Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE -ÊFrom kindergarten to grade 10 in Wawasee Community School Corp., the focus is on reading, writing and math.
A number of years ago, the school corporation decided to reach out to the high school juniors and seniors a little more and help them prepare for life, according to Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Mark Stock.
The Education to Careers committee was formed to try to put that idea into practice.
Phil Metcalf, that committee chairman, said one of the advantages of going to a trimester scheduling system is that it gives the students an opportunity to do work-based learning.
"We feel these work-based opportunities are good for kids," he said. Along with getting high school credit, the students are held responsible for their participation in the program.
Karl Keiper, who monitors the students in the program, said the program includes cadet teaching, internships and service learning. A good program requires help and participation from the community. He introduced six students who are participating in the program.
Caroline Mahnensmith is a senior in the cadet teaching program. She said she was involved all year in it and she worked in kindergarten, first- , fourth- and second-grade classrooms.
"It's really helped me," she said. "I've always wanted to be a teacher."
Jennifer Bradford, also a senior, said she helped teachers in kindergarten and first grade and the physical education teacher. Her duties included helping teachers with anything they needed, making their jobs easier. She said she was able to be around kids more, which she enjoys.
In the internship program, Jama Brown, a senior, worked at the Pill Box Pharmacy, Milford.
"I think the program is really great," she said, and it helped her to determine if pharmacy was a career she really wanted to get into.
Alex Smith was one of the two students who participated in the service learning program. At the North Webster Church of God, his consistent responsibilities were organizing the praise board and helping with youth events. He learned time management most of all, he said.
"Service learning is a great program. It teaches you a lot about yourself," said Andy Kaehr, who worked at the Calvary United Methodist Church.
Benson Communications representative Ben Plikerd spoke about WCHS student Greg Wong and his internship at the business. He said Wong was a great asset for the Syracuse business and Wong was able to focus on technology issues he was interested in. By participating in the internship, Plikerd said, Wong increased his maturity and learned why in the business community things are done a certain way.
Metcalf said the programs help students prepare for life after high school. The cadet teaching, internships and service learning are three "valuable programs" they hope will get bigger and better, Metcalf said. Keiper is looking for more places to offer students non-paid internships with a variety of experiences.
School board member Dallas Winchester said he hopes the Wawasee schools community will participate more in these programs as they seem to be a positive experience.
There are 20 to 30 students in the cadet teaching program, seven to 10 in service learning and four to five students doing internships this school year, Metcalf said. "It's very small yet."
Wawasee High School Principal Alan Frank said the program helps students make good choices for the right reasons. They get more serious about life and get some direction, he said.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved the WCEA Master Agreement, classified wages and administration wages, which include a 2.75 percent increase in base salary for the 2002-03 school year.
The salaries for administrators include: superintendent, $99,200; high school principal, $82,900; curriculum and instruction assistant, $77,100; finance director, $77,100; middle school principal, $72,100; high school assistant principal, $72,100; athletic director, $70,500; elementary principal, $69,200; dean of students, $65,400; alternative school director, $64,000; middle school assistant principal, $63,900; director of support services, $62,800; special education director, $62,000; Title I coordinator, $58,500.
• Approved a $6,881.41 donation from Ikon Corp. for scholarship awards for Wawasee seniors. In the seven years Ikon has presented scholarship money to Wawasee, they have donated more than $40,000.
• Heard that Wawasee schools will have the same summer school programs this summer as last year. Summer school dates are June 4 through July 3. One section of government, one section of economics, two math/science sections and three English sections will be offered.
• Was reminded the April board meeting will be on the 15th at Wawasee Middle School in the media center.
Members of the Wawasee Community School Corp. Board of School Trustees are president Brian Dawes, secretary Marion Acton, Jeff Wells, Mary Louise Dixon and Dallas Winchester.
