TOMAHAWK TRIBUNE
MVR-III BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWS & MORE
January 2020
Board of Education Recognitions
A student run Christmas Tree Charity Event was held during the month of December. The trees were located across from Pacific Intermediate. The community was invited to view the trees and vote for their favorite tree. First Place: Chartwells, Second Place: Traci Dewert's Dewert Debaters Autism Classroom. Third Place: Phil Hardcastle Soccer Foundation. $848.65 was raised for 18 trees. Ms. Genetta Tomnitz was the faculty sponsor of the event.
School Bus Poster Contest
In October, the elementary and middle schools joined the district's initiative to focus on school bus safety. Students participated in a school bus safety poster contest. The top three posters from the schools were recognized. Art teachers that assisted with this project include; Jenny Devine from Coleman Elementary, Stacey Johnson & Gretchen McWherter from Pacific Intermediate, and Emily Puls from Riverbend Middle School.
Elementary Winners- Devine
1st- Keira King of Coleman (4th grade)
2nd- Kelsey Muich of Coleman (1st grade)
3rd- Taylor Brown of Coleman (3rd grade)
Pacific Intermediate Winners- Johnson & McWherter
1st- Sofia Krehmeyer of PI (5th grade)
2nd- Ava Maxey of PI (5th grade)
3rd- Audrey Bedwell of PI (5th grade)
Riverbend Middle School Winners- Puls
1st- Bennett Parker
2nd- Katelynn Lopez
3rd- Lilya Pratte
District Architectural Structures
Pacific High School art students were challenged under the supervision of their instructor, Mari Hall, with creating paintings of the district architectural structures in their Art Seminar class. The students created a painting of each school facility, including Central Office and the Community School. Paintings will be on display throughout the district and at First State Community Bank.
Artwork was completed by:
Maranda Allison, Joe Archer, Austin Brady, Katie Collins, Jacob Cooper, Danielle Gibson, Morgan Glass, Nick Haynes, Kylie Killbreath, Princess Magsigay, Alex (Kira) Maynard, Alexis Medrano, Skylar Meisel, Lillie Miller, Cassidy Molitor, Carly O’Mara, Kyle Peterson, Claire Rossomanno, Dyala Salameh, Danielle Sokeland, Jonah Sprick, Luke Sprick, Riley (Abby) Stepp
1st Place Winner of the Christmas Tree Forest
2nd Place Winner of the Christmas Tree Forest
3rd Place Winner of the Christmas Tree Forest
School Bus Poster Contest Winners
Public Gift
Pictured from left: Dean Penberthy, JAG Teacher; Gretchen Robinson; Backpack Program Coordinator, Kayla and Bill White Jr. of Aurora Technologies
Student Artwork
School District Finances
January Public Gifts
- $250 was donated by an anonymous donor for the Riverbend nurse's office
- $400 was donated by the Masonic Home of Missouri for coats & shoes for Coleman Elementary students
- $500 was donated by Patsy Baker in memory of David Wells for the Zitzman Elementary negative lunch program
- $95 was donated by Zach & Sarah Brooks, Linda Wells, Blanche Wells, and Ron & Jodi Suerig in honor of Patsy Baker for the Zitzman Elementary negative lunch program
- $1,500 was donated to the PHS JAG Program by Aurora Technologies
- $437.50 was donated to the Weekend Backpack Program by Aurora Technologies
- $250 was donated by Show Me Auto Body for the Pacific Intermediate negative lunch program
Public Gifts like these are making a big impact on negative student lunch accounts. 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.
2017 Bond Issue
In the Spring of 2017, the Meramec Valley School District approved the sale of $11,750,000 of bonds for various projects and construction. All construction projects, technology enhancements and identified purchases have either been completed or are being finalized at this time. Completed projects include the following: Doris Hoffman Early Learning Center, Riverbend Middle School Roofing Project, Security Cameras, Technology Equipment, School Buses, Technology Infrastructure, Windows at Coleman Elementary, and HVAC upgrades at PHS , Truman, and Zitzman Schools.
At Meramec Valley R-III School District, we take great pride in our ability to concentrate our funding where it will do the most good, while also being efficient with taxpayer dollars. We have a great respect for every cent provided to us by the taxpayers. Thank you for helping us provide great schools for our students.
Special Board Workshop Scheduled
Student Achievement
District Initiative
Reimagine MVR-III is a one-year engagement process designed to review and evaluate all aspects of the district’s programming in grades 7-12. Redesign teams have been meeting to evaluate existing programming and approaches currently in place, while exploring possible programming changes. Teams are exploring topics such as: work-based/career education, scheduling, social/emotional supports, course options, grading practices, and more. Redesign teams consist of students, parents, community members, school board, administrators, and school staff. These teams will begin the next phase of the process, which includes a “student for a day experience” and time spent visiting other schools and programs.
'Summer Discovery' -Summer School Program is Coming to MVR-III
This summer, MVR-III summer school students will have the opportunity to become scientist and mathematicians while exploring nature during weekly off-campus learning trips. The Summer Discovery, summer school program will encompass many of the same summer school features as in the past, while including more of what students enjoy in a summer camp experience. Enrollment is free to students entering kindergarten through eighth grade with registration beginning in the spring.
- Save the Date: June 1 - June 26 (Monday-Friday: regular school hours with SACC available)
- Weekly field trips
- Attendance Incentives
- Free Bus Service
We hope your student will join us for Summer Discovery summer school for 20 days of learning and excitement!
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
What Parents Can Expect
- Students with No Concerns- Parent will get an electronic message or phone call reporting student progress.
- Students with Concerns- An in-person meeting will be scheduled to discuss student growth opportunities and plan for 4th quarter.
Grade reports are emailed to 3rd-12th grade parents on the 1st and 15th of each month to assist parents in tracking their student's progress. Parents also have access to our Student Information System (SIS Parent Portal) which allows a daily view of student grades, attendance, and meal accounts. We do encourage parents to contact their student's teacher or counselor if there is an area of concern.
How Parents Can Help Their Student Be Successful:
- Set goals for improvement
- Plan how to meet the goal
- Talk about the goal
- Enforce a routine
- Promote good eating and sleeping habits
Pacific High School
Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps Earns State Title
The Pacific HS JROTC varsity marksmanship team captured the 2020 Missouri State Title at the January 16th Missouri Military Academy Meet in Mexico, MO. Lead by team captain Amanda Benetin, cadets took down more than 20 other teams from nearly every corner of the state at this three day competition. Leamia Perez, Julia Thomas, and Lucas Hicks rounded out the team each shooting superior scores. Further, Amanda, who was the 2019 Individual Missouri State Champion, pulled off yet another state title winning by just two points. The team now prepares to travel to Ft Benning, Georgia this Wednesday as they compete in the United States Army Marksmanship Championship. Any business or citizen wishing to help sponsor the PHS JROTC Marksmanship Championship trip, please contact Ketina Armstrong at 636-271-1400.
Speech Team Earns First Place
Congratulations to the speech team for their first-place finish in the January 16th Four Rivers Conference meet. Every Pacific student placed at the meet. The PHS Speech Team is coached by Mr. Ed Kappeler. Photo credits: Jennifer Nahm
Special acknowledgement to the following students who won their competition rooms:
Jay Nahm, Dramatic Interpretation
Emerson Steger, Humorous Interpretation
Emma Patton, Prose Reading
Maddie Cook & Emma Patton, Duo Interpretation
Josh Liebhart & Maddie Cook, Duet Acting
Khloe Hedrick, Poetry Reading
Emerson Steger, Radio Speaking
PHS JROTC
PHS Speech Team
Riverbend Middle School
Pacific Intermediate
Coleman Elementary
Nike Elementary
Nike students collected items to donate to the Franklin County Humane Society. After the donation drive, Purina Farms visited the school as part of their Pets in the Community Program. Students learned about dog breeds, responsible pet ownership, and how to handle animals. They also ran an agility course and watched a dog show.
Truman Elementary
Robertsville Elementary
As of January 21st, the 100th Day of School is scheduled for February 5th.
Zitzman Elementary
What do you do with holiday boxes and recyclable materials? Well, if you're a second grade student at Zitzman Elementary, you make instruments and parade through the school hallways. Creating musical instruments out of recycled household materials is a fun, cheap, and easy do-it-yourself project. Best of all, students are not limited to what they can make! Encourage your student to craft a musical instrument out of recycled materials in any way they can imagine.
Creativity is contagious, pass it on.
Albert Einstein
Upcoming District Events:
Jan. 24th- Java with John at Little Ireland Coffee
Jan. 25th- Piano's for Purpose
Feb. 4th- Kindergarten Registration
Feb. 5th- School Counselor Appreciation Day/100th Day of School
Feb. 12th- Late Start
Feb. 14th- No School/Professional Development Day
Feb. 17th- No School/President's Day
Feb. 19th- School Cook Appreciation Day
MVR-III SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: karmstrong@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: www.mvr3.k12.mo.us
Phone: 636-271-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mvr3.socs.net/
Twitter: @DistrictMVR3