Hazelwood School District Newsletter - August 2025
Hazelwood School District Newsletter
District News for August 2025
A Message from the Superintendent
Greetings HSD Community,
As we approach the beginning of a new school year, excitement is building across the District. The month of August brings with it a renewed sense of purpose, fresh opportunities for learning, and the promise of growth for every student. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare engaging environments where students can thrive. Whether your child is entering kindergarten, transitioning to a new school, or preparing for graduation, we are committed to supporting them every step of the way. I look forward to the year ahead and all that we will accomplish together.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past few months, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our incredible graduates from May and those who completed their requirements over the summer. These students have shown tremendous dedication, resilience, and perseverance, navigating the challenges of their academic journeys with determination and grace. Whether they are headed to college, the workforce, the military, or other exciting paths, they leave Hazelwood ready to make a meaningful impact in the world. We are proud of each and every one of them and look forward to hearing about their future successes. Please join me in congratulating the Class of 2025!
If you haven't registered for the 2025-2026 school year yet, please do so soon. You can register by using the Infinite Campus app. More information is available at www.hazelwoodschools.org.
One of the projects we're very excited about is the introduction of Montessori teaching at Twillman. Montessori is a teaching approach that encourages independence and hands-on learning. It’s designed to help children develop at their own pace while building critical thinking and self-management skills. We are so proud to offer this at Hazelwood with no cost to families. The school is open to pre-K and kindergarten students across the District (and transportation is provided). You can find more information on our website.
Don't forget that the first day of school is August 18th. We're looking forward to seeing everyone for another great year of learning in the Hazelwood School District!
Sincerely,
Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart
Superintendent
Hazelwood Seniors Soar: Class of 2025 Graduates with Pride
Families, friends, and loved ones gathered at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday, May 25, to celebrate Hazelwood School District’s Class of 2025 at this year’s commencement ceremonies.
All of the hard work and dedication the HSD graduating class has shown was recognized as the graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas. In three separate ceremonies for each high school, the students and audiences heard speeches full of advice and celebration from fellow graduates, HSD staff, and members of the HSD Board of Education
Hazelwood Kicks Off the School Year with Back 2 School Fairs on August 9!
Hazelwood School District is gearing up for its annual Back 2 School Fairs, set to take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, starting at 10 a.m. The events will be held simultaneously at all three high schools in the District.
Central High School – 1587 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63031
East High School – 11300 Dunn Rd., St. Louis, MO 63138
West High School – 1 Wildcat Ln., Hazelwood, MO 63042
All students and their families are invited and encouraged to attend their corridor’s fair. This District-wide celebration aims to provide students with essential resources to kick off the new school year, and celebrate our incredible District.
North Middle’s Speech & Debate Stars Triumph at Season Finale
The North Middle Speech and Debate Team showcased their skills and determination at the end-of-year tournament, emerging triumphantly with a spectacular win! Their hard work and passion for communication were displayed as they faced off against fierce competition. Members of the team came in first and second place, earning a $1000 prize.
Grannemann Math Teacher Publishes First Children’s Book
Grannemann’s fourth-grade math teacher, Janice Phillips, has just turned the page on a new adventure by publishing her very first children’s book, A Friend for Lemma. The book is inspired by her daughter, Janelle Stowers.
West High Musician Hits High Note with Sphinx Training at Juilliard
West High student, Sabrina Bush, is spending a portion of her summer at the Juilliard School for an intensive musical performance program, where she will further develop her skills playing the double bass.
Partnering for Success: Join Us for Parent Orientation in August
To kick off the 2025-2026 school year, each school within the Hazelwood School District will be hosting a Meet the Teacher & Parent Orientation event the week before students return to the classroom.
Innovators in Action: West High Students Join 2025 TSA Conference
Four West High Technology Student Association (TSA) students, Jaxon Paulette, Harmony Winston, Aleyah Brown, and Boston Hammond, attended the annual National TSA Conference in “Music City, USA” — Nashville, Tennessee — during the last weekend of June. The location could not be more fitting for this year’s theme, “Tune in to Technology”!
HSD Teachers Expand Horizons Through WashU’s ISP Program
Multiple Hazelwood School District educators have recently participated in a variety of professional learning opportunities through WashU’s Institute for School Partnership (ISP).
Back in May, eight HSD educators participated in the Practical Research in Education Showcase, hosted by WashU’s ISP. More than 100 guests attended the showcase to support and learn from 24 educators, who presented posters based on recent research and work with ISP programs. From HSD, the following educators presented: Kimberly Reese, Melissa Copeland-Wilson, John Webb, Ambrozine Choice, Dorothy Moore, Sara Berghoff, Ayann Russell and Kimberly Johnson.
Cell Phone and Personal Communication Devices
Expectations and Guidelines
Parent University
Through workshops, events, videos, and resources, Parent U is here to provide parents/guardians with the necessary tools to support their families and learn more about education, child development, wellness, personal development, and other topics.
For more information, including the event schedule, click Parent University.
Board Statement of Solidarity
The horrific, depraved murder of George Floyd left many in our community shocked and enraged. That anger has been further amplified by the senseless murder of Breonna Taylor and now Rayshard Brooks, all unarmed African Americans who were killed by the police. These and other recent instances of lethal attacks against African Americans are unacceptable. This is an American issue, not a black issue. As such, we all have a collective responsibility to fight against the ills of racism. The HSD Board of Education stands in solidarity with the millions of Americans stepping forward in this fight. We stand with our community to say, “enough is enough!”
The Manners Matter campaign specifically targets proper etiquette and mobilizes students, parents, and the community to partner with the district to achieve one goal - realizing that Manners Matter.
