Congratulations Retirees!

Retirement means a lot to me.  For a person to dedicate his/her life to a specific profession is so respectable.   This year three amazing staff members are retiring from Reed: Sandy Paino, Carolyn Zahm, and Karen Sumner.  All three of these women hold one thing in common, the ability and desire to develop strong relationships with ALL students.  We will miss them dearly, and we wish these women the very best in their retirements and in their lives ahead.

·      Sandy Paino has been Reed’s loyal Food Service Staff Member or “Lunch Lady” for the past six years and worked in Food Service before coming to Reed for eleven years.  However, she began her career as a teacher.  Sandy taught Jr. High English and Social Studies for nine years and then was the Director of Christian Education for twelve years in Indiana.  Although highly efficient in her current role, Sandy is best known for brightening everyone’s day.  A simply hello from Sandy is sure to fill your emotional cup.

·      Carolyn Zahm, Reading Specialist, has dedicated 20 years to Reed teaching students to read.  Hundreds of students have benefited from her effective teaching strategies over the years.  However, more impressive than her teaching strategies, is her supernatural ability to quickly determine what is preventing a student from meeting his/her potential.  Despite all her strengths, the one that tops them all is her desire, courage, and ability to advocate for kids.  She is quick to notify others when a student is not meeting his/her potential.

·      Karen Sumner, Special School District Resource Teacher, has taught for twenty years, nine of which have been at Reed.  Karen is drawn to and truly loves what makes each person unique.  Her passion carries over to being able to teach to students’ individual learning styles.  Even when other teachers may be struggling, Karen always seems to have the just right strategy that works for students’ academic and behavior needs.  She is Reed’s Magician, and we have been fortunate to have her work her magic for years.

Sandy Paino

Carolyn Zahm

Karen Sumner

Sometimes “Last” is Best…When it Involves Names

Dear Parents,

I noticed that our awesome custodian is called Mr. Rick by students and parents but most of the other teachers are called by their last name. I asked Mr. Rick what his last name was and he said, "Dent" and I asked him why he wasn't called by his last name.  He thought about it and said, "I don't know." So some friends and I started a campaign to call Mr. Rick by his last name, Mr. Dent. We are hoping that you will help us make this change by talking about it with your kids.

Thank you,

David Ciorba, 4th Grade

Reed Teacher of the Year

On April 22nd, Mr. Rossics, Ladue School District Assistant Superintendent, presented Kristen Thompson with Reed’s Teacher of the Year Award.  What I feel is most special about this award is that it is the staff that selects who they want to represent them as their Teacher of the Year.  Therefore, it is evident that Mrs. Thompson is highly respected by her colleagues.  Mrs. Thompson is currently a First Grade Teacher.  However, she has also taught second grade.  Not only is she an excellent teacher in the classroom, she is regarded as a leader outside the classroom.  She has chaired various committees over the years and has served as a mentor to several new staff members.  All of us at Reed are proud of Mrs. Thompson and honored to be working next to her.            

Staff Goodbyes

Please join me in sending thanks and good wishes to the staff members who will not be returning to us in the 2015 - 2016 school year.  I very much appreciate their service to our students and wish them well in the future.  The following staff members will be sharing the Reed spirit at other places. 

·      Alicia Vance, Kindergarten Teacher, will be moving to Kentucky as a result of her husband accepting a new job.     

·      Heather Clark, Fourth Grade Teacher, will teach Communication Arts at the Fifth Grade Center.

·      Kristin Hoeflinger, Second Grade Teacher, accepted a part time position at the Ladue Early Childhood Center in order to spend more time with her family.

·      Jackie Williamson, Special School School Psychologist, will be staying home to spend more time with her family.

·      Ruth Panhorst, Stings Teacher, will remain a Strings Teacher but will dedicate her time to Spoede, Conway, and Ladue Middle School.

·      Megan Hemmer, Special School District Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, will remain with Special School District but will dedicate her time at other buildings in St. Louis County.
·      Mary Clear, Reed Secretary, will be pursing her passion of working with kids with mental illnesses as a Peer Specialist.