Superintendent reports awards, Parent Academy graduates and library innovations at Lee's Summit R‑VII meeting

At the November meeting, Superintendent Dr. Buck reported district recognitions and student and staff honors and introduced the most recent Parent Academy graduates.

Highlights Dr. Buck noted: Jessica Lam (district occupational therapist) and Samantha Allen (Great Beginnings teacher) received Learning for Life awards; Lee's Summit West cheerleaders won state championships in coed large division and classics; several students across district high schools earned all-state honors in athletics; a career-education specialist received recognition from the National Institute for Construction Education for the district's R‑7 Build Zone apprenticeship work; and LSR 7 was recognized by the Council on International Educational Exchange for hosting international students. Dr. Buck said 23 participants graduated from the district Parent Academy this year, representing 19 schools.

Sunset Valley Elementary Principal Rachel Flood presented a school spotlight including a student video titled "A Letter to a Legend," recognized volunteers and named Shella Presley as Sunset Valley's Volunteer of the Year. Lee's Summit High School library staff Jen Coleman and Allison Donahue described library instruction and K–12 reading initiatives (Read Across America and the Lee's Summit Community Read), reported having led over 400 lessons last year, and described classroom-support uses of virtual-reality headsets.

The board also recognized Lee's Summit High School Volunteer of the Year, Scott Graham, and the superintendent thanked staff and volunteers for community events such as the Choose to Include program and a district playoff game hosting.

The meeting record shows these items as informational presentations; no formal board action was taken on the recognitions or spotlights during the meeting.