From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
We Salute Our 2008 Gold Star Schools
For a second time, McKinley Classical Junior Academy and Metro High School have been honored as Missouri Gold Star Schools. In addition to meeting the academic performance criteria used to evaluate Blue Ribbon schools, McKinley and Metro had to provide evidence that they are using research-based strategies and practices to improve student achievement. Congratulations to both schools for this prestigious distinction!
Celebrating Career and Technical Education
February is National Career Education month, and the SLPS Division of Career and Technical Education planned several activities to celebrate it.
All district teachers in grades Pre-K to 12 received a February calendar that included daily career classroom activities for students. On February 22, seventh grade students attended fairs at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy and Gateway IT High School to learn about high school technical programs offered in the district. Throughout the month, eighth grade students visited local college campuses to learn about college admissions requirements and to gain an up close and personal look at college life.
Approximately 500 SLPS tenth, eleventh and twelfth graders had the opportunity to participate in job shadowing experiences at area businesses. By spending all or part of the day observing and interviewing workers in jobs that matched their interests, students had the opportunity to investigate potential careers. The goal of the shadowing program is to motivate the students to stay in school by showing them the skills required to enter the job market and/or to enroll in post-secondary courses. Some of the partners included Walgreens, BJC, Advantage Capital Partners and Cold Stone Creamery.
The annual Eighth Grade Career Awareness Fair will be held on March 4 and 5 at the America’s Center. This is the fair’s 25th anniversary. 7,500 city and county students will attend the popular and highly successful event. About 800 business role models representing 125 businesses and organizations will be participating.
Superintendent’s Town Hall Meetings
The revised facilities recommendations for the 2008/2009 school year will be announced next week at two town hall meetings. The new recommendations are a direct result of the feedback received from parents, teachers and students during several community forums held in February. Public comments will be heard following the presentation.
Dates, times and locations:
• Monday, March 3: Carr Lane VPA Middle School, 1004 North Jefferson Avenue
• Tuesday, March 4: Roosevelt High School, 3230 Hartford Street
Public comments may be submitted online at www.slps.org, by calling (314) 331-6100, or by writing to: Operations Division, St. Louis Public Schools, 801 N. 11th St., St. Louis, MO 63101.
MetLife Foundation Seeks Nominations for Ambassadors In Education Award
The MetLife Foundation is looking for great leaders in the St. Louis Public Schools. The 2008 Ambassadors In Education Award will recognize middle and high school principals who have demonstrated commitment to their schools and community by engaging parents, neighborhoods, local businesses, and nonprofit and government organizations.
All middle and high school principals in the district are eligible to apply. Winners receive a $5000 grant for the school to help it continue building community networks. Nominations are due March 7. For more information and nomination forms, visit www.ncl.org/metlife/index/html.
Past SLPS recipients of the award include Dr. Thomas Cason, principal at Soldan International Studies High School and Andrea Walker, former principal of Compton-Drew ILC Middle School.
A Million Minutes by March
As of February 28, our students have read a total of 3,270,179 minutes outside of school. Thank you to our parents, media specialists, teachers, principals and staff for motivating the children and making our Million Minutes by March reading initiative a success. Keep up the great work in March!
Spend Your Summer at the Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden has a great summer volunteer program for teenagers called SAGE (Students as Garden Educators). Volunteers have fun, while teaching children about nature in the two-acre Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden or inside at the National Arbor Day Foundation’s Trees: Inside and Out exhibit. Participants must by 14 to 18 years old. No experience is necessary. Participants can earn up to fifty service hours from April through October. The deadline to apply is March 15. For more information and a downloadable application, visit the website at www.mobot.org/education/sageservice or call (314) 577-5134.
Monthly Safety Tip: Personal Safety
Personal safety is often a matter of awareness – both of yourself and of your immediate surroundings. Many people have been victimized because they were not paying attention. The following are ways to protect yourself from harm:
• Pay close attention to your surroundings. Don’t allow your concentration to lapse.
• Don’t let strangers get too close to you, even if they seem to have a reason.
• Carry as few items as possible.
• Walk with a purpose. Know where you are going ahead of time.
• Avoid shortcuts that take you through alleys or other unlit, isolated areas.
• Have a plan before you notice trouble. Be prepared to cross a street or enter a store or business, if needed.
• Carry a small amount of cash and only the credit cards that you intend to use.
• Leave your expensive jewelry at home.
• Don’t wear clothing or shoes that restrict your movement.
This monthly safety tip is provided by Colonel Eugene Reece, Sr., Executive Director of the St. Louis Public Schools Department of Safety and Security.
Better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.
- Chinese Proverb
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