MVR-III Tomahawk Tribune
November 2024
Board of Education
Growing Together to Support MVR-III
The Meramec Valley R-III School Board is committed to excellence in governance and leadership. Board members are actively enhancing their knowledge and skills by participating in specialized training provided by the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA). This training equipped members with best practices and insights to support effective decision-making and to ensure continued success of the district's educational mission.The Board of Education meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Find Board News at www.mvr3.k12.mo.us.
Board of Education Candidacy Filing for April 8th Election
In the upcoming April 8th, 2025, election for the MVR-III Board of Education, there will be two open seats as the terms for current members, Tim Richardson and Louis Vondera are expiring.
Citizens interested in serving the community and making a difference in our schools are encouraged to file as candidates. Filing will begin on Tuesday, December 10th at 8:00 AM at the district office located at 126 North Payne Street, Pacific. Contact the Board of Education Secretary, Shelly Jacquen, with any questions at (636)271-1400.
Superintendent Spotlight
We've had an amazing start to the school year, with Trimester 1 ending this month on Friday, November 8th. Our first trimester was filled with learning, fun, and memory-making experiences for our students, staff, and school community. We celebrated our 2024 Homecoming and inducted our first ever PHS Hall of Fame honorees, while students participated in fall sports and activities like Missouri Day, Club Days, Hero's Day, a Teen Drug-Free Summit, and fall festival or trunk-or-treat family nights. Likewise, the outstanding teaching and exceptional student learning taking place each day throughout our District is amazing!
As a school community, we also understand that for our students to grow, learn, and reach their full potential, it takes all of us working together. We appreciate your support and participation with our new Rooms communication tool that launched this trimester, so both staff and families can safely communicate about student needs, activities, and learning. On behalf of all of our teachers and staff, we want to thank our parents and community for their unwavering care and dedication to our students, our schools, and our District staff! Your involvement and support in our student's learning and positive school experiences is critical to student success and in truly living our District mission of, "Together we make a difference in doing what's best for kids!"
Parent & Community Meetings
Meramec Valley R-III School District invites all parents, staff, students, & community members to learn more about the initial design for a new 7th & 8th grade Middle School. Meetings hosted by Riverbend Middle School will be at 6 PM on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.
Stakeholder input is an important step in the design process, so please join us for this exciting project! Find out more at bit.ly/MVR3MP.
REPORT Don't Repost
Be a Part of the Solution
By not sharing threats on social media, you can help maintain a calm and safe learning environment. Report any threats you see or hear about, to a trusted adult or local authorities.
MVR-III partners with Courage2Report (C2R). What is Courage2Report? The mission of C2R Missouri is to ensure that every Missouri student, parent, teacher, and community member has access to a safe and confidential way to report any concerns to their school's safety or the safety of others, with a focus on early intervention and prevention through awareness and education. Those making reports of concern may remain anonymous. Courage2Report Missouri empowers adults and children to be the solution in addressing community and school safety. C2R provides a “sooner is safer” tool to report real time concerns 24 hours a day.
Let's work together to keep our schools safe!
Student Achievement
8 Pillars of Success - Creativity
Our Students Shine at ECC High School Art Day!
We're so proud of our talented student artists who had a fantastic time at East Central College's High School Art Day. This is Pacific High School's third year attending the event that allowed 15 student artist to explore workshops on the campus.
Students were immersed in sessions that included Creativity, Watercolor, Animation, Ceramics, Sculpture, Drawing/Painting, and Printmaking. Beyond the workshops, students had the opportunity to:
- Explore the Visual Arts wing of ECC
- Collaborate with other Four Rivers Conference art students
- Engage with highly qualified ECC professors and staff
To fuel their creativity, ECC provided a delicious pizza lunch, giving our students a much-needed break. We're grateful to ECC for hosting such an incredible event. It's a fantastic opportunity for our students to connect with other young artists, learn from experienced professionals, and ignite their passion for the arts. November's Pillar of Success is Creativity. Ask your child to share a creative project they've been involved in at school this year.
Caught Care for the Community
MVR-III students and staff are stepping up to support families impacted by the recent flood! From lending a helping hand to offering supplies, our community is stronger together. Proud to see #MVNation coming together in a time of need. ❤️#Service #Community
Students are Thriving with Engaging Language Arts Lessons!
Our K-5 students are diving into a fun and enriching new Language Arts resource that sparks their curiosity while building essential skills. The content is dynamic, covering topics in history, science, literature, and the arts—giving students a well-rounded foundation of knowledge.
What makes this program truly special? It’s backed by research to ensure that students receive focused instruction in key areas like phonological awareness and phonics. We're already seeing incredible progress, including improved writing stamina, thanks to the integrated topics that captivate young minds!
This trimester, students are exploring exciting units such as Fables and Stories, Human Body Systems, Early Asian Civilizations, The Ancient Greeks, Classic Tales, Animal Classifications, Personal Narratives, and Empires of the Middle Ages. Each lesson not only supports language development, but also encourages creativity and critical thinking.
We can’t wait to see how our students continue to grow and learn in the months ahead!
Honoring Veteran's
Schools across the Meramec Valley R-III School District will be honoring our nation's veterans. From special assemblies and activities to heartfelt thank-you notes and visits from local veterans, students will be expressing their gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.
Secondary School Events:
- Pacific High School - November 11th at 12:30pm for treats and conversation. Contact Chief Warrant Officer Brian Cain at bcain@mvr3.k12.mo.us for more information.
- Riverbend Middle School - Veteran's Assembly scheduled for November 8th at 8:25am . Contact the school office at 636-271-1481 to register for the event.
- Pacific Intermediate - Veteran's Assembly and Breakfast scheduled for November 11th at 8:30am. Contact the school office at 636-271-1425 to register.
On behalf of the MVR-III School District, we extend our deepest thanks to all veterans for their service and dedication. Your courage and sacrifice have made our country a better place.
Family Resources
Apply for Free and/or Reduced Lunches Online
You may have received a paper copy, but it is possible to fill out this form online:
- Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal
- Click on MORE click on MEAL BENEFITS > MEAL BENEFITS APPLICATIONS
National Family Engagement Day - Partnering for Student Success
Parent engagement is a powerful force that can significantly impact a child's education. By working together, we can create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
How can you help?
- Volunteer: Lend a hand at school events and activities.
- Join a Committee: Get involved in school or district committees to share your insights and contribute to decision-making.
- Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences: Stay informed about your child's progress and discuss strategies to support their learning.
- Communicate Regularly: Maintain open communication with your child's teacher to address any concerns or questions.
MVR-III values your partnership in ensuring the success of our students. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students.
Save the Date - Together We Grow Night!
Mark your calendars! Join us for an evening filled with resources and support for your entire family.
When: Thursday, March 6th at 5:30 PM
Where: Riverbend Middle School
What you'll find:
- Health & Wellness Tips: Learn how to keep your family healthy and happy.
- Academic Support: Get resources to boost your child's learning journey.
- Community Connections: Discover valuable resources available in our community.
- Behavior Support Strategies: Learn tools to promote positive behavior at home and school.
- Parental Control Apps: Help keep kids safe & manage screen time.
Interested in participating?
We're seeking booths to showcase your resources and connect with families! Contact Josh Grodie at jgrodie@mvr3.k12.mo.us or 636-271-1459.
District Facility Improvements
Pacific High School Boosts Track and Field with New Javelin Runway Donation
Pacific High School recently received a generous donation for a new javelin runway, enhancing the Track and Field program. This addition provides student-athletes with a dedicated space to practice and compete in javelin events, expanding training opportunities, and supporting skill development. The javelin runway was funded in part by the Four Rivers Track Club and their sponsors, including Mike and Diana O'Rourke.
Additional Parking for Robertsville Elementary
Meramec Valley R-III is excited to share an update on the progress of Proposition 1 projects!
Our most recent project, the new gravel parking lot at Robertsville Elementary, is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by the end of November 2024.
Thank you to the community for your support of Proposition 1. Your votes have made it possible to fund essential construction, renovations, and equipment upgrades across our district.
Be Part of Something Bigger
Apply today to join an MVR-III team that has received multiple honors on local, state, and national levels:
Distinction in academic performances on state assessments by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
National Blue Ribbon Elementary School
U.S. News & World Report America's Best High Schools List
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished Middle School
Missouri Gold Star Elementary School
Missouri State Schools of Character
and more!
Help us make a difference in the lives of our over 3,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students. Start the process of finding your home in #MVNation today!
Questions? Visit our Human Resources page for more info, email a member or our HR Department, or call our Central Office at 636-271-1400.
Upcoming Activities
November
12th - End of Trimester
11th - Veteran's Day
11th - 15th - Doris Hoffman & Elementary Conference Week
12th - Conversations with Dr. Carrie Schwierjohn at Little Ireland
13th - Trimester 1 Grade Reports Available in the Parent Portal
19th - Community Interactive Design Meeting
20th - School Board Meeting
22nd - Substitute Educator's Day
25th - 29th - Thanksgiving Break