West Newsmagazine 5-20-20

Local news, local politics and community events for West St. Louis County Missouri. Local news, local politics and community events for West St. Louis County Missouri.

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22 I SCHOOLS I May 20, 2020 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM If You Want To Leave Everything To A Nursing Home, That’s Your Business... 314.932.7111 7730 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 310 Clayton, Missouri 63105 If You Want To Leave Your Assets To Your Loved Ones Instead, That’s Our Business! The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisement Nalini S. Mahadevan, JD, MBA Attorney Little princesses met big ones at Dance Inc. on May 9. [Source: Dance Inc.] bulletin board Socially distanced princesses On May 9, Dance Inc., 15933 Manchester Road in Ellisville, hosted a very special Princess Sidewalk Visit. Little princesses were invited to register online for a chance to meet their idols – a.k.a. Disney Princesses. Each child was greeted upon entry to the Dance Inc. parking lot and announced by the “Palace Guard” as they were individually escorted – safely socially distanced, of course – to meet the Cinderella and Elsa. The princesses, big and small, had a ball. ‘Teaching in Room 9’ What do the Nine Network and the Rockwood School District have in common? English/language arts instructional coach Kristen Forth. For Rockwood, Forth coaches kindergarten through second-grade teachers. For the Nine Network, she is recording video reading lessons for children all over St. Louis. Twelve area teachers are creating educational video segments for “Teaching in Room 9,” which debuted on May 4. The half-hour segments are shown from 12:30-2:30 p.m. each Monday through Thursday. They are broken up into four categories: reading and math for pre-kindergarten through first grade and the same topics for second through fourth grade. Forth is teaching pre-kindergarten through first grade reading. “It serves children in the community who don’t have internet access or reliable devices,” Forth said. “Everybody can get Channel 9 on the television. I love knowing that we’re reaching learners and students who maybe don’t otherwise have access to getting the education that they deserve.” Marquette mask maker When Marquette High junior Sri Rajan heard her mother talking about the shortage of face masks for patients and health care workers, she wanted to find a way to help. For the past month, Rajan has been making masks. So far she has donated 45 blue and orange face masks to Chemo Buddies and 10 to local healthcare workers. Additionally, she handcrafted 30 face masks to be used at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois. “I started the project during spring break and was able to spend a lot of time buying Sri Rajan with masks she has made to donate. [Source: Rockwood School District] supplies, finding the requirements and organizing donations,” Rajan said. “My younger brother helps with cutting the material, organizing them and sewing the masks as well.” She sews in the evenings for about an hour a day, using the skill her grandmother taught her. “I have always enjoyed volunteering and since we are all quarantining at home, this was the best way for me to continue serving,” she said. Parkway students honored as scholars Six Parkway high school students were selected for the 2020 Missouri Scholars 100 list, a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouri’s top academic students in the graduating class of 2020. The Parkway students are Balaji Vijayakumar and Mary Xu, of Parkway Central; Matthew Christofferson and Veronica Sorg, of Parkway South; Ronik Bhaskar and Dawson Ren, of Parkway West Each student nominated had to meet criteria of an “Academic Decathlon,” which included 10 “events” designed to assure the academic strength of the student. To meet the decathlon requirements, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1,900, be ranked in the upper 10% of the class, and have taken upperlevel courses in mathematics, science, English and foreign language. Dynamic Duo: Local girls turn hobby into hope By KATE UPTERGROVE Quinn McFarlane and her friend Toni Keeven like making bracelets for fun. But in the past, time was limited. School, dance, Girl Scouts and soccer filled up much of the girl’s free time. Then, came COVID-19. Activities for the second-grade friends came to a halt but an idea took root. They were making a lot of bracelets, so what if they sold them and gave the money to charity. “We just wanted to help charities and make money for people who are sick right now,” Quinn said. “We like to give back.” When asked what charities the girls are helping, Quinn declared, “Cancer and coronavirus.” Her mom, Sara, explained. “We’re donating the proceeds of the bracelets right now to Rockwood Gives Back, it’s a program through our school district. They help a large number of people in the district but obviously right now fighting the coronavirus is the priority. Then, in addition to that, Quinn’s grandma has cancer … so we’ve decided to spread the hope to the Siteman Cancer Center where my mom gets treatments [by] making bracelets for the cancer patients as well,” Sara said. A dynamic duo, the girls have raised hundreds of dollars by making bracelets together while they’re apart. “Obviously, we can’t be by each other right now,” Quinn said. “But sometimes she [Toni] comes over and we sit apart in the yard and make bracelets. It helps us talk about our business.” It’s a business the girls dream of growing. “We really want an Etsy store,” Toni said. “And we would name it Midnight Moon.” Toni’s mom, Kelly, urged, “Tell her why.” “Because it was available and because there is always light in the darkness,” Toni said. See DYNAMIC DUO, page 34

FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM May 20, 2020 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I SCHOOLS I 23 GRADUATION, from page 19 disappointment surrounding graduation and the after-party for her daughter, Abby, and Abby’s fellow classmates. “I’m super happy with the POWERplex announcement. We are thrilled they came up with a creative solution to celebrate graduation,” Robeso said. “To know 100% that the graduation is happening and they get to walk, even if it feels different, is a big deal. This has been an exercise in adaptability.” Abby said the quarantine has had unexpected benefits, such as learning how to build her own schedule and time management, which will be a bonus for college. But it has not been an easy transition. “I’m very glad we get a graduation,” she said. “It would have been nice to have prom and senior night, but if we only have the option for one event, I think many of us would choose graduation. We are pleased for the opportunity to wear a cap and gown. “How many people can say they had a drive-in graduation ceremony?” Traditionally, Rockwood schools, and others around the region, hold after-graduation parties that last until the following morning. At these lock-ins, seniors are treated to gift bags and swag as well as a chance to win bigger prizes. This year, senior celebration plans are in flux, but that doesn’t mean the prizes and swag isn’t happening. The idea to hold a daily raffle began April 23. An announcement goes out daily at 20:20 military time from the senior celebration committee. A quick “best wishes” video precedes the raffle. Those were originally to take place in tandem with the party. “We didn’t want students to feel forgotten or left behind. They are still part of the community and we are continuing to support them,” Robeson shared. Miles said, “Not only are we doing this for our students, but for the educators themselves. It is going to be stressful planning for the new school year. It is nice to get the graduation done and behind them, so they can focus on going forward.” While many of the details are known, Buck shared, “There are special moments built-in that the kids won’t be expecting.” Miles and Robeson are grateful to Buck and all those involved. “We appreciate Dan’s efforts and his team for facilitating the process,” Miles said. “It will be a memory our graduates will cherish for a lifetime.” Parkway Schools has announced graduation plans for The Family Arena in St. Charles on July 27-28 for South, West, North and Central high schools. Fern Ridge High’s graduation will take place on the North High campus on July 29. All programs open to both boys and girls CAMP HIP HOP JULY 14, 15, 16 • 10:30 - 12:00 • 6-10 yrs dance to the latest songs in party lights with glow the dark fun PRINCESS CAMP JULY 14, 15, 16 • 10:30 - 12:00 • 3-6 yrs dance, crafts, story time, dress up from the little princess ball gown closet and a visit from a “special” princess CHEER AND DANCE TEAM CAMP JULY 21, 22, 23 • 10:30 - 12:00 5-8 yrs and 9-12 • learn basic cheers, lifts, tumbling, dance, pom ME AND MY DOLL CAMP JULY 28, 29, 30 • 10:30 - 12:00 5-9 yrs • dance to the latest tunes with your 18-inch doll - your doll receives a new dance outfit. Fun crafts and games MINI INTENSIVE JULY 28, 29, 30 • 10:00 - 12:30 • 7-teen will challenge all dancers in a variety of dance subjects TINY TOT CLASSES JULY 29, AUGUST 5, 12, 19 • 9:30 - 10:15 3-5 yrs • includes ballet, tap and creative movement REGISTER TODAY! • 636-394-0023 • dance-inc.com 15933 Manchester Rd. Ellisville, MO • 63011 We will adhere to all local and federal guidelines to keep our attendees safe at all times.

FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE<br />

WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM<br />

May <strong>20</strong>, <strong>20</strong><strong>20</strong><br />

WEST NEWSMAGAZINE<br />

I SCHOOLS I 23<br />

GRADUATION, from page 19<br />

disappointment surrounding graduation<br />

and the after-party for her daughter, Abby,<br />

and Abby’s fellow classmates.<br />

“I’m super happy with the POWERplex<br />

announcement. We are thrilled they came<br />

up with a creative solution to celebrate<br />

graduation,” Robeso said. “To know 100%<br />

that the graduation is happening and they<br />

get to walk, even if it feels different, is<br />

a big deal. This has been an exercise in<br />

adaptability.”<br />

Abby said the quarantine has had unexpected<br />

benefits, such as learning how to<br />

build her own schedule and time management,<br />

which will be a bonus for college.<br />

But it has not been an easy transition.<br />

“I’m very glad we get a graduation,” she<br />

said. “It would have been nice to have<br />

prom and senior night, but if we only have<br />

the option for one event, I think many of us<br />

would choose graduation. We are pleased<br />

for the opportunity to wear a cap and gown.<br />

“How many people can say they had a<br />

drive-in graduation ceremony?”<br />

Traditionally, Rockwood schools, and<br />

others around the region, hold after-graduation<br />

parties that last until the following<br />

morning. At these lock-ins, seniors are<br />

treated to gift bags and swag as well as<br />

a chance to win bigger prizes. This year,<br />

senior celebration plans are in flux, but<br />

that doesn’t mean the prizes and swag isn’t<br />

happening.<br />

The idea to hold a daily raffle began<br />

April 23. An announcement goes out daily<br />

at <strong>20</strong>:<strong>20</strong> military time from the senior celebration<br />

committee. A quick “best wishes”<br />

video precedes the raffle. Those were originally<br />

to take place in tandem with the party.<br />

“We didn’t want students to feel forgotten<br />

or left behind. They are still part of the<br />

community and we are continuing to support<br />

them,” Robeson shared.<br />

Miles said, “Not only are we doing this<br />

for our students, but for the educators<br />

themselves. It is going to be stressful planning<br />

for the new school year. It is nice to<br />

get the graduation done and behind them,<br />

so they can focus on going forward.”<br />

While many of the details are known,<br />

Buck shared, “There are special moments<br />

built-in that the kids won’t be expecting.”<br />

Miles and Robeson are grateful to Buck<br />

and all those involved.<br />

“We appreciate Dan’s efforts and his<br />

team for facilitating the process,” Miles<br />

said. “It will be a memory our graduates<br />

will cherish for a lifetime.”<br />

Parkway Schools has announced graduation<br />

plans for The Family Arena in St.<br />

Charles on July 27-28 for South, <strong>West</strong>,<br />

North and Central high schools. Fern<br />

Ridge High’s graduation will take place on<br />

the North High campus on July 29.<br />

All programs open to both boys and girls<br />

CAMP HIP HOP<br />

JULY 14, 15, 16 • 10:30 - 12:00 • 6-10 yrs<br />

dance to the latest songs in party lights with glow the dark fun<br />

PRINCESS CAMP JULY 14, 15, 16 • 10:30 - 12:00 • 3-6 yrs<br />

dance, crafts, story time, dress up from the little princess ball gown<br />

closet and a visit from a “special” princess<br />

CHEER AND DANCE TEAM CAMP JULY 21, 22, 23 • 10:30 - 12:00<br />

5-8 yrs and 9-12 • learn basic cheers, lifts, tumbling, dance, pom<br />

ME AND MY DOLL CAMP JULY 28, 29, 30 • 10:30 - 12:00<br />

5-9 yrs • dance to the latest tunes with your 18-inch doll -<br />

your doll receives a new dance outfit. Fun crafts and games<br />

MINI INTENSIVE JULY 28, 29, 30 • 10:00 - 12:30 • 7-teen<br />

will challenge all dancers in a variety of dance subjects<br />

TINY TOT CLASSES JULY 29, AUGUST 5, 12, 19 • 9:30 - 10:15<br />

3-5 yrs • includes ballet, tap and creative movement<br />

REGISTER TODAY! • 636-394-0023 • dance-inc.com<br />

15933 Manchester Rd.<br />

Ellisville, MO • 63011<br />

We will adhere to all local and federal guidelines to keep our attendees safe at all times.

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