VIENNA — The members of the Maries R-1 School Board recently heard about the progress of the new south entrance to the gym and the concession stand addition. 

R-1 Superintendent Teresa Messersmith updated the board at the April meeting with her administrative report. She said Bales Construction is working on the punch list for completion. Workers for the company have installed the door at the gym’s south entrance and will lay the floors this week. “We will be able to use this entrance for graduation,” she said. The company used a different door than was originally planned, but there is no additional cost to Maries R-1 for this door. 

Messersmith said the new concession stand area looks good. There are some remaining items on the punch list such as windows needing trim and doors needing additional work. She said the school will not pay the remaining money it owes the company until all of the work is completed.

Also in her administrative report, Messersmith gave the board members an update on summer school. The application for it has been approved by DESE and they currently are enrolling students for summer school. It will be held from Monday, May 23 through Wednesday, June 22, off for Memorial Day on May 30, for a total of 22 days of summer school. Thus far 120 Middle School and Elementary School students have enrolled, and 34 High School students have enrolled. She said the bus routes will be set up similar to last year. The routes will be paved roads only, to include Highway 63 north and south, Highway 28, Highway 42 east and west, and Highway 133. The stops will be at addresses and county roads along these paved roads. The school will begin setting up these routes soon and expects there will be four routes. 

Messersmith had good news on the Covid-19 front, as since the last school board meeting there have been zero positive cases among the students and staff members. 

R-1 staff appreciation week is May 2-6. On May 2 the 1905 Convenience Store in Freeburg is providing lunch. On May 3 the school board will provide breakfast. On May 4 the administration will provide milkshakes from Vienna Quik Spot. On May 5 there will be a boxed lunch from Colton’s. And, on May 6 there will be a small surprise gift. 

Graduation practice, the scholarship awards and NHS induction will be held on Friday, May 13 starting at 9 a.m. The annual VHS Graduation will be Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m.

The eighth grade promotion will be held Tuesday, May 17 at 6 p.m.

The last day of school is Wednesday, May 18, with dismissal at 11:30 a.m. No lunch will be served on the last day of school.

Messersmith reported elementary enrollment at 232 students with an attendance rate of 92.80 percent. Middle School enrollment is 95 students with attendance of 95.28 percent. High School enrollment is 162 students with an attendance rate of 89.98 percent. Total enrollment is 489 students with an attendance rate of 92.68 percent.