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!

Congratulations to Center for Academic Success-Nebraska teacher Cricket Griswold, who has been named the 2024-25 American Legion Educator of the Year for 7th and 8th Grade in Indiana!

With more than 20 years of dedicated service, Cricket was selected for her dedication to students, passion for teaching and ability to inspire young minds.

“This award brings recognition to the profession,” she said. “I like to bring pride to Fort Wayne Community Schools, as this has been my home for many, many years.”

The American Legion Educator of the Year program honors exceptional educators who go above and beyond to support student success and strengthen communities. As part of the recognition, a $500 grant will be awarded to CAS-Nebraska in Cricket’s name.

The award was presented at a ceremony in Indianapolis in July. The recognition was celebrated at her school by American Legion Post 409, her family and colleagues.

Congratulations on this well deserved honor!

Recognized as leaders in their schools, 168 Student Ambassadors were presented with official jackets during the ceremony launching Fort Wayne Community Schools’ new Schools of Success powered by 3DE Student Ambassador program. These students will serve as vital connectors between their schools and the community.

The Student Ambassadors will promote and support the FWCS Schools of Success initiative, which launched districtwide in 2024. They will also serve key roles in promoting career-connected learning, advocating for personalized learning, providing leadership in collaborative projects, amplifying student voice, conducting tours and supporting peers in exploring career pathways. These pathways are chosen from one of three Schools of Success: School of Health Sciences & Human Services; School of Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades; and School of Business and the Arts. All FWCS high schools offer programs across all three Schools of Success.

To serve as an ambassador, students must meet academic standards and demonstrate accountability at school. They must also possess employability skills including creativity, cultural agility, self-direction, collaboration, communication and critical thinking, along with strong interpersonal skills, a willingness to learn and the ability to be a positive role model in and out of school.

The Schools of Success powered by 3DE prepares students with the skills and knowledge to thrive after graduation, whether they choose college, military service, entrepreneurial ventures or entering the workforce as productive, engaged citizens.

Fort Wayne Community Schools is proud of the results from the 2024-25 IREAD-3 assessment, with the district achieving an 82.5% passing rate. This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth and exceeds pre-pandemic performance levels, representing sustained positive momentum in student literacy achievement. The district's overall passing rate is an increase of 6.1 percentage points over 2023-24 and a more than 17 percentage point improvement since 2020-21. Irwin Elementary and Croninger Elementary achieved perfect 100% passing rates while many other schools demonstrated exceptional improvement.

Just days before FWCS buses hit the road hauling our precious cargo, transportation leaders took time to recognize their longtime drivers and school bus assistants for their years of dedicated service and outstanding safety records.

Top Bus Veterans Honored:

These incredible professionals have provided safe, reliable transportation for FWCS students. Their dedication ensures that our students arrive safely at school each day and then returned home.

Thank you for your commitment to student safety and for being such an important part of FWCS!

Meet Katelyn Lemmon, a Northrop senior who is transforming her passion for baking into a growing business. Inspired by her love for experimenting in the kitchen, and with encouragement from her dad and support from Amp Lab, Katelyn set out to launch her very own bakery venture.

From gooey brookies to tangy lemon bars, classic chocolate chip cookies and her personal favorite, blueberry muffins, Katelyn’s menu is filled with sweet creations that showcase both her skill and creativity.

What began as a service for older customers in need of convenient deliveries has expanded to include a younger audience, with many of her classmates now becoming regular supporters. Seeing her baked goods enjoyed by people of all ages has motivated Katelyn to keep growing her business.

Looking ahead, Katelyn dreams of opening a brick-and-mortar bakery, where she can welcome customers into a warm, inviting space filled with the aroma of fresh-baked goods. She’s also building her brand identity around her last name, Lemmon, with lemons and yellow tones playing a key role in the promotion of Kate’s Bakes. For now, customers can find her creations and place orders through her Instagram page, @kate_bakes_lemmons.

(Courtesy: Sydney White and Camya Temple)

Stephanie Rodriguez spent high school at New Tech Academy at Wayne. Now she is learning how to manage her college experience while commuting to Trine University. She wants to become a teacher and one day return to FWCS to help shape future generations. Rodriguez talks about adjusting to college life in this latest installment of Classroom to Career.

Fort Wayne Community Schools has adopted the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter.

Fort Wayne Community Schools is building an exceptional team of educators and support professionals who are ready to inspire, challenge and empower the next generation of leaders. We are actively seeking talented individuals across many positions.. This isn't just about filling roles—it's about finding the right people who share our commitment to student success and educational excellence. Questions about employment? Contact our Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@fwcs.k12.in.us.

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