Check inside for Outstanding Graduates! All county schools will start in August. See page 4.

parentA newsletter for parents published by the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporationlink • Volume 27, Number 3, July 2012

Positive Outcomes Abound from by Peggy Magee Mom’s Volunteer Work Valued by All; School Involvement Earns Her Rockwood’s Rose Award If were possible to clone By any standards, Tisdale goes above education.” Pointing to the friends outside of the school day,” she and beyond at Uthoff Valley Elementary connections and relationships Tisdale notes. parent Carolyn Tisdale, School in Fenton. Not only did she do builds with the other students, Browning Tisdale has a saying that guides the her classroom volunteering two to three notes, “It has such a positive impact on family in all they do: “We may not have school staff and students Wednesdays a month (staying on to join them.” a lot, but we make the most of what we everywhere would jump at the children at lunch and on the play- Being so tied into the school commu- do have.” One opportunity they have, ground), she was present at nearly every nity has had some unintended outcomes she points out, is the ability to attend the the chance. school activity involving her daughters, for which Tisdale is especially apprecia- Rockwood district. “We are so fortunate,” At Rockwood’s Uthoff Valley El- including the first day of school event, the tive. Having talked to other moms about she says. And she takes full advantage of ementary School, where Tisdale has two fall festival, music performances and field the Girl Scout troop at Uthoff Valley, she it by becoming immersed in everything daughters, the faculty admire her for what trips, as well as PTO meetings. In past enrolled Trinity in it and with the help of that’s happening at school. teacher Julie Backer describes as, “going years, Tisdale has done a lot with 10-year- Trinity’s leader, she found a troop that is By attending the informational ses- way beyond the average expectation of old Terrena’s classes, such as volunteering a good fit for Terrena not far from their sions for parents on the first day of school parent involvement.” This past year, Tis- for class parties and other special events. home. On meeting days for Trinity, a fam- (she caught a 6:30 a.m. bus), Tisdale dale volunteered regularly in her daugh- Her active involvement is even more ily hosts her after school until the scout found out about academic resources ter Trinity’s first grade class and, accord- impressive given her circumstances. The meetings start and other scout moms and curriculum information that she taps ing to Backer, the kiddos always looked family lives in St. Louis city and has been take turns driving her home. into often. Many times before arriving at forward to her visits because of her “full without a car since it was stolen nearly When Trinity was invited to a class- Mrs. Backer’s class, she had already read out” participation, including working with two years ago from outside their apart- mate’s birthday party in High Ridge, an the book that she was asked to work on them in the classroom, eating lunch in the ment. Tisdale rides the Metro bus to do arrangement was worked out whereby that day with the students. She utilizes cafeteria and playing with them at recess. her classroom volunteering and to get Tisdale and Trinity met the host family at the school’s website to access books the “All my students think Mrs. Tisdale is really to many other functions at the school. a half way point – South County Mall (a girls can read for Accelerated Reader cool,” confirms Backer. Uthoff Valley is more than 15 miles from straight-shot bus ride for Tisdale) – and credits. Mrs. Backer’s class website, which Recognizing that Tisdale is one special her home near Carondelet Park where mom and Terrena browsed the mall until features fun ideas and interactive activi- mom, the Rockwood district awarded her she resides with her husband Terrence, Trinity was returned there. “I’m so pleased ties, captures the attention of mother and its coveted Rose award, which this year their two daughters and 14-year-old son, that my girls can spend time with their daughter on a regular basis. “Trinity likes went to 15 individuals who show excel- Isaiah, who is autistic. to update her class on our fam- lence of character, performance, leader- The bus drops her at the ily’s activities,” mom says with ship and service to the Rockwood school McDonald’s about a half a smile. district. In addition to Tisdale, Rose award mile from the school and As a result of Tisdale’s recipients included teachers, adminis- she walks the rest of the presence at the school, she has trators, a classroom assistant and a bus way, no matter rain, shine, developed relationships with driver who were chosen from among the wind or snow, according faculty and administrators. 250 persons nominated. to Julie Backer. “Because of the comfort level Tisdale says she is we have with one another, I engaged in her children’s am not afraid to ask questions education because she or request assistance,” she cherishes being part of explains, adding that everyone their young lives and responds in a most helpful

NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOUIS, MO ST. NO. 5737 PERMIT because she knows how manner. The same holds true much it means to them. for other parents, she says. She “My girls look forward is so well thought of that she to me coming to school. has been asked to serve as an It makes their day.” Her officer on the PTO next year, loving and caring manner a responsibility for which she extends to all the school feels honored and was pleased children with whom she to accept. comes in contact, as re- Principal Browning believes flected in a comment she the example Tisdale sets for repeats often, “I love all other non-resident parents is a my Backer babies,” refer- good thing too. “They see that ring to the children in Julie it is possible to be part of their Backer’s class. children’s education and to be Tisdale’s hands-on seen as a valuable volunteer.” routine sends a strong School counselor Lisa Sand- message to her girls, bothe totally agrees: “Other plus makes a wonderful parents can see it is doable.” impression on the other Not only doable, but so children, according to much to be gained by it, is principal Connie Brown- Tisdale’s way of thinking. She ing. “Mrs. Tisdale’s daugh- encourages other parents to ters see that education “open that door” to becoming matters to her and that is Parent volunteer Carolyn Tisdale has fun on the playground with first graders at Uthoff active in their children’s school a motivating factor when Valley Elementary School. The school benefits from Tisdale’s active involvement; she lives. “Find out what’s there for and her family benefit from the connections and resources she gains. “We cannot children see the priority expect our children to be open to new experiences and opportunities if we are not,” you. You’ll be happy you did, I their parents place on notes Tisdale, who received Rockwood’s coveted Rose award. Photo by Marilyn Zimmerman promise you.” Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation 7425 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 110 St. Louis, MO 63105

Follow VICC on Twitter Carolyn’s Advice for Parents and win great prizes. twitter.com/VICC StLouis Build a relationship with Ask about how Most importantly, a “Involve yourself and • Be follower #100 and win a the teacher and other you can get little time can mean have fun. Children, $25 gift card to Best Buy. school staff. Ways to involved. Volunteer so much – to your they teach us so • Be follower #500 and win an do this: opportunities usually I-Pod Shuffle. child, to the teacher much.” • school visits include helping in and to you! Take a • Be follower #1,000 and win an the classroom or in I-Pod Shuffle • conferences few minutes to visit and an I-Tunes gift card. • email and phone the library, field trips, your child’s class. class parties, so find There is much to be gained Meet their classmates VICC/Transpar employees and their families out what is possible are not eligible for prizes (but please do by getting to know the and see who their follow along to see what’s new with VICC.) people who your child is in for you and your Anyone found to use multiple accounts to friends are. enter will be ineligible. contact with all day. schedule. This issue of the Parent Link is dedicated to those transfer students who are members of the Class of 2012 -- hardworking students who have left behind an enviable record of accomplishments. For each student who is mentioned, there are scores of others also deserving of recognition. Our congratulations go not only to the students, but their parents and teachers as well. You are at the heart of this program and an important part of the success it has achieved.

After a trip to state last year Tyler hopes to run track as a AFFTON HANCOCK PLACE collegiate athlete as well. Hancock Place High School Accepted to attend Valley on a football Recognized for her outstanding academic MEHLVILLE scholarship, Jean Pierre played football for Affton accomplishments and participation in extracurricular for three years, serving as varsity captain for the 2011 activities, Hyonna Williams plans to utilize her A+ season. He earned honorable mention all conference scholarship by attending St. Louis Community College at With plans to attend the University of Central Missouri honors and also distinguished himself placing second and Forest Park, where she plans to study culinary arts. She to major in athletic training, Ijon Howard has been third in area track meets in the 4 x 100. Jean also earned intends to later transfer to a four-year university to study involved in football, track and field, DECA and Paws N academic honors, ranking above the 50th percentile in his hospitality management. Her passion for the culinary arts Peace at Mehlville. His accomplishments include inclusion class and earning a 21 on his ACT test and qualified for was fueled by course work and participation in Hancock’s on the honor roll and being named most improved the Missouri A+ program. He volunteered at the Patch Family, Career and Community Leaders of America football player for two years in a row. Day Care Center and talked about the dangers of drugs organization. She served as a varsity cheerleader for the to elementary school students during Red Ribbon Week. past three years and was vice-president of DECA. Janeshae Henderson will attend Missouri State University in Springfield to major in photography. After college she hopes to be able to travel with a photography BAYLESS KIRKWOOD career and eventually open her own gallery. A member of Bayless High School the leadership class that teaches leadership skills and plans Ra’Shawn Wright plans to attend St. Louis Community The recipient of a basketball scholarship to Missouri community and school projects, Janeshae has earned high College at Meramec to study court reporting and hopes University of Science and Technology, Dajae Williams honors each year because her grade point was always 3.5 to continue her legal education, with a goal of becoming will major in engineering. She is one of 12 area high or higher. She also earned senior privileges because of her a lawyer. She actively participated in school and school seniors to receive the McDonald’s Academic academic ability, good attendance and citizenship. She community organizations. A cast member of the Bayless Excellence Award which includes scholarship funds. served as a student council representative and was named Theatre Company, Ra’Shawn continued to volunteer after Among her other honors is the Gold K, for maintaining a student of the month by the art department. completing her tutoring hours for A+ and also volunteers cumulative 3.5 grade point average; the African American at her church and a food bank. She received the Academic Award for maintaining a high grade average; President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic and she was recognized for having the highest grade PARKWAY Achievement in Broadcast Captioning at South Technical point average for the senior class. A member of the varsity Parkway Central High School High School and was recognized as a Woman of Destiny girls basketball team which won the Class 5 District 5 title Devon Westley plans to attend Southeast Missouri from Kids Across America and received the Proverbs 31 in March, Dajae was also named to the second team all State University this fall, after gaining acceptance to five Woman’s Award. conference and first team all district in basketball. colleges and universities. A football stand-out, he was offered the opportunity to play at several schools. At BRENTWOOD LINDBERGH Central, Devon was a volunteer for the Spirit of Excellence Brentwood High School Lindbergh High School Whitney Howard is a mature, driven, responsible and Tyler Ishmon, a track team well respected young woman. In her senior year she took captain and cheerleading college classes while still enrolled full-time at Brentwood, star, aspires to study and also participated in Brentwood’s inaugural year of accounting at Louisiana the A+ program. She took early graduation and attended State University in Baton community college full-time while also working 25 hours Rouge. Her strong academics a week. This fall she plans to transfer to the University of and character have made Missouri-St. Louis to major in psychology. At Brentwood her a regular Renaissance she participated in theater, was a cheerleader all four award recipient since her years and is one of two students in her class to attend freshman year. She was Missouri Girls State. also a member of DECA and worked with her fellow CLAYTON cheerleaders to raise funds for a student with cancer and Clayton High School annually supports the Susan Serving as class president for the past three years, Drake G. Komen Race for the Cure. Jean Pierre Ra’Shawn Wright Whitney Howard Pinkston is one of the most confident and accomplished Affton High School Bayless High School Brentwood High School students in this year’s graduating class. A top academic student and an outstanding leader, he served on the Principal’s Advisory Council, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and was a member of the Black Student Union. He has participated in many extracurricular activities and completed many hours of community service. Drake plans to attend the University of Southern California this fall, with a focus on private equity venture capitalism.

Hyonna Williams Dajae Williams Tyler Ishmon Ijon Howard Janeshae Henderson Hancock Place High School Kirkwood High School Lindbergh High School Mehlville High School Oakville High School

Gabrielle Evans Daysha Baskin Jerica Macon Antonia Carter Jaelynn Hopgood Anthony Dudley Parkway South High School Parkway West High School Eureka High School Lafayette High School Marquette High School This issue of the Parent Link is dedicated to those transfer students who are members of the Class of 2012 -- hardworking students who have left behind an enviable record of accomplishments. For each student who is mentioned, there are scores of others also deserving of recognition. Our congratulations go not only to the students, but their parents and teachers as well. You are at the heart of this program and an important part of the success it has achieved.

Congratulations to all of the awards program, and served as a student leader for a TREND and was the captain of dance for Wildn’Out Cats. recent high school graduates with Diversity in Action panel and was a student speaker on She was a Glory of Missouri recipient as an awardee for the male perspective for a “Women Only” workshop. the virture of equality. a special word of commendation to the outstanding graduates Parkway North High School Lafayette High School Headed to Southeast Missouri State University this fall, Jaelynn Hopgood will attend Saint Louis University highlighted in this issue of Parent Adrian Flenoid was active at his high school, assisting and plans to study either pharmacy or psychology. During Link. These students represent in the planning, organization and actual participation high school she focused her studies on high-level math themselves as well as their many in the No Place for Hate Assembly. He also worked with and science courses and participated in BESt pharmacy classmates. the Freshman Project Group and volunteered for special summer program in both 2010 and 2011. Jaelynn The mom featured in this news- projects directed by his principal. Adrian was a volunteer proved her academic excellence through the Renaissance for the Teen Advocate for Sexual Health youth group and Silver Award and was a two-time recipient of the Lafayette letter is an outstanding example the St. Augustine Center. Student Choice Awards. of the significant difference that Parkway South High School Marquette High School parental involvement can make With plans to join the United State Navy and later Anthony Dudley has been a student leader at in a child’s success. The research attend Southeast Florida University, Gabrielle Evans Marquette, maintaining a high grade-poing average while is clear that when parents are is considered one of Parkway South’s brightest stars. competing as a student-athlete. His academic focus has involved students are much more She is captain of South’s track and field team, and a been on business management courses and advanced member of the Superintendent’s Social Justice Advisory strength training. He plans to attend Southern Illinois likely to be successful and have: Committee. Over the last four years, she challenged University at Carbondale where he will pursue a degree • Higher grades, test scores, and herself academically by taking AP and honors courses. in international business and play football for the Salukis. graduation rates; Among her honors are the coveted South Star Award, Rockwood Summit High School • Better school attendance; the Student of the Month (Math) Award and the Spirit of Recognized as the outstanding senior at Rockwood • Increased motivation and better Excellence Award. Summit High School, Jerome Golden Jr. is considering self-esteem; Parkway West High School opportunities from various local colleges to study and • Lower rates of suspension; The recipient of an athletic scholarship to Missouri Valley compete in track and field. He plans to prepare for a College in Marshall, Mo., Daysha Baskin plans to career as a collegiate track and field coach. A member • Decreased use of drugs and major in nursing with a minor in Spanish. A member of of Summit’s track and field team that was in contention for alcohol; and both the honor roll and the National Honor Society, she a state title, Jerome was a Focus St. Louis Ambassador, a • Fewer instances of violent was selected as homecoming queen in 2011, was senior member of the Strive and Survive Club and served as a behavior. captain of the cross country team and participated in peer mentor for productive conflict resolution. The research also shows that track and field and bowling. She was chair of the Women of West, was a member of the Superintendent’s Social ST. LOUIS family participation in education Justice Leadership Advisory is twice as predictive of students’ Council and received Metro Academic and Classical High School st academic success as family socio- the Spirit of Excellence Only the 51 person in the St. Louis region to earn a perfect 36 composite score on the ACT college exam economic status. In addition, award, among numerous the more intensely parents are achievements. since 2000, Thomas Fliss is the first St. Louis Public School District student to post a perfect score in that time involved, the more beneficial the PATTONVILLE span. He plans to major in computer science in college and achievement effects. For example, is currently considering Stanford, Cal Tech, Massachusetts parents participating in school- Pattonville High School Institute of Technology or Carnegie Mellon University. Prior With plans to attend to his senior year, he attended an eight-week summer ing in a multiple number of ways Southeast Missouri State college program at Stanford, earning nine college credits, such as volunteering, fund raising, University to pursue a degree studying java programming, piano and oceanography. serving on the PTO, etc., led to in athletic training, Jerica Among his many honors, Thomas was named a National more beneficial results for student Macon has been involved Merit finalist. At Metro, he was involved in concert band, achievement. in Pattonville cheer, Peer the math club and the NERD club. He was a member of the Assistance and Leadership school’s debate club for three years. I am sure this research would come as no surprise to Carolyn Drake Pinkston (PALS) and Renaissance for the last four years. After VALLEY PARK Tisdale whose two daughters Clayton High School college, she would love to re- attend Uthoff Valley Elementary join the Pattonville family in a School. In fact, I am convinced that professional capacity. Sh’sheria Webster’s post-graduation goal is to pursue a career in the United State Air Force. Her her story is much more compel- positive attitude and dedication to hard work have been ling than anything I could mention ROCKWOOD inspirational to her fellow students. A cheerleader for in my column to convince you of Eureka High School many years, Sh’sheria served as captain this past year. the difference your participation Antonia Carter has been She was a leader in Show Choir, where she served as accepted to Missouri Baptist choreography captain and regularly sang the national and involvement will make. After University where she plans anthem at basketball games, and was a stand-out in all, she faces challenges similar to major in education and school talent shows. to many parents and yet she has criminal justice as well made the commitment and figured as play for the women’s WEBSTER GROVES out a way to actively support her lacrosse team. Her goal is to become a social worker Webster Groves High School children’s education. focusing on youth and Courtney Jones, who enrolled in the Webster As a parent, I recognize that families. In addition to her Groves School District as a kindergartner, is this year’s “more is caught than is taught.” By academic career, Antonia outstanding senior. At the high school, she participated in Webster Challenge, the school’s program to help that I mean our children believe Devon Westley has participated in Eureka’s what we do more than what we Renaissance Committee, eliminate the achievement gap, and the orchestra where Parkway Central High School she plays viola. A strings student for ten years, Courtney say and there is no better way to plans to seek employment as a pharmacy technician. communicate the importance of education than by our personal involvement. So this summer I encourage you to talk with your children about how you can par- ticipate in their education and take the time now to get those school visits and events scheduled on your calendar. Here’s wishing you a great, involved 2012.

David S. Glaser CEO Jerome Golden Jr. Thomas Fliss Sh’sheria Webster Courtney Jones [email protected] Rockwood Summit High Metro Academic & Classical Valley Park High School Webster Groves High School 314.721.8422, ext. 3014 School High School VICC Staff Transportation Ready to Assist Transferring Families The Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) staff includes five full-time Information counselors/social workers who can assist families with issues related to their school transfers. Transportation to and from school is provided by the Voluntary Counselors are happy to respond to concerns and/or questions from parents or students Interdistrict Choice Corporation so long as your child goes to a school in regarding any issue that would interfere with the success of a child in the school setting, such the correct attendance area. The phone number for the transportation as attendance, disciplinary issues, curriculum, achievement or other concerns. They can also staff is 314.721.8657. provide counseling assistance for students and help parents understand their educational rights. Transportation cards with the bus stop location and time are Counselors generally are assigned according to the first letter of the student’s last name. mailed to all transfer families about two weeks before school begins in They can be reached by calling 314.721.8422, and dialing the extension number below, or via the fall. If you do not receive your card by one week before the start of email. school, contact the principal at the school your child will be attending. Please do not call the transportation staff. After the regular school year begins, new cards will be mailed only if it is necessary to make a change to the bus/cab route. Please review each new card carefully, including the effective date, stop location and times and destroy all old cards. Any day-to-day transportation problems or concerns you may have should be addressed by first calling the bus (or cab) contractor. These include normal operating issues, such as the following: • Looking for lost items left on the bus/cab • Checking on activity bus location A-D Vickie Williams E-H Laverne Mitchom I-M Jennifer Christy N-R Mildred Scott S-Z Mary Schafer Meehan • Questions or cancellations when VICC Transportation office is ext. 3011 ext. 3020 ext. 3021 ext. 3027 ext. 3016 closed. [email protected] lmitchom@choicecorp. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] org Refer to your child’s bus card for the appropriate bus/cab company If the contractor is unable to resolve a concern, or if you have one Contact Persons of the following issues, please call the VICC transportation staff at 314.721.8657: for Voluntary Student STARTING DATES • Overall routing issues or concerns Transfer Program Families for County Schools • Pick-up or drop-off location concerns Each of the districts Classes will begin soon in your county school. • Concerns with driver or contractor accepting voluntary transfer Make plans now to be at school every day, beginning • Requesting cab or other alternative transportation service in the students has a designated event your regular bus does not show. contact person. Contact on the very first day. Watch your mailbox for your persons coordinate the bus card about one week prior to the beginning of Student Responsibilities classes. The first day of school for each county Students are to board their bus/cab only at their assigned stop. district’s administrative They must arrive at their designated pick-up location 10 minutes responsibilities for the district is listed below: before the scheduled pick-up time, and remain at least 15 minutes transfer program, and serve Affton August 15, 2012 after the pick-up time, before calling the transportation staff at as the liaison between the 314.721.8657 for advice on alternative transportation. If your children Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Bayless August 14, 2012 are not at the bus stop a full 10 minutes before the scheduled arrival Corporation (VICC) and the Brentwood August 14, 2012 time and do not wait the full 15 minutes after the scheduled time and district. Clayton August 15, 2012 they miss the bus, it will be your responsibility to get them to school. Contact persons’ responsi- Hancock Place August 16, 2012 The transportation staff does not send alternative transportation in bilities may include enrolling Kirkwood August 21, 2012 such instances. transfer students, conducting For the safety of all children, students must obey general safety Lindbergh August 16, 2012 rules as well as those established by the school district they are orientations for new students Mehlville August 16, 2012 attending. You should obtain a copy of your district’s bus regulations and parents, processing Parkway August 14, 2012 and review them with your child. Violations of bus rules can result in applications and submitting Pattonville August 15, 2012 a student being removed from riding the bus either on a temporary or transportation requests. Rockwood August 14, 2012 permanent basis. If a bus suspension occurs, it becomes the parents’ Contact persons are often Special/Tech August 13, 2012 responsibility to transport the child to and from school for the the first individual from the duration of the suspension. district that a new transfer Valley Park August 14, 2012 Webster Groves August 14, 2012 Parent Responsibilities family meets, and they are a Transportation may run late and/or routes may not be firmly in valuable resource for transfer place during the first few weeks of school. Please make sure your families. They can answer child knows exactly what to do if his or her bus does not arrive. This specific questions about Educational Rights and Privacy Act includes knowing where to go and whom to call. Also make sure your district policy and procedures (FERPA) child knows what is expected when he or she is dropped off at the end and can refer parents to the The Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) complies of the school day. If you normally meet your child at the bus stop, be proper school administrator if fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). sure your child understands what to do if you are not there. necessary. FERPA is a law that affords parents and students 18 years of age and If the transportation route to which your child is assigned does Affton older with certain rights with respect to the student’s educational not operate in a timely manner, or other problems arise, please communicate with the VICC transportation office. Dr. Travis Bracht records. A copy of VICC’s FERPA statement is included in VICC student It is important for parents to keep the school as well as the district 314.638.8770 contact person informed of any changes in either the home phone Bayless handbooks, which can be requested by calling 314.721.8422, ext. 3012. The handbooks are also available on the VICC website at www. number or the cell or alternate/emergency phone number for your Mrs. Dawn Thieman choicecorp.org. Click on the link for “City Residents Currently Enrolled child. Also, be sure to request that this information be forwarded to 314.256.8612 in County Schools,” and then click on “Voluntary Transfer Program the transportation staff. Brentwood Handbook.” The full policy will be published in the next issue of the If You Move Ms. Colleen Lohbeck Parent Link. If you move during the summer, call the principal at the county 314.962.4507 school your child has been or will be attending, or that district’s Clayton contact person immediately. All districts have central office personnel Dr. Greg Batenhorst EMERGENCY who work during the summer to handle such situations. Please 314.854.6023 remember, it takes up to 10 working days to make a transportation Hancock Place Communication System change. If you are going to move during the academic year, be sure to notify your building principal or district contact person at least Mrs. Lisa Charles To improve communication with parents regarding trans- two weeks before you move. If you move outside of your school’s 314.544.1300, ext. 199 portation and their child’s participation in the St. Louis Student attendance area, you will need to request a transfer to a school in your Transfer Program, the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corpora- Kirkwood new attendance area, or else provide your own transportation in order tion uses a telephone broadcast system, similar to ones used in Dr. Shirleas Washington to remain at your original school. 314.213.6105 many participating school districts. This system, provided by School Reach, allows VICC to Lindbergh General Safety Rules quickly send all households and parents a pre-recorded message Please review the general safety rules with your student. These can Mr. Chuck Triplett by phone within minutes of a transportation emergency or un- be found in your transfer program handbook. Please refer to the box 314.729.2400, ext. 1815 planned event that could significantly delay a child’s pick-up for below if you need a copy of the handbook. Mehlville or drop-off from school. These emergencies include traffic jams, Dr. Brian Lane bus breakdowns, inclement weather, accidents, etc. The service Student Safety 314.467.5007 may also be used from time-to-time to communicate general Help us protect your children as they travel to and from school. program announcements or reminders. Certain types of children’s clothing can create a hazard as your Parkway child exits the bus. Especially dangerous are jacket and sweatshirt Ms. Rakiyah “Rocky” Talavedra This system will simultaneously call a home and one addi- tional cell phone or alternate number for each student’s family drawstrings, long backpack straps, long scarfs or any other loose 314.415.7060 who needs to be contacted and will deliver a message from Tami clothing. Such clothing could become caught in the bus handrail, Dr. Charlotte Ijei Webb, transportation operations manager, or another official door or other bus equipment as the child exits the bus. Please take 314.415.5063 with the transfer program. Calls will be delivered to both live (in the time to check your children’s clothing. Also talk with your child Pattonville person) responders and answering machines. Calls not answered about the behavior and safety rules. Dr. Donette Green and busy signals will be automatically retried by the system two Trespass Policy 314.213.8090 additional times in 15 minute intervals after the initial call. To bolster the safety of students riding buses to school, the VICC Ms. Helen Weissler Your child’s school will also continue to separately announce Board adopted the following trespass policy: 314.213.8075 school closings due to snow or weather, via the media or their “Trespass occurs when anyone boards a school bus without Rockwood own phone system. However, in the event your child’s district is prior approval from VICC. Any VICC-designated person (including Mr. Terry Harris open, but road conditions are such that VICC’s transportation students), contractor or school staff whose job responsibilities department feels it is not safe to transport students to school, 636.733.2177 require him/her to be on a school bus shall be authorized and not VICC would use this separate system to notify families attending Valley Park be considered trespassing. Only with prior approval from VICC or a the affected districts in addition to making the standard media contractor may any parent, guardian or member of the general public Mrs. Vickie Pardeck announcements. be allowed on a bus at any time.” 636.923.3617 For this notification system to best operate, it is imperative Webster Groves that you keep your school aware of any future changes in your Be sure to review the transportation section in the Mr. John M. Thomas (Interim) home and/or cell or alternate/emergency phone numbers. Your 314.918.4378 school then updates VICC’s parent contact records so a separate Voluntary Transfer Program Handbook (pages 9-21) notification to VICC is not necessary. Special School District with your child before the start of school. Mrs. Mary Lee Burlemann If you need a handbook, please call 314.721.8422, ext. 3012, 314.989.8125 or visit our website: www.choicecorp.org