R7 52551.indd, page 1-4 @ Normalize - Lee's Summit R-7 School ...

celebrates 40 years Page 2
Pleasant Lea Elementary hosts reception
Excellence In Teaching Page 2
Chamber honors R-7 educators
Caring for kids Page 3
INSIDESchool
Local dentists reach out to needy students
Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s Community Newspaper
Greenwood Elementary School sixth-graders use the CPS units during
mathematics lessons.
CPS pilot program provides
instructional tools for
teachers, motivates students
Small hand-held devices, known as
Classroom Performance Systems,
provided teachers with an additional
instructional tool while helping motivate
several thousand R-7 School District
students this school year. A pilot
program involving all sixth-grade math
and secondary algebra I classes used
this new technology throughout this
year with positive feedback from both
students and teachers.
Known within the school district as
CPS, the technology system allows
teachers to obtain immediate feedback
Kelly Twenter named
Teacher of the Year
Kelly Twenter,
Lee’s Summit
High School life
skills teacher, was
recently named R-
7 Teacher of the
Year. As the
district's Teacher
of the Year, he will
go on to participate
Kelly Twenter
in the Missouri
Teacher of the Year program.
In nomination forms, Mr. Twenter
was praised for his enthusiasm, leadership
and caring attitude. “Kelly
Twenter is a wonderful teacher and a
great person,” a nomination form
from every student. Each student in the
classroom is given a hand-held responder
and asked to enter answers to
assessments, reviews or homework
questions. Through the software,
teachers may access a variety of reports
on their students’ progress and
can quickly identify individual students
needing extra help or zero in on concepts
that need additional instruction.
The equipment provides teachers
with another powerful tool to improve
instruction and help each student suc-
(Continued on page 2)
stated. “He always has a smile. He
makes class fun for the kids and his coworkers.”
Mr. Twenter has taught students
with special needs at LSHS for six
years. He helped create the R-7 Job
Olympics, linking special-education
students to potential employers. In addition,
Mr. Twenter helped form the
Lee's Summit Transition Council for
parents seeking services for specialneeds
students and assisted with creation
of the district-wide work-experience
program for special-needs students.
He is also involved in Special
Olympics and has received two Special
Olympic coaching awards.
R-7 Board of Education
600 SE Miller St.
Lee's Summit, Mo. 64063
(816) 986-1000
The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District
recently captured a prestigious
honor as part of the Missouri Department
of Elementary and Secondary
Education's Missouri Assessment
Program (MAP) Highest-Performing
Schools “top 10” lists. Among the
statewide rankings, Lee’s Summit R-7
schools appear a total of 22 times on
the lists, which rank schools based on
their scores on the statewide academic
achievement tests.
This was the third-highest number of
listings for any school district in the
state. The R-7 School District also had
more appearances on the top 10 lists
than any other Kansas City metropolitan-area
school district.
R-7 elementary schools making the
top 10 lists included Longview Farm
Elementary in third-grade communication
arts; Cedar Creek Elementary and
Pleasant Lea Elementary, third-grade
math; Cedar Creek Elementary,
Postal Customer
June 2007
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Lee's Summit, Mo. 64063
Permit Number 57
Non Profit Organization
R-7 among top three
school districts on state's
'top 10' schools lists
The R-7 School District's focus on
Professional Learning Communities is
designed is designed to provide to provide our staff our staff with tools with
to tools help to them help them reach reach into the into mind the mind and
heart and heart of each of child each in child order in to order make toa
difference. make a difference. Through Through this initiative, this initia- our
schools tive, our are schools continuing are continuing their focus their on
student focus on achievement, student achievement, clearly defined clearly
essential defined essential outcomes outcomes and collective and colresponsibilities,lective responsibilities, appropriate interventions appropriate
and interventions life-long learning and life-long for employees. learning
Another for employees. crucial Another element crucial of Profeselesionalment of Learning Professional Communities Learning is Comfrequentmunities celebrations is frequent of both celebrations short-term of
successes both short-term and long-term successes and achievelongments.term achievements. With that in mind, With I'd that like in to mind, look
back I'd like on to a few look accomplishments back on a few accom- from
the plishments past school from year the and past look school toward year
several and look challenges toward several in the challenges future. in
the One future. success that involved all students
One and success staff that members involved was all stu- our
district's dents and Distinction staff members In Performance was our
Award, district's presented Distinction by the In Performance
state for outstanding
Award, presented academic by performance. the state for out- The
R-7 standing School academic District performance. was one of just The a
Longview Farm Elementary and
Woodland Elementary, all in fourthgrade
communication arts; Cedar
Creek Elementary, fourth-grade math;
Cedar Creek Elementary and Highland
Park Elementary, fifth-grade
communication arts; Cedar Creek Elementary,
fifth-grade math; Highland
Park Elementary, sixth-grade communication
arts; and Mason Elementary,
Westview Elementary, Highland Park
Elementary, Longview Farm Elementary
and Woodland Elementary, all
sixth-grade math.
Middle schools making the top 10
lists were Bernard Campbell Middle
School and Summit Lakes Middle
School in seventh-grade math; and
Pleasant Lea Middle School in eighthgrade
math. R-7 high schools making
the lists were Lee’s Summit High
School, Lee’s Summit North High
School and Lee’s Summit West High
School, all in 10th-grade math.
From the superintendent
Celebrating this year's successes,
preparing for future challenges
handful R-7 School of MisDissouritrict was districts one of
earning just a handful this award of
with Missouri a “perfect districts
score” earning all this six award years
the with recognition a “perfect has
been score” offered. all six years Our
district the recognition also placed has
third been offered. among Our all
Missouri district also districts placed
based third on among the numall
Dr. David
ber Missouri of schools districts ap-
McGehee
pearing based on on the the number state's of “top schools 10” lists, ap-
which pearing rank on schools the state's according “top 10” to lists, their
scores which rank on schools statewide according achievement to their
tests. scores on statewide achievement
tests. In addition, R-7 students have done
very In addition, well on standardized R-7 students tests, have such done as
the very Missouri well on standardized Assessment tests, Program such as
(MAP) the Missouri tests and Assessment the ACT Program collegeentrance
(MAP) tests exam. and Students the ACT continue collegeto
excel entrance in numerous exam. Students areas – continue both aca- to
demic excel in and numerous extra-curricular areas – -- both throughacaoutdemic the and school extra-curricular district at the -- regional,
through-
(Continued on page 2)
Fully Accredited School District � Winner of State's Distinction In Performance Award

Page 2
Pleasant Lea Elementary
celebrates 40th anniversary
Pleasant Lea Elementary School celebrated its
40th anniversary with an April 29 community
reception and open house. The event included
tours by Student Council members, student performances,
refreshments and a special program.
Pleasant Lea Elementary opened in September
of 1966 with 325 students. It has been renovated
several times since the 1960s, and several additions
have been constructed. In the photo, the
Pleasant Lea Elementary School Tiger Choir
performs.
John Faulkenberry named
Greater KC Principal of Year
Dr. John Faulkenberry, principal at
Lee’s Summit High School, was recently
named Greater Kansas City
Missouri Principal's Association Principal
of the Year.
Dr. Faulkenberry has been an educator
for 18 years, previously serving
as a social studies teacher at Lee’s
Summit High School and Lee’s Summit
North High School and an assistant
principal at LSNHS.
In nomination forms, Dr. Faulkenberry
was praised for his focus on
The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District
recently received outstanding results
on the district's annual school bus
inspection, conducted by the Missouri
State Highway Patrol.
Of the 141 buses inspected, four had
minor defects which were corrected
immediately. Initial inspection rating
was 98-percent successful with the
Transportation Department achieving
Dr. John
Faulkenberry
increasing rigor
for all LSHS students,
providing
academic interventions
to students
in need of
additional assistance,
increasing
state and national
assessment test
scores and enhancing
each
student's sense of belonging.
R-7 receives exemplary
state school bus inspection
(Continued from page 1)
ceed. “The focus is on providing realtime
data on our district’s common
assessments to impact curriculum at
the classroom, school and district
level,” said Dr. Amy Gates, R-7 assistant
director of professional development.
“Teachers can immediately receive
detailed reports on how students
are doing on essential objectives.”
Students also receive immediate
feedback on their answers, and children
who may have been shy about
participating in class can gain confidence
by answering questions on the
hand-held responders. In addition, students
have said they enjoy using the
responders and appear more engaged
in lessons featuring the CPS units.
A major component of the system's
success has been teacher training
throughout the school district. More
than 50 hours of professional development
training on the CPS units has
been conducted by the district's instructional
technology specialists,
who also offer support to teachers in a
variety of technology areas.
During review sessions, some
teachers have even used the technology
tool to print out a list of all missed
questions to give to each student to use
as a personal study guide. This type of
personalized instruction is tremen-
100-percent passage by the end of the
day. The R-7 Transportation Department
has a long tradition of successful
state school bus inspections and passage
rates. The department was recognized
last summer by the Missouri
Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education for earning the Exemplary
School Bus Maintenance
Award for 16 consecutive years.
Classroom technology...
dously beneficial to students and can
help teachers intervene at a very early
stage before a student falls behind on
specific concepts.
“Teachers can realize very quickly
whether or not students have mastered
a specific concept," Dr. Gates
added.
The CPS program also offers team
activities, such as “Challenge Board,”
which allow students to review material
and work as a group to answer
questions in a game-like atmosphere.
In addition to the pilot program
through sixth-grade math and algebra
I classes, each school has a set of CPS
units available for check out to teachers
in other grade levels and subject
areas. Many teachers throughout the
district have received training on the
new technology to help them incorporate
it into lesson plans.
“This is a powerful tool that allows
teachers to change instruction as
needed based on the most current and
accurate information on their students,”
said Cheryl Parris, R-7 executive
director of technology. “Like all
technology in our schools, it is designed
to support instruction and help
students. We've found it to be motivational
for students while also helping
teachers make data-driven decisions
in their classrooms.”
Teachers receive Chamber's
Excellence In Teaching Award
Twelve Lee’s Summit R-7 School District teachers received the Lee’s Summit
Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching Award at an April 19
reception. Winners are (front row, from left) Kathy Burger, Highland Park
Elementary; Barbara Green, Pleasant Lea Middle School; William Briggs,
Longview Farm Elementary; Colleen Gibler, Lee’s Summit West High School;
Christy Beavers, Summit Lakes Middle School; Nancy Nokes, Lee’s Summit
North High School; (back row, from left) Keith Wingert, Meadow Lane
Elementary; Karin Evans, Westview Elementary; Tammy Wyckoff, Prairie
View Elementary; Marcia Taylor, Hawthorn Hill Elementary; Marc Russell,
Lee’s Summit High School; and Kelly Twenter, LSHS.
Great Beginnings receives grant
Great Beginnings Early Education
Center recently received a $46,700
grant from the Lee's Summit Health
Care Foundation. The grant will support
the Healthy Great Beginnings
initiative at the center, which seeks to
educate and promote healthful living
for children from birth through prekindergarten.
Cathy Gray, registered nurse at
Underwood Elementary and Bernard
Campbell Middle School, recently received
the Children’s Mercy Hospital
Excellence in School Nursing Community
Outreach Award.
Selection for the award included
recognition of Ms. Gray’s recent
work to establish dental screenings at
all R-7 elementary and middle schools
and a program offering free dental
From the superintendent...
(Continued from page 1)
out state the and school national district levels. at the Most regional, impor-
state tant among and national these levels. accomplishments Most important
are the among less-publicized these accomplishments
day-to-day tri-
are umphs the less-publicized of each student day-to-day in the classtriumphsroom. These of each achievements student in the are class- well
room. worth recognizing These achievements at both school are well and
worth home. recognizing at both school and
home. We join our community in celebrating
We the join successful our community completion in celebrat- of a
ing number the of successful construction completion projects made of a
number possible of thanks construction to the April projects 2006 made voter
possible approval thanks of a no-tax-increase to the April 2006 school voter
approval bond issue. of These a no-tax-increase include a new school el-
bond ementary issue. school These and include a new R-7 a new Leadelementaryership Center, school both and opening a new R-7 in time Lead- for
ership the 2007-08 Center, school both opening year, and in time numer- for
the ous 2007-08 building upgrades school year, and and technology numerous
enhancements building upgrades at district and technology schools.
enhancements Thousands of students at district are benefiting schools.
Thousands from these improvements, of students are which benefiting will
from also help these our improvements, district handle which its rapid will
also enrollment help our growth. district handle its rapid
enrollment While these growth. achievements are
worth While celebrating, these achievements success does are not
worth mean we celebrating, should neglect success to constantly does not
mean stress we continuous should neglect improvement to constantly in our
stress schools. continuous At both the improvement district and school in our
schools. level, we At will both further the district emphasize and school the
level, components we will of further Professional emphasize Learning the
components Communities of next Professional year. Plans Learning include
Communities a number of learning next year. and Plans professional- include
The grant was written by Diane
Auchterlonie, Great Beginnings
teacher; Crissy Smitka, R-7 School
District parent educator; Tracy
Halphin, parent educator; Dawn
Myers, Great Beginnings teacher;
Kerry Boehm, Parents As Teachers
supervisor; and Cynthia Langensand,
Great Beginnings principal.
Cathy Gray receives Excellence
in School Nursing Outreach Award
services for
needy students.
Ms. Gray began
working for the R-
7 School District
in 1993, serving as
a parent educator
and a nurse for the
Early Childhood
Center and Mason
Elementary. Cathy Gray
a growth number opportunities of learning for our and staff profes- and
sional-growth an increased focus opportunities on appropriate for our in-
staff terventions and an increased for both focus struggling on approstupriatedents and interventions for those who for have both already struggling
mastered students skills and and for concepts those who and have are
already in need mastered of enrichment. skills and We concepts are con-
and stantly are striving in need to of find enrichment. the resources We are to
constantly reach each child striving and his to or find her the unique resources
skills and to talents reach each as we child seek and to ensure his or
her that unique failure is skills no longer and talents an option as for we
seek any of to our ensure approximately that failure is 17,000 no longer stu-
an dents. option for any of our approximately
An ongoing 17,000 students. challenge for our district
An is ongoing growth challenge with enrollment for our disintrictcreases is of growth 7,642 with students enrollment or 84 perincreasescent since of 1990. 7,642 Our students broad-based or 84 per- R-
cent 7 Citizens’ since 1990. Advisory Our broad-based Committee re- R-
7 cently Citizens’ began Advisory a study of Committee our district's recently
growth began and resources a study of and our is expected district's
growth to make and a resources recommendation and is expected to the
to Board make of Education a recommendation late next fall. to the
Board of Education late next fall.
With continued input and support
from With our continued community, input we and believe support we
from can meet our these community, challenges we believe and ensure we
can success meet worth these challenges celebrating and for ensure each
success student. We worth are looking celebrating forward for to each an
student. exciting We and are rewarding looking forward 2007-08 to an
exciting school year and and rewarding appreciate 2007-08 our
school community's year emphasis and appreciate on quality our
community's schools. Thanks emphasis for all you on do quality for the
schools. children!
Thanks for all you do for the
children!

Senior citizens participate
in tours of R-7 schools
Approximately 40 Lee’s Summit area senior citizens participated in a tour of R-
7 schools on March 26. Earlier in March, a group of John Knox Village residents
participated in a similar tour, and both were the first senior-citizen tours offered
by the school district. In the photo, participants in the R-7 senior-citizens tour
enjoy lunch with students at Longview Farm Elementary. The R-7 School
District plans to offer similar tours next school year for seniors.
Students compete in Job Olympics
Showcasing skills for prospective employers
Approximately 85 special-education
students from the Lee’s Summit
R-7, Blue Springs and Belton School
Districts participated in the second
Student, principal
recognized in
Kindest Kansas
Citian Contest
Bailey Katzfey, a fifth-grader at
Longview Farm Elementary, was recently
recognized through the 17th
annual Kindest Kansas Citian Essay
Contest. Bailey’s essay about her
principal, Dr. Ryan Rostine, was selected
as one of the top 20 essay
winners. Bailey and Dr. Rostine were
both honored at a recent awards din-
Nineteen Lee’s Summit R-7 School
District students captured state
awards in the Missouri Reflections
fine arts contest, sponsored by the
PTA. The students qualified for the
state competition by winning awards
at the district level.
One student, William Hume, Longview
Farm Elementary School, qualified
for national Reflections competition
by capturing a first in the film/
video production category.
annual Lee’s Summit Job Olympics,
held April 20 at Unity Village. During
the event, the students competed in
job-related activities, such as child
care, computer skills and food preparation.
The students were able to practice
job-related skills and also demonstrate
their abilities to prospective employers.
Kelly Twenter, Lee’s Summit
High School life skills teacher, developed
the local Job Olympics, which
expanded from 45 students last year.
Job Olympics also included opening
ceremonies, a luncheon and awards
and closing ceremonies. A number of
local businesses helped sponsor the
event and served as judges.
In the photo, Baxter Reed, a Lee’s
Summit North High School student,
competes in the car-detailing event.
ner that celebrated the impact that
kindness makes throughout the community.
Reflections fine arts winners named
Local students winning state Reflections
awards were Jackson
Morrill, Cedar Creek Elementary;
Grace Mize, Hawthorn Hill Elementary;
Jesse Barry, Lee’s Summit West
High School; Kayla Yager, Lee’s
Summit High School; Allene Lux,
Meadow Lane Elementary; Hannah
Lawrence, Trailridge Elementary
School; Jillian Moore, Woodland Elementary;
Amy Danaher, Cedar
Creek Elementary; Kaela Lawrence,
Thanks to the volunteer efforts of
several dozen Lee’s Summit R-7 area
dentists, a number of local students
received much-needed free dental
care this school year. A project involving
both the R-7 School District and
the area dentists began this year to
help provide oral-health care for
needy students and to provide dental
professionals at school health fairs.
Local dentists Dr. Beth Blackwell
Nill, Dr. Lenda Chastain and Kristen
Niewald initially helped organize the
project along with Cathy Gray, R-7
registered nurse. The program grew
rapidly with 17 dental offices participating
in the free dental screenings at
elementary and middle school health
fairs. A total of 24 dentists and oral
surgeons volunteered to provide free
dental care for needy students.
This was the first time in several
years that each elementary and
middle-school health fair included the
free dental screenings, and close to
10,000 students participated. In addition,
approximately 30 low-income
students with dental-health needs
were referred and treated free by the
Trailridge Elementary; Cliff Martin,
Cedar Creek Elementary; Maddie
Cundiff, Bernard Campbell Middle
School; and Corey Light, Lee's Summit
West High School; Andrew
Fortner, Meadow Lane Elementary;
Ciara Turner, Longview Farm Elementary;
Sarah Bechtold, Summit
Lakes Middle School; Candice
Ruddell, LSWHS; Avery Cates, Lee's
Summit High School; and Michelle
Wendlandt, LSHS.
Page 3
Dental community steps
forward to help local students
Approximately 80 R-7 School District
middle-school students participated
in a once-in-a-lifetime learning
opportunity during this year’s March
spring break. The students, along with
five teacher sponsors and several parents,
traveled to NASA’s Space
Camp in Huntsville, Ala., taking part in
the Pathfinder Program.
Students attending Space Camp
were from Pleasant Lea Middle
volunteer dentists and oral surgeons.
Local dentists and oral surgeons
participating in the free dental care
program include Dr. Patrick J. Morris,
Dr. Beth Blackwell Nill, Dr. Dan
Blackwell, Dr. Frank Crist, Dr. Scott
Francois, Dr. James W. Osborne, Dr.
Roger L. Casper, Dr. Dale E. Greer,
Dr. Erin Neill Bromley, Dr. Kristen
Niewald, Dr. Lenda Chastain, Dr.
Mark E. Hartter, Dr. Matt Niewald,
Dr. Kelly Rodgers Suchman, Dr.
W.E. Luther, Fender Family Dentistry,
Dr. Gary N. Shemwell, Dr. Holli
Careswell, Dr. Dan Duello, Dr. Sam
Kallsnick, Dr. Steven Prstojevich, Dr.
Gerald Korsten, Dr. C.E. Solano and
Dr. Debra Wilkinson.
Dentists participating in the free
school health-fair screenings include
Dr. Scott Dempsey, Dr. Thomas
Maienschein, Dr. Kristen Niewald,
Dr. Matt Niewald, Dr. John Flucke,
Dr. Kelly Rodgers Suchman, Dr. Beth
Blackwell Nill, Dr. Jo Hansen, Dr.
Erin Bromley, Dr. Holli Careswell,
Dr. Thomas Moore, Dr. James
Schuette, Dr. Debra Wilkinson, Dr.
Frank Crist and Dr. Gary Shemwell.
Middle school students participate
in first-ever trip to NASA's Space Camp
Five new administrators were recently
named for the 2007-08 year.
Carol Germano, currently assistant
principal at Hawthorn Hill Elementary
School, was named Hawthorn Hill's
new principal. She will replace
Rodney Watson, who is resigning at
the end of this school year.
School and Bernard Campbell Middle
School. Students’ families paid for the
cost of the three-day trip, and a
$10,000 donation from Honeywell
covered the students' transportation
costs.
Activities included astronaut training
simulations, a two-hour flight simulation,
omnimax theatre, a museum
trip and building and setting off rockets
at the Homer Hickam Airfield.
Ms. Germano Ms. Cain Mr. Gooch Mr. Pycior Mr. Buatte
New R-7 administrators named
Latoria Cain, who has served as
science department chairperson for
the Park Hill School District, was
named new assistant principal for
Lee’s Summit West High School. She
replaces David Sharp, who will become
director of the R-7 Summit
Technology Academy.
Nicholas Gooch, a Westview Elementary
fifth-grade teacher, was
named assistant principal at Pleasant
Lea Elementary. He replaces Katie
Collier, who is becoming principal at
Lee's Summit Elementary.
Mitch Pycior, assistant principal at
Lee’s Summit North High School,
was named new assistant director for
Summit Ridge Academy. This is a
new position within the school district.
David Buatte, a science teacher at
Lee’s Summit North High School,
was named new assistant principal for
LSNHS. Mr. Buatte replaces Mr.
Pycior.

page 4
R-7 Expect the Best winners recognized
Clifton Thurmond, band director at
Lee’s Summit West High School and
band instructor at Longview Farm and
Trailridge Elementary Schools, was
named the R-7 School District Expect
the Best Award winner for April. Patty
Davis, Lee’s Summit North High
School library/media secretary, re-
ceived the award for May. The award
is presented to one employee each
Clif Thurmond Patty Davis
month who is nominated by co-workers and selected by a staff committee.
Three honored in national talent search
R-7 seventh-graders recently earning national recognition in the Duke
University Talent Identification Program are Alex Weidner and Jenna Wengler,
both Bernard Campbell Middle School, and Katie Zhang, Summit Lakes Middle
School. They ranked in the top 2 percent of all seventh-graders taking the
college-prep tests.
Celebrating Partners In Education
Representatives from area businesses and from Lee’s Summit R-7 schools
celebrated the district's business partnership program at the 17th annual
Partners In Education banquet, held April 17 in Lee's Summit.
Approximately 220 businesses are involved in the successful partnership
program, participating in individual school/business partnerships, school program
partnerships, district-wide partnerships and the internship program. If you
are interested in more information about the Partners In Education, contact
Laura Maxwell, coordinator, at 986-1109.
Reading Council recognizes Kelly Eames
Kelly Eames, sixth-grade teacher at Lee’s Summit Elementary School,
received the Lee’s Summit Literacy Award during a special
ceremony April 11.
The annual award is presented by the Lee’s Summit
chapter of the International Reading Association to recognize
individuals making a difference in the area of literacy
within the local community and schools.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Eames was recognized for
her love of learning, leadership at school and in the community,
her generosity, enthusiasm, knowledge of children's
Kelly Eames
literature and teaching skills.
Reorganized School District No. 7
600 SE Miller Street, Lee's Summit, Missouri 64063
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Published by the Board of Education
Dr. David McGehee, Superintendent
Editor: Janice Phelan, Community Relations Director
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Michael Dodig ........................................................................... President
Gene Brixey .........................................................................Vice President
Manne Magady ........................................................................... Member
Jeff Tindle .................................................................................... Member
Patti Buie ...................................................................................... Member
Jon Plaas ...................................................................................... Member
Jack Wiley .................................................................................... Member
Regular Board of Education meetings are held on the second Thursday of
each month at 7 p.m. at the R-7 Administrative Office, 600 SE Miller St.
Info line: (816) 986-1001. Web page address: www.leesummit.k12.mo.us
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to prepare every student for a diverse and rapidly changing
world through excellent educational opportunities in a safe and
caring environment.
VISION STATEMENT
Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, partnering with families and the
community, is committed to the academic, physical, emotional and social
well-being of ALL students. Through continuous improvement, we excel in
student achievement. Our success is realized as our students become lifelong
learners and productive members of the global society.
Briefly Speaking
News from around the R-7 School District
Student is Presidential Scholar semifinalist
Lee Mason, Lee’s Summit North High School senior, was recently selected
as a semifinalist for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. Approximately
500 candidates are named semifinalists annually from among close to 2.8
million high school seniors.
Lisa Keezer named Lee's
Summit Elks Educator of Year
Lisa Keezer, counselor at Great Beginnings Early Education
Center, was named Educator of the Year by the Lee’s
Summit Elks Lodge No. 2804. She was recognized at the
organization's Citizens’ Award Night ceremonies, held
during March.
Lisa Keezer
Students to attend Scholars Academy
Eight Lee’s Summit R-7 School District sophomores were recently selected
to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy, a three-week academic program for
337 of Missouri’s gifted students.
Students selected were Joseph Bushur and Brian Jochems, Lee’s Summit
High School; Katherine McClain, David Rodgers, Megan Sander and Becky
Yang, Lee’s Summit North High School; and Abigail Jasinski and Elizabeth
Behm, Lee’s Summit West High School.
LSWHS students capture top math awards
Lee’s Summit West High School students Chuck Bernhard, Kevin Zhang and
Cullen Fairchild recently captured top awards in the Mathematical Association
of America's AMC 12. The students’ scores placed LSWHS as the thirdhighest
ranking school in Missouri, just slightly behind St. Louis University High
School and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
An Evening at the Emaline fundraiser raises
thousands for LS Educational Foundation
An Evening at the Emaline, a fundraiser for the Lee’s Summit Educational
Foundation, raised an estimated $45,000 for the local charitable organization.
The fundraiser, held March 31, is the Foundation’s major spring event and raises
money to support excellence in education in our community.
An Evening At the Emaline included both live and silent auctions, a meal
catered by Outback Steakhouse and special entertainment.
The Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 organization
established in 1993 to raise and manage resources in order to expand and initiate
educational opportunities for students at all levels. For more information, contact
Sheryl Franke, Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation director, 986-1015, or
visit the organization's website at http://lsef.leesummit.k12.mo.us/.
Four selected for Missouri Scholars 100
Charles Bernhard and Cullen Fairchild, both seniors at Lee’s Summit West
High School, and Hannah Jones and Lee Mason, both seniors at Lee’s Summit
North High School, were recently selected for the 2007 Missouri Scholars 100,
a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouri’s top academic students in the
graduating class of 2007.
R-7 students capture awards in the Greater
Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair
Several Lee’s Summit R-7 School District students captured awards in the
56th annual Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair, held this spring
at Bartle Hall.
Local winners included Lindsay Culbertson, Cedar Creek Elementary,
second place, Intermediate Inventions, fourth grade, sponsored by DeVry
University; Davis Gregson, Cedar Creek Elementary, first place, Intermediate
Computer Science, sponsored by Science Pioneers; Mychal Shaw, Hazel
Grove Elementary, first place, Intermediate Physical Science, fourth grade,
sponsored by Science Pioneers; Christopher Dodig, Bernard Campbell Middle
School, first place, Junior Physical Science, sponsored by Science Pioneers;
Helena Myers, Hazel Grove Elementary, second place, ASM International –
Kansas City Chapter; Christopher Dodig, Bernard C. Campbell Middle School,
Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge; Davis Gregson, Cedar Creek
Elementary, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge; Austin Eden and
Trever Rayburn, Bernard C. Campbell Middle School, Linda Hall Library of
Science, Engineering and Technology – Project Display; Olivia Sluder and Zach
Stone, Bernard Campbell Middle School, Linda Hall Library of Science,
Engineering & Technology – Project Display; Abbi Richardson, Cedar Creek
Elementary, Sigma Theta Tau – Graceland University; and Christopher Dodig,
Bernard Campbell Middle School, United States Navy/Marine Corps Science
Award.