Fort Wayne Community Schools will host its annual School Choice Fair from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Northrop High School, 7001 Coldwater Road, featuring special appearances by notable FWCS alumni, including a professional musician, doctor, lawyer and pro football player. The event is held each year to gives families an opportunity to learn more about the variety of educational options available within FWCS. The free event highlights the district’s elementary, middle and high schools, including FWCS’ seven magnet schools and special programs offered at other FWCS schools. The School Choice Fair also provides parents a chance to receive information and ask questions about how to choose and apply for the program that best suits their children’s needs. While all students are assigned a school based on where they live, for decades, FWCS parents have been able to apply to have their child attend one of the magnet schools or request an intra-district transfer to attend a different school within the district. Currently, about one-third of students attend a school that is not their geographically assigned school. FWCS offers the Montessori curriculum at Bunche Early Childhood Center(pre-kindergarten and kindergarten) and Towles Montessori Elementary School (first through sixth grades); New Tech is offered at Towles Middle School for seventh- and eighth-graders. The arts magnet program is offered at Whitney Young Early Childhood Center (pre-kindergarten and kindergarten), Weisser Park Elementary School (first through fifth grades) and Memorial Park Middle School (sixth through eighth grades). Croninger Elementary School offers a magnet program focusing on communications, and math and science are a special focus at Irwin Elementary School. Magnet schools have no boundaries and draw students from throughout the district. Each high school will have information on their Programs of Study: Project Lead the Way-Engineering at Northrop; Global Studies at North Side; Project Lead the Way-Biomedical at Snider; International Baccalaureate at South Side; and New Tech Academy and Business atWayne. Parents wanting to request that their child attend a different school must have their assignment application submitted by Thursday, Jan. 31, 2014. Applications will be available at the School Choice Fair, at schools and online at www.fortwayneschool.org. If there are more applicants than spaces available at any of the schools, lotteries will be held on Feb. 28, 2014, to determine admittance. The School Choice Fair also gives parents the opportunity to learn more about the departments supporting the schools, such as Transportation, Nutrition Services, Academic Services, Facilities and more. Several community partners will also be present with information for families. In addition to learning about the schools and support services, entertainment is scheduled in the auditorium throughout the day:

• 1-2 p.m. – Wayne Flag Corps; Jason Barnes (SeattleSeahawks Scout), Terry Collins (Personal Trainer) and Vernard Hollins (President/CEO of Always 100)
• 2-3 p.m. – South Side Show Choir; Dr. Alan McGee (Spine Surgeon) and Stephen Starks (Attorney)
• 3-4 p.m. – Memorial Park Strings; Happy Walters (CEO Relativity Sports/COO Relativity Media), Jason Baker (Professional Football Player) and Lance Tolbert (Professional Musician)

In addition, Sweetcakes Entertainment will provide face painting and balloon art, Condra Ridley will read stories and United Way of Allen County will give away books to the first 200 children who attend. TipCaps mascot Johnny and the Mad Ant and Mad Ants players will spend time at the School Choice Fair meeting families. Free child care is available children ages 3-5 years old is available, and translators are available for those needing assistance. For those who come hungry,AnthisCareerCenter’s Culinary Arts program will be offering free samples and the concession stand will be open with food available to purchase. Those in attendance can register to win bags from Vera Bradley, picnic tables built onsite by Anthis Construction Trades Students at Anthis Career Center, Mad Ants tickets and more. The 2013 School Choice Fair is sponsored by Sodexo, WANE-TV and ProFed Credit Union. More information on the schools, FWCS departments, special guests and sponsors can be found at www.fortwayneschools.org.

With nearly 31,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is Indiana’s largest school district. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 51 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.
© Fort Wayne Community Schools
http://www.fwcs.k12.in.us Emailed: October 14th 2013