The youngest Schneider will soon graduate from Fort Zumwalt South High School. Had I won the $300 million Power Ball jackpot a couple of months ago, I would have made a much more grand gesture to the Fort Zumwalt School District, its administrators, staff and teachers. As it stands, my husband and I are now working to ensure our three children (all in college in the fall of 2013), will graduate without debt. I hope this heartfelt letter will suffice. I will ask your patience and forgiveness in advance, as I’m sure it will be long-winded (I’m a writer, after all!).
First, I want to personally thank Superintendent Dr. Bernard DuBray and the board of education. When we began to look for a home in the spring of 1999, the first thing I did was research school districts (our children were 4, 5 and 6 when we relocated from Quincy, Ill.). We settled on Fort Zumwalt, and that, I assure you, was the best decision we could have made.
Our children began their education at Progress South Elementary. The physical size and population caused some initial trepidation, but Mrs. Tichy and Mrs. Byrnes put our hearts and minds at rest immediately (they taught first grade and kindergarten). I was blessed to be able to work part-time while our children were in school. That allowed me to help out at parties during their elementary school years, the book fairs and Medieval Days during their middle school years, and attend every cross country, track and field, and swimming and diving event. I wouldn’t trade those memories for all the Power Ball jackpots in the world.
There is no way I could possibly thank every teacher and staff person, but please indulge me as I thank a few by name. Our son, Michael, was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome in the summer between kindergarten and first grade. His first grade teacher, Mrs. Burke, was an angel. Once we discovered that milk triggered the majority of his vocal tics, we took it away and his symptoms improved dramatically. Michael thrived at PSE, thanks in part to the school nurse (Mrs. Fine), his teachers (Mrs. Waelder, Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Hirschbuehler and Mr. Botkin) and Patty, the school secretary. Michael was inspired by many teachers in middle and high school, and being a part of the FZS Cross Country team was an invaluable experience. Coaches Hallum and Kinder taught him how to be part of a team while striving for his personal best. He was never the fastest runner, but earned his one and only medal at GACs his senior year. Michael is currently a freshman at St. Charles Community College, attending for free thanks to the A+ program. He also earned a $500 scholarship from FZS – the Ann Causey Memorial Scholarship. He hopes to teach high school history and coach when he graduates from Southeast Missouri State University.
Christopher had a rough go of it during his seventh grade year. He was teased for his slower-than-average reading and called me every day with stomach issues. Once I figured out he was playing me, the stomach issues disappeared. One teacher, his favorite to this day, kept him going. Mr. Earl Haskins not only captured Christopher’s imagination, but did everything he could to encourage Christopher. If every teacher were like Mr. Haskins, every child would have a positive school experience, and every child would graduate from high school. He is currently attending SCC. He loves children, and works for the O’Fallon YMCA in the before and after-school Y Club, and as a summer camp counselor. It’s rewarding when Dardenne Prairie Elementary parents write notes of thanks and praise, commending Christopher for his work.
Samantha will graduate at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Never one to join a club or group, Samantha spent much of her free time in the library (during lunch and after school at the Middendorf-Kredell branch). An excellent student (when she puts her mind to it), and a natural test taker, Sam truly blossomed during her senior year. To say that her junior year was rough is the understatement of the year. Health issues kept her out of school for more than 40 days. I’ve spent countless hours gathering documentation to support her absences so that Sam could earn her A+ scholarship. I want to personally thank the A+ coordinator, Stephanie Goellner (and Patti Wilmes!) for putting up with me, and for working so hard during Sam’s appeal process. Dr. Laura Curran, her guidance counselor, hooked her up with a tutor, who came to our home for a few hours each day in January 2012. A retired FZS teacher, Bob Juengel, was truly an amazing man, and helped Sam catch up. Sam has maintained at least a 3.5 GPA during her senior year. Sam may be the last Schneider to graduate, but she’ll be the first to leave the nest, attending Southeast Missouri State in the fall.
Everyone, from the guards at FZS to the playground monitors at PSE, played a role in educating our children. Fort Zumwalt School District prepared our children, not only for college, but for life. They learned how to be kind and loving citizens, which is more important to me than earning a full ride at an Ivy League school. For that, my husband, Jim, and I are eternally grateful.
To the parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents of children currently attending a Fort Zumwalt school, I offer a few pieces of advice. Communicate well with teachers, nurses, staff and administrators. Yes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but always remember that 1) everyone can have a bad day from time to time; 2) sit down and think before you make a call or hit the “send” button on an email (I personally have a 60-minute rule, especially if I’m upset over a grade or situation); and 3) your children are NOT perfect. Nine times out of 10 (more like 99 times out of a hundred), it IS your kid and not the teacher. “Never” and “always” are words that need to disappear from your vocabulary. Humble yourselves long enough to listen to all sides of the story before you make a judgment that could have a lasting effect on your child and his/her school experience.
Finally, I would like to thank Dr. DuBray. Our family moved to O’Fallon just as the city’s population began to explode. You and the board of education handled that with remarkable grace. You are all fiscally prudent, and spend our tax dollars wisely. When other school districts had to cut jobs, the Fort Zumwalt School District did so only through attrition. Our fine arts and athletic programs remained intact during the lean years, thanks to the district’s reserves.
It has been one heck of a ride! Jim and I offer our sincerest gratitude and admiration to all who choose public education as their profession – especially the teachers, administrators and staff of the Fort Zumwalt School District.
With heartfelt thanks and fond memories,
Shelly A. Schneider
Mother of three FZS graduates