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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

Wearing a bright smile, custodian Sean Smith sits on a bench greeting students in the morning. Smith believed that if the first thing students see when they enter the school is someone saying good morning, it will make their day that much better. “Now, if you're walking up that walkway with an attitude, I want [you] to see a cheery face that says ‘hey, I'm glad to see you,’” Smith said.

More than a custodian

Ashlyn Gillespie, Deputy Managing Editor-in-Chief May 20, 2022

A loving husband. An affectionate grandpa. An attentive dad. A devout Christian. A friend to all staff and students. Like all the behind-the-scenes staff, Sean Smith is more than just a custodian. Smith...

At the district level, there are currently open positions for two nurses, four teachers, eight bus drivers, 10 teaching assistants and 22 custodians. Principal Jeremy Mitchell would like to encourage individuals to explore job opportunities in Parkway. “I think in my heart of hearts that we’re a pretty good place that people would want to work for. It’s just figuring out what that looks like post-COVID,” Mitchell said. “Before you say no, or don’t consider it, try to talk to folks that have been here, whether it be students and staff, and try to get their opinion. By having conversations, your opinions of working in the educational system may change.”

The low-down on low staff

Leah Schroeder, Managing Editor-in-Chief November 8, 2021

With 10.4 million job openings in the United States, 221,266 openings in Missouri and 46 openings in the district, the labor shortage is a pressing issue and one that undoubtedly is affecting our district....

POW: Keith Brown, Custodian

POW: Keith Brown, Custodian

Allie Collins, Convergent Media Writer October 25, 2014
“Six years ago I was involved at the Emerson Child Building in East St. Louis for motivational speaking. I talked to them about success over failure. Most of these kids were dropouts, gangbangers, and drug users.”