Donations were accepted and approved for a total of:
$ 2,850
Student and staff recognitions:
Staff Spotlight
- Parent Tara Haupert nominated teacher Mrs. Mary Donaldson. Ms. Haupert stated: Mrs. Donaldson has gone out of her way to watch out for my son, Eli, in the days after the tragic death of his grandfather. When Eli went back to school, I knew he would be okay, but in the back of my mind, I worried about him. Mrs. Donaldson was very reassuring to me to let me know she would keep an extra watch on Eli. Also, I asked Mrs. Donaldson for a printed copy of a book Eli wrote earlier this year about spending a day on his papaw’s farm. Not only did Mrs. Donaldson provide this, she went the extra mile and had each page of the book laminated and bound together. That extra effort meant so much. We are so thankful to Mrs. Donaldson during this difficult time and we will never forget how caring she was toward Eli.
Central Office
- Erin Cantrell, OT w/WMAP stated: I would like to thank Melissa Ball for all of her help in organizing buses to use for transportation of Vernon Health residents to the Night to Shine event. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tracey Snyder and Max Highley, who volunteered their time and driving expertise to transport these residents to Night to Shine. Last year it took Vernon Health several trips to transport their residents to night to shine, because of Tracy and Max’s volunteerism, residents were transported in one trip, and able to maximize the enjoyment of their night.
Northfield Jr./Sr. High School
- NHS would like to congratulate Miss Knee and the whole choir department. Northfield’s two high school choral ensembles and multiple soloists & trios competed at the 2020 Vocal Solo & Ensemble contest at Huntington North High School and all received a gold rating! Soloists Athena Varner, Ariana Varner and Ellie Proebstle all qualified for state, along with the Trio of Ellie Probstle, Ariana Varner & Athena Varner. Nice Job!
- Congratulations goes out to Grant Dale for winning the 100 meter backstroke in the swimming sectionals last Saturday. His win qualifies him for the state meet this weekend. We wish him good luck!
Southwood Jr./Sr. High School
- SHS would like to recognize all Robotics teams that took part in the most recent event at Wawasee. SHS 7th grade AND 8th grade Robotics Teams are headed to the state competition at Lucas Oil Stadium. The 8th grade team also received the Excellence Award at that competition. This is the highest award a team can receive from event judges. Additionally, Miss Kaehr received an email from a robotics coach from another school indicating our team had been nominated for Event Partner of the Year. According to the nomination, “Southwood Robotics Team is a class act!”
- SHS would like to recognize Mrs. Markshtahler for her nomination for the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Indiana. Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12 only) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Canada; Puerto Rico; and overseas territories. Candidates must have at least three years of teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee’s career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology/life science, and candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in the school community, and student-teacher relationships.
- SHS would like to congratulate Mrs. Johnson on her efforts with the Innovate Within program in Wabash. According to Mrs. Johnson: I am thrilled to announce that two of our groups have been selected to participate at the regional competition on March 11th. Landon Topliff and Alix Winer will be presenting Bizzy Beez, and Sierra Stout and James Kelley will be presenting their business idea iPlanDates.com.
- SHS would like to commend Mrs. Keefer for her leadership and guiding students to success! During the recent ISSMA state competition, SHS had five gold and one silver rating. Two of the gold entries scored high enough to earn a special gold medal of distinction. Micah Dale and Cage Dubois earned gold medals for their individual performances. Daisy Sparks earned gold for piano performance and gold with distinction for vocal solo. The girls’ ensemble of Olivia Cummins, Marissa Jones, Gracen Kelley, Isabel Davis, and Daisy Sparks earned gold with distinction–they were 1/2 point away from a perfect score. Victoria Holloway earned a silver rating. We are very proud of our students’ musical efforts! Way to go!
Metro North Elementary
- On February 14, Metro North had their first VIP Breakfast hosting over 500 guests for a delicious breakfast.
- February 20, First Metro North Family Preview Night for 2020-21 preschoolers and kindergarten students. We had close to 100 guests.
CAR PROGRAM
- A parent from a recent CAR graduate stated: I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each of you as well as the entire staff at Whites for helping my daughter make it to graduation. The ceremony was perfect and will always be a very special day to me. It wasn’t just the thought and time it took to pull off a nice ceremony but as I listened to the speakers I knew my daughter had attended a school where the people truly cared about the success of the students. I have other children and one has already graduated. While her graduation was also a special day because it was a milestone in her life, having a child who has been through some of the things my daughter has makes her meeting those same milestones all the more special. I can say without an ounce of doubt that had my daughter returned to our local high school she would not have had the support she had from Whites. All of my interactions with staff have been nothing but positive in a very difficult time in our lives. I will never be able to thank each of you enough for all of your hard work, dedication, patience, and support you have shown my daughter, but please know you are making a difference.
Northfield Student Council report:
- Emma Brainard, president, reported on the many activities that have occured this year which have been well received by the student body. Student engagement has increased because of the Student Council. The Blood Drive was a success reaching the 40 unit goal. The 4th Annual Dress Drive was a success with 10% of the proceeds going to F.I.S.H.
Superintendent report:
- Shared ADM report – up 70 students from the fall and largest count in four years.
- As Program Chair for Kiwanis, brought in Entrepreneurs – Bizzy Bees, Landon Topliff, senior at Southwood and Custom Crafts, Kyndra Baldwin, Southwood alumna, K Kids – Sharp Creek Elementary, and Metro North Robotics
Curriculum and Instruction report:
- Shared the development of eSports
Financials:
- Shared that the Education Fund’s balance is over five million.
- IT Director, Aaron Hyden, shared the financials for the technology refresh for the 2020-2021 school year which does not require any additional dollars from what has been saved.
New Business:
- The School Board elected Kevin Bowman to be the non-voting member to the County Redevelopment Commission.
Metropolitan School District of Wabash County along with many partners continue to Dream Big and Work Hard! Thank you parents and community for sending your children to our schools!