Hello Falcon Zone ~

We are excited to move to a Zone Wide SAC (School Accountability Committee) this school year! All schools will meet at Woodmen Hills Elementary School on Sept. 5th. Dinner will be served starting at 5 followed by a short session with Zone Leadership at 5:30. Each building will then breakout into their individual SAC sessions. We are excited for this opportunity to connect with all of our schools at once. Please keep an eye out for more information in your schools' newsletters or in the link below.

Linked below is the first edition of our Engage49, a newsletter on all things Family, School and Community Partnerships! We are excited to launch this new district-wide initiative this year and cannot wait to connect with you all in a new and meaningful way!

Thank you to all who took some time to eat at Slim Chicken on Friday, benefitting the Community Closet and Pantry. Our next Dine to Donate event will be on August 21st at Texas Roadhouse!

In Partnership

~Cari Muresan

FZ Community Liaison

Congratulations to Cayla, Ashlyn, and Christian, who were all recognized at District 49's Fantastic 49 during the Board of Education Meeting last week. These three students have supported in a variety of ways around the Falcon Zone and they look forward to continuing their leadership in a way that brings our whole zone together. Cayla, Ashlyn, and Christian all helped to lead our Zone Welcome Back for all of our zone staff members in July. Each of these students helped to emcee the event with an incredibly positive and inspiring tone. They were also able to recruit numerous other student leaders from Falcon High School to help further enhance all of the activities for the staff.

Cayla, Ashlyn, and Christian also collaborated closely with me as we designed part of the interview process for our new Falcon High School Principal this year. They also networked with the student council at FHS to provide feedback and ideas that were incorporated into our Falcon Zone Portrait of a Graduate - Earn your WINGS. Student leadership is such a critical part of what we do in the Falcon Zone and it is awesome to have such dedicated and involved student leaders all throughout the zone, helping to Engage, Enhance, and Elevate all we do to Empower each and every learner.

Congratulations and Thank You to Cayla, Ashlyn, and Christian!

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!

Thank you to everyone that took the time to recognize some of our amazing staff members. Below are the recognitions gathered from last week!

Mr. Young (FMS) - Mr. Young takes a genuine interest in the kiddos at FMS, even the ones that aren't in his class. He make sure they feel supported and welcome. He gives them a safe place and encourages them to be their best, most confident selves. Our family is so grateful for his mentorship and kindness. He has made the transition into 6th grade so much more positive.

Sara Vari (FMS) - Sara led interested FMS staff in two after-school Schoology/PowerSchool crash courses. She has a wealth of knowledge related to EdTech and put together a linked slideshow with how-to videos to help new and veteran staff with our tech programs. Thanks, Sara!

Amanda Woodard (FMS) - Amanda introduced the new Portrait of a Graduate to her seventh grade students. She had them connect the 21st Century Skills they'll be learning in Social Studies to the FZ Portrait of a Graduate, and they then created their class vision with those skills in mind. Way to go, Amanda!

Mark Roscoe (D49) - Mark has been in our building helping to ensure phones are working and fixed. He is always here right away and is a problem solver. Despite being incredibly busy, Mark takes time to slow down, answer staff questions and to be a resource for anyone who needs him. Mark is truly an asset to D49!

Nayeli Munoz (WHES) - Nayeli is an amazing part of my team! She goes above and beyond to make sure students needs are being met and will always jump in wherever she is needed. Nayeli is always willing to do whatever I ask of her and always goes out of her way to make sure I am hanging in there.

Cynthia Fox (WHES) - We have an ever changing schedule within our program and Cynthia is always ready to take kids wherever they need to go. She is so kind and patient with all of the kids and works well with everyone.

Jennifer Baldwin (WHES) - No matter what Jen is doing, she always has a smile on her face and seems genuinely happy to be at work. Even on the most stressful days, Jen leaves the building with a smile and is ready to bring on whatever the next day has in store :)

Tiphanie Leacock (WHES) - Tiph is amazing! She is new to me this school year and has such a passion for working with our special needs population. Her love for the kids is truly amazing and I can't wait to watch her grow into new skills this school year as she is a recent FHS grad!

Rebecca Fitzgerald (WHES) - Becca is a hard worker and loves our kids and pushes them to do their best. She loves watching their creativity flow and then uses that to help guide her when working with the students individually. It is great to have her back with me this year!

8/12 - FES PTA Meeting @ 4

8/13 - WHES & MRES PTA Meeting @ 4 and FMS Back to School Night @ 5

8/15 - FHS Open House @ 6

8/16 - D49 Personal Pro Day - No Students

8/21 - Dine to Donate - Benefiting FZ Community Closet & Pantry, Texas Roadhouse @ 5