SYRACUSE - During its regular December board meeting Tuesday, the Wawasee Community School Board approved several measures that it hopes will continue the student support groundwork it has already built.
Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer announced that starting Jan. 7, all Wawasee students will be able to enjoy free breakfast through the end of the school year. Breakfast will include a choice of entree, fruit, juice and milk. Currently, breakfast prices range from $1.50 to $1.75, dependent on grade level. With this breakfast initiative, Wawasee families will save money and students will go to class full and focused.
“This is just one more way that we are investing in the success and well-being of our students,” Troyer stated.
Also starting in the upcoming second semester is the reintroduction of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program. JAG is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting high school students who face significant challenges by providing them with the skills and support necessary to succeed in education, employment and life.
“The reintroduction of JAG gives us an opportunity for an additional pathway to student graduation,” Troyer explained to the board. “It comes at no cost to Wawasee.”
The program is ran through the Department of Workforce Development, rather than the Department of Education or other local revenues.
The program offers students elective classes for credits, focusing on job skills, hands-on experience and a year of follow-up support to facilitate the transition from walking across the state at graduation to entering the workforce or attending post-secondary education. Currently, JAG operates in 125 schools across Indiana and consistently graduates over 90% of its participants.
“What I love about JAG is that it is for any student,” Geoff Walmer, Wawasee High School principal, explained. “But it also catches the kids who are just kind of floating, unsure about next steps and points them in the direction they need or want to go.”
Troyer also prepared the board that after the first of the year, he is going to ask it to take action on the development of a multi-purpose space to accommodate a range of student and team practices, competitions, events and other recreational activities.
“One of the significant talking points in our community engagement discussions has been centered around the need for more space for student activities,” Troyer explained. “I reference how we have varsity teams that practice later in the evening because we do not have enough gym space to accommodate all the activities.”
Because of the strong fiscal management of the two projects currently underway within the corporation, Troyer believes the corporation is in a financial position to address the need.
“Almost all of our neighboring school corporations have student activity centers?” Board President Don Bokhart inquired.
“Yes, many of them do,” Troyer responded. “I just talked to a neighboring superintendent and their community is already clamoring for another one.”
To the community’s benefit, Wawasee has expanded its childcare options by introducing an after-school care program at each of the three district elementary schools: Milford, Syracuse and North Webster. This program was created to provide a safe, engaging and supportive environment for school-age children that is accessible and affordable. The program will begin in January.
“This program seeks to address the tremendous need for our community,” Troyer stated.
The program will run from the end of the school day, Monday through Friday, until 5:30 p.m. For $50 per week per child, students will enjoy a nutritious snack, socialization, indoor and outdoor physical activities, dedicated quiet time for homework or independent reading and creative activities, such as arts, crafts and other hands-on experiences to ignite creativity. Discounts are available for multiple children from the same family and CCDF voucher are accepted.
“Did the wheels really get turning after the Syracuse town hall? We had a patron speak there about the lack of childcare,” Bokhart asked.
“Yeah, it absolutely did. That conversation has come up numerous times over the last few years,” Troyer answered. “But that particular event caused us to go back to the table again to revisit the idea.”
For more information about the after school childcare program, contact Trisha Trimble by calling 574-658-9444, ext. 4125, or by emailing [email protected]
Wawasee High School received two KEYS grants that will go toward cementing student success. Kari Baker was awarded a grant to purchase supplies for a sensory room, including tactile wall panels, sensory toys and recreation games. Mindy Coblentz was awarded a similar grant that will allow the purchase of books for Spanish reading instruction.
Before adjourning, the board wished farewell to one of their own: Mike Wilson. Wilson has been a pillar on the board for nearly two decades.
“I was glad to see on the agenda my retirement was under ‘Other Items’ and not ‘Good News,’” Wilson joked. “If I could offer one piece of advice as you move forward, it would be this: Do not let the challenges and roadblocks you face — and there are bound to be some — let you forget about the hundreds, thousands of positive interactions and accomplishments that happen in Wawasee Schools. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It has been an honor.”
Mike Fowler is to fill Wilson’s seat.
The next regular school board meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Professional Learning Center, 801 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse.