The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Odyssey, a platform that helps states connect families to public funding and education services, announced the launch of the Missouri Close the Gap Grant program. This is a one-time grant of up to $1,500 for parents/guardians who reside in Missouri to use for allowable education expenses. Applications are now open and must be submitted by October 25, 2023.
To be eligible for the grant, students must be a Missouri resident and be enrolled in grades K-12 in a Missouri public school district or charter school. Per state statute, the distribution of funds will be prioritized for families whose income is below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. If sufficient funds are available after those below 185 percent of the federal poverty level receive funds, families at or above that poverty level may receive funds.
“Close the Gap is another way to support our mission to provide students access to opportunities," said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “In partnership with Odyssey, we are providing families a platform to search for and purchase the resources, tools, and enrichment their student needs to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.”
“Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, and Odyssey will provide Missouri families and students with convenient and modern technology to quickly and easily access funds to get what they need to succeed,” said Joseph Connor, founder and CEO at Odyssey. “The pandemic brought on unimaginable challenges for our students and their learning. Missouri’s Close the Gap Program will help support the ongoing efforts to accelerate learning and get students back on track.”
Close the Gap Grant applications will be administered on Odyssey's website, where families can access both the application and the Odyssey Marketplace. Listed below are additional program details and allowable educational expenses.
Program Details:
Parents/guardians will need to create an Odyssey account to submit an application.
If the system is unable to verify income level or residency through an automated process, parents/guardians will be requested to submit additional information.
Allowable educational expenses include
Instructional resource materials;
Tutoring;
Academic day or summer camps;
Computer equipment;
Internet connectivity;
Before- and afterschool educational programs;
Course fees and textbooks;
Online access for an academic app or subscription;
Education, learning, or study skills services;
Arts-related day or summer camps; and
Art enrichment.
The application, due by October 25, 2023, can be found at the following link: https://missouri.withodyssey.com/
Important Reminder: Picture Day is TOMORROW! All students will have their photos taken for the yearbook. Photos may be ordered on-line at INTER-STATE.COM/ORDER using our school codes. (Please note: school codes are different for Elementary and High School students and were sent home with your student.)
JH Volleyball takes on Rich Hill and Archie tonight beginning at 5:30 pm. Game is at Rich Hill. Best of luck, ladies!
JH/JV Football kicks off at 5:30 pm tonight in Liberal. Good luck, boys!
Let's pack the gym again tonight and show some Bulldog Pride! Game time is 5:30 pm.
Just like Barbie, our seniors can be anything! This week, in addition to homecoming, our seniors are celebrating Apply Week with our RootEd Advisor, Mrs. Deel. During Apply Week our seniors are completing college, career, military, and scholarship applications.
#RootEd #RootEdMissouri #ApplyMissouri #ApplyWeek #Homecoming #Barbie
Picture Day is Wednesday, September 27th!
Look for information coming home this week, including the on-line order code. (Please note, order codes are different for the Elementary and High School.)
𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲! Show your Bulldog Pride during spirit week, take pictures and tag us in your spirited Facebook posts.
• Decorate your windows
• Have a float in the parade
• Share throw back pics of Homecomings past
• Dress up in your best Barbie attire
The business or community group with the most school spirit will get free admission to the game on Friday.
Parade: 2:30pm
Game: 7pm
Queen Coronation: half time
To register a float for the parade contact Mrs. Rivera at lrivera@appletoncity.k12.mo.us
Come pack the stands tonight as the AC Bulldogs take on the Rich Hill Tigers. Special performance during halftime featuring Pup Squad and a recognition of the 1963 AC Football Team.
Let's Go, Bulldogs!
We now have free streaming available for all of our home volleyball and basketball games. You can access games via the following link:
https://fan.hudl.com/United-States/MO/Appleton-City/organization/15555/Appleton-City-High-School
You may also download the app at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hudl-fan-find-watch-follow/id6449098724
Come watch our JH/JV football teams take on Archie at home tonight. Game time is 5:30 pm.
Best of luck to our girls tonight as they take on Sherwood. Game time is 5:30 pm at Sherwood.
Come on out tonight to see our Volleyball girls in action at their first home game. Game time is 5:30 pm.
A great night of volleyball as our AC Bulldogs bring home wins vs. Lincoln and Warsaw! Way to work together, ladies! Keep the hits coming!
Congratulations to our ACHS Volleyball team for placing 3rd at the Stockton Tournament.
Also congratulations to our softball players who also placed 3rd in their tournament today.
It's a great day to be a Bulldog!
Appleton City School Families,
In order to be entered into the drawing for a $50 Food Fair gift card, please return your families Free and Reduced Meal form by Tuesday, if you have not already. Your family does NOT need to be eligible for Free or Reduced meals in order to be eligible for the prize.
AC Athletic Booster Passes are now for sale. Stop by the HS office during school hours, or they will also be for sale at our first home games. Go Bulldogs!!
Attention AC HS/JH Parents:
We are so looking forward to the first day of school tomorrow! This is an announcement to inform you of our new cell phone policy that will be enforced this school year. As many of you read in the updated student handbook, the new policy states:
"Developments in cell phone technology in recent years have resulted in enhanced communication opportunities. However, the use of cell phones in schools poses increasing risks of school disruptions, bullying, criminal activity, and academic dishonesty. As a result, student cell phones are banned during instructional time during the school day and in dressing areas and restrooms during extracurricular activities.
Students are not permitted to carry cell phones during school hours (7:50am – 3:32pm). If a student must bring a cell phone to school, it is to be secured in the office upon entry, placed and left in their locker, or left in other secure locations. If there is an emergency, students will be allowed to use the school phones. Students who disregard this policy face the following disciplinary steps: 1st Offense – The cell phone/device will be collected by a staff member and sent to the office. The student may pick up their phone at the end of the school day. 2nd Offense – The cell phone/device will be collected by a staff member and sent to the office. The parent will be contacted, and a parent will be required to pick up the device. 3rd Offense – The cell phone/device will be collected by a staff member and sent to the office. Parents will be contacted and required to pick up the device. The student will receive 1 day ISS (In-School Suspension). Further offenses will result in increased days of In-School Suspension up to Out of School Suspension."
The purpose of this new policy is in an effort to provide the best possible education to our students. Parents, if you need to get ahold of your child during the school day, please call the HS office, and a message can be given to your child.
Thank you for your continued support, and here's to a great 2023-24 school year!!
Welcome Back!! Please use the following link to view ALL of the Appleton City HS/JH Back to School Information, including online enrollment for returning students!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1whsCJUQUfxm0HiOGdMW8RmyG2P8yeAd8LMLHJ2pcSTw/edit?usp=sharing
If you have any questions or need help, please call the HS office or stop by tomorrow from 8:30 - 3:00 or during our Open House Thursday night.
Please use the following link to view ALL of the Appleton City Elementary Back to School Information, including on-line enrollment for returning students!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ZW8_Hkggwl8gC7F-7Z6VDhEJ8BjN7D-JaOmySJ2ajc/edit?usp=sharing
We are excited to see everyone back soon!
Have a great day!