MVR-III Memo on Learning
CIA & PD Newsletter for Meramec Valley R-III School District
December 15, 2016-19th Edition
From the Desk of Dr. Hillhouse, Superintendent
It's hard to believe that we are coming to the close of our 1st semester of the school year. We want to take the time to thank each and every staff member for all the hard work that goes into providing a healthy, safe, engaging, supportive, and challenging learning environment for every child here at MVR-III.
May you have a wonderful holiday break beginning after our last day of school next week, Wednesday, December 21st. Please enjoy your family and friends, and remember your blessings and all the blessings you provide for others.
Looking forward to seeing all certified staff in the new year on the January 3, 2017, PD Day, at 12:15pm, in the PHS Auditorium.
Wishing all of our staff nothing but the best this holiday season~
Ed, Terri, Jeremy, and Joel
December 15th is "Bill of Rights" Day
K-5 SS Content Experts
Jerry Anding, K
Samantha Barmeier, 1st
Susan Livingstone, 2nd
Karen Brocato, 2nd
Sonia Moore, 3rd
Megan Trower, 3rd
Stephanie Titter, 4th
Jenn Boyce, 4th
Shelley Miles, 5th
Cathy Weil, 5th
6-12th SS Department Chairs
Peggy Boyer, MVMS
Dan Miller, RB
Sam Brocato, PHS
If you are looking for additional SS resources or PD related to SS, check out the DESE website for some great resources.
2nd Grade Students learn about Simple Machines in Science
2nd graders at Truman are learning about simple machines. Students explored using a lever. Students were given a fulcrum (three pencils rubber banded together) and a bar (ruler). They chose items from around the classroom to use for a load. First, students tried to balance their loads so they would have an idea of the weight of the load. Next, students were given the challenge to make a lighter load move a heavier load. Finally, students determined they could meet this challenge if the heavy load was closer to the fulcrum! We can be proud of our budding scientists in 2nd grade!
Article and pictures submitted by Susan Livingstone, 2nd grade Teacher, Truman Elementary
Mrs. Livingstone even aligned her learner activity to her personal teacher standards:
*Students will engage in positive behavior to achieve individual success
*Individual student data drives instruction and decision making
PHS Speech Team Takes 1st Place in Mexico Tournament
Congratulations to the speech team for their first-place finish at the 17-team Mexico tournament on Saturday, December 3, 2017. Special congratulations to the four students who won tournament championships in their individual event:
Zack Sutton, first-place in Radio Speaking
Noah Sprick, first-place in Prose Reading
Ellie Schmidt, first-place in Original Oratory
Claudia Everett, first-place in Storytelling
The following students also placed at the tournament:
Ali Patton, 2nd-place in Poetry Reading
Katie Rice, 2nd-place in Storytelling
Ashley Burt, 3rd-place in Prose Reading
Danielle Kessels, 3rd-place in Storytelling
Tristen Schuchmann, 4th-place in Poetry Reading
Maggie Keller & Brendan Liebhart, 4th-place in Duet Acting
Tyler Lambert, 4th-place in Radio Speaking
Da'Jah Broyles, 4th-place in Dramatic Interpretation
Emma Patton, 4th-place in Prose Reading
Wesley Curtis, 5th-place in Humorous Interpretation
Caelyn Hafley, 6th-place in Original Oratory
Email announcement courtesy of Mr. Ed Kappeler, PHS English Teacher and Speech Team Sponsor
And....PHS Speech Team reigns over St. James Tournament
Congratulations to the speech team for their first-place finish at the nine-team St. James tournament on Saturday, December 10, 2016. Pacific won seven of the ten tournament championships in Individual Events:
Zack Sutton: 1st place, Radio Speaking
Bryan Lee & Ellie Schmidt: 1st place, Duet Acting
Wesley Curtis: 1st place, Humorous Interpretation
Tristen Schuchmann, 1st place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Ali Patton, 1st place, Poetry Reading
Katie Rice, 1st place, Storytelling
Da'Jah Broyles, 1st place, Dramatic Interpretation
Students who placed second for Pacific include Ashley Thomas in Original Oratory, Tyler Lambert in Radio Speaking, Maribel Garcia in Dramatic Interpretation, Claudia Everett in Storytelling, Maggie Keller & Brendan Liebhart in Duet Acting, and Tristen Schuchmann in Poetry Reading.
Placing third for Pacific were Caelyn Hafley in Original Oratory, Justin Fry in Poetry Reading, Brandi Aten & Dawson Neuner in Duet Acting, and Noah Sprick in Prose Reading.
Caitlyn Wagner placed 5th in Radio Speaking.
Email announcement courtesy of Mr. Ed Kappeler, PHS English Teacher and Speech Team Sponsor
2015 PHS Graduate & Current Missouri S & T Engineering Student Comes Home to MVR-III to "Show What He Knows"
On Tuesday, November 22nd, Adam Hinkebein, a 2015 graduate of Pacific High School (PHS) and current sophomore at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, visited Pacific High School to share his experience as a member of the Missouri S&T Solar Car Team. Students enrolled in the engineering program at PHS had the opportunity to attend the presentation.
Adam began his presentation by explaining the structure of the Missouri University S&T Solar Car Team. In order to manage such a large project, the team is divided into 4 primary sub-teams: Mechanical, Electrical, Race Logistics, and Business Operations. Adam explained the roles and functions for each sub-team in detail. As Adam explained the construction of the car, he shared photos and videos which documented the initial concept to the finished product.
The countless number of hours each team member volunteered to complete the project captured the attention of many of the students in attendance. PHS sophomore Lizzi Brinley was “amazed at how long and complex building the car was,” and she appreciated “how hard the students worked to achieve their goal.” PHS sophomore Emma Dawson was surprised by “how much time and effort go into [the project] and [that] people still have a blast.”
Students in attendance focused on their own futures as well. “Sometimes high school feels like a world away from college, but after hearing the presentation, I feel I can make more of a connection between myself to college and what I want to do,” Tyler Lambert PHS sophomore said. PHS senior Maddy Chamberlain stated the presentation gave her “the insight of what it’s like at a real engineering school and what to expect next year.” PHS engineering instructor Tonya Barnes said “the engineering students could really relate to Adam since he was a recent grad from PHS. All students were very engaged and excited to hear about future college activities and asked intuitive questions regarding college courses.”
This past summer, Adam and the Missouri S&T Solar Car Team placed fourth out of twelve teams in the American Solar Challenge. Adam and his team are currently raising funds to participate in the 2017 World Solar Challenge. The 3,000 km competition will take place in Australia on October 8th-15th. The students and staff at PHS wish Adam the best of luck as the team prepares for the race.
Article written by Mr. Quinn Flexsenhar, Secondary Curriculum Director/A+Coordinator
Photos courtesy of Maribel Garcia (PHS junior-Class of 2018-enrolled in PHS Yearbook Production)
Missouri S & T Car on Race Day
Adam Hinkebein Guest Speaker at PHS
Photo by Mariel Garcia, PHS Yearbook Production
Missouri S & T Solar Car Design
Photo provided by Adam Hinkebein, 2015 PHS Graduate & Current Missouri S & T Student/Solar Team Member
Pacific FBLA American Enterprise Day
On November 15th, 2016, two Pacific High School FBLA members went to Truman Elementary to educate Mrs. Hunkin’s third grade Odyssey class. The high schoolers taught a lesson about bonds and how they relate to the stock market. The third grade students had previously learned about the stock market, and were expanding on their knowledge. This was in celebration of American Enterprise day and for the FBLA member’s American Enterprise project. As a part of their project, they were to help educate the community about an aspect of American Enterprise in a way that it would have a lasting impact.
The lesson included a discussion of the different types of bonds, and included three contests that aided understanding of the new topic in a friendly and competitive manner. The students were very engaged, volunteering to read and answer challenging questions with zeal. Overall, all students (both young and old) had a blast and learned much from each other.
Article by Claire Sutterer and Danielle Kessels
Pictured from left to right: Claire Sutterer and Danielle Kessels
Article and photo submitted by Garret Andreason, Business Teacher, FBLA Sponsor, PDC Vice President, and PLTW Instructor
Learning Walk....next one is schedule for Thursday, January 26, 2017
From the Desk of Scott Kovis...
February 11, 2017
7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
University City High School
FROM the DESK of Kyle Walz, MVR-III Odyssey Coordinator...
Giftedness...what it is vs. what it isn't
The Gifted Association of Missouri has several resources for educators, parents, and students. Check out the No Excuse List linked below....numerous resources to differentiate advanced students' learning (any student for that matter) in the regular education classroom.
The 2015-2016 End-of-Year Enrollment data is also included and monitored yearly. MVR-III has about 5% of gifted students identified and served through the Odyssey Program yearly.
2015-2016 Gifted
Taking 1st grade referrals now....
From the Desk of Barb Heger, District Health Coordinator...
In an effort to keep everyone informed and focused on educating The Whole Child, please enjoy some of the minutes from the School Health and Wellness Committee Meeting held on November 30, 2016.
Nutrition Services
- Menu app and going paperless – Meredith Fallert discussed the district’s Nutrislice Website/app features. Discussed ease and accessibility for parents and staff. She reports that we will be going to paperless menus beginning in January. Parents that do not have access to electronic menus may still request a paper copy.
Food in the classroom discussion with stakeholders –A broad discussion was held in regards to how we can better represent the goals of our district wellness policy (ADF/ADF – AP1), our CSIP goals, and the goals of the Healthy Schools Program when it comes to food at school.
- Wellness policy goals are: to promote student health, reduce student overweight and obesity, facilitate student learning of lifelong healthy habits and increase student achievement.
- CSIP goal: to implement consistent nutrition standards throughout all corners of the school building to enhance the learning environment and contribute to the overall health and well-being of our students.
- The Healthy Schools program goals are: to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity and to inspire young people and their families to develop lifelong, healthy habits. This committee plans a student and parent survey in January or February.
Employee Flu Shot/Wellness Screen Clinic – Our district clinic was held October 6th at Riverbend. 154 flu shots were administered and 35 wellness screenings were done.
CSD’s Fall Activity Challenge / Maintain Don’t Gain Trivia Challenge – Laura McCune from CSD TrustWellness discussed both of these staff Wellness Challenges. The Fall Activity Challenge has finished. The Maintain Don’t Gain challenge has just started. Laura reports that this challenge is a health trivia challenge that will help staff members more easily navigate the CSD TrustWellness site as well as the Anthem Insurance website, while learning ways to stay fit and healthy over the holidays.
Mercy Mammogram Van visit – Barb Heger reports that the van visited our district on November 22nd. There were 18 appointments scheduled just before the visit.
School Health and Wellness Committee Future meeting dates – February 22nd, April 26th – New meeting place will be Truman Elementary Library. For a complete set of the meeting minutes email Barb Heger.
Curriculum Design Time coming soon....
Closing out 1st semester PD Opportunities
All PD forms can be found on the website or by using the link below.
Buy One, Get One Offer for the METC Conference on February 14th & 15th
Yearly, in conjunction with the Technology Committee, PDC has offered the buy on METC Conference Registration with building PD funds and PDC will pay for another METC conference registration....it's our annual BOGO event for METC!
Have your PD rep bring your Application for the Conference forms to the PDC meeting on Monday, December 19, to hopefully secure your approval....preference going to PD Cycle 3-Assessment for Learning staff members and/or 1:1 staff members (6th-8th grade).
Giving the gift of time...Your PD request
Please use January 3rd in the am as a work session and then (those not in a PD cycle or revising curriculum) the afternoon to design your own (DYOPD) based on your growth goals or the reflective practice teams. You can view the complete PD agenda for January 3rd at the active link in the title above or within this article.
Let your PD Rep or building principal know if you have any questions.
PD Cycle 2 Staff Sign up HERE for January 3rd Assessment Capable Learners
Please make sure you RSVP here.
Presented by Charlie Malam, South Central RPDC Consultant
Other staff members are welcome to also attend this training if they would like to learn more about ACL...simply RSVP here
Tuesday, Jan 3, 2017, 01:00 PM
MVR-III Central Office, 126 N. Payne St., Pacific, Missouri 63069
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
PD Forms going all electronic soon....expected date is Tuesday, January 17, 2017
It's almost here....the fact that all PD forms are going electronic beginning in mid-January…that includes Applications for Workshops, PL Summaries, Approval of Advanced Work, Networking Opportunities, etc. PDC is hoping this electronic move take some paperwork of teachers' plates, wait time for approval, and streamline the approval process. We are excited that it will also help with asking for a sub because the electronic application for a workshop request once approved will populate to Aesop program setting the substitute request in motion automatically without teachers having to do an extra step. Plans are moving forward to have this process in place by second semester. In the meantime, thank you for following the current process related to all things PD.
Community News and Events
Pacific FBLA visits Pacific Care Center
FBLA members visited the Pacific Care Center on December 7th to deliver some Christmas and Holiday cheer to the residents by delivering cards. Members spent the previous night filling out homemade cards donated by April Carpenter. “It was for a good cause and a lot of fun” – Gabrielle Julius.
Pictured from left to right:
Shayla Birk, Gabriella Julius, and Joshua ThomasArticle and photo submitted by Garret Andreason, Business Teacher, FBLA Sponsor, PDC Vice President, and PLTW Instructor
RB staff, students, and parents-Community Day of Service-Friday, December 9, 2016
Thank you Mr. Randy Meyer, RB ELA/Odyssey Teacher & to our 8th grade Odyssey students for the video below...and a big shout out to Mrs. Sarah Manno, RB Science Teacher/Department Chair and her fellow teachers for organizing this wonderful service learning opportunity.
Article permission and gratitude given from Mr. David Quanz, RB Principal
Thank you to all who participated in the MVNEA Toy Drive....MVR-III and the community appreciates this service!
Mark your Learning Calendars for August 21, 2017
MVR-III School District
Email: DistrictCO@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: www.mvr3.k12.mo.us
Location: 126 N Payne St, Pacific, MO, United States
Phone: 636-271-1400
Twitter: @DistrictMVR3