FRIDAY
FIVE

This week, we begin highlighting our building Teachers of the Year. We will feature three each week leading up to the May 11 school board meeting, when the district Teacher of the Year will be announced and we celebrate our retirees and milestone achievements. May is always a special time to come together and recognize the people who make ZCS what it is.

Here is this week's look at what is happening across our schools.

April 24, 2026

1.

ZCHS
Inside Forensic Science

University partnership brings forensic anthropology to ZCHS classrooms

Dr. Krista Latham and four students from the University of Indianapolis recently joined ZCHS to share their expertise in forensic anthropology. ZCS forensics students took part in mock skeletal identification scenarios, applying classroom learning to real-world investigative work. It was a hands-on experience that challenged students to think critically and see the field in action.

2.

ZMS
Art in the City

ZMS eighth grade students explore creativity and culture in Chicago

ZMS eighth grade art students took their learning on the road this month with a trip to Chicago. Highlights included an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River, a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, and hands-on exploration at the Museum of Science and Industry. Students also stepped back in time at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, took in skyline views with the 360 Tilt experience, explored Millennium Park, and visited Cloud Gate. It was a memorable experience filled with inspiration and creativity.

3.
ZCHS
Creativity on Display

ZCHS artists shine at the Spring Art Show

The ZCHS Spring Art Show was a vibrant celebration of student creativity, filled with color, imagination, and talent. From detailed pieces to bold designs, the exhibit showcased the work and growth of our high school artists. We are proud of our incredibly talented artists.

4.

CLP
Paths and Possibilities

As part of CLP’s career speaker series, School Board Vice President Michael Berg and Local Attorney Sarah Trostle spent time with students sharing their career journeys. From driving a forklift to working with youth in the mental health field and living across multiple continents, Mr. Berg’s path reflected exploration and growth. Ms. Trostle shared her transition from teaching into the private sector as a family lawyer. Both speakers encouraged students to embrace uncertainty and offered important reminders to students that they do not need to have their life trajectory determined by graduation day.

A Place to Belong

Boone Meadow Elementary Teacher of the Year Melissa Tutilla creates a classroom where students feel safe, confident, and heard

For Melissa Tutilla, Boone Meadow Elementary is more than a school. It is a place where she can be herself and where students are encouraged to do the same. She describes it as a home away from home, built on a welcoming and supportive community of colleagues, families, and students.

In her classroom, that sense of belonging is intentional. Tutilla creates space for students to find their voice, take ownership of their learning, and feel safe enough to share their ideas. She still carries with her a memory of a student who was hesitant to speak, but one day raised her hand and found the courage to share with her peers. It is a moment that continues to shape her purpose as an educator.

Being named Boone Meadow Elementary School Teacher of the Year by her peers is an honor she humbly shares with her entire school community. For Tutilla, the most fulfilling part of teaching is watching students grow in confidence, curiosity, and leadership, turning the classroom into a place that feels like their own.