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!

Fort Wayne Community Schools joined Mayor Sharon Tucker, city leaders and community partners in celebrating the completion of the Fairfax Avenue Reconstruction Project in the Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood. The improvements along Fairfax Avenue, between Hanna Street and Gaywood Drive, enhance safety and accessibility for students, families and staff traveling to and from Levan Scott Academy.

The City of Fort Wayne’s Public Works Division partnered with FWCS and Bridge of Grace Ministries to ensure the project aligned with recent neighborhood investments, including the expansion of Levan Scott Academy, the construction of an early learning center and the addition of a community health clinic.

“Partnerships like this strengthen our schools and our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Sharon Tucker. “By improving infrastructure and accessibility around our schools, we’re investing not only in our community’s future but also in the success and safety of our students.”

The reconstruction replaced the chip and seal street with asphalt and added new curbs, ADA-compliant ramps, sidewalks on both sides of the road, improved lighting and enhanced stormwater management.

Fort Wayne Community Schools and seven local colleges and universities announced today the formation of the Higher Education Coalition, a groundbreaking partnership designed to open doors to higher education for FWCS students. The coalition includes Indiana Tech, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Trine University and Vincennes University.

The partnership includes:
·Guaranteed admission: FWCS students with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher will receive direct admission to all seven 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.

“Fort Wayne Community Schools has long partnered with local colleges and universities to provide college credit to our students, but this agreement takes these partnerships to a new level, enhancing the FWCS Schools of Success and ensuring all students have access to college courses before graduating from high school,” FWCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel said.

Students and families interested in learning more about the opportunities available should contact their school counselor.

Schools across FWCS welcomed more than 50 community members as part of the annual Principal for a Day event.

Local leaders, business professionals and community partners stepped into the role of principal, experiencing firsthand the daily responsibilities of running a school. The guest principals visited classrooms, interacted with students and observed staff in action.

The guest principals also learned about Fort Wayne Community Schools’ Schools of Success initiative, which prepares students with the skills and knowledge to thrive after graduation, whether they choose college, military service, entrepreneurial ventures or enter the workforce as productive, engaged citizens. Through Schools of Success, students connect their core academic studies with real-world experiences tied to their chosen career focus.

We’re grateful to all our guest principals for their time and commitment to understanding and supporting the innovative work happening across Fort Wayne Community Schools.

Three Snider seniors are planting seeds of innovation at Amp Lab through an exciting entrepreneurial venture. Jackie Cappa, Amir Wegman-Hussain and Angel Villalobos have developed a beginner-friendly hydroponic kit that's making sustainable gardening accessible to everyone in our community.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using only water and nutrients. This innovative approach allows people to grow fresh produce year-round, regardless of the season or available outdoor space.

The student-designed kit comes complete with everything a beginner needs: a pH tester, adjustable LED light, built-in air stone for water oxygenation, a bubbler system and a comprehensive beginner's guide. At just $45, the kit is competitively priced and significantly more affordable than similar products on the market.

The trio has big dreams for the future, including plans to open a physical storefront selling hydroponic equipment, plants and fresh produce. They've already gained valuable real-world experience by participating in the Trine Pitch Deck competition, where they were selected from a competitive pool of applicants to present their business concept to a panel of judges and potential sponsors.

At Fort Wayne Community Schools, classrooms have become incubators where students turn business lessons into entrepreneurial enterprises. Through innovative programs like Schools of Success powered by 3DE, young entrepreneurs are taking their ideas from concept to reality.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel’s Stories of Success series captures these inspiring journeys, showcasing how the hands-on experiences in our schools prepare students for real-world achievement.

Episode 1 features Amend Landscaping LLC, a business founded by North Side High School senior Raydin Garrett.

What began as an idea in the classroom has grown into a successful company, reflecting Garrett's determination and the real-world skills he’s gained along the way. His story is a powerful example of how FWCS empowers students to turn their passions into purpose and make a lasting impact in their community.

Becoming a teacher is a decision driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on young lives. Many teachers enter the profession because they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Some FWCS graduates have seen that passion firsthand and now want to return to the District to make a difference as teachers.

One of these standout students is 2023 Northrop graduate McKailyn Lort. Hear why this Ball State student is excited to study abroad in South Korea in this edition of Classroom to Career.

Memorial Park Middle School's Engineering Program, Pirates Engineering, transformed used battery-powered vehicles into student-driven racing machines.

Over the past two months, students immersed themselves in hands-on learning about voltages, batteries, electrical motors, series and parallel circuits, switches, relays, fuses and a wide variety of fabrication and build techniques. Working in collaborative teams, students learned to work through setbacks and celebrate breakthroughs together.

"Students being able to say, 'I made,' 'I built' or 'I repaired' are powerfully positive statements," said teacher Jon Luckey. "But what's equally important is watching them learn to say, 'we figured it out' and 'we solved the problem as a team.' Engineering isn't just about technical skills, it's about collaboration, creative thinking and persistence when things don't work the first time."

The culmination of their efforts came when 22 teams of 7th and 8th grade engineering students raced their modified rides around Memorial Park's bus loop in the Ride On Championship.

At FWCS, we educate ALL students to high standards. Our dedicated team of Special Education ensure that every student gets the support they need to achieve academic success. If you have a passion for education and want to help young people achieve their goals, a Special Education teaching position may be the perfect fit! Browse available openings at www.fwcsjobs.org or contact Human Resources at talentacquisition@fwcs.k12.in.us to learn more!

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