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!

When Luis Rodriguez graduated from nursing school, he knew that he one day wanted to become a doctor. While researching medical school applications, he discovered something that would change not only his path but also the lives of some FWCS students. Many medical school applications required community service or volunteer experience, and that gave him an idea. He reached out to an ELL teacher at Abbett Elementary School, who helped him become a tutor.

What began as tutoring one student twice a week quickly grew as Rodriguez found joy in the connections he was making. He took on a second student but soon realized he was only one person and could use more volunteers. With the help of Case Manager Paula Booth, Rodriguez developed a plan to create a structured tutoring program that would allow others like him to contribute to Abbett Elementary.

Fast forward three years, and that initiative has grown into an 11-volunteer group called the Hispanic Mentor Alliance. Rodriguez's role has expanded beyond mentoring; he now helps recruit tutors and contacts parents whose children are selected for the program.

As for his dream of becoming a doctor, Rodriguez has been accepted to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. While excited about this next chapter, he admits the transition is bittersweet.

"Going to medical school is bittersweet because I'm leaving behind students who I genuinely care about and a program I helped create," he said.

The Hispanic Mentor Alliance works in partnership with Study Connection. If you would like to become a Study Connection volunteer, please call Helen Tobo at 467-8810.

Students from South Side High School recently took part in the Arby’s National 3DE Case Challenge, where high school teams were tasked with creating marketing strategies to engage younger consumers.

South Side's team developed an innovative marketing strategy targeting teens by proposing a student-athlete meal deal that would leverage the popularity of professional athletes like Caitlin Clark.

In the end, a team from South Gwinnett High School in Georgia emerged as the 2025 winner. Last year, a team from North Side won the Arby’s National Case Challenge Competition. Snider competed in the national finals in 2023.

The 3DE Case Challenge by Junior Achievement is more than just a typical business competition. It provides students with real-world experience in critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving and professional presentation skills.

Haley Elementary School's Molly Clopton received a special recognition when she was honored at a Fort Wayne Komets hockey game as the recipient of the People Helping People Award from Physicians Health Plan.

The announcer shared this message with the hockey fans in attendance:

"Please join Physicians Health Plan in congratulating tonight's People Helping People Award recipient, Ms. Molly Clopton. Ms. Molly is Haley Elementary's Student Advocate and works with students at Haley Elementary when they have a conflict or need someone to talk with. It is her caring attitude and love for our students that allow her to work with students to make them the best that they can be. Ms. Molly 'wears many hats' around the school, working with students and helping with other things needed to make our school run smoothly. It is great to see the smile she receives from students as she walks in the hallways!"

As part of this special honor, Physicians Health Plan generously donated Komets tickets to the Haley Elementary Comets.

Congratulations, Molly Clopton!

The Fort Wayne Community Schools Adult and Continuing Education Department recently honored more than 240 graduates who earned their diplomas in 2024.

From Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2024, these dedicated individuals successfully passed the High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam or completed High School Credit (HSC) requirements.

Three graduates shared their inspirational journeys at the ceremony:

Crystal Sponseller’s world was forever changed when the school bus doors closed behind her one day in 1997. Substitute driver, Loyal Stiverson, watched helplessly as she unknowingly walked into the path of an oncoming car. The two never connected following that accident, but by a twist of fate, they recently found themselves working together for Fort Wayne Community Schools.

In this MUST WATCH finale, Crystal shares the emotional moment when she told Loyal he was the bus driver that day. Through therapy and healing, Crystal has found the strength to discuss her experience, transforming a traumatic memory into a meaningful connection.

Don't miss this powerful story of healing, understanding and unexpected Connections.

The Memorial Park Hot Mess Mariachi band provided entertainment before a March school board meeting. The group started three years ago and has grown from 11 musicians to 30. This is the only school mariachi band in Indiana, but they are hopeful that others will join the mariachi movement. Hot Mess Mariachi performs at events throughout the community.

At FWCS, we educate ALL students to high standards. Our dedicated team of Special Education teachers ensures 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