferson City Board of Education plan for future growth.

Vote over, but debate on schools isn’t

Both sides agree something must be done, but what?

On Tuesday's ballot, the plan to build a new Jefferson City senior high school and elementary school was defeated. But it's unclear how many voters didn't like raising taxes and how many didn't like the specific plan.

Educators refining strategic plan

Group: Focus should be on improving instructional techniques

Preparing students for life after high school is the No. 1 mission of Jefferson City Public Schools, according to a preliminary draft of the district’s strategic plan.

Board to reorganize after election

As a result of Tuesday’s election, the Jefferson City Board of Education is scheduled to reorganize itself at its regular monthly meeting, set for 6 p.m. Monday at 315 E. Dunklin St.

Voters defeat both Jefferson City school issues

Voters Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to build a new Jefferson City high school to replace the building that has served the community for decades.

Will new high school plan pass or fail?

Bond issue, levy increase face voters Tuesday

Are voters in the mood to build a new Jefferson City high school? It’s unclear if they will overcome the apprehension felt by some who believe a second high school is the right way to go.

4 seeking 2 seats on Blair Oaks school board

In the race for the two open seats on the Blair Oaks Board of Education, incumbent members Greg Russell and John Weber are facing challenges from newcomers Dawn Brooks and Brian Rackers in Tuesday’s election.

Teachers endorse ballot proposal

Citing “working conditions that are not conducive to a learning environment,” several Jefferson City teachers announced their enthusiastic support for the bond and levy questions that will appear before voters on Tuesday.

High school ballot issues define board race

On Tuesday, Jefferson City school board incumbents Doug Whitehead and Dennis Nickelson face a challenge from Harold Coots. The two candidates with the most votes will win board seats.

Town, educators, students at Arkansas school hail academies

Mountain Home model has similarities to Jefferson City plan

Eleven years ago, the small town of Mountain Home, Ark., wagered that transforming its traditional American high school into something new would yield dividends to the wider community.

Educator: Academies target ‘relevancy piece’

Jefferson City joins Joplin in pursuing new education model

Jefferson City High School isn’t the only high school in Missouri on a path toward career academies. Joplin High School also is moving that direction, calling it "career paths."

Minority issues raised in public schools

The number of minorities working in Jefferson City Public Schools has dwindled in the past six years, a situation that has dismayed several people affiliated with the Jefferson City’s NAACP chapter.

Fifth graders write: ‘If I were mayor ...’

Ten fifth-graders were honored Wednesday in Jefferson City for the writing they submitted as part of the “If I Were Mayor” essay contest, but Scarlett Wickham is this year’s top winner.

Art on the trail

To celebrate and showcase the many miles of walking trails surrounding Jefferson City, Capital Arts Gallery will be opening an exhibit in July 2013.

‘Every life is worth fighting for’

Every human life is worth fighting for, Lila Rose — the 24-year-old founder of the pro-life group “Live Action” — told a gathering of Vitae Society supporters this week.

Principal offers views on academies, new high school ballot issues

‘A very exciting time for us as educators’

Jefferson City High School principal Jeff Dodson explained to the News Tribune how he envisions the seven new career academies will function. He also chatted about issues local voters may want to consider April 2.

Terra Parris: Friendly voice of the Jefferson City School District

Terra Parris grew up in a family that placed a high value on helping others, so it comes as no surprise she was honored with the United Way’s Outstanding Campaign Coordinator Award for 2012.

Entrepreneur's advice: Tell what new school means to kids

Herschend outlines how to appeal to voters' emotions

Tapping into voters’ emotions offers the Jefferson City Public Schools its best shot at getting a proposed bond issue and levy increase passed, according to Peter Herschend's advice.

Wellness efforts cited in JCPS stable health costs

Jefferson City Public School’s health care costs have remained reasonable, possibly due to a wellness program the district implemented in 2008, chief financial officer Jason Hoffman told the Board of Education Monday.

Mastering the music

As the newest conductor of the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra, Patrick David Clark sees the task before him as translating the musical notes from “math code” into “musical expression.”

Stories by Kris