Highlights September 2023

School in the Pattonville School District started on Aug. 21 with more than 6,000 students in preschool through 12th grade walking through school doors. Top photo, Willow Brook Elementary School second grade teacher Kate Ackman, right, reads the book “First Day Jitters” to her class, including, from left, Dylan Castillo, Abdallah Alhassan, Michael Schmitt, Ayden Williams and Zoe Kennedy. Left, Pattonville Heights Middle School sixth graders Jaxon Donohue, left, and Brittany Chu, center, respond to a magic-inspired science trick by teacher Sam Greaney. Above, fifth graders Ilijah Bradford, left, and Joseph El-Ghazal, right, and second grader Cayla Smith walk into Drummond Elementary School on the first day of school.

From the Superintendent

New year brings enhancements

With the changing seasons, we eagerly welcome the return of our students for another invigorating school year. As we embark on this new journey together, we have exciting developments to share.

Advancing School Improvement

The implementation of our new five-year Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) for 2023-2028 is already in motion. This communitydeveloped plan is tailored to ensure student success and tackle challenges. At Pattonville, our focus is firmly set on implementing goals to enhance student learning, making improvements to our schools and addressing critical issues. This year, Pattonville will host three districtwide CSIP meetings to update the community and allow schools to work collaboratively on their goals. For more in-depth insights, visit bit.ly/PSD-CSIP-2023-28

Enhancing Our Campuses

A noticeable transformation is underway across Pattonville. Work on Prop S, Pattonville’s $111 million no-tax-rate increase bond issue approved by voters in 2021, has begun at Bridgeway, Parkwood and Willow Brook elementary schools and Holman Middle School. It’s been amazing to see the amount of work that has already taken place this summer. As construction continues this school year and beyond, our dedicated staff are showcasing remarkable teamwork and adaptability. Pattonville is committed to preserving an uninterrupted learning experience while these necessary building enhancements are carried out. For more information on this work and future planning, visit bit.ly/PattonvillePropS

Fostering Student Connections

We encourage our students to explore an array of after-school programs thoughtfully curated across the district. These experiences are designed to spark student interests, broaden horizons, increase wellness and nurture lifelong friendships. This fall, district-level opportunities include activities like returning sports and a new First Lego League (see story at right). Additionally, each of our schools provides options that benefit their school community. Not only do these programs build community, they provide unique learning opportunities that will follow students through high school and beyond.

Strengthening Community Engagement

Pattonville is known for having a strong community that supports each other. We offer a variety of opportunities for engagement within the community. Families are encouraged to attend school events and activities. We invite senior adults to join our free 55+ Club or volunteer with our Oasis tutoring program. The entire Pattonville community is invited to our homecoming festivities in October (see story on page three). Pattonville is a place for everyone.

As we embrace this new school year, your unwavering support forms the bedrock of the Pattonville School District’s accomplishments. We extend heartfelt gratitude for being an integral part of the Pattonville family.

High school seniors attend annual College Academy

attonville High School seniors spent the week before school started participating in the College Academy, an annual program that gives first-generation, college-bound students support and knowledge about the college planning and search process. The program is led by Pattonville High School’s college and career preparation coordinator/counselor Michelle Luraschi.

The Pattonville College Academy teaches students about goal setting, college resume writing, how to compare colleges, starting the college search, college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, letters of recommendation, essay-writing advice and ACT testtaking tips. Students also have the opportunity to visit area college campuses.

On Aug. 15, three Pattonville High School alumni who were past members of the College Academy served on a panel and shared their college experience and answered questions. They were Muhammad Faisal, a 2023 Pattonville graduate and current freshman majoring in biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis; Nick Rauscher, a 2017 Pattonville

graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and a master’s degree in architecture from Drury University; and Kate Teku, a 2020 graduate and current second year nursing student at Truman State University.

Staff receive grants from retired teacher organization

Eight Pattonville School District employees were each awarded a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA). These staff members were resented with checks by members of the MRTA. Receiving grants were: Drummond Elementary School second grade teacher Nicole Dye and first grade teacher Lindsay Williams; Parkwood Elementary School music teacher Kathryn Leonard; Willow Brook Elementary School second grade teacher Michelle Haupt; Holman Middle School reading teachers Trina Cornell, Kristen Hagemeier and Jackie Ramey; and Pattonville High School guidance secretary Tanya Hadley.

The plans for those grants support students in a variety of ways. Dye said she plans to implement soft starts at the beginning of the school day, which allows students to ease into the school day through investiga-

tion and discovery activities. Williams will use her funds on materials to supplement reading and phonics instruction with hands-on materials for student literacy centers. Leonard will provide students with headphones, iPad chargers, noise-canceling headphones and other calming items. Haupt will use her grant to fund a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) cart for the second grade team. The Holman reading specialists will use their funds to support three aspects of reading classes. Cornell will use her grant to supplement reading challenges and competitions throughout the school year. Hagemeier plans to purchase supplies to motivate students and celebrate them for reaching goals. Ramey will use her grant funds to purchase books. Hadley plans to create and stock a store where students can obtain free necessities like toiletries and wellness products.

Missouri

Association (MRTA). Left, Drummond Elementary School teachers Lindsay Williams,

Nicole

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left, Parkwood Elementary School music teacher Kathryn Leonard, second from left, received her grant check from members of the MRTA while principal Melissa Yount-Ott, left, joins for a photo. Second from right, Willow Brook Elementary School second grade teacher Michelle Haupt, center, receives her check. With her are, from left, a representative from the MRTA, principal Kim Dannegger, second grade teachers Kate Ackman, Jennifer Rogers and Holly Kopp and administrative intern Taylor Koenig. Right, checks were presented to staff during a staff meeting at Holman Middle School. Shown are Holman reading teachers Trina Cornell, third from left, Jackie Ramey, third from right, and Kristen Hagemeier, second from right, as well as Pattonville High School guidance secretary Tanya Hadley, fourth from left. Also pictured is superintendent Dr. Barry Nelson, center, and members of the MRTA.

Registration open for K-8 fall activities

Students in elementary and middle school can participate in a variety of activities through Pattonville’s community and staff engagement department. Activities begin in September and include cross country, disc golf, First Lego League, soccer and volleyball. Registration opened Aug. 28. For more information or to register, visit https://bit.ly/K-8Activities

Dr. Barry Nelson Superintendent

Students in the 2022-2023 middle school disc golf program practice at a course outside of Pattonville Heights Middle School set up by district technology specialist Jason Payne, right.

Students in the Pattonville College Academy meet with Pattonville High School alumni who answered questions and shared their post-high school experiences.

Members of the Pattonville School District each received a $500 grant from the

Retired Teachers

left, and

Dye each received

grant. Second from

Homecoming is coming!

Mark your calendars for Oct. 13 and 14

The entire Pattonville school community is invited to join in as Pattonville celebrates homecoming on Oct. 13 and 14. Homecoming festivities include a variety of activities open to the Pattonville community. This year’s homecoming theme is Big City Lights. Below is a list of community activities scheduled to date.

Friday, Oct. 13

Football Game

7 p.m.

Watch the varsity Pirates take on the Hazelwood Central Hawks. During halftime, the homecoming court will be presented and a homecoming king and queen will be crowned. Tickets for the football game are $5 for adults and students with ID and free for children 7 and younger.

Saturday, Oct. 14

Half-Mile Fun Run

9:40 a.m.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to participate in this run. The run will start at the corner of Bonniebrook Drive and Bennington Place and end in the Pattonville High School parking lot. For more information on the cost and how to register, contact the Pattonville community engagement office at (314) 213-8095 or commuityengagement@psdr3.org or go online to https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/382702.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Graduates in the news

Anise Glenn, Class of 2015 - Willow Brook Elementary School teacher

Anise Glenn welcomed her new class of kindergarten students on Aug. 21, and they might want to think twice about throwing away that hall pass that has her signature on it. It’s technically an autograph. Glenn got into the back-to-school groove earlier this summer by being a part of a video with Microsoft Education that airs on streaming and online services.

“Microsoft Education wanted to do a back-toschool promo and they wanted some real educators in the video,” Glenn said. “The whole thing was super fun and it was the most amazing experience.”

Including her time at Pattonville High School, Glenn has more than 10 years of competitive dance team experience. She was a member of the Pattonville varsity drill team and then attended Lindenwood University where she was a four-year member of the Lionettes Dance Team, becoming a three-time

Homecoming Parade

10 a.m.

Parade floats will stage at Grace Church (2695 Creve Coeur Mill Road). From there, the parade will proceed south on McKelvey Road, then right on Chatham Drive, left on Nantucket Place, right on Bonniebrook Drive and right on 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. Additionally, the Big City Lights theme will be included in school floats. Each high school class has selected its grade’s focus. Freshmen will feature Nashville, sophomores will display New Orleans, juniors take on Los Angeles, seniors will show off New York and staff will show their St. Louis hometown pride.

Homecoming Parade Route

National Dance Alliance (NDA) collegiate national champion.

She was also a professional company dancer with Ashleyliane Dance Company. That’s where she met the marketing executive that worked on the Microsoft Education video.

“The project served as a way to motivate teachers and thank them for what they do and she invited me to be a part of it,” Glenn said. “It was such a joyful thing to be a part of.”

Glenn is the Pattonville High School varsity drill team coach this video helped show members of the team that a passion for dance can lead to success and opportunities.

“It was kind of cool to show them that it’s possible to do what you love after high school,” she said. “You don’t have to go and be a professional dancer, but you can still have a chance to do things like this.”

To some of the varsity drill team members, Glenn wasn’t the only person they idolized in the video. KayCee Stroh, an actress and dancer known for her role as Martha Cox in the High School Musical franchise, was also part of the project.

“They were really mostly excited about the fact that I got to meet her,” Glenn said. “I got to hang out with KayCee and dance with her, but the best thing was being able to share that, yeah, I’m a teacher and a coach, but with dance and dedication, I get to do these types of things as well.”

Glenn did not have to travel to New York or Hollywood to make her acting debut.

“We did it all at a school in Webster Groves,” she said. “We had about two weeks of rehearsals where we came together to learn the group dance and spent time learning our separate parts. Then, for two days, we recorded the video from about noon to 8 p.m.”

Glenn returned to her teaching job on Aug. 14 and started preparing for the new school year.

“We’re participating in personalized learning and MySci professional development this week and I’m getting some help setting up my classroom today,” she said before school started. “I’m looking forward to the first day next week.”

And maybe you’ll catch her students dancing down the hallways at Willow Brook. Quietly, of course.

Anise Glenn, left, is seen in an ad she filmed during the summer for Microsoft Education that will run on streaming and online services.

Anise Glenn

PATTONVILLE GOES Back to School

View more photos

See more photos from the first day of school on Pattonville’s SmugMug page at bit.ly/PSDFirstDay23 or check out the district’s posts on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.

Left, Holman Middle School hosted a welcome back rally at the end of the first day. During the rally, eighth grade social studies teacher Kelly Paluczak, second from right, cheered on students during a water bottle flipping game. They are, from left, eighth graders Fahtihah Boyd, Dylan Carlton, Mason Boyer and HaLayna Elliott. Right, Pattonville Heights Middle School sixth graders test paper planes in their science class with Laura Hartsock. Shown are, from left, Daisey Rodawald, Kentrelle Robinson, Vinnis Bryant IV and Rylan Robinson.

Above, Willow Brook Elementary School speech pathologist Christina Finazzo-Purl talks to third grader Ethan Mc Elroy in Keri Hinsen’s class. Right, Rose Acres Elementary School third grade teacher Carrie Heine leads an activity where students learn about common interests among their classmates.

Left, students at Drummond Elementary School take turns creating a dance move that their classmates had to copy in music class taught by Kori Phillips, third from left. The students, who are in Bonnie Beer’s third grade class, are, from left, Lauren Higgins, Azalea Fogle, Jaxson Flood, Evan Ramon, Juan Acosta and Brayan Rodriguez Avendano. Above, third graders in Christine Hillier’s class at Remington Traditional School were tasked with working in teams to make the longest paper chain possible using one sheet of paper. Shown are, from left, Hillier and students Lola Kelley, Christian Muckerman and Terry Hardy.

Above, Parkwood Elementary School fifth graders work together on a word search of their classmates’ names in Lindsey Schaefer’s class. Shown are, from left, Adasia White, Ripley Hynes and Kiley Craig. Right, Pattonville High School assistant principal Andre Redden, left, helps sophomore Jaden Naillis with a technology question.

Early childhood teacher Jenni Gruendler, center, demonstrates the movements to a choreographed song with her students on the first day of school. Shown are, from left, Sean Sanders, Remy Colletti and Munachimso Eze.

Above, students in Ryan Shea’s sixth grade English class at Holman Middle School work on a collaborative coloring activity on the first day of school. They are, from left, Jace Booker, Bhavya Patel and Landen Cannamore. Below, fifth graders Raiyne Hardin, left, and Karen Vargas Garcia work on a get-to-knowyou form for Drummond Elementary School teacher Jessica Thompson.

Students Mary Lako, left, and Lily Jennings in Lisa Kraemer’s seventh grade class at Remington Traditional School work on a project.

During reading time, Bridgeway Elementary School fourth grader Trevor Sunderman chooses to sit on one of teacher Nancy Stevens-Martin’s classroom stationary bikes while reading a Dog Man book.

PATTONVILLE GOES Back to School

class

Pattonville High School formed a circle and took turns tossing a ball to each other. The student who caught the ball had to answer the question their thumb landed on. Shown are, from left, freshmen Ibrahim Hardan, Jeff Johnson IV, David Rico Munoz, Chase’ Hennrich and Brandon Bell. Center, Rose Acres Elementary School students walk into school on the first day. They are, from left, second grader Parker Mansfield, kindergartner Jack Mansfield, second graders Chase Strong and Uriah Baethke and first grader Veda Klott. Right, Holman

School science teacher Olivia Wilfong, left, works with seventh graders Xavier Thomas, center, and Jaiden Dowell on constructing a paper airplane.

Left, Parkwood Elementary School second grade teacher Ben Williams talks with students before they were instructed to write a letter to him with their goals, something cool about themselves and an idea for the classroom. Above, fifth graders in Corrine Gibbs class at Remington Traditional School work together to create a list of classroom rules. Shown are, from left, Elaina Underwood, Neo Warren, Trenton Hardy and Bethel Fantahun.

Above, Bridgeway Elementary School first grader Kelly Roberts works on a building activity in her art class with teacher Michelle Petke. Right, early childhood students in Sharon Wood’s class participate in reading time. They are, from left, Aydan Muckerman, Hannah Wallis, Joanna Bishop and Charlie Schnell.

Left, students in Lauren Church’s biology

at

Middle

BRAGGING WRITES

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Technology national competition

Six Pattonville students competed against 300,000 other students at the Technology Student Association (TSA) National competition. Those who qualified to attend were seniors Shaurya Pandey, Fred Kadima and Faisal Yousif as well as 2023 graduates Justin Alvey, Jack Caesar and Morgan Johnson. The team is sponsored by teacher Stephanie Carson. Alvey and Pandey placed in the top 10 in the geospatial technology contest, where they used geospatial graphical technology to research a problem they found relevant. They researched tornadoes through Kansas and Missouri. At nationals, the team also competed in video game design, prepared presentation, forensic science, technology bowl, solar sprint and webmaster. These students qualified for nationals after placing at the state competition in April.

High school athletic teams earn academic honors

Two athletic teams from Pattonville High School earned academic honors for an exemplary GPA during the 2022-2023 school year.

The baseball team received the 2022-2023 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). The award, presented by Sports Attack, recognizes member college and high school baseball teams with an average GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for that school year. Pattonville’s baseball team had a cumulative GPA of 3.3 for both semesters of the 2022-2023 school year. Of the 800 honorees, 300 high school programs received the award nationwide. The ABCA is a professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level representing all 50 states and 41 countries. Sports Attack is a sports training manufacturer.

“The 2023 varsity team was a really good group of young men who experienced success in baseball, as well as in academics and several other activities,” coach Victor Fink said. “I was very proud of the way so many members of our team prioritized their academics and set positive examples as student-athletes.”

The girls volleyball team received the 2023 Team Academic Award sponsored by the United States Marine

Corps (USMC) and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The award honors teams that have matched their dedication to volleyball with excellence in the classroom by achieving an average GPA of 3.3. The Pattonville volleyball team had an average GPA of 3.7 last school year. Nearly 1,350 collegiate and high school volleyball teams earned the award, which marks an alltime record number of programs honored. Additionally, 2023 graduate and volleyball player Sarah Pieper had the highest GPA of all graduating seniors in Pattonville.

“I am so proud of these girls,” coach Jenell Franken said. “Winning and performing on the court is incredible. Winning and performing in the classroom is even better and honestly, more important! This team embraced the title of a student-athlete.”

State board approves three-year System Design Zone innovation waiver

On Aug. 15, the Missouri State Board of Education approved a three-year innovation waiver for 20 school districts that are part of the Success-Ready Students Network’s (SRSN) System Design Zone (SDZ), including the Pattonville School District. The SDZ supports the creation of a more meaningful way to measure student learning, demonstrate individual student growth and influence future success for all Missouri students.

The districts in the SDZ asked the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for exemptions from specific state requirements in order to improve student readiness for their post-high school life and promote professional learning for teachers. With the waiver, SDZ districts will have the opportunity to use growth-based assessments throughout the school year, rather than just using Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) as the sole measure of academic achievement. In Pattonville, this will be the Star assessments in reading and math in grades 3-8 which are administered three times during the school year and showcase student growth and provide immediate feedback for students, teachers and families. At this time, there will be no changes with high school assessments and End of Course exams (EOCs) for the purposes of sharing performance data. This approach to assessment aligns with current district work and allows teachers to better understand and support student learning. Districts in the SDZ will continue to administer the MAP test unless a federal waiver request currently being created by the SDZ and DESE is approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The districts will use information from these assessments to design an alternative to the MSIP 6 (Missouri School Improvement Plan) accountability system that supports students in being high school, college, career and workplace ready.

The SDZ work will begin this fall and continue through the 2025-2026 school year. Some of the key components of a new measurement system would include:

• Measuring student growth multiple times throughout the school year;

• Providing immediate, timely feedback for the student, teacher and parents;

• Providing students with awareness of where they are and engaging them in setting goals;

• Using different pathways and varied pacing to assist in active student learning;

• Assessing student progress based on evidence of mastery, not seat time; and

• Engaging students in real-world learning experiences that support high school, college, career and workplace readiness.

During the three-year waiver period, SDZ districts will have an alternative accreditation plan separate from DESE’s existing MSIP 6 Annual Performance Report (APR). Part of the waiver includes holding SDZ districts at their current accreditation classification during the waiver period, meaning Pattonville will remain accredited.

The SDZ will also look at an alternative method to determine a district’s APR, including an alternate measurement to better represent a student’s learning status.

Districts will also engage students in acquiring new Market Value Assets (MVAs) to help them prepare for success in college, career and life after graduation. MVAs focus on real-world learning experiences and include internships, industry-recognized certifications, entrepreneurship and college credit programs. Programs like Pattonville High School’s Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) are an example of innovative ideas that would be implemented and count toward a district’s performance.

“We are pleased with the Missouri State Board of Education’s decision to approve the three-year innovation waiver for the System Design Zone, which includes the Pattonville School District,” superintendent Dr. Barry Nelson said. “This waiver aligns with our ongoing commitment to individual student growth and providing comprehensive support for students as they journey towards high school, college and career readiness. By utilizing the Star assessments in grades 3-8, we are utilizing an effective approach to evaluate student learning and guide instructional practices throughout the school year. This system recognizes student growth and fosters an environment where students, teachers and families receive immediate feedback. The waiver also champions our work with innovative programs like ELOs, further supporting our dedication to equipping our students with real-world experiences that will serve them after high school graduation. Together with our fellow districts in the SDZ, we are working to reshape student assessment to be more responsive, flexible and meaningful for all Missouri students.”

The SDZ is made up of 19 public school districts and one charter school from across the state, including the school districts of Affton, Confluence Academy, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Parkway, Pattonville and Ritenour in the St. Louis area, as well as Center, Lee’s Summit, Liberty and Raymore-Peculiar in the Kansas City area; Branson, Lebanon, Neosho, Ozark and Shell Knob in the southwest region; and Fayette, Lewis Co. C-1, Lonedell and Ste. Genevieve in central, north and south east Missouri. The SDZ is part of the SRSN, a collaborative initiative consisting of 59 Missouri school districts, four universities and 14 state and regional education organizations, working in collaboration with DESE to personalize learning in ways that ensure every student has the knowledge, skills and dispositions they need to be high school, college, career and workplace ready.

“Students are at the center of this work,” said Dr. Mike Fulton, SRSN facilitator and retired Pattonville superintendent. “We want to focus on learning, and make sure that this work honors all children in Missouri, developing approaches that meet all of their needs to become high school, college, career and workplace ready.”

Members of the 2022-2023 baseball, top, and volleyball teams earned academic honors for achieving a high average GPA throughout the school year.

Members of the Technology Student Association are, from left, Shaurya Pandey, Faisal Yousif, Jack Caesar, Justin Alvey, Fred Kadima and Morgan Johnson.

PATTONVILLE GOES Back to School

More than 6,000 students in preschool through 12th grade began classes in the Pattonville School District in August.

Above, third graders in Chris Cheatham’s class at Willow Brook Elementary School show off their muscles and vocal cords during PE with teacher Vince Licameli, second from left. Shown are, from left, Elia Levchinsky, Akiya Milkesa, Tallulah Emerick and Ava Ambrose. Right, students in Pirate Academy at Pattonville Heights Middle School work together to recreate the paper design made by English teacher Sarah Slane. They are, from left, seventh grader Julianna Riley, sixth grader Jacob Moore and eighth grader Malia Robinson.

Left, early childhood student Joanna Bishop looks at the class pet, a beta fish named Sparkles, in Sharon Wood’s class. Center, Pattonville High School freshman Sofia Hailstone gives a thumbs up to her English teacher Emily McDaniel. Right, Parkwood Elementary School third grader Peyton Williams plays a game of heads or tails to get to know her teachers.

Above, Bridgeway Elementary School first grade teacher Jacinta Mitchell, second from left, passes out activity sheets from students in her class, including, from left, Bastien Kwassivi, Grayson Ballard and Felix Suen. Right, members of the fifth grade Safety Patrol at Rose Acres Elementary School raise the flags on the first day of school. Members include, from left, Hazel Edmonds, Avery Dye, Ben Lancaster, Lucas Meyer, teacher Nicole Youngquist, Kolton Carlson, Levi Dukes and Evie Yakel.