Whitko-Reading Refinement, Remodeling Resources, Recognizing Required Research Into Reports & Rumors

PIERCETON-October 11th’s Whitko School Board meeting included an American Reading Company (ARC) curriculum update from Chris Evans, the TAP director. ARC automatically tracks specific skills and adjusts in real time to help students improve their reading with color-coded, easy to read data for the district and individual schools. Evans reported that Whitko has, "4th and 5th graders still struggling with foundational skills" and says once testing has been completed on all students to set their baselines, Whitko will be able to set growth goals specific to WHY which kids can't read well, not just know that kids don't read well. Evans emphasized that a great deal of factors play into low reading scores and reiterated his hopes in ARC.

In other news relating to school improvement, principals and directors have rubrics for teacher evaluations conducted three times a year, all teachers will do a self-evaluation, and then everything will be sent to Evans and reviewed with Superintendent Tim Pavarnik.

Photo of provided literature at meetingPhoto byMelany Love

A farming proposal was presented by Pavarnik, which would add farm area behind and in front of Whitko Career Academy (WCA)Red clover, alfalfa, and other possible test plots would be grown in strategically placed areas, maintaining adequate view of the building and avoiding the cross country course.

A Little Cats project update came from Alternative Services Director Jamie Paine and MKM Architecture + Design's Jordan Owens, architect and project manager. Safety and separation from workers and student areas has been strictly maintained. Whitko's childcare program benefits from vouchers that help keep costs down and still bring in profit. Once the nicer, larger facility is completed, it is expected to increase voucher amounts and allow for double the students. Eventually, the hope is to expand the program to include older children as well.

Matthew Shoda, father of two students at South Whitley Elementary School (SWES), said a month ago that his son fell on the playground and hit his head. Upon visiting the nurse, he was given Tylenol, but no call home was made. Shoda's child fell asleep in class, and after school, the child was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with a concussion. Shoda said he understands things could get missed, but then his daughter injured her leg on playground equipment and was treated by the nurse and sent home normally. Her parents didn't learn of the incident until they saw the bruising on her leg. Additionally, their daughter now has lice, and there are rumors of an epidemic of lice that the school didn't notify anyone about and of Fentanyl being found in the girls' bathroom at the high school. Shoda ended by saying that notification policies need improvement to avoid rumors and parental frustration. Pavarnik agreed and said that as a parent he understands these concerns and assured they'd be addressed.

The next meeting is Oct. 23 @ 6:30pm at WCA; Work Session/Coffee & Cookies w/ the Superintendent is Nov. 8 @ 4pm @ SWES.

(This story is reprinted from an earlier version via the NewsBreak App)