Superintendent's Corner

The 2018-2019 school year begins our 122nd year of serving students in the Doniphan R-I School District. We’re the home of the Dons and Donettes where we proudly wear the colors of black and gold! We have a long tradition of excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics.

Our Vision focuses on our belief in partnering with our parents and community to educate all students to their fullest potential in a safe environment. We encourage our parents and community to participate in all school-sponsored activities so together we can instill the importance of education and achieving goals.

Doniphan R-I Schools focus on academic excellence. We believe every student can learn and support this through smaller class sizes, individualized reading programs at the elementary and intermediate schools, support for curriculum writing and updating, the hiring of an additional Pre-K teacher, support of the Project Lead the Way classes, and the development of data teams focused on student growth.

Our District offers before and after school care through our BEEP (Building Enriching Educational Partnerships) Program. The District received a $1.5 million dollar 21st Century Learning Grant over the next five years to support academics. The curriculum utilized in this program is more hands on, inquiry focused, and built around critical and creative thinking, and personal and social responsibility.

Doniphan Elementary is implementing Missouri Reading Initiative (Pre-K through 6) which supports student literacy. This program provides staff training and coaching to meet students at their individual reading level and to move them forward in reading and writing. Again this year students will be involved in the Jr. Ambassador Club. This community sponsored club challenges students to have good attendance and good citizenship.

Doniphan R-I added an Intermediate Building for grades 3-5. The Intermediate building also serves as our District and community safe building for use during inclement weather. A new addition to the Intermediate class line up is Project Lead. This class will be focused on grades 3-6. Project Lead the Way supports students academically through project-based learning and hands-on activities.

The Middle School supports academics with a focus on positive behavior. DMS has DRIVE:
Demonstrating Responsibility, Respectfully Behave, Inspire Others, Values Learning, and Encourage Safety. As part of the school’s PBIS focus they have implemented a CARE team which meets regularly to review student attendance, academics, and behavior to provide support so all students can be successful.

This year the Doniphan for Football Committee and the Board of Education are working together to have high school football back in its sports offerings after a 37-year absence. Football, along with our other sports offerings and extra-curricular activities provide many amazing opportunities for students to learn and grow!

The staff of the Doniphan R-I High School work diligently to assist our students in reaching graduation. Our four-year graduation rate for the district is 89.9%. Our ACT Composite score is 17.9 which indicates the extent to which our students are prepared for college-level work. We are committed to supporting our students who take the ACT and have implemented an ACT prep course during the school year and during summer school.

A shining star for our District is the Current River Career Center which provides a variety of learning opportunities and a foundation for future career choices. The past few years, students have participated competitively at state and national levels. Programs offered can be viewed on the District’s website www.doniphanr1.com One particular note of interest is our CRCC holds the distinction of being the only Career Center with an Honor Guard team derived from the Criminal Justice classes.

The Doniphan R-I School District is a great one! We have 226 dedicated staff members serving 1,550 students Pre-K through twelfth grade. We invite you to join us in our mission to educate every student to be a successful, responsible citizen!

Respectfully,

Jennifer Snyder
Superintendent


About Dr. Jennifer Snyder

Dr. Jennifer Snyder became superintendent of the Doniphan R-I School District on July 1, 2014. This is her 26th year in education and has served students in public schools and at the college level.

Dr. Snyder holds degrees from:
• Doctorate of Education, Saint Louis University
• Specialist in Education Administration, Missouri State University
• Masters in Counseling, Truman State University
• Bachelor of Science, Southeast Missouri State University
• Associate of Arts, Three Rivers College

She and her husband have twin daughters who have blessed them with two grandchildren each. Dr. Snyder's husband, David, retired from the State of Missouri as a Captain, Park Ranger, for Missouri State Parks—he now serves as custodian of First Baptist Church. Jennifer and David have made their home in Doniphan and look forward to serving the community and cheering on the Dons and Donettes!