With less than one month away from the first day of school, Warsaw schools are on track for an exciting year with two new administrative staff members.
Matt Deeds has changed positions as the new principal of Harrison Elementary. Deeds was previously the assistant principal of Lakeview Middle School.
Andrew Wilson was welcomed by the school board Monday as Deeds’ replacement at Lakeview. Wilson started his teaching career with Goshen Community Schools, then worked for Carmel Clay Schools before coming to Warsaw Community Schools.
Tracey Akers, nurse coordinator for WCS, presented the Nursing Service Annual Report for the 2015-16 school year. The school district has a nurse in every building and all are certified RNs. In March, the nurses implemented CareDocs, which allows electronic charting and flows well with the WCS Powerschool system, the school board heard.
New to the 2016-17 school year was the Kindergarten Physical Night. WCS partnered with Kosciusko Community Hospital medical staff and held the event at Pediatric Healthcare. Students were invited to stop at various stations to learn about dental hygiene and proper hand washing techniques. Hearing and vision screenings and a physical exam were performed by medical personnel. Several students received their physicals before the new school year starts.
Akers also noted KCH made a donation to the Boomerang Backpack program recently, which provides healthy food items for the weekend to students needing nutritional support. This program was started in 2012 at Lincoln Elementary and is now available at six Warsaw schools.
Lakeview Middle School Principal Amy Sively presented the Five Year Grant Update that began with 2015-16 as the planning year and focuses on student activities. After-school enrichment opportunities will be available for seventh- and eighth-grade students with transportation provided, thanks to the grant. All activities incorporate math or language arts. Some of the chosen programs include glass fusion, song lyric studies and a mock stock market game.
Chief Financial Officer Brandon Penrod gave an update from last week’s work session meeting regarding the school corporation’s health insurance consulting company, Group Alternatives. Board member Jay Baumgartner had inquired if Group Alternatives was collecting commission for their services. Penrod confirmed they do not take commission on the WCS account.
Director of Human Resources Jeanine Corson reported teachers Abbi Richcreek and Noel Howett will be traveling to Rochester, Mich., to receive training for a new robotic arm the schools have acquired.
Warsaw Community High School is hosting the E3 Technology Conference in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education July 25 and 26. This regional conference brings world-class speakers to Warsaw and is made possible through grant funding from the Indiana Department of Education and the Office of eLearning.
According to WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, “We are less than one month away from the beginning of school and still on schedule for a great start to the school year.”
