The Falcon Zone Flyer

Happy Monday!

The end of this week is Falcon High School's first football game! In an effort to build a STRONGER Falcon Zone K-12 community, we would like to invite everyone to the game on Friday night, August 25th at 7pm. Zone Mascots, photo frames and "Empower Falcon Zone" bracelets will be given away, along with some other fun surprises. We hope to see everyone there as our Falcon Falcons from Falcon take on Fountain Fort Carson High School.

✵ Cari Brewer

Falcon Zone Community Liaison

I was reminded again this week why I love working in District 49. An unfortunate situation occurred Wednesday at Falcon Elementary when there was a disruption to a natural gas line connected to the school. Our school leadership team, teachers, and staff all quickly jumped into action to safely evacuate the school and account for all of our FESoT Hawks. I was so impressed as I watched the care that each and every teacher and staff member showed their kids and the steps they took to support each and every student. Our Hawks did an outstanding job of following all of our processes and looking out for each other. They were very positive and respectful throughout the evacuation.

Our District 49 teams jumped into action immediately. Facilities team members rushed to talk with contractors, network with fire department and utilities officials, and remained on site to ensure everything was safe for a return to school. Communications team members worked to quickly communicate with our families and community on what occurred and provide information on how to pick up their students. Safety and Security teams arrived to provide additional security for students and assist with setting up a reunification point for families. D49 Transportation arrived with numerous busses to shuttle our students to Patriot High School. The leadership team at PHS helped to provide their gym and resources to house FESoT students and staff. D49 Nutrition Services transported additional food and staff to PHS so that all of our elementary students could be provided lunch. Additional Falcon Zone Staff arrived on scene to assist with the reunification process for students and parents.

Our partners at the El Paso Country Sheriff's Office assisted in supporting this whole process by providing additional resources to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and facilities. Our Falcon Zone SRO's, Deputy Murphy and Deputy Meyer, responded quickly, assisted with the situation, and secured additional officers to support all of the traffic and additional people arriving at PHS. Falcon Fire also responded to check the school, and ensure it was clear of any potential issue with the gas.

This was a monumental group effort and it was AWESOME to see all of our D49 team members and Falcon community organizations work together. EVERYONE supported each other, asked what was needed, and ensured the safety of our students and staff from Falcon Elementary. While we never want these situations to happen, it is a shining example of why District 49 is the best district to learn, work, and lead. I am so very honored to work with everyone in our District and Zone, and very appreciative of ALL the help and support everyone showed Falcon Elementary School!

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!

Justin Mendell (FHS) - Justin has been working diligently to bring a better culture to FHS through Jostens Renaissance. He has brought many staff together to support students and continues to build culture and support the needs of everyone.

Sara Vari (FMS) - Sara Vari is amazing with the students. As the StuCo advisor she works hard to make sure all students are heard. She takes the time to get to know the kids and help them be successful.

Mr. Heydt (FHS) - Mr. Heydt creates engaging lessons for students and utilizes various multimedia tools to bring history to life in his classes! He excels at parent-teacher communication and supports students to ensure their success.

Shelby Esquivel (BRES) - Every day last year, I watched Mrs. Esquivel personally say goodbye to each child by name. She’d wish them a good weekend and send them off with a smile. In teacher training, they often emphasize the best practice of greeting your students at the start of class, but she goes beyond that to an exceptional practice of building relationships and fostering teacher-student connection until the very last second she sees them. Thank you for being that teacher who constantly shows that you care. We need people like you.

Vanessa Apodaca (FHS) - Vanessa takes care of all of the staff getting everything ordered in a timely manner, while in her busy season of helping a steady stream of students paying for parking passes, classes, etc. We appreciate all she does.

Mr. Jeff & Mr. Chris (BRES) - They both always go above and beyond to help anyone out, ANYONE, whether it's admin, a teacher or the PTA! They truly take pride in their work and care about the school. We appreciate you guys and your team!!

Lauren Besler (WHES) - She is rocking her new role as math coach/interventionist and has also kept us on track in completing all of our beginning of the year assessments! Thank you for your outstanding efforts!

Katie Kessler (WHES) - Katie has been our assessment queen! Thank you for all of your extended efforts to keep us on track to finishing all of our beginning of the year assessments!

Jamie Mitchell (WHES) - Jamie is absolutely amazing! My son started mid school year in 2023 & she welcomed him with open arms. She nurtured him & his love for learning. He was so nervous to start 2nd grade this year and she made sure he knew that if he needed anything she was always there. She’s truly a blessing to my son & WHES. Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell!

Courtney Carter & Lisa MCCann (WHES) - Cortney Carter is a dedicated, hard working SpEd teacher who genuinely cares for both her staff and students. She goes above and beyond to ensure that her students acquire skills to be contributing members of society. She is accepting and fair. She communicates well with parents. She develops rapport with her paras. Lisa McCann has been her para for several years and both are considered a "Dynamic Duo" in the SpEd field.

Laura Anderson (MRES) - Laura has gone above and beyond working with a kiddo who is struggling with the back to school transition. Her love of teaching and students shines thru in all she does.

Heather Scovel (MRES) - Heather works so hard to meet the needs of each individual student, and to advocate for their needs. She is a great colleague, and I'm so thankful to have her on our sped team at WHES.

Cassie Donnatel (MRES) - She is just amazing, day in and day out as the face that sets the tone of this great school.

Mr. Hartley (FHS) - My Daughter is so excited for this year’s opportunities in JROTC and already loves the class!

Brooke Neilson (FHS) - She is always so encouraging, enthusiastic, and makes the classroom fun. I always love her class and she is a role model for so many students.

Michelle Duncan (WHES) - My daughter was a new student at the end of the 22-23 school year. In only a few weeks Mrs. Duncan had her smiling, working hard and gaining confidence again after a tough move. She also set her and her parents up for a successful summer of studying to be ready for fourth grade. She made sure we had everything we needed. She is truly an amazing teacher through and through! Thank you, Mrs. Duncan!

It is a common misconception that because breakfast & lunch are free this year, applying for the Free & Reduced program is not necessary, but as you can see in the diagram above, these applications mean so much more than a free meal. Additional funds will go directly to schools to help cover the cost of meals, support after-school activities and other nutritional programs for students. Plus, households who qualify may receive discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utilities support and more.

If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to complete a Free & Reduced application, even if you don't think you will qualify. Every application received has potential to help our school and in turn help our students.

Please click the button below to submit an online application!

8/25 - FHS Football Game @ 7pm

9/1 - No School for Students, Professional Development Day