The Visionary

During parent-teacher conferences at Weisser Park STEAM Elementary, staff turned the camera toward families and asked one simple question: What are you most proud your student has accomplished?

The answers were filled with pride. Families talked about academic growth, greater confidence, stronger friendships and personal milestones.

Parents and caregivers are an important part of every student’s success. Their encouragement, support and belief in their children help carry learning far beyond the classroom.

We love our families, and we are grateful they trust us with their amazing students each day. And sometimes, it’s good to stop and let them tell us just how proud they are.

FWCS special education teachers received a meaningful show of support today from the WindSwell Foundation. Before those gifts were delivered, students in the FWCS Young Adult Transition (YAT) program played an important role in helping prepare them.

Each teacher received $300 to help purchase classroom materials and resources, part of a larger effort supporting more than 1,100 special education teachers across Northeast Indiana.

YAT students assembled the envelopes for all 1,141 teachers, giving them a hands-on role in a project centered on supporting educators and students.

The YAT program helps young adults ages 18-22 with disabilities build skills and gain experiences that support the transition from high school to greater independence.

For FWCS, the effort brought together students, educators and a community partner in a simple but meaningful way, with students helping support the teachers who support them every day.

Students at the Fort Wayne Virtual Academy celebrated a strong first quarter after reaching 94% attendance.

The in-person celebration included pumpkin painting, a mini trunk-or-treat, snacks and a movie, giving students a chance to connect, have some fun and be recognized for showing up and staying engaged in their learning.

Glenwood Park families packed the school for a night of literacy, learning and fall fun. Families moved through hands-on stations with pumpkin bowling for words, a rhyming leaf stomp and comprehension cootie catchers, all designed to show how reading practice at home can be fun.

Principal Nick Kirby also met with families to explain changes to IREAD and share ways parents can support reading at home. Students wrapped up the night by choosing a brand-new book to take home and enjoying tacos provided by the PTA.

Whitney Young Early Learning Center was full of costumes, books and big smiles during its Title I Booktacular. Little Koalas trick-or-treated through the halls, enjoyed story time and headed home with a brand-new book while each family also received a pumpkin.

With help from the PTA, FWCS Security Department, Ten Point Coalition and Whitney Young staff, the evening brought families together for plenty of fun and one thing Whitney Young knows well: joy.

Shawnee’s Portrait of a Connector students surprised staff with a decorated Boo Cart, delivering some well-deserved treats and a little Halloween fun. Nice work, Connectors!

Staff members at Haley Elementary found a sweet way to celebrate their coworkers with an Apple Nacho Bar. Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Lichtsinn and Mrs. Robles greeted staff with music and apple nachos, while encouraging everyone to write a kind note to a coworker on a paper apple.

The messages were delivered to classroom doors and mailboxes, spreading a little extra kindness throughout the school. Staff also received small treats, encouraging notes and could win Cookie Cottage gift cards and Halloween goodie bags.

Sometimes a little apple, a kind word and something sweet are all it takes to make someone’s day.

Snider High School senior Braxton Headley knows a thing or two about finding his rhythm. A two-time selection to NYO Jazz, a prestigious ensemble of young musicians that performs at Carnegie Hall and tours internationally, Braxton is taking his talents to the world stage.

But for this episode of Stories of Success, he's taking on a different challenge: teaching FWCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel how to play bass. Along the way, Braxton shares how creativity and innovation have shaped his musical journey and become skills he uses every day.

Together, they discover how creativity and innovation bring learning to life, one note at a time.

Fort Wayne Community Schools students have two new places to turn ideas into something real.

Shawnee and Blackhawk middle schools celebrated the opening of new Design & Innovation Studios, giving students hands-on opportunities to create, build, test and problem-solve using tools such as 3D printers, robotics, Spheros and LittleBits.

The studios were developed through a partnership with Purdue University’s Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) and Cummins Inc., bringing together education and industry to create new opportunities for students.

Inside these spaces, learning goes beyond reading about how something works. Students can design it, build it, troubleshoot it and try again.

That experience is an important part of preparing students for what comes next. Through Schools of Success powered by 3DE, FWCS is helping students connect what they are learning today with the skills, careers and possibilities waiting for them after graduation.

Strong schools are built with strong community support.

Apex Car Care and owner Jason Shivley donated $2,000 to the FWCS Foundation to support teacher grants at Kekionga, Miami and Portage middle schools.

The FWCS Foundation connects community support with opportunities that help students and educators thrive.

Thank you, Apex Car Care, for showing our educators that their ideas matter and their community believes in them.

A perfect season takes more than talent. It takes trust, communication, perseverance and a team willing to keep showing up for one another.

The Jefferson Middle School Patriots volleyball team put those skills on display all season, finishing 39–0 and going 78–0 in sets on the way to a third consecutive City Championship.

It is Jefferson’s 16th city title since 1995, but the bigger win is seeing students build the same skills that will carry them far beyond the court.

Perfect season. Three straight championships. Patriot pride.

Showing up pays off at Franke Park Elementary! Students are earning “hot tickets” for perfect weekly attendance, while classrooms compete for special monthly rewards. Ms. Brannan’s class took the top spot in September and celebrated with a game party alongside school administrators.

School is underway, but there’s still time to join the FWCS team! We’re hiring teachers, bus drivers, support staff, lifeguards and more. Whether you’re looking for a career in the classroom or a role that supports students behind the scenes, there’s a place for you at FWCS.

Find your opportunity and apply today!

https://fwcs.schoolspring.com

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Website: fortwayneschools.org
Location: 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, USA
Phone: (260) 467-1000
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Twitter: @FWCommSchools