3,000 CPS employees gather at Mizzou Arena for celebration of upcoming school year
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Nearly 3,000 employees showed up to Mizzou Arena on Tuesday for Columbia Public Schools' first in-person celebration for a new school year in many years.
CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said the convocation is an opportunity for all 3,000 CPS employees to gather in one place to hear one message and prepare to welcome students back.
Before the event, CPS staff was greeted by student drum lines and cheer squads. Some students spoke at the event along with guest keynote speaker Stephen M.R. Covey.
The Superintendent Brian Yearwood extended his gratitude to the CPS staff who attended Tuesday's event.
"I want to end our time together by saying thank you. Thank each of you for gathering to hear these important messages. Thank you for your work you are about to do on behalf of our scholars. Thank you for caring about your scholars," Yearwood said. "Thank you for believing in them. Thank you for putting your scholars first, and thank you for being a part of our CPS family. We are going to have a phenomenal school year."
West Middle School Band Director Julie Swope is excited to welcome students.
"I have a sense of optimism and I guess inspiration, especially after our convocation, and really just community and having an awesome team to work together and collaborate and put on awesome events and really welcome our students back to a great school year," said Swope.
The first day of school for CPS is Tuesday, Aug. 22.
