Wawasee Board Hears Middle School Grade Improvement Plan
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kathy [email protected]
WMS Principal Susan Mishler presented the plan for student improvement, which addresses the three areas found to be deficient: English Language Arts passing rate; overall growth with low growth in ELA; and overall growth, low growth, in math.
Mishler said “turn around” principals make up the eight-point plan including items such as effective instruction, curriculum, effective staffing practices, use of data, effective use of time and parent involvement. Mishler has been principal since August, but since taking over has been working on new ideas for improvements.
One new activity is the popular student-led conferences. “Also,” she said, “students have to understand how school gets its grade.”
To that end, she has produced a video interviewing a middle school student about that topic. It is available on YouTube. Additionally, information is now available on Facebook and on the school’s website.
Language arts students at the high school can look forward to a trip next year. The board approved a request by Spanish teacher Jessie Gilson to take her students to Spain for eight days.
Board member Mary Lou Dixon asked if they could stay longer. Cities to be visited are Madrid and Barcelona. Dixon suggested they take a little bit more time for side trips, especially to Toledo.
“The major cost is in getting there,” said Dixon, “so you should take advantage of that as much as you can.”
Gilson and Wawasee High School Principal Mike Schmidt assured Dixon that many options would be presented to the students and their families.
Other trips approved are a DECA state career development conference trip, Key Club district convention and a WMS music trip.
Curriculum Director Joy Goshert informed the board of upcoming test dates, altered slightly because of weather delays, and the implementation of a new state-ordered test. ISTEP has been scheduled for days between March 10 and 14. IREAD-3 will be administered to third-graders March 18 with make-up testing March 19 and 20.
A new test called ACCUPLACER Diagnostics will be given to some high school students in March. Because this is new, school administrators are looking at data to determine who will take the test.
In other business, the board:
• Employed Taylor Golding as temporary physical education teacher at North Webster Elementary School; Brigette Lindeman and Deanna Cunningham as Title I tutors; Ann Schlabach as paraprofessional at Milford School; Sarah Southern as cafeteria worker in the high school; and Sarie Gunkel and Ida Rose as bus drivers.
• Accepted the resignation of Sally Johnson, retiring Title I paraprofessional at NWES, and the leave request of Amy Siders, math teacher at WMS.
• Approved gifts for maintenance, custodial and transportation personnel who have spent extra hours this winter due to weather issues.
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WMS Principal Susan Mishler presented the plan for student improvement, which addresses the three areas found to be deficient: English Language Arts passing rate; overall growth with low growth in ELA; and overall growth, low growth, in math.
Mishler said “turn around” principals make up the eight-point plan including items such as effective instruction, curriculum, effective staffing practices, use of data, effective use of time and parent involvement. Mishler has been principal since August, but since taking over has been working on new ideas for improvements.
One new activity is the popular student-led conferences. “Also,” she said, “students have to understand how school gets its grade.”
To that end, she has produced a video interviewing a middle school student about that topic. It is available on YouTube. Additionally, information is now available on Facebook and on the school’s website.
Language arts students at the high school can look forward to a trip next year. The board approved a request by Spanish teacher Jessie Gilson to take her students to Spain for eight days.
Board member Mary Lou Dixon asked if they could stay longer. Cities to be visited are Madrid and Barcelona. Dixon suggested they take a little bit more time for side trips, especially to Toledo.
“The major cost is in getting there,” said Dixon, “so you should take advantage of that as much as you can.”
Gilson and Wawasee High School Principal Mike Schmidt assured Dixon that many options would be presented to the students and their families.
Other trips approved are a DECA state career development conference trip, Key Club district convention and a WMS music trip.
Curriculum Director Joy Goshert informed the board of upcoming test dates, altered slightly because of weather delays, and the implementation of a new state-ordered test. ISTEP has been scheduled for days between March 10 and 14. IREAD-3 will be administered to third-graders March 18 with make-up testing March 19 and 20.
A new test called ACCUPLACER Diagnostics will be given to some high school students in March. Because this is new, school administrators are looking at data to determine who will take the test.
In other business, the board:
• Employed Taylor Golding as temporary physical education teacher at North Webster Elementary School; Brigette Lindeman and Deanna Cunningham as Title I tutors; Ann Schlabach as paraprofessional at Milford School; Sarah Southern as cafeteria worker in the high school; and Sarie Gunkel and Ida Rose as bus drivers.
• Accepted the resignation of Sally Johnson, retiring Title I paraprofessional at NWES, and the leave request of Amy Siders, math teacher at WMS.
• Approved gifts for maintenance, custodial and transportation personnel who have spent extra hours this winter due to weather issues.
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