By Daniel Schoettler
Correspondent
The Whitewater Unified School District Board recognized the district’s 2017 Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award nominees at the board’s Sept. 26 meeting.
Jill Meinel, John Schmming, Mike Wintz and Rosalinda Martinez were named as the district’s representatives for the award. Doug Parker, principal at Whitewater High School, was named the 2017 Principal Leadership Award nominee.
“Every year we nominate staff, and we’re fortunate to have several deserving staff members,” District Administrator Mark Elworthy said. “They exemplify what quality instruction is and a commitment to our students.”
In other Sept. 26 board meeting news:
– An overnight field trip was proposed. Rebecca Ebling is a French teacher at Whitewater High School and was granted permission from the board for a trip to Quebec City and Montreal for students.
“Another opportunity for our students to experience what they learned in the classroom and apply that and experience a different culture,” Elworthy said. “It is not that far away, but once they get there they will be in a different place.”
– The board approved the replacement of the boilers at Lincoln Elementary School, an issue that has been in their sights for some time.
“This has been something that has been monitored over several years,” Elworthy said. “We’re just at that point to ensure a good heating season, it is time to replace them.”
– The high school assessment reports were shared at the meeting as well as the ELL Student Population ACCESS data.
“Very proud of progress our students make,” Elworthy said. “I think we’re a very diverse school district and you can tell that the programs we have in place are allowing our students to learn.”
– Elworthy also gave an update on his time thus far as district administrator. He said he is trying to incorporate a blog, as well as Twitter, and possibly videos into his communication efforts to reach out to members of the community about the things going on in the district as well as on the upcoming referendum vote.
“I just love being able to get out to the school and engaging,” Elworthy said. “I love to highlight the accomplishments of our students and I will be using a blog as well as my Twitter account to do that.”
