Book donation encourages students reading together, Bulletin Board

Reading together

A recent donation of books is strengthening a partnership between Crestview Middle and Rockwood Early Childhood. REACH PTO, the parent organization at Rockwood Early Childhood, along with the school, donated a wagon full of picture books to Crestview’s library. Jamie Rohde, REACH PTO president, and Dr. Michael Barla, Early Childhood director, delivered the books, accompanied by a group of preschool students and their teachers.

With the new books, middle school and preschool students will now have more choices as they participate in reading activities together.

“Our schools have been partnering together for reading for several years,” Barla said. “It’s a great opportunity for our preschool students to strengthen their literacy skills and social skills.”

Bridget DuMont, library media specialist at Crestview, said the new books are a welcomed addition to the library.

“We now have about 350 picture books in our library for preschool students,” DuMont said. “Our middle school library leaders really enjoy serving as role models to these young students, and all of our classes get excited about reading to the preschool students when they come to our school. This program is truly a win-win for Crestview and Rockwood Early Childhood.”

 

Recognizing volunteers

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School senior Sarah Sutherlin was selected as one of Missouri’s top High School Youth Volunteers in the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She was invited to Washington, D.C., in May to receive her award along with 100 other high school volunteers from around the country. Sutherlin personally raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society after the disease claimed both of her grandmothers.

“I joined the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in the hope that others won’t have to watch a loved one suffer from this awful disease,” Sutherlin said.

She also qualified for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.

 

Schools of Character

Chesterfield Elementary and LaSalle Springs Middle were named 2013 Missouri Schools of Character. These schools are two of only 15 schools in the state to earn a Missouri School of Character Award from the Character Education Partnership. State Schools of Character have demonstrated that their focus on character development has had a positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate.

“These schools have worked hard to earn this distinction and we’re excited for them to be recognized as a state model for school climate,” said Dr. Jane Brown, director of differentiated services.

 

Distinguished performance

Uttara Chakraborty, a home-schooled senior in Chesterfield, was declared a finalist in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program by demonstrating high potential for future academic accomplishment.

She also was named a Missouri state winner of the 2012-2013 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation that the College Board administered. The award recognizes the nation’s top achievers in the Advanced Placement program courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with a $2,000 college scholarship to one male and one female student in each state.

 

New principal

Heidi Hays was named as the new principal at St. John Lutheran School in Ellisville. Hays has served as interim principal since June of 2012. Prior to that, she taught at Whitfield for 14 years, served as an administrator at Barat Academy and provided professional development and curriculum consulting for schools across the country.

“St. John is a tremendous Christ-centered learning community,” Hays said. “I am glad to be part of the leadership team that will continue its tradition of academic excellence along with spiritual growth and leadership development for young people.”

 

Top honors for creativity

A video that seventh-grade students Becca Treat, Katherine Karsten, Kate Schrichte, Lina Qi and Nina Ruan created won top honors for creativity in the 2012 Show-Me a Movie Contest. Their video, “Acid Rain Dissolving the Future,” explains the problem of acid rain and how people can make a difference.

Teacher Caroline Podgornik said she was impressed with her students’ work.

“These young ladies did an excellent job sharing their ideas and listening to each other,” Podgornik said. “The result was the creation of a dynamic video with a real world message.”

Sponsored by Cooperating School Districts, Show-Me a Movie is a digital storytelling contest that provides students in grades two through 12 the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and digital movie making skills. The video, along with the other category winners, will be showcased at the annual Midwest Education Technology Conference.

Watch the video at rockwood.k12.mo.us.

 

Science finalists

Rockwood Summit seniors Madeline Driver and Fowzia Osman and Lafayette High senior David Wang achieved finalist standing in the Academy of Science St. Louis Science Fair.

Driver’s project was titled, “The Physical and Psychological Benefits on Individuals with Physical-Affecting Disabilities Using Equine-Assisted Therapy.”

Osman’s project, “The Role of cis-Regulatory Elements in Immunoglobulin Kappa Transcription and Recombination,” focused on a mutation that causes cancer.

Wang’s research project was titled, “Identification of Anti-Cancer Drug Targets through Two-Dimensional Enzyme Profiling.”

Through his research, he found that a project oriented specifically toward cancer could have benefits in other areas of research.

Teacher Shannon Campbell described Wang as an outstanding student.

“David is one of the brightest students that I have ever taught,” Campbell said. “He has excellent problem-solving skills and is very thorough and methodical in lab.”

In recognition of their achievements, the students each received a $1,000 scholarship.

 

Exemplary contributions

The Missouri Art Education Association selected Sandy Collins, coordinator of fine arts with the Parkway School District, as the 2013 Supervision and Administration award winner. The award recognizes exemplary contributions and service within the Supervision/Administration Division.

Collins works tirelessly on behalf of music, theater and visual arts programs in Parkway.  She helped develop Parkway’s MOSAICS Academy, a summer program to provide advanced experiences in art and music for elementary students. Always looking for ways to promote and recognize the work of students and teachers, she instigated the idea of a district-wide online “Virtual Gallery” showcasing the efforts of students, the first of its kind in the St. Louis area. In addition, Collins works in support of the All-District Art Show each spring at Queeny Park, which gives students the opportunity to have their work recognized.