A Ritenour School District Publication x June 2014 Ritenour Celebrates Class of 2014 More than 4,000 family and friends congratulated Ritenour High School’s Class of 2014 as graduates received their diplomas on May 31. The graduation ceremony took place at the Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University. The evening capped a year filled with numerous achievements. The Class of 2014 was made up of nearly 350 students. It was the 96th class to graduate from RHS. Valedictorian Xavier Islam and Salutatorian Taylor Eschbacher delivered the commencement addresses. Islam and Eschbacher led the 2014 class that boasts 24 President’s Education Award recipients, 23 Gold R students, 70 qualifying for the A+ scholarship program and numerous other scholarship recipients. Twenty-one students graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors for attaining a 4.0 to 4.4 grade-point average; 26 attained Magna Cum Laude honors for earning a 3.5 to 3.9 grade-point average; and 50 earned Cum Laude honors for a 3.0 to 3.4 grade-point average. To help further their education, the graduating class earned nearly $2.6 million in scholarships, grants and other financial aid. Congratulations, Class of 2014! View additional photos and a video of the 2014 Ritenour High School Graduation Ceremony by scanning this code on your smart phone. Visit ScanLife.com to download the reader app. (From top, clockwise) The Ritenour Class of 2014 celebrates graduation on May 31 at the Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University. Nearly 350 students made up Ritenour High School’s 96th graduating class. During their commencement speeches, Salutatorian Taylor Eschbacher (right) and Valedictorian Xavier Islam urge their classmates to hold strong to their high school memories and to move forward by paving a path of greatness. Valedictorian Xavier Islam Salutatorian Taylor Eschbacher Senior Class Officers Jimmy Dinh – President Amethyst Dawn Gordick – Vice President Rebecca Marie Smith – Secretary Chrissonia Anquinette Melton-Davis – Treasurer Ritenour No-Cost Lunch Sgt. First Class June Cory Remsburg– Ritenour High School’s Available for Spotlight IN THIS ISSUE 2014 3 New Principal 5 Ritenour Students 6-7 American Hero 9 Ritenour Celebrates Successful School Year, Looks to the Future uncertainty, we have worked hard to keep our focus on we Notices and Policies Superintendent Dr. Chris Kilbride Every Student serve, . It is crucial to focus Each year, the Ritenour School Every Day The end of a school year is always a our efforts on that which we can have District provides parents, students special time. We look back at our greatest impact—the achievement of and community members important information about federal and state successes and look ahead to continuing our students. regulations. The notices are related improvements for the future. I’m proud On May 31, we celebrated the to students’ rights and privacy, of the hard work that occurs in Ritenour 96th graduating class of the Ritenour district policies and other schools every day. We have a dedicated High School. Students are leaving our educational procedures, team of teaching, support and district prepared for success in college or including requirements for the No administrative staff working together a career. Nearly 350 graduates will Child Left Behind Act of 2001. to meet the needs of Ritenour students pursue courses of study or careers that These notices are published on the and families. As I made school visits will make a difference. Whether Ritenour School District website – throughout the year, it was exciting to pursuing a two- or four-year college, www.ritenourschools.org, see active, rigorous teaching and military or the workforce, our Ritenour and are available in all school learning taking place. students are prepared to lead a life of offices. Copies are also mailed There is nothing more precious than personal integrity and fulfillment. This to district parents prior to the first day of school. the gift of spending time together over could only be achieved through the the summer. We must remember that efforts of a committed staff. Notices and Policies: children remember more about the things We talk about producing leaders this • Anti-Discrimination Notices we do with them and less about the community deserves. Our hope is for (American with Disabilities things we do for them. Take advantage our graduates who return after their Act/Section 504, Sexual of every moment with your children or study to become the next generation of Harassment/Title IX and Age grandchildren and remember to share teachers, mayors, members of local Discrimination Act of 1975/Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) the gift of listening, which can be easily government and Ritenour parents. The • Asbestos Notice overlooked. ultimate compliment to an organization • Complaint Resolution Procedures We are in the midst of a time of or to the community is for graduates to • Homeless Rights Notice significant change and uncertainty in return, making a commitment to the next • Parents Right to Know Notice “I’m proud of the hard work public education in the state of Missouri. generation. • Protection of Pupils Rights that occurs in Ritenour June marks the one-year anniversary of While it’s rewarding to look back at Amendment (PPRA) • Safe Schools Act schools every day. We the decision of the Missouri Supreme another successful Ritenour school year, • Services and Rights for have a dedicated team of Court to allow students in unaccredited we’re already busy preparing for the first Students with Disabilities teaching, support and districts to transfer to a fully accredited day of the 2014-2015 school year, which • Student Records/Family school district. begins for all students on Thursday, Educational Rights and Privacy administrative staff working As a result, the dialogue among Aug. 14. With the continued support of Act (FERPA) Notice together to meet the needs school leaders and the media over the our families and community, I know of Ritenour students and For copies of these notices or more course of this school year has been Ritenour students will accomplish even information, please call Ritenour families.” dominated by school accreditation more in the years ahead. Student Services at (314) 493-6070. -Dr. Chris Kilbride and school transfers. In this time of RITENOUR Board of Education Gary Stein Bob Young Dr. Thao Dang-Williams Penny Degardin Tom Drennan Ruth Greco Brad Thomas President Vice President Director Director Director Director Director Dr. Chris Kilbride —Superintendent x Michelle Clover —Secretary x Douglas Baum —Treasurer June 2014 x Page 2 x www.ritenourschools.org Gary Spiller: Meet the Other Side of the New Ritenour High School Principal Ask Gary Spiller to describe himself, says a career in education has always Gary Spiller, new and the first two words he uses are been his calling. He says it’s a way to principal of Ritenour High School, and “husband” and “father.” Married to Kelly give back for the many years that his wife, Kelly, and Spiller for almost 12 years, the couple teachers and coaches believed in him children Bryce and Kaylee. enjoys raising their two children: Kaylee, even during times when he didn’t age 5 and a rising kindergartner, and recognize what his dreams could be. Photo by Dinnius Photography. Bryce, age 9 and an upcoming fourth- “There was Dr. Micah Parker at grader. Concordia who said to me, ‘Your’re very “I love spending time with them,” smart and a good basketball player; you says Spiller. “Family is very important to can be an Academic All-American,’” me, and I’m very involved.” says Spiller. “He really believed in me, Spiller officially becomes principal of and he helped me to realize that I could Ritenour High School (RHS) on July 1, excel in both the classroom and on the 2014. Just prior becoming a Husky, he court. He was very inspirational.” had spent the last three years as principal During his years in the small Metro- of McCluer High School and five years East Lutheran High School, his P.E. skills they need to be successful in before that as an assistant principal at teacher and basketball coach, Dave college and a career. McCluer North High School in the Schoedel, was the steady influence in “It has always been in me to lead and Ferguson-Florissant School District. He his life. Spiller also owes a lot to his to serve, to make a difference and leave a also was an educator and administrator kindergarten teacher, Ruth Brubaker, legacy for our youth,” he says. “You in the Los Angeles area and a history who followed his entire educational can’t do this job without a heart-head teacher at Lutheran High School North career “telling me how proud she was combination. Students have to know you in St. Louis. of me.” are in their corner.” Outside of family, Spiller is active in But in addition to his teachers and For RHS, Spiller says he is a believer his church and is a keen fan of collegiate coaches, there is one more person who in people over programs. “When we sports. Mizzou? No. How about rises to the top: Mary Voss, Spiller’s educate with our hearts, we can give our Concordia University in Nebraska, mother and confidante. “She has been kids a brighter future.” where he was a four-year basketball my champion – the first one to believe He is excited about being part of player and two-time NAIA Academic in me, and the person who pushed me Ritenour High School’s rich traditions, All-American while earning a bachelor’s to no end.” strong foundation and the many in secondary education? Or perhaps he As a first-generation college graduate possibilities for its future.