Summer 2021 Education Matters

SUMMER 2021

EDUCATION MATTERS On the Cover: Valley Park High School Class of 2021

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT Developing leaders today in preparation for tomorrow

EDUCATION MATTERS VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Jeremy Picker, President Della Steele, Vice President Faye Peats, Secretary Nicole Martinez, Treasurer Pete Coates, Director Lisa Finder, Director Adam Watson, Director Dr. Tim Dilg Superintendent of Schools Jaime Gast, Editor Director of Communications St. Louis Post Dispatch

Scholar Athlete

KENZIE CRADER

Congratulations to our Valley Park Seniors!

Joshua Sabatino-Steele Valedictorian

VALLEY PARK EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS 24 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING NEARLY $20,000 TO THE CLASS OF 2021.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

Diana Alhalabi

James and Betty Bauer and Valley Park Masonic Lodge Memorial & VPSD Teachers' Scholarship

Kenzie Crader

Allison Carew

James and Betty Bauer and Valley Park Masonic Lodge Memorial

Allison Carew Principal's Leadership Award Taslima Aktar

Kiwanis Club of Meramec Valley Community

Ashley CastilloBarcenas

The Nicholas T. Jenkins Memorial “Overcomer” Award

Chartwells Scholarship & Dr. Dave Knes Family Scholarship

Valley Park Lions Club

Fenton Masonic Lodge #281

Cole Freeman

Marlet HernandezPena

Jasmine Nguyen

Larry Wexelman Scholarship

GPA: 3.821 Sports: Softball, basketball, track and field.

College: Lincoln University.

Goal: “I will pursue a career in law enforcement with hopes of improving the current inequities and negative opinions that LEOs face.”

Favorite subject: Social justice and law classes.

Radu Nistoroiu Salutatorian & Hawk Award Recipient

Abigail Durbin

Sarah Farless

Charles L. Ford Memorial

Emma O'Brien Scholarship Meramec Valley Bank

Grace Nieuwendaal

Radu Nistoroiu Dr. Dennis Lea Family Scholarship

Cynthia Papalotzi

Emma O'Brien Scholarship Meramec Valley Bank

Josh SabatinoSteele

Emily Schrock

Ian Steinkamp

Emily Stiles Guy and Anna Marie Zoghby Scholarship

Josh Teer Emma O'Brien Scholarship Meramec Valley Bank

Josh Wilson Ray and Katherine Dains Memorial Scholarship

Larry Wexelman Scholarship

Melanie Hedrick Scholarship

Fenton Masonic Lodge #281

William G. Gouty Memorial Scholarship

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: Dear Valley Park Community: As the 2020-2021 school year comes to a close, there is no denying that this school year was incredibly challenging. As we embarked on a new adventure with more unknowns than constants, each of us experienced and managed the Covid crisis and rippling effects in our own way.

Many felt grief, loss, fear, and dread. There was exhaustion, frustration, stress, and a bit of sadness for almost all of us.

However, with every loss or challenge, there was something to be gained--to be learned and many times celebrated. For our community and our students, I hope one lasting memory and lesson learned from the Covid-19 crisis is that we all have the capacity to survive hard things when we work together, and in doing so, we can maintain our humanity, dignity, and respect for others. This year, our Valley Park community came together, took on new roles, and worked tirelessly to support their children and our schools throughout the pandemic. Thank you for adjusting quickly, making sacrifices, and being resilient. Your commitment to our schools was paramount to our district’s success, and we appreciate all of the support.

Personally, as I reflect on this school year, I will never forget how our remarkable Valley Park educators found new ways to teach and connect with students and parents. I am privileged to be a part of a district with creative, caring, and committed teachers and support staff. Our team was heroic in meeting our students’ social, emotional, and academic needs—their empathy, resiliency, and dedication inspired us. They provided comfort, hope, and familiarity when we needed it most.

A lasting memory I will have of this school year is also the immense pride and admiration I have for the Class of 2021. Our graduating seniors demonstrated a depth of character that the entire Valley Park Community can be proud of and celebrate. While no words can make up for what was lost or altered, I will forever remember the Class of 2021 for their strength and tenacity as they navigated a senior year that was far from what they had ever envisioned. I will forever be grateful for their character, kindness, and responsiveness to each new challenge and the grace they modeled through it all.

When you look back at this school year and the last 15 months, I hope you will feel the same sense of pride as I do. While it has not always been perfect, it has been inspiring to see our community coming together for the betterment of our students, and it is remarkable to think about what we accomplished for students despite the odds. Moving forward, I hope we all will continue to rely on the values of grace, patience, kindness, and flexibility. These values sustained us through the most unimaginable school year and are essential for our continued success as a learning community.

As we prepare for a more normalized summer and look forward to a safe return to school in the fall, please know from the bottom of my heart how appreciative I am of everyone’s support and understanding as we navigated this challenging school year.

I hope you all have a joyful, rejuvenating, and safe summer.

Sincerely, Dr. Tim Dilg Superintendent Valley Park School District

2021

VALLEY PARK ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL

Stars

Each year, two students from each grade level are chosen to be a "Valley Park Star." A Valley Park Star is a student that demonstrates the character traits respect, responsibility, peace, caring, integrity, courage, patience, service, self-control, goalsetting, honesty and cooperation. Congratulations to all of our Valley Park School District STARS! You make our school district a better place.

Deacon Bardenheier

Thien Nguyen

Alleah Carver

Latifa Nishanova

Michelle Cherotich

Brady Roderman

Larry Cruz

Cody Rodman

McKenna Fowler

Malak Salem

Abby Lofton

Matthew Stewart

Bryson Mann

Bri Suda

Becky Miregwa

DeMori White

Alanna Murray

Ali White

WELCOME TO VALLEY PARK! New Faculty & Staff!

Dr. Megan Stryjewski Assistant Superintendent Dr. Stryjewski has a bachelor’ s degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri – Columbia, a master’ s degree in educational leadership from Saint Joseph’ s University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University.

To learn more about our new Assistant Superintendent visit www. vp.k12.mo.us/stryjewski Dr. Kelly Sollberger Valley Park Middle School Principal Dr. Sollberger has a bachelor’ s degree in education from the University of Missouri - Columbia, a master’ s degree in educational leadership from McKendree University, an education specialist degree in educational leadership from William Woods University, and a doctorate in teaching and learning from Missouri Baptist University. To learn more about our new Middle School Principal visit www. vp.k12.mo.us/sollberger Dr. Kelly Lowe Valley Park School District CFO Dr. Lowe holds a doctorate degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University, a specialist's degree in educational leadership from Missouri State University, a master's degree in elementary administration and secondary administration from Missouri State University, and a bachelor’ s degree in physical education from Missouri State University. To learn more about our new Chief Financial Officer visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/lowe Allison Hungate Wood Secondary Vocal Music teacher Allison holds a bachelor's degree of music in voice from the University of Iowa, a master's of music studies in voice performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a master's of education in music education from Columbia University Teachers College.

Sarah Newton Valley Park Middle School ELA Teacher Sarah holds a bachelor's degree of journalism from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a master's in the art of teaching from Texas Women’ s University.

Jaclyn Zieger

Valley Park Middle School Science Teacher

Jaclyn holds a master's degree of arts in curriculum and instruction from Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver and a bachelor of science in child development and education from University of Missouri Columbia.

THE VALLEY PARK GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER TEAM EARNED THE FIRST SOUTH CENTRAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY!

HAWK HAPPENINGS Cynthia Papalotzi '21: "Honorable Mention" for the 2021 Missouri Scholars 100.

Charlie Eisenhauer '23: Congratulations to Charlie Eisenhauer '23 for being chosen to be a part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Missouri's 86th Sophomore Pilgrimage on April 13. The pilgrimage is a statewide event to honor sophomore student ambassadors who were selected from their schools based on their scholarship, citizenship and leadership.

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA MEMBERS PLACE IN STATE EVENTS! Lindsay Chappell '23: 6th place in Introduction to Business Procedures

Lauren Farless '23: 8th place in Spreadsheet Aplications

Cole Freeman '21: 10th place in Journalism

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT CELEBRATES THE CLASS OF 2021 WITH A CARCADE!

2021 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, TOM PROBST!

2021 SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR, TINA ELSNER!

Valley Park Middle School History Teacher Master’s Degree in Education Regis University - Denver, CO Six years at VPSD

District Nurse *882 Health Office Visits *686 COVID-19 Evaluations *200+ Hours of Contact Tracing.

2021 GOLD STAR GRANT PROGRAM WINNERS! Trish Ottens, Secondary Librarian, was named an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient. Therefore, she was able to apply for the Gold Star program. The Emerson Gold Start Grant Program began in 2006. This program competitively awards a limited number of cash grants to Excellence in Teaching Award recipients to help them further their teaching goals. Trish partnered with Michael Dothage, VPHS Industrial Technology teacher and they were awarded a $15,000 grant that will be used for implementing Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit organization that provides an inquiry, project-based learning curriculum. This Gateway program has a focus on automation and robotics, and our students will use manipulatives like VEX Robotics kits and Sphero robotic devices. VEX Robotics kits are programmable, snap-together, robotics systems. Students can watch code come alive on a physical robot and learn key STEM skills that easily transition into the real world. The Sphero robotic devices are indi-learning robots which offer unplugged and connected coding experiences that sharpen creative problem-solving and computational thinking skills. Students learn cause and effect, pattern recognition, the basics of block coding, and understand abstraction. Congratulations to Trish and Michael for bringing such cutting-edge learning to our students.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION All-day Kindergarten Children who are five years of age before August 1, 2021.

Valley Park kindergarten is a FREE program. Bus transportation is provided for all kindergarten students who reside in the attendance area. To register, visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/onlineregistration .

Preschool Program Children who are three to five years of age by November 15, 2021.

Children may attend for full-day sessions or half-day sessions morning or afternoon, MondayFriday. Parents may choose 2-5 days.

Early and Extended Care is available.

For more information, please visit the district website or contact Amy Hopper at (636) 923-3526 or ahopper@vp.k12.mo.us.

PARENTS AS TEACHERS Parent partnerships with the Valley Park PAT can help lay a strong foundation for your child’s future success in school.

PAT is offered at no cost to in-district parents. PAT features education about developmental expectations and observations, parent meetings and group connections/family events, health and developmental screenings, and community service referrals. Please call (636) 923-3526 to set up an appointment.

Congratulations to our Retirees!

Sheryll Cristancho "Retiring is bittersweet, while I am looking forward to my new adventures with my husband I feel as if I’ m leaving my family. The friends I have made over my 23 years at Valley Park will always be part of my life. I will miss seeing all of you and being part of your lives."

Missey Graville "Thank you, Valley Park, for the 27 years of memories and music making. I will cherish the time spent with colleagues, families, and students.

I am looking forward to spending time with my family finally. You will all be missed."

Kelly Muzzey "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have spent the final five years of my career in such a special place. The Valley Park community is truly a gem. It has been an honor to serve such an amazing, supportive community, rich in tradition and full of school pride. Thank you to the students, staff, parents and community members who have touched my life during my time here. I will miss you all."

Tad Savage "The relationships with students, staff and families in the community will always hold a special place in my heart. The memories will last forever and I will always consider VP my family. As Robin Williams once said, ‘ I don’ t know how much value I have in the universe, but I hope I’ ve made a few people happier than they would have been without me."

Candy Shaiboon MIDDLE SCHOOL MEMORIES -- A Poem Socratic discussions -- Six Flags celebrations Reading in Chorals -- Forming futon ovals Costumes for Greek mythology -- Shaving cream vocabulary Writing with 4 Square -- Fart machines under my chair Diversifying lessons -- Multiple Intelligence explorations Poetry Shopping Sprees -- N2SSWTSWIAP Scouring Book Fairs -- Reading Interest Questionnaires Practicing "A Midsummer's Night Dream" -- Being on amazing Teams Re-writes and drafting -- Relationships that are lasting.

Carol Wolf "Confucius said, 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.' Who knew that I would feel this way all the way to my retirement day? My life will not be the same with so many new choices to make daily. As much as I am sad to leave Valley Park, I am excited to try new adventures and spend more time with my children and five grandkids."

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE MAIN STREET VALLEY PARK, MO 63088

STAY UP TO DATE ON DISTRICT NEWS

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