The Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education will take time to honor the achievements of students and staff at its 7 p.m. monthly board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

“The Ferguson-Florissant School District is proud of the achievements of its many talented students and staff,” said Dr. Art McCoy, superintendent. “We are pleased to acknowledge their efforts and share their successes with the community.”

The following students and staff will be honored on Feb. 13:

Ferguson-Florissant School District teacher and science curriculum coordinator Mr. Eric Hadley was named president of Science Teachers of Missouri (STOM).  Mr. Hadley's term began Jan. 1 and will continue through 2013. STOM is the state chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). STOM serves as a link with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), speaking for teachers on matters related to science education and assisting with national grant proposals, workshop presentations and revisions of key skills.

After a year of tireless fundraising, a group of 36 McCluer South-Berkeley High School students and six staff members traveled to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 18 to witness our country's 57th presidential inauguration and the second inauguration of President Barack Obama.  The group raised nearly $12,000 to cover the cost of the trip. In addition to the Inaugural festivities, the students also visited several historic and educational sites which served to underscore lessons learned in the classroom: the Smithsonian Museums, the National Holocaust Museum, the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the monument to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Korean War Memorial.

Three McCluer North High School students were selected as finalists in the 2013 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory contest sponsored by North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU). The contest invited students in the first through 12th grade to submit essays on the topic of "Advancing the Dream: Healing our Divisions." Danise Gaddy, Duvonta Morrow and Briana Reid swept the grade 9-12 category in the contest, with Morrow and Reid selected as winners.  All three students were members of Dr. Metropoulos' College Speech and Debate class and overcame a fear of public speaking to participate. Mr. Morrow and Ms. Reid presented their winning speeches on Jan. 20 at NCCU's MLK Day Celebration held on the campus of Florissant Valley Community College.

A select group of 12 top students that had grade-point averages of 4.0 or better, perfect attendance, no tardies and no office referrals received special recognition on Jan. 31 at McCluer North High School's annual Star Pride Luncheon.  The students each received medals that can be worn at the school's graduation ceremony this May. The event honored more than 100 McCluer North students in all who had 4.0 or higher grade-point averages, 95 percent or better attendance, less than four tardies and no office referrals during first semester.  The Star Pride Luncheon is an annual event organized by the McCluer North parents organization.

About the Ferguson-Florissant School District

The Ferguson-Florissant School District, located in suburban St. Louis, serves more than 12,000 students from preschool through 12^th grade with an excellent comprehensive educational program.  Fully accredited by the state of Missouri, the Ferguson-Florissant School District operates 17 elementary schools, three middle schools, three A+ and NCA-CASI-accredited high schools and an alternative school.  In addition, the District includes a nationally-recognized early education program, the award-winning Challenger Learning Center space education facility and the Little Creek Nature Area, a 97-acre nature preserve which offers experiential learning opportunities for students in science, biology, ecology and related areas of study.  To learn more, visit our website or Facebook page.

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