For the first time, MHS is one of four schools in the district to be recognized as a Missouri State School of Character. 

In order to achieve this award, administrators submitted artifacts and lists of actions by various groups around the school that exemplify 11 designated principles. These include the establishment of core values, available opportunities and a school-wide culture of character.

Principal Dr. Steve Hankins attributed part of this accomplishment to the school’s emphasis on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). New initiatives such as the inclusion of DEI into course curriculums and the DEI Committee were the “missing link,” Dr. Hankins said.

“Our DEI programs that we have are champions,” Dr. Hankins said. “They have done a lot of campus modifications and look at ways to make kids feel included.”

In an email notifying staff of the recognition, Dr. Hankins listed 41 instances where clubs, organizations and events propelled the school to achieve this status. Four of these were directly linked to the DEI Committee and even more had to do with the qualities of DEI.

This accomplishment comes in the wake of several issues in the district that have questioned the district’s values.  

In January, Dr. Terry Harris, former executive director of student services, resigned amid threats and efforts to block his actions to include more DEI principles into the district’s standards.

“I am leaving so that I can feel safe in my body and in my workplace — mentally and emotionally. I am resigning in order to return to feeling valued as one of the region’s most innovative, student-centered educators,” Dr. Harris wrote in an email announcing his resignation.

Last week, another issue regarding the safety of minority groups in RSD arose when a Eureka High School (EHS) student posted a video in one of the school’s bathrooms showing stalls labeled “White toilet” and “Colored toilet.” While the stickers were removed before administration entered the bathroom, the video was shared inside and outside of EHS.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain released a statement shortly after the event, reassuring parents and staff that the student involved will be disciplined. 

“Racism undermines our mission, commitments, character principles, reputation and the moral fabric and core values of our outstanding schools, district and community,” he wrote. 

In an interview with the Messenger, Dr. Cain said the actions of the student were unacceptable and the district will be investigating the incident thoroughly.

Looking forward, Dr. Cain said the district will continue to make sure students see their voices represented in schools.

“When I think of the Way Forward, our strategic plan, there are specific call outs in terms of what we’re doing and how we’re going about doing it, in order to meet the needs of all students in the Rockwood School District,” Dr. Cain said.

For now, DEI will continue to be promoted at MHS. 

A checklist of initiatives was sent out to all Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), which are groups of educators organized by courses within the school. The checklists included ways to incorporate DEI into everyday lesson plans.

This checklist is unique to MHS, along with the size of the DEI Committee, which includes parents, teachers and students.

“I think the DEI work in Marquette High School and how it’s truly woven into the fabric of Marquette is very, very impressive,” Dr. Cain said. “And as busy as the building is, people feel as though they truly are home whenever I’m over at Marquette High School.”

Shelly Justin, language arts teacher, is the staff leader of the committee.

“On the outside, and in the last few years, there’s been so much division,” Justin said. “That’s not really what’s happening here. I want everyone to see that we all actually are trying to create something beautiful and we’re trying to stay away from that negativity.”