On Tuesday at 5:00 pm, the Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met to discuss the 2009 budget. That budget must be advertised twice during the coming weeks in area newspapers. Then, on August 19 at 5:00 pm, the Board will hold a hearing on the budget. Adoption of the budget for next year is set for September 9.
The 2009 budget is a little different in that funding for the General Fund will come 100% from the state (from the extra 1% in sales tax). Property tax statements for 2009 should reflect that significant decrease for Wawasee Community School Corporation taxpayers.
Like you, we are increasing our fuel cost estimates. Our 2009 bus and vehicle fuel bill is expected to approach $500,000!
We'll continue working to be as efficient as possible in today's tough economic times.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Parades and Bands
The following is a letter that Wawasee Community School Corporation's director of bands Fred Elliott wrote as an explanation as to why the high school band did not march in the Memorial Day parade at Syracuse. As a district, we are working to have a band in a parade in every Wawasee community during this next year.
Mr. Elliott's letter:
I am writing this letter in response to the article in the May 21, 08 Viewpoint section of the Mail Journal entitled “High School Band Noticeably Absent.”
The Wawasee High School Band Program recognizes how important it is to support the community and honor our veterans on Memorial Day. All members of the band and music staff appreciate our community and their continued support of our program.
Just to shed some light on our absence from the Memorial Day parade, our past practice regarding the Memorial Day parade was for the two middle schools bands to march in their respective towns’ parade. Milford Middle School Band marched in the Milford parade and the Wawasee Middle School Band performed in the North Webster and Syracuse Parades. This was a tradition that was started by former Wawasee Middle School Band Director, David Blackwell.
It takes many hours of concentrated practice and rehearsal to prepare for any marching performance and the WHS Band had only a week and a half, or six classes, following their spring concert to prepare for the parade. This is not adequate time to prepare for a quality performance to represent our veterans and community on Memorial Day.
The Wawasee High School Band performs at least two concerts each trimester, along with many public performances at the home football and basketball games. Our last performance for this school year was scheduled on May 15 and featured a combined performance of the WHS Band along with the Lake Area Community Band. The purpose of this concert featured community players and demonstrated their love of music. Admission is free to any of the high school [band] concerts and the community is encouraged to attend. These dates are promoted in the local papers and posted on the sign outside of Wawasee High School.
The members of the Wawasee HS Band use their summer hours to work hard to prepare for the upcoming performance in the Mermaid Festival Parade. The Marching Band
will be present in the Mermaid Festival to thank the community for their support.
I again would like to thank our community for their continued support for the Wawasee Band Program. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Fred Elliott
Director of Bands, Wawasee Community Schools
Phone: 574-457-3147 x 213
E-Mail: felliott@wawasee.k12.in.us
Mr. Elliott's letter:
I am writing this letter in response to the article in the May 21, 08 Viewpoint section of the Mail Journal entitled “High School Band Noticeably Absent.”
The Wawasee High School Band Program recognizes how important it is to support the community and honor our veterans on Memorial Day. All members of the band and music staff appreciate our community and their continued support of our program.
Just to shed some light on our absence from the Memorial Day parade, our past practice regarding the Memorial Day parade was for the two middle schools bands to march in their respective towns’ parade. Milford Middle School Band marched in the Milford parade and the Wawasee Middle School Band performed in the North Webster and Syracuse Parades. This was a tradition that was started by former Wawasee Middle School Band Director, David Blackwell.
It takes many hours of concentrated practice and rehearsal to prepare for any marching performance and the WHS Band had only a week and a half, or six classes, following their spring concert to prepare for the parade. This is not adequate time to prepare for a quality performance to represent our veterans and community on Memorial Day.
The Wawasee High School Band performs at least two concerts each trimester, along with many public performances at the home football and basketball games. Our last performance for this school year was scheduled on May 15 and featured a combined performance of the WHS Band along with the Lake Area Community Band. The purpose of this concert featured community players and demonstrated their love of music. Admission is free to any of the high school [band] concerts and the community is encouraged to attend. These dates are promoted in the local papers and posted on the sign outside of Wawasee High School.
The members of the Wawasee HS Band use their summer hours to work hard to prepare for the upcoming performance in the Mermaid Festival Parade. The Marching Band
will be present in the Mermaid Festival to thank the community for their support.
I again would like to thank our community for their continued support for the Wawasee Band Program. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Fred Elliott
Director of Bands, Wawasee Community Schools
Phone: 574-457-3147 x 213
E-Mail: felliott@wawasee.k12.in.us
Friday, May 30, 2008
Graduation Clarification
As some of you are aware, there is an e-mail circulating and a "Letter to the Editor" in the newspaper regarding a student not being allowed to wear his military uniform for graduation. There are inaccuracies in the letter.
It is the policy of Wawasee High School to allow graduating students who are members of the military to wear their uniform along with their cap and gown to commencement exercises.
Clarifications in response to the email and letter to the editor:
1. The student was at Wawasee High School visiting with former teachers this week.
2. The student was in uniform and did have lunch and visit with his friends at the school.
3. The student would have been allowed to wear his uniform to graduation along with his cap and gown.
4. The allegations in the e-mail were made by a parent who lives in Michigan without the student's knowledge or consent.
5. In March the student had committed to attend his brother's graduation to be held the same night.
No matter what you have heard, these are the facts. We appreciate the concern of those who have contacted us.
It is the policy of Wawasee High School to allow graduating students who are members of the military to wear their uniform along with their cap and gown to commencement exercises.
Clarifications in response to the email and letter to the editor:
1. The student was at Wawasee High School visiting with former teachers this week.
2. The student was in uniform and did have lunch and visit with his friends at the school.
3. The student would have been allowed to wear his uniform to graduation along with his cap and gown.
4. The allegations in the e-mail were made by a parent who lives in Michigan without the student's knowledge or consent.
5. In March the student had committed to attend his brother's graduation to be held the same night.
No matter what you have heard, these are the facts. We appreciate the concern of those who have contacted us.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Third Place Finish at State Competition
Congratulations to the Wawasee High School Academic Super Bowl team who placed third in the state competition over the weekend! That is quite an accomplishment since they compete in the top class based on size of schools in the state.
Penn High School won the social studies competition, and Columbus East High School placed second.
Wawasee's team members and coach Mary Lou Dixon put in many hours of work preparing for this competition.
Penn High School won the social studies competition, and Columbus East High School placed second.
Wawasee's team members and coach Mary Lou Dixon put in many hours of work preparing for this competition.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Full Day Kindergarten
The Wawasee Community School Corporation administration is working on a plan to implement full day kindergarten for some children during the 2008-09 school year. Two classes are being considered at both Syracuse and North Webster schools, with one class at Milford School.
A total of approximately 100 students would be involved in the full day program. (For anyone wondering, Milford has fewer elementary students, being a K-8 school, and has some space issues, too.)
The children would be selected based upon educational need, with the additional time spent at school getting them ready for first grade. Details about selection of students, curriculum of the full day classes, possible cost to parents, and other issues are still being worked out.
To add a new program means that we will be doing less of something else. Some Reading Recovery time may be reduced to free up professional time for teaching the additional one-half day of kindergarten. Some assistance from state funding is also expected.
We expect to have a recommendation prepared for the May 13 school board meeting.
A total of approximately 100 students would be involved in the full day program. (For anyone wondering, Milford has fewer elementary students, being a K-8 school, and has some space issues, too.)
The children would be selected based upon educational need, with the additional time spent at school getting them ready for first grade. Details about selection of students, curriculum of the full day classes, possible cost to parents, and other issues are still being worked out.
To add a new program means that we will be doing less of something else. Some Reading Recovery time may be reduced to free up professional time for teaching the additional one-half day of kindergarten. Some assistance from state funding is also expected.
We expect to have a recommendation prepared for the May 13 school board meeting.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Regional Competition
Last evening, Wawasee High School Academic Super Bowl teams participated in the regional competition at Northridge High School. The social studies team and the interdisciplinary team had first place finishes! Later today, Wawasee will find out if these two teams qualify for the state competition on May 3.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Waiver Granted by State for Missed Days
The Indiana Department of Education has granted our waiver request of two days for the Wawasee Community School Corporation. Barring unforeseen situations, our student year will conclude on Friday, May 30, with the final teacher day on Monday, June 2.
Friday, March 28, 2008
2-Hour Delay: Friday, March 28
Wawasee Community Schools are on a two-hour delay today with alternate kindergarten schedule.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
WMS Academic Super Bowl
Congratulations to Wawasee Middle School's Academic Super Bowl team! On March 19th, they won the Northeast Lakes Middle School Conference by one point over Warsaw's Edgewood 89-88.
By subject area, the WMS social studies and English teams took first place; the science and interdisciplinary teams tied for first place; and the math team tied for third place.
The following students and coaches represented WMS:
By subject area, the WMS social studies and English teams took first place; the science and interdisciplinary teams tied for first place; and the math team tied for third place.
The following students and coaches represented WMS:
- Social Studies: Coach Bokhart, Andrew Anker, John Essex, Chris Fox, and Brett Heinisch
- Math: Coach Edgar, Brayton Bartman, Brittany Eryman, Maddison Hite, Ben Jonson, Lisa Reed, Michaela Waltz, and Brett Ward
- Science: Coach Neff, Karla Allen, Andrew Anker, Morgan Geer, Savannah Guimond, Jaclyn Parzygnot, Brooke Miller, and Trey Varney
- English: Coach Neff, Sara Buyer, Katie Griner, and Maggie Kenworthy
- Interdisciplinary: Chris Fox, Andrew Anker, Maggie Kenworthy, Katie Griner, Brittany Eryman, Brayton Bartman, and Savannah Guimond
On Saturday, April 26th, Wawasee Middle School will host and compete against eighteen other schools in the area competition where the results will be tabulated for state rankings.
Good luck as you compete in the area competition!!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Academic Super Bowl
The Wawasee High School Social Studies team finished 1st in the Northern Lakes Conference meet last night at Goshen High School. The Academic Super Bowl coach for social studies is Mary Lou Dixon. Team members are Krista Burnman, Brandon Cox, Cassady Palmer, and Cody Paul.
Monday, March 17, 2008
WCSC Waiver for MIssed Instructional Days
The Wawasee Community School Corporation will apply to the Indiana Department of Education for a waiver of financial penalty for canceled instructional days missed during the 2007-08 school year. Unusually severe winter weather caused Wawasee to dismiss classes on seven student instructional days. The Department of Education adopted a policy for this year only allowing school districts to request a waiver for two out of every three days missed after four days. Wawasee is requesting a waiver for the two days missed after the initial five days.
If the waiver is approved, the last day for students will be Friday, May 30. Graduation will occur on that evening.
The final teacher work day will be on Monday, June 2.
If the waiver is approved, the last day for students will be Friday, May 30. Graduation will occur on that evening.
The final teacher work day will be on Monday, June 2.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
2-Hour Delay: Wednesday, March 5
Wawasee Community Schools are on a two-hour delay with alternate kindergarten schedule today, Wednesday, March 5.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
News Update
Congratulations to the girls basketball team for reaching the semi-state level, to the boys swim team for sending four members to the state meet, and to the boys basketball, girls swimming, wrestling. and gymnastic teams for their fine winter seasons. The Wawasee cheerleaders and pep band do a great job, too!
Please remember the calendar changes made due to this winter’s weather.There is a no school/teacher work day on Thursday, February 28. Early release days for staff development will be held on March 10 and 21.
The corporation ACT Committee shared goals with the School Board at its February meeting. Those goals are:
Reading – improve comprehension of and responses to reading across the curriculum
Writing – apply strategies and conventions through the composition of various genres (types of writing)
Math – use mathematical skills to think critically and apply knowledge and reason to solve problems
Thanks to the ACT Committee for their oversight efforts at Wawasee.
The federal government is working to reauthorize No Child Left Behind legislation. They are strongly considering the “growth model”. This model requires schools to measure the progress of individual students over time. WCSC, thanks to Dr. Bob Cockburn, is now able to track individual student scores, while also safeguarding privacy. We are ready for the NCLB changes and challenges.
Indiana received their state report card recently from Education Week. The Quality Counts report has Indiana standards, assessments, and accountability ranked #1, school finance ranked #11, chance for student success ranked #29, K-12 achievement ranked #25, teacher evaluation ranked #28, and pre-K through 16 alignment ranked #12. We are doing pretty well as a state!
How many times on an average day does a WCSC bus cross a railroad track? Would you believe 188!
There are no secrets to success: Don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty to those for whom you work, and persistence…. Colin Powell Former chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Blog Posting 2-22-08.docBlog Posting 2-22-08.doc
Please remember the calendar changes made due to this winter’s weather.There is a no school/teacher work day on Thursday, February 28. Early release days for staff development will be held on March 10 and 21.
The corporation ACT Committee shared goals with the School Board at its February meeting. Those goals are:
Reading – improve comprehension of and responses to reading across the curriculum
Writing – apply strategies and conventions through the composition of various genres (types of writing)
Math – use mathematical skills to think critically and apply knowledge and reason to solve problems
Thanks to the ACT Committee for their oversight efforts at Wawasee.
The federal government is working to reauthorize No Child Left Behind legislation. They are strongly considering the “growth model”. This model requires schools to measure the progress of individual students over time. WCSC, thanks to Dr. Bob Cockburn, is now able to track individual student scores, while also safeguarding privacy. We are ready for the NCLB changes and challenges.
Indiana received their state report card recently from Education Week. The Quality Counts report has Indiana standards, assessments, and accountability ranked #1, school finance ranked #11, chance for student success ranked #29, K-12 achievement ranked #25, teacher evaluation ranked #28, and pre-K through 16 alignment ranked #12. We are doing pretty well as a state!
How many times on an average day does a WCSC bus cross a railroad track? Would you believe 188!
There are no secrets to success: Don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty to those for whom you work, and persistence…. Colin Powell Former chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Blog Posting 2-22-08.docBlog Posting 2-22-08.doc
2-Hour Delay: Wednesday, February 27
Wawasee Schools are on a two-hour delay today, Wednesday, February 27. Please follow the alternate kindergarten schedule if you have a student in kindergarten.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Boys Basketball Sectional: Game On
The Wawasee boys' varsity basketball team will host Northwood tonight at Wawasee at 7 p.m. in the first round of sectional.
Wednesday evening, Lakeland and Whitko will compete at 6 p.m. followed by Columbia City and West Noble at approximately 7:30 p.m.
On Friday night, the winner of the Wawasee/Northwood game will play Tippecanoe Valley at 6 p.m. followed by the winners of Wednesday's games at 7:30 p.m.
The championship game will be played at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
All games are at Wawasee High School.
Go Warriors!!
Wednesday evening, Lakeland and Whitko will compete at 6 p.m. followed by Columbia City and West Noble at approximately 7:30 p.m.
On Friday night, the winner of the Wawasee/Northwood game will play Tippecanoe Valley at 6 p.m. followed by the winners of Wednesday's games at 7:30 p.m.
The championship game will be played at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
All games are at Wawasee High School.
Go Warriors!!
Schools Closed: Tuesday, February 26
Wawasee schools are closed today, February 26. This makes the last student day on Tuesday, June 3, and the teacher work day on Wednesday, June 4.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Northern Lakes Conference Athletics
Following the winter sports season, the Wawasee boys are in 7th position in Northen Lakes Conference all-sports standings with 44 points. The Lady Warriors are in 5th place with 51 points. Northridge tops the rankings for both boys and girls with 84 points for boys and 76 points for girls.
School District Funding
Someone referred in a previous blog to funding issues for public schools. Different districts are allowed different levels of funding by the state. Wawasee is near the bottom in our area (Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette, Sunday, May 6, 2007). Eight area districts are lower than Wawasee, while 26 districts are higher in General Funding. If we received the same per pupil funding as neighbors Tippy Valley and Whitko, our annual increase would be about $300,000. If we had the same funding level as West Noble (or the state average), we would increase our General Fund by over $1,000,000 per year. The funding level of the top school district on the Ft. Wayne area list, Wabash City, would provide Wawasee with over $4,500,000 each year in additional General Funds to provide and support instruction. Being near the bottom of the funding list means that Wawasee has to work harder to provide the best possible instruction for our children on a limited budget.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Superintendent Goals
I was asked about the goals set for me as a new superintendent for Wawasee Community Schools. They are to:
-learn about the district and community. (Continuous)
-study the teaching learning process in place at Wawasee. (by August)
-move to the community. (by summer)
-update the current 10-year plan for facilities. (by September)
-formulate a new school board member orientation program. (by October)
-complete the new transporatation/maintenance facility on Kern Road. (by November)
-and update school district policies. (by December)
Please feel free to comment on these goals or suggest other goals for now or the future.
I do know that winning ball, swim, and wrestling titles may be on your list. Like the recent weather, though, these are not mine to control!
-learn about the district and community. (Continuous)
-study the teaching learning process in place at Wawasee. (by August)
-move to the community. (by summer)
-update the current 10-year plan for facilities. (by September)
-formulate a new school board member orientation program. (by October)
-complete the new transporatation/maintenance facility on Kern Road. (by November)
-and update school district policies. (by December)
Please feel free to comment on these goals or suggest other goals for now or the future.
I do know that winning ball, swim, and wrestling titles may be on your list. Like the recent weather, though, these are not mine to control!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Calendar Change Reminders
Corporation calendar changes made because of cancelled days due to weather were posted a couple of weeks ago. We just want to remind everyone of those changes that are happening in February and March:
- Wawasee Schools will be in session on Monday, February 18.
- Schools will be in session on Monday, February 25.
- Students will not be in school on Thursday, February 28. Teachers will be working on this day, and the third trimester will begin on Friday, February 29.
- On Good Friday, March 21, students will be in school until 12:30 p.m. (12:45 p.m. at Wawasee Middle School), and teachers will have in service time in the afternoon.
More information regarding our corporation calendar is on our corporation website.
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