1st Semester - Francis Howell School District

FRANCIS HOWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WINTER 2015
Dear Community,
By the time this newsletter hits your mailbox, we will have wrapped
up the first semester of the 2015-16 school year. At every level—Early
Childhood to High School - there are many stories of success that
have been achieved first semester as a result of the support provided by
our community. Please visit our District website, www.fhsdschools.org,
to view some of those stories of success.
As we begin second semester, the Board of Education continues discussion on an April 2016 tax levy
initiative. Though the details of such an initiative were not determined at the time this publication
went to press, we do know that any additional revenue will be used to help preserve our student
programming and staff. The District reduced its expenditures by $8.2 million for the 2015-16 school
year and plans an additional $4 million in cuts for the 2016-17 school year.
Second semester is always an intense time of work and daily preparation by our students and staff.
Some students will begin new courses, and our staff will begin spring assessment preparations and
2016-17 school year planning. Additionally, our students will begin enrolling in coursework for next
year at the secondary levels, and our Early Childhood and Elementary levels will begin the process of
transitioning students to the next grade and level.
As we move more deeply into winter, the weather often presents challenges. Our facilities and operations
personnel will be working diligently through these months to make sure we have safe conditions for
our students and staff.
As a critical part of the greater Francis Howell School District community, we thank you for the
resources you have provided in order for us to have such an outstanding school district. We are grateful
for your support of our work. Our students are blessed to have such a great place to learn every day.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pam Sloan
Superintendent
C on nec t w it h FHSD
There are lots of ways to stay connected with
the Francis Howell School District. Watch for
the next edition of this newsletter in your
mailbox in June.
Visit us on the Web
www.fhsdschools.org
Call us on the Phone
636-851-4000
Like us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/francishowellschools
Follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.francishowell
Celebrations
Francis Howell North Students Win
Annual Culinary Competition
Francis Howell North won first place in the
eighth annual Iron Chef competition. The
competition featured all FHSD high schools.
This year, the student chefs planned their menus
around an Asian Fusion theme. Students had
two hours to create their three-course meal
consisting of a salad, vegetable, entrée, and
dessert for thirty people, using only ingredients
provided to them and a mystery ingredient.
Seven FHSD Students Named
National Merit Semifinalists
Seven students from FHSD, out of 16,000 nationwide, were named National Merit Scholarship
Semifinalists. Blake Felt, Elise Kaminski, Grant
Morey, and Sean Sebacher from Francis Howell
High School; Rachel Nixon from Francis Howell
Central; and Caleb Black and Alex Warhover
from Francis Howell North were among the high
achieving students selected for the honor.
About 90 percent of the semifinalists reach
Finalist Standing, and half of those will win a
National Merit Scholarship and earn the title of
Merit Scholar®.
Two FHSD Teachers Selected as
Emerson Award Winners
The Francis Howell School District (FHSD) is
proud to announce two of our teachers, Sally
Black and Matthew Riffee, were chosen to
receive the Emerson Excellence in Teaching
Award. The award is distributed annually to
approximately one hundred educators in the
Metro Area, whose careers range from college
professors to kindergarten teachers. It’s
an award that seeks to honor those who are
examples of excellence in their field.
PAGE 2
FHSD Earns A+ on State Annual Performance Report
The Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education has released the Annual Performance
Report (APR) scores for schools and districts
across the state. The Francis Howell School District
earned 138 out of a possible 140 points for a score
of 98.6 percent on its 2015 APR. This overall score
is comprised of scores for each of the Missouri
School Improvement Program - Fifth Version
performance standards: Academic Achievement,
Subgroup Achievement, College and Career Readiness, Attendance Rate, and Graduation Rate.
Francis Howell’s performance on state assessments puts the District in the top 5% in the state.
FHSD Named to the College Board’s 6th Annual AP District Honor Roll
The Francis Howell School District (FHSD) is one of
425 school districts in the U.S. and Canada, and only
one of four in Missouri, being honored by the College
Board with placement on the 6th Annual Advanced
Placement (AP) Honor Roll. To be included on the
Annual AP Honor Roll, FHSD had to increase the
number of students participating in AP, while also
increasing or maintaining the number of students
earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. Reaching
these goals indicates that a district is successfully
identifying motivated, academically prepared
students who are ready for the opportunity of AP.
FHSD offers 24 different AP courses. While only 20.1% of students in the nation scored a three or
higher on their final AP exam, 66.2% of FHSD students reached that high score.
Preparing Students for Colleges and Careers
Financial Responsibility: Keeping Funds Close to the Classroom
In the Francis Howell School District, everything we do
is designed to help all students learn and be successful.
We recognize the importance of being accountable for
the financial health of the District, and we work hard
to maximize our resources.
INSTRUCTION ........................................63.3 cents
Teachers who provide classroom instruction
SCHOOL SUPPORT..........................................................19.6 cents
Counselors who monitor academic and social growth Librarians who
encourage reading and research skills Instructional materials and textbooks Computer hardware and software Supplies for physical education
and fine arts Nurses who help keep students healthy Principals who lead
the school staff School office staff members who support daily operations
FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE...................................................7.1 cents
Keeping schools clean and maintained Repairing electrical systems, roofing,
heating and air conditioning Heating, cooling, and lighting schools Providing
cameras for increased security
TRANSPORTATION ..............................................................................5.7 cents
Buses that provide safe travel to and from schools, field trips, and activities
FOOD SERVICE ......................................................................................2.9 cents
Facilities and staff that provide students with nutritious breakfasts and lunches
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
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CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................1.4 cents
Administrators who recruit teachers and manage human resources Professionals in
finance, technology, curriculum, and communications
FHSD FUNDS
n
Where does FHSD get revenue?
FHSD Receives Meritorious
Budget Award
For the tenth consecutive year, the Francis Howell
School District (FHSD) has earned the Meritorious
Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. The award is
conferred only to school systems that have met or exceeded stringent criteria and demonstrated the District’s hard work and commitment to fiscal integrity.
The ASBO reviewers noted that the FHSD budget
illustrated a great use of charts and graphs
throughout the document to help patrons understand the District’s finances, and did an excellent
job of informing the reader on the District’s current
and projected financial status.
Board of Education Election
Candidate filing for the April 5, 2016, election to the
Francis Howell School District Board of Education
opened at 8:00 AM on Dec. 15, 2015, and continues
until 5:00 PM on Jan. 19, 2016.
District residents interested in filing must do so in
person at the Administration Building located at
4545 Central School Road. Candidate qualifications are listed on the District’s website, www.fhsdschools.org, or a copy can be picked up at the
Administration Building.
How are FHSD funds spent?
PAGE 3
FHSD Launches Senior PALS Program
The Francis Howell School District is launching a new initiative, Senior PALS
(Patrons Assisting and Lending Support), to better engage members of our
community who are ages 60 and older. Senior PALS are invited to spend
time in our schools for a delicious meal, musical performances by FHSD
students, guest speaker presentations, and more.
Feedback from a recent community survey told the District that we need to provide more
opportunities to engage with our residents who do not have kids in our schools. Senior PALS is
one way we hope to better inform our patrons, as well as provide an opportunity to share input.
Mark your calendar for future Senior PALS events on Jan. 26, March 29, and June 28. Locations
and times are to be determined. The cost to attend a Senior PALS event is $5.00, and advance
reservations are required. To RSVP or to join our mailing list, please call 636-851-4013.
Superintendent Search Update
The Francis Howell School District Board of Education is working with the search
firm McPherson & Jacobson to handle the recruitment, application, and interview
process of selecting a new superintendent. The firm is actively recruiting candidates
by seeking individuals who may not be looking for a job, but would be good leaders
for the District. They will also be involved in interviewing and screening candidates.
Candidates will be able to apply for the position through Jan. 8. Finalists will be interviewed in
late January, and the recommendation for the new superintendent will be taken for approval at a
Board of Education meeting in February.
The District is searching for a new leader after current superintendent, Dr. Pam Sloan, announced
her plan to retire at the end of the 2015-16 school year. Dr. Sloan will work closely with the new
superintendent to make sure there is a smooth transition.
FHSD Schools Give Back to the Community
The Francis Howell School District is full of dedicated parents,
students, staff, and patrons. Throughout the year, many give their
time, talent, and resources to help improve our community.
In November, our schools honored veterans through a variety of
activities and assemblies. Several schools also raised money for
Honor Flight, a charitable organization that sends veterans to visit
war memorials in Washington D.C. Currently, our school community
is preparing to make the holidays more enjoyable for some of our
families who have experienced a tough year. Many of our students,
staff, and community members are collecting food and gifts, as
well as coats, hats, and mittens for those in need.
These types of service activities help to develop our students into
caring and compassionate citizens who willingly share their good
fortune with others.
PAGE 4
Board
Meetings
Board of Education meetings are
held at the Francis Howell School
District Administration Building
located at 4545 Central School
Road at 7 PM.
Jan. 21, 2016
Feb. 18, 2016
March 17, 2016
April 7, 2016
April 21, 2016
May 16, 2016
June 2, 2016
June 16, 2016