West Central Middle/High School’s principal is stepping down. Scott Ritchie’s resignation was accepted by the school board Thursday.
Continue readingWest Central Middle/High School Principal Resigns
West Central High School Principal, Assistant Principal to Split Athletic Director’s Duties
The West Central School Corporation will hold off on hiring a full-time athletic director for a year. Last week, the school board agreed to have the high school principal and assistant principal split those duties in the meantime, according to Superintendent Dan Zylstra.
Continue readingWest Central School Administration Pleased with Process during School Closure
West Central School Superintendent Dan Zylstra, Middle/High School Principal Scott Ritchie and Elementary School Principal Mike Carlson have been impressed with how the teachers and students have adapted to instruction during this uncertain time.
Continue readingWest Central Middle/High School Principal Provides Update to School Board
West Central Middle/High School Principal Scott Ritchie told the school board members last week that students recently took the Certified Nurses Assistant State Exam and performed well on the exam.
Continue readingWest Central School Board Continues Discussions Concerning Sixth Grade Move
More research will be conducted into a potential move of the sixth grade from the West Central Middle/High School back to the Elementary School.
Continue readingWest Central School Board Holds Discussion Concerning Homeschooled Students and Athletics
Homeschooled students could help increase participation numbers in athletics at the West Central School Corporation. That topic was explored, in brief, by the school board members last week.
Continue readingWest Central School Board Considers Sixth Grade Transition Back to Elementary School
The West Central School Board members took time last week to discuss a possible move of the sixth grade from the Middle/High School back to the Elementary School.
Superintendent Dan Zylstra said there are several points to be considered.
“A sixth grade self-contained class is a little more efficient personnel-wise than having it split up,” explained Zylstra. “There’s something to be said for maintaining elementary kids up one more year, but you lose some of the diversity of course offering too. Sixth graders are pretty big for Elementary School. At some point they kind of size out of that.”
Elementary School Principal Mike Carlson said if the sixth grade were to return to the elementary school it would not impede on space.
Middle/High School Principal Scott Ritchie said discipline is handled differently at his school where he believes sixth grade students aren’t ready for that environment.
Ritchie commented, “What we expect out of our students there is a little different just because those guys are still small and still have a lot of energy bundled up inside of them. At other times I don’t think it’s their fault, they’re just not ready for that environment of walking the hallways freely without somebody with them.”
He added that the lunch lines are very long which creates a problem. Timing would accommodate the change at the Elementary School, if approved.
When it comes to staffing, Carlson added that he’s heard from at least one sixth grade teacher who wants to go back to the Elementary School while Ritchie said more teachers may want to stay at the Middle/High School.
No decisions were made last week, but Zylstra indicated that the board may need to decide during their next meeting in February when the 2020-2021 school calendar is up for consideration.
Comfort Closet a Success at West Central Schools
The Comfort Closet initiated at the West Central High School in the fall is a success.
Continue readingWest Central High School Senior Trip Proposed
West Central Middle/High School Principal Scott Ritchie informed the school board members last week that he’s proposing a special senior trip this year.
Continue readingWest Central High School to Open Coffee Bar
West Central Middle/High School Principal Scott Ritchie informed the school board last week that a coffee bar will be opening this school year for students after Labor Day.
Continue readingLocal School Administrator Testifies at Indiana Statehouse
West Central Middle/High School Principal Scott Ritchie recently testified before committee members at the Indiana Statehouse, according to Superintendent Don Street.
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