Confluence Comet
news by students for students
Welcome Home
Mrs. Taylor!đ
Mrs. Taylor is our new principal here at South City this school year. Sheâs not really new to Confluence Academy though. She was the principal at the Compton building a few years ago and was the principal at Aspire Academy right before she came back to South City to be our head principal. If you want to get to know more about Mrs. Taylor, just keep reading.
Q: Why did you become principal of South City?
A: âTo build a positive community for students and teachers.â
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: St. Louis
Q: What's your morning routine?
A: After waking up, she does her hygiene then drinks coffee.
Q:How old are you?
A: 46
Q: Who's your favorite staff?
A: Everyone
Q: What Confluences were you principal at?
A: Aspire and South City
Q: List three words that describe you?
A: Loving, understanding and positive
Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of school?
A: Shopping, cleaning and spending time with friends
Q: What's your biggest fear?
A: Drowning and heights
Q: What's your favorite holiday
A:Thanksgiving.
Q:Do you collect anything?
A: Elephants.
Q: Who inspired you?
A: Her teachers Ms. Jackson, Mr. Dolle and Ms. Rous.
Q:What's your proudest moment?
A: âTo be the first person in my family to get a college degree, and when I graduated from college.â
Q: What's your favorite music artist?
A: BeyoncĂŠ, Tupac, Chris Brown
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: 2 sons
Q: What's your favorite subject?
A: Reading
By: Jalasia Stidmon, 5th Grade
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South City academy is my homeđĄ
An Amazing Teacher!
Ms. Turner is one of Confluence Academy South Cityâs 8th grade teachers. She teaches Social Studies, coaches volleyball, mentors students and is the supervisor of the Junior Academy (JA) student council. The following is from our interview.
How long have you been a teacher?
âThis is my second year teaching. I graduated in May 2021.â
What made you realize you wanted to be a teacher?
âBefore going to college to be a lawyer, I worked as a Summer Camp Counselor. I loved my JOB but during the last week of camp our superintendent and other officials came to look around and after my lesson they told me that I had what it took to be a teacher and they wanted me to work in the district right after I graduated college. The woman told me "some people have it and some don't and you have it." As soon as I made it to college I changed my major to Education.â
What is it like being an 8th grade teacher while supervising Student Council (STUCO)? âBeing an 8th grade teacher and the supervising teacher over STUCO is so REWARDING! I love to see how Student Council projects turn out and I love to feel the presence of Student Council around the building; for example, seeing posters or challenges in the hallway. Teaching 8th grade drives me. I do what I can to prepare my students and get them ready for the next step which is high school, college or some type of work. I do everything I can to build strong relationships with my students which allows me to see academic success in my classroom! The drive I have in the classroom gives me the energy to do things like Student Council and Volleyball. I am so happy to work with 6th and 7th graders and to help them feel more comfortable when they come to 8th grade!â
Why did you choose to supervise the Student Council?
âI was in the student council in middle school & high school and I planned events in college when I was a resident adviser. I also wanted to be a part of South City and I figured what better way to get involved than leading a prestigious group like the student council.â
Why did you choose to work at Confluence Academy South City? I wanted to work in the city, and I wanted to be in an environment that was incredibly diverse!
Have you been a teacher before working here?
âI had experience at other schools in college but I was just a student teacher. It was never MY CLASSROOM. In college, I used to be in the other schools and dream about where I am now.â
Do you have any regrets about working here or as a teacher?
âNo, I love the school's environment and the students I serve. This school is AMAZING! I feel at home when I am in South City.â
By: Khylee Graves, 6th Grade
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đShe brings Happiness and Joy
When you walk into Mrs. Holmesâ classroom you see wonderful student work, bright colors, and lots of preschool stations. You hear Mrs. Holmesâ calm voice talking to the students. Mrs. Holmes is a wonderful preschool teacher here at Confluence Academy South City at the Compton building. She is full of happiness and joy and is an awesome teacher. She is very patient and is great with the little ones.
Before she became a preschool teacher, she was a kindergarten teacher for 10 years. She even has two children of her own that love to go on adventures with her. She is not only good at teaching, she is good at many other things like painting, crafts, and puzzles. She also likes anything to do with nature including hiking, biking, fishing or just exploring to see what animals she can find. She was born in St. Louis and grew up here her whole life. That's why she teaches here and not somewhere else in the world.
When she was in elementary school, she attended McKelvey School and when she moved forward and went to middle school she attended Parkway East Middle School. For high school she attended Parkway North and for Junior College she attended Meramec Community College where she received an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. For Undergraduate she attended Harris Stowe State University where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. And last but not least, for Graduate school she attended University of Missouri St. Louis where she earned a Master's Degree in General Education. Hard years of school always pay off.
Mrs. Holmesâ background is interesting. She has one older brother and they grew up together. They had no computers or phones so they spent most of their time outdoors. Sometimes, their dad would take them to a small town called St. James where he grew up, and they would go fishing and would go swimming. They would visit their grandma all the time. In high school, Mrs. Holmes was an All-American softball player. Her position was catcher and she really enjoyed playing it.
Growing up Mrs. Holmes always wanted to be a teacher. She even has a drawing she drew when she was younger of her being a teacher. Since she is a preschool teacher she wants kidsâ first school experience to be great, awesome and a fun safe place for them to learn. She chose to be a preschool teacher because she thinks itâs cool how she has the ability to help make school fun for her little students but at the same time help them learn.
One of Mrs. Holmes' biggest fears is losing a loved one. I think deep down everyone has that fear. Maybe you just don't know if you fear this but for now appreciate what you have. Someday you may not have it anymore.
Mrs. Holmes is a lot of things but if I had to choose three words describe her I would start with loving, because she cares so much about the safety of her little ones. Next, she is creative, because she can make anything out of paper. Go to her classroom sometime so you can see the many paper projects from the little ones. Lastly, she is patient, because she is a preschool teacher and she has to be really patient with the little ones and help them through every little thing.
I think Mrs. Holmes is the best preschool teacher ever! She is awesome with kids. She is there for them when they are happy or unhappy. She helps them learn in a loving, calm and patient manner.
By: Tania Gonzalez, 7th Grade
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proud to be a teacherđ
Ms. Lesinski is a 4th grade teacher here at Confluence Academy South City. Below is my interview with her.
Q: List 3 words that describe you?
Kind
Thoughtful
Sleepy
A: What activities do you enjoy outside of school?
Reading
Playing with my dog
Watching Anime
Q: What is your favorite subject?
âEnglish is my favorite to learn but math is my favorite to teach.â
A: What is your proudest moment?
Becoming a teacher
Q: What is your biggest fear?
Losing a loved one
A: What did you want to be when you grow up?
A veterinarian
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
Eid al- Fitr
A: Do you collect anything?
Books
By: Marley Gemmill, 4th Grade
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She helps keeps us safe at schoolâ¨
Good morning! In this article I will be interviewing one of our security guards, Officer McGuire. I asked her a few questions. Some of these questions you guys might also have been wondering. As soon as I walked into her office space, I knew this would be exciting. I had so much fun with Officer McGuire. She did me a huge favor by opening up and letting me interview her. She has done so much for this school. We are so lucky to have her as our security guard.
Q: What would you like to be called?
A: Officer McGuire
Q: What are three words that you would say describe you?
A: âI would say I am funny, thoughtful, and caring.â
Q: What is an activity that you like to do outside of school?
A: âI like to read.â
Q: What would you say was your favorite subject in high school?
A: â I did an introduction to criminal justice. We also did an interesting mock trial.â
Q: What was your proudest moment?
A: âWhen I taught my son to ride a bike.â
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: âNot giving my kids the best opportunities in lifeâ
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: âI have 2 kids.â
Q: What would you be if you weren't a security guard?
A: âI would be a helicopter driver for rich peopleâ
Q: Whatâs your favorite holiday?
A: âThanksgivingâ
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: â I collect books and vital playersâ
Q: Who is your role model?
A: My selfâ
Q: Who do you live with?
A: âMy wife and 2 kidsââ
Q: What's something that is unusual in your morning routine?
A; âI usually don't eat breakfastâ
Q: Do you want to change?
A: âA new manual for drills and a better instruction for staffâ
Q: What high school did you go to?
A: âI went to Parkway Westâ
Q: What are you majoring in?
A: âStudying criminology and psychologyâ
Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: âI love criminal justice and want to improve it by protecting peopleâ
Q: How long have you worked at this location?
A: âAbout a yearâ
Q: What college did you go to?
A: âUniversity of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL).â
By: Morgan Harris, 6th Grade
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Always do your best!đ
Ms. Clark is a 4th grade teacher at South City Academy. This is her first year teaching. The following are the notes from our interview.
Why did you want to be a teacher?
I wanted to become a teacher because I want all students to have a good educational experience.
Who inspired you to be a teacher?
My second grade teacher inspired me to be an educator because she taught me you can have fun and learn at the same time.
Do you have petâs and if so, what are their names?
I have 4 pets. I have a dog named Bailey, he is 4. I have another dog named Augie, she is 2. I also have 2 cats, one is 2 and one is 3.
Where were you born?
Branson, Missouri
Where did you go to school?
I went to highschool at Branson High School and I went to college at Missouri State University.
Why did you want to work at Confluence?
I wanted to work at Confluence as an opportunity to support students and their families.
What are your hobbies?
In my free time I enjoy painting, playing with my dogs, and talking to my family.
Do you have a favorite band or type of music?
I really enjoy listening to instrumental music with pianos and the cello or 50âs/60âs music.
What advice would you give to students?
A: Sometimes it won't feel that others want you to do your best, but itâs important to always do your best, do what makes you proud of yourself, and always be kind to others.
By: Dakota Dueker, 4th Grade
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WElcome
mS. gRIGGS đ
I had the opportunity to interview one of our new kindergarten teachers, Ms. Griggs. I chose her because she is my brothers teacher and she seems to have a nice personality. She has been a teacher for 3 years but has been at Confluence for 1 year.
My questions were:
Q: Why did you choose to work at Confluence?
A: âI chose to work at Confluence because I believe in what they stand for! I also love the staff! We have such a sense of family and community at Confluence that is so genuine and amazing.â
Q: What are the pros and cons of teaching?
A: âPros of teaching are getting to spend your days with kids and helping them grow. As a teacher you really get to help shape the next generation and make a difference. A con sometimes can be that as a teacher you donât work a 9-5. You are always working because you want to give your students the best experience you can give them. It can also be very emotionally demanding because you love your students so much. However, I wouldnât change what I do. I love it!â
Q: Where were you born?
A: âMissouriâ
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: âI see myself with my Masters and Doctorate degree with possibly a minor in Spanish.â
Q:Why did you choose to teach in general?
A: âI love getting to spend my days with kids and help them grow!â
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: â3 yearsâ
Q: Whats your biggest strength as a teacher?
A: âMy genuine love for kids.â
Q: Why did you choose to teach kindergarten?
A: âKindergarten is such a fun, important, and meaningful year! It is the building blocks for how kids feel about themselves and how they feel about school. It can be a childâs first experience with school and that is such a special moment that I get to be a part of!â
Q: Whatâs your favorite subject to teach?
A: âI honestly enjoy teaching all the subjects because they are all fun and super important for helping set my students up for success!â
Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A:âJapanâ
Q: If you could have any superpower what would you have?
A: âReading minds.â
Q: Whats your biggest fear?
A: âNot living life to my potential.â
Q: Whats a weird food combo you enjoy?
A:âValentina hot sauce on just about anything.â
Q: What's your favorite food most people don't like?
A: âPistachio almond ice cream from Baskin-Robbins.â
Q: Do you have any pets?
A:âYes, one cat named socks. He is black with white socks on.â
In conclusion, Ms. Griggs is a great addition to the confluence team. I hope she continues to bless us with her amazing teaching. One student in particular describes her as ârespectfulâ and âkindâ.
By Savannah Carter, Grade 6
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Podcast Club Presents two area broadcastersđ
Did you know that Brent Solomon and Shorty Da Prince came to talk to the students here at Confluence Academy South City? Who are they? Brent Solomon is a television news reporter for the St. Louis area. He works for the KSDK News Channel 5 right here in St. Louis! He reports news in every weather, even snowy blizzards. He will be on television everyday when News Channel 5 is on; even as you read this article.
Mr. Solomon was a very interesting individual and we are glad we had the chance to meet him. He was very kind and was respectful to all of us students. We learned about what it takes to be a newscaster and how he got started in news. He was born in Florida and went to the University of Florida. He joined KSDK News Channel 5 in December of 2021. He told us about how to present yourself with confidence at all times and let us know that, âYou can be and do anything you want to be.â
Shorty Da Prince is from the southside of St Louis and recently he came to visit Confluence Academy South City. Shorty Da Prince works for Hot 104.1 and he is a radio host. He comes on 6-10 am on the radio. He spent most of his life working on the radio.
Shorty Da Prince explained about how you can do anything you want on the radio and how he started working on the radio. When he was a kid he would rap on a karaoke radio show and that's how he started with the radio. He started to work for the radio when he was 16 years old! He proved that you can start your passion even when you are young. He would eventually build relationships in the radio industry and eventually have his own radio show.
When we asked Shorty Da Prince what motivates him to do his job he answered, âThe ability to do it.â It shows how he was able to do everything he wanted to do with the motivation to do it. He started from the south side of St.Louis just like us! He is now an important figure in the community and showed us that even if you don't come from the best upbringing you can still achieve your dreams.
By Jalen Jenkins, 8th Grade