West Central reviews survey results of first 'E-Learning' Day

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Published: Tuesday, 07 April 2015 19:24

FRANCESVILLE - Superintendent Don Street updated the West Central School Board on the corporation's first "E-Learning" day in March, presenting the results of several surveys that were completed following the event.

The E-Learning program is being used by West Central to compensate for missed school days resulting from bad weather, in lieu of adding days to the school calendar.

Street reported there were 278 parent surveys completed and out of the completed surveys 87.4% found the e-learning day was effective. There were 491 student surveys completed and 65.6% found the e-learning day was effective. There were also 49 staff surveys completed. The staff reported that 85.7% of the students met the expectations. The next e-learning days will be April 11, April 18 and May 9.

In other business, state immunization requirements were reviewed. Vaccinations may be received at the Jasper County Health Department and the Pulaski County Health Department.

Utility usage and expenses were reviewed and Street reported the wind turbine is functioning very well.

Street reviewed several dates: Prom will be May 16; Senior Awards will be May 18; Student Last Day will be May 22; Baccalaureate will be Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m.; Commencement will be Sunday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m.

The school board approved the following leave requests as presented:

• Ashley Reinhold – Maternity Leave
• Brandi Kappes – Maternity Leave
• Elizabeth Swalby – Cooperative School Services – Maternity Leave change request

The board approved the following retirements from the Cooperative School Services as requested:

• Joyce Butler – administrative assistant
• Mari Anne Saylor – speech clinician

Approval was given to the following resignations as presented:

• Kevin Wenzel – 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
• Amanda DeVries – Cooperative School Services

 The board approved the following field trips as presented:

• Marsha Minkert – Art Club – Chicago Art Museum
• Joanne Stevens – BPA National Convention – Anaheim, California

The board discussed the Preventive Maintenance Proposal from Havel. The school corporation has been very satisfied with the service provided by Havel. The board voted to approve a motion to sign another year maintenance agreement with no price increase.

Principal Reports:

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp reported that West Central Schools recently raised over $3,000 for the Pennies for Patients campaign. With the goal of raising $2,500, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) took the Pennies for Patients project and promoted the campaign at the elementary, middle, and high school. In the high school, the Pennies for Patients campaign was capped off with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and "Duct Tape a Teacher to the Wall" event. Students and staff had a great time playing basketball, participating in games, and raising money for an excellent cause. A special thank you to the FCA and FCA President Max Wuethrich for all the hard work, time, and effort put forth in this worthwhile endeavor.

Recently, the National Honor Society and National Junior High Honor Society inducted 15 new members. An induction ceremony, highlighted by a motivational speech by former superintendent Charles Mellon, welcomed the new members to the NHS and NJHS. Culp congratulated both current and new members for displaying the characteristics of academic achievement, leadership, character, and service.

Upcoming events:

• For the middle school, students will conducting the drama performance on April 10.
• On Tuesday, April 21, Parent/Teacher Conferences for the middle and high school will be conducted starting at 3:30.
• The 2014-15 MWC Math Contest will be held on Wednesday, April 22.
• The 2014-15 MWC Writing Contest will take place on Thursday, April 23.
• The Indian Trails Banquet celebrating vocational instructors and business partners will be held at Tri-County High School on April 23.
• On May 16, the Prom will be held at Pineview with the After Prom to follow.

Elementary School principal Dan Zylstra reported that things are warming up this April at WCES. As usual, April is a busy month. April 1 was picture day. That afternoon the school also had a band recruitment concert for upper elementary students presented by Mr. Coffey and the high school band students. On April 9 students will get their ice cream reward for their March Accelerated Reader goals. Kindergarten Roundup is April 9 and 10. The Spring Book Fair will be the week of April 13-17. It’s titled Book Fair Under the Sea: Explore an Ocean of Books. The PTC’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Contest will be running the week of April 20-24. On the April 24, Title I will host its annual Muffins with Mom celebration in the gym. To top it all off, ISTEP+ will begin on Monday, April 27. The first E-Learning Day at the elementary on March 14 was a success. The elementary would like to thank staff, students, and parents for their efforts. Thursday morning Professional Development time in March was used to review the Social Studies adoption, prepare for E-Learning Days, and hear information on some food services and English-language learner guidelines.

Student-of-the-Month certificates were presented to Emily Bunger at the elementary school level, Crisney Shepperd at the middle school level, and Ethan Perry at the high school level.

During public comment, Chris Shepperd gave a petition to the board and asked the board to reconsider E-learning.