🏫 Back-To-School

The Back-to-School Tomahawk Tribune is filled with information to support a great start to the 2025 school year. The first day of school is Monday, August 18th.

I hope this letter finds you and your family relaxed and enjoying the summer! As we look ahead to the 2025-26 school year, I'm filled with excitement for another great year together. Our staff has been busy planning, preparing, and working hard to get our classrooms ready to welcome students back on Monday, August 18th.

Much of our summer has focused on enhancing our facilities and instruction. Our custodial and maintenance team has been hard at work making improvements and updates to all our learning spaces for students and staff. Likewise, many of our staff participated in summer training and curriculum writing workshops, all aimed at improving teaching practices and boosting student success.

In July, our Board of Education will finalize our new Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). This plan outlines new goals for the district's future, focusing on:

1. Academic Excellence/College & Career Readiness

2. Parent and Community Engagement

3. Student Attendance

4. Climate and Culture

Based on the valuable feedback from our students, staff, and families, the Board of Education also approved Southwest Food Service Excellence (SFE) as our new food service provider. We truly appreciate your support and involvement as partners in your child's education. Please know that our top priorities as a district are always our students' learning, safety, and well-being.

Building strong, positive partnerships among our schools, families, and the community is a cornerstone of the Meramec Valley R-III School District. Together, we are committed to providing an excellent education for every student. This year, we're focusing on our theme, "Celebrate Success!"

As a school community, it's a privilege to see the outstanding accomplishments, developing talents, and incredible growth of our students everyday—they truly are at the heart of all we do. By working together to recognize and celebrate the positive achievements of everyone in the Meramec Valley R-III community, we will continue to strive for excellence.

Missouri law (Senate Bill 68) requires all public schools in the state to restrict student use of personal electronic communication devices (such as cell phones) throughout the school day. MVR-III is proud to go Cell Phone Free to support focused learning, respectful interactions, and a safe, welcoming school climate. This means students will keep their personal devices put away during the school day so they can fully engage in learning and social connections.

We understand electronics are a part of everyday life, and we appreciate your partnership in keeping our schools focused and student-centered.

🕒 When Are Devices NOT Allowed?

As required by state law, student devices must be off/silenced and out of sight from the first bell to the final dismissal bell. This includes instructional time, passing periods, breaks, and meal times. Specifically, devices are not permitted during the school day. This means:

• During class

• During lunch

• During breaks or recess

• Between classes/passing periods

• Phones may not be used as calculators or to listen to music.

💡 What Counts as a "Device"?

Any portable device used to send, receive, store, or view communication, information, or images, including:

• Cell phones

• Smartwatches

• Gaming devices

• Personal laptops and tablets

• Ray-Ban Meta Glasses
• Wireless Earbuds

✅ Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes. Devices may be used:

• When required by a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan for medical reasons.

• In a documented medical emergency.

• When authorized by a teacher or administrator for an approved educational purpose.

For more information on the cell phone-free learning environment guidelines, please contact your student's principal.

At the beginning of each school year, Meramec Valley R-III School District asks that one parent in a student’s primary household complete an online update of student information. This is required to ensure that schools have accurate contact information for parents and guardians and up-to-date medical information about your child. The Annual Update is now available through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Schedules will not be available if the Parent Portal is not updated.

Kindergarten parents that registered their student for the 25-26 school year do not need to complete the annual update on kindergarten students.

Student Information Update Help Sheet Link Here

Fines, Fees, & Lunch Payments

Infinite Campus has switched to a new payment processor for all online payment functions in the Campus Portal. This will have no impact on how payments are processed, however you will need to update the following:

Add Payment Method(s):

• Your information will NOT automatically be transferred over to ensure the security and

confidentiality of your data.

• Add credit/debit card information or bank accounts.

To validate bank account information there will be two options:

1. Automatic Validation - You’ll be prompted to log into your bank to

validate your account.

2. Manual Validation – 24-48 hour manual confirmation process before

the account will be activated.

If you need assistance adding payment methods, please follow these instructions.

Update Recurring Payments:

• To ensure the security and confidentiality of your data, your recurring payments will NOT

be transferred.

• Add any recurring payments you previously had set up and use the new payment

methods you created.

• If you need assistance with recurring payments, please view these instructions.

MVR-III uses the BusRight Parent App to communicate bus routes and times with parents. BusRight is a FREE parent appwhich allows parents to, in real-time, follow their child’s bus route to and from school, receive notifications when the bus begins and ends its route, view the expected arrival time at your child’s designated bus stop, and receive communication from the Transportation Department.

To access BusRight, please follow these simple steps:

1. Download the App: Download the BusRight app from your mobile device's app store.

2. Create an Account: Use your Infinite Campus email address to create a login.

3. Track Your Student: Begin tracking your child's bus routes immediately.

If you have issues creating your account, you will need to verify with your school building office that you are listed as the primary guardian in Infinite Campus. Find out more on BusRight on the District website under Transportation.

Pacific High School

August 12: Freshman Orientation & Open House

Alternative & Virtual Programs

August 12: Open House

Riverbend Middle School

August 13: Open House

Pacific Intermediate

August 13: Ice Cream Social & Open House

Coleman/Nike/Robertsville/Zitzman Elementary Schools

August 14: Open House

Doris Hoffman Early Learning Center

August 12: Open House

Elementary Odyssey

August 11: Open House at Nike Elementary at 5:00pm (K-4 gifted classroom)

School district meal prices will remain the same for the 2025 school year. Families are highly encouraged to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application for possible qualification. Paper applications will be available at Open House events.

The Free/Reduced Meal Program not only helps families, it gives the district a more accurate picture of student needs as the percentage of students qualifying for free/reduced price meals is a national measure of poverty. The annual rate is used to determine how much federal funding will flow to school districts and how much extra support- primarily staffing like Reading Specialist and additional teaching staff for schools with the highest free/reduced percentages. Additionally, these rates help districts qualify for free meal waivers for MVR-III which benefit all students.

Contact Michelle Dawson at 636-271-1428 or email at mailto:mdawson@mvr3.k12.mo.us. Find Food Service Department information here.

As the 2025 school year kicks off, MVR-III is excited to offer a nutritious and energizing start to every student's day—FREE breakfast for all! This incredible opportunity is made possible by Provision 2 under the National School Breakfast Program, and it’s designed with one simple goal in mind: ensuring that our students have the energy they need for a successful day of learning.

However, to keep programs like these available, it’s crucial for families to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application. By doing so, you help the District qualify for vital funding that supports all students. Your participation ensures that every child continues to receive the benefits of nutritious meals, which are key to their academic and personal growth.

In the case of inclement weather or other emergency situations, an announcement of changes will be made through our communication notification system. MVR-III utilizes this tool to enhance ongoing communication with parents and staff through voice call, text, mobile app notifications, social media, and the district website live feed. In cases of school cancelation, news channels 2, 4, and 5 will also have the information.

This system allows school administrators to keep parents updated quickly and efficiently with personalized messages that help them stay actively involved in their child’s education. Patrons can use the free mobile app to get rapid notifications and access a variety of school-related information.

Parents are encouraged to download the FREE MVR-III School District mobile app to streamline school communication on the go. Find the Meramec Valley R-III School District app in the Apple App or Google Play Store. Be sure to select notifications from your preferred buildings and enable Push Notifications on your phone settings.Teachers will communicate directly with parents through the Classroom button inside the MVR-III app.

Rooms makes it easier to stay in touch with teachers and class information from that same app. You can easily switch from district and school information in the app to Rooms, where you can see your student's classes and engage directly with teachers.

Rooms can be accessed via the web (at edurooms.com) and from our district app, which is available for free and can be used from both Apple and Android phones. To access Rooms, you will need to create a login and password.

Be sure to:

• ALLOW Notifications

• Select SETTINGS to choose the school(s) you want to follow

Infinite Campus offers a secure and intuitive online portal that allows you to access your child's grades, attendance records, and assignments. This feature will enable you to stay up-to-date on their academic progress. Parents and students have access to the Campus Portal, a confidential and secure website that allows users to log in and view information about progress in school.

How do I begin using my Parent Portal?

Mobile applications are available for both iOS and Android devices. Download to access information about your child's education anytime, anywhere. You will have the convenience of monitoring their progress and staying connected even while on the go.

How can I learn more about using Infinite Campus?

Infinite Campus created a Study Guide site, which provides step-by-step walk-throughs, screenshots, and videos of how to do most common activities within the portal. Check it out for the best way to find the information you need!

If you have additional questions regarding Infinite Campus or Campus Portal, please contact your child's school office.

If you plan to volunteer, attend field trips, or help at school events, you will first need to complete the background check process. Two background checks are now required, and the process takes up to 10 days to complete.

We suggest families plan ahead and complete the process prior to the start of each school year or 10 days prior to an off campus field trips. Volunteers should review the links below. Please contact your child's school office if you have any questions.

• Volunteer Process

• Volunteer Handbook

The MVR-III Maintenance Department has been hard at work, completing significant projects across our facilities. These updates were made possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of our Maintenance team over the summer. We appreciate their efforts in ensuring our facilities are in top shape for students and staff.

Pacific High School

• New school marquee - in progress

Riverbend Middle School

• Renovated office area with new flooring

Pacific Intermediate

• Relocation of the school nurse's office - in progress

Coleman Elementary

• New outdoor learning space - thanks to the generosity of community partners

Nike Elementary/Transportation Department

• Additional staff restrooms
• ADA accessible classroom restroom
• New Odyssey classroom

Robertsville Elementary

• Additional staff restroom
• Remodeled staff workroom
• Additional parking lot - in progress

Zitzman Elementary

• New sidewalk

Doris Hoffman Early Learning Center

• Playground shade - in progress
• Playground resurface - in progress

Email: karmstrong@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: mvr3.k12.mo.us
Location: 126 North Payne Street, Pacific, MO, USA
Phone: 636-271-1400