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White House Back‑to‑School Message
President Donald J. Trump welcomes students back to school, urging hard work, curiosity, big dreams, and continuous learning — underscoring leadership and character. Classrooms are invited to share milestones with the White House.
Read the White House Back-to-School Message
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Next State Board of Education Meeting Set for Aug. 18
The Missouri State Board of Education (State Board) will meet Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the Jefferson State Office Building in Jefferson City. The meeting is open to the public, and we encourage anyone interested in Missouri’s public schools to attend in person.
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Post + Tag @MOEducation = Spotlight
Want your story seen statewide? Share classroom highlights, student successes, CTE projects, campus events, and educator spotlights — then tag @MOEducation on Facebook, X, and Instagram. We’ll reshare so families across Missouri can join the celebration.
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SchoolSafety.gov has kicked off its annual Back-to-School Campaign, a month-long effort providing guidance and resources to help schools and districts start the year safely. The campaign underscores a community-based approach, highlighting how educators, partners, and families all play a role in supporting school safety.
Throughout the next four weeks, the campaign will share tools to strengthen emergency preparedness, prevent bullying and violence, and promote online safety.
Follow @SchoolSafetyGov on X and Facebook for updates year-round.
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Regroup with Aspire®
Aspire® grads from DESE’s 2024–25 pilot and 2025–26 Read, Lead, Exceed trainings: join a 9 a.m. – noon regroup at your Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) for fast networking, problem‑solving, and success sharing — facilitated by Lisa Scroggs, DESE Director of Secondary Literacy. Seats are limited.
Trainings dates and locations:
- Oct. 15: Northeast RPDC
- Oct. 16: Heart of Missouri RPDC
- Oct. 19: Central RPDC
- Oct. 23: Agency for Teaching, Leading, and Learning RPDC
- Oct. 26: Southwest Center for Educational Excellence
- Oct. 28: Southeast RPDC
- Oct. 29: South Central RPDC
- Nov. 9: Kansas City RPDC
- Nov. 10: Northwest RPDC
- Nov. 16: EdPlus RPDC
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The Missouri Department of Mental Health is encouraging Missourians to take part in the Digital Detox Challenge throughout August in recognition of National Wellness Month. While technology remains an essential part of teaching, learning, and connecting students with meaningful opportunities, this challenge focuses on promoting healthy tech habits outside the classroom to support overall well‑being.
Participants can download the Digital Detox Challenge Calendar, explore weekly activities and reflections, and access a full Tool-Kit designed to help individuals and workplaces engage in the effort.
Learn more and join the Digital Detox Challenge
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Office of Literacy: Virtual Office Hours
Educators are invited to join DESE’s Office of Literacy for Virtual Office Hours from 10–11 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month (except December). After brief updates, the team will host Q&A on Reading Success Plans, K–12 resources, professional learning, school libraries, and more.
Questions? Email literacy@dese.mo.gov.
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- AI 101: Back to Basics (Free Webinar)
- Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
- Noon – 1 p.m.
Join Mark Henderson, MSBA’s Director of AI Strategy and Services, for a practical primer on AI — what it is, how it works, and why it matters for school leaders right now. Includes live Q&A. Consider it your back‑to‑school refresher ahead of the AI x Education Symposium in October.
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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remain committed to helping schools and childcare facilities provide safe drinking water. Many Missouri facilities have already implemented the actions required under the Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act (Statute 160.077 RSMo ) to reduce lead exposure in children. Additional preventative measures can further lower risk.
Recommended practices for all buildings:
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking—hot water lines may contain more lead than cold lines.
- Flush unused lines for 5–10 minutes if a drinking or cooking water source hasn’t been used for two or more days.
- As a routine practice, run water for 15–30 seconds (or until it turns cold and reaches a steady temperature) before use, especially after periods of inactivity.
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