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.