Due to the inclement weather and dangerous road conditions, all Maplewood Richmond Heights schools will be closed on Friday, February 22, 2013. This includes all Discover Club activities at the Early Childhood Center and Elementary School. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
We are happy to announce that the MRH Elementary Chili Cook-Off & Dance-a-pahLOOZA and the 6th Grade Exhibit Opening have been rescheduled for the evening of March 7, 2013.
TIMES:
6:00-7:00 p.m. - 6th Grade Exhibit Opening: Social Justice*
6:00-8:00 p.m. - Chili Cook-Off & Dance-a-pahLOOZA
The Museum displays will be in 6th grade hall and through-out the ELEM building's 2nd floor. The Chili Cook-Off and Dance-a-pahLOOZA will be in the cafeteria and gym. Both events had been postponed due to weather.
*Superheros Dignity, Advocacy, Equity, Solidarity, Diversity and their Social Justice friends explore and combat the Social Injustices of Bullying & Discrimination, Environmental Abuse, Animal Abuse, Health & Drug Abuse and Poverty.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
The phones at MRH Elementary are currently out of service as of 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. The issue appears to be line failure with AT&T and they assure us they are working to correct the problem as soon as possible.
If you need to reach MRH Elementary to share changes in dismissal plans for your child or for any other matter, please use the following phone numbers:
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
MRH Elementary is proud to partner with the American Heart Association to raise funds during the Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart event. "All grades will be participating in the jump rope and hoops activities during the week of March 25th through 28th in PE class" said MRHE PE teacher, Kathy Simon. "But signing up to collect donations is completely optional - no pressure!"
Donation envelopes went out in backpacks the week of February 11 and should be turned in to school by March 22, 2013. Or this year parents can help their child make a web page for donation collecting! It is a safe, effective, and time-saving way to raise live-saving donations for AHA. Online donations can be made through March 28. Visit www.heart.org/jump OR www.heart.org/hoops and click on 'Students Sign Up' to get started. Please look for MRH Elementary on the website.
AHA gives "points" for every dollar donated - those points can be redeemed for athletic equipment for school. Online donations earn double points.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
On Thursday, March 21, New York Times best-selling author Blue Balliett will be speaking to 4th, 5th and 6th graders at MRH Elementary about writing and her new book, Hold Fast. Blue Balliett is the author of several best-selling, acclaimed mystery novels, including the young adult award-winning Chasing Vermeer, as well as The Wright 3, The Calder Game, and The Danger Box. She grew up in New York City, graduated from Brown University, and now writes in the laundry room of her home in Chicago.
Hold Fast is the story of a girl who falls into Chicago's shelter system and from there must solve the mystery of her father's strange disappearance. Students who would like to purchase a signed c
opy of this book can turn in the order form to Mrs. Watkins in the library by March 20.
This author visit is sponsored by Left Bank Books. If you would like further information, email Teri Watkins at therese.watkins@mrhschools.net
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District invites parents and community members to explore and tour each of the MRH schools at a district-wide open house on Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Parents and visitors will be able to:
This “drop-in” event is perfect for current families and students to learn about the other schools in the District and for those community members who are interested in enrolling their children in the MRH School District.
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MRH Early Childhood Center 2801 Oakland Avenue Maplewood, MO 63143 (314) 644-4405 School as Studio |
MRH Elementary School 1800 Princeton Place Richmond Heights, MO 63117 (314) 644-4403 School as Museum |
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MRH Middle School 7539 Manchester Road Maplewood, MO 63143 (314) 644-4406 School as Expedition |
MRH High School 7539 Manchester Road Maplewood, MO 63143 (314) 644-4401 School as Apprenticeship |
Download an Open House flyer.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
Each member of the MRH Elementary Read, Right and Run Club (RRR) has as his/her goal to READ 26 books, complete 26 RIGHT deeds and RUN 26 miles by the conclusion of their last club meeting.
“The significance of 26 came from our 26 weeks of training for the run” explained MRHE PE teacher Bill Cordia. MRHE RRR members will join other area kids in Forest Park on April 6 to run the final 1.2 miles at the Go! ST. Louis Read, Right and Run Marathon Family Fitness Event.
As part of the 26 good deeds, the RRR club is hosting a book drive to benefit the MRH school district’s youngest students at the Early Childhood Center. Families can bring in gently used or new books and/or consider making a financial donation to the MRH Early Childhood Center Library’s Caldecotts for Kids campaign at http://www.gofundme.com/caldecottsforkids.
The Book Drive will run through April 5. Students can bring in donations of books to the Elementary. “We’re cultivating a little friendly competition between classrooms” says Cordia. “The class that brings in the most books will get an extra recess with snacks!”
Financial donations to the Caldecotts for Kids campaign will continue to be accepted online after the book drive. MRH parent volunteer Anne Cumming reports “The goal of the Caldecotts fundraiser is to purchase a complete set of Caldecott books for the ECC library. To do this, we need to raise $1500. If there is any money left over, we’re going to purchase Caldecott runners up!” ECC Principal, Dr. Cyndi Hebenstreit describes Mrs. Cummings as a “Parent Volunteer Extraordinair,” adding “Anne is committed and compassionate to the cause of getting books into the hands of children and has spearheaded the total reorganization of our ECC Library.” In a letter thanking MRHE teachers for their support of the book drive, Mrs. Cummings writes:
...I wanted to take a minute to let you know what's been accomplished in the ECC library, with the help of your own Terri Watkins. (ELEM Librarian)
1. We have volunteer-led read-alouds and book check outs for K/1st grade.
2. To date, more than 900 books have been removed from the library due to age, wear, and type (we're replacing paperback picture books with hard covered ones.) When possible, we are using them in other areas of the school or giving them to children.
Mrs. Cummings goes on to list what is being done with the books they receive from this drive, including adding like-new, hardcover books to the library collection, replenishing the approximately 150 rotating kindergarten book bags that go home each night so families have a fresh read-aloud nightly, and updating the hallway book baskets that ECC students enjoy while waiting for the school day to begin. In addition, MRH Parents As Teachers program is given all like-new board books to distribute to families during home visits. Cummings says there are likely around 60-80 students who have no books at home. “Our goal is to send them home with a selection of 10 books for the summer. And we hope to support the ECC PTO’s semi-annual book giveaway for students.” Remaining books will be shared with the community at the ECC PTO’s Drop and Swap event on April 6 which is the same day as the Read, Right and Run Family Event in Forest Park.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
Dear MRH Family:
In March of last year, the MRH Board of Education sent a letter to all of our parents to convey our concerns about the proposed move of the Maplewood QuikTrip from its current location at 3010 Big Bend Boulevard to the northwest corner of Manchester Road and Big Bend. At that time, we voiced our concerns for student safety and the impact to the surrounding neighborhood to the City of Maplewood and QuikTrip.
Over the past year, the Board of Education, as well as many District parents and community members, have been involved in ongoing meetings and negotiations with QuikTrip, the City of Maplewood, and St. Louis County to try and make the development as safe as possible, and with the least amount of impact to our residential neighborhood.
On November 27, 2012 the City of Maplewood passed Ordinance No. 5689, which provides the approval for QuikTrip to relocate. Unfortunately, the Ordinance, as passed (and the form in which it exists today), contains many aspects we still feel are harmful to safety and our neighborhood residents. Some of these aspects include a new “cut-through” road from Big Bend Boulevard to Martini Drive at 2547 Big Bend, the closure of Martini Drive at the northern property line of QuikTrip, and inadequate safety signage and crosswalks.
After the Ordinance was passed a group of independent community members came together and gathered signatures to place a referendum on the April 2 ballot known as “Proposition Q.” This ballot initiative, and what voters will be voting on, refers to the Ordinance as approved on November 27, 2012. Unfortunately, recent discussions regarding amendments and additional safety measures to Ordinance No. 5689 have not been approved; thus leaving the Ordinance in its original form.
We had hoped for a new Ordinance approved by the City of Maplewood prior to the April 2 election or that the current one would have been repealed. Unfortunately this has not happened. After much consideration and discussions with our constituents, the Board of Education must reaffirm its adopted Resolution to not endorse the Ordinance in its current form.
Again the District is committed to working with the City of Maplewood to promote business, collaboration, and safety within our community. Only working together can we continue to build upon our community’s successes.
Sincerely,
Maria Langston, President
Francis Chmelir, Vice President
Nelson Mitten, Treasurer
Brooke Rintoul, Secretary
Julie Pole, Director
Rev. Ralph Posley, Director
Dawn Medina, Director
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
Dear MRH Parent/Guardian(s):
As you know, the MRH School District was closed for three days this winter due to the weather. We need to make up one of the days up in order to meet our educational goals for the year and to meet the state minimum number of school days.
As such, this previously scheduled day off for students will now be a regular school day:
SNOW MAKE UP DAY: Friday, April 19, 2013
In working with our administrative team, we believe this is a good solution, as we won’t need to extend the school year and reschedule the end-of-year events such as finals and promotion/graduation ceremonies.
I look forward to another successful semester and thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions, please contact me at (314) 644-4400.
Sincerely,
Karen I. Hall
Superintendent
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
MRHE PE teachers Mr. Cordia and Ms. Simon report that students not only had a great time participating in the Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart program during PE - they also raised $2340 for the American Heart Association. Ms. Simon commented, "They did all this while having fun and exercising our own hearts!
"
Grade Level Winners were:
2nd-Carson Skaggs
3rd-Jake Miller
4th-Morgan Kime
5th-Colin Skaggs
6th Maggie Pole and Hayden Steingruby
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
MRH Parent Potluck
Thursday, May 2, 2013
6:00 – 8:00 p.m
MRH High School Cafeteria
The purpose of this gathering is to give parents from Pre-K to High School a chance to get to know each other, talk with staff, and learn more about our innovative school district! Parents and staff will participate in group activities, and Superintendent Karen I. Hall will present on MRH School District’s past, present, and future. Please join us and bring a favorite “finger food” to share. This is one event you won’t want to miss!
Presented by MRH Parents and MRH School District Staff.
Please enter through High School Research and Design Center (exterior library door adjacent to the back parking lot) and proceed through building to the cafeteria. Free babysitting provided for children age 1 to 12 in the High School Research and Design Center. Games, movie, and snacks will be provided.
Please complete the registration form and turn into your school office.
For questions about attending or volunteering contact coordinators:
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
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Sadie Tanner, a second grader at MRH Elementary, recently wrote a musical composition entitled, "Snow", which won 1st place in the songs with words, junior division, K-6, of the Creating Original Music Project at the University of Missouri.
The program’s goal is to provide K-12 students in Missouri schools the opportunity to write original works in a wide array of musical styles and to present these pieces to their schools and at a music festival at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Sadie attended the Festival on April 20, 2013 to perform her piece in a recital and met with the music faculty. She received a monetary award and MRH Elementary will also be awarded $1,000 as a result of her accomplishment.
Sadie is the daughter of Brendan and Kristin Tanner.
2013 Winners by Category - Elementary Song Division
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
The MRH Board of Education honored members of the faculty and staff on April 19, 2013 for their years of service to the school district. Distinguished awards were also given for MRH Citizen of the Year, MRH Family of the Year, MRH Volunteer of the Year, MRH Teachers of the Year, and Spirit of MRH.
The ceremony concluded with honors for those retiring during 2012-2013 school year.
5 Years
10 Years
15 Years
Distinguished Awards
Special recognition to community members and staff for their service and dedication to the District and students.
Retirements
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
On Friday, April 19th, the first graders at MRH Early Childhood Center received a special pair of visitors, the principal and assistant principal of MRH Elementary. Dr. Adams and Mr. Strong visited each of the six 1st grade classrooms to share a special story, highlight the exciting things that happen at MRHE, and answer student questions.
Dr. Adams read the book "A Fine, Fine School" by Sharon Creech. The book is about a principal who is so very proud of the learning that occurs in his school with the students and teachers.
The ECC visit by Dr. Adams and Mr. Strong begins what Dr. Adams hopes is a "smooth and exciting transition for our soon to be second graders." "As a former 1st grade teacher, I remember the transition from 1st to 2nd grade and it can be exciting and also cause nervousness for students. We want to minimize the nervousness for our students and their families," Dr. Adams shared.
The next event in the 1st grade to 2nd grade transition with be May 9th when all of the first graders come for a visit to MRH Elementary School. First grade parents are then invited to attend the 1st Grade Orientation at 6:00 p.m. that evening.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
MRH Elementary had the assistance of two extra administrators this past Friday. Students Jack Harrow and Caleb Clark entered and won a raffle at the MRHE Chili Supper in March, landing themselves the job. They spent a good part of their day fulfilling the obligations of Principal and Assistant Principal for the Day.
Principal Jack, a 5th grader in Mr. Smith’s class and Assistant Principal Caleb, who is one of Mrs. Lillard’s 2nd graders, facilitated morning gathering, did a building walk-through, managed lunch duties, enjoyed a “working lunch” in the main office and finally made the afternoon dismissal announcements to the students and staff of MRH Elementary.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
The City of Richmond Heights Centennial Student Art Show will be held Saturday, May 4 from 10:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 from 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Saint Louis Galleria (Level 1 Zone D next to St. Louis Bread Co.)
The featured artwork comes from the students of the Maplewood Richmond Heights Early Childhood Center, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. All artwork be based on the theme "Then and Now."
For more information visit www.rh100.org or call The Heights at (314) 645-1476. Sponsored by the RH Centennial Committee
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
April 22 was Earth Day. To raise awareness of how our actions personally affect our planet, MRH Elementary 6th graders lead an Earth Day contest all this week during lunch to see which grade level could recycle and compost the most and throw away the least amount of landfill waste. The grade levels were competing for 25 minutes of extra recess.
The week before the contest, Sixth grade students visited younger grade level classes to educate them on what goes into compost, recycling and trash bins, and to answer any questions. They wanted to make sure that all the students understood the contest and were ready to waste less. “When planning this event, 6th graders decided that compost weight and recycling weight would be worth positive points, and trash (landfill) weight would be worth negative points.” explained Laura Tetley, MRHE’s Garden Co-ordinator.
Three separate bins were set up in the cafeteria; one for compost, one for trash, and one for recycling. Sixth graders weighed the bins after each lunch period. “We were all a little surprised at the amount of negative points,” said Tetley. “It will be interesting to continue this conversation with students to try to find new ways to keep trash out of landfills and waste less.”
By the end of the afternoon on April 26th, the totals had been calculated declaring Fourth Grade winners of the extra recess.
Some of what we learned during this process:
While it is important to recycle and compost - it is equally important to curb waste. (Putting what’s left of your apple in the compost bin is good, but if you are only going to take one bite out of that apple, then the amount of food you have wasted negates much of the good you do when you compost.) MRHE students are very fortunate to have many healthy choices in what they consume in our lunchroom. After the lessons learned during Earth Day week, they will no doubt continue to strive toward balance in making choices that are also healthy for our planet.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
Teachers in Maplewood Richmond Heights and in communities across the nation will be in the spotlight on National Teacher Day on Tuesday, May 7, as students, parents, administrators, and the general public learn how teachers are making great public schools for every student.
“Teachers are changing lives every day through their dedication, talent, and service to our children and community,” noted MRH Superintendent Karen I. Hall. “Few other professionals touch as many people as teachers do. Their commitment to our children is truly inspirational.”
Throughout the country, Teacher Appreciation Week is being celebrated May 6-10, 2013. This weeklong celebration in the United States is observed the first full week in May. Teacher Appreciation Day is the Tuesday that falls during Teacher Appreciation Week.
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “She’s no spring chicken” and wondered just what a spring chicken is supposed to look like, students at MRH Elementary can show you! Meet Snickerdoodle, Sparky and Buttercup; the newest additions to the coop. 
Although technically, these youngsters won’t be moving into the big coop until later June, they have already made themselves very comfortable at MRH Elementary. “Our students have been getting acquainted with the new Buff Orpington chicks through visits with their classes, learning to care for and handle the chicks and naming them” explained MRHE’s Garden Coordinator, Laura Tetley. “The entire student body voted on names for our chicks, and we are excited to watch them grow up to be happy, healthy, egg-laying hens.”
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.
MRHE 4th grader Cameron Cole submitted an essay to the Annual George Washington Carver Art & Essay Contest in February of this year. The contest, which is sponsored by the MIssouri Southern State University - Department of Teacher Education, The Carver Birthplace Association and the George Washington Carver National Monument, is held in recognition of Black History Month. Over 350 4th grade students from across the country submitted entries. On March 30, it was announced during the Art & Essay Award 
Ceremony at the George Washington Carver National Monument Visitor Center, that Cameron’s essay was recognized with an Honorable Mention.
Cameron shared his essay with MRHE students at Friday Gathering on May 10th. Although he and his mother were not able to attend the ceremony in Diamond Missouri, they were notified of the award and Cameron later received a large green ribbon and a certificate by mail. All essays were themed, If I could spend the day with George Washington Carver... “We are very proud of Cameron’s amazing work,” commented MRHE Principal Dr. Jason Adams.
If I Could Spend the Day with George Washington Carver
by Cameron Cole
If I could spend the day with George Washington Carver, I would first take him to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C. I would explain to him about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how he fought against segregation. He would be proud to see the Memorial because when he wanted to get an education he was denied because of his race and had to move to another city that accepted black children. Next, we would visit the White House because I think Mr. Carver would be proud to see how much progress has been made and how far America has come from slavery and segregation. I would introduce him to President Obama. We would sit with President Obama and talk about the past and what will happen in the future. Mr. Carver probably never imagined that an African American could or would be president. When Mr. Carver was alive, people who looked like he and President Obama could never have been the President of the United States because of the color of their skin.
After visiting Washington D.C., we would then visit Diamond Grove, Missouri to visit his hometown so that he could see the changes and progress that has been made there. I would ask him to describe to me what slavery was like for him and his family. I would also ask Mr. Carver to explain how he went from being the son of slaves to the Plant Doctor. I would ask Mr. Carver to show me where he planted his first garden and ask what things made him want to succeed in life. We would then visit the George Washington Carver National Monument. He would be so surprised and excited that the work he did is being honored and that people remember him for his contributions.
Once we leave Diamond Grove, we would then visit St. Louis. I would first take him to Radio Shack to show him all of today’s technology. Mr. Carver would be amazed. Next, I would take him to Schnucks to show him the rows full of peanut butter and thank him for coming up with so many things from the peanut. After that, I would take Mr. Carver to the Arch so that we could see a lot of historical artifacts and ask him if any of the artifacts brought back any memories that he had while he was growing up. Lastly, I would end our day by visiting my school and introducing him to my friends and teachers to show him how education has changed and how the segregation fight allowed me to be able to learn and play with kids of all different races. I would show Mr. Carver my report cards and tests so that he can see that I want to succeed in life and become someone great just like he did and tell him that the next time we meet we will visit my Monument!
For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.