North Tech

North Tech construction trades instructor Patrick Hanneken was honored with an Emerging Leader Award by the Construction Forum for his work creating opportunities for students and strengthening connections between education and industry. This is his second recognition this year.

Congratulations, Patrick. We’re proud to have you representing North Tech!

Read the story: https://buff.ly/QhyENdV

On this Memorial Day, Special School District thanks all those who have served, and the families who support them.

All SSD buildings will be closed today, May 25, and will reopen tomorrow, May 26.

North Tech students in the World Wide Technology Youth Apprentice Program officially completed their apprenticeships this week after spending the year working alongside industry mentors as Configuration Technician apprentices.

This is the fourth graduating class from the partnership, which is exclusive to North and South Tech students through the Cisco Networking Academy. Many are now considering full-time employment opportunities with WWT as they prepare for what comes next after graduation. They will carry the they gained and all they learned from the wonderful mentors who supported them into their next chapter!

Congratulations to (in order of appearance):
Malcolm Arndt - Ritenour School District
Elijah Beem - Homeschooled
Keith Jennings - Hazelwood School District, East High
Jo'el Jones - Ritenour School District
Jeremiah Lewis - Ritenour School District
Lilith Ruiz - Pattonville School District, Pattonville High School

Our classrooms are cleaned out, student projects are wrapped up, and a lot of great memories have been made as another year at Tech comes to a close. 🎉

This year took students into hospitals, courtrooms, commercial kitchens, job sites, police and fire stations, college labs, industry competitions, and workplaces across the region.

They earned certifications, signed apprenticeship agreements while they built, wired, routed, coded, repaired, restored, diagnosed, treated, designed, programmed, rescued, and stepped into real environments that pushed them to grow their .

Thank you to our students, staff, families, and industry partners for being part of it. We hope everyone has a safe and fun summer break. ☀️

These students signed their apprenticeship agreements last week, officially joining the World Wide Technology Youth Apprentice Program.

Over the next 10 months, they will work as Configuration Technician apprentices, applying what they have learned in Cisco Networking Academy directly in the field while working alongside industry mentors at WWT. The program includes paid employment, professional development, and hands-on experience that connects classroom learning to the expectations of the tech industry.

Since 2022, this opportunity has been available exclusively to Tech students through a Registered Youth Apprenticeship partnership with the Department of Labor.

In order of appearance after group photo:

North Tech
Solena Flores - Ritenour School District
Eric Harris - Ferguson-Florissant School District, McCluer
Tyaa Harris - Ferguson-Florissant School District, McCluer North
Nathaniel James - Ferguson-Florissant School District, McCluer North
Faith Johnson - Jennings School District
Emerode Kilusisa - Hazelwood School District, Hazelwood Central (not pictured)

South Tech
Michael Patrick - Mehlville School District, Oakville High School

Students in our North and South Tech HVAC programs are training with the same tools used in the field thanks to a $10,000 investment from Spire through its Spire Serves initiative.

The partnership goes far beyond equipment. For more than 15 years, Spire has helped connect North and South Tech students to careers through mentorship, mock interviews, career exploration, and real opportunities after graduation.

Read more about how this partnership is helping students build the skills that lead directly to careers with Spire: https://buff.ly/7wg8T4p

Law Enforcement students spent Law Day inside the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse, sitting in on a federal sentencing hearing and seeing the court system at work.

They also stepped into the courtroom themselves, arguing the Supreme Court case Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. as part of their moot court experience, which focused on arguing legal principles - just as they would in law school. Thanks to legal professionals Maggie Peters, LeeAnn Miller, and Judge Rodney H. Holmes, who worked with them as they prepared and presented their arguments.

Senior students Ayzia Cooney (1st Place) and Chanel Holman (2nd Place) were also recognized for their work in a First Amendment video competition! Congratulations!

North Tech Seniors are counting down to their last day with a Spirit Week. Monday was "Country or Country Club" day, and yesterday was Field Day, which was just as fun inside!

Firefighting students tested their skills at the St. Louis County Fire Academy, Inc., last week. They rotated through live scenarios, operating hoses, managing equipment, and moving through dark, smoke-filled spaces where communication and awareness matter. It is physical work that takes focus and trust in the team around you, and it's how are built. Thanks to the academy team for putting our students right in the middle of it!

Our school nurses are people students can count on every day—today we celebrate them! 🩺💙

On School Nurse Day, we want to thank our nurses for the care, compassion, and dedication they bring to our school community. They support students’ health and well-being, offer comfort during tough moments, and help ensure students are ready to learn each day. Their steady presence makes a meaningful difference for students, families, and staff.

We are so grateful to have them as part of our school community—thank you for everything you do!