The Wawasee Community School Corporation Wellness Committee met on Thursday, September 25, 2008. Our present wellness policy was reviewed. Discussion centered on the school lunch program, vending machine choices, student party treats, staff and student fitness, employee assistance program, and health insurance. Becoming a smoke-free school corporation was also discussed.
A WHS student and a PE teacher will be added to the committee. Present committee members were George Gilbert, school board president; Tom Edington, superintendent; Ellen Stevens, WHS principal; Alan Frank, WHS assistant principal; Myra Alexander, corporation nurse; Tony Cassel, WMS principal; Cindy Kaiser, Milford School principal; Kris Woodard, North Webster School principal; Jim Garner, Syracuse School principal; Jane Holloway, North Webster cafeteria manager; Kristen Steffen, community member; and Patsy Doty, parent member.
The committee will meet again during the fall to consider any changes to the present policy. A list of possible additions to our policy from the NEOLA Company was distributed as “homework” for the next meeting.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wawasee Facility Improvements
The Board of School Trustees is considering small facility projects at each of the corporation school locations. The projects will address energy savings, infrastructure, several roofs, renovation of the vocational building, and addition of a couple of kindergarten rooms at Milford School (if full-day kindergarten becomes a reality).
About $1.7 million would be spend at WHS for new boilers and heating /air units and new lighting for the "B" classrooms. These improvements will positively impact our utility bills, plus improve the quality of the learning environment for students.
The same amount would be spent to renovate the vocational building, which has been shared with the corporation transportation and maintenance departments. Part of that money will go toward upgrading the electrical service to the high school campus. We are out of electrical capacity and, with more computers and electrical components coming down the road, we need to increase that capacity.
About the same amount, also, would go to WMS for reroofing the building, replacing the pool air unit, and upgrading lighting for energy savings and a better learning environment.
Approximately $1 million apiece is set for Syracuse Elementary and Milford School. Those figures include roof work at each location and a small and efficient boiler for each school. Some heating / air units will be replaced at Syracuse, while kindergarten rooms are planned for Milford.
Two hundred thousand dollars at North Webster School will install a small, efficient boiler, and complete some other energy upgrades.
Safety upgrades will also take place at each building by improving the safety at entrances of each school with access control and cameras.
Work is planned in two phases over the next two summers.
The total project construction cost is set at $7.5 million for all locations.
What will this project do to your taxes? Your property taxes will be lower in 2009 with the addition of these projects! The Indiana Legislature passed laws lowering property taxes next year. With these projects, your school property taxes should be about 1/2 of what your last tax bill showed. In addition, we'll be reaping energy savings for years to come with completion of these projects.
The Board will act upon the recommended projects on October 14.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
About $1.7 million would be spend at WHS for new boilers and heating /air units and new lighting for the "B" classrooms. These improvements will positively impact our utility bills, plus improve the quality of the learning environment for students.
The same amount would be spent to renovate the vocational building, which has been shared with the corporation transportation and maintenance departments. Part of that money will go toward upgrading the electrical service to the high school campus. We are out of electrical capacity and, with more computers and electrical components coming down the road, we need to increase that capacity.
About the same amount, also, would go to WMS for reroofing the building, replacing the pool air unit, and upgrading lighting for energy savings and a better learning environment.
Approximately $1 million apiece is set for Syracuse Elementary and Milford School. Those figures include roof work at each location and a small and efficient boiler for each school. Some heating / air units will be replaced at Syracuse, while kindergarten rooms are planned for Milford.
Two hundred thousand dollars at North Webster School will install a small, efficient boiler, and complete some other energy upgrades.
Safety upgrades will also take place at each building by improving the safety at entrances of each school with access control and cameras.
Work is planned in two phases over the next two summers.
The total project construction cost is set at $7.5 million for all locations.
What will this project do to your taxes? Your property taxes will be lower in 2009 with the addition of these projects! The Indiana Legislature passed laws lowering property taxes next year. With these projects, your school property taxes should be about 1/2 of what your last tax bill showed. In addition, we'll be reaping energy savings for years to come with completion of these projects.
The Board will act upon the recommended projects on October 14.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Friday, September 19, 2008
New Learner's Permits and Driver's Licenses Being Considered
Indiana is considering raising standards dealing with new drivers. A study committee recently received testimony to reduce teen traffic accidents, where inexperience is the predominant factor. Recommendations included: moving the age for obtaining a driver's license to 16.6, holding a learner's permit for six months rather than the current two months, practicing at least 50 hours with a parent rather than no specific time at present, restricting passengers for 180 rather than 90 days, and restricting night driving from 10:00pm until 5:00am rather than the current 1:00am to 5:00am on weekends (except with work permit).
Indiana is one of only three states without a graduated driver license program.
The study committee will meet again in October to consider suggestions for future legislation.
Indiana is one of only three states without a graduated driver license program.
The study committee will meet again in October to consider suggestions for future legislation.
Glamour Gals Chapter at WHS
Wawasee High School has a new club this year that meets on club days during home room. The club is Glamor Gals, a national non-profit organization whose goal is “fostering intergenerational relationships that create compassionate teen leaders.”
Wawasee High School's members go to Miller's Merry Manor in Syracuse on Thursday evenings. The club is lead by Julia Porter and is mentioned in an article "Grad Introducing Service to Young Students, Glamour to Seniors" in Indiana University Bloomington's School of Education's Alumni E-Newsletter.
Wawasee High School's members go to Miller's Merry Manor in Syracuse on Thursday evenings. The club is lead by Julia Porter and is mentioned in an article "Grad Introducing Service to Young Students, Glamour to Seniors" in Indiana University Bloomington's School of Education's Alumni E-Newsletter.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wawasee High School Hosting College Recruiting 101
If you are a student looking to compete in athletics at the college level, Wawasee High School invites you and your family to attend College Recruiting 101 presented by the National Collegiate Scouting Association on October 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Wawasee High School gymnasium. You will learn the myths and facts on recruiting, tips on how to get started, and the importance of NCAA rules.
Charlie Adams, an NCSA Educational Speaker, will be the presenter for the evening. He brings over 23 years of experience covering high school athletes who reached their dream of playing college sports. Adams is an award winning sportscaster at television stations in South Bend, IN; New Orleans, LA; Bakersfield, CA; and Meridian, MS. In addition to reporting high school athletics, Adams covered Notre Dame, Big Ten, and small college sports for 16 years. He has personally interviewed high achievers such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Coach Pat Summit, Olympic gold medal swimmer Lindsay Benko, Jim Tressel, Karch Kiraly, and Larry Bird.
Charlie Adams, an NCSA Educational Speaker, will be the presenter for the evening. He brings over 23 years of experience covering high school athletes who reached their dream of playing college sports. Adams is an award winning sportscaster at television stations in South Bend, IN; New Orleans, LA; Bakersfield, CA; and Meridian, MS. In addition to reporting high school athletics, Adams covered Notre Dame, Big Ten, and small college sports for 16 years. He has personally interviewed high achievers such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Coach Pat Summit, Olympic gold medal swimmer Lindsay Benko, Jim Tressel, Karch Kiraly, and Larry Bird.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Indiana Youth Advisory Council Member WHS student Cassady Palmer
WHS student leader Cassady Palmer is one of eighteen Hoosier youth tackling major issues facing state and local governments as part of the first Indiana Youth Legislative Advisory Council. The council was created by the Indiana Legislature through Act 1162. Education, employment, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, foster care, emotional and physical health, safe environments for youth, increasing youth involvement in government, and improving youth access to state and local service are charges of the council. Council members will serve two-year terms. The next council meeting takes place on September 22 in Indianapolis.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
ISTEP Testing
State ISTEP testing occurs at Wawasee beginning next week. Grade 10 students and those 11th and 12th graders taking GQE (graduation qualifying exam) retests will test the mornings of September 16-18. Grade 3-8 children will test the mornings of the 16th-18th, along with September 24. Grade 5 also tests the morning of the 25th.
Grade 9 students will take NWEA tests on the mornings of September 16-18.
What can you do to prepare for the testing?
Take the review sessions seriously prior to testing day.
Get a good night's sleep.
Have a good breakfast.
Do your best.
Double-check your work on the test.
Ask for help if you need it.
ISTEP testing shows what students know and are able to do at each grade level in core academic subjects. Parents will receive a student report in terms of Pass+, Pass, or Did Not Pass for each subject area. Students not passing ISTEP are entitled to extra help and instructional time to address any areas of need.
For the 2008-09 school year, only, students will take the ISTEP in both the fall and spring.
Best wishes to each Wawasee student as they demonstrate knowledge learned at home and school.
Grade 9 students will take NWEA tests on the mornings of September 16-18.
What can you do to prepare for the testing?
Take the review sessions seriously prior to testing day.
Get a good night's sleep.
Have a good breakfast.
Do your best.
Double-check your work on the test.
Ask for help if you need it.
ISTEP testing shows what students know and are able to do at each grade level in core academic subjects. Parents will receive a student report in terms of Pass+, Pass, or Did Not Pass for each subject area. Students not passing ISTEP are entitled to extra help and instructional time to address any areas of need.
For the 2008-09 school year, only, students will take the ISTEP in both the fall and spring.
Best wishes to each Wawasee student as they demonstrate knowledge learned at home and school.
September 9, 2008 School Board Meeting
The Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met in Regular Session at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at the Central Office Board Room. Recognition was given to the individuals and companies who contributed to the construction of team shelters at the soccer field, to school neighbor Bill Charlton and others who cleaned up the cross country trails, and to the North Webster parents, teachers, and friends who organized construction of a pick up shelter at the school. Without giving supporters, we wouldn't be the kind of school district we are!
The corporation received a grant to train technology personnel in the use of the Linux operating system. That system doesn't require us to spend funds for Windows operating systems on some district computers.
The 2009 Wawasee budget was approved by the board. Finance Director let the Board know that budget numbers are high now and will come down when the budget hearing is held with the state at a later date. We did ask for more funding in transportation, due to the increased cost of fuel for the buses.
First reading was held on a policy which would set criteria for students transferring into the Wawasee Community School district. Those students who reside outside the district would need to follow certain criteria to be considered for admittance to Wawasee. In addition, transportation would be provided by the parents and no transfer would be approved for athletic reasons. Second reading of the proposed policy will take place in October.
Different types of high school diplomas were discussed under our Stat of the Month segment. Dr. Bob Cockburn explained that most of our students are graduating with academic honors diplomas (47 credits) and Indiana Core 40 (42 credits at Wawasee). Those graduating with a general diploma will not have that option after the year 2010. The state will be replacing the general diploma with the technical honors diploma (47 credits) at that time. Over 2/3's of WHS graduates currently gain an academic honors or Core 40 diploma. We will work to be ready for the new, upgraded standards for graduation.
Director of curriculum and Instruction Joy Goshert informed the Board about NWEA assessment taken at the beginning of the school year. Since the testing is done by computer, results are available to teachers within 24 hours of testing. Teachers can use the fall results to meet the immediate needs of their students. End-of-year results can be compared to beginning-of-year results to improve overall instruction. State ISTEP testing will be occurring soon and last through the end of the month.
The Board will conduct a work session on Tuesday, September 16 at 4:00pm in the Board Room to discuss a possible facilities project involving safety measures, energy savings, infrastructure upgrades, renovation of the vocational building, and addition to Milford School to allow for future full day kindergarten classes.
The corporation received a grant to train technology personnel in the use of the Linux operating system. That system doesn't require us to spend funds for Windows operating systems on some district computers.
The 2009 Wawasee budget was approved by the board. Finance Director let the Board know that budget numbers are high now and will come down when the budget hearing is held with the state at a later date. We did ask for more funding in transportation, due to the increased cost of fuel for the buses.
First reading was held on a policy which would set criteria for students transferring into the Wawasee Community School district. Those students who reside outside the district would need to follow certain criteria to be considered for admittance to Wawasee. In addition, transportation would be provided by the parents and no transfer would be approved for athletic reasons. Second reading of the proposed policy will take place in October.
Different types of high school diplomas were discussed under our Stat of the Month segment. Dr. Bob Cockburn explained that most of our students are graduating with academic honors diplomas (47 credits) and Indiana Core 40 (42 credits at Wawasee). Those graduating with a general diploma will not have that option after the year 2010. The state will be replacing the general diploma with the technical honors diploma (47 credits) at that time. Over 2/3's of WHS graduates currently gain an academic honors or Core 40 diploma. We will work to be ready for the new, upgraded standards for graduation.
Director of curriculum and Instruction Joy Goshert informed the Board about NWEA assessment taken at the beginning of the school year. Since the testing is done by computer, results are available to teachers within 24 hours of testing. Teachers can use the fall results to meet the immediate needs of their students. End-of-year results can be compared to beginning-of-year results to improve overall instruction. State ISTEP testing will be occurring soon and last through the end of the month.
The Board will conduct a work session on Tuesday, September 16 at 4:00pm in the Board Room to discuss a possible facilities project involving safety measures, energy savings, infrastructure upgrades, renovation of the vocational building, and addition to Milford School to allow for future full day kindergarten classes.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
School Board Meeting - September 2, 2008
The School Board met in a work session last Tuesday. Along with Board attorney David Cates, Director of Finance Jim Evans, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Joy Goshert, and Superintendent Tom Edington, they refined policies dealing with school operations. Criminal background checks for employees and volunteers, school safety measures, food service, wellness, transportation by private vehicle, and insurance were among the topics covered.
The Board will continue policy work sessions through the end of 2008 to update policies. The new policies will be available online by late spring of 2009. The next work policy work session on certified and classified employee policies is set for 4:00 pm on October 7.
The Board will continue policy work sessions through the end of 2008 to update policies. The new policies will be available online by late spring of 2009. The next work policy work session on certified and classified employee policies is set for 4:00 pm on October 7.
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