Sunday, May 19, 2013
The two teachers were honored for their methods in enhancing performance in math and science.
The Saint Louis Science Center’s Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Prize for Excellence in Teaching Science & Mathematics named two Ferguson-Florissant teachers as finalists for the prize. Kristine Becker of Halls Ferry Elementary School and Erin King of McCluer North High School were two of five finalists recognized in the entire St. Louis area. “We are always pleased when our educators are recognized for the great work they do with students,” Ferguson-Florissant Superintendent Art McCoy said. “It is especially gratifying to have two teachers from the Ferguson-Florissant School District represented among the field of five finalists for this year’s Loeb Prize.” Carol and Jerome Loeb endowed the award in 1995 with the purpose of rewarding …
Do you know one of the scholarship recipients? Leave a few well-wishes for the students in the comments section below.
The Hazelwood School District (HSD) PTA Council awarded $50,000 in scholarships to 100 seniors representing Hazelwood West, East and Central high schools this week. The council fund-raises year long to bring in money to the scholarship fund. Most recently, the annual HSD PTA Council Run/Walk was held last Friday. For more than 30 years the outdoor event has raised more than $2.9 million in student scholarships, totalling more than 3,000 scholarships for students. To see more pictures from the event, visit the Hazelwood School District Facebook page: HSD PTA Council Scholarship Night For more school news on Florissant Patch see:
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education wants community input before making decisions regarding the district's future. The district faces as much as a $10 million budget shortfall.
The Ferguson-Florissant School District has begun surveying the community to get a better sense of the community’s wants and needs for the district. The 50-question survey will be used to guide the future of the district, according to a district press release. With the district facing as much as a $10 million shortfall, the Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education is wanting more input from the community on its programs, schools and opinions on the possibility of a tax increase. The survey asks respondents such questions as quality of education, value of tax dollars, safety of schools and district performance. The survey will be open to community members for two weeks. After the two-week period, the board will review and analyze the results …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The board of education weighs different scenarios for bond issue needs.
The addition of a new bond issue moved closer the realm of a strong possibility last week during the Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education meeting. The committee, represented by Lorenzo Boyd, senior vice president of public finance for Stifel Nicolaus and Co., presented the board’s options of a no-tax increase as well as with a tax increase, which could be up to $51 million. With a no-tax increase, the district could issue as much as $23 million in bonds, Boyd said during his presentation. There are options for as much as a 20-cent increase, and for example, a 5-cent increase could result in up to $30 million in bonds. A 20-cent increase would be needed for $51 million. For personal property taxes, that could mean a number of scenarios. …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Pattonville Heights hosts the trivia-style battle for its seventh year.
As trivia-style events continue to grow in popularity throughout the St. Louis-area, one school has found a way to make it both educational and a fun time for students. On Tuesday, 33 teams from schools across St. Louis competed at Pattonville Heights Middle School in the Book Battle Challenge, where teams tested their knowledge of 20 books that members read throughout the school year. This is the seventh year for the event. “It’s really cool to watch kids who are so connected to the world to actually prepare for battle because they had to read books,” Pattonville Heights language arts teacher and Book Battle committee member Jan von Harz said. At the beginning of the school year, a committee comprised of teachers, librarians and, this …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The new system will allow parents to pay ahead for children's meals through PayPams.
Milk money as many know it could be a thing of the past in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Starting next school year, the district will offer an online prepayment plan for students’ meals. The new system, PayPams, will allow parents to pay for meals online or by phone for the student’s account. From there, parents can track what their child buys to eat, how much money is on the account and even set up automatic payments. Ferguson-Florissant food service specialist Priscilla Urban said a lot of the benefit of the new program goes to parents and students, but in the schools’ cafeterias lines will move quicker and make things smoother. Urban, who is also a parent, said she used the system in another area school district, and it …
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Four schools were recently awarded the district's Green Ribbon Award.
The Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education awarded four of its schools for their sustainable efforts Wednesday night. Central Elementary, Commons Lane Elementary, Ferguson Middle School and Mark Twain Student Support Center each received a Green Ribbon Award for Sustainability. Central and Commons Lane each received a platinum award, Ferguson received a gold award and Mark Twain received the silver award. Each school was presented a certificate and an ecology flag. The district developed the awards through its green initiative. Schools were asked to submit nominations for the award. Each nominated school was judged on five criteria area—energy, recycling/waste reduction, reducing water run-off and erosion, school gardens and environmental …
Friday, May 10, 2013
The annual run/walk hopes to raise $500,000 for scholarships for 100 students. Have you benefited from the program? Tell us in the comments section.
It's time for the They’ll be out for the 32nd Annual Hazelwood PTA Scholarship Run/Walk event. More than 2,000 participants are expected to turn out to run, walk and enjoy the festivities of the day starting at 8 a.m., and ending at noon. The Hazelwood School District (HSD) PTA coordinates the event each year to benefit students’ scholarships to college. The group hopes to raise $50,000 this year, which would provide $500 scholarships to 100 students. For more than 30 years the event has raised more than $2 million for the Hazelwood PTA Student Scholarship Fund. On-line registration is still available or you can register Saturday morning at the event. To register for this event or to make a donation toward the scholarship fund, visit the …
Make sure you congratulate the senior in your life with Patch's help.
With the end of the school year comes laughs, tears and a cap and gown usually for seniors as graduation nears. This month, students will be saying goodbye to high school and hello to the beginning of young adulthood. Graduation dates and places for area high schools are as follows: Seniors in Florissant will be graduating from area high schools on varying dates, and we’d love to hear from you. Here’s how you can do it: Post a congratulatory announcement: There’s nothing better than seeing the one you love show it publicly. Post an announcement in our announcements section and have it featured on the homepage or in our daily newsletter. Write about the experience: Whether you’re the parent, grandparent or graduate, we love to hear from …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The board unanimously approves the allocation from the 2010 no-tax-increase bond issue.
The Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education approved a $5.7 million capital budget Wednesday night for district improvements in 2013-2014. The funding comes from a $25 million no-tax-rate-increase bond issue passed by voters in August 2010. According to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, the district bought bonds to pay for facility and technology upgrades. No tax money is needed, and the bonds can’t be used to pay for items such as salaries and benefits, transportation, utilities, textbooks or other supplies. Last year, the board allocated $5.8 million of bond funding for improvements. The allocation comes as the board and district consider another bond issue for other district and infrastructure needs. Financial Director Laura Modrusic …
Jenoa Olson
12:15 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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