Education Briefs: HSD Superintendent Named a United Way Chair for the 2011 Campaign, and More

The United Way of Greater St. Louis recently selected (HSD) Superintendent Steve Price to serve as the campaign chair for education giving in the St. Louis area. In this role, Price is responsible for encouraging other educational institutions, including public and private schools, charter schools and local universities, to give to the United Way.

 “We select chairs that have influence and have had success in the past,” said Jamella Brown, resource development associate for the United Way of Greater St. Louis in a statement. “Last year, the Hazelwood School District increased its giving by $15,000 to donate more than $52,000.”

Hazelwood West High School Earns Leadership Honor for Sportsmanship

is officially a 5-Star Leadership School after completing a five-step program focused on sportsmanship, character education and citizenship. The program is a joint venture of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics “Champions of Character” program and Musco Sports Lighting, LLC.

HWHS started the program in August 2010 and finished the requirements within a year, earning a banner and recognition at the MSHSAA Sportsmanship Summit. HWHS is among only 17 junior and senior high schools in the state to receive recognition, and is the only school in St. Louis County to complete the program. The school received a banner for its achievement.

HSD Communications Dept. Earns Seven Awards from State Organization

The Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA) honored the Hazelwood School District Communications/Media Relations Department with seven awards at the 2011 MOSPRA Fall Conference in Jefferson City earlier this month.

“We are proud that our work has received recognition,” said Diana Gulotta, assistant superintendent for communications in a statement. “More importantly, this contest provides us with feedback needed to continually improve our work.”

The MOSPRA Communications Award Program is designed to give recognition for creative and effective work in school public relations, as well as valuable feedback from public relations professionals. There are three categories – Award of Excellence, Award of Merit and Award of Commendation. Entries are judged based on set criteria by members of regional National School Public Relations Association’s chapters.

The department earned an Award of Merit for its Proposition H Video, created to help publicize its most recent bond issue, passed by voters in November 2010. The department earned Awards of Commendation for stories on elementary, middle and high school robotics; the 2011 District Teacher of the Year winner; the employee newsletter, Staff Talk; and videos on data and assessment and positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS).

HSD Communications/Media Relations department staff includes - Gulotta; Susan Buckman, administrative secretary; Charles Bolinger and Nez Savala, communications specialists; Hal Donovan, video communications specialist; and Aaron Hoffmann, webmaster/graphic designer.

Sorority Honoring HSD Educators for Service, Commitment

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Alpha Zeta Chapter will honor three educators from the Hazelwood School District with awards at its 30^th Annual Apple for the Teacher Luncheon on Nov. 19.

HSD awardees include Robert Lawrence, principal, Hazelwood Central Middle School; Michelle Pendleton, fifth-grade teacher, Townsend Elementary School; and Shimikqua Ellis Jackson, communication arts teacher, Hazelwood East High School.