Wawasee Recognizes Achievements
September 14, 2016 at 5:41 p.m.
By JUDE STRIEBY-RASKA-
Seven young ladies at Milford School raised $10,500 on behalf of their group, Give Hope, in order to bring in acrobat and aerialist Jen Bricker to speak to students.
Bricker’s success as a gymnast despite a disability exemplifies Give Hope’s objectives, which focus on bringing inspiration to young people and encouraging them to overcome obstacles. The group grew out of the school Make An Impact project. Donations included $8,400 from a KC Foundation grant; $1,000 from the KREMC Round Up grant; and $1,100 was raised by the girls on their own.
The Kosciusko County Promise program is one which encourages parents to sign up their children in a 529 college savings account at a young age. Within the last three years, there have been 135 students from the Wawasee school district whose parents have signed them up.
Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington stated, “There’s a tax savings in putting college money into (the account) for children, in addition to just getting that head start at an early age for something which is a lot more expensive than it was a few decades ago.”
The program went from 20 students at its creation in 2015 to 135 in 2016.
Edington was happy to report that the 1:1 initiative handed out 3,150 iPads or computers to students, in an effort to integrate technology and learning at Wawasee. Joy Goshert, superintendent secretary, noted that the initiative allows parents to be more knowledgeable about how their children are doing, which has resulted in positive feedback.
Edington also gave out certificates of appreciation to the Wawasee Transportation Department. Upon the annual bus inspection by the state police, there were zero infractions found on any bus. He commended the department for all of their work and dedication to the safety of Wawasee children. Certificates were given to Tod Smith, Justin Green (not present), Eric Jackson and Mike Snavley.
The freshman rafting trip, organized by former biology teacher Pam Schumm along with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, was Sept. 7 and 9. Over 150 students participated in various activities during the trip. On land, students learned about the watershed. While rafting on Mud Lake, they then collected specimens and tested the water. Finally, there was a raft race and water battle.
Two state troopers participated in the raft event, with one officer speaking before and one after the event. The officers even participated in the water battle. Dan Bokhart, who volunteered for the day, noted how pleased he was to see officers attend.
“It was great for the students to see police officers in a different light. They were out there splashing and having a good time and learning just right along with the rest of us,”?he said.
Director of Personnel and Legal Services James Flecker noted the agreement between The Crossing and Wawasee High School was changed from a two-year to a one-year. The Crossing will be an alternate to the Wawasee alternative school. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for students who are not in a classroom to come back to the classroom environment, especially since there is now a Crossing location in Syracuse. Students enrolled in The Crossing enter back into the Wawasee student count, and upon successful program completion gain a diploma from Wawasee.
Flecker said, “It's an opportunity. There’s a zero percent chance (to graduate) if students stay at home, whereas if they enroll with The Crossing they would then have an opportunity to receive a Wawasee diploma.”
Flecker also reported the Syracuse Elementary School building should be sealed by November, barring any weather-related issues. The boiler room recently also got a coat of paint. The Wawasee High School concession stand, discovery room, band room and technology room are all slated to be finished within the next couple of weeks.
Jim Evans, director of finance, reported savings through the use of a medical concierge. The program cost around $8,000 with savings of $831,000. Premium prices came to about a 5 percent increase with this service, as opposed to a 25 percent increase without the service.
Rebecca Linnemeier, board president, brought forth the option to adopt the 2017 budget, 2017 capital projects fund plan resolution and the 2017 bus replacement resolution. Upon finding there had been no public objections or petitions filed against said items in the time since they were introduced in August, the motion was passed.
Edington recommended the appointment of Bokhart as board of finance secretary. This motion was approved.
A change of school policy was addressed. Previously, if a student failed a class and opted to retake it, their new grade and their F would be averaged in order to come to a final grade. The new policy is that instead of averaging the two scores, the higher score will automatically be taken as the final grade.
The board accepted several donations: $5,000 to the Milford School Outdoor Classroom; $1,500 from The Papers Inc.; and $1,500 from anonymous; $10,000 to the Wawasee Career and Technical Cooperative from SES Manufacturing of Cromwell; and a boat, trailer and motor to the Wawasee Career and Technical Cooperative from Thomas and Diane Ellis.
The Indiana Bicentennial torch will be heading through Kosciusko County, and at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 29 it will make an exchange at Wawasee Middle School. Carolyn Baker and Cathy Lemberg will be the torch bearers on this leg of its journey.
Homecoming is Sept. 30, with the theme being Indiana Bicentennial.
Latest News
E-Editions
Seven young ladies at Milford School raised $10,500 on behalf of their group, Give Hope, in order to bring in acrobat and aerialist Jen Bricker to speak to students.
Bricker’s success as a gymnast despite a disability exemplifies Give Hope’s objectives, which focus on bringing inspiration to young people and encouraging them to overcome obstacles. The group grew out of the school Make An Impact project. Donations included $8,400 from a KC Foundation grant; $1,000 from the KREMC Round Up grant; and $1,100 was raised by the girls on their own.
The Kosciusko County Promise program is one which encourages parents to sign up their children in a 529 college savings account at a young age. Within the last three years, there have been 135 students from the Wawasee school district whose parents have signed them up.
Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington stated, “There’s a tax savings in putting college money into (the account) for children, in addition to just getting that head start at an early age for something which is a lot more expensive than it was a few decades ago.”
The program went from 20 students at its creation in 2015 to 135 in 2016.
Edington was happy to report that the 1:1 initiative handed out 3,150 iPads or computers to students, in an effort to integrate technology and learning at Wawasee. Joy Goshert, superintendent secretary, noted that the initiative allows parents to be more knowledgeable about how their children are doing, which has resulted in positive feedback.
Edington also gave out certificates of appreciation to the Wawasee Transportation Department. Upon the annual bus inspection by the state police, there were zero infractions found on any bus. He commended the department for all of their work and dedication to the safety of Wawasee children. Certificates were given to Tod Smith, Justin Green (not present), Eric Jackson and Mike Snavley.
The freshman rafting trip, organized by former biology teacher Pam Schumm along with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, was Sept. 7 and 9. Over 150 students participated in various activities during the trip. On land, students learned about the watershed. While rafting on Mud Lake, they then collected specimens and tested the water. Finally, there was a raft race and water battle.
Two state troopers participated in the raft event, with one officer speaking before and one after the event. The officers even participated in the water battle. Dan Bokhart, who volunteered for the day, noted how pleased he was to see officers attend.
“It was great for the students to see police officers in a different light. They were out there splashing and having a good time and learning just right along with the rest of us,”?he said.
Director of Personnel and Legal Services James Flecker noted the agreement between The Crossing and Wawasee High School was changed from a two-year to a one-year. The Crossing will be an alternate to the Wawasee alternative school. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for students who are not in a classroom to come back to the classroom environment, especially since there is now a Crossing location in Syracuse. Students enrolled in The Crossing enter back into the Wawasee student count, and upon successful program completion gain a diploma from Wawasee.
Flecker said, “It's an opportunity. There’s a zero percent chance (to graduate) if students stay at home, whereas if they enroll with The Crossing they would then have an opportunity to receive a Wawasee diploma.”
Flecker also reported the Syracuse Elementary School building should be sealed by November, barring any weather-related issues. The boiler room recently also got a coat of paint. The Wawasee High School concession stand, discovery room, band room and technology room are all slated to be finished within the next couple of weeks.
Jim Evans, director of finance, reported savings through the use of a medical concierge. The program cost around $8,000 with savings of $831,000. Premium prices came to about a 5 percent increase with this service, as opposed to a 25 percent increase without the service.
Rebecca Linnemeier, board president, brought forth the option to adopt the 2017 budget, 2017 capital projects fund plan resolution and the 2017 bus replacement resolution. Upon finding there had been no public objections or petitions filed against said items in the time since they were introduced in August, the motion was passed.
Edington recommended the appointment of Bokhart as board of finance secretary. This motion was approved.
A change of school policy was addressed. Previously, if a student failed a class and opted to retake it, their new grade and their F would be averaged in order to come to a final grade. The new policy is that instead of averaging the two scores, the higher score will automatically be taken as the final grade.
The board accepted several donations: $5,000 to the Milford School Outdoor Classroom; $1,500 from The Papers Inc.; and $1,500 from anonymous; $10,000 to the Wawasee Career and Technical Cooperative from SES Manufacturing of Cromwell; and a boat, trailer and motor to the Wawasee Career and Technical Cooperative from Thomas and Diane Ellis.
The Indiana Bicentennial torch will be heading through Kosciusko County, and at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 29 it will make an exchange at Wawasee Middle School. Carolyn Baker and Cathy Lemberg will be the torch bearers on this leg of its journey.
Homecoming is Sept. 30, with the theme being Indiana Bicentennial.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092