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LARWILL – Whitko School Board heard updates from principals and faculty during their Monday, Feb. 16 meeting.
Liz Riggers, principal at Pierceton Elementary School, stated that at PES, they are prepping for iRead, which is during the first two weeks of March. “Donut Stress about the Test” is a way where students can join Riggers for doughnuts and hot chocolate and alleviate the stress of test taking.
Joel Holsopple, principal of South Whitley Elementary School, is also working with students on iRead, working with his Title I teachers, and looking at phonemic awareness. Holsopple wants to let his students be aware that if they do not pass the iRead, it’s not because they are not trying. He gave a shout out to the SWES PTO for “spoiling the staff.”
Chris Benedict, director of the Whitko Career Academy, is working on finalizing several reports needed for WCA to receive federal funding. All incoming freshmen have enrolled in courses at WCA for next year. FFA Week is Feb. 21-28, which includes student voting where they will select a staff member to kiss a goat “and I don’t know what that’s about, but I hope I’m not winning that,” Benedict said.
Benedict stated that the FFA would be hosting a pork burger dinner from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at WCA. Pre-sale tickets are $10, and tickets at the door are $12. Ag students will be attending the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show on Thursday, Feb. 26 to help wrap up FFA Week.
Benedict also thanked Total Plastics for donating $8,063.24 worth of plastic materials to the WCA.
JD Maurer, principal of Whitko Junior High School, stated that the eighth-graders will be taking the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, and there will also be make-up days for students needing to take the iLearn and iRead tests. Starting Tuesday, Feb. 17, WJHS will be setting up a mock grocery store in the auxiliary gym to give eighth-graders the opportunity to see how money is exchanged, and how prices in groceries have gone up.
Kathy Longenbaugh, principal at Whitko Senior High School, gave examples of the positive influence, high levels of achievement, and positive culture at her building. For positive influence, high schoolers went to the elementary school on World Read-Aloud Day to read to students. For high level of achievement, not only did she list the great things that have happened with the band and sports, but Daniel Malicki, WSHS art teacher, was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. For positive culture, students did a penny drive where the winners got to choose where to donate, and students left positive sticky-notes on faculty and staff sheets.
Athletic Director Drew Benedict reported that because of the girls basketball team bringing home so many trophies, and trophies that have not made it to the trophy case, they are working on reorganizing it. The athletic and maintenance teams are working on prepping the baseball and softball fields for the upcoming season. Drew also thanked the Whitko cheerleaders for being flexible. WJHS wrestling is starting up. Junior high wrestling just started their season last week, and according to Benedict, they did “an amazing job.” Boys basketball is finishing up their last two weeks of the season, with sectionals approaching within the next week.
Director of Transportation Rhonda Snavley gave a brief update that the bus shop is preparing for the state bus inspection March 23-24. She also gave a shout out to their new mechanic, Jakob Hill, for helping with the plowing, and being a huge help with the most recent bus purchase.
Director of Operations Joe Jackson stated that he is looking into a quote for the fire alarm panel at the WJSHS, figuring out how many of the bleachers need to be replaced, and they are still looking for a new head custodian. The WCA greenhouse also had an update to the electrical system, and D wing’s heating unit will have a coil replaced Tuesday, Feb. 17. A new plow truck will be delivered mid-March.
Director of Special Services Kari Walmer thanked the speech and language pathologists, Kate Sullivan and Emily Bent, who serve around 150 students across the WCS buildings, and the homebound schools. Walmer stated that she is extremely grateful for everything they do. Several trainings for staff will be going on within the next couple weeks.
Director of Technology Matt Buchanan implemented Freshdesk, which helps the IT department monitor the number of tickets they have, and also helps with the Chromebooks that need repaired. Buchanan stated that with the state reporting, they dropped 12 students since the fall semester.
Superintendent Dr. Amy Korus thanked not only Total Plastics for their donation to the WCA but also announced they received a $30,000 grant from the DEKKO Foundation, with the agreement that the school will match up to $15,000, for Whitko Little Cats.
The last day of school will be June 2, and for seniors it will be May 27, with graduation being on May 29. Korus stated that the only date that would change would be the June 2 date, if WCS has to close for any more snow.
The next Whitko 101 session will be 5 p.m. Feb. 18 and the topic will be Business and Finance: How Whitko Schools are Funded.
