Summer School 2025
Our Blue Jays showed up and showed out during summer EDGE workouts—pushing limits, building strength, and laying the foundation for a strong school year ahead. With lots of hustle to post-workout flexes, these athletes brought the energy, discipline, and Blue Jay pride every step of the way. Way to set the tone, team!
Crawdad Catching with Outdoor Adventure Class
Students in the Outdoor Adventure class got their hands (and feet!) wet this summer during a hands-on lesson in creek ecology—crawdad catching!
Armed with curiosity and a love for the outdoors, these MJays explored local creek beds, flipping rocks, splashing in the water, and learning all about the critters that call Missouri streams home. Crawdad catching wasn’t just fun—it was a lesson in ecosystems, observation skills, and teamwork.
That’s a wrap on Summer Adventures with Ms. Franek!
Our incoming 1st & 2nd graders spent their summer journaling, reading great books, and creating fun crafts—plus going on some awesome field trips!
From exploring nature to unforgettable visits like the Wonders of Wildlife, these Blue Jays made memories that will last long after summer ends. Thanks for a great season of learning and laughter!
Summer School Students Go the Distance in Triathlon Challenge
Summer School ended with a splash—literally—as students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade competed in our annual Triathlon Challenge! The event tested their endurance, teamwork, and determination across three exciting legs: running, biking, and swimming.
Cheered on by classmates and staff, students gave it their all and showed incredible grit from start to finish. Whether they were racing to beat their personal best or just aiming to cross the finish line, every student showed what it means to be an MJay.
We’re proud to recognize the top finishers in each grade level, pictured below!
🏅 4th Grade Winners
🏅 5th Grade Winners
🏅 6th Grade Winners
This fun and challenging event was the perfect way to wrap up a summer full of learning, movement, and motivation. Great job to all who participated!
Sliding Into Learning with Mrs. Lowder
This isn’t in the curriculum… but it should be.
From classroom lessons to playground moments, Blue Jay educators don’t just teach—they lead with joy, energy, and heart. Mrs. Lowder brought all three as she took the plunge down the slide, proving once again that learning (and leading) can be full of fun.
Sliding into the Final Week of Summer School!
Our MJays have made the most of every summer school moment—and that includes plenty of poolside fun! From cannonballs to epic slides, students have loved cooling off at the city pool throughout the month of June.
As we dive into the final week, there’s still time for one last splash! Check out the fun in action as we wrap up a fantastic summer full of learning, laughter, and sunshine.
Summer Discovery: Building Minds and Structures
Our Summer Discovery students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test during our unit on building! From towers to bridges and everything in between, students explored basic engineering concepts through hands-on projects that were both fun and educational.
Check out some photos of our young builders in action!
Students in our Summer Discovery program took a walk on the wild side during their field trip to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium!
From ocean tunnels and river exhibits to up-close animal encounters, students experienced a full day of interactive learning and exploration. They discovered the importance of conservation, observed incredible wildlife, and made lasting memories with friends.
This hands-on adventure was the perfect way to blend fun and education—one wild discovery at a time!
STEAM in Action with Mrs. Cardoza & Mrs. Robertson
Our STEAM class is all about hands-on learning and creative problem-solving! Taught by Mrs. Cardoza and Mrs. Robertson, students have explored flight by building paper airplanes and rockets, tackled engineering challenges by creating structures, and learned about animal habitats and more.
From building to experimenting, our students are growing as thinkers, creators, and collaborators—one project at a time!
Triathletes Trade Training for Treats at Old School Donuts!
After weeks of swimming, biking, and running, our Blue Jay triathletes took a well-earned break to enjoy something sweet—fresh donuts from Old School Donuts.
The visit gave students a chance to relax, refuel, and celebrate their hard work with a tasty reward. A huge thank-you to Old School Donuts for supporting our students and adding a sprinkle of fun to their training!
We’re proud of our young athletes for their dedication—and their excellent taste in donuts!
Thank You, Gooseberry Bridge Farms!
Our students had a blast at Gooseberry Bridge Farms! From meeting the animals to exploring the grounds and learning how food makes its way from farm to table, it was a day full of discovery and fun.
We’re so thankful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to experience hands-on agricultural education.
Growing Minds Visit the Marshfield Greenhouse!
Our Growing Minds Summer School students had a hands-on adventure exploring the Marshfield Greenhouse! A big thank you to Mrs. Glenn—Marshfield alum and current high school teacher—for welcoming our class and sharing her plant knowledge and creativity.
From exploring plant varieties to creating a fun plant-themed craft, these Blue Jays left inspired (and maybe a little muddy)!
We’re grateful for opportunities that help our students grow—in the classroom and beyond!
What Does This Student Have in Common with 55 Other Summer Blue Jays?
They all took aim and hit the mark—successfully completing the Missouri Hunter Safety Course during Summer School!
Throughout the program, students gained valuable knowledge in outdoor safety, responsibility, and conservation. Even more impressive—56 Blue Jays met all requirements to earn their official Missouri Hunter Education certification!
From identifying trail signs to learning ethical hunting practices, these students developed skills that will serve them for years to come. Way to go, Blue Jays!
Outdoor Adventures Class Hits a Home Run with Springfield Cardinals Trip!
Students in the Outdoor Adventures class enjoyed a day at the ballpark with a field trip to a Springfield Cardinals baseball game!
Sweet Learning at Old School Donut Shop!
Our Summer Discovery students took a tasty field trip to the Old School Donut Shop, where learning was sprinkled with fun!
Students got a behind-the-scenes look at how donuts are made—from mixing and frying to frosting and finishing touches. They learned about the science of baking, the importance of teamwork, and what it takes to run a successful business.
A big thank you to the Old School Donut Shop for giving our Blue Jays such a fun and educational experience!
Hands-On Learning in Summer Discovery
Our Summer Discovery students are diving into science, math, engineering, and design through fun, hands-on activities! From building projects to creative problem-solving, these young learners are exploring how STEM comes to life—and having a blast while doing it!
Not Your Grandma's Summer School
Summer school isn’t just worksheets and lectures anymore! Our students had the chance to cast a line and enjoy the great outdoors as part of hands-on, real-world learning.
From fishing to science and everything in between, we’re making summer learning memorable, engaging, and a little unexpected. This is what 21st-century education looks like!
Students Step Into Real Life with REALL Simulation
This summer, our students took a powerful step into the future through the REALL (Reality Enrichment and Life Lessons) Simulation, provided by OACAC.
In this hands-on experience, students navigated two very different life paths. The first half of the simulation showed the challenges of reactive decision-making—like dropping out of school, struggling with finances, and juggling responsibilities. In the second half, students experienced a proactive path, highlighting the benefits of education, planning, and wise choices.
Through budgeting, role-playing, and tough choices, students saw firsthand how their actions today can shape their future.
We’re thankful to OACAC for bringing this meaningful learning opportunity to our summer school program!
Superintendent Henry Shares the Buzz About Honey Bees in Summer School
Superintendent Mike Henry brought the hive to the classroom during a fun and interactive summer school lesson all about honey bees!
Students learned how bees communicate, their important role in pollination, and why they’re vital to our ecosystem. The highlight of the visit? Mr. Henry and the students joined in a “bee dance” to mimic how bees share directions to flowers—a fun and memorable way to bring science to life!
Moments like these are what make summer learning sweet.
Exploring Nature Up Close in Summer School
Our 7th and 8th grade students had a hands-on science experience this week! They harvested materials for their terrariums and learned about crayfish and other creek invertebrates. Special thanks to Jennifer Lashley for capturing this great moment!
Melanie Skidmore and Katie McDowell’s Growing Minds: Farm to Table class welcomed Kyle Whittaker from the MU Extension Center to teach students about beef and dairy cattle. The highlight? A chance to milk a cow!
One small hiccup—our dairy cow couldn’t quite fit through the doors at Hubble, so the “barn” was relocated to the Early Learning Center. 🐮It was UDDERLY FUN!
