The Arvest Foundation has made a $5,000 contribution to the Cassville R-IV Bright Futures Program. The donation will be used to assist in meeting the physical needs of wildcat students within 48 hours. Physical needs include things such as clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, nutritional needs and more.

Bright Futures, established at Cassville Schools in 2011, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing community members together to focus on the success of children.  

Through a grant program, Arvest Foundation helps worthwhile charitable activities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.

Arvest Bank, Cassville location, provided a $1,000 sponsorship to the Cassville R-IV School District W.I.L.D. About Learning Summer School program. The sponsorship was used by the district to treat both students and staff to ice cream bars from the ice cream truck during the end of school celebration on the last day of summer school.

Before school was dismissed, the Clark Community Mental Health Center took some time to recognize Mrs. Preddy and Mrs. Weaver from Eunice Thomas Elementary School for being champions for children’s mental health.

Both Mrs. Preddy and Mrs. Weaver will retire from the Cassville R-IV School District at the end of June. Preddy has served as the primary counselor while Weaver has been serving as the principal.

"We thank them for advocating for their students' needs and for working so closely with us to serve their students in need of mental health services," stated Savannah Charleston, Director of Children's Services at the Clark Community Mental Health Center. "We will miss working with them!"

Three grants totaling $5,600.00 from the Cassville Education Fund were awarded to Cassville teachers at the Cassville Community Teachers Association banquet on Friday, May 28, at the Cassville middle school gym.

A grant of $4,200.00 was presented to physical education teacher, Erin Flehmer, for heart rate monitors for high school physical education classes. A grant of $1,000.00 was presented to CHS communication arts teacher, Victoria Robertson, for books for her classroom library. A grant of $400.00 was presented to industrial technology instructor, Robbie Artherton, for a camera to be used in robotics, shop and PLTW classes.

Established in 2010 by community volunteers, the Cassville Education Fund is a permanent endowment fund benefiting Cassville R-IV school district academic programs. Grants from the fund are awarded annually. More than $25,000.00 in grants have been awarded to Cassville teachers in the past eleven years.

The Cassville Music Advocacy Award honors any individual, who through their  volunteering, talent, skills, interest, time or general actions, have proved to support the Cassville R-IV Music Department.

The Advocacy Award has a long heritage of fine  recipients who have supported our district through advocating for the Arts, in particular,  for the music department. Former advocacy award recipients include former band and choir teachers, administration, former students and or professionals who  have dedicated time to helping the music program, and also to parents.

To receive the Music Advocacy Award, one must have  contributed to the music department, in some way: like volunteering, teaching,  assisting, advocating, leading the Booster programs, or generally being known amongst  the teachers and parents as someone who affiliates with our music  program. 

This year, Mrs. Amy Stephenson has been named the Music Advocacy Award winner.

“Amy Stephenson, is the perfect recipient for the Music Advocacy Award," stated Ed Lammers, former CHS Band teacher. "During  my time as a Band Director in Cassville her support of the program was  invaluable. When new to the program, I had plenty on my plate and was,  needless to say, feeling a bit overwhelmed with some of the requirements of the  position. Amy came to me out of the blue and offered her services to help with  publicity, tickets, programs, and amazingly even ticket sales for the Cassville Jazz Night. There was nothing left to doubt. Amy had been a band parent, I was  informed, sometime prior to my arrival, and was more than happy to continue  with this aspect of service to the band program even though she no longer had a child in the band. She continued tirelessly in this role throughout my tenure.  When Mr. Boise asked if I had any suggestions for who might be a worthy  recipient for this year's Music Advocacy Award, I offered without hesitation, Amy  Stephenson. Thank you Amy for your selfless contributions to the band program  in the Cassville schools. I salute you.”