Citizens In Our Schools

Program Description

The Citizens In Our Schools program offers an immersive, experiential journey that gives participants a behind-the-scenes look at all aspects of school district operations and helps them become the ultimate informed citizens. Over a nine-month period (September through May), participants will convene for a full-day program on the first Wednesday of each month.

The program begins with an interactive bus tour to all 23 school campuses so that participants have an understanding of the vast geographical area that makes up the Francis Howell School District. During the tour, participants will get to know their cohort and learn little-known facts about the District and its schools. Subsequent sessions build on one another, providing a comprehensive understanding of the resources, people and planning it takes to operate one of the top school districts in the state.

Learn how decisions are made, what we’re teaching in classrooms, and how we’re equipping students with job-ready skills so they can thrive in the real world.
Experience what daily life is like for our teachers and support staff and how changing student demographics impact the services we provide.
Immerse yourself in school finance; learn where the money comes from and more importantly, where it goes.
Explore the role of extracurricular offerings and the ways they add richness to the student experience.
Grapple with the challenges facing public schools across the country - staffing shortages, inadequate funding, aging facilities, student attendance and behaviors, and more.
Learn what it takes to hire a single employee and gain an in-depth understanding of the work our Board members and central office administrators do every day.
Sit behind the wheel of a school bus, serve lunch in a cafeteria and sweep a floor alongside our dedicated custodians.
Participate in a group project designed to impact the District, our staff or one or more of our schools in a positive way.

Participants will get all this and more with the Citizens In Our Schools program.

Eligibility - Please Read Before Applying

Citizens In Our Schools has a target class size of 20-25 participants.
Program participants must be 18 or older and live or work within the Francis Howell School District attendance zone. Current FHSD employees and students are not eligible.
All participants must pass a background check and complete the mandatory training required by the District.
To graduate from the Citizens In Our Schools program, a participant may only miss one class session. A majority of the sessions are on the first Wednesday of each month and run from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, these are subject to change based on holidays or other events. The opening reception and graduation banquet will be evening events. Please review the tentative program dates prior to submitting your application!
Citizens In Our Schools is an equal opportunity program and does not discriminate against applicants based on disability, age, race, religion or sex. The selection committee reserves the right to accept or reject any applicant without cause.

Tuition Information

UPDATE 7/18/23: We are thrilled to announce that the District's food service provider, Sodexo, has offered to support Citizens In Our Schools with meals and other program materials! Because of Sodexo's generous support, we are eliminating the tuition fee for this year's class! Participants only need to cover the cost to obtain a valid background check (approximately $57).

How to Apply

Class of '24 Program Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023	Opening Reception
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023	School Spirit Day / Driving Tour
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023	Co-Curricular Student Experiences Day
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023	Operations and Transportation Day
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024	People and Leadership Day
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024	Classroom and Curriculum Day
Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2024	School Finance and Technology Day
Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2024	Facilities and School Safety Day
Wednesday, May 1, 2024	People's Choice / Presentation
Wednesday, June 5, 2024	Graduation Ceremony
Program dates and times are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

How many people will be selected?

When will I know if I was selected?

How will participants be selected?

Efforts will be made to select a cohort of individuals who bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to the table. The selection team will take all information on the application into account and will consider each participant’s current and past involvement with FHSD, public service, community connections and ability to educate others about what they learned. Care will be taken to avoid multiple participants from the same household or organization. The team will also look for individuals who are leaders in the community or who have the willingness and desire to become leaders.

When is the tuition fee due?

I may not be able to make all the sessions. Should I still apply?

Does the Citizens In Our Schools program operate during the day or evening?

I work for Francis Howell School District. Can I participate in this program?

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

The program is open to adults who live or work in the Francis Howell School District attendance zone. This includes current and former parents/guardians, grandparents, business owners, residents who do not have kids in our schools, leaders of civic organizations, and other community members who have a vested interest in the District’s success. (Current FHSD employees and students are not eligible.)

What value does Citizens In Our Schools offer participants?

Will Citizens In Our Schools be offered again in the future?

Other questions? Email communications@fhsdschools.org.

Applications

The application window for the Class of 2024 is now closed (closed on July 21, 2023). The District will accept applications for the Class of 2025 beginning next spring.