Wawasee School Board Learns About Social-Emotional Learning Endeavors
February 11, 2021 at 5:21 a.m.
Wawasee School Board Learns About Social-Emotional Learning Endeavors
By Alaister McFarren-
According to Berkeypile, a lot of disciplinary issues at schools stem from kids who are not in good places emotionally.
“Disciplining these kids is not a good solution because they are just not in the right frame of mind,” he emphasized.
Berkeypile stated that 5 Star was great for WMS because it was student friendly, teacher friendly and affordable. Additionally, it is based out of Elkhart, giving WMS easy access to their resources.
As for the decision to start a social-emotional learning program, he said that even though the school’s primary goal is to teach academics, academics are not going to happen successfully if faculty are unable to get students balanced emotionally.
“Originally, we were going to use it for escalated or troubled students, but after COVID-19 hit, we decided all students needed access to this program,” Berkeypile said.
5 Star is built on five pillars: respect, responsibility, courage, sacrifice and integrity. Through these core tenets, students are taught how to have a growth mindset, how to deal with social anxiety, how to respect oneself and your education, how to overcome trauma and about suicide prevention. According to Graber, several students with potentially harmful mindsets have come forward and gotten help because of 5 Star.
5 Star is used three to four times per week first thing in the morning. Depending on the day of the week, students journal, watch videos or have discussion times with peers and faculty on a variety of topics.
Both Berkeypile and Graber stated that they hoped 5 Star would be an ongoing program that would impact WMS students for years to come.
In other news, WCSC Superintendent Dr. Stephen Troyer said that there were only 168 total quarantines in January. This was down 61% from December, even though students were only in classrooms for part of the month.
Due to new changes made by the Indiana Department of Health, no quarantines or contact tracing is required after students or faculty are symptomatic, providing that masks were worn at all times and everyone remained 3 feet apart – down from the 6-foot requirement that has been in place previously.
Troyer believes that these new guidelines will lead to a drastic reduction in students not being able to receive in-classroom learning, keeping both students and staff in the buildings.
Troyer also requested a special school board work session on March 3 when he will present his state of the school report to the board.
In other board business:
• Wawasee High School teacher Traci Henn was recognized as the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) Special Education Teacher of the Year.
• Nancy and Larry Stoner donated $1,000 to reopen the Phillip Fawley Scholarship, which had been closed since 1995.
• $500 was donated by Syracuse Church of God to the WHS clothing closet.
• WHS seniors Ethan Carey and Kameron Salazar were listed on an Exemplary Behavior Report for their play during their basketball game against Mishawaka on Jan. 15.
• WHS senior Nyla White was recognized for receiving a Lilly Endowment scholarship through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
• The WHS Supermileage team received donations of $3,000 from Sally Mahnken and $500 from Main Channel Marina, which will be used to update and modify one of the club’s vehicles.
• Former WHS gymnastics coach Nika Prather received the NLC Outstanding Service Award.
• The Korenstra Family Foundation donated $10,000 to the school corporation to be used for the DECA program and as needed by building principals.
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According to Berkeypile, a lot of disciplinary issues at schools stem from kids who are not in good places emotionally.
“Disciplining these kids is not a good solution because they are just not in the right frame of mind,” he emphasized.
Berkeypile stated that 5 Star was great for WMS because it was student friendly, teacher friendly and affordable. Additionally, it is based out of Elkhart, giving WMS easy access to their resources.
As for the decision to start a social-emotional learning program, he said that even though the school’s primary goal is to teach academics, academics are not going to happen successfully if faculty are unable to get students balanced emotionally.
“Originally, we were going to use it for escalated or troubled students, but after COVID-19 hit, we decided all students needed access to this program,” Berkeypile said.
5 Star is built on five pillars: respect, responsibility, courage, sacrifice and integrity. Through these core tenets, students are taught how to have a growth mindset, how to deal with social anxiety, how to respect oneself and your education, how to overcome trauma and about suicide prevention. According to Graber, several students with potentially harmful mindsets have come forward and gotten help because of 5 Star.
5 Star is used three to four times per week first thing in the morning. Depending on the day of the week, students journal, watch videos or have discussion times with peers and faculty on a variety of topics.
Both Berkeypile and Graber stated that they hoped 5 Star would be an ongoing program that would impact WMS students for years to come.
In other news, WCSC Superintendent Dr. Stephen Troyer said that there were only 168 total quarantines in January. This was down 61% from December, even though students were only in classrooms for part of the month.
Due to new changes made by the Indiana Department of Health, no quarantines or contact tracing is required after students or faculty are symptomatic, providing that masks were worn at all times and everyone remained 3 feet apart – down from the 6-foot requirement that has been in place previously.
Troyer believes that these new guidelines will lead to a drastic reduction in students not being able to receive in-classroom learning, keeping both students and staff in the buildings.
Troyer also requested a special school board work session on March 3 when he will present his state of the school report to the board.
In other board business:
• Wawasee High School teacher Traci Henn was recognized as the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) Special Education Teacher of the Year.
• Nancy and Larry Stoner donated $1,000 to reopen the Phillip Fawley Scholarship, which had been closed since 1995.
• $500 was donated by Syracuse Church of God to the WHS clothing closet.
• WHS seniors Ethan Carey and Kameron Salazar were listed on an Exemplary Behavior Report for their play during their basketball game against Mishawaka on Jan. 15.
• WHS senior Nyla White was recognized for receiving a Lilly Endowment scholarship through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
• The WHS Supermileage team received donations of $3,000 from Sally Mahnken and $500 from Main Channel Marina, which will be used to update and modify one of the club’s vehicles.
• Former WHS gymnastics coach Nika Prather received the NLC Outstanding Service Award.
• The Korenstra Family Foundation donated $10,000 to the school corporation to be used for the DECA program and as needed by building principals.
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