Huge congratulations to Nurse Mikaela Glascock and the Gotsch CERT team! Today, they successfully completed their Project ADAM sudden cardiac arrest drill and officially earned the HeartSafe School designation.
The team received glowing feedback from St. Louis Children’s Hospital for their expert use of our new safety tech:
🔹 Centegix badges for instant, location-based emergency alerts.
🔹 Avive Connect AEDs for real-time communication with first responders.
Gotsch is the latest building to reach this milestone as part of our district-wide goal to ensure a gold standard of cardiac preparedness for every student, team member, and visitor on our campuses.
Keep an eye out for that new HeartSafe banner coming soon to the halls of Gotsch! 🏆
We are beyond proud to announce that our very own Hailey Slagle, school nurse at Mesnier Primary, has received the Missouri Association of School Nurses (MASN) Rising Star Award!
This prestigious honor recognizes school nurses who show exceptional leadership. Based on her glowing nominations, it’s clear Nurse Hailey’s impact on our students has been truly "stellar." 💫
Nurse Hailey was officially honored at the MASN Spring Conference in Independence, MO, for her unwavering commitment to the health of our schoolchildren.
Please join us in congratulating Nurse Hailey! We are so lucky to have a Rising Star keeping our Cougars safe and healthy! 💜💛 #OneAffton #afftonstrong
We are thrilled to celebrate the team at Affton Early Childhood Center (AECC) for their commitment to student safety! Today, Nurse Mel Subasic, BSN, RN, and the AECC CERT members successfully completed a Project ADAM sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) drill.
Under the observation of nurses from St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the team demonstrated flawless execution. By utilizing our Centegix badges for instant location-based alerts and the advanced AVIVE Connect AEDs, our team is leveraging the latest technology to ensure every second counts in an emergency. Thanks to their rapid response and meticulous planning, AECC is now officially designated as a HeartSafe School.
This achievement is a major milestone for our community. The Affton Health Services team has set an ambitious goal for every building in the district to obtain the HeartSafe School designation. Our mission is to ensure a gold standard of cardiac preparedness for every student, team member, and visitor who enters our doors.
Congratulations to the AECC team for leading the way!💜💛 #OneAffton #afftonstrong
Congratulations to the 38 nominees for the 30th Annual SOAR Awards! 💜🌟
The prestigious SOAR (Service and Outstanding Achievement Recognition) Award is bestowed upon individuals who show excellence of character, performance, leadership, and service to Affton School District. Any individual providing volunteer service to Affton or working at an Affton location is eligible.
We hope you'll join us to help celebrate all of them at the SOAR Awards on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in the Affton High School Auditorium. In addition to recognizing SOAR nominees, building and district Teachers of the Year and Distinguished Service Awards will be announced, and a special Superintendent’s Award will be presented.
Help us celebrate the nominees for the 2026 SOAR Awards
🟣 Brian Boehm, Activities Director at Affton High School
🟡 Max Buck, Science Teacher & Football Coach at Affton High School
🟣 Katie Burger, Music Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate
🟡 Dr. George Calhoun, Principal at Affton High School
🟣 Paige Carter, SEL Interventionist at Mesnier Primary
🟡 Sarah Collins, ELL Teacher at Affton High School
🟣 Jessica Crawford, Social Worker at Affton School District
🟡 Courtney Dierker, Secretary at Affton High School
🟣 Mallory Dornbach, SSD Teacher at Rogers Middle School
🟡 Kenny Edgar, Board Member at Affton School District
🟣 Chris Fedel, Custodian at Mesnier Primary
🟡 Laurie Free, Science Teacher at Affton High School
🟣 Matthew Gibson, ELL Teacher at Rogers Middle School
🟡 Hannah Gordon, Secretary at Mesnier Primary
🟣 Edo Grozdanic, Parent Volunteer at Affton School District
🟡 Megan Heithaus, Orchestra Teacher at Rogers Middle & Affton High School
🟣 Laura Hubbard, District Gifted Coordinator & SAIL Teacher at Rogers Middle School
🟡 Monica Johnson, SSD Teacher Assistant at Affton High School
🟣 Natalia Juracsik, Cougar Care Staff at Affton Early Childhood
🟡 Samantha Kempf, Math Teacher at Rogers Middle School
🟣 Debra Klemme, Chartwells Food Service at Affton High School
🟡 Kimberly Little-Campbell, SSD Teacher Assistant at Affton High School
🟣 Heather Mayfield, School Counselor at Affton High School
🟡 Ron Medley, Before and After Care Coordinator at Mesnier Primary & Gotsch Intermediate
🟣 Stephanie Mendenhall, Parent Volunteer at Affton High School
🟡 Officer Ashley Meyer, School Resource Officer (SRO)at AECC, Mesnier Primary & Gotsch Intermediate
🟣 Jennifer Molsbee, 5th Grade Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate
🟡 D’Mario Noble, SSD Teacher Assistant at Affton High School
🟣 Bridget Nyberg, ELA Teacher at Rogers Middle School
🟡 Alma Pasic, Chartwells Food Service at Rogers Middle School
🟣 Kristina Pluff, SAIL Teacher at Mesnier Primary
🟡 Paige Preiss, Kindergarten Teacher at Mesnier Primary
🟣 Christina Schuette, 1st Grade Teacher at Mesnier Primary
🟡 Bridget Sinamon, Board Member at Affton School District
🟣 Veronica Stocking, Classroom Assistant at Affton Early Childhood
🟡 Lindsay Sutterfield, 2nd Grade Teacher at Mesnier Primary
🟣 Joely Telgen, SSD Teacher Assistant at Affton High School
🟡 Courtney Thomas, 2nd Grade Teacher at Mesnier Primary
We are incredibly proud to announce our 2026 Distinguished Service Award winners. From the front office and the tech office to the hallways and classrooms, these individuals go above and beyond every day.
Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees:
- Kathy Moran, administrative assistant at Affton Early Childhood
- Rebecca Riley, custodian at Mesnier Primary
- Heather Villar, teacher assistant at Gotsch Intermediate
- Paul Caritoni, lead custodian at Rogers Middle School
- Danielle Wingbermuehle, administrative assistant to the principals at Affton High School
- Rachel Watson, technology systems support engineer at Central Office
Thank you for your hard work, your passion, and for the incredible impact you make in every corner of our district! 🌟
We are incredibly proud to announce our 2026-27 Building Teachers of the Year. These educators don't just teach; they mentor, inspire, and champion every student who walks through their doors.
Please join us in celebrating (clockwise from top left):
- Laura Sexton, kindergarten teacher at Mesnier Primary
- Katie Burger, music teacher at Gotsch Intermediate
- Jennifer Dickmann, social studies teacher at Rogers Middle School
- Dr. Amanda Smith, social studies teacher at Affton High School
Thank you for making our schools a place where students love to learn. 🍎✨
#OneAffton #AfftonStrong
Today, Ms. Dedert’s kindergarten class celebrated the last day of Black History Month with a visit from our Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Suggs joined the class in an authentic African robe and head dress to share stories and celebrate the rich history that shapes our community.
Thank you, Dr. Suggs, for bringing history to life for our students! #OneAffton #afftonstrong
Our high schoolers stepped into the role of mentors, leading presentations on significant Black historical figures and influential contemporary leaders. By sharing their passion and knowledge, they sparked thoughtful conversations and showed our younger learners what leadership looks like in action.
Thank you, AHS scholars, for inspiring the next generation of Cougars! 🐾 #OneAffton #BlackHistoryMonth #afftonlearns
Our SROs do so much more than keep our hallways safe—they are mentors, educators, and familiar faces our students can trust every single day. We are also thrilled to share that, thanks to our continued commitment to safety, Affton School District officially added a third SRO to the team this school year!
Join us in saying a huge THANK YOU to Officer Meyer, Officer Whitmore, and Officer Felts for everything they do for our Cougars. 🐾
#SROAppreciationDay #OneAffton #AfftonStrong
Affton School District will be closed again tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, due to road conditions. This includes all before and after school activities, as well as Cougar Care.
As a reminder, this means we will not use an AMI Day, we will not expect virtual learning, and our team members won’t need to report to work unless otherwise directed by their supervisor. The last day of school will remain as scheduled on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Enjoy your snow day, and stay safe and warm!
Affton School District will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026, due to the winter weather. This includes all before and after school activities, as well as Cougar Care.
As a reminder, this means we will not use an AMI Day, we will not expect virtual learning, and our team members won’t need to report to work unless otherwise directed by their supervisor. The last day of school will remain as scheduled on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Enjoy your snow day, and stay safe and warm!
Our Winter Wish List is officially complete! A massive thank you to everyone who donated to make the season brighter for our students. You’ve shown that being #afftonstrong means making sure no family is left behind.
Thank you for the smiles, the warmth, and the kindness! 🎁❄️
#OneAffton #WinterWishes
Out of an abundance of caution, Affton School District will be closed today, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, due to the winter weather. This includes all before and after school activities, as well as Cougar Care.
As a reminder, this means we will not use an AMI Day, we will not expect virtual learning, and our team members won’t need to report to work unless otherwise directed by their supervisor. The last day of school will remain as scheduled on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Enjoy your snow day, and stay safe and warm!
✨ NEW on Affton Unplugged: Ep. 94 ✨
Honoring Our Principals: Educational Journeys in Affton
In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht celebrates National School Principal Month by featuring the principals from the Affton School District. The segment includes interviews with five principals—Dr. Sinamon (Early Childhood Center & PAT), Dr. Been (Mesnier Primary School), Dr. Powers (Gotsch Intermediate School), Dr. Griffin (Rogers Middle School), and Dr. Calhoun (Affton High School).
Each school leader shares details about their educational journeys, career paths, and personal backgrounds. These conversations cover their undergraduate and advanced degrees, influential activities from their youth and college years, previous positions in education, and how they came to serve the Affton community. The episode offers listeners a look into the professional and personal lives of the district's school leaders.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 affton.net/unplugged
#AfftonUnplugged #OneAffton #AfftonStrong
Hands-on experiments like these bring science to life and show that learning at Gotsch is anything but ordinary! 💜💛 #afftonlearns #afftonstrong
🎙️ Filming Freedom: Affton Students Take on C-SPAN
What happens when high school students bring history to life on film? In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Travis Bracht sits down with AP U.S. Government & Politics teacher Tony Muyco and senior students to talk about their C-SPAN StudentCam documentaries, created for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Students share:
🎥 The challenges of producing a 6-minute documentary
📚 Topics ranging from potholes in the community to Bosnian immigration in St. Louis
🙌 The skills and lessons they’ll carry beyond the classroom
Mr. Muyco also reflects on guiding this project since 2006 — and how today’s students use technology in powerful, creative ways.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 affton.net/unplugged
#AfftonUnplugged #OneAffton #AfftonStrong
The tax rate hearing will begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed immediately by the regular business meeting of the Board of Education in the Multipurpose Room at Affton Early Childhood (9832 Reavis Road, 63123). The public is invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Education. Click here to view the agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/index.aspx?S=435
🎙️ Control+Alt+Achieve: Meet Affton’s IT Team
Today we’re celebrating National IT Professionals Day by spotlighting the amazing team that keeps Affton connected, secure, and moving forward:
💻 Bill Wagner
💻 Adam Jasinski
💻 Rachel Watson
💻 Brandon Clark
In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Travis Bracht talks with our IT pros about:
⚡️ Going beyond “fixing computers” to support teaching & learning
🔒 Tackling challenges from ransomware to remote learning
🤖 How AI and tech will shape the future of education
Drop a 💜 to thank our IT team for everything they do behind the scenes to power Affton Schools!
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 affton.net/unplugged
#OneAffton #AfftonStrong #ITProfessionalsDay
Affton Schools just sent a test message by phone, email, and text to check our communication systems.
✅ If you didn’t get this message through a platform you expected, give it a few minutes. Then:
📧 Email us at info@afftonschools.net
or
📞 Contact your child’s school to update your contact info.
Thank you for helping us make sure we can reach you quickly when it matters most.
We appreciate your partnership! 💜💛
We’re testing our district communication systems this Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at 10 a.m.
You’ll get a test message by text, email, and phone—plus a post on our website.
It’s just a test, but it helps us make sure you’re getting alerts when it really counts.
📲 Check your settings so you don’t miss out!
