METRO ACADEMIC AND CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL RANKED AMONG TOP 50 IN THE NATION

Newsweek Magazine has ranked Metro Academic and Classical High School as one of the 100 best schools in the country! According to the magazine, Metro ranks 48th in the United States. The rankings are based on the number of students who took Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams in 2004. “We strive to develop in each student a hunger for academic and personal excellence and an appreciation for all cultures,” said principal Wilfred Moore.

Metro’s students traditionally graduate with exceptional standardized tests scores. It is home to National Merit and National Achievement finalists, averaging two to four finalists yearly.This year, Metro has produced five National Merit finalists and two National Achievement finalists.

Since its 1971 beginning, Metro has developed into a school that successfully prepares its students for college. The school provides a unique flavor of small classroom instruction coupled with dynamic community partnerships. “Metro serves as a model for the degree of excellence we intend to achieve in each one of our St. Louis Public Schools,” said Superintendent Creg Williams.

SHEPARD ELEMENTARY IS 2005 GOLD STAR SCHOOL

For the second time, Shepard Accelerated Elementary School has been crowned a Gold Star School by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The school was honored May 2 in Jefferson City for its exemplary academic programs, student achievement and community involvement. The school received Gold Star status in 1996 and was also named a Blue Ribbon School in 1997.

The judging was based on the following eight categories: student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and learning; professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family and community partnerships and indicators of success.

Carol Hall-Whittier, principal, said “Everything we do here benefits the children. Although it is our second time around, it still feels marvelous and it shows how hard the parents, teachers and our community members work together.”


22ND ANNUAL SLPS CAREER FAIR IS SUCCESS

Approximately 9,000 eighth grade city and county students attended the 22nd Annual Career Fair held May 10 and 11 at America’s Center. Since 1982, the fair has attracted over 160,000 students.

Susan Katzman, director of Career and Technical Education, said the fair traditionally prepares students to seriously think about their work lives. Over 800 representatives and 250 booths were on hand. Some of the participating companies included IBM, Dierberg’s Family Markets, St. Louis Hair Academy, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Walgreens.


ROOSEVELT STUDENTS WIN SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS

In the Missouri Stock Market Game, Roosevelt students Anthony Bailey, Rashaad Baldwin and Christopher Johnson were first place winners. There were a total of 1,166 participating teams.

Roosevelt’s valedictorian Roger Hausmann won a $10,000 four-year scholarship to the University of Missouri- St. Louis. Roger finished second in the Scholarship Division of UMSL’s entrepreneurship competition. In the same competition, senior Anthony Bailey won third place in the Seed Money Division. He received a $500 United States Savings Bond.

VASHON’S BASKET BALL TEAM AND COMPTON-DREW STUDENTS FEED AREA FAMILIES

The Vashon High School varsity basketball team and members of Compton-Drew’s National Junior Honor Society helped feed hundreds of families on May 2. The event “Feed the Children; Rappers Feed the City” was sponsored by national organization Feed the Children, Nelly’s 4SHO4KIDS Foundation and Centennial Christian Church. Volunteers distributed giveaway items which included non-perishable goods, hygiene products and dairy goods.

SAVE THE DATE

Ames Visual and Performing Arts Elementary will present their 4th Annual Art Fair on Thursday, May 19. The festivities start at 5 p.m. with a barbecue dinner, artwork viewing and silent auction. Live auction starts at 6 p.m. For information, call the school at 241-7165. SLPS’ 21st Century Learning Communities will host an appreciation banquet Wednesday, May 25 at 5 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Select. For more info, contact Yvette Gilleylen at 345-4409.

BRAVO CORNER

Clarence Ward, principal at Simmons-Marshall Magnet Elementary, received the Dean’s Award for Lifetime Service to Education from the University of Missouri-
St. Louis. St. Louis Teachers and School Related Personnel Local 420 Union honored Kathleen Hesse and Dianna Hart as employees of the year. Congratulations to McKinley Classical Junior Academy’s chess team. They placed 21st out of 73 teams in the supernationals tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. Kudos are extended to captain Ryan Eversole, Joseph Peraud, Zach Claus, Nathaniel Henry, Aaron Chunn and Alicia Brown.

COMING SOON …

The Clear K-8 curriculum for elementary and middle school teachers will roll out May 23 through June 1. There will be a series of overview sessions introducing the new curriculum. CLEAR stands for Content Specifications that Lead to Expected Achievement Results. Parents are invited. Principals have further details. For more information, call Joyce Roberts, assistant superintendent for professional development, at 345-4401.