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Principal - John Shaughnessy

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5/9/2013

Lafayette High School Receives Newsweek Magazine Honor!

Lafayette High School was recently recognized in Newsweek Magazine as one of the top 2000 outstanding high schools in America! LHS is #357/2000. Broken down by state, Lafayette ranks in the top 5 Missouri schools according to Newsweek! #Excellence!!

Missouri School Rankings by Newsweek:

1. Ladue Horton Watkins High School

2. Clayton High School

3. Metro Academy

4. Lindbergh High School

5. Lafayette High School

Posted at 10:34 AM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/25/2013

LHS on Washington Post's Most Challenging High School's List!

Lafayette High School is ranked 771 out of 1,900 schools nationally by the Washington Post's Most Challenging High Schools in America. Check out the following link for more details.

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/.

The Washington Post breaks down schools by state. Here are the top five schools in Missouri:

1. Metro Academy

2. Ladue Horton Watkins

3. Hogan Prep Academy (Kansas City)

4. Lafayette High School

5. Marquette High School

Posted at 3:58 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/8/2013

#excellent teachers at LHS!!

Congratulations to some outstanding teachers at LHS who go above and beyond the call of duty to support student learning at Lafayette High School, and were recently recognized by LHS administrators through an Administrator Choice Award.

Scott Beaver, Business & Community Service

Cheryl Hermach, Language Arts

Jennifer Connor, SSD

Jessica Kuntzman, Science

Michele Rodgers, Vocal Music

Posted at 3:25 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/28/2013

What is a Bond Issue?

You’ve heard that Rockwood has placed a no-tax rate increase bond issue on the April 3 ballot.

Prop S (“S” stands for Students – Safety – Schools) would not require an increase to the district’s current debt service tax rate. Some parents have asked, “How do bond issues work?” Let me share some information about bond issue funding.

What is a bond issue?

A bond issue is a way to borrow money to fund "bricks and mortar" projects, as well as technology for certain capital improvement projects. This requires voter approval. Capital projects can include additions of new classrooms, safety, maintenance, and renovations of existing schools and certain technology costs.

Where does the money come to pay for them?

When the voters pass/approve the bond issue, the school district then obtains bids and sells bonds to the purchaser that offers the lowest interest cost. The district pays back the debt over a period of years, typically around 12 years. We use current tax dollars to pay off bond debts. In Rockwood, that debt service comes from a dedicated 68 cent property tax levy. This process is similar to a home loan. When you purchase a home, you borrow money at a specific interest rate. You make payments on that loan, which include principal and interest, over a period of years. In order to make those payments, you dedicate a certain amount of your income to retiring that debt.

How does a no-tax rate increase bond issue work?

The district is authorized to assess a tax rate sufficient to pay the principal on maturing bonds and related interest cost. The district currently assesses a rate of 68 cents. Each year the district pays off a portion of the debt and, in most years, assessed valuation increases the amount of taxes generated by the 68 cents. This allows the district to incur additional debt without increasing the tax rate. If no future bond issues were approved, the tax rate would decrease over time as the amount of outstanding bonds goes down. Without future bond issues however, the district would not be able to properly maintain the buildings and equipment. View video: What is a bond issue? Read answers to frequently asked questions about bond issues.

Posted at 2:42 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/27/2013

Prop S Bond Informaiton

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 2. It’s Election Day and voters will be considering Prop S, a no-tax rate increase bond issue on the ballot. Below are some answers to voting information.

When are polls open on April 2?

Polls will be open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.

Who may vote?

Any Rockwood resident who is a registered voter may vote in this election. Anyone needing to register to vote or needed to update his or her voter registration information may do so at any Rockwood school, or any St. Louis County library or City Hall. The deadline for processing registrations, reinstatements and transfers is March 6 to be eligible to vote in the April 2 election.

Where may I vote?

Just prior to the election date, each registered voter will receive a postcard from the election office designated the polling place for the election.

I’m out of town on April 2. May I vote by absentee ballot?

Yes. St. Louis County registered voters wishing to cast an absentee ballot should call 314.615.1800. In Jefferson County, call 636.797.5486. St. Louis County residents may download the absentee ballot application online.

March 27 is the last day absentee ballot requests are accepted by mail at the election office. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Election Office by April 1.

April 1 is the last day to cast an absentee ballot in person at the Election Office. The office is located at 12 Sunnen Drive in Maplewood for St. Louis County residents and 729 Maple Street in Hillsboro for Jefferson County residents.

How many “Yes” votes are required for the bond issue to pass?

The Constitution of the State of Missouri requires a four-sevenths (57.14 percent) majority for passage of the bond issue.

How will Proposition S appear on the ballot?

The ballot language for Proposition S is as follows:

Shall the Rockwood R-6 School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $38.4 Million Dollars ($38,400,000) for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, repairing, improving, furnishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities in the District, including but not limited to (1) safety and health measures, (2) technology infrastructure and classroom technology and (3) maintenance of current facilities by continuing to fund major capital repairs and improvements, resulting in no estimated increase in the debt service property tax levy? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the District is estimated to remain unchanged at sixty-eight cents ($0.68) per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property. Learn more about Prop S: Students, Safety, Schools.

Posted at 12:35 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/11/2013

2013 Academic Pep Assembly, Tuesday, March 12

The 2013 APA, "Late Night with Louie", is taking place on Tuesday, March 12th from 1:30-3:00pm. This is a school sponsored academic pep assembly, put on by the Renaissance program at LHS, intended to recognize and celebrate all the wonderful academic achievements and accomplishments earned this year by students in all grade levels. Music, skits and performances highlight our recognition.

LHS students are expected to attend this academic pep assembly as it is a school sponsored event.

We hope to see you at "Late Night with Louie!"

Posted at 1:50 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/4/2013

Principal's Blog-Prop S Information

On Tuesday, April 2, Rockwood residents will be asked to vote on Prop S, a $38.4 million no-tax rate increase bond issue.

Prop S reflects feedback collected from our community during the Picture Rockwood public engagement process. More than 400 Rockwood community members attended Picture Rockwood workshops to study the challenges facing the district and provide input on solutions. In addition, feedback was collected from the community-at-large via telephone surveys, feedback forms and online surveys. This citizen-led effort identified priorities for the future of our schools.

The proposed bond issue supports Rockwood students by focusing on safety measures, technology improvements and updates to our current facilities.

· Safety: Provide for safety modifications, such as security cameras, door-locking systems and check-in centers at school entrances.

· Technology: Update computers and networks so students are prepared for upcoming state-mandated online assessments.

· School Improvements: Repair and renovate existing schools to maintain the district’s investment in facilities and buildings.

This referendum would not require an increase to the district’s current debt service tax rate.

A four-sevenths (57.14 percent) majority is necessary for passage. Election Day is April 2. Please remember to vote.

We invite you to join us on Facebook. Take the time to Like · Share the information about our students and schools.

Posted at 8:20 AM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/27/2013

#excellence recognition 2-19-13

Congratulations to LHS staff member Amy Shelton, PIE Coordinator, for her relentless pursuit of job embedded opportunities and resouces for our staff and students that link curriculum development to real world work opportunities, internships, and shadowing opportunities. Your work is priceless Mrs. Shelton!

Posted at 4:05 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

#excellence recognition

Congratulations to some #excellent LHS staff members!

Doug Rodgers, Hall Monitor

Bill Graf, Hall Monitor

These outstanding staff members contribute countless hours to the safety and security of Lafayette High School, as well as strategically support the many avenues of student involvement at all grade levels. Thanks for your outstanding efforts!!

Posted at 3:59 PM by John Shaughnessy | Category: General | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/19/2013

Prop S - Rockwood's $38.4 million Bond Issue

Dear Lafayette Parents:

I want to make sure you are aware that on April 2, Rockwood voters will consider PROP S, a $38.4 million no-tax rate increase bond issue on the ballot.

This proposed bond issue was recommended by our Picture Rockwood Facilitating Team. I know many of you attended these workshops last semester. What’s important to remember is that many priorities for our students were identified during this community engagement process. PROP S provides funding for some of them, including:

Safety: Provide for safety modifications, such as security cameras, door-locking systems and check-in centers
at school entrances.

Technology: Update computers and networks so students are prepared for 21st century learning required
by today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

School Improvements: Repair and renovate existing schools to maintain the district’s investment in facilities
and buildings.

Please note that PROP S is a no-tax rate increase bond issue, which means that passage would not require an increase to the district’s current debt service tax rate. A four-sevenths (57.14 percent) majority is necessary for passage on April 2.

I encourage you to become informed about all the projects provided by this proposed bond issue. Many of the projects are district-wide in focus, such as technology network upgrades that will help us prepare for upcoming state testing mandates, interior door locks for our classrooms, and visitor check-in centers to provide line-of-sight access to anyone approaching or school.

Remember: You can find more information about PROP S online at www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/propS

We invite our families to join us on Facebook. Take the time to Like · Comment · Share the information about our students and schools.