Mr. Ryan Flanagan – Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Mr. Ryan Flanagan, our Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for the past two years, is a great
example of Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. He invests countless hours scouting opponents and
preparing his players so they know what to expect each game. Ryan designs his offense
and defense around his personnel, always working to maximize each athlete’s potential,
while maintaining the balance of being demanding without being demeaning. His
commitment to preparation and continuous improvement strengthens both his team and
our school culture.
Mr. Ryan Flanagan, our Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for the past two years, is a great
example of Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. He invests countless hours scouting opponents and
preparing his players so they know what to expect each game. Ryan designs his offense
and defense around his personnel, always working to maximize each athlete’s potential,
while maintaining the balance of being demanding without being demeaning. His
commitment to preparation and continuous improvement strengthens both his team and
our school culture.
Welcome back! It's an A Day at the high schools, a B day at middle schools and an E day at elementary. Need food? Click dining in the menu of your school website to see all of the options, and have a GREAT day!
Each Friday of a full week for the remainder of the school year, the Zumwalt West school community will recognize the accomplishments and wisdom of our seniors. In May, as graduation approaches, there will be a Senior Spotlight each school day.
Mrs. Elizabeth Frazier – Habit #5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Mrs. Elizabeth Frazier encourages her students to lead with kindness through daily Steve
Hartman “kindness” videos and meaningful class discussions. As students learned to
recognize kindness in their environment, a semester survey showed that 89% identified
staff as demonstrating kindness—an increase from the beginning of the year. This work
reflects the Leader in Me habit “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” and
helps foster a culture of kindness throughout our school.
Mrs. Elizabeth Frazier encourages her students to lead with kindness through daily Steve
Hartman “kindness” videos and meaningful class discussions. As students learned to
recognize kindness in their environment, a semester survey showed that 89% identified
staff as demonstrating kindness—an increase from the beginning of the year. This work
reflects the Leader in Me habit “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” and
helps foster a culture of kindness throughout our school.
Mrs. Theresa Coe - Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Theresa Coe along with the help of Mrs. Brooke Jones, Mrs. Michelle Otto and Mrs. Kim
Hasekamp, has brought the Leader in Me habit “Think Win-Win” to life through the step
challenge she created. This six-week challenge brings FZW staff together in a fun, friendly
step-tracking competition that promotes teamwork and wellness. While one team may
take home the prize, everyone wins by building healthier habits along the way. Great job,
Theresa!
Theresa Coe along with the help of Mrs. Brooke Jones, Mrs. Michelle Otto and Mrs. Kim
Hasekamp, has brought the Leader in Me habit “Think Win-Win” to life through the step
challenge she created. This six-week challenge brings FZW staff together in a fun, friendly
step-tracking competition that promotes teamwork and wellness. While one team may
take home the prize, everyone wins by building healthier habits along the way. Great job,
Theresa!
Congratulations to our Students of the Week – Haylie Boeck, Kate Sutton and Sam Thomas!
Mrs. Nicole Blanc - Habit 3: Put First Things First
Mrs. Blanc, along with StuCo, organized a meaningful schoolwide event following Spirit
Week that raised both money and awareness for breast cancer—and all cancers. The gym
was filled with purple shirts and signs, symbolizing support for all those affected by
cancer. Attendees were encouraged to honor loved ones by placing the names of family
members and friends who have been affected. This event beautifully highlighted the
Leader in Me habit “Put First Things First,” reminding us that relationships with the people
we love are among our most important “big rocks.”
Mrs. Blanc, along with StuCo, organized a meaningful schoolwide event following Spirit
Week that raised both money and awareness for breast cancer—and all cancers. The gym
was filled with purple shirts and signs, symbolizing support for all those affected by
cancer. Attendees were encouraged to honor loved ones by placing the names of family
members and friends who have been affected. This event beautifully highlighted the
Leader in Me habit “Put First Things First,” reminding us that relationships with the people
we love are among our most important “big rocks.”
Each Friday of a full week for the remainder of the school year, the Zumwalt West school community will recognize the accomplishments and wisdom of our seniors. In May, as graduation approaches, there will be a Senior Spotlight each school day.
Mrs. Heather Lopez exemplifies Habit 1: Be Proactive through her leadership in bringing
MTSS to West High. Seeing a need, she stepped forward and led the planning,
organization, and scheduling needed to make MTSS a reality. Heather has spent countless
hours developing a proactive framework to support students and address individual needs
before challenges escalate. Along with the teachers and staff who participated in the
initial meetings, her work is already making a positive and lasting impact at West High.
MTSS to West High. Seeing a need, she stepped forward and led the planning,
organization, and scheduling needed to make MTSS a reality. Heather has spent countless
hours developing a proactive framework to support students and address individual needs
before challenges escalate. Along with the teachers and staff who participated in the
initial meetings, her work is already making a positive and lasting impact at West High.
The Lighthouse team collaborating on a variety of projects they are committed to overseeing. Great work!
Mrs. Nicole Sloan - Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Mrs. Nicole Sloan, Spanish teacher, has challenged her students to set weekly goals by
incorporating the Leader in Me habit “Begin with the End in Mind.” Students create weekly
goals and revisit them at the end of each week to reflect on what they have achieved.
Through this process, students are learning proactive goal-setting skills while
strengthening their Spanish language skills at the same time. Great job, Nicole!
Mrs. Nicole Sloan, Spanish teacher, has challenged her students to set weekly goals by
incorporating the Leader in Me habit “Begin with the End in Mind.” Students create weekly
goals and revisit them at the end of each week to reflect on what they have achieved.
Through this process, students are learning proactive goal-setting skills while
strengthening their Spanish language skills at the same time. Great job, Nicole!
Fort Zumwalt Pop-up Boutique is just around the corner!. Go to Hope High and check out the snazzy attire.
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, will be an AMI day in FZSD. Students grades 6 - 12 should log in to Canvas. Students grades Pre-K - 5 should complete AMI packet No. 3. Remember, AMI Days do not have to be made up. Get all you need to know at go.FZSD.us/AMIDays.
Congratulations to our Students of the Week – Lanie Barton, Gillian Caldwell and Micah Shapiro!
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, will be an AMI day in FZSD. Students grades 6 - 12 should log in to Canvas. Students grades Pre-K - 5 should complete AMI packet No. 2. Remember, AMI Days do not have to be made up. Get all you need to know at go.FZSD.us/AMIDays.
Welcome back! Today is an A Day at all schools. Did you know you can sync our calendars to yours? Check out go.FZSD.us/SyncMyCalendar and have a great day!
Each Friday of a full week for the remainder of the school year, the Zumwalt West school community will recognize the accomplishments and wisdom of our seniors. In May, as graduation approaches, there will be a Senior Spotlight each school day.
Jags Against Cancer Spirit Week, student and teacher swap day!
Our Lighthouse team hard at work at 6:45am. They are committed to keeping West the Best!
