On this third day of Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re giving a HUGE shoutout to some truly remarkable educators!
This year, nearly 30 CES teachers completed either Year 1 or Year 2 of LETRS training—an intensive, two-year professional learning journey grounded in the science of reading. LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) equips teachers with deep knowledge of literacy and language, empowering them to deliver high-impact reading and spelling instruction.
We’re celebrating these dedicated CES teachers who have strengthened their instructional practices to support every reader’s success.
Thank you for your tireless efforts, your passion for literacy, and your commitment to growing professionally—all while balancing the demands of full-time teaching. Your dedication is shaping brighter futures for our students each and every day!
Happy School Nurse Day! 🩺💙
Today, we celebrate and thank our incredible CES school nurses who go above and beyond to keep our students safe, healthy, and cared for every single day.
👩⚕️ Join us in recognizing Mrs. Sadie Beetsma and Mrs. Heidi May for their dedication, compassion, and professionalism. Your hard work does not go unnoticed — you are true heroes in our schools!
Thank you for all that you do! 💐
“Let Your Kind Shine”
Kindness is everywhere at CES! The three recipients of this week's awards were nominated by a teacher or staff member for showing exceptional kindness. They received a sunshine bag and the opportunity to sit in the yellow sunshine chair over the next week to promote kindness throughout CES!
Haley Duckworth (Mrs. Marriott’s 1st Grade Class)
Haley is the definition of a ray of sunshine. Her positive attitude and zeal for life is contagious. Haley can often be found helping her friends and cheering them on.
Maizie Gatson (Mrs. Gott’s 3rd Grade Class)
Maizie has matured so much this year. She works really hard and takes her time. She has a hug every morning, just what her teacher needs! She thinks of others and wants everyone to be happy
Celebrating Mrs. Katie Maples!
On this second day of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are proud to celebrate our reigning 2024–25 CES Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Katie Maples, who has been nominated to apply for the prestigious Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year award! This recognition honors educators who exemplify excellence in teaching, leadership, and dedication to students.
Mrs. Maples recently spent the day in Jefferson City representing our district as a regional finalist for Missouri Teacher of the Year. Not only is she an exceptional art teacher who brings creativity and inspiration to her classroom, but she also serves as a mentor to fellow teachers and is a valued member of our CES Leadership Team.
Mrs. Maples will now advance to the Northwest Regional competition through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Winners at the regional level will continue on to the Missouri State Teacher of the Year competition.
Congratulations, Mrs. Maples! We are so proud of you and grateful for the incredible impact you make each and every day at CES!
A big thank you to our amazing PTO Sunshine Committee for providing a delicious lunch for our teachers and staff today! We’re so grateful to our incredible CES families who continue to spoil us throughout the year—your love and support mean the world to us!
This evening, our Chilli MO PTO hosted a vibrant Spring Into Reading event that brought families together to celebrate the joy of reading. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, students enjoyed a variety of engaging and interactive stations designed to spark curiosity and creativity.
Highlights of the evening included meeting a friendly therapy dog, playing word games, participating in writing activities, listening to captivating storytelling by Katie Kerr, planting seeds to take home, enjoying dirt dessert snacks, and shopping at the book fair.
A huge shoutout to Mary Cady, president of our Chilli MO PTO, and to all of the wonderful volunteers who made this night possible. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm created an unforgettable experience for our students and families!
It was a fun-filled event that fostered a love for literacy while bringing our school community together. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a success!
Marigold Recipients – 2024-25 School Year
At CES, the Marigold Award is a newer tradition, given annually to staff members who embody the spirit of the marigold—encouraging, protecting, and uplifting those around them. Just like the marigold nurtures its garden, these recipients support and inspire both students and colleagues with unwavering positivity.
Nominated by their peers, these incredible individuals make each day a little brighter. Congratulations to the teachers and staff who light up CES with warmth, encouragement, and an energy that keeps us all blooming!
Congratulations to our 2024-25 Marigold Recipients:
Mrs. Hannah Ewbank
A colleague shared, “Hannah interacts with students in such a calm and respectful way. She’s kind, fair, and communicates wonderfully with parents. Her words helped me on a day when I felt stressed and overwhelmed—even sending an email to remind me that everything would be okay. As a leader in the kindergarten hallway, Hannah’s steady presence and compassion are a true gift to CES. We are so lucky to have her on our team."
Ms. Cindy Glidewell
Ms. Cindy, a paraprofessional who supports our virtual speech classes, is often the very first friendly face students and staff see as they enter the main entrance. One nomination read, “Ms. Cindy greets each student with a smile, a hello, and even a hug. She fixes hair and checks in with anyone who may need a little extra TLC.” A true Hornet, she’s always the first to celebrate student achievements, whether through a kind word, email, or a social media comment. If you need a boost or a smile, Ms. Cindy is your person!
Mrs. Jaryn Schneider
A third-grade teacher and key member of our building leadership team, Jaryn brings positivity wherever she goes. One colleague wrote, “She stops by to see me every day. She’s a bright light—always happy, always has a good attitude, and makes me feel seen and heard.” Throughout the consolidation process at CES, Mrs. Schneider helped guide important decisions with students’ best interests at the center. She truly exemplifies what it means to be a Marigold.
Thank you, Mrs. Ewbank, Ms. Glidewell, and Mrs. Schneider, for making CES a better place for all. Your uplifting energy keeps us blooming! And to the many other marigolds at CES—those who lift spirits with a kind word, a helping hand, or a warm smile—your quiet acts of support and encouragement do not go unnoticed. Together, you make our school a garden of growth, care, and connection.
Our first graders had a fantastic time exploring the great outdoors during today’s visit to Poosey Conservation Area! It was a fun and educational experience, filled with hands-on learning and discovery in nature.
A special thank you to the Chillicothe FFA, Nancy Nowland, Mr. Patrick, and our amazing first grade teachers for facilitating a variety of engaging activities throughout the day.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Chilli MO PTO for generously funding new science tools and animal classification books that helped bring this outdoor learning adventure to life!
🎶 Attention Parents! 🎶 Don't miss out! Registrations for the Junior Choraliers Camp are still being accepted! The camp will run from June 2-6, from 3:15 to 5:30 PM. Go to this link for more info and to register your child: https://www.chillicotheschools.org/article/2127001!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the heart and soul of our school.
Your passion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment are unmatched. You give so much of yourselves—early mornings, late nights, and weekends spent planning, preparing, and caring. Your dedication never goes unnoticed.
This has been a truly memorable year—a year of change, growth, and unity. With three elementary buildings merging into one, we’ve come together as a new community of over 100 teachers and staff members serving nearly 750 students. The 2024–25 school year has marked the beginning of our new normal, and together, we’re learning—through collaboration, flexibility, and heart—how to find our rhythm and thrive. We look forward to continuing to grow together on this journey.
You pour love, energy, and excellence into everything you do—not just for your students, but for our entire school family.
Because of YOU, our halls are filled with possibility, our classrooms with inspiration, and our hearts with pride.
This week—and every week—we celebrate YOU: the champions of education and the anchors of our school community.
Thank you for making this year unforgettable and for making a difference, one student at a time.
Our kindergartners had a fantastic field trip to the Litton Campus today! The FFA hosted "Life on the Farm Day" which consisted of a variety of engaging stations where our students had the chance to explore and enjoy some hands-on farm fun.
CES Snapshots
Look who’s making a splash at Chilli Bay this summer! These hardworking testers had their names drawn for free admission to our local water park. A big thank you to Chilli Bay for supporting our CES students and celebrating their efforts!
Now we know our ABCs and letter sounds❤️
In honor of School Lunch Hero Day, we proudly salute our incredible nutrition team: Kim Kimbrough, Brenda Hayward, Stephanie Young, Stephanie Rickert, Stacey Cook, Debra Peterson, and Kaitlyn Owens. From August through March, these heroes have served 43,398 breakfasts and 57,790 lunches—that’s over 101,191 meals in the Hornet Café—always with compassion and a smile!
Thank you for nourishing our students each day with care, dedication, and heart. Our school nutrition professionals truly make a difference for every child who walks through the meal line. You are heroes in every sense of the word!
Ms. Myers’ 2nd grade class partnered this past year with Missouri State Trooper Curtis Acree through the Partners in Education program. Today, he gave students an up-close look at his patrol car and shared insights about his role as a state trooper.
🌼📚 Exciting news! The PTO and Chillicothe Elementary School are teaming up for a Spring Reading Night! Join us to promote literacy among our elementary students. Support the book fair and engage in fun literacy activities with your kids at home and school. Let's read together🌟
This past year, Chillicothe Elementary School was fortunate to have 43 dedicated Postal Pals and Oasis Volunteers who exchanged letters with 80 of our 2nd grade students from October through April.
On Wednesday, over 35 volunteers visited CES to meet their pen pals in person and enjoy a snack and meaningful conversation together. To celebrate the occasion and encourage continued reading, each student received a book to enjoy over the summer.
A special thank you to Pat Williams, our Oasis Coordinator, for her leadership and dedication in organizing such a valuable volunteer program. Her efforts continue to make a lasting impact on our students and school community.
We are incredibly grateful for the relationships built through this program and the joy it brings to both our students and volunteers!
Our CES students have been giving their best effort on their i-Ready and MAP tests! Each day they show determination and do their best, one ticket goes into the top prize drawing. The top ticket earns an exciting incentive—like a bubble party, snow cones, a bounce house, and more! The bottom ticket goes into a daily grade-level drawing, where some lucky students win a golf cart ride around CES and earn an extra recess for their entire class!
We are so proud of our hardworking Hornets—your effort, focus, and determination are making a difference. Keep shining, CES!”
Shout out to Bright Futures and our amazing Hornet community for providing snacks and testing treats for our CES students! Your support fuels their focus and success!
