TOMAHAWK TRIBUNE
Meramec Valley R-III School District News
December 2019
District Recognition
All-District Band - Quinn Blackburn, Casey Brooks, Noah Noud, Holly Shaw, Sam Wagner
All-District Jazz Band - Gabbie Baker, Noah Carrico, Colin Cowsert, Holly Shaw, Sam Wagner
All-State: Gabbie Baker, Quinn Blackburn, Casey Brooks, Noah Carrico, Noah Noud, Holly Shaw, Sam Wagner
Pictured from left: Sam Wagner, Noah Carrico, Matt Sokeland, Gabbie Baker, Colin Cowsert, Matt Trower, and Casey Brooks
Financial Report
Public Gifts are making a big impact for negative student lunch accounts. The Pacific Eagles Organization, Dr. Green of Eureka Pediatrics, along with other community donors have allowed the school district to pay off all lunch balances. In addition, the school district will no longer serve alternative meals to students that have lunch balances. If your organization or business would like to make a donation to the district student lunch account fund, contact Ketina Armstrong for information on how to make a donation.
School District Audit
The Independent Auditor Report for the 2018-2019 fiscal year was completed by Mueller, Walla & Albertson, P.C. The audit found the school district to be in good financial standing. A special thanks to the Finance & Human Resource Departments for being diligent with district financial affairs.
Board of Education Filing Dates
There are 3 open seats on the Board of Education for the April 2020 ballot. Incumbents, Matt Trower, Board of Education President; Sean Brinker, Board of Education Vice-President; and Dianna Meyer, Board of Education Member have filed for re-election. The filing dates are open from December 17th through January 21st. Candidates must personally sign the declaration of candidacy and other documents necessary for filing that require a signature, and the signatures must be notarized. A candidate's completed declaration of candidacy and other necessary documents must be received by the district during the official candidate filing period in order for the candidate to appear on the ballot. Interested candidates may contact Stephanie Schomber at 636-271-1400 to register. Use the attached link to find information on the Board of Education members: https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/o/mvriii/page/board-of-education--571.
Matt Trower- Board of Education President
Sean Brinker- Board of Education Vice-President
Dianna Meyer- Board of Education Member
Student Achievement
Dr. Carrie Schweirjohn, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Assessment, presented the 2019 District Report Card. Highlights from the District Report Card include:
- Remaining above state averages for district English Language Arts and Mathematics achievement.
- Remaining above the 90/90 attendance target with district attendance at a 91.6% 3-year average.
- Remaining above state averages for College and Career Readiness Standard.
- Increasing College and Career Readiness Standard 5-6 for Post Secondary Placement to 96.1% in 2019, which is up from 84.1% in 2018.
- Increasing district ACT Composite Score to a four-year high at 22.0 average score, which is 1.2 points higher than the state average score and an increase of 2.2 points over the prior year MVR-III score.
The full District Report Card may be found on the Board of Education web-page on the
MVR-III website.
School Board Approves New K-8 Summer School Program for 2020
A cost analysis was conducted comparing the 2019 Summer Journey cost and a district-designed program that follows a similar structure. Keeping all things the same and budgeting on the high-end of expected cost, the projected savings to the district by developing a MVR-III Summer School Program is $121,374.46. It is important to note that this savings is based on the same amount of attendance days and the same pay structure used in 2019. Proposed highlights for the 2020 Summer School includes:
- Free transportation
- Free breakfast and lunch
- Attendance incentives at each building
- Department of Conservation grant awarded for weekly field trip experiences
- Discovery Education STEM Connect Units and Lessons
- MVR-III Teacher created interdisciplinary high engagement units
- Remediation options for students during the morning lessons
Summer School Dates: Monday-Friday (Specific dates to be determined in January.)
Times: Same as current school year schedule
○ Elementary: 8:30 am -3:45 pm
○ PI & RB: 7:30 am - 2:45 pm
Homeless Identification Information
Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), school districts are responsible for supporting and identifying students whose living situations may qualify them as homeless. Each district has a homeless liaison designated to assist students. The homeless liaison is responsible for ensuring all barriers to student enrollment are removed as well as supporting families by connecting them with school and community resources, informing them of their rights and assisting in resolving disputes. If you know of a family who may qualify, please have them contact the Federal Programs Coordinator, Dr. Stephanie Bechard at 636-271-1464. See the district website for the Homeless Identification Information form under Special Programs.
Board Approves the 2020-2021 School Calendar
DORIS HOFFMAN EARLY LEARNING CENTER
- Tuition-Based services for children ages 3-5
- Title-I services for children ages 3-5 (students must qualify to attend)
- Early Childhood Special Education for children ages 3-5 (students must qualify to attend)
- Parents as Teachers Program for families with children from birth-age 5
COLEMAN ELEMENTARY
NIKE ELEMENTARY
ROBERTSVILLE ELEMENTARY
TRUMAN ELEMENTARY
ZITZMAN ELEMENTARY
PACIFIC INTERMEDIATE
RIVERBEND MIDDLE SCHOOL
PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL
Pacific High School JAG students will be hosting a series of technology trainings for area senior citizens during the second semester. Classes will begin in January and conclude in April of 2020. Students will teach seniors how to better use their phones, tablets, kindles, and laptop computers. The technology sessions will be held at First State Community Bank in cooperation with the Jefferson-Franklin County Community Action Corporation. First State Community Bank is located at 302 W St Louis Street in Pacific. Area seniors wanting to participate in the technology classes should contact Jean Sotomayor, Community Programs Specialist, at 636-207-0847 extension 127.
Photo Credit: Dean Penberthy; JAG Teacher
January Events
- 3rd- Boy's Basketball Alumni Game at Pacific High School at 7 p.m.
- 6th- School Resumes
- 8th- Late Start Day
- 17th- No School/Professional Development Day
- 20th- No School/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Meramec Valley R-III School District
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