By Mandy Underwood
munderwood@thepaperofwabash.com
At the Wabash City Schools board meeting on Monday, March 2, it was announced that the exchange trip of Wabash High School students to China would be postponed for a year due to the dangers of the Coronavirus.
The program was to start with students from Yamate Gakuin High School in Yokohama, Japan, traveling to the United States during the first two weeks of April, followed by Wabash students traveling there in July.
Wabash High School principal Kyle Wieland told The Paper of Wabash County that although the cancelation is a letdown, it may be an opportunity for some positivity.
“While it is disappointing for our students who had planned on traveling to Japan this summer, since none of them were seniors, they will all be eligible to make the trip next year,” he said. “I believe the delay will end up increasing the number of students who are able to participate in this exchange. They will not only have more time to plan, but it will also give them more time to raise the money for the trip. In addition, it will give us more time to do cultural and linguistic programming to make this experience even more beneficial to the students traveling to Japan.”
At this time, the plans for the postponed trip have not been finalized, but will likely happen around the same time next year as was planned this year.
Also, on Monday, the board:
Accepted donations totaling $1,190.
Approved recommendation for JP Denney to drive to Marion in the morning and afternoon to transport WCS students placed in foster care in Grant County at a rate of $50 per day through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Approved recommendation to hire Kate McColley as a Special Education bus aide.
Accepted the resignation of Megan Harrell from the 1-1 paraprofessional position at Wabash Middle School.
Approved Adam Driscolll to fill the 1-1 paraprofessional position at Wabash Middle School.
Accepted the resignation of Michael Rigney as the business teacher at Wabash High School.
Accepted the resignation of Erica Cordes as Wabash Middle School assistant track coach.
Approved Brody Cook as a Wabash Middle School assistant track coach.