News Briefs: Catch up on school and local news

Administration closed the school courtyard for construction as a crew worked to fix a hole in the wall that had been allowing birds to enter the building on March 15. 

Birds have been flying into the cafeteria during lunch periods for several weeks. Students often noticed the birds flying around the ceiling, perching on lights and beams or circling above the tables during lunch. Many students began recording videos of the birds and clips quickly spread.

The birds had been entering through an opening in the wall near the courtyard. Because the courtyard connects closely to the cafeteria area, the damaged section may have made it easy for birds to fly inside without being noticed, according to custodian Chris Garrett. 

“The ‘damage’ was caused by the building settling and the eaves began having gaps large enough for birds to enter the school,” Garrett said. “The roofing contractors solved this by adding a metal guard over the eaves preventing the birds’ access into the school,” 

Some students also attempted to help the birds find their way back outside. In a few cases, students carefully trapped the birds in empty lunch boxes and carried them outside before releasing them. Others tried to guide the birds toward doors or open spaces where they could escape.

The Multicultural Fair combines interactive booths with live performances and is happening during seminar on March 31. This is the third annual student-run fair, showcasing up to 40 booths that represent diverse cultures. Each booth will showcase clothing, music, games and food from each country. 

This year, students will receive a “passport” at the beginning of the fair and will get a stamp from each booth. There will also be an Indian dance performed by freshman Pavithra Raja, and a Colombian drum performance by Felipe Pulgarin. 

Each grade level will rotate in 20-minute intervals during seminar. 

Students hosting a booth design their own tri-fold boards. Club sponsor and English teacher Samantha Feinberg provided $50 gift cards to buy food for the fair. Each country represented gets its own booth, ranging from Panama to Russia, each with its own interactive elements, such as traditional games, food or trivia. 

Feinberg, who coordinates logistics, emphasizes the fair’s triple impact: it educates students while offering students recognition and a stronger sense of belonging.

SM East alumni John Mendy and Katie Murphy started this student initiative in 2023 in response to racial tensions. 

“They were trying to do something constructive, productive and educational for SM East students that led to hopefully increased understanding and acceptance,” Feinberg said.

Looking ahead, Multicultural Student Union members want the fair to encourage diversity and address stereotypes, fostering lasting cultural understanding. 

Check out all the booths that will be represented at the fair! Black Student Union and Jewish Student Union will also have booths.

A new history book highlighting Prairie Village's history, inspired by the 75th-Anniversary of Prairie Village, will be released in late October or early November. Local historian Heather Paxton is writing the book with research support from Steve Noll, retired Executive Director of the Jackson County Historical Society. The 250-page book documents the transformation of Prairie Village from farmland to a suburban community following World War II.

Students from local high schools can submit information for the book on the Prairie Village website. The book details the development plans initiated by developer J.C. Nichols in the 1930s and examines the rapid growth that occurred after an influx of veterans returned from combat. It addresses notable changes and growth in city buildings. 

“For about the first 10 years, City Hall was in the basement under a grocery store,” Paxton said. 

In addition to development history, the book includes information on local high schools, the fire department, churches and neighborhood shops, surveying community life. Paxton and Noll have utilized materials from the State Historical Society of Missouri, Johnson County collections and various photo archives to support their research.

The book will also include details about upcoming 75th-Anniversary events, which can be found on the Prairie Village website. This publication aims to offer residents and history enthusiasts an informative look at Prairie Village’s history and the milestones that have shaped the community over the years.