Area schools share important dates, ways parents can get involved

This October 2021 file photo shows Jefferson City School District buses. (Julie Smith/News Tribune)
This October 2021 file photo shows Jefferson City School District buses. (Julie Smith/News Tribune)

As the days of summer wind down, thoughts of most students and parents might be turning to the upcoming school year.

As students begin preparations for the new year, area educators are offering parents important dates and information on how to get involved so the entire family can get off on the right food during the new school year.

Jefferson City School District

Start date: Monday, Aug. 22

Open house: Open house for high schools, Jefferson City Academic Center, Nichols Career Center and sixth-grade students at both middle schools is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 17; elementary school open houses are from 5-7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 18; and seventh and eighth grades at both middle schools are 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18.

How to get involved: Each school in the district offers opportunities for parents, families and the community to get involved. These include parent-teacher organizations, school-based athletics and activities, and other opportunities. To learn about how to get involved, parents should contact the school directly. A directory is available at https://www.jcschools.us/Page/9381. The district also has a foundation for those who want to contribute to grants, scholarships or other areas of need. The foundation's website is jcschoolsfoundation.org.

Blair Oaks School District

Start date: Monday, Aug. 22.

Open house: Meet the Teacher Night is 5-6:30 p.m Wednesday, Aug. 17.

How to get involved: Assistant Superintendent Kimberley Walters said parents can get involved with the parent teacher organization "Home and School," which allows them to plan yearly teacher appreciation incentives, organize extracurricular events, and support teachers and students. Events include Back to School Bash, STEAM Night, Little Ladies Dance, Falcon Fellas Hoopin' it Up, Family Fun Night, the Homecoming dance, Thanksgiving meal, and the eighth grade end-of-year dance. Elementary meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, and middle school meetings are on the last. For more information about the Elementary and Intermediate Home and School Organization, see the school's newsletters, the Home and School Facebook page or reach out to Elementary Principal Tara Bishop at [email protected] or Intermediate School Principal Tracey Burns at [email protected]. For more information about the Middle School Home and School Organization, see the school's newsletters or reach out to [email protected].

Parents can also get involved in band boosters, which raises money for the band program and meets once a month. Meeting dates are announced on the band website and newsletters. To get involved, contact Jim Brentlinger at [email protected].

Choir Boosters support the choir program and chaperone trips. To get involved, reach out to Kari Sullivan at [email protected] or 573-291-1313.

Helias Catholic High School

Start date: Half-day start for seniors and juniors is Aug. 16, half-day start for sophomores and freshmen is Aug. 17, and first full day for both is Aug. 18.

Open house: Student schedule pickup is noon-6 p.m. Aug. 10 and Parents Visit Classes night is 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31.

How to get involved: Kristen Boyer, president of Helias Catholic Parents' Club, said students and parents who want to get involved can sign up for several events throughout the year. The Parents' Club oversees concessions, uniform resale, formal dress resale and poinsettia sales, all of which raise money for Helias Catholic. For more information, visit heliascatholic.com/parents-club/. Parents can also get involved with the Athletic Booster Club; more information can be found at https://heliascatholic.com/athletic-booster-club/.

Calvary Lutheran High School

Start date: Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Open house: Back to School night is 4:30-7:30 Thursday, Aug. 11.

How to get involved: Executive Director John Christman said the parent-run booster association supports teachers, athletic teams and students. The organization covers everything from arts to athletics to graduation. Parents can also offer their skills and gifts as needed when projects come up. To get involved with the booster association, contact Christman at the school.

Lighthouse Preparatory Academy

Start date: Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Open house: 6-9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

How to get involved: LPA's learning model involves instruction in the "central classroom," or school, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and work from home at the "satellite classroom" on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents who want to be involved should help students at home by teaching skills like time management, work ethic, goal-setting and perseverance, Lighthouse Administrator Karen Crawford said. Additionally, she encourages parents to get involved with a sport, fine art or other activity that they are gifted in -- for example, parents have been involved as volunteers with coaching, teaching and designing costumes. If a parent would like to get involved in character education, they should reach out to Dean of Family Ministries JoDonn Chaney and Kirsten Chaney at [email protected]. For involvement in athletics or a booster club, contact Athletic Director Rebecca Brooks at [email protected], and for involvement in extracurriculars, contact Dean of Student Life Amy Doolittle at [email protected].

St. Peter Interparish School

Start date: Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Open house: 4-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

How to get involved: St. Peter's Facebook page shows the home and school committee has been involved with planning back to school events in the past. The church is also holding a block party from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 12 and is seeking volunteers and donations for that event.

Immaculate Conception Catholic School

Start date: Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Open house: 4-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

How to get involved: Principal Heather Schrimpf said parents can help out through the Home and School Association, serve on committees, serve in the cafeteria, coach a sport or help with the After School Care program. Home and School helps with events such as Open House, First Day of School, Spring Fling, Father/Daughter Dance, Mother/Son Event, Donuts with Dad, Muffins With Mom and Field Day. Parent volunteers must complete an online "safe environment" training to ensure student and staff safety. Parents interested in volunteering should contact the school office at 573-636-7680.

St. Joseph Cathedral School

Start date: Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Open house: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.

How to get involved: St. Joseph Cathedral School's website lists a home and school organization. According to the SJCS Home & School Facebook, parents and volunteers have been involved with teacher appreciation events, carnivals, treats for teachers and students, lunch duty and classroom activities. For more information, contact [email protected].

Trinity Lutheran School

Start date: Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Open house: 5:15-6:15 p.m. for new families, 6:30-7:30 p.m. for returning families, Monday, Aug. 15.

How to get involved: Principal Jonathan Sprengel said parents can serve as a "room parent" by planning and attending classroom parties and coordinating with other parents for games, activities and food. Parents can also assist room parents or serve as a Monday Treats Committee Member to provide snacks for staff and teachers each Monday on a rotation, normally no more than three times a school year. Parents can also help prepare meals for teachers and staff appreciation four times a year (start of school, fall, winter and spring), assist as a lunch room volunteer, read to a class and help kids check out books in the library, assist with setting up the book fair, and volunteer with SCRIP, which meets a few times a year to process and distribute certificates and orders. SCRIP allows the school to receive a portion of gift card purchases to local retailers.

The school also has a Parent Teacher League, which is a collaborative effort to support school activities financially and through volunteer work. One new event this year will be a student entrepreneurship showcase, in which students who have started a business, like making jewelry or soap or selling produce, can show their products and learn about how to run a business. That event will be in the fall. Parents can find out about involvement with that activity and more through the weekly newsletter and other school communications.