The mission of the Blue Springs School District is to create an educational community in which each individual acquires knowledge, develops skills, and functions as a literate citizen to achieve personal goals.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported that we have once again received a perfect score on our Annual Performance Report. This is the eleventh year in a row that we have received a perfect score. This is determined by a number of factors including student achievement. The Blue Springs School District is one of only seven school districts in this state to have eleven consecutive years of Distinction.

Jaguars Top Wildcats
In front of a packed house, the Blue Springs South Jaguars sprinted to an early lead and never let off the gas in a 77-58 victory over the visiting Blue Springs Wildcats Tuesday night. South built a 22-10 first quarter lead and kept the Cats at bay to improve to 15-3 overall and 4-1 in the Suburban Big Six. Blue Springs had a four-game winning streak snapped while falling to 11-7 overall and 3-2 in the league. Justin Pitts led the Jags with 19 points and five steals. Carl Martin added 13 points and Wesley Poke added 11 points and six boards. Marvin Clark paced the Cats with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Deiondre’ Hall added 11 points.

District Spelling Bee Goes 23 Rounds
The District's top spellers competed last night in the 2011-12 BSSD Spelling Bee at Moreland Ridge Middle School. Through 23 rounds, students grade 4 through 7 spelled words ranging from "poi" to "circumlocution." Anne Cole, a 6th grade student at Delta Woods Middle School, correctly spelled "ventilate" and "hinterland" to take the top prize. Anna Kochman, a 5th grade at Voy Spears, Jr. Elementary, earned second place. Lucy Franklin Elementary 5th grader McKenzie Handy finished third.

Elks Lodge Donation to Provide Recess Equipment
Members of the Blue Springs Elks Lodge #2509 presented a donation of more than $2,000 to Liggett Trail Education Center Friday morning. The funds came from tips the Elks staff made at various events throughout the year and will be used to to purchase indoor recess equipment for LTEC students.

Close Shave Benefits Childhood Cancer Fight
Blue Springs High School students and staff participated in the 2nd annual “Brave A Shave” to benefit the Saint Baldrick’s Foundation to combat childhood cancers. A group of 26 volunteered to have their heads shaved in front of the student body, including surprise guest Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jim Finley. Through online donations and donations of their friends and family, the group raised $5,566, more than triple the money raised last year. Three students also donated their hair to Locks of Love.

BSSD Programs Earn Grants in Battle of the Brains Contest
Two BSSD projects in the Battle of The Brains Contest were awarded grant money. The Project Lead the Way Science City ER entry was a runner-up in the Secondary Division, earning a $5,000 grant. The Space Place at Cordill-Mason Elementary was an Honorable Mention selection in the Elementary Division, earning a $2,500 grant.
The Battle of the Brains contest was created to inspire students in science, technology, engineering and math. It drew 560 entries from 128 schools in 35 area districts.

BSSD Named Best Place to Work
The Blue Springs School District was named the Kansas City Business Journal's "2011 Best Places to Work" winner in the Large Companies Division. The awards program recognizes Kansas City-area companies that create workplaces that pass muster with the most knowledgeable judges — their employees. Companies are ranked based on the results of a confidential survey completed by a percentage of their work forces. The survey takes into account areas such as benefits, perks and interaction with management. Our District competed with Argosy Casino, Burns & McDonnell, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Harrah’s, Henderson Engineering, JE Dunn, St. Luke’s Health System, Teva Neuroscience and UMB Bank. THe BSSD also won a Best Places to Work designation in 2005.