[TGE-mail] back to school edition of state rep newsletter

[Jeanette Mott Oxford]

Friends, Allies and Constituents, 
Note: This back-to-school edition of my electronic newsletter will
include opportunities to attend an event, volunteer or share resources
that are needed. Please watch for those opportunities in red. If you
receive this through a listserve that strips away formatting and color,
e-mail me at jmo4rep at juno.com to receive a personal copy that includes
the items marked red.
Aug. 20 will be the first day of school in St. Louis Public Schools
(SLPS), and it's time for the entire St. Louis community to "Surround Our
Schools with Care" (SOS Care). That's why I'm hosting a press conference
at Shepard Elementary Schools at 3540 Wisconsin on Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to
announce the kick-off of an effort called SOS Care. You are welcome to
attend! 
I have big dreams for what SOS Care may become in the future, but in the
beginning stages it will be an affectionate challenge to my fellow state
representatives and senators from St. Louis City. I invite us to engage
in a friendly competition to see which of us can do the most to surround
the schools of our districts with the support they need in order to make
a high quality public education a civil right for EVERY child. The
components of the challenge are:
- MATCHMAKE - act as a matchmaker between our schools and area
businesses, neighborhood associations, faith communities, etc. so that
when a district's school has a wish list, we reps and senators will set
out to find a way to get that need met. 
- MOTIVATE - by being a guest speaker or volunteer at our schools and
recruiting others to visit our schools who can  be a good role model to
children, helping them visualize new and broader horizons for their
lives.
- COMMUNICATE - publicize the good news and successes of the schools in
our districts so that more than our failures and the continued fighting
gets reported; announce volunteer opportunities at neighborhood
association meetings, in our newsletters, on our websites, etc. 
- CELEBRATE - honor employees for long years of service, students for
special achievements, and volunteers for their special contributions by
presenting framed House Courtesy Resolutions in public ceremonies at the
schools and attempting to get the media out to cover these.
- LEGISLATE - co-sponsor legislation to lift families out of poverty; St.
Louis City legislators may not agree about use of public funds for
private schools or alternative paths to teacher certification, but we
agree that reduction of our poverty rate would do much to help our
schools.
I recently was able to be a matchmaker for  Fanning Middle School,
Lafayette 9th Grade Success Academy, and Roosevelt High School. Their
principals told me that they need three-inch three-ring binders for a new
program called Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID). 85% of
AVID graduates in other school settings have gone on to post-secondary
education. I was certain some corporation in the St. Louis area might
have some three-ring binders left over from conferences or trainings, and
I immediately had success when I asked Boeing. Thanks to Boeing our
schools will receive over 400 three-ring binders of various sizes for use
of their students. Since over 80% of SLPS students live in families with
incomes that qualify for free and reduced price lunches, buying schools
supplies can be a challenge, so we appreciate this support from Boeing
very much!
Your opportunity to help: I still need 60 more three-inch three-ring
binders to meet the needs of the AVID program. Can you povide six or
perhaps a dozen? If so, call me at 775-8940 to arrange drop-off or pick
up.
~        ~        ~        ~
Superintendent's Message: I have had an excellent working relationship
with Dr. Diana Bourisaw. I trust her commitment to improve SLPS to
accreditation and beyond to real excellence, and I have faith in her
abilities to do so. The principals in my district tell me that they feel
that Dr. Bourisaw listens to them and respects them, and that is a very
encouraging sign for the future.
Dr. Bourisaw shares a preview of the 2007-08 school year in a column on
the SLPS website. She states:
The St. Louis Public School District has “raised the bar” by adding
dynamic new programs, initiatives, and opportunities for our students.
The opening of three Big Picture schools is part of a unique program
designed for students with a demonstrated need for individualized
curriculum and a smaller school environment. SLPS' Big Picture schools
are Des Peres Elementary, Turner Middle, and Kottmeyer High. 
To read the entire column, go to:
http://www.slps.org/superintendent/weekly_message/08072007.html
~        ~        ~        ~
Back to School Events
Back to School Fair - Joint Neighborhood Ministry (JNM) at the fellowship
hall of Epiphany United Church of Christ, 2911 McNair, St. Louis, MO
63118. Children must attend with a parent or guardian. Back to school
supplies available for children from 63118 and 63104 zip codes (bring
photo ID, copy of birth certificate for each school age child, proof of
income, and proof of residency).
Donations needed for this event - you can help! - Backpacks, scissors,
rulers, glue, glue sticks, markers (not crayons), pocket folders, boys
underware, socks for girls or boys. Volunteers - to grill hot dogs and
distribute schools supplies. To volunteer or learn more, call Joan
Hensley, 771-3987.
Back to School Sunday - August 19 - Dr. Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent,
members of the Special Administrative Board, and other district staff
will attend Sunday services throughout the community. Dr. Bourisaw is
scheduled to speak briefly during worship at Epiphany United Church of
Christ, 2911 McNair, Benton Park, 10 a.m. Worship is in the air
conditioned fellowship hall. Watch for signs for how to enter. You are
invited.
Back to School Event - Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club: Saturday,
August 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 2901 North Grand. Contact: Deborah Harris,
652-8300.
Metro Back to School Fest - Sponsored by Metro Associates, Inc.,
Saturday, August 18, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Gravois Park (Compton and
Potomac); Contact: Kristie Jursch, 772-8993.
Missouri Back to School Expo - America’s Center- General Admission
Tickets are $8.00. August 18, 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and August 19, 11:00
– 9:00 p.m.: Free school supplies will be given out during the Teen
Summit. Corporate Sponsor: Office Max.
United Way Servathon Event - Saturday, August 18, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Volunteers will be doing interior and exterior beautification at these
sites:
The Downtown Academy (Patrick Henry): 10 volunteers from St. Louis Bread
Company
Beaumont High School: 100 Guiding Light fans and VIPS from Proctor and
Gamble and Guiding Light cast members. Sodexho has donated paint, paint
brushes, mulch, gloves, yard tools, trash bags, flowers, paint rollers,
tarps and cleaning supplies for the event. United Way volunteers will be
participating.
Contact: Rick Skinner, Vice-President, Volunteer Center, Community
Investment Division of the United Way of Greater St. Louis: 539-4284.
Washington University Annual Service First Event - Saturday, September 1
at various SLPS school sites. Freshmen volunteers from Washington
University will participate interior and exterior beautification projects
during this day-long event. Contact: Stephanie Kurtzman, Director,
Community Service Office: 935-6609.
~        ~        ~        ~
I wish all students of the 59th District and their families, from both
private and public schools, happiness and success in this new school
year!
~        ~        ~        ~
About Special Session: I'm headed back to Jefferson City! A Special
Session has been called for Aug. 20 in order to address bridge safety in
Missouri and a revamped and scaled-down economic development package. In
the 2007 Legislative Session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 327,
an economic development omnibus bill containing the Quality Jobs Act, the
distressed areas land assemblage tax credit (DALATC), and other tax
credits to various industries. HB 327 had a fiscal note estimated at
between $105 million and $300 million. On July 6, Gov. Blunt vetoed HB
327 citing concerns about drafting errors, possible legal challenges, and
poorly structured credits.
The fiscal note on the proposed replacement for HB 327 is over $50
million annually. Some current projections anticipate an $80 million
shortfall in the Missouri budget by 2010, so it is important to ask
whether Missouri can afford the parts of this package that are handouts
to various special interests.
In addition the DALATC portion of the bill needs improvement. Many have
questions whether the tax credit in HB 327 was targeted to one particular
developer, Paul McKee. Nine holding companies have been traced to McKee,
and they have purchased properties on more than 150 blocks in the 6th and
19th wards. These companies have failed to maintain McKee's properties,
causing City government to spend over $260,000 since 2004 to maintain
them according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. (The P-D also reports that
the companies still owe $37,000 of this figure to the city.) These
properties have been cited for hundreds of healthy and safety code
violations, and one of his companies was even sued by the Building
Division. Many are located adjacent to rehabilitated or newly-constructed
homes, and homeowners have repeatedly complained about adverse affects.
I am working with Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin, Alderwoman Marlene
Davis, Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, and a group of concerned citizens to try to
amend DALATC so that it truly benefits our City while safeguarding
against such unneighborly development practices. If you would like to
receive a press release from the Aug. 16 press conference on this topic
or a fact sheet about the properties, please write me at
jmo4rep at juno.com. 
~        ~        ~        ~
District Directories: The 59th District Directory was recently mailed
out. If you are a resident of the 59th and did not get your copy, please
let me know, and I'll send one out. Also any list of phone numbers
becomes imperfect as soon as it is printed. Here's the first correction
for the directory. St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services is now
314-877-6500.
~        ~        ~        ~
Good News from the 59th: St. Elizabeth Academy will be celebrating its
125th Anniversary with a Mass and dinner on September 2 at 4:00 p.m. For
more information, call Sharon Stockmann at 771-5134. Also St. Elizabeth
Academy is completing Phase I of their Empowering Women in Science
Project with the opening of a completely renovated Biology Lab.
The Cherokee-Lemp Historic Business District received a garden award and
recognition Aug. 6 from Dutch Town for significant improvements in the
landscaping of the area.  Jovanka Hammond and Barb Moore lead that
effort.  I hope you share my pride in the growth of new businesses on
Cherokee and nearby, the diversity of those business (not just antique
shops - art galleries, restaurants, etc.), and the new home owners that
are rehabbing and improving their properties. 
JMO
Jeanette Mott Oxford
State Representative - 59th MO House District
314-771-8882 (home); 314-775-8940 (cell)
2910 Lemp, St. Louis, MO 63118
www.jmo4rep.com
Note: JMO4Rep Update is a periodic electronic report from State
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Paid  for by Citizens to Elect Oxford, J. Michael Vosler, Treasurer, P.
O. Box 19112, St. Louis, MO.
2910 Lemp, St. Louis, MO 63118