Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Exchange City is an authentic, life-size town and interactive program that involves student management of a simulated economy.
At Exchange City, students put into practice the knowledge they learned and developed in Junior Achievement's elementary program.
Monday, Paul Holm, education director for Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, spoke to the Whitko Community School Corp. Board of Trustees about the city.
"Exchange City is very much a hands-on program," he said. It takes classroom learning and applies it to a "real world" setting. The city integrates multiple subjects and topics and impacts the students across the spectrum, he said.
With the city, Junior Achievement tries to support what's going on in the classroom, including meeting state standards and Public Law 221. During the next several years, Holm said, J.A. will work to enhance what they do in the classroom. It's not a separate program, he said, but is meant to be integrated into the classroom and meets curriculum standards "in an exciting way."
Technology is incorporated and there's "an amazing response from area businesses wanting to support it," Holm said.
Two teachers and South Whitley Elementary School Principal Bill Hoppus also endorsed Exchange City. Hoppus said the hands-on program is "just wonderful." The teachers said of Exchange City and J.A., "Everything was well planned and ready for us to use."
In other business, the board:
• Heard from director of curriculum Dr. Diana Showalter that there is little state funding for summer school this year. The possibilities for summer school will include summer band, remediation and tutoring.
• Approved the bids for roof and masonry work at Pierceton Elementary School and the concession stand at Whitko High School, totaling approximately $162,546. The winning bid for the roofing was from CMS Roofing for approximately $132,666, and the masonry bid was won by Kemma Restoration for approximately $29,880.
• Approved the payment of the renovation project invoice for guard rails at the high school stadium and gymnasium for $5,990.
• Approved the bylaws of the "All-Write!" consortium as presented. Whitko schools has participated in the program, sponsored by Dekko Foundation, since its inception and is supporting a mentor teacher at Pierceton Elementary School.
• Approved the resignations/terminations/retirements of Glenna Wagner, school nurse at Whitko Middle and Pierceton Elementary schools; Steve Fiedeke, Whitko High School golf coach; Dave Lopshire, WHS assistant football coach; and Luke Hunt, science teacher at WHS, retiring effective June 2.
• Recognized the following students, teachers and staff:
PES student Claire Truman for participating in the first round of the 2002-03 Kosciusko County Spelling Bee competition and SWES student Tyler Kunce for placing fifth in the Bee.
Northeastern Indiana Scholastic Arts Award competition participants, WHS students Esther Brenneman, Hannah Brenneman, Nathaniel Carver, Tara Eberhart, Casie Graves, Bronwen Greenfield, Misty Hathaway, Tiffany Hatton, Matt Licata, Gabe McKeever, Katie Menzie, Amanda Nicodemus, Krystal Poe and Leah Winger.
Recognized student athletes Drew Lopshire, Dan Vandewalle and Kevin Feldman for being named to the Indiana Academic All-State Football Team.
All Whitko students who participated in the ISSMA Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest and the three students who received a first place rating in Division I and will advance to state competition, including Vanessa Staller, Shea Duggins, Jennifer Saldivar.
Five Whitko wrestlers who qualified for IHSAA regional competition, including freshman Clay Omelian, sophomore Brent Boardman, juniors John Daring and Eric Camden and senior Dustin Boardman. Omelian and Daring qualified for semi-state competition.
All WHS students who participated in the BPA district competition.
WHS students for their accomplishments in FFA State Judging including FFA Judging Team Matt Metzger, Jeremiah Geiger, Mindy Kessie, Adam Haegert; 4-H Team Angie Juricak, Amanda Nicodemus, Leigh Anne Dausman, Cara Ramey; FFA Dairy Foods Team Jerry Bowers, Jeff Sprunger, Justin Kurtz; Leadership Development Team Matt Metzger, Shannon Dellinger, Stephanie Rhoades, Mindy Salmon and Adam Haegert.
Teacher Doug Patrick for being a recipient of the Golden Apple Award from News Channel 21 of Fort Wayne Feb. 13.
Members of the Whitko School Board of Trustees are Hal Trump, E. Marie Trump, Pete Mitchell, Dave Tranter and Michael Braddock. Their next meeting is March 17 at 7:30 p.m.
