Highlights Pattonville A top-tier district in Missouri and the U.S.
School news for parents, residents and staff of the Pattonville School District
SEPTEMBER 2021
Inside
Please take a few minutes to provide your input on district survey - See page 2 details
Pattonville homecoming returns Oct. 1 and 2 - See page 7 for details
Back in the classroom More than 6,000 Pattonville students in preschool through 12th grade started school on Aug. 23. Above, siblings Carsyn Mccullough, a kindergartner, and CJ Mccullough, a third grader, smile for a photo in front of their school sign at Willow Brook Elementary School. At left, second graders Jordan Fogarty and June Flowers Courtney share crayons as they color a backto-school picture in Emily Cook’s class at Remington Traditional School. Below, Pattonville High School freshmen Ethan Gietl, left, and Tyler Egbert confer during Rebecca Hinnah’s honors geometry class.
Dr. Brian Gray, President Mary Kay Campbell, Vice President Mindy Ridings, Secretary Ruth Petrov, Treasurer Andrea Glenn, Director Jeanne Schottmueller, Director Brandon Wilkes, Director Dr. Tim Pecoraro Superintendent
That ALL will learn.
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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
BOARD OF EDUCATION
PATTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT SURVEY
From the Superintendent
Two priorities for a new school year T
he 2021-2022 school year is off to an incredible start. Our students and staff have done an amazing job transitioning into the new school year. As we all know, this is Dr. Tim Pecoraro the third consecutive Superintendent Follow on Twitter: school year that has @PattonvilleSupt been impacted by the pandemic. We have two major priorities this year: 1. Keep everyone healthy and safe; and 2. Provide in-person learning, five days a week, without disruption. Even with all the uncertainties we experienced last year, I’m very proud of the success we had in our schools. Our planning process was proactive and strategic which allowed Pattonville to be one of the very first school districts in St. Louis County to return to in-person learning last September. Our partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington University allowed us to measure the success of the various mitigation strategies that were implemented to keep school transmission of COVID-19 at a minimum. We did have positive cases and quarantines, but our successful practices kept most students in the classroom. What we learned from last year was critical as we put our plans in place for this school year. We will continue to implement the most effective mitigation strategies that are recommended by health professionals. These strategies (masking, improved ventilation and physical distancing to the greatest extent possible) are designed to support the two priorities I mentioned above: keeping everyone healthy and in school. We’re committed to doing whatever is necessary to keep staff and students in the classroom together teaching and learning. We’re looking forward to providing our students with a more normal year with after-school clubs, extracurricular activities, field trips, etc. We believe these events are an added benefit to our students and can occur safely with the right safety precautions. I realize everything won’t go perfectly, but we’ll make necessary adjustments when needed and stay focused on the most important thing: our students. Thank you for the support you’ve shown over many months. Your cooperation and understanding is another example of why the Pattonville community is like no other.
We Are Listening ...
Please take a few minutes to provide your thoughts.
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very few years, Pattonville updates its long-range facilities plan to ensure its students are learning in well-maintained facilities that meet their educational needs. Pattonville is currently in the midst of working with parents, students and staff to develop a new facilities master plan and is seeking input from the community as it finalizes these plans. To ensure Pattonville is responsive to the needs of its students and families and understands the priorities of its community, the district invites parents, staff and community members to take a few minutes to answer an online survey. The survey will be open from Sept. 27 through Monday, Oct. 11. To participate, take the survey online at bit.ly/PSDsurvey21 or scan the QR code at right with your smartphone camera. A link will pop up on your phone and take you to the survey website.
PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY
SURVEY OPEN SEPT. 27 THROUGH OCT. 11.
Planning for the Future
Pattonville develops new master facilities plan for student educational needs
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Enrollment growth in Pattonville
K-12 enrollment has grown nearly 10% in the last decade
Year
Enrollment
2010
5,509
2020
6,007
Change
+498
Keeping promises with past bond issues As promised during bond issues in 2006, 2010 and 2017, Pattonville has maintained its debt service levy (the portion of its tax rate that can only be used for paying off bond issue debt) unchanged at 49 cents per $100 of assessed value.
ince April, Pattonville leaders have been working with parents, students and staff to develop a new districtwide facilities plan to ensure Pattonville’s schools are well maintained and meet the educational needs of its students. The process began when the Pattonville Board of Education hired Ittner Cordogan Clark Group, an architectural firm, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of district buildings and assist Pattonville in developing the new plan. Ittner has assisted other school districts in the St. Louis region and across Missouri with school facilities planning. To date, Ittner has worked with building principals and district leaders to conduct an assessment of the condition of Pattonville buildings, including a space needs analysis. Ittner representatives also met with planning committees, building staff, parents and students to help develop the plan. Project lists, cost estimates and conceptual designs are currently being developed for presentation to the school board this fall. Pattonville has been able to address a number of critical needs in the
district via bond issues that required zero change to its tax rate. In the past decade, district enrollment has grown by nearly 10% and future enrollment projections indicate the district may need additional capacity for approximately 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Depending on the outcome of the 2021 facilities planning process, the district may ask voters to approve another zero tax rate change bond issue in 2022. Every few years, Pattonville updates its facilities plan in order to address building needs for learning purposes and to keep its aging facilities maintained and in good repair. The last facilities master plan was completed in 2016, and a zero tax rate increase bond issue was approved by voters in April 2017 to fund updates and improvements included in the plan. As promised to voters during bond issues in 2006, 2010 and 2017, Pattonville has maintained its debt service levy (the portion of its tax rate that can only be used for paying off bond issue debt) unchanged at 49 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Free COVID-19 resources available to Pattonville community
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attonville is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Saint Louis University and Washington University to offer free COVID-19 testing for the Pattonville community. Tests are saliva-based and do not require nasal swabbing. Testing will be conducted from the patient’s car and is available Sundays through Fridays. Results are typically available in 24 to 48 hours. To request a test, call (314) 454-4269. In addition, health experts recommend everyone ages 12 and up become vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the CDC, the vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness, hospitalization and death. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) is offering free COVID-19 vaccinations to those who are eligible. Find out more at Pattonville’s COVID-19 information hub at bit.ly/PSDCOVIDinfohub.
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Pattonville teacher a semifinalist for Missouri Teacher of the Year P
attonville High School English learner teacher Eleanor Taylor was selected as one of 17 Regional Teachers of the Year who have been chosen as semifinalists for the 2022 Missouri Teacher of the Year award by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The list of semifinalists includes teachers from multiple grade levels and subject areas and represents all of the state’s nine Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) areas. The selection process began when the regional RPDCs announced 35 Regional Teachers of the Year from across the state. DESE will reveal finalists Eleanor Taylor and the state selection for the 2022 Missouri Teacher of the Year award this fall. Taylor was selected as the Pattonville School District Teacher of the Year in May. The Teacher of the Year program spotlights the positive impact excellent teachers have on their students.
Board of education approves areas of emphasis for new school year E
ach year, the Pattonville Board of Education establishes priorities to address in the coming school year. The priorities help the district fulfill its goals outlined in its Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). The Pattonville School District Board of Education is committed to providing exemplary educational opportunities for ALL children. In order to accomplish this goal, partnerships with parents, business leaders and district patrons must continue to be actively developed in order to engage the entire community as the district strives for educational excellence. As such, the board has adopted the following areas of emphasis for the 2021-2022 school year: • The district will implement the multi-year preschool through 12th grade personalized learning plan to provide ongoing feedback to students on their growth toward high school course content readiness and leads to success-ready graduates. • All students in grades 6 through 12 have a graduation life-readiness plan which they develop and regularly monitor progress within and between academic levels. • Career education programs will continue to become a more integral component of the total educational program and will include students participating in extended learning opportunities, emphasizing district partnerships with local businesses when possible. • The district will develop a comprehensive plan to become a traumainformed system that provides for the social and emotional needs of all students. • The district will develop a plan integrating school and community resources to ensure the safety and security of students, staff and the community. • The district facilities plan will be updated as appropriate and implemented utilizing bond issue and district operating funds. The district will continue with the following: • Proactive strategies will be implemented to promote continued improvement in student responsibility, citizenship and overall character with an emphasis on building relationships and an understanding of socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic differences. • Parents, staff and students will continue to develop, modify and implement school improvement plans based on data and research. • The district will continue to implement and identify strategies to increase the percentage of students involved in extracurricular programs provided at the elementary and middle school level to support the development of highly competitive programs at the high school. • The district will continue to use resources efficiently to achieve district goals. The district will continue legislative advocacy for public education. Approved by the Pattonville Board of Education on July 27, 2021.
Col. Bob Behnken, Class of 1988
- Behnken, a NASA astronaut who has ventured into space three times, shared a prerecorded inspirational message at Pattonville’s All-Staff Orientation on Aug. 16. Behnken offered words of encouragement and support before students and staff began the new school year. View his message on Pattonville’s YouTube channel or at bit.ly/ BehnkenPSDgreeting21.
ALUMNI SUCCESS
Graduates in the news Find out more: alumni.psdr3.org
Nathan Leventhal, Class of 2013 - The NASCAR Xfinity
Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway had two Pattonville connections. Driver Spencer Boyd grew up in the area and went to Col. Bob Behnken addresses Pattonville staff in a prePattonville through his freshrecorded video for All-Staff Orientation. man year before moving out of the district, and his primary sponsor for the race was alumnus Leventhal who owns Wheelhouse Bicycles of St. Louis. Boyd drove the red and white No. 52 Chevrolet Camaro with the bicycle shop’s logo on all sides of the car. Wheelhouse Bicycle is located in Creve Coeur close to where the pair met in kindergarten at Willow Brook Elementary School. Read more: bit.ly/BoydNASCAR.
Mohamed Hassan, Class of 2016 - Hassan real-
ized his dream of being in the Olympics recently when he competed in men’s fencing for Egypt’s team. In February 2015, world-class fencer and then Pattonville junior, Hassan said in a “PattonvilleTODAY” article that competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, was a huge possibility. Over six years later, his vision came true. The 24-year-old participated in the men’s foil and team foil events in the recent Summer Olympics in Tokyo (which had been delayed a year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic).
Elizabeth Mulat, Class of 2021 -
NASCAR racer Spencer Boyd, left, is shown with lifelong friend and Pattonville alumnus Nathan Leventhal, his sponsor.
Mulat recently earned Missouri’s Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish after completing all state requirements for the distincAbove, Pattonville alumnus Mohamed Hastion. The Missan competed for the Egyptian team at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. souri Department of Elementary At left, Pattonville 2021 alumnus Elizabeth and Secondary Mulat earned Missouri’s Seal of Biliteracy in Education (DESE) Spanish after meeting state requirements. created the Seal of Biliteracy program to encourage and recognize the study of a second language and the cultures and languages within the community. The seal is awarded to graduating high school students in districts with a DESE-approved program, who have demonstrated achievement in English and a Language Other Than English (LOTE) and who have completed a project that demonstrates high levels of sociocultural competence relating to English and the second language. Fewer than 100 districts have completed the process to make the Seal of Biliteracy available to their students.
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PATTONVILLE GOES
Back to School
Lora Monroe, a registered behavior technician at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center, assists preschooler Walter Lovett Jr. as he plays with stickers. Below, Zayid Matin and Britany Secundino work on a cover for their writing binders in Stacey Maidlow’s second grade class at Bridgeway Elementary School.
Above, Drummond Elementary School library clerk Tracy Cook greets fourth grader Paige Gaylord, left, and her mother, Julie Gaylord with a first-day cheer. At left, eighth grade EPIC leaders (in green shirts) at Holman Middle School help sixth grader Kourtney Crawford find her class on the first day of school. Shown with her are, from left, Elaine Lu, Mya Cruz and Skylar Deason.
View more photos
Rose Acres Elementary School kindergarten teacher Amy Frost reads a book to her students. Below, first grader Mason Holland shows off his first-day-of-school shirt and a peace sign at Parkwood Elementary School.
See more photos from the first day of school on Pattonville’s SmugMug page at bit.ly/ PattonvillePhotos or check out the district’s posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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At left, Pattonville High School English teacher Katie Funderburk answers questions on the first day of school. She is shown with sophomores Christian Calderon Rico, left, and Peter McCullough.
Above, Remington Traditional School kindergarten teacher Jill Kruse leads her students on a trip to the school library looking for book character Pete the Cat. Shown are, from left, Madi Pfeiffer and Eston Carter. At left, Rose Acres Elementary School second grade teacher Rebecca Caldwell listens as students take part in a pirate-themed introductory activity. Shown are, from left, Jaida Lane, Connor Montalbano, Elizabeth Greene and Osiris Brown. Below, Willow Brook Elementary School counselor Yue Buss, right, escorts kindergartners through the halls as friends hold hands on the first day of classes in the Pattonville School District. Shown are, from left, Elizaveta Oganova, Janice Pettit, Sophia Warren, Ellyn Norath and Carsyn Mccullough.
Top photo, students in Allison O’very’s fifth grade class at Bridgeway Elementary School take part in a fun activity designed to help them get to know each other better. Shown are, Zachariah Smith, left, and Skylar Kuzuf. Above, Pattonville Heights Middle School teacher Megan Stockton observes as students take part in an icebreaker activity in her class. Shown are, seventh graders Liliana Caldwell and Bella McCarthy. At right, Parkwood Elementary School fifth grade teacher Regina Wright, second from left, and her students take part in a “Find a Friend Bingo” activity on the first day of school. Shown are, from left, Chase English, Ryan Monroe and Gregory Perine III.
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PATTONVILLE GOES
Back to School
Above, fourth graders at in Jamie Sievers class at Drummond Elementary School get into the groove during music class on the first day of school. Shown are, from left, Cailynn Tillman, Ami Romero Medina, Alyssa Latragna and Jayda Watson. At right, preschooler Karley Jones works on a piece of artwork at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center. Below, Holman Middle School social studies teacher Matthew Loyet answers questions on the first day of classes.
Healing the Cove
Pattonville sponsors second annual online series to support family health and well-being
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he Pattonville Community Action Team (PCAT) kicks off its second annual “Healing the Cove” series on Sept. 27 when Dr. Mary Ann Lingg provides insight and practical tips on how to help your child with anxiety. Healing the Cove is an online series where Pattonville families can connect with health and community experts on a number of relevant topics. During each session, speakers share information and resources on a variety of topics related to mental health and well-being. Last year, topics included suicide prevention, self-care, de-escalating child behaviors, positive communication and many others. The sessions are free, but require pre-registration. For more information or to register, go online at bit.ly/healingthecove21-22. PCAT is a community problem-solving group composed of Pattonville staff and community organizations, including state and local governments, religious organizations, local charities and more. The team meets regularly with the goal of providing a system of community support for Pattonville families and students. The group looks at issues facing students and families and collaborates to develop or connect them to needed services.
Pattonville Heights Middle School band teacher Elizabeth Pace assists sixth grader Jerimiah Williford with his schedule on the first day back to school.
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BRAGGING WRITES
Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff
Homecoming returns!
Mark your calendars for Oct. 1 and 2 A
fter a one-time pause due to the global pandemic last year, Pattonville’s communitywide celebration of homecoming is returning. Pattonville will celebrate homecoming on Oct. 1 and 2 with a variety of activities open to the Pattonville community. This year’s homecoming theme is “A Night at the Movies.” Below is a list of events scheduled to date.
Friday, Oct. 1
7 p.m.: Football Game
Watch the varsity Pirates take on Parkway South. During halftime, the homecoming court will be announced and a homecoming king and queen will be crowned. Tickets for the football game are $5 for adults, $3 for students with ID and free for children 7 and younger.
Saturday, Oct.2
9:50 a.m.: One-Mile Fun Run Pattonville High School’s varsity and junior varsity drill teams took honors at a national dance camp over the summer. (Note: photo taken during summer when masks were not required.)
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to participate in this run. For more information on the cost and how to register, call the Pattonville community programs office at (314) 213-8095 or go online at bit.ly/PSDRun21.
PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
10 a.m.: Parade
Drill team UDA camp honors
The varsity and junior varsity drill teams earned first place for their home routines, nightly spirit sticks and Superior trophies for completing camp routines at the summer Universal Dance Association (UDA) Dance Camp. The varsity drill team received the Team Full Out Award for outstanding team performance and the Leadership Award based off of votes from other teams at camp. Varsity drill team members Camryn Peebles, India Reed, Katie Ridings and Kamauri Younge also earned All-American honors; Zaria Purvey earned the Pin It Forward Award by a UDA staff member; and Laura Rockwell was named first runner-up Drill Down Queen. Other members of the varsity team are: Kaycee Carman, Nicole Cobbs, Kaylee Cofer, Reilly Edmonds, Isabelle Tucker and Sabrina Vargas. Members of the junior varsity drill team are Hannah Fisbeck, Sophia Knize, Skyler McCaa, Addison Swanson, Aeriana Woodard and Taylor Volmert. Kristin Riggs, with the assistance of Lindsey Purviance, coaches the varsity drill team and Kate Greenwell coaches the junior varsity drill team.
St. Louis City SC academy team selection
Pattonville High School junior Miguel Perez was named one of the first players for St. Louis City SC’s academy teams, part of the Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT program. The U-17 midfielder is identified as one of the area’s top athletes and a player who could be on the team’s first MLS roster in 2023. After joining the academy Pattonville junior Miguel Perez is one of the first players team, he scored the first for the St. Louis City SC’s academy teams. goal of the club’s first game and his team beat the Chicago Fire 4-3.
Parade floats will stage at the Maryland Heights Community Center (2300 McKelvey Road). From the community center, the parade will proceed north on McKelvey, turn left onto Glenpark Drive and then right onto Bennington Place until it reaches Pattonville High School. Floats and walking groups from all Pattonville schools participate, as well as many community groups and alumni classes.
Community programs
Pattonville offers programs for learners of all ages Pattonville’s community programs department provides athletic and activity programs for elementary and middle school students, as well as programs for adult learners. In addition, the department provides child care services for students at Bridgeway Elementary School, Remington Traditional School, as well as Holman and Pattonville Heights middle schools. To find out more about Pattonville’s offerings for learners of all ages, visit the community programs website at bit.ly/PSDcommunityprograms or call the department at (314) 213-8095.
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA K
eep up with Pattonville news by following the district on social media. Facebook users, never miss a post from Pattonville by following a few simple steps. Like our Facebook page, then click the down triangle next to “Following.” Select the “See First” option to see Pattonville news at the top of your news feed. Facebook: www.facebook.com/PSDR3 Instagram: @PattonvilleSD Twitter: @PattonvilleSD YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PattonvilleR3
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PATTONVILLE GOES
Back to School More than 6,000 students in preschool through 12th grade began classes in the Pattonville School District in August.
Pattonville Heights Middle School industrial technology teacher Erica Sepanski assists seventh grader Braylon Durant, left, and sixth grader Cameron Cates left, on the first day of school.
Pattonville High School seniors Alex Rugerio Romero, left, and Lily Reynolds take part in a first-day discussion in Katherine Korte’s social studies class. Below, Everly Tossey poses for a photo on her first day of kindergarten at Willow Brook Elementary School.
Faith Sullivan, a fourth grader at Parkwood Elementary School, browses for books in her school library on the first day of school. Below, third graders Carrie Mojica, left, and Andrea Dominguez, share a laugh during a get-to-know-you activity in Michelle Wagner’s class at Rose Acres Elementary School.
Top photo, Remington Traditional School second grade teacher Libby Hilker gives students a different perspective as she reads to them on the first day of school. Above left, Drummond Elementary School counselor Carla Robertson gives an elbow bump welcome to fifth grader Reyna Mendez Escobar, who holds the hand of kindergartner Ariadna Lucas Mendez. Above right, Janna Zaitz, a special education teacher in the Pattonville Early Childhood Center, reads a book with preschooler Axel Meister while Luna Bassett plays in the background on the first day of school. Below left, Claire Lau raises her hand in Tara Perk’s second grade class at Bridgeway Elementary School as Logan Little looks on. Below right, Holman Middle School math teacher Alyson Kim assists students with a first-day math activity. Shown are sixth graders Benjamin Heimsoth, left, and Christian Papalotzi.
“Pattonville Highlights” is published throughout the school year for residents of the Pattonville School District by the Pattonville Office of School-Community Relations, 11097 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074, (314) 213-8025. Website: www.psdr3.org. Email: mschoonover@psdr3.org.