Nipher Knight News
Weekly Update: April 3, 2024
Good afternoon, Nipher Families!
We hope your week is off to a great start. As we look ahead to the rest of the week, we just have one reminder: Tomorrow is a STUCO sponsored Spirit Day! Help us cheer on our Redbirds as they face the Miami Marlins in their home opener. Wear your favorite Cardinals shirt, jersey, and hats to show your STL spirit!
Don't forget: Monday, April 8th is the Solar Eclipse viewing and will be a Friday schedule. Continue reading below for timeline and safety reminders, as well as many other important updates.
Nipher PTO Wants YOU to Join Us Tonight!
Please join us at our next meeting, which will be tonight, Wednesday, April 3rd in Nipher Library at 6:00 PM! We'll see you there :) If you can't make the meeting you can sign up for a board position or one of our committees using this link or by scanning the QR code.
Are you looking for ways to get involved?? Look no further! The Nipher PTO is happily accepting parents and guardians interested in joining this wonderful organization. The PTO will be hard at work with many special events for the remainder of this year, as well as planning for next year. They are also in need of parents/guardians interested in serving on the PTO Board for next year.
Upcoming Week at a Glance: 4/8 - 4/12
Solar Eclipse Viewing Reminder, 4/8
For information about the eclipse, please continue reading this special edition newsletter from Dr. Dickinson or visit the district website.
An exciting astronomical event is coming to Missouri! The southeast region of the state will experience a total solar eclipse. Here in Kirkwood, 98.8% of the sun will be covered by the moon. The deepest part of the eclipse will be at about 2:00 PM. Schools will share specific information with families in the coming weeks.
Today is National Paraprofessionals Day!
Happy Paraprofessionals' day! Paras often provide teachers with administrative support, work with students outside of the classroom, and provide one-on-one support for students who have disabilities or special educational needs. Please take a moment to thank our wonderful paraprofessionals and classroom assistants. Nipher would not be the same without them!
National School Librarian Appreciation Day, 4/4
Tomorrow is National School Librarian Appreciation Day, and we are so very grateful for our very own, Mrs. Christy White! This day is observed to recognize all of those who keep school libraries well-stocked and in perfect order. School Librarians encourage reading inside and outside of academic texts, spend long hours keeping the library organized and decorated, and are often the first to seek resources for student learning. We simply could not do it without them!
Nipher vs. NKMS Soccer Games Next Tuesday, 4/9
8th Grade Class Photo Next Friday, 4/12
Parents and Guardians of our 8th grade students:
We wanted to share that Wagner Portrait Group will be at Nipher next Friday afternoon to take the annual class portrait for the 23-24 school year. The 8th grade group photo will be taken during Homeroom at 2:40 p.m. Remind your student to bring their smile! :)
Nipher Track Meeting Upcoming, 4/30
Date: Tuesday, April 30th at 4:00 PM
Location: Alvin Miller Track, Kirkwood High School
Practice Dates: April 16-25th (T, W, Th only) between 3:00-3:55 PM (Activity Bus will be available)
Eligibility Requirements:
Permission slip must be turned in to Wellness Department. QR codes have been placed around the building for your student to sign up. Please have them find one and use their school iPad!
No OSS (out of school suspension) or ISS (in school suspension) in April.
It is not required, but it would be helpful for athlete to attend grade-level practices.
With any questions, please reach out to Coach Grana at Tony.Grana@kirkwoodschools.org.
Switching Schools Next Year?
Current Nipher students are automatically enrolled at Nipher (or KHS) for the 2024-2025 school year. If your student will not be attending a Kirkwood School District school this fall, please notify our Registrar, Mrs. Annette Lanier via email at Annette.Lanier@kirkwoodschools.org.
We will make sure final transcripts are sent to the new school and that your student is removed from our enrollment list for next year. Thank you!
Fingerprinting Now Available at Turner Building
In an effort to increase accessibility for employees and volunteers when completing required fingerprints, the Kirkwood School District is now partnered with Idemia (aka IdentoGo) to make the administrative offices within the Turner Building an approved fingerprinting site. Registration is required and, due to demand, we are unable to take walk-ins. Appointments are available online, and instructions can be found on the District website here.
There continues to be a cost of $41.75 to complete the fingerprinting; this is the standard fee for all fingerprinting and cannot be reduced per KSD's agreement with Idemia. Fingerprint background checks are kept on file by the state for five years. As a reminder, in compliance with state law, any volunteer that has the potential to work alone with students must do the following:
Complete a volunteer application.
Authorize the District to conduct a background check through the Family Care Safety Registry. There is a $15.25 fee to register with the Family Care Safety Registry.
Register to have your fingerprints taken. There is a $41.75 fee to run the fingerprint-based check.
For additional information about the Volunteer Process, including FAQs, click here.
Recipe of the Week!
Thank you to those of you who turned in recipes to share with Nipher Families. Here is the first recipe, and it looks really yummy:
The Best Pumpkin Cake Ever
Ingredients: 1 2/3 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon (clove and ginger if you have it), 3/4 teaspoon salt, 2 eggs, 1 can pumpkin, 1/2 cup canola or olive oil, 1/2 cup water Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all of the wet ingredients in a bowl (including sugar, which is a wet ingredient). Mix all of the dry ingredients in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. If it looks too runny, you can add a bit more flour slowly. Pour into a rectangle-shaped baking pan. Bake for about 45 minutes (check at 30-35 minutes in case it cooked faster than you expected). Enjoy!
Note from the Norris Family: It is our family's favorite cake. We make it all the time. You can also substitute banana for pumpkin, or add chocolate chips.
Upcoming KSD & Nipher Events:
- April 3: PTO meeting @ 6:00 PM, Nipher Library
- April 8: Solar Eclipse Viewing, District-Wide
April 9: Nipher vs. NKMS Soccer Game at KHS (Girls @ 3:15 PM, Boys @ 4:15 PM)
April 10: Nipher's Vocal Music and Drama Field Trip
April 11: 6th Grade Explo Rotation 3 Begins
April 12: 8th Grade Class Photo, 2:40 PM
April 15: 8 North Field Trip to Holocaust Museum
April 16: 8th Grade SOAR Field Trip
April 17: 8th South Field Trip to Holocaust Museum
April 17: Nipher Orchestra Concert @ KHS, 6:30 PM
April 19: No School for Students
April 25: Jazz Festival @ KHS, 6:30 PM
April 26: Best Buddies Walk @ Nipher
April 30: North vs Nipher Track Meet @ KHS @ 4:00-5:00 PM
8th Grade Field Trips: 4/15 or 4/17, and 5/17
It's hard to believe that we are looking ahead to our end-of-year special events for our 8th graders. All of the information regarding these upcoming field trips to the Holocaust Museum and Six Flags has been shared. As a quick reminder:
- April 15: 8 North visits the Holocaust Museum
- April 17: 8 South visits the Holocaust Museum
- May 17: All 8th Grade visits Six Flags
Please view our newsletter for complete event details, payment deadlines, and much more!
Chat and Chew with the Superintendent, 4/21
KSD Early Years Fun Fest, 4/24
Attention, Kirkwood Families:
What: Celebration of Early Years Fun Fest!
Why: Join us for family fun geared towards our youngest learners. Enjoy hot dogs, activities, and games. All kids and families are welcome. In person kindergarten registration will also be available.
When: Wednesday, April 24 @ 4:30-6:30 PM
Where: Turner Building (1099 Milwaukee St.)
7th Grade Field Trip, 5/17
When: Friday, May 17th
Where: St. Louis City Museum
Details: Please view our newsletter for complete event details and other important details, including payment deadlines, volunteer opportunities, and more!
6th Grade Field Trip, 5/21
When: Tuesday, May 21st between 9:30 AM - 2:40 PM
Where: Main Event in Chesterfield
Details: Please view our newsletter for complete event details and important details, including payment deadlines and more!
Nipher Middle School: Let's Walk Together!
Join us for the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Kirkwood Park! This beloved event will be held on Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is so much more than just a walk — it brings people together, builds community, and celebrates inclusion. The funds raised also help ensure an even brighter future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities right here in Missouri.
Will you walk with us this year? Register today and join the fun!
Help us meet our goal of 20 registered walkers!
Kirkwood Summer Camps & Opportunities
Save the Dates for Summer Learning
With Summer Academy questions for incoming 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students, please reach out to:
Matthew Banks: Matthew.Banks@kirkwoodschools.org
Anissa Williams: Anissa.Williams@kirkwoodschools.org
Let's make it a great week, Knights!
About Nipher Middle School
Email: NipherNews@kirkwoodschools.org
Website: kirkwoodschools.org/nipher
Location: 700 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 213-6180
Twitter: @NipherMiddle