FAPS #WeAreFenton Community Update

Hello,

I hope that this newsletter finds each of you having enjoyed Thanksgiving and excited for our winter break in just a few weeks!!

Before we all count down the days for winter break, I wanted to express how proud I am of our students and how hard they have worked these past months. I know the last few years has been such a challenge and different way to learn and ‘do school'. I also know that the last few years has set us on a path of rebuilding and remembering our traditions in Fenton. Our students have done that for us so far this school year, and I am so proud and thankful for all the ways they have reassembled and persevered during these curious times. Our students make our days brighter - just like a fresh set of Christmas lights. Hopefully, you saw how we displayed our gratitude in our 'gratitude challenge' for November, but I wanted to take some time in this December newsletter to articulate what I have witnessed.

I am grateful to the students for so many gifts they have shared with our teachers, principals, support staff and me these past 4 months. Students:

• You have learned to be more independent.
• You have learned more about technology.
• You have tried new things.
• You have asked us to try new things.
• You have learned to talk to someone when you are sad and shown us that things will get better.
• You have taught one another how to work together in new ways.
• You have not given up even when it has been hard.
• You have taught our staff about how to best use technology to support your learning.
• You continue to remind us that caring for each other and being kind is important.
• You have solved problems in new ways. You have found new problems to solve.
• You showed us your talents and creativity in new ways.
• You have reminded us that at times it is important to slow down so we can all catch up.
• You have reminded us about the importance of a strong community and that you are key to that.
• You have taught me that you can do anything you put your mind to.

"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway." - Mary Kay Ash.

You have each done far more than we might at one time have thought we could do. Together, we have learned a great deal about new ideas and cherished old traditions, about ourselves and one another, and together we will face the challenges and welcome the opportunities the new year will bring.

We are Fenton!! Imagine the possibilities….

However you celebrate December, I hope for everyone you are present in the moment and are energized by being with family and friends.

Sincerely,
Heidie Ciesielski
Superintendent

Our Fenton Family partnered this fall with FARR and the Kiwanis Club of Fenton to collect food for the holidays for those in need in our community.

Starting at the October 7 varsity football game, Fenton students and parents donated over 500 food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.

Thanks to the generosity of all members of our Fenton family, FARR and the Kiwanis Club of Fenton collected another 3500 food items in the first two weeks of November.

The generosity of parents, students and FAPS staff members helped FARR fill Thanksgiving food baskets, for approximately 135 local families in need. The 4,000+ food items donated this fall will also help the Kiwanis Club of Fenton prepare another 100 food baskets for families in need at Christmas.

Working together with our community partners, Fenton students learned the importance of teamwork and helping others in need. What a great opportunity for students to develop and hone their empathy, a valuable lesson that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Thanks to all who generously donated and made this learning possible, but a special thank you to Mark Suchowski who is an absolute champion for families in need over the holidays!

We continue to analyze the stakeholder survey results and look at the SWOT analysis that were conducted with our groups of staff, students and invested community members. We are looking at patterns and creating a strategic plan with objectives to address a direction for our district in the next 5 years. We are on target to have a rough draft to our board of education in January for their approval. Consult the website for added information: https://www.fentonschools.org/page/strategic-plan

Our FLL explore kiddos had a great time at their Festival this past weekend. They got to present their projects to a team of judges, participate in 3 fun STEM activities, and earn some great awards.

Our FLL Challenge team had their competition in Waverly this past weekend as well. Not only did they place number 2 out of more than 30 teams- they are on their way to the State competition this coming Sunday as well! Awesome job!! This is only the second time that Fenton Robotics FLL team has qualified for state level competition. Congrats!!

Our FTC teams have finished in the top 4 at both of their competitions as well sweeping the field at their last competition. They are headed to States the weekend before Christmas and currently hold 4 of the top 10 WORLD scores . WooHoo!

FRC kicks off competition season in January. However we’ve already accomplished a first for Fenton Robotics- we hosted an official FIRST event this past weekend. This was a HUGE accomplishment for us! We’ve been planning this FLL explore event for several months and it went wonderfully. I’m SO PROUD of our Highschool team- they planned the entire event, designed and made all the trophies, medals and awards, and did a great job with all the activities and kids. We got lots of great feedback and are looking forward to hosting again next year.

Heidi Ritchie and Drew Ritchie are head coaches of the FRC-High School Team and program commanders. We have Ryan Maitland, Deb Uherek and Wade Shelton coaching the FTC- Middle School Team. At the elementary programming for the FLL-Explore team we have Clarence Smith and at the FLL-Challenge team we have Bryan Miller.

Great job to all of the Robotics teams and coaches! #WeAreFenton

Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. Fenton Area Public Schools is thrilled that Fenton High School is starting a Unified Sports Team for our students, and will be competing the the Flint Metro League starting this winter in basketball. Athletic Director, Ed Uhrik, Zach Bradley, Assistant Principal, Teacher/Coach Elie Tyrrell and Teacher/Coach Brian Simmerman are excited to get us up and going. Our first Unified Basketball game will be January 10 at halftime of our boys basketball game.

Please take a look at the video below for more information.

https://www.jointherevolution.org/50-game-changers/unified-sports

As a part of our strategic planning efforts, and to start systemizing some of our processes Barry Tiemann, our Director of Innovation and Communication, has created a detailed communication plan that details how as a district we will be communicating to all stakeholders. This plan not only details a chain of communication, but communication goals and efforts that the district will make to ensure all of our stakeholders are informed of the great things we have going on! Take a look!

https://www.fentonschools.org/page/communication-plan

With the holiday season upon us, it's that time of year when we start preparing for possible inclement weather and the possibility of school cancelation. Please take time to plan for what you and your family will do in the event we have to cancel school. The district will always attempt to make decisions in time for you to use your plans optimally; however, sometimes with mother nature and the weather patterns in Michigan it doesn't always go as we'd all appreciate.

Please take a look below at the process for a weather cancelation and understand that we try our best to ensure student safety above all else.

A. We monitor the weather, and if severe weather is predicted, as superintendent, I along with the help of our transportation/operations department, local road commission and law enforcement evaluate potential issues.

B. As superintendent, I collaborate with Genesee County Superintendents to make decisions based on the road conditions for our area currently and/or in the near future.

C. We as a district will notify designated individuals in the event of a school closure to then disseminate information as quickly as possible.

D. Families can check: the district website, messaging through our FAPS app to phones in the form of voice, text message, email message, district Facebook, and news stations (ABC 12, WNEM 5, NBC 25, Detroit Fox2).

When the weather breaks and road conditions are in question, remember to leave early and drive slowly. Also, ensure your contact information is updated with your school so the district can provide the most efficient communication.

MI Educator Fellowship Program, which offsets tuition costs for 2,500 college students earning their initial teacher certification up to $10,000 per semester. The application window opened on October 31, and more information can be accessed here.

The MI Educator Fellowship Stipend also became available on October 31. The stipend is for teacher preparation applicants and eligible student teachers to be able to receive $9,600 per semester. The application can be viewed here.

Our school board held the regular monthly meeting on December 5, 2022. Our board accomplished a tremendous amount of board business this month with policy, strategic planning and asset management - it's been a busy month with subcommittee meetings as well as regular board meetings. Please find the link to the board's work located on our new easy to navigate BOE website page here:

https://www.fentonschools.org/page/board-of-education