US News honors Central and Parkview among the best in the USA

Congratulations to the students, faculties, staff and parents at both Central and Parkview high schools. Both schools were recognized by U.S. News and World Report as two of the nation's best high schools.

Central received a Silver Medal. It was the third year in a row that Central has been recognized by the magazine as one of the nation's top high schools. They received a Bronze Medal in the two previous years. Only six high schools in the state to earn a Silver Medal designation, and Central was the only Silver Medal school outside of the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas to earn a Silver.

Parkview was honored for the second year in a row with a Bronze Medal. Only thirty-six other Missouri high schools earned that honor.

Here's a complete list of all Missouri high schools honored in the report.

Congratulations again to both schools.

Bowerman teacher making a difference

Last week I mentioned Bowerman teacher Laura Evans who received the Neighborhood Organization Volunteer Award from Caring Communities for her work in the Bowerman community.

The video below features Laura and others from the Bowerman community describing their efforts to strengthen the neighborhood and get families active in the school community. Unfortunately, these aren't the stories that make the headlines everyday, but these are the kind of efforts that have a far-reaching impact on our schools and kids.

Two district teachers honored

Two of our district teachers were recognized this month for their outstanding work.

Laura Evans, a special education teacher at Bowerman Elementary School. Ms. Evans received the Neighborhood Organization Volunteer Award from Caring Communities for her dedication to Bowerman students. She was selected by the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association to receive the award.

Lisa Lilley, Central High School Spanish teacher, was named 2010 Teacher of the Year by the American Council for Teaching of Foreign Languages. Ms. Lilley was named Distinguished Educator of  2008 by the Foreign Language Association of Missouri and Teacher of the Year for the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages last March.
The school day rarely ends at 3:00 p.m. for our teachers, who work on behalf of their students in and outside of the classroom. I'm certain the students and their families are as appreciative of Ms. Evans and Ms. Lilley as we are, and it is encouraging to see them honored for their work.