What's Happening Weekly @ MRH

Blue Devil Families,

We have received questions about the impact of last Wednesday's snow day on our calendar, and whether we will need to make up that snow day. The answer is NO. Our current last day of school will remain the last day of school, for now. MRH had enough minutes to have a traditional snow day while still meeting our Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's hours-of-instruction requirement.

The impact of any future inclement weather disruptions will be assessed and communicated as quickly as possible.

The MRH Board of Education has approved the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Maplewood Richmond Heights School District and Maplewood Richmond Heights National Education Association (MRHNEA). This is the 2nd such agreement between teachers and the Board since the collective bargaining model was adopted in October, 2023.

The financial impact of the CBA:

• Salaries: $3,570,760 (2 year total)

• Extra Duty Salary Schedule: $41,013 (2 year total)

• Tuition Reimbursement: $19,260 (2 year total)

• Healthy Start: $11,638 (2 year total)

• Teacher Committees: $30,622

MRHNEA President Annie Rothenberg said, “The MRHNEA is pleased with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement we have reached with the District. I was honored to lead the Union bargaining team with Rich McCollum and Bethany Nobbe to continue this important work with the District. The two-year salary agreement included in the CBA demonstrates the District’s commitment to make MRH competitive with other districts in the area, which will improve teacher retention and morale. I appreciate the Administration and Board working with MRHNEA to reach an Agreement that will make our District stronger.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bonita Jamison added, “Administration is thrilled that the Board approved the agreement, reinforcing our commitment to improving working conditions for our most valuable resource: our people. This agreement showcases the power of collaboration guided by our shared mission and vision that continues the District’s long history of developing scholars, leaders, stewards, and citizens.”

The to-be-signed draft version of the CBA is on our website.

Pictured, from left: NEA team member Rich McCollum, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shonda Ambers-Phillips, Dr. Bonita Jamison, MRH School District Superintendent, NEA team members Stacey Schwab, Annie Rothenberg and Bethany Nobbe.

Join us on March 5 at 6:00 p.m. for a community-based workshop exploring Personalized Competency-Based Learning (PCBL) and how it can empower learners. This interactive session will delve into practical strategies for fostering communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and compassion – key attributes of successful, future-ready individuals. We'll unpack the core principles of PCBL, debunk misconceptions, and examine the research that supports its effectiveness.

In this workshop, you will:

Understand how learners learn best: We'll explore the science of learning, including the impact of screen time, and discuss practical ways to help learners identify their optimal learning styles and environments. We'll differentiate between effective learning strategies and unproductive habits, providing research-based insights to guide your approach.

Focus on individual learner growth: This session will clarify what it means to truly focus on individual growth, dispelling the myth of lowered expectations. We'll explore strategies for personalized goal setting and progress monitoring, emphasizing growth mindsets and the research that supports differentiated instruction.

Create personalized learning pathways: Discover how to create flexible learning pathways tailored to each learner's interests and strengths. We'll contrast this approach with traditional tracking methods and explore research-backed strategies for developing personalized learning experiences that maximize engagement and achievement.

Empower parents as learning guides: Learn how to effectively engage parents as partners in their child's learning journey. We'll explore the concept of "slow release" parenting, emphasizing support and guidance rather than direct intervention. We'll discuss what parent involvement truly looks like in a PCBL environment and examine the research on its impact.

This workshop is designed for families, educators, community members, and anyone interested in learning more about how to create a supportive and personalized learning environment for all learners. Come prepared to engage in discussions, share your experiences, and leave with practical strategies you can implement immediately.

This event is in-person only at Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Avenue in Maplewood, and will not be recorded.

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District is thrilled to announce the adoption of Illustrative Mathematics by Imagine Learning for the upcoming school year in classrooms Kindergarten-8th grade! This high-quality, problem-based curriculum will engage students in deeper mathematical thinking and build a stronger foundation for future success. We're confident that Illustrative Mathematics will empower our students to become confident and capable mathematicians. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting new resource!

To begin learning more visit ilclassroom.com to access the Family Support Hub without logging in. Click the "Explore Curricula" button at the bottom of the screen and navigate to your student's subject and grade.

Once you've reached a lesson, you'll see a trove of resources, including:

• The Unit Launch: Family Support videos provide the background caregivers can use to support student learning throughout a unit.

• Family Support Materials: These guides help families support their students with the key concepts and ideas. The guide also includes a Spanish language version.

• Additional Support Materials in Spanish: The guides also include a Spanish language version.

The MRH School district is excited to begin this partnership for our students, for our teachers, and for our community.

It's never too soon to think about summer plans!

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

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to keep your child engaged and learning over the summer!

Main Information Page

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

If you're interested in learning more about High School Programming, stay tuned for future communication.

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 any of the images below 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!

February 27: ECC Black History Month Living Museum

March 5: Community Conversation on Personalized Competency-Based Learning

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)

MapleGOOD has been partnering with Crossroads Presbyterian Fellowship for the Family Freezer Program. Crossroads has a large freezer stocked with meals for community needs (ie. a family with a new baby, a neighbor recovering from a hospital visit, a household dealing with prolonged sickness, or a family just needing a little help). Organizers conduct periodic cooking events in the Crossroads kitchen where several volunteers from the community come together to prepare some meals (soups, casseroles, etc.) They also have neighbors who occasionally drop off homemade meals to be added to the freezer.

MapleGOOD needs your help to get the word out to more MRH individuals and families who would benefit from the freezer. Any meal requests can be emailed to susan@pecks.org.

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.