The VIEW News
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County Executive Steve Stenger Fields Questions on Education, Job Duties and Community Accountability from Koch Elementary School Students in the Riverview Gardens School District
County Executive Steve Stenger recently met with Koch Elementary School students and staff while visiting several businesses and organizations in the Ferguson area. The County Executive and other key staff members, received information on the school’s academic progress, increased enrollment and new ways it meets community needs despite recent obstacles including community unrest only a few blocks away.
In addition to a warm welcome from Koch kindergartners, County Executive Stenger was received by Ms. Kindle’s fifth grade class where students were completing a newspaper article on the topic of county government and policing. “Do you work with police officers?” inquired one student. “Do you get angry with the community when it can’t figure out its own problems?” asked another.
Explaining his role in government, Stenger expressed his passion for working with people even when everyone doesn’t agree. He further detailed his job duties and responsibilities when he was a county councilman and now as county executive to the eager next generation of community representatives. “I love my job”, he confirmed.
In addition to visiting classrooms, Stenger also spent time in the Koch School Pantry which was created shortly after families lost access to some of the stores in the area. Howard Fields, III, principal of Koch Elementary, and superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon, also shared attendance goals, best practices and explained why literacy is the district's leverage.
The County Executive concluded his fourth grade classroom visit by giving his views on the importance of education and how it personally helped him achieve his goals. Stenger plans to return to the district to meet with students at other schools in the near future.
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Senator David Pearce Talks Legislative Duties, Reading and Fractions with Koch Elementary School Students in the Riverview Gardens School District
Missouri Senator David Pearce met with Koch Elementary School students and staff while visiting St. Louis schools in the area. Joined by DESE Area Supervisor Dr. Maureen Clancy-May, Sen. Pearce toured several classrooms and had the opportunity to discuss with students his duties, love for reading, term limits and the interesting people who visit him at the Capitol in Jefferson City.
Ms. Wise's fourth grade class welcomed the group during a math session which used the sections in Hershey bars to explain fractions. "I loved fractions when I was in school," noted Sen. Pearce who was then gifted a Hershey bar by the students. "Do you like your job," one student asked, "Do you work hard?" inquired another.
Senator David Pearce, who represents Warrensburg and now chairs the education committee, shared with students what it is like to be a senator and how he enjoyed meeting interesting people from all over the state. Pearce explained that while he represents people who live on the other side of Missouri, he felt welcomed in St. Louis and likes the Cardinals even though he cheers for the Royals a little more.
In addition to visiting classrooms, Sen. Pearce and Dr. May also spent time in the Koch School Pantry which was created shortly after families lost access to some of the stores in the area. Howard Fields, III, principal of Koch Elementary, and superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon, also shared attendance goals, best practices and explained why literacy is the district's leverage.
"Will you come work for our school after your time runs out?" asked a fourth grader after a short explanation by the senator of his experience and upcoming term limit. With regret, the senator explained he did not have the necessary degrees to do, his response immediately met with a chorus of sighs. "No worries," answered Fields calming the class, "we will make sure he has a substitute teacher packet when he leaves."
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Riverview Gardens High School Students Prepare for Academic Trip to Costa Rica
Five students have been selected from Riverview Gardens High School to participate in the inaugural partnership with EducationFirst Tours (EF) for the Costa Rica: A Touch of the Tropics 9-day educational tour. The Show Me Costa Rica Project is a year-long commitment for students and families during which they will identify, compare, and reflect upon Costa Rican culture in addition to conducting field research on Costa Rican ecology, sustainability, and economics.
WATCH students compete with Kim Hudson, Fox2 reporter, on Costa Rica facts
Students, families and advisors continue to prepare for the upcoming March 16th - March 24th, 2015trip by participating in pre-departure activities and securing funds and necessary documents for students. To raise funds, students have participated in a variety of school activities, sold items, attended private fundraising dinners and have contributed hard earned money accumulated through after school employment opportunities.
For more information on the Show Me Costa Rica Project, biographies of the students selected or to learn more on how you may help secure much needed funds to ensure student participation, please visit the Parent/Student tab on the front page of the Riverview Gardens website or email Ms. Natasha Dupee at ndupee@rgsd.k12.mo.us.
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Central Middle School Wins MLK Jr. Oratory Contest
Carlissa Hinton, 8th grade student at Central Middle School, was recently named one of the middle school winners of the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest sponsored by North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU). The finalists presented their oratories before a panel of seven judges and a timer on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 13200 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant.
As one of five winners in four categories, Carlissa presented her oratory at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration, St. Louis Community College- Florissant Valley, Terry M. Fischer Theatre on January 18, 2015 before a very large crowd of community members, educators, and supporters.
Each of the winners received a $100 check for their accomplishments.
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Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, visits Riverview Gardens High School
Riverview Gardens High School hosted Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, Jim Shelton, Deputy Secretary of Education, Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. and others, during a recent visit to the area. Students spoke with the Secretary about ways to improve relations between law enforcement officials and community as well as ways to move the region forward academically, socially and racially. Read more in the St. Louis Post Dispatch article.
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Local Resources for Riverview Gardens School District Families Affected by Ferguson Unrest
Riverview Gardens School District families and community members affected by recent events in Ferguson may seek assistance from organizations who are able to provide various resources. Please view the attached documents for a list of resources available. As the United Way list is updated daily, please feel free to call 211 for most recent information. (Resource Links)
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