Highlights June 2020

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

JUNE 2020

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

Inside

PHS named among best high schools in U.S. for seventh time - See page 10 for details

Pattonville alumnus makes space history - See page 4 for details

Summer Farewell

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Andrea Glenn, President Dr. Brian Gray, Vice President Mindy Ridings, Secretary Mary Kay Campbell, Treasurer Ruth Petrov, Director Dr. Amanda Lienau Purnell, Director Jeanne Schottmueller, Director

Pattonville staff bid students farewell and let them know how much they missed them as the 2019-2020 school year came to an end in the midst of the pandemic. Clockwise from top left: Parkwood Elementary School teacher Ashley Powers takes a socially distanced group selfie as staff prepare for a reverse parade in front of the school. Families drove by while staff waved and held up signs to say goodbye. Willow Brook Elementary School art teacher Dawn Lynn decorated her car for a parade in which nearly all staff members drove through the school’s neighborhoods to see their students one last time.

Remington Traditional School paraprofessional Abby Reckamp waves while holding a sign at the school’s drive-through parade. Pattonville Early Childhood paraprofessional Munazza Faruqi, left, and teacher Pam Stubblefield hold up signs during a reverse parade at the end of the year. See more on pages 5 through 7 on how schools ended the school year.

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

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

Dr. Tim Pecoraro Superintendent

From the Superintendent

PHS Class of 2020, we’re proud of you T

his has been a difficult ending to an otherwise outstanding school year. I feel for all of our students and staff who missed out on end-of-year events that traditionally close out a school year and lead us Dr. Tim Pecoraro into the summer months.

Superintendent I’m especially thinking Follow on Twitter: about our seniors right @PattonvilleSupt now. The Pattonville High School Class of 2020 is special. A group of students who care about their school, their community and each other. Unfortunately, they didn’t get the ending they deserved. But we still plan to recognize them at our July 16 graduation ceremony at the St. Charles Family Arena. It will be a time to celebrate their achievements and many years of hard work and reflect on their time in Pattonville.

Although our seniors never got an opportunity to experience that feeling of walking out of PHS one last time as a student while their classmates and teachers waved goodbye, I’m confident what’s happened to them these last few months will be something they can use in the future.

Regardless of our age, all of us can still remember our years of high school. A time when life-long memories are made and strong bonds with friends are forever forged. High school is both the end and the beginning. It’s the end of a school journey that helped shape our lives and taught us lessons that stuck with us forever.

But it’s also the beginning. I’m a strong believer in the notion that we can be and do anything we choose. Some paths are harder than others, but right now, no door is closed for our seniors. They have their life ahead of them with endless possibilities. They’ve shown us over the years they are capable of doing great things.

Life isn’t always easy or fair. It’s how we react to those circumstances that create our ultimate path. I’ve been so impressed with the way our seniors have handled how this pandemic impacted their school life. It’s been hard for them, but they have persevered and made it to the end.

In the years ahead, when our seniors are faced with some of life’s challenges, they can think back to this time in their life. A time when memories were taken from them. A time when things didn’t go their way. They could have complained or completely given up. They didn’t. They showed all of us how to act when life goes sideways. I’m proud of the Class of 2020. I have no doubt they will continue to impress us in the future as they take on the world. They will forever be Pattonville Pirates.

Three elected to Pattonville Board of Education V

oters in the Pattonville School District reelected incumbents Andrea Glenn, Dr. Brian Gray and Mindy Ridings for three open seats on the board of education. The board members were sworn into office during the June 9 board meeting. The board also voted on officers and annual appointments to various organizations. The officers are as follows: Glenn, president; Gray, vice president; Ridings, secretary; and Mary Kay Campbell, treasurer. Campbell was also appointed to the Pattonville Education Mindy Ridings Andrea Glenn Brian Gray Foundation. Ridings was appointed as a delegate to the Missouri School Boards Association, with Ruth Petrov appointed as alternate. Dr. Amanda Lienau Purnell was appointed as the board member to represent Pattonville on the Governing Council of the Special School District, with Gray as alternate.

Board approves selection of new activities director T

he Pattonville Board of Education on April 14 approved the selection of Jason Sellers as activities director of Pattonville High School. Sellers will begin his new role on July 1. Sellers currently serves as a health and physical education teacher, department leader and varsity girls soccer coach at Pattonville High School. He previously worked as a physical education and science teacher in the Hazelwood School District. Sellers holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a master’s degree in sports management from Missouri Baptist University. He also earned his certified athletic administrator (CAA) credential from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Jason Sellers

Four chosen for elementary leadership positions F

our educators will be taking on leadership positions in Pattonville elementary schools, effective July 1. Kimberly Dannegger, instructional specialist at Parkwood Elementary School, has been named as an administrative intern at Bridgeway Elementary School.

Nicole Hagedorn, a first grade teacher at Bridgeway, was selected to replace DanKim Dannegger Nicole Hagedorn Nicholas Morgan Carley Tankersley negger as the new instructional specialist at Parkwood. Nicholas Morgan, a fifth grade teacher at Drummond Elementary, will be the new administrative intern at Willow Brook Elementary School. Carley Tankersley, a fourth grade teacher at Drummond, was chosen to serve as an administrative intern at Parkwood.

Pattonville earns national honor for communications P

attonville’s school-community relations department earned a Gold Medallion Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The Gold Medallion is NSPRA’s highest award, recognizing superior education public relations programs. Judging is against criteria as well as other entries and is highly competitive. NSPRA only awarded eight Gold Medallion Awards this year. Pattonville earned the Gold Medallion in the area of comprehensive, strategic, year-round communications program.

Pattonville’s school-community relations department is comprised of Mickey Schoonover, director of schoolcommunity relations; Kelly Gordon, community relations specialist and secretary to the board of education; Brian Pattonville’s school-community relations team includes, Heyman, multimedia communications specialist; and Alexis from left, Brian Heyman, Alexis Pick, Mickey Schoonover and Kelly Gordon.

Pick, administrative assistant to the superintendent and community relations. This is the second time Pattonville’s school-community relations department earned the Gold Medallion. The department last earned the award in 1985 for its internal staff two-way public relations program.

Pattonville has had a formal communications program since 1965, which has grown into a multifaceted, multimedia program that uses data to evaluate and improve its services to the school community. The department supports the district’s mission “That All Will Learn” by facilitating communication with internal and external audiences and building and maintaining relationships to continue Pattonville’s high level of community support and involvement.

Important information about re-enrollment

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arents/guardians of students returning to Pattonville in August will receive an email sometime on July 2 notifying them that online registration is available. The email will provide step-by-step instructions for completing the process. Without this completed, a student will not receive a schedule or be added to a class list, depending on their grade level. Parents/ guardians are asked to take a few moments to complete their online registration to ensure their child is ready for the first day of school. The deadline to complete online registration is Aug. 10 for middle and high schools and Aug. 14 for elementary schools and Remington Traditional School. The first day of school for the 2020-2021 school year is Aug. 24.

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Free meals for students available for pickup once a week T

he Pattonville School District is offering free breakfasts and lunches once a week via curbside pickup until further notice (check Pattonville website for updates). Five breakfasts and five lunches are distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday at Pattonville High School and the Pattonville Learning Center. Meals distributed at the high school include one hot meal. The meal service is open to all children 18 years of age and under.

No ID or paperwork is required to participate. The program is designed to ensure students have access to healthy meals while school is not in session. When arriving by car please: • Write the number of children you are picking up meals for on a large sheet of paper and place on your dashboard.

• Stay inside your vehicle and open your trunk to allow volunteers to place the bags directly inside.

• If opening your trunk is not possible and there is no other unoccupied space in your vehicle, you will need to get out of your vehicle and pick up the meals from a curbside table while maintaining six feet distance from others.

• If you walk to one of the sites, our volunteers will help you while maintaining the six-foot social distancing requirement.

Families will not be able to enter the school, and meals should not be consumed on site. Meals should be consumed or refrigerated after receiving. Exact pickup locations can be found on the flyer at the following link: bit.ly/PSDmealupdate2020.

The district also receives a limited number of bags full of weekend meals from Grace Church that are also distributed on Wednesdays.

Pattonville food service employees assemble bags of food for Pattonville students. They are, from left, Tracy Mellring from Drummond Elementary School, Kim Kohlfeld from Pattonville High School, Trish Dufrenne from Pattonville Heights Middle School and Jen May from Bridgeway Elementary School.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES Mental health support

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veryone reacts differently to stressful situations.

Fear and anxiety caused by this pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Stress can be displayed in the following ways: • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones; • Changes in sleep or eating patterns; • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating; • Worsening of chronic health problems; • Worsening of mental health conditions; and • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

The longer we face challenges that come with social distancing, quarantine, isolation and changes to normal life, the more we should be aware of the mental and emotional well-being of ourselves and our loved ones.

Those that have preexisting mental health conditions should continue their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Here are some tips to help: • Stay active.

• Make sure to get enough sleep and rest.

• Stay hydrated and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol.

• Eat healthy foods.

• Set limits on media and social media consumption.

• Get accurate information from reputable sources.

• Reaching out to people you trust is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, depression, loneliness and boredom during social distancing, quarantine and isolation.

If someone is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety or feel like they might want to harm themselves or others, contact one of the following: • 911 for emergencies • Behavioral Health Response: (314) 469-6644 (immediate access to a counselor or social worker, free of charge) • Mid-Missouri Crisis Line: Text “HAND” to 839863 • Disaster Distress Help Line: 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8225) or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

For more information on warning signs for anxiety, depression and suicide, download the following resource from the St. Louis County Department of Public Health: bit.ly/STLCOMentalHealthTips.

Pattonville Community Action Team website

S COVID-19

Children and COVID-19

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hildren look to the adults in their lives to know how to react to the world around them. Adults can serve as role models by being aware of how you talk about COVID-19 and paying special attention to focus on the positive. When discussing COVID-19 with children it is helpful to acknowledge your concerns as well. Be truthful when they ask questions without flooding them with more information than they need. Give children a plan of action to help ease their fears. Daily walks, phone calls with loved ones and writing thank you letters to healthcare workers give children a sense of control over the situation. When kids feel empowered to control their own life, it can reduce stress and having a calming impact. More information related to talking with your children can be found on the National Association of School Psychologists website at www.nasponline.org.

Helpful websites

Pattonville’s coronavirus website bit.ly/PSDcovid19response Pattonville area resources sites.google.com/psdr3.org/pattonville-community-services St. Louis County coronavirus website stlcorona.com St. Louis County Library food distribution www.slcl.org/drive-thru-meals St. Louis County Library virtual branch (including e-books, etc.) www.slcl.org/virtual-branch Missouri’s coronavirus website and hotline health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novelcoronavirus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV

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upport for Pattonville students expands beyond the walls of the classroom. The Pattonville Community Action Team (PCAT) is a partnership between Pattonville schools and community organizations, including state and local government, religious organizations, local charities and more. The group’s common focus is to support students and their families by working together to develop or connect them to needed services.

While the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to the Pattonville community, PCAT continues to coordinate efforts to help make needed resources available to students and their families. Most needed services in the community have been modified due to the current pandemic and are posted in the userfriendly Community Services for Families and Children website, which is maintained by PCAT. Additionally, the team has been meeting regularly to address issues such as food accessibility, mental health services, family safety and financial stability for families during this time. For more information for families, go online at sites.google.com/psdr3.org/pattonville-community-services.

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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great way to keep up on Pattonville news is by following the district on social media. Facebook users, make sure you never miss a post from Pattonville by following a few simple steps. After liking our Facebook page, click the down triangle next to “Following.”

Select the “See First” option to see Pattonville news at the top of your news feed. You can also find stories on Pattonville’s website at www.psdr3.org.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PSDR3 Instagram: @PattonvilleSD Twitter: @PattonvilleSD YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PattonvilleR3

on the St. Louis Surge women’s basketball roster and works as a reporter for Fox 2 news in St. Louis. Utley played at West Virginia University and she is a current member of the Fire and Ice Women’s Premier Soccer League club in which she has won a national title. She was awarded a competitive Army scholarship Find out more: alumni.psdr3.org to attend optometry school and recently graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) with her doctorate. She is now fulfilling her service obligation starting as a captain in the United States Army.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Graduates in the news

Above, NASA astronaut and Air Force Col. Bob Behnken, left, is shown with fellow astronaut and retired Marine Corps Col. Doug Hurley in the new space suits designed for the Commercial Crew mission. Below, the front of Behnken’s astronaut card shows him and the Crew Dragon capsule. (Photos courtesy of NASA.)

1988 Pattonville alumnus makes historic flight to space station C

ol. Bob Behnken, a 1988 Pattonville High School alumnus, joined fellow NASA astronaut Doug Hurley on the first launch of a commercial spacecraft on June 3. SpaceX, a rocket company founded by Elon Musk, launched a Falcon 9 rocket with a Crew Dragon capsule with the two astronauts on board from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Their flight marked the first time in world history that a private company sent astronauts into orbit and the first time since the space shuttle that astronauts have launched from U.S. soil.

SpaceX worked in partnership NASA to become the first private business to accomplish this feat. Prior to this, only nations launched astronauts into space.

After a 19-hour space flight, Behnken and Hurley’s capsule docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts will spend an indefinite number of weeks at the ISS to test the new capsule’s capabilities and assist with research and other projects. For updates to the mission, visit NASA’s website at www.nasa.gov/ exploration/commercial/crew.

All-Decade Athletes Four alumni were named to the St. Louis PostDispatch’s All-Decade teams for different varsity sports.

Kaleb Eleby, Class of 2008

- Eleby was named the quarterback on the AllDecade Second Team for football. Eleby signed with Western Michigan University and made four starts as a freshman.

At left, Kailey Utley, top, and Mikala McGhee are shown after a game. Above, Kaleb Eleby is shown mid-throw.

Mikala McGhee and Kailey Utley, Class of 2012 - McGhee and Utley were named

to the All-Decade First Team for girls soccer. McGhee went on to play college basketball at Missouri State and Florida Gulf Coast universities. She is currently

Momo Kikuchi, Class of 2020 - Kikuchi was named to the

All-Decade Third Team for girls golf. Next fall, she will play golf for the University of Missouri-St. Louis while pursuing a degree in political science.

Momo Kikuchi

Other alumni news Marcus Robinson, Class of 1990 -

Robinson was selected as the new superintendent of the Normandy Schools Collaborative in St. Louis County. He began his new role May 1. Robinson previously served as executive in resident for the Opportunity Trust, where he worked as the systems-level education administration fellow, responsible for district and school support in urban education innovation. His prior experience includes serving as the chief Marcus Robinson executive officer for the Memphis Education Fund and chancellor and chief executive officer for the Tindley Accelerated Schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. His teaching experience includes roles at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and Jennings Junior High School in St. Louis County. Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree in English from DePauw University and master’s degrees in educational administration from Butler University in Indiana and Columbia University in New York. He is scheduled to complete his doctorate in educational leadership, also from Columbia University, in December.

Allison Custer, Class of 2009 - Custer graduated in May with a master’s degree in

music education from Lindenwood University. She has been the orchestra director at Hazelwood Northwest Middle School for the past three years.

Donovan Yard, Class of 2014 - Yard graduated

in May from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a commission as a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant. While at the academy, Yard completed four years of challenging academic, physical and professional military training. He was a member of the rifle team and the debate team. After graduation, he will attend training in Marine aviation. Prior to being selected to attend the Naval Academy, Yard enlisted in the Navy in November 2014, where he trained as a nuclear machinist mate. In 2015, he completed Nuclear Field “A” School and received an award for personal excellence. The same year, he completed the advanced nuclear power course with distinction.

Got an update to share?

Donovan Yard

Send your alumni news and photos to mschoonover@psdr3.org.

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Spotlight on OUR LEARNERS WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PATTONVILLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

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n the first day of the school’s COVID19-related closure, the Pattonville Early Childhood Center posted on Facebook: “We miss all the boys and girls and teachers too - here at the ECC. Send us a message to share something fun you did today!” The post resulted in several comments from early childhood families.

For each one, Pattonville early childhood staff responded.

They didn’t end the communication with families there. The school continued to use Facebook to stay in contact with and help families. The staff posted tips on how to talk with children about the coronavirus and shared a list of 100+ indoor activities that families could do together. On May 2, they shared a staff appreciation week post and gave instructions on how they would celebrate each day virtually. They honored paraprofessionals, teachers, nurses, therapists and all the other important staff members throughout the week and invited people to write a post, share a video or post a picture with a special message to express their appreciation.

Finally, on what would have been the last day of school, paraprofessional Lora Monroe put together a video that was shared on Facebook with staff members giving their well wishes to students.

The introduction simply stated: “School was very different this year. Distance Learning was hard, but we said ‘We can handle it!’ You all did such a great job (you too parents)! Your teachers missed you so much. We are here for you and we hope you have a fun summer break!” The school rounded out the year with reverse parade. Staff members lined the parking lot with signs and decorated cars to enable families to drive through and say their farewells for the year.

Above and below, Pattonville parent educators and early childhood staff share an uplifting message with their families.

T Above, fifth grader Zoelle Clark sends a word of thanks to her principal, Dr. Bill Casner. Below, Bridgeway Elementary School teachers show off their pied faces, which were part of a challenge to boost attendance at class meetings.

BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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ridgeway Elementary School principal Dr. Bill Casner found himself missing his students only days after the Pattonville School District canceled classes, so he started making videos and sharing them with his students to watch.

He always set a goal for the students and had the school’s mascot make special appearances. It wasn’t the only time Buddy Bulldog popped up virtually. He would create how-to videos and join class meetings to play games with the students. To encourage students to attend the weekly class meetings, Casner had the two teachers who had the best attendance pie themselves in the face.

Videos were a big part in connecting students, families and staff members during this time. More than 35 families were engaged during a virtual trivia night using Google Meet and Kahoot on April 30.

Teacher Tara Perks put together a video for Principal’s Day featuring students in every grade using different technology to record a message for Casner. Music teacher Shannon Senzig’s fifth grade MC team organized a virtual talent show and had 40 students participate, including the MC team, four staff members and Buddy Bulldog. Some other things that went virtual included the student art show, the student newspaper, fifth grade camp and the fifth grade graduation ceremony.

The school encouraged positive behavior by having the Bulldog Learner of the Week program. Students were recognized for being respectful, being responsible and being involved while working from home.

These Bulldogs met with Casner virtually to celebrate their achievements. Bridgeway concluded the year with a reverse parade, with staff members lining the parking lot so families could drive through campus while staff and families showed each other love and bid farewell.

he staff at Willow Brook Elementary School came together to help students and families stay connected to learning during the COVID-19 school closure.

Classroom teachers and specialists worked to provide engaging SeeSaw activities and classroom “Meets” to provide some continuity during the unusual situation. The paraprofessional staff and library and technology aide David Duncan created fun and engaging spirit week themes and posted photos and videos of students participating in them.

One of the highlights of each year is fifth grade camp. This year was truly a one-of-a-kind virtual outdoor experience.

The fifth grade teachers created exciting and engaging activities to help students get a sense of camping, albeit remotely.

Principal Dr. Marla Wasserman recognized district technology specialist Stephanie McCreary as someone who helped make distance learning at Willow Brook as seamless as possible. “She worked tirelessly to provide every staff member with the technology information needed in order to ensure our successful delivery of content and connectivity,” Wasserman said. She added technology was key to making at-home learning work.

“We are extremely grateful to our parents and students who stayed connected and made a very challenging experience much more doable because you realized we truly were ‘In This Together.’ ” The school rounded out the year with a parade through Willow Brook neighborhoods to see and say goodbye to their students for the year. A caravan of approximately 50 cars traversed the area to make sure they passed each student’s home.

Above, from left, Kaiden Poole, Landon Williams, Hailey Ruffin-Poole and Lailah Poole took part in Willow Brook Elementary School’s spirit week cooking activities. Below, fifth grader Logan Pipe snuggles with his dog as he reads a book.

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Above, eighth grader Kayleigh Ratliff shows a sign of appreciation for Holman Middle School staff in a staff appreciation week Facebook post. Below, science teacher Teresa Hutti shows off her spoon balancing abilities during a virtual talent show video Holman staff created for the enjoyment of their students and families.

HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

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olman Middle School educators worked hard to keep students and families engaged during the COVID-19 school closure. The school used social media and email as its primary ways of reaching students, parents and staff. Staff members hosted a virtual spirit week and featured weekly creative videos on Holman’s Facebook page that included topics such as “We Miss You,” “Teacher Talents,” “How Teachers Stay Active” and “We’ll Be There for You” set to the theme song from the TV sitcom “Friends.”

Instructional technology specialist Scott Wagner posted “flashbacks” on Fridays of videos made throughout the past decade, and “those have been good for a laugh,” said principal Dr. Sarah Moran.

During staff appreciation week, Holman posted photos of students thanking their teachers. In addition to ongoing academic instruction, teachers hosted Google Meets to enable students to get together socially. For example, physical education teacher David Klaus continued meeting with his Gaming Club. The school also created and shared a memory video, which is traditionally seen by students and staff during an assembly on the last day of school. This year it was sent out via a link to students. Holman’s annual awards recognitions also took place in the virtual world, as teachers read off the names of students earning awards for a video compilation. The school also continued its “Holman Family Update” e-newsletter to keep families in the loop on school news and resources.

Spotlight on OUR LEARNERS DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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s the school year went virtual, staff at Drummond Elementary School focused on learning and keeping students and families connected. Some staff volunteered to pass out lunches at the school or wrote and mailed letters to students’ homes. The counselors and social worker shared weekly newsletters with resources and elearning tips and made themselves available as families needed.

Additionally, many teachers sent parent surveys to check in with families and get feedback on the structure.

In second grade, the teachers did weekly feelings checks with students where students picked an emoji to describe how they felt and wrote about why they felt that way. Teachers validated those feelings and brainstormed with students on how to deal with those feelings.

Facebook posts allowed the whole school to connect.

The popular “Guess the Dragon” posts highlighted staff photos and invited followers to guess which staff member matched one of three facts shared. Staff members also shared signs on Facebook each week with messages such as “We miss you. Keep reading Dragons.”

Teachers connected to their students beyond Google Meets with instruction. They created meetings for the class to get together and socialize or play games.

Many classrooms featured a student of the day on SeeSaw. But when it came to learning, there was no shortage of opportunities Second grader Justin Santillan to connect. For example, Ortega’s photo was shared on second graders explored SeeSaw as a student of the day, fairy tales by doing things allowing his classmates to congratulate him and share positive like combining stories thoughts about him. with science. Students used different activities to retell their fairy tales, including computer programs and puppets. After reading “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” about three goats who outsmart a ravenous troll to cross the bridge, students became engineers to solve the billy goats’ challenge of crossing the bridge.

Students used materials they had at home to create their own method of crossing the bridge, such as building rafts, and submitted videos of their process with their class. The classes also did a similar activity with “The Three Little Pigs,” where they had to build a house that couldn’t be blown down. Students also had the opportunity to write their own story, then recorded themselves reading their story, often with the use of puppets and props.

Students across all grades shared their learning via videos uploaded to SeeSaw for their classmates and teachers to watch and learn from, and some were featured on the school’s Facebook page to spotlight student learning.

Drummond Elementary School second grader Jai’len Jones uses Legos to build with as part of a virtual unit on fairy tales.

PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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hile the COVID-19 pandemic upended normal end-of-school traditions, Parkwood Elementary School staff got creative to ensure some things stayed the same, even if they took place at a distance or online. The end of the year at Parkwood usually involves three big events popular with students and staff: field day, a talent Top photo, Parkwood Elementary School shared a collage of show and the fifth grade student artwork as part of one walk. of its activities to connect with Physical education students. Above, a video on Facebook introduced everyone teacher Michelle Petke to the school’s new life-sized organized a virtual field mascot, Parker the panther. day of activities that were carried out through virtual rooms on Google Meet, similar to break-out rooms at a conference.

Instead of the traditional fifth grade walk at a school assembly, staff organized a slide show with letters and photos from staff as a farewell to fifth graders. The video was shared on the school’s Facebook page. Fifth grade teachers also organized camp-style activities so students could have a virtual camp experience even if they couldn’t experience the real thing.

For the talent show, students recorded themselves performing a talent they normally would have done in front of several hundred students and staff. Students were encouraged to share their usual talents such as singing or dancing, as well as more unique ones like dribbling a basketball or drawing. Once a video of the performances was compiled, it was sent to all students to enjoy from the comfort of home.

The Parkwood teachers continued the tradition of ending the talent show with their own talent. They compiled a video of staff dancing and lip syncing to Katy Perry’s “Firework” and shared it on Facebook for the entire school community. Students and staff got one big surprise at the end of the year as the school welcomed Parker to the school family with a Facebook video post.

Parker is a new a new life-sized mascot that will be seen at lots of school activities in the future.

“These things, especially combined, show the power of relationships and our community in addition to ingenuity in finding ways to go virtual,” said principal Melissa Yount-Ott. At the end of the year, staff and PTA members organized a reverse parade where staff members lined up on the sidewalk outside Parkwood with signs and smiles as their students and families drove by to say goodbye.

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ose Acres Elementary staff went beyond the typical distance learning by sharing challenges and entertaining and educational videos via social media.

Each week, the specialist teachers issued “MAPS” challenges to students. MAPS stands for music, art, physical education and STEM. Students videotaped themselves doing the challenge and their efforts were compiled and shared in a video for the whole school to see. For example, one week the challenges included doing the “Cups” hand-clapping routine as seen in the movie “Pitch Perfect” for music; creating something with clay for art; doing a “Baby Shark” and body systems activity for physical education; and building a pillow fort for a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activity. The lesson plans for the activities were shared on the school’s website each week so parents could see the plan and support their child in trying them.

Rose Acres also shared videos on its Facebook page that highlighted different staff members, along with one of their talents or an interesting fact. The videos counted down to the end of school and enabled students to see familiar faces on a regular basis. For example, a recent post stated, “Fun Fact: Did you know Play-doh was first sold as wallpaper cleaner?! Join Mrs. (Michelle) Wagner as she shows you an easy and simple recipe on how to make homemade Play-doh.” Another post welcomed viewers to teacher Carrie Heine’s “Cooking Channel” and showed viewers how to make Indian fry bread.

The school also hosted its annual field day at home.

The school shared a Google document with activities and challenges students could do at home. Students were invited to share what they did virtually. Some staff got in on the fun, as principal Steve Vargo demonstrated a slip and slide from home.

At the end of the year, staff members organized a reverse parade where staff lined the parking lot at Rose Acres with signs and smiles as their students and families drove by to say goodbye.

Above, Rose Acres Elementary School second grader Cate Walton shows off a musical instrument she created using recycled materials as part of a MAPS challenge. Below, second grader Caleb Sosman shows the results of his bubbles experiment, also done as part of the MAPS challenge.

Spotlight on OUR LEARNERS REMINGTON TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

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t Remington Traditional School, one of the big focuses during the spring was creating a school environment at home, and not just when it came to learning.

One of Remington’s traditions is its Classroom Book a Day program, where the entire school enjoys the same picture book in order to build a reading community and foster a love of story. To continue the tradition, librarian Allison Stout and reading specialist Jill Ramig created a set of video read-alouds for students to watch at home. Students were encouraged to record short video responses to the books and share them using FlipGrid, an electronic video discussion app, so others could see the responses. Another tradition, fifth grade camp, also went virtual. Emily Cook, who teaches fourth and fifth grade, created an alternative trip curriculum to mimic a true camp experience. Activities included a teacher find game, pond biology, hiking and s’mores making.

Physical education teachers Denise Grimshaw and Mike McKeon also created a virtual Olympic Day, Remington’s version of a field day, after students avidly requested it. The day started with an opening ceremony, featuring the National Anthem and message from principal Dr. Don Furjes. Throughout the day, participants completed seven challenges, such backboard bank it, which included throwing rolled up socks into a laundry basket using the wall as the backboard, to a clothes relay, where participants had to take laps between points while putting on a different piece of oversized clothing. The challenges used items easily found at home. Students, staff and families were encouraged to participate and photograph and video record themselves completing events. Those materials were also shared on a FlipGrid.

Finding ways to keep students active also took some creativity, but Grimshaw and McKeon did not disappoint with activities. Parent Chrisi Byars said “Staying at home has been a challenge for us, but PE at home has been something we look forward to everyday! We have martial arts twice a week and spend a lot of our time outside bike riding, hiking, gardening, climbing on our ninja course, jumping on our trampoline and getting creative with paint fights as a family!”

To close out the year, staff decorated their cars and lined the parking lot at Remington for a reverse parade, allowing families to drive around the school. Many families also decorated their cars to drive through and wave and cheer with their teachers.

Remington Traditional School physical education teachers Denise Grimshaw, left, and Mike McKeon give students a word of encouragement during the virtual opening ceremonies for the school’s field day. Students completed all activities at home.

hroughout the COVID-19 pandemic closing, students and teachers at Pattonville High School found ways to continue some traditions with ingenuity and the use of technology. The annual Senior Art Show featured this year’s Outstanding Senior Artist finalists Kyra Correa, Vince Costa and Emily Schrumpf and seven other artists. A full virtual gallery was shared online and can be found on the high school’s Facebook page. Instead of an in-person MVP ceremony, staff members recorded a personal video for their selected student and a link was shared recognizing all honorees.

Pattonville Heights Middle School sixth grader Ryan Vehige During teacher appreciation week, students normally practices on his baritone during a porch concert, an activity complete a You Make a Difference form during homeencouraged by the orchestra teachers. room. Instead, they were able to send a virtual postcardto thank staff for their work on behalf of students.

Students from the Echo yearbook, Pirate Press ontinuing to connect with students and families newspaper and photojournalism classes gathered photos outside of traditional learning was key to staff at and wrote stories to highlight what life was like during Pattonville Heights Middle School. The school cononline learning. Because of the combined efforts of stunected over social media, sharing posts about what staff dents from all three classes, they were able to complete members were reading, pictures of teachers working a yearbook supplement recognizing thes unique times at home with their pets and activities and new hobwithout the normal coverage of spring sports and prom bies people were perfecting while away from school. and continued to add new content to the PattonvilleTOAdministrators also celebrated staff, from sharing video DAY website. messages during teacher appreciation week to dropping While prom was postponed from its original date, goodies off for their secretaries and clerks on adminisJordyn Rice, who took Mary Favazza’s Clothing and trative professionals day.

Textile class and was enrolled in North Tech’s fashion When it came to teaching, creativity and connecprogram, took pictures in a dress she made for herself. tion were vital. Seventh grade social studies teacher Dr. Also using skills they learned in the classroom, students Donna Burd posted a Meme of the Day for her students on the FIRST Robotics team used a 3D printer to creto respond to. “One day I didn’t post a meme, and I got ate mask extenders. The students donated them to the all these responses asking where meme of the day was.

Maryland Heights Police Department and other first So I give the people what they want!” Librarian Julie responders in the area as part of their FIRST mission to Harder created a video about the importance of reading introduce STEM into the community. and ways students could access books to read at home The counseling department kept students connected and shared the information with the English teachers to with mental health and college/career resources via a pass along to their students. counseling newsletter. Staff members also recorded Elective teachers also created fun choices for stuspecial messages from home and it was compiled into a dents. French teacher Julia Gibson created a variety of video shared online. Principal Dr. Joe Dobrinic wrote a activities, allowing students to choose which to comletter to seniors congratulating them on completing their plete, such as critiquing a song in French or creating high school careers. The school celebrated seniors on food art. She also shared fun videos of herself doing what would have been the original graduation date with things at home and invited students to respond with their a celebratory drive-through diploma pickup on campus own version of what Gibson did. Not only was it a way on June 4 (see back page for photos). for Gibson to see what students were learning and comprehending, but it was a chance to let the students share about themselves. “My entire focus was to keep them engaged and my total goal was for it to be choice-driven and fun,” she said. “I wanted them to use the vocabulary but have it to be engaging, fun and choice-driven.”

Project Lead the Way teacher Erika Sepanski gave her design and modeling students the opportunity to choose their projects, too. They chose a design problem to solve, filled out a design process sheet and then solved the problem using photos or video to document their process. One of her students repurposed an old shirt to make a face mask without the use of a sewing machine.

Orchestra teacher Kim Gindler met with students virtually each day, working with groups of five to seven students on their instrument and music pieces. Band teachers Pattonville High School counselor Alysia Patterson was one Abigail Hall and Liz Pace encouraged students to do of several staff members who recorded uplifting messages for porch concerts, where students and their families played students for a video that was shared on the school’s Facebook music on their porches. On the last day of distance learn- page. The message was simple: “Students, your teachers miss you and have a special message for you. Be strong. Keep ing, Hall and Pace shared a video of themselves singing learning. Stay in touch with your teachers. And stay home and and playing instruments while performing James Brown’s safe. Our students are in our hearts as we finish out this school “I Feel Good.” They concluded by telling students they year separately together.” look forward to seeing them again next year.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

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BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. As a group, the Pirates finished 10th overall out of 40 teams.

BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Art selected for anthology

Bridgeway Elementary School fifth grader Sophia Fernandez had artwork selected for publication by The Grannie Annie Foundation in its anthology “Grannie Annie, Vol. 15.” Her piece is titled “The Pawsitive Dog Walker” and S. Fernandez will illustrate a corresponding published story. The Grannie Annie Foundation promotes writing and art, allowing students between fourth and eighth grades to enter an original piece of writing or drawing to represent one of the winning stories. The stories and art are published in a book through the foundation.

Boys basketball honors E. Matulewic

Iana Medley

E. Sandheinrich H. Wansing

A. Burroughs

Eli Dukes

Levi Dukes

D. McCullough

PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Regional science fair

Fourth grader Scott Chrostowski earned a red ribbon and special award from MOST 529 in the St. Louis regional science fair.

Girls basketball honors J. McCullough Eva Pulley S. Chrostowski

WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY Regional science fair

Willow Brook Elementary School first grader Caroline Rowe earned a blue ribbon in the regional science fair.

HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Caroline Rowe

National publication

Holman English teacher Maegan Bowersox was published on the ASCD website, a professional learning community representing thousands of educators from more than 129 countries. Her piece highlighted how passion projects fuel M. Bowersox student-driven learning and included the steps and outline for creating a six-week project. ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching and leading so every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Regional science fair

Eighth grader Tehya Cox-Potter earned a blue ribbon in the St. Louis regional science fair.

T. Cox-Potter

ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Riley Dye

Will Purnell

Aliyah Brown

Gwaltney, Emmy Matulewic, Iana Medley, Eli Sandheinrich and Hannah Wansing. In addition, nine students from PEGS (Program for ExceptionDevin Garner H. Vandernoot ally Gifted Students) housed at Rose Acres also placed. Earning a blue ribbon were Alexis Burroughs, Eli Dukes, Levi Dukes, Donald McCullough, Jackson McCullough, who also earned a special award from MOST 529, Eva Pulley and Will Purnell. Earning a red ribbon were Aliyah Brown, Devin Garner and Harry VanDernoot.

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

National Merit Scholarship winners

Three Pattonville seniors were selected to receive scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship program. Kyle Halveland received the Kyle Halveland Erin McMahon National Merit University of Missouri-Columbia Scholarship. His probable career field is oncology. Earning corporate-sponsored scholarship awards were Erin McMahon and William Skaggs. McMahon received the National Merit Bunzl, USA, LLC Scholarship and plans to pur- William Skaggs sue a career in architecture. Skaggs earned the National Merit Boeing Scholarship. His probable career field is computer programming.

Girls state wrestling qualifiers

Regional science fair The following fifth grade students earned a blue ribbon in the regional science fair: Riley Dye, who also earned the Bayer Outstanding Young Scientists Award, Allen

On the boys basketball team, Kellen Thames was named Kellen Thames Levi Banks M. Henderson to the first team All-District and All-Conference lists, Levi Banks was named to the honorable mention All-Conference team and Monte’ Henderson earned the Sportsmanship Award. The boys team was coached by Kelly Thames with the assistance of Travis Harris and Dominic Varner.

Allen Gwaltney

Junior Desire’ Adams and senior Autumn Otis qualifed for the girls wrestling state championship after they both placed third in their division at the Missouri District Desire’ Adams Autumn Otis 2 tournament. The top four finishers in each weight class advanced to the state

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On the girls basketball team, senior Kelsey Mack earned recognition on the first team All-District and All-Conference lists. The girls team was coached

by Donald Boyce with the assistance of Corey Lewis.

Kelsey Mack

Girls swimming honors

Sophomore Lucy Ridings earned state consideration in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke during the girls swimming and diving season.

The team was coached by Anna Braswell with the assistance of Ashley Haar and Madeline Marren.

Lucy Ridings

Scholar Athlete/State Academic Team

Senior Emily Schrumpf was selected as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete from Pattonville High School.

Schrumpf has been a member of the varsity soccer team for all four years of her high school career, including two as captain, and was named All-Conference E. Schrumpf Second Team in the 2019 season. Additionally, Schrumpf is a member of National Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, GALXC (Girls As Leaders Not Captains), school improvement team (SIT) and Student Council. She is also senior class vice president. The St. Louis PostDispatch Scholar Athlete program honors one student from every area school, a requirement being that they participate in athletics and excel in the classroom. At Pattonville, coaches submit nominations and then vote to select the district’s honoree.

Schrumpf was also named to the Missouri Soccer Academic Team by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association. Being named to the team is a career award given to a highly select group of seniors who have excelled on the field and in the classroom during their high school career. To meet the on-field criteria, a player must have been a two-year varsity starter for their team, at minimum. The academic criterion is determined by multiplying the player’s ACT score by their unweighted GPA (on a 4.0 point scale).

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff Poetry anthology selection

Six high school students had poems selected for publication in the Eric Aguilar K. Bustillo Sierra E. Garcia-Garcia Creative Communications’ Poetic Power Anthology, which D. Gregorio Alvin Kamau Eshal Niazi will be published in the summer. The students are freshmen Eric Aguilar, Kinberli Bustillo Sierra, Emily GarciaGarcia, Denise Gregorio, Alvin Kamau and Eshal Niazi.

They are taught by Kathleen O’Keefe. The goal of the contest, open to students from kindergarten to ninth grade, is to help students find their creative competition through expressing their thoughts and feelings with the power of writing.

HOSA international qualifers

Nineteen students from Pattonville High School’s HOSA fuTeidrick Banks Anna de Garcia Mya Harris ture health professionals program recently competed in a virtual state Griffin Wick competition. Jadyn Powell Jas Rai Six students qualified for the international competition which will be held virtually at the end of June. They are Mya Harris who placed first and Anna de Garcia who placed third in researched persuasive writing and speaking; and Teidrick Banks, Jadyn Powell, Jas Rai and Griffin Wick who placed third in the HOSA Bowl. The following students also competed at the state competition: Teryn Battle, Loudin Cato, Sarah Etwaroo, Esther Gbloesse, Chloe Kerwin, Camille Lofland, Lauren Marsala, Ponon Masokano, Elizabeth Mulat, Melanie Rivera Nunez, Diana Urbina, Britney Wallace and DeAndre Westbrook. They are taught by Jamie Jobe.

Missouri Scholars Academy

Two students from Pattonville High School were accepted to the Missouri Scholars Academy.

They are Thomas Clifford and Lauren Marsala.

The academy is a threeThomas Clifford Lauren Marsala week academic program for Missouri’s gifted students who are ready to begin their junior year in high school.

Aaron Caldwell Owen Moeller Tyler Wright

J. Broadway

Mya Harris

E. Magana Lopez Bella Tucci

Boys/Girls State

The following Pattonville High School juniors were selected to Boys and Girls State. Aaron Caldwell, Owen Moeller and Tyler Wright were selected to attend the American Legion Boys State of Missouri Program, an eight-day, hands-on experience in the operation and fundamentals of government which serves as a leadership and citizenship training program. Students selected to Girls State are Jailah Broadway, Mya Harris, Eden Magana Lopez and Bella Tucci. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Girls State is a week-long program designed to promote pride in America and create a mythical state that participating citizens will govern at the city, county and state level.

Tops in Tech honors

Students at Pattonville High School were selected for Tops at Tech honors Jaxon Luraschi Andrew Schmitz Carlos Silva from North Tech. The students who received honors are Jaxon Luraschi for firefighting/EMT, Andrew Schmitz for automotive technology and Carlos Silva for auto collision repair. Tops at Tech is North Tech’s annual recognition program that honors their career and technical education students. Nominations are based on a student’s professionalism, success in skill attainment and curriculum mastery, responsibility and willingness to go above and beyond and support their fellow classmates.

Operated by the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County, North Tech offers 25 tuition-free, career and technical education majors which allow students to explore their career interests while earning industry certifications, as well as college and high school credit.

Students attend Pattonville High School for half a day and their North Tech programs the other half.

Speech and debate honors

Pattonville speech and debate students earned various honors this season. Mya Harris qualified for nationals in informative speaking after placing second in the East Missouri District contest. She will compete in June in the virtual National Speech and Debate Tournament. Isabella Tucci was named an Academic All American in the National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society.

Qualifying for the state competition were Anna de Garcia and Tucci in public forum debate and Eden Magana Lopez in poetry. The state competition was canceled. At

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the MSHSAA district finals, Harris was a district finalist in international extemporaneous speaking; Magnana Lopez was a district finalist and state qualifier in poetry; Tucci was a district finalist and state qualifier in public forum debate; andJailah Broadway was a district finalist in oratory.

At the Eastern Missouri district competition, Harris was named a national qualifier and placed second in informative Above, Mya Harris speaking and Magana Lopez qualified for nationals placed fifth in program of oral in speech and debate. interpretation. At the Parkway Below, students qualifying for the state speech and West Invitational, Alex Djetto debate competition, which placed first in Lincoln Douglas was canceled, were Eden Magana Lopez, front, and debate; and Dominique BradAnna de Garcia, back left, shaw placed third in radio. At and Belle Tucci, who was the Greater St. Louis Speech also named Academic All Association (GSL) conference, American.

Tucci placed first in informative speaking and fourth in U.S. extemporaneous speaking; Harris placed third in informative speaking; Broadway placed fourth in oratory; and Magana Lopez placed fifth in poetry.

At the Francis Howell North Events Invitational, Tucci placed third in informative speaking and Harris placed sixth in informative speaking. Djetto placed sixth in Lincoln Douglas debate at the Troy Debate Invitational and fourth at the Grandview Novice Invitational. At the Clayton Fall Classic, de Garcia was a quarterfinalist in champ public forum debate; Tucci was a quarterfinalist in champ public forum debate and placed fifth in informative speaking; Harris placed third in informative speaking; and Bryant Ewing placed fifth in oratory. At the Ladue Novice Invitational, Dominick Austin, Ja’Nya Cruise, Ephrata Demissie and Tachinnah Tyler were semifinalists in duet improv.

At the GSL conference finals, Harris placed first in informative speaking and fourth in public forum debate; de Garcia placed second in public forum debate; Tucci placed second in informative speaking and public forum debate; Broadway placed fourth in public forum debate and fifth in oratory; Tajh Martin placed sixth in radio and eighth in public forum debate and Magana Lopez placed eighth in public forum debate. At the Rock Bridge Invitational, Broadway and Harris were semifinalists in public forum debate and Harris placed first in informative speaking. At the Marquette Invitational, Harris was a finalist in public forum debate and placed first in informative speaking; Djetto was a quarterfinalist in Lincoln Douglas debate; Kristinne Pacheco was a semifinalist in storytelling; Tucci placed third in informative speaking; and Ewing, Victor Kirkwood, Magana Lopez, Martin, David Polster and Charles Riepl were named an octofinalist in public forum debate. Teacher Jennifer Raymond coaches the speech and debate team.

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

Pattonville named among best high schools in U.S. P

attonville High School has been ranked among the top high schools in Missouri and the nation on U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Best High Schools list. This is the seventh time Pattonville earned a spot on U.S. News’ Best High Schools list in the last eight years. The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia, including nearly 600 in Missouri. The Best High Schools rankings are produced in conjunction with RTI International, a global research firm. All data used in the rankings comes from official third-party sources such as the College Board, U.S. Department of Education and state data on assessments and graduation rates.

PHS names Outstanding Senior, departmental honorees Pattonville’s mock trial team qualified to compete at regionals this year. They are, from left, front row, Christopher Dixon, Ava Reynolds and Emma Schonhoff; and back row, Xmiena Rogers Stamps, Ava Hooper Bearskin, Maichi Nguyen, Momo Kikuchi, Alex Djetto, Isabella Tucci and Jenna Hageman.

Mock trial honors

Pattonville’s mock trial team competed at the regional competition this year and earned the first alternate spot for the state tournament, which was canceled. Members of the mock trial team were: Christopher Dixon, Alex Djetto, Jenna Hageman, Ava Hooper Bearskin, Momo Kikuchi, Maichi Nguyen, Ava Reynolds, Xmiena Rogers Stamps, Emma Schonhoff and Isabella Tucci.

Teacher Jennifer Raymond coached the mock trial team.

Athletic college signings

Pattonville seniors who signed to play college-level athletics Jatarius Battle T. Sanderson G. Shipman next year include: Jatarius Battle, football with Missouri Baptist University; Terrell Sanderson, football with Missouri Southern University; and Gabrielle Shipman, soccer for Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Global Exchange presenters

Pattonville educators Katherine Korte and Eleanor Taylor were selected to present at the U.S. Department of State’s fifth annual Global Teaching Dialogue in July. The diaKatherine Korte Eleanor Taylor logue will bring together educators and global education experts to help teachers prepare students for the global economy. Both teachers are alumni of the state department’s Fulbright Teachers for Global Education program. Their session, “Personalized Learning Through Global Education” will explore how they incorporated global education into their classrooms. They will share resources and facilitate discussions about the ways global education frameworks create opportunities for meaningful personalized learning for students in the classroom.

P

attonville High School senior Emily Schrumpf was named the Outstanding Senior for the Class of 2020. The Outstanding Senior is chosen each year from teacher nominations. The high school also named several seniors who earned departmental awards.

Each department recognized one student who has shown outstanding academic achievement, leadership and citizenship. This year’s Outstanding Senior Departmental Award winners are: Emily Barton, vocal music and theater; Slena Caldwell, health sciences; Anthony Costa, German; Afina Fayez, science; Jenna Hageman, social studies; Rachel Huddleston, Spanish; Karla Martinez Vargas, English learner; Thomas McFarland, band; Nathan Moser, community service and technology and engineering; Kristinne Pacheco, skilled technical sciences and speech and debate; Keeley Peters, physical education; Jada Price, family and consumer sciences; Hameed Qasem, Thomas Frick Service Award; Matthew Samuel, mathematics; Schrumpf, fine arts; Drake Seabaugh, Pirates Sports Net; Hailey Sparacio, French; Elise Thompkins, English language arts; Meekie Trieu, Echo yearbook; Rodney Wallace Jr., business; and Natalie Young, orchestra.

Logan Bozich and Vince Costa were recognized for having perfect attendance for all four years of high school.

Emily Schrumpf was named Outstanding Senior of the Class of 2020.

26 students earn Certified Nurse Assistant credentials T

wenty-six Pattonville High School seniors earned credentials as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) after passing the Missouri state CNA certification exam at the end of this school year. The CNA certification requires students to complete 75 hours of rigorous classroom training and 100 hours of on-the-job training as well as pass the two-part final examination. Students can use their certification for employment immediately after high school or to build their college resume prior to applying to a health care program of study.

The following students earned their CNA designation this year: Taki Agnew, Richa Boara, Slena Caldwell, Madison Egner, India Henry, Sophia Hinojosa Sada, Zoey James, Kayin Jones, Natalie Lawien, John Lewis, Sarah Livingston, Rachel Luebbers, Maria Madden, Seraphyna Margraff, JaMya McAlister, Nicole McDaniel, Dezyre McDowell, Tory Miniex, Abigail Moody, AuTwo of the 26 Pattonville certified nursing assistant (CNA) tumn Otis, Arisbel Mendieta-Papalotzi, Hayleigh Ratliff, students are shown at a socially distanced recognition program Mathilda Sorbello, Jaida Williams, Nathan Williams and after earning their CNA credentials. Shown are, Mathilda Sorbella, left, and Natalie Lawien. View a photo gallery of PatTori Zavala. Their teacher was Anjie Stendeback.

Pattonville’s CNA program is a year-long course designed tonville’s newest CNAs at bit.ly/PHScna2020. to increase interest in healthcare by introducing students to the variety of opportunities and benefits of the industry. The first semester consists of foundational and skills curriculum to prepare students to function safely and competently in clinical areas. They are taught a CNA curriculum and medical terminology during their classroom time, including CPR training.

Second semester involves clinical experiences three to four days a week in area hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

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Pattonville board approves new budget P Above, Bridgeway Elementary School teacher Dan Derby, center, stands with his children in front of his celebratory sign at his house. His children are, from left, Emma Derby, and Rick Derby. Below, early childhood paraprofessional Andrea Baldwin, second from left, is shown with her family in front of her sign. They are, from left, John Baldwin, Jenna Baldwin, Kyle Baldwin and Alaina Bottini.

Pattonville names Teacher, Support Staff of Year D

an Derby, fifth grade teacher at Bridgeway Elementary School, has been selected as Pattonville’s Teacher of the Year, and Andrea Baldwin, paraprofessional at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center, has been selected as this year’s Support Staff Employee of the Year.

Because Pattonville’s annual District Appreciation Night was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both individuals were surprised with the news of their recognition with drive-by parades at their home, along with the delivery of special yard signs.

Other finalists for Teacher of the Year were Kelley Chestnut, second grade teacher at Parkwood Elementary School, and Tammy Hasheider, district technology specialist at Pattonville High School.

Finalists for Pattonville Support Staff of the Year were Cheryl Arnold, secretary at Holman Middle School, and Josie Chapman, paraprofessional at Bridgeway Elementary School.

The district honorees and finalists were previously honored as building-level Teachers and Support Staff of the Year. Other building-level honor-

ees for Teacher of the Year were Jamie Cargal, first grade teacher at Willow Brook Elementary School; Windy Cushman, physical education teacher at Drummond Elementary School; Mia Divine, math and science teacher at Holman; Sarah Funderburk, district technology specialist and instructional specialist at Rose Acres Elementary School; Taylor Koenig, second grade teacher at Remington Traditional School; Pamela Stubblefield, teacher at the Early Childhood Center; and Stephanie Walton, math teacher at Pattonville Heights Middle School.

Other building-level honorees for Support Staff of the Year were Michelle Crocker, permanent substitute at Pattonville Heights; Vicky Davis-Price, lead after-school care instructor at Remington; Cindy Fain, Special School District (SSD) paraprofessional at Willow Brook: Debbie Jansen, high school executive secretary; Sherri Lawrence-Jackson, SSD paraprofessional at Rose Acres; Alicia O’Neal, district courier (honoree for the district services group); Stuart Thomas, Parkwood custodian; and Mike Williams, Drummond custodian.

Transportation department earns safety award T

he Pattonville transportation department earned the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award by obtaining a first-time approval score of 94.2% during the annual inspection of its buses.

At the conclusion of the inspection, the district’s score was 100%. The two buses that had a minor issue were repaired quickly, re-inspected and approved. Strategies that helped the transportation department to exceed the 90% inspection score to qualify for the award included a standardized preventative bus inspection checklist followed by mechanics and a well-trained driver inspection team.

Not only are the buses in Pattonville safe, but so are all 47 Pattonville school bus route drivers. They were certified in the Smith System at the beginning of the school year. The Smith System is recognized as the industry leader in professional CDL driver training, hands-on vehicle safety education programs and defensive driving. More than half of Fortune 500 fleets use the Smith System for driver safety training.

“The Smith System is a great program that hones the skills a driver already has,” director of transportation James Troxel said. “The transportation department’s number one priority is safety.”

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attonville Board of Education on June 9 approved a $100 million operating budget for the 2020-2021 school year.

For the first time in seven years, the district will likely have a net deficit of $1.4 million due to lower than anticipated revenues resulting from COVID-19 impacts on the economy. The deficit will be offset by one-time federal relief funds from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act and savings in the 2019-2020 budget that will be placed in the district’s reserves. The majority of the deficit is due to state revenues that have declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, investment income is declining due to drops in current interest rates, and reduced income is anticipated from Pattonville programs that depend on student participation, such as preschool and food service.

“We are being cautious in our budgeting due to the uncertainty surrounding the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ron Orr, chief financial officer.

“We will closely monitor the situation throughout the year and remain conservative in our expenditures as we focus on meeting our students’ needs during what is sure to be an usual school year.”

The 2020-2021 budget was established based on several factors: • Increase in health costs - The rising cost of health insurance continues to be a major concern nationally, but due to proactive measures in prior years, the district had four consecutive years of 0% increases in health and dental insurance, followed by 7% and 6% during the last two school years. Health insurance costs for the upcoming school year are anticipated to rise by 4.8%. Pattonville has been able to reduce some of its health care costs by opening employee health care clinics in partnership with the Parkway and Francis Howell school districts. Operating the clinics saved the district 20 cents for every dollar spent on health care at the clinic.

• Three-year agreement with staff - The upcoming school year will mark the second year of a three-year agreement in which teachers and support staff receive an overall 3.6% increase in salary and benefits each year; however, the actual cost to the district is lower due to staff retirements and resignations, many of them due to a separation incentive plan (SIP) offered in the 2018-2019 school year. As a result of the SIP and small increases in health insurance costs, the actual increased cost of salary and benefits will be approximately 2.65% over the length of the three-year agreement.

• No change in property values - Pattonville’s revenues are based on the assessed value of property in the district, as set by the St. Louis County assessor’s office. Since this is a non-reassessment year, property values will remain unchanged until the next year.

• Capital spending on high-priority needs - The new budget includes the lease purchase of 20 new school buses, replacing student and teacher devices and other technology purchases, funding for cultural proficiency and equity work, energy improvements in the district and miscellaneous maintenance and repairs at district campuses.

Find out more.

View Pattonville’s budget document at bit.ly/PSDbudget20-21.

Congratulations PATTONVILLE CLASS OF 2020 Special Send-Off enables seniors to pick up diplomas on original graduation date; graduation ceremony set for July 16

At left, Kayin Jones smiles after driving through the line to pick up his diploma.

Above, Seraphyna Margraff smiles after picking up her diploma at the special Senior Send-Off. Below, James Moore II poses with his new diploma in front of a larger-than-life congratulations sign on campus.

Below left, Kobe Allen rides in the back of a pickup truck in his cap and gown to receive his diploma from board of education director Jeanne Schottmueller.

Below right, Hailey Sparacio, left, and Rachel Luebbers receive their diplomas from their principal, Dr. Joe Dobrinic.

Above, Pattonville High School teachers cheer on the graduates as they drive through to get their diplomas.

Below, Tymani Jones poses in the sunroof of her car after picking up her diploma at Pattonville High School.

Above, all cameras are pointed at senior Elise Thompkins as she accepts her diploma from school board secretary Mindy Ridings. Below, senior Philip Tso, seated in the front passenger seat, makes a splash with his car decorations at the Send-Off.

Lauren Moton, left, and her mother Stacey Moton pose for a photo in front of the scoreboard that featured well wishes for the Class of 2020. Seniors were able to take photos in their cap and gown at various socially distant locations around campus during the Senior Send-Off.

“Pattonville Highlights� is published six times annually 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. To sign up to receive a Pattonville newsletter by email, send your email address to PSDnews@psdr3.org.