SUPER IN EVERY WAY
FAREWELL, DR. JAHNKE
Dr. Jahnke with members of the LHWHS a cappella singing group, Viva Voce, at her retirement party on Wednesday.
After serving in education for 36 years (32 of those in the Ladue School District), Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke is retiring. Dr. Jahnke was honored at a Farewell Ceremony on May 15, 2019, at Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS). The newly-renovated facility accommodated hundreds of friends, colleagues and students who came to wish Dr. Jahnke farewell.
The event featured performances by the Reed School Choir, a capella group Viva Voce, Lehde's Men, the Strolling Strings and chamber groups directed by Aaron Lehde. Guests were treated to a signature drink, the Donna Palmer (iced tea and lemonade) and helped themselves to dinner and dessert at multi-cultural food stations. The broadcast studio was set up so attendees could record video messages for Dr. Jahnke.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve the students and families of the Ladue School District as a teacher, an administrator, and for the last five years as superintendent," Dr. Jahnke says. It was clear from the tears of appreciation from many in attendance that others feel the privilege has been theirs.
Dr. Jahnke began her career in the Ladue School District in 1991 as a classroom teacher, after having worked as a Special Education Teacher for the Special School District of St. Louis County. In 1996, she became Director of Community Services, which included responsibilities as the Director of the Ladue Early Childhood Center, the Parents as Teachers program and all district fee-based programs.
In 1998, she was appointed as principal of Reed Elementary School and was recognized as the Missouri National Distinguished Principal in 2008. Later in 2008, she became the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and remained in that position until she was selected as the district’s superintendent on July 1, 2013.
The Ladue Education Foundation & Alumni Association blossomed under her tenure. "We are honored to have had the opportunity to grow with the support of her leadership," says LEF Board President Julie Schuster.
To donate to the LEF in honor of Dr. Jahnke, please visit our website.
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MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE
THE COULSON SCHOLARSHIP
Bill and Elaine Coulson with scholarship winner Efrata Serbessa and Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke
Former Ladue Schools teachers Bill and Elaine Coulson have established a scholarship of $10,000 for one recipient to use at a four-year college or university. The inaugural scholarship winner, Efrata Serbessa, was honored at a ceremony on Friday, May 17 at the LHWHS Performing Arts Center. Efrata was joined by family, friends, teachers and staff to celebrate her achievement. "The LEF is honored to play a part in your journey and is grateful to the Coulsons for their generosity," said LEF Executive Director Julie Ferrie at the ceremony. The LEF helped the Coulsons set up the scholarship and now administers it.
The Coulson Scholarship is available to students whose first language is not English but who graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) while becoming proficient in English. Because Elaine taught English as a Second Language in the Ladue School District, she and her husband wish to recognize the courage, sacrifice, hard work and desire to succeed and become contributing members of society exemplified by these students. "We believe they deserve the opportunity to make their educational dreams come true in a country which continues to be strengthened by its immigrant roots," says Elaine. The Coulsons believe the participation of these students in our educational system will result in a better understanding and acceptance of other cultures and recognition of our common humanity.
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DISTRICT DIVERSITY
BLACK HISTORY 101
MOBILE MUSEUM
On April 17 and 18, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum visited Ladue Horton Watkins High School and Ladue Middle School, displaying a portion of its award-winning collection of more than 7,000 original artifacts of Black memorabilia dating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to hip-hop culture.
The Black History 101 Mobile Museum has traveled to 32 states, visiting over 300 institutions including colleges, K-12 schools, corporations, conferences, libraries, museums, festivals, religious institutions, and cultural events. For more information, please visit their website.
The LEF supports the district's ongoing efforts to be responsive to the significant diversity of our school community as they continually review programs, activities and curricula. For information about the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work of the LEF, please see our website.
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SAVE THE DATE
'DUE RUN 4 EDUCATION
& LEF ANNUAL BREAKFAST
Make a note of it! The ‘Due Run 4 Education is Saturday, Sept. 28 at LHWHS.
The 5K & 1-MILE FUN RUN is a community-wide event that provides outdoor fun for the whole family! This year's event will coincide with Ladue Horton Watkins High School's homecoming.
And save the date for the 13th Annual Community Breakfast on Saturday Oct.12 at LHWHS, when we come together as a community to celebrate our successes, learn about current initiatives, and support our future programs.
More information to come, but please mark your calendars!
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A WORD FROM OUR LEF BOARD PRESIDENT
A YEAR OF GROWTH
The Ladue Education Foundation & Alumni Association has had a great year! The Foundation continues to grow while staying true to its mission to advance the excellence of the Ladue School District and enhance its legacy by expanding opportunities for student success. In our efforts to join philanthropy with public education to bring together a community, provide world-class academic and enrichment programs, and promote connections for Ladue Schools alumni, we have:
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Continued our grant program, bringing our total to more than 130 grants awarded over our 13-year history. This year, grants funded laptops for students who otherwise would not have technology access, author visits, a student-driven program to teach technology to the elderly, and an initiative to bring the Project Lead the Way engineering curriculum to Ladue Middle School.
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Hosted our signature events: LEF’s Annual Community Breakfast, which was held at the renovated LHWHS and honored former Superintendent Dr. Chuck McKenna; the family friendly ‘Due Run 4 Education on homecoming weekend; and our spring gala, Innovation Celebration: Sports Edition. At the gala, keynote speaker Ben Newman (’97) shared some of his journey from the halls of Ladue to motivational speaking for professional athletes; senior Peter Jakiela spoke about how Ladue students become leaders; and attendees raised more than $75,000 to help fund our grant program and purchase equipment for the physical education departments at every school in the district. Thank you to everyone who supported the LEF at these events!
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Recognized Rams Leadership Circle Donors and those who purchased commemorative bricks with an event at the Dr. Donna Jahnke Student Plaza and the Sandweiss-Stern Lobby of LHWHS in November. The gathering featured student performing groups Lehde’s Men and Viva Voce.
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Hired new Executive Director Julie Ferrie. Julie is a 1972 graduate of LHWHS; both of her daughters graduated from Ladue as well. Julie brings more than eight years of development experience with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to her role and is a former president of the Conway School Association.
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Helped fund Ladue School District events for students and the community, including the Black History 101 Mobile Museum and a screening of Big Sonia, which features Sonia Warshawski, one of the last survivors of the Holocaust.
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Held a Ladue Alumni Happy Hour, beginning with tours of the renovated high school and ending with food and fun at Lester’s Sports Bar & Grill.
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Supported the Career Expo at LHWHS in November, which gave students the opportunity to interact with area professionals and learn more about their jobs.
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Continued our capital campaign by offering naming rights and commemorative bricks to support the substantially completed renovation of LHWHS.
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Appreciated the teachers and staff of the Ladue School District! Beyond being incredible educators, they are also generous contributors to the LEF, with 140 staff members currently participating in the Pay It Forward payroll contribution program.
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Focused on physical education and health for Giving Tuesday, raising $4,000 for Ladue School District P.E. departments.
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Welcomed new board members Lolita Flinn, Mike Minkler, Mike Goellner and Marcus Wilson and prepared to bid farewell to board members Michael Kaplan, Mike Simon and Patti Hageman as they complete their terms. We are truly fortunate to have such incredible and dedicated volunteers!
It has been my honor to serve as president of the LEF for the past two years and as a board member for the past seven. When I look back on all that the LEF has accomplished in that time, I know the organization would never have achieved so much without the support of our district families, community members, alumni, staff and administration. I am awed by your generosity and dedication. Thank you all!
Julie Schuster
Board President
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