Honesty Integrity Respect Responsibility Service Learning
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ACHIEVEMENT CHARACTER EXCELLENCE Responsibility Service Learning C-6 School District HonestyNews Integrity & Views Respect Summer 2012 A Whole New Journey Begins Inside This Issue... Seniors Take Their Final Steps as Fox C-6 School District Students ore than a decade of From the M learning and growing Superintendent... for over 400 young men and women was recognized on Sunday, May 20th. Seniors from Fox High School page 2 and Seckman High School received their diplomas in at graduation Bridges Dedicates ceremonies held at Chaifetz Arena “Pole of Hope” in downtown St. Louis. Fox High School Class page 3 President Kemal Sekic reflected on his family’s move to the United District Retirees States, a land of opportunity where with hard work anyone can achieve. page 3 He quoted British Prime Minister Fox High Seniors jubilantly toss their caps in the air at the conclusion of graduation Winston Churchill: “Success FHS Athletics consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” page 4 Seckman High’s Class President also had words of wisdom SHS Athletics for her peers. She offered three rules for success in life. page 5 First, do the right thing. Second, do everything to the best of your Fox High ability. Finally, show people that Scholarship List you care and help others at every opportunity. When those around page 6 you look back, that is what they will remember about you. Seckman High We wish all of our graduating Scholarship List seniors nothing but happiness and success in the years to come, no page 7 Seckman High Seniors proudly await the moment they will recieve their diplomas matter what the future brings. Antonia Pays It Forward Award-Winning Schools in the Fox C-6 School District page 8 Rockport Jumps he Fox C-6 School District and its schools continue to be recognized for excellence. Several schools in our district have won awards this year due to their achievements in furthering the cause of character Rope for Heart T education. page 8 Antonia Middle School and Fox High School were recognized by CHARACTERplus and the St. Louis Cardinals with a “Champions for Character” award. Many of our schools have been recognized with this honor, District Archery including Rockport Heights Elementary, all four middle schools and Seckman High School. Antonia Middle School has also earned the distinction of being named a 2012 St. Louis Rams Character page 8 Fitness Model School. They are the first school in our district to achieve this award. This year, two more schools joined the district’s list of National Schools of Character: Guffey Elementary School and Fox Middle School. They join Ridgewood Middle School and Seckman High School. The district also contains several Missouri Schools of Character such as Antonia Elementary and Fox Elementary. Fox C-6 itself has been recognized as a National District of Character by the Character Education Partnership and has earned “Distinction in Performance” by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the 11th year in a row. 2 Fox C-6 News & Views Summer 2012 From the Superintendent... Supporting the Future Growth of Our Schools Dear Fox C-6 Community Members, The ending of a school year is always marked by change. As with any progression, I think it’s valuable for staff, administration, and Board of Education to reflect on where they have come and what goals have been accomplished. It’s important for us to not only evaluate what our students have learned, but what we have learned about ourselves- as a school community from the experiences of the school year. Upon these reflections, I feel it is time to place a NO Tax Increase Bond Issue on the August 7, 2012 election date. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the unconditional support that has been extended to our students over the years. It is clear that it has made a tremendous difference in student performance. As the school year comes to a close, we have much to be appreciative for and many reasons to celebrate. For the eleventh year in a row, the Fox C-6 School District earned the state’s prestigious “Distinction in Performance Award” with a perfect score. ACT scores are at an all time high and the dropout rate is at an all time low. It is clear that our students are working hard to be successful. This year we will be asking you to extend your support on an August 7, 2012, NO Tax Increase, $18,500,000 Bond Issue to improve the learning conditions for all students. The district is now being challenged with many of our buildings requiring extensive repair and renovation. New technology needs to be acquired so our students can compete in this ever changing world. We have experienced firsthand our students and staff excelling when competing against their peers from around the state and the nation. It goes without saying, that we have many brilliant students, staff, and community members in the Fox C-6 School District. It is apparent that our students are taking pride in their achievement, and it is important that the community provides our students with facilities they can continue their success. Sincerely, Dr. Dianne Critchlow, Superintendent of Schools From the Board of Education... Dear Parents: On August 7, 2012 the Fox C-6 School District will place an $18,500,000 NO TAX INCREASE Bond Issue on the ballot. The Bond issue will be for the purpose of acquiring technology equipment; repairing, renovating and improving existing school facilities and furnishing and equipping the same; purchasing school buses and converting the existing athletic facilities into multipurpose facilities. The BOARD OF EDUCATION BELIEVES the need for this Bond Issue is clear. Another serious problem facing the school district is the need to renovate old school buildings. Many of our buildings have been in service for over 30 years. These older buildings are not energy efficient, are in need of repair, do not have infrastructure to support current instructional technology and do not provide students with an environment that is conducive to learning. The BOARD OF EDUCATION BELIEVES the time is right. Fox C-6 Board of Education With an August Bond Issue the district will be able to complete both construction and renovation projects by the 2014- 2011 - 2012 2015 school year. The district need is immediate. Waiting longer will only compound a growing problem of much needed renovations. The BOARD OF EDUCATION BELIEVES the price is right. The Bond Issue will not increase your school tax levy, and interest rates are at historic lows. This will allow the district to complete these projects more economically for the taxpayer. The Board of Education has a responsibility to provide facilities that are safe and conducive to learning. We believe that your children are worthy of this investment. Please give the proposition your close attention on August 7, 2012. Sincerely, Linda Nash, President Front from left to right: Ruth Ann Newman, Director; Deborah Davis, Board Dan Smith, David Palmer, Pete Nicholas, Secretary; Pete Nicholas, President; Linda Nash, Director Vice President Director Director Back from left to right: David Palmer, Director; Dr. Dianne Brown, Superintendent; Dan Smith, Director; Cheryl Hermann, Vice-President; Mark Cheryl Hermann, John Laughlin, Ruth Ann Newman, McEneny, Director Director Director Director Summer 2012 Fox C-6 News & Views 3 A DISTRICT OF RESPECT Local servicemen unfurl the flag as Bridges staff help hoist it for the first time Over Half a Century of Excellence Bridges Dedicates a “Pole of Hope” istrict administrators and the Board of Education honored retirees at a banquet on May 4th at the ridges unveiled a year-long service learning project to honor D Fox Service Center. local veterans on May 3. 2012. Named the “Pole of Hope”, B it is a flag pole as well as a memorial and recognition of those in the Fox In all, 30 district employees are retiring at the end of C-6 School District family who have served or are serving in our nation’s this school year or have taken an early retirement. This year’s armed forces. retirement banquet was the third year of being produced in coordination with the CTA and NEA organizations that support The genesis of the project grew from the recognition that Bridges teachers in our district. students did not have a flag of their own for when they said the Pledge of Allegiance. Students in the alternative high school also were interested in Retirees included many teachers, aides, bus drivers, doing something to honor their local veterans. At Risk Programs Director cooks, and maintenance workers. Mary Ellen Collins retires Jamie Critchlow, who serves as their principal, saw a perfect opportunity from her position in the Diagnostic department with 39 years to grow this into a genuine service learning opportunity. of service. Alan Emerson served the district as Assistant to the Superintendent for Technology for 13 years. Art teacher Mary The project quickly became more than just building a flag pole. Dunn retires after 31 years in the district. In all these retirees Guided by Mr. Critchlow and the Bridges staff, students dove into the represent a combined total of almost 700 years of dedication to study of the military and its role in our society through classroom-based the district. projects. In Language Arts, students wrote letters to veterans and read literature to select an appropriate quote for the granite plaque that was Each retiree was invited to come forward and be to be included. Science classes included lessons on the technology of recognized for their service by representatives of the Board of warfare.