Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LARWILL – The Whitko Community School Board heard updates from faculty and staff around the school corporation on Monday.
Liz Riggers, principal of Pierceton Elementary School, noted “things at Pierceton are moving quickly.” The IRead testing for those that did not pass the first time will be happening again. Field Day will be on the last day of school, along with a fifth-grade cookout and red carpet walk to celebrate the fifth grade going to the junior high.
Joel Holsopple, principal of South Whitley Elementary School, shared a story about one of the students at SWES. This student had tripped Holsopple during a soccer game and later reached out to Holsopple to apologize for tripping him, along with asking if he was OK. Holsopple added, “I hope the future generation will be smart and successful, but most importantly that they will take care of each other. Our schools are full of students like this.”
Chris Benedict, director of Whitko Career Academy, let the board know that they are working on certification testing for many of the students. He gave a kudos to Alysia Hammel and Emily Murphy, ag teachers at WCA, for a successful Ag Day on May 15.
JD Maurer, principal for Whitko Junior High School, spoke about House Bill 1634 and how it will be implemented for the next school year. This bill will require middle schools to “automatically enroll a student who meets certain conditions in a middle school advanced math course.” Maurer stated WJHS will be implementing labs into the related arts wheel, meaning they will have a lab for English, math, and science. He noted that it will be difficult, but it will be worth it.
Maurer also stated he wants to bring back the eighth-grade recognition night. He noted since he has been back to Whitko, they have not had one and it would be worth it for the students to have that recognition as they start on their senior high journey.
Kathy Longenbaugh, principal of Whitko Senior High School, let the board know the seniors have five and a half days left of school and to give a big shout out to the members of the community for the amount of scholarships that were given during the Senior Honors Night. She stated on May 27, seniors will be having their graduation run through and their “Walk of Fame” through SWES and PES.
Joe Jackson, director of operations, shared on June 4-5, the company that will be working on the roofing project will be dropping off equipment and supplies at the bus lot, then on June 8 will begin the construction. June 8 will also be when the fire alarm system upgrade will happen along with the punch list items being worked on.
Jackson is still waiting on another quote for the parking lot. He also shared the electricity and HVAC savings they have noticed from cutting the lights usage down, along with the usage during non-school hours.
Kari Walmer, director of special services shared a grant the department received from United Way of Whitley and Kosciusko Counties. This will go towards a greenhouse development, raised garden beds, adaptive gardening tools and many others for the next year.
Sieara Arnett, director of Whitko Little Cats, shared the first carnival was a great success and thanked United Way for sponsoring. The online auction is up until May 27, and can be found on their Facebook. Arnett shared that all but a few of their rooms are completely full.
Matt Buchanan, director of technology, shared students, except kindergarteners, will be taking their devices home for the summer. He shared the IT department will be working on getting interactive displays for WJSHS which will allow students and staff to be more engaged with learning. He shared that they have 37 panels that they are looking to install, but are waiting on everything to be ironed out.
Ethan Perkins, who was a student of the month, will be a full-time intern for the IT department this summer and will be working on a phishing email to send out to the juniors and seniors for next year. They will use this as a way to teach students, but to also “see how many he can get to click on it.”
The last Whitko 101 will May 20 at the WCA lecture room.
