Rockwood School District officials are in the process of bidding phase 1 site work for the Eureka High School STEM addition. That 90,000 square foot structure will enclose the creek in front of the building and relocate necessary utilities before crews are able to begin actual construction on the two-story classroom and lab addition. 

The district has made a concentrated effort to provide more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to prepare our students for the future. All four Rockwood high schools are updating STEM labs as part of bond issue funding approved in 2015 and 2017. The new STEM spaces at Eureka High will be similar to those constructed last summer at Rockwood Summit, Lafayette and Marquette high schools. 

The Eureka facility is necessary due to projected increases in student enrollment. Rockwood officials have decided to locate the new Eureka High STEM addition in the area around the commons on the northeast side of the building. 

The construction will result in 130 new parking spaces. 

Rockwood Facilities Director Chris Freund said, "We're looking at some traffic pattern modifications that'll be effective at the start of the school year, and we've been working with building administrators on that." 

​Learn more about the Eureka High STEM construction and its impact on traffic flow.​​ 

The construction will create other space in the building, as well. 

"There will be minor renovations to some existing classrooms, and we'll be able to open up space throughout the building for future growth, as well," noted Freund. 

Eureka High School Principal Charles Crouther said, "All of us at EHS are excited about the STEM complex that is coming. The first stages involve a great deal of planning. The enthusiasm is growing as progress continues." 

The plan is to have the Eureka High STEM addition complete for the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. 

Rockwood Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington said, "The actual construction will take place later in 2019. We're hoping for early summer." 

​Learn about bond issue progress at other Rockwood schools.​​​ 

​At the August 2 Rockwood School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost announced that Jonathan Sumner was approved as the interim activities director for Lafayette High School. 

Mr. Sumner is currently a social studies teacher at Lafayette. This year, he completed his seventh year at Lafayette as the head wrestling coach, after serving three years as the assistant varsity coach. In addition, he has been the assistant coach of Lafayette's varsity football team. He also developed the Lancer Power Camp, a summer program focused on training and fostering school community.

Mr. Sumner earned master's degrees in educational administration - as well as curriculum and instruction - from Southwest Baptist University. His bachelor's degree in history and social studies certification are from Lindenwood University.​​

​The Lafayette High cafeteria temporarily turned into a culinary exposition, Aug. 2. 

That's because Rockwood Child Nutrition Services held a food fair for its cafeteria managers and staff.

Fairway Elementary cafeteria manager Marjorie Hedrick attended the event.

"It was fun," she said. "We had an opportunity to see some items we've never had before. I really liked the French toast bites."

Rockwood Director Child Nutrition Services Carmen Fischer explained, "We purchase from a couple of main distributors. We invited them to come today and highlight their items. Some of the items are products that we've had in the past and our employees saw new ways to serve them. Others are new items that we'll be adding to the menus throughout the school year."

More than 30 food service companies took part in the event.

"We had local produce – including peaches and peppers," said Fischer. "We also had pizza, pancakes, milk, chicken, burgers, breads, biscuits, the whole gamut."

After sampling a variety of breakfast and lunch staples, participants ranked their top three recipes.

Hedrick said, "We filled out an evaluation and shared what we thought was really good and what we'd like to see at our school."

"We want to feed our kids items that are good for them and taste good, as well," said Fischer.

View the breakfast and lunch menus for the 2018-19 school year.​

​Nothing says back-to-school like summer band camp!

At Rockwood Summit High School, the Silver Falcon Marching Band is hard at work weeks before school starts, preparing their half-time show.

Long before the show hits the field, students are rehearsing their music and their moves.

​

At the beginning of the school year, new Rockwood school counselors are receiving training in conjunction with Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost's Report on Safety, launched in February 2018​. 

Knost said, "We are living through a time where it is more important than ever to have multiple champions for our children. Guidance counselors play an integral role in the success of our students and their abilities to thrive. These additional champions are a needed and welcome change." 

​Rockwood Coordinator K-12 School Counseling Todd Minichiello said training for new counselors includes student risk assessment and crisis intervention. 

Minichiello said, "As part of Dr. Knost's security plan, we have added additional counselors, therapists and social-emotional support staff at every level, especially middle school. We believe this will help build better relationships in our schools and improve overall student safety. We're being very proactive." 

Minichiello said Rockwood has also instituted grade-level counselors in middle schools. 

"Often times, when you have two counselors in a middle school, they divide their time and attention among three grade levels," he said. "We want to have one sixth-grade counselor, one seventh-grade counselor and one eighth-grade counselor. That way counselors can be specifically devoted to one group of students." 

Rockwood has an automatic notification system so parents and staff can receive text messages from principals and district officials during the upcoming school year. ​

A website that helps families discover schools and neighborhoods recently revealed its top public high schools, and all four Rockwood high schools made the list.

According to Niche.com, Lafayette High School ranked second in the state. Marquette High School ranked fifth, Eureka High School ranked eighth and Rockwood Summit High School ranked 11th.

The website based its rankings on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores and teacher qualifications.

Academics covered 60 percent of the school's rank. Other factors include culture and diversity, parent and student surveys, teachers' grades, clubs and activities, health and safety, resources, facilities and sports.​

View the full list.

"This ceremony is always an exciting time," said Ms. Brittany Hogan, coordinator of Rockwood's Department of Educational Equity and Diversity. "We are fortunate to have students who make remarkable academic achievements each year, and it's nice to be able to acknowledge and celebrate them with their families, our administrators and staff."

Dr. Eric Knost congratulated students and assured parents that schools were ready to welcome students back to the new school year on Aug. 14. "When students have positive relationships in school, they are successful," said Dr. Knost. "We are here to make sure our kids feel valued, cared for and loved in our schools and our classrooms."

Families lined the rows as students earned awards for academic excellence and special recognition. Outstanding seniors for the four Rockwood high schools included the following:

• Alivia Dixon – Eureka High

• Myiah Hall – Lafayette High

• Selena Bell – Marquette High

• Gloryonna Christian – Rockwood Summit High​

​The keynote address was given by Ms. Tia Wilson, 2017 Rockwood alumna who currently attends the University of Notre Dame with a double major of business and Africana studies. She credits her mother for her success in school. She encouraged all parents to be involved in their children's education. "Hold your kids accountable, just like my mom did," Tia shared. "It makes all the difference."​

Read more about Rockwood's Department of Educational Equity and Diversity.  

Members of the Eureka High School class of 2022 turned out for new student orientation and the annual Freshmen Gauntlet, Aug. 9. 

After being greeted outside by upperclassmen with high-fives and hugs, students made their way through a friendly gauntlet of teachers and administrators who greeted them, applauded, and told the ninth-graders they are glad they are here. 

Principal Charlie Crouther said Eureka High has 450 incoming freshmen this year. 

"We're trying to relieve a lot of their anxiety and make them feel welcome," said Crouther.  

Freshman Fiona Hynes said, "It was impressive, and they all had a lot of energy in welcoming us. It shows that Eureka is going to be fun and exciting." 

Fiona's classmate, Bella Gustafson, agreed. 

"It shows that we're important to them and they're getting excited for the new freshmen coming in," said Gustafson. "It made me feel a lot more welcome and less nervous." 

Eureka High junior Jackie Osias is a member of the E-crew. She said E-crew members planned activities and games for the friendly freshmen gauntlet. 

​"As a freshman, you're super nervous for high school," said Osias. "This is a good way to integrate into a new situation and feel more comfortable. We hope this helps them learn their way around and feel like they have somebody to look up to." ​

  Eureka High staff members turned out to welcome new students during the annual freshmen gauntlet.

​Six Rockwood high school students have completed the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) Bridge Summer Academy. The program provides high school students with stimulating experiences, college planning and social and professional competencies.

Marquette junior Elijah Clark and sophomores Aliyah Edwards, Solomon Jackson and Marissa Tate, as well as Rockwood Summit junior Jayla McLemore and sophomore Armani Bass completed the program.

UMSL Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Natissia Small said, "Student participants benefit greatly from math and science enrichment courses that support their current high school curricula. Since its inception in 1986, the Bridge program has provided unique and comprehensive college access services to a diverse high school student and parent population."

Marquette Principal Dr. Greg Mathison said, "The Bridge program chose four distinct leaders here at MHS. Each one of these students is ready to take on greater levels of leadership and responsibility. I'm excited to see what they do over the next several years. I'm really proud of them."

Rockwood Summit Principal Dr. Emily McCown said, "We are very proud of the accomplishments of both of these young ladies for pursuing and completing this program to best prepare them for opportunities after they leave Summit. We hope they can use what they have learned to help other students at Summit become aware of opportunities in our community."

Students in the UMSL Bridge program are also exposed to effective strategies to enhance writing and communication skills, college-career exploration, and ACT preparation.

In Rockwood, we are proud to provide our students with healthy meals every school day. According to Carmen Fischer, director child nutrition services, all Rockwood students have access to healthy meals. "If students do not have adequate funds in their account, they will receive a balanced meal that includes a variety of protein, grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy," shares Fischer. 

The USDA identifies this as a reimbursable lunch when children select at least three of the five items offered, with one selection being a fruit or vegetable. 

New this year, Rockwood families may donate to the Random Acts of Kindness program to help pay for school meals for a child in need. 

"Throughout the year, we hear from families who want to donate funds for a specific child, school or our Rockwood program," shared Fischer. "To meet this request, we have created a new option." 

Families using the MySchoolBucks secured, online payment system may donate online through their established account. You'll see a Random Acts of Kindness option where funds may be donated to the program. (Please note that MySchoolBucks online fees for meal payments also apply to donations.) 

​If you have questions about the program or want to learn more about other donation options, please contact Rockwood Child Nutrition at (636) 733-3250. 

A new school year starts early for teachers in the Rockwood School District. All teachers reported for work on Aug. 8. 

At Blevins Elementary, third grade teacher Sarah Klinkhardt set up her classroom for her third year of teaching. 

"I think a new school year is a fresh start," said Klinkhardt. "Our ice cream social is coming up where I get to meet my new third grade students, and tomorrow we work with our team to get ready.  Getting your classroom together is very exciting." 

At Marquette High, art teacher Jamie Wildt is in her 10th year of teaching. 

"It gets more exciting each year," said Wildt. "Getting a classroom together takes some time, but you're excited to see the kids coming back into the building. We're getting everything ready for students to motivate them and help them enjoy their classroom experience," she said. 

At Rockwood South Middle, earth sciences teacher Charles Ruble is beginning his 33^rd year as a teacher in the building. 

"I'm ready for it," said Ruble. "You start lesson plans and get ready for the first day. I have a bit of work to be done in the classroom before next week but we'll be ready." 

After three decades, does he still get excited? 

"I do," said Ruble. "I need to make certain everything is in place and ready to go for our students." 

Rockwood students begin the 2018-19 school year Aug. 14.

  Jamie Wildt is an art teacher at Marquette. 

  Charles Ruble teaches earth science at South Middle.

​A new school year starts in Rockwood School District, Tuesday, Aug. 14!

Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost believes every student needs a "champion," an adult who supports and "goes to bat for" him or her.

Knost uses the occasion of the new school year to make the case for commissioning champions in our schools.

Parents, students, staff and administrators are excited to begin another school year in Rockwood! 

After years of education and weeks of planning and preparation, one teacher reminds us - it's not just students who get to experience school.... for the first time.

​

To kick off the new school year, Dan Pozzo, Westridge Elementary fifth-grade teacher and Rockwood Teacher of the Year, shares an inspirational message for colleagues. This year marks Pozzo's seventh year in teaching, all in Rockwood. 

-------------------

Welcome Back! 

What I love about the beginning of a new school year is the limitless potential it brings.  It's like a reset on life and presents the opportunity to apply all the things we learned last year and throughout the summer. 

Whether this is your first year or your 20th, I encourage you to seize this opportunity and try something new.  Not only will that keep your work interesting, but it will help your students learn and grow. 

Try to think back to what you did on this day last month.  If you are able to recall what you did, I'm betting it is because you went on some fantastic vacation or did something out of the ordinary.  Now, we have 180 days with our students. How many of those days will you remember? 

Transform your lesson objectives into a song.  Dance while you teach fractions.  Collaborate with a teacher you are unfamiliar with.  Share what you're passionate about with your students.  Plan random theme days and holidays. 

The more you try something new each day, the more you and your students will remember about this year.  In the process, you will have happier, more engaged students, and you will help spark a love of learning. 

Our job is like no other, so let's embrace that!  Have a great year! 

Sincerely, 
Dan Pozzo 

​The first day of school was Aug. 14. We reached out to an elementary, middle and high school counselor to see what advice they have for students as they return to the classroom.

"Having a successful school year relies on skills like organization, planning, goal persistence, emotional control, and time management. In the meantime, you could just use your SUPER POWER! What is this super power? It is to ASK for help whenever you need it. It is that simple. As Steve Jobs said during an interview, "I've never found anybody who didn't want to help me when I've asked for help."   

         Nancy Bonn-Winkler, Center for Creative Learning counselor​​

"In a technology-driven world, make a point each day to step away from devices. Monitor your children's online accounts (apps and private messaging, email and online gaming) and have a central location for devices to charge overnight."

         Jaime Finck, Rockwood South Middle counselor​​

​

"Get involved! High school is a time for building relationships, attempting a new challenge, and going outside your comfort zone. Don't look back on your high school experience with regrets; step outside your box and try something new!"

         John Wunderlich, Eureka High School counselor​

​A website that helps families discover schools and neighborhoods recently revealed its top school districts in Missouri, and Rockwood made the list.

According to Niche's 2019 Best School Districts in Missouri rankings, Rockwood ranked fourth.

The website based its rankings on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT and ACT scores and teacher qualifications.

Academics covered 50 percent of the district's rank. Other factors include teachers' grades, culture and diversity, clubs and activities, health and safety, resources and facilities and sports.​

View the full list.

​​It's been a big week in Rockwood! Students and their families, teachers and administrators have begun a new school year.

Check out the smiles we captured in our first day of school video. It's the Rockwood School District community in action!

The tiny houses constructed by Geometry in Construction students at Rockwood Summit and Eureka high schools, last year, were lifted by a crane, Aug. 16, and transported to an empty lot in north St. Louis County. 

The homes will serve as temporary housing for people who are in transition from homeless shelters. 

Bernie Sammons is president of Social Justice 4 All, an organization that is working with North Grand Neighborhood Services on the project. 

"Rockwood School District wanted to build the homes, and we had the connections with the city," said Sammons. "It was a nice blend of city and county, coming together. We are all west St. Louis County residents trying to do something good. This is awesome." 

Dave Luecke teaches woodworking and metalworking at Eureka High. 

Luecke said, "This year we have 56 students enrolled in the class, and we have two new teachers in the program, so there's four of us teaching Geometry in Construction. We basically doubled the size. The students and their parents are getting excited." 

Rockwood Coordinator STEM Bob Deneau said the Geometry in Construction Class now exists at all four Rockwood high schools and ILC (Individualized Learning Center). 

"We have some smaller non-profit projects lined up for students to work on this year," said Deneau. "We also have some district projects scheduled, and we're open to other ideas." 

Watch the story featured on KSDK 5 On Your Side.

Watch the story featured on KTVI Fox 2 News.​

​

  Crews work to transport Rockwood Summit's
  tiny house to a north St. Louis County location.