Chief Weekly

Elementary Parent/Teacher Conference Week!

Monday: NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development Day. Parent/Teacher Conferences 1-6:30pm

Tuesday: C Day.

Wednesday: D Day. STEAM Club Session 2: Magazine. Spirit Squad Practice.

Thursday: A Day.

Friday: B Day. Student Tribe Family Day

We are excited to recognize the following classes for earning all of their CHIEFS Attendance Letters and receiving a class reward last week:

• Mrs.Barmeier's 2nd Grade Class
• Mrs.Gaines' 2nd Grade Class

This week, we are excited to recognize students who earned Chief Cheers for demonstrating Zitzman’s and Meramec Valley's Core Values. Congratulations to:

• Community: Boyd P.

• Perseverance: McKenna S, Eli S.

We are so proud of these students for modeling positive behaviors and helping make our school a welcoming and supportive place!

Decisions made at the State Capitol in Jefferson City directly impact our classrooms, our educators, and—most importantly—our students. As the 2026 Missouri Legislative Session progresses, several key education bills are currently being debated that will shape the landscape of public education for years to come.

To ensure our district’s voice is heard, you are invited to join our newly formed Superintendent Advocacy Task Force on March 2, 2026 at 4:15pm at our Central Office Boardroom.

Enrollment is now officially open for the Summer Discovery Program at MVR-III!

Summer Discovery is a completely FREE, four-week summer learning experience held Monday through Friday, June 1-30. We invite all incoming K-8 students to join us for a fun-filled month of STEM-based games, exciting field trips, and engaging activities!

What’s New This Year?

To make the process easier for our families, we have streamlined registration. This year, parents will log in to your Parent Portal to confirm information for all students in the household. This single login will prompt you to:

1. Complete the required Annual Update.

2. Register students for Kindergarten (if applicable).

3. Enroll K–8 students in 2026 Summer Discovery.

Completing all three tasks at once saves you time and eliminates the need for multiple separate registrations! To learn more about the program and begin your enrollment, please visit our Summer Discovery website.

On Tuesday, April 7, residents of the MVR-III School District will vote on a general obligation bond issue not to exceed $43 million. This measure will appear on the ballot as Proposition S.

Bond issues require voter approval of at least 57.14%. When approved, we will use the funds to make improvements at every school, enhance safety and security, and ensure our students continue having the learning environment our community expects.

Prop S will not raise property tax rates. Any increases in the amount of taxes paid would likely be the result of higher property valuations, not from an approved bond issue.

You can learn more about the ways Prop S would invest in our schools and students at https://www.mvr3bond.org.

#MVNation

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

We invite our community to check out the full plan and data dashboards on our website: bit.ly/MVR3PLAN

We are excited to welcome the Class of 2039! Children who turn five on or before August 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll. Registering early helps families receive timely information about screenings, school events, orientations, and important next steps.

How to get started:

• Families new to MVR-III should contact the office of their assigned school Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. School staff will share guidance and a registration link to begin the enrollment process.

• Families with students already attending MVR-III will complete kindergarten registration through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

• Families whose children are not enrolled in MVR-III prekindergarten will need to schedule a kindergarten screening. To sign up for a kindergarten screening time, complete the online screening form: https://bit.ly/MVR3KDG

Learn more about kindergarten registration on our website: https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/article/2674251

The Bridge Foundation is excited to announce the Shamwalk & Run 5K. Every dollar raised goes directly toward the Annual Back to School Bash, Classroom Grants, and Student Scholarships. Help us invest in our students' success!

It’s time to lace up those sneakers! Registration is officially open for our annual 5K. This isn't just a race—it’s a chance to show your school pride.

Help Your School Win the Trophy! We are awarding a traveling trophy to the school with the highest participation. Whether you run or walk, make sure to select your child’s school during registration to help them take home the bragging rights this year!

• When: Saturday, March 7th at 8am

• Student Perk: Discounted registration is available for all MVR-III students.

• Register here for the race.

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:

• March 10, 2026

• March 31, 2026

• April 14, 2026

• May 12, 2026

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

Funds raised will support the purchase of a permanent sound system for the Zitzman gym. This will replace our current portable speaker and improve assemblies, performances, and school-wide celebrations.

Contact Us

Email: zitzmanelempto@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/zitzmanelempto

Donations: https://givebutter.com/zitzman-elementary-pto

25-26 PTO Activities

• March 18th - Dine to Donate @ Guffey's
• Mar. 28th - Trivia Night
• May 8th - Dine to Donate @ Little Ireland

Preview our Spirit Wear store! Get yourself some Zitzman or MVR3 gear to show your spirit on purple Fridays or wear our logo around town proudly! Lots of good items and you are able to pick colors and logos to customize to your liking!

This store has a WIDE variety of options and mostly PHS and Athletics based but there are some options where you can choose the Zitzman logo or just the district logo!

• Feb. 23rd - NO SCHOOL [Staff PD Day] & Parent Teacher Conferences
• Feb. 27th - Student Tribe Family Day!

We got to kick off the end of Trimester today with our awards assembly and we will continue into tomorrow with our snack. craft and activity day!

These celebrations are powerful because they represent partnership. The work happening inside our classrooms each day is strengthened by the support happening at home. When school and family move in the same direction, students thrive.

As we head into Parent-Teacher Conferences, I want to emphasize just how valuable this time is. Conferences are not about perfection — they are about progress. They are a chance to celebrate growth, talk honestly about challenges, ask questions, and make a plan together. Every conversation helps us better understand your child and how to support them.

At Zitzman, we truly believe we are on the same team. We share a common goal: student success — academically, socially, and emotionally. That goal requires open communication, mutual respect, and trust in one another’s intentions. When we approach conversations with curiosity, collaboration, and grace, our students benefit the most.

Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for supporting at home.
Thank you for trusting us with your greatest treasures each day.

We are proud of our Chiefs. And we are grateful for the families who walk alongside us.

Together, we will continue to help them rise.

Leading and learning,

Dr. Sladek