June 2023 Education Matters

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Lisa Finder, President Kim Bellchamber, Vice President

Phyllis Geary, Secretary Richard Schmitt, Treasurer

Rebecca Menley, Director Faye Peats, Director Adam Watson, Director

Dr Tim Dilg Superintendent of Schools

Jaime Gast, Editor Director of Communications

St. Louis Post Dispatch Scholar Athlete

JEFF CHITWOOD

Congratulations

to

our Valley Park Seniors!

Sixty graduates and more than $2 4 million in scholarship dollars awarded!

Valley Park Education Foundation awarded 29 scholarships totaling nearly $25,000 to the class of 2023. Thank you to all of our generous donors, many of whom were able to join us to celebrate!

Lauren Farless Ameresco, Inc Scholarship

Jenna Prosser CharlesL Ford Memorial Scholarship

ReillyLancaster Dr DennisLea Family Scholarship

CUMULATIVEGPA:3 923

Sports:Soccer and Baseball

College:St Louis Community College, Meramec

Goal:“My future plansare togoto STLCCMeramecfor an Associate'sin Business Administration, thenI'm goingto the Universityof Missouri, Saint Louisfora Bachelor's in the fieldof Business Administrationas well ”

Favoritesubject:P.E.

Charlie Eisenhauer Guy&Anna MarieZoghby Scholarship

AllisonRugg KiwanisClubof Meramec Valley Community

IsabellaPetty Ray&Katherine DainsMemorial Scholarship

JosieMenley, MaggieStewart& LindsayChappell EmmaO'Brien ScholarshipMontgomeryBank

JeffChitwood &Kennedy Picker James&Betty Bauer&Valley ParkMasonic LodgeMemorial

SophiaRose MelanieHedrick Scholarship

Scholarship

Armani Carbbins& AbbigaleAdams (notpictured) FentonMasonic Lodge#281 Scholarship

AbigailScott, GretaMcGlawn, SeanWard& HannahDuffey LarryWexelman Scholarship

MaryKircher Ken&Cathy BarnettFamily Scholarship

BrianNgetich Professional Firefightersof ValleyPark

ArmaniCarbbins& RyiahHollins TheValleyPark HawksBoosterClub Scholarship

KennedyPicker ValleyPark SchoolDistrict Teachers' Scholarship

MaggieStewart TheNicholasT Jenkins Memorial “Overcomer” Award

HeavenBarber ValleyPark LionsClub

MaryKircher TheWalker Family Scholarship

EmmaJarvis WilliamG GoutyMemorial Scholarship

KennedyPicker Valedictorian

JeffreyChitwood Salutatorian KennedyPicker Principal'sLeadershipAward& HawkAwardRecipient

Ena Memisevic Dr Abdul Waheed

Jeff Chitwood Dr DaveKnes Family Scholarship

WELCOMETOVALLEYPARK!

New Faculty & Staff! Join

We are dedicated to providing a safe & supportive environment of belonging where personalized learning experiences prepare our students for limitless opportunities! Check out our job opportunities here: www.vp.k12.mo.us/careers

VALLEYPARK SCHOOLDISTRICT Student Spotlight Student Spotlight

At our monthly Board of Education meetings, our Valley Park leaders celebrated students for their exemplary academic efforts, character, community service, citizenship, and volunteerism in and out of the classroom to make the world a better place.

September - Elementary School September - Elementary School

Avery Turner WillRhodes Carly Simon BenFrierdich

October - Middle School October - Middle School

MarioHolmesJr. Brooklyn Maddock Liberty Marx JackPatterson

November - High School November - High School

Carissa Kiefer KennedyPicker Maggie Stewart

December - Elementary School December - Elementary School

Tahira Letford Connor Doherty QuentinFord

February - Elementary & Middle School

February - Elementary & Middle School

March - High School March - High School

Katie Mann Bree Yancey CooperBellchamber

April - Middle School April - Middle School

Azaan Asif JadeFlores-Garcia Eli Wolf

May - High School May - High School

KaminiYallapragada

Jordan Brown IsaiahHawthorne

Patricie Irihose Kendle Johnson SajidaNishanova

David Cook Valley Park High School Counselor

Addison SmithMackenzieSpezia Peyton Rauls

MatthewBell Charley Perkins Daisy Vidal Ian Picker

Gabe Brown

Jenna Donze School Psychologist Lesley Louder Secondary Library Media Specialist Josh Mueller Director of Technology

Thomas Rauls Dean of Students Angie Syron Valley Park Middle School Principal

Kaily Butz Valley Park Elementary School Assistant Principal

Nikole White Valley Park Elementary School SSD Teacher

CONGRATULATIONS TO TARRON WALKER-TOWNSEND '24!

CLASS 2 STATE FINALIST IN TWO EVENTS, PLACING

6TH IN THE LONG JUMP AND 8TH IN THE 100M DASH

BOYS BASEBALL - CONFERENCE & DISTRICT CHAMPS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO WILL GEARY '25 (1ST TEAM) AND JEFF CHITWOOD '23 (2ND TEAM) ON RECEIVING ALL-STATE HONORS. 2023 CLASS 3 ALL-STATE BASEBALL TEAM.

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 2023 YOUTH SPORTS CAMPS

HAWKS YOUTH

VOLLEYBALL CAMP

DATE: JULY 17-19

TIME: 10-11:30AM

(INCOMING 3RD - 8TH

GRADE BOYS & GIRLS)

LOCATION: FIELD

HOUSE

COST: $30 PER STUDENT

WWW.VP.K12.MO.US/CAMPREGISTRATION

HAWKS YOUTH

SOCCER CAMP

DATE: JUNE 19-22

TIME: 9AM-12PM

(INCOMING K - 8TH

GRADE BOYS & GIRLS)

LOCATION: BASEBALL

OUTFIELD

COST: $65 PER STUDENT

HAWKS YOUTH BASKETBALL CAMP

DATE: JUNE 26-29

TIME: 9AM-12PM (INCOMING K

- 5TH GRADE BOYS & GIRLS)

TIME: 1-4PM (INCOMING 6TH -

8TH GRADE BOYS & GIRLS)

LOCATION: ELEMENTARY

GYMNASIUM

COST: $65 PER STUDENT

HAWKS YOUTH SOFTBALL CAMP

DATE: JULY 24-27

TIME: 9-11AM

(INCOMING 3RD-8TH GRADE GIRLS)

LOCATION: SOFTBALL FIELD

COST: $45 PER STUDENT

VALLEY PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER RECOGNIZED!

Congratulations to Jaclyn Zieger!

Congratulations to Valley Park Middle School Teacher Jaclyn Zieger on being selected as one of five area teachers to receive an award for the 2023 Saint Louis Science Center and Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Prize for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics On May 18th, a special presentation at the Saint Louis Science Center acknowledged all of the nominees, honored the finalists and announced the recipients of the 2023 Prizes. The Awards Ceremony took place at the Planetarium in Forest Park. Thank you, Jaclyn, for your outstanding commitment to science education at Valley Park Middle School!

Valley Park School District

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Preschool Program

Children who are three to five years of age by November 15, 2023.

Children may attend for full-day sessions or half-day sessions morning or afternoon, Monday-Friday. Parents may choose 2-5 days to attend a week. Early and Extended Care is also available.

For more information, please visit the district website https://www vp k12 mo us/ecc or contact VPES at (636) 923-3632

Pre

School

Peek-A-Boo Experience

VALLEY PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE PROMOTION!

Thank you to Jill Elder and Lorraine Edwards for leading our second annual Early Childhood Peek A Boo Program. The Peek A Boo summer program was designed for current students and those families exploring the ECC as an option for their littlest learners With a week of themes and a lot of fun our students and families were able to learn more about our Early Childhood program and decide that Valley Park ECC is right for them! Keep an eye out for information on this program next summer! It's sure to be a great time!

Congratulations to our Valley Park Middle School 8th graders on their promotion to Valley Park High School on May 17, 2023. Student speakers Joy Irishura, Payton Rossi, Michelle Cherotich, Kamini Yallapragada, Jennifer Hernandez-Pena and Chase Bottoms added special touches to the ceremony with their remarks A special thank you to our VPMS Choir directed by Allison Hungate-Wood for their amazing performance of "When the Party's Over" by Billie Eilish and to the Valley Park Band directed by Laura Porter. We are so proud of you all! Good luck on the next chapter of your adventure here at Valley Park School District!

All-day Kindergarten

Children who are five years of age before August 1, 2023.

Valley Park kindergarten is a FREE program Bus transportation is provided for all kindergarten students who reside in the attendance area. For more information visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/kindergarten.

Teaching and Learning explores

St. Louis businesses in a teacher externship program.

Intoday'sworld,studentsuccessafterhighschoolisn'talwaysmeasuredbywhichfouryearcollegeor universitytheychoose.Colleges,companies,andgovernmentsaretryingtoredesignpostsecondarypathways, tryingtoreduce orprevent studentloandebt,tomaketrainingoptionsmoreflexible,andtopreparemore workersforjobsingrowingindustries.Withthisinmind,sixVPSDteachers,aschoolcounselorandtheCollege, CareerandSuccessReadyDirectorparticipatedinafourdayteacherexternshiptoincreaseknowledgeof today'sworkplace,increaseconfidencewithadvisingstudentsaboutcareersandabouttrainingandeducation requiredtojointoday'sworkforceandtoincreaseawarenessofemployabilityskillsandtheirsignificancefor students'careerandlifesuccess.

Onthefirstday,theytouredVettaSportsandChick-Fil-Atolearnaboutcorporateculture,corevalues,and opportunitiesforourValleyParkSchoolDistrictstudentsforparttimework.

Ondaytwo,thegrouptouredtheSheetMetalUnionandIndependentElectricalContractorsandlearnedabout possiblecareeropportunitiesforstudentspostsecondary

DaythreetheytouredBJCandlearnedaboutpossiblepartnershipsforourcurrentVPSDstudentsaswellallof thevariouscareeropportunitieswithintheBJCsystem.Intheafternoon,theyvisitedCortex.Cortexisan innovationcommunitystrategicallybuiltaroundtheideathattogether,wecandomore Cortexispeople workingtoimproveSt.Louisbygrowingandattractingjobsandpartneringtoinclusivelypreparethetalentfor thosejobs.Herethegrouplearnedmoreabouttheirmissionandstrategicplan.

OnthelastdaytheytouredBioResearch&DevelopmentGrowth(BRDG)ParkattheDanforthCenterandSt LouisCommunityCollege(STLCC)andfocusedprimarilyontheCareerTracksforhighschoolstudentsthat STLCChasbegun.

Witheachvisit,thisgroupwasabletolearnwhatskillsandacademiccontentindustriesarelookingfor,what stackablecredentialsorindustryrecognizedcertificationswouldbehelpfulforourstudents Theylearnedwhat durableskillswereneededtobesuccessful.

Planforusingexperiencestoenhancesuccessreadinessofstudentsweredevelopedaftertheexternshipand thoseplanswillcometolifeduringthe23-24schoolyear

AbigthankyoutoourTeachingandLearningDepartmentfortheircontinuedsupportinensuringthatteachers atValleyParkSchoolDistricthaveaccesstosuchamazingopportunitieslikethis.

Valley Park High School Math Teacher

7 years at Valley Park School District

"Alexis encompasses all that a teacher should strive to be. She is patient, intelligent, compassionate, and motivating. She teaches students more than just the subject of math: she teaches them to be good people and to stay true to their authentic selves "

Valley Park Elementary Administrative Assistant

"Kylie has a great relationship with staff, students and their family members always going above and beyond for each person and helping where help is needed."

"Kylie has stepped up this semester handling the Elementary front desk She never complains and always has a smile on her face "

2023 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, ALEXIS MATHEWS!

2023 SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR, KYLIE MAXWELL!

Thank you to the Valley Park School District Booster Club!

The Booster Club is proud to support all activities and athletics at Valley Park School District. They provide meals for our athletes, donate gift cards for events, handle all concessions at the district and even sponsor two scholarships for the Valley Park Education Foundation. If you would like to get involved with the work our Booster Club is doing, please contact Eddie Walker at walkerfamily654@gmail com Thank you to all the Booster Club volunteers!

New Spaces, New Course Offerings and New Connections !

Thank you to Champions Church & Twigs for providing lunches for our Valley Park students all summer!

Champions Church and the non-profit TWIGS program have been serving lunches for all Valley Park students throughout the summer months Meals are served Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM at three different locations. Thank you to our community partners for helping serve our Valley Park students.

ValleyParkSchoolDistricthasspecificprinciplesthatguidetheworkwedo eachyear:EnsuringStudentSuccess,ValuingourTalentedStaff,Engaging ourFamiliesandCommunityandFosteringOperationalExcellence.

Inordertoensurestudentsuccessandvalueourtalentedstaff,VPSDis updatinglearningspacestoallowforbetterstaffcollaborationand professionaldevelopmentopportunities StudentsintheElementarySchool willhaveaccesstoacollaborativelearningenvironmenthousedinourfifth gradepodbeginninginthe23-24schoolyear Oursecondarystudentswill gettheopportunitytoexpandtheirPhysicalEducationwithnewcoursesand anewwellnessspacethatwillbetterservetheneedsofallourstudentsand thecontentwithinthecourses

Aswecontinuetoensurethatourstudentsarecollegeandcareerready upongraduation,VPSDhasaddedseveralnewcoursestooursecondary education.AllMiddleSchoolelectivesallowstudentstoexplorelearning opportunitiesincontentareasthatcanbecontinuedatValleyParkHigh School.

Additionally,VPSDcontinuestoaddrelevantcollegeandcareerready courses,attheHighSchoollevelbasedonthesixcareerpaths,designatedby thestateofMissouri.

ValleyParkSchoolDistricthasengagedwiththecommunitytocontinueto provideopportunitiesforourstudentstoconnecttheirlearningtotheworld beyondtheirclassroomwalls Wehaveincreasedourcommunityconnections allowingstudentstheopportunitytolearnaboutandtourseveralarea businessandindustrypartners

IfyouwouldliketobeapartofourIndustryPartnershipprogram,visit wwwvpk12mous/VPSDIPandhelpuscontinuetofosterthegrowthof communityconnectionwithourstudents

New Staff Collaboration Space

Elementary Collaboration Space New