West Central School Superintendent Don Street and administrators shared information with the school board members about the new academic standards.
Street said a new I-STEP+ test will be administered in the spring based on the new academic standards.
The West Central School Board heard from the building principals concerning the school improvement plans for the elementary, middle and high schools.
Superintendent Don Street explained that this is all required as part of Public Law 221 as a way to gauge needs of the students and how to improve those areas.
The 29 students enrolled at Starke County’s newest school are thriving in the non-traditional learning environment. The Crossing alternative school opened recently and offers a second chance to students who have been expelled from or dropped out of public schools. Principal Quentin Bishop says the school is an extension of the students’ sending schools.
“This is like a classroom just down the road from their sending school. We have that type of relationship, that type of partnership to say we’re not only just The Crossing Education Center working as an independent school. We’re actually in partnership with our public schools,” Bishop said. Continue reading
The West Central School Corporation is ready to welcome students back to school tomorrow.
Superintendent Don Street said several projects are finishing up before the school year starts.
The West Central School Board members approved the final reading of the firearms policy at their board meeting this week.
Superintendent Don Street explained in an earlier report that the policy includes language that doesn’t allow a firearm inside the school building. A firearm will not be allowed on school property unless it is inside a locked vehicle and out of sight of the public, as outlined in the state statute.
Doors will open to students next week at our area school corporations.
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Greg Briles explained that some teachers have been training with Apple representatives to better understand how they can provide a more effective use of the technology that is available in the buildings. Briles said a back to school event is set for Monday.
“On Monday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT, we are having what we are going to start calling a traditional cookout,” said Briles. “We’ll have hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, iced tea, lemonade, and water for everybody if they’d like to come out and join us. They can go through the buildings. If any of the children want to bring their supplies in prior to the start of school on Wednesday, this would give them an opportunity to meet their teacher and get their supplies in there so they’re not having to carry everything on the school buses the first day.”
The West Central School Board will meet tonight for their regular monthly meeting and to discuss how things around going before the start of school next week.
The board members will have the second reading of the firearms policy. Superintendent Don Street explained in an earlier report that the policy includes language that doesn’t allow a firearm inside the school building. A firearm will not be allowed on school property unless it is inside a locked vehicle and out of sight of the public, as outlined in the state statute.
Indiana students overall showed improvement on their ISTEP scores in both math and language arts. Scores released yesterday by the Indiana Department of Education indicate 80.7 percent of students passed English, compared to 79.5 percent in 2013. Math scores went up from 83 to 83.5 percent statewide. Continue reading
Are your children up to date on their immunizations? Before school starts, you must be sure they are. Continue reading
The West Central School Corporation will be opening doors to students soon.
Students can register for classes on Monday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Textbook rental fees will be due. A $15 technology fee will be added for students receiving a technical device. The rental fee for sixth through twelfth grade will be based on courses taken and will be calculated at the time of registration.
The West Central School Board approved the hire of a new high school assistant principal who will also claim the position of athletic director.
Superintendent Don Street said the new employee is returning to the corporation as a former student.
West Central School Superintendent Don Street has been in that position for a little over two weeks now and he seems to be fitting into the corporate office quite well since Charles Mellon’s retirement on June 30.
A local school corporation will have a new superintendent when classes start in the fall. This is Charles Mellon’s last day at West Central. He’s retiring after 34 years with the corporation. Mellon started there as an assistant principal in 1980 and worked his way into the front office.
“It is a great place to raise a family. Most things are centered around school and church in this community. That’s what we enjoyed. A lot of our staff that come in new stay. That’s a good sign that’s a good place to live and a good, strong school corporation,” Mellon told WKVI News. Continue reading
One piece of good news that parents and students will like for the next school year at West Central schools is the book rental prices at the corporation will not increase.
The board also discussed summer school for this year and Superintendent Charles Mellon said those classes are mainly for elementary school students.
One of the projects that the staff at the West Central School Corporation hopes to accomplish this summer is the improvements to security at the school.
Superintendent Charles Mellon said the project has been delayed due in part in not being able to retrieve the Secured School Safety Grant money to finish the project.
In honor of the upcoming retirement of West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon, an open house is planned for next week.
Help the West Central School Corporation staff and students celebrate his career as an educator on Tuesday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET at the West Central School Corporation Office at 117 E. Montgomery Street in Francesville.
Mellon will leave as the superintendent of West Central Schools on Monday, June 30. High School Principal Don Street will be taking over in that position on July 1. Patrick Culp, a 1995 graduate of West Central High School, will fill Street’s position as high school principal.
The maintenance staff at the West Central School Corporation will have their hands full with several projects this summer.
Superintendent Charles Mellon said a new telephone system is one of the larger, more expensive projects this summer. The old system is too antiquated to gather parts to fix so a new system will be installed. He added that the last phase of the football field lighting system will be complete this summer. Other smaller projects are also planned.
The West Central School Board will meet in regular session tonight where Superintendent Charles Mellon will attend his last regular meeting of the board as superintendent.
Mellon is retiring at the end of the month after many years in the position. High School Principal Don Street will be taking over as superintendent on July 1.
The board members will discuss annual routine items such as book rental fees for the next school year and summer school programs. A discussion on possession of firearms on school property is also on the agenda.
The board will meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on at the central office building in downtown Francesville.
