VIENNA — According to updates at the Jan. 30 Maries County R-1 Board of Education Meeting, students are striving for success and are committed to helping the community as they have undergone career exploration trips, spelling bee achievements and weekly food support initiatives all in the past month. 

Vienna Elementary School (VES) Principal Shanda Snodgrass reported on student activities and community support programs. She said on Jan. 21, grades five through eight participated in the Show Me Central Conference spelling bee.

“Our participants for fifth grade were Savannah and Lana Bresnahan, their alternates Logan Thomas and Matthew Campbell. Sixth grade participants were Landon Kloeppel and Thomas Health. Seventh grade participants were David Martin and Liam Birdsong, and the best I heard was Landon Kloeppel, who went to round three,” she said.

Snodgrass also highlighted the district’s partnership with the Northeast Central Food Bank.

“Stacy Brown from the Northeast Central Food Bank came and completed our site review for eligibility last Thursday to continue our Buddy Pack Program in the elementary and the School Market Program in middle school and high school,” Snodgrass said. “We passed on everything with that. Currently, the elementary school is distributing 58 Buddy Packs each week.”

According to Snodgrass, the Backpack Buddy Program is designed for students in the district that might need just a little extra boost with some food. The program is a joint effort with the Northeast Central Food Bank and several churches in the area. Snodgrass added upcoming events for students and families.

“We are having classroom Valentine’s parties on Feb. 12 this year,” She said. “Parents and guardians are welcome to attend, and they can come in any day that week for their visitors pass.”

VES current enrollment stands at 223 students, according to Snodgrass.

Vienna High School Principal (VHS) Tim Metcalf reported on secondary student programs and achievements. Metcalf said the district recently took students to see the RTI program in Rolla to explore future career opportunities.

“By the end of February, we’ll have all the applications collected in deciding who gets to attend RTI next year,” Metcalf said. “I believe we have 20 spots, and I think there are going to be seven that are going to be returning. So we’ll go for around 13 spots for next year.”

Metcalf also shared the success of an alumni panel held on Dec. 19, and plans to make the event annual from now on.

“We had past graduates come in and talk to our students,” Metcalf said. “The kids had a lot of good questions. So we’re going to try to make that a yearly event for our kids.”

Maries County R-1 Superintendent Teresa Messersmith introduced updates on budget, facilities and grants.

Messersmith reported that the district received $127,886.55 in formula and classroom trust funds, $52,194.30 for transportation, and $16,387 for food and nutrition. She also said rising utility costs, including an electricity bill of $11,499.56, is likely linked to the new gym HVAC units installed last year.

“The overall attendance rate last month was 94.95 percent,” Messersmith said. “Which is still very good, especially for this time of the year,”

She noted that flu cases have begun to rise slightly among students. She also said upcoming professional development for teachers is on Feb. 13, which will emphasize peer-led sessions to promote leadership within the district.

Facilities and maintenance updates included a planned high school roof replacement during the summer to minimize disruptions, as well as epoxy floor updates in the elementary restrooms. Messersmith also discussed the Missouri Quality Preschool Grant, which has provided roughly $43,655 for the first semester and is expected to continue supporting staff salaries and supplies.