TOMAHAWK TRIBUNE

As a new year begins, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for everything that makes our district special.

Our students remain at the heart of everything we do. We are equally appreciative of our teachers and staff, whose professionalism and dedication support learning well beyond the classroom. We also thank our families and community partners for their continued trust, involvement, and collaboration.

It truly takes all of us working together—our students, staff, families, and community—to maintain a safe, wonderful, and thriving environment where students can flourish with learning and growth as our focus.

As we move into 2026, we are excited about the future of the MVR-III School District. We will be actively seeking new and expanded ways to partner with all of you to ensure the continued success and wellbeing of our amazing students and schools.

The Meramec Valley R-III Board of Education and staff extend best wishes to our entire community for a safe, successful, and rewarding year ahead. Thank you for being a valued part of our district!

- Dr. Schwierjohn, Superintendent

The Meramec Valley R-III School District is proud to launch our Continuous School Improvement Plan, building on our tradition of excellence while looking ahead to a future where every student thrives in our schools!

Our work is guided by four key pillars that drive an incredible educational experience for all students:

⭐ Academic Excellence

⭐ Family and Community Engagement

⭐ Positive Culture

⭐ Attendance

The Meramec Valley R-III School District is excited to welcome the Class of 2039, with kindergarten registration opening Monday, January 26!

Families are encouraged to register early to ensure a smooth start to the school year and to receive timely updates about screenings, school events, and next steps. To complete kindergarten registration, families must submit a registration form along with required documentation, including proof of residency, the child’s birth certificate, and immunization records.

Children must be five years old before August 1 of the school year to be eligible to begin kindergarten.

Families new to the district should begin the registration process by contacting the office of their assigned MVR-III school between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. School staff will provide a link and guidance to complete enrollment.

Families who already have students enrolled in MVR-III will complete kindergarten registration through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Full details are available on our kindergarten registration webpage.

For additional information about kindergarten registration and to access registration materials, visit http://bit.ly/MVR3REG.

Kindergarten Screenings for the 2026–27 School Year

Kindergarten screenings will take place this spring and are an important part of the enrollment process. Children currently enrolled in the district’s prekindergarten program at DHELC, Coleman, or Nike will be screened during their typical school days.

Families whose children are not enrolled in MVR-III pre-kindergarten will need to sign up for a screening time.

MVR-III looks forward to partnering with families as students begin their educational journey and become part of our school community! For questions or additional information, families may contact the district office or their child’s future school directly.

Families are invited to enjoy an evening of music, food, and fun while supporting a great cause at the P-Town Piano Party on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This dueling pianos and dinner event will benefit the MVR-III Bridge Foundation, which supports opportunities and initiatives for students and schools.

The event will be held at Pacific Eagles, 707 E. Congress, Pacific, MO 63069, and is hosted by the Pacific Area Chamber of Commerce and the Pacific Chamber Foundation.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m., followed by high-energy dueling pianos from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests can look forward to an interactive night featuring song requests, raffles, and a 50/50 drawing.

Several ticket options are available:

• VIP table for eight: $500

• Regular table for eight: $375

• Individual tickets: $50

Whether you attend with friends, family, or colleagues, the P-Town Piano Party offers a great way to enjoy live entertainment while giving back to our school community. Families are encouraged to consider attending and supporting the MVR-III Bridge Foundation through this exciting and memorable event.

Secure your tickets on the Pacific Area Chamber website: https://pacificchamber.com/event-6417041/Registration

Family and community engagement is a top priority for the MVR-III School District. To support this goal, Superintendent Dr. Carrie Schwierjohn is hosting monthly Coffee with Carrie sessions.

These informal gatherings offer a dedicated space for parents and community members to ask questions, share new ideas, and stay informed about district news. We invite you to join us for free coffee and conversation at Little Ireland Coffee, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., on the following dates:

• January 13, 2026
• February 10, 2026
• March 10, 2026
• March 31, 2026
• April 14, 2026
• May 12, 2026

We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your perspectives!

The MVR-III School District is preparing to expand academic opportunities for students beginning in the 2026-27 school year. At the December Board of Education meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Ketina Armstrong presented proposed new secondary courses aimed at strengthening college and career pathways.

At Pacific High School, two specialized courses are planned in high-demand career fields. PLTW Medical Interventions, part of the Project Lead The Way curriculum, will provide students with hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating diseases, building skills relevant to health and medical careers. Advanced Culinary Arts will offer students advanced training in food preparation, kitchen management, and professional culinary standards.

Riverbend Middle School is also set to expand its offerings with the launch of Trailblazers, a project-focused course centered on student-led learning. The course is designed to promote independent thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.

Together, these additions align with the district’s long-range goals to provide industry-relevant learning experiences and better prepare students for success after graduation.

The Pacific High School boys soccer program recently concluded a historic season, marked by significant individual achievements and team milestones. Led by Head Coach Steve Smith and Assistant Coach Zachary Holtz, the team saw several players recognized for their performance on the field.

The program’s depth was evident in its postseason honors. Riley Milberg and Brayden Stephens both earned 2nd Team All-Conference selections, while Logan Hoffman received 2nd Team All-Conference and STL Best XI honors. Cole Ramirez and Carter Klund were both named 1st Team All-Conference and STL Best XI, with Ramirez also earning a spot on the All-Region team.

Three seniors left a lasting mark on the school's record books this year:

• Ian Goodwin was named the 1st Team Defensive Player All-Conference, All-Region, and STL Best XI. A former Missourian Athlete of the Week, Goodwin set a new program record for the most solo shutouts.

• Gage Clark earned 2nd Team All-State, All-Region, and STL Best XI honors. He finished his season with the second-most career goals and points in program history.

• Lucas Tennyson received several top honors, including Conference Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State, and All-Region Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Tennyson also ranks second in career goals and points for the program.

The coaching staff was also recognized for their leadership during this record-breaking year. Coach Steve Smith was named both the Four Rivers Conference Coach of the Year and the Regional Coach of the Year. These accolades reflect the hard work and discipline demonstrated by the entire team throughout the season.

The December Board of Education celebrated the musical excellence of Pacific High School Band students. Standing before the board members and the public, Mr. Joey Musterman proudly presented the students who had distinguished themselves through rigorous auditions and tireless practice.

The spotlight shone on Jamie Conway, Isabella Gaines, Madalyn Huff, and Lyla Petty as they were officially recognized as All-District Band members. Each student represented the pinnacle of the school's instrumental program, their success a direct result of months of dedication under Mr. Musterman’s leadership.

Samantha Raftery was honored not only for her All-District achievement but also for her prestigious selection as an All-State Honorable Mention.

Student achievement remains the focal point of our classrooms as the Pacific School District concludes its middle-of-the-year assessments. These evaluations track progress toward "Typical Growth"—the average annual improvement expected for a student’s specific grade and starting level.

Current data for grades 1–6 shows steady progress, with median growth at 55% in Reading and 46% in Math. Reaching these benchmarks at the midpoint of the year indicates that students are on pace to meet or exceed their annual targets.

At the secondary level, Riverbend Middle and Pacific High School students also showed encouraging results on their Progress Learning assessments:

• Pacific High School saw gains from the beginning of the year with the strongest increases found in math and science.

• Riverbend Middle celebrated its highest combined growth in 8th Grade Math and 8th Grade Science.

These results are immediately utilized in teacher and staff meetings, allowing principals and faculty to make data-driven decisions that ensure academic growth continues through the end of the year.

Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars for the Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Several key deadlines are approaching for voters who plan to participate, particularly those interested in absentee voting.

• Absentee voting begins February 24.

• The last day to register to vote is March 11.

• No-excuse absentee voting will begin March 24.

• The final day to mail an absentee ballot is March 25.

Voters are encouraged to review these dates carefully to ensure they are prepared ahead of the election. For additional information, visit www.franklinmo.org/elections.

Staying informed and participating in local elections is an important way to support and engage with our community.

The early years of life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life. Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers!

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a nationally honored program offered to all families in the Meramec Valley R-III School District. It is a free, voluntary parent and child early education service that includes developmental screenings, home visits, group meetings, playgroups, and a referral network.

Families with children from prenatal through kindergarten age can access a variety of services, including:

• Personalized home visits
• Free developmental screenings
• Monthly group connections
• Support accessing community resources
• Research-based learning activities

Working under the guidance of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Early Childhood Development Act (ECDA), Parents as Teachers National Office, and the Meramec Valley R-III School District, PAT services all district residents from birth to age 5.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/MVR3PAT.

Pacific High School’s DECA has achieved Thrive Level Chapter Campaigns, placing the chapter among just 1,188 nationwide to receive this distinction! Students will be commended at DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC), held April 25-28 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Each fall, DECA offers four campaigns for chapters to complete as part of their program of leadership for the year. These campaigns are designed to grow membership engagement and build lasting partnerships within the school and local community. Chapters that achieve Thrive Level receive a commemorative pennant, flag, and plaque.

To receive Thrive Level recognition, the chapter needed to complete two out of three chapter campaigns, including the community service campaign, innovations and entrepreneurship campaign, and promotional campaign. Alternatively, the chapter could have participated in the membership campaign, which challenged the chapter to attain two of three goals: recruit 20 professional members, recruit 20 alumni members, or increase student membership by 20 more members from the previous school year.

PHS DECA was one of only three schools in Missouri to achieve all three campaign levels! Their work included volunteering throughout the community, supporting local organizations, organizing cleanup efforts, and raising funds for charitable causes.

This achievement was made possible through the efforts of PHS DECA members Grant Orris and Gabriella Guenzler, with guidance and support from Advisor Nancy Pfeiffer.

“I am so proud of our chapter leaders for being very innovative and recruiting students to get involved to help out with all of our activities and charitable events,” said Pfeiffer.

Our teachers completed Science of Reading training, a rigorous two-year program that goes well beyond state requirements. This advanced certification reflects a deep commitment to professional growth—and to student success. Many school districts do not yet have educators with this credential, making this achievement especially meaningful for our community.

By investing in evidence-based reading instruction, our teachers are helping ensure every student builds a strong foundation for literacy and lifelong learning. We are proud of their dedication to helping students become confident, capable readers!

We are hiring for a variety of teaching and staff positions—both for this school year and for 2026-27.

Help us make a difference in the lives of our over 3,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students. Start the process of finding your home in #MVNation today!

Learn more about these opportunities and apply today at http://bit.ly/JOINMVR3.

The Meramec Valley R-III School Board is committed to excellence in governance and leadership. The Board of Education meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Find Board News at www.mvr3.k12.mo.us.