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6 | TheBucknerClarion.com January 12, 2016 In her second year as Buckner Elementary School Principal, Karen Hile's commitment to the staff, students and community has paid off, as she has been named the 2015-2016 New Exemplary Principal by the Kansas City Suburban Elementary Principals Association (KCSEPA), a regional division of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP). Annually, nominations are received by area elementary and middle school administration. To be considered for this award, the principal must be in their second or third year as a principal, according to MAESP website, www.maesp.com. It describes the honorees as demonstrating "exemplary performance in the demonstration of skills that reflect the best in educational leadership." Hile is one of 12 to receive this honor in Missouri. In a Fort Osage School District press release, Hile's colleagues anonymously praised her with the following attributes: "Over her first year and a half, Karen has done an excellent job uniting her staff! Karen is an inspirational leader who truly deserves to be recognized." "I am appreciative of Karen because she always brings solid curriculum and instruction ideas to our principal group. I can count on her for great advice and direction anytime." "She is an outstanding leader all around." Hile was surprised by the award and described it as "a really special moment in my life. As a new principal, I often look to others – who have more experience – for inspiration, so it's nice to know I am also looked at as a person who could inspire others." Since she began her career in the Fort Osage School District, Hile has strived to set and achieve meaningful goals. One area of focus is providing her students with every opportunity to achieve academic success. "We have focused efforts on systems that were needed to offer additional educational support for the students who need a little extra help in learning. Additionally, we are also pushing the students who are rising above their grade expectations to develop deeper levels of learning," she said. Beyond the realm of traditional education methods, Hile felt it was important for her staff and educators to think outside of the box. "I have tried to support efforts to discover and develop new outlets for learning," she said. Hile recognizes the encouragement and support received from the school district during her transition period as a contributing factor that make these efforts possible. "They have given us freedom to create our vision that we want for our students, teachers, families and community, and offered their resources to accomplish this vision," Hile said. "We are always working to motivate and inspire our students. Empowering our students is key. We are impacting student leadership by increasing their voices, strengths and talents. We want to innovate and inspire our future leaders," she added. Hile said she has faith that the students of Buckner will have continued success by maintaining open communication and collaboration between everyone involved, by continuing to bridge relations between educators, students' families and the community. As for what's next, in March of 2016, Hile and her fellow honorees will be recognized as the regional winners for New Exemplary Principal during the MAESP Spring Leadership conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. During this conference, one principal will be chosen for state level recognition. Buckner Principal Honored for Excellence The penalty stiffens for those who are uninsured. For tax year 2015, expect to pay two percent of your household's annual taxable income, or $325 per adult and $162.50 per child. The maximum a household will pay for this tax year is $975. For tax year 2016, the penalty increases to 2.5 percent of income, or $695 per adult and $347.50 per child – with a max of $2,085 per household. The good news is there is still time to enroll. The deadline to apply for insurance on Missouri's federal Marketplace is January 31, 2016. Obamacare Deadline is January 31, 2016 According a fact sheet issued by the White House, 79 percent of Missourians can find a plan on the Marketplace for $100 or less, 74 percent for less than $75 or less and 68 percent for $50 or less for 2016. As for tax credits issued through Marketplace health plans, the White House reports that in 2015 89 percent of Missouri enrollees (188,352 people) received a tax credit, with an estimated savings of $278 per month. On average, there are seven health insurance providers offering 37 plans per county. Help is also available for anyone who struggles with making sense out of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), what it mandates, the penalties and how to apply for a waiver to avoid the penalty. The Health Care Collaborative (HCC) of Rural Missouri, in conjunction with its Live Well Community Health Center that recently opened in Buckner, Mo., invites anyone who needs help to call 1.877.344.3572 for a personal consultation. Help with applying for Medicaid will also be available for those who are eligible. Get Enrollment Assistance Call 1.877.344.3572 By Jessica Mauzey Avoid the penalty fee.

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