TOMAHAWK TRIBUNE
December 2023
Board of Education Candidacy Now Open
The window to file your candidacy for the Meramec Valley R-III School District Board of Education opened Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Interested candidates can file for this election at the MVR-III Administration Office, 126 N. Payne Street in Pacific, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Please be aware that administration office will be closed for the winter holidays from December 21st to January 2nd. However, we've set aside a special time on December 26th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for citizens to submit their paperwork.
District News
Check out our District News Page to learn about the events and successes taking place across the District. View our videos on the MVR-III YouTube Channel.
We are committed to keeping parents and stakeholders informed at every stage of our Long-Range Master Plan journey. For those seeking a more detailed overview, the comprehensive scope of MVR-III's Long-Range Master Plan is readily available on our district website.
Special Recognitions
PHS Softball
Pacific Softball ended their fall season with a 15-13 record. The team placed 3rd in their bracket at Sullivan, 2nd place at Owensville, and 2nd place at Cor Jesu tournaments. Senior Trinity Brandhorst set a new PHS career record for Runs scored and Stolen bases. These 7 girls achieved Academic All-Conference honors: (pictured from left to right) Ashlynn Young, Ellie Groom, Brooke Bearden, Taylin Linenweber, McKenna Lay, Trinity Brandhorst, and (not shown) Jaylynn Miller.
PHS Cross Country
Sean Wigger (Junior - not pictured) placed 10th at the Four Rivers Conference Meet and was second team all-conference. Sean missed qualifying for the State Meet by one second.
Ben Smith (Sophomore- middle left) placed 5th at the conference meet and was first team all-conference. Ben also qualified for the State Meet in Columbia for the second year in a row. Ben ran a career best at State and now has one of the fastest 5K times in school history.
Grace Dryer (Sophomore-middle right) qualified for the State Meet for the second year in a row. At the State meet, Grace ran a strong race and finished with another season best performance. Grace also holds the school record for the girl's top 5K time which she set last year as a freshman.
Also pictured are in the front row from left to right are Lindsey Lee, Assistant Cross Country Coach; Angie O'Neal, Assistant Cross Country Coach; and Robert Schwierjohn, Head Cross Country Coach. Back row from left to right are Blair Thompson, PHS Activities Director; and Louis Vondera, Board of Education Member.
PHS Volleyball
The varsity volleyball team had an incredible season! Notching over 20 wins after a 12-year gap is an impressive feat on its own. Securing 1st place at the St. Charles West Tournament showcased the team's skills in competitive settings. Defeating Borgia after a decade-long gap is a testament to the team's determination and growth. The bonus was being undefeated in conference play, clinching the conference championship for the first time in nearly 30 years! Pictured from left to right are were honored with All-Conference status; Ilana Reeder, Miah Bonds, Kaitlin Payne, Caroline Tomlinson, and Megan Langenbacher.
Fall Musical
Paula Nolley, Musical Director; Bethany Herron; Assistant Musical Director, and Sydney Smith; Choreographer are the educators behind the scenes, ensuring maximum student participation in the Fall Musical. What truly sets the PHS Drama Department apart is its vibrant array of shows, a mosaic of entertainment and the amazing students that participate each year.
Every year, the Drama Department extends a heartfelt invitation to Riverbend students for a captivating matinee performance, igniting their passion for the Arts. Additionally, a special gift to our senior citizens—a free performance, a token of appreciation for their continued support.
Cheers to the stellar cast and crew of this year's Fall Musical, adding another chapter to their legacy of astounding performances. Bravo!"
Elementary Holiday Card Winners
We're thrilled to announce and celebrate the incredible artistic talents of Evolette Neckermann from Zitzman Elementary and Jocelyn Willtrout from Coleman Elementary, who have been selected as the elementary Holiday Greeting Card Winners for 2023! 🎉🖌️ Their exceptional creativity and skill have earned them the honor of having their winter artwork featured on the MVR-III Holiday Greeting Cards for this year. 🎨🌲
As we celebrate their success, we encourage all families to nurture and promote creativity at home. Take this opportunity to create beautiful memories with your children by engaging in holiday crafts and activities that showcase their unique creativity. Whether it's crafting handmade ornaments, painting winter scenes, or exploring any other creative endeavor, let's embrace the joy of artistic expression during this festive season.
Food Service
Student Resources & Opportunities
Free Varsity Tutors for Schools & Students
Varsity Tutors for Schools platform is available available to DESE and Missouri schools, representing nearly 900,000 students in the State of Missouri for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years at no cost. We’re a Missouri company, headquartered in Clayton, MO. Ensuring that high quality online tutoring intervention is available to students in our home state is incredibly important to us and has been since our founding 16 years ago. Four years ago we worked with Governor Parson to make high quality live ACT and SAT classes available for all students in Missouri with our Test Prep 4 All™ initiative. MVR-III is excited to pursue a partnership with Varsity Tutors for students K12 and families. More information to come in January 2024.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
DESE is excited to announce the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library — it is now available for ALL Missouri children under 5 years old! There's no deadline to register. Dolly Parton herself shared a special message for Missourians, celebrating this statewide launch and encouraging families to register. Check it out!
Register for the program here: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
School Spotlight
Riverbend Middle School
Todd Dempsey, principal of Riverbend Middle School, presented to the Board of Education the recent gains being made with student academics, attendance, achievement tests, discipline, and reflections on the new courses being offered to students. See the full presentation here: Riverbend Spotlight.
Home & School Connections
Cyber Senior Training
Join the PHS JAG students for their upcoming series of Cyber Seniors starting on January 9 hosted in cooperation with First State Community Bank in their private meeting space. These sessions will take place every Tuesday from 12:15 to 1:15 pm during the month of January.
Empowering our senior community with technology support is the goal of Cyber Senior Training. During the series, guests will be provided support with navigating devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops, covering essentials like contacts, emails, and texts, along with guidance on social media. Parents, grandparents, and local seniors looking to enhance their tech skills are welcome to join.
To secure your spot, reach out to Dean Penberthy via email at dpenberthy@mvr3.k12.mo.us or call the Pacific High School office at 636-271-1414. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the digital world with us!
PHS Hall of Fame
The PHS Hall of Fame will celebrate the rich heritage of excellence in education at Pacific High School. It serves as a means of recognizing, preserving, and honoring the alumni who have achieved a high level of distinction in academics, athletics, the arts, community service, and more. The streamlined nomination process ensures a transparent selection with a dedicated committee making the final decisions.
Nominations open each year on October 1st through March 1st, and the first induction ceremony will take place in the fall of 2024. For more information about the PHS Hall of Fame nomination process, please contact the Activities Office at 636-271-1414 or visit our website at bit.ly/PHSHOF for updates and nomination guidelines.
Save the Date - Free Parenting Workshop
Job Opportunities
Are you passionate about making a difference? Join the Meramec Valley R-III School District, where every day offers an opportunity to inspire, educate, and shape young minds. We're seeking dedicated individuals who are driven to create impactful learning experiences, foster growth, and build a brighter future for our students. If you're ready to be a part of a team that values innovation, passion, and student success, apply for one of the open positions listed below.
Bus Driver
School Counselor
Preschool Teacher
Speech Language Pathologist
World Language Teacher
Middle School Science Teacher
Early Childhood Classroom Aide
Classroom Aide
Staff Assistant
Personal Assistant
Special Education Paraprofessional
Substitutes
SACC Lead Childcare Provider
Find out more about the open positions and application process located at www.mvr3.k12.mo.us.
Community Flyers
Dates to Remember
December 21- January 3 - Winter Break
January - School Board of Education Appreciation Month
January 4 - School Resumes
January 9 - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 15 - Martin Luther King Day - No School
January 22-26 - Grades 5-12 Parent Teacher Conferences