WCS Test Theme School Idea
Theme schools are one idea that Warsaw Community Schools are testing out, and that idea was highlighted during WCS School Board’s meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz informed those in attendance that the idea originated from a Cambridge Review for public school families to decide where to send students. The theme program is a project-based learning approach that adopts a “theme” for the schools to meet the respective needs of the students.
Teachers were on hand to discuss how they implement the theme alongside current standing core curriculum. Members of the board expressed concern over the theme program adding to the already busy schedule of the teachers. But the teachers in attendance stated their optimism followed by the positive response and motivation expressed by their students.
One parent voiced concern over the theme idea and how it could interfere with the core curriculum and about comments teachers have made about the hardships of making it through the school day. Other issues voiced were over segregated school funding and parent accessibility.
Dr. Hintz pointed out in the mission statement of WCSC that a new program will not be adopted without proper funding. The board members expressed interest in finding ways to fund the adoption of the theme program.
In the recognitions part of the meeting, Warsaw Community High School Athletic Director Dave Anson recognized the following:
- Meredith Hollar was presented with the game ball from her 62nd career goal for setting the school’s record for career goals in girls soccer.
- Ashley Erba was recognized for winning the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award and setting the state’s fastest girl’s cross country time.
- The boy’s cross country team was recognized for placing fourth in the state and being the fastest team in school history.
The board recognized the corporation’s three school psychologists in honor of Governor Mitch Daniels’ school psychology awareness week.
Thanks were expressed to the anonymous donor of $7,500 to Eisenhower Elementary for general needs and for basketball equipment. The board stated this anonymous donation seems to recur every year.
Principal David Robertson presented Jefferson Elementary as this month’s School Spotlight. Robertson highlighted the Jefferson Leadership Academy and its involvement in the community. Students from Mrs. Shaffner’s third-grade class read letters they sent and received from deployed KC-135 Airmen.
The board approved the Title II grant application for an amount of $178,000. The board also approved the Kosciusko County Community Foundation grant for the Claypool Learning Center.
Amy Sivley highlighted the corporation’s straight A’s earned by Indiana’s grading system. WCSC is one of 18 districts in the state to earn all A’s. Only six percent of schools in the state have done this.
Dr. Hintz expressed that the state’s accountability system is still fairly new and subject to change with time and the arrival of a new state superintendent in January. Educators have expressed concern over parts of the system.
Marci Franks presented the annual food and nutrition services report. In an effort to improve the quality of school food, Warsaw Community High School now has eight serving lines, including a produce preparation area that allows on-site fresh produce. The high school now offers hot vegetarian meals as well.
The high school also saw the addition of a coffee bar during the free breakfast. A frappachino or latté costs students only $1 and interest in the free breakfast rose from 200 to over 400 students served.
To also promote healthy eating, salad bars were introduced into the middle schools. Elementary schools are introducing fruits and vegetables to their students, letting them try many new foods for the first time. The elementary cafeterias also allow students to choose their meals using the Five Star Food system.
A decision on facility rental fees was postponed so schools can do further research into the matter. The revision of facility rental fees stems from a request from the Leesburg Cub Scouts.
The time of the Dec. 20 board meeting has been moved up to 6 p.m., to allow for an open house to send off the three outgoing board members, as well as to allow the Tiger Den to celebrate the school system’s straight A’s.