United Way Corporate Dodgeball

-Written by Joy Swartzentruber, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

On Wednesday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School in Warsaw, a corporate dodgeball tournament will be held as part of the United Way fundraising campaign. In the first round of the tournament, a group of employees from Wawasee Community Schools will compete against a group of employees from Warsaw Community Schools. Admission will be one dollar at the door, and all proceeds go to the Kosciusko County United Way. Competitors for Wawasee Community Schools will be

• Mr. Garner, Syracuse Elementary School principal
• Mr. Cassel, Wawasee Middle School principal
• Mr. Connor, Milford School assistant principal
• Mr. Mishler, varsity boys basketball coach and WHS physical education teacher
• Mr. Hedman, varsity baseball coach and Milford 5th grade teacher
• Mr. Schutz, varsity softball coach and WHS business teacher
• Mr. Campbell, varsity assistant football coach and WMS social studies teacher
• Mr. Edgar, junior varsity volleyball coach and WMS science and math teacher
• Ms. Wells, freshmen volleyball coach and Milford language arts teacher
• Mr. Gause, North Webster 5th grade teacher

This should be an exciting event and a great opportunity to support the United Way of Kosciusko County which helps fund agencies and programs that promote family and community wellness, self sufficiency, emergency services, and youth development.

Fall Sports in Full Swing

-Written by Joy Swartzentruber, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Wawasee High School fall sports are in full swing now. This week, you have an opportunity to watch several of our teams in action at home:

• Monday 8/22: Varsity and junior varsity volleyball against Lakeland at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday 8/23: Varsity boys soccer against Garrett at 5 p.m.
• Wednesday 8/24: Varsity girls soccer against Culver at 5 p.m.
• Thursday 8/25: Varsity girls golf at Maxwelton Golf Course against Warsaw and Concord at 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday 8/25: Varsity and junior varsity volleyball against Bethany Christian at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, August 26th is the first home football game for Coach Rietveld and the Warriors against DeKalb. Parents of senior football players, band members, and cheerleaders will be honored prior to the game with recognition beginning around 6:40 p.m. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. The 1985 IHSAA State Runners-up Warrior football team will be recognized at half time of the game. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Go Warriors!

Opening Week

-Written by Joy Swartzentruber, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Wawasee Community School Corporation has had a successful first three days of school. Our Wednesday's attendance was reported at 3,475, up 92 students from last year's first day. Our official enrollment will not be figured until Friday, September 16th.

I know we have a number of tired teachers, students and other staff members after our first few days back as they have adjusted to new schedules. One teacher commented that the start of school is never something that we get to "slide into" and adjust to - it is always "like an avalanche" but good to be back.

A big thank you to everyone who has helped make the start of this school year a smooth one. Hopefully, all can recuperate a bit over the weekend and prepare for our first full week of school!

Opening Day Feelings

Each school year marks a rite of passage in the American child's experience. Signifying this is the popular picture frame you see on the parent's living room wall that shows all 12 years of school pictures in perfect order. Notice the blank spot ready for this year's school picture.

I hope we never forget the feelings that students and parents have at this time.

So full of hope...so full of anxiety...smiling nervously as they step off the school bus steps and walk tentatively through the doors.

They are wondering..."Will my teacher be nice? Will she be patient with me? Will he make school fun? Will she help me when I am confused? Am I ready for this grade? Will the older students be friendly to me?

Teachers wonder the same things..."Will my students be nice? Will they be patient with me? Will this be a fun year? Will they help me when I am having a bad day? Am I ready for another year?

May this be your best year yet!

The Warriors

The Wawasee community has chosen the Warrior title to promote it's Native American heritage.

Most local historians and hopefully, Wawasee students, know that the Wawasee Warriors have chosen the Native American theme out of respect for Chief Wawasee, after whom Lake Wawasee is named.

Recent decisions by the NCAA banning Native American nicknames from tournament play has created a firestorm of controversy.

Here is today's editorial in the Indy Star.

Handwriting Matters

Cursive handwriting has largely become a lost art. The computer keyboard was supposedly going to replace the need for cursive handwriting altogether.

However, this article points out that the need for quality penmanship still exists.

Board Meeting Agenda and Highlights

Here is the link to the approved board meeting minutes from July and the August 2nd agenda.

August 2nd minutes will be released after they are approved at the August 9th board meeting.

Main points of interest were the hiring of our new WMS Principal, Mr. Tony Cassel and the hiring of our new Milford Assistant Principal Mr. Ryan Conner.

I hope you get a chance to stop by and meet these gentleman. We have been very impressed with them already and we look forward to their contributions to the Wawasee Warrior community.