Kelso C-7 School District

🌟🎉 Student of the Month Celebration 🎉🌟

Today we are excited to recognize our final group of Student of the Month recipients for the 2025-2026 school year! These students have shown hard work, perseverance, kindness, leadership, and Falcon pride throughout the year. 💙

As we wrap up another wonderful school year, we are so proud of all they have accomplished and the positive example they set for others each day. Thank you for helping make our school a special place to learn and grow!

Please help us congratulate these outstanding students! 👏🦅

Retirement Spotlight Jaime Burger Today we celebrate the 25-year career of Ms. Jaime Burger. Ms. Burger began her teaching career at Meadow Heights and spent the remaining 24 years at Kelso C-7. During her time at Kelso C-7, she taught 4th Grade for two years, combined 3rd/4th Grade for three years, and finished her career with nineteen years in 3rd Grade. During Ms. Burger’s time at Kelso C-7, she served as a: Student Council Sponsor Jr. Beta Club Sponsor FTA Sponsor MSTA/CTA District Liaison Leadership Team Member Sunshine Committee Leader Bookkeeper for Boys/Girls Basketball Teams As an educator, Ms. Burger wrote a grant for a full set of Chromebooks for her classroom and started the MAP Medal Ceremony for students. She also helped lead multiple Action Team committees for school celebration days. Additionally, Ms. Burger currently serves as a voting delegate for MSTA and is the current Vice President of the Southeast Regional Teachers Association. Alongside Mrs. Gantz and Ms. Hann, she also helps lead an incredible Teacher Appreciation Week for staff each year. She also received the “Unsung Hero” award from MSTA in 2024 and was nominated for Missouri Teacher of the Year in 2023. A few facts about Ms. Burger: What inspired you to become a teacher? I had many great teachers and role models growing up and had a wonderful school experience as a student. I also worked with children often as a babysitter and Girl Scout, and I joined Future Teachers of America, as well as Cadet Teaching, during my senior year of high school. What has been your favorite memory at Kelso C-7? My favorite memory at Kelso C-7 has definitely been teaching each of my own children in 3rd Grade. It’s such a rare opportunity, and one I will always be thankful for. What is one lesson your students have taught you? My students have taught me that every day is a chance to start over and that yesterday doesn’t matter as long as you are trying to do better today. What are your plans for retirement? I plan to work part time or perhaps do some substitute teaching, but most importantly, I want to read thousands of books, visit beautiful places, and be available for my children and grandchildren whenever they need me. I look forward to building a whole new set of memories with my family. What will always make Kelso C-7 special to you? I know I was part of something special for a very long time. My own children experienced the greatness of a small school and grew into successful, responsible adults because of the foundation they built here. The best part of my time at Kelso C-7, though, was meeting my best friend here. The bond I formed with my “teacher neighbor bestie,” Michaella Gantz, is something I will treasure forever. From room transformations and TikTok videos to advocating for rural schools and supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, I am forever grateful this school brought us together. Thank you, Ms. Burger, for your years of service to public education! If you or your child had Ms Burger, please feel free to share a memory or well wishes below.

🐾Fozzie Friday🐾 This Falcon earned a Positive Office Referral earlier in the week, on a day that Fozzie wasn't at school, and she settled for a picture without him. But then, when he came back the next day, we made sure to still get that picture. She did a very special act of kindness for another student, and we are so proud of her. This is our LAST Fozzie Friday for the school year! Fozzie has loved his second full year at Kelso C-7, and he is ready to put his paws up for the summer! On his agenda: Pool Time Treats Car Rides for Pup Cups And lots and lots of naps Fozzie says "Have a PAWSOME summer!"

✨Teacher Appreciation Week✨ Day 5 Special Class Teachers A special thank you to our special class teachers, counselor, Title Reading teacher, and special education teachers and para for the care, patience, creativity, and dedication you bring to our students each and every day. Your work goes far beyond the classroom. You inspire confidence, provide support, create opportunities, and help every child feel valued and successful. Thank you for the countless ways you help our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Kelso C-7 is stronger because of you, and we are truly grateful for all that you do. Thank you to: Mr. Jenkins - Music/Art Mrs. Carol - Para Ms. Toler - Title Mrs. Merrell - Middle School Special Education Mrs. Schultz- Librarian Mrs. Creech - Counselor Mrs. Wittig - Elementary Special Education Mrs. Long - PE/Tech Thank you to everyone who helped to make this week extra special!

🍎✨ Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! ✨🍎

Today we are celebrating one of our amazing middle school teachers:
Mrs. Anna Kern
Mrs. Sarah Schubert
Mrs. Penny Hale
Mrs. Kamryn Scherer

Middle school teachers play such an important role in helping students navigate these growing years. From adjusting to switching classes and increased responsibilities to preparing for high school and beyond, you provide guidance, patience, encouragement, and support every step of the way.

Thank you for the countless ways you inspire, challenge, and believe in our students each day. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and we are so thankful for all you do for our Falcons! 💙🖤

Falcon Families: Due to the Career on Wheels event, held on Thursday, 5/7/26, our MAIN car rider line/parking lot will be closed from 8:15am-2:45pm. If you need to pick up your child before 2:45pm, please pull into our left parking area (the newest paved area, near the gymnasium). PLEASE update your families that are picking up students that they will not be able to arrive early to get in the car rider line. We will reopen our car rider line at 2:45pm. Thank you for your cooperation as we have our Career on Wheels event at Kelso C-7.

💙 Happy Nurses Day to Our Incredible School Nurses! 💙 Today we celebrate two very special people who help keep our school safe, healthy, and cared for each and every day. From bandaging scraped knees and comforting worried students to managing medications, checking temperatures, and offering kindness when its needed most — our nurses do it all with compassion and grace. Thank you both for the many ways you care for our school family. Your patience, dedication, and big hearts make a difference every single day! We are so thankful to have you as part of our Falcon family! Thank you Mrs. Monica Burger and Mrs. Dana Bahr! Please help us wish our amazing school nurses a very Happy Nurses Day! 💙

✨Teacher Appreciation Week✨ Day 2 2nd-4th Grade Today we recognize our teachers who help students transition from learning to read, to reading to learn. To the teachers who have meaningful conversations with their students, inspire curiosity, and help build their confidence by ensuring that they CAN do hard things. Your impact reaches far beyond academics and we are grateful for all you do. Thank you to: Mrs. Gantz - 4th Grade Teacher Ms. LeShae - 2nd Grade Teacher Mrs. Seabaugh- 2nd Grade Teacher Ms. Burger - 3rd Grade Teacher We appreciate you!

✨Teacher Appreciation Week✨ Day 1 PK-1st Grade We kick off Teacher Appreciation Week by thanking the wonderful leaders of our PK-1st Grade classrooms. We thank them for their heart, and their patience, as they lead our tiniest learners each day. They are in charge of building the foundational skills that are needed in order for students to be successful throughout school. The encouragement they give lasts long after the students leave their classrooms. Thank you to: Mrs Dayneen - Para Ms. Traci- Para Mrs. Bentley- PK Teacher Mrs. Michelle - Para Mrs. Kate- 1st Grade Teacher Mrs. Hahn- Kindergarten Teacher We appreciate you!!

🎉 Last Full Week of School! 🎉

We’ve made it to the final full week of the school year—what an incredible journey it has been! 💙

As we head into these last few days, we’re excited to finish strong, celebrate our students, and enjoy all the special moments that make this time of year so meaningful. Be sure to check out the attached schedule for everything happening this week!

Let’s make it a great one, Falcons! 🦅✨

🎉 Happy Principal’s Day, Mrs. Lands! 🎉

Today we celebrate a leader who truly makes a difference every single day. Mrs. Debbie Lands leads with kindness, compassion, and a heart for helping others. She consistently goes above and beyond to support our students, staff, and families—always ready with encouragement, a listening ear, or a helping hand.

She is our Falcons' biggest cheerleader, lifting everyone up and making our school a better place—and she brings a little sparkle everywhere she goes, brightening even the busiest days. ✨💙

Thank you, Mrs. Lands, for all that you do—you are deeply appreciated today and every day.

🐾Fozzie Friday🐾 These Falcons earned Positive Office Referrals for their good deeds! We are so proud of our students, especially when they are making choices that positively impact others. Great Job, Falcons!

🦅 Student of the Month Signs
It’s time to celebrate a brand-new group of outstanding Falcons!
If your child received a Student of the Month yard sign last month, please return it to the office early this week so we can get the new signs delivered to our May honorees. Thank you for helping keep this tradition going strong!

Next week we’ll be celebrating Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week with a fun pirate theme: “We Treasure Our Teachers and Staff!” 💙

Our crew works tirelessly to support, teach, and care for our students each and every day, and this week is simply a chance to pause and celebrate all they do.

Each day next week has a theme and small ideas for those who would like to participate. See the attached image for daily themes. Please know—there is no expectation at all. A kind word, a quick note, or simply your continued support means the world to our staff.

We are so grateful for the partnership we have with our families and for the incredible team of educators who make our school such a special place. ⚓

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate our amazing crew!

📣PEP CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 An announcement from Ms LeShae & SEMO: Tonight's SEMO baseball game we were going to is canceled tonight due to incoming weather. We will try to reschedule for something else! Thank you all for you understanding!!! Ticket holders will be contacted with rain check information to attend another home game. Instructions will be sent via email to the email associated with their ticket purchase account. THANK YOU!

Today we celebrate the incredible individuals who safely transport our students each and every day—our bus drivers! 🚌💛

From early mornings to late afternoons, they are often the first smile our students see and the last friendly face before heading home. Their commitment to safety, patience, and care does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for traveling every mile with dedication and for playing such an important role in our school community. We appreciate you more than words can say!

📣 We’re Hiring! Join Our Falcon Family 🦅

Kelso C-7 School District is anticipating an opening in our elementary school. We are currently seeking a passionate and dedicated Elementary Teacher to join our team for the upcoming school year!

Candidates must hold a current Missouri Elementary Teaching Certificate. Preference will be given to applicants with training in Science of Reading, such as LETRS certification, or similar professional development.

We are also accepting applications for our Art and Music position(s)—with the potential for a full-time role for candidates interested in both areas.

At Kelso C-7, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive, student-centered environment where educators are empowered to make a meaningful impact each day.

📄 Applications can be found here: https://www.kelsoc-7.k12.mo.us/page/job-opening

📧 Please send completed applications to:
Dr. Kimberly Burger, Superintendent
kburger8@kelsoc-7.k12.mo.us
820 State Highway A
Benton, MO 63736

🐾Fozzie Friday🐾 Here are your Positive Office Referrals for the week! We are so proud of our students and their good choices, and Fozzie loves when he gets visits in the office! Have a great weekend, Falcons!

Today on Administrative Professionals Day, we want to thank Mrs Kristy Pobst and Mrs Linda Senciboy for all they do for Kelso C-7. Kristy and Linda help keep our school running smoothly while making our students, staff members, and families feel welcome. Their kindness, dedication, and hard work mean so much to our school community, and we are truly grateful for them. If you see them, or speak to them today, please tell them how wonderful they are and how blessed we are to have them. Thank you, Kristy & Linda!

✨Weekly Spotlight✨ Charlotte & Mabury won Best in Category at the Southeast Missouri Regional Fair and earned an entry into the FIRST EVER Missouri State Science Fair. Their project was called "The Helmet Drop."  They tested various materials inside a plastic easter egg helmet to see what would best protect a raw egg when dropped.  Then they applied what they found out to which materials are best to use in an actual helmet.  Next, they competed in the Junior Division in the category of Engineering facing off against eight other projects from across the state. They earned 2nd place for Engineering, and a cash prize. If that wasn’t enough, a professor in the Engineering Department at the college plans to use their experiment in his STEM camp this summer. Finally, a special thank you to their Science teacher, Mrs Schubert, who also won an award at the Regional Fair. We are so proud of these two Falcons!