ISSUE 11 - August 2026
A Newsletter for the Jennings School District and Community
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!
Hello, I’m Dr. Paula Knight, the superintendent of Jennings School District. I’m thrilled to welcome you to the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
Last year, we navigated some rough waters, literally, as we faced the aftermath of the high school flood. I am excited for our community to see the outcome of renovations that continued into the summer. Then in March, we thwarted a cyberattack, hired a forensic cybersecurity firm and strengthened safeguards around all digital equipment, programs and files.
But, as I reminded our team at the Opening Day Convocation, "No good Captain ever prevailed on calm seas."
Although I just celebrated my fifth year in the district, I still feel the excitement of a brand new school year. I look forward to seeing the faces of our students and how they've grown in just a few weeks of summer. The annual back-to-school Jamboree was one of the largest in recent history! It was a great way to kick off the year for our students, family and staff.
Students left with backpacks, supplies, crafts and more; to make the start of the school year as smooth as possible for everyone, including our new teachers! This year, we’re bringing all our resources to bear, including a large group of new teachers who will bring fresh insights, experience and energy to their new roles. A few will be stepping into a classroom for the very first time!
I’m energized and excited after a very productive administrative retreat (group photo below), where we spent three days discussing our opportunities, challenges, academic goals and student performance. You'll hear more about Personalized Competency-Based Learning (PCBL), Core Tier One Literacy, Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) and Data Literacy throughout the school year. It's our own particular formula for growth and achievement.
To learn more, I encourage you to check out our MSIP6 Café and dinner discussions (flier with dates is below). Our academic calendar (also below) is filled with events that will help you learn more about how to support your students’ success.
Jennings has everything a student needs to succeed, thanks to our unique resources, engaged parents and the support of committed partners who help us achieve our goals.
Together, we will make this year productive for all because–that's what we do! We add to our legacy each day; that's why every day is a great day in the J!
In service together,
Dr. Paula D. Knight
Superintendent of Schools
The JHS first-day welcoming committee included board members, partners, administrators, alumni and members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Epsilon Lambda and Alpha Kappa Alpha. Prior to the early-morning start of school, JHS Warrior basketball players came to check out their new main gym. Upon entering the school, JHS students picked up free clear backpacks and Yondr bags for storing their cell phones. Jennings was one of the first districts in the region to offer this solution for limiting cell phone use during class time.
The 2026-27 Jennings Back-to-School Jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 8 saw students, families, teachers and staff attending in record numbers, despite the sweltering heat! The Gary Gore campus offered a full range of fun, education and excitement with a gaming van, petting zoo, bubble bus, immunizations, physicals and more. Thanks to our partners, including the St. Louis County Police Department, the JSD team created one of the best events in recent years. Thanks again to everyone – attendees and partners – who shared in making this an amazing event for all.
Dr. Lisa Gray, JHS Principal
Entering her fifth year with the Jennings High School Warrior family and more than 30 years of dedicated educational experience, Lisa Gray, Ed.D., stepped into the role of JHS principal. After a year of strong growth in student attendance, instructional progress and positive behavior, we're expanding elite opportunities for every student through targeted character building. Dr. Gray encourages families and community members to partner with JHS, visit our campus, share improvement ideas and work together to ensure every student achieves or surpasses their personal goals.
Coach Rayshawn Simmons, Boys Basketball Coach
Jennings High School has named Rayshawn Simmons as its new Head Coach for the Boys' Basketball program, drawing on a leader with extensive professional playing and coaching experience. Before joining the Warriors, he played overseas and in the NBA Summer League, later coaching at Principia High School to a State Championship and assisting at Moberly. In this new role, he aims to build a pride-worthy program focused on developing disciplined, accountable and resilient student-athletes. He is excited to lead the team and utilize basketball as a tool to foster lifelong growth both on and off the court.
Jeff White, IT Director
With more than 24 years of experience in technology, including 13 years at JSD, Jeffrey White now serves as the District’s new director of information technology. He was a scholar-athlete at Fort Zumwalt High School, worked for banks and nonprofits after high school and then in the gaming industry. He joined JSD as a contractor and stepped up to system administrator two years later. As director of IT, he is responsible for managing the IT framework, cybersecurity, equipment troubleshooting, website development and staying on top of artificial intelligence (AI) trends. He plans to continue working hard to build relationships as he believes it will serve him well in his new role. “It's important not to concentrate on just 'closing a ticket,'" he said. “You must make sure the educator, staff person or student customer has everything needed to get the job done.”
"I'm Shirley Hart McInerney, and I was raised in Jennings all my life on Shirley Avenue… " began the conversation at the JSD Historical Society's Senior Day on July 22. Shirley traveled from Florida with a Fairview High classmate to share memories with 40 local senior citizens. Their visit included a tour of Shirley's family roots, highlighting her family's former dairy and a relative who worked for the city’s founder.
The rewarding event catalyzed the relaunch of the Historical Society. Society President Yolanda Austin and her husband, Reverend Harold Austin, who serves as JSD Board of Education's vice president, now aim to bring more students and teachers into the space. Anyone can support these ongoing community history efforts through a $50 adult membership. Learn more about the organization at www.jenningsk12.org/community-partners/jennings-historical-society.
Early College Academy (ECA) students are preparing for the upcoming Jennings’ signature travel-abroad program to South Africa from June 2 to June 12, 2027. This highly anticipated trip will introduce students to their first international flights, new cultures and unfamiliar cuisines. The immersive experience is designed to challenge their perspectives and deliver a life-changing adventure through deep cultural and historical exploration. Watch for more information to come, along with ways you can personally support these students. For more information, contact Debbie Jones-Fowler, Ed.D., at JonesFowlerD@JenningsK12.us.
- Congratulations! JHS Athletics team for being a $5,000 weekly winner of the T-Mobile #FN5GL Friday Night 5G Lights sweepstakes. Department officials are urging fans to keep sharing and tagging social media posts with #FN5GL and #Entry on all social media platforms to continue supporting the school throughout the competition.
- Mark your calendars for the Friday, October 16th Homecoming football game against McClure, which begins at 6 p.m. Tickets will be available via GOFAN (link).
- The JHS Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. Watch for details to come.
- JHS 2026-27 Season Passes are available for purchase online through August 28, 2026, via GOFAN (link). Individual tickets are also available through this new ticketing app.
For more information on ticketing and game day expectations, along with links to follow JSD Athletics on various social media platforms, please visit www.jenningsk12.org/departments/athletics or check out more updates in the July 2026 Warrior Way eNews archived at www.jenningsk12.org/wwNews.
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