Highlights May 2022

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

Fourth graders in the ALPHA elementary gifted education program created their own automatons during their Engineering for Fun class. “This is all part of a critical thinking unit,” lead gifted program teacher Elizabeth Brisch said. “It was on figuring out how to use the engineering design principles to create a project that implemented cam mechanisms to show movement.” Students spent an hour of their weekly time at ALPHA planning, designing and creating their shoebox automatons based on a theme of their choice. “My project is the battle between Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi on the Death Star,” fourth grader Garrison Parker said. “There’s different types of cams and each type provides a specific movement of the followers. When they all work together, it makes contact with another element and creates a motion.”

Top photo, Rose Acres Elementary School fourth grader Emma Egbert concentrates on putting the final finishes on her creation. Above, Rose Acres fourth grader William Purnell works on his automaton. At right, lead gifted teacher Elizabeth Brisch checks in with fourth grader Garrison Parker.

From the Superintendent

Ending the year, prepared for the future

It’s that time of year. Time to say goodbye to our senior class. As a parent, I know firsthand how fast our children grow up. One day they are in elementary school and, before you know it, they’re finalizing their plans for after high school.

This is not only an important time for our students and families, but for our school district as well. I’ve said many times before that our number one priority is to prepare our students for life after high school. For some students, that’s transitioning to college, for others, it’s vocational school, the military or moving into the workforce. It’s critical that we provide pathways for each of these futures.

We’ve been intentional for years in how we’ve developed learning opportunities to meet the needs of our students, ranging from extended learning opportunities that provide students with hands-on experience in potential careers, to developing an early college program, providing rigorous courses to prepare students, creating collaboration with various trades and working closely with our military representatives. Every student is different, which is why our approach can’t be a one-size-fits-all model. Our hope is to provide students with a wide range of learning experiences so they can make informed choices about their future.

Preparing students for life is also more than coursework and internships. It’s also helping students deal with adversity. As adults, we know life can be unpredictable and things don’t always go as planned. Being able to navigate the challenges that adulthood throws at us is a skill. I’m confident our students are not only prepared, but ready to thrive in our world in the years ahead.

Three sworn into office for Pattonville school board

Three Pattonville residents were sworn into office to serve on the Pattonville Board of Education. Returning board member Mary Kay Campbell and new board member Dr. Dan Wentz were elected to the board during the April 5 election and will serve threeyear terms. Lisa Kickbusch was appointed to the board to fill a one-year position after the resignation of board member Mindy Ridings. Kickbusch was selected after the board accepted applications for the seat and conducted interviews on April 11. All three were sworn into office on April 12 by board president Dr. Brian Gray.

The board of education and superintendent Dr. Tim Pecoraro thanked leaving board member Ruth Petrov for her 18 years of service on the board.

The school board also voted on officers and annual appointments to various organizations. The officers are as follows: Gray, president; Campbell, vice president; Jeanne Schottmueller, secretary; and Brandon Wilkes, treasurer. Campbell was also appointed to represent the board on the Pattonville Education Foundation (PEF). Gray was appointed as a delegate to the Missouri School Boards Association, with Schottmueller appointed as alternate. Schottmueller was also appointed as the board member to represent Pattonville on the Governing Council of the Special School District (SSD), with Wilkes as alternate. Andrea Glenn is also a director on the board of education.

Meal changes mean some parents should sign up now

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the Pattonville School District has provided free meals for all students through the funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has been extended multiple times by Congress. That funding is now set to expire, which means free meals will no longer be available to all Pattonville students once this school year concludes. Families who currently meet the criteria for free/reduced meals are encouraged to apply today. Once the student is approved for this year, the status carries over for the first 30 days of the 2022-2023 school year. All families will be required to reapply starting July 2022 when the income guidelines change in order to be eligible for free/reduced meals throughout the whole school year of 2022-2023. For more information or to download forms to apply, visit Pattonville’s meal service eligibility website at sites.google.com/psdr3.org/mealeligibility

Two Pattonville educators selected for leadership roles

Two educators have been selected to fill administrative positions in the Pattonville School District. Both will begin their new roles on July 1.

Leslie Jones has been selected to serve as an administrative intern/ assistant principal at Bridgeway Elementary School. Jones has been a first grade teacher at Bridgeway since 2014. Before joining Pattonville, she worked at Jefferson Elementary School in the St. Louis Public Schools as a preschool teacher and parent-school-community specialist/ family educator, as a teacher at Central Christian School and as assistant director at Sprog, Inc. in Kirkwood. Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in elementary education at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She was named Pattonville Teacher of the Year in 2022.

Carley Tankersley was selected as the new assistant principal of Drummond Elementary School, a school she attended as a student. She taught third and fourth grades at Drummond after joining Pattonville in 2016. She was named an administrative intern at Parkwood Elementary School in 2020. A 2011 Pattonville graduate,Tankersley earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Graceland University and a master’s degree in school administration from Lindenwood University. She is also working toward her specialist degree in school administration from Lindenwood.

Camps Interested in Pattonville history? New website available

Pattonville’s summer athletics and band camps are open for registration. Camps are available for a variety of age levels and are held on the Pattonville High School campus. Families can find more details or register at psdr3.asapconnected.com. For more information, contact the community programs department at (314) 213-8095 or communityprograms@psdr3.org.

For local residents and history buffs interested in learning more about the origins of the Pattonville School District or its evolution over time, Pattonville recently launched a new history website. The new website was developed by Pattonville’s school-community relations department using research from a Pattonville history book, as well as information from archived newsletters and other historical documents. The website also includes a video where visitors can test their Pattonville history knowledge. The Pattonville School District has a long history in the region. Its roots can be traced back to the 1800s when the first public school was established in what is now Bridgeton. The Pattonville School District officially came into being in 1930 when an April election changed the Fee Fee District No. 16 from a “rural” to a “town” school status. That year, the new district board dubbed the organization the “School District of Pattonville, St. Louis County.” The district’s name originated in 1876 when the government granted the Fee Fee community a post office and placed it in the Patton General Store (near the corner of Fee Fee and St. Charles Rock Road). John R. A. Patton was named the new postmaster. At the time, the name of the community was changed to Pattonville. Find out more by visiting the new website at bit.ly/PattonvilleHistory

Dr. Tim Pecoraro Superintendent Follow on Twitter: @PattonvilleSupt

Board president Dr. Brian Gray, right, swears into office, from left, Lisa Kickbusch, Mary Kay Campbell and Dan Wentz.

Carley Tankersley Leslie Jones

Teacher, Support Staff of the Year announced during District Appreciation

Leslie Jones, a first grade teacher at Bridgeway Elementary School, was named Pattonville Teacher of the Year, and Erica Abowitz, a social worker at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center, was named district Support Staff of the Year. The announcements were made during Pattonville’s District Appreciation Night on May 2.

Finalists for Pattonville Teacher of the Year were Chris Cheatham, third grade teacher at Willow Brook Elementary School, and Lara Corvera, speech and theater teacher at Pattonville High School. Other finalists for Pattonville Support Staff of the Year were Amy Reese, library and technology aide at Rose Acres Elementary School, and Jennifer Reidelberger, paraprofessional at Drummond Elementary School.

These previously named district honorees and finalists for Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year were building-level honorees for the respective awards. Other building-level honorees/semifinalists for Teacher of the Year were: Amy Bopp, early childhood special education teacher, Christine Behlmann, math academic interventionist at Drummond, Amanda Castile, kindergarten teacher at Parkwood, Jamie Hundley, first grade teacher at Rose Acres, Lindsey Cottingham, Special School District (SSD) teacher at Remington Traditional School, Maegan Bowersox, Pirate Academy teacher at Holman Middle School, and Mike Burgio, science teacher at Pattonville Heights Middle School. Other building-level honorees/semifinalists for Support Staff of the Year were: Loresa Shaw, custodian at Bridgeway, Deborah Boshans, nurse at Parkwood, Erin Jepsen, paraprofessional at Willow Brook, Shannon Hill, custodian at Holman, Laura Bruhy, secretary at Pattonville Heights, Michelle Miletic, SSD social worker at the high school, and Chester Samples, maintenance journeyman for the district services group.

Kyle Schaper, a physical education teacher at Parkwood Elementary School, was honored as the certified staff Rookie of the Year and Tomi Benney, a secretary at Pattonville High School, was chosen for the support staff Rookie of the Year. The awards honor those in their first or second year of service in the district.

Ten honored with Pride of Pattonville

Ten individuals have been chosen to receive the prestigious Pride of Pattonville award. The honor recognizes staff, parents and volunteers for outstanding service to the district. The 2022 Pride of Pattonville honorees are:

• Amanda Jo Fields, districtwide lead nurse;

• Heidi Lanham, nurse at Pattonville High School;

• Dr. Sarah Moran, principal at Holman Middle School;

• Beth Moritz, English teacher at the high school;

• Lynda Sotolar, kindergarten teacher at Remington Traditional School;

• Jim Usry, fire chief of the Pattonville Fire Protection District and parent volunteer;

• Jason Van Beers, principal at Drummond Elementary School;

• Kelley Villinger, volunteer and photographer;

• Scott Wagner, district technology specialist at Holman; and

• Kendra Worsham, counselor at Parkwood Elementary School. Honorees were recognized during special surprise visits in April, as well as during Pattonville’s District Appreciation Night on May 2.

Retirees recognized with School Bell Awards

At left, Pattonville recognized staff members (Pattonville and SSD staff who work in Pattonville) who are retiring or who retired since the last District Appreciation Night festivities in 2021. All retirees have the option to receive an engraved School Bell Award recognizing their service. This year, 75 staff members were honored as retirees and thanked for their service in Pattonville. View a copy of the District Appreciation Night program featuring bios of all the retirees at the link below.

Find out more

Read District Appreciation Night program bit.ly/DANProgram2022

View District Appreciation Night photos bit.ly/psdDAN2022

Chosen to receive the Pride of Pattonville award were from left, front row, Amanda Jo Fields, Heidi Lanham, Lynda Sotolar, Kendra Worsham and Beth Moritz; and back row, Jim Usry, Dr. Sarah Moran, Kelley Villinger and Jason Van Beers.

Erica Abowitz, left, was named Pattonville Support Staff of the Year, and Leslie Jones, right, was selected as Pattonville Teacher of the Year.

Pattonville grads make NFL selections, more news

Johnny Chittakhone, Class of 1990 - Chittakhone was featured in a story by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about stepping down as the boys volleyball coach at St. Mary High School after being at the helm of the program for 25 years. According to the PostDispatch, the team has won five state titles, been to 10 state championship matches and appeared in 15 final fours under Chittakhone. Since 2000, Chittakhone’s teams have posted a 379-223-21 record. He plans to continue to coach on the club level for Rockwood Thunder.

Kris Henry, Class of 1990 - Henry, sports editor of the Mail Tribune in Medford, Oregon, was named the 2022 recipient of the Media Award presented by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association. He began his career at the Mail Tribune as a sports reporter in 1998 and was named sports editor in 2021.

Mikala McGhee, Class of 2012 - McGhee was crowned Miss Missouri USA on May 1 and will advance to the Miss USA pageant. McGhee serves as a substitute teacher in the Pattonville School District and is a former reporter for Fox 2 Now in St. Louis. Find out more at bit. ly/MissMissouriMcGhee.

Olivia Wedig, Class of 2017 - Wedig is one of seven physical sciences division graduate students at the University of Chicago to be awarded a 2022 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Her research area is in chemical structure, dynamics and mechanism. Wedig is a first-year PhD student in the department of chemistry. She is a member of the research group of Professor Greg Engel. According to the university, Wedig “is interested in combining theoretical modeling with the techniques of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of energy transfer in photosynthesis. Ultimately, understanding how photosynthetic complexes control energy transfer will lead to new innovations in artificial light-harvesting technologies.”

Kaleb Eleby, Class of 2018, and Marquis Hayes Jr., Class of 2017 - Both Eleby and Hayes entered the 2022 NFL draft. Though Eleby wasn’t selected as part of this year’s draft, the Western Michigan quarterback will get his pro football chance, after accepting a rookie

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Graduates in the news

mini-camp invitation with the Seattle Seahawks. In the seventh and final round of the NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals made the 257th pick with Hayes, an offensive lineman for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Auston Bonte, Class of 2018 - Bonte was named to the 2022 Heart of America Athletic Conference men’s volleyball all-conference first team. Bonte is a junior outside hitter for the No. 13 nationally-ranked Missouri Baptist University Spartans.

Nadia Maddex, Class of 2018 - Maddex was chosen to receive the 2022 Easton Award at Lindenwood University’s Honor Convocation. University president Dr. John R. Porter presented Maddex the award, which is named in honor of Lindenwood University founder Mary Easton Sibley and given to a senior student who exhibits exemplary achievement by successfully pursuing excellence in their academic and extracurricular activities. Maddex graduated from Lindenwood with a degree in music education in May.

Jaxon Luraschi, Class of 2021 - Luraschi was one of four nationwide and the only Missouri student to be selected for a $1,000 International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF) Fire Explorer Scholarship. The IAFC Foundation, National Fire and EMS Exploring Office coordinate the scholarship award to support students pursuing a career in fire sciences or other related academic program. Luraschi was also one of two national recipients of the Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, also worth $1,000. Luraschi is attending Lindenwood University, majoring in paramedicine with a minor in nutrition.

Pattonville honors MVPs (Most Valuable Pirates)

Staff members at Pattonville High School presented their MVP (Most Valuable Pirate) Awards to 121 students in grades nine through 12. Each staff member selected one outstanding student to receive an MVP medallion award during a special awards ceremony at the school on April 21. The program was sponsored by the school’s Renaissance program, which encourages a commitment to academic excellence based upon recognition of academic performance, attendance and citizenship. Students crossed the stage and met the staff member that selected them as their nomination was read aloud to those in the audience.

One student received their third MVP Award: Chloe Kerwin. Receiving their second MVP Award were: Charley Bennight, Lashae Brown, Elizabeth Burton, Loudin Cato, Destiny Dobbs, Sierra Elking, Bryant Ewing, Macy Hanford, Alexis Jenkins, Hayden Langston, Jayla McCall, Max McFarland, Yassine Ndiaye, Jessie Stark, Autumn Varner and Keilah Wilkes.

The following students received their first MVP Award: Meika Adams, William Ajanel Cuxeva, Alliah Allen, Loai Almuttan, Leland Bartlett, Kayla Blanche Relerford, Julia Blankenship, Dylan Bolter, Sofia Boughton, Justin Bowers, Olivia Bulger, Bridgette Burnett, Adair Busse, Thomas Clifford, Aileen Cortez Gomez, Ja’nya Cruise, Paul Davey IV, Tony Davis Jr., Samantha Dayrit, Christopher Dixon, Haley Edmonds, Thomas Edwards, Valeria Escaray, Adrian Evans, LaMya Finch, Hannah Fisbeck, Hayden Foust, Julissa Garcia Ortiz, De’mekay Gordon, Christopher Goubeaux, Beckett Grabner, Caraline Guetschow, Anya Guttmann Carroll, Kimmea Hamilton, Emely Herrera Escobar, Benjamin Holland, Cora Hollis, Rachel Hopper, Leliyan Hughes, Megan Hughes, Angel Jackson, Aron Jackson, Desmond Jackson, Matthew Jacobi, Josepha Kabula, Janani Kamalakkannan, Joshua Kamande, Chelsey Laughlin, Qua’Shaun Lawson, Madison Leckrone, Siquori Lee, Logan Lindsay, Isaiah LoParco, Miranda Lopez, Jonathan Lopez Godines, Elly Lu, Joseph Mackenberg, Daniel Mamrenko, Adrienne Mansdoerfer, Wyatt Martin, Ethan Massey, Ian McBride, Alondra Mendez, Michele Mensah, Lindsey Meyer, Imani Miller, Kennedy Miller, Miles Moeller, Juan Morales Carmona, Christian Movick, Simon Muthemba, Sarah Nelson, Lyric Noah, Hannah Radican, Grace Radican, Braden Rahn, Aiden Randell, Matthew Reese, Nicholas Rice, Katie Ridings, Lucy Ridings, Lizbeth Salvador, Aryan Sankpal, Ashley Santel, Anthony Scherbring, Allison Schrumpf, Joseph Seals Jr., Wesley Sharpe, Jacob Silverstein, Meredith Stroud, Kylie Surratt, Amina Swinson, Malik Taylor, DeAndre Taylor, Alejandra Torres Gonzalez, Isabelle Tucker, Isabella Venezia, Ravionna Walker, Madison Wegel, Isaac Whittinghill, Kamauri Younge and Brooklyn Zagorac.

View the photo gallery at pattonvillesd.smugmug.com/2021-2022/HS-MVP-Awards/

Nadia Maddex, right, with Lindenwood University president Dr. John R. Porter

Jaxon Luraschi

Mikala McGhee

Kaleb Eleby

Marquis Hayes

Olivia Wedig

Senior Jayla McCall gets a hug from physical education teacher Paige Mueller after receiving her MVP medal.

Our Learners

BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students learn how outdoor spaces encourage reading, connections to world

Three first graders huddled around reading teacher Jeanne Fernandez in the shelter of a shade tent on the front lawn of Bridgeway Elementary School. Surrounded by the school’s colorful garden on a sunny April afternoon, the students giggled, asked questions and recited a few lines in unison with Fernandez as she read the book, “A Place to Grow.”

“This book was in my classroom and I like this story because this little seed ... this is a little seed right there,” Fernandez said, pointing to a picture in the book, “and this seed never gives up, no matter how hard things get.”

Fernandez, fellow reading teachers Erica Parsell and Lori Yudovich and paraprofessional Jane Ung had taken a group of first graders outside to encourage students to read outdoors and to show how enjoyable the activity can be. The excursion also provided a chance to show students how they can create their own outdoor space to read and journal. Research shows going outdoors, away from screens, improves focus and memory, promotes positive thinking, increases inner peace and relaxation, connects individuals to nature and the world they live in and is a natural motivator.

“With brain boosting benefits like those, the outdoors is a perfect place to read, whether we’re just learning to read or we’re more experienced readers,” Fernandez said.

During the excursion outdoors, the first graders brought stuffed animals and read a variety of books while relaxing on blankets and towels or under tents shaped like half-shells or triangles. Many of the books provided a natural connection to their environment.

“We had books with bugs in them and then they were finding bugs,” Fernandez said. “And then they were

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

finding leaves. They were all excited about the roly-polies.”

Students also received small journals where they could write or draw pictures because, “writing and reading are BFFs,” Fernandez said.

The reading teachers said they plan to offer their outside reading supplies to other teachers to use for their classes, including as a potential reward for behavior and effort in the classroom. They also want to encourage families to get outside and read whenever possible.

“It could be as simple as just sitting on a log or a towel or blanket,” Fernandez said. “If you don’t have all these things at home, if you don’t have a tent, you could make one by putting a sheet over something like an outdoor table or chairs or low-hanging tree branches. Really, we can make any space a reading space with little to no materials, just a good book and comfortable place to sit.”

“We want to encourage families to create an outdoor reading space this summer and to show that reading can go with us wherever we go,” Parsell said. “By reading outdoors, we step away from screens and reconnect with nature and literacy while promoting mindful thinking, healthy habits and continued learning throughout the summer months ... because when we read, we plant a seed!”

Student Wellness Fair aims to promote mental, physical health for high schoolers

Pattonville High School hosted its first Student Wellness Fair and all students enrolled in PE and health classes attended the event on April 6 and 7. The fair was designed to target the entire high school community to promote a healthy and de-stigmatized understanding of mental health through information sharing, available community resources and self-care activities.

“The ongoing pandemic has had a significant impact on student mental health,” said principal Teisha Ashford, who organized the fair with counselors Anetra Johnson and Christy Wills. “We wanted to do something to offer a new narrative without any type of stigma.”

The high school staff connected with community groups to provide resources for the event.

“More than 15 organizations answered our call and they’re here in the gym handing out information and engaging in activities with students about topics such as healthy relationships, depression, healthy eating, substance abuse and so much more,” Ashford said.

Pattonville’s food service provider, Chartwells, set up an interactive table allowing students to play a game and sample a smoothie, while the district’s social workers shared ways to handle stress and offered a space to color.

“When we talk about mental health, kids shut down,” Ashford said. “We decided to offer all of this during the school day to every student, giving them access and a way to connect without the pressure and stress.”

Students actively engaged in a variety of activities, all with a diverse focus on wellness for both the mind and body.

“The students showed great excitement with what we offered them,” Ashford said. “It was wanting to fill a void and the ability to start having relevant conversations with students about what it means to be well.”

Additional sessions were held during homeroom for students that registered.

Above, reading teacher Erica Parsell, right, reads with, from left, Daniela Alvarado Armenta and Fatimah Almuttan during an excursion outside. Below, students enjoy reading time outside on the front lawn of Bridgeway Elementary School.

Pattonville High School freshmen take a dance break during the wellness fair. Shown are, from left, front row Brenna James and Faith Cunningham; and back row, Curtis North and Tracy Pham.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dissection lab provides students with memorable science learning experience

Students had to use their brain in Samantha Greaney’s Medical Detectives class at Pattonville Heights Middle School. A sheep brain, that is. Greaney’s Project Lead the Way class dissected sheep brains and labeled their parts using flags with scientific terms.

“We just learned about all the parts of the brain and dissecting a sheep brain helps them visualize it and see how the brain really works because a sheep brain is actually very similar to a human brain,” Greaney said.

Sixth grader London McCline said they learned how all the parts function together.

“So by dissecting the sheep brain, we now know how it operates,” she said. “We also learned about how the brain feels. I didn’t expect it to be so squishy and feel like a pillow.”

The engagement level was high during the dis-

DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

section and Greaney enjoyed watching the students’ reactions.

“Students go from hiding behind their hands to actually getting their hands on the brain,” she said. “Dissections might be something that they’ve never done before so they think it’s just a lot of fun.”

It was sixth grader Tula Stewart’s first time doing a dissection and she was partnered with sixth grader Olivia Lewis.

“It was really incredible,” Stewart said. “Well, except for the smell.”

Sixth grader Mahmood Awad said being able to take a look at a real brain made a huge difference when learning about it.

“I don’t think we’d be able to experience what we did today by just looking at it in a book or on the iPad,” he said. “I got a lot more out of it today.”

Fine Arts Night brings families, staff together

D

rummond Elementary School staff invited students and families to travel through the decades with art, music and smiles during the school’s annual Fine Arts Night on April 21. The event is an annual tradition designed to promote the arts and make different artistic media accessible to the community. It has taken place at Drummond every year since 2013, except for the years it had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were so thankful to have the opportunity to bring back Fine Arts Night for the students, their families and the community,” said Carolyn Elliott, Drummond art teacher. “It’s always a fun and energetic evening.”

During the two-hour event, students and families circulated around the school, looking at students’ artwork on display to check off items on a scavenger hunt. Families also tried their hand at origami, used fun props to take photos in a photo booth and selected a rainbow of colors to complete a tie-dye T-shirt. They also had fun viewing a photo wall depicting Drummond teachers in the 1990s. Families received a sheet of names to guess which teacher corresponded to the photo. Participants also gathered in the cafeteria for special musical performances. The first performance included fourth graders playing recorders as well as ukuleles, which were new to the school this year. The second performance included selections sung by students in the Drummond Choir.

The event was organized by art teachers Josie Cammarata and Elliott, music teachers Jacob Johnson and Kori Phillips and the school’s Fine Arts Committee.

PATTONVILLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Students learn kindness through play

Students are excited when Ms. Erica enters their classrooms for Careplay. Careplay at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center was created using the founding principles of Theraplay therapy which is recognized by the Association of Play Therapy as one of seven seminal psychotherapies for children.

“Careplay is group time that is structured, physical and fun,” social worker Erica Abowitz said. “It is filled with joyful activities that allow children to interact with each other and have fun in a safe and secure way.”

Students are greeted at the beginning of each session with a song or game.

“We play games that promote selfesteem, self-regulation and cooperation,” Abowitz said. ‘The group ends with a goodbye song and a Patty Bear paw print stamp which signals that the group has ended.”

The goals she has for the groups are to enhance self-esteem, increase trust in others through experience, increase awareness of each other and each other’s needs, promote a feeling of care and con-

cern for one another, increase the ability to wait and take turns, promote a feeling of safety in a group setting, promote appropriate and healthy social interactions and to enjoy and have fun.

Through singing, conversations, games and activities, there are three rules that everyone must follow and Abowitz gives a reminder of each one at the start of every session.

“There are no hurts, we stick together by playing the same games and taking turns and, most importantly, we have fun.”

The interactions during Careplay focus on four essential qualities found in healthy adult-child relationships including structure, nurture, engagement and challenge. The main goal is to promote safety, attachment and attunement between a child and the important adults in their life. It focuses on providing resilience during adversity as well as good mental health.

“We’re always looking for ways to make connections with students,” Abowitz said. “Careplay has been very successful in doing that.”

Drummond Elementary School students watch as art teacher Carolyn Elliott, right, puts a custom stain on a tie-dye shirt for them. Shown, are from front to back, kindergartner Kaya McMiller and fifth graders Raiden McMiller and Bryson McMiller. Shown next to Elliott are, from front to back, June Elliott, fourth grade teacher Brittany Garcia, Avery Dye and Riley Dye.

Early childhood students take part in a Careplay activity with paraprofessional Lula Abreha, left, and social worker Erica Abowitz, right. They are, from left, Jose Aguilar, Jonathan Wilson, Grayson Griffin and Nahom Simon.

Pattonville Heights Middle School students Layla Sheaffer, left, and Hayden Montroy work together to label parts of a sheep brain.

ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Blues partnership teaches hockey skills

She shoots, she scores! Fifth grader Paige Carroll had never played hockey before, but after a few days working with the St. Louis Blues Street Team during PE class at Rose Acres Elementary School, she gained the skills to shoot a puck and score a goal in a game against classmates.

“They taught me how to hold a stick and dribble the puck and how to pass,” she said. “They also taught me how to shoot and I scored a goal.”

The Street Team is a free program aimed at getting elementary and middle school-aged students interested in the game of hockey. The program offers area schools a PE class curriculum and a complete set of gear including sticks, nets and goalie equipment.

“Everything the Blues sent us is branded with their logo and it’s stuff that we get to keep for the future,” PE teacher Joe Rehagen said. “The Street Team came in and taught students in first through fifth

WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

grade how to use the equipment and the skills they need to be successful.”

At the culmination of the program, St. Louis Blues community youth hockey adviser Jamal Mayers, team mascot Louie and the St. Louis Blues Street Team led a pep rally that featured skills demonstrations.

COVID postponed the partnership between Rose Acres and the Blues, but it finally came together.

“We’ll take the delay of game penalty,” Rehagen said. “The students were really excited and I think the Blues hit a great demographic. The Street Team members did a great job with the students and I think they helped grow the love for the game.”

With the start of the NHL playoffs, there are several new fans rooting for the hometown team.

“The Blues came in and taught these kids the game,” Rehagen said. “Now they can go home and watch the sport on TV and say, ‘I can do that.’”

PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kindergartners celebrate Earth Day

Going green meant something different in Pattonville on Earth Day. At Parkwood Elementary School, kindergarten students participated in several activities to learn more about the Earth, recycling and gardening.

The kindergarten teachers designed several hands-on activities that the students rotated through during the day. Teacher Denise Overman led an activity where students planted a sunflower seed in a cup that they would take home.

“With kindergarten students, we try to do hands-on activities as much as possible, and try to incorporate it with writing,” she said. “Today, it was the best of both worlds as they wrote about how they can help the Earth.”

It was Brantley Robertson’s favorite station. He wrote that he can help the Earth by picking up trash.

“I liked playing with the dirt and watering it,” he said. “I can’t wait for my flower to grow.”

Overman said it might be the first time students planted something on their own.

“We thought it would be really good for the kids to experience planting seeds because some of them have never done it before,” she said.

Teacher Christina Livingston had students cut out circles and create a picture of the Earth by tearing green

a recycling relay.

“Kids ran across the room and picked up different items and had to decide if it belonged in the trash or if it could be recycled,” Castile said. “It’s important to talk about the concept of recycling and how to make better choices.”

Before Earth Day, the classes learned about it by reading “Ready, Freddy! Save the Earth.” In the story, if Freddy completes all 10 points on a challenge list, he gets to join Team Green.

“So we created our own challenge list and had students do seven things at home,” Livingston said. “We asked them to turn the lights off when they leave a room or use a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic one. If they completed the challenge, they got to wear green to school.”

Livingston said they worked really hard at home sharing with their family why it’s important to do simple things.

“It shows that even kids can help change the world,” Livingston said.

Fifth grade Anti-Bullying Week offers life skills, team-building time

Fifth graders at Willow Brook Elementary School participated in Anti-Bullying Week from March 28 through April 1. Each day they practiced empathy and understanding with different activities and received tools to help stop bullying. Paraprofessional Rhonda Daniels served in the Navy and spoke to the students early in the week.

“She talked about the different parts of the military and their mottos and shared how we can apply those philosophies here at school,” said Sarah Lopez, the school’s Success Plus interventionist, who organized the week.

Younger students had participated in Willow Brook Way Day right before spring break, but fifth grade teacher Andrea Wagner said fifth graders didn’t need to learn how to be quiet in the restroom; they needed to be taught other life skills.

“They need to learn strategies that will help them in a few weeks at fifth grade camp and next year in middle school,” Wagner said. “Students learned about inclusiv-

ity and empathy and those things are important.”

Another activity Lopez gave students was to write an email to themselves in the future.

“I found this cool website that allows you to write something and pick a day to have it delivered,” she said. “They’ll get that letter in six months and look back at their concerns about going into middle school and think, ‘I was worried about that?’ ”

Teacher Maria Farmer said she enjoyed the lessons that made students think about others.

“We shared attributes about people we admire and what they all have in common,” Farmer said. “Then we talked about being a good friend and practicing those things.”

On the last day, the fifth graders spent the majority of the day outside for more hands-on activities working in teams and building camaraderie.

“The ultimate goal is to make them aware that their actions affect other people,” Lopez said. “By working together, we can achieve so much more.”

Willow Brook Elementary School fifth graders take part in teambuilding activities at the end of an anti-bullying week. They are, from left, Abrielle Gray, Lily Barnett, Jhournee Harris and Cameron Roberson.

Rose Acres Elementary School students try to get a ball past St. Louis Blues mascot Louie during a hockey demonstration. Shown are, from left, first grader Emily Pitlyk, fifth grader Gillian Volz (back turned) and third grader Isabella Cottner.

Parkwood kindergartners take a closer look at a newly planted seed. They are Elliana Hardin, left, and Gabriella Lee. pieces of paper and teacher Amanda Castile led

Multiple grades come together to ensure the show goes on after COVID hiatus

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

That’s how the students at Remington Traditional School felt this spring when they were finally able to return to the stage as part of the school’s Tiger Troupe program. For the first time in two years, the students took the stage at Pattonville High School for a performance of “Mary Poppins Jr.”

“Students and adults were very excited to be back on stage,” said director Jen Schmidt, who started the Tiger Troupe theater program when she joined Remington as a paraprofessional in 2013. “It was a long two years. Especially since we were unable to perform the show we were so close to doing in 2020.”

Schmidt selects a show early in the year and shares the news to gain interest. Schmidt then holds auditions and selects a cast, which includes students in grades three through eight. For “Mary Poppins Jr.,” the cast and crew included 40 Remington students.

Assignments for costumes and set design can be challenging, given the age of the students, so Schmidt enlists other volunteers to help. This year, Schmidt had a collection of terrific parent and community volunteers and high school students who offered their support. Schmidt’s daughter and a dedicated group of three parents helped teach choreography and singing. Parents helped with costumes, painting and building sets and making props. Students from the high school also assisted with sets and served on the stage crew. Schmidt

HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

even enlisted a student from Webster University’s theater program to help with props. High school auditorium technician Jen Wasmer assisted, along with a high school student who happened to be the brother of one of the stage crew, to do lighting. All hands, including some staff volunteers from Remington, were on deck for the run through the Wednesday before the performance. They helped with makeup and costumes to get everyone ready for the first run of the show on the big stage.

During that rehearsal, students of all grades and a handful of volunteers worked together to finalize the performance. They practiced the songs and set changes and hung handmade kites from lifts. The volunteer college student worked with Wasmer to successfully display a prominent set piece. Schmidt’s daughter donned her nurse scrubs and a headset to help with stage management. There was no doubt that everyone involved was excited to participate and ready to see the performance succeed.

“I am so proud of our kids,” Schmidt said. “They all work so hard. We have kids in our casts that do not or are not able to join other activities. We are inclusive and take all kids that want to be in our show and put in the hard work necessary. We had 30 kids that had never been in a show before this year, but they all figured it out and worked very hard. I am so proud of the quality of our shows and that we can give these kids a very real theatrical experience.”

Students design ideal city projects, present to real-world expert in city planning

Students in the SIGMA gifted program at Holman Middle School worked this semester to design city projects and they presented their ideas to Michael Zeek, the director of community development/city planner at the city of Maryland Heights.

“It’s a project-based unit helping students think about the design of a city and the effect it has on a community,” ALPHA/SIGMA teacher Christina Elkins said. “Their job was to design their own city while thinking about population and location and how it can help serve the citizens of that city.”

Zeek met with the students twice this spring. His first visit gave him an opportunity to talk about his job and to share some ideas as they were designing their cities. On April 8, he came to review their final projects and to choose a winner of the best city design.

Seventh grader Jaydn Harvick created a city on the coastline in Europe.

“I’ve never been there, but I think it’s really beautiful,” she said. “I used photos and research as my inspiration.”

Her original plan was to have small rivers run throughout the city so she could use boats as the main source of transportation.

“I didn’t end up doing that because it wouldn’t really work out,” she said. “I made the change because I was thinking what would be best for the people that lived there.”

Elkins liked the practicality of the assignment.

“This project gives them an opportunity to do more of a real-world task and to think about how they can change the world for the better in the future.”

Harvick had shared her slides and already presented her final project to Zeek.

“He said it was good and very detailed,” she said. “He said it covered everything that it was supposed to so I’m happy about that.”

Students were graded on a scale for presentation, understanding, neatness and labeling. “I was most impressed with their thoughtfulness,” Elkins said. “The students did a phenomenal job and I was really proud of their hard work and presentations to the city planner.”

Remington Traditional School students perform scenes from “Mary Poppins Jr.”

Above, performing a large-scale scene are, in front, from left, Gabby Serra, Nadya Herman, Spencer Mitchell and Taylor Flores.

At left, students portraying bees were, from left, Alexis Nothdurft, Maya Medina, Ave Jordan and Zakiyah Davis.

Holman Middle School seventh grader Josh Mahler, left, goes over his city design with Michael Zeek, director of community development/city planner at the city of Maryland Heights.

Winners for sixth grade were Aubrey Kirk for presentation and Aubrey Holdren for map design and, in seventh grade, Jayla Melton for map and Harvick for presentation.

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coder Games honor

Fifthgrader Jack Fernandez and his teammate placed first in Missouri and 19th in the nation in the Scratch category of The Coder Games. The competition was a coding challenge sponsored by The Coder School, during which 40 schools with multiple teams from across the U.S. participated in two categories of programming language: Scratch and Typed. Open to students ages 7 through 18, The Coder School teaches programming languages.

ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leader in Me international contest

Levi Dukes, a third grade student in the PEGS program, was selected as a finalist in the Franklin Covey Leader in Me International Student Speech Contest in the individual category. His was the only awarded speech in the category. The prompt was “How do you use your voice to positively impact yourself and your community?” Dukes’ speech was titled “Advocating for Gifted.”

National handwriting contest

Samuel Guthrie, William Purnell and Evie Yakel, students in the PEGS program, were selected as state gradelevel winners in the Zane-Bloser National Handwriting Contest and will advance to the national championships. The contest is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade and celebrates cursive and print handwriting. Students were judged according to the Zaner-Bloser Keys to Legibility: shape, size, spacing and slant. The PEGS students all participated in the cursive competition for students in grades 3 through 8. Robin Chang and Tracey Robinson are their PEGS teachers.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Young Writers’ poetry contest

Fourteen Heights students had poems selected for publication in “Empowered - We’ve Got the Power,” part of the Young Writers USA poetry contest. They are Carmen Bailey, Elliott Bland, Bresslin Castro Chavez, Deja Dunn, Kaylee Dyer, Fernanda Flores Rico, Shiloh Gadson, Blake Griffin, Jocelyn Har-

ris, Taylor Hill, Junia Lacoss-Arnold, Giovanni Ramirez Montoya, Tailyn Seddens and Kaitlyn Turner. Tara Jones is their teacher. The contest is designed to help students find their voice and express themselves.

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Conference panelist

Senior Zion Bradsher was selected to serve as a panelist at the annual St. Louis School Business-Partnership spring conference. The panel presentation focused on what youth are looking for from business.

UMSL Succeed

Senior Anthony King was accepted into the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Succeed Program, a postsecondary program to help students develop the skills to become participants in their community through inclusion in university life. Participants can earn a Chancellor’s Certificate by completing the two-year residential or commuter program.

Rosemary Zander Award

Pattonville High School senior Brady Schnable was selected as a recipient of the Rosemary Zander Award sponsored by the Special School District (SSD). The award recognizes the success of students who receive services from SSD in areas including academics, arts, athletics, employment and community service.

Youth Orchestra library intern

Junior Aaron Wolz, who is enrolled in the Early College Options program, is a violist in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and works as the first Youth Orchestra library intern. In this role, Wolz prepares the sheet music for each of the musicians in the Youth Orchestra. His day begins by checking what his supervisor has ready for him to prepare, copy, bind and mark.

Scholar Athlete

Senior Keilah Wilkes was selected as Pattonville High School’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete. She was nominated by coach Margaret Hall. The award recognizes students for outstanding accomplishments in academics and athletics while in high school. Wilkes participates in cross country and track and maintains a 4.788 grade point average (GPA) in the classroom. She has signed a letter of intent to run distance next year at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Full scholarship

Chloe Kerwin was selected to receive the 2022 Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholarship at Maryville University. This competitive scholarship is awarded to incoming Black students from the St. Louis area who have demonstrated the potential for academic achievement. It provides full tuition and room and board expenses and is valued at more than $140,000.

Boys State

Pattonville juniors Christopher Braggs and Ryan Cutrell, who attends Pattonville’s Early College Program, were accepted to Boys State. During the eight-day program, students across Missouri gather to create their own state using democratic systems and engage in political activities such as running for office and drafting and debating bills.

Jack Fernandez

Levi Dukes

Samuel Guthrie William Purnell Evie Yakel

Brady Schnable

Zion Bradsher

Anthony King

Aaron Wolz is shown at the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra library.

Keilah Wilkes

Chloe Kerwin

Christopher Braggs Ryan Cutrell

Carmen Bailey Elliott Bland

B. Castro Chavez Deja Dunn Kaylee Dyer

F. Flores Rico Shiloh Gadson Blake Griffin

Jocelyn Harris Taylor Hill J. Lacoss-Arnold

G. Ramirez Montoya Tailyn Seddens Kaitlyn Turner

Perfect game

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

Freshman Donald Simpkins bowled a perfect game in February during high school league play at West County Lanes. He has thrown four 300 games over his career. Simpkins is coached by high school industrial technology teacher Darrell Langston and Chris Wheeler.

March at Lindenwood. Artwork from two students earned awards. Senior Analiese Smith received third place for her painting and sophomore Lizzy Zacheis placed third for her ceramics piece. Other students whose artwork was selected for display were Riley Nesheim for 2D design; Leliyan Hughes and Valent Orta for ceramics; Charley Bennight, Sofia Boughton and Cordelia Matulewic for drawing; Anna Kasprzyk and Ace Mansdoerfer for mixed-media drawing; Anthony Cruz, Maggie Haselbauer, Leliyan Hughes and Lauren Keller for painting; and Tahjmia Jimerson for sculpture. They are taught by Danielle Adams, Scott Fader, Beth Kathriner and Marcia Mueller.

Boys wrestling honors

On the boys wrestling team, freshman David Dunn was named all-conference second team. Sophomore Paul Palermo received the Sportsmanship Award. The team was coached by Brent Mueller with the assistance of Jon Michael Brown and Jake Kim.

Mock trial state qualifier

The Pattonville Mock Trial team was one of 18 teams that qualified to compete in the state competition at the end of March. This year’s case involved an alleged breach of a Hollywood talent agent’s employment contract. Teams prepared to present as both the plaintiff and defense sides, and alternated sides each round of the competition. The team advanced to state after competing at regionals and districts. Members of the team include Katie Bass, El Roi Belete, Christopher Braggs, Christopher Dixon, Aiden Farkas, Addison Gutschenritter, Ben Holland, Maichi Nguyen and Hannadey Yezza. High school English teacher Jennifer Raymond coached the team.

Young Artists exhibit

Pattonville students had artwork selected for the 2022 Young Artists and Their Teachers Exhibit at Lindenwood University. The artwork was on display through

Girls wrestling honors

The Pattonville girls wrestling team was named conference champions. Wrestlers named all-conference first team included Jasmine Gordon, Jordane Hale, Sam Heine, Natalie Henning, Winter Lusk, Gabrielle McCain and Kalie Vogel. Wrestlers named all-conference second team were Israela Agnram, Makayla Gordon and Kennedy Miller. Allison Basta received the Sportsmanship Award. Other members of the team included Makiah Ashby, Bridgette Burnett, Faith Claeys, Jasmine Harris, Dariya Hawkins, Jaida Holland, Leliyan Hughes, Keeley Jolliff,

and

Girls basketball honors

The girls basketball team was named conference champions. Two players were named all-district first team. They are Jasmine Gray, who was also named Conference Player of the Year, and Taylor Montgomery, who was also named all-conference second team. Zoe

Newland was named all-conference first team. Brooke Boyce and Hannah Fenton were named all-conference honorable mention. J’nylah Curtis was selected to receive the Sportsmanship Award. Other members of the championship team are Zoe Cox, Kodie Gordon, Charlie Heiligenstein and Cami Stacker. The team was coached by Donald Boyce, who was named Coach of the Year, with the assistance of Corey Lewis.

Boys basketball honors

On the boys basketball team, senior Kellen Thames was selected as a nominee for McDonald’s All-American Games and was named all-state, all-metro second team and the district and conference Player of the Year. Senior Ronnell Johnson Jr. was selected all-district and all-conference second team. Players named all-conference honorable mention were Umar Barrie, who also received the Sportsmanship Award, Austin Prater and Zion Hampton. The team was coached by Kelly Thames with the assistance of Kent Booth, Antonio Bryant, Travis Harris and Dominic Varner.

Washington University College Prep

Freshman Israela Agnram was selected to participate in Washington University’s College Prep Program. The program is a no-cost, three-year immersive learning experience that prepares firstgeneration college students for college life and beyond. Participation includes year-round academic and enrichment support that combines college preparation workshops, undergraduate coursework for credit and activities centered on personal awareness and development.

Analeah Robertson

Ciara Spearmon. The team was coached by Paige Mueller, who was named Coach of the Year, with the assistance of Danelle Emerick.

From left, Anna Kasprzyk, Ace Mandoerfer and Anthony Cruz had artwork chosen for display at Lindenwood University.

David Dunn

Members of the varsity girls wrestling team include, from left, front row, Jasmine Gordon, Analeah Robertson, Jordane Hale and Makayla Gordon; and back row, Israela Agnram, Gabrielle McCain, Kennedy Miller, Natalie Henning and Kalie Vogel.

Coach Donald Boyce, left, is shown with members of the Pattonville girls varsity basketball team. Shown are, from left, Brooke Boyce, Zoe Cox, Kodie Gordon, J’nylah Curtis and Hannah Fenton.

Coach Kelly Thames, right, is shown with members of the boys varsity basketball team. They include, from left, Kellen Thames, Ronnell Johnson, Jr., Zion Hampton, Umar Barrie, Austin Prater and Zion Bradsher.

Israela Agnram

Freshman Donald Simpkins, left, is shown with coach, Chris Wheeler.

Members of the mock trial team include, from left, front row, Katie Bass, Addison Gutschenritter, Maichi Nguyen and Hannadey Yezza; and back row Christopher Dixon, Christopher Braggs, Ben Holland, Aiden Farkas and El Roi Belete.

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

They were Somo Dedkhad, Anna Kasprzyk, Ace Mansdoerfer, Grace Radican and Analiese Smith. They are taught by Beth Kathriner.

HOSA state honors, international qualifiers

Members of the Pattonville Winter Guard qualified to compete at the world championships.

Winter guard championship

The Pattonville winter guard team competed in the 2022 Color Guard World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. They performed their routine titled “Other Side” in the Scholastic A division. By qualifying for the event, Pattonville had one of the top 100 winter guard programs in the country. The team advanced to the world championships after placing ninth at the Winter Guard International Kansas City Regional held at Blue Springs High School. Schools from several states attended the competition and all teams were ranked and rated on equipment skills, dance, performance qualities and design. The Pirates advanced to the finals after placing fourth in their preliminary round. Members of the winter guard were Kasimira Braggs, Lillian Cave, Gavin Clay, Ash Lee Cleary Wichers, Dylan Fontana, Alana Franklin, Jenna Hall, Cecilia Hernandez, Lauren Hunt, Kyla Kobielusz, Aiden Lindsay, Camille Lofland, Amelia Lorino, Sara Lumsden, Falisha Markland, Patricia Menga, Imani Miller, Jamie Newell, Alex Nunn, Daonne Wallace, Tommy Wilson and Issabelle Winkler. Charlie Bourrage directed the guard.

St. Louis Public Radio photo contest

Sophomore Mekhi Brown and senior Somo Dedkhad received honorable mention in the portrait category in the St. Louis Public Radio Teen Photo Contest.

The contest invites high school-aged students to showcase their talent by documenting their world through photography. Both students’ images were featured in a gallery at the University of Missouri-St. Louis Grand Center. The contest received 202 student entries from 48 schools across the St. Louis and Rolla regions.

Young Artists’ Showcase

Artwork by five Pattonville students was selected for the Emerson Young Artists’ Showcase and displayed at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild.

Seven students competed at the state HOSA competition for future health professionals. The following students placed at state and qualified for the international competition: Keilah Wilkes, who placed second in pharmacology knowledge test at state, and Dominique Bradshaw and Loudin Cato, who placed second at state in medical innovation. Sydney Suvansri attended the state competition and placed fifth in the pathophysiology knowledge test. The following students also qualified for the state tournament: Ponon Masokano in prepared speaking; Abigail Mesfin in research poster; and Lauren Marsala in extemporaneous writing. They are coached by teacher Jamie Jobe.

Administrator earns state award

Mickey Schoonover, Pattonville’s director of schoolcommunity relations, was selected to receive the Missouri School Public Relations Association’s (MOSPRA) 2022 Distinguished Service Award. The recognition goes to a MOSPRA member who has provided outstanding leadership and service to the association over the course of his or her career. Schoonover has worked in school public relations for 29 years, the last 25 in Pattonville. She is a past MOSPRA president, secretary and eastern director and has served in the association’s mentoring program. Schoonover is retiring from Pattonville in June.

Newspaper First Class honor

The Pattonville High School journalism staff earned a First Class honor rating in the National Scholastic Press Association annual critique of its online edition. The Pirate Press and PattonvilleTODAY editors-in-chief were juniors Ava Hooper Bearskin and Matthew Jacobi. Additional editors were Elise Banks, Peyton Gregory, Christian Movick, Katie Ridings, Mackenzie Rosenthal, Bailey Shields and Rebecca Simpkins. Staff members were Abigail Evers, Hayden Gust, Lilyanna Norman and Jaida Phillips. As part of the critique process, all student media were scored in several categories including coverage, writing and design. The composite score from all sections awards an honor rating ranging from Third Class to All-American. The Pattonville High School journalism teacher was Dr. Anne Boyd.

ECHO First Class honor

The 2021 Echo high school yearbook earned a First Class rating from the National Scholastic Press Association. The yearbook staff included Mackenzie Boone, Jaena Daniels, Hannah Huddleston, Kadie Murphy, Camryn Peebles, Katie Ridings, Isabella Venezia and Sean Wallis. Their teacher was Dr. Anne Boyd.

Mekhi Brown

Somo Dedkhad

Anna Kasprzyk Ace Mansdoerfer Grace Radican

Analiese Smith

D. Bradshaw

Keilah Wilkes

Loudin Cato

Ponon Masokano

Abigail Mesfin Sydney Suvansri

Lauren Marsala

Members of the student newspaper at Pattonville High School are shown with their First Class award.

Mackenzie Boone Jaena Daniels

Hannah Huddleston Camryn Peebles Kadie Murphy

Katie Ridings Sean Wallis Isabella Venezia

Mickey Schoonover

Community approves Prop S, Pattonville’s no-tax-rate-increase bond issue

Pattonville voters gave their support to Pattonville’s Proposition S on the April 5 election ballot. Prop S is a $111 million no-tax-rate-increase bond issue, which will fund projects at every school in Pattonville, including adding classrooms to address growth in student enrollment; providing safety and maintenance improvements; and updating school facilities to meet teaching and learning needs. Approval of the bond issue will not increase the district’s tax rate.

“We thank the Pattonville community for getting out to vote,” said Dr. Tim Pecoraro, superintendent. “The passage of Prop S enables us to maintain and improve our schools in a way that will benefit our students, staff and community for years to come. We appreciate the Pattonville community. Our residents have a long history of supporting our schools, and our district is strong because of it.”

In the coming weeks, Pattonville will begin planning for and scheduling projects in the bond issue.

“It’s important to note that due to the size of this bond issue, it will likely take five or six years to complete all items on the project lists,” said chief financial officer Ron Orr. “Priority will be given to completing building additions to schools to accommodate the enrollment growth Pattonville has experienced.”

After nearly 5,000 votes were cast in the April election, the bond issue received a 79.4% favorable vote. Approximately 57.1% was required for the measure to pass.

To view a list of projects to be funded by the bond issue, visit the Prop S website at bit.ly/PattonvillePropS

Find out more:

bit.ly/PattonvillePropS

Pattonville computer science team wins World Wide Technology STEM Student Forum

Agroup of Pattonville High School computer science students won the 2022 World Wide Technology (WWT) STEM Student Forum. The team claimed a $10,000 first-place prize by creating a solution that promotes students’ sense of belonging by helping staff members learn more about their students, including how to say their names correctly

“They came up with the idea of having students create profiles where they could put their preferred name, pronouns and an audio recording of themselves pronouncing their names,” computer science teacher Jeremiah Simmons said. “This would enable teachers to hear pronunciations before they get to a class which will enable them to say the students’ names with confidence.”

Pattonville students have competed in the competition four out of the seven years the competition has been held. The recent win marks the second time Pattonville High School has won the Forum. In 2019, a group of students overhauled a supply closet for students in need, building a website to help students find what they needed and providing a better user experience.

This year, approximately 20 teams competed and each team was paired with a WWT employee to mentor them through the process. After submitting a project video, five schools reached the finals and presented their ideas at WWT’s global headquarters in St. Louis on April 9. In addition to Pattonville, the other finalists included Collegiate School of Medicine and Biomedicine, Hazelwood West High School, John Burroughs School and Webster Groves High School.

Members of Pattonville’s team included Justin Alvey, Helen Bae, Dylan Bolter, Jack Caesar, Jayne Herter, Kyle Huynh, Samuel Kadima, David Luebbers and Nicholas Toler. Simmons was their sponsor and Matt Hernando was the team’s mentor from WWT.

Pattonville varsity drill team earns No. 1 in nation

The Pattonville varsity drill team placed first in the country at the National Dance Association (NDA) national championship in medium varsity hip hop. This is the fifth time in program history the team has won a national championship, the most in Missouri, and the first since 2000. Members of the varsity drill team were Kaycee Carman, Nicole Cobbs, Kaylee Cofer, Reilly Edmonds, Riley Johnston, Camryn Peebles, Zaria Purvey, India Reed, Katie Ridings, Laura Rockwell, Isabelle Tucker and Kamauri Younge. The team was coached by Kristin Rigg and assistant coach Lindsey Schaefer with the help of Grace Burgos, Katie Funderburk and Kate Greenwell.

PHS ranked among top schools in U.S.

Pattonville High School is ranked among the top high schools in Missouri and the nation on U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 Best High Schools list. Pattonville ranked as No. 49 out of 599 high schools in Missouri, placing it in the Top 8% of high schools in the state. This is the ninth time Pattonville earned a spot on U.S. News’ Best High Schools list in the past 10 years. The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.

Members of Pattonville’s computer science team are shown with teacher Jeremiah Simmons, second from left, and World Wide Technology mentor Matt Hernando, right. The students are, from left, Justin Alvey, Nicholas Toler, Dylan Bolter, David Luebbers, Samuel Kadima, Kyle Huynh, Jack Caesar, Helen Bae and Jayne Herter.

The Pattonville varsity drill team is shown with their national first place trophy.