The St. Louis Rams and CHARACTERplus, an initiative of the Cooperating School Districts, today announced this year’s Character Fitness Model Schools. Ladue Middle School in the Ladue School District, Point Elementary School in the Mehlville School District and Woerther Elementary School in the Rockwood School District were selected as the 2013 Character Fitness Model Schools.

The Model Schools program recognizes schools that have effectively implemented character fitness throughout the school year in a way that engages students, staff and the school community as a whole. Character fitness combines health and nutrition efforts, character development and physical exercise. Schools that have achieved a mastery rating in those categories, as determined by a panel of judges, are recognized with the honor of being named a Model School.

Ladue, Point and Woerther were selected as Model Schools based on the number and quality of initiatives in which they participated this year, and how the programs collectively involved the student body. In addition, the schools were judged on staff involvement in teaching and modeling character fitness, curricular connections within physical education, health and core classes, community outreach and service, and the outcomes of the various programs and efforts.

This year’s Model Schools have also embraced a culture of character fitness by participating in national and regional initiatives that improve their physical activity and service. Such programs include the President’s Fitness Challenge, PLAY 60, GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon, Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart, National Walk/Bike to School, in addition to others. They encourage individual goal setting and help students track improvement through Fitness Gram and heart rate monitors.

Teachers from core and encore curricular areas regularly incorporate five-minute activity breaks for their students in class and before tests. They also attend yoga or fitness classes after school and organize walks in support of worthy causes.

Examples of efforts from Point include a two-week dance unit created by the music teacher to help fund diabetes awareness. Parents also got involved by organizing a Father-Daughter Dance and a Mother-Son bowling event.

In science classes at Ladue, students study heart rates in the lab, calculate acceleration rates on rollerblades, test water samples from a local creek and explore physics with a cardboard boat regatta. In communication arts, students research sugar effects, analyze food labels and put grammar rules to movement with Conjunction Junction. The parents of Ladue students also helped establish a “Girls on the Run” program at the school.

Woerther students take part in “Bowling for Bucks,” a program in which they practice bowling, shagging pins, counting money and scorekeeping. And second-graders test their geography skills in the United States Relays.

All three Model Schools will receive a banner to highlight their accomplishment during an on-site celebration. Each school will also receive tickets to a 2013 Rams game and an invitation to co-present at the Fall 2013 launch of Character Fitness. In addition, their ideas will be shared with all educators through the St. Louis Rams and CHARACTERplus websites.

The St. Louis Rams and CHARACTERplus partnered to create the Character Fitness Model Schools program in 2010, recognizing the connection between the principles of character education and fitness. The program offers the opportunity to benefit students and schools alike in a joint effort to create foundations for a healthy life.

CHARACTERplus is a community partner of the St. Louis Rams, helping the organization to instill character and healthy lifestyle choices in youth. CHARACTERplus currently involves more than 74 member school districts in Missouri and southern Illinois, including 30,000 teachers serving in public, private and charter schools who reach more than 340,000 students.

For more information on Character Fitness Model Schools and CHARACTERplus, please visitwww.characterplus.org.

In announcing the Board of Education’s selection, Board President Jayne Langsam stated, “Dr. Jahnke is a proven and trusted leader in our district. She has a clear understanding of the educational needs of students, as well as the expectations of the community.  She has earned the respect of her colleagues at all levels during her 22 years in the district and can hit the ground running on the many important initiatives underway.”

“It will be my honor, as well as my privilege, to serve as Ladue Schools’ next superintendent,” said Dr. Jahnke.  “My commitment to this district is strong and I am passionate about what can be accomplished here.  I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.   Our teaching staff is exceptional and our leadership team is engaged and solid.  Most importantly, our parents are involved and bring to us some of the most remarkable students in the nation.  I am confident that, together, we can maintain the traditions that have made Ladue Schools an excellent school district, while continuously improving to ensure we set the standard for academic excellence.”

“Dr. Jahnke was an excellent choice and I am thrilled for what this means to the district,” stated Acting Superintendent Dr. Judy Sclair.  “Donna loves kids and loves learning, and her background in curriculum, educational programming and student services is exceptional.  That knowledge, passion and commitment has served the district well under her leadership as an assistant superintendent and it will continue to do so for many years to come as she serves as superintendent.”

Dr. Jahnke began her career in the Ladue School District in 1991 as a classroom teacher, after having worked as a Special Education Teacher for Special School District of St. Louis County.  In 1996 she became Director of Community Services, which included responsibilities as the Director of the Ladue Early Childhood Center, as well as for the Parents as Teachers and all district fee-based programs.  In 1998 she was appointed Principal of Reed Elementary School where she remained until becoming an Assistant Superintendent in 2008.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Education, as well as Special Education Certification from Southeast Missouri State University; a Master of Education from the University of Missouri; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University.

The Board of Education and lead administrators are in the process of determining what other administrative changes may occur as a result of Dr. Jahnke being appointed Superintendent.

• In 2011, Spoede Elementary School became the first school in the district to earn the Missouri State School of Character distinction.
• In 2012, Ladue Middle School was named a Missouri State School of Character and was recently informed the school is a finalist in the National School of Character program.
• Now, Old Bonhomme Elementary School has been named a 2013 Missouri State School of Character and will soon learn if it will join Ladue Middle School in the running to be a National School of Character.

“We are all proud of the character of our students and the collaborative efforts of staff and parents to support character development at school every day,” states Old Bonhomme Elementary School’s Principal Cheryl Kirchgessner.  ”It is always wonderful to be recognized and we’re thrilled to be going on to be considered for national recognition too.  I really enjoyed the process of writing the application with our committee and reflecting on all the wonderful things happening for students at Old Bonhomme.  Character Education is embedded in so many of our curriculum and extra-curricular projects that the most difficult part was narrowing down to meet the length requirements of the application.”

More than 130 indicators are assessed, including the reduction of bullying and incivility and the development of intrinsic motivation, meaningful curriculum, student empowerment, staff collegiality, service, and shared moral leadership among staff, students and parents.

“We are extremely proud of the schools that have achieved this honor,” said Liz Gibbons, director of CHARACTERplus.  “The staffs in these schools have created a positive environment in which students feel safe and connected to adults and each other.  These schools are truly able to focus on learning and academic achievement thanks to the cultures they have created.”

Dr. Kim Stallons is the current principal of Spoede Elementary School.  Dr. Vicki VanLaere is the principal of Ladue Middle School, and Cheryl Kirchgessner is the principal of Old Bonhomme Elementary School.

Construction of the new Ladue Early Childhood Center was recognized for front end planning and alignment initiatives by the Ladue School District, S. M. Wilson Co. and Bond Architects.  Designed and built as a state-of-the-art sustainable learning environment, the 49,000 square foot facility replaces an existing facility to provide 24 classrooms, play structures, gym, and library for a nurturing environment for pre-schoolers and toddlers.  With construction within 14 feet of existing educational facilities, close coordination was required to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Awards were also presented for construction and renovation projects for the Ameren Labadie Power Plant, the Washington University School of Medicine data center, the historic 109-year-old Umrath Hall at Washington University, and the Barnes-Jewish Center for Outpatient Health.

There are fifteen best practices which have been validated by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) to provide savings in cost and schedule.  Validation is based on results from projects throughout the country.  The CII is recognized as a principal construction industry forum for improving the business effectiveness and sustainability of capital facilities.

The St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC) is the owner organization representing major buyers of construction.  SLCCC promotes the region through collaborative leadership to improve the efficient delivery of construction projects.  It serves as the owners’ voice for design and construction.

http://www.hectv.org/programs/series/i-am-ladue/1929/best-of-show/

By Heidi Glaus

Olivette, MO (KSDK) - Drive around any neighborhood and you’ll probably see somebody in the middle of some sort of project. But the project that just wrapped up at a house in Olivette required more than a hammer and nails.

Actually, it started with a family’s passion for turning pages.  ”Yes, I love to read,” explained Parris King-Levine.  As does her sister, Bronte.  ”I don’t like all books, I just like some books,” Bronte clarified.  ”Books are great we want everyone reading books,” added Katherine King, the girls’ mom.

So what looks like an oversized bird house in the family’s front yard is really a little free library.  ”One of the kids was funny, he said it’s going to be robbed every night and I said great,” King said.  That’s the idea actually, to get books in the hands of others free of charge.  ”It’s not only having the books but building community,” Mia Levine added.

So at a time when most neighbors are putting up fences, this family is putting out the welcome mat, one that invites you to curl up with a good book.  To learn more about Little Free Library, visit their website.

Each month, two of the Ladue Broadcast Technology department’s televisions shows, the student-produced Ladue View and the district communications program Ladue Schools Today, are combined into a one-hour television show called iAm Ladue.  See the first edition of iAm Ladue.

The second show submitted, includes a Ladue Schools Today edition regarding the district’s pursuit of a One-to-One Learning Initiative and features Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Donna Jahnke and Director of Information Technology Services Rob Highfill.  In this segment, Dr. Jahnke and Mr. Highfill discuss the purpose behind providing a laptop computer to every high school student and includes endorsements for the program from Ladue Horton Watkins High School Principal Dr. Bridget Hermann and Ladue Education Foundation Treasurer Julie LaBonte.

Each month, Broadcast Technology teachers Don Goble and Marteana Davidson, along with a student host, introduce the two shows to bring to the community one collective Ladue Schools effort as a new program of HEC-TV’s. The Ladue School District is the first high school to have this form of partnership with HEC-TV.

Just last spring, HEC-TV and FOX2 partnered to share Channel 2 on the digital dial. iAm Ladue appearsmonthly on channel 2.2.  This is a great opportunity for Ladue Schools students and the district, to deliver positive news about Ladue to the St. Louis community. In addition, is also available to 600,000 subscribers per month, who download or stream their programming through iTunes. iAm Ladue is also available through iTunes with this partnership.  To read more about the HEC-TV and FOX2 agreement, and to find out exactly how to locate channel 2.2, read this article.

The students and directors will travel to Tan-tar-a on Friday, January 25, 2012 to present concerts modeling exemplary performance and literature for Missouri music teachers and college students.

Each month, two of the Ladue Broadcast Technology departments televisions shows, the student-produced Ladue View and the district communications program Ladue Schools Today, will be combined into a one-hour television show called iAm Ladue.  See the first edition of iAm Ladue.

Each month, Broadcast Technology teachers Don Goble and Marteana Davidson, along with a student host, will introduce the two shows to bring to the community one collective Ladue Schools effort as a new program of HEC-TV’s. The Ladue School District will be the first high school to have this form of partnership with HEC-TV.

Just last spring, HEC-TV and FOX2 partnered to share Channel 2 on the digital dial. iAm Ladue will appear monthly on channel 2.2.  This is a great opportunity for Ladue Schools students and the district, to deliver positive news about Ladue to the St. Louis community. In addition, HEC-TV has over 600,000 subscribers per month, who download or stream their programming through iTunes. iAm Ladue will now be available as well through iTunes with this partnership.

To read more about the HEC-TV and FOX2 agreement, and to find out exactly how to locate channel 2.2, read this article.

The luncheon was held in the gymnasium of what will open as the Fifth-Grade Center in the fall of 2013. “While not as refined a location as those we’ve used in the past, it was perfect for this year,” explains Co-Chair Diane Patershuk.  “It gave the community a chance to see this new district facility, and where else could we have had a demonstration of a robot shooting baskets?”

The event raised just over $25,000 and begins a year of fund-raising efforts by the foundation. “Our mission is to advance the excellence of the Ladue School District by expanding opportunities for extraordinary student success,” says President of the Ladue Education Foundation Dr. Pradip Das. “We are very proud to be providing the district with the opportunity to pilot new and innovative programming.  In addition, there are a number of successful programs now being incorporated into curriculum which got their start with foundation funding.”

At the luncheon, Dr. Das outlined four key funding initiatives on which the foundation will focus this year.

• Twenty-First Century Learning Initiative (One-to-One). This initiative provides a laptop computer to every high school student for use at school and at home, allowing for continuous, consistent access to content for all students while allowing for efficient maintenance and secure site filtering.
• Robotics. The foundation has been integral in the development of the district’s current robotics program and hopes to help the district intensify the elementary robotics experience with additional equipment, materials and supplies.
• Project Lead the Way. The district has already integrated two engineering courses at the high school as part of this initiative. Science equipment upgrades would allow the district to begin to implement the biomedical component of this programming.
• Expansion of Mandarin Chinese in Elementary Schools. The Foundation began with a Mandarin Chinese pilot program at Reed Elementary School. Additional funding will allow expansion of this programming, which exposes elementary students to the Mandarin Chinese language, to all four elementary schools.

These programs were chosen because of their alignment with school district priorities and their importance in advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming. STEM incorporates and interrelates these disciplines through an inquiry method of learning.