LINN — Linn R-2’s Knowledge Bowl teams combined to earn second place overall at the Central State 8 Conference Tournament.

The third and sixth-grade teams each finished in first place, while the fourth-grade team earned second and the fifth-grade Wildcats contributed two additional wins to push Linn into second place.

“Our Wildcats made us proud,” said Superintendent Bob James in presenting the groups at the board’s April meeting.

Board President Dr. Shawn Strong presented each student with a medal.

Lea Uthe and Christiana Mustion praised the efforts of their students.

Sixth-graders are Jayden Schaffer, Eugene Otten, Landon Engelhardt, and Emma-Dawn Coy; fifth-graders are Noelle Mustion, Harlow Nilges, Daphne Baker, and Madison Vaughn; fourth-graders are Emily Morfeld, Jaxen Bamburg, Jaxon Radmacher, Bailey Archer, and Frances Otten; and third-graders are Buck Chambers, Zelda Mitchell, Daxton Nilges, Nora Wolfe, and Aaron Lutes.

In other business, board members approved an agreement with C-MO Therapy Services for the 2025-26 school year at a rate of $75 per hour for direct service, and $60 per hour for indirect service or consultation.

HIGH SCHOOL REPORT

Principal Erin Sassmann praised the 23 students who recently took part in the Senior Trip to Branson. “We had a blast,” she said. “Thank you to Tasha Haslag and the Senior Committee for planning the event. Also, thank you to Greg Stephens and Jordan Estrada for going along as chaperones.”

• FFA members were invited to a “Welcome to the Mansion” event at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. FFA officers met Gov. Mike Kehoe and his wife, and toured the mansion. “It was such an honor to be invited,” said Sassmann.

• She congratulated All-State FFA Choir members Vidella Koch and Hailee Ray.

• Sassmann told board members she and her staff are considering adding high school courses for summer school. “Typically, we just offer A+ tutoring,” she said, noting a survey was distributed to check interest in a possible PE and Health course as well. “The purpose is to allow students to free up time in their yearly schedule to take higher level classes in their last couple years of high school.”

• The principal and teachers met recently to ensure students were ready for testing. “The teachers are using many different strategies to review power standards to make sure our students are ready to show what they know,” Sassmann said.

LIBRARY PROGRAM EVALUATION

Elementary Librarian Lea Uthe told board members that at K-5 level, there are 7,397 items with an average age of 2008. The non-fiction collection is at 2009 with an ideal goal of 2010, which gives Linn about 15 years difference. The middle school and high school library has 7,026 items with an overall age of 2007. “The library will support and assist teachers in designing and using media and library resources for their instructions,” said Uthe. “We continue to work with teachers to find and provide resources. Next year, I’m looking into doing more digital citizenship lessons with the students, and Robyn (Baker) is going to be looking into the positives of AI, how to use that with teachers and students, and the benefits of it.”

She added that the next objective is to develop and evaluate the school’s collection using professional resources and collection analysis programs. “We’ve both been filling gaps in our collection,” said Uthe. “This year, I’ve been focusing on graphic novels for early readers. There’s not a lot currently on our shelves for them, and I’ve been weeding the non-fiction.”

Uthe noted that she reorganized the picture book section last summer by subject to make it a little easier for students to find books. Next year, she plans to give graphic novels their own section, and get them out of the non-fiction section.

“We’re both pleased that the library is a place that students are excited to come to,” said Uthe.

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM EVALUATION

Information Technology Director Eric Morfeld noted he rolled out desktop updates earlier this year, before school started, and all copiers were replaced with new system.

Other updates include the replacement of several security cameras, and Morfeld installed two new projectors in the weight room.

He installed a Hudl camera in the press box, and baseball field, and new timing system for track. Morfeld said the track timing system includes four new laptops, two cameras, and a starting trigger. “I spent a lot of time getting all that set up and going and everything’s running now for next season,” he added. “We’re going to work on more permanent wiring. Right now, we just got everything up and running to make sure everything works well.”

Other ongoing projects include Chromebook repairs, and preparation for Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing and End-of-Course exams.

Morfeld is also preparing for summer school and next school year in Infinite Campus.

STUDENT COUNCIL UPDATE

Faith Haley and Liz Sprenger noted the fall semester ended strong with a holiday assembly organized by the Student Council. Students played games, had musical performances by the band and choir, and celebrated the end of the semester.

• Winter sports athletes were busy with many games and snow days to work around.

• Scholar Bowl returned to the middle school and high school this year; the teams learned a lot and had some successes.

• Courtwarming was held the first week of February. Students participated in dress up days, penny wars, hallway decorating, basketball games, and the dance.

• Members of the Unified Partners group toured the Special Olympics Center in Jefferson City.

• National Honor Society held its induction ceremony for 30 students.

• FFA students have been busy with contests this semester, with Food Science members Reid Baker, Emma Rieke, Karley Frank, Fayth Davis, and Nursery Landscape members Kristi Wibberg, Leo Brandt, John Brandt, and Natasha Jewell moving on to state competition.

• Choir and band also entered contest season this semester.

• The Art Club hosted an art show during Parent/Teacher conferences.

• Juniors had the opportunity to participate in the REALL Simulation, which put them in real life scenarios and helped them to learn a little more about adulting.

• The drama club presented “Just Another High School Play.”

• Student drivers are adjusting to new parking and entering and leaving the parking lot.

• FBLA members recently completed state competition in Springfield, with the Entrepreneurship Team earning seventh.

The following students participated: Entrepreneurship  (Reid Baker, Karley Frank and Tristan Deeken — competing); Health Care Administration (Miranda Berry); Intro to Parliamentarian Procedure (Wyatt Bishop); Public Policy and Advocacy (John Brandt); Insurance & Risk Management and Securities & Investments (Leo Brandt — test); Business Law (Benjamin Muenks); Intro to Financial Math (Tommy Scheulen — test); Intro to FBLA and Intro to Marketing Concepts (Peyton Stockman); and Personal Finance (Robert Winkelman).

• FCCLA recently hosted a princess tea party for elementary students.

• Purple Up day was promoted by the Student Council on April 11. This was a day to support our kids that are part of military families. Students and staff were encouraged to wear purple, and students of military families were treated to donuts in the library.