May 2023 Newsletter

On behalf of the Parkway Alumni Association, we extend a warm welcome to the newest alumni from our high schools! Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone in your academic journey. As you embark on new adventures and pursue your dreams, we want you to know that the Parkway Alumni Association is here to support and connect with you. The education and experiences you gained during your time with us have prepared you for success, and we look forward to hearing about your accomplishments as valued members of our alumni community.

Be sure to check out the class notes as the newest alumni share where they are headed next.

A big congratulations to Jack Riley on winning the prestigious $1000 Waterway Carwash Idea Bounce! Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we're thrilled to celebrate this achievement with you. The Parkway Alumni Association proudly supports the Spark! Program, connecting alumni with students for real-life experiences and internships.

Two students were recognized as the first recipients of the Mark D. (Nolan) McLean Scholarship. The scholarship was established in Mark's memory. He graduated from Fern Ridge in 1994.

This year's recipients, Ahlana Smith and Sammy Korte, were congratulated by Mark's wife!

Mark your calendars for June 17th because we're bringing back the fun with a 7v7 flag football game! Get ready to show off your skills and reconnect with old classmates.

WHAT IS 7 ON 7 FOOTBALL?

It’s similar to what you would see during a regular-season game, but the game is stripped down. Players don’t wear pads and there is no offensive or defensive lines. Ball carriers are considered down when they are touched below the neck by a defender. Tackling is not allowed.

DO I REGISTER A 7 PERSON TEAM?

No. Individuals register to play on their high school team. There will be four teams (Central, North, South, West). There is no limit to the number of players on each team. Players will sub in and out.

CAN WOMEN PLAY?

YES! Everyone is welcome to play!

🎵 Save the date! Join us for the John Baker Memorial Concert featuring the amazing Genesis Jazz Project on June 4, 2023, at 5pm in the Sky Lounge located at 930 Kehrs Mill Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Don't miss this incredible musical experience! A $10 donation at the door will support Parkway band students through the Granting Dreams program. Let's come together to celebrate music and make a difference! 🎺🎷🎶

Join Parkway Alumni and friends as we gather to root for the home team at one of two Cardinals games; June 10 and August 6, 2023. The cost is $30 per ticket. Purchase tickets here.

Saturday, June 10 - 1:15 game time vs Reds

Right Field Loge - $58 value

Give away: Adult Cardinals Jersey & Kids Cardinals Jersey (limited quantity)

Sunday, August 6 - 1:15 game time vs Rockies

Right Field Pavilion - $47 value

Give away: Cardinals Hat & Kids Tommy Edman Growth Chart (limited quantity)

FREE jumbo hotdog and soda Reserve your tickets here online.

The PAA is happy to assist reunion planners by providing contact information and general guidance on having a successful event. We would also be available to provide volunteers to man the registration table at your event. Please call the PAA at (314) 415-8074 or email ParkwayAlumni@ParkwaySchools.net, to learn more.

If your reunion information isn't on the website, please send the details to the email address above.

The Parkway Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2024 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. Make a nomination here online.

This spring we have welcomed the addition of a few new scholarship funds:

Sharon Wilkes Homire Award - Parkway West Seniors

Cerutti Family Foundations Scholarship for Teachers and 6th Grade Outdoor Program

To make a donation in support of one of these new scholarship, you can give on our website.

Give today by making an online donation.

Dear Parkway Alumni,

We hope this message finds you well. As another academic year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of our high school graduates and extend a warm welcome to the newest class of alumni.

Attending each high school graduation ceremony to welcome our newest alumni has been so special! We are proud of each graduate and excited to see them embark on their next chapter. If you signed up using the QR code in your graduation program, congratulations! We will be keeping you informed of all things happening in Parkway, as well as any class reunions.

As alumni, you are an integral part of our community and have the power to make a lasting impact. We invite you to continue the great tradition of giving back to our schools. Your support, regardless of the size of the gift, can make a significant difference in the lives of current and future students.

We encourage you to consider making an online donation to support various programs, scholarships, and resources that enhance the educational experience for Parkway students. Your generosity will help create opportunities and empower the next generation of learners.

To make a donation, please visit our website's donation page, where you will find a secure online platform to contribute. Every gift counts and demonstrates the strength of our alumni network.

We would also like to express our gratitude to those who have already contributed to our schools. Your ongoing support is deeply appreciated and has a lasting impact on our students' educational journey.

Let us continue to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni and foster a culture of giving and support within our community. Together, we can create a brighter future for Parkway students.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our schools. We are honored to have you as part of our alumni family.

For This Generation,

Dr. Thomas M. Smith

Did you see Michael Block's ACE recently on the links? Michael Block is a Central High '94 graduate and we certainly have been rooting for him. See the shot!

The 33-year-old Gabbert (West '08) has been in the NFL since 2011. He has spent the last three seasons as Tom Brady's backup quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This marks a return for Gabbert to his home state. He played football at Parkway West High School in Ballwin, Missouri, before playing college ball at Mizzou.

Three Parkway schools have been named State Schools of Character for their dedicated focus on character development. Congratulations to Central Middle, South Middle and the Early Childhood Center!

Parkway is one of only seven districts in the state to be named a 2023 "Best Communities for Music Education!" This is the sixth year in a row Parkway has received this honor.

The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

Pictured: North High a cappella group, Valholla

Skyye Lee, Central High junior, became State Champion in 4 events last weekend!

100 high hurdles-13.36 New State Meet Record and school record!

1st in the 300 low hurdles-43.31 – New school record!

1st in the 100-11.67 – New school record!

1st in the 200-24.19 – New school record!

Ryan Banta, Central High varsity track and field coach said, "There are moments in a coach's career that are so outstanding words can't express the actual accomplishment. Skyye Lee did something no other female athlete has ever done in class 4/5 @mshsaaorg champs. WINNING 4 individual events! Setting a state record x2+4 school records! Wow."

Congratulations to South High's library and its media specialists, Dawn Murray and Katie Pendleton, for being named one of nine libraries in the state to receive the Exemplary Library Program award from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The award highlights the library program for its commitment, collaboration and engagement with its students and staff in several areas of literacy. Katie and Dawn engage readers with their nationally known Library Lit Loot program that provides a personalized monthly themed subscription box for students and staff throughout the school year and summer. The award recognizes their commitment to social and emotional literacy through offerings like Mental Health Awareness Week, Wellness Wednesday AcLab, and Staff Wellness Makerspace Days. Finally, their innovations in technology and digital literacy include collaboration with St. Louis County Library, their recent addition of augmented reality to the Senior Art Show, and their high level of collaboration with teachers in the classroom.

Katie and Dawn are seen as true leaders beyond their library by presenting their innovative programming at the local, state, national, and international levels. To earn this recognition, libraries must provide evidence for 21 indicators across five main categories, including instruction, leadership, library environment, library management and staffing.

We need help at your school! We have nearly 10 openings for bus drivers, and many others for custodians and grounds crew employees needed to support our families. If you know someone who is interested, please share this with them. Interested applicants can call 314-415-8401 for more information or visit this website.