Saint Louis Public Schools

SLPS Spotlight News

News Edition                                                                                   October 12, 2012

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SLPS has important news to share with its community. From recognizing student accomplishments, announcing teacher recognitions and promoting upcoming events, Spotlight News fills a critical role by sharing District news with more than 4,500 people across the city, including reporters, community partners, elected officials, parents, and SLPS faculty and staff.  To submit information to be included in the next edition, please contact Julie Linder by calling (314) 345-2367 or via email at Julie.Linder@slps.org

SLPS News

SLPS Students Named “Do the Right Thing” Recipients

Two SLPS students have been honored as “Do the Right Thing” Award Recipients. Please congratulate:

·         Ameir Hutcherson, Nance Elementary School

·         Kymberly Law, Woerner Elementary School

Established in 1994, the “Do the Right Thing” initiative works to develop and promote positive social behavior in the youth of the St. Louis community.

Governor Appoints Paula Knight to Coordinating Board for Early Childhood

Governor Jay Nixon has appointed Paula D. Knight (SLPS) to the Coordinating Board for Early Childhood. A prestigious and well deserved appointment, the Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood is the state's public/private entity for coordinating a cohesive system of early childhood programs and services. The board’s long-term goal will result in the healthy development of and high quality education for all Missouri children from birth through age five.

Paula is an associate superintendent for the St. Louis Public School District. Her responsibilities include direct supervision of all elementary school principals as well as supervision of the Curriculum & Instruction and Early Childhood Education departments.

Northwest Academy Students Win Entrepreneurship Contest

Congratulations to Yasmine Binion and Chauncea McGee for winning 1st-Place in the YW-Teens Emerging Entrepreneurs Institute Elevator Pitch Competition at the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.  These ladies had 1-2 minutes to pitch a new business concept for a teen clothing store called Y and C Clothing Studio.  Markeisha Brown and Diamond Reece won 3rd-Place for their purse business and design called Kandy Koated.  Both teams received $200 total.  All four students are sophomores, and attend Northwest Academy of Law High School where they are studying Entrepreneurship in their Introduction to Business course, taught by Ms. Veronica Powell, CTE Instructor. 

SLPS Awarded Literacy Grant

The St. Louis Public Schools has been awarded $710,097 from the U.S. Department of Education to implement the first year of a two-year literacy project, the “We Love Reading!” Book Club. The project, to be implemented in the district’s 16 lowest performing elementary schools, will increase literacy skills, upgrade library collections, integrate digital learning technologies into the literacy curriculum, and build strong literacy-related connections among the classroom, the library media center, and the home. The Book Club, serving students in kindergarten through grade 2, will meet four times each month—twice in the library media center, under the direction of the library media specialist, and twice in the classroom, under the direction of the classroom teacher and with assistance from trained parent volunteers. Each participating elementary library media center will be equipped with four classroom sets of e-readers (24 readers each). Each e-reader will be loaded with feature selections as well as a wide-range of other e-books for each grade level. Approximately 1,536 e-books will be purchased for each school. In addition, approximately 40 K-2 parents from each participating elementary school will be trained through the district’s new Parent University to serve as trained “storytellers” within their families, in the classroom, and in the school and community libraries. “We Love Reading!” family literacy circles featuring one or more Book Club selections will be held evenings at each of the 13 branches of the St. Louis Public Library. Each literacy circle will feature trained parent “storytellers” reading feature selections and offering a family-centered literacy activity.

OfficeMax Honors 5 District Teachers

There were smiles all around as OfficeMax representatives visited five (5) St. Louis Public School District (SLPS) schools to present “A Day Made Better” awards to unsuspecting teachers.  Each of the five teachers received $1,000 in school supplies as part of OfficeMax’s school advocacy program.

Yeatman Middle Competes For $150,000

The students, parents, staff and community of Yeatman Middle School cordially invite you to join them in their efforts to win $150,000 from U.S. Cellular in the Calling All Communities contest. Between now and October 21^st, Yeatman will be competing with more than 600 schools across the country for a share of $1 Million. You can help Yeatman in their efforts by casting your vote for them during this time period.

Rotary Young Citizens Awards 2012 2013

The Rotary Club of St. Louis today presented the Young Citizen Award to 28 high school seniors in the St. Louis Public School District. The award winners were nominated by their respective principals. The Rotary Club of St. Louis has now presented the Young Citizen Award for three years to SLPS seniors.

Upcoming Events

Innovative Concept Academy Open House

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2012

Time: 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

    (Classroom tours and refreshments-5:45)

Address: 1927 Cass Ave. – St. Louis, MO

National Lights On After School Celebration

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2012

Time: 8:30 a.m.

 Location: Gateway Elementary School

·         Re-max with tether a helium balloon

·         Rose Anderson Rice, Assist. Director United 4 Children will explain purpose of the event and introduce dignitaries and special guest

·         Mayor Francis Slay will speak

·         Gateway Elementary students will release 100 yellow balloons kicking of the event in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Educator Appreciation Days

Barnes & Noble is hosting Educator Appreciation Days through Oct 21st.  During this time all SLPS educators are invited to enjoy 25% off of most items in the store.   It is a great time to get some of your winter holiday shopping done at a super discount as toys, games, calendars, accessories, and books are included.  There are even special discounts just for educators on several of the NOOK e-readers.  To take advantage of this discount, visit the Ladue Barnes & Noble Store, 8871 Ladue Road, Ladue, MO 63124.

Soldan to Host Naturalization Ceremony

The court is expecting around 50 new American citizens to be naturalized during this ceremony.   Students from Soldan will participate in the ceremony as well as observe the ceremony from the opening of the court, the swearing in, and the closing of the court.  This is a ceremony that most people never get to witness during their lifetime and this will be the third time Soldan students get to witness and participate in this event.

Family Literacy and Math Celebration

Date: Saturday, November 10th, 2012

Time:                     Continental Breakfast 8:30 a.m.—9:00 a.m.

                                Literacy and Math Sessions 9:15 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Locations:            Carnahan High School, 4041 S. Broadway

Gateway Complex, #4 Gateway Drive

Mullanphy Elementary, 4221 Shaw Blvd.

Nance Elementary, 8959 Riverview Blvd.

Details: Learn creative ways to engage your child’s understanding of literacy and math skills!

Prepare for the MAP test!

Discover information about healthy eating!

Activities for families of students in 3rd through 8th grade!

FREE FOOD & GREAT PRIZES at each location!

FREE childcare for age two through second grade!

Northwest to Host Law Day

Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012

Time: 9:00- 11:00 A.M.

Location: Gym and Athletic Field at Northwest Academy, 5140 Riverview Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63120

Purpose: To introduce students to the many possible careers which are Law-related, we also want to introduce students to schools that are offering training for law-related fields.

The Participating Career Representatives: FBI, DEA, US Marshalls, Federal Probation Office Washington University School of Law, St. Louis School of Law, ACLU, and many more.

Save the date – Central VPA to perform “High School Musical”

Dates: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 – Friday, November 30, 2012

Time: Afternoon and evening performances

Location: Brand new Central VPA Theatre

Details:  The very talented Central VPA students will have you and your students singing and dancing in the aisles.  Mark your calendars now for this incredible event.  For more information, contact Maggie Schuh (314) 771-2772 x 41211.

News Articles of Interest

·         Michael Ball • Gateway Tech football

·         First Graders Get Balls In School

·         Parents like to see how high schools measure up in national rankings

·         Nicastro to charter schools: Lessons can be learned from Imagine closures

·         Charter schools must focus on academics and fiscal responsibility

·         Public School Guitar Initiative gives again

·         North County Woman Honored for Being Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisan

·         Letter from Special Administrative Board to Commissioner Chris Nicastro

·         Meet Nicole Williams, deputy super for academic services at SLPS

·         Boeing helps sponsor Mercy Clinic at Roosevelt High

·         ‘Salute’ to foundation builders

·         Committing to education and community

·         Education Salute celebrates silver anniversary

·         State to review St. Louis district's accreditation

·          Adelaide Mahaffey Schlafly: Force for social justice

·         Union cooperation helped St. Louis schools progress, both sides say

·         SLPS Superintendent Optimistic About Accreditation | St. Louis ...

·         St. Louis Public Schools

·         AFT president praises St. Louis schools' push toward accreditation

·         St. Louis schools and union pledge unity for provisional accreditation

·         Doretta A. Walker: education as community endeavor