Get R.E.A.L Financial Literacy Event Details-

Lynn Miller and Rhonda Nachtigall shared details about the upcoming financial literacy capstone event scheduled for April 11 in the WHS gymnasium.  Get REAL is in its 6th year and is tied to the curriculum in Money 101, Personal Finance, and Economics classes.  Students will spend a portion of the morning in a simulation of real life on a budget.  Several community and business members assist with this learning opportunity by working at tables where students go to plan and adjust to life's financial realities. 

WHS Collaborative Planning Time Proposal

Committee members reviewed and responded to a presentation by principal Scott Mantei on a plan to change the high school bell schedule for the 2014-15 school year. The new schedule would result in no change in the number of instructional minutes per year, but would result in a slightly earlier (7:45) start time each day except Wednesday, which would begin with students at 8:20.  Every Wednesday, teacher teams would devote 45 minutes (7:30-8:15) to reviewing curriculum, studying student data, building common assessments, planning for instructional adjustments, and reinforcing a larger culture that's responsive to student needs.  Additionally, there would be no impact on bus schedules nor any budgetary impact.   Collaborative planning times are very common in school districts around the region and Mr. Mantei brings experience with this from his previous district.  The Committee signaled its support for the proposal, which came about from many hours of planning among WHS staff. The full Board of Education will receive highlights of the plan at its March meeting in the Educational Services report.  

K-12 Talent Development Plan 

Kent Jacobson shared highlights of the recently developed Talent Development Plan that is the result of several weeks of work that was coordinated with a diverse committee consisting of parents, students, Board members, and District staff. Talent development is a term used to describe services offered to students participating in Gifted and Talented, or SOAR programming.  The Talent Development Plan highlights new methods for screening student participants as well as a tiered system of services that accommodates various levels of aptitude.  Implications for staffing the role of Talent Development Teacher were also discussed.  The plan will be presented to the full Board of Education along with a revised Board policy.