This article by Dr. Jeff Haug, Superintendent of Schools, was originally published in Mehlville Messenger. You can read Mehlville Messenger in its entirety here.
The high levels of everyday learning happening in our classrooms continues to impress me. Our teachers are truly amazing. I've continued to highlight through a staff communication some of the big and small moments I’m privileged to see each day. Here are four highlights I’d like to share with you that represent the things I see in our schools.
I saw the newest way to engage our community for our youngest learners. Parents as Teachers has partnered with Rogers Elementary School to provide a classroom called WonderWorks. It gives our parents the opportunity to bring their babies, toddlers and preschoolers into a "big kid" school to engage with peers in both learning and play. This new space is creating community among young families and giving our little ones the opportunity to gain confidence and have fun in a classroom. You can learn more about WonderWorks and
Parents as Teachers by calling 314-467-5304.
I saw student voices being respected and encouraged at both high schools. Mehlville High School and Oakville High School each held the second round of assistant principal interviews in February, and both had either a student panel or students on the interview committee. Both principals talked afterwards about the amazing insight our students provided to the process. Our students are amazing, and I love the opportunities we give them to be leaders!
I saw some young meteorologists at Washington Middle deeply engaged in their learning. Actually, I saw a group of students outside holding yellow plastic things above their heads while they looked at the sky. Upon investigation, I found out they were measuring wind speed. They told me they were using anemometers, explained to me how wind speed was measured and that the direction of the wind is specified by the direction it is coming from. The really cool part of the lesson is the group was going to four other places around campus to talk about how surroundings and topography could impact wind speed as well.
I've seen construction continue on security entrances throughout our school district. Recently, the security entrances were completed at Mehlville High School and John Cary Early Childhood Center. Security entrance construction is ongoing at Point Elementary School, and will begin this summer at Beasley Elementary, Forder Elementary, Wohlwend Elementary, Buerkle Middle and Oakville Middle. These projects are funded through taxpayer support of Prop S. Thank you for supporting safe facilities!