Matching shirts weren’t enough — teachers and staff members from Rountree Elementary sported knee-high socks to emphasize a soccer team theme. They met outside Great Southern Bank Arena Wednesday morning so that they could make an entrance.
“This was a team decision,” said Rountree Principal Misty Ramsey. “We want to win the most spirited site here inside the building today. So we are bringing it all.”
Springfield Public Schools held its annual pep rally for about 3,500 employees. Wearing T-shirts and more with their school’s colors, they enjoyed a rally with vendors, giveaways and a breakfast.
Some went above and beyond. Brian Post, a fifth grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary, covered his hair in gold glitter for the rally. Despite an impressive layer of sparkly specks that usually tend to linger wherever spread, he said the combination of hair spray and glitter would wash out easily.
“I’m proud to be part of the Mann family, and it’s fun to represent,” Post said.
Rallying for a good year
Focused on the theme of “SPS United,” the rally featured many of the same highlights as pep rallies held for students throughout the school year.
It started with several jabs about paychecks that, earlier this week, did not get deposited as quickly as usual. A band featuring musicians from all five of Springfield's public high schools played a rendition of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” Door prizes were awarded by the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, and Care to Learn gave travel mugs to each participant.
The rally featured a variety of speakers. Missouri State University President Clif Smart spoke, saying that about 125 students in the university’s teaching program would be student teachers throughout the district. Springfield Mayor Ken McClure thanked the teachers for their work to improve the community.
Robin Davidson, the district’s teacher of the year, encouraged audience members to think of themselves as award-winning, and had them cheer that they were all teachers of the year to someone. Board of Education President Danielle Kincaid thanked the attendees for tough days to come.
“I want to thank each of you for making the choice you did,” Kincaid said. “When you have those tough days, I want you to remember the adult in your life who made a difference for you. It won’t fix the day, but it will make it easier, and you can be that adult for your students.”
Focus on attendance
Superintendent Grenita Lathan used the rally to reaffirm one of the district’s biggest goals for the upcoming year: Improving attendance. Lathan reminded teachers about a promise to get doused in Gatorade if the district improves attendance by 2%.
Lathan said in addition to an advertising campaign for the public, goals will be set throughout the year to reach that 2% increase.
“We need your help communicating that to students and parents,” Lathan said. “Your support of the attendance campaign is crucial to its success. We need to shift from placing blame to understanding why students miss school.”
The attendance goal was revealed last month during an event organized by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Business and community leaders were asked to encourage students and parents to attend all of the school year’s 172 days. The district’s central office will work on removing barriers for students and working with families that have repeated absences.
Teachers are already prepared to emphasize the rate. Mary Hampton, a fourth grade teacher at Weller Elementary, said ensuring that students feel safe and accepted goes a long way toward improving attendance.
“We’ve seen great attendance growth whenever we connect with the families,” Hampton said. “We make sure the students know that they are loved and valued. Who wants to be somewhere when they are not feeling like they belong? When they feel safe and loved, attendance will skyrocket.”
Ramsay said the staff at Rountree is similarly focused. Continuing where they left off last year, the school will offer incentives for classes that excel in attendance — including pizza parties.
“We definitely want to educate our families on the importance of it, and the why behind it,” Ramsay said. “And make sure that we are removing any barriers to get them to school.”
Morale boost for the year
Never an easy job, teaching has been particularly difficult over the last few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic transforming the education process, political action groups inserting their agendas into the profession and members of the public becoming increasingly hostile to teachers and coaches.
As Lathan touted new positions being created as part of the strategic plan, Springfield Public Schools reported at least 50 teaching or coaching job openings across the district. Acknowledging staff retention, the board authorized in July a package of raises that made Springfield teachers some of the highest paid in the region.
Post said the rally helps create a feeling that can be remembered throughout the rest of the year.
“It’s one of those things that you have to revisit as the year goes on,” Post said. “You can remind yourself of the feelings that you have at events like this and reignite that spark over the course of the year.”
Wednesday’s rally offered an initial morale boost that sets a tone for the year, Hampton said, where teachers can also support each other.
“So whenever you are feeling that slump of disillusionment, when you hit December, it’s nice to remember that we’re all in this together,” Hampton said. “I feel like at Weller we have made a family within the staff and we can rely on one another in those moments where we do feel low.”
