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Hazelwood North Middle School takes parent involvement up a notch with its Panther Prowlers program. Named for the school’s mascot, parent volunteers team with staff members to make sure the students follow the rules and the school operates smoothly.

LaDonna Vaughn, a school safety officer at North, conceived the program. She said as Panther Prowlers, parents and other volunteers walk the halls, supervise in the cafeteria during lunch periods and check restrooms. Prowler members ask students, “Do you have your ID?” or “Do you have a pass to be in the hall?”

“It’s been working out well. I have 35 to 40 parents have signed up to support our kids and staff,” she said. “We want everybody to be on one accord for this project.” She said it is also a good avenue for parents who want to volunteer but who do not know where to start. So far, the project focuses on eighth graders but it will soon expand to cover sixth and seventh grades.

David Robinson, a parent, is a new Panther Prowler member.

“The whole premise behind this is to support our kids at this school,” he said. “I have always been behind that. Kids get support and staff and teachers know they have parents’ support.”

Robinson said the program helps prove the old saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ “We are in this together; to make sure our kids get the quality education they deserve. I’m extremely happy to be a part of it. I coach football and the kids who are on my team come from this school. This is another way for me to come back and offer more support.”

Another Panther Prowler, Pastor Charles Pennington, wants to replicate a mentoring experience he went through while he attended middle school.

“I was influenced in junior high school,” he said. “My principal, Ann O. McDonald, was one of the first African-American principals in our district. She used to take me out of class and take me with her to speaking events. She took an interest in me and what I did. The irony of that is I ended up delivering the eulogy at her funeral. Officer Vaughn reminds me of her.

“I’m here as a support for staff, teachers and students. I have children here, too. I believe in this school. I get excited when people talk about North Middle School and I defend it. The principal knows me and so do the students. Panther Prowlers is a wonderful opportunity to let the kids know it’s okay to be a kid but they should always be respectful and stay clear of nonsense. We want the kids to know we’re here for them.”

“Panther Prowlers is another way for us to facilitate a community of leaders. We have to be able to pull multiple ideas to support our kids in the best manner,” said Principal Dr. Laurie Birkenmeier. “That’s how we are going to do our best work for kids. Otherwise, we limit our kids and our community.”

The program stresses more than academic performance; it seeks to provide students with a sense of value, self-worth and identity.

Vaughn added that fathers are an important piece of the program.

“A lot of students need that male figure as well as that female figure,” she said. “Kids see them and think, ‘I need to straighten up. They might know my mom or dad.’ You would be amazed; a lot of our students tell me, ‘I need someone to talk to,’” said Vaughn. “I truly believe in helping. A lot of students need to know we are there because they don’t have that support at home.”

Another point that Pennington made is that this program allows them to reach some of the other kids.

“Our young black men need to see other black men in that setting,” he said.

Vaughn said she greets students every morning. The key is that she is polite but firm.

“When my son first walked through the door at sixth grade orientation, he met Officer Vaughn,” said Melodie Smoots, another Parent Prowler. “She asked him, ‘Is this your first day here?’ and he said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ She told him, ‘I like that you said ma’am.”

Smoots said Vaughn made sure she joined the Panther Prowlers.

“Again, the fear of having their parents find out is a driving force,” said Smoots, referring to students who might act out if the Panther Prowlers did not exist.

St. Louis County Police Officer Tom Noel, who is assigned to Hazelwood North as a school resource officer, endorsed the idea of Panther Prowlers.

“I have patrolled this area and anything that can counter the negative influences is a great idea,” he said. “I think this is something that should have been done years ago in all school districts, not just in Hazelwood.”

“I’m looking for this to be really good and to continue in the future,” said Vaughn. Panther Prowler parents will receive blue-and-gold T-shirts with “Panther Eyes on Site” plus the mascot on the front and “Panther Prowlers – Supporting our kids, one step at a time” on the back.

Vaughn and the others said they would also like to see this program expanded to other HSD schools. For example, the Prowlers group thinks fifth grade students would benefit from a program like this. (story courtesy of Hazelwood District Communcations Dept.)

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