Dinkins: Greetings Friends of the 144th district!

As the Christmas season is upon us, I hope you will remember those less fortunate than you. I hope you can spread some Christmas cheer if only it is by giving someone a cheerful smile. Be thankful for what you have because there are always others who have less.

Many people in our area are struggling and could use a helping hand. If you are able, consider giving to them personally, the local food pantry, coat closet, senior centers or churches to help those in need. Donating of your time is a precious resource that has more value than you may realize. It doesn’t have to be with an organization, there are many individuals who just want someone to sit and visit with them. The Love, Joy, Peace, and Happiness you share may have much more value than you understand during the holiday season.

Missouri DESE Publishes 2024 Annual Performance Reports

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released the 2024 Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for the 2023-24 school year, highlighting progress under the sixth version of the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6).

Key Highlights:

• Improved Scores: Over 86% of local education agencies (LEAs) met or exceeded MSIP 6 standards, with more than 60% showing improvement from 2023 to 2024.

• New Composite Data: The APR now includes a three-year composite score alongside single-year data, providing a more stable assessment for future LEA classification.

• Innovation Waivers: The first draft of alternate APRs for 20 LEAs in the Success-Ready Students Network (SRSN) was released, exploring competency-based learning and real-world experiences to prepare students for post-graduation success.

Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger praised schools for their efforts in meeting MSIP 6’s rigorous standards and emphasized the importance of collaboration with the SRSN to advance innovative learning models.

MSIP 6 aims to ensure students graduate ready for college, careers, and life. Composite scores will help guide classification recommendations, while single-year reports will identify emerging trends.

Step-by-step instructions on accessing the 2024 APR data are available to help users navigate the different viewing options for the report. Additional resources can be found on DESE’s MSIP 6 webpage.

Missouri DHSS urges vaccinations

With respiratory illness season underway, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is encouraging Missourians to protect themselves against flu, RSV, COVID-19, and whooping cough through vaccination and preventive measures.

Vaccines do not guarantee 100% protection against diseases. While vaccines can be highly effective at reducing the risk of infection and preventing severe illness, no vaccine provides absolute immunity and some can be harmful to certain individuals. Each individual needs to make these decisions for themselves.

Flu (Influenza)

• The CDC recommends the 2024-2025 flu vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older.

• Flu vaccination reduces severe illness risks, particularly for those with chronic conditions like heart disease.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

• RSV vaccines are available for older adults, pregnant women, and high-risk infants and children.

• Pharmacists require a prescription to administer RSV vaccines.

COVID-19

• Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, especially high-risk groups.

• Free COVID-19 tests are available at COVIDtests.gov.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

• The Tdap vaccine is recommended for adults, adolescents, and expectant mothers.

• Infants and young children should follow the DTaP schedule.

• Missouri is seeing a rise in pertussis cases, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.

Prevention Tips

• Wash hands frequently, clean surfaces, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick.

• Vaccines are widely available at health agencies, pharmacies, and providers.

For more information, visit Missouri DHSS's website or contact local health agencies.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have. As your Representative, I am here to assist you however I can. I can be reached by email at Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov or by phone at (57e) 751-2112. Please do not contact me via social media. These messages are easy to overlook and may not be responded to in a timely manner.

Merry Christmas!

CHRIS DINKINS serves the 144th District of Missouri. She can be reached by email at Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov or by phone at (573) 751-2112.