Highlights October 2021

Highlights Pattonville A top-tier district in Missouri and the U.S.

School news for parents, residents and staff of the Pattonville School District

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

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Pattonville ranked among top school districts in MO, US - See page 2 details

Pattonville reduces tax rate for homeowners - See page 7 for details

The Return of Homecoming After a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pattonville community came out to celebrate homecoming once again on Oct. 1 and 2. The weekend kicked off with the Pattonville High School Pirates varsity football team defeating Parkway South 28-6. The high school crowned Bryant Ewing as homecoming king and Isabelle Tucker as homecoming queen.

The Pride of Pattonville marching band welcomed eighth-grade band students to perform with them during pre-game festivities, and then performed part of its award-winning routine at halftime.

On Saturday, the community enjoyed a parade with floats from every school decorated around the theme “A Night at the Movies,” as well as floats from community groups and high school classes and organizations. A dance took place that evening in the high school gym. Above, the football team takes the field as the crowd cheers them on. At left, seniors show their spirit on their “Black Pearl”-themed float.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Dr. Brian Gray, President Mary Kay Campbell, Vice President Mindy Ridings, Secretary Ruth Petrov, Treasurer Andrea Glenn, Director Jeanne Schottmueller, Director Brandon Wilkes, Director Dr. Tim Pecoraro Superintendent

View more photos

View more photos on the back page of this newsletter or enjoy a photo gallery from the weekend by clicking on the 2021-2022 school year link at bit.ly/PattonvillePhotos.

Pattonville School District 11097 St. Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074-1509

That ALL will learn.

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1 St. Ann, MO

Pattonville is an awardwinning public district in St. Louis County, Missouri. The district is fully accredited by the state and is recognized for academic success on the regional, state and national level.

Our Mission

From the Superintendent

Homecoming ... and planning for the future T

here’s nothing quite like homecoming weekend in Pattonville.

It was such a thrill to see so many people enjoying the festivities at PHS after not being able to have Dr. Tim Pecoraro the event last year. I Superintendent had a chance to talk Follow on Twitter: to many alumni who @PattonvilleSupt were visiting our high school for the first time in many years.

They couldn’t believe how exceptional our facilities were and they were amazed at the programs and academic opportunities our students have at their disposal. This was a reminder of why Pattonville continues to provide a first-class educational experience for our students. We always strive to improve. We realize the experiences our students need in school are always changing and it’s critical we develop long-term plans to meet those needs. Our success is only possible because of our community.

The support we receive is tremendous and the strong bond between the Pattonville School District and the members of our community runs deep.

Our students have been working extremely hard since returning in August and I look forward to seeing the progress continue as we head into the fall season.

I can’t say enough about our teachers and support staff. They’ve had to endure significant challenges over the past two-plus school years and yet they are there, every step of the way, working side-by-side with our students to ensure they are making the necessary progress. I’ve witnessed so many of our staff members go above and beyond to support our students. Even though we still have obstacles to overcome, I’m confident our staff will continue to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

We still have a long way to go until we reach the finish line of the 2021-2022 school year, but we couldn’t have started any better. Our focus remains on keeping everyone healthy, safe and in school, and I’m proud of the success we’ve had in doing that so far. We’ll continue to do everything in our power to make certain our students have a wonderful school year.

Free COVID-19 resources

Visit Pattonville’s COVID-19 information hub at bit.ly/PSDCOVIDinfohub to find information on free COVID-19 testing, vaccines and more.

Superintendent announces he will retire next summer P

attonville superintendent Dr. Tim Pecoraro announced in September that he will retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

“After nearly 30 years in public education, I’m eager to spend more time with my family,” Pecoraro said in a letter to Pattonville families and staff.

“Serving as superintendent the past four years has been the highlight of my professional career. Having the opportunity to return to the same community where I grew up and went to school is something I’ll always cherish. I’ve met so many wonderful people during the 21 years I’ve spent in Pattonville as an elementary principal, assistant superintendent and now, superintendent.”

Pattonville school board president Dr. Brian Gray also sent a letter explaining the next steps for selecting a new superintendent.

“After discussing whether to conduct a nationwide search, the board concluded that Pattonville would be better served by developing a succession plan based on internal talent,” Gray said. “Pattonville is an extraordinary school district doing nationallevel work. We have exceptional internal talent leading those efforts and strongly believe the right successor comes from within the district.”

The board anticipates completing the selection process no later than

Nov. 19.

“The entire board of education recognizes the importance of this decision,” Gray said. “We have been fortunate to have decades of strong, stable leadership guiding our schools and ensuring Pattonville remains a high-performing district.

This will not change. The board will seek a leader who shares our commitment to providing an outstanding education that prepares every student for a future full of success.”

Pecoraro came to Pattonville in 2001, when he was named principal of Briar Crest Elementary School.

Dr. Tim Pecoraro, superintendent, is shown with Karina He was named assistant Vazquez Jimenez when she was a fifth grader at superintendent for curriculum Drummond Elementary School and designed a 2019 and instruction in 2007. Prior holiday card for the superintendent’s office. She is now a seventh grader at Holman Middle School. to his time in Pattonville, Pecoraro was a fifth grade decision and appreciate Dr. Pecoraro teacher and assistant principal for providing the board of education at John Weldon Elementary School in with time to plan for the future,” Gray St. Charles County. said. “As always, he has the best inter“Pattonville will forever be a ests of our students, families, staff and special place to me,” Pecoraro said. school community in mind, and we “Once a Pirate, always a Pirate.” appreciate the 21 years of caring and Gray thanked Pecoraro on behalf dedication he has given to ensuring of the school board.

Pattonville and its students succeed.”

“We know this is an important life

Pattonville ranked among top districts in state, U.S. O

ut of more than 450 public school districts in Missouri, Pattonville is ranked No. 11 among the Best School Districts on Niche. com’s 2022 Best Districts in America list. Nationally, Niche ranks Pattonville in the Top 4% of districts (No. 475 out of 10,772).

In Missouri, the district is also ranked No. 1 for Most Diverse School Districts; No. 4 for Best Places to Teach; and No. 19 for Districts with the Best Teachers. Niche is an online service that ranks private and public schools and districts based on dozens of statistics and opinions from students, parents and staff. Pattonville earned an overall grade of A from Niche, with grades ranging from A- to A+ in the following categories: academics, college prep, clubs and activities, diversity, health and safety and teachers. Find out more at bit.ly/psdniche2022.

Filing for Pattonville school board seats opens Dec. 7 F

iling for positions on the Pattonville School District Board of Education begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, and ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28. Persons interested in running for a position on the school board may file at the Pattonville Learning Center, 11097 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, Missouri. Candidates will be placed on the ballot in order of filing. There are two positions available on the April 5, 2022, election ballot, each with three-year terms. Board members whose terms are expiring are Mary Kay Campbell and Ruth Petrov.

Candidates may file during the district’s regular business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Dec. 28, filing will be open from noon until filing closes at 5 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Except for the first and last day of filing, filing will not occur on days that the school district’s central offices are closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable reasons. The district may not open on the first and/or last day of filing if weather conditions make it unsafe for school staff to travel. Filing will also not occur on the following dates when the district’s superintendent’s office will be closed: Dec. 23, 2021, through Dec. 27, 2021.

For more information or to confirm if offices are open for filing, contact the secretary to the board at (314) 213-8001 or kgordon@psdr3.org. Candidates must observe district policies in force at the time of filing.

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Our Learners Spotlight on

News focusing on students, staff and schools in Pattonville

Above left, POSITIVE School art teacher Robin Woodrome visits with former student Amber Witherspoon during the POSITIVE School 40th anniversary celebration. Above right, guests at the celebration peruse photos in a photo gallery set up in the POSITIVE School wing at Pattonville High School. At right, Robin Woodrome, left, takes a photo of POSITIVE School founder George Ruh, center, and current POSITIVE School English teacher Scott Hauser, left.

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

POSITIVE School celebrates 40 years of making a difference in students’ lives P

attonville’s POSITIVE School marked its 40th anniversary on Sept. 30 with current and former students and staff returning for a night of celebration. The Pattonville Occupational School Including Technical Individualized Vocational Education (POSITIVE) School opened in the 1981-1982 school year after George Ruh wrote a grant to start the program. He was the first director of the school and was on hand to celebrate with about 100 other people.

“It’s just great to see the fact that it’s still existing and to see all of the kids that have gone through it and who have made something of themselves after graduating from high school,” he said.

The alternative high school was designed as a high school dropout prevention program and the model has gone through several changes over the past 40 years. There

are 91 students currently attending POSITIVE School.

“The goal 40 years ago was to see how many we could steer on the right path and to get them to graduate and then after that, maybe even go to college or trade school,” Ruh said, “but it really is heartwarming to see how many have gone through the program and came back tonight.”

Amber Witherspoon was a student in POSITIVE School and now works in home health care.

“I learned so much when I was a student here and I had so much fun learning,” she said. “It was great and I miss it and that’s why I decided to come back.”

The POSITIVE School, which is located in the upper G-wing at the high school, was previously housed at the former Penn Junction Elementary School in the 1980s. Tours of the G-wing were available during the

celebration. Decorating the hallway were several balloons and photo collages that brought back memories.

Current POSITIVE School art teacher Robin Woodrome helped organize the event.

“I said to my husband, ‘I know almost everyone here’ and that’s crazy to me because they’re from many, many different years but it’s really cool,” she said.

Woodrome said it’s a huge reflection of the impact the school has had on the students.

“Every person that has given me a hug this evening says how grateful they were to get to go through the program and what it meant to them and how much we all as a staff meant to them,” she said. “It’s just really cool because I love to hear the stories of what happens after they graduate and what they were able to accomplish.”

REMINGTON TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

Book tasting serves up literature examples to increase student interest in reading T

he library at Remington Traditional School “There's so many different things you can transformed into The Book Bistro as library discover while reading books,” she said. “I think technology specialist Jill Ramig hosted a book that's really interesting.” tasting for students in Lisa Kraemer's English Students entered the library to find a restaurantlanguage arts class. style setting. They received menus to record their faBook tastings are a fun way to get students out vorite featured texts and discussed books with peers. of their comfort zones and engaged in new book “The library was a different environment with genres, authors and styles. some music playing in the background, and they “The book tasting offers the middle schoolers got a chance to look at eight books per table, and an opportunity to see books that they might not they switched them around.” have seen before,” Ramig said. “We put a variety Students spent 10 minutes per course before a of genres on their table and they are able to sample new selection of books were brought out. by looking at the cover and the back page and “We go through four courses: appetizers, soup reading a couple of pages.” and salad, main course and dessert,” Ramig said.

Library technology specialist Jill Ramig (standing) serves books to, from left, sixth It's different than just seeing a book on a shelf.

Many of the students at Remington have been graders Christopher Harris, Austin Virga and Joe Baumer during a book tasting.

“You aren't actually opening it up; you're judgin class together since kindergarten. ing it by the spine,” she said. “So they have an opportunity to see books that they didn't “They know each other enough that they're saying, ‘You'd like this one,’” Ramig said. know about and get excited about different books.”

At the end of class, students had a chance to check out their favorite books.

Seventh grader Gabriella Cruz said she’s not the biggest fan of books; however, “They also left with their menu which serves as a list of books they want to check she knows there's a lot of different varieties of books that you can like. out in the future.”

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ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PTA event offers chance to reconnect A

Rebecca Cook, left, and her baby, Louis Cook, participate in a Parents as Teachers group connection event titled Babies, Blankets and Babbles with, from left, her sister Olivia Talken and parent educator Krysteen Euson.

PATTONVILLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Group meetings aid child development O

n a sunny morning in September, families with young babies were welcomed to the Pattonville Early Childhood Center to enjoy camaraderie and education. Blankets were set out in the grass in front of the playground, and parents were invited to bring their babies and learn more about language and brain development. Staff were on hand to help parents with questions, share strategies for language development and talk with parents about how their baby is growing and provide them with milestones and developmental benchmarks to watch for.

The event, called Babies, Blankets and Babbles, was one of the early childhood programs’s regular group connections meetings. The meetings offer parent education and parent-child interaction opportunities in a group setting where families can connect and build relationships with others in a similar stage of life. Programming is offered based on the child’s age or developmental need so that all families can get support customized to the needs of their child. Parent educators in the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program will offer a variety of in-person and virtual programs this year for families enrolled in PAT. The PAT program is built on the premise that parents are a child’s first and best teacher. PAT is open to all district residents from pregnancy to kindergarten and helps let parents know where their child needs to be developmentally and how to help them get there. Parent educators can also help parents find potential delays and put early interventions in place. By giving children and parents a strong start in learning, they will have more success in kindergarten, school and life in general.

There are many facets to the PAT program, but one highlight is home visits by a certified parent educator who works with parents on child development, family wellbeing and more. Additionally, families can take advantage of annual developmental screenings, participate in group connections meetings and receive resource assistance.

For families where home visits are not the best fit for them or their schedule, they can still participate in PAT through the Connections Components program, which includes all of the benefits of the National Affiliate Program, but without home visits.

“What’s great about PAT is that it’s a home-visiting program that supports parent education and is open to all families in the district,” early childhood director Dr. Mary Krekler said. “It’s really about strengthening the family as a whole and their wellbeing through parent education, as well as kindergarten readiness.”

For more information on Pattonville’s PAT program, call (314) 213-8100.

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fter a year of pandemic learning and limited activities last school year, the Rose Acres Elementary School PTA wanted to give students a chance to reconnect and just have fun. The PTA hosted an outdoor Back to School Bash for students, families and staff to do just that.

“I cannot tell you how excited we are about our event,” said PTA president Alycia Lancaster. “Last year was such a long year for all of these kids and parents. Our RA staff worked so hard to make things feel as normal as possible but also fun, positive and engaging for our kids. Our goal this year is really to make the kids feel excited and happy to be back. We want all of our students, especially those new to RA, to experience that From left, first grader Harrison Reid and fourth Rose Acres family vibe we have.” graders Ella Whitehead and Adelaide Pagel enjoy The event featured the Bubble a shower of bubbles during Rose Acres Elementary Bus, music and Kona Ice, giving ev- School Back to School Bash. eryone a chance to move and groove to the music under the stars. Lancaster said the PTA kept the event simple for a reason.

“We like to keep it low key and used the event as a way for families and kids to get know each other,” she said. Mission accomplished.

Holman Middle School seventh grader Edgar Toledo Avalos leads the way as students line up to test their abilities playing limbo at the school’s first outdoor dance.

HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

School kicks off with first outdoor dance H

olman Middle School students and staff made history when the school hosted its first outdoor school dance on Sept. 10. Holding the event outdoors enabled the school to offer a fun activity and a sense of normalcy while taking into account safety due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. School staff, supported by Holman PTA parent volunteers as chaperones, held its Renaissance Back to School Dance in the courtyard behind the school. Students danced to a DJ under twinkle lights crisscrossing the space, tested their balance and flexibility playing limbo and posed for photos in a special photo booth during the luau-themed party. Renaissance is a program that rewards students for earning good grades, having good behavior and getting to class on time.

The outdoor dance wasn’t the only activity Holman staff have moved outdoors.

Frequently, teachers have given students a break from being indoors by hopping outside to the courtyard or picnic tables under the trees to complete classwork. Students have participated in a variety of academic activities outdoors, everything from math lessons using sidewalk chalk to geography lessons on longitude and latitude via an outdoor scavenger hunt for hidden gold coins.

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BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students try their hands at cup stacking S

tudents watched and cheered as their classmates went head-to-head using colored cups in a cup-stacking tournament at Bridgeway Elementary School.

The contenders raced against each other to be the fastest to complete a cup-stacking routine and, after weeks of practice, they moved quickly. Cup stacking is a sport that involves stacking 12 cups in pre-determined sequences as fast as possible. Bridgeway’s month-long unit features the opportunity for students to learn the skill, practice and then participate in the class tournament.

All students at Bridgeway participate in the unit, but those in kindergarten through second grade only participate in an introductory unit without a tournament. Physical education (PE) teachers Hannah Cooper and Steve Jones cover the basics, along with rules and stacking order. From there, students have the chance to practice both on their own and with a partner, during which time Cooper

and Jones meet with each student to review the routine, answer questions and share advice that will help them stack faster. Each student is seeded in their class tournament, which consists of a one-on-one, best-of-three and a double elimination showdown, giving students more chances to play before being eliminated. The tournament usually takes a week to complete “We are looking for students to show us what they have learned throughout the unit and to be competitive,” Cooper said. “We have a fairly competitive group of third through fifth graders, so the tournament is a fun way for students to show what they have learned throughout the unit.”

Cup stacking is beneficial because it helps students improve fine motor skills.

And it’s combined with other cardio activities, like running or jumping jacks, to warm up at the beginning of class.

Another benefit of cup stacking is that it’s something that can cater to each indi-

Bridgeway Elementary School fifth grader Aryam Almuttan, left, concentrates during a cupstacking tournament as her classmates cheer her on. Shown are, from left, Jailynn Hill, Isabella McDaniel, Abigail Berhanu, Skylar Kuzuf and Ellen Slocum.

vidual’s desired level of activity.

“Whether students love to be active or not, cup stacking is something that is enjoyable,” Cooper said. “We also see that students who do not usually enjoy PE are more confident when cup stacking because the playing field is leveled.”

Cup stacking, also known as sport stacking, is even an event in the AAU

(Amateur Athletic Union) Junior Olympic Games each summer.

“This unit is an exposure to an activity that children can do at home,” Cooper said. “By having students do activities that are not based on athletic skills, we can incorporate everyone into our curriculum. Hopefully, we spark an interest for some students they will pursue further.”

DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

KidLit & Coffee builds culture of reading T

Pattonville Heights Middle School FACS 2 (Family and Consumer Science) students cut out patterns for their tooth fairy pillows. Shown are, seventh grader Dylan Smith, left, and eighth grader Retaj Kabbara. At right, shown is a pillow created by eighth grader Grace Bagsby.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students create pillows for younger children S

tudents in Elizabeth Stockmann’s FACS 2 (Family and Consumer Science) class at Pattonville Heights Middle School completed a project that combined their sewing and design skills with helping students at a local elementary school. The 21 students in the class created hand-sewn tooth fairy pillows that will be given to students at Bridgeway Elementary School when they lose teeth during the school day. The lesson stemmed from Stockmann’s desire to reinforce student hand-sewing skills from previous courses, while also giving back to younger students.

“I believe this activity is important because I like that my students are donating to others, and I also like the fact that it will build a connection between middle school students and elementary school students,” Stockmann said.

Stockmann provided the middle school-

ers with a basic shape for the pillow, but gave them freedom in how to design and decorate their creations. Students made pillows that looked like a unicorn, fox, dinosaur and bunny, among many others.

This year was the first time the FACS class has done this project. Stockmann chose to donate the pillows to Bridgeway because students from that school attend Heights for middle school, but she plans to alternate between other Pattonville elementary schools in the future. In addition to being a way to help younger students, Stockmann also hopes the pillows are encouragement for students at Bridgeway to enroll in FACS when they get to Heights.

“My middle school students are excited to spend their own time, creativity and energy to create an item for a younger student,” Stockmann said. “It truly has been moving to see the students’ excitement and involvement for this project.”

he root to building a stronger reading community at Drummond Elementary School starts with the staff.

“We’ve talked about how we need a boost in building our reading culture at school,” third grade teacher Sierra Dertinger said. “Our staff needs to be great reading role models for our students and instill a love Drummond Elementary School teachers participate in a beforeand excitement of reading school book discussion. Shown are, from left, Brittany Garcia, Tammi Buckner, Courtney Cady, Sierra Dertinger and Amy Powell. throughout our school.” members attend each monthly meeting.

That is how she de“Sierra approached me one day and veloped the idea for KidLit & Coffee. It’s said, ‘I have all these awesome ideas a morning book club for staff members to meet and solely focus on children’s litera- in my head and I just need help getting them out,’” Buckner said. “It’s just taken ture while having coffee and breakfast. off and we’re loving it.”

“I love coffee and I know teachers Fourth grade teacher Courtney Cady love coffee, and they love when there’s meetings with food, so I thought it would joined KidLit & Coffee because she be a great time for us to come together in loves children’s literature, but she said she’s not always the best at seeking out the mornings and chat about books and get excited about sharing new things with new material on her own.

“I think it’s a great way to hear what students,” she said. She brainstormed everyone else is doing and to get some with other staff members to discuss their great recommendations so that I can do wants and needs. a book a day for my kids and really tie “The staff envisioned this group to in some of those great books that are out share book recommendations, discuss there and available to us.” recent releases, share ideas on how to use Buckner said KidLit & Coffee has been books within the classroom, have a virtual platform like Padlet to share resources and a great way for staff to get together.

“We have a lot of teachers in our ask questions, and more, all while sipping building who love to share the love of fresh-brewed coffee,” Dertinger said. reading,” Buckner said. “We are looking She is collaborating with Drummond’s forward to this making a difference in library technology specialist Tammi Buckner on the project and has had about 20 staff our school.”

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WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Math lessons receive personal touch T

he second grade team at Willow Brook Elementary School devoted several hours into making personalized learning activities for their math unit this year in order to better support student learning.

Students in Holly Kopp’s class each have a folder detailing the six Missouri standards - or goals - they need to master for Unit 1. Pages with QR codes are printed and placed inside and will link to websites and videos when scanned using the student’s iPad camera.

“We know the district goal is to make sure students have personalized learning and pathways so that everyone can start where they’re at and not be restricted by time and have choice,” Kopp said. “We created this for our students with that in mind.”

After a student accomplishes a task, Kopp initials a box to indicate that they have mastered that goal. If it is highlighted in yellow, it shows they should continue working on it. The order of completing the six goals is up to the student.

“They can choose the type of activities they want to do and in what order they want to do it,” she said. “Some things are YouTube videos and others are

games. We also offered some paper-andpencil activities for students who prefer that way of learning.”

Students who need extra help can meet with the teacher at her desk.

“If students aren’t able to master something, I call them up to my desk and do a lesson with those students on a particular goal,” Kopp said. “Quite a few students are able to work with me and then go back to their desk and complete an assignment.”

She has found the chance for students to play and learn math has made it more enjoyable.

“The first day I passed out those folders, we talked about their goals and looked at their assessments, and they saw they had choices. It was an amazing thing,” she said. “The motivation was there and they were excited to get started and you could tell the kids were interested in having all these choices.”

For Connor Boyd, it’s a way to learn, but it’s also a competition.

“I’m working my way through the folder and I only have one goal left,” he said. “I just couldn’t read and understand what I needed to do on my last goal so

Willow Brook Elementary School second grade teacher Holly Kopp assists her students with their math activities. Shown are, from left, Jurnie Walker and Evan Panganiban.

I’m still working on it but I’m making sure to finish before my friend.”

Hailey McFadden has been finding some of the goals challenging, but fun.

“The games show us what we need to work on,” she said. “I can read and write numbers and I understand my greater thans and less thans. It’s great when I can get her to sign my paper because it shows I can do it.”

Right now, Kopp is only using this method for math, but the second grade

PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students trained to support healthy, mindful classrooms S

elect fourth and fifth “We have a student who graders at Parkwood had problems here and there Elementary School were and who just had a tough recently trained to be time when he first started Mindful Panthers. They here,” Worsham said. “He will lead Mindful Monday was new to Parkwood at activities, a school-wide that time but just by giving event where older students him opportunities like this, visit different classrooms to he said, ‘This is not like my lead mindfulness activities. old school, I can be a leader The goal is to teach here.’” students strategies that can Mindful Monday leshelp them regulate their sons are held twice a month.

Parkwood Elementary School students participate in a training to emotions not only when Trained students go into help them lead mindfulness activities with their peers. Shown are, at prompted by school staff classrooms with a prepared left table, clockwise, De’Asia Garner, Abdulrahman Alshuga, Carly members, but hopefully at Ratcliff, Ryan Monroe and Wesley Paulson; and at right table, from PowerPoint presentation and left, Levi Brown, Kayley Austin and Sophia Milton. home as well. lead the discussions about Keane also discussed goal-setting and Parent and substitute mindfulness. had students write down one thing they teacher Colleen Keane has taught “We have students go into classes could accomplish by the end of the day. several mindfulness community eduon the first and third Monday of each School counselors Cat Eaton and cation programs and has done some month and they will go into what Kendra Worsham reviewed applicaintervention through professional mindfulness is,” Eaton said. “They will tions and picked a variety of students development with the district. cover breathing and listening as well as to be part of the program.

“I’m really passionate about the mindful body and mindful goals.”

Fifth grader Ryan Monroe was topic of mindfulness,” she said. “The After a year of doing Mindful chosen to be a Mindful Panther bethings I went over with them can Mondays via Zoom, Keane is hoping cause he is a good role model. immediately be taken back into the this program will help students adjust “I think I was chosen because I’ve classrooms to help them and other to in-person learning again. been respectful and responsible and I students.”

“We all have trauma and this worry can be a good leader,” he said. “I’m She led them in mindful breathing about what happened, is happening excited to do it because I’ve never and listening techniques in order to teach and what could still possibly happen,” done anything like this before.” them how the practices work. she said. “Mindfulness helps you from The school counselors also like to “Each method offers you a way to thinking about all of that and getting inhabit the present moment more fully involve students who have had chalyou to realize you can only control the lenges with behavior in the past but and either can be the first step to a right here and now.” show promise. healthier life.”

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team has worked with first grade teacher Jamie Cargal on the concept.

“I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing in my class without the support of my second grade team (Katie Eilermann, Jennifer Rogers, Chelsey Wiersma),” she said. “I love working at Willow Brook because everyone is so supportive and the teachers help each other with anything. They’ve done a lot of the legwork and I was just trying to think of a way to kind of organize it for my students.”

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Graduates in the news Nico Shumpert, Class of 2007 - Shumpert

competed in an episode of “Chopped” that aired Sept. 14 on the Food Network. On the show, competitors race to turn mystery ingredients into cohesive dishes, all centered around an episode’s central theme. The theme of this episode was fries and shakes. Shumpert, who is a private chef and culinary influencer, said on his Facebook page, “I’ve always wanted to compete on #Chopped so this was definitely one for the books.”

Nico Shumpert is shown during a visit to his alma mater in December 2018, when he gave a cooking demonstration to culinary arts students in Tracie Olson’s (standing left) class.

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

National Merit Commended Students

Pattonville seniors Thomas Clifford, Kalista Roades and Henry Winfrey have been named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Their Kalista Roades Thomas Clifford principal, Teisha Ashford, presented letters of recognition to each student, along with tickets to a Cardinals game. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students Henry Winfrey placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

program. Junior Javan Williams was selected as an alternate.

Their choir teachers are Tracy Baker and Melynda Lamb.

Students selected for the program participate in weekly college-level voice lessons and coachings, take part in master classes with professional singers and teachers from around the country, perform in recitals, compete for scholarship funds and receive college guidance. Students also participate in retreats and college tours and attend opera and musical theater performances in the area. Graduates of the program who choose to continue vocal music studies receive continued support through adDa’Shon Dunn vanced study scholarship opportunities.

Kenedi Jenkins

Jahlil Johnson

Sarah Nelson

Hannah Radican

Alyssa Van Hooser

Javan Williams

Opera Theatre Artists in Training

Six Pattonville students were among 20 St. Louis-area high school students chosen by competitive audition to participate in the Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ highly selective Artists in Training (AIT) program. Juniors Da’Shon Dunn, Kenedi Jenkins, Jahlil Johnson and Sarah Nelson, and seniors Hannah Radican and Alyssa Van Hooser were selected for the

Pattonville teacher named finalist for state Teacher of the Year P

attonville High School English learner teacher Eleanor Taylor was named one of seven finalists for the 2022 Missouri Teacher of the Year, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Educa- Eleanor Taylor tion (DESE) recently announced.

Taylor was previously selected as one of 17 semifinalists after being named a Regional Teacher of the Year in the St. Louis area. Semifinalists included teachers from multiple grade levels and subject areas who represented all of the state’s nine Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) areas. The selection process began when the RPDCs announced 35 Regional Teachers of the Year from across the state. Taylor was selected as the Pattonville School District Teacher of the Year last May.

Pattonville reduces tax rates for homeowners, personal property T

he Pattonville Board of Education on Sept. 28 voted to reduce the tax rate for homeowners by 18 cents for the 2021-2022 school year. Personal property and commercial property tax rates were also reduced by 18 cents and 13 cents, respectively.

School boards in St. Louis County set tax rates each year for four classes of property within school district boundaries: residential, commercial, personal and agricultural. The board is authorized by law to levy up to a certain amount previously approved by voters, but must roll back its operating levy when growth in the value of property in the district (excluding any new property construction) exceeds the consumer price index, which is 1.4%. The value of residential property grew by 10%, while the value of commercial and personal property dropped slightly in Pattonville. The overall increase for all property in the district was 3%, but Pattonville’s operating revenue will only increase by 1.4% due to reductions in residential, personal property and commercial tax levies.

Also important to note is the fact that Pattonville’s residential rate will continue to be lower than the rates for agricultural, commercial and personal property, as

promised to voters when they approved the Proposition P tax rate increase in 2013. At the time of the election, the district promised to limit the residential tax rate increase for as many years as possible. Proposition P allowed the district to levy up to 99 cents, but the district has kept its commitment during the past eight years to maintain a lower residential tax rate.

This year, Pattonville continues to take a voluntary rollback to its debt service tax rate in order to lessen the tax burden on

homeowners. The district’s debt service tax rate, which is part of the district’s overall tax levy, remains unchanged at 49 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, as promised to voters when they approved zero tax-rate-change bond issues in 2017, 2010 and 2006. Under the state’s formula for calculating tax rates and the district’s taxing capacity, the district could have levied 17 cents more in its debt service tax rate. The total tax rate, including debt service, approved for residential properties

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is $4.2858 per $100 of assessed valuation. The overall impact of voluntary rollbacks on a $200,000 home in the district equates to a 12% reduction in homeowner tax bills (see chart at left).

Approximately 86% of Pattonville’s revenue comes from local sources, which include taxes paid on property in the district. These taxes are based on the assessed value of the property, as determined by the St. Louis County assessor’s office. Pattonville is keeping careful watch on its revenues and expenditures, which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

While some of the loss has been offset by federal pandemic relief funds, the district is also anticipating a $2 million loss due to a state lawsuit. In March 2021, the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District ruled a method used by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office (SAO) to determine voterapproved tax increases was incorrect.

The recent court decision changes the long-standing SAO interpretation, and the district anticipates losing $2 million in revenue in 2021-2022, and $1.5 million in subsequent years.

PATTONVILLE 2021

HOMECOMING Hundreds of Pattonville Pirates fans celebrated homecoming on Oct. 1 and 2. The weekend included a football game, K-8 fun run, parade and student dance

Above, varsity football player Tory Allen, left, runs in a touchdown with support from Michael Montoya center. Below, Pattonville Heights Middle School’s float featured a “Toy Story” theme.

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Above, Parkwood Elementary School’s “Movie Night” float wins the Traveling Trophy for best elementary or middle school float.

Below, Remington Traditional School teacher Libby Hilker portrays Cruella and students play puppies on a “101 Dalmatians” float.

Above, Pattonville cheerleader Jaciess Clinton is lifted by teammates, from left, Amaya Washington, Caraline Guetschow and Riesen Riley during a routine at the homecoming game.

Center top photo, seniors Isabelle Tucker and Bryant Ewing are crowned homecoming queen and king, respectively. Ewing became the school’s first homecoming king in decades. Center photo, second from top, the Pride of Pattonville marching band fills the street with music during the homecoming parade. Center photo, second from bottom, students and some parents line up to start the traditional K-8 homecoming fun run. Center photo, bottom, the varsity drill team members show their school spirit.

Parade honors

Float award winners during the parade were: Parkwood Elementary School, Traveling Trophy for best elementary or middle school float; high school juniors for Outstanding Class Float; thespians for Outstanding Theme Costume; girls volleyball team for outstanding student club/organization/sport float; and Dance Factory, for Green and White Award for best community float.

Jenna Hall, a member of the Pattonville color guard, raises her flag during a halftime homecoming performance.

“Pattonville Highlights” is published throughout the school year for residents of the Pattonville School District by the Pattonville Office of School-Community Relations, 11097 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074, (314) 213-8025. Website: www.psdr3.org. Email: mschoonover@psdr3.org.