Fortis Weekly Update

• 10/15 - Girls Volleyball vs. Westfield VARSITY ONLY @ Fortis 4:30pm

• 10/15 - Boys Soccer vs. Ypsi Middle School @ Ypsi HS 4:30pm

• 10/16 - Jeans Day for Students for $1.00! Students may wear jeans and a Fortis or College t-shirt or sweatshirt if they bring $1.00.

• 10/20 - Boys Soccer Semi-Finals - TBD

• 10/20 - Girls Volleyball Semi-Finals - TBD

• 10/22 - Boys Soccer Finals - TBD

• 10/22 - Girls Volleyball Finals - TBD

• 10/23 - NEW!! Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sale - $1.00/cookie! Works the same as Popcorn Friday. Orders must be in by 8:30am!

• 10/26 - Math and ELA Interim I Week (Grades 3-8)

• 10/27 - Grades 3-5 Student of the Month and Effort Creates Ability Assembly 8:05am

• 10/28 - Grades K-2 Student of the Month and Effort Creates Ability Assembly 8:05am

• 10/28 - Trunk or Treat! 5:30-6:30pm - see link below to sign up!

• 10/29 - Grades 6-8 Student of the Month Assembly 8:05am

• 10/30 - Orange Shirt Day to Stand Up against Bullying - all students may wear jeans and a school-appropriate orange shirt to show they stand up against bullying!

• 10/30 - Lost and Found Donated to Goodwill

• 11/4 - 50th Day of School

• 11/4 - Fall Picture Retakes - see more info below!

• 11/4 - 5th Grade Field Trip to Trinity Health

• 11/4 - November Grocery Distribution during Dismissal

• 11/6 - Popcorn Friday for $1.00/bag - orders must be in before 8:30am!

• 11/11 - Smiles on Wheels Kindergarten Dental Check

• 11/11 - Project Gratitude

• 11/12 - End of Trimester 1

• 11/12 - Comfy Day for $2.00 for students! Students can wear school appropriate comfy clothes like sweats, hoodies, and crocs. If students don't bring $2.00, they should be regular dress code.

• 11/13 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day for Staff

• 11/17 - Grades K-2 Student of the Month and Effort Creates Ability Assembly 8:05am

• 11/18 - Grades 3-5 Student of the Month and Effort Creates Ability Assembly 8:05am

• 11/18 - Science Night 5:30-7:30pm - see more info in the flyer below!

• 11/19 - Grades 6-8 Student of the Month Assembly

• 11/20 - Report Cards Ready for Viewing on Parent Portal

• 11/20 - Cookie Friday for $1.00/cookie! Orders must be in by 8:30am!

• 11/23 - Middle School Career Day 9:00-11:00am

• 11/24 - Kinder Feast

• 11/24 - 3rd and 4th Grades Gratitude Breakfast

• 11/24 - Grades 5-8 Potluck Breakfast

• 11/24 - Jeans Day for $1.00 for Students!

• 11/25-11/27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

• 11/30 - Lost and Found Donated to Goodwill

Please RSVP at the link below or using the QR code to attend, donate candy, or host a trunk! RSVPs are requested for ALL PARTICIPANTS so we know how much candy trunks should bring! If your family can donate a bag of candy before 10/28, your students will all receive a free Jeans Day and the candy will be used to supplement staff trunks to make sure we have enough trunks. Please participate in this fun event and RSVP below!

It is time to sign up for the next month of grocery distribution! Our delivery day is the first Wednesday of each month. For November, the grocery delivery date will be Wednesday, November 4th during dismissal. All Fortis families are eligible for these FREE groceries. The delivery usually consists of one box of non-perishables and one box or bag of produce. You MUST sign-up at this link to receive groceries: https://forms.gle/g9GxGTwh1AL4PBRGA

The sign-up will CLOSE Wednesday, October 28th at 2pm so we can submit our order, so make sure to sign up today!

If you ordered pictures for Fall Student Pictures and placed an order online before picture day or sent in cash the day of pictures, your photos should be in the envelope being sent home. If you ordered pictures online after picture day, September 22, 2026, your pictures will be to the school soon. If you ordered pictures before or on the day of pictures, September 22, 2026, and did not receive your photos, please email Mrs. Eroh at 55.aeroh@nhaschools.com or call the school office, 734-572-3623.

We are collecting information for families that need additional support during the upcoming holiday season. This support is available to families with at least one actively enrolled student attending Fortis Academy in the 2026-2027 school year. Please fill out the google form below with information on the children in the home and the needs that you have. This form will close on November 20th at 11:59pm, items will be distributed to families during the month of December as supplies come in. Please email our K-4 School Social Worker, Taylor Wiley at 55.twiley@nhaschools.com if you have any questions.

https://forms.gle/LSpZFGCYREFcsnAn9

The school dentist is returning to Fortis this December! The dentist will be here December 3rd, 4th, and 7th! Check out our stats from last year below and sign up your student TODAY so you can take advantage of this free to low-cost option for your family! www.MySchoolDentist.com

🎃 Welcoming October: 3–5 PBIS Monthly Reward: Pumpkin Dissection! 🎃

As we jump into a new month, we are excited to share our October 3–5 PBIS celebration plan! This month, students who meet their behavioral expectations will take part in a hands-on Pumpkin Dissection activity.

Beyond the science and messy fun, this activity will focus heavily on three core Moral Focus traits and SEL benchmarks:

• Patience: Working through step-by-step group tasks without rushing.
• Forgiveness: Navigating group dynamic challenges and starting fresh each day.
• Accepting Differences: Valuing diverse ideas, working styles, and strengths within small groups.

Thank you to our students and staff members for creating a positive culture where our kids can grow both academically and behaviorally. Looking forward to a great month ahead! 🎃✨🎃✨

Fortis works hard on positive behavior rewards for our students doing the right thing every day! This week, our 3rd-5th graders who demonstrated Wisdom throughout the month of September got to make SLIME during their intervention time!!

Keep encouraging YOUR Fortis Falcons to make good choices each and every school day!

If your student is missing something, please make sure to check the Lost and Found before the end of the month! We donate it to Goodwill at the end of each month. Thank you!

Kindergarten

• Mia A, Ward A, Keily A, Brihanna A, Payton C, Esvin C, Heaven C, Dayana C, Isaac C, Mariama D, Dara E, Mirna G, Michaela H, Alexa I, Jahlil I, Sonia M, Aissatou N, Jasier O, Alexander R, Zoe S, Siyaire S, Arlette S, Shekinah T, Mustafa T, Zara T, Roselyn T, Phoenix W

First Grade

• Yousef A, Aura B, Adam B, Melyodii B, Kendrick B, Kristhel B, Brayan C, Summer C, Jason D, Princilia E, Charlie E, Hawa F, Kairi F, Hansel H, Lazarus J, Moussa K, Gregory L, Liam L, Graeson M, Akira M, Cameron M, Aylin N, Rayyan P, Ian P, Oliver S, Karson T, Kennay V

Second Grade

• Amir A, Greyson A, Mohammed A, Mary A, Dominic B, Nikol B, Samier B, Jaime C, Frany C, Cali C, Lulu C, Samiyah C, Dream F, Dania G, Eliam G, Angelina G, Aubrie H, Evie H, Gael I, Marvell J, Eliany L, Rony L, Aida N, Steven N, Stevene N, Adalynn P, Jesus S, Iham S, Yousef S, Salem T, Jacob V, Nylah W, Autumn W

Third Grade

• Nayeli A, Sage B, Sultan B, Leyla C, Khali C, Ibrahim D, Charlotte E, Daija I, Michael J, Dantae M, Kaiden M, Dominyk M, Adelynn M, Ekene N, Taniyah P, Beily R, Hero R, George S, Mia U, Nathan V, Isaac V, Alana V, Ava V, Damion W, Lailani W

Fourth Grade

• Camila A, Skylar A, Allison A, Iker A, Adelina B, Queen B, LillyAna C, Essence C, Maimouna D, Scarlette D, Esthefany E, Mursal F, Wilder F, Jacob G, Chloey G, Deriel G, Dylan L, Mateo L, Delilah M, Ariyah M, Awdrey M, Christopher O, Morgan P, Anthony Q, Fardin R, D'Aire R, Vanessa R, Emely T, Alexis , Douglas W, Zakariya W, Myla W

Fifth Grade

• Nicole A, Isaac B, Ada C, Hadiyah C, Samara D, Ryder D, Xoie E, Woodburn E, Wyatt E, Matthew F, Marjan F, Amiyla G, Aldair G, Munazah J, AShanti J, Shontria J, Dylan J, Britani L, Enzo L, Jerricko M, Kaliyah M, Chloe M, Carmen M, Aisha M, Isaac M, Arwa P, Dallas T, Aron V, Endric W, J'Onna W, Joseph W, Ondre'a W

Sixth Grade

• Miguel A, Yadiel A, Jonathan B, Brendan C, Heidy C, Adama D, Zaiden E, Saidy H, Hanon I, Amarion I, Amy J, Mikayla K, Arche M, Keny M, Fernando R, Francisco R, Mohammed S, Nathan S, Matias S, Drake S, Dylann S, Jarold S, Kennan V, Cristal V, Ski W, Aaron W

Seventh Grade

• Adam A, Zoey G, Jay'Von G, Murad H, Isaiah I, Ethan J, Isaiah L, London M, Diego M, Perla M, Diego M, Christopher P, Audrey P, Danna R, Amyra S, Jah'Lon S, Daniel W, Aiden W, La'Mir W

Eighth Grade

• Alexandro A, Jaxen D, Layla D, Ka'Ron G, Cayden H, Juan I, Manal J, Laouratou K, Yusuf M, Alexia O, Gabriel P, Cameron P, Caydance P, Allan S, Radyslav T, Jose T

1. Do not park in driveways across Golfside to drop off students or to walk over and pick your students up at dismissal. This is not kind to our neighbors or safe for you or our students and you CAN and WILL be ticketed.
2. Do not park on the side of Golfside during arrival and dismissal. This makes it hard for cars turning out of the lot to see cars on the road and you CAN and WILL be ticketed.
3. Do not encourage your students to load into your car during dismissal if you are behind the load/unload sign. This makes it more likely for students to try to cut through cars in the front section which may start moving before the rest. In addition, you'll get caught behind empty cars anyways during the next set!

At NHA, we have two five-week periods a year when we put a heightened focus on attendance. The first one starts next week! Check out the information below. For every week during this five-week period that your student has perfect attendance, they will be entered in a raffle for prizes the following Monday! If your student has perfect attendance for ALL FIVE WEEKS, they will receive a prize at the end!

For new families, welcome to Fortis! I have an amazing leadership team that works hard every day to make sure effective instruction is happening in every classroom for every student every day. We have all taught at Fortis during our careers in education and have over 123 years of experience in education between us! They also help to manage the different divisions of the school, are in and out of classrooms each day, support parents and students with concerns and needs, and keep our entire building running efficiently each and every day. Please feel free to reach out with them if you have any needs throughout the year!

Grades K-2: Stephanie Shackelford (55.sshackelford@nhaschools.com)

Grades 3-5: Sandy Bock (55.sbock@nhaschools.com)

Grades 6-8: Jodie Swetz (55.jswetz@nhaschools.com)

Special Education: Stephanie Meek (55.smeek@nhaschools.com)

Instructional Coach: Amanda Eroh (55.aeroh@nhaschools.com)

Intervention Coach: Brianna Scott (55.bscott@nhaschools.com)

Principal: Erin Dixon (55.edixon@nhaschools.com)

To ensure our compliance with both state and federal forms, students will not be allowed to sign up for extracurricular activities (athletics, clubs, field trips, etc) until paperwork is 100% complete. This includes all forms, immunizations, proof of residency, etc. Thank you for your understanding for the necessity of this policy!

We are hiring a lunch and recess aide for up to 20 hours per week. These hours are somewhat flexible, but must cover the lunch hours (10:45am-12:45pm daily) for the week. Please apply if you are interested! https://fa-eotc-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_4001/job/65367/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

All students can get FREE hot lunch again this year, regardless of income. Just make sure to fill out your Education Benefits Form in the office! Some reminders if your student chooses to bring different food with them:

• Students may not bring pop or energy drinks.
• Students may not bring glass bottles (i.e. ice tea, etc).
• Students may not get DoorDash or other food delivered to the office for them (see below for more details).
• Students should not have fast food for lunch even if parents bring it to the office. Students with fast food will eat in the parent room and then return to the regular lunch room.

Our learning community - students, teachers, and parents - is so strong at Fortis Academy! If you are a returning family, WELCOME BACK! If you are a new family, congrats on joining an amazing village of caring and purpose-driven individuals! After the foundation of care and compassion that we have, we also have high expectations for all of those in the community. The sections below are from the compact, or contract, page of our Parent/Student Handbook. These are the expectations that all stakeholders are expected to live up to in order to make Fortis the strong school for our kids that we all want it to be! Please review and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you have!

Parents will:

• Understand that my child is enrolled in this school, so he/she has opportunities to achieve.
• Realize that the expectations and standards at this school are high and agree to support them.
• Understand and agree to be bound by all provisions outlined in the Parent and Student Handbook and acknowledge receipt of the Parent and Student Handbook by signing below.
• Monitor my child’s attendance and homework completion.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences and volunteer for school activities when possible.
• Stay informed about my child’s education and communicate with the school by promptly reading all notices from the school either received by my child or by mail and responding, as appropriate.
• Serve, to the extent possible, on policy advisory groups, such as being a Title I, Part A parent representative on the school’s School Improvement Team, or other school advisory or policy groups.
• Understand that my child must behave respectfully and responsibly to protect the safety, interest, and rights of others in the school.
• Model appropriate behavior while in the school.

Students will:

• Agree that I am enrolling in this school because I want to achieve.
• Put forth my best effort every single day.
• Follow my school’s expectations, standards, and requirements because I have high expectations for myself.
• Understand and agree to follow the Student Code of Conduct and Dress Code in the Parent and Student Handbook.
• Attend school all day, every day, unless I have an excused absence.
• Complete my homework, submit it on time, and contact my teacher about any questions.
• Behave respectfully and responsibly to protect the safety, interests, and rights of others in the school.
• Accept responsibility for my actions.

Teachers will:

• Provide each student opportunities to achieve.
• Communicate with parents on a regular basis via personal contact, weekly newsletters, the NHA app or progress reports and will make myself available to students and parents for any concerns they may have.
• Display integrity and respect to students, parents, and staff members through my words and actions.
• Protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom.

Fortis Academy will:

• Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards as follows: employing state qualified teaching staff and providing intervention support to the most academically at-risk students at the school.
• Hold parent-teacher conferences at least annually during which this compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement. Adequate notice will be provided to parents of conference scheduling.
• Provide parents with frequent reports on their children’s progress. Specifically, the school will provide reports as follows: the distribution of progress reports and report cards on a regular basis along with updates given during parent teacher conferences and informal meetings with parents and teachers.
• Provide parents reasonable access to staff. Specifically, staff will be available for consultation with parents as follows: during parent teacher conferences, via regular email and phone communication with parents and also during more informal consultations on an as-needed basis.
• Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class, and to observe classroom activities, as follows: notices regarding volunteer opportunities will be posted in the hallways of the school and communication will also be sent out via the school newsletters and the NHA app.

We have two FULLY STOCKED colors of sweatshirt in the Fortis office for sale! Students can wear these two sweatshirts (ONLY!) over dress code collared shirts on regular dress code days. They are $25 and we accept cash or check. First come, first serve! Come fill out your lunch form and purchase yours today!

We're excited to introduce you to the NHA app — your new hub for staying connected with Fortis Academy! This is where you'll get school updates, important announcements, event information, and so much more. This is replacing SchoolConnect and will eventually merge with Parent Portal to make a convenient, one-stop-shop for all Fortis information for you and your family!

Getting Started

Download the NHA app using one of the methods below:

• Visit online: app.nhaschools.com

• Scan a QR code to the right ================>

What to Expect

Log in using the same email you use to access Parent Portal. Once logged in, you'll have instant access to:

• Message your child’s teacher in a secure, private chat.

• See Moments when your student is recognized for character and excellence.

• Make easy payments for field trips and school fees in just a few taps.

• Get school announcements and important updates as they happen.

• Manage your notifications so you never miss what matters.

Need Help Getting Started?

Check out our Quick Start Guide and FAQ for answers to common questions. If you run into any issues, reach out to us at 734-572-3623 or you can connect with Parent Relations at 877-642-7471 or parentportalsupport@nhaschools.com— we're here to help! We're committed to staying connected with you and supporting your family's success throughout the school year.

Student dress code has not changed for the 26-27 school year - please see the guidelines below for reminders about the expectations! You are able to order online with free shipping to the school at the Fortis website (www.fortisacademy.org) and most items can also be located at area stores. Let us know if you have any questions!

There are THREE easy ways to access the Parent Portal:

• Follow the QR Code below.
• Go to www.fortisacademy.org and click on Parent Portal in the top right corner.
• Search "NHAParentPortal" in the App Store or Google store for the app!

We know there may be times when you may need to pick up your child before the school day ends. Early dismissal will take place prior to 2:30 p.m. After that time, we do not allow students to exit the building until dismissal at 3:00 p.m. This is designed as a safety measure to ensure all students are accounted for at dismissal.

From 2:30-3:00pm each day, the office will be closed to allow for end of day procedures, such as attendance verification and dismissal preparation.

If you need to change the means your child will leave school, whether riding the bus or walking, please call the school office prior to 2:00 p.m. This helps keep the dismissal process running smoothly and ensures safety for all students.

Please contact Mrs. Dixon at 55.edixon@nhaschools.com or call the office if you have questions or concerns about this policy.