NOVEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
Congratulations to our Emerson’s 2025 Excellence in Teaching Awardees! Join us in celebrating Valley Park High School’s P.E. teacher, Zach Turner, and Valley Park Middle School’s SSD teacher, Christian Werner, as they are honored with Emerson’s 2025 Excellence in Teaching Awards! These outstanding educators demonstrate exceptional dedication, embodying the spirit of going above and beyond to support, inspire, and empower our students each day. Their commitment to fostering a positive and impactful learning environment makes a lasting difference in our school community. We are incredibly proud of their achievements. Congratulations to Zach and Christian on this well-deserved recognition!
Hats and High Seas Shines on Stage
From Hats to High Seas, our 3rd–5th graders lit up the stage with music, big smiles and tons of personality. Thank you to our families for filling the audience with support, and to Mrs. Stephanie Shrum for bringing the magic to life. Check out all the photos at www.vpschools.org/hatstohighseas Want to read more about VPSD? Visit www.vpschools.org
Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of Little Shop of Horrors Valley Park High School’s theatre department lit up the stage this fall with, Little Shop of Horrors. Under the direction of Allison Hungate Wood (music and stage) and Jaclyn Vogel (technical), the cast and crew delivered three energetic performances for more than 550 attendees. The cult-classic comedy featured Peter Grittini ’26 as Seymour, Jermisha Lewis ’26 as Audrey, George Doerr ’26 as Mr. Mushnik, James Dougherty ’28 as Orin, the Dentist, and Kennedy King ’26 as the voice of Audrey II. Students spent weeks building sets, learning choreography and bringing the quirky world of Skid Row to life. Hungate Wood said creating the show with such dedicated students was “a joy,” and shared her excitement about producing next year’s musical in the expanded and upgraded Performing Arts Center. Vogel echoed that pride, calling the experience “unforgettable” and praising the students’ hard work and creativity. With strong attendance, lively music and plenty of laughs, Little Shop of Horrors stands out as one of VPHS’s most successful shows yet. Check out photos from the production by visiting www.vpschools.org/lsohpics