Martin Luther King Day
Jan. 16, 2023
No School Today. Classes Resume Jan. 17, 2023. High School and Middle School will be an A Day. Elementary School will be a B Day.
Real-world experience. Connections with people who are doing the job. Fort Zumwalt Career Technical Education programs aren’t just for those interested in manufacturing.
Meet the Cadet Teachers. These 25 students are in the final semester of the pathway to teaching. As a part of the experiences offered in this pathway, these seniors spent a day at the Professional Development and Technology Center learning about how coursework is developed. The day ended with a panel discussion that brought them face-to-face with 200 years of experience in education.
Building principals, assistant superintendents and Superintendent Dr. Bernie DuBray shared guidance and advice for the road ahead. And each of the panelists took the time to point out to the high school students that, if you get into the college coursework and discover teaching isn't for you, that’s OK.
“If you continue to pursue this through college, my advice to you would be to get certification in a couple of areas that interest you. That makes you as valuable as you can be.” DuBray told the students, adding that he is certified in English, History and Biology.
Jen Waters, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, echoed DuBray’s sentiment. “Take as much as you can from every course you can take,” she told them. “Read outside your coursework. Ask a lot of questions. Get as many experiences as you can get. Prepare well. Take summer jobs that have you working with kids.”
Students had a chance to ask the panel questions and UMSL was on hand to provide information about the dual credit classes available through the pathway to teaching. (Similar arrangements are also in place with Lindenwood.)
“I couldn’t have picked a better profession,” DuBray said. “And you couldn’t either. And there hasn’t been a better time to do it.”
Learn more about career pathways, and all of our high school offerings, in the Fort Zumwalt Course Description Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wSYfHbHo6__xI0ryhZ_70EQltPLDMN6IJhBS9uLa4YY/edit
Tune in now: bit.ly/3ZgGSk2
This #edchat is all about #literacy. It’s the foundation for all other learning. Reading unlocks everything else students encounter. Elementary teachers have deployed new tools that allow them to zero-in on each student’s skills, offer individualized support and provide regular feedback to families. Hear how we’re building better readers in this FORTiTUDE podcast.
#letrs #publicschoolproud
@moeducation
@acadience
@95PercentGroup
As Lindsay Moshkowsky and her fifth graders went through a story together, Moshkowsky would pause to have students discuss the information they had learned from the story they’d been given. She would help them decode words they didn’t know and encouraged them to work together for deeper understanding. In the background are the tens of anchor charts the classroom team has built together first semester. Teachers and students across 16 FZ elementary schools use these charts to help emphasize the concepts and skills they are working to master. In Moshkowsky’s room, there are math charts including the order of operations and decimal places and English Language Arts charts including ways to track character details while reading and best practices in editing what you’ve written.
These graphic reminders help them with the work they have before them and, more importantly, remind them of what they have achieved.
We are ready for our annual Teacher Job Fair, scheduled for Feb. 18, are you? Get details and the link to sign up for an interview slot on our website:
https://www.fz.k12.mo.us/article/952262
K-5 teachers have deployed new tools that allow them to zero-in on each student’s skills, offer individualized support & provide regular feedback to families. Sunday, hear how we’re building better readers in this FORTiTUDE podcast. #letrs @moeducation
Tune in to the regular Superintendent's Update with #FZSupt Dr. Bernie DuBray. We're halfway through the school year! Checking in on achievements, work for semester two and music from student ensembles. Find the FORTiTUDE podcast wherever you get your podcasts or, check this episode here:
https://www.fz.k12.mo.us/article/948082
Welcome to Finance Friday, some insight on school finance. At the regular December Board meeting, Chris Suda of CliftonLarsonAllen presented the audit results for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The audit is the systematic examination and verification by independent Certified Public Accountants of the district’s finances, transaction records, and compliance with state and federal laws and guidelines. The results of this audit were “clean” opinions on financial reporting and required state and federal program compliance. This means district residents can rest easy knowing the financial reports prepared by the district are accurate and free from any irregularities. It also means the information reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is accurate and meets all state and federal requirements. A clean opinion means the school district is managing your tax dollars well and that there are no areas of concern.
Enjoy your break. Classes resume Jan. 5.
PORTAL TEMPORARILY CLOSED
The Fort Zumwalt School District parent and student portals will be closed until 4 p.m. today. Thank you for your patience.
Our Blue Notes form closes tomorrow. Click the button below and send a Blue Note of appreciation, celebration or thanks to a staff member at your school. It will close at 5 p.m., Dec. 14, 2022. We'll be delivering them beginning Dec. 16. Let's make some noise for our amazing staff!
CLICK TO SUBMIT YOUR BLUE NOTE NOW: https://forms.gle/Rk19cZ1vdL8S2ofC8
What a Fabulous experience! Fort Zumwalt orchestra teachers reached out to the Piano Guys when their December performances at the Fox Theatre were announced. “We asked if they had any time to work with our FZ students before or after their show on Dec. 6,” DuBray Middle teacher Chris Torretta says. “They said they did not, but they were looking for local student violinists to be featured in one of their songs when they perform!” Seven FZ violinists and one Wentzville violinist joined the Piano Guys on the Fox Theatre stage Tuesday. They are:
Jackson Parkes (FZE), Andrew Lubiewski (FZN), Lillianna Hellman (FZN), Ayman Amerin (FZW), Timberland’s Kaya McNurlen, Alan Meyer (FZN), Panavi Achanti (FZE), and Ellie Clark (FZS). Congratulations!
Our Blue Notes have been so popular with students, parents, guardians and the community that we want to give #FZCommunity the opportunity to celebrate staff each semester. So, in this season of thanks and giving, we’re opening our form up so you can send a special note to a staff member who’s special to you. Click the button below and send a Blue Note of appreciation, celebration or thanks to a staff member at your school. It will close at 5 p.m., Dec. 14, 2022. We'll be delivering them beginning Dec. 16. Let's make some noise for our amazing staff!
CLICK TO SUBMIT YOUR BLUE NOTE NOW: https://forms.gle/Rk19cZ1vdL8S2ofC8
Our Blue Notes have been so popular with students, parents, guardians and the community that we want to give #FZCommunity the opportunity to celebrate staff each semester. So, in this season of thanks and giving, we’re opening our form up so you can send a special note to a staff member who’s special to you. Click the button below and send a Blue Note of appreciation, celebration or thanks to a staff member at your school. It will close at 5 p.m., Dec. 14, 2022. We'll be delivering them beginning Dec. 16. Let's make some noise for our amazing staff!
CLICK TO SUBMIT YOUR BLUE NOTE NOW: https://forms.gle/Rk19cZ1vdL8S2ofC8
Chicken in at West Middle School ... time for the annual Art Invasion! Teacher Steve Jones' students work to create a surprise in the landscape that brings are to the masses. It's an innovative way to make sure each student has a piece on display. #TeacherProud @EducPlus
Welcome to Finance Friday, some insight on school finance. Did you know local revenue sources make local schools possible? They are the most reliable source of revenue in the district’s budget. Personal property tax alone is 9.4% of Fort Zumwalt’s annual revenue. This year, that’s $22.5 million toward services such as optimum class sizes, utilities and internet, or materials such as cleaning supplies or curriculum. Missouri school districts are funded through local taxes, state funding (which is allocated by the legislature and can be withheld by the governor to balance the state budget) and federal funding that typically is designated for specific expenditures or is one-time money.
If you missed the latest update from #FZSupt, tune in now to the FORTiTUDE podcast.
https://www.fz.k12.mo.us/article/918775
#FZSD National Merit Commended Scholars are among the top 2-3% of the more than 1.6 million students who entered the scholarship competition! Congratulations to North High's Noah Page, South High's Chavi Khanna and Meghana Sivabalan and to West High's Aidan Copeland, Ekagrah Kumar, Andrew Merkel, Lindsey Weinhold.
Welcome back! Hope it was a restful, relaxing break. Today at:
High School and Middle School: A Day
Elementary School: C Day
Need meal info? Click DINING in the menu on your school website or, download the FZ App, subscribe to your school and click dining there. Happy Monday!
Today we give a S/O of gratitude to our substitute educators. They answer the call and are there for students and teachers when they are needed. Thanks for all you do!
