Fall in Love with Falcon Friday
January 10th, 2025
I just moved to Colorado Springs this past Summer right after graduating college and got my first job at FHS. At first I was super nervous to fit in but all the staff members and students have been super helpful in making me feel apart of the Falcon community and I couldn't imagine teaching someplace else!
FHS Staff Member
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Falcon High School has been my first job. Though there have been tough times, as far as being an educator goes, the students always seem to find a way to make it all alright again. The colleagues I've meet while working here have been inspirational to all those around them. I'm proud of what I've helped develop at Falcon, and I see the future is bright, as long as the support for education continues. Things may feel uncertain, but one thing students always rely on is coming into my classroom, breathing that funky band room air, then going about their day. Band is a safe place and I'm proud of what I've created.
FHS Staff Member
D49 is the small town feel with big city opportunities. My kids have thrived at D49 since Kindergarten. They have always respected their teachers and I've always felt that the teachers have only wanted what was best for them. FHS has taught my kids to be responsible for their education. While teachers guide them, my kids have always been expected be in control of their own learning. They get out of it what they put into it and I respect that! My kids will be prepared for life and the next level when they leave FHS.
Falcon Zone Family
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We have had the most amazing experience with the Falcon Zone since before we even arrived in Colorado. Rewind back to 2021. We were stressed out parents wondering if it was a good idea to move our family across the country and especially moving our first born half way through his kindergarten year. My first phone call with the district was such a breath of fresh air for us. The staff member from the D49 registrations office was so encouraging, positive and helpful. I started with what was going to be our home school, Bennett Ranch Elementary. I emailed Brian Smith who directed me to Martina Meadows and Amy Duncan. WOW. Amy made the transition so easy. We were still in California so we weren't able to walk through but she answered every single question we had. I think I could have hugged her after we finally met in person. Kadie Murray was my son's teacher. I emailed her back and forth for about a week before we left. She calmed all of my nerves about sending my kid to a brand new school. She not only helped prep us for the school, but she took the time and answer a born and raised California girl's questions about what the heck to buy for my kids for our first Colorado winter! I will forever be thankful to her!
We finally got ourselves there and our ducks in a row to start school. Martina Meadows and Rebekah Lusk showed us around the school. What a beautiful school!! Art, Music and and an awesome gym!!! They both made me and my son feel comfortable. Side Note, years later, I still feel like I can walk up to Martina and have a conversation with her about anything I was concerned about or even excited about. That first day I sat in the car and cried because I knew in that moment we made the right decision with our little town, the Falcon Zone and especially Bennett Ranch!
I knew immediately I needed to get in there and volunteer because it was all so awesome. I joined the PTA as my in! Fast forward a little bit... I really knew we hit the jackpot when I got more involved outside of the school. The PTAs (special shout out to Karen Hobson), Brian and Cari work so hard to bring us all together as a whole zone. This is what I love about this zone! I love that we are all invited to FHS's football games, etc. and that we know of the other school's restaurant nights. I especially love that most of the elementary school PTA work together. They chat and work together about ideas to make us better as a Falcon Zone team for our students' education and future! I also enjoy the quarterly zone SAC meeting. It was an amazing idea to do them as a whole and break off into building groups. I see Brian's vision and I definitely think we are headed in the right direction to continue to build and amazing community.
Let's chat about Bennett Ranch for a second. What a team! From admin, to my friends in the office... the nutrition staff to the custodial team and every staff member and teacher in between. My children feel absolutely wanted and loved in that building. Shoot, I feel loved! Everyone is always so thankful for anytime I can be in the building helping. Thank YOU ALL!
Let's talk future now... I don't have a ton of personal experience with Falcon Middle School and Falcon High School. I do absolutely love that the middle and high school groups come into the school to help our littles through programs such as FFA, theater, etc. We even had Falcon Middle and High Schoolers come and help run our Fall Festival this year! This mama can't think of her babies growing up quite yet, but I can tell you that I am excited to continue to build those relationships even though my oldest is only in the third grade! With all of that being said we will absolutely be in the Falcon Zone for years to come! My children will identify themselves as Falcon Falcons from Falcon! I am so excited to be a part of this community for years and years to come. You all are so appreciated and loved! Thank you for caring for and creating the best possible place of education for our kids and their future!
Teagarden Family
The Falcon Zone has implemented an exciting new 1:1 Chromebook program that will impact our students attending Falcon Middle School and Falcon High School. Under this new program, students will be assigned a new Chromebook when they enter 6th grade. There will not be any cost associated with the Chromebook. However, families who do not purchase the damage insurance will be responsible for covering the cost of repairs. Students will check in their Chromebook at the end of each year and receive the same one back at the beginning of the next school year. They will keep this machine throughout their time at FMS and FHS. Students who graduate FHS will have the option to keep their Chromebook at no additional cost, and all district software will be removed from the machine.
- The city is moving out toward us but we still have a small town feel & great community
- This is my first full year at Falcon and I absolutely love being on the Falcon staff. It feels like a family. The students are hardworking and creative, school spirit is off the charts, athletic events are highly attended and publicized, and the kids just enjoy being here.
- FHS LINK Crew does an amazing job at welcoming the new 9th grade class every year. Through this club, students can gain leadership, team building and interpersonal skills. They also plan a lot of fun events for the 9th grade students. This also includes running 8th grade night each year. LINK crew is full of fun, energetic and amazing students!
- Student 2 student (s2s) is an amazing club at FHS! It is a club that is in charge of welcoming any new student to FHS. Each s2s student knows how to give a thorough tour of FHS and make new students feel welcome to our community. Throughout the year, s2s also does community service, does kind things for the staff at FHS and fun things for all students at lunches. The s2s club is a great way to get involved and make FHS a great place to be!
- College level classes that are eligible to receive college credit - Save money on college fees and tuition by starting your college education in high school
- Falcon High School is a great place to be due to the diversity it has and welcomes. There’s a place for everyone here. There are so many clubs to immerse yourself in that cover athletics, academics and overall citizenship. I’ll highlight JROTC for one, we are an eclectic diverse group of individuals that explore leadership, health and wellness, and Aerospace Science through flight simulators, drone, robotics, drill, archery and much more!
- Concurrent enrollment (and the support provided) has allowed both my daughters to get an early start on college, allowing my oldest to graduate a year early from college and my youngest to compete general education needed for her teaching degree. The band program has helped develop leadership skills and given a place to be herself to my daughter.
- FHS STUCO is the best! Dances, Mud Volleyball, Teacher vs Student Dodgeball, silly videos, student empowerment, Pep Rally's, the Spirit Stick, wild student sections, and Dutch Bros!
- Students in Business and Marketing get to take part in a small-scale state of Colorado DECA Business Competition, catered for the classroom. Students can see what it takes to potentially win DECA Business Competitions at the High School level.
- National Junior Honor Society at FMS helps prepare 7th and 8th grade students to be leaders in their schools and communities. We meet monthly to plan and prepare service projects. Our NJHS students are also responsible for completing volunteer hours outside of school. They contribute to our community in a variety of different ways, including supporting elementary school events, volunteering at their churches, and working with local sports programs.
- At Falcon Middle School, learning goes beyond textbooks—it’s about creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application. In 6th grade ELA, students don’t just read and write; they engage in dynamic, hands-on projects that bring their learning to life. From researching topics of personal interest to becoming teachers for a day, students take ownership of their education. They step into the courtroom in a thrilling mock trial, mastering the art of persuasion, and use those skills to craft compelling commercials that tackle everyday challenges.
- At FMS, we inspire students to think big, express themselves, and develop the confidence to succeed. This is where learning is an experience, and every student has the opportunity to shine.
- In Mrs. Esquibel's 6th grade ELA class, students learn to write in cursive and are given many choices in their writing topics for narrative, argumentative, and informational essays.
What is the difference between bullying and negative middle school behaviors?
Bullying is intentional, repeated, and involves a power imbalance where one individual or group seeks to harm or intimidate another. Negative middle school behaviors, while inappropriate, are often isolated incidents or conflicts without malicious intent or a power imbalance, typically stemming from developmental challenges or peer misunderstandings.
What does Falcon Middle School do to proactively foster positive relationships, addresses behaviors, and combat bullying?
What happens when a report of bullying is made?
The process involves speaking with the reporting student and gathering information, contacting their parents to loop them in and gather additional information , identifying and interviewing witnesses, speaking with the accused, assigning appropriate consequences (while maintaining confidentiality about the specifics with parents), and involving the SRO if necessary.
Every student is subject to due process and each and every report of bullying is taken seriously!
How does Falcon Middle School work to keep all students safe?
To ensure student safety after an incident, Falcon Middle School offers schedule changes if needed, restorative conversations & circles, counseling support for all students involved, no-contact contracts if needed, and continuous supervision by security staff, the admin team and FMS staff. The Security Team builds relationships, and multiple reporting options like Google Forms, emails, and Safe2Tell empower students to voice concerns and keeping ALL students safe 100% of the time is a priority.
What can parents do when their child is reporting bullying at home?
Parents can support their child by promptly reporting bullying incidents to school administration, avoiding discussions on social media, and fostering relationships with teachers and staff to ensure their child has a trusted, safe adult at school.
