Kirbyville students successful at art show...

Kirbyville students, under the instruction of art teacher, Amy Gardner, were successful at the annual Southwest Central League Art Show this past weekend.  Of a total of 49 pieces entered, 32 earned ribbons. There were 9 first place ribbons, 10 second place ribbons, 8 third place ribbons and 5 honorable mentions.

The ribbon count by grade level is as follows:
8th grade: 1-first, 2-second, 2-third
7th grade: 1-first, 1-second, 1-third
6th grade: 2-first, 2-second
5th grade: 1-second, 1-third, 2-honorable mention
4th grade: 2-first, 1-honorable mention
3rd grade: 1-second, 1-third, 2-honorable mention
2nd grade: 2-first, 2-third
1st grade: 1-third
Kindergarten: 1-first, 2-second, 1-third

Buses earn 100% at Highway Patrol Inspection...

The Kirbyville School buses earned 100% during a recent Highway Patrol inspection. The district earned the Fleet Excellence Award. Kirbyville is always dedicated to the safe transportation of our students daily.

2012-13 Kirbyville Kindergarten Enrollment

The Kirbyville R-VI School District will be holding kindergarten enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year from 9:00-11:15 and 12:30 to 5:15 on Tuesday, May 1 at the Kirbyville Elementary School.  Kindergarten students must turn five before August 1, 2012.

Appointments are required.  Parents of kindergartners are asked to call the elementary office at 334-2757 starting Monday, April 16.

Parents of kindergartners must bring a birth certificate, immunization record and a utility bill with the physical address printed on it as proof of residency in order to complete the enrollment process. Kindergarten enrollment takes approximately one hour and includes a vision and hearing screening and developmental testing.  Children should wear tennis shoes (no flip flops, boots, dress shoes) in order to successfully complete some of the tested items.  Kindergarten students are eligible to attend summer school in June and are invited to participate in the Splash into Summer Reading program and the summer library program. Information about these programs and activities will be available.  Please call the elementary office (334-2757) if you have any questions regarding kindergarten enrollment.

2012-13 Kirbyville Preschool Enrollment

The Kirbyville R-VI School District will be holding preschool enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year from 9:00-11:15 and 12:30 to 5:15 on Thursday, May 3 at the Kirbyville Parents As Teachers room.  Preschool students must be at least 3 by August 1, 2012. 

Appointments are required.  Parents of preschoolers should call the Kirbyville Preschool at 239-3917 starting Monday, April 16.

The primary goal of the Kirbyville Preschool is to prepare the 3 to 5-year-olds for kindergarten.  Students learn pre-academic skills in a structured atmosphere that prepares the preschool children for daily routines in kindergarten.  In addition to the academic instruction, social and emotional growth and development of expressive and receptive language skills are stressed.  The preschool has been very successful in meeting this goal in terms of general kindergarten readiness and results of a test measuring kindergarten students’ understanding of print concepts.  Kirbyville Preschool is a parent-pay program.  Tuition is currently $13.00 per day.  Parents of preschoolers must bring a birth certificate and immunization records to complete the enrollment process.  Kirbyville Preschool accepts enrollment from outside the school district. Preschool enrollment takes approximately 30 minutes and includes a developmental questionnaire for parents.  Hearing and vision screening is available.  Please call the Kirbyville Preschool (239-3917) if you have any questions regarding preschool enrollment.

No School...

There is no school on Friday, April 6, 2012 in observance of Good Friday. Have a safe and enjoyable three-day weekend!

Kirbyville R-VI earns Distinction in Performance award...

Superintendent Carless Osbourn accepts the award from DESE area supervisor, Dennis Cooper.

Kirbyville R-VI School District qualified for the state’s “Distinction in Performance” award on the basis of their academic achievements and progress during the last school year.

To qualify for the award this year, K-8 districts had to meet 6 of the 7 performance standards that apply to these districts, including all of those based on the results of MAP tests. Under the state’s accreditation program, each school district is evaluated at least once every five years. Since it is based on the same standards as the accreditation program, the Distinction in Performance award provides an annual confirmation of a district’s status and state-level recognition of its overall performance.  Representatives of the district attended a banquet on Monday, March 19 in Springfield to receive the award along with other districts in southwest Missouri.  The Kirbyville School District has received this designation for nine of the past 11 years.

Kirbyville Middle School students rate well in band competition...

Ten Kirbyville Middle School students posted top ratings in the Southwest Central League Band Contest on Saturday, March 3 at Crane High School and Middle School. There were six instrumental solos, a brass trio and a mixed low brass duet in which students received a one rating. The students are led by John Casebourn, Band Director.

Local artist donates special wood carving...

William Gray, a local artist, presented two wooden carvings of a Braves head to the Kirbyville R-VI school board at the February board meeting. The statues were created from a white pine planted on the grounds of Kirbyville Elementary in memory of former Kirbyville student, Rene Smith, in 1995.  One of the sculptures will be presented to her family and the other will be on display in the school district.

The tree succumbed to its natural life expectancy and a disease known as White Pine Decline last school year. After consulting with a Missouri conservation agent, the district learned that the tree would have to come down. To provide a continued remembrance, a pink dogwood, native to Missouri, was planted in its place.

However, the memorial tree contained two final gifts. Portions of the tree were reserved and the pieces were placed in Gray’s creative hands. Through his artistry and vision, the Kirbyville mascot was revealed.

Gray explained, “I start with a master idea of the final piece, but the grain of the wood or flaws can dictate how the final product looks. I try to use the flaws in the wood to make the piece unique or give it character.”

White pine is not a typical medium for carving, but because of the significance of the tree, Gray was willing to give it a try.  He found that the material was fairly easy to work with even though it splintered some. He was able to work with this characteristic to enhance the final product. He also found that there was a lot of sap in the wood, creating another challenge.

“I try not to look at the negative characteristics of the material, but how I can work with it,” he added.

Gray, who has two children who currently attend Kirbyville Elementary, stated, “It was gratifying. I was given a gift and I want to use it to benefit others to give back. Even though I don’t know the family personally, we are all part of the community and we are all connected. I can empathize with the family’s loss and the value of the sculpture. I was honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this.”

Carless Osbourn, superintendent, said, “The district is extremely honored to receive these magnificent and beautiful sculptures that have significant meaning in the Kirbyville School District and community.  Words can not express our sincerest gratitude and thanks to Mr. Gray for these gifts.”