The critical missing piece.

The response to last week’s email was overwhelming.

Thank you!

Because you and so many others care deeply about the instructional mission and vitality of our school district, my summary of the 5 Big Questions Facing FSD was well-received and prompted a number of thoughtful questions and responses.

I wasn’t surprised, of course.

When it comes to our schools – everyone in our community is “all in.”

It’s too bad I left an important piece of out of my answer to Big Question #4.

Here is an exact repeat of #4 from January 13 –

so see if you can discover what I left out.

4. What are your main goals for your first year as the FSD superintendent?

I want to devote the time to Listen… Learn… Reflect… and Act (and do so in this order) I want to keep growing in my appreciation and respect for what it means to be an FSD Eagle. Our traditions are deep. Our expectations are high. And we know the future will require us to be more agile, welcoming, innovative, and build networks beyond our local boundaries. By the end of 2022, I want to see FSD’s new Strategic Plan for District discussed, designed, and on track.

Now…

did you catch what I missed?

I totally forgot to emphasize that the discussion, design, and implemention of FSD’s new Strategic Plan will need YOU every step of the way!

Oops!

YOU are a key ingredient to the success of our Strategic Plan and the future of our school district.

And I’m going to make sure I don’t understate this fact again.

We need YOU and every other caring difference-maker in Frankenmuth.

Please be on the lookout in the weeks ahead for our district survey, invitations to meetings, and other reach-outs for your participation.

AND speaking of an opportunity to get involved.

Here’s a request from one of our science teachers, Jessie Bassett.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to hold the Region 4 & 5 Science Olympiad Tournament in our very own Frankenmuth High School on Saturday, March 5. 

On March 5 we will host 49 events in FHS that student competitors from our school and around our area will be tested in.  In fact, 14 schools will be competing, with one coming in from as far south as Brighton. 

We are looking for professionals in our community (people with experience in the fields of science, engineering, machinists, chemistry, healthcare, etc.) who would be willing to use their background to help “write tests” to challenge our Science Olympiad competitors during the tournament.  

We are also seeking volunteers from the same group of professionals to help create actual “hands on” challenges in keeping in their field for our Science Olympiad competitors to tackle during the event.

For example, a machinist might challenge students to design or build a better mousetrap. We’re open to all kinds of ideas.

The tournament on March 5 is an in-person, daytime event. But even if you cannot attend, we could still use your help prior to March 5 with the “test writing” component.

And if you have recommendations about people who could help us proctor the Science Olympiad event on March 5 – please let me know.

Participating in Science Olympiad as one of our adult professional volunteers is more rewarding and fun than you might initially think.

Please give this your consideration and contact me for more information or to sign up.

Thank you!

Jessie Bassett

jbassett@fmuthschools.com

School ph: 989-652-9955 Ext: 1806. 

In closing –

I hope I corrected last week’s possible misperception that YOU’RE not needed.

Don’t think that for a second!

Because, as you might recall, our theme in FSD for the 2021-2022 school year is “What’s Your Story?”

This means our staff and students have been actively promoting and lifting up this theme together since the beginning of school.

And soon –

it will be YOUR turn!

YOU ready?

Hope so!

I’m looking forward to working alongside YOU to review and clarify the wonderful FSD story we’ve known for generations – and also explore and chart what we expect the future FSD story to be!