FHSD District Digest | Nov. 3, 2021

COVID-19

DISTRICT WEBSITE

CANVAS

CAMPUS PORTAL

translate

❯

Changes to Snow Days for 2021-22

At its October meeting, the FHSD Board of Education approved a revised 2021-22 school year calendar that reflects changes to snow days for the current school year. The first three snow days will be made up (consistent with our past practice); the next four snow days will not have to be made up due to extra instructional time in the calendar. In the unlikely event that the District experiences more than seven snow days, snow days 8, 9 and 10 will be added to the end of the school year.

Video - What would you do if you were principal?

During School Principals' Month, we asked students what they would do if they became boss for a day.

watch the video

FHMS Blue Ribbon Celebration

FHMS celebrated their Blue Ribbon award with an inflatable obstacle course, cupcakes, and more!

view pictures

Hackmann EC Halloween Parade

Hackmann Early Childhood invited the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent to pass out Halloween candy to students.

view pictures

❯

Prop S Projects Impacted by COVID-Related Delays and Cost Increases

Prop S projects continue to be impacted by ongoing challenges facing the construction industry, including high demand, labor shortages, inflationary material costs and COVID-related delays in the steel and aluminum industries, which affect project timelines and budgets.

The District’s facilities advisory committee – made up of staff, parents and community stakeholders – has been proactively re-evaluating projects, with the goal of providing the greatest possible value for the District at the lowest possible cost in a difficult market. It is possible that some Prop S projects will need to be delayed, reconfigured or reprioritized in response to rising costs and supply shortages.

Four additional security vestibule projects at Barnwell, Francis Howell Middle, Independence, and John Weldon were completed over fall break, and construction on the new Francis Howell North is moving along well. The Guaranteed Maximum Price, or GMP, for the Francis Howell North project will be presented at a Board meeting in the near future. It is expected to come in higher than previously expected for the reasons noted above concerning the construction industry.

View the latest Construction Update presented to the Board of Education and follow along with Prop S progress at fhsdschools.org/props.

❯

SchoolMessenger Reset Completed Over Fall Break

Francis Howell School District executed a system-wide SchoolMessenger reset over Fall Break to prepare for the upcoming inclement weather season.

Contact information can be updated at any time in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal Click here for instructions on how to update contact information in Infinite Campus. The contact information listed will be used for all SchoolMessenger alerts going forward, so it is imperative that your information is correct in Infinite Campus.

Following the reset, you may need to opt-in to continue receiving SchoolMessenger text alerts. Opt-in now by texting “Y” or “YES” to 67587 from your mobile phone.

The FHSD College and Career Readiness website provides a variety of information for both high school students and graduates, including financial aid resources, job and scholarship opportunities, tips for college applications, webinars and more!

The District continues to be impacted by nationwide staffing shortages, specifically for custodial, maintenance, and paraprofessional roles. View all open positions online and please consider applying if there’s a role that interests you.

FHSD senior students and parents are invited to join the district's college and career counselors and regional financial aid experts for an evening of individualized assistance on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The next FAFSA Frenzy session will take place at Francis Howell North from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, Register here.

The draft of the proposed 2023-24 calendar is available. The same parameters are used yearly when developing the calendar. The draft is similar to the 2021-22 and 2022-23 approved calendars. If you did not already complete the survey using the link sent by your child’s school, please take a minute to provide feedback by filling out the calendar survey. The survey will close Thursday, November 4.

The District is excited about the creation of a new Academic Advisory committee that will gather stakeholder input and feedback on the work of the academic department, primarily related to curriculum development. Learn more about the selected committee.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11. For more information about vaccine availability, contact your primary doctor or visit vaccines.gov.

Barnwell Middle School Math Teacher Brittany Rees and FHN Family and Consumer Science Education (FACS) Teacher Marissa Heyer received the 2021 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Read more.

FHN Industrial Technology Teacher Michael Green and FHHS Industrial Technology Teacher Ricky Reeves earned the 2021-22 PLTW Outstanding Teacher Award. Read more.

FHSD Offering $200 Monthly Stipends for Substitutes

Substitute teachers and substitute paras who work 10 days a month for FHSD will receive a $200 monthly stipend. This will increase their daily pay by $20/day. Subs also have the option of working during teacher's plan time to earn an additional $15/day. This is on top of the progressive pay incentive already in place. The stipends will allow FHSD to continue to recruit and retain quality substitute teachers during the ongoing staffing shortage affecting school districts and businesses around the country.

New Path to Substitute Certification

Beginning in November, substitute paras and other individuals who do not have 60 college credit hours will have the ability to sub as teachers if they complete DESE's 20-hour training program. Interested in subbing? Apply today!

In order to provide a more inclusive playground experience for all students, Henderson Elementary recently partnered with their PTO to purchase a LAMP Core Word Communication Board for their outdoor space. Read more.

U.S. News released its 2022 school rankings in October and FHSD tops the charts! For the first time, they’ve also ranked elementary and middle schools. Here are some highlights.

FHMS staff and student council raised $1,000 to support Pink Ribbon Girls St. Louis, a local nonprofit that provides meals, transportation, housecleaning and peer support to those battling breast cancer. View pictures.

In October, Independence Elementary was named to Saint Louis University’s Student Growth Top 20 list, coming in at #8 in the state for student learning growth in English Language Arts. Read more.

The Early Childhood Francis Howell PALS Program recently celebrated their annual Spooktacular event with a drive-thru.

PALS volunteers and National Honor Society high school students handed out treats and activities to trick-or-treaters. View pictures.

This year is Vacation Station's 30th Anniversary! Vacation Station began in the Summer of 1991 for families that needed a safe and fun place for their children during our District’s year-round cycle breaks. The program was originally housed in the old Miller School building, formerly Weldon Spring Elementary School, until it was destroyed by fire in 1992.