The Pattonville Board of Education on Jan 12 approved a bond refunding that will save the district $1.3 million, or 8%, in interest payments over the next several years. The board authorized Stifel, Nicolaus & Company to refinance $13.5 million in debt owed on the district’s 2010 zero tax rate increase bond issue. Thompson Coburn was authorized as the bond counsel.
The Child Development playschool program is marking its 50th year at Pattonville High School and teachers in the family and consumer sciences department are running it like never before.
“This year, obviously, we are unable to conduct the on-site playschool learning lab,” Ms. Susan Saputo said. “Ms. Tracie Olson and I didn't want the program to have a year-long interruption, so we have had what we call ‘Playschool@Home.’”
This fall, they enlisted the participation of 13 children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and their parents to be enrolled in their first-ever virtual playschool class. All of the preschoolers were given activities made by students in Child Development 1 to do at home at their own pace and met with the high schoolers in Child Development 2 for virtual learning.
Students in Ms. Amy Schwendemann’s Applied Science and Technology class began the spring semester with a little spring cleaning.
The hydroponic wall towers in the cafeteria were shut down in March when schools were closed due to COVID-19.
“This is the first time since turning them off in March that we had a chance to work on cleaning them,” Schwendemann said.
Each year, Pattonville School District provides the opportunity for students, staff and parents to honor employees who make a difference through the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year recognition programs. The honorees of these programs exemplify what it means to be part of the Pattonville community. Nomination forms for the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year awards are available on the Pattonville website at www.psdr3.org/nominate and throughout the district.
Staff members from the maintenance department installed a Little Library at Bridgeway Elementary on Monday in the school's garden. It was purchased with funds from a Pattonville Education Foundation (PEF) grant in 2019.
On the front door of the mailbox-like structure, the message is “When you read, you plant a seed.” On the sides, the words 'Read' and 'Grow' are written, and a picture of hot air balloons is on the back.
Parkwood Elementary School’s annual Panther Paws to Lend a Helping Hand Collection was its largest ever, helping 58 families. Staff signed up to purchase gifts and more than $300 was donated to the program. Staff members also raised $380 by giving $20 to wear jeans for the entire month and second grade teacher Greg Stoltz gave his winnings from the school’s The Biggest Loser competition to the fund. Page 84 of 102