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Superintendent's Blog: From My View

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Dennis Currier, Dr. Jim Wipke, and Jacob Wipke

Dennis Currier is not just a good friend—he’s a great friend, even though throughout our friendship, we’ve gone through a year or two without speaking. I know that might sound strange. How can you call someone a great friend when so much time passes without a call or check-in? I get it; I really do. But I’ve always known that if I ever needed anything, Dennis would drop everything to be there for me. And you know what? I’d do the same for him. I hope he knows that. Dennis would undoubtedly sit on my Board of Directors if my life were a company. I bet each of you reading this blog has a Dennis in your life.

Read More about Just Win the Red Jersey
Dr. Wipke's - Power of a Selfie Blog

Well…I bet that title grabbed your attention! Selfies – they seem to evoke strong opinions, don't they? People either love them or can’t stand them. For some, it’s like, "Oh no, here comes that guy again with the selfie!" But for others, it’s a rallying call, "Heck yeah, let's get a selfie!"

So, what's all the fuss about? Why do people take them? And more importantly, why do I take them?

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Dr. Jim Wipke and Staff Sergeant Dwight Johnson

It is hard to believe how quickly the summer snuck up on us. Each year feels like a sprint when I look back on it, one full of milestones and reasons to be proud of our students. Perhaps no milestone is bigger than Graduation, held this year on May 19. Row upon row of Ladue blue caps and gowns surrounded by their families and friends is an image I look forward to seeing each year. If you haven’t seen one of our graduation ceremonies in person, it always ends with the ringing of a bell, followed by 300 caps soaring skyward. The bell signifies the end of one journey and the start of another; after this moment, as our high school motto states, our seniors “go forth to share."

Read More about Learning From a Forward-Thinking Philosophy
Jacob Wipke on Mountain Summit

It all came into focus at the top of South Mountain. A recent trip to Arizona with my wife, Jennifer, and children Jacob and Jordan was fantastic for spending precious time together, and also came with its share of meaningful moments. As we stood at Dobbins Lookout, gazing over the Salt River Valley – the Phoenix metro and the many miles of desert extending outward – I thought about all of decisions and opportunities that life affords us.

Read More about Following Our Compass
Superintendent Dr. Wipke and Jacob Wipke at Cardinals Baseball Game

It’s interesting, isn’t it? Time seems to go by so fast, and we look back and wonder where it all went. Pre-COVID, my son Jacob was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and two-and-a-half years later, he stands about 6 feet, 2 inches (by the way, I stand all of 5 feet, 9 inches, so don’t ask me where he gets his height from). The point is, that not only has his physical appearance changed, but he has changed in so many other ways that might not be as obvious. Jacob will continue to change, and I am sad that time with him at home is running out.

Read More about Reflections of a Superintendent and Father of Four
Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke and his wife Jennifer Wipke

The story this holiday season is pretty clear—like most of the year 2020, it will be different in so many ways. We all experienced Halloween and Thanksgiving 2020-style, and we are now racing into the seasons of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. In the Wipke household, we have done our best to embrace change with a smile. However, I must admit that not seeing my mother, sister, and in-laws over Thanksgiving was a real bummer, to put it mildly. I try to remind myself there will be many holidays and events to celebrate in the years ahead, but right now those reminders can sometimes feel very hollow.

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Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke and Coach Ron Boschert

The following message was shared with all district staff by Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke at the 2020-21 back-to-school kickoff...


Seventeen years ago, when my eldest daughter was roughly eight years old, I started coaching her soccer team. As I began to put the team together, I quickly realized I needed an assistant coach to help me. Little did I know that this assistant coach would become much more than an extra set of hands on the field. He would become one of my primary mentors and a significant influence in my life.

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It Has Got to be the Shoes!

As a young kid growing up, I constantly had a basketball in my hand and Michael Jordan shoes on my feet. My parents refused to pay top dollar for tennis shoes, so I would cut neighborhood lawns and save my money. Every once in a while, I was able to negotiate with my mom and dad and we would split the cost of a new pair of Air Jordans. 

I can still remember the first few weeks of owning a brand new pair ... I would leave the shoes in the box and only wear them when I laid in bed so I did not scuff them. I’m sure my parents laughed and rolled their eyes a bit when they found me asleep with them on my feet.  

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Jackie Robinson Dodgers Number 42

When we hear April 15, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? I bet that like me and many others… you think taxes.

A note from your accountant (not) … With the Coronavirus and the CARES Act, the federal and Missouri governments have pushed the tax deadline to July 15, so if you haven’t filed/paid your 2019 taxes yet, don’t panic! Also, don’t panic because this blog is not about taxes!

Does April 15 have any other significance to you?

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Image of Various Shapes to Find the Star

Well, this was certainly not what I had anticipated my next blog would be about. COVID-19? Really? Seriously? A few short months ago, nobody even knew what it was, much less imagined the turmoil it would create in our world. Truth be told, I have actually written a few blogs since my last one and simply chose not to post them. In light of the times, I think I am going to put them on the shelf for a little while. 

Read More about Get Rid of the Clutter
Greather than Yourself Book Cover

January has come and gone.  I hope it treated you well.  I always find January to be a great month and an awesome time of the year. It’s a time when we often have the opportunity to be refocused … rejuvenated … and re-invigorated to find our “why’s” and live them out in our daily actions. New Year’s resolutions (whether you personally make them or not) are kicking into gear … high gear at that. Anyone who went to the gym in the month of January was sure to find full classes or waits for a treadmill that didn’t occur in December. January has telltale signs of resolutions in action. People are more relaxed and full of hope that their dreams will be accomplished.

Read More about Resolutions 2020

After spending the past six months as superintendent of the Ladue School District, a district of 4,200 students about 15 miles west of downtown St. Louis, I have decided to attempt to become a blogger. It never occurred to me before. However, I am finding this journey so interesting, inspiring and enlightening that I felt compelled to invite others to follow along!

Read More about Welcome to My Blog