District News

<p>​​</p><a href="/earlychildhood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood School District Early Childhood Education</a> services in the Eureka quadrant&#160;have&#160;found a home in the former Eureka Elementary School.<br><br>Before the 2019-2020 school year, Early Childhood classrooms for Eureka students&#160;were spread out to satellite locations in elementary schools such as <a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins</a>, <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka</a> and <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway</a>. With Eureka Elementary moving into its new building, the district saw an opportunity to centralize its Eureka Early Childhood services.<br><br>&quot;It's nice to have a place where we can build the community in Eureka,&quot; said Eureka Early Childhood teacher Kim Amin, who has also worked in the district's <a href="/earlychildhood/aboutus/Pages/Locations.aspx" target="_blank">Vandover and Clarkson Valley centers</a>. &quot;Having a place where we can have PTO meetings and community events, we're really pulling this side of the district in. We're getting more students coming into our programs because of this.&quot;<br><br>The new-look Eureka Early Childhood Center includes a new playground and a <a href="/earlychildhood/programs/pat/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Parents as Teachers</a> hub in the former elementary school's library. The centralized location also gives teachers the opportunity to enjoy all of the Early Childhood resources the district has to offer under one roof.<br><br>&quot;It's a wonderful opportunity to collaborate directly with administrators, teachers, therapists, parent educators, diagnostic and screening teams and our social worker,&quot; said Eureka teacher Leslei Harper, who has worked for Rockwood Early Childhood Education for 17 years. &quot;Our secretaries and custodians&#160;have supported us well as we transitioned into our new center and established&#160;our classrooms and work spaces.&quot;<br><br>The Eureka Early Childhood Center is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new location at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19. The event is open to the public and includes refreshments and tours of the center. <br><br>&quot;Our staff has respectfully earned its&#160;place in the #EurekaStrong community,&quot; Harper said. &quot;We are so excited to be a part of the Eureka community and teach Rockwood's youngest learners.&quot;<br><br>Rockwood Early Childhood Education open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is Tuesday, Jan. 21. Children must be 3 years old by July 31, 2020, in order to be eligible for the upcoming school year.<div><br></div><div><div>&quot;The addition of the Eureka Early Childhood Center is an amazing opportunity to better serve our students and families,&quot; said Director Early Childhood Dr. Suzanne Foshage. &quot;Being a three-center program, we can reach families is all areas of Rockwood.​</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family&#58;georgia, serif;font-size&#58;large;"><br></div>Interested parents can schedule tours at these Early Childhood locations by calling the following numbers&#58;<br><br><ul><li>Clarkson Valley center and Ballwin Elementary&#58; 636-891-6200</li><li>Vandover center and Rockwood high schools&#58; 636-891-6260</li><li>Eureka center&#58; 636-891-6275</li></ul><p>Visit the <a href="/earlychildhood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" style="font-size&#58;1rem;background-color&#58;#ffffff;">Rockwood Early Childhood Education website</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> for more information.&#160;&#160;</span></p><p><br></p></div>

<p>​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><a href="/wildwood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wildwood Middle​</a> is always looking for ways to enhance the student experience. Last year, the school began a program that does just that.&#160;</span></p><p>On early release days, students take part in a program called “E3.” The three “E’s” are empathy, explore and engage. E3 activities are based on student interest and use&#160;a hands-on approach to learning.</p><p>“We surveyed all of the kids and asked them&#58;&#160; If you were given the opportunity one day per month to follow your own interests and passions, to do something to give back to the community, to take something good and make it great, and to create something that’s never been created before, what would you do?” said Dr. Allison Klouse, principal at Wildwood.</p><p>This prompted students to think creatively about what they would like to learn or do for their school community. Students developed a list of 90 topics they were interested in exploring, which were then grouped into themes by staff. Students requested the topics they wanted to explore after seeing the list of choices and were placed into their E3 groups.</p><p>As part of the project, staff members moved away from their typical role of bestowing knowledge to a different role as facilitators. Their job during group time is to help the kids explore their own interests and passions.</p><p>“This gives students a chance to be leaders in their own learning,” Klouse said.</p><p>E3 days bring the school and the community together. Professionals come to Wildwood to speak to students about the topics they have chosen, and community members donate their time to lead the groups if they have knowledge in an area of interest.&#160;</p><p>“I thought it would be cool to learn some board games since I don’t play them very often,” said Sean Carl, a seventh-grader at Wildwood. “It’s nice to socialize with people and get to know them better. You make new friends.”​</p><p>The Save the Planet group is making a splash. Not only do its members use recycled materials to make art, but they’ve also met with Wildwood cafeteria staff and asked them to switch from plastic silverware to reusable metal silverware. The school will make the switch starting in January.&#160;</p><p>Some of the E3 group topics include&#58; music composition, dance, basketball, games around the world, interior design, ceiling tile painting, comedy, film critique, child care, gymnastics, ukulele, reading, sewing and knitting, podcasting, and journalism.</p><p>“The kids have done a great job of picking their own crafts. They enjoy being able to choose what they want to do and go with it,” said teacher Kayla Semple, who is part of the Pinterest Crafts group.</p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">During E3 days, students mix it up at lunch. The mixed grade level groups eat together. Students engage with classmates&#160;they don’t typically see during the day. The guidance team does mix-it-up activities with students during their extended lunch period.</span></p><p>Simple activities such as Rock Paper Scissors get kids laughing and talking to each other.&#160;</p><p>Building a sense of community at Wildwood is part of the goal of the E3 groups. Students who wouldn’t ordinarily have any interactions during school days meet up. It brings students out of their day-to-day box and makes them think creatively.&#160;&#160;</p>

<p></p><p>Rockwood School District officials are asking 2019 graduates of the district's four high schools to tell us what they've been doing since graduation last May.&#160;</p><p>Just prior to graduation, seniors were asked to fill out a questionnaire that communicated their post-high school plans for college and career.&#160;Now it's time to review and verify those responses.&#160;</p><p>The short survey – which will be sent to all 2019 graduates via email December 16 – contains a summary of what students indicated as their post-graduate plans, along with a way to verify or update their responses.&#160;</p><p>Surveys are due by Jan. 10, 2020.&#160;</p><p>Parents are encouraged to remind Rockwood's most recent alumni to participate in the process.&#160;Rockwood will make phone calls to all graduates and parents for students we were not able to reach via email.&#160;</p><p>Survey feedback helps Rockwood high school officials ensure that educational programs are meeting the needs of students.&#160;The follow-up also is mandated by the state of Missouri, and school districts are accountable for post-graduate information.&#160;</p><p>For more information, contact Glenn Hancock, director of research, evaluation and assessment, at&#160;<a href="mailto&#58;hancockglenn@rsdmo.org"><strong>hancockglenn@rsdmo.org</strong></a>, or 636-733-2140.&#160;</p>

<p>​​​​</p>A little piece of the North Pole landed at <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Geggie Elementary​</a> on Thursday. Room 18 transformed from a regular classroom into the headquarters for the school's annual Toy Day to benefit families in need in the community.<div><br></div><div>Geggie students brought in more than 400 gifts for the cause. They&#160;were organized by age group and on&#160;display. Then, one by one, 28 class groups entered and picked out which gifts would be delivered to which families.</div><div><br></div><div>Reading specialists Diana Ayres, Lisa Jarvis and Jennifer Schwentker served as Santa's helpers, keeping the gifts organized and helping the students bag the presents once they had made their choices.</div><div><br>​Geggie has been holding Toy Day since 2012. It gives students the satisfaction of not only donating a gift to other children but also &quot;shopping&quot; for which gifts they think will add to the happiness of specific&#160;families in their community during the holiday season.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Geggie%20Toy%20Day%20(34).jpg" alt="Geggie students donated toys for community families in need, then picked which toys will go to which families on Toy Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;336px;height&#58;326px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Geggie%20Toy%20Day%20(31).jpg" alt="Geggie students donated toys for community families in need, then picked which toys will go to which families on Toy Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;353px;height&#58;326px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Geggie%20Toy%20Day%20(37).jpg" alt="Geggie students donated toys for community families in need, then picked which toys will go to which families on Toy Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;377px;" /><br></div><div><br></div>

<p>​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br> <br><strong>Logan Kramer, American Sign Language, and Krista Krebsbach, mathematics, <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High</a></strong><br><br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended</strong><br><strong>Kramer&#58;</strong> <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a>, Rockwood Summit<br><strong>Krebsbach&#58;</strong> <a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton Elementary</a>, Rockwood South, Rockwood Summit<br><br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood</strong><br><strong>Kramer&#58;</strong> 6-12<br><strong>Krebsbach&#58;</strong> K-12<br>----------<br>&#160;<br>Logan Kramer thought it would be strange working alongside her former teachers at Rockwood Summit. That is, until she spent a year as a classroom assistant at the high school and found that she liked it. She joined the staff as an American Sign Language teacher in 2013.<br><br>Krista Krebsbach loved her time teaching in Northwest School District but also had the ultimate goal of returning to teach at Summit. When a mathematics job opened up before the 2018-2019 school year, she was quick to apply.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Kramer%20and%20Krebsbach_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Kramer and Krebsbach_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;179px;" />Kramer, who has been close friends with&#160;Krebsbach since their days as Rockwood South students, stopped by the front office to wish her luck on the day of the interview. <br><br>&quot;I didn't really have to, though, because the whole math department knew her and had kept in touch with her,&quot; Kramer said. &quot;But I was really crossing my fingers.&quot;<br><br>As Summit teachers, the two friends are enjoying the mix of nostalgia and pride that comes with working at their alma mater.<br><br>&quot;I always loved how involved the faculty is here,&quot; Krebsbach said. &quot;All of my teachers tried to get to know you on a personal level and really make those connections. As a staff member, the morale is awesome. Staff members are really supportive of you, the administration is really supportive of you. The district just feels like home to me.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Logan%20Kramer_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Logan Kramer_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;380px;height&#58;248px;" />Kramer and Krebsbach were both cheerleaders in high school and kept in close contact as they pursued education degrees in college. Kramer taught abroad at a U.S.​ Army base in Germany and thought she would end up teaching history.<br><br>Then a teaching slot opened up for American Sign Language, in which Kramer had taken multiple courses in college.<br><br>​&quot;I really love it,&quot; Kramer said. &quot;Most of my students are hearing and are taking it because they maybe know someone who's deaf. Or maybe they have a friend who took the class before and saw them signing and it caught their eye and they thought it was interesting.&quot; <br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Krista%20Krebsbach_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Krista Krebsbach_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;380px;" />Krebsbach met her future husband when they were Summit students and her aunt, Jaime Alvarado, was part of the school's first graduating class. Alvarado works with Child Nutrition Services in the Summit cafeteria. Krebsbach said Shannon Walton, her junior year math teacher,&#160;is the reason she wanted to become an educator. <br><br>Now they're colleagues.<br><br><div>&quot;We had a lot of really good role model teachers here and at South,&quot; Kramer said. &quot;They were really a positive force in my life and a lot of my friends' lives. Summit has a real small-school feel to it. It's like everybody knows everybody, and you feel a connection in the community.&quot;<br></div>

​​​Do you have a child ready to start&#160;kindergarten&#160;next school year?&#160;Rockwood schools are offering&#160;kindergarten&#160;registration events to help our families prepare for the upcoming school year.<br><br>Mark your calendar to visit your school on either&#160;Wednesday, Jan. 15, or Thursday, Jan. 16.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;While kindergarten registration is available online, Rockwood administrators are asking parents to register on these days to get an accurate idea how many students we will need to accommodate.</span><div><br></div><div>To find out more, visit the <a href="/discover/enrollment/Pages/Kindergarten-Enrollment.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood kindergarten e​nrollment page</a>&#160;or call the district's&#160;elementary education office at (636) 733-2105.<br><br>Children must be 5 years old before Aug. 1, 2020, to be eligible to begin&#160;kindergarten&#160;in the fall.<br><br><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Our 33 school buildings and supporting programs make up one of the highest performing districts in the country.&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Rockwood teachers have an average of more than 14 years in the classroom, and more than 80 percent have earned a master’s degree or higher.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">We do whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential.​<br></span></div>

​<br>As part of his Rockwood education, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> senior George Allen also attends&#160;South&#160;Technical High School.<br><br>“Every year our precision machining class is given the task of making a holiday ornament for the faculty here,&quot; he said. &quot;This year we decided to make replicas of the Stanley Cup.&quot;<br><br>Allen said the&#160;South&#160;Tech&#160;program has greatly benefited him.<br><br>“This is the first shop I saw when I came to the open house, and I just fell in love with it,” he said.&#160; “All the math we learn in the program we use right here in the shop to build something.”<br><br>Allen said when he graduates he hopes to get an associate degree from East Central College or State Technical College in Linn.&#160; Then he plans to transfer to Missouri S&amp;T or Mizzou to get a degree in industrial engineering.<br><br>“For a while, I would like to work in a machine shop such as this,” he said.&#160; “I love making stuff.&#160; It’s very interesting to me that I am able to do something that I like and feel passionate about.&#160; I’m glad I took advantage of this opportunity to learn hands-on.”<br><br>Allen said the experience is giving him a broad idea of what jobs are available in the industry.<br><br>“There is demand for machinists right now,” he added, “and this exposes us to a broad range of how to run the mills and the lathes.&#160; I know many former students who are now working in the industry.”<br><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3eZa0XlZNoUalPMJKqwGi-0" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div>

<p>On the day before Thanksgiving, Rockwood Transportation crews activated the school bus engine block warmers for the season. In the district's bus lot behind Pond Elementary School, each of 145 school bus stations is equipped with a connection that plugs into the vehicle's engine block.&#160;</p><p>When winter weather warrants, the block warmers keep Rockwood's school bus engines at 140 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure they will start on cold winter mornings.&#160;</p><p>Transportation director Mike Heyman said district officials added the engine block warmers after a very cold winter in 2014.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It makes it so much easier,&quot; said Heyman.&#160; &quot;That temperature keeps the fluids thin and the engine turns over much quicker.&#160; That makes it a lot easier to start the buses.&quot;&#160;</p><p>The engine block warmers afford Rockwood school buses protection to at least -40 degrees.&#160; But the real concern is student safety.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our concern is not only making sure the buses will start,&quot; said Heyman, &quot;we want them to be warm when we start picking up students from cold bus stops.&#160; I want the buses to be warmed up for the kids.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Heyman said Rockwood school buses also have heated exterior mirrors.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's a safety precaution,&quot; he added.&#160; &quot;The windows remain clear for maximum visibility.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Heyman said the department's &quot;cold crews&quot; go to work the night before a frigid morning.&#160;</p><p>&quot;They start on the lot and get all their equipment together,&quot; said Heyman.&#160; &quot;On evenings when we have some precipitation, they get busy with the deicer on the windows.&#160; They make sure the hoods are clear of ice and snow.&#160; If you get on top of these things and get everything thawed out when it's cold, everything just goes so much better.&#160; Our buses are toasty warm.&quot;&#160;</p>

<p>​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br> <br><strong>Maureen Smith, fourth grade, <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway Elementary</a> </strong><br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</strong> <a href="/bowles/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Bowles Elementary</a>, Vandover Elementary, <a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton Elementary​</a>, Eureka Junior High, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> <br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</strong>&#160;K-12<br><br>Maureen Smith was in sixth-grade music class when Principal Tom Krebs came in search of a student for a photo opportunity. Media outlets were coming to cover the dedication of the new Stanton Elementary School, and Krebs needed a sixth-grader to pose with him&#160;and the school's namesake, longtime Rockwood School District employee Robert Stanton.<br><br>Turns out it was Smith's lucky day.<br><br>&quot;I happened to be wearing a skirt. That was the only reason I was picked; I was dressed up,&quot; Smith said.<br><br>As a student, Smith was part of the first class of sixth graders when Stanton opened in 1976. As a teacher, she was part of the first group of educators at Fairway Elementary when it opened in 2004. She has taught in Rockwood since 1993 – with a brief interruption for a move to New York – and her time in the district has overlapped with seven superintendents.<br><br>As she prepares to retire in May and bring her distinguished career in education to a close, Smith feels as if she's learned a thing or two about Rockwood.<br><br>&quot;It's been my life,&quot; Smith said. &quot;You have to love what you do. I've been able to do things in a career that not everybody gets to do.&quot;<br><br>Smith has taught at <a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Uthoff Valley</a>, <a href="/wildhorse/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wild Horse</a> and Fairway, in first-grade classrooms for the majority of her career. She tells her students that, when she started teaching, dry erase boards weren't even common in classrooms. Forget about computers. <br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Maureen%20Smith_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Maureen Smith as a fourth-grade student at Bowles and as a fourth-grade teacher at Fairway." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;430px;height&#58;272px;" />She remem​bers when district teachers first got internet access. They crashed the server.<br><br>&quot;When we all got one computer in our classroom, that was something. Oh boy,&quot; she said, with a laugh. &quot;You had to plan&#160;way ahead of time. You couldn't just Google something and move on.&quot;<br><br>Her fourth-grade teacher at Bowles, Ms. Fisher, made a lasting impact on her along with Eureka High drama teacher Judy Smith, with whom she still keeps in touch.&#160;<div><br></div><div>Smith's student teaching supervisor at Ellisville, Judy Berry, pushed her to apply for her first job in Rockwood.<br><br>&quot;She was just such a great role model,&quot; Smith said. &quot;She helped pave the way for me to get into Rockwood.&quot;<br><br>Over the years, Smith has expanded on her role as teacher to contribute to the district in numerous ways. She has served as a National Education Association building representative and vice president, and she started the <a href="/community/giveback/Pages/Got-Your-Back-Pack.aspx" target="_blank">Got Your Back Pack​</a> (GYBP) program for Rockwood students in need.<br><br>Smith plans to keep a full plate once her full-time teaching days are over. She wants to increase her involvement with the ASPCA and Even Chance Pitbull Rescue, and she will continue to volunteer at GYBP and as an <a href="/community/oasis/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">OASIS tutor​</a> for students. <br><br>She may be retiring, but she's not leaving Rockwood.<br><br>&quot;The kids are my favorite part of the job,&quot; Smith said. &quot;It's the one thing I know I'm going to miss most&#58; working with kids and all the things they think of.&quot;<br></div>

<p>Two words describe the atmosphere in the Rockwood Valley Middle gymnasium the afternoon of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving – loud and colorful.&#160;</p><p>Students in the bleachers were sitting with other members of their teams.&#160; Principal Dr. Karen Hedrick said students and staff raised nearly $7,500 this year through their coin drive.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It all goes to support our adopt-a-family program when issues come up in the community,&quot; said Hedrick.&#160;</p><p>The all-school assembly is part of the annual Rockwood Valley Middle Turkey Smash.&#160;</p><p>&quot;That's a tradition that started the first year the school opened,&quot; said Hedrick.&#160; &quot;It includes spirit games, volleyball between eighth grade and staff and other competitions to earn points.&quot;&#160;</p><p>RVMS Social Worker Zana Ganic explained how the adopt-a-family program works.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We connect out in the school community with families in need,&quot; said Ganic. &quot;We identify those families whether they reach out to us or we make them aware of the program.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Students try to win Turkey Smash through competitions, including a banner contest.&#160;</p><p>&quot;The banners are all student created,&quot; said Hedrick.&#160; &quot;Students did all the decorating.&#160; Teams are divided up according to grade level, and students choose their team's name. It's a school celebration of our community.&quot;&#160;</p>

<p>​​</p>Rockwood residents may file as candidates for the Rockwood School District Board of Education from Dec. 17&#160;at 8 a.m. until Jan. 21&#160;at 5 p.m. Election day is April 7, 2020.<br><br>Rockwood residents may file their candidacy at the school district's Administrative Center, located at 111 E. North St. in Eureka. Candidates may file Monday through&#160;Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ​Administrative offices will be open until 5 p.m. on Jan. 21. Filing will not occur on days the school district's offices are closed due to holidays or inclement weather.<br><br>When filing, the applicant will complete a written declaration of candidacy. Interested candidates may also pick up an information packet from Rockwood's Administrative Offices.&#160;<br><br>Candidates must be citizens of the United States, residents of the Rockwood School District, residents of Missouri for at least one year preceding the election and at least 24 years of age.&#160;<br><br>Three&#160;director positions on the Rockwood School Board will be decided on the April 7&#160;ballot.&#160;For more information, please contact the Rockwood Superintendent's office at (636) 733-2005.&#160;<div><br></div><div>For more information on the Rockwood Board of Education, <a href="/departments/boe/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.​<br></div>

<p>​Data privacy remains&#160;a top priority in Rockwood.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood administrators have implemented an encryption tool which will allow us to send sensitive data to non-staff recipients such as parents and guardians of our students.&#160; This includes personally identifiable FERPA and/or HIPPA information sent to recipients outside the rsdmo.org domain.&#160; The encryption tool scans outbound messages for FERPA and/or HIPPA content such as transcripts, report cards or health information.&#160;</p><p><strong>What does this mean for staff members?&#160;</strong></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">If you send messages that contain certain information such as student ID, MOSIS ID, immunization records, transcripts, report cards, etc., the message will be automatically encrypted.&#160;</span></p><p><strong>What does this mean for recipients?&#160;</strong></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The recipient will receive a notification of an encrypted message and will be prompted to take action to access it.&#160; The first time they receive an encrypted message, they will need to create a password to access it.&#160; Future emails will be opened using that same password.&#160;</span><br></p><p><strong>Where can I find directions for my recipient?&#160;</strong></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Directions are available&#160;</span><a href="https&#58;//docs.google.com/document/d/1AlKirciLlEHiN1nalOMYpDP2nDIfVOgYUbuWXySuV9c/edit?usp=sharing" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">here</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">.&#160;</span><br></p>

<br>Each November, the Rockwood School District Child Nutrition S​ervices staff works hard to provide a Thanksgiving lunch to students at every Rockwood school. In this edition of &quot;Out &amp; About,&quot; Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles visits the staff at <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle</a> to see what goes into preparing a meal of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pie.​​<br><br><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">To learn more about Rockwood Child Nutrition Services, <a href="/departments/childnutrition/Pages/default.aspx">click here​</a>.&#160;</span><br></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div>​<div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3enLx3gGWWqFVfNo94--dkA" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div>

<p>​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​Rockwood School District honored more than 100 students at the Board of Education awards ceremony at the Lafayette High School theater Nov. 21.&#160; School Board President Loralee Mondl started the ceremony and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles helped welcome the participants and their families. Dr. Miles and Board of Education directors Tamara Jo Rhomberg and Randy Miller congratulated all the award recipients and posed for pictures with them.&#160;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">All four high schools were represented along with three elementary schools. Students who participated in advanced research as part of the STARS program at the University of Missouri – St. Louis were recognized by UMSL professor Dr. Ken Mares, who heads the program for the university.&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Shelley Baan, a retired Rockwood teacher, was honored with the Above and Beyond Award by the principal of Pond Elementary, Dr. Carlos Diaz-Granados. She was recognized for her involvement in initiating and implementing the district’s first innovation room, which emphasizes STEM activities. After the success at Pond, Rockwood built innovation rooms at all of its other elementary schools.</span></p><p>After the ceremony, a reception was held for award recipients and their families. <a href="/departments/boe/awards/Nov2019/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Photos from the​ ceremony</a> are now available. To learn more about the Board Awards, <a href="/departments/boe/awards/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">visit the website</a>.&#160; &#160;</p>

<p>​​​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br> <br><strong>Suzanne Whitford, eighth-grade language arts, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx">Crestview Middle</a></strong><br><strong> Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</strong> <a href="/ellisville/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ellisville Elementary</a>, Crestview, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> <br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</strong>&#160;K-12<br><br>Suzanne Whitford has vivid memories of hustling through the Crestview hallways as a student, trying to get from one side of campus to the other during four minutes of passing time so she wouldn't be late for class.<br><br>Now that she's a teacher at Crestview, she can take a more leisurely pace if she&#160;chooses. That's&#160;a good thing because the school has just kept getting bigger&#160;over the years.<br><br>&quot;Physically, it has changed a lot since I was a student,&quot; Whitford said. &quot;But I feel like the heart of Crestview is the same. It's a strong community. W​e have diverse students, professional teachers that I enjoy collaborating with. I enjoy being on the other side, being a teacher like the ones that I looked up to.&quot;<br><br>Education runs in Whitford's family. Her mother was an art teacher and Whitford's&#160;sister, Julie Jenkins, is currently the art teacher&#160;at Green Pines Elementary. Whitford also took her inspiration from educators&#160;such as Donna Grubbs, her fifth-grade teacher at Ellisville.<br><br>Whitford started in Rockwood as a fifth-grade teacher at <a href="/wildhorse/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wild Horse Elementary</a> in 2006 then moved to Crestview in 2014.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Suzanne%20Whitford_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Suzanne Whitford, as both a student and teacher at Crestview Middle." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;362px;height&#58;248px;" />&quot;I always pictured myself working in Rockwood,&quot; Whitford said. &quot;I never really thought about applying to other places. Rockwood is unique because it's a close-knit community. I love working here, raising my kids here.&quot;<br><br>She is not alone in that sentiment at Crestview. Her teammate, social studies teacher Meghan Menchella, is a <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High​</a> graduate. Two of her fellow eighth-grade language arts teachers – Kristin Hancock (Eureka) and Ashley Luther (Lafayette) – are also Rockwood grads.<br><br>Luther and Whitford were a year apart at Lafayette. They didn't really know each other in high school, but they're close friends and colleagues now.<br><br>&quot;It's cool seeing how we all come back,&quot; Whitford said. &quot;There's just something special about Rockwood.&quot;<br><br>She's doing her part to carry on that tradition.<br><br>&quot;Rockwood has instilled being a lifelong learner in me. It taught me that as a student, and it's taught me that as a teacher,&quot; Whitford said. &quot;I love passing that on to my students. I hope that when they​ walk away from Rockwood, they each&#160;continue to grow as a person and a learner.&quot;<br>

<p>​​</p><p>Rockwood Gives Back now has storage space in the basement of the Eureka Early Childhood Center (the former location of Eureka Elementary School).&#160;</p><p>The Giving Place is much more than a food pantry.&#160; It's a total of four rooms where volunteers can store and inventory furniture, clothing, household goods and personal care items and food.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood School Board Director and Rockwood Gives Back co-founder Jaime Bayes said, &quot;Our hope is that our district social workers and counselors will help identify needs for their students' families and use this space.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Bayes stood in front of a bulletin board covered with blue hearts.&#160; On the hearts are listed specific needs of people served by The Giving Place.&#160;</p><p>&quot;This is an opportunity for people to take a heart and fulfill it,&quot; said Bayes.&#160; &quot;They can take something like a clean mattress or dish soap or any range of items.&#160; These represent immediate needs we have right now.&#160; Our hope is people will come in the spirit of Thanksgiving, take a heart and give back to The Giving Place.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I hope all of Rockwood sees this is all about kids,&quot; said Rockwood School Board President and Rockwood Gives Back co-founder Loralee Mondl.&#160; &quot;Every kid deserves people who love them, and they deserve a great education.&#160; Our philosophy has been that if kids don't live in that atmosphere, they're going to struggle in school and in life.&#160; I hope people see this has been a labor of love and we want kids in Rockwood to succeed.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Learn more about <a href="/community/giveback/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Gives Back.</a>&#160;​</p><p><br></p><p>​</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3cKWj9jMDQRo6xPyt-yNlBd" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><p><br></p>

<p></p><p>Stanton Elementary students took part in an American flag retirement ceremony on the evening of Nov. 20.&#160;</p><p>The Stanton students make up most of the membership of a local den of Cub Scouts Pack 778.&#160; Den leader and Stanton parent Courtney Roberts organized the event.&#160; The American flag flying outside the school had become weathered, faded and torn.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I reached out to Principal Dr. Christy Starnes to see if we could do this,&quot; said Roberts.&#160; &quot;We recited the Pledge of Allegiance, lowered the flag and folded it like you would at a proper military burial.&#160; Next I will present the flag to the American Legion Hall in Fenton, and they will burn it according to protocol.&#160; I hope the boys come to understand what the flag stands for.&#160; It's a big deal.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Roberts said the flag had served its timely duty.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Then we raised the new flag in honor of the service the police, fire and military members provide for our community.&#160; It's a great honor for our scouts to be participating,&quot; Roberts said.&#160;</p><p>Starnes attended the ceremony.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Mr. Roberts approached me with the idea and, of course, I said yes,&quot; she said.&#160; &quot;It's a leadership opportunity for our students to serve our country and do something for a good cause.&quot;&#160;​</p>

<p>​​​​​​​​​​</p>One by one, students climbed the stairs to the second-floor balcony of <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary</a> on Tuesday night, all with one goal in mind.<div><br></div><div>Protect the egg.​ By any means necessary.</div><div><br></div><div>The egg drop participants used all forms of insulated containers, parachutes, cotton-ball padding -- even a full down comforter -- to protect their precious cargo from a harsh landing on the lobby floor. Some eggs escaped without a scuff, some cracked ever so slightly and some exploded, sending yolk everywhere. E<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">v​eryone had fun and learned, a unifying theme for the Eureka quadrant STEM Night on Nov. 19.&#160;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Quadrant%20STEM%20Night%20(39).jpg" alt="Students watch a chemistry demonstration at STEM Night on Tuesday." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;345px;height&#58;272px;" />Almost 800 students ​and family members from <a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx">Blevins</a>, Eureka and <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Geggie</a> elementaries attended the event, which celebrated the STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- disciplines with more than 25&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">activity stations&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">throughout the school. Rockwood School District Partners in Education (PIE) worked with staff members at the three schools to put on the event.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;We wanted the students to enjoy the love of learning and have some fun, hands-on, interactive experiences,&quot; said Blevins Principal Dr. Sharon Jackson. &quot;STEM is such a popular topic right now, and we want the kids to learn to love it.&quot;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">This is the first time the three Eureka elementary schools have presented a STEM Night together. After this year's success, they hope it becomes an annual event.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Quadrant%20STEM%20Night%20(42).jpg" alt="Students interact with a snake at STEM Night on Tuesday." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;373px;height&#58;248px;" />&quot;PIE&#160;was phenomenal in putting everything together and organizing it, and (Eureka Elementary Principal) Lynn White was so kind to offer her building, which was such a great space for it,&quot; Jackson said. &quot;It&#160;was fun to see kids from the different schools who knew each other run into each other. It was a community-building event.&quot;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">From the egg drop and wind turbine activities in the lobby, students could make their way to the cafeteria, which included stations on butter making, wildnerness survival, chemistry experiments and the <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> Bosons robotics team. Eureka High's Quarks robotics team set up in the gymnasium, along with featured exhibits such as drones, liquid nitrogen, tricks involving Bernoulli's principle and a giant, inflatable earth globe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Hal</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">lway exhibits also included robots to pilot and snakes and alligators with which the students could interact.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;I was amazed by how many families attended,&quot; Jackson said. &quot;There were so many smiles in every hallway.&quot;</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Quadrant%20STEM%20Night%20(21).jpg" alt="Students work with a member of the Eureka High Quarks robotics team at STEM Night on Tuesday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;344px;height&#58;315px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Quadrant%20STEM%20Night%20(15).jpg" alt="Students try out their wind turbine at STEM Night on Tuesday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;360px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Quadrant%20STEM%20Night%20(23).jpg" alt="Students pilot a drone at STEM Night on Tuesday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;364px;" /><br></div>

<p></p><p>The Eureka High softball team raised more money during a fundraising hit-a-thon earlier this school year than any other team in the country.&#160;</p><p>The event raised money for the Jason Motte Strike-Out Cancer Foundation.&#160; Motte is a former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher. Eureka High softball coach Mark Mosley said they have been notified the nearly $11,000 team members raised tops the nation.&#160;</p><p>&quot;And we did it in two months or so,&quot; said Mosley. &quot;Many other teams do it throughout the year or in a season.&#160; This speaks to the character of our team members.&#160; It's the whole program, too – JV girls and coaches get involved.&#160; It's a true team effort.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I think it's pretty awesome,&quot; said Eureka High softball team member Natalie Jones.&#160; &quot;I was pretty impressed with our efforts.&#160; We did well for a good cause!&quot;&#160;</p><p>Team member Madyson Pogue agreed.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I think it's impressive that a team of softball girls did this, considering all the causes we could have chosen,&quot; said Pogue.&#160; &quot;We don't do it to be the top fundraiser. We do it because it's the right thing to do.&quot;&#160;</p><p>​&quot;This is fantastic!&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles. He extended a message to softball team members and their coaches&#58; &quot;Thank you for leading this worthy endeavor.&quot;</p>

<p>​​​​​​</p>Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles visits the Got Your Back Pack (GYBP) food pantry at Fairway Elementary in this edition of &quot;Out &amp; About.&quot; GYBP uses items from the pantry to pack more than 100 bundles each week, which are distributed to Rockwood students in need.<br><br><a href="/community/giveback/Pages/Got-Your-Back-Pack.aspx" target="_blank">Click here​</a> to learn more about GYBP.<div><br></div><div><br><div><br><div><br></div><div>​<div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3d0m5yrEl7lEZYVjVAVQAMR" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div></div></div>

​<br>Eight <a href="/wildwood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wildwood Middle</a> student council members worked like a finely tuned machine in the Got Your Back Pack (GYBP) room at <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway Elementary​</a> last Thursday.<br><br>Splitting up into teams of two, the students arranged the 10 to 11 food items needed for each bag into an array of 40 bundles, then double-bagged each bundle so it would be ready for distribution to students in need around Rockwood School District.<br><br>In a little more than an hour, the Wildwood students prepared 160 bags. That beat their previous record of 150 from two weeks prior, when the group of volunteers numbered almost twice as many.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">This time, mandatory orchestra rehearsal cut into their corps.</span><br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Wildwood%20Student%20Council%20at%20GYBP%20(9).jpg" alt="Wildwood Middle student council members help out in the Got Your Back Pack room at Fairway Elementary." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;315px;height&#58;248px;" />&quot;They move quickly, they're organized. It's really quite impressive,&quot; said Katharine Sellenriek, FACS teacher at Wildwood and the school's student council sponsor.<br><br>The GYBP headquarters at Fairway contains shelves of food items that are easy to open, simple to prepare and can accommodate a variety of living&#160;circumstances. Each week, volunteers pack at least 100 bags that district students who are homeless can take with them for the weekend.<br><br>The most recent Wildwood student council packing party consisted of Abby and Ethan Beyrouty, Audrey Keller, Mylania McIntyre, Lucie Ortinau, Alifiya Shakeel, Nathan Smythe and Adeline Stephens. Wildwood students helped out at GYBP once last year and twice this semester.<br><br>&quot;They look happy when they're here. They say it's fun to do it, and they want to come more,&quot; Sellenriek said. &quot;I said we would come back in the spring, and they said, 'Well, we can come every other week.' They're just that enthusiastic. I have a great bunch of kids. This group is unbelievably self-motivated. They're leaders and just want to help all the time.<br><br>&quot;Whenever I ask who wants to volunteer, I get at least 15 hands up in the air. Whatever the activity is, I get more help than I need.&quot;<br><br>Learn more about GYBP by <a href="/community/giveback/Pages/Got-Your-Back-Pack.aspx" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.<br><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Wildwood%20Student%20Council%20at%20GYBP%20(13).jpg" alt="Wildwood Middle student council members help out in the Got Your Back Pack room at Fairway Elementary." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;365px;height&#58;254px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Wildwood%20Student%20Council%20at%20GYBP%20(24).jpg" alt="Wildwood Middle student council members help out in the Got Your Back Pack room at Fairway Elementary." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;382px;height&#58;254px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Wildwood%20Student%20Council%20at%20GYBP%20(10).jpg" alt="Wildwood Middle student council members help out in the Got Your Back Pack room at Fairway Elementary." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;318px;height&#58;254px;" /><br></div>

<p>Rockwood grade-level teachers of the year were among St. Louis-area educators honored at the Emerson 30^th annual Excellence in Teaching Awards program Nov. 17.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood high school Teacher of the Year Andrew Ribbing, middle school Teacher of the Year Meghan Menchella and elementary school Teacher of the Year Ali Pennycuick were among more than 100 educators honored at the event. Emerson recognizes classroom instructors, selected by their schools' administrators, for their accomplishments and dedication to their students and the teaching profession.&#160;</p><p>Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipients, who teach grades K–12, have the opportunity to apply for a Gold Star Grant from Emerson.&#160;</p><p>&quot;The role and importance of teachers in shaping young people's lives cannot be overstated. Emerson's Excellence in Teaching Awards provide an opportunity for our company to celebrate the accomplishments of some of the best teachers from across the St. Louis area,&quot; said David J. Rabe, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Emerson. &quot;We are very proud to recognize our 30^th annual class of Excellence in Teaching honorees, who give their time and talents unconditionally to their students.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles attended the event.&#160;</p><p>&quot;The recognition of teaching excellence is always a worthy endeavor,&quot; said Miles. &quot;It focuses on the relationships our teachers build with students every day in bringing alive content, creativity and innovation in the classroom. We are certainly very proud of Meghan, Andrew and Ali and their efforts in Rockwood School District.&quot;&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;</span></p>

<p>​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​​​​​​​​​Each year, Rockwood School District recognizes nurses, computer support personnel, custodians, classroom assistants, secretaries, school bus drivers and other support staff employees who serve our district every day.&#160;The Cornerstone Award honors employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment and service to the district.<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br>From Selvidge to Rockwood South, with four stops in between, members of the Cornerstone patrol made their way around the district surprising six&#160;support staff members Nov. 13.<br></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p><div><strong>Congratulations to the 2020 Cornerstone Award winners!</strong></div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><strong>​Mark Hoffman,</strong> technical support specialist at Crestview Middle</li><li><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Kelly Mehe</strong><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">gan,</strong><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> secretary at Lafayette High&#160;</span></li><li><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Missy Miller,</strong><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> secretary at Rockwood South Middle</span></li><li><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Rachel Patterson,</strong><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> nurse at Fairway Elementary</span></li><li><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Marie Riley,</strong><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> receptionist/secretary at Selvidge Middle</span></li><li><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Dana Skoch,</strong><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> library assistant at Geggie Elementary​</span></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/mark-hoffmann-edited.jpg" alt="mark-hoffmann-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;146px;height&#58;218px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/kelly-mehegan-edited.jpg" alt="kelly-mehegan-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;170px;height&#58;221px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/missy-miller-edited.jpg" alt="missy-miller-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;148px;height&#58;226px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/rachel-patterson-edited.jpg" alt="rachel-patterson-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;105px;height&#58;221px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/marie-riley-edited.jpg" alt="marie-riley-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;175px;height&#58;226px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/dana-skoch-edited.jpg" alt="dana-skoch-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;177px;height&#58;230px;" /><br></div><div><br></div><div><div>These six recipients will be honored at the 31st ROSE Awards ceremony and dinner on Sunday, May 3, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Chesterfield.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Thank you to the Cornerstone Award c</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">ommittee, led by co-chairs Brian Reed, Brittany Hogan and Kim Lee.&#160;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/Fqea-tAvxfg" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div>​</div><div><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Congratulations to our 2020&#160;Cornerstone nominees!</strong><br></div><div><strong><br>​​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/cornerstone-nominees-list-edited.jpg" alt="cornerstone-nominees-list-edited.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;" /></strong></div></div>

<p></p><p>The Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition hosted a medical marijuana education event Nov. 12 at Lafayette High School.&#160;</p><p>The Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition&#160;works to prevent substance use among youth. As a school district, Rockwood's position on legal medical marijuana facilities is that local and state agencies should give thoughtful consideration to the impact that the location of such facilities will have on our students.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Locating those facilities near our schools and playgrounds can lead to the normalization of marijuana,&quot; said coalition coordinator Lili Schliesser.&#160; &quot;That can minimize perceptions of harm and impact the decision to use marijuana illegally.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Marijuana for medicinal use was approved by Missouri voters last fall. Many people remain unsure about the components of this drug and about what research is showing about its potential benefits and risks. The Rockwood education event addressed questions about the regulation of medical marijuana distribution and enforcement of state and federal policies.&#160;</p><p>Event speakers included officials with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, NCADA (formerly National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse) and MO-HOPE, an organization whose goal is to reduce opioid overdose deaths.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our concerns include youth access and kids getting their hands on marijuana and marijuana products, especially bringing edibles to schools,&quot; said Brandon Costerison, policy coordinator for NCADA.&#160; &quot;We see that happening in other states all the time.&#160; We also are concerned about illegitimate recommendations or certifications by providers and that some people will use this not for legitimate medical means but just as a way to get access to recreational marijuana.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said district administrators certainly want residents to have access to appropriate health care resources.&#160; But in Rockwood, the first priority is to maintain a quality learning environment in and around our schools.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Rockwood officials do not want to stand in the way of people accessing legal health care,&quot; said Miles.&#160; &quot;But our responsibility is for the care and well-being of the children in our communities.&#160; Normalizing marijuana usage does not help achieve that. We support the state of Missouri's assertion that such facilities should not be located within 1,000 feet of a school.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Lyndall Fraker is Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director of the Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation.&#160;</p><p>​&quot;We've been told by law enforcement and others that Missouri has about a $500 million black market marijuana industry,&quot; said Fraker.&#160; &quot;This program is estimated to be worth $100-$200 million once it's going full-steam.&#160; So there's still an awful lot of illegal activity going on.&quot;​&#160;​</p>

<p>​​​​​​Payton Brown and her mother, Mary Beth, are a force to be reckoned with.&#160;</p><p>They look like they could be sisters, sitting on a bench inside Lafayette High, where Payton is a junior.&#160;</p><p>What they are is a two-person charitable movement.&#160;</p><p>During Payton's freshman year, she started P's Traveling Closet, a clothes collection effort that distributes slightly-used clothing to Rockwood residents in need.&#160;&#160;Now, as winter sets in three years later, they find they have a surplus of winter clothes available for people who need them.&#160;</p><p>The &quot;closet&quot; is located in Payton's parents' basement.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We pick clothes out of several storage bins we have and drop them off at schools, according to what social workers tell us people need,&quot; said Payton.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We have probably ten bins of clothes,&quot; added Mary Beth.&#160;&#160;&quot;They are separated according to season, gender and size.&quot;&#160;</p><p>They have many stories about people they have helped – like one high school girl they became aware of who needed two dresses for a special occasion.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We didn't normally carry formal dresses,&quot; said Mary Beth.&#160;&#160;&quot;But this was such an honor – we wanted to be able to help.&quot;&#160;</p><p>So they released the need into their network of helpers.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We got so many dresses,&quot; said Mary Beth.&#160;&#160;&quot;Many&#160;had tags on them because they were new!&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I asked my escadrille team members for donations,&quot; said Payton.&#160;&#160;If we each donated five dollars the girl would have enough to buy two dresses, or jewelry or shoes. In the end with all the donations we got 15 dresses for our inventory. Plus, we were able to give the girl some money so she could figure out what she wanted and pick it out.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I hope people can open up and see how good it feels to help others out,&quot; she added.&#160;&#160;&quot;It opened my eyes to learn I go to a school where some people are in need.&#160;&#160;It feels good to help out.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Mary Beth says families in need or people with clothes to donate&#160;should reach out to the social workers in Rockwood schools.&#160;&#160;They are aware of P's Traveling Closet.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Then we will see what they need and help as best as we can,&quot; said Mary Beth.&#160;&#160;&quot;It's very anonymous.&#160;&#160;I deliver the bag of clothes to the social workers and they pass it on.&quot;&#160;</p><p>​&quot;I am very proud of Payton,&quot; said Lafayette Principal Dr. Karen Calcaterra.&#160;&#160;&quot;Her passion for service and her heart for helping others is simply amazing.&#160; Payton is thoughtful and committed to helping students and their families in our Rockwood community.&quot;</p>

<p style="margin-bottom&#58;6px;font-family&#58;helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color&#58;#1c1e21;font-size&#58;14px;">​​​Rockwood is a community. And the notion of &quot;community&quot; is evident at Veterans Day events at many of our schools.&#160;</p><p style="margin-top&#58;6px;margin-bottom&#58;0px;display&#58;inline;font-family&#58;helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color&#58;#1c1e21;font-size&#58;14px;">Students can be seen interacting with and showing their appreciation for people seven or eight times their age. Students look on with admiration as veterans slowly make their way to their seats before Scouts troops present the colors.&#160;​</p>

<p>​</p><p>All four of Rockwood's high schools – Marquette, Lafayette, Eureka and Rockwood Summit – have ranked in Newsweek's Top 5,000 STEM High Schools for 2020.&#160;</p><p>Respectively, those&#160;Rockwood high schools ranked 897;&#160;1,069;&#160;1,494 and 2,656.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I am very proud of our teachers and students and the work they do every day,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles.&#160; &quot;Being&#160;recognized as having some of the best STEM&#160;high&#160;schools in America serves both as an honor and an incentive.&#160; Rockwood is a community with parent support, dedicated teachers and students that strive for excellence.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Newsweek editors say the top 5,000 schools were curated from STEM.org Educational Research™ (SER) using a proprietary scoring logic that took into consideration a broad set of quantitative and qualitative data inputs.&#160; The purpose was to determine which primary/secondary institutions in America best offer students experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)—as defined by the Congressional Research Service—while preparing them for post‐secondary outcomes.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Children don't realize it, but they're natural STEM students,&quot; said Nancy Cooper, Newsweek Global Editor in Chief. &quot;We need to make sure that innate drive, curiosity, and creativity aren't lost along the way. These high schools are helping to ensure America's future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is in good hands.&quot;&#160;</p><p>View the Newsweek STEM ranking results&#58;&#160;</p><p><a href="https&#58;//www.newsweek.com/americas-best-stem-high-schools-2020/best-stem-schools-501-1000">https&#58;//www.newsweek.com/americas-best-stem-high-schools-2020/best-stem-schools-501-1000</a></p>

<div>​​Nearly 60 Rockwood staff and community members turned out for a district community safety update held in the Individualized Learning Center gymnasium Nov. 6.</div><div><br></div><div>“The primary purpose of our meeting was to outline the 4E option-based training our students are learning and what changes we are making to our intruder alert system,” said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles.</div><div><br></div><div>Eureka Police Chief Mike Wiegand joined Dr. Miles and Executive Director Student Services Dr. Terry Harris in the presentation. A Tier One Tactical trainer was on hand, as well, to demonstrate for parents what their children are learning in 4E option-based training.<br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br>Jeff Reiter is a Rockwood parent with two children in the district.</span></div><div><br></div><div>“I wanted to hear firsthand from the district as well as the trainers the perspective they’re trying to bring to the kids and staff at schools – to get them actively engaged in case there is an incident,” said Reiter. “Constant education and preparedness are probably the most important things that our kids and staff can be aware of.”</div><div><br></div><div>Nancy Riordan has children at Babler Elementary and Rockwood Valley Middle.</div><div><br></div><div>“I’m extremely happy to see the district preparing for the safety of our students,” said Riordan. “It’s good to hear from all the partnerships that are working together – the police, fire department, the trainers, staff and students.”</div><div><br></div><div>Harris said the safety and responsibility of the students in Rockwood School District rests with all Rockwood staff members.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>“If you see something, say something,” he said. “I think it’s important to let our community know that we have safety plans in place. It’s vital to share these plans as well as to express our need for continued support to make sure that all students are safe.”</div><div><br></div><div>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_0474.jpg" alt="IMG_0474.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;400px;height&#58;267px;" />&#160;&#160;<img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_0635.jpg" alt="IMG_0635.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;400px;height&#58;267px;" /><br></div>

<p>Eureka High students are nearing the end of a two-week collection effort for their annual canned food drive. Their goal this year is 35,000 donated items.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We collect food for local food pantries and help with our own adopt-a-family program,&quot; said teacher and student council advisor Andy Gensler. &quot;Every student is invited to donate canned or boxed goods, and our student council members take the donations and make sure they are properly packaged for distribution.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Ryan Santoni, a Eureka senior and student council event co-chair, said, &quot;I think it's going well. The last couple days have been busy, but a really good kind of busy. We all learn we need to be part of the community. We don't just go to school here.&#160; We want to be a part of Eureka.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's great to see everyone coming together for the community,&quot; said Eureka High junior and student council member Sydney Krey. &quot;Everyone does their part in bringing a donation in.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;As of Nov. 6 we were up to about 14,000 donated items, so we're hoping for a couple big donation days,&quot; said Gensler. &quot;Two years ago we collected&#160; 22,000 items in three days!&quot;&#160;</p>

​​​​​<br><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br><br><strong>Brittany Meldrum, kindergarten, <a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines Elementary</a>; and Ryley Spiezio, mathematics, <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a></strong><br><br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended</strong><br><strong>Meldrum&#58;</strong> Green Pines, <a href="/ellisville/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ellisville Elementary​</a>, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle​</a>, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a><br><strong>Spiezio&#58;</strong> <a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton Elementary</a>, <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a>, Rockwood Summit<br><br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood</strong><br><strong>Meldrum&#58;</strong> K-12<br><strong>Spiezio&#58;</strong> 1-12<br>----------<br><br>Suzanne Meldrum and Debbie Spiezio were first-year teachers at <a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison Elementary</a> in 1986. They met in the school parking lot one day and became lifelong friends.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Meldrumand%20Spiezio_Then.jpg" alt="Meldrumand Spiezio_Then.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;374px;height&#58;248px;" />They moved on to Rockwood South Middle together in 1993 – Meldrum teaching language arts, Spiezio science – and their rooms were just down the hall from each other. Spiezio left Rockwood South in 1995, only to come back to the exact same room three years later. Meldrum left in 2001 to be at home with her children, only to return to Rockwood South in 2015.<br><br>To the exact same room.<br><br>&quot;When I walked back in, I was like, 'They moved my furniture,'&quot; Meldrum said. &quot;With Debbie, it was like I'd never been away from her. It just felt so comfortable to come back to her. That's why if she thinks she's going to retire before me, it's not going to happen.&quot;<br><br>As Meldrum and Spiezio's friendship flourished, their families bonded. The Meldrum children would call the Spiezio children &quot;cousins&quot; and vice versa.<br><br>The middle children have followed in their mothers' footsteps as Rockwood teachers. Brittany Meldrum is in her second year teaching kindergarten at <img src="/news/PublishingImages/Meldrum.jpg" alt="Meldrum.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;330px;" />Green Pines Elementary, and Ryley Spiezio is in his fourth year teaching mathematics at Rockwood Summit High after teaching three years at Eureka High.<br><br>&quot;Watching the two of them working together, I want to work with somebody just as long and be part of their family, too,&quot; Brittany said. &quot;It's something to look up to.&quot;<br><br>Brittany wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. She has been babysitting since she was 11 and has always loved working with kids.<br><br>Ryley came to the profession midway through college, after switching his major from engineering. He called Debbie, thinking that she would be disappointed about him changing course.<br><br>&quot;She said, 'I figured you'd be a teacher someday,'&quot; Ryley said. &quot;I didn't know if you were going to be an engineer and then go into teaching or just go straight into teaching, but I figured it would happen.'&quot;<br><br>Brittany and Ryley can always count on their moms for advice as they navigate their own careers in education, even when they're not necessarily seeking it. The feedback often comes in the form of a debriefing session after a tough day, with Suzanne or Debbie as a sounding board.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Spiezio.jpg" alt="Spiezio.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;321px;" />&quot;They've been doing this so long that they understand what you're talking about,&quot; Ryley said. &quot;They let you know this is what they've done in the past in situations like that. You just end up picking up on things by having normal conversations.&quot;<br><br>Brittany invites Suzanne to come read to her kindergarteners. Ryley, who used to help scout opponents for Debbie's Summit girls basketball teams growing up, is now an assistant for the Falcons' girls basketball and lacrosse teams. Debbie still serves as a girls golf assistant.<br><br>&quot;Rockwood has meant a good foundation for my kids,&quot; Debbie said. &quot;All three of them are very successful, and I don't think they would have their level of success if they didn't go to school in Rockwood. We have that Rockwood connection. It's deeper than acquaintances or people who work together. It's just more.&quot;<br><br>​Ryley had his mother for science in sixth grade. He did his best not to draw attention to that fact in class and, when fellow students pointed out that he and the teacher had the same last name, he was not quick to confirm their relation.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Ryley%20Spiezio_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Ryley Spiezio_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;344px;" />​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Brittany%20Meldrum_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Brittany Meldrum_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;345px;" />A decade later at a career fair,&#160;he got to the front of the line at the Rockwood table.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The recruiter, current Assistant Superintendent Human Resources Dr. Katie Reboulet, saw his nametag and asked if he knew Debbie Spiezio. Reboulet&#160;was Debbie's assistant principal at <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle​</a> for two years.</span><div><br>Leave your resume, she said. We'll call you.<br><br>&quot;Rockwood is like a family,&quot; Brittany said. &quot;Everybody knows everybody, somehow.&quot;<br></div>

<p>Selvidge Middle students are presenting a play written and directed by a student.&#160;</p><p>&quot;A Tale of Four Tales&quot; will be presented in the Selvidge cafeteria Thursday-Friday, Nov. 7-8,&#160;at 7 p.m.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I think it's really cool that I have this opportunity to show what I wrote to the world,&quot; said Eli, the student who wrote the show.&#160; &quot;Last year we did a show called 'Dorothy in Wonderland,' and it was a mix between 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Wonderland.' That gave me the idea to mix different fairy tales together and try to create a unique show.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Kylie Braun teaches drama at Selvidge.&#160;</p><p>&quot;The basic concept is a 2019 version of 'Little Red Riding Hood' where she goes back in time and meets Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast and tells them about life, lessons, how to stand up for themselves and not to judge people by how they look,&quot; said Braun. &quot;It's similar to 'Into the Woods.' I have had student directors help with shows made by adults, but this is my first experience with having a student write a full-length show.&#160; We're very impressed and very proud and students are responding really, really well.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Eli's&#160;production now&#160;has moved off the written page and onto the stage.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Now I'm directing – blocking and telling people where to go, what to say and what should be on stage. It's been really exciting.&quot;&#160;</p>

​​<br><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br> <br><strong>Rebecca Dillon, Julie Merkle, Justin Scheuer, Julie Weitzel, Mary White and Teresa Yakel; Eureka High and Eureka Theatre Company (etc…)</strong><br> <br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended</strong><br><strong> Dillon&#58;</strong> <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx">Geggie Elementary</a>, <a href="/lasalle/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">LaSalle Springs Middle​</a>, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a><br><strong>Merkle&#58;</strong> <a href="/pond/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Pond Elementary</a>, <a href="/wildwood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wildwood Middle</a>, EHS<br><strong>Scheuer&#58;</strong> <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary</a>, Eureka Junior High, LaSalle Springs, EHS<br><strong>Weitzel&#58;</strong> LaSalle Springs, EHS<br><strong>White&#58;</strong> Eureka Elementary, Geggie, EJHS, EHS<br><strong>Yakel&#58;</strong> Eureka Elementary, LaSalle Springs, EHS<br> <br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood</strong><br><strong> Dillon, Scheuer, White and Yakel&#58;</strong> K-12<br><strong>Merkle&#58;</strong> 1-12<br><strong>Weitzel&#58;</strong> 8-12<div>----------<br><br>Students in the <a href="/eurekahs/activities/theatre/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Theatre Company</a> – or &quot;etc…&quot; – take ownership of their productions. Every aspect of the product they put on stage is student-driven. Every acting beat they nail, high note they hit, costume they create, lighting sequence they execute and seat they fill has special resonance to them.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Teresa%20Yakel_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Teresa Yakel, as a student and staffer of Eureka Theatre Company." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;331px;height&#58;152px;" />Even years after they graduate.<br><br>&quot;It becomes a permanent buy-in,&quot; said Teresa Yakel, the troupe's production manager. &quot;We're forever invested.&quot;<br><br>That's true for Yakel, a Eureka High and etc… alum who now teaches social studies at the school.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>Same for Rebecca Dillon, the technical director who teaches math; Julie Weitzel, the choreographer who teaches Spanish; Mary White, the pit conductor who teaches orchestra; and Justin Scheuer, the company director who teaches drama. It's true for Julie Merkle, who volunteers her time to serve as photographer.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Julie%20Merkle_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Julie Merkle, as a student and staffer of Eureka Theatre Company." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;332px;" /><br><br>They all wanted to come back to contribute to the Eureka community that helped raise them. More specifically, though, they all wanted to come back to etc…<br><br>&quot;It just feels good to come home,&quot; Merkle said. &quot;I went to college and always found myself thinking, 'I wish I was home.' And not at home on my sofa with my parents. Here, in the theater.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Justin%20Scheuer_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Justin Scheuer, as a student and staffer of Eureka Theatre Company." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;332px;" />Since its inception in the late 1980s, etc… has been building a devoted alumni base. They return as staffers or volunteers, support the current students by ​going to shows and serve as advocates for the company.<br><br>&quot;That's the strength of the program; it's always been student-driven,&quot; Scheuer said. &quot;We work so much because the students want to be here so much.&quot;<br><br>It's all about upholding a legacy of quality in every aspect of operations.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>Dillon, for example, took over for Yakel as company treasurer when the latter graduated from Eureka. The books were&#160;clean, color-coded and organized.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rebecca%20Dillon_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Rebecca Dillon, as a student and staffer of Eureka Theatre Company." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;332px;" /><br><br>&quot;And I kept them that way,&quot; Dillon said. &quot;We have this personal stake because we want it to continue being as good as it was when we were here. We want it to get better every year than it was before.&quot;<br><br>Dillon, Merkle, Weitzel and Yakel came back to the fold under longtime drama teacher Susie Allmendinger, who was their director when they were students.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Julie%20Weitzel_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Julie Weitzel, as a student and staffer of Eureka Theatre Company." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;332px;" />&quot;When I started teaching here, all my former teachers were so supportive of me,&quot; Weitzel said. &quot;They want you to do well and succeed because you're the fruit of all their efforts. The same people who invested in you when you were young are investing in you as a professional.&quot;<br><br>Scheuer, who was president of etc… when he was in school, came back as director upon Allmendinger's retirement this year.&#160;</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">White, a strings player, never got to be involved with productions in high school – they didn't do musicals back then – but has overseen the increased involvement of student musicians in etc… productions.</span></div><div><br>This fall's show, &quot;Little Women,&quot; runs Nov. 7-9 at the Eureka High School Theater. Shows are at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7-8 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 9. <a href="https&#58;//search.seatyourself.biz/webstore/accounts/eurekahs/buy-tix?d=0" target="_blank">Tickets are $10 in advance​</a> and $12 at the door.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Mary%20White_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Mary White, as a student and staffer of Eureka Theatre Company." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;332px;" />&quot;The first time we ran the big number with our lead, when she sang with the orchestra for the first time, she cried,&quot; said White, whose mother, Martha, performed in musicals when she was a Eureka student. &quot;That was a good sign it's the right show. It shows that they're really invested in it.&quot;<br><br>The alumni staffers in etc… remember that investment fondly. They remember the extended family they had at school, working long hours and putting their all into a product of which they could be proud.<br><br>Now, they get to help the next generation find their own pride.<br><br>&quot;As far as I can remember, Eureka has been this community that comes through for you,&quot; said Yakel, who taught in Texas before returning to Eureka in 2013. &quot;Always, forever, Eureka will be my community. It just made sense to blend those worlds, personal and professional, and continue to be a part of that.&quot;<br></div>

<p>Congratulations to Natasha Fischer and the LHS theater department on their recent performance of Noises Off! Mark your calendar to attend these upcoming plays and musicals&#58;&#160;</p><p>--November 6-8&#58; Hairspray Jr. @ Crestview<br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 7-8&#58; A Tale of Four Tales @ Selvidge<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 7-9&#58; Little Women @ Eureka High<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 7-9&#58; 30 Reasons Not to Be in A Play &amp; Fall Art&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Show @ Rockwood Summit<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 8-9&#58; Frozen, Jr. @ Wildwood Middle<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 13-15&#58; Live a Little @ Rockwood Summit<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 14-17&#58; How to Succeed in Business Without&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Really Trying @ Marquette<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 20&#58; Annie, Jr. @ LaSalle Springs&#160;<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--November 21-22&#58; Once Upon a Tower @ Rockwood Valley</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p><p>Way to go, Rockwood!<br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Megan Meier<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Rockwood Coordinator of Fine Arts&#160;​</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p>

​​<br><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br> <br><strong>Genevieve Betz, fifth grade, <a href="/ballwin/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ballwin Elementary</a>; and Heidi Metz, fourth grade, <a href="/kehrsmill/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kehrs Mill Elementary</a></strong><br><br><div><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended</strong><br><strong>Betz and Metz&#58; </strong><a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle​</a>, <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx">Marquette High</a><br> <br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood</strong><br><strong> Betz&#58;</strong> 9-12<br> <strong>Metz&#58;</strong>&#160;7-12<br> ----------<br><br></div><div>Genevieve Betz and Heidi Metz first became friends while attending Marquette High, where they were part of the first class to ever graduate from the school.<br><br>&quot;We had similar friends and met each other and have literally been best friends ever since,&quot; Metz said. &quot;We went to different colleges, but we still kept in touch.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Heidi%20Metz%20(6).jpg" alt="Kehrs Mill teacher Heidi Metz poses next to a picture of her throwing the first pitch at a Cardinals game." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;251px;height&#58;248px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Genevieve%20Betz%20(1)%20crop.jpg" alt="Ballwin teacher Genevieve Betz poses next to her Teacher of the Year picture at the school." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;251px;height&#58;248px;" />They've been living almost&#160;parallel lives since high school. Metz went to the University of Missouri as a business major but decided education was her path, right around the time Betz was making a similar switch from music to&#160;education at Webster University. Metz got a job teaching fourth grade at Kehrs Mill Elementary in 2001. The next year, Betz was hired at Ballwin Elementary. Metz won Rockwood School District Teacher of the Year in 2009, and Betz was Ballwin Teacher of the Year four years later.<br><br>Betz and her husband even helped set Metz up with her husband. The two families vacation together.<br><br>&quot;On vacation, we talk about what we're doing in our classes,&quot; Metz said. &quot;Our husbands are like, 'Are you really talking about school?' We're still giving each other ideas of things to do and things to try. It's neat.&quot;<br><br>As some of the first students to ever walk the halls at Marquette, Betz and Metz's class had a hand in naming the mustang mascot – Mookie – and launching the Stampede pep group. <br><br>They also never had to deal with any other students at the school pulling seniority on them.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Betz%20and%20Metz%20Stampede%20HS.jpg" alt="Rockwood teachers Heidi Metz and Genevieve Betz helped start the Stampede pep squad at Marquette." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;629px;height&#58;186px;" /> <br><br>&quot;They did a couple welcome barbecues before we even got started where we got to meet the staff,&quot; said Betz, who was zoned for Lafayette but applied for limited school choice to Marquette because most of her Crestview friends were going there. &quot;It felt like we weren't crowded the first year, because it was just two classes. The class of '96 and '97 almost melded into one big class and got to be really good friends.&quot;<br><br>The two encountered educators there who helped stoke their passion for teaching. Metz forged a connection with math teacher Karen Cannon, with whom she still keeps in contact, and Betz flourished with&#160;the support shown by Lisa Kaczmarczyk and Tammy Wagner in the music program.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Then%20and%20Now_Metz%20and%20Betz.jpg" alt="Genevieve Betz and Heidi Metz, as Marquette students and Rockwood teachers." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;412px;" />&quot;I wanted to get back to Rockwood so badly after college,&quot; Metz said. &quot;That was my dream, to come back. We're helping kids be successful humans. All these teachers that I had&#160;at Crestview and Marquette, they helped me be who I am.&quot;<br><br>​Betz, too, had Rockwood on her short list when she finished school. She had done observations in Metz's classroom at Kehrs Mill and was hoping for a job to open up there, but she took a third-grade post at Ballwin.<br><br>Eighteen years later, she knows it was the right decision.<br><br>&quot;This is where I was meant to be,&quot; Betz said. &quot;I strongly believe that Rockwood gives such a great education. I really believe in the school district. So when I'm talking with my students and parents about the future at Selvidge or Marquette, it's very easy for me to say that things are going to be OK.&quot;<br></div>

​​​​​​​<br>Allison and Cooper know the routine&#160;in Cindy Proffitt's room at the Eureka Early Childhood Center. The two usually move from their Early Childhood Special Education room to Proffitt's class around lunchtime every day, and classmates&#160;welcome them with open arms.<br><br><div>&quot;This is a great group of kids, and I love this age because they don't see differences,&quot; Proffitt said. &quot;They just see another peer to play with or include as part of their class. It's exciting to see that the kids just want them to be part of our group.&quot;<br><br>Cooper has Down syndrome, and Allison was born with DYRK1A-related intellectual disability syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes symptoms such as impaired speech development and autism spectrum disorder.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EECC%20Inclusion%20story%20submitted%20(2).jpg" alt="Cooper smiles with a Eureka Early Childhood Center classmate." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;305px;height&#58;248px;" />Their teachers know they are&#160;valued members of the classroom environment, and the rest of the students get it, too.<br><br>&quot;Cooper is learning so much each day at school in an environment that is accepting, kind and inclusive,&quot; said Dr. Paige Carlson, Cooper's mother and content facilitator career and technical education&#160;6-12 for Rockwood School District. &quot;His friends don't view him as different because his teachers have beautifully created an environment where Cooper is valued and respected. The focus is always on his ability. Cooper does have a disability, but he also has a wealth of abilities! When teachers value abilities in all learners, it helps students to see the amazing qualities that all students can and do possess.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EECC%20Inclusion%20Story%20(15).jpg" alt="Allison plays pet shop with a Eureka Early Childhood Center classmate." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;276px;" />&quot;I absolutely love <a href="/earlychildhood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Early Childhood</a> program,&quot; said Nicole Clark, a kindergarten teacher at <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Geggie Elementary​</a> whose daughter, Mia, is in Proffitt's class. &quot;I really love that Mia can open her heart to all children in the class. Even though we may be different, we are all the same. I am proud to have my child in Rockwood's excellent program that teaches the kids to take care of friends, their school and the world.&quot;<br><br>On a recent Friday, the class played pet shop. Cooper shopped for supplies, took his plush stuffed animal dog to the doctor and for a session with the groomer. Allison helped out bagging items with the cashier.<br><br>Everyone had a role to play.<br><br>&quot;It's our job as teachers to get to know every student and help them reach their fullest potential,&quot; Proffitt said. &quot;My end goal for all my students is to help them become lifelong learners and create an environment in which they feel accepted and loved. Cooper and Allison are a huge part of our class. We are the fortunate ones to get to spend our days being a part of their lives.&quot;<br></div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EECC%20Inclusion%20Story%20(7).jpg" alt="Cooper plays pet shop with a Eureka Early Childhood Center classmate." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;363px;height&#58;277px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EECC%20Inclusion%20Story%20(24).jpg" alt="Allison and Cooper interact with classmates during story time with teacher Cindy Proffitt." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;416px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EECC%20Inclusion%20story%20submitted%20(3).jpg" alt="Cooper holds hands with a Eureka Early Childhood Center classmate." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;287px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​​​​</p>Students in Beth Collier’s class at <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High</a> challenged themselves to try something new. They&#160;entered a National Public Radio (NPR) podcast contest and poured themselves into making their project a success.&#160;<br><br>The contest goal was to answer one of several prompts. The class chose the topic, “What do you want to change about the world? What's a big change that you want to make in the future?” The students&#160;shared&#160;how they’d like to be treated by others in a podcast about inclusion.<br><br>“We spent many hours researching podcasts, listening and watching,” said Collier. “We took time to come up with the statements and put them in an agreed-upon order. Then, we used&#160;a video app to practice recording ourselves so the students could go back and watch and listen to themselves to give feedback to each other.”&#160;<br><br>Once the students were ready, library media specialist&#160;​Elaine McKenna brought in a high-tech microphone to record the students. Each student voiced part of the podcast. All four students involved in the podcast were dedicated to the project from start to finish. Even though the podcast took months of hard work, every&#160;student said they would do it again. They even suggested topics for additional podcasts.<br><br>“I would do a podcast about recycling,” said sophomore&#160;Dillon Kaufmann.&#160;<div><br></div><div>Sophomore Anna Rose said, “I would talk about having more therapy dogs in schools.”<br><br>There were hundreds of entries for the NPR contest. When the contest results were announced,&#160;the team was happy with the results.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>“We received an honorable mention, of which I am so proud,&quot; said Collier. &quot;To even be considered was such a huge honor.&quot;&#160;<br><br>Check out the powerful podcast below.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLFcZAjuMnIYb4y57tylptGsRwZW8WrxbU" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div>

<p>​​​​​​​​​</p><a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> grad Brent Lacy is in a very select group. According to research by KSDK Channel 5, Lacy is one of only five players to hit a home run off of Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer when Scherzer played for Parkway Central High School.<div><br></div><div>Scherzer, who started Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, is a surefire Hall of Famer, with three Cy Young Awards, seven straight All-Star Game appearances and nearly 2,700 strikeouts over his 12-year career in Major League Baseball.</div><div><br></div><div>But, on April 20, 2001, Lacy went 3-for-4 against Scherzer and came up only a single short of the cycle. Though, as Lacy points out, Scherzer was only a sophomore then and Lacy was a senior.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;If I did it in the minor leagues or in college, it would’ve been a little bit different,&quot; Lacy told KSDK when reporter Corey Miller interviewed him on Lafayette's campus Thursday. &quot;He was still a sophomore with a long way to go when it comes to growth. The difference between sophomore and senior year is drastic. It’s still fun to talk about, though.”</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Brent%20Lacy%20Lafayette%20interview%20(3).jpg" alt="Lafayette grad Brent Lacy was one of only five players to homer off Max Scherzer when Scherzer was in high school." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;392px;height&#58;272px;" />Lacy, the Lancers' catcher and leadoff hitter, had another thing going for him that day and the rest of his senior year. He was hitting a spot ahead of David Freese, the future World Series Most Valuable Player with the St. Louis Cardinals.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;He had an unbelievable career. I played with him since we were little kids. Couldn’t be more proud of him and what he was able to accomplish,&quot; Lacy told KSDK. &quot;On that team, he was hitting right behind me,&#160;so I was going to see good pitches all day long.&quot;​</div><div><br></div><div>Lacy played baseball for two years at the University of Missouri, then finished his college career at the University of Central Missouri before returning to Mizzou to earn his degree. He got to know Scherzer when the&#160;former Parkway Central Colt was a junior at Missouri in 2006.</div><div><br></div><div>By that time, Scherzer was well on his way to being the pitcher he is today.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;He’s such a good guy, free-spirit kind of guy,&quot; Lacy said. &quot;He’s excited to play the game. I’ve enjoyed watching him​.&quot;<br><br></div>

<p>Several Rockwood schools, including Geggie, Uthoff Valley, Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse and Wildwood held “trunk or treat” events Friday night.&#160;</p><p>Many Rockwood families, complete with children wearing their Halloween costumes, participated. Some of those Halloween celebrations even included Rockwood school buses!&#160;</p><p>Transportation Director Mike Heyman said, &quot;Our school bus drivers are part of the Rockwood community, and we knew students would get a kick out of seeing the buses they ride at this fun event.&quot;&#160;​<br></p>

<p>Educational materials and data derived from the Missouri State Board of Education's collaboration with the Missouri Department of Economic Development shall be distributed by the board to each high school in the state to&#160;emphasize&#160;areas of critical workforce needs and shortages.&#160;Each high school shall provide its students with the information provided to the school by the state board of education before November first of every school year.&#160;<br><br></p><ol><li>​​Information on how to obtain industry-recognized certificates and credentials&#160;Career centers across the state provide training on a variety of occupations, including those occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor market of Missouri.&#160; Training in most of these occupations results in industry-recognized credentials and certificates that are valued by employers.&#160; The map found at this link has connections to each career center.&#160; Individuals and schools are encouraged to contact their local career center to determine what occupational training is available and to get information on licensing requirements.&#160;&#160;<br><a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/cnsl-legislation-1606-missouri-public-school-career-centers-map.pdf" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">Missouri Public School Career Centers Map</a></li><li>Information on how to obtain a license and the requirements for a license when licensure is required for an occupation<br><a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/cte-irc-tsa-guidance.pdf" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">Information on how to obtain industry-recognized certificates and credentials</a><br><a href="https&#58;//pr.mo.gov/listings.asp" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">Information on how to obtain a license and the requirements for a license when licensure is required for an occupation</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;</span></li><li>Access to assessments and interest inventories that provide insight into the types of careers that would be suitable for students</li><li>Resources that describe the types of skills and occupations most in demand in the current job market and those skills and occupations likely to be in high demand in future years</li><li>Resources that describe the typical salaries for occupations and salary trends</li><li>Information on how to obtain financial assistance for postsecondary education</li><li>Information on how to choose a college, school, or apprenticeship that aligns with the student's career goals and values</li><li>​​Information on self-employment</li><li>Resources related to creating a resume, interviewing, networking, and finding job opportunities</li><li>Information on the skills and traits necessary to succeed in various career</li></ol><p> Information on the above (3-10) can be found at&#160;<a href="https&#58;//portal.missouriconnections.org/">Missouri Connections</a></p><div><p>Additional Resources&#58;​</p> <p></p><ul><li><p> <a href="https&#58;//www.missourieconomy.org/occupations/index.stm">MERIC Occupations Studies&#160;</a>Several resources can be found on the MERIC site including occupational data, career resources, target industry real time briefs, and workforce studies are found.</p></li><li><p> <a href="https&#58;//www.missourieconomy.org/industry/index.stm">MERIC Industry Studies</a>&#160;Resources including information on employment and projections, industry and business in Missouri, industry clusters, target industry briefs, information on exports, and various special projects can be found here.</p></li><li><p>Critical Shortage Areas&#58;&#160;<a href="https&#58;//meric.mo.gov/workforce-research/occupational-projections">MERIC 2016-2026 Statewide Industry Projections</a></p></li><li><p>Each year the Department of Workforce Development provides&#160;DESE&#160;with a list of high-demand occupations that require more than a high school diploma and less than a bachelor’s degree.&#160;Many of these programs are provided at local high schools and area career centers as well as at the community college level.<br><a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/HighDemand08022019.pdf">High Demand Occupations for individuals with at least a high school education and less than a bachelor’s degree.</a>​​​</p></li></ul></div>

<p>​​</p><p>In this edition of &quot;Out &amp; About,&quot; Rockwood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles lends his fast-pitch softball bona fides to a good cause&#58; helping the <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> softball team raise money for cancer research.&#160;</p><div><br></div>Each year, the Wildcats hold a &quot;hit-a-thon&quot; in which the playe​rs get community members to pledge a certain donation amount per hit. All proceeds go to the <a href="https&#58;//www.jasonmottefoundation.org/" target="_blank">Jason Motte Foundation​</a>, which aims to &quot;strike out&quot; cancer.​<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3fbyG-GFJnAodnuViJJRwTI" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br><br></div>

<p>​​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br><br><strong>Brooke Stromsdorfer, eighth-grade language arts, and Matthew Swoboda, seventh-grade social studies; <a href="/wildwood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wildwood Middle</a></strong><br><br><div><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended</strong><br><strong>Stromsdorfer&#58;</strong> <a href="/pond/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Pond Elementary</a>, Wildwood Middle, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a><br><strong>Swoboda&#58;</strong> <a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines Elementary</a>, Wildwood Middle, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High​</a><br><br></div><div><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood</strong><br><strong>Stromsdorfer&#58;</strong> 2-12<br><strong>Swoboda&#58;</strong> K-12<br>----------</div><div><br></div><div>There are more than a few perks that come with being some of the first students to ever attend a new school. Just ask Brooke Stromsdorfer and Matthew Swoboda.</div><div><br></div><div>Swoboda, who entered sixth grade in 2001 -- the year Wildwood Middle opened -- was on the committee that picked out the school mascot&#58; Timberwolves. Stromsdorfer&#160;came to Wildwood two years later, and she and the rest of her eighth-grade class decided what was going to be depicted on the mural in the school commons.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Brooke%20Stromsdorfer_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Brooke Stromsdorfer was a Wildwood Middle student, and now she teaches language arts at the school." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;407px;" />There were some more practical advantages as well.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It was such a big deal that we had three-quarter-size lockers, where <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley​</a> had half lockers,&quot; Swoboda said. &quot;You’d give your friends at other middle schools trouble for that​.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>​​Swoboda is in his first year teaching at Wildwood, while Stromsdorfer is in her fourth. She was a classroom assistant with the 8 Gold academic&#160;team for a year before landing a full-time job. Now, she gets to teach on the same team, with&#160;her former language arts teacher&#160;Krista Chapis.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I came back to haunt her,&quot; Stromsdorfer said, with a laugh. &quot;It’s been so much fun. We've had a grand time together. She's my favorite teacher in the whole wide world. I’m very lucky to get to work right next to her.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Stromsdorfer said that while she had her first thought of becoming an educator in the third-grade Pond Elementary classroom of Dave Cobb -- now executive director of elementary education for the district -- her love for reading started with Chapis at Wildwood. Swoboda, too, patterns himself after the Rockwood educators who influenced him growing up.</div><div><br></div><div>Educators like his parents, Tom and Theresa, who worked at Green Pines when he was there. Tom and Theresa first met at a new teacher orientation at <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle​</a>, where Matthew would later teach for five years before taking the Wildwood job. Theresa is the librarian at Green Pines and has worked there for more than 30 years. Matthew's younger sister, Ellie, is in her second year teaching at <a href="/babler/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Babler Elementary</a>.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Matt%20Swoboda_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Matthew Swoboda was a student at Wildwood Middle and now teaches social studies at the school." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;395px;" /></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I always had somebody there to support me and push me to be a good student, learn and grow,&quot; Swoboda said. &quot;I always felt like I had somebody I could count on and trust. I want to give back, and that’s why getting back to Wildwood was so neat. Now, I get to be a part of the community that helped raise me.”​</div><div><br></div><div>Swoboda coaches the junior varsity boys volleyball team at Lafayette, where he played for Doug Ell. He also coaches the offensive line for the Lancers football team with head coach Boyd Manne, who he played for in high school. He teaches in the same room at Wildwood where he took geography in seventh grade.</div><div><br></div><div>Literally the same room. It gives him a feeling that Stromsdorfer knows all too well.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The school is&#160;exactly the same,&quot; Stromsdorfer said. &quot;Every single room is&#160;a wave of nostalgia.&#160;Every bit of it.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">My middle school experience was fun. So every day, I try to make it a little fun for my students.&quot;</span></div>

<p></p><p>Eureka High hosted the fourth-annual EHS Student Wellness Conference on Monday, Oct. 21.&#160;</p><p>Students had an opportunity to attend two different sessions featuring more than 25 offerings of wellness-related, interactive topics and activities.&#160;</p><p>Associate Principal Jennifer Strauser is one of the organizers.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our first wellness conference was in response to our focus on social-emotional learning,&quot; said Strauser. &quot;I thought it would be great if we could give students a chance to learn what they can do to relieve stress.&#160; This day highlights wellness; it's not 'anti-'anything.&#160; This is all about promoting wellness, not opposing anything else.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Activities included cooking, dance, landscaping, exercise, chess, comedy improv, health topics, sports, hiking, knitting, music, art and meditation and mindfulness.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Executive Director Student Services Dr. Terry Harris led students in yoga on the football field. Junior Audrey Cossins participated.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's kind of a chill day,&quot; said Cossins. &quot;I've done yoga in the past and really enjoyed it.&#160; I do cheerleading, so this helps with balance.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Sophomore Adam Carrasquillo can add yoga to the sports he normally participates in, including baseball, football and wrestling.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I like it,&quot; said Carrasquillo. &quot;It relaxes the muscles.&#160; It's not like you're really competing against anyone. You're just loosening up.&quot;&#160;</p><p>In the gymnasium, Debbie Devine, owner of Devine Performing Arts, taught students a number from Bettlejuice – the Musical.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Of all dance forms, musical theater is one of the most fun ways to not be yourself and get exercise at the same time,&quot; said Devine.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We hope students learn some healthy ways to relieve stress,&quot; said Strauser.&#160; &quot;We're highlighting things other than screens or unhealthy choices like drugs or alcohol.&#160; That's the goal.&quot;&#160;</p><p>​</p>

<p>​</p><div>In advance of tonight's big football game against fellow Rockwood school <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High</a>, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> officials would like to share important parking information with the community.</div><div><br></div>Parking in the school parking lot is limited due to construction at Eureka, so school officials are asking fans to consider parking at nearby Blevins Elementary (25 E. North Street, Eureka 63025) or LaSalle Springs Middle (3300 Highway 109, Wildwood 63038). Fans&#160;can then ride the shuttle bus to the football stadium in time for the 7 p.m. kickoff. School buses serving as shuttles will begin transporting fans at 5&#58;30 p.m.&#160;<br><br>The parking lot shuttle buses are free of charge.&#160; Activities Director Gregg&#160;Cleveland said he expects the Eureka High parking lot to be filled up by about 6 p.m.&#160;<br><br>The shuttles will run continuously from 5&#58;30-7 p.m.&#160;They will begin transporting fans back to Blevins and LaSalle Springs at the beginning of the fourth quarter.&#160;<br><br>All spectators are being asked to enter through the south gate this season.​<div><br></div><div>Eureka is 6-1, winning six straight,&#160;and Marquette is 7-0. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch picked the Marquette-Eureka game as one of its<a href="https&#58;//www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/football/week-games-to-watch-marquette-eureka-seckman-fox-and-more/collection_e4e7bbbc-f11a-11e9-ad09-43f7f30fb0ff.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=dlvr#2" target="_blank"> five area &quot;Games to Watch&quot; for Friday night</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>Have fun, Wildcat and Mustang fans!&#160;<br></div>

<p>​</p>During their first &quot;Genius Hour&quot; period of the school year, <a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Uthoff Valley Elementary</a> fourth-graders Abigail, Mya and Olivia began brainstorming a project that would help those who are less fortunate.<br><br>After meeting with their teacher, Amanda Wills, Uthoff Valley Principal Danna Thorne and <a href="/departments/boe/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Board of Education</a> President Loralee Mondl and Director Jaime Bayes, the students organized a donation drive to benefit <a href="/community/giveback/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Gives Back​</a>, which helps Rockwood students in need.<br><br>Abigail, Mya and Olivia came up with the plan for the drive, made and distributed flyers around the school outlining the supplies they were collecting and produced a video to play on the morning announcements.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Valley%20Rockwood%20Gives%20Back%20drive%20(2).JPG" alt="Uthoff Valley fourth-graders Mya, Olivia and Abigail smile in front of charts showing how many donations their school collected." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;289px;height&#58;296px;" />During the week of Oct. 7-11, Uthoff Valley donated 855 items to the Rockwood Gives Back campaign.<br><br>&quot;We were really surprised that people donated this much,&quot; Olivia said. &quot;It makes me feel proud because we helped out and happy because people will get a lot of food.&quot;<br><br>The three students incentivized the donations by holding a contest among the grade levels and school staff to see who could bring in the most items. They made a bar&#160;graph&#160;to hang on a bulletin board in the school commons to keep track of how many items each group donated.<br><br>Then they had to keep adding sheets of paper as the items poured in. In the case of the first-graders, who won the competition with 233 donated items, the sheets reach all the way to the ceiling. As the winning grade level, they got the honor of having their picture taken in the gym.​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Valley%20Rockwood%20Gives%20Back%20drive%20(7).jpg" alt="Uthoff Valley first-graders, who won the donation drive by donating the most items, smile in the school gymnasium." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;357px;height&#58;201px;" /><br><br>&quot;It was only five days, and first grade completed like one graph sheet per day,&quot; Abigail said. &quot;We couldn't fit another one.&quot;<br><br>&quot;Some days, people would donate a lot and I would think they probably won't donate much the next day,&quot; Mya said. &quot;But then they just kept donating, and we ended up getting a lot at the end.&quot;<br><br>Bayes, who – along with Mondl – is a member of the Rockwood Gives Back Committee, said the excitement and leadership shown by the trio of fourth-graders during the donation drive was inspiring.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Valley%20RGB%20drive%20submitted%20(1).jpg" alt="Uthoff Valley fourth-graders Olivia, Mya and Abigail smile with board members Loralee Mondl and Jaime Bayes." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;277px;height&#58;230px;" />At the end of the drive, she planned on taking all the Uthoff Valley donated items away in her car. She's going to need a bigger car.<br><br>&quot;It's pretty remarkable,&quot; Bayes said. &quot;The three of them collaborate together so well. It's not one person coming up with the ideas. They're sharing it. They're just really enthusiastic and proud of the work they're doing. It's truly right from their heart.&quot;​<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br>​<div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLbpWCHeYd7RMphcs-yosn0V3F0UYuoH7C" frameborder="0"></iframe> &#160;</div></div>

<p></p><p><strong>Letter from Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles&#58;&#160;</strong></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">I want to discuss with you a very serious issue we are experiencing in the school district. Parents, I want to ask for your help.&#160;</span><br></p><p>Many school districts, including Rockwood, have experienced social media threats posted by students that result in fear, uncertainty and possible student discipline and/or criminal charges.&#160;</p><p>First of all, I want you to know we will always take these matters very seriously.&#160; Often, social media threats involve hours of work by administrators tracking down their source.&#160;They also involve hours of work by our local law enforcement, because we will absolutely report social media threats to police.&#160;</p><p>We have no choice.&#160; If it's a threat, it becomes a law enforcement matter.&#160;</p><p>Students often say, &quot;Hey, I was kidding. It was a joke.&quot;&#160;</p><p>This matter is not a joke.&#160;We take all social media postings about our schools, our students or our staff members very seriously.&#160;</p><p>Often, as a result, students who make these postings face some very serious consequences that could result in school discipline and even criminal charges.&#160;</p><p>So parents, I am asking you to spend some time with your children and discuss this matter.&#160; Make sure they understand the consequences of such social media postings.&#160;</p><p>Please remind your children that administrators have no choice but to report these matters to police. It's a matter of safety for our entire&#160;community.&#160;</p><p>Obviously, we want to avoid that and the time that administrators and police spend investigating and tracking down these matters.&#160; We want to focus our time upon shaping and educating young people here in Rockwood School District.&#160;</p><p>Parents, thank you for your attention.&#160; Our number one priority is our children's safety.&#160; We appreciate you discussing this very important topic with your children.&#160;</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3eCAezN-a0aQRnTMXK29uUj" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><p><br></p>

<span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">The Annual Performance Report (APR) released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) identifies the status and progress of Missouri school districts on five standards&#58; Academic Achievement, Subgroup Achievement, College and Career Readiness, Attendance and Graduation Rate. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Rockwood continues to have high academic achievement with results above the state average. Rockwood has also outlined steps to improve educational experiences for all students in its strategic plan, The Way Forward. The Way Forward includes goal areas that address academic achievement, equity and access and social emotional support. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Rockwood’s emphasis on ensuring students are college and career ready is evident with high marks in assessment, Advanced Placement and postsecondary placement.&#160;&#160;</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom&#58;0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">85% of Rockwood’s 2019 graduates earned a qualifying score on a postsecondary preparation course or exam.&#160;&#160;</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">96% of Rockwood students graduate within four years of entering high school (98% within 4-5 years).</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Rockwood’s academic achievement is above the Missouri average for English language arts and math. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">In Rockwood our focus continues to be on ensuring that every student is making progress and reaching higher levels of achievement.&#160; According to Rockwood Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment Glenn Hancock, a balanced assessment program guides this progress. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.38;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">“Our educators in professional learning communities will review the state data along with the many other types of classroom assessments to improve our programs and help all students love learning,” said Hancock. </span></p></span>

<p>​​​​</p>Teachers and administrators from <a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins Elementary</a> and <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High​</a> will travel to Washington, D.C., next week and participate in the annual Character.org National Forum. <br><br>Blevins and Lafayette were both named 2019 National Schools of Character (NSOC) in the spring by Character.org for their efforts in promoting and implementing character education initiatives. Blevins earned this distinction in 2014 and was awarded it for a second time this year, the first year in which it was eligible to re-apply. Lafayette earned NSOC status for the first time this year and is the first Rockwood School District high school to do so.<br><br>The two Rockwood schools will be honored at a luncheon Thursday, Oct. 24, along with 87 other NSOC schools and three districts. The conference runs through Sunday, Oct. 27, and includes meetings, seminars and breakout sessions that reinforce the 11 guiding principles of character education espoused by Character.org.<br><br>&quot;We've worked really hard, so I'm excited to be acknowledged for our character journey,&quot; Lafayette Principal Dr. Karen Calcaterra said. &quot;I'm excited to attend the conference to see what more we can do and what other ideas we can bring back to enhance some of the things we're already doing.&quot;<br><br>Calcaterra and assistant principals Colleen Fields and Dr. Mandy Lewis will attend from Lafayette, while kindergarten teacher Hannah Bergmann, fourth-grade teacher Jeff Engle and second-grade teacher Sarah Klinkhardt will attend from Blevins.<br><br>Bergmann, Engle and Klinkhardt are leaders of the character initiative at Blevins. While Bergmann and Klinkhardt are first-time conference attendees, Engle went five years ago and said it's been exciting to watch the progress the school has made since.<br><br>Engle says Blevins has made considerable strides with service learning projects and initiatives such as a mentorship program in which every third- through fifth-grader has a dedicated staff member to serve as mentor. Principal Sharon Jackson said students also have significant input in the school's character education efforts.<br><br>&quot;This honor validates what we're doing and says that it's effective when it comes to students and their development,&quot; Engle said. &quot;We're heading in the right direction to continuing to develop kids socially, academically and emotionally.&quot;<br><br>Other schools from the region who are interested in submitting for NSOC consideration have paid site visits to Blevins and Lafayette in recent weeks to see how the schools have implemented their programs.<br><br>Calcaterra said she is proud of the advances her school has made in areas such as student leadership, trauma-informed care training for staff members and being more intentional about their &quot;champions&quot; program, in which each student picks a specific staff member who they can turn to as a trusted adult at the school.<br><br>&quot;I truly am honored that we're being recognized. Having said that, we would want to do this work anyway,&quot; Calcaterra said. &quot;I would want our students to develop as strong leaders. I would want our coaches, teachers, administrators, leadership groups and parent groups to talk about good character and what it means to be a member of the community.&quot;<br>

<p>​​</p><p>Rockwood School District has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to go toward construction of a tornado-safe storm shelter inside Wildwood Middle School.&#160;</p><p>District administrators were notified by Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) officials that the district was awarded the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).&#160;</p><p>The award will provide $1,218,750 in federal funds.&#160; It requires a district match of 25 percent of the project total, which is $1,625,000.&#160; That 25 percent match is $406,250. &#160;District funds for construction of the tornado safe room were approved by voters in the 2017 bond issue.&#160;</p><p style="text-align&#58;justify;">&quot;Our application was part of a national competitive grant,&quot; said Rockwood Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington.&#160; &quot;There were only four PDM grants issued to the state of Missouri for this funding cycle, and this was the only one in the St. Louis region.&#160; We are very pleased.&quot;&#160;</p><p style="text-align&#58;justify;">Rockwood Facilities Director Chris Freund said the Wildwood Middle tornado-safe room is designed to withstand winds up to 250 mph.&#160; In the event of a tornado, more than 775 students, staff and school visitors can take cover inside for protection.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Construction involves pre-cast concrete walls and a concrete roof structure,&quot; said Freund. &quot;So it's basically a big, protective vault.&quot;&#160;</p><p style="text-align&#58;justify;">Northington said grant applications were evaluated based on poverty levels, geographic distribution, cost/benefit analysis, floor plan detail, scope of plan and other factors.&#160;</p><p style="text-align&#58;justify;">&quot;We intend to submit our design package within the next two months and put the project out to bid in early 2020,&quot; he said.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I am thrilled this storm shelter will be in place to help protect our Wildwood family,&quot; said Wildwood Middle Principal Dr. Allison Klouse.&#160; &quot;We are truly thankful for the commitment of our Rockwood Board of Education and the additional funds through FEMA to make this possible.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;This federal grant will provide additional multipurpose space for students and staff as well as a safe place to shelter in the event of a tornado,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles.&#160; &quot;The partnership between local and federal entities enhances the district's ability to be efficient with our financial resources, a key goal within our strategic plan.&quot;&#160;</p><p>​Missouri SEMA officials say the award will be disbursed in two phases.&#160; The first is the design phase to cover the cost of the architect and the project manager.&#160; The second phase will cover the cost of construction after the district has bid and selected a general contractor.&#160;</p>

<p>​</p>The guest of honor walked in the back door of the <a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Uthoff Valley Elementary</a> gymnasium, turning heads and eliciting exclamations from the group of fourth-graders gathered to meet him.<br><br>AppleJack the miniature therapy horse may be pint-sized but, as it says on the back of his owners' T-shirts, he makes&#160;a big impact wherever he goes.<br><br>&quot;He was a huge hit,&quot; said Uthoff Valley school counselor Lisa Sandbothe.<br><br>AppleJack was one of six presentations – one for each grade level – Oct. 9 at the Uthoff Valley Abilities Awareness Day, an&#160;event the school has hosted annually&#160;since 1991. After a presentation from Emily Hoffmann, one of AppleJack's owners, about the many and varied groups the horse visits on a regular basis, the Uthoff Valley fourth-graders and their teachers got the chance to meet AppleJack and stroke his side.<br><br>The goal for these presentations is same year after year.<br><br>&quot;We started this to raise awareness of specific disabilities and promote acceptance,&quot; Sandbothe said. &quot;People with disabilities may do things in different ways than us, and I want the students to feel comfortable around others who may look or do things differently.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Abilities%20Awareness%20Day%20(12).jpg" alt="A Uthoff Valley first-grader works with a service dog at Abilities Awareness Day." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;407px;height&#58;285px;" />This year, kindergarteners learned about people living with varying abilities&#160;through dolls and stories, first-graders spent time&#160;with a service dog, and second-graders heard author Laura Heitert's story of living with diabetes. The model for the illustrations of the main character in Heitert's book, &quot;Maddie's Me Bag,&quot; came from Heitert's daughter Katelyn, who is now an eighth-grader at <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle​</a>.<br><br>Third-graders learned about life after suffering brain injuries, and fifth-graders heard a presentation about respecting differences from Katie Banister, who is paralyzed from the chest down as the result of a car accident.<br><br>&quot;Grow up and make the world more accessible,&quot; Banister said to the students. &quot;And invite people like me to hang out with you.&quot;<br><br>Sandbothe said the Rockwood <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Partners in Education​</a> staff was an enormous help in putting on the event&#160;and that, if other schools in the district are interested in starting similar programs, she is happy to assist.<br><br>&quot;This is a day that I truly love and get excited about every year,&quot; Sandbothe said. &quot;I get so inspired by our speakers and presenters. I do it for the kids, but then I end up loving the day and getting so much out of it, too.&quot;<br><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Abilities%20Awareness%20Day%20(25).jpg" alt="Uthoff Valley kindergarteners learn about disabilities through dolls and stories at Abilities Awareness Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;316px;height&#58;242px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Abilities%20Awareness%20Day%20(96).jpg" alt="Uthoff Valley fifth-graders learn about accessibility during Abilities Awareness Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;376px;height&#58;242px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Abilities%20Awareness%20Day%20(105).jpg" alt="Uthoff Valley second-graders learn about living with diabetes during Abilities Awareness Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;375px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​​​​</p><p></p>Students in need around the Rockwood School District regularly feel the stress of going through lunch lines with a negative meal account balance. Fortunately, help for these students is available through the Department of Child Nutrition Services' <a href="/departments/childnutrition/Pages/Random-Acts-of-Kindness.aspx" target="_blank">Random Acts of Kindness</a> program.<br><br>For the past three years, <a href="/departments/childnutrition/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Child Nutrition Services​</a> has been accepting donations through Random Acts of Kindness to pay off negative account balances for students. Director Child Nutrition Carmen Fischer said the program benefits many students each year.<br><br>&quot;We start with federal&#160;free and reduced meal qualification students,&quot; Fischer said. &quot;And then, if we know families to be in need and they don't qualify for free and reduced meals but we've talked to somebody in the school, we'll work to help pay off their meal account balance, too.&quot;<br><br>Fischer said families with graduates who have leftover balances can transfer the funds to another student or donate them to the school at large.<br><br>&quot;We try to keep it within the same building,&quot; Fischer said.<br><br>The Random Acts of Kindness program also accepts&#160;​charitable donations from community businesses and organizations as well as Rockwood parents and grandparents.<br><br>&quot;We have a very generous community, a great community that watches out for each other,&quot; Fischer said.<br><br>Donors can choose to direct their funds to a specific student or group of students, as well as a specific school or group of schools. Those interested in donating to Random Acts of Kindness can do so via&#160;check or through <a href="https&#58;//www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain.action" target="_blank">MySchoolBucks​</a> on the Child Nutrition Services webpage. (MySchoolBucks online fees for meal payments also apply to donations.)&#160;<br><br>If you have questions about the program or want to learn more about other donation options, please contact Rockwood Child Nutrition Services at (636) 733-3250.<br>

<p>​​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br><br>October is National Principals Month,&#160;​a time to celebrate the administrative teams at each school in the Rockwood School District and the work they put in&#160;every&#160;day to ensure that their students&#160;enjoy a top-quality education.​<div><br></div><div>There are 11&#160;principals and assistant principals in the district who are also Rockwood alumni and, to celebrate National Principals Month, let's take a closer look at some of them&#58;​<div><div><br></div><div><strong><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Davis_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Ballwin Elementary Principal Christine Davis is also a Rockwood graduate." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;346px;" />Christine Davis, principal, <a href="/ballwin/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ballwin Elementary​</a></strong><br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</strong>&#160;<a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a><br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</strong>&#160;12th grade<br><strong>Years Working&#160;in the District&#58;&#160;</strong>​22, including six as an administrator and the past two as principal at Ballwin<br></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I attended ​Eureka for only my senior year, but during that time I met Mr. Jim Schulz, an incredible teacher and the inspiration for me to pursue a career in teaching. As a result of my positive experience with RSD, I was eager to give back, and 22 years later, I am still here serving.&quot; -- Davis&#160;​</div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Dan Gieseler, principal, <a href="/westridge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Westridge&#160;Elementary​</a><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Gieseler_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Westridge Elementary Principal Dan Gieseler is also a Rockwood graduate." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;347px;" /></span><br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</span>&#160;<a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton Elementary​</a>, <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle​</a>, <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle</a>, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a><br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</span>&#160;2-12<br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Years&#160;Working&#160;in the District&#58;&#160;</span>​20, including the&#160;past five&#160;as principal at Westridge<br></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;Rockwood has always been the l​eading district and one of the best. The education that Rockwood gave me helped me through college and has inspired me to grow as an educator every day.&quot; -- Gieseler<div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>​<br></strong></div><div><strong><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Sciarratta_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Sciarratta_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;346px;" />Elizabeth Sciarratta, principal, <a href="/kehrsmill/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kehrs Mill Elementary</a><br></strong><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</span>&#160;<a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines​ Elementary</a>, <a href="/babler/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Babler Elementary</a>, <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle</a>, Lafayette<br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</span>&#160;K-12<br><strong>Years&#160;Working&#160;in the District&#58; </strong>five; in her first year as principal at Kehrs Mills after serving as assistant principal for four</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;My mom and grandmother were both Rockwood educators, so I have always wanted to be a teacher because of those two strong role models in my life. I also had amazing teachers along the way because Rockwood truly offers the best education through the best teachers. One teacher stands out among the rest&#58; Mrs. Morris, my 4th-grade teacher at Babler. She was my champion and has remained my absolute favorite teacher since my time in her classroom.&#160;She was funny, fair, and such a great teacher. I learned so much, laughed and felt connected to her and my classmates that year.&#160;I thank her for making that year so special for me. I can only hope that my time as an educator in Rockwood can have an impact on the students like Mrs. Morris did for me so many years ago.&quot; -- Sciarratta<br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Aaron Wilken, principal, <a href="/lasalle/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">LaSalle Springs Middle</a><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Wilken_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="LaSalle Springs Middle Principal Aaron Wilken is also a Rockwood graduate." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;346px;" /><br></span><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</span>&#160;<a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary</a>, Eureka Junior High (now LaSalle Springs), Eureka High<br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</span>&#160;K-12<br><strong>Years&#160;Working&#160;in the District&#58; </strong>two, as LaSalle Springs principal, after 24 in Fox School District<br></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;Having the opportunity to come back to Rockwood to work with students in my community has been extremely&#160;rewarding, far more than I even thought it would be.&quot; -- Wilken&#160;</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></strong></div><div><strong style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Borzillo_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Selvidge Middle Assistant Principal Matthew Borzillo is also a Rockwood graduate." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;346px;" />Matthew Borzillo, assistant principal, Selvidge</strong><br></div><div><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</span>&#160;<a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Uthoff Valley Elementary​</a>, Rockwood South, <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a>, Eureka High<br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</span>&#160;K-12<br><span style="font-weight&#58;bolder;">Years&#160;Working&#160;in the District&#58;&#160;</span>six, including the past two as assistant principal at Selvidge<br></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;My favorite Rockwood memory is growing up with my dad (David) as my football coach.&#160;He was a P.E. teacher at Lasalle Springs and coached me at Summit as well as Eureka. When I think of Rockwood, I think of family. What I enjoy now is having the opportunity to be around kids and make them laugh, make them smile. Oftentimes it's at my expense, but that's OK.&quot; -- Borzillo</div>

​​<br>This is the third year Katy Davis has taught the Ninja Design Challenge class at the Rockwood School District <a href="/giftededucation/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Center for Creative Learning</a>.<br><br>The goal of the eight-week course is for her students to use problem-solving skills to design playground obstacles that wouldn't seem out of place on the popular American Ninja Warrior reality competition show. They would also like to&#160;sufficiently test the physical and mental capabilities of their classmates&#160;… without breaking the rules of the playground, of course.<br><br>&quot;They work through the design process, imagine obstacles, create them and work to improve them to see if they're reasonable in the testing phase,&quot; Davis said. &quot;Then they create the course at&#160;recess so they can see that end result. It helps the kids think about the playground in different ways.&quot;<br><br>This year's class is the first one to workshop its proposed obstacles with&#160;a certified ninja warrior and course designer, Jamie Rahn, who has competed on nine seasons of American Ninja Warrior. Rahn, who works at the Ultimate Ninjas Gym in Chesterfield, visited&#160;with all five classes of Davis' third-graders.<br><br>He used one-on-one time to hear about the students' favorite obstacle conceptions and suggest ways in which they could be improved before the final product.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/CCL%20submitted%2016.jpg" alt="Rockwood Center for Creative Learning third-graders pose with ninja coach Corey Barger at the Olympia Ellisville gym." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;330px;height&#58;248px;" />&quot;It's such a fun thing when I can go and teach children, especially when they're in an environment like this where they're not just thinking about what they're doing but how they're doing it,&quot; Rahn said. &quot;They have all this energy and creativity that they just want to put somewhere.&quot;<br><br>The students also took field trips to the Olympia Ellisville gym, where ninja coach Corey Barger took questions about the obstacles he constructs and let the students try out the facility's equipment.<br><br>At the end of the eight weeks, each student picks his or her favorite obstacle, and they're combined into a course created by each class. Then, all five combined course plans are posted&#160;on the playground so everyone can test their skills against the ninja obstacles that their classmates created.<br><br>&quot;It's been really nice to give them this experiential learning,&quot; Davis said. &quot;That's one thing we like to do at CCL is bring in the expert knowledge&#160;and get them to talk with the students and teach them. So it's great Jamie got to come in while they were actually in process and reflect on their obstacles.&quot;​<br><div><br></div><div>​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/CCL%20Ninja%20Class%20(8).jpg" alt="Center for Creative Learning third-graders ask questions of American Ninja Warrior Jamie Rahn." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;379px;height&#58;252px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/CCL%20Ninja%20Class%20(18).jpg" alt="Teacher Katy Davis works with one of her third-graders at the Rockwood Center for Creative Learning." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;340px;height&#58;252px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/CCL%20Ninja%20Class%20(27).jpg" alt="American Ninja Warrior Jamie Rahn works with a third-grader at the Rockwood Center for Creative Learning." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;349px;" /><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3diYdWnBZNsPsy4tn6utgjA" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div>

<p>​​​​</p>A group of seven music educators from Rockwood School District got the opportunity to play alongside St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO)&#160;musicians at the Extra Credit Concert on Friday,&#160;Oct. 4, at Powell Hall in downtown St. Louis.​<div><br></div><div>Kyle Alexander (<a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a>, <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High</a>); Emilee Kellermann (<a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison Elementary​</a>); Hanna Kroeger (<a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins</a> and <a href="/ridgemeadows/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ridge Meadows</a> elementaries, <a href="/lasalle/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">LaSalle Springs​&#160;Middle</a>); Jason Long (<a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle</a>, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High​</a>); John Menner (Rockwood Valley); Steve Patton (Rockwood Valley, <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle</a>, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a>); and Kevin Smith (Selvidge Middle) played under SLSO conductor Gemma New&#160;and took part in an awesome performance and professional learning experience.</div><div><br></div><div>Rockwood students also experienced great success at the All-Suburban Choir tryouts, which were held Saturday, Oct. 5, at <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High​</a>. A total of 50&#160;students, representing all four high schools, earned spots in the All-Suburban Choir, which will perform Nov. 2 at Pattonville High School.</div><div><br></div><div>Congratulations to these students for being part of the choir!</div><div><br></div><div><span></span><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width&#58;20%;">​​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Maddie Ables, Eureka</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width&#58;20%;">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Katie Cunningham, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width&#58;20%;">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Amy Gubany, Eureka</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width&#58;20%;">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Jenna Nichols, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width&#58;20%;">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Paige Seifert, Rockwood Summit</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Bailey Barton, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Cora Dill, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Carly Handyside, Eurek</span>a</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Nolan Ortinau, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Jenna Stalter, Eureka&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Catherine Beering, Marquette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Sydney Fendler, Rockwood Summit</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Anna Holt, Marquette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Rachel Paese, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Aubrey Stine, Eureka&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Morgan Brown, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Brynne Ferguson, Eureka&#160;</span><br></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Lauren King, Marquette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Sara&#160;Parikh, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Brooke Tvrdik, Lafayette</span>​</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Shelby Brown, Marquette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Lucy Ferguson, Eureka&#160;</span><br></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Sarah Leonard, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Talia Parr, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Talia Wallerstein, Marquette&#160;</span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Emilia Caton, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Natalia Ferreira, Lafayette</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Katja Lewis, Marquette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Savana Presson, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Zachary Wehling, Lafayette&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Grace Clark, Eureka&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;"><br></span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Olivia Garrison, Marquette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Trina Makalintal, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Owen Puls, Lafayette&#160;</span><br></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Gabby Wheeler, Lafayette&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Rachel Clarke, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Jacob Goodman, Lafayette</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Savannah Marchi, Rockwood Summit</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Chris Ryan, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Ivy Williams, Marquette&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Sarah Collins, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Mary Kate Griffin, Eureka</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Alex Meuret, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Sedona Sayers, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Ben Wiseman, Eureka&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Angela Colombo, Rockwood Summit&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Rachel Grossman, Eureka</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Lena Niblett, Lafayette&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​<span style="font-size&#58;11pt;line-height&#58;107%;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, sans-serif;background-image&#58;initial;background-position&#58;initial;background-size&#58;initial;background-repeat&#58;initial;background-attachment&#58;initial;background-origin&#58;initial;background-clip&#58;initial;">Anna Schlegel, Eureka&#160;</span></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​Victoria Woodward, Eureka&#160;​</td></tr></tbody></table></div>

<p>​School meals are music to our ears in Rockwood School District!&#160;</p><p>For National School Lunch Week, <a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines Elementary</a> students participated in this year’s theme – “What’s on Your Playlist?” – by showing off the menu items prepared for them by the school cafeteria, which gives students increased choice and customization.​</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>​​</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3diRxPVg6QssVVg6O4dXZ3A" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><p><br></p>

<p>​​</p>Rockwood School District was recognized with the 2019-2020 Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for excellence in budget presentation by the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). This is the 20th straight&#160;year that the ASBO has awarded an MBA to the district.​<br><br><div>&quot;Maintaining financial integrity&#160;and transparency remain&#160;at the forefront of our core values in&#160;Rockwood,&quot; said Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington. &quot;Under the leadership of Dan Steinbruegge, director of <a href="/departments/finance/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">finance​</a>, we continue to be recognized at both the state and national level for our&#160;budget&#160;practices, presentations and overall fiscal management. It is rewarding to know that we have received this recognition for 20 consecutive years.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><div>ASBO International’s MBA and Pathway to the MBA promote and recognize best budget</div><div>presentation practices in school districts. Participants submit their applications and budget</div><div>documents to a panel of school financial professionals who review the materials for</div><div>compliance with the MBA Criteria Checklist and other requirements and provide expert</div><div>feedback that districts can use to improve their budget documents.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>Districts that successfully demonstrate they have met the necessary program requirements</div><div>may earn either the MBA or Pathway to the MBA, an introductory program that allows</div><div>districts to ease into full MBA compliance.​</div><br></div><div><br style="color&#58;#222222;font-family&#58;arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size&#58;small;">​</div><br>

<p>​</p><p>Rockwood School District <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Partners in Education​</a> worked with <a href="/westridge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Westridge Elementary</a> and the Special School District to bring representatives from the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA) to Westridge on Thursday, Oct. 3.</p>As part of Disability History and Awareness Month, Westridge students learned about the sports and fitness opportunities available to people with disabilities and tried&#160;out some of the equipment used by DASA​ athletes.​<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3fUgGpM9pvJ49A_xiNqyfnF" frameborder="0"></iframe> &#160;</div><br></div>

<p>​​​</p>The participants in the <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> homecoming parade were ready to rock Friday night in Wildwood.&#160;<div><br></div><div>This year's homecoming theme is &quot;Rock of Ages,&quot; and groups from schools such as Lafayette, <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle</a> and <a href="/babler/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Babler</a>, <a href="/chesterfield/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Chesterfield</a>, <a href="/ellisville/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ellisville</a> and <a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines​</a> elementaries did their part by donning wigs and costumes and blaring music from their floats.</div><div><br></div><div>The parade started at Green Pines and rolled through the neighborhood along Westglen Farms Dr. before turning onto Clayton Rd. and ending at the high school more than a mile from where it started, where the Lancer football team had a homecoming matchup with Parkway North.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Attendees lined the streets to take in the sights -- along with a substantial amount of candy -- as members of the Rockwood School District community showed off their civic pride.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/LHS%20Homecoming%20Parade%20(46).jpg" alt="The Babler Elementary golf cart included the school's bulldog mascot." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;312px;height&#58;261px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/LHS%20Homecoming%20Parade%20(39).jpg" alt="Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles took part in the Lafayette homecoming parade festivities." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;392px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/LHS%20Homecoming%20Parade%20(19).jpg" alt="Ellisville Elementary students got into the spirit with their rock-themed banner." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;363px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br><br><strong>Lisa Schirmer, kindergarten, Westridge Elementary</strong><br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</strong>&#160;<a href="/westridge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Westridge</a>, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle​</a>, <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High</a><br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</strong>&#160;K-12<br><br>Many people find their dream job eventually. Not many people go straight from college into their dream job, like Westridge Elementary&#160;teacher&#160;Lisa Schirmer did.<br><div><br></div><div>&quot;I wanted to definitely be in Rockwood, but&#160;I didn't think I would be lucky enough to get back here at Westridge,&quot; said Schirmer, who is in her fifth year teaching kindergarten at the elementary school she attended. &quot;This is like a dream come true, to be teaching here. This was the ultimate goal.&quot;​<br></div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Lisa%20Schirmer%20and%20Jill%20Stahl%20(1).jpg" alt="Lisa Schirmer and her former teacher, now colleague Jill Stahl pose in front of a mural at Westridge Elementary." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;350px;height&#58;248px;" />The teachers she had at every step along the way as a student in Rockwood schools, from kindergarten through senior year of high school, inspired her to pursue a career in education. When she did classroom observation&#160;during her undergraduate career, she made sure to drop in on Rockwood teachers because she knew the quality of the teachers.</div><div><br></div><div>Schirmer&#160;did her student teaching stint at Westridge&#160;in the classroom of Jill Stahl, who was her fourth-grade teacher when she went through school.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;She was one of the ones who&#160;really inspired me. They made you feel like they were your friend, and it made school fun,&quot; Schirmer said. &quot;Rockwood really feels like home to me, and&#160;Westridge especially.&quot;<br></div><div><br></div><div>When the first group of kindergarteners that she taught moves on to Crestview Middle after next school year, she knows they'll be in good hands because she went there, too.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Lisa%20Schirmer_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Lisa Schirmer_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;349px;height&#58;248px;" /></div><div><br></div><div>She teaches just down the hallway from the classroom in which she attended kindergarten. And, when she does walk through the same halls she used to travel as a student, she can see her name listed in the 2019 slot o​n the school's Teacher of the Year plaque.<br></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;When I was named Teacher of the Year, I never cry, and I was crying,&quot; Schirmer said. &quot;It didn’t feel real. It honestly still doesn’t feel real. It's awesome. It feels&#160;like everything has come full circle.&quot;</div>

​​Rockwood School District administrators hosted&#160;a school safety community update for district parents from 6-7&#58;30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Administrative Annex/Individualized Learning Center gymnasium in Eureka (500 N. Central Avenue).<div><br></div><div><div>In addition to safety updates from the district, parents&#160;receivee abbreviated&#160;<a href="http&#58;//track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/Q2Q_-GOGt85MPfH_WAKFiw~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRffh0lP0RDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5yc2Rtby5vcmcvcGFyZW50cy9zYWZldHkvdHJhaW5pbmcvUGFnZXMvNEUtVHJhaW5pbmcuYXNweFcHc2Nob29sbUIKAACl6ZxdM47nl1ITd29vZHRlcnJpQHJzZG1vLm9yZ1gEAAAAAQ~~" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https&#58;//www.google.com/url?q=http&#58;//track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/Q2Q_-GOGt85MPfH_WAKFiw~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRffh0lP0RDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5yc2Rtby5vcmcvcGFyZW50cy9zYWZldHkvdHJhaW5pbmcvUGFnZXMvNEUtVHJhaW5pbmcuYXNweFcHc2Nob29sbUIKAACl6ZxdM47nl1ITd29vZHRlcnJpQHJzZG1vLm9yZ1gEAAAAAQ~~&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1570713264904000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFIrL4QbQOXcV6AwHYbaTEMF4-q_Q">4E option-based training</a>&#160;from Tier One Tactical trainers. The purpose of this demonstration was to provide attendees&#160;with a better understanding of the intruder alert training that&#160;children receive at school.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="/parents/safety/Documents/11-6-19%20Agenda%20-%20Community%20Safety%20Update.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see an agenda for the evening.</div><div><br></div><div>The safety of our students and staff will always be a priority in Rockwood, and we&#160;sincerely appreciate the community's&#160;support of our ongoing work in this area.</div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/QDNVVO5Yi6I" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br>​​</div></div>

<p>​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​​​Do you know a Rockwood support staff member who goes above and beyond every day? Nominate him or her for a 2020&#160;Cornerstone Award!</span></p><p> <span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The Cornerstone Award recognizes support staff members in Rockwood School District who demonstrate outstanding commitment and service. These employees are a vital part of our district and Rockwood wants them to know how much their contributions mean to everyone.​​</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​</span></p><p> <span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Check <a href="/departments/communications/cornerstone/Pages/Eligibility-Guidelines.aspx">eligibility guidelines</a>, as well as <a href="/departments/communications/cornerstone/Pages/Past-Recipients.aspx">past recipients.</a></span></p><p> <span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Nominations are accepted through <strong>Friday, Oct. 25.</strong></span></p><p style="text-align&#58;center;"><a class="btn btn-lg btn-rsd" href="/departments/communications/cornerstone/Pages/Nominations.aspx"> <span class="mr-2"> <i class="fas fa-check-square" aria-hidden="true"></i></span>Submit y​our nom​ination</a></p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Should you have questions, please contact <a href="mailto&#58;shinandrew@rsdmo.org">Andrew Shin</a> in Rockwood Communications at (636) 733-1149.&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Thank you for your interest in the Cornerstone Awards Progra</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">m!​​​</span>

<p>​​​​​</p>Rockwood School District bus drivers are taking time out of their morning every Tuesday to read to preschool students at the <a href="/earlychildhood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Early Childhood Center​</a>.<div><br></div><div>B​eth Dierking, the students' teacher, said she used to have a similar program when she previously taught preschool at Fairway Elementary, where the school's fifth-graders would come and read to the students. Dierking, who is in her first year at the Eureka Early Childhood Center, reached out to the bus drivers who are based at the transportation depot at the school and, before long, she had a half-dozen volunteers.</div><div><br></div><div>The drivers have had two sessions with the students, and Dierking anticipates it being a yearlong relationship.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's been a wonderful partnership,&quot; Dierking said. &quot;I reminded the students about the first time the bus drivers came and read to us and asked if they liked that, and they all smiled and said, 'Yes!' enthusiastically. They have a great time, and I think it's going to be something they look forward to every week.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday, Oct. 8, drivers David Cox, Ed Martinez, Jessica Miller, Mike South and Monaka Zangaro read to the students. It was the first time for some, while others got the opportunity to further the connection they had established the week before.​</div><div><br></div><div>Dierking said some of her fellow&#160;teachers at the center have expressed interest in&#160;expanding the reading program to other classrooms.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;They get accustomed to you,&quot; South said. &quot;The first week, they were a little more quiet and, this week, a little more outgoing.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;When it becomes routine, they get more excited,&quot; Zangaro added. &quot;They look forward to us coming. My little guy likes picking out his books.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20Drivers%20Reading%20at%20Eureka%20ECC%20(5).jpg" alt="Rockwood bus driver Jessica Miller reads to a preschooler at the Eureka Early Childhood Center." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;347px;height&#58;231px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20Drivers%20Reading%20at%20Eureka%20ECC%20(6).jpg" alt="Rockwood bus drivers read to preschoolers at the Eureka Early Childhood Center." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;372px;height&#58;231px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20Drivers%20Reading%20at%20Eureka%20ECC%20(14).jpg" alt="Rockwood bus driver David Cox reads to a preschooler at the Eureka Early Childhood Center." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;347px;" /><br></div>

<p>​Rockwood School District is offering a $1,000 sign-on bonus to attract new, road-ready school bus drivers who already have experience.&#160;</p><p>&quot;This is designed to minimize the effects of the nationwide school bus driver shortage on Rockwood,&quot; said Rockwood Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington. &quot;We're trying to do whatever we can to bring drivers into the school district.&quot;&#160;</p><p>The $1,000 sign-on bonus will be paid in two equal increments of $500 after 60 and 120 calendar days of employment.&#160;</p><p>&quot;For us, the benefit of finding someone who already has their Class A or Class B driver's license is that it decreases the level of training necessary,&quot; said Northington.&#160; &quot;It costs up to $2,700 to train a new person with no experience.&#160; For someone who is road-ready, that cost is less than $1,000.&#160; So for taxpayers, it's a good business decision to pay a bonus like this to get experienced drivers.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Transportation Director Mike Heyman said district school bus drivers are paid based on experience.&#160; A brand new driver starts out at $16.61/hour, and top of scale with five years of experience is $25.39/hour.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We hope to secure experienced drivers and train them in the Rockwood way,&quot; said Heyman.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood already has a $500 school bus driver referral bonus program in place for employees.&#160; That amount will be paid to any district employee who refers a person who is ultimately hired as a district school bus driver, with or without experience.&#160;</p><p>​<a href="/departments/transportation/Pages/Bus-Drivers.aspx">Learn more about how to apply.</a>&#160;​</p>

<p>​​​​​​</p><p>Rockwood parents received their children's individual STAR Reading and Math results Tuesday, Oct. 2&#160;via secure email.&#160; The STAR assessments consist of computer-adaptive items designed to provide near-instant feedback on student performance and learning. &#160;Each STAR assessment takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood officials sent these results via an electronic communication similar to the one used for 2018-2019 final report cards and 2019 MAP test results. It included instructions for retrieving STAR scores.&#160; The email came from Rockwood Research, Evaluation and Assessment with the subject line &quot;STAR Reading Report&quot; or &quot;STAR Math Report.&quot;&#160; If parents would like printed copies, they can contact their child's school office.&#160;</p><p>Students receiving reports&#58;&#160;</p><p>--STAR Reading - All students in grades 2-8 and students in ninth&#160;grade ELA courses (excluding honors and ALARP courses).&#160;</p><p>--STAR Math - All students in grades 2-8 except those in high school math courses (Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry).&#160;</p><p>Assessments are primarily used to inform classroom instruction and to set learning goals. First-grade reports are not delivered at this time while&#160;our first-grade learners develop their reading stamina and adjust to online testing.&#160; If there are ever concerns, parents are notified in a timely manner.&#160;</p><p>Please contact&#160;<a href="/contact/Pages/School-Directory.aspx">your school office</a>&#160;and review this&#160;<a href="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/watch?v=89U52AxGW3A&amp;feature=youtu.be">video</a>&#160;for support in&#160;understanding the results. Please call&#160;the Rockwood Help Desk for assistance accessing the report at (636) 733-1169.&#160;</p>

<p>​</p>The scene in the <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle​</a> weight room was a flurry of action Wednesday morning, with students cycling through a series of Crossfit stations in which they performed exercises such as box jumps, kettlebell lifts and ball slams. If you stepped out the door into the back gym, though, you'd experience something completely different&#58; rows of students focusing on staying still, holding yoga poses for as long as they could.<div><br></div><div>In one room, a Zumba class was learning the steps to a high-energy dance to a Latin beat while, just down the hallway, students were painting their feelings and trying their hands at a pottery wheel.</div><div><br></div><div>The first-ever Wellness Day at Rockwood Valley included 23 different sessions at which students could check out activities that promoted physical and emotional well-being. There truly was something for everyone.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Wellness%20Day%20(37).jpg" alt="Two students work at pottery wheels during Rockwood Valley Wellness Day." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;37%;height&#58;311px;" />&quot;​The essential question for that day was, ‘How does focusing on my own wellness affect others around me?’&quot; said school social worker Zana Ganic. &quot;We had sessions that really targeted and allowed for everyone to be included. We wanted to offer a variety of sessions for people who may not like physical activity, and may prefer something&#160;like&#160;nature journaling, poetry or self-love.&#160;It was just a really fun day that they enjoyed.”​</div><div><br></div><div>Ganic said she got the idea from <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High's</a> annual Student Wellness Conference and worked with the district's <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Partners in Education​</a> facilitators&#160;to bring in partners from around the community who could lead the sessions. Students attended two sessions over two hours Wednesday -- a half-day -- and teachers and staff were also encouraged to participate.</div><div><br></div><div>The school placed an emphasis on mixing in students from all three grades throughout the sessions.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We wanted to make it a whole-school event,&quot; Ganic said. &quot;There were eighth- and seventh-grade students helping the sixth-graders, so there was a lot of mingling going on. The emphasis was on creating a community together while exposing the students to different activities and&#160;giving them that chance to find a new interest. It also gave students the chance to see people in their own grade level who they may not have known and see that they had something in common.”​</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Wellness%20Day%20(35).jpg" alt="Students learn a dance during a Zumba class at Rockwood Valley Wellness Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;359px;height&#58;292px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Wellness%20Day%20(30).jpg" alt="Students take a comedy improv class at Rockwood Valley Wellness Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;317px;height&#58;292px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Wellness%20Day%20(14).jpg" alt="Students perform Crossfit dumbell lifts during Rockwood Valley Wellness Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;390px;height&#58;292px;" /><br>​​</div>

<p>​</p><p>A Rockwood high school SRO (school resource officer) posted a video on social media that has captured the attention of students and parents alike.&#160;</p><p>The supportive, nurturing video contains no narration or speech.&#160; It is simply Jim McDonald, aka &quot;Officer Mac,&quot; showing a series of handwritten messages to the camera.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I posted it on my own YouTube channel with a link to Twitter,&quot; said McDonald, a St. Louis County Police officer.&#160; &quot;Then people started sharing it.&#160; I got a lot of feedback from parents and students who said they liked the video and appreciated my efforts.&#160; They kept saying, 'You really care about kids,' and I do.&#160; My priority is these students.&#160; I'm a graduate and it's fun being back in my own high school.&quot;&#160;</p><p>The video carries a message that encourages young people to persevere and reach out for help.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I hope students understand that we care about them,&quot; said McDonald.&#160; &quot;The ones that pushed the envelope are the ones that I end up talking to all the time.&#160; Now they have me listed as their champion.&#160; I think I have 18 or 19 of those.&#160; They are the ones I get to know best.&quot;&#160;</p><p>McDonald said the key is in building relationships.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I get a lot of – 'You're the school cop,' and things of that nature,&quot; he said.&#160;</p><p>McDonald said that's why he begins every school day out in front of the school building.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I knuckle-bump students when they get here in the morning and reach out to the ones who don't say anything.&#160; That makes it difficult not to talk to me,&quot; he added, laughing.&#160; &quot;It's fun.&#160; You do that a couple times and they start saying 'hello' in the hallway.&#160; It's all about relationships.&quot;&#160;​​​</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3d5HM4qeuW6txMqfZc-_LoJ" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><p><br></p><p></p>

<p>​​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​​​​​</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The Rockwood School Board approved both the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school calendars at its meeting Thursday, Oct. 3.</span></p><div>The 2020-2021 school year will begin Monday, Aug. 24, and run through Thursday, June 3.</div><div>&#160;<a href="/news/AlertImages/2020-21%20Calendar%20List%20with%20Inclement%20Weather%20Make-Up%20Schedule.pdf">View the 2020-21&#160;Calendar List with Inclement Weather Make-Up Schedule</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>The 2021-2022 school year will begin Monday, Aug. 23, and run through Thursday, June 2. <a href="/news/AlertImages/2021-22%20Calendar%20List%20with%20Inclement%20Weather%20Make-Up%20Schedule.pdf">View the&#160;2021-22 Calendar List with Inclement Weather Make-Up Schedule</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>Rockwood School District would like to thank all of the community members who provided feedback during the process of revising the calendars for the next two years.</div>

​​​​<br>Madeline Seward has two copies of a picture from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It captures the trip she and other&#160;​Variety St. Louis Adventure Camp participants took to the Museum at the Gateway Arch in June 2018, before it opened to the public. She keeps one copy with her at <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a> and the other in a scrapbook under her bed.<br><br>In it, she’s interacting with one of her counselors, Madison, and a museum exhibit, and she’s grinning from ear to ear. When she sees the picture, she replicates that smile and excitedly uses one of the phrases she has&#160;to verbally communicate&#58; “Oh yeah!”<br><br>“She enjoyed it,” said her nurse, Genie Nutter, who spends 12 hours a day at school and home with Madeline four days a week. “She’s smiling and participating. She loves Madison and the experiences with Variety.”<br><br>Madeline, a seventh-grader at Rockwood South, is a wheelchair user who has difficulties controlling her motor functions, the result of a severe acquired brain injury four years ago. She also loves her family, playing pranks, arts and crafts and her&#160;classmates, who always make a point to say ‘hi’ to her in the hallway and offer to help push her wheelchair. She even loves Starbucks and going out to eat, like many fellow seventh-graders.<br><br>She is a Rockwood School District student living with a disability, but that’s far from the only way to define her.<br><br>“She is the kindest and happiest person ever,” said her mother, Amanda Seward. “She is everybody’s friend. She is kind of a magnet for kids, and everyone is really wonderful to her. The kids genuinely, really get attached to her.”<br><br>Madeline was born with optic nerve hypoplasia that left her visually impaired and a form of cerebral palsy that resulted in muscle weakness on her left side. In 2015, while she was battling the flu, her family couldn’t wake her from a nap. Madeline, then a second-grader at <a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton Elementary</a>, spent the next six months in the hospital with brain swelling.<br><br>When she got out, she could no longer walk or talk.<br><br>“She couldn’t even really hold her head up, do anything with her hands, no form of communication,” Amanda said. “It was a pretty significant difference, and they weren’t sure if she would ever regain anything. But she’s done great. We have the best-case scenario with her support system&#58; schools, nurses, family, outside therapy. She even surprises her doctors.”<br><br>“It made all the other hard stuff look really insignificant,” Madeline’s father, Jonathan, added. “It really brought some clarity and perspective to life.”<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Seward%20Family%20submitted%20(1).jpg" alt="Madeline Seward, her parents, Amanda and Jonathan, and her siblings, Lillian, Bennett and Logan, pose for a family picture." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;41%;height&#58;282px;" />Madeline’s school communities have rallied around her.&#160;She had great support from Principal Dr. Christy Starnes, teachers and other families while at Stanton.&#160;When she made the transition from elementary to middle school, Rockwood South Principal Dr. Laurie Birkenmeier sat in on her first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, and the Special School District teachers at the school have worked with the family to provide an enriching educational experience for Madeline. She recently got a perfect score on a meteorology test.<br><br>Her support structure at home has also been critical to her success. That includes her​ parents and her three siblings&#58; fifth-grader Lillian, second-grader Bennett and kindergartener Logan, all of whom attend Stanton. It also includes the family’s soft-coated Wheaten terrier, Annie, who has been with Madeline nearly her whole life.<br><br>When Madeline came home from the hospital in 2015, Annie started sleeping under her bed. Annie also makes sure to conduct a thorough inspection on each new nurse that comes into Madeline’s orbit.<br><br>“That protector mode, we see that in her siblings, too,” Amanda said. “This has made them even more accepting of others. I don’t think they see things the same way other kids look at them. They immediately think of inclusion versus what’s different.”<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Madeline%20Seward%20(6).jpg" alt="Madeline Seward poses in her bedroom." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;38%;height&#58;279px;" /><br><br>Madeline has regained the ability to say a few words – including “mom,” “dad,” &quot;hi,&quot; &quot;bye,&quot; &quot;yes,&quot; &quot;no,&quot; and “blue and orange,” her current favorite colors – and has spent the past couple of years working with an augmentative and alternative communication device built into her wheelchair. She pushes buttons on the chair with her head to select phrases from a library that she helped create, then speakers play the phrase so others can hear.<br><br>She has even started to stand again, and she’s working on walking with assistance.<br><br><div><div></div><div>​“She can be easily underestimated,” Amanda said. “Anybody who’s worked with her knows that the reason she’s come as far as she has is because we don’t underestimate her. You can’t judge based on appearance.”&#160;&#160;</div></div><p><br></p>

<p>​​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br> <br><strong>Layla Torgoley, counselor, <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High</a>; and Sean Torgoley, science teacher, <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a></strong><br><strong> Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</strong> <a href="/kehrsmill/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kehrs Mill Elementary</a>, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx">Crestview Middle</a>, Marquette <br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</strong> K-12 (Layla), 4-12 (Sean)<br><br>Sean Torgoley always had a shadow with him when he was growing up&#58; his sister, Layla, seven years his junior.<br><br>When Sean went to hang out with his friends, Layla was there. When Sean went to work, Layla was there.<br><br>&quot;I had to watch her all the time,&quot; Sean said. &quot;We formed a pretty good relationship, like an 'I'll let you do this, if you don't tell mom and dad that I did this' sort of thing.&quot;<br><br>By the time Layla started at Marquette – three years after Sean graduated – she found that he had left a reputation for her to follow&#58; rebellious, but lovably so.<br><br>&quot;They'd be like, 'You're Sean's sister. He's so fun!'&quot; Layla said. &quot;He would get into trouble, but everybody still loved him. Sean's more outgoing and I'm more introverted, so everyone would always try to get me out of my box.&quot;<br><br>After graduating from Rockwood, Layla and Sean have both come back to work in the district. Sean is in his fourth year teaching science at Rockwood Summit, and Layla is in her first year as a counselor at Marquette, their alma mater. Sean, who was a wrestler in high school, is also an assistant wrestling coach for the Mustangs.<br><br>Sean had his epiphany about becoming a teacher during gym class at Marquette.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Layla%20and%20Sean%20Torgoley_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Layla and Sean Torgoley&#58; together at a Blues game when Layla was in high school and now." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" />&quot;I always said forever is a very long time. I could never see myself doing anything forever,&quot; Sean said. &quot;I had always enjoyed school, so I could see myself being a teacher. I got my first job teaching and it was super hard, long hours, but I honestly could see myself doing that for the rest of my life.&quot;<br><br>​Layla didn't decide on becoming&#160;a counselor until late in her undergraduate career. Once she was in graduate school, though, she had a familiar face who was active in helping her seek out professional opportunities&#58; Marquette Assistant Principal Rick Regina, who was her field hockey coach in high school and taught both her&#160;and Sean in freshman language arts.<br><br>Regina still calls her &quot;Layla,&quot; though he's working hard to make &quot;Ms. Torgoley&quot; a habit.<br><br>&quot;What I love about the district is how much they do for students,&quot; Layla said. &quot;If a student has any situation, they will try to do anything they can for that student to be successful. I refer back to all my experiences with teachers. When teachers made me feel a certain way, I want to do that for kids.&quot;<br><br>&quot;It's good to be able to give back,&quot; Sean added. &quot;We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for Rockwood.&quot;<br>

<p>​​​High School students are being asked to register and pay for&#160;Advanced Placement (AP)&#160;exams during first semester. The new change this school year is being implemented by the&#160;AP&#160;Program.&#160; It will allow students the opportunity to access new instructional resources including unit guides, personal progress checks and a bank of real&#160;AP&#160;questions.&#160;</p><p>Taking an&#160;AP&#160;exam is a natural conclusion to the extensive work students complete while taking an&#160;AP&#160;course. Below are a few reminders regarding&#160;exam registration&#58;&#160;</p><p>·&#160; This year each exam costs $99.&#160;</p><p>·&#160; &#160;If you are a student with disabilities, who is seeking nonstandard testing accommodations, please have a parent contact your school's building test coordinator immediately. An application with College Board must be completed&#160;on your behalf&#160;to receive accommodations. The deadline for this application is Jan.&#160;17, 2020.&#160;</p><p>·&#160; &#160;If you currently qualify for the free/reduced meal&#160;program, please&#160;contact your building test coordinator as soon possible to discuss a fee waiver/reduction.&#160;</p><p>·&#160; Taking an&#160;AP&#160;exam is a great way to pursue college credit. To find a listing of colleges and universities and their policies&#160;in accepting&#160;AP&#160;exam grades (college credit awarded for exam scores), please visit College Board's website&#58;&#160;<a href="http&#58;//www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy">www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy</a>&#160;</p><p>For further information regarding&#160;AP&#160;exam registration, please visit these Rockwood high school web pages&#58;&#160;</p><p>Eureka High -&#160;<a href="/eurekahs/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-Testing.aspx">https&#58;//www.rsdmo.org/eurekahs/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-Testing.aspx</a>&#160;</p><p>Lafayette High -&#160;<a href="/lafayette/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-Testing.aspx">https&#58;//www.rsdmo.org/lafayette/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-Testing.aspx</a>&#160;</p><p>Marquette High -&#160;<a href="/marquette/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-tests.aspx">https&#58;//www.rsdmo.org/marquette/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-tests.aspx</a>&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Summit High&#160;-&#160;<a href="/rsummit/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-Advanced-Placement-Exams.aspx">https&#58;//www.rsdmo.org/rsummit/offices/a-plus/Pages/AP-Advanced-Placement-Exams.aspx</a>&#160;</p>

<p></p><p>Chesterfield Elementary students, staff and community members gathered for a Wednesday morning concert by the Tuesday Night Rock Band.&#160;</p><p>At the assembly, Chesterfield Principal Dr. Meg Brooks accepted an award from representatives of the Missouri Pollinator Network for the school's prairie grass efforts on behalf of the monarch butterfly.&#160;</p><p>&quot;These are people who feel passionate about nature, and two of our teachers, Ms. Baker and Ms. Hlavaty, assembled a beautiful area in back of our campus,&quot; said Brooks.&#160; &quot;The organization recognized us for the monarch butterfly garden we have.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Members of the Tuesday Night Rock Band are students at Lafayette High.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We are fortunate that the daughter of our secretary, Ms. Black, is a performer, and we are glad to have them,&quot; said principal Dr. Meg Brooks.&#160;</p><p>It's all part of Brooks' monthly Leadership Day assembly.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's a wonderful way to bring in our entire community,&quot; said Brooks.&#160; &quot;Many of our parents attend every month, and we get to highlight the wonderful things going on in our building.&quot;&#160;</p>

<p>​​​</p>Schools around Rockwood School District welcomed hundreds of biking and walking students on Missouri <a href="http&#58;//www.walkbiketoschool.org/" target="_blank">Walk and Bike to School Day</a> on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Many students also turned out on scooters, and some were accompanied by canine companions.<br><br>&quot;We are a neighborhood school, and our community takes pride in its ability to participate in this event,&quot; <a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines Elementary​</a> Assistant Principal Angie Schott said. &quot;There are always a lot of smiles, and the kids get a kick out of it. I did not see any pogo stickers this year, but we've had them in the past.&quot;<br><br>Families went all in at <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway Elementary</a>, and Principal Dr. Lorinda Krey was out in the neighborhood greeting everyone as they walked or biked to school.<br><br>&quot;I walked, but I kind of ran,&quot; said Sara, a first-grader. &quot;I loved it.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Walk%20and%20Bike%20to%20School%20Day_Fairway%20(13).jpg" alt="Fairway Elementary PE teachers led a bike train of more than 75 students on Walk and Bike to School Day." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;261px;" />Fairway's physical education teachers, Jeff Powell and Camilo Gonzalez, lead a bike train to school each year on this day. It's a unique way to promote biking that's been incorporated at Fairway since 2005, and 75 bike riders participated this year.<br><br>&quot;We can teach the kids a safe and fun way to get to school,&quot; Powell said. &quot;You get to see kids outside smiling and doing things they don't get to do on a regular basis. We get lots of parents out, too, who join in and help keep the kids safe. Then, we start to see more kids ride their bikes to school on a regular basis because they realize it works.&quot;<br><br>At <a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison Elementary​</a>, the bus riders, car riders and Adve​nture Club students got the chance to participate in the&#160;event.<br><br>In addition to greeting the students as they entered school, Krey and Schott both met the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) students whose buses dropped them off about a quarter-mile from the school and walked the rest of the way with them.<div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">It's a lot of fun,&quot; Schott said. &quot;I tell all of our staff who&#160;has a role greeting kids that they have the ability to start the kids' day on the right foot from that point forward.&quot;​​</span><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Walk%20and%20Bike%20to%20School%20Day_Green%20Pines%20(16).jpg" alt="Green Pines Elementary students smile on Walk and Bike to School Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;471px;height&#58;337px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Walk%20and%20Bike%20to%20School%20Day_Kellison%20(8).jpg" alt="Kellison Elementary students and parents stream toward the school on Walk and Bike to School Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;185px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Walk%20and%20Bike%20to%20School%20Day_Fairway%20(5).jpg" alt="Fairway Elementary Principal Dr. Lorinda Krey smiles with two students on Walk and Bike to School Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;411px;" /><br></span></p></div>

<p>​​​​​</p>Rockwood School District is hiring school custodians.<br><br>At <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle​</a>, Christy Schumacher, John Jones and Kevin Bowman are longtime custodians.<br><br>“I enjoy being around people, especially the kids,” said Schumacher, who has been with Rockwood for nearly seven years. “You become friends with your colleagues. It’s kind of like family here.”<br><br>Jones has worked at <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a>, <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Geggie Elementary</a> and the Administrative Annex and has been employed as a custodian in Rockwood for nearly 15 years.&#160;He&#160;said the training he received prepared him to operate equipment necessary to do his job.<br><br><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Custodians%20(1).jpg" alt="Custodian John Jones runs a floor cleaner at Crestview Middle." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;301px;height&#58;400px;" />“They will run you through a training program before you’re sent to a school,” said Jones. “I work five days a week and get my weekends off. There are a lot of benefits working in Rockwood.”<br><br>Facilities Director Chris Freund said being a custodian at Rockwood is a full-time job that comes with health insurance benefits, vacation, sick time, a retirement plan and 11 paid holidays a year. There are two shifts available – days and evenings.<br><br>Bowman, a Rockwood&#160;​alum, has been employed at his middle school alma mater for 12 years. He said there is a camaraderie in the district, which is celebrating&#160;National Custodial Staff Appreciation Day on Oct. 2.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Custodians%20(3).jpg" alt="Custodian Kevin Bowman poses with lunch tables at Crestview Middle." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;360px;height&#58;270px;" /><br><br>“You always feel like you’re part of a team when you’re working in Rockwood,” said Bowman. “The administrators are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They’re always friendly, and they have a good sense of humor.&quot;<br><br>“I appreciate that Rockwood School District has hired me to do the job I’m doing,” added Jones.​</div>

<p>​​​​​</p>Each spring, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers more than $31 million in scholarship assistance to 7,600 high school seniors around the nation who exhibit outstanding academic,&#160;testing and extracurricular&#160;credentials.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Of the more than 1.5 million juniors who took the&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> last fall, about 16,000 are chosen as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.&#160;</span><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​<br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">A total of 47 st</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">udents representing all four Rockwood School District high schools have been named semifinalists for the 2020 round of National Merit Scholarships. They include&#58;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Lucy Besch, <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette​</a><br>Atharva Bhagwat, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka​</a><br>Nikhil Boddu, Marquette<br>Joycie Chang, Marquette<br>Alex Cho, Marquette<br>Ether Dharmesh, Marquette<br>Mason Divine, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette</a><br>Frederick Durer, Marquette​<br>Abigail Grace, Marquette<br>Erin Griffin, <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit</a><br>Erin Gwaltney, Eureka<br>Connor Hallemann, Eureka<br>Arjun Hiren, Marquette<br>Kyan Ho, Eureka<br>Kavya Jain, Marquette<br>Zachary Jansma, Eureka<br>Steven Karst, Marquette<br>Ryan Kee, Marquette<br>Sriya Kosaraju, Marquette<br>Nikhil Krishnan, Rockwood Summit<br>Jenna Krueger, Rockwood Summit<br>Geoffrey Ladue, Lafayette<br>Ethan Leslie, Lafayette<br>Jessica Li, Marquette<br>Claire Lister, Lafayette<br>Mansi Mamidi, Marquette<br>Jessica Norman, Marquette​<br>Kate Pogue, Marquette<br>Max Schoening, Lafayette<br>Trevor Spiniolas, Rockwood Summit<br>Zoe Spriggs, Lafayette<br>Zachary Streicher, Marquette<br>Alita Sunil, Marquette<br>Austin Taschler, Lafayette<br>Abigail Tomlinson, Eureka<br>Vyomesh Tripathi, Marquette<br>Fiona Walsh, Eureka<br>Malayka Walton, Lafayette<br>Peter Youn, Marquette<br>Rachel Yue, Marquette<br>Hans Zassenhaus, Marquette<br>Claire Zhang, Marquette<br>Kailin Zhang, Marquette<br>Kevin Zhou, Marquette<br>Maxwell Zhu, Marquette</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">To become a finalist, semifinalists&#160;must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about their&#160;academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT&#160;scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.&#160;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 advance to the finalist level and are notified in February. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.​<br></span></div>

<p>​​​​</p>First came the frame made of chicken wire. Then a bunch of newspaper to fill out the body. Then, coats of yellow spray paint, some more precision painting on the face, a sewn cape and, to cap it all off, some nifty blue cloth shoes.<div><br></div><div>By Monday night, &quot;Superstar&quot; was ready for his first public appearance. The Eureka <a href="/earlychildhood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Early Childhood Center's​</a> entry into the annual Eureka Scarecrow Festival stands just to the left of the main entrance, welcoming all who come to learn or visit.​&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Staffers Lisa Feeney and Laura Krueger designed and brought the school's mascot to life in time for their students&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​to wave hello to Superstar on their way in Tuesday morning.​</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">All of the Rockwood School District-affiliated facilities in Eureka -- <a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins</a>, <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka​</a> and <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Geggie</a> elementaries, the Early Childhood Center, <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High​</a>, the <a href="/ilc/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Individualized Learning Center​</a> and the Administrative Center and Administrative Annex -- have gotten in on the fun this year, constructing their own versions of scarecrows to take part in a cherished annual tradition in the city.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><a href="https&#58;//www.eurekascarecrowfestival.com/" target="_blank">The Eureka Scarecrow Festival​</a> runs for the entire month of October.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Scarecrow%20Festival%20(13).jpg" alt="The Blevins Elementary scarecrow waves at visitors to the school." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;367px;height&#58;358px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Scarecrow%20Festival%20(9).jpg" alt="The Administrative Center snowman scarecrow proclaims the central office's status as &quot;Snow Day Central.&quot;" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;299px;height&#58;358px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Scarecrow%20Festival%20(7).jpg" alt="A hockey-themed Eureka High scarecrow greets motorists that travel down Highway 109." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;400px;" /><br></span></div>

<p>​</p>The preschool room at <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a> has been completely rearranged since Maya Wijeweera was a student there more than a decade ago. Still, the first time she went back into the room as a Rockwood Summit student for her Child Development class this fall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu.<br><br>&quot;It was weird to see how small the chairs are,&quot; said Wijeweera, a senior. &quot;Everything is so tiny, but it seemed so big back then.&quot;<br><br>Wijeweera is one of 16 students in Emily McKnight's Child Development 2 class at Rockwood Summit this semester. Child Development is a two-semester course that is available at all four Rockwood School District high schools. In the second semester, students venture into the preschool rooms at the high schools and work with 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds.<br><br>Wijeweera is the only one at Rockwood Summit who is teaching where she used to learn.<br><br>&quot;It's interesting to watch how they behave not only with each other, but with us,&quot; Wijeweera said. &quot;It's how honest they are. It's super fun to talk to them.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Barth_Wijeweera.jpg" alt="Barth_Wijeweera.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;260px;height&#58;392px;" />It's always an exciting occasion when the high schoolers – &quot;the big kids&quot; – visit the classroom, Rockwood Summit preschool teacher Jessica Weick said. It's a badge of honor when the little kids get to play a game, read or show off their artistic prowess for the big kids.<br><br>That's how it was when Wijeweera was a preschooler as well, according to her teacher, Kerri Barth, who used to hold Weick's position at Rockwood Summit.<br><br>&quot;Maya was kind, sweet, caring and a thoughtful little girl. She was always one of those kids that wanted to help the other ones,&quot; said Barth, who now teaches at the Clarkson Valley Early Childhood Center. &quot;This is an excellent experience for the students to see what goes on in a classroom and how the preschoolers are behaving. It's definitely an awesome tool that we have here.&quot;<br><br>Students interested in entering Child Development 2 at all four high schools go through an application process that weighs factors such as their grade in Child Development 1, teacher recommendations and attendance. <br><br>By the time they first enter the preschool classroom, they're eager and ready to learn.<br><br>&quot;This is a hands-on experience for them, and it's very valuable. My first class in college was something like this, going into a room,&quot; Weick said. &quot;It's neat to see the interactions, and it's really helped some of my kids who are shy or need extra support to have a mentor or buddy to help sort those feelings out.&quot;<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Maya%20submitted%20photo%20(2).jpg" alt="Maya submitted photo (2).jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;224px;" /><br><br>Wijeweera is taking the class to further explore whether she'd be interested in a field such as child psychology or social work when she goes to Colorado State University next year. <br><br>She recently experienced a first&#58; one of her preschoolers made a painting just for her. Barth said Wijeweera used to give her pictures all the time.<br><br>&quot;She looks exactly the same, just way taller than me now,&quot; Barth said. &quot;It's so wonderful to see. I'm so proud of her.&quot;​​<br>

<p>​​​​​</p><p></p>Lauren Jefferies took Gabe Cervantes' class during her&#160;first semester&#160;of sixth grade at Rockwood Valley Middle. When the new drama/speech teacher posted the sign-up sheet for the fall play that year, his first production at the school, Jefferies was the first one to add her name to the list.<br><br>&quot;Then I walked out the door and I was like, 'Oh no. What if I do horribly?'&quot; said Jefferies, now an eighth-grader. &quot;But I didn't, and I'm here today so glad I signed up. Mr. C's the one who got me into this, and he's the one I have to thank.&quot;<br><br>A number of other Rockwood Valley students have shared Jefferies' experience over the past three years. Before Cervantes arrived, the school could expect a little more than 20 students to try out. This year's fall production, &quot;Once Upon a Tower,&quot; counts 94 among its cast and crew.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Fall%20Play%20(19).jpg" alt="Rockwood Valley students Luke Tipton and Lauren Jefferies take direction from Gabe Cervantes at play rehearsal." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;301px;" />That's about one in every eight&#160;students at Rockwood Valley. &quot;Once Upon a Tower&quot; had a big cast list to begin with, but Cervantes and assistant director and social studies teacher Cheryl Mueller also had to get creative with casting in order to include everyone who wanted to participate.<br><br>&quot;There are a lot of trees and stuff,&quot; said Joshua Lanzotti, another eighth-grader. &quot;A lot of trees.&quot;<br><br>In addition to the 60 on-stage parts – trees and otherwise – there are 34 more students working behind the scenes.<br><br>The sound crew? All students. Marketing, fundraising and concessions? All students.<br><br>&quot;The kids have always wanted to put on a good show, a production that everyone could enjoy regardless of if they got the lead or if they were one of our extras,&quot; Cervantes said. &quot;Through that, the kids brought up this concept of a family. They'd get together before the shows and pump each other up, share positive thoughts with each other and do their own team building. As a director, that's what I want&#58; I want it all to be them.&quot;<br><br>The program has grown organically through the enthusiasm of the students. Jefferies, for example, talked her friend Courtney Kemp into joining in sixth grade and Kemp, in turn, helped push her friend Katherine Archambeault into getting involved.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Fall%20Play%20(10).jpg" alt="Rockwood Valley students rehearse the fall play, &quot;Once Upon a Tower,&quot; at the school." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;264px;" /><br><br>That repeated within different groups all over the school, until they all came together into a cohesive whole.<br><br>&quot;You get to meet and hang out with a bunch of new kids that you never thought you'd be hanging out with,&quot; eighth-grader Maya Jury said. &quot;You make so many new friends, and it's so amazing how much your life can change in the span of a few months.&quot;<br><br>Mueller and Cervantes say the students embody the welcoming mantra promoted by Rockwood Valley Principal Dr. Karen Hedrick&#58; Belong at RVMS.<br><br>&quot;The kids have love for each other and the stage; they just have this kind spirit about them,&quot; Mueller said. &quot;It's a neat thing, and it's just grown because kids want to feel like they're a part of something. They're all an important part of the group.&quot;<br><br>Opening Knight Productions will perform &quot;Once Upon a Tower&quot; at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21-22 on the stage in the Rockwood Valley cafeteria.​ Admission to the play is free, and donations are accepted.​<br><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Fall%20Play%20(13).jpg" alt="Rockwood Valley's fall play, &quot;Once Upon a Tower,&quot; includes 94 students on its cast and crew." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;289px;height&#58;233px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Fall%20Play%20(2).jpg" alt="Rockwood Valley students rehearse the fall play, &quot;Once Upon a Tower.&quot;" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;370px;height&#58;233px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood%20Valley%20Fall%20Play%20(24).jpg" alt="Rockwood Valley students rehearse the fall play, &quot;Once Upon a Tower.&quot;" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;407px;height&#58;233px;" /><br></div>

​​<br>The&#160;Fenton Fire District engine blasted its siren, and&#160;the <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High School</a> homecoming parade started making its way down Hawkins Road on Friday night, winding from <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a> to the high school.<div><br></div><div>Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles -- the parade's grand marshal -- and Rockwood&#160;Summit Principal Dr. Emily McCown sat in the third vehicle back, behind the Silver Falcon Marching Band, waving to the crowd of onlookers lining the street.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's a great way to introduce Dr. Miles&#160;to our community, since we have so much of it out today,&quot; McCown said. &quot;And it's a great way for our community to see him take part in the traditions of the Fenton quadrant.&quot;&#160;</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Groups from Rockwood Summit, Rockwood South and <a href="/bowles/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Bowles​</a>, <a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison​</a>, <a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton</a> and <a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx">Uthoff Valley​</a> elementaries&#160;participated in the parade, showing off their </span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">community spirit and dishing out candy to kids along the route.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>After the parade was over, long lines of attendees filed into the football stadium to watch the Falcons take on their homecoming opponent, Parkway West.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It is an honor to be part of a wonderful community event,&quot; Miles said. &quot;This parade brings people together,&#160;and we are able to celebrate the community of Fenton and its great families and students.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Summit%20Homecoming%20Parade%20(23).JPG" alt="Onlookers wait for candy at the Rockwood Summit homecing parade." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;262px;height&#58;290px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Summit%20Homecoming%20Parade%20(3).jpg" alt="Stanton Elementary students and staff pose before the Rockwood Summit homecoming parade." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;434px;height&#58;290px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Summit%20Homecoming%20Parade%20(42).jpg" alt="Bowles Elementary students and staff smile during the Rockwood Summit homecoming parade." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;372px;" /><br><div><br></div></div>

The Rockwood Board of Education approved the 2019-2020 tax rate at its September 26 meeting. The rate, approved by the Missouri State Auditor, is $4.3463.&#160; This is a decrease of 20.76 cents from last year’s tax rate of $4.5539. The operating levy will be $3.6663, and the debt service levy will remain at $0.68 cents.&#160; <div><br><div>The taxpayer who owns a home with the value of $250,000 will see a net decrease over the previous year of approximately $98.61.&#160; This assumes the valuation of the property did not change.&#160;</div><div><br>Rockwood Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington noted that the assessed valuation, net of new construction, increased by approximately $350 million.&#160; The increase in assessed valuation across the district translates into a decrease in the tax rate for property owners of the Rockwood School District. Each year the Missouri State Auditor (SAO) provides forms that districts must use to calculate the tax rate.&#160; If the assessed valuation increases by more than the consumer price index, the tax rate will decrease. This is commonly referred to the Hancock Amendment.&#160;</div><div><br>Northington further noted that the increase in assessed valuation and the ability to lower the tax rate fits nicely into the newly adopted strategic plan - The Way Forward.&#160; The Way Forward cultivates an environment of efficient and effective business operations, and maintains fiscal responsibility by supporting a balanced budget.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div></div><div>Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles shared that the district continues to be recognized for its conservative fiscal management. “We have a Standard and Poor’s rating of AAA,” said Dr. Miles.&#160; “This makes Rockwood one of only four school districts in the state of Missouri to hold such an outstanding financial rating.”<br><br><a href="/departments/finance/Pages/Tax-Rate-Calculator.aspx">Find out more about the tax rate decrease, how the tax rate is determined and the history of tax rates. ​</a>​</div></div>

​​​<br>How much do you know about the Rockwood Technology Department, the behind-the-scenes staffers who keep the district's servers up, networks running and students and teachers up to date on the latest trends in educational technology?<br><br><p>In the latest edition of &quot;Out &amp; About in Rockwood with Dr. Mark Miles,&quot; the superintendent visits the Technology Department to find out more about the vital role it plays for the Rockwood School District.</p><p><br></p><p>​​</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3dlcomJCbthvY8CPa0lA3Mu" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><p><br></p>

<p>​​​</p><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.​</em><br><br><strong>Lisa Ortinau, Lauren Gorham, Jennifer Gianino and Jennifer Phelps;&#160;<a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins Elementary​</a> third-grade teachers</strong><div><br></div><div><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended</strong><br><strong>Ortinau&#58;</strong> <a href="/pond/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Pond Elementary​</a>, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview ​Middle</a> and <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a><br><strong>Gorham&#58;</strong> <a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison Elementary</a>, <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a> and <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High</a><br><strong>Gianino&#58;</strong> Eureka elementary, junior high and high school<br><strong>Phelps&#58;</strong> Crestview and Lafayette<br><br><strong>Grades Attended&#160;in Rockwood</strong><br><strong>Ortinau and Gorham&#58;</strong> K-12<br><strong>Gianino&#58;</strong> K, 4-12<br><strong>Phelps&#58;</strong> 7-12</div><div><br></div><div>​The Rockwood roots run deep on Blevins Elementary's team of third-grade teachers.&#160;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Lauren%20Gorham_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Lauren Gorham_Then and Now.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;211px;" />Jennifer Gianino and Lisa Ortinau both met their future husbands in elementary school, Gianino at Eureka and Ortinau at Pond. Jennifer Phelps' brother went to Pond with Ortinau. Lauren Gorham frequently runs into teachers she had at Rockwood Summit, including district Coordinator Literacy K-5 and Title Programs Dr. Stefanie Steffen.<br><br>This year, every third grader at Blevins is being taught by a Rockwood graduate. None of the four teachers could imagine making their careers in any other district.<br><br>&quot;This is where I wanted to come back to,&quot; Gorham said. &quot;I knew that, once I graduated college, Rockwood was my top choice.&quot;<br>&#160;</div><div>Gianino, whose husband, Ralph, also went K-12 through Eureka and now teaches physical education at <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">the high school​</a>, is in her first year teaching in the district. Gorham is in her sixth. Ortinau is in her 20th, Phelps her 27th, and the two started at Blevins together 16 years ago. Two of Phelps' former students are now also teachers in the district&#58; Alyssa Franke at <a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Uthoff Valley Elementary​</a> and Holly Conroy at <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary</a>.<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Jennifer%20Phelps_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Blevins teacher and Rockwood grad Jennifer Phelps, in elementary school and today." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;211px;" /><br><br>&quot;They'll come up to me and say, 'You're the reason I wanted to become a teacher.' Those are the things that matter the most,&quot; Phelps said. &quot;You're invested. You've gone through the system, made connections with teachers and administrators, and it's neat for me to be able to give back and continue those relationships with parents and their kids.&quot;<br><br>Ortinau's first job in the district was at Pond, and the principal who hired her, Clare Maguire, was her principal growing up. Ortinau also taught in the classroom next door to Dr. Dave Cobb, currently the district's executive director elementary education.<br><br>The educational emphases have changed since back then, but the quality of the district has remained.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Lisa%20Ortinau_then%20and%20now.jpg" alt="Blevins teacher and Rockwood grad Lisa Ortinau, in elementary school and today." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;211px;" />&quot;We're teaching how to explore, find, think, communicate and interact,&quot; Ortinau said. &quot;We're doing so much more in character education&#58; how to be respectful and responsible.&quot;<br><br>Moments and mementos from all four teachers' experiences as Rockwood students still resonate with them. One of these is a&#160;copy of &quot;Where the Sidewalk Ends,&quot; which&#160;the&#160;English teacher at Lafayette who Phelps cadet taught for as a senior&#160;gave and dedicated to her and which Phelps still has. Another is&#160;how Gianino's fourth-grade teacher left her class &quot;in suspenders&quot; at the end of read-aloud time each day&#58; a play on words for leaving the students &quot;in suspense.&quot;<br><br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​A</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">t the beginning of this year, Gianino made sure to let her third-gra​ders know she'll keep a full supply of&#160;figurative suspenders on hand.</span><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Jennifer%20Gianino_Then%20and%20Now.jpg" alt="Blevins teacher and Rockwood grad Jennifer Gianino, in elementary school and today." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;211px;" /><br>&quot;I can still so vividly remember her perching on the side of the desk and we were all sitting there, hanging on every word,&quot; Gianino said. &quot;I remember those teachers who lived in our community.&#160;I would see them&#160;outside of school, and&#160;I thought that was so cool. Now, I'm that person.&quot;​<br><p>​<br></p></div>

<p>​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​​​​​Nearly 90 new Rockwood anti-bullying ambassadors from all six middle schools came together for a day of leadership training and collaboration Sept. 23.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Their message is simple&#58; Recognize bullying, stop it and describe it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">“All of us are trying to send the same message,” said LaSalle Springs seventh-grade student Justin Thurman. “We need to have an open mind.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">During the training, students acquired the language and skills to become ambassadors. They participated in role-playing activities and created “call-to-action” lists. The next step is to raise awareness in their Rockwood schools to gain support and help spread the word.&#160;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">“We learned how to stop bullying and what to do if we see it happening,” said Rockwood Valley seventh-grade student Ella Scerba. “I think this will be really helpful for us when we take what we learned back to our school.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Dr. Terry Harris, executive director student services, and Dawnette Wiskur, coordinator professional learning, facilitated the session.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">“I think we have a group of young people who are natural leaders,” said Harris. “We want them to recognize our framework and to create action steps.”&#160;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">LaSalle Springs teacher Sarah Harashe was one of several Rockwood staff members who supported the students at the training.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">“The best way for kids to learn kindness is through their peers,” said Harashe. “This is the easiest and most effective way for them to spread the message and hopefully prevent bullying.”​</span></p><div>The program was established last year when nearly 60 eighth-grade student ambassadors took the lead.&#160;&#160;</div><div><br>&#160;</div><div>​<img alt="IMG_5771.jpg" src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_5771.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;340px;height&#58;255px;" />&#160;<img alt="IMG_5781.jpg" src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_5781.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;345px;height&#58;258px;" />&#160;<img alt="IMG_5778.jpg" src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_5778.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;343px;height&#58;258px;" /></div>

​​​<br>The Eureka Food Pantry has a bit of an issue with the shelving situation at its storage facility. The shelves are too deep, so boxes of supplies can get stuck at the back in hard-to-reach places.<div><br></div><div><a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High​</a> teacher Bill Edwards and his Geometry in Construction (GIC) students seized&#160;an opportunity to help out. They designed and built&#160;25 upright brackets that extend from the back wall and attach to the shelf bottoms to make the shelves 16 inches shorter. Pantry workers can also use the space between the back of the bracket and the wall for long-term storage.</div><div><br>​Edwards said it took his group of nearly 60 GIC students almost two class periods to complete the project.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;You turn 60 kids loose on this, they get it done,&quot; Edwards said. &quot;I was out here cutting wood&#160;as they were building because they were depleting my materials fast.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20High%20GIC_Community%20Service%20(33).JPG" alt="Eureka High Geometry in Construction students made shelf brackets for the Eureka Food Pantry." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;421px;height&#58;280px;" />About three-quarters of the wood the students used was repurposed from other projects, Edwards said. He drew up plans for the brackets, and the students worked&#160;in teams to scale the plans to the size needed and put all the components together.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The class&#160;has a big impact on teaching kids to work collaboratively and&#160;problem-solve together,&quot; Edwards said. &quot;We teach them there are all different kinds of ways that groups work together. That’s the way the real world works. Employers want people who can work in groups and communicate.”​</div><div><br></div><div>Other Eureka students have also been logging shifts moving and organizing supplies in the pantry so that they're ready to go back on the shelves in a more easily accessible way&#160;​once the brackets are installed.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;In GIC, the students learn to build tiny homes, but they can build other things, too, and help nonprofit organizations with these skills,&quot; Edwards said. &quot;We just adapt one project to the other. We're doing what we can to get people back into hands-on activities. I love hands-on stuff because it automatically gets kids engaged, then they're&#160;learning and doing things that accommodate their individual learning preferences.&quot;​<br></div><div><br></div><div>​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20High%20GIC_Community%20Service%20(13).JPG" alt="A Eureka High student helps move and organize supplies at the Eureka Food Pantry." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;303px;height&#58;303px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20High%20GIC_Community%20Service%20(31).JPG" alt="A Eureka High Geometry in Construction student completes a shelf bracket for the Eureka Food Pantry." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;405px;height&#58;303px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20High%20GIC_Community%20Service%20(21).JPG" alt="A Eureka High student helps move and organize supplies at the Eureka Food Pantry." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;360px;height&#58;303px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​</p>Brian Reed, Rockwood School District coordinator STEM and digital learning K-12, recently joined the ranks of the approximately 300 teachers worldwide to earn certification from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).<br><br>ISTE Standards for Educators define the skills and mindset&#160;needed to transform teaching and learning practices in technology. They are broken up into seven categories, all of which describe ways in&#160;which educators can use technology to enhance educational offerings regardless of content area or grade level.&#160;ISTE also has a set of seven standards for students.<br><br>&quot;To have this set of standards really gives credence and power to what we're doing with technology as both teachers and students,&quot; Reed said. &quot;It's not just using technology for technology's sake. There is a clear purpose, reasons why we're doing it and clear goals on what effect the technology should have in a classroom, aside from just being a tool.&quot;<br><br>Reed's ISTE certification process involved two days of in-person training and eight weeks of intensive online coursework. After that, he had six months to complete a portfolio filled with examples of how he is fulfilling the ISTE standards in his educational practice.<br><br>Now that he's certified, he has also taken on a new role as a ISTE certification trainer for the Midwest Education Technology Community.<br><br>&quot;My hope is to keep integrating these standards into what I do every day, whether it's curriculum writing or having a department meeting and making sure I lead&#160;by example,&quot; Reed said. &quot;It is such a powerful force in why we do what we do with technology. In Rockwood, we are making sure that we are mindful that they exist, and we are purposeful in incorporating them into the work that we do.&quot;<br><br>Reed has worked in the district for 16 years, first as a Spanish teacher and then as an instructional technology specialist before assuming his new role before this school year.<br><br>

<p></p><p>Rockwood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles held the third of four informal &quot;Meet Mark&quot; sessions at Marquette High the evening of Monday, Sept. 23.&#160;</p><p>After Dr. Miles described his family and professional history, discussion topics included snow days, the size of the district and the effect of a recent change in Missouri state law on the school calendar.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Timing for me is good, in that Rockwood has just deployed a new strategic plan – The Way Forward,&quot; Miles told parents in attendance.&#160; &quot;I fully support the district's strategic plan, but it was not defined by me. It was defined by the community.&#160; I care about the daily experience of our students and their parents.&#160; We have a great team here, and I know our children are in good hands.&#160; I always try to focus on the joy.&#160; We have much to celebrate in Rockwood.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Ben Hobson and his family just moved to Rockwood.&#160; They were searching for educational options for his youngest child, who has special needs.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It says a lot when every one of my child's First Step therapists recommended Rockwood,&quot; said Hobson.&#160; &quot;I'm glad the district did a lot of due diligence in finding a new superintendent.&#160; Dr. Miles shows a lot of care and passion for what he does.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Susan Duever has two children in Rockwood – a ninth-grader at Lafayette and a sixth-grader at Crestview.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I feel like Dr. Miles is very personable, open and honest,&quot; said Duever.&#160; &quot;I think he's going to be amazing.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Julie Lohr's children attend Kehrs Mill and Crestview.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I was very impressed with how much Dr. Miles already knows about Rockwood,&quot; said Lohr.&#160; &quot;I think he's going to do a great job for us.&quot;&#160;</p><p><a href="/news/Pages/Superintendent-Dr-Mark-Miles-to-Host-Meet-Mark-Community-Sessions.aspx">The last &quot;Meet Mark&quot; meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Lafayette.</a>&#160; The event will be held in the school library at 7 p.m.&#160;</p><p>​The Eureka quadrant &quot;Meet Mark&quot; session took place Sept. 9.&#160; The Rockwood Summit session took place Sept. 17.&#160;</p>

<p>​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​T</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">e</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">achers at Ridge Meadows Elementary created an outside-the-box educational experience to engage their students and bring learning to life in their classrooms Sept. 17.</span></p><p>The effort is part of &quot;Rock Your School,&quot; a national &quot;Get Your Teach On&quot; movement with a goal of allowing participants to try something new in their curriculum. </p><p>&quot;In my classroom, students are working on math,&quot; said second-grade teacher Meghan Hayes. &quot;They're reviewing math problems that they've learned so far with different glow game activities. It's keeping them engaged and tying everything with Rockwood curriculum.&quot; </p><p>In Lauren Fish's fourth-grade classroom, students sported medical scrubs while dissecting their reading. They completed patient write-up activities and incident reports on clipboards.</p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">One of the biggest things we do is reading,&quot; said Fish. &quot;Fourth-grade teacher Kaitlyn&#160;Reitz and I thought this would give us an idea to see where the kids are currently. It exposes them to text structures, context clues, main ideas and things they already have a foundation with from previous grades in a fun way.&quot;</span><br></p><p>Grade-level teachers worked together to brainstorm theme ideas to gear up for the event.</p><p>&quot;In second grade, we set up our classrooms in VIP style,&quot; said Hayes. &quot;Kids received a pretend concert ticket when they arrived to school.&quot;</p><p>Principal Dr. Amy Digman witnessed the activities firsthand.</p><p>&quot;It's all about challenging teachers to do something out of the box,&quot; said Digman. &quot;It could be one activity. It could be all day. It's a day of fun learning.&quot;&#160;</p><p><img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_5624%20(1).jpg" alt="IMG_5624 (1).jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;345px;height&#58;259px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_9006.jpg" alt="IMG_9006.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;340px;height&#58;257px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_9052.jpg" alt="IMG_9052.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;370px;height&#58;246px;" /><br></p>

​​​​​<br><em>There are more than 300 staff members around Rockwood School District who were Rockwood students during their K-12 years. &quot;Then and Now&quot; is a series that highlights some of their stories and what has made Rockwood special to them as both students and educators.</em><br><br><strong>Abbey Meier, seventh-grade social studies, Rockwood Valley Middle</strong><br><strong>Rockwood Schools Attended&#58;</strong> <a href="/chesterfield/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Chesterfield Elementary</a>, <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle​</a>, <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> (class of 2010)<br><strong>Grades Attended in Rockwood&#58;</strong>&#160;K-12<br><br>When she was a Rockwood Valley student, Abbey Meier would circle the Turkey Smash on her calendar every year.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">S</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">he started playing volleyball in second grade and, once she reached middle school, she relished the opportunity to compete in the school's&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">annual Thanksgiving throwdown&#58;&#160;a volleyball match between students and teachers.</span><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">It's pretty much the same now that she teaches at Rockwood&#160;Valley. She's just a little more vocal than she used to be.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div>&quot;As a student, I was really quiet and timid, but you still obviously wanted to beat the teachers,&quot; said Meier, who is in her third year teaching in Rockwood. &quot;As a teacher, I’m not as shy. At all.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Abbey%20Meier%20submitted%20pic%201.jpg" alt="This yearbook photo shows Rockwood Valley teacher Abbey Meier in 2005, when she was a student at the school." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;264px;height&#58;368px;" />Meier traces her desire to be a teacher and volleyball coach directly back to Rockwood Valley and physical education teacher Sue Tillery, who would become Meier's&#160;volleyball coach at Lafayette.</div><div><br></div><div>Tillery recently retired from teaching, but she still serves as an assistant coach for the Lafayette varsity girls and boys volleyball teams. Meier coaches the Lafayette freshman boys.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;She’s the kind of teacher that everyone knows, everyone loves. You just can’t help but be happy around her,&quot; Meier said. &quot;I wanted to be like that for kids.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Now she's getting that chance in the same community that cultivated that affinity in her when she was a student.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>She hears the same morning announcement sign-off from Assistant Principal Tom McKenna -- &quot;Thank you for your kind attention and have a great day&quot; -- as she did when she was a student. When she looks across the hall from her classroom, she can see where her locker once was and the door to the room of Allen Luensmann, who was her social studies teacher at Rockwood Valley.​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Then%20and%20Now_Abbey%20Meier%20(3).jpg" alt="Abbey Meier poses in her social studies classroom at Rockwood Valley, across the hall from where her locker was as a student." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;368px;height&#58;311px;" /></div><div><br></div>&quot;She wasn't very talkative, but she was a model student,&quot; Luensmann&#160;said. &quot;We have good banter back and forth now, that's for sure.&quot;​<div><br></div><div>Plus, she gets the added bonus of scouting&#160;the Lafayette volleyball stars of the future before they get to high school. She'll be spiking on them at the Turkey Smash each year.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I just feel lucky to be able to teach and coach in the same community that I already loved,&quot; Meier said. &quot;This is a great district,&#160;and it's really cool to be a part of it.&quot;</div>

<p>​​​</p><a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High</a> junior Ben Stewart has a very specific career field in mind. He wants to go into flavor creatio​n, a specialized aspect of food science in which practitioners determine what goes into food flavoring and make new flavors of their own.<br><div><br></div><div>Heading in to&#160;the Rockwood-Parkway Career Fair&#160;​at Queeny Park in Ballwin&#160;on Monday&#160;night, Stewart had a list of about a dozen tables where he wanted to stop and talk with college representatives. As he made the rounds, he further divided that list down into two categories&#58; colleges that&#160;knew what he was talking about when he brought up flavor creation and colleges that did not.<br></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's been really helpful,&quot; Stewart said. &quot;Some of them have said they have the exact thing I'm looking for and some talk more about their agricultural program. It's been very helpful to see what they all know about what I want to do.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Stewart was not alone in his college quest Monday. Hundreds of students from the Rockwood and Parkway school districts got the chance to meet with more than 140 colleges and universities&#160;from around the country. Todd Minichiello, Rockwood's coordinator of K-12 guidance and counseling, estimated that around 1,500 total students, parents and college reps show up each year for the event, which has been co-presented by Rockwood and Parkway for the past four years.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood_Parkway%20College%20Fair%20(1).jpg" alt="Lafayette High junior Sneha Manikandan smiles before meeting with college reps at the Rockwood-Parkway College Fair." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;20%;height&#58;297px;" />This year's showing of colleges was the biggest yet.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's broadening my perspective about where I want to go,&quot; said Sneha Manikandan, a <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> junior who wants to study medicine. &quot;I've learned about new colleges that I didn't know before. It helps me get more options and figure out more about their pre-med programs and the options and scholarships they offer.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Kathryn Wenger, another Lafayette junior, is at the beginning of her decision process but, like Stewart and Manikandan, she already knows what she wants to study&#58; veterinary medicine.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">S</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">he and her mother, Janice, a fifth-grade teacher at the Rockwood <a href="/giftededucation/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Center for Creative Learning​</a>, focused their efforts at Monday's fair with that in mind, but Kathryn is also keeping her options wide open.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;I'm just getting a taste of what different colleges are available to me and to see what I can get involved in once I'm in college,&quot; Kathryn said. &quot;This is giving me a good opportunity to learn what schools have to offer, what different sizes of schools there are and what the campuses are like.&quot;​​</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood_Parkway%20College%20Fair%20(14).jpg" alt="Rockwood Summit seniors Kaylee Smarr and Sophia Oliva meet with college reps at the Rockwood-Parkway College Fair." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;332px;height&#58;245px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood_Parkway%20College%20Fair%20(2).jpg" alt="More than 140 colleges and universities from around the nation came to the Rockwood-Parkway College Fair in Ballwin." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;368px;height&#58;245px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Rockwood_Parkway%20College%20Fair%20(10).jpg" alt="Lafayette junior Kathryn Wenger meets with a college rep at the Rockwood-Parkway College Fair." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;368px;" /><br></span></div>

<p>Rockwood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles held the second of four informal &quot;Meet Mark&quot; sessions at Rockwood Summit High School the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 17.&#160;</p><p>Following a brief summary of Dr. Miles' personal and professional life, discussion topics included the school calendar, snow days, homework practices, and the use of district Chromebooks in students' homes.&#160;</p><p>&quot;As I think about our roles as educators, it is extremely important work,&quot; said Miles. &#160;&quot;I now consider the approximately 21,000 students we have in Rockwood as my own, and I have had a great opportunity to get to know many of them.&#160; I often talk about the balance of the three A's – academics, arts, and athletics.&#160; Our responsibility is to partner with students, parents, and community to foster meaningful and memorable experiences in these areas throughout Rockwood.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Meghan King has children at Rockwood Summit High, Rockwood South Middle and Bowles Elementary.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We talked about scheduling, but really I just wanted to meet Dr. Miles and hear a little bit about him,&quot; she said. &#160;&quot;I was very impressed.&quot;&#160;</p><p><a href="/news/Pages/Superintendent-Dr-Mark-Miles-to-Host-Meet-Mark-Community-Sessions.aspx">&quot;Meet Mark&quot; meetings are also scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23, at Marquette and Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Lafayette.&#160;</a> The events will be held in the schools' libraries at 7&#58;00 pm.&#160;</p><p>The Eureka quadrant &quot;Meet Mark&quot; session took place Sept. 9.&#160;​​</p>

<p>​​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Chesterfield Elementary second-grade teacher Jennifer Cochran has arranged her classroom with colorful rugs, flexible seating and desk lamps to enhance student learning. She has recently added extra elements -- a new collection of vinyl records and vintage-style record player.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Cochran treasured 12-inch flat discs since she was 10 years old, but her old collection didn't last long. They were donated or thrown away. Decades later, she is sharing similar tunes -- with her students.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;I got the idea to re-create that same collection I had as a child,&quot; said Cochran. &quot;I started going around to different record shops and buying similar albums that I had as a child, which was mainly music from the '80s.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">F</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">rom classical to rock music, Cochran plays these tracks when students are either reading, working on a writing assignment or cleaning the classroom on Friday afternoons.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;It helps us focus and think because everyone is quieter,&quot; said student Dax Dayley. &quot;Sometimes when we do centers, we will turn on the music, too.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Cochran said it is important to incorporate music in the classroom.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;It helps my children connect with one another and with me,&quot; she said. &quot;It relieves stress, keeps them engaged and makes our day more fun and meaningful.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">A</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">ssistant Principal Theresa Rose said, &quot;The students are able to see this as part of our history, and it's nice to see her share something she had at their age.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_5429.jpg" alt="IMG_5429.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;400px;height&#58;302px;" />&#160; <img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_5391.jpg" alt="IMG_5391.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;400px;height&#58;300px;" /><br></span></p>

<p>​​​​​​</p>More than 100 Rockwood School District administrators, parents and school resource officers and representatives from local police and fire departments met for the district's annual Crisis Planning Workshop at the Administrative Annex in Eureka on Thursday.<br><br><div>It was a chance for Rockwood representatives and area first responders to convene and discuss safety procedures and protocols, part of a continuous effort to ensure the safety of the district's students and staff.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">I want to extend my thanks to each of you for your partnership in our endeavor to keep our students and staff safe each and every day,&quot; Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said. &quot;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">It is my hope that each of us takes away several lessons. This world in which we live is evolving rapidly, and it is our responsibility to evolve as well.&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">I</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">n the spirit of continuous improvement, we will take the lessons learned from these conversations as we continue to improve processes and practices to keep our students and staff safe.&quot;</span><br></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Miles opened the session before handing off to Executive Director Student Services Dr. Terry Harris, who updated those in attendance on the steps the district has been taking to increase security in schools while also maintaining a comfortable learning environment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">T</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">he responsibility of keeping our kids safe is not solely on one person. It's the responsibility of all of us,&quot; Harris said. &quot;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">What are the next steps we need to take to ensure our students are safe? What is the way forward in school safety? We need to have a robust conversation from different perspectives to make sure we're doing everything right.&quot;</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Crisis%20Workshop_2.JPG" alt="Rockwood officials meet with area first responders at the annual Crisis Planning Workshop on Thursday. " class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;219px;" />The attendees split into 10&#160;groups to discuss&#160;three potential crisis scenarios and&#160;responses to each of them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div>&quot;It’s really good for us all to work together. I’m proud of what happens with police and fire because we interact very well,&quot; Eureka Police Chief Mike Wiegand said. &quot;It’s a great opportunity for us all to talk and rethink things&#58; what we’ve done well and what we haven’t done well and share this with all of us so we can&#160;hash it out for the next time.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It’s very important to be on board with the school district and know what’s happening inside the schools, what they’re expecting from us and what we’re going to expect from them,&quot; added Capt. Jim Mundel of the St. Louis County Police, Wildwood precinct. &quot;A lot of good points were brought up here that we don’t think about. We focus on the event&#160;that's happening and&#160;deal&#160;with it. The things that happen after are very complex, too.”</div>

​​<br>The online <a href="https&#58;//rockwood.parentlink.net/tipline/?title=Tipline&amp;s=1" target="_blank">Rockwood Tipline</a> allows district students, parents and residents to report safety and security concerns with the confidence that their information will&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">evaluated, responded to and held in the strictest confidence. The&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Tipline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone wishing to report any information.&#160;</span><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">All reports and calls are handled confidentially and users have the option to leave a tip anonymously,&#160;although those leaving tips can&#160;leave their contact information&#160;to receive a response to their concerns.</span></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;What we try to tell our students and parents is that if you see something, say something,&quot; said Executive Director Student Services Dr. Terry Harris. &quot;Ultimately, we want people to know that, at every turn, any time, they always have a way&#160;to express concern.&quot;&#160;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Tipline%20screen.jpg" alt="Tipline screen.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;25%;height&#58;293px;" />The&#160;Tipline icon is located at the bottom right corner of the district home&#160;page -- <a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">rsdmo.org​</a> -- and in the same location on each of the individual school web&#160;pages. The Tipline&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">allows students, parents and community members to send messages to school principals, school resource officers, guidance counselors and&#160;Harris.</span></div><div><div><br>Reports on the Tipline are broken up into these categories&#58; Bullying, Drugs and Alcohol, General Information,&#160;Personal Crisis, Safety Risk&#160;and Vandalism.</div></div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It is an amazing feature.&#160;We encourage students, teachers and parents to use the Tipline,&quot; Harris said. &quot;The more we use it, the more we can create, revisit and monitor our policies, practices and procedures&#160;to ensure that all students, staff and parents are safe in our schools.&quot;</div>

<p>​​​​​</p>​In celebration of National Arts in Education Week, Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles checks out Chris Livesay's strings class at <a href="/babler/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Babler Elementary School​</a> and sees how adding music into students' daily routines helps supplement and enhance the rest of their educational experience.<div><br></div><div></div><div>Watch the latest edition of Out &amp; About in Rockwood with Dr. Mark Miles!<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>​​​<div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3fepPBta_f_nUhG5pOKufiw" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div>

<p>​​​Rockwood will&#160;conduct&#160;a test of its emergency notification system on Friday, Sept. 13.&#160;</p><p>We want to be sure our parents are informed for school cancellations due to inclement weather or in case of an emergency in our school community. The annual test of our automatic notification system ensures Rockwood has accurate contact information for parents.&#160;</p><p>A phone message will be&#160;sent to our Rockwood families, followed by a text and email message.&#160;</p><p>Make sure your family contact information is accurate&#58;&#160;</p><p>Check your family's phone numbers and contact information on the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. If you do not have an Infinite Campus account, <a href="/departments/technology/infinitecampus/Pages/Establishing-an-Infinite-Campus-Account.aspx">find out how you can get one.</a>&#160;</p><p>If you need to update this contact information, please call your school and notify your school registrar. You may also use Rockwood's <a href="/discover/enrollment/Pages/Returning-Students.aspx">new online verification process.</a>&#160;</p><p>Rockwood's automatic notification system receives a daily upload of student contact information from Infinite Campus to ensure we have the most up-to-date contact information for our students.&#160;</p><p>Questions?&#160;</p><p>Visit the&#160;<a href="/parents/connect/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Connect</a> website for answers to some frequently asked questions or call Rockwood Communications at (636) 733-1140.&#160;</p>

<p>​​​​​​​</p>The Rockwood-Parkway College Fair will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Sept.&#160;16, at Queeny Park in Ballwin. With 135 colleges and universities from around the country&#160;planning to attend, it's a fantastic opportunity for district high schoolers to meet face-to-face with college representatives.​<br><br><div>This is the fourth year Rockwood and Parkway have combined to host the fair, and Rockwood Coordinator K-12 Guidance and Counseling Todd Minichiello said he expects&#160;the&#160;highest-ever&#160;number of colleges attending. The combined prestige and size of the two districts make the fair a can't-miss opportunity&#160;for quality higher learning institutions&#160;to meet with students, Minichiello said.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It’s really a great kickoff for juniors and seniors to start having conversations with their parents about colleges,&quot; Minichiello said. &quot;You can find a lot of this information online, but having it right there all in one building​ is very beneficial.&quot;</div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Students can pre-register for the event by <a href="https&#58;//app.strivescan.com/students" target="_blank">visiting this page​</a>. Students who pre-register receive a barcode, which can then be scanned by the colleges in attendance as the students make their rounds at the fair. That way, their information is on file with the colleges.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>&quot;​It lets that college know who they saw that night, which can be beneficial in the application process​,&quot; Minichiello said. &quot;It shows your demonstrated interest in a college, and that can count for admissions​.&quot;</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Rockwood students can find more information on the Rockwood-Parkway College Fair and other upcoming similar events by visiting their high school's College and Career Center in person or online.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span><a href="/eurekahs/offices/college/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka</a></span></div><div><a href="/lafayette/offices/college/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette</a></div><div><a href="/marquette/offices/college/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette</a></div><div><a href="/rsummit/offices/college/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit​</a></div>

<p>​​​​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">It's been a long-standing tradition held by the citizens of Eureka. Every October, community members design and display their handmade scarecrows around town.</span></p><p>This year, a group of Geometry in Construction students at Rockwood's Individualized Learning Center are partnering with the Eureka Chamber of Commerce to lend a hand in the annual Eureka Scarecrow Festival. </p><p>&quot;This is the first time we are constructing scarecrow bases for the annual Scarecrow Festival,&quot; said teacher Thomas Beckmeyer. &quot;I thought this would be a great opportunity for our kids to give back to the community. It's a fun project and a cool way for our kids to be involved.&quot;</p><p>During the first week of school, students studied&#160;units of measurement, as well as conversion charts.</p><p>&quot;Once they felt comfortable,&#160;we&#160;incorporated the measuring aspect,&quot; said Beckmeyer.</p><p>Students have been utilizing the&#160;hammer, chop saw, circular saw and drills to cut and modify plywood, two-by-sixes and two-by-fours.</p><p>&quot;We've made about 15,&quot; said student Joey Belcher. &quot;I'm learning to apply everything directly to what we're doing in the woodshop. I've also become better at working with other people on projects.&quot;</p><p>Belcher added, &quot;It will be cool to see the town of Eureka use&#160;something I helped build. I will definitely be pointing them out to my family and friends.&quot;</p><p>&quot;It's a good way to teach the kids the basic tools, and this gives them confidence and hands-on experience,&quot; said Beckmeyer.</p><p>The bases will be taken to Eureka City Hall in the coming weeks.​</p><p><img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_8884.jpg" alt="IMG_8884.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;355px;height&#58;238px;" />​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_8887.jpg" alt="IMG_8887.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;350px;height&#58;236px;" />&#160;<img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_8851.jpg" alt="IMG_8851.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;345px;height&#58;230px;" /><br></p>

<p>Eureka High officials have a game plan for parking at the first football home game of the season Friday night against Hazelwood Central.&#160;</p><p>Parking in the school parking lot is limited due to construction at Eureka High, so school officials are asking fans to consider parking at nearby Blevins Elementary (25 E. North Street, Eureka 63025) or LaSalle Springs Middle (3300 Highway 109, Wildwood 63038).&#160; They can then ride the shuttle bus to the football stadium.&#160; School buses serving as shuttles will begin transporting fans at 5&#58;30 p.m.&#160;</p><p>&quot;If you're coming from the south, we want you to park at Blevins Elementary and ride the shuttle bus from there,&quot; said Eureka High Activities Director Gregg Cleveland.&#160; &quot;If you're coming down Highway 109 from the north, we hope you'll stop and park at LaSalle Springs Middle School. The shuttle buses will drop off as close to the stadium as you can get.&quot;&#160;</p><p>The parking lot shuttle buses are free of charge.&#160; Cleveland said he expects the Eureka High parking lot to be filled up by about 6 p.m.&#160;</p><p>The shuttles will run continuously from 5&#58;30-7 p.m. They will begin transporting fans back to Blevins and LaSalle Springs at the beginning of the fourth quarter.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our parking lot has been reduced by about one-third,&quot; said Cleveland.&#160; &quot;We will have limited handicapped spaces available this season.&#160; Our shuttle service will be a great option for those concerned about having to walk too far.&#160; Please consider taking advantage of this service.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Cleveland said this Eureka High football parking plan will apply to every home game.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our second home game is homecoming, Sept. 27, and that's also going to be well-attended,&quot; said Cleveland. &quot;Hopefully alumni will get this message about parking. Then our next two games are Marquette and Kirkwood, and those are going to be huge, as well.&quot;&#160;</p><p>All spectators are being asked to enter through the south gate this season.</p>

​​​​​​<br><br>At <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle​</a>, this week has been a celebration of first responders planned by the student leaders in the Selvidge CREW -- which stands for&#160;&quot;Champions Reflect Empathy and Wonder.&quot;&#160;<br><br>The &quot;Battle of the Badges&quot; spirit week includes&#160;a&#160;&quot;red and black&quot; day for firefighters, a &quot;blue and black&quot; one for police officers, a hat day, a pajama day and a day selling ribbons, all to benefit&#160;The BackStoppers, an organization that assists the families of fallen fire, police and emergency technicians.<br><div><br></div><div>Wednesday, Sept. 11, was red, white and blue day, to commemorate Patriot Day,&#160;honor&#160;the lives that were lost 18 years ago and remember&#160;the impact that event still holds.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;Every year at Selvidge, we do something to remember the day and not just let it go,&quot; Principal Dr. Michael Anselmo said. &quot;Our theme for the year is 'choose kindness,' and this week is all about supporting first responders.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/LHS%20Patriot%20Day.jpg" alt="Lafayette High held a Patriot Day ceremony before the start of school on Sept. 11." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;25%;height&#58;367px;" />Schools across Rockwood School District paid their respects Wednesday. Lafayette High held a <a href="https&#58;//twitter.com/LHS20Principal/status/1171773425964277760" target="_blank">Patriot Day ceremony</a> before the start of school, followed by <a href="https&#58;//www.instagram.com/p/B2Ruh6HBSrV/?igshid=be482pyd9pcg" target="_blank">a breakfast for area first responders​</a>. At Rockwood Summit High, <a href="https&#58;//twitter.com/RSHSPrincipal/status/1171824257904664577" target="_blank">the school choir&#160;​sang &quot;The Star-Spangled Banner&quot;</a> on the morning announcements as part of a remembrance ceremony. ​Kellison Elementary joined Selvidge in supporting BackStoppers with a <a href="https&#58;//twitter.com/KellisonPrin/status/1171843681571213312" target="_blank">&quot;Caps and Capes On for Cops&quot;​</a>&#160;day.​​</div><div><br></div><div>At Selvidge, eighth-grade history teacher Rich Blackford spent the entire day teaching his students about Sept. 11, a timeline of the day and its&#160;historical significance.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;Now that we're 18 years out, this year's seniors are the last group of kids to have been alive when this happened,&quot; Anselmo said.​</div><div><br></div><div><a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx">Marquette High​</a>&#160;senior Jamison Straulin was born on Sept. 11, 2001. He said&#160;the idea that his birthday is not like others&#160;really started sinking in&#160;around fifth or sixth grade, when he and his classmates started learning about 9/11 in school.​</div><div><br></div><div>Straulin approaches the day each year with a mix of solemnity and reverence.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;​I try to make it not that big of a deal,&quot; Straulin said. &quot;<span style="">You feel like you’re kind of disrespectful if you celebrate. The magnitude of 3,000 lives lost, it's not a normal day.&quot;</span></div>

<p>​​​</p>The newest published authors at <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway Elementary School</a> marched through the hallways last Tuesday, beaming from ear to ear as they proudly held their finished stories and received applause and high-fives from the rest of the school.<br><br>The Fairway kindergarteners were parading to celebrate their first major writing accomplishments, with their classmates helping them mark the occasion.<br><br>&quot;They were so excited,&quot; said kindergarten teacher Natalie Kane. &quot;I don’t think I was prepared for how amazingly supportive the other kids in the school would be. It was genuine pride from a lot of those older kids, which is so important.”​<br><br>Kane is one of 120 Rockwood School District elementary teachers who took part in&#160;Writers Workshop training facilitated by the Columbia University Teachers College this summer.&#160;The plan, according to Rockwood Coordinator Literacy K-5 and Title Programs Dr. Stefanie Steffan, is to train the rest of the district's elementary school teachers over the next two summers.​<br><br>The goal of the Writers Workshop is to allow students more autonomy in their writing. Teachers give them short lessons to provide a framework, but the topic and content are&#160;left largely up to the students.<br><br>Ava, one of Kane's students, wrote her first published work about her older sister's upcoming birthday party. She's getting her a present. But only one.<br><br>&quot;The kids have so much freedom to write about what they’re interested in,&quot; Kane said. &quot;Tapping into that in the summer workshop was really important in reminding the kids that writing is fun. And being in this cohort, i​t’s the professional development that never ends. When you get stuck on something, you can look around the district and everybody can do the same thing so differently.&quot;<br><br><strong>Allyson Jeffries, fifth grade, <a href="/ballwin/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ballwin Elementary​</a></strong><br>​​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Ballwin%20writing%20time%20(21).jpg" alt="Ballwin Elementary's Allyson Jeffries works with one of her fifth-grade students during writing time." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" />In Jeffries' classroom, writing sessions begin with mini-lessons and &quot;anchor charts.&quot; Jeffries uses the lessons to introduce the theme through her own writing. The anchor charts provide some suggestions to get the students going.<br><br>Then, the students are left to write individually and compare with their partners, with Jeffries serving a supporting role.<br><br>&quot;It’s taking ownership of their writing, and they’re able to develop their own ideas because they’re picking what they want to write,&quot; Jeffries said. &quot;I always say there is one of me and many of you, which is why having trust in their partnership can help​.&quot;<div><br></div><div>All of the Ballwin fifth-grade teachers took part in the Writers Workshop training, so Jeffries&#160;also has&#160;​partners with which to discuss&#160;ideas and create effective lesson plans. Kristen Forth and Stacey Taylor, the district's&#160;elementary&#160;language arts coaches, also encouraged all 120 teachers in the cohort to share suggestions, pictures and questions on Twitter using the&#160;#RSDWriting and #RockwoodWrites hashtags.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We’re all here for all the kids in Rockwood,&quot; Forth said. &quot;Instead of working in silos, it gives them the opportunity to reach out and work together.”​</div><div><br></div><strong>John Hartmann, fourth grade, <a href="/ellisville/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ellisville Elementary​</a><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Ellisville%20Writing%20Time%20(11).jpg" alt="Ellisville's John Hartmann works with his fourth-grade students during writing time." class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" /></strong><br><strong></strong>This is Hartmann's fourth year teaching the Writers Workshop model to his students but the first year he was able to undergo formal training through the district. The first three, he tried to teach himself.<div><br></div><div>His biggest takeaway from the summer? Keep the mini-lessons short. He used to go more than 20 minutes. Now, he puts a timer on himself to keep it at 10 to&#160;12.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The students are&#160;more interested in writing because they have that time, and it’s also freeing me up to actually sit with them and confer,&quot; Hartmann said. &quot;It’s almost like each student has a differentiated writing curriculum, where they’re able to talk with me about what they’re doing.&#160;I’d done this program ​before but not as well as I’m doing it now​.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Hartmann taught almost all of his current students last year because he moved up a grade with them. He can see marked improvement in their writing --&#160;and their enthusiasm for it -- in their second year in the program.</div><div><br></div><div>Steffan said the goal is to see a cumulative effect across the district&#58; teachers at all six elementary grade levels stressing the same instructional​ strategies to build on their students' writing skills year after year.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We're building a common language. Kids have background knowledge of what is expected,&quot; Taylor said. &quot;We're all standing on each other's shoulders, which will increase growth.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Fairway%20Writing%20Parade%20(12).jpg" alt="Fairway kindergarteners show off a banner after the school's writing parade." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;325px;height&#58;259px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Ballwin%20writing%20time%20(17).jpg" alt="A Ballwin fifh-grader enjoys some individual writing time." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;350px;height&#58;259px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Ellisville%20Writing%20Time%20(5).jpg" alt="Ellisville fourth-graders enjoy some individual writing time." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;390px;height&#58;259px;" /><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLz0pD746ayS1c7Z6e3ZVoRVFdKRm9z57D" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div>​<br></div>

<p>​</p>Beverly Evans is bringing the performing arts into her <a href="/ballwin/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ballwin Elementary</a> classroom, helping her first-graders invest and engage in the subject matter by jumpstarting their minds through movement and voice. Art teacher Julie Glossenger is using her time with her <a href="/chesterfield/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Chesterfield Elementary</a> students to see art through the lenses of social justice and science.<div><br></div><div>Both are part of this year's Rockwood School District fine arts integration cohort, which seeks to incorporate the arts into the core curriculum in ways that enhance and augment the students' learning.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It’s a different way of teaching,&quot; Evans said. &quot;Kids are&#160;learning and not really noticing it because, when you’re talking to one another or facilitating activities where it’s more hands on, you’re getting into how they interact&#160;versus just paper-and-pencil information.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>This year, 29 teachers from <a href="/babler/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Babler</a>, Ballwin, Chesterfield and <a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison</a> elementaries and <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle​</a> are participating in the cohort. They all went through summer training with the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis, and they'll meet periodically throughout the school year to learn more, run ideas by each other and see what's working in schools around the district.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We're helping kids show their learning in different ways,&quot; said Megan Meier, coordinator fine arts for the district. &quot;We want kids to feel joyful and happy when they're learning.&quot;​</div><div><br></div><div>The cohort met for the first time during the school year at the Administrative Annex in Eureka on Thursday, moving through different stations of activities aimed at getting the teachers to consider new ways of bringing the arts into their classrooms.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The teachers become learners, and the students benefit.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It’s nice to see people from different parts of the district being able to work together,&quot; Glossenger said. &quot;It’s something where we all have buy-in. We’re all interested and open to learning. That’s so cool, just to know that everybody here is on the same page and here to support each other.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Assistant Principal Missy Parker accompanied Babler second- through fifth-grade teachers to the meeting. Her hope is that the teachers in the cohort bring innovative ideas back that the whole school can implement.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We're always looking for ways to reach all of our learners,&quot; Parker said. &quot;We want to look for other ways to engage them and to have them experience success and grow in their love for learning.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Arts%20Integration%20cohort%20(18).jpg" alt="Members of the Rockwood School District fine arts integration cohort learn new ways to reach students through the arts." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;408px;height&#58;239px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Arts%20Integration%20cohort%20(15).jpg" alt="Members of the Rockwood School District fine arts integration cohort learn new ways to reach students through the arts." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;299px;height&#58;239px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Arts%20Integration%20cohort%20(10).jpg" alt="Members of the Rockwood School District fine arts integration cohort learn new ways to reach students through the arts." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;359px;height&#58;239px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​</p>Give a little. Help a lot.<br><br>The Rockwood Gives Back program is back for a second year. Our annual employee giving campaign from&#160;Sept. 9-25&#160;provides every Rockwood staff member the opportunity to help our children in need.<br><br>Jaime Bayes, a Rockwood Board of Education Director and representative of Rockwood Gives Back, says that it's heart work&#58; &quot;We are all volunteers just doing our best for our kids.&quot;<br><br>Homelessness touches nearly every Rockwood school. Current numbers show 180 Rockwood students are homeless with 32 percent of those students residing in the county and 68 percent residing in the city as part of the voluntary transfer program. Each weekend, our homeless students receive a backpack filled with nutritious food items that are easy to open, simple to prepare and can accommodate a variety of living circumstances.<br><br>While Rockwood ensures students have healthy meals during the school day and a backpack of food for the weekend, even more help is needed. Some students may have difficulty paying for things most take for granted. A prep test for the ACT. Tickets for homecoming. Funds to participate in afterschool activities. Perhaps it's a family emergency that needs immediate attention. ​<br><br>Rockwood Board of Education President&#160;and Rockwood Gives Back volunteer Loralee Mondl says that supporting these needs makes a difference in a child's education. &quot;It makes school a home where students know people care,&quot; she says. &quot;We truly want to meet the needs in our school community.&quot;&#160;<br><br><a href="/community/giveback/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Learn more about Rockwood Gives Back and view the video below.</a><br><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3cXnGfRi7trHk0XHM2Uez-L" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div>

​​​​​​<br>Crowds lined Central Ave. in downtown Eureka on Saturday, excitedly cheering as the participants of the Eureka Days parade made their way down the route.<div><br></div><div>Rockwood School District was represented, as well as <a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins​</a>, <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka</a> and <a href="/geggie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Geggie</a> elementaries and <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a>, all wearing school colors, showing their pride&#160;and hefting large bags of candy to hand to the kids as the parade wound from 3rd St. to Geggie.</div><div><br></div><div>It was Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles' first Eureka Days parade, and he was impressed.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together in celebration of unity and fun,&quot; Miles said. &quot;It's always wonderful to see a community come together.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Miles, Eureka High Principal Charles Crouther,&#160;Rockwood Board of Education Director Tamara Jo Rhomberg, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview</a> Assistant Principal Alexandra&#160;Krinski and Crestview teacher Meghan Menchella -- the district Teacher of the Year and a Eureka High grad -- walked alongside a Rockwood school bus and greeted paradegoers.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Days%20Parade%20(4).JPG" alt="Eureka High Principal Charles Crouther was one of the Rockwood representatives at the Eureka Days parade Saturday." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;219px;" />And, most importantly, they had plenty of candy to go around.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;My problem is keeping up with the bus and always having a full bag of candy,&quot; Crouther said. &quot;I enjoy this immensely. It shows spirit and that there is a community here that's united with the schools. It's exceptional, and it can't be beat.&quot;​</div><div><br></div><div>Other Rockwood dignitaries in the parade included Anna Coppin, the <a href="/lasalle/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">LaSalle Springs​</a> Middle student who was named Eureka Citizen of the Year, and Cam Janssen, the former St. Louis Blues player who went to Eureka High.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Days%20Parade%20(1).JPG" alt="Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles hands out candy at the Eureka Days parade Saturday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Days%20Parade%20(12).JPG" alt="LaSalle Springs Middle student Anna Coppin, the Eureka Citizen of the Year, took part in the Eureka Days parade Saturday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Days%20Parade%20(2).JPG" alt="Former St. Louis Blues player and Eureka High student Cam Janssen poses for a picture at the Eureka Days parade Saturday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​​</p><span>As of Sept. 5, Rockwood School District has received great feedback and questions regarding the drafts of the 2020-2021 school calendar. We value community feedback&#160;and consider all input.<br><br>We want&#160;to address a few common suggestions, including school day hours, final exams and snow days.&#160;<br><br>The suggestion has been&#160;made to add minutes to the school day and have fewer days in session to get out earlier in May. Rockwood has always exceeded the minimum 1,044 instructional hours required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). We believe going above the minimum hours gives our students an academic and social advantage. Currently, our elementary students attend 1,137 hours. Middle school students attend 1,129 hours, and high school students attend 1,092 hours. These instructional hours allow us to deliver curriculum and support student learning.&#160;<br><br>It is important instructionally to have similar numbers of days in semester courses. Final exams administered in December would create&#160;uneven semesters for students. It would also present a challenge for our teachers in semester and quarter classes. These classes would not have the same instructional time to cover content for the course. With the current change in state law, school cannot start until Aug. 24 in the 2020-2021 year. This is two weeks later than a typical start date in Rockwood. With the school year beginning later in the month, final exams will also need to be pushed back. Rockwood administrators are aware of the challenges that January finals may cause for students. We are&#160;considering other creative options for this assessment period.<br><br>Regarding snow days, Rockwood does not build in snow days. The district exceeds the required minimum instructional 1,044 hours from DESE. Therefore, it is unnecessary to make up instructional hours for​&#160;inclement weather above 1,044 hours. Rockwood has always gone well over the required minimum hours. By reducing the hours, we would reduce instructional time for students.&#160;<br><br>If you have not had the opportunity to submit feedback, you may do so until Thursday, Sept. 12. Please complete a short questionnaire by visiting the following link&#58; <a href="https&#58;//www.surveymonkey.com/r/rsdcalendar2021" target="_blank">https&#58;//bit.ly/2jXeqF4​</a>.<br><br>For more information, please visit the <a href="/community/committees/calendar/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Cale​​ndar C​ommittee page​</a>.&#160;<br><br><div><span style="font-size&#58;11.04pt;font-family&#58;arial;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"><br></span></div></span><p><br></p>

<p>​​​​</p>Rockwood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles is hosting a series of community meetings to introduce himself to Rockwood community members and learn more about their expectations for high-quality educational services.<br><div><br></div><div>These informal &quot;Meet Mark&quot; question-and-answer sessions provide an open-door invitation for all parents and patrons to discuss education with the district's top leader.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The Rockwood School District has earned a reputation for educational excellence -- locally, regionally and nationally,&quot; Miles said. &quot;Together, I am confident we will continue this tradition of excellence. It takes the combined energy and effort of all of us -- teachers, staff, parents and community members -- to provide an extraordinary learning environment for our students.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Miles will hold four meetings -- one in each quadrant of the district -- over the next four weeks.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Meet Mark&#58; Getting to Know the Superintendent</strong><br></div><div><ul><li><strong>Monday, Sept. 9, 7-8 p.m.&#58;&#160;</strong>Administrative Annex, 500 N. Central Ave. in Eureka<br></li><li><strong>Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7-8 p.m.&#58;&#160;</strong>Rockwood Summit High, 1780 Hawkins Rd. in Fenton</li><li><strong>Monday, Sept. 23, 7-8 p.m.&#58;&#160;</strong>Marquette High, 2351 Clarkson Rd. in Chesterfield</li><li><strong>Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7-8 p.m.&#58;&#160;</strong>Lafayette High, 17050 Clayton Rd. in Wildwood</li></ul></div>

<p>On&#160;<strong>Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, </strong>Rockwood conducted&#160;a test of our automatic notification system to ensure all staff members are receiving the district's emergency messages&#160;in case of school closings, crisis situations and inclement weatheer.&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles&#160;sent&#160;a notification&#160;at 7 p.m. to our Rockwood employees, via phone, email and text. (Please note that parent notifications will be sent at a later time.)&#160;</span></p><p><strong>Need Assistance Updating Contact Information?</strong><br> Have you recently changed your household, cell or work phone number?&#160;</p><ul style="list-style-type&#58;disc;"><li>Rockwood employees need to make sure the information is accurate in&#160;<a href="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/communications/strategic/Rockwoodconnect/Pages/Update-Contact-Information.aspx">BusinessPlus.</a></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type&#58;disc;"><li>Rockwood SSD employees need to make sure their information is accurate in&#160;<a href="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/communications/strategic/Rockwoodconnect/Pages/UpdateContactInformationSSD.aspx">SSDLife.</a></li></ul><p>If your contact information is accurate in these two systems, it will be accurate in our automatic notification systems due to our regular uploads of contact information.&#160;</p><p><strong>Do you need to opt in to receive text messages?</strong><br> No. This year all phone&#160;numbers have been automatically opted in to receive text messages from the district.&#160;(68453 is Rockwood's short code for text messaging.&#160;Please add this number to your phone&#160;contact list.)&#160;Make sure this phone number is included in your contact information on file with the Human Resources department.&#160;<a href="/parents/connect/Pages/Text-Messaging.aspx">Find out more about the text messaging service.</a> </p><p><strong>Did your message get cut off?&#160;</strong></p><p>Messages in progress may be restarted from the beginning by pressing the star (*) key.&#160;&#160;</p><p><strong>Did your answering machine not record the entire message?&#160;</strong></p><p><strong></strong><a href="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/communications/strategic/Rockwoodconnect/Pages/default.aspx">Find out answers</a><b>&#160;</b>on how to program your answering machine, plus read answers to&#160;a number of frequently asked questions about our automatic notification system.</p><p><strong>Want more information about Rockwood Connect?</strong><br> Staff members may receive two types of phone messages on the Rockwood Automatic Notification System&#58;&#160;</p><p>1) Alerts for district-level emergency situations and&#160;<br> 2) Outreach messages from the school.&#160;</p><p>For more information about the district's automatic notification system, visit the&#160;<a href="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/communications/strategic/Rockwoodconnect/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Connect&#160;website </a>&#160;on One Rockwood.&#160;</p>

<p>​​​​</p><p></p>The Rockwood School District calendar committee has revised the 2020-2021 school calendar to align with <a href="/news/Pages/Rockwood-to-Revise-Next-Year-School-Calendar-Following-New-Legislation.aspx" target="_blank">a new state law​</a> requiring schools to start no earlier than 14 days prior to the first Monday in September.<br><br>The committee, which consists of parents, staff and administrators, reviewed parameters of&#160;<a href="/community/committees/calendar/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">two sample calendars</a>&#160;Aug. 22.&#160;For the first sample, professional development days for teachers include six&#160;half-days. For the second sample, professional development days for teachers include four full days.​<br><br>&quot;This is a long-standing committee that analyzes the parameters of the district and is developing a calendar that best fits the needs of the Rockwood community,&quot; said Assistant Superintendent Human Resources Dr. Katie Reboulet.<br><br>Both draft calendars include these revised dates for the 2020-2021 school year&#58;<br><br><ul><li>The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 24.</li><li>Winter&#160;break runs from Wednesday, Dec. 23, through Friday, Jan. 1.</li><li>Students return from winter break on Monday, Jan. 4.</li><li>Spring break runs from Monday, March 22, through Friday, March 26.</li><li>The last day of school is Wednesday, June 3.</li></ul>The committee is requesting feedback from Rockwood staff and community&#160;members regarding the two draft calendars. <a href="https&#58;//www.surveymonkey.com/r/rsdcalendar2021">Click here​</a> to&#160;<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">send feedback by taking a sho</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">rt questionnaire via Survey</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Mo</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">nkey.&#160;</span><div><br>All submissions must be received by <strong>Thursday, Sept. 12.</strong><br>&#160;<br>What does the calendar committee consider when building a new calendar?&#160;<br><br><ol><li>Conference compensations days must occur in certain windows per our teacher agreement.</li><li>Record days must occur on certain days per agreement.</li><li>Spring break must occur during certain weeks because of area and state sports schedules.<br></li></ol>Learn more about the&#160;<a href="/community/committees/calendar/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">calendar committee on the di​strict website.</a>​​​​<br><br><p><br></p></div>

​​​​​​​​<br>The Birthday Book Cart rumbled down the hallways at <a href="/uthoffvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Uthoff Valley Elementary</a> last Friday, piloted by Principal Danna Thorne.<br><div><br></div><div>Even though the cart is chock-full of books and can be tricky to navigate through turns and close quarters, Thorne has become a pro at handling it. She captains this vessel nearly every school day, wheeling it around to classrooms, recognizing students on their birthdays and letting them pick out a book to keep.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;They’re excited to come out and choose a book, then show their friends which book they got,&quot; Thorne said. 'We’re constantly trying to find ways to help promote the love of reading. We do a lot of things here at Uthoff, so this is just one more way to get books in kids’ hands.”​</div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Thorne said a PTO parent brought the idea to her last year, and they designated a portion of their book fair proceeds to buying books for the cart, so that every student could choose a book on their birthdays. Since then, the idea has spread to <a href="/stanton/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stanton Elementary​</a> as well.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>The July and early August birthday students received their books at a special event earlier this school year, and the June birthdays will get their books at a ceremony at the end of the school year in May.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>&quot;We write their names in it, and it's their book to keep,&quot; Thorne said. &quot;They can let a friend read it, or some kids will donate it to the little library we have&#160;out front after they read it.&quot;​<br></span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>On this particular Friday, the cart made three stops for four birthdays. While second-grader Shekinah didn't have to look for long to find her &quot;Magic Tree House&quot; book, third-grader Lucas gave careful consideration before arriving on a book about sharks.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>It has more than 260 stickers, you know.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>&quot;The students&#160;ask me about it, they see me before school and want to know if I’m going to come visit their classroom and bring them a book,&quot; Thorne said. &quot;They’re always happy to let me take their picture so they can show their parents they got their book.”</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Valley%20Birthday%20Book%20Cart%20(6).JPG" alt="Third-graders Lucas and Cameron smile with their new books from the Uthoff Valley Birthday Book Cart." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" />​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Valley%20Birthday%20Book%20Cart%20(9).JPG" alt="Fifth-grader Maxon smiles with his new book from the Uthoff Valley Birthday Book Cart." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Uthoff%20Valley%20Birthday%20Book%20Cart%20(10).JPG" alt="Principal Danna Thorne smiles with the Uthoff Valley Birthday Book Cart." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></span></div>

<p>​</p><div><a href="/chesterfield/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Chesterfield Elementary​</a> took some time out Wednesday morning to show its appreciation for the men and women responsible for getting students safely to and from school every day.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>Principal Dr. Meg Brooks and Administrative Intern Theresa Rose invited the drivers into the library for their annual appreciation breakfast, offering a meal in a relaxed atmosphere as a way to thank the drivers for the important work they do.</div><div><br></div>&quot;We at Chesterfield view our bus drivers and those rides to school and home as an extension of our students' day,&quot; Rose said. &quot;Those drivers are vital in the lives of our children in helping to get them to school safely but also keeping track of&#160;their demeanor and how kids are feeling. They provide great communication to our administration on helping our students be the best that they can be.&quot;<div><br></div><div>Around a dozen drivers took part in the event, which Rose led, and they all left with souvenirs such as thank-you cards and placemat art created by students as well as Chesterfield Elementary T-shirts.<br><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;Some of those drivers have been with students for years, and they create those relationships with their families,&quot; Rose said. &quot;We highly value and appreciate the relationship we create with our drivers.&quot;</span><br></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20Driver%20Appreciation%20Breakfast%20(3).jpg" alt="A bus driver smiles with three Chesterfield Elementary students at the school's bus driver appreciation breakfast." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20Driver%20Appreciation%20Breakfast%20(4).jpg" alt="A driver displays a drawing a Chesterfield Elementary student made for the school's bus driver appreciation breakfast." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20Driver%20Appreciation%20Breakfast%20(9).jpg" alt="Chesterfield Elementary administrators welcomed in the school's bus drivers for an appreciation breakfast Wednesday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></span></div><div><div><br></div></div></div>

<p>​​</p>Hello, Rockwood Community Members&#58;<br><br>Safety remains the No. 1 priority in the Rockwood School District.&#160;We are committed to having a safe learning and extracurricular environment for our students, staff and families.&#160;As a result, we continually examine our policies and regulations.<br><br>As we kick&#160;off the 2019-2020 high school football season, Rockwood School District is taking steps to make sure that our students’ families and friends and other spectators are safe at these community events.<br><br>Rockwood officials are employing extra security personnel for Friday night’s home football games at Lafayette, Marquette and Rockwood Summit. Additional administrators will be in attendance as well.<br><br>As a school district, we frequently partner with our local, state and federal law enforcement officials to ensure we have the best practices in place.&#160;Many law enforcement officials agree that the best plan is to have multiple options. Rockwood practices an options-based model that&#160;was developed by the St. Louis County Police Department.<br><br>It is known as 4E training&#58;<br><br><strong>Educate</strong><br>--Make yourself aware of entrance and exit points.<br>--If you see something, say something.<br><br><strong>Evade</strong><br>--Find a place to hide and get out of sight.<br><br><strong>Escape</strong><br>--Leave the area if safe to do so and you have a clear path.<br><br><strong>Engage</strong><br>--If you cannot escape or evade and it appears you will be confronted by an intruder, disrupt or distract the intruder to give yourself a chance to escape or overpower that person. This is the last option.<br><br>This is a general outline of 4E training. I encourage you to seek some of the&#160;<a href="http&#58;//track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/MWrq65jHPqcPWiw7TlMqdw~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRfSWXLP0QxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGllcm9uZXRhY3RpY2Fsc29sdXRpb25zLmNvbS90cmFpbmluZ1cHc2Nob29sbUIKAABLMmhdCoKPmlIXbW9ycmlzb25kYXZpZEByc2Rtby5vcmdYBAAAAAE~" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https&#58;//www.google.com/url?q=http&#58;//track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/MWrq65jHPqcPWiw7TlMqdw~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRfSWXLP0QxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGllcm9uZXRhY3RpY2Fsc29sdXRpb25zLmNvbS90cmFpbmluZ1cHc2Nob29sbUIKAABLMmhdCoKPmlIXbW9ycmlzb25kYXZpZEByc2Rtby5vcmdYBAAAAAE~&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1567260221930000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHuDhbm8cK_0DmZezYvvPBkvol5wg">many 4E training resources you can find online</a>&#160;and consider how these steps may be used at an athletic event and a variety of other public venues.<br><br>It is important to reiterate that our community is safe. However, we know incidents happen and our students, families and friends should have a plan.<br><br>I will be on the road Friday night&#58;&#160;up and down I-44 and highways 141 and 109 to attend all three of our home football games. I look forward to seeing you at a variety of athletic and performing arts events this year. Let’s commit&#160;to keeping our children safe at these annual Rockwood community events we have come to know and love.<br><br>Sincerely,<br>Dr. Mark Miles<br>Rockwood School District<br>Superintendent<br><br><p><br></p>

<p>​​​Rockwood parents received their children's individual Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) results via secure email link Friday, Aug. 30. English language arts (ELA) and math scores only are available at this time.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood officials sent these results via an electronic communication similar to the one used for 2018-2019 final report cards. It included instructions for retrieving MAP scores. &#160;The email came from Rockwood Assessments with the subject line &quot;MAP GLA Student Report&quot; or &quot;MAP EOC Student Report.&quot;&#160; If parents would like printed copies, they can contact their child's school office after Aug. 30.&#160;</p><p>Fifth-grade and eighth-grade science and high school biology MAP results will be available at a later date. Students who took the 2018-2019 government end-of-course exam will not receive results for this assessment as it was a state field test.&#160;</p><p>Please contact <a href="/contact/Pages/School-Directory.aspx">your school office</a> for support with understanding the results or the Rockwood Help Desk for assistance accessing the report at (636) 733-1169.</p>

<p>​​​​</p><div>Starting this school year, the more than 2,200 Rockwood School District high school&#160;students who take Advanced Placement (AP) courses will have an earlier deadline to sign up for AP exams and more resources to help them prepare.<br><div><div><br></div><div>Rockwood offers more than 30 different AP courses at its four high schools. Students can take these college-level classes to earn college credit, placement or both if they score a&#160;3 or higher on their AP exams in May.</div><div><br></div><div>Before this year, the deadline to register for AP exams was in February. Now, it's Nov. 1.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Glenn Hancock, director research, evaluation and assessment for the district,&#160;said the decision to change came from College Board&#160; - the organization that runs the AP program -&#160;and is intended to increase participation and scores among&#160;all students.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;Research&#160;conducted by College Board&#160;has shown that an earlier commitment to the exam really helped students with their focus and perseverance through the course,&quot; Hancock said.&#160;&quot;The research showed that it increased enrollment in student groups that have experienced&#160;lower participation&#160;rates in the past.&#160;The other finding College Board shared was&#160;increased scores for all student groups committing early.&#160;College Board&#160;feels this will be an equity and access benefit for all.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Hancock said between 83-88 percent of Rockwood students who take AP exams receive at least a 3 in any given year. While the district's teachers already have an impressive track record of preparing students, new resources available this year will add another tool for teachers and students.</div></div></div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/AP%20classrooms_Rockwood%20Summit%20(11).JPG" alt="Rockwood Summit teacher Mary Jo Bauer leads her AP goverment class." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;40%;height&#58;292px;" />All students who are enrolled in AP courses also register for an online service called AP Classroom, which includes a comprehensive database of practice questions to help students prepare for the year-end exam, as well as personalized, daily feedback on the progress students are making through the course during the year.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;This gives more transparency about what to expect on the exam, more guidance on what content teachers should be focusing on and what students should be focusing on studying,&quot; said Jennifer Kottmann, A+ and testing coordinator at <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a>. &quot;Our teachers do a really good job preparing kids at all four high schools. The whole idea is not to teach to the exam, but &#160;kids are taking it specifically to earn&#160;college placement or credit.&#160;So we're making sure&#160;they’re spending their time wisely and efficiently.&#160;Across the board in our district, the kids are very prepared.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>For more information on the AP program in Rockwood, <a href="/departments/assessment/testing/Pages/Advanced-Placement.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.​</div>

<p>​​​​​​</p>Chants of &quot;cut it!&quot; echoed off the gymnasium walls in the new <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary School​</a> on Wednesday, as&#160;a group of&#160;students, Rockwood School District and City of Eureka officials and the construction team that worked on the school took their turns with the ceremonial scissors up on the stage.<div><br></div><div>And cut, they did, slicing through the purple ribbon as streamers shot off around them and members of the Rockwood community helped celebrate the new elementary school at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;For 66 years, Eureka Elementary has created some great memories and has helped inspire dreams in the minds of thousands of students. During that time, our first school building served us well,&quot; Principal Lynn White told the crowd. &quot;Today's ribbon-cutting ceremony - and the start of the school year in this building - is a culmination of the hard work of many people.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>The 108,000-square-foot facility was under construction for nearly 17 months before welcoming students for the start of school Aug. 12. The funds for the new school were provided by a 2017 bond issue, and Rockwood Board of Education President&#160;Loralee Mondl thanked Rockwood citizens&#160;for their support in passing the measure.</div><div><br></div><div>The Eureka Boy Scouts presented the colors, and the Eureka Special Chorus helped lead the audience in a singing of &quot;The Star-Spangled Banner&quot; at the beginning of the program and the Eureka Elementary school song at the end.​</div><div><br></div><div>Fifth-graders Keanna and Emmah also expressed their excitement about their new educational home.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The first time I walked into our new building, I was wowed!&quot; Keanna said. &quot;This school is huge and so cool. I know the kids will have a lot of fun in this school.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Emmah presented a stone that last year's class of fifth-graders commissioned to go with a tree that will be planted on campus this fall to commemorate the opening of the school.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;This building is a big change for us and our school,&quot; Emmah said. &quot;New opportunities can come for us since we can learn in new ways.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Guests were treated to refreshments and school tours after the ceremony.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;​Eureka Elementary is an incredible school and will serve students for years to come,&quot; Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EES%20Ribbon-Cutting%20(4).JPG" alt="Eureka Elementary students and Rockwood School District officials say the Pledge of Allegiance at Wednesday's ribbon-cutting." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EES%20Ribbon-Cutting%20(7).jpg" alt="More than 400 Eureka Elementary students joined community members at Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EES%20Ribbon-Cutting%20(12).jpg" alt="Principal Lynn White addresses the crowd at the Eureka Elementary ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​</p>​​​​Rockwood School District and the U.S. Secret Service sponsored an event that provided threat assessment training for school officials on Aug. 28 at Lafayette High School.<br><br>Nearly 300&#160;participants, including school resource officers, police investigators, school administrators, school counselors and school social workers, took part in the event. The training was provided by personnel from the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), a component of the U.S. Secret Service.<br><br>The NTAC conducts research, training and consultation on threat assessment and the prevention of targeted violence.<br><br>The following topics were addressed&#58;<br><br><ul><li>Identifying potential threats and students who may be exhibiting concerning behaviors</li></ul><ul><li>Investigating&#160;and gathering information on the background and behaviors of concerning students</li></ul><ul><li>Assessing whether students pose a threat of violence or other harmful behavior</li></ul><ul><li>Developing risk management strategies and interventions</li></ul><ul><li>Interactive case studies&#160;</li></ul>&quot;All schools are talking about ways in which we can keep our students safe,&quot; said Rockwood Executive Director Student Services Dr. Terry Harris. &quot;This national threat model is&#160;very successful in keeping the president safe and so we can use the same to keep our students safe.&quot;<br><br>Lafayette High Principal Dr. Karen Calcaterra says she appreciates the opportunity.<br><br>&quot;The U.S. Secret Service brings a whole wealth of knowledge and study and research that allows us to come together as a community and share some time learning from each other,&quot; said Calcaterra. &quot;This allows me to take new information and evaluate the current plans and practices that we have – and to determine what we are doing well and what we need to think more about and what we need to do differently.&quot;<br><br>Lafayette counselor Sarah Hicks agrees.&#160;<br><br>&quot;I've never had this sort of training,&quot; said Hicks. &quot;It seemed like it was a good event for my colleagues and I to attend. It allows us to realize what plans we have in place and what other things we could do to prepare and prevent threats.&quot;<br><br><p><br></p>

<p>​​</p>Drew Behrens is in his second year as a Rockwood School District school bus driver.<br><br>He worked previously for St. Louis County Highways in the traffic division.<br><br>“Being a Rockwood school bus driver allows me to support my family,” said Behrens. “I have had&#160;two kids in the school district. I also get opportunities to pick up extra trips, and make additional money.”<br><br>Behrens said being a school bus driver also affords him flexibility.<br><br>“My morning starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 9&#58;15 a.m.,” he said. “Then I can complete tasks at home, go to appointments or do chores. I return at 1&#58;50 p.m. and complete my afternoon run about 5&#58;15 p.m. I pick up around 30 hours a week.”<br><br>Rockwood Director Transportation Mike Heyman said Rockwood school bus drivers are among the highest-paid in the state. A new driver with no experience&#160;starts out&#160;at $16.61/hour. After five years of experience, the current rate is $25.39/hour.&#160;​The district offers paid&#160;Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training as part of the program.<br><br>Heyman believes flexibility is a big part of the appeal for bus drivers.<br><br>Heyman said, “I have retired professionals, executives and owners of businesses who are unbelievably surprised at how much they love it. Rockwood offers the best equipment. Our buses are less than three years old. We have an outstanding shop and an impeccable maintenance program. We treat everyone with fairness and respect.”<br><br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><a href="/departments/transportation/Pages/Bus-Drivers.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Check out how to apply.​</span></a>

​​<br>The <a href="/departments/boe/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Board of Education</a> and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles participated in a board development workshop&#160;sponsored by the Missouri School Boards'&#160; Association (MSBA) on Thursday. The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration between the board and the superintendent to improve student achievement and district performance.<div><br></div><div>Rockwood Board Director Jaime Bayes said MSBA Director of Board Training Janet Tilley did a fantastic job facilitating the training, which was tailored to the Board based on survey reponses its members provided during the superintendent search in the spring.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The training opportunity was great for our board and Dr. Miles to connect and have deep conversations about the goals that we had when we set out to find a new superintendent and also for us to set goals for this first year,&quot; Bayes said.</div><div><br></div><div>The training stressed the importance of the Board providing​ overall district leadership by ensuring current district policies, engaging the community, providing clear expectations through the district's strategic plan, providing budget oversight and implementing practices that ensure a positive collaborative relationship with the superintendent.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We had time to reflect and then focus on goals that connect to our strategic plan while continuing to deepen our relationships with one another,&quot; Bayes said. &quot;We hope to continue working with MSBA to keep our momentum going in this positive direction.&quot;</div><div><br></div>

<p>​​​</p><p>Two Lafayette High School seniors who participated in the Rockwood PIE (Partners in Education) Project Interface program over the summer presented their final project on Sunday afternoon at a St. Louis recording studio.&#160;</p><p>At Gaslight Studios, Ben Augustine focused on the marketing/branding side of the music industry; Aden Black focused on studio production and performance.&#160;</p><p>Gaslight Studios owner J.B. Anderson said, &quot;They actively participated in professional recording projects here and promoted a festival event earlier in the summer – Grub and Groove in Francis Park.&#160; Their experience culminated in Sunday's livestream performance interview recap of the summer.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I've been helping artists develop their own craft and market their music,&quot; said Augustine. &quot;I worked with releasing tracks and helping get the word out. I learned about the music industry, especially now that you don't really go and buy a record at the record store. You look up the artist on Spotify. What I learned from J.B. is how to monetize that.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;My experience with Project Interface and Gaslight has been enlightening and insanely cool,&quot; said Black. &quot;I perform a lot around St. Louis, but I've never seen the production side and recording.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Black said she learned to sing while wearing headphones and how to position a microphone to achieve the desired audio result.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I definitely think it's going to benefit me,&quot; she added. &quot;I hope to use what I learned about production to record a release in the fall. I really do want to be a studio artist and singer and learning this side of the industry is vital.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood PIE Coordinator Emanuel Young said, &quot;After their experiences in Project Interface, I've heard students say, 'I absolutely know that this is what I want to do for a career path, and this experience has confirmed it.' I've also heard students say just the opposite. Both are very valuable perspectives.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Anderson said Gaslight extends an open invitation to public schools – if they can get an ensemble, a chorus or an a capella group to the studio, Gaslight will record them free of charge.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We are a label,&quot; said Anderson. &quot;We know that in working with kids, they are the best beta group to test new music. If 14-16 year olds don't like it, the market won't like it. So it's the easiest way to actively engage our product to an end user.&quot;&#160;​</p>

​​​​​​<br>If her students ask about it, Meghan Menchella will tell them what the signs around her room mean. And the crown sitting on the top shelf by her desk.<br><br>First, she was named <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle</a> Teacher of the Year. Then Rockwood School District grade-level teacher of the year. Then Teacher of the Year for the whole district. Then one of 35&#160;regional Teacher of the Year honorees in the state of Missouri.<br><div><br></div><div>Now, out of a pool of nearly 70,000 K-12 educators&#160;in the state, Menchella is <a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/communications/news-releases/2020-missouri-teacher-year-semifinalists-named" target="_blank">one of 17 semifinalists for 2020 Missouri Teacher of the Year</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's been a really fun and exciting time,&quot; said Menchella, who teaches eighth-grade&#160;U.S. history. &quot;It's exciting that I get to brag about my kids, how great our district is and how great our school is.&quot;</div><div>​<br></div><div>The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)&#160;<a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-development/teacher-year-program" target="_blank">Teacher of the Year program</a> recognizes the contributions of classroom teachers and the roles they play in supporting&#160;student development.</div><div><br></div><div>Crestview Principal Dr. Gary Jansen said part of what sets Menchella apart is the attention she pays to the whole student in addition to academics.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Menchella%20Classroom%20(4).JPG" alt="Crestview Middle teacher Meghan Menchella works with one of her U.S. history students in the classroom." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;30%;height&#58;268px;" />&quot;She is tireless in her pursuit of making sure all of her kids grow academically and as people,&quot; Jansen said. &quot;She has an uncanny ability to connect with kids and, because of those strong relationships, the kids have a greater interest in wanting to hear about the content she wants to share. They begin to grow that same love of history.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Shrutika Singh, a freshman at <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> who was in Menchella's class last year, said she liked the way Menchella was able to relate to her outside of the classroom setting.&#160;</div><div>​<br></div><div>&quot;I had very serious conversations with her and, generally, those&#160;tend to be awkward when you're talking to an adult that's not your parent,&quot; Singh said. &quot;But no conversation I've ever had with her turns out to be awkward.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>DESE will announce the finalists for this year's honor Monday, Aug. 26, with the recipient named soon after.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I strongly believe that all kids can learn. There is always something new to learn,&quot; said Menchella, a Rockwood graduate. &quot;I want to see them make progress in my class, but I also want to encourage them to learn outside the academic sphere and become a well-rounded kid who cares, who is kind, motivated and has gained knowledge and become a better citizen through U.S. history along the way.&quot;</div>

<p>​​</p><div><div><div><div><div>In the latest edition of Out &amp; About in&#160;Rockwood with&#160;Dr. Mark Miles, Dr. Miles checks&#160;in at <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High School​</a> as the Silver Falcon Marching Band practices and perfects &quot;Twisted,&quot; its show for the upcoming season.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>He even tries to make a little music of his own.​​</div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Check it out below!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3fzgcTQTtQYj-Z_dc-g0gzJ" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><br></div><div>​​<br></div>

<p>​​​​In the interest of fostering the &quot;entire&quot; student, Rockwood School District officials are focusing on the social-emotional health of our young people, in addition to their academic futures and well-being.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our students are surrounded by people who care about them,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles. &#160;&quot;Every one of our staff members has a vested interest in the contentment and development of our students.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Director of Student Services Dr. Terry Harris discussed the many resources available to students and their families.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Any teacher in any one of our school buildings can refer a student to a counselor,&quot; said Harris. &quot;Those counselors can put students in contact with mental health services, additional counseling, crisis intervention or just someone to talk to.&quot;&#160;</p><p>​Some of the resources available to Rockwood students and their families&#160;include&#58;&#160;</p><p>--Behavorial Health Response local 24-hour support line&#58; 314-469-6644&#160;<br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--National Suicide Prevention Life Line&#58; 1-800-273-8255&#160;<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--KUTO (Kids Under Twenty-one) - </span><a href="http&#58;//www.kuto.org/" style="font-size&#58;1rem;background-color&#58;#ffffff;">www.kuto.org</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">, crisis hotline&#58; 1-888-644-5886&#160;<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--St. Louis County Youth Connection Hotline 314-628-2929… or text &quot;for help&quot; to 31658.&#160;<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">--CHADS Coalition - </span><a href="http&#58;//www.chadscoalition.org/" style="font-size&#58;1rem;background-color&#58;#ffffff;">www.chadscoalition.org</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#58; 314-952-8274</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p>

​​​​<br><a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a> senior Rahul Suresh Kanna had taken the ACT three times before and came up just a couple points shy of a perfect score of 36.<div><br></div><div>Suresh Kanna took the te​st a fourth time in the spring, and he checked for his score at the earliest possible moment in early July.</div><div><br></div><div>He got a 36.</div><div><br>​&quot;I stayed up until midnight to check,&quot; Suresh Kanna said. &quot;My mom was pretty excited.&quot;<br></div><div><br></div><div>The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each scored on a scale of 1-36. A student's composite score is the average of the four test scores.&#160;Only around 0.2 percent&#160;of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2018, only 3,741 out of more than 1.9 million graduates who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.</div><div><br></div><div>Suresh Kanna said he is excited for the expanded possibilities his ACT score will afford him as he applies for colleges this fall.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I'm thinking of studying economics, computer science,&quot; he said. &quot;I want to eventually go into law, and&#160;law school is the goal. I want a school that will let me study my broad interests, with interdisciplinary approaches to what I want to study.&quot;​</div><div><br></div><div>Suresh Kanna is one of at least 15 Rockwood School District current&#160;seniors who have achieved a perfect 36 on the ACT, including&#160;Lafayette classmates Abhishek Ganesh and Zoe Spriggs; Erin Gwaltney, Kyan Ho and Jack Kunkel at <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a>; and Megan Cline, Natalie Harvey, Steven Karst, Sriya Kosaraju, Alita Sunil, Claire Zhang and Kevin Zhou at <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High​</a>.</div>

​​<br>The seven Rockwood School District high school seniors&#160;who took part in the <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Partners in Education</a> (PIE) Project Interface experience at BJC HealthCare this summer thought they wanted to go into the medical field before the internship began.<br><div><br></div><div>Now, after shadowing employees and embedding in various parts of the health care organization over the summer, they all know this is what they want to do for a career. They even picked up a few ideas on different ways they could pursue their passions in medicine.​</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We all came in kind of set on something, but it opened up more horizons for us,&quot; said <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High's</a> Kay Satterthwaite, who wants to be an operating room nurse. &quot;There are so many more things we can do. We shouldn’t just be set on one thing.”​</div><div><br></div><div>The PIE <a href="/community/pie/Pages/Project-Interface.aspx" target="_blank">Project Interface​</a> program gives qualified Rockwood seniors the chance to&#160;enjoy an immersive&#160;internship experience in a specific career area. Satterthwaite;&#160;<a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High's​</a> Mayah Evans, Kaitlinn Knittig, Shreya Srikanth and Julia Vo; <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High's​</a> Kayla Hoover; and <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High's</a> Nivedita Prabhu all logged at least 75 hours of experience with BJC HealthCare through Project Interface.</div><div><br></div><div>They didn't know each other well before the internship but, through the process, they bonded over shared experiences.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's&#160;interesting&#160;to wonder, later, if we’re going to find each other as we go through our careers and still&#160;talk about this experience,” said Evans, who wants to be a nurse practitioner specializing in emergency medicine and international rescue relief.</div><div><br></div>Jennifer Irvin,&#160;BJC's&#160;school-community health education partner,&#160;supervised the students&#160;throughout the different phases of their internship, which included job shadowing, interviews with staff members, self-directed passion projects outside the hospital and stints in moulage&#58; serving&#160;as test patients for doctors and nurses in training.<div><br></div><div>&quot;I really enjoyed meeting all the new people and making those new connections, hearing their stories about what their jobs are like and what draws each individual to work there,&quot; said Knittig, who wants to go to nursing school then possibly study to become an occupational therapist.​</div><div><br></div><div>All of the students -- whether they're an aspiring pediatric nurse like Hoover or an aspiring pediatric critical care specialist like Srikanth, an aspiring interventional cardiologist like Vo or an aspiring surgeon like Prabhu --&#160;took away valuable lessons from the experience.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;Getting that hands-on experience really shows you that you want to be in a hospital setting&#160;at some point in the future,&quot; Srikanth said. &quot;This is where I want to be.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/BJC%20PIE%20Photos%20(8).JPG" alt="Project Interface BJC HealthCare interns Mayah Evans and Kay Satterthwaite present their final project." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/BJC%20PIE%20Photos%20(20).JPG" alt="Project Interface BJC HealthCare interns Kaitlinn Knittig and Nivedita Prabhu present their final project." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/BJC%20PIE%20Photos%20(30).JPG" alt="Project Interface BJC HealthCare interns Julia Vo and Shreya Srikanth present their final project." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​​​​​</p>​Over the first four days of the 2019-2020 school year, Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles traveled the entire 150 square-mile footprint of the Rockwood School District, checking in on all 29 of its elementary, middle and high schools and the Individualized Learning Center (ILC).<br><br>From Chesterfield Elementary in the north to Geggie Elementary in the south, from Uthoff Valley Elementary&#160;in the east to Rockwood Valley&#160;Middle in the west,&#160;​Dr. Miles dove into the district headfirst over the first week of school, meeting the students, parents, teachers and staff that make Rockwood such a special place.​<div><br></div><div>&quot;As I visited our schools, I was so impressed by the joy exhibited by students and staff; the organization of classrooms; the establishment of high expectations for learning; and the sense of community,&quot; Miles said. &quot;The first few days of school have established the foundation for an exceptional school year. I look forward to visiting each of our schools again this fall and staying for a longer period of time.&quot;<div><br></div>Follow along below for an interactive journey through Dr. Miles' tour of the&#160;29 schools and the ILC.&#160;<br><br>Use your mouse -- or click on the + and - signs on the map -- to zoom in and out. Click on each of the markers to see some of Dr. Miles' pictures from his visit to each school!<br><br><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read e8023772-fb73-40c5-8fc7-34293a237a58" id="div_e8023772-fb73-40c5-8fc7-34293a237a58" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_e8023772-fb73-40c5-8fc7-34293a237a58" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<br></p></div>

<p></p><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Rockwood parents will receive their student’s individual Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) results the week of Aug. 26. English language arts (ELA) and math scores only are available at this time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;color&#58;#000000;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;font-size&#58;11pt;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">The district will send these results via an electronic communication similar to the one used for 2018-2019 final report cards. The communication will include instructions for retrieving MAP scores. If parents would like printed copies, please contact your child’s school office after Aug. 30. </span><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Fifth-grade and eighth-grade science and high school biology MAP results will be available at a later date. Students who took the 2018-2019 government end-of-course exam will not receive results for this assessment as it was a state field test. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Please direct questions to Rockwood’s Research, Data and Assessment office at (636) 733-2140. </span></p></span>

<p>​​​​</p><p>​<a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">Marquette High​</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> senior Nicole Licavoli turned her Girl Scout service project into a way to help her&#160;community learn about the new technology being integrated into the daily educational life of Rockwood School District. For her efforts, Licavoli earned the&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Girl Scout Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.</span></p><div><div><br></div><div>The Gold Award is given to a scout who displays&#160;&quot;extraordinary leadership through a remarkable community service project.​&quot; For her project, Licavoli&#160;created a website -- <a href="https&#58;//www.crushcommunication.com/" target="_blank">crushcommunication.com​</a> -- to help teachers, parents and students learn more about the Chromebooks and other Google products that have become ubiquitous in Rockwood.&#160;Licavoli pr​oduced 11 step-by-step&#160;video tutorials for her site and&#160;created informational&#160;flyers about the site to&#160;distribute&#160;to faculty and administrators.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;She's a fantastic student, very involved here at Marquette,&quot; said Rick Regina, Marquette High's class of 2020 assistant principal. &quot;She is a true leader and always trying to figure out ways to improve. She's always looking at doing something a little bit different. She's definitely an outside-the-box thinker and very driven. She comes up with a plan and follows through on it.&quot;</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Licavoli, who also plays golf for the Mustangs, was recognized along with&#160;other Gold Award&#160;Girl&#160;Scouts during a&#160;ceremony at Lindenwood University in St. Charles in June.</span></div></div>

<p>​Dozens of law enforcement officers from several St. Louis-area jurisdictions turned out in front of Kehrs Mill Elementary School on Monday morning to escort the son of an ailing officer to his first day of school.&#160;</p><p>Kehrs Mill Principal Beth Sciarratta said it was a gesture characteristic of the support she sees in her school community.&#160;</p><p>&quot;The police officers, a family in blue, decided they were all going to step in and help walk this boy to school,&quot; said Sciarratta. &quot;It's such a wonderful example of community involvement and made it a special day for Carmine.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Carmine's dad, Woodson Terrace Police Sgt. Andy Mattaline, has been hospitalized recently.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Sgt. Andy Mattaline is having some health issues that are preventing him from walking his son to his first day of kindergarten,&quot; said Chesterfield Police Officer Chris Kaatmann. &quot;That's a big event in any parent's life, so a group of us who has worked with him for years decided to honor him and be here to walk Carmine to school on his first day. Andy's my best friend, and he's one of the most selfless, caring individuals any of us have ever met.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Kaatmann and others helped organize the effort. Then, right before it happened, they learned Andy would be able to be there.&#160;</p><p>&quot;That was a pretty special surprise,&quot; said Kaatmann. &quot;We had word that it was a possibility but we didn't know about it until the last minute.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Kaatmann reacted to the turnout.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Some of these people in uniform don't even know Andy,&quot; said Kaatmann. &quot;Regardless of the fact that we're law enforcement officers, this group of people would have been out here to support a good person like Andy.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Sgt. Mattaline responded to the support he and his family are being shown.</p>

<p>​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​</p>On Monday, the Rockwood School District community celebrated the start of the 2019-2020 school year!<br><div><br></div><div>Students, parents, teachers and staff all over the district shared the excitement of the first day through social media posts, many of them with the #RSDFirstDay hashtag. See below for a peek at what the first day of school looked like all over the district!</div><div><br></div><h2>​Elementary Schools<br></h2><h3>​​Babler</h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 3afd3003-b288-47c8-8d35-32ca215d1605" id="div_3afd3003-b288-47c8-8d35-32ca215d1605" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_3afd3003-b288-47c8-8d35-32ca215d1605" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​Ballwin​</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read c60bdf88-81b7-4ebd-a9ad-f714baaebe9e" id="div_c60bdf88-81b7-4ebd-a9ad-f714baaebe9e" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_c60bdf88-81b7-4ebd-a9ad-f714baaebe9e" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>Bowles​​</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 2efec633-0184-48ad-866b-77a44ee6865d" id="div_2efec633-0184-48ad-866b-77a44ee6865d" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_2efec633-0184-48ad-866b-77a44ee6865d" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>Ellisville</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 615e73bd-6c7e-4c28-ab2c-3157b95c4e92" id="div_615e73bd-6c7e-4c28-ab2c-3157b95c4e92" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_615e73bd-6c7e-4c28-ab2c-3157b95c4e92" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Eureka​</span></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 27ae67d8-c5b9-46fa-b77d-6daf7d00d03e" id="div_27ae67d8-c5b9-46fa-b77d-6daf7d00d03e" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_27ae67d8-c5b9-46fa-b77d-6daf7d00d03e" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​Fairway</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 273ff513-8288-4642-b95c-79fb0e9fe3eb" id="div_273ff513-8288-4642-b95c-79fb0e9fe3eb" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_273ff513-8288-4642-b95c-79fb0e9fe3eb" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Geggie</span></p><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 9e34412d-5ab2-4ae9-9220-aa2029ece6d4" id="div_9e34412d-5ab2-4ae9-9220-aa2029ece6d4" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_9e34412d-5ab2-4ae9-9220-aa2029ece6d4" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​Green Pines​</h3><h3></h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 64438fba-5ece-47b7-a8c6-4dbe376feedf" id="div_64438fba-5ece-47b7-a8c6-4dbe376feedf" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_64438fba-5ece-47b7-a8c6-4dbe376feedf" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​​Kehrs Mill</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 8c5a78ef-8a64-4239-b1a7-b677ba521827" id="div_8c5a78ef-8a64-4239-b1a7-b677ba521827" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_8c5a78ef-8a64-4239-b1a7-b677ba521827" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Kellison​</span></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read ae1c5c2b-39a3-410c-8a77-288a6be0d9a5" id="div_ae1c5c2b-39a3-410c-8a77-288a6be0d9a5" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_ae1c5c2b-39a3-410c-8a77-288a6be0d9a5" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Pond</span></p><p><span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;"></span></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 86a3ca01-4c16-4e10-9cc6-39dfe82a2db6" id="div_86a3ca01-4c16-4e10-9cc6-39dfe82a2db6" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_86a3ca01-4c16-4e10-9cc6-39dfe82a2db6" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p><span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">​​</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​</span><span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Ridge Meadows</span></p><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 60147b95-455b-49c3-a5c7-a10a9cc472e5" id="div_60147b95-455b-49c3-a5c7-a10a9cc472e5" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_60147b95-455b-49c3-a5c7-a10a9cc472e5" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Stanton</span></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read b6366e0c-8d49-410f-b4bc-24bd9e0ba66f" id="div_b6366e0c-8d49-410f-b4bc-24bd9e0ba66f" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_b6366e0c-8d49-410f-b4bc-24bd9e0ba66f" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>Westridge</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read a359816c-b18e-4ad1-805f-48b11be61575" id="div_a359816c-b18e-4ad1-805f-48b11be61575" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_a359816c-b18e-4ad1-805f-48b11be61575" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​Wild Horse​</h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 87c31258-df17-4169-aa01-07beb16729ed" id="div_87c31258-df17-4169-aa01-07beb16729ed" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_87c31258-df17-4169-aa01-07beb16729ed" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Woerther​</span></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read b908d77b-f3f0-4431-9699-296efec436d9" id="div_b908d77b-f3f0-4431-9699-296efec436d9" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_b908d77b-f3f0-4431-9699-296efec436d9" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h2>Middle Schools</h2><h3>Crestview​</h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 42e07e98-e583-4f4a-a91f-7b2450ff7ca1" id="div_42e07e98-e583-4f4a-a91f-7b2450ff7ca1" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_42e07e98-e583-4f4a-a91f-7b2450ff7ca1" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">LaSalle Springs</span></p><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read a215d95a-883b-4e53-a6e8-7e370ddc833a" id="div_a215d95a-883b-4e53-a6e8-7e370ddc833a" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_a215d95a-883b-4e53-a6e8-7e370ddc833a" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​Rockwood South​</h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 50291537-c81b-487a-a713-cd2a66a9a3bf" id="div_50291537-c81b-487a-a713-cd2a66a9a3bf" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_50291537-c81b-487a-a713-cd2a66a9a3bf" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Rockwood Valley​</span></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read e8214ffa-651f-4997-bf9c-a5809c2d65bf" id="div_e8214ffa-651f-4997-bf9c-a5809c2d65bf" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_e8214ffa-651f-4997-bf9c-a5809c2d65bf" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div>​​<p>​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Selvidge</span></p><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 7a6c3f53-043a-4914-9646-27b7f4e694ba" id="div_7a6c3f53-043a-4914-9646-27b7f4e694ba" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_7a6c3f53-043a-4914-9646-27b7f4e694ba" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​​<span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;oswald, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.4rem;">Wildwood</span></p><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read dd73e50d-801b-4a49-9bb0-7222ba92e10e" id="div_dd73e50d-801b-4a49-9bb0-7222ba92e10e" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_dd73e50d-801b-4a49-9bb0-7222ba92e10e" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h2>​​High Schools</h2><h3>Eureka</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 6d911629-6f3c-4746-897d-f7155d58cb18" id="div_6d911629-6f3c-4746-897d-f7155d58cb18" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_6d911629-6f3c-4746-897d-f7155d58cb18" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​Lafayette​</h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 9f67df2c-0979-4c05-ba1a-844e45b5bb8a" id="div_9f67df2c-0979-4c05-ba1a-844e45b5bb8a" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_9f67df2c-0979-4c05-ba1a-844e45b5bb8a" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>Marquette</h3><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read fd1de94e-9b03-489c-a0d8-5d66b4a80ede" id="div_fd1de94e-9b03-489c-a0d8-5d66b4a80ede" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_fd1de94e-9b03-489c-a0d8-5d66b4a80ede" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><h3>​​Rockwood Summit​</h3><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read a858f7bb-799a-4e3c-a698-4c4ee5246222" id="div_a858f7bb-799a-4e3c-a698-4c4ee5246222" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_a858f7bb-799a-4e3c-a698-4c4ee5246222" unselectable="on" style="display&#58;none;"></div></div><p>​<br></p>

​​​​<br><br>Rockwood School District students haven't been the only ones busily preparing for the start of the new school year Monday. Their teachers have also been hard at work.<br><div><br></div><div>&quot;The beginning of every school year is exciting,&quot; said Jared Kreienkamp, a seventh-grade geography teacher at <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle​</a> who is entering his 10th year in the district. &quot;A new thing I'll be doing a lot this year is using a lot of the new technologies and resources available to us, so I'm excited about incorporating that into my classroom and doing a lot of student-interest-driven work. The technology will help us tailor the curriculum to each individual kid.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Teachers headed back to their schools for orientation starting Tuesday, kicking off four days of building meetings, teacher work time and districtwide curriculum and instruction sessions.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Teacher%20Curriculum%20Days%20(16).JPG" class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="Rockwood social studies teachers talk after a curriculum instruction session." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;31%;height&#58;173px;" />Amy Merriott, a social studies teacher at <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High​</a> who is entering her sixth year in the district, has&#160;curriculum changes on her mind as she prepares to teach Advanced Placement&#160;(AP) world history for her first time in the district. She attended&#160;an AP workshop in San Diego over the summer.</div><div>​<br></div><div>&quot;A lot of us are ready to get to work.&quot; Merriott said. &quot;​There's a lot that you're just going to have to experience.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Sitting in the <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High</a> theater after a morning of curriculum instruction, <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary's​​</a>&#160;four third-grade teachers all remarked that the best part of coming back to school was getting to know a new class of students.</div><div><br></div><div>That doesn't change, whether you're entering first year teacher&#160;like Cate Neal or you're a veteran like Courtney Cochran, Elizabeth Kealen or Tina Monton.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The kids are finally there,&quot; Kealen said. &quot;It's starting to build those relationships with them and watching their excitement as they get a fresh start in a new school year.&quot;&#160;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Teacher%20Curriculum%20Days%20(7).JPG" alt="Rockwood social studies teachers talk after a curriculum instruction session." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Teacher%20Curriculum%20Days%20(6).JPG" alt="Rockwood social studies teachers talk after a curriculum instruction session." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Teacher%20Curriculum%20Days%20(14).JPG" alt="Rockwood social studies teachers talk after a curriculum instruction session." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

​​​​​​​​<br>After nearly 17 months of construction, the new <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary School​</a> is ready for its first school year.​​<div><br></div><div>Principal Lynn White hopes that, when students get their first glimpse of their new educational home, they'll have much the same reaction White and her staff had when they moved in over the summer.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's beautiful,&quot; White said. &quot;We were in awe and overwhelmed.&quot;​</div><div><br></div><div>The approximately 108,000-square foot&#160;project is the first new school building to open in Rockwood School District since <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway Elementary</a> in 2004. White said Eureka has&#160;more than 400 students enrolled for the upcoming school year, and that population has ample room to grow.</div><div><br></div><div>The building, which was constructed through bond issue funds,&#160;has the capacity to fit about 650 students.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We want to thank the Rockwood community for making this school possible,&quot; Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said. &quot;It's going to serve so many students for so many years.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Elementary%20School%20walkthrough_08%20(3).JPG" alt="Large common spaces in each grave-level pod help encourage collaborative learning at the new Eureka Elementary School." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;25%;height&#58;172px;" />Each grade level has its own area of the school associated with a different color. The kindergarten pod, for example, is decked out in gold while the fifth-grade wing is adorned with purple. White said that was a conscious choice&#58; to have the students identify with one of the school's colors when they start their Eureka Elementary experience and the other when they head off to middle school.</div><div><br></div><div>Many of the interior design elements in the school -- such as the large common spaces in each of the grade-level areas -- were the result of brainstorming by the teachers and staff.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I love that there are a lot of collaborative spaces for students and innovative, unique learning spaces that we haven’t had before,&quot; White said. &quot;We have extended learning areas&#160;within a pod of a grade area where they can&#160;join together for experiments,&#160;presentations from community members and things like that. There are just a lot of different ways that we can learn and grow,&#160;build, innovate and do what we love to do. It’s going to be really fabulous.”</div><div><br></div><div>The Rockwood community will help celebrate the new Eureka Elementary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 28.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It’s a fresh new learning environment, with all the anticipation from students and parents for the first day of school,&quot; Miles said. &quot;It’s not every day you get to open a brand-new school​. We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to open the new Eureka Elementary.”​</div><div>​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Elementary%20School%20walkthrough%20(12).JPG" alt="One of the upstairs offices has a pristine view of the lobby of the new Eureka Elementary School." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Elementary%20School%20walkthrough_08%20(20).JPG" alt="A sign in Lindsey Lootens' classroom welcomes her first-graders to the new Eureka Elementary School." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Elementary%20School%20walkthrough_08%20(31).JPG" alt="Colorful streamers and decorations adorn the fifth-grade classroom of Holly Conroy in the new Eureka Elementary School." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br>​</div>

<p>​​​​​</p>The Rockwood School District is the No. 4 district in the state of Missouri, according to&#160;<a href="https&#58;//www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/s/missouri/?fbclid=IwAR1vKjs2UNFqChjyTUkrA3PjUygmPe56chu2RmmnpVN7Tg9mJ_ohl7YpUD0" target="_blank" data-ft="&#123;&quot;tn&quot;&#58;&quot;-U&quot;&#125;" rel="noopener nofollow" data-lynx-mode="async">Niche.com</a>'s 2020 rankings!<div><br></div><div>Niche, a website that helps families discover schools and neighborhoods, based its rankings on a number of factors, including academics; teachers;&#160;culture and diversity;&#160;parent/student surveys; health and safety;&#160;resources and facilities;&#160;clubs and activities;&#160;and sports.</div><div><br></div><div>As a district, Rockwood received an A+&#160;grade from the site, and all 29 of its elementary, middle and high&#160;schools received at least an A&#160;grade, including 19 that received an A+.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette​</a> (No. 4), <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette​</a> (No. 7), <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit​</a> (No. 9) and <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka​</a> (No. 10) all received an A+ and finished among the top&#160;10 of more than 500 public high schools in the state.&#160;<a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview</a> (No. 8), <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley</a> (No. 9) and <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge​</a> (No. 10) finished among the top 10 out of nearly 500 public middle schools, and&#160;<a href="/woerther/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Woerther​</a> (No. 7), <a href="/wildhorse/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wild Horse</a> (No. 11), <a href="/chesterfield/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Chesterfield</a> (No. 15), <a href="/westridge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Westridge</a> (No. 17) and <a href="/fairway/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fairway</a> (No. 18) all finished ​among the top 20 of more than 1,100 public elementary schools.<br><br>Keep up the great work, Rockwood!</div><div><p><br></p></div>

​​<div>On Wednesday, nine members of the <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a> National Junior Honor Society&#160;(NJHS) volunteered with Circle of Concern Food Pantry, helping unload and sort materials for the organization's annual school supply drive.<br><div><br></div><div>Rockwood South NJHS&#160;sponsor Amy Krueger said her students have enjoyed service opportunities with Circle of Concern for the past six or seven years. This year, eighth-graders Kamryn Beaton,&#160;Tristan Guest,&#160;Wyatt Howell, Kari Koerner,&#160;Alexis Lieberman, Claire McCarthy, Alex Nguyen, Lauren Patrick and Alison Sandler lent&#160;a hand in Circle of Concern's supply drive. They helped gather and group donations such as backpacks, folders, paper, pens and pencils.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I am impressed, each year, that kids jump on this opportunity in their last days of summer,&quot; Krueger said. &quot;I don't even think that they realize what they're going to get back from it. They&#160;give up a morning of their summer, and I'm happy that they choose to do so.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>The supply drive serves between 650 and 850 underprivileged&#160;students a year, according to Circle of Concern Client Services Director Niki Vandable.</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div>&quot;The students get to see how many people have donated, but also they see there’s such a need, that there are many families who don’t get to go out and buy their own school supplies,&quot; Krueger said.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/RSMS%20students%20at%20Circle%20of%20Concern%20(5).JPG" alt="Three Rockwood South Middle students help sort backpacks for Circle of Concern's annual drive." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;337px;height&#58;241px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/RSMS%20students%20at%20Circle%20of%20Concern%20(6).JPG" alt="Three Rockwood South Middle students help sort school supplies for Circle of Concern's annual drive." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/RSMS%20students%20at%20Circle%20of%20Concern%20(7).JPG" alt="Rockwood South Middle students help Circle of Concern sort its supplies for its annual drive." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" /><br></div><div></div></div>

<p></p><p>It's 7&#58;30 a.m., four days before the start of a new school year.&#160;</p><p>Outside Eureka High School, music blares from a set of speakers, and teenagers wearing multi-colored outfits dance on the steps at one of the entrances to the building.&#160;</p><p>A steady stream of cars approaches as parents drop off their children for freshmen student orientation. As nervous students exit those vehicles, they are enthusiastically greeted by members of the Eureka High E!Crew, who welcome them with shouts, high-fives and hugs.&#160;</p><p>Welcome to the Eureka High &quot;friendly&quot; Freshman Gauntlet. It's likely not the greeting expected by a class of students that historically hopes to fly under the radar for their first year of high school.&#160;</p><p>&quot;What a fantastic way to welcome our new freshmen to Eureka High,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles, who said this was a very different experience than being a freshman used to be. &quot;I know when I became a freshman, it was very quiet and subdued. This is a fantastic way to begin a new school year.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's important to greet them with smiles,&quot; said Eureka senior and E!Crew member Grace Wagner. &quot;They need to know to be really true to themselves and have a great time in high school.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Her fellow E!Crew member Jeremy Peters agreed.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We want to show them Eureka is a welcoming community and they are family now,&quot; said Peters.&#160;</p><p>Eureka High Principal Charlie Crouther characterized the friendly Freshman Gauntlet.&#160;</p><p>&quot;They will learn they have more friends than they thought they did,&quot; said Crouther. &quot;They'll be very comfortable around staff and older students who will give them a tour today and show them all they'll need to know about Eureka High. They are welcome here.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I was shocked,&quot; said Eureka freshman Blake Gard, who added that walking through the gauntlet of upperclassmen and staff members made him feel welcome. &quot;It was overwhelming in a good way.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I was not expecting there to be so much excitement,&quot; said Lillian Pfaffmann, another freshman. &quot;I saw friends and met new people.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Eureka teacher Jenni Highfill added, &quot;I think it brings a lot of energy and relieves students' nerves. We want to set the tone that this is a positive place to come to, every day.&quot;&#160;</p>

<p>​Rockwood staff members&#160;received training on Stop the Bleed emergency kits, Thursday, Aug. 8. The training was provided by emergency responders within the district. Metro West Fire Protection donated Stop the Bleed kits to all Rockwood schools within its&#160;jurisdiction and agreed to make arrangements for other Rockwood schools to receive the kits as well, along with the corresponding training.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Our school nurses are always equipped with supplies,&quot; said Rockwood Supervisor Wellness &amp; Health Services Amy Wehr. &quot;But we appreciate support from emergency responders.&quot;&#160;</p><p>The Stop the Bleed organization's website states the effort is &quot;a national awareness campaign and call&#160;to action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped&#160;and empowered to help.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;The life-saving tool in the kits is a tourniquet,&quot; said Wehr. &quot;It's a strap with Velcro on it, with a hard piece of plastic to twist and tighten&#160;in order to stop heavy bleeding.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Metro West Fire Lt. Matt Coppin said, &quot;This is a hands-on, tactile way to impact that level of preparedness in our schools. Not only will these kits provide necessary tools&#160;but the education on how to use them&#160;as well.&quot;&#160;</p><p></p>

<p>​​​</p>After touring the new <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka Elementary School​</a>, fifth-grader Daniel McDonald had a two-word reaction to his new educational home.<div><br></div><div>Mind. Blown.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;We've got a lot more room, which is all I wanted,&quot; Daniel said, standing in the room of Holly Conroy, his teacher for the upcoming school year. &quot;And I like the new playground.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>McDonald and his second-grader sister, Maci, are two of the more than 400 students who were introduced to the new Eureka Elementary on Meet the Teacher night Thursday. <a href="/news/Pages/Bond-Issue-Updates-Eureka-Elementary-School.aspx" target="_blank">After nearly 17 ​months of construction</a>, Rockwood School District's first new facility in 15&#160;years was ready for its close-up.</div><div><br></div><div>And Principal Lynn White said she heard rave reviews from parents and students alike.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot; 'It's huge.' 'It's amazing.' 'I can't believe this is our school,'&quot; White said, quoting attendees. &quot;They're just really blown away by how beautiful it is.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Excited students rushed through the hallways of the new building, getting to know their teachers, reconnecting with old friends, snacking on ice cream sandwiches in the cafeteria, posing for pictures in front of purple-and-gold backdrops and, of course, heading outside to&#160;check&#160;out that playground.</div><div><br></div><div>Maci, donning a unicorn horn on her forehead, enjoyed the chance to meet her new teacher, Wendy Winegardner.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;She's nice,&quot; Maci said. &quot;I like the classrooms. They're big and colorful.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Everyone seemed energized for the first day of school Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I just feel so much pride in our community,&quot; White said. &quot;Everyone put so much effort into it&#58; the bond issue, all the planning and all the work that went into it. I heard so many people say they were so thankful, so blessed, so proud. It's great.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EES%20Meet%20the%20Teacher%20Night%20(2).JPG" alt="A Eureka Elementary student smiles widely for the camera at Meet the Teacher night." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;381px;height&#58;254px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EES%20Meet%20the%20Teacher%20Night%20(4).JPG" alt="Eureka Elementary Principal Lynn White greets a student at Meet the Teacher night." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;381px;height&#58;254px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/EES%20Meet%20the%20Teacher%20Night%20(1).JPG" alt="A brother and sister pose in front of a purple=and-gold backdrop at Eureka Elementary's Meet the Teacher night." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;304px;height&#58;254px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​</p>The hallways of the Eureka Early Childhood Center were abuzz with teachers last week, unloading boxes, resituating furniture and getting their classrooms ready for the start of the new&#160;school year.<br><div><br></div><div>With <a href="/eurekael/Pages/default.aspx">Eureka Elementary School</a> making the move three miles down the road, the staff of the Eureka Early Childhood Center has been busy moving into its new home at the facility that used to house the elementary school.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Suzanne Foshage, entering her first year as Rockwood School District director <a href="/earlychildhood/Pages/default.aspx">early childhood</a>, has helped oversee the move as she settles into her new role.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's like a once-in-a-career opportunity to open a new building or a new center,&quot; Foshage said. &quot;It's exciting, especially in my first year in a brand-new position, to be opening a new center for the district.&quot;​<br></div><div><br></div><div>While most of the work getting the new Eureka Early Childhood Center ready happened on the interior of the building this summer, Director Facilities Chris Freund said bond issue funds also helped renovate the parking lot in the front of the facility and build a new transportation lot in the back.</div><div><br></div><div>Another big change on the inside is the former library being transformed into a <a href="/earlychildhood/programs/pat/Pages/default.aspx">Parents as Teachers​</a> hub for the entire district, one that did not exist before this year.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The administrative team and the secretaries have been super supportive. They've known&#160;exactly what's been&#160;going on,&quot; Foshage said. &quot;So with&#160;the process of settling into the new role, there’s a lot to learn and it’s very exciting. Everybody in Rockwood has just been amazing and very helpful. It’s been very smooth.”​</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Early%20Childhood%20Center_08.02%20(2).JPG" alt="The newly renovated front parking lot of the Eureka Early Childhood Center." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Early%20Childhood%20Center_08.02%20(9).JPG" alt="Teacher Lisa Feeney unpacks her room decorations at the Eureka Early Childhood Center." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20Early%20Childhood%20Center_08.02%20(34).JPG" alt="Toys and learning activities await students in the Parents as Techers hub at the Eureka Early Childhood Center." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​</p><a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx">Lafayette High</a> senior Michael Lang served as an intern and shadowed doctors at Signature Orthopedics this summer.<div><br></div><div>Lang is participating in the <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Partners in Education (PIE)​</a> program known as <a href="/community/pie/Pages/Project-Interface.aspx">Project Interface</a>.&#160;It’s a unique opportunity for qualified Rockwood students to gain experience in a career they are considering studying in college.<br><br>Signature Orthopedics has more than 35 orthopedic and pain management physicians in the St. Louis area. The practice treats a variety of bone, joint and musculoskeletal illnesses and injuries.<br><br>“I know the Project Interface students have to qualify for the program,” said Signature Orthopedics office manager Shannon Byrne. “They are very driven. The internship experience gets better every year as staff members learn from the students how they can improve upon past years.”<br><br>“One unique experience that Signature Orthopedics provided for me is that they exposed me to all aspects of the practice, including the business side of it,” Lang said.<br><br>Lang said that included seeing what employees do when they answer appointment calls, take patient telephone calls and work on finances.<br><br>“My favorite experience was watching a surgery that involved removal of a cyst from someone’s finger,” he said. “It’s been a very positive experience and has given me an appreciation of this as a potential career.”<br><br>Lang said he was able to utilize some of the knowledge he gained in high school.&#160;<br><br>“After a whole month of shadowing at Signature Orthopedics, I’m even more certain this is what I want to study,” he said.<br><br>Rockwood PIE Coordinator Emanuel Young said, “After their experiences in Project Interface, I’ve heard students say, ‘I absolutely know that this is what I want to do for a career path, and this experience has confirmed it.’ I’ve also heard students say just the opposite. Both are very valuable perspectives.”<br><br>In Project Interface, students are encouraged to log what they do and the number of hours they put in. They are also encouraged to interview people in a variety of positions at the business partner.<br><br><em>-- by Raina Kabra, Rockwood Communications student intern​</em><br><br><p><br></p></div>

​<p>​​​​​​Rockwood School District keeps its community in the loop on school news and district emergencies through Rockwood Connect, an automatic notifcation system.&#160;</p><div><br></div><div>Parents receive two types of messages through the service&#58; emergency and school outreach.</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;font-weight&#58;bolder;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;font-weight&#58;bolder;">Emergency Messages&#58;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;The safety of our students is our priority.&#160; If there is a crisis situation in a school or in the district, Rockwood Communications will contact parents&#160;via phone, email and text using Rockwood Connect.&#160;​​These alerts will be sent to all contact numbers available for the family as listed on Infinite Campus.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;font-weight&#58;bolder;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;font-weight&#58;bolder;">School Outreach Messages&#58;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;Schools keep parents connected to news and information through school newsletters, email messages, phone updates </span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">and text messaging. Parents receive school outreach communication on their cell phones and e​mail addresses. These messages will be sent to the primary and secondary contact information listed for their child on Infinite Campus.</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">For more information, visit the <a href="/parents/connect/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Connect</a> page on the district website.​​</span></div>

​​​​​​<br>This&#160;school year, the Rockwood Transportation Department will carry&#160;about&#160;12,000-13,000 students to and from school over 1,000 routes covering the 150 square miles of the Rockwood School District.<br><br>Director Transportation Mike Heyman, his staff and the district's 182 bus drivers are up to the challenge.<br><div><br></div><div>&quot;There's nothing more important than getting the kids transported to school safely and effectively, on time, every day,&quot; Heyman said.</div><div><br></div><div>With the start of school less than a week away, parents still have time to familiarize themselves with their students'&#160;bus stop information&#160;for the 2019-2020 school year by logging on to <a href="https&#58;//vtweb2.tylertech.com/Rockwood/elinkrp/login.aspx" target="_blank">e-​Link</a>. Parents must know their child's&#160;student number, which can be found in&#160;the&#160;<a href="https&#58;//campus.rsdmo.org/campus/portal/parents/rockwood.jsp" target="_blank">Infinite Campus Parent Portal</a>.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div>Use the student number as both the&#160;user ID and password&#160;to sign into e-Link. Then click &quot;Work with Students,&quot; then &quot;View my Students,&quot; then click on the student's name&#160;to access the&#160;student's specific bus information.​</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Bus%20photos_08.06%20(1).JPG" alt="The view on the interior of a Rockwood School District bus." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;27%;height&#58;197px;" />Heyman said drivers finished up dry runs around the district in the weeks before the start of school to get to know their routes.</div><div><br>&quot;Have your kids out on time for the first day of school and be patient,&quot; Heyman said. &quot;The first day of school, the first couple of weeks, everyone has to get into the routine of coming back to school.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>If&#160;you have questions about your child's bus route stop, you can contact the&#160;<a href="/departments/transportation/Pages/Call-Center.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Bus Call Center​</a>&#160;at&#160;(636) 733-8500.&#160;</div><div><br></div><div><a href="/departments/eed/Pages/Voluntary-Student-Transfer-Program.aspx" target="_blank">Voluntary Student Transfer Program</a> students will receive a postcard in the mail with bus stop information. Parents will find out their bus stop information from Voluntary&#160;Interdistrict&#160;Choice Corporation (VICC)&#160;Transportation and may call the VICC Transportation office at (314) 721-8657&#160;for more information.​</div>

<p>​​​</p>So, Rockwood parents&#58; you've run out to the stores, picked up all the items on the <a href="/contact/Pages/School-Directory.aspx" target="_blank">school supply list</a> and done just about everything you can think of to get your student ready for the new school year.​<br><br>Want to prepare even more? Why not check out Rockwood School District's <a href="http&#58;//parentu.rsdmo.org/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Parent <br>Univer​sity site​</a>? It's a one-stop clearinghouse for information about best practices in&#160;​supporting your student and being a part of the district community.<div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The articles on Parent University cover topics such as&#160;​academics, social/emotional learning, health and wellness, safety and college and career.&#160;​</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">One of the exciting things about being a part of Rockwood School District is our belief that everyone is a learner, even the parents! So stop on by Parent University and fill up on some food for thought.&#160;</span></div><div><div><br></div></div>

<p>​​​​​​Communication continues to develop and progress in Rockwood School District.&#160;</p><p><span style="text-decoration&#58;underline;"><strong>Email Communication</strong></span></p><p>In May, report cards were successfully sent via a secure email link. Rockwood administrators plan to use this method in the future to send report cards, STAR reports, state assessment results and other announcements.&#160;</p><p>In order to receive such information, it is essential for parents to have their current email address on file with their child's school. You can check what Rockwood has on file for you on Infinite Campus. Contact the registrar at your child's school to update that information.&#160;</p><p>In order to utilize this method of receiving student information, <a href="/departments/technology/infinitecampus/Parents/Locating%20Student%20Number%20in%20Campus.pdf">you will need to know your child's 10-digit Rockwood student identification number</a>.&#160;</p><p>In the future, parents will still be able to access their children's report cards through Infinite Campus, but we are also making this method available.&#160;</p><p>Parents, be advised - if you choose to unsubscribe from district or school enewsletters, you will also be unsubscribing from this report card/test score information function.&#160;</p><p><span style="text-decoration&#58;underline;"><strong>Text Messaging</strong></span></p><p>Also, up until now, Rockwood parents had to choose to opt-in to receiving text messages from the school district.&#160; The federal government now allows school districts to have the default position for receiving such messaging be &quot;opt-in.&quot; If you have not already opted-in or opted-out, Rockwood's communications vendor, School Messenger, will soon be sending a text message notifying parents that they are now opted-in to Rockwood text messaging. You will then receive text messages from the district, unless you opt-out of such messaging.&#160;</p><p>For more information about Rockwood communication using email or text messaging, visit our <a href="/parents/connect/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Connect web page</a>.&#160;</p>

<p>​​​</p>One of Christine Davis' first projects as principal at <a href="/ballwin/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ballwin Elementary​</a> was figuring out which space at the school should be transformed into its Innovation Room. For inspiration, she thought back to the first time she worked a summer program at Ballwin, before she became principal.<br><br>&quot;The multipurpose room, to be used for something like curriculum or the kids to do some quality learning, it was just not an aesthetically pleasing space,&quot; Davis said. &quot;I thought, 'If we could come in here and do something really awesome in this space, what a world of difference it would make.'&quot;<br><br>This summer, the former multipurpose room has been transformed into Ballwin's Innovation Room, a space for students to learn and create and for teachers to emphasize the STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – fields. As part of the 2017 bond issue, Rockwood School District built an Innovation Room at all 19 of its elementary schools.<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Ballwin%20Innovation%20Room%20(1).JPG" alt="The entire suite surrounding the Ballwin Innovation Room was renovated, leading to a more open, more inviting feel." class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" />The one at Ballwin, which opens this school year, was the last to be constructed, but Davis said that had its perks. It allowed the school's innovation committee, composed of representatives from all grade levels, to travel around the district and see what aspects it wanted in Ballwin's room.<br><br>Wall-embedded dry-erase boards and big, inviting windows are defining characteristics of Ballwin's space. Davis said she's worked with Director Technical Support Bob Deneau, Instructional Technology Specialist Ellen Downs and Coordinator STEM K-12 Brian Reed to equip the room.<br><br>&quot;The staff appreciated that it was a collaborative effort, not just one or two people making all these decisions,&quot; Davis said. &quot;To see it come to fruition is really exciting.&quot;<br><br><strong>Other Bond Issue Projects</strong><br><br><div>&#160;-- The construction of a multipurpose room at <a href="/wildwood/Pages/default.aspx">Wildwood Middle​</a>, which will also serve as a tornado safe room, is awaiting word on a possible grant from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) before it continues. Rockwood Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington said the district applied for the $1 million grant in the spring for the Wildwood project, which is estimated to cost around $2.75 million. The&#160;room could be ready for the 2020-2021 school year if crews are able to restart the project by the fall. The district is committed to building the safe room regardless of whether it is awarded the grant. &quot;We're not dependent on the grant,&quot; said Chris Freund, director facilities. &quot;The project is funded, and it's going to happen. It's just on hold pending the grant results.&quot;<br><br>&#160;-- More than $1.2 million in regular maintenance projects have been completed around the district this summer. The majority of that price tag came from flooring upgrades.​<br><br></div>

​​​<br><div><a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> students Alyce Koch and Liliana Hayes and <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High’s</a> Julianna Cotter worked in the forensic science department at Maryville University this summer.&#160;They worked under the guidance of Tom Spudich, an associate professor of chemistry and forensic science. Spudich conducts research for the university on various projects.&#160;<br><br></div><div>The students are part of the <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Partners in Education​</a> (PIE) program known as <a href="/community/pie/Pages/Project-Interface.aspx" target="_blank">Project Interface</a>. Project Interface is a unique and valuable opportunity for qualified Rockwood seniors to intern in a specific career area. They recognize it as a chance to help them figure out what they want to pursue as a career.<br><br>Koch said, “It was very eye-opening to see all the different paths you can go down with a forensic science degree.”<br><br>Hayes and Cotter agreed, adding how it helped them narrow down a decision on which specific path of forensic science they want to pursue.<br><br>The students say they were provided with an abundance of resources. They were given access to a forensics lab and iPads&#160;and allowed to utilize the libraries at Maryville and Washington universities.&#160;<br><br>“I benefited from learning how the students’ thinking changes as they grew from this experience,” said Spudich.<br><br>Rockwood PIE Coordinator Emanuel Young said, “Project Interface helps give students early exposure so they can make informed decisions about what they will study in college.”<br><br>“I enjoyed talking to all the people we got to interview, such as the forensic scientists at a crime lab,” Hayes said.<br><br>The students agreed that their Project Interface internships provided a college-like experience.<br><br><em>--by Raina Kabra, Rockwood Communications student intern</em><br></div>

​​​<br><br>The&#160;winners of the <a href="/community/drugfree/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition​</a> (DFC)&#160;poster contest can see their work on display at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka.<br><div><br></div><div>The six winning posters, which were&#160;decided in the spring, will be featured in different spots in&#160;the park during the fall s​eason. Digital versions of the pieces are part of the rotating&#160;Six Flags TV content that broadcasts throughout the park. On a recent Tuesday, for instance, visitors in line for Batman&#58; The Ride were treated to a visual lesson about the dangers of e-cigarettes, courtesy of 2019 <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> graduate Alexis Jesse.</div><div><br></div><div>Jesse won first place in the high school division of the poster contest in the spring, and Eureka High's Joshua Kummer and Jackson Blackwell took second and third, respectively. Lauren Secoy, Lily Belknap and Brooke Thoele, all of <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle</a>, took first, second and third in the middle school division. All of their works are part of the rotation at Six Flags.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&quot;When students participate in creating anti-drug messaging, it impacts their decision to stay away from drugs and alcohol later on,&quot; said Rockwood DFC Project&#160;Coordinator Lili Schliesser.&#160;</span></div>

​​​​​<br>Rockwood School District kindergarten and first-grade teachers gathered at <a href="/babler/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Babler Elementary​</a> on Wednesday, with open minds and iPads in hand.<br><div><br></div><div>They were there&#160;for training sessions offered by the Technology Department, exposing the teachers to the world of educational possibilities that exists&#160;for their young students thanks to the district-issued iPads.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's exciting because it opens doors to more than just our four walls in our classroom -- to be able to create and also to educate,&quot; said <a href="/greenpines/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Green Pines Elementary</a> kindergarten teacher Jenny Seaton. &quot;It's an exciting time for these kids to be able to do it themselves. That's one way they can experience the world outside of our classrooms.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>The iPad trainings are just part of what Chief Information Officer Deborah Ketring says the district&#160;is undertaking this summer thanks to bond issue funds. Ketring said her department has been installing network equipment at the new Eureka Elementary School, preparing 1,000 teacher and administrator laptops for the school year and readying 3,800 Chromebooks for distribution to middle- and high-schoolers over the next two weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>Chromebooks were issued&#160;at <a href="/selvidge/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Selvidge Middle​</a> and <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx">Marquette High</a> on Thursday, Aug. 1, and the plan is to continue distributing them at&#160;<a href="/lasalle/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">LaSalle Springs Middle</a>&#160;and <a href="/rvalley/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Valley Middle​</a> on Friday, Aug. 2; <a href="/wildwood/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wildwood Middle​</a> on Monday, Aug. 5; <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High​</a>&#160;on Wednesday, Aug. 7; <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx">Eureka High</a> and <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a>&#160;on Aug. 8; <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a> on Aug. 13; and <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestvi​ew Middle​</a> during the first week of school.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/iPad%20training%20(2).jpg" alt="Ellisville Elementary first-grade teacher Emily Shockley smiles and shows off her iPad artwork." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;31%;height&#58;255px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/iPad%20training%20(1).jpg" alt="Kindergarten and first-grade teachers learn how to use iPads to enhance student learning at a training session." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;383px;height&#58;255px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/iPad%20training%20(3).jpg" alt="Kindergarten and first-grade teachers learn how to use iPads to enhance student learning at a training session." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;31%;height&#58;255px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​</p>The <a href="https&#58;//dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/" target="_blank">2019&#160;Missouri tax-free holiday​</a>&#160;is the first weekend of August, beginning at 12&#58;01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and running through Sunday, Aug. 4.<br><br>Purchases of clothing, school supplies,&#160;computers&#160;and certain other items defined by state statute are exempt from sales tax for this time period only.&#160;<br><br><a href="/contact/Pages/School-Directory.aspx" target="_blank">Find your school supply list online</a>.&#160;<br><br><p><br></p>

<p>​​​​This coming school year, Rockwood parents who use MySchoolBucks will see an increase in their online payment fee. Please take a moment to read some answers you may have about this fee and MySchoolBucks.</p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>What is MySchoolBucks?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><a href="/childnutrition/Pages/NutriKidsOnlinePaymentSystem.aspx" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">MySchoolBucks</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"> is a third-party vendor that provides a convenient way for parents to pay for their children’s meals at school. This company charges an online payment fee, if parents choose to use this online payment system. &#160;Families can use their credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover), check card or bank account to pay for their children's meals.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>What is the online payment fee?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The fee for the online payment method​ is a flat $2.49 per deposit, which is an increase of 49 cents for the 2019-2020 school year. This fee will be charged by Heartland Payment Systems.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">MySchoolBucks officials will be </span><a href="/childnutrition/Pages/MySchoolBucks-Online-Payment-Fee.aspx" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">notifying their customers about the fee increase</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">, June 13, and the site will be down for a short time, in order to make those changes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>How may families efficiently use MySchoolBucks?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Families may pay for all their children’s meals at once, as the fee is based upon a per deposit schedule. For example, parents can add funds to all their children at different Rockwood schools at the same time, and pay only one transaction fee. In addition, MySchoolBucks is allowing parents to make larger deposits in their children’s meal accounts - up to $250 per transaction - so that you may now add more funds with a single payment and program fee.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>What other options are available for parents to pay for school meals?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Parents may pay for their children’s school meals with a check or cash delivered to the school cafeteria manager. When writing out checks for your student's ​meal account, please include&#58; &#160;name, address, phone number, student name and student I.D. Checks should be made payable to Rockwood Child Nutrition.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>Do you have questions about MySchoolBucks and the online payment fee?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">You can reach MySchooBucks at (855) 832-5226 or </span><a href="mailto&#58;support@myschoolbucks.com" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">support@myschoolbucks.com</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">. If you’d like to contact Rockwood Child Nutrition about school meals, please call (636) 733-3250 or </span><a href="mailto&#58;fischercarmen@rsdmo.org" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;">fischercarmen@rsdmo.org</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">.</span></p>

<p>​Rockwood<strong>&#160;</strong>announced its revised free-and-reduced price policy for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the&#160;National&#160;School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.&#160;</p><p>Local education officials have adopted the following family-size income criteria for deter­mining eligibility&#58;&#160;</p><span><div dir="ltr" style="margin-left&#58;-3.1pt;"><table style="border&#58;none;"><colgroup><col width="83" /><col width="69" /><col width="69" /><col width="69" /><col width="73" /><col width="73" /><col width="73" /></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Household</span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Maximum Household Income</span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Maximum Household Income</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Size</span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Eligible for</span><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;700;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Free Meals</span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Eligible for Reduced Price Meals</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;14pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Annually</span></p></td><td style="border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Monthly</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Weekly</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Annually</span></p></td><td style="border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Monthly</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-top&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Weekly</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">$16,237</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">$1,354</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">$313</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">$23,107&#160;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">$1,926</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">$445</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;12pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">2</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">21,983</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1,832</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">423</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">31,284</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">2,607</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">602</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">3</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">27,729</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">2,311</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">534</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">39,461</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">3,289</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">759</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">33,475</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">2,790</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">644</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">47,638</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">3,970</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">917</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">5</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">39,221</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">3,269</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">755</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">55,815</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">4,652</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1,074</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">6</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">44,967</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">3,748</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">865</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">63,992</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">5,333</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1,231</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">7</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">50,713</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">4,227</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">976</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">72,169</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">6,015</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1,388</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">8</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">56,459</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">4,705</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1,086</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">80,346</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">6,696</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">1,546</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;13pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Each add’l</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td><td style="vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><br></td></tr><tr style="height&#58;3pt;"><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">member</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">+ 5,746</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">+ 479</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">+ 111</span></p></td><td style="border-left&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">+ 8,177</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; +682</span></p></td><td style="border-right&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;border-bottom&#58;0.75pt solid #000000;vertical-align&#58;top;padding&#58;0pt 3.1pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.2;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;text-align&#58;right;"><span style="font-size&#58;9pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">+ 158</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><p></p><p>Children from families whose current income is at or below those shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.&#160; Applications are available at the school office or on-line at&#160;​<a href="/departments/childnutrition/Pages/Free-and-Reduced-Meals.aspx">www.rsdmo.org/departments/c​hildnutrition</a>.&#160; To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school or submit electronically.&#160; The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.&#160; Applications may be submitted any time during the school year.&#160; A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility.&#160; A complete application includes&#58; (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of social security number or indication of no social security number of adult household member signing the application.&#160; School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.&#160;</p><p>Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.&#160;</p><p>If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application.&#160; Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits.&#160;</p><p>Households will be&#160;notified of their children's eligibility status for free or reduced price meals.&#160; If any children were not listed on the eligibility notice for families receiving SNAP, TANF or FDPIR, the household should contact Rockwood Child Nutrition or school to have free meal benefits extended to those children.&#160;</p><p>Under the provisions of the policy, the Child Nutrition Services office will review the applications and determine eligibility.&#160; If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the Chief Financial Officer, Rockwood School District Administrative Center.&#160;</p><p>Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy.&#160; A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the central office where any interested party may review it.&#160;</p><p>USDA Non-discrimination Statement&#58;&#160;</p><p>In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.&#160;</p><p>Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.&#160;</p><p>To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at&#58; <a href="http&#58;//www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html">http&#58;//www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html</a>, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by&#58;&#160;</p><p>(1) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; mail&#58; U.S. Department of Agriculture</p><p>&#160;&#160;Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights</p><p>&#160;&#160;1400 Independence Avenue, SW</p><p>&#160;&#160;Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;</p><p>(2) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; fax&#58; (202) 690-7442; or</p><p>(3)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; email&#58; <a href="mailto&#58;program.intake@usda.gov">program.intake@usda.gov</a>.</p><p>This institution is an equal opportunity provider.</p>

<p>​​​​​</p><span><a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High​</a> students Anna Culver and Anuraag Pujari served as interns this summer at Keystone Technologies, where they worked in information technology/programming and computer science.&#160; They worked under the direction of the company’s data conversion architect, Chip Caraway.<br><br>“We think it helps us as well as the students,” said Caraway. “If we can show them how things work in the field it does help them decide where they want to go in the future and what education they should pursue.”<br><br>The students are part of the <a href="/community/pie/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Partners in Education (PIE)</a> program known as <a href="/community/pie/Pages/Project-Interface.aspx" target="_blank">Proje​​ct Interface​</a>.&#160;It’s a unique and valuable opportunity for qualified Rockwood seniors to get experience in a specific career area.&#160;&#160;<br><br>Culver said, “I appreciate the atmosphere at Keystone. I would describe it as very modern and casual, which made it a comfortable environment.”<br><br>“My favorite experience there was getting to meet new people, like the CEO, and learning new programming languages,” Pujari said.<br><br>The students’ internship focused on programming and computer science. They also worked on many smaller projects such as building a web application to do data analyses.<br><br>Rockwood PIE Coordinator Emanuel Young emphasized the importance of working in a future-focused workplace. Young said, “Project Interface has the potential to expose students to traditional as well as non-traditional work environments.”<br><br>“It’s good to partner with Rockwood,” said Caraway. “Those students often come back and connect with us in the future and it’s good to have that relationship.”<br><br><div><span style="font-size&#58;14pt;font-family&#58;&quot;times new roman&quot;;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"><em>--by Raina Kabra, Rockwood Communications student intern​</em><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;14pt;font-family&#58;&quot;times new roman&quot;;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"><br></span></div></span>

<p>​​​​​​</p>Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles had a simple, yet impactful, message to convey to about 120 teachers starting their first year in the Rockwood School District.&#160;​<br><br><div>Every story matters.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It is our job to help students tell their stories,&quot; Miles told an assembled crowd of educators in the Lafayette High theater Wednesday. &quot;We have that opportunity each day, each moment and with every interaction we provide. We are crafting that story for us and for them. We intend to honor each and every one of them.&#160;As you consider&#160;this year, a story awaits.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>That theme will persist&#160;throughout the three days of new teacher orientation, which runs through Friday at Lafayette. This year's event kicked off Wednesday with sessions led by Miles, Director Learning Development Dr. Renee Trotier, Coordinator Professional Learning Dawnette Wiskur and&#160;Glenn Hancock, director research, evaluation and assessment.</div><div><br></div><div>Teachers were grouped with fellow new educators from their schools in the Lafayette commons but encouraged to mingle with other members of their cohort through thinking&#160;exercises and activities.​</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;What we're learning this whole week will help us become better 21st-century teachers and help our kids become more engaged with what they're learning,&quot; said Jennifer Modica, who will be teaching fifth grade at <a href="/wildhorse/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wild Horse Elementary</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Summit​</a> graduates Drew Litschgi and Rachael Brekrus are both entering their first year teaching at their alma mater, Litschgi in language arts and Brekrus in mathematics. They're both excited to get to work continuing to write the story of Rockwood schools.</div><div>​<br></div><div>&quot;I already knew it was awesome, so I wanted to come back,&quot; Brekrus said.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;The reputation speaks for itself,&quot; Litschgi added.</div><div><br></div><div>During Miles' session with the teachers, he handed out paper and envelopes and asked them all to write letters to themselves. They won't know when but, at some point this school year, Miles plans on sending those letters back to the teachers to remind them what they were feeling on the eve of their first year in Rockwood.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;I'm excited to get my first week under my belt, to accomplish that,&quot; said Lindsey Eveland, a fifth-grade teacher at Wild Horse.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/New%20Teacher%20Orientation%20(9).JPG" alt="Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles shares his educational story as part of the new teacher orientation theme &quot;Every Story Matters.&quot;" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/IMG_2064.JPG" alt="Two new Rockwood teachers write letters to themselves, which will be sent back to them at some point during the school year." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/New%20Teacher%20Orientation%20(25).JPG" alt="Two new Rockwood teachers interact during a learning exercise at orientation. " style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​</p>While the <a href="/news/Pages/Eureka-High-Parking-Lot-Construction-to-Finish-Before-School-Starts,-Includes-Additional-Hwy.-109-Turn-Lane.aspx" target="_blank">parking lot construction</a> may be the most noticeable work being done on <a href="/eurekahs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Eureka High</a> this summer, it's not the only project the Rockwood School District is undertaking at the school.<br><br>Bond issue funds are also going toward renovations on the interior of the building, namely the creation of new spaces for front office and guidance staff. Director Facilities Chris Freund said interior work at Eureka High is almost complete with the start of the school year just around the corner, Aug. 12. Staffers started moving their furniture into the new areas and setting up their offices last week.<br><br>The district is also starting the design process for the new STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – lab at <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High​</a>. Freund said architectural design discussions are ongoing, and the district plans to start the bid process for construction at the start of 2020. After that, Freund says, the majority of the work on the new Marquette STEM lab will take place in summer 2020 and 2021.<br><br>Construction on the Eureka High STEM addition is also in progress.<br><br>&quot;We're very appreciative of the community's support, allowing us to do these projects,&quot; Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington said. &quot;There's a lot of good work being done throughout the district.&quot;<div><br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20HS%20interior%20renovations%20(4).JPG" alt="A view down a hallway in the newly renovated front-office space at Eureka High." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20HS%20interior%20renovations%20(7).JPG" alt="One of the new offices in the newly renovated front-office space at Eureka High." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Eureka%20HS%20interior%20renovations%20(10).JPG" alt="The interior of the entrance to the newly renovated guidance office at Eureka High." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​</p>Rockwood School District is offering three back-to-school immunization clinics before the first day of school, Aug. 12, for district students who still need to get their required shots.<div><br></div><div>The next&#160;clinic will run from 8&#58;30-11&#58;30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, in the A-100 meeting room on the first floor of the Administrative Annex at 500 N. Central Ave.&#160;in Eureka.</div><div><br></div><div>The Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), which is administering the shots, is offering the required&#160;TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine for eighth-graders and the MCV4 (meningitis) vaccine for eighth-graders and boosters for high school seniors.​​</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;This is an opportunity here in Rockwood to get your kids immunized and up to date so you don't have to struggle for a doctor's appointment or wait for urgent care,&quot; said Amy Wehr, supervisor Wellness and Health Services. &quot;It's another one of our efforts to have students safe, healthy and ready to learn.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Wehr asked that interested parents complete the <a href="/departments/health/Pages/Back-to-School-Immunization-Clinics.aspx" target="_blank">clinic RSVP form</a> so the VNA will know how much vaccine to bring to each clinic. Parents also need to bring a completed <a href="/departments/health/Documents/Multiple%20Vaccine%20Consent%20Tdap%20Men%202019%20(2).pdf" target="_blank">VNA vaccine consent</a> form with them to the clinics.</div><div><br></div><div>The VNA accepts most health insurance&#160;and can provide shots for students with Medicaid or no health insurance for free. For more information, visit the district's <a href="/departments/health/Pages/default.aspx">Wellness and Health Services website</a>.</div>

<p></p><p></p><p>Dozens of people attended the Rockwood &quot;Meet Me in St. Louis&quot; picnic Tuesday evening in Forest Park. The event provides an opportunity for Rockwood students in the VICC (Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation) transfer program to meet or reconnect with their teachers and administrators.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We want to welcome our students and families to another school year,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles. &quot;I want each of our Rockwood students to know that I am an advocate for them. I hope our students who are St. Louis city residents leave feeling connected to our staff members and each other.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Students from ten Rockwood high or middle schools attended with their families. Rockwood Summit High and South Middle host their own, similar event in September.&#160;</p><p>&quot;'Meet Me in St. Louis' is a welcome back event,&quot; said Rockwood Coordinator Education Equity and Diversity Brittany Hogan. &quot;Our city families normally come out the county. This is a time when we can come to them.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Administrators gave away book bags, hot dogs, chips and Kona Ice.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We are excited about our incoming freshmen and middle schoolers coming back to our buildings,&quot; said Hogan.&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's a nice event,&quot; said Torina Lewis, a St. Louis resident whose children attend Rockwood schools. &quot;I was happy to meet my son's counselor, his principal and his teacher.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's great, because you see the kids that went from elementary to middle to high school,&quot; said Andrea Lockwood, principal at Babler Elementary. &quot;Many teachers come. It's a great night. The parents are thrilled when I call to make sure they're coming. We want them to connect with the Rockwood sense of community. We're a family, and all of our students need to know that.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;My son, Robert, goes to Selvidge Middle and he'll be an eighth-grader this year,&quot; said Wilbert Williams, a Rockwood parent. &quot;His older brother went there, and he's now at Marquette. We have three more children who will follow in their footsteps.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Williams said the Meet Me in St. Louis event is beneficial.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We catch up with some old faces and meet some new people,&quot; he said.&#160;&#160;</p>

<p>​​​​​​​​​​​​Please join us in welcoming our&#160;<strong>new district leaders and principals for the 2019-20&#160;school year.</strong>&#160;These individuals have shown an understanding of Rockwood's mission and vision&#58;&#160;We do whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential.​​​​</p><p><br></p><table cellspacing="0" class="ms-rteTable-0 " style="border-spacing&#58;0px;max-width&#58;100%;width&#58;618px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-0"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-0" style="width&#58;207px;"><div style="text-align&#58;center;"><img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/david-arledge-edited.jpg" alt="david-arledge-edited.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;149px;height&#58;189px;" /><br></div><p>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; <strong>David Arledge,</strong>&#160;<br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Assistant Principal,&#160;<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Eureka High</span></p><br></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-0" style="width&#58;205px;text-align&#58;center;"><div>​<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/bob-deneau.jpg" alt="bob-deneau.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;141px;height&#58;187px;" /></div><div><span style="background-color&#58;inherit;"><span style="font-weight&#58;700;">Bob Deneau,</span><br>Director,&#160;</span></div><div>Technical Support Services</div></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-0" style="width&#58;206px;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;​​<span style="font-weight&#58;700;text-align&#58;center;">​<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/alex-fees-edited.jpg" alt="alex-fees-edited.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;146px;height&#58;190px;" /><br></span><span style="font-weight&#58;700;text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Alex Fees,</span><div style="text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160;&#160;Executive Director,<br></div><div style="text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160; Communications</div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;"><span style="background-color&#58;inherit;"><br></span></p><table cellspacing="0" class="ms-rteTable-0 " style="border-spacing&#58;0px;max-width&#58;100%;width&#58;618px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-0"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-0" style="width&#58;207px;"><div style="text-align&#58;center;"><img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/suzanne-foshage.jpg" alt="suzanne-foshage.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;149px;height&#58;200px;" /><br></div><p>&#160; &#160; &#160;<strong>Dr. Suzanne Foshage,&#160;</strong><br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Director,<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;Rockwood Early Childhood</span></p><br></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-0" style="width&#58;205px;text-align&#58;center;"><div><img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/steve-hankins.jpg" alt="steve-hankins.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;152px;height&#58;197px;" /><br></div><div><span style="background-color&#58;inherit;font-weight&#58;700;">Dr. Steve Hankins,</span><br></div><div><span style="background-color&#58;inherit;">Principal,<br>Marquette High&#160;</span></div><br></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-0" style="width&#58;206px;"><span style="font-weight&#58;700;text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160; &#160;&#160; &#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/marietta-koziatek.jpg" alt="marietta-koziatek.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;140px;height&#58;193px;" /><br></span><div style="text-align&#58;center;"><span style="font-weight&#58;700;">&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160;Marietta Koziatek,</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Coordinator,&#160;</span></div><div style="text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160; &#160;Math Curriculum&#160;6-12</div></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellspacing="0" class="ms-rteTable-0 " style="border-spacing&#58;0px;max-width&#58;100%;width&#58;618px;height&#58;303px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-0"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-0" style="width&#58;207px;"><br><div style="text-align&#58;center;"><img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/Corinne%20Luczak%20%281%29.jpg" alt="Corinne Luczak (1).jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;131px;height&#58;195px;" /><br></div><p>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; <strong>Corinne Luczak,</strong>&#160;<br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; Administrative Intern,&#160;<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Eureka Elementary</span></p><br></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-0" style="width&#58;205px;text-align&#58;center;"><br><img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/keena-moore1.jpg" alt="keena-moore1.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;140px;height&#58;197px;" />&#160;&#160;<br><div><span style="font-weight&#58;700;background-color&#58;inherit;">Keena Moore,</span><br></div><div><span style="background-color&#58;inherit;">&#160;Assistant Principal,&#160;</span></div><div>Marquette High</div></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-0" style="width&#58;206px;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;​​&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<span style="font-weight&#58;700;"><br>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/david-morrison2.jpg" alt="david-morrison2.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;155px;height&#58;192px;" /><br>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; David Morrison,</span><div style="text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Coordinator,&#160;</div><div style="text-align&#58;center;">&#160; &#160; &#160; Communications</div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;</span><span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;background-color&#58;inherit;text-align&#58;center;">&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;</span><span style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;">​&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;</span><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;"><span style="text-align&#58;center;background-color&#58;inherit;"></span></div><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;"><span style="text-align&#58;center;background-color&#58;inherit;font-weight&#58;700;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/hector-ramirez1.jpg" alt="hector-ramirez1.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;135px;height&#58;203px;" />&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/Tim-Rebholz.jpg" alt="Tim-Rebholz.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;152px;height&#58;198px;" />&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/brian-reed.jpg" alt="brian-reed.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;161px;height&#58;201px;" /></span></div><p>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<strong>Hector Ramir</strong><strong>ez,</strong>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<strong>Tim Rebholz,</strong>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<strong>Brian Reed,</strong><br><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Assistant Principal,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Administrative Intern,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Coordinator,<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; Kehrs Mill Elementary</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160; &#160; &#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Blevins Elementary&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; STEM &amp; Digital Learning K-12</span></p><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;"><br></div><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;"><br></div><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/beth-ruta.jpg" alt="beth-ruta.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;149px;height&#58;215px;" />&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/Beth-Sciarratta.jpg" alt="Beth-Sciarratta.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;153px;" />&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/Tracey-Waeckerle.jpg" alt="Tracey-Waeckerle.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;146px;height&#58;212px;" /><p>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; <strong>&#160;</strong><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>Beth Ruta,&#160;​​</strong>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<strong>Beth Sciarratta,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;Tracey Waeckerle,</strong><br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Assistant Principal,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;Principal,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Associate Principal,<br></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; Rockwood Valley Middle&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Kehrs Mill Elementary&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Marquette High<br></span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></p></div><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;"><br></div><div style="color&#58;#333333;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;13px;">&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/willott-shelley.jpg" alt="willott-shelley.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;125px;height&#58;188px;" />&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/emanuel-young.jpg" alt="emanuel-young.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;164px;height&#58;181px;" />&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<img src="https&#58;//one.rsdmo.org/news/PublishingImages/jennifer-yuede1.jpg" alt="jennifer-yuede1.jpg" style="border-width&#58;0px;border-style&#58;initial;margin&#58;5px;width&#58;139px;height&#58;188px;" /><p>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;<span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;"><strong>Dr. Shelley Willott,</strong>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<strong>Emanuel Young,</strong>&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;<strong>Jennifer Yuede,</strong><br></span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160; A</span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">ssist</span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">ant Superintendent,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;</span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">Coordinator,&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Administrative Intern,<br></span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;Learning and Support&#160;Se</span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">rvices&#160; </span><span style="color&#58;#212529;font-family&#58;-apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, roboto, &quot;helvetica neue&quot;, arial, &quot;noto sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;apple color emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui emoji&quot;, &quot;segoe ui symbol&quot;, &quot;noto color emoji&quot;;font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160; &#160;Partners in Education&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;Woerther Elementary​</span></p></div>

<p>​​​​​​</p><p>With the arrival of August, Rockwood School District&#160;prepares for the beginning of another school year! Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles wasted no time in July, getting to know Rockwood schools and Rockwood stud​ents.​<br></p><p><br></p><p>Watch this video of students showing Dr. Miles around <a href="/kehrsmill/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kehrs Mill Elementary​</a>, <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle</a> and <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Summit High​</a>!​</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify s4-wpActive"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https&#58;//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLHEJaT4e1m3fqmipJYOFizux8zblutyou" frameborder="0"></iframe>&#160;</div><p><br></p><p>​​<br></p>

<p>​​​​​​​​​</p>The <a href="/marquette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Marquette High​</a> and <a href="/rsummit/Pages/default.aspx">Rockwood Summit High​</a> football teams came together for a joint practice session at Marquette on Thursday, as both teams' summer camp schedules drew to a close.<br><div><br></div><div>The Mustangs and Falcons went through drills together, scrimmaged and ended the day with a relay competition that showed off the players' strength and endurance.</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Rockwood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles was also in attendance, accepting an invitation to stop by&#160;from the coaches.</span><div><br></div><div>&quot;It was an awesome experience to have him out here while we were playing another Rockwood school,&quot; Marquette Coach Michael&#160;Stewart said. &quot;It's great in the summer anytime you get to play someone else, let alone another Rockwood school. You know you're on a very level playing field as far as athleticism goes, so it just tells you how far along you are, what worked well and what you need to work on.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Miles met with players and coaches from both teams, and Stewart and Rockwood Summit Coach Eric Stewart each presented the superintendent with a team T-shirt.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It was just good to meet him,&quot; Eric Stewart said. &quot;It's good to see that&#160;Dr. Miles wants to be visible and wants to get to know the kids he leads.&quot;</div>&#160;</div><div>The teams gathered for a&#160;lunch provided by the Ballwin-based D1 Training Center.&#160;Dan Connolly, a Marquette grad, Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and co-owner and operator of the Ballwin D1 location, was on hand to help put the teams through their paces during practice. Both teams begin fall practice on Aug. 12, the first day of school, and kick off their regular seasons Aug. 30.</div><div><br></div><div>Miles also took the time to walk up the hill from the football stadium and drop in on the Marquette marching band practice. A former trumpet player himself, Miles met with students, directors and parents and even took part in one of the band's spirit activities.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;It's so enjoyable to see our students out competing and preparing for the ​season,&quot; Miles said. &quot;Athletics, arts and academics are important parts in a memorable educational experience for our students. Being involved in&#160;activities&#160;at school helps students&#160;create connections with staff members, enhance school spirit and support each other.&quot;&#160;</div><div>​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/MHS-RSHS%20FB%20practice%20(16).JPG" alt="Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles talks with a Rockwood Summit football player" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/MHS-RSHS%20FB%20practice%20(25).JPG" alt="Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles exchanges high fives with members of the Marquette band." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/MHS-RSHS%20FB%20practice%20(40).JPG" alt="Coach Michael Stewart talks with the Marquette and Rockwood Summit football teams after their practice session" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​</p>​To prepare for the new school year beginning in Rockwood on&#160;Aug. 12, visit the easy-to-access public notices page of our website.<br><br><a href="/notices/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Click here for information on​</a>​&#58;<br>--Disability Services<br>--Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)&#160;<br>--Free and Reduced Meals<br>--Child Nutrition Services Procedures&#160;<br>--Immunization Requirements&#160;<br>--Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment&#160;<br>--Nondiscrimination<br>--Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973&#160;<br>--Student Attendance&#160;<br>--Student Discipline <br>--Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972&#160;<br>--Title Programs for Non-Public Partners<br>--Website Disclaimer and&#160;Accessibility&#160;<br><br>

<p>​​​​​​​​Congratulations to all the Rockwood students who were honored at the VICC Salute to Excellence in Education Awards celebration at St. Louis University, July 16.&#160;</p><p>It was a great night of tributes to honor Rockwood&#160;students for their successes!&#160;</p><p>&quot;I was glad&#160;to be there to help&#160;shine a spotlight on our students,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles. &quot;It's important for them and their families&#160;to know they are a part of the Rockwood community.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;So proud of my Babler Bulldogs!&quot; Tweeted Babler Principal Andrea Lockwood.&#160;</p><p>Ridge Meadows Assistant Principal Nicholle Simmons said, &quot;Enjoyed the evening celebrating these Roadrunner cuties with some of our staff!&quot;&#160;</p><p>Geggie Principal Dr. Mary Kleekamp said, &quot;Salute to Excellence in Education - 2019. Geggie students rock!&quot;&#160;</p><p>Dr. Ally Klouse, principal at Wildwood Middle, said in a Tweet, &quot;Great night celebrating our students at St. Louis University.&quot;</p><p><img src="/news/PublishingImages/VICC%20Awards%204%20size%20300.jpg" alt="VICC Awards 4 size 300.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;335px;height&#58;253px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/VICC%20Awards%203%20size%20300.jpg" alt="Several students, teachers and administrators pose for a photo at an awards ceremony." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;380px;height&#58;251px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/VICC%20Awards%2011%20size%20300.jpg" alt="VICC Awards 11 size 300.jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;350px;height&#58;265px;" /><br></p>

​​​​<div>Did you know you can sync your Google calendar with Rockwood district and school calendars, so school-related events will automatically populate your schedule?<div><br><div><strong>District Calendar</strong><br><br>Go to the interactive calendar on the&#160;school district website&#160;by clicking on the &quot;For Parents&quot; navigation menu and choosing &quot;District Calendar.&quot;</div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Click the <a href="/parents/calendar/Pages/Calendar.aspx" target="_blank">&quot;Calendar View&quot;</a> link on the right-hand side.<div><br></div><div>Click &quot;Tools&quot; and then &quot;Sync This Calendar.&quot;</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">You will be shown&#160;a code which will allow you to sync that calendar to your desktop or mobile device.​</span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><div><strong>School Calendars</strong></div><div><br></div><div>Go to the interactive calendar on <a href="/contact/Pages/School-Directory.aspx" target="_blank">a school website</a>&#160;by clicking on the &quot;For Parents&quot; navigation menu and choosing &quot;School Calendar.&quot;<br></div><div><br></div><div>Click &quot;Tools&quot; and then &quot;Sync This Calendar.&quot;<br></div><div><br></div><div>You will be shown&#160;a code that&#160;will allow you to sync that calendar to your desktop or mobile device.&#160;<br></div><div><br>This will enable you to view all your child's school events on your own Google calendar from the convenience of your smartphone!</div></div></div>

<p>Rockwood administrators met with emergency responders from several municipalities in the school district for the annual summer review of safety policies and procedures July 24.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said, &quot;School safety and crisis response is of utmost importance. These meetings enhance our partnerships with emergency responders, including police and paramedics, so that in the event of a crisis we know how the response is going to unfold.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;It's about relationships,&quot; said St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar. &quot;Our outstanding relationship with Rockwood goes back decades. Meetings like this as we approach the beginning of another school year provide another opportunity to make sure we coordinate to educate children and make sure they remain safe.&quot;&#160;</p><p>St. Louis County Emergency Management Specialist Ellie Collett oversees as many as 15 west St. Louis County municipalities.&#160;</p><p>&quot;These meetings are great to meet and connect with everyone,&quot; said Collett. &quot;Networking is important, so we can continue our relationship with Rockwood School District officials to make sure schools remain safe, and procedures and plans are followed according to FEMA guidelines.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Executive Director Student Services Dr. Terry Harris said, &quot;We are reviewing processes and procedures but also establishing relationships.&quot;&#160;​</p>

<p>​​​​​​In Rockwood School District, we do whatever it takes to keep our students and staff&#160;safe, healthy&#160;and ready to learn and teach!&#160;</p><p>School nurses begin Aug. 6 and will contact parents&#160;if any health-related information is needed. If your child has medical needs while at school, Aug. 6-9 would be a good time to&#160;schedule an appointment to go over exact needs,&#160;get paperwork in&#160;order and deliver necessary supplies. If you've been informed that your child needs immunizations prior to school starting, click on the link&#160;below, and read about back-to-school immunization clinics.&#160;</p><p><a href="/departments/health/Pages/default.aspx">Click here for information about nurse contacts, downloads and forms, food allergies, taking medication at school, screenings and back-to-school immunization clinics.&#160;</a></p><p>The new school year starts in Rockwood Monday, Aug. 12!&#160;</p><p></p>

​<div>​​​​​​Jacob Hinton, who is going into his senior year at <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lafayette High</a>,&#160;was recently selected to play cello with ​the <a href="https&#58;//nafme.org/programs/all-national-honor-ensembles/" target="_blank">All-National Orchestra</a>, a group that includes some of the top high school musicians in the United States.</div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Hinton, a student of Lafayette director of orchestras Joe Gutkowski, and the orchestra will ​perform at the National Association for Music Education's conference in Orlando, Fla.,&#160;​Nov.</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;7-10.</span><div><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div>The <a href="/rsouth/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood South Middle</a> eighth-grade band has also been selected to&#160;perform at this year's <a href="https&#58;//mmea.net/2020-mmea-conference-performing-ensembles/" target="_blank">Missouri Music Educators Association&#160;conference​</a>. The band, under the direction of Angela Albrecht and Jared Brockmeyer,&#160;​is one of 10 bands from around the state that will perform at the conference, which runs from Jan. 23-26, 2020, in Osage Beach.​</div></div><div><br></div><div>Keep making beautiful music, Rockwood students!</div>

<p>​​​​​</p><div><br></div><div>Rockwood School District administrators gathered at <a href="/lafayette/Pages/default.aspx">Lafayette High​</a> on Friday for the annual Administrators' Conference​​​. It was a chance for district leadership to come together, interact and learn from each other as they prepare to welcome students and teachers back for the 2019-2020 school year.</div><div><br></div><div>&quot;This is like the first day of school for me,&quot; Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said while addressing the group. &quot;I got&#160;up early this morning. I just couldn't wait.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Miles started the day off by introducing&#160;himself, personally and professionally.&#160;​He made sure to tie in to the day's theme, &quot;Back to the Future.&quot;</div><div><br></div><div>Miles stressed the importance administrators play in cultivating meaningful relationships and crafting memorable experiences for students in the district. He reminded leadership to remain mindful of the values and goals outlined in <a href="http&#58;//forward.rsdmo.org/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">&quot;The Way Forward,&quot;​</a> the new five-year strategic plan for the district that was approved by the <a href="/departments/boe/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Board o​f Education</a> in June.​</div><div><br></div><div>For the rest of the day, attendees&#160;took part in collaborative learning and team-building activities that reinforced the tenets of &quot;The Way Forward&quot; and administrators' role in making the plan a success. Miles; Dr. Lisa Counts, assistant superintendent supervision of schools; and Dr. Renee Trotier, director of learning development, led the day's sessions.​</div><div>​<br></div><div><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Administrators%27%20Retreat%20Day%20(5).jpg" alt="Dr. Mark Miles displays a photo of his face superimposed onto a poster for the movie &quot;Back to the Future.&quot;" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Administrators%27%20Retreat%20Day%20(9).jpg" alt="Administrators listen to Dr. Mark Miles' presentation at the annual Rockwood Administrators' Retreat Day." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Administrators%27%20Retreat%20Day%20(3).jpg" alt="Administrators' Retreat Day (3).jpg" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;234px;" /><br></div>

<p>​​​​​​​​​​</p>Entering its third year, Rockwood School District's <a href="/departments/guidance/Pages/Early-College-Partnership.aspx" target="_blank">Early College Partnership (ECP)</a> is already showing some impressive results.<br><br>The ECP is a joint venture between Rockwood and St. Louis Community College­-Wildwood. Juniors in the district's four high schools can take two years of dual-enrollment classes to earn their associate degrees. The first cohort of students graduated from the program earlier this year.<br><br>Once those students started applying for four-year colleges, they learned that nearly all of their ECP credits would carry over, giving them significant head starts on their college careers. That holds true for in-state and out-of-state schools. ECP students are enrolled at schools such as Maryville, Missouri S&amp;T, Saint Louis University, Bradley, Baylor and DePaul for the fall, to name a few.<br><br>&quot;It means huge cost savings for the students and the families,&quot; said Todd Minichiello, coordinator K-12 <a href="/departments/guidance/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">guidance and counseling​</a>. &quot;When they get to their four-year university, the research is showing us that our kids are going to be more successful because they've already taken college classes. That freshman year isn't going to knock them out.&quot;<br><br>Minichiello says with nearly all of their credits transferring, ECP students can access a number of possibilities in college. They can earn a bachelor's degree in two years, double major in three and be well on their way in a master's program or partake in semester- or&#160;yearlong internships in four.<br><br>The credits earned through ECP will allow them to start taking second- or third-year classes in their chosen majors when they first step foot on campus.<br><br>&quot;Then, in that first year on the four-year campus, they'll be able to see if this major is right for them,&quot; Minichiello said.<br><br>The second cohort of 30 seniors starts its final year in the program this fall, while a new cohort of 30 juniors begins its first year​. Minichiello said the ECP is also accepting 10 students from the Parkway School District this year as a way to help Parkway start the process of creating an ECP program of its own. In return, Parkway will begin accepting Rockwood students into its Spark! experiential learning program so Rockwood can move toward creating its own version.<br><br>&quot;An early college program is the wave of the future,&quot; Minichiello said.<br>​​​

<p>​​​​​​​​​</p>Due to the passage of Missouri&#160;House Bill 604, Rockwood School District is beginning the process of revising its calendar for the 2020-2021 school year.​​<br><br>Gov. Mike Parson signed the legislation&#160;into law July 12. It bars public school districts in the state from starting the school year more than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September each year. <br>​<br>While the <a href="/departments/boe/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Board of Education</a> initially approved a 2020-2021 calendar in March that provided for an Aug. 11 start date, the new law makes it so that the earliest school can start next year would be Aug. 24.<br><br>The district's <a href="/community/committees/calendar/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">calendar committee</a>, led by Dr.&#160;Tracy Edwards, director human resources, and composed of Rockwood students, parents, administrators and staff, will meet Aug. 22 to begin revising the 2020-2021 calendar.<br><br>After an Aug. 28 presentation at the <a href="/community/presidentsforum/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">PTO Presidents' Forum​</a> meeting, the committee will seek community&#160;feedback through Sept. 13.&#160;The plan is to present a new 2020-2021 calendar for consideration at the Sept. 26 board meeting.<br><br>&quot;We know that our students and parents plan well in advance, so we want to give them plenty of notice,&quot; Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles <a href="https&#58;//fox2now.com/2019/07/15/rockwood-superintendent-discusses-bill-that-pushes-back-the-start-of-the-school-year/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem&#58;+New+Content+%28Feed%29&amp;utm_content=5d2d50b9fada4b00012cb772&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">told FOX 2 News​</a> on Monday. &quot;We try to look at the impact upon our students and the academic impact first.&quot;<br><br>The 2019-2020 school year begins Aug. 12.<br><br>​

<p>​​​​​​​​​​​​</p>​​The mission of the <a href="/community/drugfree/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition (DFC)​</a> is to provide &quot;leadership, education and resources to prevent and address substance abuse.&quot; Lili Schliesser, who is entering her first year as the coalition's project coordinator, says some of the most meaningful conversations surrounding prevention and treatment start in&#160;schools.<br><br>&quot;It's important that teachers are spreading the message because teachers have a huge impact,&quot; Schliesser said. &quot;Everybody in the coalition is important, whether they're in the community, law enforcement or in the classroom.&quot;<br><br>DFC membership is composed of representatives from law enforcement, community prevention and treatment resources, parents, teachers, counselors and staff. The <a href="/community/drugfree/Pages/Meetings-and-Events.aspx" target="_blank">group meets on the second Thursday​</a> of each month at <a href="/lasalle/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">LaSalle Springs Middle School​</a> and is led by an eight-person executive committee. New members are always welcome.<br><br>Schliesser has worked&#160;with similar coalitions, and she ran a grant&#160;program in Jefferson County focused on underage drinking. She spent the past four years as the director of public relations for the Valley Park School District, and she strongly believes in the power students have to form their own narratives about substance abuse.<br><br>&quot;I'm a huge proponent of young people creating their own messages,&quot; Schliesser said. &quot;It really reinforces the decisions that they will make going forward.&quot;<br><br>The DFC is currently funded by a federal Drug-Free Communities grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which runs through Sept. 30. As a result,&#160;Schliesser's first order of business is spearheading the creation of a new strategic plan to guide the coalition's future. The top priority is creating new – and bolstering current – initiatives surrounding prevention.<br><br>&quot;It's knowing what the risks are and the conversations parents can have to reduce the likelihood of abusing drugs and alcohol,&quot; Schliesser said. &quot;Rockwood School District believes in treating students as whole persons. I will be a part of that mission.&quot;<br><br>

<p>​​<span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​​​​​​​​With two friendly taps of the horn, the Rockwood Book Bus pulled into the <a href="/blevins/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blevins Elementary</a> parking lot Monday afternoon, the first of more than 20 stops it will make all over Rockwood School District this week.&#160;</span></p><br>Superintendent <a href="/departments/superintendent/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Dr. Mark Miles</a> was behind the wheel, sporting an orange reflective vest and a big smile.<br><br>&quot;There's never a bad time to open a book and read over the summer,&quot; Miles said. &quot;Many students will take advantage of this opportunity and grab a book.&quot;<br><br>The Book Bus, in its first year, is bringing thousands of free books to district students to promote summertime reading. Funded through <a href="/parents/titleprograms/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Title I​</a> Parent Involvement Programs and targeting the areas around the district's eight Title I schools, the bus rolled through Eureka and Fenton on Monday and Tuesday and will make scheduled stops in Wildwood, Ballwin and Chesterfield on Wednesday and Thursday. <br><br>&quot;I think it's great,&quot; said Rockwood parent Shawn Leffler. &quot;My daughter loves to read, and we're picking out chapter books.&quot;<br><br>Marianne Wecker has children at <a href="/kellison/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kellison Elementary​</a>.<br><br>&quot;I think this is a great program,&quot; said Wecker. &quot;It's a great way to bring fresh books into the house this summer.&quot;<br><br><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Book%20Bus%20secondary.JPG" class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="Rockwood students climb into the Book Bus and choose from the hundreds of titles available for free." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;33%;height&#58;241px;" />Miles is pulling driver duty all four nights, though his responsibilities also extend to helping students choose the perfect book or two to take home and read.<br><br>&quot;What a great opportunity for him to get out and meet families in their own neighborhoods. He's all in, which is really exciting,&quot; said Dr. Stefanie Steffan, coordinator literacy K-5 and title programs. &quot;It's so much fun for us to be out there with the kids. Seeing them find joy in picking books is really rewarding.&quot;<div><br>​The idea for a Book Bus originally came from <a href="/wildhorse/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Wild Horse Elementary​</a> librarian Brooke Schaub, and this year's reading selections cater mostly to elementary school students. But Steffan said she also included books for toddlers – so students can read to their younger siblings – and middle schoolers.<br><br>The goal is to get everybody reading, including parents.<br><br>&quot;Don't just give your child a book&#58; read it together, talk about it together,&quot; Steffan said. &quot;It'll build their confidence, comprehension and fluency.&#160;We're involving parents in supporting literacy at home.&quot;​​<br></div><div><br></div><div>​<img src="/news/PublishingImages/Book%20Bus%20gallery1.JPG" alt="Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles gives a thumbs-up at one of the Rockwood Book Bus stops." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;233px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Book%20Bus%20gallery2.JPG" alt="Two Rockwood students, a girl and a boy, show off their new free books from the Book Bus." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;233px;" /><img src="/news/PublishingImages/Book%20Bus%20gallery3.JPG" alt="Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles chats with Rockwood students as they make their Book Bus selections." style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;32%;height&#58;233px;" /><br></div>

<p>​Construction on the new parking lot at Eureka High School continues as scheduled and is expected to be complete by July 31.&#160;</p><p>&quot;The substantial completion date for the parking lot is the end of July, and we are comfortable we are going to hit that date,&quot; said Rockwood Facilities Director Chris Freund. &quot;That's pretty impressive. The contractor has done a good job of working through inclement weather.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Freund most recently met with the project manager July 9 and said he is comfortable with the progress construction crews are making. A July 31 finish date is nearly two weeks before school starts on Aug. 12.&#160;</p><p>&quot;Right now we have all the concrete curbing going in,&quot; said Freund. &quot;Much of that will be poured, July 11. Then you'll start seeing concrete surfacing on the north drive going in and up around the front of the building. Then another layer of asphalt will go in over the center parking lots, and we'll finish on the south drive.&quot;&#160;</p><p><strong>Freund said Rockwood administrators have collaborated with MoDOT officials to add a dedicated left-hand turn lane to the north entrance to Eureka High at the northbound Highway 109 stop light.&#160;</strong></p><p>&quot;Before we started, there really were only two lanes – one coming in and one going north and south,&quot; said Freund. &quot;Now we are widening that drive and adding a northbound left-turn lane. That will help traffic leaving campus, immensely.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Freund said when school starts next month, there will be a few more parking spaces than there were before construction on the 90,000-square foot STEM addition began. Eventually, there will be 130 additional spaces.&#160;</p><p>&quot;There still will be construction taking place after the beginning of the school year,&quot; said Freund. &quot;The building completion date is 2020, but our intent is to have all construction activities confined to the building pad and the north drive around the back.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Eureka High Principal Charlie Crouther said, &quot;I've walked around the construction and attended meetings in the trailer with the project manager. Things are going right on schedule. I am very pleased and satisfied we will be ready on Aug. 12.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I appreciate the leadership of Chris Freund and Paul Northington in monitoring the progress of this project at Eureka High School, as well as the other projects being completed in the district,&quot; said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles. &quot;We will continue to provide bond issue updates throughout July and August.&quot;&#160;</p>

​​​​​​​​​​​<br>​As a graduate of Rockwood School District, Meghan Menchella benefited from the way her teachers pushed her to achieve.​ As an eighth-grade social studies teacher at <a href="/crestview/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Crestview Middle School</a>, she is making a habit of passing that on to her students.<br><br>Menchella, Rockwood's&#160;<a href="/news/Pages/Rockwood-2019-2020-District-Teacher-of-the-Year-Announced.aspx" target="_blank">2019-20​20 district Teacher of the Year</a>, was named a <a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-development/teacher-year-program/regional-teacher-year" target="_blank">Regional Teacher of the Year​</a> by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). She is one of 10 recipients in the St. Louis region and 34 from across Missouri, all of whom are still eligible for <a href="https&#58;//dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-development/teacher-year-program" target="_blank">Missouri&#160;State Teach​er of the Year</a>​ honors.<br><br>&quot;I love this district,&quot; Menchella said. &quot;We're always looking for the best for our students and our teachers. We keep pushing for more.&quot; <br><br>Menchella said she has wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember, even to the point of making tests for her childhood friends when they would play school. She started her career as a student teacher at Crestview and is entering her fifth year with&#160;the school.<br><br>&quot;Meghan is a phenomenal educator who consistently looks to find new ways to engage her students through meaningful history-based experiences both inside and outside of her classroom,&quot; said Jordan McGaughey, Rockwood K-12 <a href="https&#58;//curriculum.rsdmo.org/Pages/Course.aspx?CAID=7" target="_blank">social studies</a> coordinator, who was a Regional Teacher of the Year in 2016. &quot;Just as importantly, Meghan goes above and beyond to develop meaningful relationships with her students that last beyond the time that they leave her classroom. Meghan has an incredibly bright future ahead of her as an educator, and I am so happy that she is one of our social studies teachers.&quot;<br><br>DESE began the Regional Teacher of the Year program in 2016 as a way to celebrate outstanding teachers from all over the state. Menchella and the other nine St. Louis-area teachers will be honored at a reception July 22. Missouri State Teacher of the Year will be named in August.​<br><br>&quot;It's been an overwhelming time,&quot; Menchella said. &quot;So much of this has been a group effort, and I'm seeing a little more of what I'm capable of and, as a school, what we're capable of together. I'm very grateful and very humbled.&quot;<br><div><div>​​​​</div></div>

<p>​​​More than 1,000 Rockwood families responded to an invitation to attend the district's literacy event, June 25.&#160;</p><p>Rockwood Coordinator Literacy K-5 and Title Programs Dr. Stefanie Steffan said, &quot;This year at the Magic House we're giving away books for kids and information for parents on how to support literacy at home during the summer months.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Books were given away to students that correlate with the various themes around the Magic House. They included fairy tales, presidents, music, fishing and animals. The Magic House has a special exhibit about author Mo Willems, where a large selection of his &quot;Elephant and Piggie&quot; books were available for students. At an exhibit about China, students had access to books about panda bears and Chinese traditions.&#160;&#160;</p><p>&quot;This is awesome,&quot; said Charles, a Rockwood parent whose children attend Summit and Kellison. &quot;My daughter loves coming to The Magic House and she loves books.&quot;&#160;</p><p>&quot;I like that the books are here,&quot; said Meredith, another Rockwood parent. &quot;It gives kids something to do besides screens during the summer.&#160;</p><p>&quot;I hope they come and have a fun, engaging family night out,&quot; said Steffan. &quot;I hope that when parents leave they take information on how to support kids at home with reading.&quot;&#160;</p><p>Rockwood officials utilized school buses and cabs to help transport students and their families to the event.&#160;</p><p>&quot;We offered bilingual and Spanish books as well as parent information translated into several different languages to accommodate our non-English speaking families,&quot; said Steffan. &quot;We also had translators available.&quot;&#160;</p><p>The program was paid for by federal Title I funds.&#160;</p>

<span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Last fall, Rockwood invited our school community to join us on a journey to set the future direction of our schools. After months of engaging our students, families, staff and community in this inclusive process, the Way Forward steering committee received School Board approval on the </span><a href="/forward/plan/Pages/default.aspx"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;400;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">district’s five-year strategic plan</span></a><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">According to Dr. Lisa Counts, assistant superintendent supervision of schools, </span><a href="/forward/Pages/default.aspx" style="font-size&#58;1rem;background-color&#58;#ffffff;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;400;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">the Way Forward</span></a><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"> represents our commitment to every child, every family and every employee of the Rockwood School District.​ “We live in an ever-changing world,” shares Dr. Counts. “It requires higher-level thinking, creativity, content mastery and innovation. Our schools need to prepare our students to love life and find success – now and in the future.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">The goal areas for The Way Forward were developed from feedback gathered through these engagement opportunities. The </span><a href="/forward/plan/goals/Pages/default.aspx" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;400;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">SUCCESS Goal areas</span></a><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"> are&#58;</span><br></p><ul style="margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Student Academic Learning</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Universal Equity, Opportunity, Access </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Character and Well-Being </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Community Networks </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Efficiency and Effectiveness </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;0pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Staff, Teachers and Learners</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type&#58;disc;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;&quot;noto sans symbols&quot;, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Strong Leadership </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Along with defining goal areas, the Way Forward also defined our </span><a href="/forward/plan/Documents/Profile_of-Learner_Final.pdf"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;400;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Rockwood Profile of a Learner</span></a><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;background-color&#58;transparent;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">. It’s a community-wide vision statement describing what our students should experience throughout their Rockwood education. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">At the core of The Way Forward is the fundamental belief that we are all unique and gifted with a wide variety of skills, interests and talents. We learn in different ways and need support and opportunities to grow, learn and reach our highest potential. It is the responsibility of every member of the Rockwood family to ensure our </span><a href="/forward/plan/Pages/Core-Values.aspx" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;400;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Rockwood Core Values</span></a><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"> are reflected in our schools. </span><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;color&#58;#000000;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;font-size&#58;11pt;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">“We must work together with intention, and deeply embed these values in our actions, deeds, decisions, priorities, conversations and celebrations – from the boardroom to the classroom, office, cafeteria, school bus, playing fields and hallways throughout the Rockwood School District,” noted Dr. Counts. </span><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">Included in The Way Forward is an implementation plan that measures our progress. This includes multiple measures of evidence and growth, along with a </span><a href="https&#58;//go.boarddocs.com/mo/rsdpa/Board.nsf/goto?open&amp;id=BD2LGW541F50" style="background-color&#58;#ffffff;font-size&#58;1rem;"><span style="font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#0563c1;background-color&#58;transparent;font-weight&#58;400;text-decoration-line&#58;underline;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">reporting and monitoring feature</span></a><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;font-size&#58;11pt;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;color&#58;#000000;vertical-align&#58;baseline;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;"> for each goal area to ensure accountability for action plans. ​</span><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height&#58;1.295;margin-top&#58;0pt;margin-bottom&#58;8pt;"><span style="background-color&#58;transparent;color&#58;#000000;font-family&#58;calibri, sans-serif;font-size&#58;11pt;white-space&#58;pre-wrap;">According to Dr. Counts, the plan is a roadmap for the future. “We are thankful that we live in a community that values high-quality education and sets it as a priority for our children,” noted Dr. Counts. “We are grateful for the contributions of the Rockwood school community as we make our way forward on behalf of our Rockwood students.”</span></p></span>

<p>Rockwood first-time kindergarten students and their families attended a special introductory event at Clarkson Valley Early Childhood, June 10, to help prepare them for their first day of school.</p><p>Cindy Lewis is a Rockwood Screening Supervisor.</p><p>&quot;After students went through developmental kindergarten screening, their families received an invitation to come for this fun transitional event for extended learning during summer,&quot; said Lewis.</p><p>Event stations included STEM, literacy and social-emotional activities. Guests included staff members from Rockwood Center for Creative Learning (CCL) and the EyeSeeMe African American Bookstore. Plus, every child went home with two books, sight words, math path games and seeds to plant for extended learning opportunities.</p><p>&quot;The goal is to have fun,&quot; said Lewis. &quot;Secondly, we hope to develop home-school relationships and introduce activities for extended learning.&quot;</p><p>Students were offered an opportunity to tour a school bus or taxi cab, modes of transportation they may use to get to school.</p><p>&quot;It's a great way for us to make connections with students' families and for them to learn about some of the things we do,&quot; said Rockwood Coordinator Education Equity and Diversity Brittany Hogan.</p><p>Hogan said organizers also gave kids some take-home activities to work on, over the summer.</p><p>&quot;You don't use your brain in the summer in the same way as you do during the school year,&quot; said Hogan, &quot;and there are ways for us to help combat that summer learning loss.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I am very glad to be here today with my daughter, Loveness,&quot; said Elias Muhama, a Rockwood parent. &quot;She is very happy to be starting out in kindergarten.&quot;​<br></p>

<p>​​​​</p><p>Marquette graduate Sujay Murali is a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of our nation's highest honors for high school students.</p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Murali is in a select group. Out of the 3.6 million students who graduated from high school this year, approximately 5,200 students qualified for consideration. Only 161 earned the recognition.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">On Monday, Murali received a proclamation from Missouri Governor Mike Parson for this accomplishment. The Governor congratulated Murali for his outstanding achievement in the areas of leadership, scholarship and contributions to education.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Marquette Principal Dr. Greg Mathison shared that Murali is a well-rounded student. &quot;He earned a&#160;</span><a href="/news/Pages/Marquette-Home-to-18-Current-Students-Who-have-Perfect-ACT-Scores.aspx" style="font-size&#58;1rem;background-color&#58;#ffffff;">perfect ACT</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">&#160;and is a&#160;</span><a href="/news/Pages/Rockwood-National-Merit-Program-Finalists-Announced.aspx" style="font-size&#58;1rem;background-color&#58;#ffffff;">2019 National Merit Finalist</a><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">. His teachers say he enjoys and appreciates a challenge. Plus, he has a strong internal compass showing kindness and consideration in our school community,&quot; noted Mathison. &quot;What I see in Sujay is that not only is he an incredible student, he is a wonderful person.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Murali is the son of Srinivasan Murali and Sukanya Mani of Ballwin.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Mani noted she is immensely proud of her son. &quot;He is modest about his accomplishments,&quot; she shared. &quot;But I know he has put in the hard work to follow his dreams and pursue a balanced life. He truly understands what is most important.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The family is preparing for a trip to Washington D.C., in the coming weeks where Murali will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, </span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">​</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.​​​M</span></p>

<p>​​​​​​​​The Board of Education unanimously approved a balanced operating budget of $234 million for the 2019-2020 school year during its June 6 meeting.</p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">According to Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost, the budget reflects an ongoing commitment to good stewardship and accountability. “We support our students in a fiscally sound way, as we remain accountable and transparent to our community.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Important considerations for the 2019-2020 operating budget&#58;</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p>Recognizing the skill and experience of Rockwood employees&#58;&#160;Employee salaries and benefits comprise 86 percent of the operating budget. The budget includes increases in employee salaries as approved by the Board of Education.</p></li></ul><ul><li dir="ltr"><p>Providing for Student Transportation&#58; The budget includes a lease payment for additional school buses that aligns with a refresh plan to allow for updates within the Rockwood fleet.<br></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p>Funding Capital Needs&#58;&#160;The annual budget includes the funding of capital projects from the 2017 bond issue approved by Rockwood voters. The bond issue focused on the need for additional spac​e in Rockwood schools and continued support for STEM/innovation efforts, and the second installment of the 2017 bond authorization is scheduled for fall 2019. &#160;</p></li></ul><p>Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington noted that revenue and expenditure budgets are comparable to the current school year. The debt service fund continues to be sufficient to satisfy current debt obligations. &quot;Rockwood School District is an award-winning district with exemplary students, staff and resources,&quot; says Northington. &quot;We are thankful for the loyalty and support of our taxpayers, the vision of the Board of Education, the dedication and hard work of fellow employees and the success of our students. In return, we promise to thoughtfully and prudently spend the funds entrusted to our management and care.&quot;</p><p>Rockwood has a history of strong financial management that has been independently recognized by numerous organizations. In addition, Rockwood is one of only four school districts in Missouri to receive a AAA bond rating from Standard &amp; Poor's. The AAA rating is reserved for those organizations with the utmost financial strength and discipline in meeting all financial commitments.</p><p>​​Read the&#160;<a href="http&#58;//go.boarddocs.com/mo/rsdpa/Board.nsf/goto?open&amp;id=BCN3PH6C6B4D">2019-2020 Rockwood Annual Budget.</a>​​<br></p>

<p>​​At the school board&#160;meeting, June 6, members approved Mr. Bob Deneau as the Rockwood Director Technical Support Services.</p><p>Mr. Deneau currently serves as the district's coordinator of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Prior to that, he was an instructional technology specialist in Rockwood. He started his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Ridge Meadows and Fairway Elementary School.</p><p>Deneau earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri – Columbia, as well as an educational specialist degree in informational science and learning technology. His master's degree in education is from Lindenwood University. He will assume the director position with Rockwood Technology on July 1, as Ms. Bretta Slagle left the district in May.​​​<br></p>

<p>​​At the June 6&#160;meeting, the school board&#160;approved&#160;Mr.&#160;David&#160;Morrison as the Rockwood&#160;Coordinator Communications.</p><p>Morrison&#160;is currently the Senior Strategic Communications Associate at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Director Public Relations at Columbia College. He worked for the Columbia Daily Tribune as a University of Missouri football beat writer.&#160;He started his career as the college sports beat writer for the Greensboro News &amp; Record and Opelika-Auburn News.</p><p>Morrison earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He will join the district’s communications team on July 1, when&#160;Alex Fees takes the executive director position.​​​​​<br></p>

<p>​At the Rockwood School Board meeting, June 6, members&#160;approved Ms. Keena Moore as the Marquette Assistant Principal.</p><p>Ms. Moore currently is the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Riverview Gardens High School. Prior to that, she was the assistant principal and coordinator of freshman academy at Sumner High School. She started her career in education at the Hazelwood School District as a communication arts teacher and data team leader.</p><p>Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Harris Stowe State University, and her master’s degree in educational administration is from Lindenwood University. She is a graduate of the Leadership and Character Education Academy at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She will assume the assistant principal position of Tracey Waeckerle, who was recently hired as the associate principal at Marquette High School.<br></p>

<p>​​Members of the Rockwood community turned out to Summit High School, Saturday afternoon and evening for the 2019 Rockwood “Re-Lei” for Life. The theme, this year, was Hawaiian.</p><p>The annual cancer cure fund-raiser has donated more than $1-million for the American Cancer Society since 2000. Volunteer teams raised more than $60,000, this year.</p><p>Organizers said more than 200 people pre-registered for the event on 34 teams. Annie Martino is a Rockwood parent and long-time Relay for Life supporter.</p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">“Our hope is to continue to raise money to support people who have cancer and help the American Cancer Society find a&#160;cure,” said Martin.</span><br></p>

<p>​</p><p>All Rockwood schools are being provided with emergency kits in partnership with Metro West Fire Protection District.</p><p>Metro West has donated Stop the Bleed kits to all Rockwood schools within their jurisdiction. Metro West officials have also agreed to make arrangements for other Rockwood schools to receive the kits, along with corresponding training on how to use them.</p><p>&quot;Our school nurses are always equipped with supplies,&quot; said Rockwood Supervisor Wellness &amp; Health Services Amy Wehr. &quot;But we appreciate support from emergency responders.&quot;</p><p>The Stop the Bleed organization's website states the effort is &quot;a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The life-saving tool in the kits is a tourniquet,&quot; said Wehr. &quot;It's a strap with Velcro on it, with a hard piece of plastic to twist and tighten, in order to stop heavy bleeding.&quot;</p><p>Metro West Fire Lt. Matt Coppin said, &quot;This is a hands-on, tactile way to impact that level of preparedness in our schools. Not only will these kits provide necessary tools, but the education on how to use them, as well.&quot;</p>

<p>​​For the 2019-2020 school year, the&#160;high school&#160;weekly bell schedule will include flex time. We look forward to offering this new addition as we provide our students with flexibility in their schedule. It's all about supporting their needs and preparing them for college, career and life outside of high school.</p><h2>What is flex time?</h2><p>Flex time allows for academic support and enrichment for our students. It will provide time for students to focus on interest-based work. This could include the following&#58;</p><ul><li><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Collaborate with your teachers.</span></li><li>Give and receive tutoring help.</li><li>Attend study sessions with teachers and other students.</li><li>Meet with clubs and extracurricular groups.</li></ul><p></p><h2>When will flex time begin?</h2><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Flex ti</span><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">me will begin during the second week of the new school year. On certain days, students will be given the opportunity to plan their own flex time activities as part of an extended lunch period.</span></p><p></p><p></p><h2>Are there scheduled lunch shifts during flex time?</h2><p></p><p>No, we will not have scheduled lunch shifts during flex time. Our school cafeterias will be open throughout the lunch/flex time period. Students must plan their days to meet their personal needs. It's important to note that we do need cooperation during flex time to keep our school clean. Be sure to keep lunch trays in the school commons. Place food trash in hallway or commons trash cans so our custodial staff may dispose of it promptly.<br></p><h2>What are student expectations during flex time?</h2><p>All students are to remain on our school campus, and all school rules apply during this time.<br></p><h2 style="margin-bottom&#58;0.5em;font-weight&#58;bold;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui light&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;1.3em;line-height&#58;1.2;padding&#58;0px;">Flex time schedule for A, B and C days</h2><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" style="border-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;border-spacing&#58;0px;margin&#58;0px 0px 1em;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableHeaderRow-default"><th class="ms-rteTableHeaderEvenCol-default" rowspan="1" colspan="1" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;color&#58;#333333;font-weight&#58;normal;border-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;622px;height&#58;33px;">​​<strong>A Day with ​FLEX (Monday, Tuesday, Friday)</strong></th><th class="ms-rteTableHeaderOddCol-default" rowspan="1" colspan="1" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;color&#58;#333333;font-weight&#58;normal;border-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;height&#58;33px;"><strong>​Period</strong></th></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​8&#58;28 - 9&#58;13 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​1</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​9&#58;18 - 10&#58;03 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​2</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​10&#58;08 - 10&#58;53 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​3</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​10&#58;58 - 11&#58;43 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​4</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​11&#58;48 - 12&#58;48 (60 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​FLEX + Lunch</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​12&#58;53 - 1&#58;38 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​5</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​1&#58;42 - 2&#58;27 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​6</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​2&#58;32 - 3&#58;17 (45 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;115px;">​7</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"></p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" style="border-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;border-spacing&#58;0px;margin&#58;0px 0px 1em;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;199px;">​</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;157px;">​<strong>B Day (Wednesday)</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;200px;">​</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;159px;"><strong>​C Day (Thursday)</strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​8&#58;28 - 9&#58;59 (91 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;157px;">​1</td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​8&#58;28 - 9&#58;59 (91 minutes</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;159px;">​2</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​10&#58;04 - 11&#58;35 (91 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;157px;">​3</td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​10&#58;04 - 11&#58;35</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;159px;">​4</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;"><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;"><em>No FLEX on B Day​​</em><br>11&#58;40 - 1&#58;41 (96/91 minutes)<br></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;">1st Lunch - 96 min class<br>Class runs from 12&#58;05 - 1&#58;41</p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;">2nd Lunch - 91 min class<br>Class runs fr​om 11&#58;40 - 12&#58;05<br>12&#58;35 - 1&#58;41</p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;">3rd Lunch - 91 min<br>Class runs from 11&#58;40 - 12&#58;35<br>1&#58;05 - 1&#58;41</p></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;157px;">​5 + Lunch</td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;"><em>Extended FLEX on C Day</em><br>​11&#58;40 - 1&#58;​41 (121 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;159px;">​Flex + Lunch</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​1&#58;46 - 3&#58;17 (91 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;157px;">​7</td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;">​1&#58;46 - 3&#58;17 (91 minutes)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default" style="padding&#58;7px 5px 6px;border-right-width&#58;1px;border-bottom-width&#58;1px;border-left-width&#58;1px;border-color&#58;#c6c6c6;width&#58;159px;">​6</td></tr></tbody></table><p>​Questions?</p><p>Please contact your school principal for more information.​<br></p>

<p>​Rockwood believes in the importance of character education to support the social, emotional and ethical development of students. Because of their efforts in character education, two Rockwood schools have been named 2019 National Schools of Character (NSOC) by Character.org (formerly the Character Education Partnership)&#58;<br><br></p><ul><li><p>Lafayette High School</p></li><li><p>Blevins Elementary School</p></li></ul><p>Blevins Elementary School received the NSOC designation for a second time. The school was awarded its first designation in 2014.</p><p>&quot;I'm extremely proud of all our schools that have earned this outstanding accomplishment,&quot; says Dr. Eric Knost, Rockwood superintendent. &quot;A strong character education program is a foundation for our students and their learning. It's about helping students to love life so they may thrive in this world.&quot;</p><p>National Schools of Character have demonstrated through a rigorous evaluation process that character development has had a positive impact on academics, student behavior, and school climate. Each year, Character.org and its state affiliates select schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development programs.</p><p>Learn more about Character.org and the&#160;<a href="https&#58;//www.character.org/">Principles of Effective Character Education.</a></p><p>In 2016, Rockwood was recognized as a National District of Character. Rockwood has 19 schools named as NSOC by Character.org. Learn more about&#160;<a href="/rockwoodadvantage/Pages/Safe-and-Caring-Schools.aspx">Rockwood's safe and caring school climate.</a><br></p>

<p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">This year, eight Rockwood schools earned Promising Practices Awards from Character.org.&#160;Each year, the organization&#160;recognizes schools and districts from the U.S. and across the globe for their innovative practices in the area of character education.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">To receive a Promising Practice award, schools must demonstrate how they put one or more of the 11 Principles of Character Education into action.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">T</span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">he schools and their Promising Practices are listed below.</span></p><div style="color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><div><ul><li><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"><strong>​​Rockwood Early Childhood</strong><br></span>Walk, Run, Roll Event<br>Mindfulness Groups</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Ballwin Elementary</strong><br>The Fifth-Grade Arcade​<br></li></ul><ul><li><strong>Chesterfield Elementary</strong><br>Bridging the Generation Gap with Grandfriends</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Crestview Middle</strong><br>Character Education Action Teams<br>K.U.D.O.S. (Kids Understanding Differences and Overcoming Stereotypes)</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Eureka High</strong><br>Student Wellness Conference</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Lafayette High</strong><br>LHS Connections</li></ul><ul><li>​<strong>Uthoff Valley Elementary</strong><br>Sock It To Me!</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Woerther Elementary</strong><br>Student-Led Character Videos</li></ul><div>Plus, Lafayette High School has been named a National School of Character, and Blevins Elementary has been re-named as a National School of Character.</div></div></div>

<p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;">​At this year's ROSE Award Ceremony, Rockwood announced that Ms. Meghan Menchella has been selected as the Rockwood District-Level Teacher of the Year!</p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">Ms. Menchella started her career in Rockwood in 2015 as a social studies and history teacher at Crestview Middle School. She is a graduate of the Rockwood School District, earned her bachelor's degree from Lindenwood University, and her master's degree is from Southwest Baptist University.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">Ms. Menchella says that each year, her&#160;school challenges teachers to create their mission statement and hang it up in a visible spot for students to see. &quot;I truly believe in mine and try to live it </span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">every single day,&quot; she says.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><strong style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"><em>&quot;I&#160;​would like to be a positive light in the lives of others, and promote a world of empathy and positivity.&quot;</em></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><strong style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"><em></em></strong><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">She wants her&#160;students to see&#160;that she&#160;genuinely loves being&#160;with them. &quot;I strongly believe that each student deserves an educator who is passionate about the students and their content, and will cheer for their success along the way.&quot;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">At the ROSE Awards, May 5, Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost teamed-up with our grade-level teachers of the year to provide</span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">&#160;</span><a href="https&#58;//youtu.be/LrqFa26HjU4" style="font-size&#58;12.8px;background-color&#58;#ffffff;color&#58;#0000ff;">a special message for Rockwood educators.​​</a></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">The announcement coincides with National Teacher Appreciation Week! Rockwood celebrates the week from May 6-10.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom&#58;10px;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;"></span><span style="font-size&#58;12.8px;">Rockwood is supporting the National Education Association in asking the public to take to social media with the hashtag #ThankaTeacher to recognize the excellent educators in your life.​​</span></p>

<div class="rsdNewsImage" style="float&#58;right;margin&#58;0px 0px 1em 2em;color&#58;#444444;font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, &quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size&#58;12.8px;"><div aria-labelledby="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ContentQueryImage_label" style="display&#58;inline;"><div style=""></div></div><div class="rsdNewsCaption"><div aria-labelledby="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_Caption_label" style="display&#58;inline;"><p style="margin-top&#58;10px;margin-bottom&#58;10px;font-size&#58;11.52px;font-style&#58;italic;padding&#58;0px;text-align&#58;right;">​​​</p></div></div></div><div><div aria-labelledby="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl01_label"><p>All four Rockwood high schools received top rankings by U.S. News &amp; World Report on the &quot;2019 Best High Schools&quot; list. More than 17,000 public schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.</p><p>In the state of Missouri, Lafayette ranked first, Rockwood Summit ranked third, Eureka ranked fourth and Marquette ranked eighth.</p><p>Congratulations&#160;​to the students and staff at all four of our high schools,&quot; shared&#160;Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost. &quot;Throughout Rockwood, our focus remains on helping all kids find success and thrive in this world.&quot;</p><p>In addition, all four Rockwood high schools showed high rankings for the college readiness index, which is measured by the publication through Advanced Placement participation rates and scores. See how U.S. News calculated the&#160;<a href="https&#58;//www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools">2019 Best High Schools Ra​nkings.</a>​<br><br></p><table cellspacing="0" style="width&#58;599px;"><tbody><tr><td><p>U.S. News Ranking</p></td><td><p>Score</p></td><td><p>School Enrollment</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><a href="https&#58;//www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/missouri/districts/rockwood-r-vi/lafayette-sr-high-11883">Lafayette High</a></p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1,856</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><a href="https&#58;//www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/missouri/districts/rockwood-r-vi/rockwood-summit-sr-high-11881">Rockwood Summit High</a></p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>1,296</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><a href="https&#58;//www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/missouri/districts/rockwood-r-vi/eureka-sr-high-11882">Eureka High</a></p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>1,827</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><a href="https&#58;//www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/missouri/districts/rockwood-r-vi/marquette-sr-high-11880">Marquette High</a></p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>2,250</p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;"><br></span></div><div aria-labelledby="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl01_label"><span style="font-size&#58;1rem;">Did you know? Last year, Rockwood offered 31 different AP courses in its four high schools. Eighty-four percent of Rockwood AP students earned a 3 or higher, compared to 62 percent at the state level. On the ACT, Rockwood high school students average a composite score of 23.9, outperforming the state average of 20.8.&#160;</span></div></div>

<p>A website that helps families discover schools and neighborhoods recently revealed its top public high schools, and all four Rockwood high schools made the list.</p><div><p>According to Niche.com,&#160;Lafayette High School&#160;ranked second in the state.&#160;Marquette High School&#160;ranked fifth,&#160;Eureka High School&#160;ranked eighth and&#160;Rockwood Summit High&#160;School ranked 11th.</p><p>The website based its rankings on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores and teacher qualifications.</p><p>Academics covered 60 percent of the school's rank.&#160;Other factors include culture and diversity, parent and student surveys, teachers' grades, clubs and activities, health and safety, resources, facilities and sports.​</p><div><p><a href="https&#58;//www.niche.com/k12/search/best-public-high-schools/s/missouri/">View the full list.</a></p></div></div>