K-12 education Archives

Jefferson City Board of Education to discuss district’s back-to-school plan

September 16, 2021 4:13 AM Ben Fein

The Jefferson City Board of Education is set to meet Thursday at 6 p.m. to discuss the district’s back-to-school plan, among other topics.

Police receive report of man with gun at Sedalia junior high school

September 16, 2021 11:12 AM Matthew Sanders

Sedalia police say they arrested a man on suspicion of trespassing and making a terrorist threat Thursday after a report of a person armed with a gun on the Smith-Cotton Junior High School campus.

Columbia Public Schools not alone in severe bus driver shortage

September 14, 2021 11:41 AM Joushua Blount

CPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood outlined the shortage during a presentation about the district and the coronavirus pandemic during a Columbia Board of Education meeting.

CPS teacher prepare for students return in-person

Missouri standardized test scores fall during coronavirus pandemic

September 14, 2021 2:04 PM Leila Mitchell

State standardized test scores took a hit last year from the coronavirus pandemic that had some kids learning inside classrooms and some connecting with teachers virtually.

Columbia Board of Education votes to extend coronavirus action plan

September 13, 2021 5:31 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education voted unanimously to continue the mask mandate and COVID-19 plan. Watch the meeting replay in the player below. In the updated plan, the district has added remediation strategies for students and staff. The Superintendent will be able to decide if mask requirements are needed after consultation with

History teacher has kept the memory of 911 alive for 16 years

September 9, 2021 9:30 PM Leila Mitchell

Each year, for the past 16 years, Helias Catholic High School history teacher Coach Victor Bell has taught students the events that took place on 9/11, emphasizing how it shaped the United States.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you worried about children getting coronavirus in schools?

September 9, 2021 1:59 AM ABC 17 News Team

Coronavirus cases among young children have been on the upswing the past few weeks in Missouri as students return to classes.

Coronavirus pandemic still creating need for more substitutes in Missouri schools

September 8, 2021 5:17 PM Hannah Falcon

Public schools in Missouri have been struggling to hire enough substitute teachers since the beginning of the pandemic.

Southern Boone High School closed Tuesday for a deep clean after student tests positive for COVID-19.

Southern Boone School District returns Tuesday with COVID-19 safety measures

September 7, 2021 4:00 AM Meghan Drakas

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone School District is returning on Tuesday with an outlined plan of COVID-19 safety measures in place for students and staff. In the plan, the district says it has been consulting with the CDC and the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services to make its safety plan

Hundreds of Columbia Public School students quarantining

September 2, 2021 3:45 AM Ben Fein

Columbia Public Schools is reporting all four high schools, all seven middle schools and 17 out of 21 elementary schools currently have students out due to COVID-19.

Southern Boone School District finalizes its return plan

August 31, 2021 5:15 AM Meghan Drakas

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone R-I School District has finalized its back-to-school return plan for the in-person learning. The district says it has been consulting the CDC and Boone County Health Department to make its return plan decisions. The return plan includes social distancing, increased sanitation measures and contact tracing. The plan is set

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the federal government investigate mask mandate bans?

August 31, 2021 12:46 AM ABC 17 News Team

The investigations will look into whether such bans violate the civil rights of students with disabilities. Many health experts and medical groups have encouraged the masking of children and staff in schools to slow the spread of the coronavirus amid an ongoing case surge.

Southern Boone school board adjusts coronavirus plan after public input sessions

August 26, 2021 4:37 PM Matthew Sanders

The Southern Boone Board of Education will review the district’s coronavirus plan after holding another public input session Thursday.

MSHSAA talks COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Friday Night Football

August 27, 2021 4:51 AM Ben Fein

The Missouri State High School Activities Association released guidance ahead of fall sports and activities beginning for high schools across the state.

Doctor: Pandemic’s mental health toll on kids continues as school starts again

August 26, 2021 2:08 AM Ben Fein

Dr. Laine Young-Walker, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with MU Health Care, spoke to ABC 17 News about kids’ mental health amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the return to the classroom.

Columbia kinders head back to school Thursday as national enrollment surge is expected

August 26, 2021 5:24 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools kindergartners start school Thursday in-seat and nationwide officials are expecting a surge in students this year. Some school districts across the United States even started hiring additional teachers in anticipation of one of the largest kindergarten classes ever. Across the country, many school districts saw significant drops in kindergarten

Fulton Public Schools starts class Wednesday with COVID-19 precautions in place

August 25, 2021 5:53 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Students at Fulton Public Schools are heading back to the classroom Wednesday with some COVID-19 precautions in place. Fulton Public Schools return planDownload Masks According to the districts plan, masks are not required, but highly encouraged for students and staff when social distancing is not possible. However, masks are required on buses

Moberly starts school year with new COVID-19 return plan

August 25, 2021 3:26 AM Molly Stawinoga

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Moberly School District kicked off the 2021-22 school year Tuesday with a plan in place to safely return to in-person learning. Moberly Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services PlanDownload Masks According to Moberly’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP), masks are not required

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent shines light on COVID protocols

August 24, 2021 8:00 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public School Superintendent Brian Yearwood answered important COVID-19 protocol questions for parents and students Tuesday. Columbia Public Schools will be requiring masks and social distancing when inside of school buildings. Superintendent Yearwood said the most important thing to the district is the safety of students and faculty. “This is the best

Columbia Public Schools returns with COVID-19 precautions in place

August 24, 2021 4:37 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is set to return for the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday with multiple COVID-19 precautions in place. CPS is welcoming back close to 19,000 students and nearly 3,000 employees at their 42 buildings on Tuesday. Masks According to the district’s website, masks are required indoors for students, staff and