Snow Make-Up Dates

Wawasee Community Schools will be in session on the following dates for snow make-up days:

Monday, May 16, for the February 1st cancelation
Friday, June 3, for the February 2nd cancelation
Monday, June 6, for the February 22nd cancelation
Tuesday, June 7, for the February 24th cancelation
*Any future cancelations will be made up at the end of the school year

Teacher Work Day

Friday, February 25, is a Teacher Work Day. Students will not be in attendance.

Closed

Tuesday, February 22: Wawasee Schools are Closed due to poor road conditions.

2 Hour Delay

Tuesday, February 22: Wawasee Schools will be delayed 2 hours with alternate kindergarten schedule due to poor road conditions.

2 Hour Delay

Thursday, February 10: Wawasee Community Schools are delayed 2 hours with alternate kindergarten schedule due to below zero temperatures.

2 hour delay

Wednesday, February 9: Wawasee Community Schools are under a 2 hour delay with alternate kindergarten schedule due to freezing temperatures.

School Delay - Monday, February 7, 2011

Wawasee Community Schools will delay 2 hours on Monday due to freezing rain on the roads.

Northridge Boys Basketball Game Postponed

The Wawasee High School home boys basketball game against Northridge scheduled for Saturday night is postponed due to snow on roads.

2-Hour Delay

Thursday, February 3: Wawasee Community Schools are delayed for two hours with alternate kindergarten schedule due to poor road conditions.

School Closing - Wednesday, February 2

Wawasee Community Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 due to drifting snow.

Snow Make Up Days

Wawasee Community Schools will be in session on the following dates for snow make-up days:

Friday, February 4 for the cancelation on January 19
Monday, May 16 for the cancelation on February 1
Friday, June 3 for the cancelation on Febrary 2

*Any future days will be added to the end of the school year beginning on June 3, 2011.

Closed

Tuesday, February 1: Wawasee Community Schools are closed for the day.

2 Hour Delay

Tuesday, February 1: Wawasee Community Schools are under a 2 hour delay with alternate kindergarten schedule.

Snow Make-Up Days

Wawasee Community schools will be in session on Friday, January 21, 2011, and Friday, February 4, 2011. These are make-up days due to the cancelations on December 13 and January 19.

School Closing

Wednesday, January 19: Wawasee Community Schools are closed due to poor road conditions.

School Delay - January 19, 2011

Wawasee Community Schools will delay the start of classes two hours on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 due to poor road conditions.

Survey Open January 17-February 9, 2011

Wawasee's schools are asking for feedback from teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, and community members. The KEYS Survey was developed by the National Education Association (NEA) and is a research-based, field-tested process. Collecting and analyzing this data will become an important part of our school improvement process and will allow us to begin a reflective, problem-solving dialog that will help enrich and deepen our school improvement plans and efforts.

The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete, and parents and community members should take the survey for a particular school in our district. You are welcome to take the survey again for another school, especially if you have students attending more than one school. Each survey can be completed in English or Spanish. Individual responses are anonymous. Since the survey is online, you can complete the survey anywhere you have Internet access.

Instructions for Completing the Survey

1. Go to www.keysonline.org and click on Take the Survey.
2. Type in the school name or zip code of the school for which you are taking the survey: Milford School (46542), North Webster Elementary School (46555), Syracuse Elementary School (46567), Wawasee Middle School (46567), or Wawasee High School (46567).
3. Choose the school for which you are taking the survey.
4. Click on Take the Survey.
5. Choose English or Spanish.
6. Select Staff Survey, Parent Survey, or Community Survey.
7. Click Start.

2-hour School Delay - Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wawasee Community Schools will delay the start of classes on Wednesday, the 12th, for two hours due to snow on the roadways.

Cancellation of Evening Activities - January 11, 2011

Evening activities on Tuesday, the 11th, will be cancelled due to snow. Practices and activities at some schools will continue until 5:30 PM, with all buildings closed at 5:30 to activities. Contact your school for details.

Water is On at Wawasee High School

The water is back on at Wawasee High School. Service was shut off last week due to a construction project. Water is running again after passing tests for purity.

Water Line Installation

Water service to the Wawasee High School campus will be shut off from December 20-24 for installation of a new water line. There will be no working, drinking, toilet, or shower facilities at the high school, Academy, CTE, or central office facilities. Practices will be scheduled through the athletic director. Any staff member working in the building during those days may use restrooms in the transportation/maintenance facility on Kern Road. It is anticipated that water service will resume, with appropriate water testing conducted, before Monday, December 27. Thank you for your cooperation.

Snow Make-up Day

Wawasee Community Schools will be in session on Friday, January 21, 2011. That date is a snow make-up day for December 13.

We are Closed Today Issues

The www.weareclosedtoday.com site didn't work reliably with last week's school delays. It didn't work well today either! The problem isn't with Wawasee. We've asked www.weareclosedtoday.com to fix things at their end so that you receive texts and e-mails in a timely manner.

Syracuse Elementary Music Program Rescheduled

The Syracuse Elementary School music program set for Monday evening has been rescheduled for Tuesday evening.

Monday, December 13,2010 - School Closing

Wawasee Community Schools will close on Monday, December 13, due to drifting snow.

School Delay - Monday, December 13, 2010

Wawasee Community Schools will delay the start of school 2-hours on Monday, December 13, due to drifting snow.

2-hour School Delay - Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Wawasee Community Schools will delay the start of school 2 hours on Tuesday, December 7, due to snow on roads.

2 Hour Delay

Tuesday, December 7: Wawasee Community Schools will be delayed two hours with alternate kindergarten schedule due to the weather and road conditions.

Receiving Delay & Cancellation Emails/Texts

This is a reminder that Wawasee Community School Corporation is using weareclosedtoday.com for reporting school closings and delays. This is a service designed by the Northern Indiana Educational Services Center that "provides a state of the art way to notify local news media and community members" when we need to close, delay, or dismiss early. In addition to local news media being notified, anyone may go to http://www.weareclosedtoday.com/, enter his or her zip code, choose a radius, and see all the delays or closings within that area.

Community members can also sign up to receive emails and/or text messages when WCSC closes, delays, or dismisses early. We have found that those emails and text messages are received within a very short time frame from when WCSC contacts the service. Click on Community Members and then Register Free to sign up.

Once you have created an account, you can click on Account Info and then Notification Methods from the navigation menu. Once this screen has been displayed, you will be allowed to enter up to three different email addresses to which you would like to receive notifications. Your SMS/text messaging email address, if you wish to receive a text message on your cell phone, is your cell phone number (without hyphens or spaces) and your cell phone provider's SMS/text messaging email address. The most common providers' addresses follow:

• US Cellular: Your cell phone number@email.uscc.net
• AT&T Wireless: Your cell phone number@txt.att.net
• Alltel: Your cell phone number@message.alltel.com
• Verizon Wireless: Your cell phone number@vtext.com
• Centennial Wireless: Your cell phone number@myblue.com
• Sprint: Your cell phone number@messaging.sprintpcs.com
  

After you have selected your notification methods, you can click on Account Info and then Select Organizations from the navigation menu. Then click on School Districts. Once this screen has been displayed, you will be allowed to drag an organization from the left hand box to the right hand box. Any organization listed in this right hand box will be the only ones for which you will receive future notifications.

We will continue to post delays and cancellations on our website and here on The Wawascene.

Cancelations for Monday, December 6

The Milford/WMS Boy's basketball game for Monday, December 6th, has been canceled due to inclement weather.

North Webster's music program for Monday, December 6th, has been postponed. Due to uncertain weather conditions, we are listing two possible scenarios for rescheduling the program.

1. If school is in session on Tuesday, December 7, we will have the program at 7:00 p.m. in the gym. If school is not in session on Tuesday, we will not have the program that evening.
2. The program will be on Wednesday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the case of a Tuesday cancelation.

2 Hour Delay

All Wawasee Community Schools are under a 2-hour delay today. Following the delay, all schools will be in session.

2-hour School Delay - Monday, December 6, 2010

Wawasee Community Schools will be delayed for 2 hours on Monday, December 6, due to poor road conditions.

Wawasee Community School Corporation board member Dallas Winchester passed away on November 25, 2010. The obituary is attached. He was the longest-serving of present board members, with 10 years of experience. Working to keep the Wawasee eduacational program, along with facilities and buses, in great condition for students was a priority for Dallas. He served the school district as board president for several years. Dallas will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Libby, and their family.

Mishler Funeral Home in Milford is in charge of service arrangements.

http://www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com/index.cfm

Sunday Facility Use

Wawasee School facilities are unavailable on Sundays. This is an energy savings directive passed by the school board as part of budget reductions and in response to community values and wishes. Exceptions may be granted by the superintendent. Thanks for your assistance as we move forward to save money, be more ''green'', and keep Sunday for families.

WHS Construction

Picture in your mind the back (south side) of Wawasee High School. Near the kitchen and boiler room entrances is a low dock area beside the school for unloading shipments. When heavy rains fall, the boiler room equipment gets covered with water. It is not a good situation!

We've worked with engineers and the Town of Syracuse on a solution, which begins this week. A large drain will run from the WHS dock area around the corner of the building and between the football field and auxiliary gym. The drain line will cross the parking lot, heading north, and pick up some excess water from the lot with drains. Finally, the line crosses between the soccer and baseball fields before emptying near the softball field retention pond.

Installing the drain line will make a mess for several weeks. Parking and access to Kern Road will be affected at times. Sometimes you have to mess things up to make it better. This drain line is one of those times. Thanks for bearing with our digging as we make our WHS mechanical and electrical equipment safe from future floods.

P.S. Construction of a small addition at the southwest corner of WHS has begun. A construction fence now blocks access to the southwest parking lot (Door 15 where the CTE office & athletic training room is located). Parking for basketball games will be on the north (Door 6/athletic) lot and east (Door 1/front) lot for this season only.

Teacher Workday

Classes will not be in session for students on Thursday, November 11. It is a Teacher Workday due to the end of the first trimester.

Wawasee Middle School Pool Closed for Repairs

The Wawasee Middle School pool will be down for approximately three weeks due to unexpected repairs to the pool filter system. School day activities have been rescheduled for later into the school year. Adult Open Swim (in the morning) is postponed until the WMS pool opens.

For the next few weeks, the pool schedule at Wawasee High School is as follows:

Physical Education classes - Will be in the pool daily Periods 2 & 4
Adult Education classes - Tuesday & Thursday evenings (until Nov. 30th) 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
WHS Girls Swim Team - Mon. thru Fri. 3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m. & Sat. 8:00 a.m. -Noon.
Age Group Swim - Mon., Wed., & Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. & Sat. 8:00 a.m. - Noon.

Wawasee Girls Diving Team will travel to NorthWood High School for practice from 3:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m. until the WMS pool reopens. Minibus departure will be at WHS door #7 at 3:15 p.m. daily and will return to door #7 at 6:10 p.m.

Locker rooms for swimming are: Girls-Pool West, Boys-Pool South

If there are questions, please contact Wawasee High School.

Wawasee High School - The Water is Good

Two positive water tests have been conducted since last Friday's water pipe repair at Wawasee High School. All sinks, drinking fountains, showers, and other water fixtures are ready for school on Monday. Thanks to those who worked during the weekend to get everything set for the students and staff.

WHS Boil Advisory and School Bus Update

On Thursday, October 14, a pickup truck side swiped one of our school buses on Indiana 13 south of Syracuse. No students were riding on the bus, and the bus driver did not suffer injuries. The pick up driver was extracted from the vehicle and taken by ambulance for emergency medical care. Our driver's quick actions averted a more serious accident. Thanks to those school employees and emergency personnel who responded quickly to the accident.

Wawasee High School is currently under a Boil Order. On Thursday, October 14, the water main serving Wawasee High School developed a leak. Currently, Wawasee High School has water, but you cannot drink it. The water is fine for other uses. Both the career/technical building and the Academy are without water at this time. Portable toilets are set in both locations. It is anticipated that the water for those buildings will be back on early this morning, after repairs have been completed.

WHS and other buildings on campus have 4,000 bottles of water, in addition to larger bottles to be used in the kitchen and cafeteria.

We'll also have bottled water available for tonight's home football game vs. Goshen. The restrooms at the football field are operational.

Two water tests, Friday and Saturday, must be conducted before we're allowed to drink the water at WHS. Until that time, WHS will remain under a Boil Order.

Under the Boil Notice, any water intended for consumption or full body contact will need to be boiled for 5 minutes. The reason for boiling the water is to remove possible contamination due to the loss of water pressure. The water will be fit to consume and use after laboratory analysis proves that the water is safe. Once the water is proven safe, the boil order notice will be rescinded.

Thanks to all of those who have worked to make school possible at WHS today.

Trick-or-Treat for Teachers

What: Trick-or-Treat for Teachers
When: Saturday, October 30, 6:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Where: Milford Community
(All collected/donated items need to be taken to the Milford 1st Bretheren Church that evening)

The 4R Teachers program is asking for the Milford Community to help out collecting school supplies for the teachers at Milford School. We are looking for volunteers to trick-or-treat for the supplies or have school supply items at your home for the trick-or-treaters to get. If you are intersted in trick-or-treating, please contact Stephanie Brown, jsbrown05@hotmail.com, and I will provide a bag to use for 'treats'. Area businesses can also make montetary donations to purchase supplies. The items we are collecting are: markers, dry erase markers, glue and glue sticks, colored pencils, and sticky notes. We will, of course, take other items as well.

Stephanie Brown
4R Teachers Coordinator
jsbrown05@hotmail.com

Meet the Candidates

The Wawasee Community Education Association is hosting a "Meet the Candidates Night" on Monday, October 18th at 6:45 P.M. The public forum to introduce School Board Candidates will be held in the Wawasee Middle School Lecture Room.

The public is encouraged to attend. School Board candidates will be answering a series of questions that were compiled by members of the Wawasee Community Education Association. At the end of this time there will be an opportunity for the public to ask any additional questions.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Terri Johnson, WCEA President
Milford School
(574) 658-9444
tjohnson@wawasee.k12.in.us

Cindy Brady
Syracuse Elementary
(574) 457-4484
cbrady@wawasee.k12.in.us

Boomerang Backpacks

Syracuse Elementary is once again participating in the Boomerang Backpack program.

Boomerang Backpacks has one mission: To nourish low-income elementary students on weekends by providing backpacks full of food, and to inspire high school students to experience community service through project-based learning and student internships.

The Boomerang Backpack program is a free weekend food distribution program that provides students enrolled in free/reduced lunch programs a backpack filled with healthy foods for the weekend. The Boomerang Backpack program's motto is "Helping to fight childhood hunger one Boomerang Backpack at a time." The Boomerang Backpack program also provides community service opportunites for at risk youth enrolled in alternative learning options and work based learning experiences for special needs children.

The results of this program are expected to increase attendance on Fridays, as this is when the backpacks are handed out, and improved achievement on Mondays from a weekend filled of nourishment. And of course, nourishing the students.

You can partner with Boomerang Backpacks by volunteering your time, individual donation, or corporate partnerships. Find out what you can do today by visiting http://www.boomerangbackpacks.org/.

Individual donations may be sent to:

Syracuse PTO
c/o Syracuse Elementary
502 W. Brooklyn St.
Syracuse, IN 46567

Thank you!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

WHS: Monday, October 4 - 3:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
WMS: Thursday, October 7 - 3:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
NW/SES/Milford: Thursday, October 7 - 3:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thank You!

Wawasee hosted a vaccination clinic September 21st and almost 500 students attended from Wawasee School Corporation and surrounding schools. We want to thank parents that brought students and waited in line for vaccinations. We appreciate your help in our efforts to meet 2010-11 Indiana requirements for school attendance.

Wawasee Health Service Department Staff
Allene Dewart, LPN
Jane Venderly, RN
Myra Alexander, RN
Robin Huffman, RN
Pam Rensberger, RN

Immunization Clinic

An immunization clinic will be held at the following locations:

September 21: Wawasee High School from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
September 28: Tippy Valley High School from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Please see the Press Release from the Kosciusko County Health Department for more information.

Boomerang Backpack

The Boomerang Backpack Program is again taking place at Syracuse Elementary.

Boomerang Backpacks is a free weekend food distribution program that provides students who are eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program with a backpack filled with healthy food for the weekend. It also provides leadership, business skills, and community service opportunities to high school students who assist with the program.

For more information please contact:
Connie Geer - WCS Boomerang Backpack Coordinator
cbgeer@mchsi.com
(574) 457-5593

If you would like to make a donation, please send checks to:
Boomerang Backpacks
4616 E Dupont Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
(Please indicate that your donation is for Wawasee Community Schools)

If you have a child at Syracuse Elementary who is eligible, please contact:
Jim Garner - Principal
jgarner@wawasee.k12.in.us
(574) 457-4484

Immunization Clinic

Wawasee Schools will have an immunization clinic at Wawasee High School on September 21, 2010, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Please see the press release from the Kosciusko County Health Department.

2009-2010 Academy Accomplishments

The Wawasee Academy accomplished many great things during the 2009-2010 school year. Among the most notable were:

232 credits earned by 106 students
9 students earned GEDs
9 students earned diplomas
Assisted at least 17 students in earning diplomas by awarding their final credit(s)

We are proud and looking forward to another year of success stories.

Registration and Online Registration

Online registration will work much like the process did when you went to the school for registration. There will be forms to fill out, forms to pick up with information, and fees to pay. When our process is finalized, you will be able to complete the entire process online, including the payment. At this time, we are still negotiating our online payment contract. We want to make sure that the online payment company and procedures we use are correct the first time. We hope to have it finished soon, but it may not be available when online registration first opens on July 26.

The online process will work in the following way:

First you will go to our corporation website (http://www.wawasee.k12.in.us/). On the page you will find a link to the Online Registration site. On that site are documents for each school building in folders. You should go to each folder and view or download all of the relevant documents for your student(s). Some of these documents may require you to print a copy and fill it out to turn into the office of the school your student attends. In addition, the forms and information for bus assignments, bus rules, free and reduced lunches, school insurance, and online payments will be available in the Central Office folder.

Once, you have collected the forms and information you need, you will log in to your Harmony Web Portal account to finish the registration process. From there you will be able to make demographic changes and complete the information we need in our student management database for your student.

Finally, when the online payment option is available, it will appear as a link in the Harmony Web Portal. You will then be able to make fee payments and lunch deposits online. Currently, you will need to bring in completed forms and make payments at your student's school.

There will be regular registration days at each school again this year when parents can come in and register, or drop off forms, text book rental fees (K-8), and lunch deposits. High school parents will be notified when they can pay text book rental fees.

Registration Dates are:

Syracuse, North Webster, & Milford Schools: Thursday, August 5, and Monday, August 9, from noon to 7:00 P.M.

Wawasee Middle and Wawasee High School: Monday, August 9, and Tuesday, August 10, from noon to 7:00 P.M.

Elementary Textbook Rental Fees are as follows:

Kindergarten - $88.95
First Grade - $114.40
Second Grade - $119.50
Third Grade - $127.75
Fourth Grade - $102.25
Fifth Grade - $99.30

ISTEP+ Results for Spring 2010

On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, the Indiana Department of Education released the Spring 2010 ISTEP+ results. Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said that "81 percent percent of public schools increased the percentage of students passing both the English/language arts and Mathematics portions of the ISTEP+." Wawasee Community School Corporation and its schools are a part of that 81 percent.

As a corporation, we are generally pleased with the results, yet we understand we need to continue to improve in all areas. Our teachers, students, and administrators have worked hard, and the instructional coaches have been an asset to our teachers to improve instruction.

WCSC students in grades 3-8 went from 70.88% of its students passing English/Language Arts in spring 2009 to 75.76% of its students passing in spring 2010. In math, the corporation students increased from 76.82% passing to 81.63% passing. The percent of students passing both English/Language Arts and math improved from 65.2% passing to 70.9% passing.

To look at results by grade level and by school, you can go to the ISTEP+ results on the Indiana Department of Education website.

A little over 2 percent of the WCSC student pupulation in grades 3-8 took the new Indiana Modified Achievement Standards Test (IMAST), but we will not receive the results of that assessment until late August or early September.

Interesting Article

Charter schools are being pushed as a salvation for regular public schools, yet they do not perform well. Please read the attached article from Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/13/understanding-charter-schools.html

Retirements

Wawasee Community School Corporation honored the corporation's retirees at the June 8, 2010, school board meeting. The retirees are:

Carolyn Baker, Milford School PE Teacher, 32 1/2 yrs WCSC experience, 34 1/2 yrs total experience
J. Francis Denton, WMS Science Teacher, 21 yrs WCSC experience, 44 yrs total experience
Tamara Hess, WMS Language Arts Teacher, 19 yrs WCSC experience, 22 yrs total experience
Karen Hoffert, 2nd grade NWES Teacher, 22 yrs WCSC experience, 22 yrs total experience
Mary Elizabeth Hoffman, NWES PE Teacher, 31 yrs WCSC experience, 33 yrs total experience
Stephen Hunsberger, WHS Guidance Counselor, 22 yrs WCSC experience, 43 yrs total experience
Cheryll Martin, WHS Math Teacher, 18 yrs WCSC experience, 22 yrs total experience
Patricia Mikel, Corporation High Ability, 21 1/2 yrs WCSC experience, 26 1/2 yrs total experience
Elaine Miller, SES Guidance Counselor, 19 yrs WCSC experience, 33 yrs total experience
Edward Parks, WMS Assistant Principal, 9 yrs WCSC experience, 36 yrs total experience
Cynthia Pierce, NWES Guidance Counselor, 15 yrs WCSC experience, 29 yrs total experience
Judy Setlak*, WMS PE Teacher, 18 1/2 yrs WCSC experience, 22 1/12 yrs total experience
*Also worked as a paraprofessional for 1 1/2 years.
Ellen Steven, WHS Principal, 6 yrs WCSC experience, 31 yrs total experience
M. Kristine Ummel, NWES 4th Grade Teacher, 33 yrs WCSC experience, 37 yrs total experience

Wawasee Community Schools wish to thank each of the retirees for their many years of dedicated service and wish them the best with their future endeavors.

Wawasee High School Welcomes New Principal

Wawasee Community School Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Donald E. Harman as principal of Wawasee High School. He has been the principal of Delta Middle School for the past eight years as well as having held other administrative positions at the middle school, junior/senior high school, and the high school level.

Mr. Harman has bachelor's and master's degrees in science from Purdue University. He qualified for his secondary administration license through Ball State University.

Wawasee Community School Corporation is very excited about the prospects of working with someone of Mr. Harman's caliber. His extensive background and training will be an outstanding complement to our current administrative staff.

A native of the Warsaw area, Mr. Harman hails from a background of educators. Wawasee Community Schools is pleased to welcome the Harman family back to this area.

Highlights of Master Teacher Contract

A new contract between the Wawasee Community Educators Association and the Wawasee Community School Corporation was approved in April.

Highlights of the agreement include:

• The contract is in effect from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.
• The agreement is for a 0% salary increase for 2010-11.
• Salary and up to two language items will be negotiated annually.
• Parent-Teacher conference language was included for 2010-11.

In addition, a retirement incentive plan for teachers was adopted by the school board.

In these trying economic times, both the teachers and school board worked well together to find common ground for a new contract.

Update on Budget Reductions

On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, the Wawasee Board of School Trustees voted on budget reductions for the 2010-2011 school year. This budget reduction PowerPoint shows the reductions that have been put in place.

Budget Reductions Update

The following PowerPoint contains information that is currently under consideration for budget reductions for the 2010-2011 school year. This PowerPoint is updated from ones previously posted. Your comments are appreciated.

Budget Reductions PowerPoint April 2010

No School on Monday, April 26, 2010

There is no school on Monday, April 26, 2010, for Wawasee Community Schools. This was a scheduled snow make up day that was not needed.

ISTEP+ multiple-choice testing for grades 3-8 begins on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.

Budget Reduction Measures 2010 PowerPoint

The following PowerPoint was shared with the Wawasee Board of School Trustees at their March 9, 2010, board meeting.

PowerPoint of Budget Reduction Measures 2010

More Information About Budget Reductions

Thanks for the suggestion in the budget reduction posting about answering rumors and questions.
Someone asked about a breakdown of employees by building. I don't have that information this weekend. We will work to make that information available.
Comments were made about transferring money from other tax funds to general fund. The short answer is that we can't. We are not able to transfer funds from capital projects, transportation, bus replacement, or debt payment funds, which you pay as property tax, into general fund. The state pays general fund to us from sales and income tax. (We can move a small percentage of capital project funding into general fund to help with utilities and property insurance.) These rules are set by the state, and we obey them.
Several new laws were proposed this legislative session allowing schools more flexibility in transferring between various funds. Those proposals are being held up by politics in Indianapolis. In any event, we didn't make this years' budget for Wawasee with extra money to transfer around if given the opportunity.
Wawasee established a Rainy Day fund long ago. I grew when certain facility projects didn't cost as much as estimated. The extra money went into Rainy Day fund. By the end of this summer, we will have spent over $800,000 from Rainy Day during the past three years. If we have no budget cuts and spend 1.3 million from the fund each of the next two years, the Rainy Day fund would be gone. Future needs for a cushion would remain, with nothing available for 5, or 25, years down the road.
Our budget reduction proposals have no plans for children to walk to school, to cut extra-curricular opportunities or sports, or to put 30 children in an elementary classroom. We'll continue to study options to save money with minimal disruption to programs and opportunities for the children of the Wawasee community.
I am asking the school board to approve a study of our district to look at good efficiencies we may be missing.
Blog questions were asked about why Milford seemed to take the hardest hit with reductions. The answer is that Milford has the lowest seniority elementary teachers in the school district. They are reduced first. WCSC is a large district with three elementary schools. If teachers are needed from elsewhere, they may be transferred from other buildings. Elementary teachers are being discussed because we didn't have secondary teachers on the reduction list. We already knew about some secondary teacher retirements, so some reductions could already be made, if needed. The reduction list is subject to change as we move through the process, with retirements known and decisions made, over the next several months.
Why would WCSC consider facility work when economic times are tough? That is a good question. The big answer is that the high school is 42 years old and needs a new roof, good and energy efficient heating units in 1/2 of the building, safety items addressed, and other items on our future building list. We can take advantage of zero/low interest through the federal stimulus program, without changing our tax rate. We'll be providing construction jobs, which turn around and help pay for our schools. Also, construction costs have gone backwards the past couple of years. The energy savings will pay off now and in the future, safer schools are better for all of us, and a new shop area has been needed for a long time.
Overall, WCSC is looking at our economic situation with the goals of minimizing reduction of services to the students and layoffs to employees. All employee groups share in cuts. Classified employee hour reductions will equal 5% of total classified hours, teacher reductions equal 2% of total teachers, and administrator reductions equal 14% of total administrators.

Thanks, again, for taking the opportunity to forward budget reduction ideas on the blog. This is a difficult process for everyone. I appreciate the way you are saying things in a nice way, even though you may not like what is happening. That says something good about Wawasee.

Waiver for Loss of Instructional Time at WHS

The Indiana Department of Education has granted Wawasee Community School Corporation a waiver regarding the loss of instructional time for Wawasee High School's canceled day on February 26, 2010, due to the loss of power.

That day will not have to be made up.

School Delay - Friday, March 5, 2010

Wawasee Community Schools will 2-hour delay on Friday due to late arriving fog in areas of the school district.

Request for Public Input for Budget Reductions

Wawasee Community Schools is seeking input from the community for ways the school corporation can reduce the budget to meet the new funding formula from the State of Indiana. Parents and community members are invited to post constructive ideas on how the budget can be reduced with a minimal impact on student learning.

Comments are to be limited to 200 words. If you have additional comments, please e-mail them to TEdington@wawasee.k12.in.us. Suggestions will be accepted from March 2nd to March 17th.

There will also be time for public comments on March 9th at the beginning of the school board meeting. The meeting will be held at Wawasee High School in the lecture room and will start at 5 p.m.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Due to electrical problems, Wawasee High School is closed today, Friday, February 26, 2010. All other Wawasee schools are open today.

As long as power is restored during the day, the following will take place:

• the Career/Technical Open House from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Career/Technical Building on the high school campus
• the boys' basketball game at home against Tippy Valley at 6:15 p.m.

Changes in Immunization Requirements for Students

The following is information from our schools' nurses explaining changes in immunization requirements for students for the 2010-2011 school year:

During the 2009 legislative session, Indiana Code 20-34-4-2 was revised, requiring the Indiana State Department of Health to “adopt rules under IC4-22-2 to require school age children to receive additional immunizations against the following: Meningitis, Varicella (Chicken Pox), and Pertussis” (Whooping Cough). Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the pertussis bacteria. Pertussis causes severe coughing fits. The pertussis booster (Tdap) is combined with tetanus toxoid.

Changes to the school immunization requirements for school year 2010-2011 are as follows:

a. All preschool and kindergarten students will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine, given on or after the first birthday and separated by 3 months. For children entering preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade, a signed statement by a healthcare provider, including date of disease, is required to document history of chickenpox.

b. All kindergarten students will be required to have 4 doses of polio vaccine, one of the required doses given on or after the fourth birthday, and at least 6 months after the previous dose.

c. All 6th - 12th grade students will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine, given on or after the first birthday, and separated by age-appropriate intervals as defined by the CDC, or a history of chicken pox disease.

d. All 6th -12th grade students will be required to have 1 dose of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) given on or after the 10th birthday.

e. All 6th -12th grade students will be required to have 1 dose of meningitis vaccine (MCV4)

These vaccines are available free at the Kosciusko County Immunization Clinic, located in the K21 Health Pavilion, 1515 Provident Drive, Suite 160, Warsaw. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 to 12:00pm and 1:15pm to 3:30 pm. Evening clinic hours are the 1st Monday of each month, 6:00pm-8:00pm. And at the Syracuse clinic at Lakeland Youth Center on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 2:00pm to 3:30pm. Varicella vaccine is not available at the Syracuse Clinic. No appointment is necessary. Take a copy of your child's immunization record with you.

The following websites have additional resources for families to obtain information about vaccines:

The Indiana Department of Health http://www.in.gov/isdh

The Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Your assistance in vaccinating your student to meet the new Indiana State requirements is very appreciated. Please contact the school nurse in your students building with any updated vaccination dates.

Wawasee Community School Health Service Staff:
Allene Dewart, LPN - Milford School, 574-658-9444
Jane Venderly, RN - Syracuse Elementary, 574-457-4484
Pam Rensberger, RN - North Webster Elementary, 574-834-7644
Robin Huffman, RN - Wawasee Middle School, 574-457-8830
Myra Alexander, RN - Wawasee High School, 574-457-3147

February 11, 2010 School Delay

Wawasee Community Schools will delay the start of school on Thursday, February 11, for 2 hours due to road ice.

February 15, 2010 Snow Make-Up Day

Wawasee Community Schools will be in session on Monday, February 15, 2010. The day is a make-up day for Wednesday, February 10, when classes were canceled due to snow.

February 10, 2010 School Closing

Wawasee Community Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 due to blowing and drifting snow.

2/9/2010: Wawasee Dismissing Students Early

Due to weather conditions, Wawasee Community Schools are dismissing students at 1 p.m. (1:20 p.m. at Wawasee Middle School) today, Tuesday, February 9, 2010.

All after school activities are canceled.

Wawasee varsity girls' basketball sectional game against Northwood at West Noble High School is now scheduled for Thursday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Clarification for Monday, February 15, 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010, is a snow make-up day for the Wawasee Community School Corporation. If school is canceled any day during the week of and including February 9, 10, 11, and 12, classes will be in session on Monday, February 15.

Weather alerts have been issued for a possible snow storm this week. We wanted to clear up any questions about the use of Monday's make-up day. We will all keep an eye on the weather as we attempt to get in our required school days this winter.

Indiana's Cash for College Campaign

Indiana has initiated a Cash for College campaign made possible by the federal College Access Challenge Grant. According to information released by the Indiana Department of Education, "the campaign promotes practical, grade-specific steps for Hoosier students, all leading up to the state's March 10th deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)."

Information can be found at LearnMoreIndiana.org/CashforCollege. The website has information on College Goal Sunday on February 21, a free statewide event at 37 sites across Indiana to get help and file the FAFSA (http://www.collegegoalsunday.org/); on FAFSA Fridays on February 12 and 19 where you can get free information and chant online with financial aid experts; and on student goal setting for college for elementary, middle, and high school students.

School Delay - Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Wawasee Community Schools will begin Tuesday, January 19, with a 2-hour delay due to road ice.

Citizens' Checklist to Respond to Lower State Tuition Support Funding

On January 15, 2010, the Indiana State Board of Education sent the information below to superintendents, school board members, principals, and Indiana educators regarding the lowering of funding of state tuition support. For Wawasee Community School Corporation, this cut is in the amount of over one million dollars. The final amount is yet to be determined as Wawasee has not received final information from the state.

"On January 8, 2010, the State Board of Education formally adopted the attached Citizens’ Checklist to be utilized by local school communities as they move to make adjustments to respond to lower state tuition support funding as a result of the State’s declining revenues.

"The Citizens’ Checklist outlines a series of adjustments that all stakeholders in K-12 education should consider, discuss and implement in order to avoid or minimize any reduction in teaching staff that affects classroom instruction and learning.

"The checklist itemizes 22 adjustments and considerations in four broad categories that include monetary adjustments, program adjustments, adjustments that reduce the cost of staff without affecting instruction, and community reporting and accountability. Conversations at the local level should include participation of school board members, the district’s leadership team, teachers’ association, and the community.

"By distributing the Citizens’ Checklist throughout the local community, it is the intent of the State Board and Department of Education to stimulate meaningful and transparent dialogue that will be held in an open forum so that positive action can be taken and obstructions to solutions can be identified and addressed. Conducting open forums will allow local communities to find adjustments that do not affect student learning.

"The State Board and Department intend that the Citizens’ Checklist be a resource tool that all local school communities incorporate in the decision making process and that all local media use to track and inform the public of decisions, actions and impacts.

"It is understood that school boards, the district’s leadership team and teacher associations will retain the flexibility and autonomy to make monetary, programmatic, administrative and other decisions based on the district’s and school’s fiscal position but in the best interest of its students."

No School - Monday, Janauary 18, 2010

Wawasee Community School Corporation will not be in session on Monday, January 18, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

School Delay on Friday, January 8

Wawasee Community Schools will delay 2 hours on Friday, January 8, due to snow covered roads.

January 7 Early Dismissal

Wawasee Community Schools will dismiss students on Thursday, Janauary 7, at 2:00 pm due to road conditions.

Hints for weareclosedtoday.com

In the November 24th blog entry "Notification Reminder for School Delays and Cancellations," directions were given for signing up for emails and texts from weareclosedtoday.com.

A couple of comments on the blog indicate that some are having problems with using the weareclosedtoday.com website, so we wanted to give some helpful hints for using the website.

If you are just checking the weareclosedtoday.com website to see if Wawasee Schools are delayed or canceled, you need to look on the left side of the website under Check Status and put in Syracuse's zip code 46567 or your zip code. You then need to choose a distance. If you are using your own zip code, please make sure you use a distance that would include the town of Syracuse. When you click on Display Results, you will get a list of school corporations who are using weareclosedtoday.com and are within the distance of the zip code you have chosen that have made the decision to delay or cancel for the day.

If you have signed up for an account and for text messages and emails and are not receiving those, please do the following:

Login into the website; click on Account Info (upper right hand side) and choose Notification Methods. Make sure you have given a valid email address. If you have also given cell phone information in order to receive texts (following the November 24th instructions), make sure you have checked the box behind Is Cell Phone? for the cell phone information given. Make sure you have chosen a mile radius under Display Mile Radius and that you have chosen No under Disable Notifications.

Double-check under Account Info and Select Organizations and School Districts to see that you have dragged Wawasee Community School Corporation into the right hand side under Notification School Districts.

Hopefully, this will help those of you having difficulty getting emails and/or texts.

January 5, 2010 School Delay

The Wawasee Community School Corporation will have a two-hour delay on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, due to drifting snow.

Notification Reminder for School Delays and Cancellations

This is a reminder that Wawasee Community School Corporation is using weareclosedtoday.com for reporting school closings and delays. This is a service designed by the Northern Indiana Educational Services Center that "provides a state of the art way to notify local news media and community members" when we need to close, delay, or dismiss early. In addition to local news media being notified, anyone may go to http://www.weareclosedtoday.com/, enter his or her zip code, choose a radius, and see all the delays or closings within that area.

Community members can also sign up to receive emails and/or text messages when WCSC closes, delays, or dismisses early. We have found that those emails and text messages are received within a very short time frame from when WCSC contacts the service. Click on Community Members and then Register Free to sign up.

Once you have created an account, you can click on Account Info and then Notification Methods from the navigation menu. Once this screen has been displayed, you will be allowed to enter up to three different email addresses to which you would like to receive notifications. Your SMS/text messaging email address, if you wish to receive a text message on your cell phone, is your cell phone number (without hyphens or spaces) and your cell phone provider's SMS/text messaging email address. The most common providers' addresses follow:

• US Cellular: Your cell phone number @email.uscc.net
• AT&T Wireless: Your cell phone number @txt.att.net
• Alltel: Your cell phone number@message.alltel.com
• Verizon Wireless: Your cell phone number@vtext.com
• Centennial Wireless: Your cell phone number@myblue.com

After you have selected your notification methods, you can click on Account Info and then Select Organizations from the navigation menu. Then click on School Districts. Once this screen has been displayed, you will be allowed to drag an organization from the left hand box to the right hand box. Any organization listed in this right hand box will be the only ones for which you will receive future notifications.

We will continue to post delays and cancellations here and on our website.

2-Hour Delay - Tuesday, November 24

Wawasee Community Schools is on a two-hour delay today, Tuesday, November 24. We have dense fog throughout the corporation.

Wawasee H1N1 Update

The Kosciusko County Health Department held an H1N1 information session on Friday, October 16, for county school nurses and superintendents.

Symptoms of the 2009 strain of H1N1A were reviewed:

• sore throat
• cough
• 103˚ - 104˚, even with Tylenol or similar product
• possible vomiting and diarrhea
• length of 7 to 10 days, with cough lasting longer

Fluids and monitoring are the most important treatments. Please do not return to work or school once a fever is no longer present with out the help of medication for 24-48 hours.

The 2009 H1N1A virus symptoms have been generally mild and treatable without doctor intervention. In certain cases, antiviral medications can lessen infection symptoms.

You get the flu from taking in fluids containing the virus which has been expelled in large droplets from the mouth or nasal area of someone with the virus. The virus generally lives until the fluid dries.

Covering your mouth when coughing, using tissues for runny noses, washing hands, using alcohol-based gels, and isolating infected individuals will slow the spread of the flu virus.

The 2009 H1N1A virus is not closely related to other recent flu strains, so the vaccine prepared for this year will not affect the 2009 H1N1A virus. This year’s ‘seasonal’ flu shot will protect against other flu strains expected this winter. Those individuals in priority groups for receiving the 2009 H1N1A vaccine should also get their regular ‘seasonal’ inoculation.

Two types of vaccinations have been prepared for the 2009 H1N1A virus. One is a mist administered through the nose. The other is a shot. The mist is generally more effective and is suitable for those 2-49 years of age. The shot is for 0-2 years of age, those 50 and older, those with asthma, and women who are pregnant.

Supplies of the H1N1A vaccine have been limited. The county expects shipments over the next month or two to inoculate priority groups. Those include:

• pregnant women
• caregivers
• health care workers
• children of 6 months to young adults of 24 years
• those 25-64 with chronic health concerns

Teachers are not considered in the high risk category unless they fall under another priority group designation. Those 65 and older are generally not at risk for contracting the 2009 H1N1A virus.

The Kosciusko County Health Department will work with various entities to inoculate the priority grips. These entities are:

• health care workers
• first responders/key government individuals
• private medical offices
• health department walk-ins
• pharmacies
• school-based clinics
  

If the 2009 H1N1A outbreak should seriously worsen, other measures like voluntary quarantine, school closings, and other means to reduce social contacts will be considered. Schools are making plans for educational activities to continue at home and on-line in the event of closing due to flu related absences.

More 2009 H1N1A, along with general flu, information is available at http://www.flu.gov/ or The Center of Disease Control.

The Wawasee Community School Corporation is tracking, and will continue to monitor, student and staff absentee rates. We’ll report significant changes to our community and to the Kosciusko County Health Department.

A Wawasee High School-based 2009 H1N1A inoculation session will be set for a Saturday in late October or early November, with the date depending upon vaccine availability. Volunteers will be needed that day.

Thanks to the Wawasee school nurses and the Kosciusko County Health Department for their planning and communication regarding the 2009 H1N1A flu virus, our students and our community.

Wawasee Swim Program and Swimming Pools

I'm writing to answer questions and address concerns about the youth swim program and the corporation swimming pools.

The Wawasee pools are located at the high school (41 years old, six lane, no diving board, no visitor seating) and middle school (20 years old, eight lane, diving well with two boards, visitor seating). Renovation took place during the summer to replace the high school pool heater and controls at approximately $50,000. Middle school pool renovations were more extensive. They began in August and lasted into October. The heater was replaced, as was the air heating/cooling/dehumidifying unit for the pool area. Re grouting of the tiles covering the pool occurred, along with some plumbing repairs. New duct work was installed, with accompanying ceiling work. The middle school cost was about $300,000.

Other infrastructure work occurred in both buildings. Each received new lighting in the hallways and classrooms, along with power ventilation units on their roofs to remove CO2 and moisture laden air from the buildings. The middle school received a new roof. The high school A classrooms have new unit ventilators to distribute heat and air. New heating/air piping, and new domestic water piping, was installed in the high school. Both buildings received new generators for use in emergencies. New boilers replaced the 41 year old ones at the high school. You, as taxpayers, spent about 2 million dollars at each location, with savings to return for years to come in the form of lower utility bills and fewer repairs to old equipment.

Heating pool water and supplying appropriate pool chemicals for both pools totals about $100,000 per year. We are presently studying pool covers to decrease our pool utility costs.

The swim club uses the pool without rental fees while building custodians are on duty.

Someone asked about specifics of each youth swim program. I am uncertain of that information, but e-mails/blog postings would lead one to conclude that the basics of each program are similar.

The school district built the pools first and foremost for drown proofing / learn to swim activities for children and adults in our lake area. Instruction is held for school age children during the school year in both pools, along with summer swim lessons. Some of those children are ones who live here only during the summer months, but their parents/grandparents help pay for the pools and our schools. Lifeguards are trained in our pools to staff the many camps in our area during the summer months. Community and recreational use of our pools is good. Those who would question use and cost of our pools based upon competitive swimming may consider the bigger picture of their purpose and use.

If someone has swim club or swim team related questions or concerns, the person to receive those contacts is WHS athletic director Mary Hurley.

Wawasee is a fortunate school community to have swimming pools available for our children.

Central Time Coalition

The following letter/information was sent to Indiana Superintendents and School Board Members from Sue Dillon, chairperson of the Central Time Coalition (timezonematters@gmail.com):

"School has started for 1.35 million children in Indiana. The Central Time Coalition (CTC) is concerned about safety hazards to school children due to Indiana's abnormal amount of morning darkness and is calling for Indiana to be returned to its correct time zone, Central Time. Indiana is the only state in the USA that is totally in its wrong geographic time zone. For the first 78 years (1883-1961) all of Indiana was in the Central Time Zone - then Eastern Time began creeping in. The results are that school children have been run over, raped and robbed because they have no choice but to leave home in total darkness to wait for their school bus or walk along dark streets. While in August most Indiana children go to school in sunlight, come mid-October they will already be seated in their classrooms before the sun rises.

"The Indiana State School Bus Drivers Association supports the return to Central Time because it would shift a much needed hour of sunlight to the morning rush hour during the fall, winter and spring. Ron Chey, president of ISSBDA says, 'Safety for children is our primary concern and it is often difficult to see the children along dark streets and roads. One more hour of sunlight would greatly improve visibility as well as morning driving conditions for everyone.' Darkness in the morning is much more dangerous for students because they have to wait in the dark for their bus to arrive while in the evening, they can immediately walk home. Even though the sun would rise earlier on Central Time, most children would have been delivered before sunset.

"Many claim that being in Eastern Time benefits Indiana commerce and transportation. That may have been true in 1961, but not today. When asked, 'Does it make a difference to commerce and transportation whether Indiana is on Eastern or Central Time?' a former Indiana Director of Commerce and a president of a major trucking firm both said, "No, but it does make a difference and is important for Indiana to observe Daylight Saving Time.' CTC agrees that we all benefit from a healthy economy so we support observance of DST, but it should be Central Time with Central Daylight Saving Time.

"The difference between Eastern Time and Central Time for our Hoosier kids is the difference between night and day. The Coalition asks for your careful consideration of our unsafe time zone situation in Indiana and that you support the return of Indiana to Central Time."

Some Additional Information from the Central Time Zone Coalition

• Every square inch of Indiana falls within the true boundaries of the Central Time Zone.
• Nearly 1/5 of Hoosiers live in the 12 Indiana counties that are still on Central Time.
• A shift from Eastern to Central Time would mean that sunrise and sunset would occur one (1) hour earlier on Indiana clocks.
• 1-hour earlier sunrise would greatly assist visibility for drivers in seeing students.
• Darkness reduces visibility for all drivers.
• Black ice is primarily a morning darkness problem. Sunlight helps melt black ice thus one hour earlier sunrise would help reduce black ice danger for commuters.
• Sunlight assists snow and ice melting chemicals in their effectiveness thus one hour earlier sunrise would make road conditions safer for commuters.
• Morning fog often burns off in the first hour after sunrise.
• Each hour of school delay due to unsafe travel conditions is an hour of classroom instruction that is lost.
• One (1) additional hour of sunlight in the morning could reduce 2-hour delays due to fog/snow/ice to 1-hour delays.

Press Release from the Kosciucsko County Health Department

Press Release: 2009 Novel H1N1 Status Update for Kosciusko County

• A significant rise in influenza-like-illness has occurred in Kosciusko County.
• Many of theses illness have tested as positive for Influenza A. Most influenza A that is occurring is due to the 2009 Novel H1N1 influenza strain. This is also occurring throughout the state and country.
• As of this time most 2009 H1N1 infected individuals are experiencing mild illness and do not require medical care or testing.
• Individuals with mild illness should remain home and treat the illness as any other “flu.”
• The ill individuals should remain home at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
• Individuals with severe illness or special health consideration should consult with their healthcare providers.
• The current recommendations do not recommend exclusion of contacts or family of those with probable or confirmed H1N1 illness from work or school.

The Kosciusko County Health Department continues to work with local healthcare providers, schools, pharmacies and business to be prepared for distribution of the 2009 H1N1 Novel Influenza Vaccine.

• Release of the inactivated vaccine is anticipated in mid to late October, but no date has been provided to anticipate delivery.
• Release of attenuated flu vaccine, flu mist, is anticipated to be released slightly sooner but no date has been provided to anticipate delivery.
• An initial shipment will be received and distributed, and then ongoing shipments and continuing efforts to provide vaccination are planned.
• The vaccine will be distributed to priority groups. Once priority groups are vaccinated the vaccine will be available to those individuals that are not part of a high priority group.
• Vaccine is anticipated to be received on an ongoing basis until the population has been provided the opportunity for vaccination.

Vaccination efforts initially focus on 5 target groups:

• vaccination for pregnant women
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
• people ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/statelocal/qa.htm


General CDC information on H1N1 illness:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

Spring 2009 ISTEP+ Results Released

On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, Dr. Tony Bennett, superintendent of public instruction, released the spring ISTEP+ results. You can read the press release here.

Wawasee Community Schools had the following percents of students passing:

• Grade 3 English/Language Arts: WCSC-75% (State of Indiana-74%)
• Grade 3 Mathematics: WCSC-77% (State of Indiana-72%)
• Grade 4 English/Language Arts: WCSC-76% (State of Indiana-73%)
• Grade 4 Mathematics: WCSC-81% (State of Indiana-70%)
• Grade 4 Science: WCSC-77% (State of Indiana-71%)
• Grade 5 English/Language Arts: WCSC-72% (State of Indiana-70%)
• Grade 5 Mathematics: WCSC-83% (State of Indiana-76%)
• Grade 5 Social Studies: WCSC-54% (State of Indiana-60%)
• Grade 6 English/Language Arts: WCSC-70% (State of Indiana-69%)
• Grade 6 Mathematics: WCSC-78% (State of Indiana-73%)
• Grade 6 Science: WCSC-58% (State of Indiana-54%)
• Grade 7 English/Language Arts: WCSC-67% (State of Indiana-67%)
• Grade 7 Mathematics: WCSC-77% (State of Indiana-68%)
• Grade 7 Social Studies: WCSC-58% (State of Indiana-58%)
• Grade 8 English/Language Arts: WCSC-66% (State of Indiana-65%)
• Grade 8 Mathematics: WCSC-65% (State of Indiana-67%)

From the Indiana Department of Education's Press Release: "Last year, the Department of Education established the ISTEP+ Parent Network, an online resource offering parents secure access to their students’ ISTEP+ scores. Accessible on demand throughout the year at www.doe.in.gov/istepparentnetwork, families can use the ISTEP+ Parent Network to review students’ latest assessment results quickly and easily and connect to useful educational resources. Parents who do not receive a letter containing secure ISTEP+ Parent Network login information should contact the student’s school directly."

Railroad Crossing Repairs

Bus routes will be jumbled over the next week or two, depending upon weather, to repair railroad crossings. CSX crossings from the line at Noble County to Front Street in Syracuse will affected.

The tentative schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, the 25th 1000 E
Wednesday, the 26th E Wawasee/ 900E
Bishop Road/775E
Thursday, the 27th Shore Dr. Syracuse
7th Street/ Front Street

Each crossing is scheduled to be closed for 4 days.

Public Education: The Cornerstone of Our Democracy

The following was written by Brett Boggs, superintendent of Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and was published in the Warsaw Times Union:

Public education in Indiana is under attack, directed from the office of Governor Mitch Daniels. During a July news conference, after the General Assembly finalized the 2010 budget, Governor Daniels expressed his negativity toward public education in stating, “If this is an end to public education as we know it, I say thank goodness.”

Governor Daniels recently criticized Indiana’s public schools by stating, “We do not have one good school system in the state.” The truth is, Indiana’s public schools nationally rank in the top half of the states in almost all measured areas and continue to show improvement statewide. Indiana’s graduation rate from the class of 2007 to the class of 2008 went up from 76.4 percent to 77.8 percent while dropout rates went down from 11.9 percent to 10.3 percent. The average daily attendance rate in Indiana’s public schools has never been higher. Indiana’s SAT scores continue to approach the national average, despite the fact 62 percent of Indiana’s students take the SAT compared to 45 percent nationwide. The number of students graduating with Academic Honors or a Core 40 diploma is the highest in state history. During the past 10 years, the percentage of Indiana high school graduates pursuing a college education has risen by over 12 percent while the number of students on free and reduced assistance has grown from 28 percent to 42 percent. The number of Limited English Proficient students in Indiana’s public schools has increased from 10,616 students in 1997 to 45,885 students in 2007. The number of students receiving special education services has also increased from 14.7 percent to 16.7 percent during the same 10-year period.

Quality education for all is the key to success for 21st century America. Public schools are the only schools legally required to accept and serve all children, no matter their race, religion, educational attainment, social class, family income, or special needs. Public schools enroll all students and provide services designed to meet the special needs of a wide variety of abilities. Public schools must provide services for children with disabilities, children who do not speak English or whose proficiency in English is limited, and children who are educationally disadvantaged. Support services offered by Indiana’s public schools include school meals, after-school programs, counseling, and free transportation to and from school.

Indiana’s public schools are where children learn to live in an increasingly diverse society. Children learn to tolerate, interact with, and hopefully enjoy people who are different than themselves. Attitudes children form during their school experiences constructively serve them in the world they will shape as adults.

The United States has led the world for more than 100 years because of the character of its people and what they know. During that time, the vast majority of its citizenry has been educated in our nation’s public schools. Indiana’s public schools provide a successful place for all children to learn. Public education provides the foundation of our economy and the very foundation of our society.

Indiana’s public schools operate under high standards and public accountability. Statewide standards for academic subjects, teacher qualifications, and other requirements provide students with a safe and effective learning environment.

The status quo is never good enough. The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation continues to maintain a strong focus on improvement by implementing a wide range of initiatives, from technology integration to innovative teaching practices, to ensure every student receives the best education possible. Today’s public schools are better than ever and will continue to be responsive to individual student needs while adapting to a rapidly changing society in which students use technology and information as workers, consumers, and citizens.

Universal education for all citizens, better known as public education, is the cornerstone of our democracy. Today’s public schools, the product of more than a century of reform and revision, are one of America’s oldest and most dynamic institutions. Public education must continue to play a key role in achieving and reflecting our American ideals.


Sources:
School - The Story of American Education, www.pbs.org
An American Imperative: Public Education, www.centerforpubliceducation.org
Progress in Indiana’s Schools by Franzy Fleck, Indianagram, June 2009

Wawasee Community School Corporation Board Policies

Board policies for the Wawasee Community Schools are now on-line on our web site. After hitting the 'board policies' button on the main corporation page, you can keyword search for the policy you are seeking.
The project to update board policies and make them accessible on our web page began in the spring of 2008. It's great to have the policies readily available to our parents, community, students, and staff.

WHS Freshman Orientation

On Thursday, August 13, 2009, from 7-8:30 p.m., there will be a program to welcome freshman and new students to Wawasee High School. Orientation activities will help new students learn how to be successful in high school, find their classes, learn about clubs and activities and become familiar with the building. New students will be given their schedules and locker assignments as part of the orientation program. Students will have the opportunity to tour the building with their parents after a presentation by WHS administration and guidance. There will be current Wawasee High School students in grades 10-12 stationed throughout the building to provide direction and answer questions as students and parents tour the building. Part of the tour will include a free snack and an opportunity to go through the lunch line to see how it works.

Parents and students should arrive no later than 7 p.m. to the high school, as the presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Schedules and locker assignments will not be available until after the presentation by administration and guidance. Once the student and parent(s) receive the schedule and locker assignment, they will tour the building with the help of a map and the student mentors.

Students who will be new to Wawasee Community School Corporation who will be in grades 9-12 are also invited to attend. These students should call the Wawasee High School guidance office to make an appointment to enroll. This is necessary in order to be part of the orientation program.

To make an appointment to enroll a new students or for questions, please call 574-457-3147, ext. 220.

Middle School Shot and Discus Areas

The shot put and discus areas at both Milford School and Wawasee Middle School will be relocated next year to provide greater safety for participants and observers. A net will be erected to partially enclose the discus ring. Our track coaches, athletic directors, and maintenance personnel are working together to make this necessary change.

Wawasee Full Day Kindergarten

The Wawasee Community Schools are continuing a full day kindergarten program initiated last school year. Approximately 40% of our kindergarten children are placed into the all day program after assessments by teachers and para-professionals. Generally, those children most in need of additional school assistance will attend the all day program.
The state funds a portion of the program, while the parents pay an amount based upon their household income level.
The all day kindergarten program showed impressive gains during the 2008-09 school year.
Milford has one section of all day students, while Syracuse and North Webster each have two sections.
Please fell free to contact the school principal with questions.

Wawasee High School Weight Room Repairs

Prior to the beginning of the school year, repairs will be made in the WHS wrestling/weight room area. Metal supports will be welded and fastened to better secure the floor to the surrounding walls. These repairs are cautionary in nature to address slight shifting which has taken place over time. We want to make certain that the shifting stops. We are able to use the weight, wrestling, and locker areas in the meantime.
Please feel free to address any questions to me. My office phone is 457-3188, Ext. 371.

Wawasee Middle School Pool Renovation

The Wawasee Middle School swimming pool will be closed for renovations during August and September. A portion of the ceiling will be removed and relocated to allow placement of new duct work for heating/cooling the air. A new dehumidifier will be installed, along with a new room heating/cooling unit and a new pool heater. Other modifications will be made to allow for greater energy savings.
If the renovations are accomplished prior to the end of September, patrons will be notified.
The Wawasee High School pool will be in operation during the August/September time period.
Please call the Wawasee Middle School office at 457-8839 or the Wawasee High School office at 457-3147 after August 3 with any questions.

Back to School Spending

The average American family spent $443.77 on back-to-school spending in 2005. That amount rose to $563.49 in 2007, the last year for which figures are available.
Also, 93% of teachers spend their own money on school supplies annually, averaging $552.
Everything adds up, especially in today's economy.

Tobacco Free Wawasee in 2009-2010

The Wawasee Community School Corporation campuses, buildings, vehicles, and events will become tobacco free on August 1 of this year. Previously, our smoke free policy covered only buildings and buses. Thanks to everyone for their cooperation as we strive to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and make Wawasee as safe and healthy as possible.

Letter to the Editor: Thank Goodness?

John Ellis, executive director of Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, sent the following letter as a letter to the editor/guest column of seven papers state wide. The letter is in response to the governor's recent comments regarding the new state budget and public education.

Educators who work daily to teach and develop 94% of Indiana’s school age population are concerned about the future of providing school services in tight economic times. Many who care about the delivery of quality educational programming were disappointed to see the Indiana General Assembly give tuition tax credits, sending public funds to private entities.

At least one person saw both of these concerns as positive. The Post-Tribune, a northwest Indiana newspaper, quoted Governor Daniels one day after the end of the special session: "If this is an end to public education as we know it, I say thank goodness.”

As the Governor writes off 94% of our children and 52% of our state’s expenditures, it is worth a look into his major educational initiatives as Governor. He really liked but was not able to deliver on the promise of expanding and fully supporting full-day kindergarten. Let’s find his second initiative to improve education for Indiana’s youth. No, really, let’s try and find even one.

We should all voice concern over Indiana’s graduation and dropout rates. We all should settle for nothing less than our best attempts to serve all students. Let’s all work toward improved achievement for all students. How do we get there in the Governor’s plan? Eliminate all funding for teacher training. Take from them opportunities to learn and share the best practices nationally and internationally to improve in all three of these areas and then criticize and berate all public school educators by stating in The Madison Courier newspaper, “We do not have a good school system in the state.”

“Thank goodness” for the end of public education? Opinion has been ruling over research and facts for too long. Public schools, the only state and national institution charged with developing good citizenship, are under attack and public schools have been responding. A good read for anyone who wants to track the opinions of those wanting to destroy public schools regardless of the facts has recently been published by the Educational Research Service—Dr. Gerald Bracey’s Educational Hell: Rhetoric vs. Reality.

Dr. Bracey states “…the humble public school is one of the greatest democratic inventions in the world.” He calls on educators to “mount a vigorous campaign to defend a great American institution” against “blatant propaganda pushed by the economic elite to discredit public investment that helps ordinary citizens.” Thank goodness.

John Ellis, Executive Director,
Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents

Elementary Textbook Rental & Fees for 2009-2010

The elementary textbook rental & fees total costs for 2009-2010 are as follows:

Kindergarten: $ 88.75
Grade One: $116.25
Grade Two: $121.35
Grade Three: $128.15
Grade Four: $107.75
Grade Five: $104.05

*Grades 6-12 textbook rental and fees will be based upon each student's class schedule.

Enchanted Hills Community Center Summer School Opportunity

Bowen Center's Enchanted Hills Community Center in partnership with Wawasee Community Schools is trying to sponsor a summer school program. At this time, there are not enough students committed to attending to actually run the program. If your child is going to be in grade four through grade eight during the 2009-2010 school year, and you are interested in your child participating in this program, please contact the community center (260-856-2136) or WCSC's central office (574-457-3188). A minimum of 20 students must be signed up with a maximum of 25 students able to participate.

The program will run Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon beginning July 19 and going through August 15 at the Enchanted Hills Community Center. The focus of the program is to work in teams using LEGO robotics to work on math, science, and language arts skills.

WHS Class Reunion for Class of 1979

The 30-year class reunion for the Class of 1979 will occur on August 15 at 7:00pm at the South Shore Golf Course Clubhouse. Contact Phil Beer at 317-965-9159, at 380 East 226th Street, Sheridan, IN 46069, pbeer@usiconsultants.com.

Report on May 12 Meeting of Board of School Trustees

In “Good News” Dr. Edington recognized senior Paige Geer for her involvement with the KYLA organization and senior Jayna Winegarden with her KEYS organization involvement.


Allen Coblentz and student representatives of the super mileage car did a presentation of the process of making the car as well as the competition in Indianapolis. There was a short break in the meeting to view the car and ask any additional questions.


Mrs. Rebecca Linnemeier moved to accept the AP U.S. History Class Trip donations of $100 from Biomet, $250 from Zimmer, and $300 from The Papers. The motion also included accepting the donation from the Kosciusko County REMC for Vocal Motion performance at the annual REMC meeting. Mrs. Mary Lou Dixon seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Dallas Winchester moved to accept the grouped action items, and Mrs. Mary Lou Dixon seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Included in the grouped action items were the minutes of the April 21, 2009, regular school board meeting, certified personnel recommendations including the retirement of Randy Warren, and claims dated April 1 – 30, 2009.

An Academy report was given by Mrs. Anne Rackley, Academy Director. Many students have benefited from the Academy and they are making great strides to encourage students to complete their high school education.

Dr. Bob Cockburn presented the stat of the month on sub groups in ISTEP testing.

Mrs. Mary Lou Dixon moved and Mrs. Rebecca Linnemeier seconded the motion to accept the additional action items. The motion carried 5-0. Additional action items included: April 2009 financial report, approval of handbook changes as presented, and approval of the Performance Services, Inc. contract subject to the changes presented by school attorney David Cates.

Dr. Edington’s superintendent report started by thanking school attorney David Cates and Milford principal Cindy Kaiser and the handling of a court situation involving a Milford student. He thanked them for keeping the focus on education of children. He also noted that the bomb scare at WHS for May 11th was handled very well by the administration and staff. Notification of modifications to law enforcement, parents, and media was well done. All students as well as staff entered the building through the front doors of the building. Summer projects will begin soon. Some will start before the end of the school year, but will be during second shift. Dr. Edington noted the passing of WMS head custodian, Dave Welker. He will certainly be missed. Finally, the WHS social studies academic super bowl team placed 4th at the state meet. Mrs. Mary Lou Dixon was the social studies super bowl coach.

Mrs. Joy Goshert, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, started her report with comments about the PPL 221 handout included in the board packet. Mrs. Goshert and Mrs. Wendy Hite, Director of Special Services, briefly explained how they plan to use the ARRA funds (stimulus funds) for special services as well as Title I. Mrs. Goshert noted that the corporation plans to continue next year as they have this year with full day kindergarten. One change is that they will be doing kindergarten screening in the spring so that parents will know sooner whether or not their students will be enrolled in full-day kindergarten. The 2009-2010 school calendar has not been finalized, but with no staff development and parent teacher conferences being scheduled, this does make for a very clean calendar. The calendar committee is going to meet again on May 13th to finalize the calendar.

The NEOLA board policy revisions were presented to the board for a first reading.

ISTEP+ Review Process

If you recall, many of our state's teachers and parents expressed concern over the spring ISTEP+ test.

Dr. Tony Bennett, superintendent of public instruction for Indiana, had members of his staff along with representatives of the testing vendor and more that 160 teachers conduct a comprehensive review of the spring ISTEP+ exam. The results of that comprehensive review were released on May 29, 2009.

Dr. Bennett states, "Although across all grade levels and four separate content areas, less than 2.5% of questions were determined to be substantially out of alignment, I and my staff understand the tolerance for error in high stakes testing is zero. I share your disappointment that even a single item was out of alignment, but am gratified that the responsive action will be swift and significant and, most notably, that student scores will not be affected as a result of the misaligned items."

To read all of the information released by Dr. Bennett regarding the comprehensive review, please click here. Click here for a breakdown by grade level and subject for all of the items reviewed.