Warsaw Schools Recognizes Bus Drivers, Nurses
May 19, 2021 at 12:22 a.m.
Warsaw Schools Recognizes Bus Drivers, Nurses
By Jackie Gorski-
“Once a year, I need to recognize our drivers. My 20s, my 30s, for all the hard work they’ve done, especially over the year,” said Director of Transportation Mark Fick. “It’s been a long, extremely hard year.”
Fick and Assistant Director of Transportation Kristy Newton presented plaques and flowers to the bus drivers.
With 20-plus years of service, Deborah Yuker, Kim Grubbs, Terrie Good, Kevin Jones, Mary Jane Prater, John Ryan, Donna Castle, Roxanne Wildman, Linda Haughee, Colleen Fritcher, Leah Jones and Bernadine Waikel were recognized at the meeting. Sheri Krichbaum was not present.
With 30-plus years of service, Sally Johnson, Jackie Clase, Clelda Benning and Lisa Wallen were recognized at the meeting. Mark LaFountain was not present.
“Especially Lisa, she’s been running this for 33, 34 years and it is amazing. It is amazing what they do. I can’t thank them enough,” Fick said.
The three trainers, Jackie Clase, Gina Keener and Gene Farrar, were recognized.
Fick said the trainers put in a lot of time and work in what they do. He cannot do what he does without them, as far as watching videos and other things they do.
Gene Farrar, Sally Johnson, Gina Keener, Bernadine Waikel, Mark Tracy and Richard Long were recognized for perfect attendance.
No one else drove their buses throughout the year or summer school, Fick said. He called it an accomplishment.
Board Vice President Randy Polston said as a former principal, he knows what the bus drivers go through day-to-day and he was surprised at how many drivers had perfect attendance.
Chad Kaltenbach was recognized for volunteering to clean all the buses.
The Board was also recognized by Fick for their support.
WCS Nurse Coordinator Tracey Akers recognized the school corporation’s nurses and members of the Kosciusko County Health Department.
Warsaw Community Schools has 11 nurses, two full-time nurse’s assistants and two part-time nurse’s assistants.
“School nurse is just one title, but we have many vital roles. We are healthcare providers for students with chronic conditions, along with injuries,” Akers said. She said they are there for school health leaders that plan and advocate for programs and policies that improve student outcomes.
“We are public health liaisons who share important health prevention. We are emergency responders who develop and implement emergency action plans,” Akers said. The nurses also use their assessment skills to make decisions in emergency situations.
“But most importantly, we use evidence-based practice to support the needs of the whole person and acknowledge the connection of health to academic performance,” Akers said. “We are here to support and collaborate with teachers and staff so our students are the best versions of themselves, ready to learn.”
She thanked KCHD Communicable Disease Nurse Teresa Reed, Kosciusko County Public Health Officer Dr. William Remington and the KCHD with the guidance and the updated information to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In other business, the Board approved a new personal finance class requirement at Warsaw Community High School. It will be effective with the current freshmen.
Dr. David Robertson, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, said he did have people reach out to him about the new requirement. One question that came up was the graduation requirement aspect of the class, especially when it came to current freshman.
“One of the things we didn’t go into detail with, but I wanted to make sure you were aware of, but there are different modes or opportunities to take the class,” Robertson said.
There is a digital option offered if a student has a full class load and is unable to take it in that time frame, he said.
There are exceptions to the class, so the school corporation is willing to work with students, Robertson said.
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“Once a year, I need to recognize our drivers. My 20s, my 30s, for all the hard work they’ve done, especially over the year,” said Director of Transportation Mark Fick. “It’s been a long, extremely hard year.”
Fick and Assistant Director of Transportation Kristy Newton presented plaques and flowers to the bus drivers.
With 20-plus years of service, Deborah Yuker, Kim Grubbs, Terrie Good, Kevin Jones, Mary Jane Prater, John Ryan, Donna Castle, Roxanne Wildman, Linda Haughee, Colleen Fritcher, Leah Jones and Bernadine Waikel were recognized at the meeting. Sheri Krichbaum was not present.
With 30-plus years of service, Sally Johnson, Jackie Clase, Clelda Benning and Lisa Wallen were recognized at the meeting. Mark LaFountain was not present.
“Especially Lisa, she’s been running this for 33, 34 years and it is amazing. It is amazing what they do. I can’t thank them enough,” Fick said.
The three trainers, Jackie Clase, Gina Keener and Gene Farrar, were recognized.
Fick said the trainers put in a lot of time and work in what they do. He cannot do what he does without them, as far as watching videos and other things they do.
Gene Farrar, Sally Johnson, Gina Keener, Bernadine Waikel, Mark Tracy and Richard Long were recognized for perfect attendance.
No one else drove their buses throughout the year or summer school, Fick said. He called it an accomplishment.
Board Vice President Randy Polston said as a former principal, he knows what the bus drivers go through day-to-day and he was surprised at how many drivers had perfect attendance.
Chad Kaltenbach was recognized for volunteering to clean all the buses.
The Board was also recognized by Fick for their support.
WCS Nurse Coordinator Tracey Akers recognized the school corporation’s nurses and members of the Kosciusko County Health Department.
Warsaw Community Schools has 11 nurses, two full-time nurse’s assistants and two part-time nurse’s assistants.
“School nurse is just one title, but we have many vital roles. We are healthcare providers for students with chronic conditions, along with injuries,” Akers said. She said they are there for school health leaders that plan and advocate for programs and policies that improve student outcomes.
“We are public health liaisons who share important health prevention. We are emergency responders who develop and implement emergency action plans,” Akers said. The nurses also use their assessment skills to make decisions in emergency situations.
“But most importantly, we use evidence-based practice to support the needs of the whole person and acknowledge the connection of health to academic performance,” Akers said. “We are here to support and collaborate with teachers and staff so our students are the best versions of themselves, ready to learn.”
She thanked KCHD Communicable Disease Nurse Teresa Reed, Kosciusko County Public Health Officer Dr. William Remington and the KCHD with the guidance and the updated information to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In other business, the Board approved a new personal finance class requirement at Warsaw Community High School. It will be effective with the current freshmen.
Dr. David Robertson, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, said he did have people reach out to him about the new requirement. One question that came up was the graduation requirement aspect of the class, especially when it came to current freshman.
“One of the things we didn’t go into detail with, but I wanted to make sure you were aware of, but there are different modes or opportunities to take the class,” Robertson said.
There is a digital option offered if a student has a full class load and is unable to take it in that time frame, he said.
There are exceptions to the class, so the school corporation is willing to work with students, Robertson said.
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