Wawasee Hears Report On First Homecoming Parade In 10 Years
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JUDE STRIEBY-RASKA-
SYRACUSE – At the Tuesday monthly meeting of the Wawasee School Board, Wawasee High School Principal Kim Nguyen spoke about Wawasee’s first homecoming parade in 10 years. Nguyen was instrumental in getting the parade together, the theme of which was Indiana’s bicentennial celebration. Though it rained, public attendance was still up. Ten different groups from within the school and 25 different community groups initially were slated to participate. The rain caused five groups to cancel, which brought attendance to around 30 groups. “Even though it rained, it was still a pretty good parade,” said Nguyen. “Every year, I think we’re going to make it bigger and better.” Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington had several items in his monthly “good news” report. The Wawasee Community School Corporation achieved 2015-2016 Riley Corporation status, while the Wawasee Middle school received an award from the Indiana Department of Education for family and community engagement. About 120 students from Wawasee High School participated in the third annual Feed My Starving Children Mobile-Pack event at Grace College. Overall, the students were able to pack 34,344 meals intended for children in Haiti. The Walk Into My Future event, put on by Kosciusko County Promise, recently took elementary students on a tour of Grace College, which included lunch and hearing about the curriculum available. “Some of these young people may hear about college, but (this program allows them) to actually see and be a part of the walkthrough,” said Edington. Edington reported several donations to the school and various student groups. The Milford School Outdoor Club received a K21 Health Foundation grant for $7,866 in order to purchase kayaks. The kayaks are fold-up versions and are only 23 pounds, which makes use and transportation easier. The grant was originally written for only six kayaks, but due to a discount given by the kayak company, the club was able to purchase eight. The Wawasee Middle School robotics competition teams received sponsorship from Polar Kraft Boats in the amount of $500. Also at the middle school, the girl’s soccer team received an anonymous donation of uniforms and equipment totaling $940. The Wawasee High School Iron Pride Robotics Team received a grant from Dekko in the amount of $10,000. Finally, Wawasee received $2,400 from Women of Today, a local not-for-profit group dedicated to raising funds for the youth in the community. A recent change in Indiana law made it so that only superintendents may have the final say in various activities. As a precaution against the absence by any presiding superintendent, Edington recommended a title change for Joy Goshert, from director of curriculum and instruction to assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment. Cory Schutz recommended Mike Barger as head softball coach. Barger has been employed at Wawasee, and previously was employed at West Noble High School. James Flecker, director of personnel and legal services, proposed a new background check company, Background Investigation Bureau, which will cost less money for school employees and volunteers. The new company would provide the school system more for less, which is a win for both the school and employees. Phil Huffman presented videos created by a group of Wawasee students for the #kickRxabuse video challenge put on by the Indianapolis Colts. Hoffman urged the board and community to help the students with their challenge by finding and watching the videos, since the winning video will be chosen partly based on the number of views it receives. Finally, Flecker gave an update on the 2016 summer projects. Syracuse Elementary school now has a roof as well as the framework of the front entrance, and parts of the school now has drywall up. The Wawasee High School concessions stand is almost fully complete and is slated to open up next week.
