The Visionary

Welcome to Fort Wayne Community Schools' community newsletter. Each month we share news from our schools and important District information. Have an idea for a story? Please share it with us!

Northrop Peacemakers, joined by their Peace Advocate Byron Scott, visited Shawnee Middle School to lead a hands-on activity with a group of Shawnee students.

The session invited students to explore the concept of peace by considering what peace feels like, looks like, smells like, tastes like and sounds like.

The visit built on a relationship established last month when Northrop students facilitated a Peace Circle with the same group of middle school students.

This follow-up opportunity allowed the high school Peacemakers to take on a stronger leadership role while deepening students’ understanding of peace and nonviolence.

The experience strengthened connections between the two schools and empowered students to model positive communication, collaboration and leadership in their community.

A Wayne High School JROTC cadet is earning statewide recognition for her leadership and achievement.

Junior Cadet Hnin Hpyu was named the top recipient in Indiana of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution Enhanced JROTC Cadet Award during the program’s Military Ball and Awards Banquet. She received a certificate, medallion and a $1,000 award, presented by SAR Compatriot and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary Stebbins.

Hpyu now advances to compete at the national level. She will also take on an expanded leadership role next school year as Corps Commander after currently serving as Deputy Corps Commander.

The Higher Education Coalition is expanding with the addition of Huntington University.

Originally formed with Indiana Tech, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Trine University and Vincennes University, the coalition is designed to open doors to higher education for FWCS students.

The addition of Huntington University further strengthens this partnership, creating even more pathways for students to explore college and career opportunities after graduation.

The partnership includes:

Guaranteed admission: FWCS students with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher will receive direct admission to all eight coalition schools. Students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.5 will be reviewed considering factors, such as academic improvement, leadership activities and personal circumstances.

Free dual credit courses: Coalition institutions are waiving tuition for FWCS students taking identified dual credit courses through FWCS. Students can earn college credits while still in high school at no cost to families, giving them a head start on their college degree and potentially saving thousands of dollars.

Early college experience: Dual credit students will receive student ID cards, access to college libraries and tutoring services, campus visits and exposure to college life through summer programs and guest speakers. Teachers will receive professional development from university faculty to ensure students get a true college-level experience.

At Wayne High School, students are getting a real taste of what learning can look like when it connects directly to life beyond the classroom. Through Flavor Lab Friday, a new initiative powered by the school’s renovated kitchen, students are stepping into authentic, hands-on experiences that reflect the heart of Schools of Success. Partnering with a New Tech student and culinary capstone participant from the FWCS Career Academy, this work goes beyond recipes and into real-world application, collaboration and creativity. It is a chance for students like Damarion Aldridge to lead, innovate and test menu ideas that could one day be served to their peers, turning everyday learning into meaningful experiences with real outcomes.

For Sierra Miranda, returning to Fort Wayne Community Schools as a teacher has given her a firsthand look at how much education is evolving. In this episode of Classroom to Career, Miranda reflects on how the district’s Schools of Success approach is opening doors for students and helping them discover career paths that match their interests and strengths. She also highlights how students are being prepared for whatever comes next, whether that is college, the military, the workforce or entrepreneurship.

Futures ON Track continues with the release of "Lady Bird," a smooth, free flowing jazz ensemble that showcases the talent and creativity of our students. A jazz standard written in the 1940s, the piece is performed by the North Side Jazz Combo, featuring piano, saxophone, trumpet, bass and drums. The track moves with a gentle rhythm while exploring abstract, expressive layers of sound, with each student solo improvised in real time. It invites listeners in and then takes them somewhere unexpected, another example of how students are connecting their learning to real world experiences through music, collaboration and performance.

The wheels on the buses can’t go round and round without you as a Bus Driver. We are actively seeking Bus Drivers and Bus Assistants to grow our dedicated transportation team. No CDL? No problem! We can assist interested applicants with the process of obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License, and we can even pay you as a Bus Assistant during the training period. Performance-based incentives are available! Apply online at www.fwcsjobs.org!

Tell us about the exciting things happening in your school. News to Share!
Website: fortwayneschools.org
Location: 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, USA
Phone: (260) 467-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/FWCommSchools
Twitter: @FWCommSchools