SEVEN SLPS TEACHERS RECEIVE EMERSON ELECTRIC’S EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

For 16 years, Emerson Electric has honored local educators for their excellent work inside the classroom. This year, the St. Louis Public Schools has seven teachers who received crystal apples for their superb teaching abilities and dedication to students.

The program traditionally honors teachers from public, private and parochial schools from all educational levels in Missouri and Illinois. The winners are nominated by their school administrators.

The St. Louis Public Schools has a long history of having teachers recognized in the Emerson Apple for the Teacher Award program.

We congratulate the following teachers for their accomplishments:

Karen M. Bequette- Froebel School
Patricia Hubbard- Gateway Elementary
Jo Anne E. Lombardo- Bunche Middle
Martine Bates McGul- Herzog School
Marsha Y. Merry- McKinley Classical Junior Academy
Rose Marie Nester- Euclid/Washington Montessori
Mariann Powers- Shaw Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School.

THREE DISTRICT TEACHERS RECEIVE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION

St. Louis Public Schools teachers Amber Stevenson, Deborah Schmidt and Pamela
Bledsoe have earned advanced certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

They are among thirty-seven teachers state- wide who recently received the credentials.
Based in Arlington, VA the national standards board is referred to as “ a symbol of professional teaching excellence.” The independent nonprofit organization is primarily governed by a board of directors who are teachers.

The school district teachers are Amber Stevenson, member of the New Leaders Program (training program for SLPS principals); Deborah Schmidt, Cleveland Naval Junior ROTC Academy; and Pamela Bledsoe, Dewey International Studies Elementary School.

The state of Missouri currently has 287 teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Nationwide, approximately 47,500 teachers are certified.

KITTY ANN DAVIS IS REMEMBERED AS DEDICATED TEACHER

Kitty Ann Davis, a former teacher at Ames Visual and Performing Arts Elementary, was killed in a fatal car accident Tuesday, Nov. 29.

She was funeralized Sunday, Dec. 4. Davis taught fifth grade and was known for her dedication and enthusiam. “She was inquisitive and always worked on enhancing her teaching,” said principal Javeeta Parks. “She really cared about her students and was very pleasant to work with.”

Davis taught in the St. Louis Public Schools for 16 years.

STUDENT HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE SCHEDULED AT DEC. 13 BOARD MEETING

At the St. Louis Board of Education meeting on Dec. 13, three schools will usher in the holiday cheer with singing and dancing. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts dancers, Lyon Elementary School choir and the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School show choir will perform. The regularly scheduled board meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Also, Soldan International Studies High School student Kaylan Holloway will receive the “We’re up to Good Things” award for attending the National Youth Leadership Conference and for his letter to the Editor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Nov. 22nd issue. In his letter, he urges the editor to start printing positive aspects of the school district.

OVER 100 SLPS STUDENTS HAVE ART WORK SHOWN AT COMMUNITY GALLERY

Over 100 St. Louis Public Schools students had their art work shown at the Children’s Art Show at Unity Christ Church on Dec. 4. The show was entitled “Spirit Dreams: Out of Africa.”

Students from Oak Hill Elementary, Sumner High School and Monroe Elementary had their artwork displayed.

The Gallery is located at 33 North Skinker. The exhibit is being shown until the end of February.

GOOD NEWS CORNER…

Today, nationally recognized Laclede Elementary School will pay a visit to Del Haven and Hillside Manor Nursing Homes to spread some holiday cheer. The school has also adopted a family from the Post Dispatch’s 100 Neediest Cases. A total of $500 was raised and will be presented to the family. Students are also gearing up for a winter holiday program on Friday, Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the school. Kudos to St. Alexius Hospital for donating $1,000 to Carnahan Middle School. The money will go toward student uniforms… The SLPS nurses donated $530 to the Gateway Sickle Cell Disease Association in honor of Kathi Bowers- Williams, a former nurse at Gateway High School. Ms. Williams passed away in August, 2005. On Monday, Dec. 12, KMOV-TV’s “Do The Right Thing” will honor three SLPS students. Their stories are forthcoming on the station. Congrats to Beaumont High School’s Army JROTC cadets for earning the Honor Unit with Distinction designation. HUD is the highest award given to a high school for overall excellence. United States Army personnel from Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Washington University Army ROTC performed the inspection. A score of 96.2% was earned!