Francis HowellSchool District

When bestselling author Jessica Brody visited Hollenbeck Middle school on Sept. 14, it was more than just another speaker event. To the students, it was an inspiring and uplifting experience because Brody, with her funny jokes and relatable charm, knows the emotions every young person growing up is going through. The message she sent was crucial for them to hear: it’s okay to take a bit longer to find yourself, and it’s okay to keep changing paths until you do.  Read more about Bestselling Author Jessica Brody Visits Hollenbeck With Message of Encouragement

If you haven’t caught a Francis Howell High School girls’ volleyball game recently, you’re missing out on a lot. First, you’re missing a great team – they’re one of only two volleyball programs in the entire state of Missouri who are ranked nationally. But you’re also missing out on a team on the rise, both on and off the court. The Lady Vikings are excelling in the classroom, with the highest grade point average of all FHHS fall programs (an amazing 3.91 GPA), and they are making our community a better place by performing community outreach activities as well. They embody the Viking motto of R.I.S.E. – Respect, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Excellence.   Read more about A Program on the R.I.S.E. – Lady Vikings Volleyball Ranked Nationally

Teachers inspire students to reach for the stars, to never limit themselves in what they can achieve. Best-selling young adult author Jennifer Mathieu came to Francis Howell North (FHN) High School to do just that. Mathieu isn’t just an author, however. She’s also a teacher. Though she came to talk about her books, it was the author’s story that became a lesson in the writing process.   Read more about When Teachers Write and Writers Teach – Best-Selling Author Jennifer Mathieu Visits FHN Students

Barnwell and Francis Howell Middle Schools strive to be key cogs in our community, not only as places of learning, but also as centers of community engagement. Their efforts to join school and community together have earned them 2016 Partnership School Awards from the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University. Both schools were recognized for making excellent progress in strengthening and sustaining comprehensive programs of school, family, and community partnerships.   Read more about FHSD Schools Earn Recognition for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Sabaa Tahir’s story is a compelling example of how growing up in the desert, facing racism, and experiencing insecurities at a young age can lead to a life of success and inspiration for others. Tahir came to Francis Howell Central High School (FHC) to talk about the struggles she faced in life, and how that helped her become a New York Times bestselling author.   Read more about N.Y. Times Bestselling Author Sabaa Tahir Visits FHC and Inspires with Story of Success

The most successful students often have parents who are very involved in their education. To assist our parents and help them build their knowledge and resources, the Francis Howell School District hosted the inaugural Parent University on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Saeger Middle School.  Read more about FHSD Hosts Successful Parent University

Every month during the school year, the Francis Howell School District (FHSD) Board of Education welcomes the best and brightest students the community has to offer to their meetings. This month, Elisa Swanson from Francis Howell Central (FHC) High School, was on hand to demonstrate the kind of well-rounded students who excel in FHSD. Whether it’s on the sports field, in the classroom, or being a role model to others in and out of school, Swanson embodies the kind of wide-ranging talent and leadership FHSD strives to develop.   Read more about Student Spotlight – Elisa Swanson of Francis Howell Central High School

Saving lives is a great tradition at John Weldon Elementary, and during the 2015-16 school year this tradition had an impressive outcome. John Weldon raised a total of $9,784.33 for the American Heart Association (AHA), an amount that potentially saved the lives of 196 people.  Read more about John Weldon Supports the American Heart Association by Raising Money and Saving Lives

After the final bell sounds, after the last locker closes shut, and the last school bus rolls off the parking lot, that’s when a special group of people goes to work in the Francis Howell School District (FHSD). Then it’s time for our diligent custodians and maintenance workers to roll up their sleeves to ensure a safe, clean and fully-functional learning and working environment for all FHSD students, teachers and staff. FHSD would not be the great District it is today without their efforts. That’s why this week, we are celebrating these indispensable workers during Custodian and Maintenance Week.   Read more about FHSD Celebrates Custodian and Maintenance Week

Francis Howell Central High School (FHC) can add one more outstanding student to its list of successful 2016 graduates. Haley Clark is one of only five recipients in the country to receive the 2016 National Vision Inc. College Scholarship. The award will provide her with $2,500 to use for her education at Rockhurst University, where she is majoring in microbiology  Read more about FHC Class of 2016 Graduate One of Five in the Nation to Win National Vision Scholarship

Stay informed about the recent Board of Education actions.   Read more about Board Action Report 09/15/16

The Francis Howell School District Board of Education approved the 2016-17 tax rate of $5.0185 by a 7-0 vote at the Sept. 15 Board meeting. The 2016-17 tax rate is relatively unchanged compared to the 2015-16 tax rate.  Read more about FHSD Board Sets Tax Rate

It’s a beautiful sound to hear that you’ve been recognized for your efforts, but sometimes it’s even more beautiful to hear the sounds that earned your recognition. Lorraine Smith, Choir Director at Francis Howell North (FHN) High School, was named the Missouri Choral Directors Association (MCDA) 2016 Outstanding District Director for the entire St. Louis Metro area over the summer.  Read more about FHN’s Lorraine Smith named MCDA 2016 Outstanding District Director for St. Louis Metro

Australian Author Robert Hoge visited Bryan Middle to tell his story of a life of full of challenges, after he was born with a tumor on his face. He presented his memoir "Ugly" to the Bryan sixth-graders, where he talked about his struggles and his success of overcoming them.  Read more about “Ugly” Author Robert Hoge Visits Bryan Middle and Speaks on Overcoming Adversity

Castlio students, and sisters, Nora Sage Spellman and Brielle Spellman are great examples of compassion and dedication, and they help prove that supporting a good cause is possible at any age. The two sisters were honored with the Good Citizenship Award last month, after hosting a LemonAID stand fundraiser and collecting $1,545 to support two special causes: The BackStoppers and Ballwin Officer Mike Flamion.   Read more about Castlio Elementary Sisters Honored with Good Citizenship Award

Most of us want to make the world a better place, but we often wait too long to make a difference. But not Zoey Hurlbert. Not even in high school yet, Zoey is already making her mark on her community by helping raise awareness about students with special needs. She’s hoping to inspire us to see these kids differently in a social media campaign called “Zoey’s Spark.”   Read more about A Special Idea – Bryan Middle School Student Starts an Awareness Campaign for Students with Special Needs

It was a night full of football, helicopters, and a very special message on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at Francis Howell High School (FHHS). Almost 4,000 people came together for the second annual First Responders Night, an event hosted by the FHHS activities department to recognize and support first responders and military personnel.  Read more about First Responders Night Brings Community Together in Support of BackStoppers and Military Personnel

On Nov. 8, 2016, the Francis Howell School District voters will be asked to approve Prop Howell, a 60-cent operating levy increase. Revenue generated by the passage of Prop Howell would be used to address technology needs, provide supports for struggling learners, refresh curriculum and outdated textbooks, reduce class sizes, maintain transportation, and reinstate some of the staff cuts made in previous years.  Read more about Make Sure You're Registered to Vote for the Nov. 8 Election!