📚✨ We’re Hiring: High School English (ELA) Teacher ✨📚
Do you love literature, writing, and helping students find their voice? Hillsboro High School is looking for a passionate English Language Arts teacher to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year.
Here’s what you should know:
🍎 Position: High School ELA Teacher
📍 Location: Hillsboro High School
💰 Starting Salary: $45,500 + full benefits
📅 Start Date: 2026–2027 school year
📖 Certification Required: Missouri State Teaching Certificate – English
At Hillsboro R-3, our teachers inspire students to think critically, communicate effectively, and grow both academically and personally. This role is an opportunity to help shape students’ love of reading, writing, and learning.
⭐ Why Hillsboro?
• A very supportive school community
• Opportunities to mentor and inspire students
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Collaborative team of educators
If you’re ready to make a difference in the classroom and in students’ lives, we encourage you to apply.
Link to apply: https://www.applitrack.com/hsdr3/onlineapp/default.aspx...
Do you love literature, writing, and helping students find their voice? Hillsboro High School is looking for a passionate English Language Arts teacher to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year.
Here’s what you should know:
🍎 Position: High School ELA Teacher
📍 Location: Hillsboro High School
💰 Starting Salary: $45,500 + full benefits
📅 Start Date: 2026–2027 school year
📖 Certification Required: Missouri State Teaching Certificate – English
At Hillsboro R-3, our teachers inspire students to think critically, communicate effectively, and grow both academically and personally. This role is an opportunity to help shape students’ love of reading, writing, and learning.
⭐ Why Hillsboro?
• A very supportive school community
• Opportunities to mentor and inspire students
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Collaborative team of educators
If you’re ready to make a difference in the classroom and in students’ lives, we encourage you to apply.
Link to apply: https://www.applitrack.com/hsdr3/onlineapp/default.aspx...

✍️For your planning purposes this week:
😀We have school Monday and Tuesday.
👩🏫🧑🏫Teachers will be on a Professional Development Day on
👉Wednesday, March 18th.
🙌Spoiler Alert: This means no school for students on March 18th!
👉Thursday, March 19th & 20th: Students and Teachers will be on Spring Break.
🏖️Relax. Be Safe. Have Fun.
😀We have school Monday and Tuesday.
👩🏫🧑🏫Teachers will be on a Professional Development Day on
👉Wednesday, March 18th.
🙌Spoiler Alert: This means no school for students on March 18th!
👉Thursday, March 19th & 20th: Students and Teachers will be on Spring Break.
🏖️Relax. Be Safe. Have Fun.


Families in the Hillsboro R-3 School District are about a week away from the start of Annual Online Registration for the 2026–27 school year. The registration window opens March 23 and runs through May 1, giving parents and guardians of current students, time to review and update important information for their students before the next school year begins.
Here is a link to the website where you can register students: https://www.hsdr3.org/page/annualregistration
Annual Online Registration is required for all returning students and is completed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. During the process, families will verify and update items such as contact information, emergency contacts, health information, transportation details and required district agreements.
One of the most important steps families should prepare for ahead of time is providing a current proof of residency. The document must be from the current billing cycle or within the last 30 days, and it can be uploaded directly into the system as a photo or PDF.
Families who do not currently have proof of residency in their own name and are living with another household in the district will need to complete a District Affidavit of Residency form, which requires notarized signatures and supporting documentation.
Here is a link to the website where you can register students: https://www.hsdr3.org/page/annualregistration
Annual Online Registration is required for all returning students and is completed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. During the process, families will verify and update items such as contact information, emergency contacts, health information, transportation details and required district agreements.
One of the most important steps families should prepare for ahead of time is providing a current proof of residency. The document must be from the current billing cycle or within the last 30 days, and it can be uploaded directly into the system as a photo or PDF.
Families who do not currently have proof of residency in their own name and are living with another household in the district will need to complete a District Affidavit of Residency form, which requires notarized signatures and supporting documentation.

⚠ BOIL ORDER MONDAY
The HIllsboro R-3 Elementary, Hillsboro R-3 Intermediate and Hillsboro R-3 Junior High will be under a boil order on Monday, March 16, 2026. All buildings will have a supply of water for students; however, we encourage sending your student with a water bottle.
The HIllsboro R-3 Elementary, Hillsboro R-3 Intermediate and Hillsboro R-3 Junior High will be under a boil order on Monday, March 16, 2026. All buildings will have a supply of water for students; however, we encourage sending your student with a water bottle.

Did you happen to catch who won our Passport to Flavor Chef's Challenge at the Intermediate School?
Check out the video to see who won: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k523QNFihyI&t=3s
Check out the video to see who won: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k523QNFihyI&t=3s

In case you missed it!
It's time to share some key dates for the 2026-2027 School year. The picture below illustrates the full calendar.
📚 First Day of School
Students will begin the new school year on Monday, August 24th, 2026.
Missouri law requires public school districts to set their opening date no earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September. The law was originally implemented to accommodate the Missouri State Fair and support local tourism. While it can create scheduling challenges (especially when districts must meet the required 1,044 hours of instruction) Hillsboro R-3 has structured the calendar to ensure students receive the instructional time they need.
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school November 25th–27th, 2026, for Thanksgiving Break.
Students will be dismissed at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 24th, and will return to class on Monday, November 30th, 2026.
🎄 Christmas Break
Christmas Break begins after an early dismissal on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2026, which is also the last day of the first semester.
Students will be off from December 23rd, 2026 through January 4th, 2027, and classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5th, 2027.
🌷 Spring Break
Spring Break is scheduled for March 22nd–29th, 2027.
Students will return to school on Tuesday, March 30th, 2027.
🎓 Tentative Last Day of School
The tentative last day of school is Wednesday, May 26th, 2027.
As always, this date could shift if additional snow days or emergency closures occur during the year.
⏰ Weekly Late Start Reminder
Families will also notice that Wednesdays are designated as a one-hour late start day throughout the school year. This consistent schedule allows for important staff collaboration and professional learning while maintaining instructional hours for students.
The full 2026–2027 calendar is attached for your reference. We encourage families to review it and mark important dates as you begin planning for the upcoming school year.
It's time to share some key dates for the 2026-2027 School year. The picture below illustrates the full calendar.
📚 First Day of School
Students will begin the new school year on Monday, August 24th, 2026.
Missouri law requires public school districts to set their opening date no earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September. The law was originally implemented to accommodate the Missouri State Fair and support local tourism. While it can create scheduling challenges (especially when districts must meet the required 1,044 hours of instruction) Hillsboro R-3 has structured the calendar to ensure students receive the instructional time they need.
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school November 25th–27th, 2026, for Thanksgiving Break.
Students will be dismissed at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 24th, and will return to class on Monday, November 30th, 2026.
🎄 Christmas Break
Christmas Break begins after an early dismissal on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2026, which is also the last day of the first semester.
Students will be off from December 23rd, 2026 through January 4th, 2027, and classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5th, 2027.
🌷 Spring Break
Spring Break is scheduled for March 22nd–29th, 2027.
Students will return to school on Tuesday, March 30th, 2027.
🎓 Tentative Last Day of School
The tentative last day of school is Wednesday, May 26th, 2027.
As always, this date could shift if additional snow days or emergency closures occur during the year.
⏰ Weekly Late Start Reminder
Families will also notice that Wednesdays are designated as a one-hour late start day throughout the school year. This consistent schedule allows for important staff collaboration and professional learning while maintaining instructional hours for students.
The full 2026–2027 calendar is attached for your reference. We encourage families to review it and mark important dates as you begin planning for the upcoming school year.

✨ Prom 2026 is coming! ✨
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 6:00–10:00 PM
📍 Orlando Gardens – St. Louis
🎟 Tickets: $70 each
Tickets will be sold April 6–April 17 in Room 306 during A-Shift HawkTime.
🚫 No ticket sales on Wednesdays
🚫 No tickets sold after April 17
💳 Important: Tickets must be purchased in person at school (credit, cash, or check payable to Hillsboro High School).
Credit card payments will NOT be accepted online.
👗 Juniors & Seniors only may purchase tickets.
Outside guests must complete required forms before tickets can be purchased.
📄 Prom Agreement and Guest Forms will be available starting March 12 outside Room 306.
📧 Questions? heitert_cyndi@hsdr3.org
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 6:00–10:00 PM
📍 Orlando Gardens – St. Louis
🎟 Tickets: $70 each
Tickets will be sold April 6–April 17 in Room 306 during A-Shift HawkTime.
🚫 No ticket sales on Wednesdays
🚫 No tickets sold after April 17
💳 Important: Tickets must be purchased in person at school (credit, cash, or check payable to Hillsboro High School).
Credit card payments will NOT be accepted online.
👗 Juniors & Seniors only may purchase tickets.
Outside guests must complete required forms before tickets can be purchased.
📄 Prom Agreement and Guest Forms will be available starting March 12 outside Room 306.
📧 Questions? heitert_cyndi@hsdr3.org

Save the date!
Friday, April 10th is when our 8th Grade Formal Dinner & Dance will take place at the Hillsboro Community Civic Club.
Parents will need to fill out a permission slip for their students to attend the dinner and dance.
Permission slips can be found in Dr. Murphy's weekly Parent Newsletter.
Friday, April 10th is when our 8th Grade Formal Dinner & Dance will take place at the Hillsboro Community Civic Club.
Parents will need to fill out a permission slip for their students to attend the dinner and dance.
Permission slips can be found in Dr. Murphy's weekly Parent Newsletter.

During Thursday, March 5th's JAG state competition, Lillian Griffin was named the 2026-2027 JAG President. She is the top officer out of 118 JAG programs in 78 Missouri schools. This is a huge honor that no Hillsboro student has ever held. She will travel to Washington DC next school year. Congratulations Lillian!
The picture provided is courtesy of the JAG-Missouri Facebook page.
The picture provided is courtesy of the JAG-Missouri Facebook page.

This is what learning looks like. 📚🍭
Mrs. Hannah Rice nominated Isaac Rehkop for an I Excel Award after he learned to navigate the IXL learning platform on his own and started excelling in both math and ELA.
To celebrate Read Across America Week, the class read The Lorax and made cotton candy Truffula Trees inspired by the story. Friends Noah and Xander also benefited from Isaac's success.
Isaac definitely understood the assignment. 👏
Mrs. Hannah Rice nominated Isaac Rehkop for an I Excel Award after he learned to navigate the IXL learning platform on his own and started excelling in both math and ELA.
To celebrate Read Across America Week, the class read The Lorax and made cotton candy Truffula Trees inspired by the story. Friends Noah and Xander also benefited from Isaac's success.
Isaac definitely understood the assignment. 👏

Here's a reminder for K–6 Families!
Happening Tonight: There’s one final opportunity to attend an in-person parent meeting about our new Before & After School program, Right At School.
📅 Wednesday, March 4th
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Primary School Cafeteria
Learn about flexible scheduling, summer programming, drop-in options, discounts, and how this partnership will expand care opportunities for Hillsboro families with no increase in current rates.
If you missed the virtual sessions, this is your chance to ask questions and get the details before registration opens March 9th.
We hope to see you there!
🐾LIVE Search Dogs. Real Demonstrations. One Night Only.
Join us for Family Science Night with Gateway Search Dogs and see science in action.
📅 Thursday, March 12
⏰ 4–7 PM (🚪 Doors open at 3 PM)
📍 Room 224 – Hillsboro High School
🐶 5–6 professionally trained search dogs
🧭 Trailing demonstrations
🔎 Live find scenarios
🧪 Human remains detection skills
The dogs will rotate through classrooms so you can experience multiple demonstrations up close.
Bring the kids. Bring your curiosity.
Come and go as your schedule allows.
Join us for Family Science Night with Gateway Search Dogs and see science in action.
📅 Thursday, March 12
⏰ 4–7 PM (🚪 Doors open at 3 PM)
📍 Room 224 – Hillsboro High School
🐶 5–6 professionally trained search dogs
🧭 Trailing demonstrations
🔎 Live find scenarios
🧪 Human remains detection skills
The dogs will rotate through classrooms so you can experience multiple demonstrations up close.
Bring the kids. Bring your curiosity.
Come and go as your schedule allows.

Congratulations to Mrs. Jan Hoth for being nominated as February's Staff Member of the Month. The word of the month was Encouraging. Those that nominated her stated, "Students report that she is kind, encouraging, teaches the students good techniques, has high energy, and helps/cares for ALL students!"
"Jan radiates positivity and encouragement. Students report connecting to her and her sparking their learning. She is a great teacher and overall person!"
"Jan radiates positivity and encouragement. Students report connecting to her and her sparking their learning. She is a great teacher and overall person!"

📣 K–5 Families: One More Chance!
There’s still one final opportunity to attend an in-person parent meeting about our new Before & After School program, Right At School.
📅 Wednesday, March 4th
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Primary School Cafeteria
Learn about flexible scheduling, summer programming, drop-in options, discounts, and how this partnership will expand care opportunities for Hillsboro families with no increase in current rates.
If you missed the virtual sessions, this is your chance to ask questions and get the details before registration opens March 9th.
We hope to see you there!
There’s still one final opportunity to attend an in-person parent meeting about our new Before & After School program, Right At School.
📅 Wednesday, March 4th
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Primary School Cafeteria
Learn about flexible scheduling, summer programming, drop-in options, discounts, and how this partnership will expand care opportunities for Hillsboro families with no increase in current rates.
If you missed the virtual sessions, this is your chance to ask questions and get the details before registration opens March 9th.
We hope to see you there!

📣 Hillsboro R-3: This Conversation Matters.
Byrnes Mill Police Department is hosting a Parent Seminar on Teenage Drug & Alcohol Use on:
📅 Monday, March 9
⏰ 5:00–7:30 PM
📍 Northwest High School Cafeteria
This free event is designed to help parents and caregivers:
-Recognize signs of teen drug and alcohol use
-Understand current trends
-Learn how to have meaningful conversations at home
-Access helpful community resources
Families from across Jefferson County, including Hillsboro R-3, are welcome to attend. Student are also welcome.
There is no cost to attend and no RSVP required.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Would I know the signs?”
“How do I even start that conversation?”
“What resources are available locally?”
This seminar is for you.
Byrnes Mill Police Department is hosting a Parent Seminar on Teenage Drug & Alcohol Use on:
📅 Monday, March 9
⏰ 5:00–7:30 PM
📍 Northwest High School Cafeteria
This free event is designed to help parents and caregivers:
-Recognize signs of teen drug and alcohol use
-Understand current trends
-Learn how to have meaningful conversations at home
-Access helpful community resources
Families from across Jefferson County, including Hillsboro R-3, are welcome to attend. Student are also welcome.
There is no cost to attend and no RSVP required.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Would I know the signs?”
“How do I even start that conversation?”
“What resources are available locally?”
This seminar is for you.

❤️ You Could Save a Life.
Join us for our Community & Staff CPR Class on
📅 Wednesday, March 18
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Hillsboro R-3 Primary School Cafeteria
🔗Register below!
This class is open to everyone — including students. Our nurses are often asked if younger students can participate, and the answer is yes. The younger, the better.
Learning CPR gives you the confidence and skills to act in an emergency. We hope you’ll save the date and consider joining us.
Sign-Up Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuFgZRdmUd4Tu3mBfdsPWKldMpTx7RAiyaTK91te-MAhhvmQ/viewform
Join us for our Community & Staff CPR Class on
📅 Wednesday, March 18
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Hillsboro R-3 Primary School Cafeteria
🔗Register below!
This class is open to everyone — including students. Our nurses are often asked if younger students can participate, and the answer is yes. The younger, the better.
Learning CPR gives you the confidence and skills to act in an emergency. We hope you’ll save the date and consider joining us.
Sign-Up Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuFgZRdmUd4Tu3mBfdsPWKldMpTx7RAiyaTK91te-MAhhvmQ/viewform

Students in Mr. Wattle’s High School Art class are practicing the techniques of illustration and cartooning from the masters ✍️




Now is a great time to make your choice for the Hawk Award: Outstanding Service to School or Community!
The award recognizes employees and volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication, or service to the Hillsboro R-III School District or the broader community.
Here is the link to vote: https://aptg.co/cMfrmL
Please send the form in an attachment to noack_betsy@hsdr3.org
If you know someone whose dedication, leadership, or service truly embodies the Hawk spirit, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Forms are available in all district offices. Click on the story below for the link to nominate.
Completed nomination forms may be sent to Betsy Noack at the Central Office by mail or email at noack_betsy@hsdr3.org.
Central Office mailing address is:
Hillsboro District Office
100 Leon Hall Parkway
Hillsboro, MO 63050
📅 Nomination deadline: Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
Let’s take a moment to recognize the individuals who make Hillsboro R-III a stronger, more caring place—one Hawk at a time
The award recognizes employees and volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication, or service to the Hillsboro R-III School District or the broader community.
Here is the link to vote: https://aptg.co/cMfrmL
Please send the form in an attachment to noack_betsy@hsdr3.org
If you know someone whose dedication, leadership, or service truly embodies the Hawk spirit, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Forms are available in all district offices. Click on the story below for the link to nominate.
Completed nomination forms may be sent to Betsy Noack at the Central Office by mail or email at noack_betsy@hsdr3.org.
Central Office mailing address is:
Hillsboro District Office
100 Leon Hall Parkway
Hillsboro, MO 63050
📅 Nomination deadline: Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
Let’s take a moment to recognize the individuals who make Hillsboro R-III a stronger, more caring place—one Hawk at a time

There will be no school on Wednesday, February 11th. It's a Teacher Professional Day. That means no school for students. Enjoy your day off and we'll see students again on Thursday.

Hillsboro R-3 is hiring FULL-TIME SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS!
Link to application: https://www.applitrack.com/hsdr3/onlineapp/default.aspx...
Pay: $19.75–$28.50/hr
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance & PTO
Schedule: AM and PM routes + assigned trips
If you love working with kids, want stable hours, and enjoy being part of the school community, we want to meet you!
Link to application: https://www.applitrack.com/hsdr3/onlineapp/default.aspx...
Pay: $19.75–$28.50/hr
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance & PTO
Schedule: AM and PM routes + assigned trips
If you love working with kids, want stable hours, and enjoy being part of the school community, we want to meet you!

