FORTiTUDE

Meet Lexi Lloyd, a senior at South High and a firm believer that the best way to keep learning is to keep trying new things. It's one reason she offered to take over the FORTiTUDE podcast. As a member of multiple organizations and teams at school, she has seen many leadership styles and wondered, “How do you define leadership?” Criss-crossing the South High community, she found the answers from students and from staff and shares them in this Bulldog Student Takeover.

Thank you to the Pride News team @lionsmedia3206 who helped stage the first-ever FORTiTUDE podcast student takeover. Their mission: set right some of the misperceptions of teenagers. Through their artfully told stories of a typical day, they share the pressure they feel in so many aspects of their lives and the focus they have on taking care of themselves, as well as others. https://bit.ly/48juofD

Join #FZSupt Dr. Paul Myers for an update on South High's National Blue Ribbon School award, construction projects around the district, and a little check-in after his first six months as Superintendent. New student features include Habit 3, brought to you by the Emge Stars, and A View From Middle School brought to you by the South Middle Mustangs.

#FZSupt Dr. Paul Myers sits down to wrap-up the first quarter. Get more details on our long-range plan, which we call CSIP and some behind-the-scenes information on inclement weather days. Plus our two new student segments! go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair

#FZSupt Dr. Paul Myers sits down with Lisa Koester, Director of Construction, Renovations and Building Systems, for an update on the work being done thanks to voter approval of #FZProp4 in 2022. Improved HVAC. A classroom addition that will serve as a storm shelter for an entire school when it's needed. New musical instruments. Updated turf fields. Just some of the work underway across the district. 

New #FZSupt Dr. Paul Myers has been out in the community, getting the school year underway. We got him in the studio for his first monthly update. He shares some insight on the visit from Gov. Mike Parson and more about the Fort Zumwalt long-range plan. Hear from students in two new segments, and celebrate national recognition for our high schools. 

Equipping students with the math skills they'll need in the future means empowering them with the skills they need to be collaborative colleagues. Meet Heather Kreger and Amy Sand, math curriculum coordinators for #FZSD. Together with teachers they have built a bridge that connects how Kindergarteners talk about math to how 8th-graders talk about math and created a pathway that equips students to excel. go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

The three-time state champion girls soccer team sits down and shares stories of their camaraderie, their dedication and their resilience. Coach Leanne Sanders also gives a big shoutout to the families who have supported her players, many of whom started playing soccer before they were in Kindergarten. "If you really want to be successful -- at anything you do -- you have to be willing to put in the hours," she says. go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

Beth Sutton has spent her career as a special education teacher in FZSD. Taking on her new role as Principal at the Mike Clemens Center for Adaptive Learning, she is excited about the team's mission to grow successful people. go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

@EarlyLearningDr Dani Todd has come home to Fort Zumwalt. The South High alum has spent a career advocating for children, in schools and in her personal work. Being surrounded by Pre-K students and the staff who serve them helps her bring a little sparkle everywhere, and leave a little bit of it for everybody.  go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

People told Whittney Carter joining Mount Hope Elementary would feel like joining a family and, she says, those people were right. In her first year as principal she is settling into a new school, a new home and much more. "Relationships are what's most important," she says. "And together we'll figure it all out." go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

While Pete Johnson has spent most of his career working with elementary students, he's taught all grade levels. It's one reason he's excited to be at Lewis & Clark Elementary, focused on the work of grades 3, 4 and 5. His mission: Learn something new every day and support others in doing the same. go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

Bridget McCoy has served Fort Zumwalt as a special education teacher, first grade teacher and elementary assistant principal. She's bringing her vision to Progress South Elementary. As a Principal, she plans to stay focused on putting first things first, because together we can do great things. go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us 

Jess Hanks couldn't be more excited to be the new Principal at Emge. She's spent almost 15 years working with elementary-aged students, and is focused on equipping kids to find and choose their passions. Learn more about her in this FORTiTUDE podcast. go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

Season Six launches with our Meet the Principal bonus episodes. First up, Dr. Kevin Grawer. He's the new principal at Fort Zumwalt South High School. He's not new to the role of high school principal, though, having spent the past 14 years as the principal at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School. Learn more about him, and his list of supplies students need for the year, in this FORTiTUDE podcast.   go.FZSD.us/FORTiTUDEonair Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us

They come from across Fort Zumwalt School District, finding Ryan Treasure and a crew of like-minded percussionists pursuing excellence. Together they have reached some of the highest levels of the marching arts. Learn more about the student musicians who make up Modulation Z, Fort Zumwalt's World Champion Winter Guard brigade. Treasure helps us understand the background of the performances and students share a little bit about the demands, and the rewards, of being part of this elite drum corps.

#FZSupt As part of the state's new report cards for schools, Fort Zumwalt is Mapping Our Future. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Jennifer Waters, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Dr. Paul Myers, Superintendent-Elect, have led the steering committee for the district's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Incoming #FZSupt  shares an overview of the process so far and what comes next. Together Myers and Waters explain "the big buckets," priority items facing the district. The document, which will outline the district's goals for the  next three to five years, is due to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this summer.

Commitment. Teamwork. Togetherness. It takes more than a great routine and a lot of practice to make a squad a champion. Tune in to hear from the coach and captains of the State Champion South High varsity cheerleaders talk about the road to state, leadership and their appreciation for #Bulldogarmy

Checking in with his monthly update, #FZSupt Dr. Bernie DuBray shares insight on the work of improving teacher salaries. Throughout his long tenure the district has come to be recognized as a strong steward of the taxpayers dollars, here from Dr. DuBray about the obstacles created by the district's rapid growth and what strong stewardship means for the district now.

Dr. DuBray shares more about the Grow Your Own Teacher program, a model for the state, then reviews the district report card and the April 4 ballot.

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

Halfway through the school year, Dr. DuBray celebrates achievements, outlines the work ahead and tunes in to performances from some of our student ensembles from Westhoff Elementary, South Middle and North High. 12.28.22

#FZSupt sits down for an update on student service projects across the district, HVAC projects recently approved by the Board and an overview of a #STEAM presentation at the monthly Board meeting.

#FZSD has a long tradition of serving #FZCommunity and a long tradition of honoring those who have served. Get a taste of the unique tradition East High and its feeder school, DuBray Middle, are building, have joined forces to honor those who serve. “Giving back can look many different ways,” says DuBray Middle Principal Dr. Jennifer Griffith. Check in on just a few of the ways our students and staff join forces to give back. “Fort Zumwalt has done a really good job of creating a culture that shows in every way, shape or form that we honor service and that we lead with service,” says East High Principal Ashlee Vaughn.

In his monthly update, #FZSupt Dr. DuBray celebrates the many community events taking place across the district and the power of the connection between home and school. 10.23.22

Elementary Technology classes have been a part of the Fort Zumwalt curriculum since 2016. In that short period of time, what began as dedicated time to develop students' technical skills has evolved into a commitment to collaboration and creativity. Learn more about the skills students are taking to middle school that will carry them through to career in this FORTiTUDE podcast.

Tune in as #FZSupt shares some history on the Fort Zumwalt Transportation Department, recently recognized for the 20th consecutive year with the Highway Patrol's Fleet Excellence Award, which is only awarded to those scoring 90 percent of better on the annual safety inspection. Did you know FZSD's team of six mechanics has kept our buses at 98 - 100% for more than 10 years?

Pushing for Positive Peer Influence has long been at the center of all we do in FZSD. The League of Leaders connects high school with elementary school students reinforcing the positive and discovering that influence goes both ways. It's the latest effort in a long commitment to empowering student leadership.

#FZSupt Dr. Bernie DuBray catches us up on projects and FZ Prop 4, before sharing a bit about his Last First Day of School and his traditional tour of the district. Download the new Fort Zumwalt App for Android https://bit.ly/3w6NXGW for iPhone https://apple.co/3zQUgQb

Dr. Jennifer Griffith is a familiar face to students and families at DuBray Middle School, and many others around the school district. She grew up here. Tune in to learn about her vision for her first year as Principal, and her love of nature. 8.18.22

Mount Hope Elementary welcomes home one of their own. Dr. Teah Kelly says the school office staff greeted her with a series of yearbooks open to pages featuring pictures of the student they remember, who is now their new Principal. 8.17.22

A familiar face to some North High families, Dr. Buddy Entwistle is ready to Honor the Past and Claim the Future as he begins his tenure as the Principal at North High.

Jackie Hottelman joins the South Middle School staff as Principal. Learn about the experiences that have shaped her career and the goals she has for her first year leading the Mustangs.

Dr. Beth Allen has been a part of Fort Zumwalt School District her entire career, as an elementary teacher, as a curriculum writer and now, as the Principal at Dardenne Elementary where she is looking forward to celebrating the Knights' traditions, and community events. 8.12.22

Ashlee Vaughn checks in and shares her goals for her first year as the Principal at East High School, and the scoop on the best book she's ever read.

Wayne Dierker comes to Fort Zumwalt from Lonedell, a small district in Franklin County where he grew up. Hear about his work in that community, and what he looks forward to learning about the Rock Creek Elementary community where he now serves as principal.   Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us rce.fz.k12.mo.us

Dr. Heather Carroll, the new principal at Westhoff Elementary, joins us to share a bit about her previous work as an instructional coach and principal in the Ferguson-Florissant school district, why she's excited to get to know the students, families and staff and a little about the Marvel universe.

Meet Dr. Katrina Conway, who joins #FZSD from Warrenton as the new Principal at Forest Park Elementary. Learn about her time as a teach and instructional coach, her love of sports and her passion for teaching fractions.   Fort Zumwalt School District fz.k12.mo.us Fpe.fz.k12.mo.us

#FZSupt Dr. Bernie DuBray checks in on summer projects at several of our buildings, a budget wrap-up for the recently closed fiscal year and his hopes for this, his final year as #FZSupt.

In his monthly update, #FZSupt Dr. Bernie DuBray explains the process and power of the Board of Education Priorities. Each year, the members of the Board of Education set as many as 10 priorities for focused work in the upcoming school year. Over the years, this work has created Fort Zumwalt's gifted and talented program, the culture of Positive Peer Influence, the Grow Your Own Teacher program, Hope High and many other initiatives that have paved the road for the district's success.

They've done it again! Hear from team leaders and Coach Leanne Sanders about the second consecutive South High Girls Soccer State Championship. You've heard about Unity and Tradition. In this episode, learn more about Culture, Commitment and Camaraderie. Tune in on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. We're FORTiTUDEonair.   Fort Zumwalt School District Fz.k12.mo.us

In only their fourth season the FZW Robotics team swept their regional competition, finishing 1 and 2 in the bracket and earning several other awards. The performances earned them a trip to Nationals. Hear the competition results and learn more about the program on this FORTiTUDE podcast.

In the final superintendent's update of the school year, Dr. Bernie DuBray walks us through the district's financial outlook. With graduation ceremonies less than a week away, he shares a bit about the view of the celebrations from his side of the stage and the messages that stick with him from all of those graduation speeches. We are FORTiTUDE On Air on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Subscribe to keep up with our updates all summer long.

In his monthly update, Dr. Bernie DuBray looks forward to Staff Appreciation Week. Teacher appreciation goes far beyond the halls of our schools and doesn't stop as we cross the stage at graduation. Tune in as Dr. DuBray shares a little bit about the teachers who have shaped him and his appreciation for Fort Zumwalt staff. #ThankaTeacher Catch up on the April election results and learn a bit about how school boards function in this #FZSupt update.  Want to shout-out an FZSD staff member past or present who made a difference for you? Send your story to fortitudeonair@fz.k12.mo.us possibly for a future podcast. 

When a small group of committed people welcome others in to have difficult conversations it can mean big things for a community. That's the story of FZEiAm, a club at East High working to bring students and staff together by celebrating what make them unique. It started with a celebration of unity, that grew into a pledge. More three quarters of students at East High signed a pledge to encourage inclusivity and celebrate other diversities within our school, Assistant Principal Josh Devlin says. “It's the first thing kids see when they come into school. What an amazing environment if you are a new student, to come into a school and see: We celebrate this. We want you in here. We want to see this diversity in our school because that is what makes East High great. We are the most diverse school in the entire district and that is something that we celebrate.” Tune in to here more from Mr. Devlin, three East High students, the club sponsors and Coordinator of Diversity and Awareness about the work and the achievements of students and staff this school year, and what they hope to carry forward.

Meet Jaime Redding, Principal at Flint Hill Elementary. Built in 2016, Missouri law required that the school have a storm shelter that houses the entire school population, including staff, in case of severe weather. Tour the shelter, which is built to sustain up to an EF 4 tornado, hear about its features and see renderings of potential shelters for our other 15 elementary schools. #FZProp4 is a no-tax increase bond issue. It requires 57-percent approval to pass and would provide funds for maintenance, upgrades and additions at Fort Zumwalt's 27 schools and five support facilities. Learn more at go.FZSD.us/FZProp4 Check the video on our quick casts at FORTiTUDEonair on YouTube.

In today's FZ Prop 4 quickcast, meet Jeff Schwepker, Director of Transportation, as he talks about Growth. Get a tour of the department's current locations and learn about the benefits of a potential centralized Transportation Center. FZ Prop 4 is a no-tax increase bond issue. It requires 57-percent approval to pass and would provide funds for maintenance, upgrades and additions at Fort Zumwalt's 27 schools and five support facilities. Learn more at go.FZSD.us/FZProp4 Check the video on our quick casts at FORTiTUDEonair on YouTube. 

In our final #FZProp4 quick cast, learn about the opportunities our students have in the performing arts, how our auditoriums provide opportunities for our community and the instruments provided for our orchestras and marching bands grades 6 - 12. #FZProp4 is a no-tax increase bond issue. It requires 57-percent approval to pass and would provide funds for maintenance, upgrades and additions at Fort Zumwalt's 27 schools and five support facilities. Learn more at go.FZSD.us/FZProp4 Check the video on our quick casts at FORTiTUDEonair on YouTube. 

Growth. For more than 20 years it has been part of the Fort Zumwalt story. And it continues in the northwest corner of our boundary, bringing more students into North High, North Middle and their elementary feeder schools. Hear from Principal Joe Sutton and incoming Principal Buddy Entwistle about how growth is affecting students at North High and what the school needs to accommodate its increasing population. #FZProp4 is a no-tax increase bond issue. It requires 57-percent approval to pass and would provide funds for maintenance, upgrades and additions at Fort Zumwalt's 27 schools and five support facilities. Learn more at go.FZSD.us/FZProp4 Check the video on our quick casts at FORTiTUDEonair on YouTube. 

Regular maintenance is key in keeping our facilities safe for students and staff. Did you know investing in our infrastructure is also key to keeping a healthy bottom line? Learn more in this quick cast with our Director of Buildings, Construction, Renovations and Building Systems. FZ Prop 4 is a no-tax increase bond issue. It requires 57-percent approval to pass and would provide funds for maintenance, upgrades and additions at Fort Zumwalt's 27 schools and five support facilities. Learn more at go.FZSD.us/FZProp4 Check the video on our quick casts at FORTiTUDEonair on YouTube. 

Meet two of our high school Activities Coordinators in today's FZ Prop 4 quick cast. Ryan Rapp (FZS) and Neil Nowack (FZW) discuss the role our athletic facilities play in our schools and in the community each day. They also discuss what a pool would mean for our athletes, our students and the community. FZ Prop 4 is a no-tax increase bond issue. It requires 57-percent approval to pass and would provide funds for maintenance, upgrades and additions at Fort Zumwalt's 27 schools and five support facilities. Learn more at go.FZSD.us/FZProp4