Independence is 2013 State School of Character

The Character Education Partnership has named Independence Elementary in the Francis Howell School District a Missouri State School of Character.  Independence Elementary is one of fifteen schools in Missouri to receive this designation. State Schools of Character have demonstrated that their focus on character development has had a positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate. 

Emily Allen, Independence Elementary principal, says character education at Independence is a journey that has helped change the culture of the school and receiving this award is a testament of the hard work of the Independence community.

“Receiving this award feels absolutely incredible. I am so proud of all of the hard work by all members of our community. It truly requires buy in and commitment by the entire community,” says Allen.

Nationally, only 45 schools received the State School of Character designation. One-third of those schools come from Missouri, clearly demonstrating the region’s leadership in the area of character education. The State Schools of Character program for Missouri is administered by CHARACTERplus and is generously supported by the St. Louis Rams. 

“We are extremely proud of the schools that have achieved this honor,” said Liz Gibbons, director of CHARACTERplus. “The staffs in these schools have created a positive environment in which students feel safe and connected to adults and each other.  These schools are truly able to focus on learning and academic achievement thanks to the cultures they have created.”

State and National Schools of Character are expected to serve as models for other schools, by helping them to achieve the same results. State sponsors will recognize their applicants and winners in state-level awards ceremonies. CEP will announce finalists for the national award by March 1, and national winners in early May.

Recognition as a State School of Character is a step toward being honored as a National School of Character. 

The mission of CHARACTERplus is to develop positive character traits in young people by providing a high quality character education process and resources to schools, homes, and communities.  For more information, visit www.characterplus.org.  CHARACTERplus is a program of Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis.

The Francis Howell School District encompasses over 150 square miles in the southeast corner of St. Charles County, and is one of the largest school districts in the State of Missouri, with an enrollment of nearly 18,000 students and approximately 2,200 employees. The Francis Howell Learning Community works everyday to provide the best learning practices for enhancing student achievement. 

From the Francis Howell School District

Ice skating classes at St. Peters Rec-Plex

 

Would you like to be able to glide across the ice with ease? The St. Peters Rec-Plex can help you or your child learn how to ice skate and improve your ice skating. Plenty of spots are still open for ice skating classes in the upcoming semester starting Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013.

The Rec-Plex offers 6-week and 7-week sessions this semester. Tuesday evening and Saturday classes are available. Classes are open to children as young as 3 years up to adults. All classes are 30 minutes long, and the Rec-Plex provides ice skates for students who need them.

As a bonus, students in a number of Rec-Plex ice skating classes receive free admission to Rec-Plex public ice skating sessions for the duration of their registered course. These classes include beginning and intermediate learn-to-skate classes. Check the Rec-Plex Front Desk for eligible classes. Receipts must be shown to the Front Desk for admission. All Snowball and Tot level students (ages 3-5) also receive free skate rental and admission for one guardian. Receipts must be shown to the skate guard for free skate rental.

Rec-Plex instructors teach skills developed by the Ice Skating Institute (ISI), a leading national ice industry association. Students also have the opportunity to perform during Rec-Plex ice shows. The fee for 6-week classes is $62 for Rec-Plex passholders and $72 for the general public. The fee for 7-week classes is $73 for Rec-Plex passholders and $83 for the general public.

Register for classes online at www.stpetersmo.net/rec-connect, call 636.929.2386, or register at the Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Road.

From the City of St. Peters, MO

 

Free disaster preparedness training

Get prepared for emergencies and disasters in a weekend! Anyone who lives or works in or near O’Fallon is invited to sign up to learn basic disaster response skills by attending the O’Fallon Police Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training March 1-3, in the Public Works Building at 1089 Public Service Drive, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366. The free, 20-hour course is taught by the O’Fallon Police Department and emergency professionals.

 

The course, which includes training materials, will cover:

• Basic medical assessment and treatment for injuries, burns, etc.
• Preparing for emergencies at home and in the community
• Working as a team, conducting triage, light search and rescue, extinguishing small fires
• Communicating effectively with public safety organizations during a disaster

The schedule for the CERT session is 6-10 p.m. Friday (March 1), 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (March 2), and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (March 3). Graduates are invited to learn more and keep skills fresh with free monthly training and exercises.

“During an extreme weather emergency or an earthquake, for instance, it’s going to be important to know what do to help yourself, your household and your neighbors until professional help arrives,” said Police Officer Andy Stowers, director of O’Fallon CERT. “That’s why this exciting, hands-on training is important to neighborhood organizations, parents, older teens, businesses, civic groups and churches as well as individuals.”

For more information or to register for the training, visit the City’s website at www.ofallon.mo.us and select “Police” on the homepage, or go directly to www.ofallon.mo.us/PD/CERT. 

For questions, contact Officer Stowers at 636-379-5686, or astowers@ofallon.mo.us.

From the City of O'Fallon, MO

Human dogsled race

With O’Fallon’s winter festival, Cabin Fever Daze, fast approaching, more information has been posted on O’Fallon’s website. 

The family-friendly event will be held snow or shine, January 25 – 27, in O’Fallon Sports Park, 3589 Highway K, O Fallon, MO 63368. Festival hours will be 4 - 8 p.m. on Friday, noon - 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 1- 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free, and food, beverages and winter-festival merchandise will available for purchase. 

Activities include:

• Ice skating all three days on O’Fallon’s first outdoor rink for $5 for a 45-minute session; bring your own skates or rent skates for $1.
• The deadline to enter the Human Dogsled Race has been extended to January 22. The race begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, with prizes for winners and best costume. Rules and applications are posted on the City’s website, www.ofallon.mo.us.
• Strap on a pair of snowshoes and trek over the Snowshoe Obstacle Course, free. Weave through a thicket of trees, climb a makeshift mountain, hop a hula hoop hurdle, dribble a soccer ball, duck under a rope and dash for the finish line. Snowshoes and ski poles will be provided, free, by Cabela’s.
• Field Broomball will be available for playing, free. First-come-first-play sign-ups will be available on Saturday, with open play on Sunday. Playing equipment will be provided, free, for this non-traditional version of the game.
• The Kids’ Area will be open 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, free, for snowflake-making and other winter-themed crafts. The “Snowflake Lady,” Marion Nichols, will demonstrate the art and fun of snipping intricate paper snowflakes on both days.
• More free fun: watch a fire performer from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, and see ice carving demonstrations on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
• Don’t miss Fruit Cake Chuckin.’ Bring your own fruit cake or pay a $1 per shot, load the catapult and fire away!
  

Volunteers are needed in many areas at Cabin Fever Daze! To check out the details and fill out an application, visit the Volunteer Services webpage at www.ofallon.mo.us/Volunteer. Or contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5507, or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

From the City of O'Fallon, MO 

Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats to perform at Foundry

Hudson and the HooDoo Cats have been thriving in St. Louis area performance arenas for over 15 years and will be returning to the Foundry Art Centre stage on Friday, February 15, 2013 by popular demand! 

With their swingin’ shufflin’ blues, 50’s rock and roll and rockabilly, and infectious dance rhythms, Hudson and the HooDoo Cats always ensure a rockin’ fun time. 

The performance starts at 7:00pm and doors open at 6:00pm. Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased online or over the phone. For more information, visit foundryartcentre.org or call 636-255-0270.

The Foundry Art Centre is a fine arts gallery overlooking the Missouri River at 520 North Main Center, in the Frenchtown district of Historic St. Charles.  The Foundry features a Smithsonian-caliber art gallery hosting national juried exhibitions plus 20 working art studios where visitors can watch the creative process and buy art directly from the artists. The not-for-profit art centre also provides community meeting rooms, event space and a children’s art gallery. Hours are Tuesday - Thursday from 10-8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10-5pm, and Sunday 12-4.  Admission is free, and donations are welcome.  For more information, call (636) 255-0270 or visit www.foundryartcentre.org.

From the Foundry Art Centre

Vacant home burglaries

The O’Fallon Police Department is requesting assistance. 

During the past month the O'Fallon Police Department has had an increase in vacant home burglaries. It is unknown the exact dates of the thefts since the homes are unoccupied and are not monitored every day. Thieves are targeting copper pipes in basements.

The O’Fallon Police Department is requesting if you see suspicious activity near a vacant home in O’Fallon to contact our department, at (636) 240-3200. 

Please take the extra time to observe the activity and write down any important information, such as suspect’s physical descriptions, vehicle descriptions, and license plates. Observing suspicious activity can be done from the safety of your home without the person(s) knowing they are being watched. Do not confront anyone! We would just like to have an extra set of eyes in our neighborhoods who will report any suspicious activity.

The burglaries have been reported on Winter Hill Ct, the 6400 block of Starbuck Dr, on Royal Oaks Dr , and two reported in the 100 block of Country Life Dr.

From the O'Fallon, Missouri Police Department

Malone to visit Heald Home for book signing

Meet author, traveler, retired teacher and historian Ross Malone on Sunday, January 20, at the historic Heald Home, located in Fort Zumwalt Park at 1000 Jessup Drive, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366. 

Malone will sign and sell copies of his latest book, Too Good to Pass By: A Look at Some Missouri Places. Copies of his Tales from Missouri and the Heartland also will be available. The book was selected for the Missouri Life Magazine Book List and placed in the Missouri Association of Librarians “Author’s Alley.” 

 

Admission is $2 per person at the door and includes a tour of the house. For more information, call 636-379-5605, or email jhoisington@ofallon.mo.us.

From the City of O'Fallon, Missouri.