February 2022 Newsletter

After 25+ years of friendship, longtime Parkway parent and teacher will be honored this spring!

Please join us in the Above and Beyond 5k to honor and celebrate Nancy Simpson.

The race will benefit the "Granting Dreams Program", a memorial fund set up in Nancy's name. This charity enables Parkway School District K-12 enables students to attend and learn in educational experiences outside their regular curriculum. Teaching, learning, and helping students were more of Nancy's passions where she went above and beyond.

The 5k will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, 4/2/22. The kids 100 yard dash will follow the walk/run at 10:00 a.m.

We hope to see you there!

Mardi Gras - Laissez les bons temps rouler!

(Let the good times roll!)

Make plans to join us online for our 2022 Parkway Virtual Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. Anyone with online access can participate, so get your far-flung friends and family to join you online for this fun event. Teams of 4 and 8 are encouraged to sign up.

Can't join us for trivia night? You can still buy raffle tickets and win items from the online raffle by clicking here.

Proceeds will benefit PAA programs that include Granting Dreams for Parkway students and recognition for exceptional teachers and operations staff. Purchase tickets or become a sponsor here.

Join us on the second Tuesday of each month for an all-alumni networking event. Hear from alums about their current work and meet other Parkway alumni in our community. To attend, email parkwayalumni@parkwayschools.net to be added to the meeting invite list.

Submit your nominations before the May 1 deadline.

The Parkway Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2022 Parkway Alumni Association Hall of Fame class. Parkway graduates chosen for the Parkway Hall of Fame are those who have made a noteworthy impact on the lives of others through their work in their respective career fields or through their unique contributions to their community. Please provide details of the nominee’s accomplishments that qualify this individual for Parkway Hall of Fame distinction by addressing the topics listed below. Including a letter of recommendation that makes this person a compelling nominee is encouraged. Letters and additional supporting information will need to be submitted separately by emailing them to Sandy Riutcel, PAA executive director, at sriutcel@parkwayschools.net. Online submissions can be completed here.

We're back on the ice with the St. Louis Blues for two upcoming games. Tickets will be available soon for the Sunday, March 13 game vs. the Winnipeg Jets at 6:00 pm and the Saturday, April 9 game vs. the New York Islanders at 7:00 pm. Check back for more details and the link to purchase tickets.

ARTS Trades Day connected 35 Parkway students with hands-on learning experiences in the construction trades. Huge shout out to our industry partners and students for an awesome day! #cterocks #trades #handsonlearning

The most recent Spark! pitch contest was held on February 23. Sixteen student-owned businesses presented their pitches to the judges in hopes of being selected to receive prize money that could be used to advance their business to the next level. The competition was intense!

Unknown, a high-fashion streetwear brand that centers around expression and self-validation within culture today took first place! Learn more about Spark and how you can support this unique Parkway program.

Six Parkway schools have been named state schools of character for their dedicated focus on character development which has a positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate. In addition, the district has been re-certified as a state district of character. Parkway’s six schools represent nearly half of the 13 schools in the region to be recognized this year!

Claymont Elementary and Mason Ridge Elementary are new recipients. Carman Trails Elementary, Green Trails Elementary, Northeast Middle and Southwest Middle have been re-certified.

Character.org certifies schools and districts at the state level that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development which has a positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate.

Kathleen Petruska, Parkway South Middle School math teacher, has been selected by the NHL to be one of 20 teachers across North America to have a chance to receive a $10,000 grant for helping bring STEM concepts to life for students. To win, she needs our help.

Throughout the month of February, anyone is able to visit NHL.com/MVT and vote once a day, every day, for Mrs. Petruska and her students! To vote, simply click on her picture on the NHL's website. Please share with family and friends so we can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and get a big win for Mrs. Petruska and our students.

Congratulations to our virtual and high school teachers of the year! #ParkwayProud