September 2026 (WEB)
A Newsletter for the Jennings School District and Community
Dear Families and Staff:
As I enter my sixth year as Superintendent in the Jennings School District, I still get excited by a new school year, seeing students' faces and how they have grown over the summer. Energized by our productive administrative retreat, the team discussed opportunities, challenges, academic goals and student performance along with Personalized Competency-Based Learning, Core Tier One Literacy, Multi-tiered System of Support and Data Literacy, all part of JSD’s particular formula for growth and achievement – because that's what we do in the J!
I encourage all parents, guardians, staff and community members to please register here for our Saturday morning, Oct. 3, MSIP 6 Café Kick-off and the following Thursday evening Cafés to come throughout the school year – enjoy a delicious meal, engaging discussions on topics especially targeted for parents, plus door prizes and giveaways.
We also look forward to connecting during Parent-Teacher Conference Week from Oct. 19-22! Since school schedules vary, please watch for specific timing details from your child's school.
Please check with your school office to make sure your contact information is up-to-date for email notifications from the District.
To best support your student and stay active in our school community, please visit the District website to view our Calendar of Events, archived Warrior Way News and District News stories between publication releases or access quick links at linktr.ee/JenningsK12.
Please read the featured highlights below to learn more about some of these programs along with other exciting news – especially Prop J updates!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact a member of your school team; they are eager to support you and our students as they explore and grow.
Thank you for allowing me to serve,
Dr. Paula D. Knight
Superintendent of Schools
The St. Louis American posted the following on their Facebook (link to post with photos and video) regarding its October 17, 2026, Salute to Excellence in Education Gala:
Jennings Superintendent Dr. Paula Knight says education has to be “a calling over a contract.” Her leadership through crisis, commitment to early learning and focus on expanding opportunities for students will be honored with the Stellar Performer Award at the 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala. Click here to read more on the St. Louis American's website.
Honoring Decades of JSD School Board Leadership
These three Jennings Board members have a combined 67 years of service on the Jennings Board of Education! State Representative Yolonda Fountain-Henderson (center) has served for 23 years and BOE President Miranda Jones and Treasurer Harold Austin each have served 22 years.
JSD's Director of Extended Programs Kimberly J. Wooden, Ed.S., expressed gratitude for the high level of engagement: "Everyone was engaged in learning more about parenting. Even one of our teachers noted that she was not aware of all of the work that was being done by educators working with PAT."
Wooden and her team of certified preschool educators continue to actively connect with local neighborhoods to promote this free program for our youngest community members.
Parents interested in helping their child reach their fullest potential can join PAT today by calling (314) 653-8084 or visit JenningsK12.org/PAT to learn more about what PAT has for your child age birth through start of kindergarten (usually 5 years old).
The circus was back in town in early September 2026! For 32 years, the UniverSoul Circus entertained children and adults across the country. This team of incredible performers left the big top to make a stop at Fairview Elementary School on Sept. 1, where the audience responded to this sneak peek with laughter and cheers before heading to the St. Louis Galleria for their scheduled shows.
We thank them for their visit and for ensuring that JSD students got front-row seats to their incredible antics.
Students in Karen O’Neal’s classroom run a coffee cart program that teaches responsibility, confidence and real-world business skills. Through this enterprising service, students fulfill classroom orders by making drinks, assembling snack packs based on orders received, delivering items and managing daily sales, including collecting money and reconciling the accounts.
According to O’Neal, these enterprising students are learning about marketing, merchandising and running a business in addition to performing a service for their teachers and classmates.
The Jennings School District has partnered with Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) to serve fresh, scratch-made school meals and healthy snacks that fuel student success. Starting in September 2026, families can easily view online school breakfast and lunch options with detailed nutrition lists. To check the current meal schedule, visit JenningsK12.org/food-menus or subscribe to inbox alerts (click here) to "go green" with an optional auto-email menu. JSD menus are also accessible via linktr.ee/JenningsK12.
Since 2017, JHS art teacher Jennifer Kelch has coordinated Family Ceramic Nights twice a year for the Jennings community. Building a loyal following of local artists, community members paint pottery alongside students, family, teachers and friends. With supplies displayed before them, artists of all ages transform mugs, plaques, trays and lanterns into inspirational art objects.
Limited seats are available for the Thursday, Oct. 15 event, scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Jennings Senior High School. Sign up online at JenningsK12.org/CeramicNight.
The Fairview Clinic has partnered with Affinia Healthcare to provide free medical care, dental care, physicals and FREE immunizations to all Jennings PreK-12th grade students during school hours. The Clinic operates on-site at Fairview Elementary School every Wednesday. To make care easily accessible for students across all JSD schools, the District will handle everything—including providing round-trip transportation from the student's school to the clinic.
To set up an appointment, JSD parent/guardians are asked to speak with their school nurse.
JSD Early College Academy (ECA) invites ECA students to apply for the opportunity to expand their horizons on an unforgettable trip to South Africa during Spring 2027. This immersive journey through Johannesburg and Cape Town bridges real-world adventure with deep cultural discovery as students explore South African history, connect with local peers and experience a wildlife safari. Students gain a life-changing global perspective and realize their future potential.
This trip offers a special opportunity for District staff as well. To learn more, students and staff are to contact Dr. Debbie Jones-Fowler, Early College Academy administrator, at djonesfowler@jenningsk12.org.
Jennings Receives $5K Check from T-Mobile
Jennings Athletic Director Marlos Reynolds accepts a $5,000 check from T-Mobile Senior Manager Emily Stefan during halftime at Warrior Field on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Jennings is a preliminary winner in T-Mobile’s “Friday Night 5G Lights” contest and in the running for a $1 million football field upgrade.
The top 40 division finalist schools will be announced Oct. 8. To vote for Jennings between Oct. 8 and 25, like (👍), comment, share and tag #FN5GL and #Entry on @TMobile and @jenningsathletics (Facebook / Instagram) posts. The final four champion schools will move on, with the grand prize winner announced Nov. 12.
Let's go Jennings and support our JHS student-athletes!
Have you noticed the "Coming Soon" signs?
Project Manager Leon Hite noted that construction is beginning ahead of schedule on the massive, custom outdoor playgrounds at Fairview and Hanrahan elementary schools, funded by the Proposition J bond issue. The new installations are replacing Fairview’s 30-year-old equipment and Hanrahan's bare concrete lot with vibrant, safe play spaces featuring extra turf comfort padding and interactive sensory equipment. Custom transportation-themed rides are built to inspire future pilots and engineers while ensuring age-appropriate exercise.
These highly visible upgrades follow the successful launch of Fairview's indoor play space last year, while critical district-wide HVAC improvements also continue behind the scenes thanks to Facilities Director Corey Hellums and the Operations team. Stay informed on Prop J updates online at JenningsK12.org/departments/facilities/prop-j.
Ivy Clark
PreKindergarten
Northview
Elementary School
Alaila Warren
8th Grade
Rose Mary Johnson
Jennings Junior High
Zion Guthrie
12th Grade
Jennings
Senior High
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