Blythe Bernhard

1 week ago | stltoday.com | Blythe Bernhard |Monica Obradovic

ST. LOUIS — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the federal government will “aggressively” revoke the visas of Chinese students, bringing uncertainty to one of Missouri’s largest groups of international students. Chinese students make up the second-largest group of international students in Missouri, behind those from India.

1 week ago | stltoday.com | Blythe Bernhard

ST. LOUIS — The tornado that devastated homes and businesses across central and northern neighborhoods of the city has also left the first day of school in doubt for an unknown number of families this August. About 28 St. Louis Public Schools buildings have been evaluated for storm impacts ranging from power outages and downed branches to blown-out windows and severe roof damage, said Square Watson, the district’s chief operations officer.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Blythe Bernhard

ST. LOUIS — The tornado was barreling straight for Crossroads College Prep as one class took the AP Psychology exam in a basement classroom. Suddenly, more than 100 other students and staff members joined them on the lowest floor of the private school in the DeBaliviere Place neighborhood. The lights flickered then went out. Kids said their ears were popping. They had no idea what they would face when they came back upstairs. “It went right over us,” said Mark Norwood, the co-head of school.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Blythe Bernhard

HAZELWOOD — The Ferguson-Florissant School District has picked Howard Fields, an award-winning administrator who started his career as a student teacher in the district, to be its next superintendent. Fields, 40, is currently the assistant superintendent of human resources in Kirkwood School District. He has also been a principal in the Webster Groves and Riverview Gardens districts. In 2023, Fields was a finalist for superintendent of Normandy Schools Collaborative.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Blythe Bernhard

ST. LOUIS — School operations across north St. Louis are still reeling this week after a tornado damaged buildings and caused widespread power outages. The storm hit Friday afternoon during school hours and spawned a tornado that touched down in Clayton and swept through Forest Park and a wide swath of North City neighborhoods including Fountain Park, Kingsway East and the Ville. At least 15 schools were in the direct path, but all staff and students were unharmed.