What's Happening Weekly @ MRH

When filmmaker and journalist Margie Hollins decided to produce a documentary on Hadley Township, her research brought her to the MRH School District to obtain historical artifacts and information about this storied mid-20th century Black community in Richmond Heights. Recently, Ms. Hollins spoke with St. Louis Public Radio about her film “We Bear Witness: The African American Legacy of Hadley Township, Mo.”

MRH junior Cara Thomas is making the most out of her internship class. She tells her story:

"I got to be a chaperone and judge for the Gifted Resource Council's Creative Convention! I went with the selected second graders from MRH to UMSL! There, they competed against a bunch of different schools on a project. While they were doing that, I was judging groups from other schools who were working on the same project. I judged them on their creativity, participation, how they worked together, and how they presented it. It was a wonderful experience and I’m so glad I got to be chosen to do it!"

Recently, junior marketing intern Sacchi Chellappa worked with Maplewood Commons Sport Clips franchise owners Lenny and Jane Wang to promote their "Haircuts with a Heart" week. MRH High School Activities was one of the three beneficiaries of the campaign.

On March 7, Jane, Saachi, top-producing barber John Lambus and Lenny (pictured left to right) spent some time visiting when it was time to for Sacchi to accept on behalf of the high school. We deeply appreciate Sport Clips support and the opportunities they are providing in marketing and cosmotology to our students as part of our School As Apprenticeship Model.

At MRH High, “School as Apprenticeship” is viewed as a living way to incorporate the goals of students with the cornerstones that are seen as essential to the growth and development of students as strong citizens. Students take courses tailored to their future plans for college and careers. Additionally, they are given the opportunity for mentoring and apprenticeships.

Most restrooms within MRH High School and Middle School now offer a variety of multipurpose hygiene products, thanks to the efforts of three freshmen students who took on the project as part of their membership in Girl Scouts. The trio of Hadley Tucker, Millie Hamilton and Lucy Caravelli actually launched the effort as 8th graders, in meetings with the District’s Operations Department to determine how best to make their vision come true.

Millie explains that the undertaking is part of their efforts to earn the Girl Scouts Silver Award, one of the organization’s highest honors. Going for the Silver Award gives young women the chance to show they are leaders who are organized, determined, and dedicated to improving their community.

Initially, their intent was to provide feminine hygiene products in school restrooms, but when they learned that another MRH club -- Women Who Look Ahead - was already working on a similar project, they pivoted to include a wider array of hygiene products such as deodorants, first aid and dental care supplies.

The students launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the money to purchase the restroom supplies. They are hoping for continued contributions in order to keep the project alive for years to come.

Always up for a challenge, the 8th-grade “Topics in Sustainability” class is once again entered into the regional Green Schools Quest. These students under the direction of Melissa Breed-Parks examine ways to make MRH Middle School more environmentally friendly and sustainable. For this year’s contest, they wanted to focus on bees and the effect they have on the school’s environment. One aspect of this plan was to teach Early Childhood Center students about bees and our dependence on them in everyday life. As a class, the 8th-grade students taught four lessons to two 2nd-grade classes and two kindergarten classes. The ECC learners participated in a presentation, game, pre/post survey, and even tasted honey made from the bees at the Middle School. The class had a blast presenting and leading the activities and the kids had much fun learning new things about bees and the environment.

The Green Schools Quest is an annual project-based challenge to PreK-12 schools to devise and implement no/low cost sustainability projects at their school over a six month period of time. Schools document their impact during the project and submit their progress for judging by an impartial panel at the conclusion. Cash awards and trophies are presented to winning teams in Elementary, Middle and High School Divisions and five Spotlight Awards are presented across the age divisions.

Congratulations to MRH Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bonita Jamison on successfully graduating last week from the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program. The program focuses on issues such as:

• Transformational Leadership
• Understanding and Developing Effective Board-Superintendent Relations
• Understanding and Ensuring Equity
• Effective Instructional Leadership and Continuous School Improvement

The K-8 Summer Journey program offers free, full-day experiences for kids. Students can explore their world and discover new skills and interests in a variety of course offerings in a relaxed environment. Students entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2025 can get a jump start on school by joining us at Summer Journey. We encourage all K-8 students to participate in Summer Journey, as it helps accelerate learning and reduce summer learning loss, setting the foundation for success during the 2025-2026 school year.

When: June 3 through June 27, 2025, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where: MRH Elementary School

Transportation: Provided for eligible students

Main Information Page

Complete the summer journey interest form in PowerSchool. Directions are outlined here.

TAP THE IMAGE TO ORDER.

Youth and adult t-shirts; long sleeve, hoodies, and crew neck sweatshirts. Anyone ordering can select "pick up my order" and it will be delivered to you! (That's what we call free shipping.)

The UMSL Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE), Missouri Parents Act (MPACT), and the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis are hosting the "STL Spring into Transition Summit" on March 22, 10 AM - 2 PM. This event is free!

Applications are open for Summer Camps and now is the time to apply. Visit the Recreation Council’s website to learn more about camps.

On May 10, 2025, MRH will once again participate in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk in Creve Coeur Park. Founded in 1979, NAMI is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness. They provide support, education, and awareness through events such as the annual NAMIWalks St. Louis. Last year, NAMIWalks St. Louis was a record-breaking event, with over 1,300 participants including MRH employees and families representing Team Blue Devils. EVERYONE is welcome to join us again this year! Tap here or on the image to get started with registration.

Remember, 1 in 5 adults live with a mental health condition, making your efforts even more impactful. We hope to see you on May 10!

March 14: No school for students (teacher work day)

March 17-21: Spring Break

March 24: No school for students (staff professional development)

March 27: Board of Education monthly meeting (date adjusted for Spring Break)

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, sexual orientation and/or perceived sexual orientation, or genetic information in its programs and activities. View Notice of Non-Discrimination or Board Policy AC.