• SLPS Spotlight News  
    January 18, 2013

     

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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 to Julie.Linder@slps.org

     

    SLPS News

    Three SLPS Students Honored as “Doing the Right Thing” Award Recipients

    Please congratulate the following three students for “Doing the Right Thing”:

     
    Chelsey Smith-Earl Nance Sr. Elementary School
    Chelsey understands how important it is to be responsible, and how it can affect so many people. So when she found money between seats on a bus being used for a field trip, she immediately turned it into the driver. The money belonged to a mother and son who lost it on their way to a luncheon. They were elated when it was returned to them. Then while still away on the same field trip, Chelsey found a ring under a table in a classroom at the Missouri History Museum. She immediately did the honest thing once again and turned the lost item into the appropriate people! Twice in one day, Chesley did the honorable thing!
     
    Chelsey Smith was honored for doing the right thing. Thanks to her integrity and responsible actions, valuable items that had been misplaced were properly returned to their rightful owners. Marilyn Jackson who nominated Chelsey stated, "Way to go Chelsey. Thank you for Doing the Right Thing two times in one day!!"
     
    Devin Smith-Gateway Middle School
    One day in front of school Devin suddenly found $50. Realizing it belonged to someone who would probably be frantic once they realized it was lost, he immediately turned it into an administrator. As it turned out, the money belonged to the husband of a teacher who had collected it for a special reason and never dreamed he'd get it back when he realized it was misplaced! Devin truly made a difference by turning in the money.
     
    Devin Smith was honored for doing the right thing. Thanks to his integrity and responsible actions, money was returned to its rightful owner! Phyllis Boehme who nominated him stated, "Devin immediately came into the office and reported that he had found the money. We were able to return the money, and it turned out to be the husband of one of our teachers."
     
    Emilia Vargas-Dewey International Studies School
    Emilia is in kindergarten and works hard at school every day, and also enjoys her fellow classmates. Emilia is always willing to help others and shows compassion every day. Whenever anyone needs help of any kind, Emilia gladly pitches in to lend assistance. Emilia is a very good student who is a wonderful role model for her friends and fellow students. She not only cares about being successful herself, but cares about others!
     
    Emilia Vargas was honored for doing the right thing. Thanks to her positive actions and acts of kindness, fellow students benefit at school each and every day. Megan Freer who nominated her stated, "Emilia's unyielding compassion and empathy for her friends speaks volumes about the sweet, generous and kind little girl she is. I am proud to have Emilia in my classroom."

     

    Dewey International Studies Elementary School Named a Fuel Up to Play 60 Touchdown School

    Dewey International Studies Elementary School has earned the right to be called a Touchdown School through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.  Fuel Up to Play 60 created the honor to recognize schools with Program Advisors who lead their community toward positive change. This tiered recognition program invites schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 to earn building‐wide rewards for completing steps 1‐3, steps 1‐5 and all Six Steps. Dewey has proudly completed all six steps and has hung their Touchdown School banner in the school hallway to congratulate students and continue to motivate them to live a healthy lifestyle. 

     

    Central VPA Students Give Back Through Artistic Talents in The Memory Project

    This year, artistic students at Central VPA have the distinct privilege of participating in The Memory Project, a unique initiative in which art students create portraits for children and teens around the world who have been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged, and who tend to have few personal keepsakes.

     
    The student artists received photos of children in an orphanage in Vietnam to create portraits, which the Memory Project staff will then deliver to the children as gifts.
     
    “Our students are working to provide them with special memories that represent a slice of their own life story. For our art students, this is an opportunity to practice kindness and service to others, and to reach across international boundaries through their artwork,” said Mr. William Perry, Art Department Instructor, who coordinated the project.

     

    SLPS Raises Funds for United Way
    The St. Louis Public School District would like to thank students, faculty and staff for raising     $36,650.20 for United Way.  The top three schools, which raised the most money for the cause, are:

    ·         Roosevelt High School $2,545

    ·         McKinley CLA $2,281

    ·         Mel Carnahan High School of the Future $1,684

     

    Office Professional Support Staff Scholarship Winners

    The District would like to congratulate Annette Gilbert, Erica McAdoo and LaVeka Hall for being named the recipients of the Office Professional Support Staff Scholarship.  Gilbert received a $500 award and was named the Sgt Cecil Jenkins Safety Officer Scholarship recipient. She is a safety officer I with special services. McAdoo is the $800 recipient and currently works as a budget analyst in the Budget Office. Hall is the $700 award recipient and is a special education  instructional and care aide. As a result, these dedicated professionals will receive scholarship monies to pursue post-secondary education career enhancement opportunities. The Office Professional Support Staff Scholarship promotes academic excellence, higher education and professional advancement.

     

    Upcoming Events

    Parent Assembly Meeting

    Date: Thursday, January 24

    Time: 6:00pm gathering 6:30 meeting begins

    Location: Metro Academic & Classical High School, 4015 McPherson

    Guest Speaker: Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of Schools

     

    Special Administrative Board Meeting

    Date: Thursday, February 21

    Time: 6:00pm

    Location: 801 N. 11th St., Room 108

     

    News Articles of Interest

    ·         St. Louis Public Schools Names Preschool Teacher Of The Year

    ·         Preschool teacher named teacher of the year

    ·         Inaugural of Gov. Jay Nixon kicks off with worship service, parade

    ·         NAACP, SLPS partner on early education

    ·         Missouri Gov. Nixon discusses early childhood education

    ·         Robot Competition Powers Up In St. Louis

    ·         Nixon starts new term as governor with call for bipartisanship

    ·         $4.2 million grant targets children in two ZIP codes in north STL

    ·         St. Louis Public Schools Names Preschool Teacher Of The Year

    ·         JANUARY - LIVING THE PAST

    ·         Jeremy Resmann wins science teacher award | ksdk.com

    ·         2012 SLPS Secondary Science Teacher of the Year Award - St ...

          ·        Robot Competition Powers Up In St. Louis

    ·         Former chancellor Danforth wins St. Louis Award for service

          ·        St. Louis Board of Education Rejects Calls For Armed Teachers

          ·        NAACP, SLPS partner on early education

     

    Photos of the Week

    college graduation

    Congratulations to JAZMINE O & KAL-EL Q WATERS-JONES who graduated from U of South Alabama (USA), Mobile, on Dec 15.
     

    Jazmine received a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the Mitchell College of Business at USA. Kal-El received a BS in Geography with a certification in Geographical Information Systems from the Department of Earth Sciences at USA.  Both graduated from Sumner H S and are members of the alumni association.  Many know them from Herbert Hoovers Boys & Girls Club, Blues Track Club and scouting.

     
    Jazmine attended Farragut Elem, Mason Elem, Shaw Elem, Carr Lane Middle, and Sumner.  Kal-El attended Farragut Elem, Mason Elem, Bunche Middle and Sumner.

     

    Opportunities

    Money Smart Week 2013 Essay Contest

    In support of Money Smart Week 2012, taking place April 21-28 in the Metro St. Louis area, the Money Smart Week – St. Louis Metro Development Committee will be sponsoring a Money Smart Kid Essay Contest. Students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to answer this year’s Money Smart Question (CLICK FLYER BELOW) with an essay of 300 words or less. The finalists will be asked to attend the Money Smart Kick-Off breakfast on April 20. One student will be named this year’s Money Smart Kid, winning a $1500 scholarship from COUNTRY Financial. Two $250 scholarships will be awarded to the runner-ups, also sponsored by COUNTRY Financial. MSW Kid St. Louis(pdf)

     

    Big Red Line Cheerleader Art Contest

    To encourage students in their pursuit of art and to encourage community support of art programs in our schools, the Big Red Line Cheerleaders Alumni is inviting local high school student ages 16-18 years to submit original art work of the Big Red Line Cheerleaders for the purpose of finding a student to lead a team of fellow artists in the creation of a e-comic book about the Big Red Line Cheerleaders, which will be released for free in PDF format July 3, 2013 in conjunction with a web-series and e-book, The History of the Big Red Line.

    We invite each high school student ages 16-18 that lives and attends school in the St Louis City or County limits, to compete.  Deadline for Submissions: February 28, 2013. More details can be found at http://www.bigredline.org/contest.htm.