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!

At Memorial Park, the sound of music begins in the hands of students. Sometimes the instruments are built by sixth graders who pour their hearts into creating guitars and violins from scratch. Teacher Paul Ragon wanted to create a project that brings together music and engineering, believing music can bring light to a world that needs it.

Click on the news feature to watch this heartwarming story of creativity, craftsmanship and the power of music.

Through Project Blueprint, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne are giving members hands-on exposure to skilled trades and the many career opportunities they offer.

The program connects students with community partners to provide real-world learning experiences, from visiting construction sites to exploring training facilities. During a recent session, FWCS Career Academy electrical students and instructor Jon Capps guided members through safe wire cutting and stripping techniques and explained how outlets and lighting fixtures are installed.

With a growing shortage of skilled labor and many workers expected to retire in the coming years, Project Blueprint is focused on building a strong pipeline of future employees by introducing careers in the trades at a young age.

Students in second through fifth grades at Washington Elementary recently participated in a Winter Reading Passport challenge. After reading a book, students made entries into their passports including the title, author, number of pages, a short summary and a picture inspired by the book. Parents supported their children by reading together and discussing stories. Six students completed their passports and were given goodie bags for their hard work.

Sierra Miranda's journey came full circle when she returned to Fort Wayne Community Schools as a teacher. A 2014 North Side High School graduate, she is now a special education teacher at South Side High School, following in the footsteps of her mother who inspired her love of education from an early age.

Sierra's path wasn't always easy. She talks about the challenges she and her family faced together during her school years, moments that tested their resilience and brought them closer. Through it all, FWCS became more than just a school district. It became a place of opportunity.

Senior Rayonna Rogers is already living life beyond graduation. She has turned a childhood curiosity into Gifted Hands, a hair braiding business that now serves an average of 24 clients each month.

As a student in Amp Lab at Electric Works, Rayonna is building the business skills needed to take Gifted Hands to the next level.

Her long-term goal is to create an all-inclusive beauty brand with franchise locations across the country.

Rayonna’s journey stands out because of her nontraditional path.

Instead of pursuing cosmetology school, she plans to earn a business degree, proving there is more than one way to turn talent into a career.

Follow Gifted Hands on Instagram at @_.giftedhandss

The Stories of Success series highlights the inspiring journeys of our students and the hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers beyond the classroom. Through our Schools of Success initiative, students are discovering how to transform their passions and ideas into real-world opportunities.

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel visits Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 166 to meet with students from the FWCS Career Academy welding program. Watch as our talented students demonstrate welding and cutting techniques and share their personal stories about finding their path to success in the skilled trades.

Looking for a flexible schedule and an opportunity to make a positive difference? Join our team as a Substitute Teacher or Substitute School Assistant! Our dedicated subs are critical to our work and help keep our schools functioning smoothly each and every day. We’d love for you to share your time and talent with our students, even for only one day each week (or whatever your schedule allows). Visit www.fwcsjobs.org to learn more and apply!

Email: publicaffairs@fwcs.k12.in.us
Website: fortwayneschools.org
Location: 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, USA
Phone: (260) 467-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/FWCommSchools
Twitter: @FWCommSchools