From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
Missouri Grants Enhance SLPS
Afterschool Programs
Gov. Matt Blunt visited Shepard Elementary on Thursday, where
he announced the funding of math & science and health-related
afterschool programs for nearly 100 schools statewide. Shepard
is among six St. Louis Public Schools receiving funding. Other
district schools receiving grants are Mark Twain, Oak Hill,
Sherman, Baden, and Clay.
Funding Continues for Successful
AP and AVID Programs
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the district a
second year of funding for the St. Louis Public Schools’ Advanced
Placement and AVID grant.
This summer, John Niemeyer trained teachers in a number of
Advanced Placement subject areas. These courses are now being
successfully taught in our schools.
The AVID is a new SLPS program designed to place low-achieving
students in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, while
providing them with the necessary support to achieve success.
AVID will help students prepare for the rigor of Advanced Placement
classes. For more information, contact Linda Bell at 314-345-4474
or Linda.Bell@slps.org.
Walk This Way
On Wednesday, October 3, join kids and families around the
globe by participating in the International Walk to School
in the USA Day. This annual event – now celebrating its
tenth year – encourages communities to walk or bike to
school as the first step in changing community culture and
creating environments that are more inviting for everyone,
young and old.
Reasons to support walking and biking to school:
• To enhance the health of kids
• To improve air quality and the environment
• To create safer routes for walking and bicycling
Visit the official website at www.walktoschool-usa.org for
great ideas and free downloadable materials. The International
Walk to School Day is sponsored by the National Center for
Safe Routes to School.
Got Talent??
It’s time for our second annual SLPS Talent Showcase!
On Friday, September 28, from 12 to 3 p.m., enjoy hors’doeuvres,
desserts, camaraderie and great talent from our 801 staff.
Last year’s event was a huge success. We’re anticipating
nothing less for this year!
Help Wanted
Gateway IT needs teachers for night school classes beginning
Monday, September 24, in the following areas:
• 3 Mathematics positions
• 1 History position
• 1 Communication Arts position
• 1 Chemistry position
Interested applicants should call Dr. James Dishman at 314-776-3300,
ext. 1000.
Stay Safe – September’s Safety Tip
Teaching Children to Use 9-1-1
Parents and teachers can use the following safety tips to teach
their children the proper way to use 9-1-1 to report emergencies:
• Never say “nine eleven.” There is no eleven
on a telephone keypad or dial. Always say “9-1-1” (nine-one-one).
• Be prepared to give the 9-1-1 operator your location and a description
of the situation.
• Always call from a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get
out first and then call 9-1-1.
• Post your address near the phone.
• Never call 9-1-1 as a prank or joke. You can get into trouble and
keep someone who really needs help from getting it in time.
• 9-1-1 is not for animal emergencies. Call your veterinarian or the
City Animal Regulation Center at 314-353-5838, if a pet needs help.
• Call 9-1-1 if you think you have an emergency and explain the situation
to the dispatcher.
• If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, don’t hang up. Explain the mistake
to the 9-1-1 operator and say there is no emergency. If not, they will send
the police.
The September Safety Tip was provided by Col. Eugene Reece,
Sr., Executive Director of Safety and Security.
I long to accomplish a great and noble task,
but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they
were great and noble.
- Helen Keller -
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