FDCSD Names January Students and Employee of the Month

The Fort Dodge Community School District is pleased to announce its students and employee of the month for January.  This program recognizes one elementary, one middle school and one high school student, as well as one staff member monthly for exceeding expectations.

Jazmin Espinoza is the Elementary Student of the Month. Molly Mitzel nominated Espinoza. Mitzel said Espinoza is always engaged and on task and asks and answers in depth questions about the subject matter. She strives to do good work and to understand her independent work. She is understanding, patient and kind to her classmates. Recently she created posters for each student’s locker, using kind adjectives to describe them. Espinoza is a humble student who strives to do her best and offers no judgement of others. She exhibits empathy, honesty, bravery, kindness and hard work every day. Mitzel concluded by saying, “Jazmin is the kind of student who makes differences in the lives around her just because she can, and that is the kind of student we hope all our children can be. We are proud to have her as a student.” She is the daughter of Diego Espinoza and Erika Vargas.

Deshawn Mosley is the Middle School Student of the Month. Amanda Yeoman nominated Mosley. She said he is always ready to learn, is excited to be at school and gives his best every day. Mosley always helps clean up around the classroom, helps his peers and staff and does little things every day to make other people’s days better. Yeoman concluded by saying, “Deshawn is an outstanding student who always puts his best foot forward and works hard at school.” He is the son of Reginald Green and Latiffa Mosley.

Ryleigh Hruska is the Senior High Student of the Month. Shawn Sande nominated Hruska. Sande said Hruska set an academic goal for herself and worked really hard to accomplish that goal. She asked lots of questions, stayed after school and worked every chance she had to reach her goal. In addition to working hard on her own goals, she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She helps peers and staff alike whenever needed.  Hruska is trustworthy, responsible, fair, respectful and caring. Sande concluded by saying, “Ryleigh is a kind and caring individual. She is humble, makes good decisions and is an all-around great person with a huge heart.” She is the daughter of Tiffany Conell and Donald Hruska.

Sherri Schwendemann is the Employee of the Month. John Newman nominated her on behalf of the 8 Gold Team. He said as a para working with special education students Schwendemann is kind, patient and truly cares about helping each student find success. While her main responsibility is to the special education student, she does her best to support all students, even those who aren't the most receptive to having help. Staff have witnessed students being disrespectful and refusing help, but Schwendemann doesn’t let it stop her from trying. She is great at moving on and checking back in. When the next day rolls around, she is all smiles and armed with a positive attitude and determined to try again. The team also appreciates how she greets students and staff each morning and the support she provides teachers each day. Newman concluded by saying, “Sherri is vital to helping our students find success and helping our teachers be better able to focus on meeting our students' needs. She makes me want to be at school, glad that I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with her, and proud to be a member of the Dodger Family.”