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Safety and growth took center stage Friday, April 21 as Ozark School District officially broke ground on projects at Ozark High School and Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. These projects include storm shelters at both locations, as well as an indoor practice facility at OHS, all part of the $19 million no-tax-increase bond issue voters approved on the April 5, 2022, ballot.

Here we grow again! We officially broke ground on Storm Shelters at Ozark Middle School, Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center and Ozark High School.

On April 17, Ozark High School and Ozark Chamber of Commerce collaborated on an event to explore future partnerships between Ozark Academy students and local businesses. 

It might not have been the typical groundbreaking with shovels moving dirt in the sunshine, but the rain didn’t damper the excitement as Ozark School District officially broke ground March 23 on the Ozark Middle School storm shelter and new entrance, a project part of the $19 million no-tax-increase bond issue voters approved on the April 5, 2022, ballot.

After a year of planning following April 2022 voter approval for a bond to build 3 storm shelters and an indoor practice facility, we are excited to officially start the construction projects and break ground!

• OMS Groundbreaking will be at 5 p.m. March 23
• Tiger Paw Groundbreaking will be at 1:45 p.m. March 31
• Ozark High School Groundbreaking will be at 2:30 p.m. March 31

The public is invited to attend all of the events! We hope to see you there!

What do you get when you mix hungry high school students and homegrown lettuce? A Lettuce Party! 

Earlier this month, Ozark High School Natural Resources & Agriculture Capstone student Senior Tristin Cathcart harvested several varieties of lettuce and herbs including basil, kale, cilantro, chives, arugula and spring mix salad. Naturally, there was only one logical way to celebrate: A Lettuce Party!  

Since April, we have been busy wrapping up our June 2020 bond projects (see details below) while kicking off these new bond projects. Here are some highlights:

• In September, the Board of Education selected Branco Enterprises Inc. as the construction manager at risk for all four projects, which include storm shelters at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, Ozark Middle School and Ozark High School, as well as an indoor activities building at OHS
• The Design Phase is nearly complete for all projects
• All projects will go out to bid this winter (2022/23)
• Estimate completion date on all projects is August 2024

Ozark School District’s Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received the 2022 Design Team of the Year award from the Springfield Contractors Association during the 38th annual Salute to Design and Construction Awards banquet on Nov. 10. 

One hundred years ago, more than 200 Ozark School District students and staff stood in front of the newly-constructed school building just east of the downtown square and posed for a photo. On Oct. 26, 2022, an entire century later, Ozark’s littlest learners, along with staff, administrators and Board of Education members, did the exact same thing, commemorating and celebrating the renovation of the historic structure that now serves as Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. 

A dream years in the making finally became a reality, Oct. 14, 2022, as hundreds of state and local community members gathered outside what was once known as the Fasco building to officially cut the ribbon for the Ozark Innovation Center and usher in a new era of learning for the District. 

Here's a sneak peek at some of the behind-the-scenes construction work at the Ozark Innovation Center over the last two years. Ozark voters approved the $26.5 million no-tax-increase bond issue on the June 2, 2020, ballot as part of Operation Renovate & Innovate. The bond issue allowed us to create an extension of the main Ozark High School campus while preserving and renovating commercial property that is rich in history — the old Fasco building.

OHS students in the Health Sciences Academy got hands-on experience Sept. 30 as representatives from CoxHealth and the Christian County Ambulance District stopped by.  

On Sept. 15, 2022, 100 years after the building was constructed, Ozark School District, along with members of the Ozark community and Chamber of Commerce, cut the official ribbon to Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, celebrating the renovation of the historic structure and expansion of the early childhood program. 

Did you ever want to be a forensic scientist? OHS students in Principals of Biomedical Science class spent Sept. 12 determining the cause of death for a mock crime scene using sketches, measurements and photography. Students had to follow specific protocols for collecting evidence and then had to record and analyze that evidence to evaluate the potential crime scene. Students then researched different professions that related to the assignment.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the behind-the-scenes construction work at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center over the last two years. Ozark voters approved the $26.5 million no-tax-increase bond issue on the June 2, 2020, ballot as part of Operation Renovate & Innovate. The bond issue allows the expansion to our early childhood program while preserving and renovating this historic 100-year-old building.

OHS ninth-grade students are learning so much in the Academy Explorations class.The purpose of the hands-on class is to introduce students to all six Academies so they are prepared to make their Academy selection during their spring Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP).

How do you make a big school feel small? Ozark High School is taking this challenge head on for the 2022-23 school year with a new Academy model of education.  Ozark High School is set to open a second campus called the Ozark Innovation Center in August 2022. With grade levels over 400 students and a second campus, Academies will ensure students feel connected with other students and teachers within their academic program in addition to their activities.