The Falcon Zone Flyer

Hello Falcon Zone,

We are excited to let you know that Falcon Zone Community Closet and Pantry has been selected as a December 2024 and January 2025 beneficiary of the King Soopers Fight Hunger bag program. Designed in alignment with the King Soopers Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, the Fight Hunger bag program makes it easy for shoppers to impact local hunger relief efforts by simply purchasing a reusable bag.
Throughout December 2024 and January 2025, we will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger bag sold at our Falcon King Soopers!

The FZ Community Closet & Pantry will be open this Thursday, 12/12 from 3:45- 4:45.

In Partnership ~

Cari Muresan

FZ Community Liaison

It has been impressive to see all of the parents, staff, community members, and students at our quarterly School Accountability meetings. We have been fortunate to have such great turnouts where we can share the progress of our schools, celebrate successes, and problem solve challenges. During this past meeting, each school reported out on their school improvement plans as we continue to monitor the achievement data from our students. Falcon High School also shared their new English Language Arts Curriculum adoption materials that they are working to acquire for the 25-26 school year. The Zone team provided an update on our Math Curriculum process that is taking place right now with hopes that materials will be in each school for parent and community review later in February. We will then present this math adoption at an upcoming Accountability meeting before it goes before the D49 Board.

One of the features at this past week's meeting was to beginning examining what we do in our Zone, K-12, to better serve our students and families as they progress from Elementary to Middle and then High School. We are proud of our Falcon Community and want to ensure we keep our students in Falcon from Kindergarten through Senior Year of High School. To do this, it is important to engage in conversations at our Accountability Meetings, PTSA Meetings, and other events throughout the zone so that we can learn from you. We know there are places we can improve and we are making it a priority to see how we can better serve our community as they progress to Falcon Middle and then again as they transition to Falcon High. Be watching for additional opportunities to join in the conversation so that we can strengthen the Falcon Zone together. We want to improve and we want to make all of our schools the best environments possible for our students, staff members, and community! This is how we will all Earn our WINGS together.

Mrs. Martin is recognized for her Leadership as an EmpowerFZ Coach and we asked her a few questions about her experience!

1. What do you like most about coaching and mentoring other teachers with EmpowerFZ?

I enjoy coaching and mentoring other teachers with EmpowerFZ because I know that the work we are doing is going to help improve instruction, leading to more learning for students in our classes!

2. What inspired you to be an EmpowerFZ coach/mentor?

I truly believe in what we are doing with EmpowerFZ. It is a combination of great teaching practices and takes students' individual learning needs and styles into account. I want to encourage teachers who are new to EmpowerFZ to see the benefits of incorporating EmpowerFZ in the classroom, for both students and teachers!

3. What benefits have you seen in your classroom and with your students regarding EmpowerFZ?

Students are more willing to be risk-takers with their learning. They are more comfortable asking to show their learning in different ways, to collaborate with others, and advocate for themselves in the classroom. I see this learning transferring, both to classroom and district assessments to demonstrate their learning!

4. If you could give one piece of advice about EmpowerFZ to your colleagues, what would it be?

I would tell my colleagues to be willing to take risks themselves. Sometimes, it is difficult to try something new, but the benefits that the students get from EmpowerFZ is worth it- and your teaching toolbox will also benefit!

Chief Vasquez answered all the questions Forensics students in Ms. Madsen's class had, and even gave out police coins for kids who were able to answer his questions!

Her class introduces students to the field of medical forensics, a branch of health science focused on using scientific methods to solve crimes. Students work to develop foundational skills in analysis, logical reasoning, and problem-solving. The curriculum covers various health science topics, including laboratory safety, microscopy, toxicology, pathology, anthropology, and entomology. Students study DNA analysis, blood spatter, fingerprints, ballistics, and forensic psychiatry, among others. Students explore how forensic scientists write reports, preserve evidence, and work collaboratively with attorneys and law enforcement.

In the Falcon Zone we pride ourselves on having the most incredible staff! We want to give our community a chance to recognize those people that make a difference in our schools and for our students every day! Please let us know who is making a positive impact for your student. Let us know who has gone above and beyond to enhance your experience in our zone. Let us know who is doing an outstanding job!

Every staff member that is recognized will receive a note of recognition and a shoutout in our community newsletter. Staff members include not only teachers but secretaries, administrators, custodial & kitchen staff, paras, etc.

We want to know who is making a difference! Thank you for taking the time to fill out this quick form!

8th Grade Red Team (FMS) - Thank you to the amazing teachers and staff who have made my son's transfer to FMS so positive. He is excited to go to school and happy to be part of a caring and supportive community. We appreciate you!

Jennifer Newberg (FHS) - Jennifer Newberg is an outstanding problem solver and support at FHS. She goes above and beyond to make sure teachers and students have what they need to be successful. She always makes time for what is important and is a valuable resource. I appreciate everything she does!

Sara Vari (FMS) - She helps me out all the time!

Mrs. Kelleher (BRES) - Mrs. Kelleher is such an amazing teacher! She is SO kind, gracious and caring. All of her students get the care and attention they need to thrive in her classroom. My daughter absolutely loves Mrs. Kelleher and we cannot thank her enough for everything she does!!

Stephanie Caceres (FHS) - I got to work with Stephanie at the girls' basketball game Friday night, December 6. Stephanie rocked it. Every adult there looked to her to find out what to do: Where do we pay to get in? Where are the visitors' stands? Where's the locker room for the refs? Where's the tiny cap for the hotdog warmer that keeps all the water from running out? Why won't the credit card reader work? These represent less than one minute of Stephanie's evening. Stephanie was completely in control the whole time, calm and with right answers for everyone. Stephanie made Friday night a super fun, successful night for so many people.

WebScouts (D49) - I had to send my laptop in to get repaired and when I got it back, it came with treats! Chocolates, a pen and a flashlight keychain! What a great surprise!!

12/12 - FZ Community Closet & Pantry @ 3:45-4:45 & D49 Board Meeting @ 6

12/13 - Elementary Assessment Day, No Elementary Students

12/20 - D49 Early Release (All Schools)

12/23 - 1/3 - D49 Winter Break

1/6 - D49 Professional Development Day, No Students

Quarter 3 SAC - February 6th @ Falcon Elementary School

Quarter 4 SAC - April 17 @ Meridian Ranch Elementary