Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LARWILL - The Whitko School Board heard about the Whitko Travel Club and about great turn-outs for the parent-teacher conferences during a meeting Monday.
Antimony Fox, a teacher at Whitko, gave a presentation about the Whitko Travel Club. She noted the travel club has been to Italy, Ireland, Wales, England and Greece, but plan on traveling more within the states.
“We have plans for more local trips,” said Fox. “The high school in December is planning on a ski trip, and going to the southern Indiana caves during spring break.”
She also mentioned a trip to bring back would be the Washington, D.C., trip, and have the middle school students go to Deep River Waterpark. When asked by Superintendent Dr. Amy Korus what she needed from Whitko to grow the program, Fox responded, “get the word out … and be more open to travel.”
The board also heard from several of the principals on students progress after fall break, and about parent-teacher conferences.
Joel Holsopple, principal of South Whitley Elementary School, remarked the SWES parent-teacher conference held on Oct. 6 and Oct. 8 “had a 90% of parents meet in person,” and thanked the parent-teacher organization for providing food.
JD Maurer, principal of Whitko Junior High School, and Kathy Longenbaugh, principal of Whitko Senior High School, both noted the students have been doing excellent since coming back from fall break.
Maurer noted less than 7% of junior high students have failing grades and the junior high has a 95% attendance rate.
Longenbaugh noted during the parent teacher conferences at the high school they had 191 parents attend.
Longenbaugh also remarked the high school will be working on financial aid and Free Application for Federal Student Aid nights for parents with children who are planning on attending college and need help navigating the process.
Reports
Chris Benedict, director of Whitko Career Academy, told the board the early childhood and education profession students have met required training so they can start their placements, and eighth-grade students are working on finding career fields that interest them.
Also, on Oct. 1, 60 students in the construction trade classes attended an "interactive field trip" at the Carpenter's Training Center in Warsaw for learning opportunities, and to expose them to different areas in the field.
Kari Walmer, director of special services, told the board about the five grants for special education which were submitted.
Athletic Director Drew Benedict, noted the fall sports are wrapping up, just as the winter sports are ramping up. He and Longenbaugh both congratulated the band, and wished them luck as they compete to qualify for a spot at state.
Faith Erexson, director of curriculum, told the board about the state test results being back, which will be discussed more next month, and how the elementary and secondary schools will be looking at consistency and project-based learning models.
Joe Jackson, director of operations, noted the roofing project and the parking lots are almost finished, the carpet replacement at the high school was completed, and the demolition and remodeling for the skills classroom is beginning. He also noted they are still looking for full-time and part-time custodians.
Rhonda Snavley, director of transportation, noted a driver passed their skills test for their commercial driver’s license, and there are two more drivers working towards theirs. She also spoke about how they are “gearing up” for winter sports.
Sieara Arnett, director of Whitko Little Cats, noted on Sept. 25, they hosted a LaunchPad event where over 100 early educators came to see the facility. She noted several were impressed, and asked where they received several of their items.
Arnett also noted the Christmas program date will be announced, and the Little Cats have been going on field trips.
Matt Buchanan, director of technology, expressed gratitude to his staff for their continual hard work by creating “200 access points.” He stated they are “doing work on productivity gains,” and working on “doing more with less.”
Other business:
• Summit City Steel donated $1,000 to the girls’ basketball team.
• Approved all accounts payable/receivable from Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23, along with the revenue, appropriation, fund and financial reports.
• Approved the extra-curricular reports for PES, SWES and WJSHS, approved field trips and approved several personnel actions.
• The students of the month for October were recognized for their growth, respectfulness, leadership, positive attitude, and their great personalities. They are Awtymn Garver, Makayla Cooley, Levi Mathias and Cooper Stephens.
The next school board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Whitko Career Academy lecture room.
