TOMAHAWK TRIBUNE
September 2021
Meramec Valley R-III School District
The Board of Education meets on the third Wednesday of each month. To view board agendas and all supporting documents use the attached link.
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=157
What's Happening in MVR-III
MVR-III's 8 Pillars of Success
Meramec Valley’s efforts in making a difference for kids includes the 8 Pillars of Success. The district has made a 3-year investment with Characterplus to support the district’s Strategic Plan. Specifically:
Target 2 – Enhance Climate & Culture- MVR-III will recruit, attract, develop, and retain highly qualified staff yearly.
Target 3 – Differentiate and Expand Resources and Services for Students - All MVR-III students will learn in an environment that is collaborative, engaging, inclusive, innovative, and conducive to learning.
Target 4 – Increase Parent and Community Involvement - MVR-III parents, students, and community members will actively participate in school events to support student learning.
Each month one of the eight pillars will be highlighted during classroom lessons and during extra curricular activities. How does this affect you? First, it takes a TRIBE to build a GREAT community. We are asking families to discuss and reinforce the pillars with their child(ren) at home and in the community.
“The question is not, ‘Can you make a difference?’ you already do make a difference. It’s just a matter of what kind of difference you want to make, during your life on this planet.”
Julia Butterfly Hill
PHS Softball
PHS ROTC
New Courses
Freshman Seminar is a one-semester, stand-alone course for entering ninth grade students. The course is to help students better transition from the middle school setting, prepare them for the increased academic rigor of high school, and meet the social and emotional challenges they may encounter over the ensuing four years. Students will explore college and career planning and preparation, while learning time management, and collaboration skills, as well as completing a learning styles inventory and reflection.
The district curriculum committee is made of teachers, administrators, and parents to create robust and diverse learning options for students. If you are interested in joining the district level curriculum committee, please email David Quanz at dquanz@mvr3.k12.mo.us.
Free Student Meals Starting October 4th
The Meramec Valley R-III School District has obtained the United States Department of Agriculture Pandemic Grant that offers free breakfast/lunch to ALL students up to age 18 starting Monday, October 4, 2021 through the end of 2022 school year.
If your child(ren) has a negative balance, please work with the school office to rectify your child(ren)’s account.
Recognitions & Activities
Doctoral Degree
Missouri Scholars Academy
College & Career Fair
Pacific High School students experienced the 2021 College & Career Fair sponsored by Dr. Brindell and the PHS Counseling Department. Whether students are thinking about attending college, pursuing a gap year before college, entering the workforce or serving in the military, PHS Counseling Department is here to support students as they plan their futures. A new addition to help with college and career planning is the PHS Senior Advisor, Ms. Nicole Wildt. #MVNation #college&career
PHS Student Publications
Yearbook students are delving into photography and getting results! The 2022 PHS Warrior Yearbooks are on sale now at www.yearbookordercenter.com using code 17166.
Photo credit: Aubrey Harris
Naval Honor School Award
Riverbend Middle School Activities
Mrs. Kelm's science classes took part in a fetal pig dissection lab. Learner objectives included learning the anatomy of a pig as an example of a vertebrate mammal, identify structures on the pig and know their functions.
Student Leadership
The Student Council Organization (STUCO) is proud to announce their leadership positions for this school year. STUCO president is Brayden M., Vice President is Ember R., Photographer is Madalin A., Secretary is Trinity M., and Members are Ava M., Brooke M, Sawyer, and Gabriella G.
STUCO is looking forward to sponsoring some school-wide events this year. The group will be walking in the Homecoming Parade on October 9th. STUCO is also responsible for running the River Shack at the girls' basketball games this Fall.
In support of the District's Eight Pillars of Success, STUCO will host a monthly Spirit Day. September 29th will be Citizenship Day and students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue to show off their Citizenship. On Wednesday, October 27th will be Collaboration Day for students to wear their favorite team shirt or music group to portray the Collaboration Pillar.
Wishes for Waverly
Handwriting in Pre-K
Young learners at Doris Hoffman Early Learning Center (DHELC) are off to a great start by learning how to write and hold instruments correctly. DHELC uses a resource called Handwriting Without Tears to help children learn the stages of writing. The resource is research based to provide developmentally appropriate and multisensory strategies for early writers.
Students practice developmentally appropriate sequence with consistent guided practice to develop handwriting skills. The hands-on manipulatives with Handwriting Without Tears develops fine motor and phonemic skills. The young learners love learning new letters and practicing writing.
Suchland Lands Classroom Grant for Nike Elementary
Kayla Suchland, a kindergarten teacher at Nike Elementary School, was awarded a $500 Grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation in August of 2021. Ms. Suchland was one of nine winners from 30 applicants from across Missouri. The project Developing Courage and Creativity in Aspiring Authors is designed to serve the needs of kindergarten students who have never held a pencil or a book before coming to school. Some students come to the classroom with a limited view on the endless possibilities that arise when learning to read and write. To ensure students have an equal chance to succeed in today’s world, Suchland proposed to an interactive writing experience within the kindergarten classroom.
Ms. Suchland’s goals are to establish a writing center through which kindergarten students apply phonemic skills, gain exposure to various topics through new vocabulary, and develop confidence as authors, as well as increase writing assessment scores among kindergarten students at Nike Elementary.
Congratulations Ms. Suchland! Meramec Valley is excited for you and your kindergarten class to begin using these resources purchased with the grant. A special thanks to the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation for supporting teacher grants.
Coleman Elementary McTeacher Night
Proposition 1 Playground Progress at Robertsville Elementary
Student Leadership at Truman Elementary
Student Ambassador jobs include recess cart responsibilities to morning mailbox delivery. Difference Makers positions range from teacher helper to Difference Maker Detectives. Pictured above are two Difference Maker Detectives that have spotted a Difference Maker inside Truman and present the student with a Difference Maker card.
Zitzman STEAM Club
October Dates to Remember:
01- No School/Professional Development Day
03- Fire Prevention Week
04- Parent/Teacher Conference Week
09- Homecoming Parade
11- No School-Columbus Day
12- MVR-III Spirit Week
15- Homecoming Football Game
16- PHS Homecoming Dance
18- National School Bus Safety Week & Digital Citizenship Week
20- Missouri Day & Board of Education Meeting
23- Red Ribbon Week
Community News
MVR-III SCHOOL DISTRICT
Director of Communications
Email: karmstrong@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: www.mvr3.k12.mo.us
Location: 126 North Payne Street, Pacific, MO, USA
Phone: 636-271-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mvr3.socs.net/
Twitter: @DistrictMVR3