Community School to Build a Centennial Arts Center

Aggressive construction schedule to be ready for the 100th anniversary celebration.

The Community School in Ladue, about to celebrate its 100th anniversary has received donations in excess of $3.1 million from several school families to support the construction of a new Centennial Arts Center. This center will have a theatre and support performance art and art classes. This is an open letter sent by Matthew Gould, Head of School this week to the Community School families. April 29, 2013 Dear Parents and Friends, I have extraordinary news to share! Community School is receiving an exceptional gift in honor of its 100th anniversary. Several families will make a generous contribution totaling $3.1 million to support the construction of the Centennial Arts Center: a new wing containing performance space and arts classrooms …

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Ladue to Swear in New Mayor at Council Meeting this Afternoon

Nancy Spewak takes over for the retiring Anthony Bommarito

Nancy Spewak, alderwoman will be sworn in as the mayor of Ladue this afternoon at 4 p.m. She will take the gavel from retiring mayor Anthony "Tony" Bommarito who just completed his two-year term. A former alderman, he decided not to seek re-election this year. The city will officially recognize Bommarito for his lengthy service. Spewak is the owner of Property Enhancements, LLC which specializes in residential interior design and home staging.   She has served on the Ladue City Council for four terms (8 years). She is the 11th mayor since Ladue was founded, the 4th female in that succession. In a Zoning & Planning matter, Community School, 900 Lay road is seeking a special use permit to add a two-story addition to their school building. A …

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Community School Teacher Named Peabody Energy Leader in Education

Jenn Haney of Community School was surprised Tuesday with the award.

Jennifer Haney, upper division music teacher at Community School, just received the Peabody Energy Leaders in Education award. The Leaders in Education program honors dedicated and compassionate educational professionals with awards and recognition at an annual dinner reception. Honorees are selected throughout the school year by a committee of top educators and business leaders and each earn a $1,000 award. Jenn has taught music to 2nd - 6th graders at Community School since 2008. A native of Crystal City, MO, Jennifer received her bachelor of music degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and her MA Music History/Philosophy degree from Webster University in St. Louis. Jennifer was a Rotary International …

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GOODNIGHT GOON Author Visits Community School

Michael Rex headlines 60th Annual Book Show

Author and illustrator Michael Rex visited Community School’s 60th Annual Book Show on Wednesday, Oct. 10. New York Times Bestselling author Rex is the creator of Goodnight Goon, The Runaway Mummy, the Fangbone: Third Grade Barbarian series, and more. He has more than 25 books to his credit. As the featured author of the book show, Michael Rex spoke at an all-school assembly, then met with smaller groups of students. He read aloud several of his books to the youngest grades, including The Painting Gorilla and Truck Duck. With the older students, Rex led discussions about writing and illustrating processes, and where ideas come from. They discussed the concept of parody, and how that differs from copying. One of the most popular parts of …

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Ribbon Cut on New Jason Lohr Playground at Community School

The 1985 graduate of Community loved to play often out of doors at school.

On Thursday afternoon, the Jason Lohr Memorial Playground was dedicated at Community School in Ladue. The playground was donated by his mother Connie Lohr and by the Anstey family. The new playground will be used primarily by the 125 children in pre-Kindergarten through third grade. Dr. Matthew Gould, Head of School said there were three over-riding reasons for the playground. “First it really fills a need we really had. Our playground was 20 years and inadequate to handle the number of children who needed to use it.” “Secondly, it fits well in our outdoor environment.” He ticked off the amenities loved by Community students including the walking trail and the whole philosophy of the school of playing and learning outside. “Third, it is a …

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Community School to Dedicate New Donated Playground Thursday

Named in honor of Jason Lohr who passed away in 2007.

Community School will be holding a dedication ceremony for their newest playground this Thursday, August 23 at 4:30 p.m. The playground is named the Jason Lohr '85 Memorial Playground, with the lead gift donated from Jason's mother, Connie Lohr. Jason attended Community School from 1981-1985, and loved the outdoor areas of the school. He passed away in 2007, and his mother wanted to do something for the school in his memory. The playground will primarily be used by Senior Kindergarten through Third Grade students.

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Ladue Middle Gets an Experienced New Principal

Vicki VanLaere takes the reins from retired veteran Cathy Richter.

There’s a little known fact that Ladue’s new middle school Principal Dr. Vicki VanLaere is making her second stop locally. As a youngster, her father was a teacher, and she attended grade school at Community School in Ladue where he was on the faculty. But for the better part of her career, she’s taught and administrated in the Mehlville, Meramec Valley (Pacific) and Union, Missouri School districts. A yearning to get out from behind the desk and the walls of an administrative center (in Mehlville) made the move possible. Sign up for the Ladue-Frontenac Patch Facebook Page. At age 53, and nearing retirement age, not everyone wants such a big career move. Last spring, However VanLaere took the leap of faith and was named as the new …

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What's On my Mind

Getting a Chance to Watch My Own Children Grow

Final year at Community School for one of the offspring of the head of the school.

Each week at leader in Ladue, or with connections to the community gets to express his/her personal opinions on the Ladue-Frontenac Patch. This week, Dr. Matthew Gould, head of Community School in Ladue tells us "What's on His Mind." For eight years I have watched my two children learn and grow in the cozy environment of Community School. Perhaps it is because one of my children is preparing to graduate this June and launch into an important new chapter of her life that I find myself reflecting on my hopes and dreams for both my children. What I want for my children is what every parent wants for their children. I want them to be their best selves. I want them to appreciate their own talents and gifts and to recognize that they are not …

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Sean Covey Speaks to Community School Audience

Part of an endowed Circle of Learning Speaker Series at School in Ladue.

Last week, noted speaker and author Sean Covey spoke at Community School's annual Circle of Learning Speaker Series. Approximately 200 parents and educators from across the region were in attendance to hear Covey's presentation on "The Leader in Me/7 Habit of Happy Kids." Covey is senior vice president of Innovations and Products at Franklin Covey, and is the author of several books, including international bestsetter The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. The Circle of Learning Speaker Series is an endowed event, and past speakers have included Dr. Ned Hollowell, Dr. Mary Pipher, Dr. Carol Dweck, and Dr. Robert Brooks and others.

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Community School Raises $1,389 for Charity

Community School's yearlong penny drive raised money for 7 international charities.

Community School students have just ended a yearlong penny drive - “Change the World” – to benefit seven international charities. Students raised $1,389 in pennies to donate! The penny drive is the community service component to the year’s international theme. In addition to studying specific countries and continents in their social studies classes, children have learned about cultures throughout the globe. During lunch assemblies, students have shared poems, songs, and skits with their fellow students. Children were also treated to cuisines from a variety of countries and cultures. The seven charities benefiting from the penny drive include: Heifer Project International, a humanitarian assistance organization that provides livestock to …

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