Did You Know......?
by Daphne Dorsey
September 11, 2008
“Did you know……?”
Welcome to the “Did you know?” page, containing informational tidbits about the School District of University City!
- The School District of University City’s current community engagement program known as “Destination UCity Schools” has generated interest from several hundred parents, residents and other local stakeholders. The program encourages open dialogue among participants by allowing them to provide input on several key imperatives that focus on academic achievement, facilities, finances and community involvement.
- University City High School Social Studies Teacher Margaret Williams has a busy year ahead of her. She was recently named the 2008-2009 Missouri Teacher of the Year and will have an opportunity to compete in the National Teacher of the Year program. She along with Mariah Spanglet, a Special School District teacher assigned to Flynn Park Elementary School were among six finalists in the Missouri competition. Williams is the first teacher from University City to win the state honor.
• Retired Jackson Park first grade teacher Donna Patton received the 2008 Stellar Achievement Award. The prestigious award was presented to Patton during the St. Louis American Foundations’ 21st Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Awards program held on September 5.
- Dominic LeNoir, assistant principal at Brittany Woods Middle School, is spearheading a new mentoring program for boys. LeNoir, with the support of other male staff at the school, has instituted “Tie Days”. On each Tuesday and Thursday, male teachers and staff at Brittany Woods wear business shirts and ties. The initiative helps students to see and interact with Positive Male Role models on a regular basis. The effort has been so successful that LeNoir has also invited women staff members at Brittany and other district schools to participate by wearing business attire on the same days, so they too can be role models to young girls.
• Recently, the Board of Education recognized 20 district students who competed in the Missouri Show Me State games and the National AAU Junior Olympics. The young athletes are Jaryn and Jai Blackshear-Bryant, Christian Rodgers, Raheem Tolbert, Jamie Conners, Zuri Reid, Sophie Racette, Shawn Whitley, Nelson Adlkins, Emmanuel Price, Ricky McCoy, Elizabeth Jurries, Justin Dalton, Abby Mutrux, Catherine Turner, Anea & Jalen Gaskin, Nathan Jurries, Isabella Racette and Jordyn Jackson. At the Show Me games, Jaryn Blackshear-Bryant and Christian Rodgers participated in the four member 4 x 100 relay team that won a gold medal and set a new state record.
• University City High School student Zachary Levinson will receive the Pfizer Award for Excellence in Research. The award is based on a research paper Zachary did over the summer while participating in the STARS (Students and Teachers as Research Scientists) Program. The paper, entitled “Heat Transfer in Bubble Column for Energy Efficient Clean Fuels Production,” was also selected as an outstanding paper in the area of engineering for the LMI/D3 Technologies Award for Excellence in Research.
• In August, Brittany Woods eighth grader Abby Mutrux won her fourth world riding championship at the Kentucky State Fair Horse Show. Abby competed in the category for riders 13 and under.
• Twenty eight School District of University City Employees were recognized recently for having perfect attendance during the 2007-2008 school year. Each received a $50 gift card to the St. Louis Galleria.
