Wawasee Hears Report On STARS Program

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By John DeGroff-

SYRACUSE - Cindy Kaiser, Milford School, presented a smart board presentation with the help of some first-grade students regarding the school's Students Together Achieving Reading Success program.

Other teachers on hand for the presentation were Deb Gaby, Roy Hufford and Colette Berg. STARS involves students in first through third grades, and is an interactive teaching method involving small groups of students using a smart board with their teacher's assistance.[[In-content Ad]]The program uses books that are already part of the program, as well as other materials readily available. A control leader for the group is responsible for procuring funds for any outside materials that might be needed.

Lesson plans are developed around teaching students what are called challenge words, word writing, book work, writing and then a summary closing of the lesson. The entire concept is based on students' reading levels.

A more specialized group session, called an enhancement group, teaches students about literature and the different genres found throughout literature.

Several student athletes and coaches were honored for recent outstanding performances.

The Wawasee Girls Basketball team was honored with presentations of certificates to senior team co-captains Erin Wallace and Kaylyn Lantz.

"They finished 23-3, and held the No. 1 position in the state for numerous weeks," said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Edington. "They were Warsaw Tiger Tourney champs, Sectional champions, Regional champions and Semi-State runners-up. It's just an overall good season, and I know you wanted better than good, and we all wanted that for you."

"We really appreciate your efforts," said Board President Dallas Winchester. "You have great leadership. We appreciate the way you carry yourself off the court as well as you do on the court. You're a great example for Wawasee."

The Wawasee Boys Swim team also was honored. On hand to receive certificates were Jacob Haneline, Tyler Wear, Robert Smith and Jake Garner.

"You all got to swim in the 200-medley relay and finished 16th in the state," said Edington. "This was a great season and exciting for all of you, and we're proud of you."

The board also took the opportunity to honor Kem Zolman as Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Stars Girls coach for the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Classic.

Edington acknowledged a donation of $2,500 from DePuy Orthopaedics on behalf of the school corporation and board. This donation was made to the Wawasee High School Industrial Technology Department, and consisted of colored celcon to be used in the machine shop.

In personnel matters, the following individuals were approved for employment by the school corporation: Jama Brown, Title 1 paraprofessional, Syracuse High School; Misty LeCount, special education/recess supervisor, Milford School; Tiffany Prescott, special education paraprofessional, North Webster School; Celeste Ragland, special eduction paraprofessional, North Webster School; Tara Short, special education paraprofessional, Syracuse School.

Greg Urednick, science teacher at WHS, submitted his resignation effective at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. James Yeager, paraprofessional at Milford School, has resigned effective in February 2008.

Lisa Emsberger, math teacher at Milford School, has requested a leave of absence beginning with the birth of her child through Jan. 5.

In financial matters, the board accepted bids for the Wawasee Middle School re-roofing project. The contract was awarded to City Roofing at a total cost of $198,735.00. The financial report for the school corporation for the month ending February 29:

Beginning balance $17,055,617.08.

Receipts $3,176,739.51

Disbursements $2,870,992.48

End balance $17,361,364.11

In other business:

n June 3 is currently scheduled as the last day of school. Seven school days have been missed due to weather. According to state regulations, if seven days are missed, five days must be made up. If that total would be eight days missed, then six would have to be made up. The school corporation might apply for a waiver regarding make-up days, but the consensus is to wait and see what the weather does over the week.

n Spring break is scheduled for April 7-11. Because of this, the next board meeting will be moved to April 15.

Wawasee Community School Corp. board members are George Gilbert, Dallas Winchester, Becky Linnemeier, Mike Wilson and Mary Louise Dixon.

SYRACUSE - Cindy Kaiser, Milford School, presented a smart board presentation with the help of some first-grade students regarding the school's Students Together Achieving Reading Success program.

Other teachers on hand for the presentation were Deb Gaby, Roy Hufford and Colette Berg. STARS involves students in first through third grades, and is an interactive teaching method involving small groups of students using a smart board with their teacher's assistance.[[In-content Ad]]The program uses books that are already part of the program, as well as other materials readily available. A control leader for the group is responsible for procuring funds for any outside materials that might be needed.

Lesson plans are developed around teaching students what are called challenge words, word writing, book work, writing and then a summary closing of the lesson. The entire concept is based on students' reading levels.

A more specialized group session, called an enhancement group, teaches students about literature and the different genres found throughout literature.

Several student athletes and coaches were honored for recent outstanding performances.

The Wawasee Girls Basketball team was honored with presentations of certificates to senior team co-captains Erin Wallace and Kaylyn Lantz.

"They finished 23-3, and held the No. 1 position in the state for numerous weeks," said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Edington. "They were Warsaw Tiger Tourney champs, Sectional champions, Regional champions and Semi-State runners-up. It's just an overall good season, and I know you wanted better than good, and we all wanted that for you."

"We really appreciate your efforts," said Board President Dallas Winchester. "You have great leadership. We appreciate the way you carry yourself off the court as well as you do on the court. You're a great example for Wawasee."

The Wawasee Boys Swim team also was honored. On hand to receive certificates were Jacob Haneline, Tyler Wear, Robert Smith and Jake Garner.

"You all got to swim in the 200-medley relay and finished 16th in the state," said Edington. "This was a great season and exciting for all of you, and we're proud of you."

The board also took the opportunity to honor Kem Zolman as Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Stars Girls coach for the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Classic.

Edington acknowledged a donation of $2,500 from DePuy Orthopaedics on behalf of the school corporation and board. This donation was made to the Wawasee High School Industrial Technology Department, and consisted of colored celcon to be used in the machine shop.

In personnel matters, the following individuals were approved for employment by the school corporation: Jama Brown, Title 1 paraprofessional, Syracuse High School; Misty LeCount, special education/recess supervisor, Milford School; Tiffany Prescott, special education paraprofessional, North Webster School; Celeste Ragland, special eduction paraprofessional, North Webster School; Tara Short, special education paraprofessional, Syracuse School.

Greg Urednick, science teacher at WHS, submitted his resignation effective at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. James Yeager, paraprofessional at Milford School, has resigned effective in February 2008.

Lisa Emsberger, math teacher at Milford School, has requested a leave of absence beginning with the birth of her child through Jan. 5.

In financial matters, the board accepted bids for the Wawasee Middle School re-roofing project. The contract was awarded to City Roofing at a total cost of $198,735.00. The financial report for the school corporation for the month ending February 29:

Beginning balance $17,055,617.08.

Receipts $3,176,739.51

Disbursements $2,870,992.48

End balance $17,361,364.11

In other business:

n June 3 is currently scheduled as the last day of school. Seven school days have been missed due to weather. According to state regulations, if seven days are missed, five days must be made up. If that total would be eight days missed, then six would have to be made up. The school corporation might apply for a waiver regarding make-up days, but the consensus is to wait and see what the weather does over the week.

n Spring break is scheduled for April 7-11. Because of this, the next board meeting will be moved to April 15.

Wawasee Community School Corp. board members are George Gilbert, Dallas Winchester, Becky Linnemeier, Mike Wilson and Mary Louise Dixon.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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