Dear friends, neighbors and community partners,

It’s hard to believe, but August is here and we are preparing to welcome students back for the fall semester which begins on the 24th. It’s an exciting time at UMSL and our Triton team is busy showing off the campus and getting everything in order. Be prepared for a little extra traffic during the first couple of weeks of the semester.

In the newsletter this month, we have highlighted some opportunities for learning and coming together, as well as for enjoying the natural landscape. We look forward to continuing our partnerships over this coming year to uplift and enjoy the benefits of our North County community.

The new bench, branded with “Enjoy the Ride,” was the 12th installed across the St. Louis region through Citizens for Modern Transit’s placemaking program, “The Story of a Bench.” “A basic amenity like a bench can make a significant difference, including showing transit riders we support them,” CMT CEO Kim Cella said during remarks on a recent Wednesday morning. “It helps to increase ridership, improve the rider experience and remove the stigma, which is so critical in this community.” The bench features a QR code and web address linking to a survey where bench users and transit riders can share their stories. The hope is that by doing so, they can spark further investment in transit across the region.

UMSL Chief of Staff Adella Jones, also a member of CMT’s Board of Directors, was joined at the ribbon-cutting by Cella and Board Chair Ellie Glenn Harmon as well as St. Louis County Council Chair Rita Heard Days and Metro Transit Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronald Forrest.

Learn more about this event, about other installations planned across the region, and watch the video from the UMSL Bus Bench ribbon cutting. 

Ahmad, Hiba, St. Louis Public Radio, July 22, 2026

A new task force is considering consolidating some north St. Louis County school districts as a possible solution to tightened budgets and declining student enrollment. The St. Louis Region Future of Public Education Task Force held its first public meeting on [a recent] Tuesday in anticipation of Normandy Schools Collaborative losing its accreditation in January 2027. The Missouri State Board of Education is expected to vote on the accreditation statuses of over 500 districts across the state next year.

“It has really been precipitated by the challenges in the Normandy Schools Collaborative that has driven a much larger conversation, that it's not just a Normandy challenge, right?” said Chris Krehmeyer, task force vice chair and Beyond Housing CEO. “It's a regional challenge and quite frankly, it's a national challenge about how we change the trajectory of the educational well-being of our children.” Learn more about this initiative.

Journee Glasby wanted to make sure she was getting everything just right, so she glanced down at her notes before beginning her description of her summer research at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The rising senior at University City High School was one of seven area students taking part in the Collaborative Laboratory Internships and Mentorship Blueprint, more commonly known as the CLIMB program. She wound up working in the lab of Curators’ Distinguished Professor Michael Nichols, who studies Alzheimer’s disease and its mechanisms as a member of UMSL’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“It’s a lot of information to retain, but basically, it’s a project specifically focusing on Alzheimer’s and the protein within Alzheimer’s which is called amyloid-β protein,” Glasby said. During her six-week stint in Nichols’ lab, Glasby gained experience with techniques such as centrifuging, streaking plates and chromatography to separate and isolate the components she was interested in. “There were a lot of words that were kind of confusing to me at first, but I’ve been really busy and really hands-on,” said Glasby, who hopes it will give her a leg up in her high school chemistry course this fall.

CLIMB was created to provide high school students with an immersive scientific experience working in an UMSL research lab, where they learn technical skills and are mentored by faculty members and graduate students. It is meant to expose them to opportunities they might not otherwise have and unlock doorways that lead into STEM, higher education and professional careers. Read more about this year’s cohort experience.

Beyond Housing website, July 14, 2026

The City of Pasadena Hills, Missouri, is proud to announce that it has achieved successful accreditation as a Level I Aboretum, and will be listed alongside thousands of tree-focused public and private organizations in The Morton Register of Arboreta. This is a global, comprehensive database curated by ArbNet that lists tree-focused public and private organizations. It spans recognized botanical gardens, municipal parks, university campuses, zoos, and cemeteries dedicated to woody plant stewardship.

There are approximately 1,800 trees in the Pasadena Hills canopy.  About 700 in common ground areas are maintained by a joint effort between the City and the Board of Trustees, a volunteer group comprised of residents of the city.  The remainder are on residential private property and are maintained by homeowners. The city credits Beyond Housing arborists and foresters from the Missouri Department of Conservation as invaluable in providing expertise and resources to aid in maintaining their tree canopy. Read more about the announcement and accreditation criteria and about Pasadena Hills inclusion in the register.

The Community Impact Network updates, July, 2026

The Community Impact Network recently held a “Beyond the Backpack” event for students living in the Normandy Schools Collaborative district. Dozens of volunteers came together in late July to pack more than 2,500 backpacks in preparation for the event on August 8, with several more helping out on that day to distribute the backpacks full of school supplies. Students were also treated to haircuts and a new pair of tennis shoes along with health screenings and other resources. This annual event is helping ensure families have the resources they need to start the school year with confidence.

Beyond the Backpack is one of several initiatives supported by The Community Impact Network. The organization recently released their 2025 Annual Report—A Year of Expanding Horizons. Inside this report are stories of collaboration, meaningful milestones from the past year and the collective impact made possible through the dedication of members, partners and supporters. Through these collaborations, the Network is working to create opportunities for people in the community to learn, live and leave a lasting legacy.  Read the report.

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Learn more about community development trainings and programs.

Neighborhood Leadership Academy new cohort recruitment
Deadline: Aug. 21, 2026  

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA), provides leadership training that emphasizes community building principles and strategies, project planning and personal leadership skills. Participants will gain the tools needed to make a difference in their communities while building connections with other changemakers and neighborhood advocates. In-person and virtual formats as well as day and evening options run for 10 weekly sessions. Registration fee: $405. Find more information about NLA.

Ferguson Summer Concert Series
Fridays, 7:00 PM 
Aug. 14 - Lustrelights
Sept. 11 - That 80's Band 
Plaza at 501
501 S. Florissant 

Admission to each concert is FREE! Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. Coolers are welcome (no glass).

More Movies. More Days. More Fun Close to Home at the 24:1 Cinema  
6755 Page Ave.

Starting in August, the 24:1 Cinema is expanding to Wednesday through Sunday with a new $3 themed movie series and $5 Wednesdays—making it easier and more affordable for families, friends and neighbors to enjoy the movies together. 

People's Harvest Pop-Up Shop "1st Saturdays"
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
North County Community Nexus, 9300 Lewis and Clark Blvd

A Red Circle partners with the community-driven grocery store People's Harvest for this Pop-Up Shop. In addition to the weekly offerings of quality, affordable groceries and smokey BBQ, 1st Saturdays feature live music, small business vendors, activities for children, and Art in the Garden. 

MetroMarket 
Tuesdays, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM                         City of Pagedale, 6840 Page Ave.

Tuesdays, 3:00 - 5:00 PM Natural Bridge Library, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd

Fridays, 3:00 - 5:00 PM Community Impact Network/Wellston,     1623 Kienlen Ave.

Saturdays (alternating), 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM    Pine Lawn, 6120 Natural Bridge Ave.

Operation Food Search Metro Market offers community residents a local place to shop for fresh and affordable food. Cash, debit/credit cards and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) will be accepted forms of payment. 

We'd love to hear your questions and comments about UMSL and stories about great things happening in our communities. Your thoughts will help shape content covered in future newsletters to be pertinent to you and your neighbors. Leave any suggestions, questions or stories on Community Connection's feedback form. Thank you!