Affton Unplugged

On this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights staff from both Gotsch Intermediate School and Dance Moves STL. The participants describe a decade-long partnership that brings a ballroom dancing curriculum to fifth-grade students to foster social development and confidence.    Beyond learning physical choreography from various cultures, students practice mutual respect and teamwork by rotatin...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews school social workers Jessica Crawford and Kortney Wood to celebrate National School Social Worker Week March 2-6.

The guests describe their professional backgrounds and explain how their roles serve as a vital bridge between the home, the community, and the classroom. They outline the diverse services they provide, including crisis intervention...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast features the NotebookLM AI co-host duo taking a deep dive into the Affton School District 2022-27 Strategic Plan Roadmap.

The Affton School District Strategic Plan functions as a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide the community toward specific educational milestones between 2022 and 2027. Referred to as a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) in Missouri, this document outlin...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast, Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews three school resource officers to celebrate their contributions in honor of National SRO Day.

The conversation features Officer Ashley Meyer, who discusses her transition from community outreach to early childhood and elementary education, and Officer Bryan Felts, a Navy veteran who serves the local high school. Additionally, Officer John Whitm...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights National School Counseling Week. Superintendent Travis Bracht sits down with school counselors from across the district as they introduce themselves, explain why they became counselors, and share what they love about supporting students.

From elementary social-skills lessons to middle- and high-school transition planning and college readiness, the episode highlights counselors...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast features a discussion led by Superintendent Travis Bracht regarding the Model United Nations program at Rogers Middle School. Teacher Laura Hubbard explains how the curriculum, established in 2019, teaches students about global diplomacy, sustainable development goals, and international policy.

Several eighth-grade students share their experiences researching real-world crises, such as p...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht interviews members of the Rogers Middle School Art Club. Led by teacher Katie Rice, the club has seen rapid growth and has integrated student leadership roles to help the club and it's members thrive.

Students share how the club provides a supportive environment to refine their skills and enter various art competitions. The episode highlights significant a...

This episode of Affton Unplugged podcast features Superintendent Travis Bracht discussing Unity Day with students and staff from Gotsch Intermediate School. The conversation highlights how this annual event promotes kindness, inclusion, and acceptance through creative projects like posters and videos.

Three fifth-grade students were specifically honored by the Special School District of St. Louis County for a winning video that sho...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights an annual event hosted by the Affton Education Foundation, an organization that has provided over half a million dollars in college scholarships since 2005.

During a special luncheon, scholarship recipients return to share how these financial awards have helped them pursue diverse academic paths, ranging from business and nursing to marine science and criminal justice. Former ...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights the Rogers Middle School Mentoring Program that is coordinated in partnership with Mesnier Primary School. This episode features the RMS Social-Emotional Learning Interventionist, Lena Mahurin, and several sixth- through eighth-grade student mentors who participate in the program.

The discussion centers on the benefits and activities of the mentoring program. For example, the ...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights the Affton High School Speech and Debate Team. The episode features interviews with the two faculty sponsors—Ms. Rice and Mrs. Bayha—and five student participants who share their experiences and competition results.

The sponsors explain that the speech side involves competitive acting with pieces like poetry and humorous interpretations, while the debate side follows a rigorou...

On this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the Affton High School Key Club by having a conversation with the faculty sponsor and four student officers. This episode focuses on the student-led organization, which is a community service group sponsored locally by Gravois Kiwanis.

The student officers describe recent activities, including their participation in the Key Leader Weekend leader...

This episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast highlights the National Honor Society (NHS) program at Affton High School. The episode features interviews with the NHS co-sponsors, Dr. Brian Esselman and Laurie Free, who discuss the organization's mission as a student-run service group built upon the pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Three Affton High School students share their experiences and the positive i...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the nationally recognized school counseling program at Mesnier Primary School. School Counselors Megan Smith and Hannah Dreas explain how the state and national certification process serves as a crucial "checkup" for their program's effectiveness.

The counselors describe the year-long application process, which involves demonstrating that their ...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the Rogers Middle School Drama Club’s upcoming production. The episode features an interview with Mr. Joe Murphy, the drama club sponsor and high school teacher, and four students who discuss their roles and involvement in the club.

The central topic of the discussion is their fall show, "It's a Mad House," a mystery about a wealthy novelist's d...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht highlights the upcoming fall production at Affton High School - Peter & the Starcatcher. You will hear from four students—David (Student Director), Cora (Orphan), Anthony (Peter Pan), and Hana (Stage Manager)—involved in the play. The show is scheduled for November 21st and 22nd at 7:30 PM in the Judith Rethwisch Auditorium.

The students discuss their ...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht celebrates National School Principal Month by featuring the principals from the Affton School District. The segment includes interviews with five principals—Dr. Sinamon (Early Childhood Center & PAT), Dr. Been (Mesnier Primary School), Dr. Powers (Gotsch Intermediate School), Dr. Griffin (Rogers Middle School), and Dr. Calhoun (Affton High School).

Eac...

Superintendent Travis Bracht records from the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) Conference in Kansas City, interviewing school board members and superintendents about what makes their districts special and how podcasts can amplify those voices.

Guests share favorite memories and district highlights — from community support and student achievement to well-being initiatives and award-winning arts and athletics — illustrating ...

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht focuses on the district's social emotional learning (SEL) interventionists. The episode introduces four interventionists—Dan Ludwig at Affton High School, Lena Mahurin at Rogers Middle School, Molly Browning at Gotsch Intermediate School, and Paige Carter at Mesnier Primary School—who share their diverse professional backgrounds and personal lives.

The con...