Education Matters Winter 2022

WINTER 2022

EDUCATION WINTER

EDITION

VALLEY

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CELEBRATE

PARK

MATTERS

VALLEY

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SCHOOL

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One Community. One Campus. Limitless Learning.

EDUCATION MATTERS VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

CONGRATULATIONS, KAREN CLARK!

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

In case of emergency. . .

Occasionally, severe weather conditions or other emergencies make it necessary to close school. The Superintendent tries to make the decision to close school by 5:30 a.m., or earlier if possible. When classes are postponed or canceled, a phone & text message will be sent out to all students, parents and legal guardians through Infinite Campus.

School closings are also broadcast on KMOX (AM 1120) and TV stations KSDK Channel 5, KMOV Channel 4 and FOX Channel 2 & Channel 11; and are posted on the District’s website, Facebook and Twitter.

NOTE: If school is closed, all other school-related activities are canceled for that day.

Karen Clark, Reading Specialist at Valley Park Elementary, earned her certification as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).

NBCT is considered the gold standard in teacher certification and is designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. Certification is awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

The National Board Standards upon which the certification is based were created by teachers for teachers and represent a consensus among educators about what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Board certification is available in 25 certificate areas spanning 16 disciplines from preschool through 12th grade.

The certification process requires teachers to demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effect they have on student learning in alignment with NBPTS' Five Core Propositions. They must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning. Congratulations, Karen!

There are currently 3 teachers in the Valley Park School District that have valid certifications. They are:

DR. EMMA GOLDBERG, HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR TRICIA CWIKLOWSKI, ELEMENTARY READING SPECIALIST

YOLANDA HARDISON, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR

MAKING CHARITABLE DONATIONS FROM YOUR IRA TO THE VALLEY PARK EDUCATION FOUNDATION MAY BE A VERY SMART DECISION.

Can you give money to the Valley Park Education Foundation (VPEF) using your IRA? For individuals 70 1/2 or older - the answer is usually yes. What many retirees don't know is they can donate all, or a portion of their IRA directly to the Valley Park Education Foundation. It's called a qualified charitable distribution or QCD. A QCD can be a very tax-effective way to support VPEF. Visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/QCD for more information on how to donate from your IRA using a QCD.

SAFE SCHOOLS HOTLINE (314) 889-SAFE (7233) St. Louis County in partnership with Valley Park School District provides the Safe Schools Hotline. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, to anyone wishing to report any gang or drug activity, weapons, physical abuse, violence or any other type of potential problem that may affect our children while at school, home or play.

The hotline provides an avenue for anyone with information about these types of activities to report them anonymously. The information is strictly confidential and will be shared with the appropriate school or police personnel.

Tom Probst, Valley Park School District's Middle School Social Studies Teacher, named one of Emerson’s 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award recipients The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards program, sponsored by Emerson, annually recognizes more than 100 educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area who are examples of excellence in their field.

Recipients are selected by the chief administrators of their school districts or educational institutions. The employing educational institution must be located in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

This year, Tom Probst, seventh grade Social Studies teacher at Valley Park Middle School was awarded the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award as well as their signature crystal apple. We are so proud of Mr. Probst for his continued dedication to our students and for demonstrating true excellence in education. Valley Park is lucky to have Mr. Probst and his continuous energy and dynamic teaching in our Middle School. Thank you, Mr. Probst, and congratulations!

Gerrie Robards, Science Teacher, and Alana Gaspard Powers, SSD Teacher Team Up and Win Grant!

Congratulations to Gerrie Robards, science teacher and Alana Gaspard Powers, SSD teacher for their collaboration and award of a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association! Thank you to MRTA for your generosity in helping our VPHS students and educators!

Missouri National Archery in Schools Program Congratulations to our VPHS Physical Education and Health Instructor, Zach Turner, who received a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation, and was able to purchase Archery equipment for Valley Park School District students. Zach plans to implement the Missouri’s National Archery in Schools Program (MoNASP) into the VPHS curriculum with plans to implement programming to the middle and elementary school in the future. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Turner, to bring this opportunity to our Hawks!

Gerrie and Alana plan to use these funds to complete the Science Citizen Project. The focus of this project is to explore ways to reduce our school’s ecological footprint, facilitate awareness of sustainable waste practices, and actively examine water health in our community. Students in the co-taught physical science classroom will gather data in the field-outside of the classroom- in the form of an Eco-Waste Audit and test water samples in and around school. Our students will cultivate ownership of school waste practices and develop a responsible mind-set for being good stewards of Earth’s water resources. A large portion of the project will be completed during second semester.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HAWKS!

The Softball Hawks were on fire this season! Finishing their season with an 18-3-1 record, 17 of the 18 wins were consecutive. Many of our Softball Hawks were named All-Conference Players.

Congratulations to our Catcher, Emily Geary '22 who was named Conference Player of the Year!

1st Team Infield-Michaela Chittakhone '22, Charlie Eisenhauer '23, Katie Mann '24, Elsie McCabe '24 and Maggie Menley '22 1st Team Outfield-Josie Menley '23 and Abigail Scott '23 1st Team Utility-Grace Mosley '22 2nd Team Outfield-Hannah Duffey '23 and Jenna Prosser '23 Additionally, several of our players were named on the All District Softball Team: Pitcher: Elsie McCabe '24 - Catcher: Emily Geary '22 - Infielders: Michaela Chittakhone '22 and Katie Mann '24 Outfielders: Abby Scott '23 and Josie Menley '23 - At-Large: Grace Mosley '22

BOYS SOCCER

1st Team All Conference Clayton Schumacker '22

1st Team All Conference Will Geary '25

Congratulations to our 8th grade gifted students Owen Caskey, Dylan Eisenhauer and Steven Ermer (Team Shrek 3) who participated in the Stock Market game. Their division was made up of 392 teams from Missouri.

VPMS's team placed 1st overall earning more than $35,000 in two months, nearly $17,000 more than the 2nd place team.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

2nd Team All Conference Joe Buckman '25

1st Team All District 1st Team All Conference Abigail Schmitt '23

Congratulations to Edward Price '29 for auditioning and being offered a spot in the Missouri All-State Children’s Choir!

All 4th and 5th grade Missouri students were eligible to audition. The audition piece was “Happy Birthday” sung without accompaniment. Edward will perform with the Missouri All-State Children's Choir at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference under the renowned conductor, Georgia Newlin.

For 84 years MMEA has been the gold standard for Missouri music students.

1st Team All Conference Isabelle Lencz '22

Congratulations to Marissa Miller '23, Elizabeth Papalotzi, and Maggie Stewart '23 for being selected to perform at the SIUE Bi-State Honor Band Festival on the SIUE Campus in Edwardsville, IL. They will join other area high school students from Missouri and Illinois for rehearsals and a master class with SIUE’s music faculty.

Finishing up with their performance on January 15.

THE CAST AND CREW OF DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID CAPTIVATES AUDIENCES SHOW AFTER SHOW! After a year hiatus, our Theatre Department brought excitement back to the stage with the Fall Musical, Disney's The Little Mermaid.

The extremely talented cast and crew of Valley Park Middle and High School impressed the crowds with not only their acting mastery, but their vocal talents. From the splashy costumes, vivid set designs and ingenious special effects to mimic the ocean, VPSD students brought this wonderful musical to life! Thank you to all the parents and faculty involved and especially Sara Magalli and Allison Hungate Wood, who lead the production. Thank you to all who attended the Valley Park School District Fall Musical and supported our students and for being Part of "Their" World for an evening.

VALLEY PARK CELEBRATED OUR ANNUAL HOMECOMING WITH A WINTER WONDERLAND AND A WHOLE LOT OF FROSTY FUN!

Homecoming King William Banks '22

Homecoming Queen Grace Mosley '22

Homecoming Prince Garrett Turner

Homecoming Princess Lawsynn Turnquist

Homecoming weekend began with a Pep Rally on December 17th filled with Homecoming Court, cheerleader performances, girls and boys basketball team introductions and plenty of games for faculty and students alike.

Followed that evening by basketball games for boys and girls. Girls basketball beat the Gateway Science Academy Gators 53-16 and boys basketball finished it up with a 61-19 win over the Gators!

On December 18th, our High School students had their annual homecoming dance in our Field House. After voting was complete the homecoming king and queen were announced. Congratulations to our 21-22 Homecoming King, William Banks '22, and our 21-22 Homecoming Queen, Grace Mosley '22.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 RETIREES! Sue Biffignani - 32 Years "They may forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel." Carl Buechner. I hope that the many students who passed through my doors feel that way. As I reflect on my many years in the Valley Park School District, I feel like I am leaving a part of my family and my heart. There are so many memories for which I am grateful, but I am especially grateful for the students who shared their lives with me. I hope that I impacted their lives as much as they impacted mine. I have been blessed to teach in the town where my parents grew up and went to school. I know my parents are very proud of that decision. Thank you to the students, families, and community of Valley Park for their continued support as I end this chapter of my life. I will miss you! Just remember, Once a Biff kid, Always a Biff kid!"

Brian Murphy - 34 Years "William James once said, 'The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.' I feel that my years of teaching have truly made a lasting impact on our students and the community. While I gladly leave behind virtual learning, the jammed printer, and EOCs, I am going to miss all of you. Thank you for making VP a happy place for me to show up these past three decades."

Christie Weber - 22 Years "Do something you love, they said! "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” So many children have passed through my doors. I have loved every minute of my time with all these beautiful, little souls. Loving each and every child has been easy, leaving is the hard part. I will cherish my time spent with all the children and my colleagues. I am lucky to have had this opportunity to influence and teach so many. The memories are endless. We never know the imprint we leave, but all we can do is our best.

Thank you to the students, families, and community members of Valley Park for their continued support. I will miss all of you. “Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together they make this world a beautiful garden.”

GET TO KNOW OUR BOARD CANDIDATES! Four Valley Park School District citizens have filed their candidacy for the Valley Park School District Board of Education: Adam Watson, Phyllis Geary, Kim Bellchamber and Jared Grafman. The election for two seats that carry a three-year term is Tuesday, April 5, 2022. To read more about each candidate, visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/boardcandidates.

Adam Watson

Phyllis Geary

Kim Bellchamber

Jared Grafman

THANK YOU ASSISANTCE LEAGUE OF SAINT LOUIS The Assistance League of Saint Louis has been very active around Valley Park Elementary School this year promoting literacy. Not only did they provide us with books for every student and teacher, they brought characters from some of our students most well loved books to parade around the playground for them.

Additionally, they donated a "Little Library" for our VPES students. Not only did they supply the book box, but they generously donated all the books for this library to our school. What a great community partnership we have.

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT CARE CLOSET IS UP AND RUNNING! We are thrilled to announce that our Valley Park School District Care Closet is up and running! With a great deal of hard work from our counseling team, our parents, and our community partners (Champions Church), we have a fully functioning care closet to support our students' needs. The care closet includes items such as: clothing, shoes, personal care items, backpacks, coats/hats/gloves, school supplies, and much more. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this possible! To request resources for your student(s) please fill out the form at www.vp.k12.mo.us/carecloset.

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT HAWK RUN 2021 After a year off, the Hawk Run made its come back! Our VPES Hawks (and 6th graders who missed out last year) got to experience one of Valley Park School District's most loved events! So many smiling faces and such beautiful weather!

Thank you for all the parent volunteers and to the faculty and staff, especially Mike Menley, who made this an amazing event for our Elementary School! To see more photos and video from this event visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/hawkrun21

STAY UP TO DATE ON DISTRICT NEWS

Valley Park School District www.vp.k12.mo.us Facebook.com/Valley.Park.School.District Twitter @ ValleyParkSD Instagram @valleyparkschools

Valley Park High School Facebook.com/valleyparkhs

Valley Park Middle School Facebook.com/Valley-Park-Middle-School

Valley Park Elementary School Facebook.com/valleyparkelem

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