By: James Pruitt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
At the organizational meeting for the Wauseon Board of Education, Sandra Griggs was elected board president and Larry Fruth as vice president.
The board agreed to have meetings at 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month. Noon meetings will continue to be the fourth Monday of the month on a rotating basis of the district’s schools.
At the regular meeting,
Enrollment by grade stood at:
Preschool – 14
Kindergarten – 103
1st Grade – 137
2nd Grade – 134
3rd Grade – 150
4th Grade – 146
5th Grade – 142
6th Grade – 141
7th Grade – 141
8th Grade – 135
9th Grade – 150
10th Grade – 157
11th Grade – 138
12th Grade – 124
13/14th Grade – 5
The board accepted the following donations:
• $100 from the Wauseon Rotary Club to the WHS Chorale.
• $755.20 from Tomahawk Wrestling Club to the Athletic Department for hotel rooms.
• $121.10 from the Wauseon Athletic Boosters to the Athletic Department for NWOAL Boys Cross County plaques.
• $1,312 from the Athletic Boosters to the Athletic Department for junior high boys basketball uniforms.
• $510 in $10 Chief gift cards from the Wauseon Rotary Club the Elementary School Food Pantry.
• $49.10 from Christ United Methodist Church to the Middle School after school snack program.
• $918.40 from True North Church to pay for reduced cost lunches for 164 students.
• $40 from the Wauseon Downtown Association to the High School Choral.
• $1,835.60 from Box Tops for Education for the Elementary School.
• $100 from the Wauseon Bus Drivers to the WES Food Pantry.
• $362 from the Congregational United Church of Christ to the Food Pantry.
• $150 from the Wauseon Lions Club to the National Honor Society.
• $750 from the National FFA Foundation to the WHS FFA.
High School Business Education teacher Brad Myers has submitted his resignation, effective May 31.
Terri Westfall was officially named Junior Class advisor at Step 8+, retroactive to Aug. 17, 2016.
The board approved the offer of a one-year limited classified contract to Lauren Nafziger as assistant treasurer/Human Resources, effective Jan. 17.
The board approved an overnight trip for the FFA chapter to Dublin, Ohio, for a leadership conference Jan. 14-15.
Building principals gave the following reports:
Elementary School
The third grade reading scores scores for the fall reading / ELA assessments are in and the district’s numbers beat the state average.
The state proficient score is 37 percent and the Wauseon third graders scored at 52 percent proficient.
The proficiency score is not to be confused with the retention score, which is directly tied to the Third-Grade Reading Guarantee.
“We will be examining the reading plan of each student to determine if modifications are needed (whether accelerated, on track, or in need of remediation,” said.
Parent reports will be available in early February.
United Way Grant. Some basic components of the United Way grant include:
• Grades 1 through 5
• 30 students total
• One hour after school with parent pickup
• Hands-On Activities that promote critical thinking
• Movement / After School Snack
Math Night will be 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Teachers have planned math-related games, estimation stations, snacks and activities that are meant to be shared. All students who attend will receive a homework pass, and there will be several door prizes available.
Awards ceremonies will be held during the week of Jan. 23 for first semester accomplishments. There are a variety of categories from improvement to grades, to citizenship, etc.
Wauseon High School
Keith Leatherman, Principal
Ryan O’Dell, Assistant Principal
CURRICULUM/TESTING
End of Course retesting has taken place. This includes end of course tests in Algebra I, Geometry, ELA I, ELA II, American History, and Biology. This will provide students who did not meet the proficient level and are not on track to earn the required 18 points another opportunity to raise their results.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• OMEA District 1 Honors Music Festival – 7 p.m. Feb. 12 – Stranahan Theater: Sam Frank and Conner Johnson – Vocal; Kodi Albright, Lance Jutze, Paige Moden – Instrumental
• Speech Team – Jan. 20-21 @ Sylvania; Jan. 28 @ Fremont Ross; Feb. 4 @ Napoleon
2017-2018 Scheduling
• Jan. 17: Build Workshop @ NWOCA
• Jan. 23: Scheduling Presentation to Sophomores
• Jan. 26 and 1/27: Schedule One on One with Sophomores
• Jan. 30: Scheduling Presentation to Juniors
• Feb. 1 and 2: Schedule One on One with Juniors
• Feb. 7: Scheduling Presentation to Freshmen
• Feb. 9 and 2/10: Schedule One on One with Freshman
• Feb. 16: 8th Grade Parent Mtg.
• Feb. 21: Scheduling Presentation to 8th Graders
• Feb. 24 and 27: Schedule One on One with 8th Graders
• March 13 -17: Master Scheduling @ NWOCA
Wauseon Middle School
NAEP Testing Feb. 1. Only a select number of eighth graders will take the test. A random sampling will be drawn to see which students take reading and which take math.
The school has no responsibility in the administration of the test other than providing the students and a place to give it. NAEP has a team that comes in and takes care of the actual test administration. A letter has already been sent to the homes of the students who were lucky enough to be selected to participate.
The second administration the STAR Diagnostic Test is taking place. All students take a quick test to monitor growth in both Reading and Math.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from the state tests because it provides a common measure of student achievement for all states and the entire country. There are no individual student scores for the NAEP; results are aggregated by the state and national level.
Important Points of the NAEP:
• The assessment will take between 90 and 120 minutes to complete. Students will either take a pencil and paper test or use an electronic tablet (similar to an iPad) provided by the assessment team.
• A student’s school grades will NOT be affected.
• There are no individual student, teacher or school results. Results are for statistical purposes only.
• Students taking the NAEP are a random sample of the larger student population; not every student in eighth grade will take the NAEP.
There is no need to study in preparation for the NAEP, but please encourage your child to do his or her best. Again, there are no individual student scores, but this information will help identify overall student achievement for Ohio and the nation.
Wauseon Primary School
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration will be March 23 and 24. Parents will be able to begin calling in and making appointments starting Feb. 1.
Music Informances:
An informance is an informational performance. During music class for Kindergarten and First Grade students, parents and grandparents will be invited to visit the classroom and observe what students do in music class each day.
• Kindergarten: April 18-22
• First Grade: March 20-24
WPS/WES After School Program by United Way: Program Paperwork/Information meeting is tomorrow at WES for interested staff.
Math Week: Math week will be Jan 23-27 with Family Math night 6-7 p.m. Jan. 26.
Academic News
Star Testing Window: Winter Benchmark Testing has begun. Each grade level will meet with Mrs. Gerig, Mrs. Metzner, and myself to review mid-year benchmark data in STAR Diagnostic. This data is used to inform instruction, intervention, and grade level strengths and areas for improvement.
Progress Reports
Progress reports were sent home Jan. 6. These reports reflect 1st semester progress with detailed comments from the teachers.
James Pruitt may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com