www.WCCSonline.com

You’re Invited� e Board of School Trustees for WCCSconsists of nine members elected by thedistrict voters. � e Board conducts awork session on the � rst Monday of eachmonth in order to receive informationprior to their business meeting. Althoughthe Board reserves the right to conductits business as necessary, the generalpurpose of these work sessions is toreceive important information prior tomaking decisions for the corporation.� e business meeting is conducted on thethird Monday of each month. � e publicis encouraged and invited to attend boththe work and business sessions.

Board of School TrusteesDon Armstrong, PresidentTim Bloom, Vice PresidentDeborah Hiss, SecretaryDan Curless, Board MemberMary Ann Schaefer, Board MemberJames Renbarger, Board MemberJill Western, Board MemberStan Meyer, Board MemberBill Tucker, Board Member

Whitley County Consolidated Schools107 North Walnut Street, Suite AColumbia City, IN 46725

Contact UsWCCS Administrative O� ce (260) 244-5771Columbia City High School (260) 244-6136Eagle Tech Academy (260) 244-5707Indian Springs Middle School (260) 244-5148Coesse Elementary School (260) 244-3351Little Turtle Elementary School (260) 244-3343Mary Raber Elementary School (260) 244-5857Mary Raber Preschool (260) 244-5857Northern Heights Elementary School (260) 691-2371

Feedback is WelcomeWe welcome feedback, story ideas or comments. Email us at WCCSConnection@wccsonline.com or call 260-244-5771.

2016-17 School Year

On the Cover:� e class of 2024: WCCS � � hgraders. See page 3 for moreinformation.

Connecting the Community to Whitley County Consolidated SchoolsConnecting the Community to Whitley County Consolidated Schools

Students Receive Firefi ghter TrainingNew WCCS curriculumStudents Receive Firefi ghter TrainingNew WCCS curriculum

September 5th Labor Day—No schoolOctober 13th K–12 Parent Teacher ConferenceOctober 14th Fall Break—No SchoolNovember 4th End of Trimester 1November 7th Professional Day—No StudentsNovember 23rd—25th � anksgiving Break—No SchoolDecember 21st Winter Break Begins—No SchoolJanuary 5th Classes ResumeFebruary 24th End of Trimester 2February 27th Professional Day—No StudentsApril 3rd Spring Break Begins—No SchoolApril 10th Classes ResumeMay 22nd End of Trimester 3

May 23rd Professional Day—No StudentsMay 24th Make Up Day 1May 25th Make Up Day 2May 26th Make Up Day 3May 29th Memorial Day—No SchoolMay 30th Make Up Day 4June 1st Make Up Day 5June 2nd Make Up Day 6June 3rd Make Up Day 7June 4th Make Up Day 8June 5th Make Up Day 9June 6th Make Up Day 10June 9th CCHS Graduation

CCHS Project UpdateCCHS Project UpdateYear One: Plans are drawnYear One: Plans are drawn

Front CoverBack Cover

Welcome to � e WCCS Connection, the district publication of Whitley County Consolidated Schools.When people ask if I had a good summer, I say yes, I truly had a great summer! While I was lucky to spend some vacation time with family and

relax with friends more than once, the thing that generated the most exhilaration for me and throughout Central O� ce was the feeling of tremendous accomplishment over these past couple of years. I am just so proud of our WCCS family and everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve, all for the sake of our wonderful students.

We have so many things to celebrate in our district. Our 1:1 tech initiative is successful and a good example of something we believed in and went for—technology not just for the sake of having the latest and greatest, but technology as an investment to enhance learning. Our entire community has embraced this e� ort, which not only shows the deep connection we all share, but actually helped the entire process unfold with little di� culty.

You can read more about our three-year technology initiative inside this issue as well as other moments and programs to celebrate. Our sweet Kindergarten Countdown students had a beautiful experience in the two weeks leading up to the start of school. Our upper level high schoolers can now be certi� ed and trained to be � re� ghters, and our special education program is so strong, it’s an international role model.

I wish I could bottle the tremendous enthusiasm we feel as a district. Our students are compassionate, intelligent and enthusiastic. Our teachers prove over and over that we believe and live our values as a school district—we take pride in what’s important to us and keep pushing for more and better opportunities.

We just keep getting better, and there’s no better reason to celebrate than that.

Until next time,

Dr. Patricia O’ConnorSuperintendent, WCCS

Welcome!

Jennifer Rei� , CCHS Principal,

and Brady Mullett, ETA Principal

Earning the title of Four Star School

Staff Spotlight: Susan Harmeyer, Director of Special Education

In May, Columbia City High School and Eagle Tech Academy were among the elite schools in the state to earn the coveted Four Star School designation—the highest mark of excellence in education.

Issued by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), schools with this designation must perform within the top 25th percentile of schools in ISTEP+, earn top marks in the state’s accountability system and be IDOE accredited.

“� is is an outside a� rmation of the work the students, sta� and parents do daily for our childrens’ success,” said Jennifer Rei� , CCHS Principal. “It gives credibility for those outside our walls of our e� orts here. � is award reminds all of us that we can never sit back and be ‘good enough’. Our children are depending on us.”

Brady Mullett, Principal at Eagle Tech Academy, agrees. “I’m really excited about what this means, especially at this time. It’s something to be proud of for the sta� , students and the community. As we look at building a new school, it makes a nice launch point. We can get excited for all the changes and opportunities that are coming.”

� e WCCS Special Education department provides services to 630 students in 22 di� erent disability categories. � ese students range from 3 to 22 years old.

When Susan Harmeyer talks to people in the community about her job, and the role her department plays at WCCS, they’re o� en surprised to hear this. As Director of Special Education, Harmeyer and her sta� of 33 are trained to educate and care for a vast range of students with special needs.

“� ere are people in our community who don’t realize we teach the profoundly disabled at our schools—as well as provide services for students who don’t appear to have any disabilities at all,” Harmeyer said.

Within the department, there are three administrative team members and 30 certi� ed sta� members ranging from speech & language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and resource teachers.

� e district has a special education program for preschool students starting at age 3. At the four elementary schools, there is a resource special education program. In addition, Coesse has a behavior skills program and Little

Turtle has a program that serves moderate-to-severe and profoundly disabled elementary-age students. In the middle and high schools, there is a resource program, a functional

life skills program, and a behavior skills program. In the high school, the functional life skills program is split between those who are typical high school-age, graduating with their peers, as well as a group of students who remain in the program a� er graduation until the age of 22.

“Our numbers have increased over the years,” Harmeyer said of students requesting services from the Special Education Department. “We’re seeing an increase of students on the autism spectrum.We’ve also seen an increase in speech and language needs at the preschool level.”

Harmeyer and her sta� are continually researching to better understand

how to address all students. WCCS is one of the � rst districts in the state of Indiana to go district-wide with evidence-based training for all of its teachers, not just the special education

department. Her department also works with Columbia City’s � rst responders (police, � re, paramedics) to understand how to work with community members who have autism.

� is focus has built the district’s reputation as a proactive organization and a role model for other schools in the region, across the state, and nationally. Many

educators have visited to see how WCCS does things, coming from as far away as Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

What does it mean to a community when their school has a strong special education program?

“Ultimately, we want to integrate all of our students, especially those with special needs, into the general population. We want them to have the supports in place they will need to be successful,” Harmeyer said. “If we can build those relationships starting really young (between the general education and the special education populations), once they do graduate and they stay in the community, they’ll have those positive experiences and relationships for the rest of their lives.”

Susan Harmeyer, Director of Special Education

Jennifer Rei� , CCHS Principal,

and Brady Mullett, ETA Principal

Check out the new face of WCCSonline.com

Check out the new face of com

Page 2 Page 7

It takes a village to make a program successful. (l-r) Mayor Ryan Daniel, Chief Tom LaRue, Tanner Moore, Noah Graham, Katie Bridegam, Megan Sanders, Tracie Miller, Trey Wolfe, Christopher

Brooke, Daniel Watts, Dr. Laura McDermott, Captain Kyle Francis

Name? William Tucker

Occupation? Retired Trust Banker

Time on board? 7 years

Are you an alum? Grade school, Je� erson Center

Favorite teacher in the school? All of them. I was an equal opportunity student

What was your � rst job? Carry out boy at Rogers Markets

Ever live away from Whitley County? For 7 years when I � rst got married and spent time in the Navy

Apple or Android? Android

One thing people may not know about you? I think I can � y � sh

Favorite part of WCCS? I am a witness to the outstanding dedication of the administration, teachers and sta� to all of our students

10 Questions with...

Board Member, Board of School Trustees

Bill Tucker,

Firefi ghter training is now part of WCCS curriculum

A dynamic partnership between several agencies has resulted in a new program at WCCS—one that will help the community in times of trouble. A Fire Safety class was recently introduced at Columbia City High School. � rough the two-year program, juniors and seniors will now be able to get the training and education necessary to prepare them to be a � re� ghter.

Fire� ghting? For high schoolers?

“On the surface, it might sound a little strange,” said Columbia City Fire Captain Kyle Francis. “But actually, it’s the same training we teach every adult who wants to become a full-time or volunteer � re� ghter.”

Francis, in charge of all training at the Columbia City Fire Department, is teaching the class every day at CCHS. He said a� er completing the class, the students (there are 10 in the classroom) will be able to walk into any � re department having the proper certi� cation and training to become a full-time � re� ghter.

� is unusual arrangement is the result of a very serious need, said Gene Heckman, � orncreek Township Trustee. Over the years and for a variety of reasons, Heckman said, surrounding townships have had di� culty recruiting and retaining volunteer � re� ghters—the backbone of their operations. He and other township trustees, along with Francis and Fire Chief Tom LaRue, took the idea of a CCHS program to the Mayor’s o� ce. Already successful in 38 other school districts in Indiana, they could show an e� ective model for high school training was bene� cial for the community.

“Actually, it’s just a perfect � t. With renewed focus on career training in school systems, for students to come out of school with a certi� cation in something, it bene� ts the student greatly,” Francis said. “In our program, � rst-year students will come away with a minimum of � ve certi� cations that they can take into the public safety � eld.”

During the second year, they’ll receive even more certi� cations. Some weekend training at � re safety training centers is also part of the curriculum. For seniors who signed up, they can continue a� er they graduate by completing the work at a � re station.

� ey’ll also be able to take their certi� cations into the other industries. “� ese certi� cations have a crossover bene� t, because many industries have their own

response teams,” Francis said.“It de� nitely shows a dedication to all types of students—not only those who are focused on post-secondary education. He added, “College may not be for everyone. (WCCSs’) desire to make sure the best opportunities for all types of students are o� ered is huge.”� e two-year program is funded through a series of grants, including a sizeable contribution from the Community Foundation of Whitley County. Francis said it’s a worthwhile investment.

“It’s going to help the community greatly because the number of volunteer � re� ghters is down drastically, not only in our county but throughout the country. It shows a desire not only by the school, but also townships, the city and private investors to come together and collaborate to ensure the success of our community and the success of our students.”

Infusing technology with great teaching

� e start of the school year was more hectic than usual for the technology department at WCCS. Between rolling out devices for 1,852 students in grades 6-12 (complete with several instructional parent meetings prior to the � rst day of school), launching a new school district website, and prepping the next year’s professional development lessons for teachers, no one could blame Director Jake Hoag if he got a little frazzled.

But the reality is, he couldn’t be happier.

“It’s been a massive undertaking,” he says. “From an organizational standpoint, I love it. � e website is easy to navigate and pairs really well with the mobile app. � e device rollout went smoothly. � ere were times when it was a little nerve-wracking, but our team has done a great job.”

Hoag and his team of � ve worked throughout the summer preparing for this pivotal moment in the district’s history. In what might be the biggest undertaking to date, they issued a computer device to every student.

“We’ve used the tagline ‘Grounding technology use in principles of great teaching’. We really want to take the great teaching that’s already occurring in our district, and capitalize on that. How can technology make it

stronger, and serve as an accelerator for learning? � at’s where we’re focusing our professional development.”

Nineteen teacher leaders from the district met with Hoag to plan the 45-minute professional development delays that � rst began last year, and will continue this school year.

“We’re preparing students to work in a world where jobs haven’t even been invented yet,” he said. “As educators, we’re teaching students to be prepared for a world no one really knows what it will look like. So we teach them how to think critically, solve problems, to be able to communicate, to collaborate, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Up next is the elementary device launch. While high school and middle school students each received a Chromebook, Hoag and his team will decide what device provides the most opportunity for elementary students. “Maybe it’s a Chromebook, but maybe a tablet makes more sense.

“It’s not necessarily about what device we want, although that’s an important piece of the conversation, it’s more about what do we want the student to do with that device. And then � gure out what device best � ts that need.”

that. How can technology make it Jan Boylen, ISMS Principal and

Jake Hoag,WCCS Director of Digital Learning

and Technology

Page 3Page 6

CCHS project update

� is year’s � � h grade class will be the � rst WCCS students who will complete all four years at the new Columbia City High School. Beginning this year, we’ll capture their photo each year and track their journey through the process.

www.BuildingCCHS.com

Contracted by WCCS to manage the construction of the new Columbia City High School, � e Skillman Corporation has a long history working with school districts, higher education and healthcare companies in the Midwest. Executive Vice President Bart York recently sat down with us to tell us a bit more. Let’s meet � e Skillman Corporation.

You've been with Skillman nearly 27 years. How has the education market changed in that time? � ere have been tremendous changes! Major areas include safety and security, classroom con� guration, independent learning spaces, extracurricular programs, technology advances, � exible furnishings, and year-round environment control—all sustainably built.

What excites you most about the new Columbia City High School?� is is the only new high school being built right now in Indiana. Once completed it will be a showplace for educational delivery—now and in the future. It’s very rewarding as a company to build such a facility. We’re proud to have been asked to deliver this high school dream, and are extremely appreciative to serve WCCS and become very involved with your community over the next few years.

Tell us a little bit about The Skillman Corporation.We are a construction management company with strong family values. Harold Skillman founded the company in 1972 because he saw a need for owners to have an advocate in the construction process. � at is still our approach—we are an unbiased advocate, working side-by-side with you to make the construction process less daunting and to make sure your project runs smoothly. We’ve partnered with school corporations in the Midwest for over 44 years and have completed over 650 school projects.

What can the students, parents and community expect from the construction process?You can expect open communication about the process and construction progress. We’re focused on safety. Prior to ever breaking ground, we create a detailed safety plan and site logistics plan that isolates construction activity from the students, sta� and the general public and minimizes interruptions to school activities. � is includes site tra� c, mobilization, deliveries and noise restrictions.A full-time, on-site manager who serves as the single point of responsibility for safety, schedule and quality throughout construction will be there to communicate daily with the school—discussing current status, upcoming work and any issues or concerns.

We're planning webcams at the site to keep students engaged in the process. Do you like this kind of "birds-eye" view of the project and its construction?We embrace student involvement and community knowledge of the construction progress. We’ve used webcams on other projects. We want the community to continue to be stakeholders throughout the design and construction process.

Are there any other key team members we should know?I’m the primary project contact who will make sure the team has all of the resources they need to successfully deliver your project. Victor Landfair is our Senior Project Manager. Victor is a registered architect with over 25 years of experience in educational facility planning. Pat Portteus oversees Skillman’s construction process and is responsible for quality control and quality assurance. He and his on-site sta� make sure contractors are building the project to design and speci� cations while remaining on schedule.

Has anything surprised you so far about this project?Not really surprised, rather, I’m impressed by the commitment and passion of the Board, administration and sta� to plan and execute truly an outstanding high school project that will serve students of WCCS for decades to come.

Anything else?Skillman’s company philosophy is that we build relationships, not just buildings. � at means we are looking out for your long-term interests as well as the best interests of your community.

New program gets rave reviewsIt was a little like boot camp. On the � rst day, 33 children gathered early in the morning, nervously eyeing each other, not sure what to expect. It was two weeks before the district’s o� cial � rst day of school and three classrooms of 5- and 6-year-old students were starting what’s o� cially known as the Kindergarten Countdown program.

For those who took part, it was two weeks of preparation to get them used to life inside the classroom. Kindergarten Countdown was a way to get students used to the structure of a classroom so when the school year began, they’d be ready to go.

Now with its � rst year in the books, it was, by all accounts, a success.

Funded by the United Way of Central Indiana, Kindergarten Countdown programs are cropping up all over the region and throughout the state. � e bene� ts to students are tremendous. It’s helpful for teachers as well, because they’ll spend less time teaching students the basics of classroom life.

“Some kids come to kindergarten with two or more years of preschool, others have less, so our teachers are working with kids who have a wide range of readiness,” said Cindy Baker, Executive

Director of the United

Way. Baker worked with WCCS to launch the program.

“� is program is designed to get kids used to just being in the classroom and learning the procedures,” she said. “� ey experience a teacher reading to them, sitting in circle time, learning to wait their turn to speak.”

Dr. Laura McDermott, WCCS Assistant Superintendent, said three kindergarten teachers worked with students inside Mary Raber Elementary. � e students who participated were excited to be there. By the smiles on their faces, and the positive energy she saw, it was clear the students had a wonderful adventure. At the end of the program, the students and their families met

their o� cial kindergarten teacher.

“We recognize that kindergarten is a very di� erent experience

for our youngest students,” McDermott said. “We

want to see how we can make it a much smoother

transition for everyone.”

Year One: Plans are drawn

Alex Nickolson, Jasper Crago, Mrs. Heather Shively and Riley Knepper

"This is the only new high school being built right now in Indiana. Once completed it will be a showplace for educational delivery."

—Bart York, � e Skillman Corporation

� e Class of 2024

Key team members Bart York, Pat Portteus and Victor Landfair will be familiar faces at WCCS.

Back row: Lucas Minier, Mary Raber; Samuel Bechtold, Mary Raber; Kameron Hoag, Northern

Heights; Bronson Cra� , Northern Heights; Katelin Bolinger, Coesse. Front row: Cassidy Laursen,

Coesse; Samuel Eberly, Little Turtle; Jalynne Pope, Northern Heights; Ian Stahl, Little Turtle

Page 5Page 4

CCHS project update

� is year’s � � h grade class will be the � rst WCCS students who will complete all four years at the new Columbia City High School. Beginning this year, we’ll capture their photo each year and track their journey through the process.

www.BuildingCCHS.com

Contracted by WCCS to manage the construction of the new Columbia City High School, � e Skillman Corporation has a long history working with school districts, higher education and healthcare companies in the Midwest. Executive Vice President Bart York recently sat down with us to tell us a bit more. Let’s meet � e Skillman Corporation.

You've been with Skillman nearly 27 years. How has the education market changed in that time? � ere have been tremendous changes! Major areas include safety and security, classroom con� guration, independent learning spaces, extracurricular programs, technology advances, � exible furnishings, and year-round environment control—all sustainably built.

What excites you most about the new Columbia City High School?� is is the only new high school being built right now in Indiana. Once completed it will be a showplace for educational delivery—now and in the future. It’s very rewarding as a company to build such a facility. We’re proud to have been asked to deliver this high school dream, and are extremely appreciative to serve WCCS and become very involved with your community over the next few years.

Tell us a little bit about The Skillman Corporation.We are a construction management company with strong family values. Harold Skillman founded the company in 1972 because he saw a need for owners to have an advocate in the construction process. � at is still our approach—we are an unbiased advocate, working side-by-side with you to make the construction process less daunting and to make sure your project runs smoothly. We’ve partnered with school corporations in the Midwest for over 44 years and have completed over 650 school projects.

What can the students, parents and community expect from the construction process?You can expect open communication about the process and construction progress. We’re focused on safety. Prior to ever breaking ground, we create a detailed safety plan and site logistics plan that isolates construction activity from the students, sta� and the general public and minimizes interruptions to school activities. � is includes site tra� c, mobilization, deliveries and noise restrictions.A full-time, on-site manager who serves as the single point of responsibility for safety, schedule and quality throughout construction will be there to communicate daily with the school—discussing current status, upcoming work and any issues or concerns.

We're planning webcams at the site to keep students engaged in the process. Do you like this kind of "birds-eye" view of the project and its construction?We embrace student involvement and community knowledge of the construction progress. We’ve used webcams on other projects. We want the community to continue to be stakeholders throughout the design and construction process.

Are there any other key team members we should know?I’m the primary project contact who will make sure the team has all of the resources they need to successfully deliver your project. Victor Landfair is our Senior Project Manager. Victor is a registered architect with over 25 years of experience in educational facility planning. Pat Portteus oversees Skillman’s construction process and is responsible for quality control and quality assurance. He and his on-site sta� make sure contractors are building the project to design and speci� cations while remaining on schedule.

Has anything surprised you so far about this project?Not really surprised, rather, I’m impressed by the commitment and passion of the Board, administration and sta� to plan and execute truly an outstanding high school project that will serve students of WCCS for decades to come.

Anything else?Skillman’s company philosophy is that we build relationships, not just buildings. � at means we are looking out for your long-term interests as well as the best interests of your community.

New program gets rave reviewsIt was a little like boot camp. On the � rst day, 33 children gathered early in the morning, nervously eyeing each other, not sure what to expect. It was two weeks before the district’s o� cial � rst day of school and three classrooms of 5- and 6-year-old students were starting what’s o� cially known as the Kindergarten Countdown program.

For those who took part, it was two weeks of preparation to get them used to life inside the classroom. Kindergarten Countdown was a way to get students used to the structure of a classroom so when the school year began, they’d be ready to go.

Now with its � rst year in the books, it was, by all accounts, a success.

Funded by the United Way of Central Indiana, Kindergarten Countdown programs are cropping up all over the region and throughout the state. � e bene� ts to students are tremendous. It’s helpful for teachers as well, because they’ll spend less time teaching students the basics of classroom life.

“Some kids come to kindergarten with two or more years of preschool, others have less, so our teachers are working with kids who have a wide range of readiness,” said Cindy Baker, Executive

Director of the United

Way. Baker worked with WCCS to launch the program.

“� is program is designed to get kids used to just being in the classroom and learning the procedures,” she said. “� ey experience a teacher reading to them, sitting in circle time, learning to wait their turn to speak.”

Dr. Laura McDermott, WCCS Assistant Superintendent, said three kindergarten teachers worked with students inside Mary Raber Elementary. � e students who participated were excited to be there. By the smiles on their faces, and the positive energy she saw, it was clear the students had a wonderful adventure. At the end of the program, the students and their families met

their o� cial kindergarten teacher.

“We recognize that kindergarten is a very di� erent experience

for our youngest students,” McDermott said. “We

want to see how we can make it a much smoother

transition for everyone.”

Year One: Plans are drawn

Alex Nickolson, Jasper Crago, Mrs. Heather Shively and Riley Knepper

"This is the only new high school being built right now in Indiana. Once completed it will be a showplace for educational delivery."

—Bart York, � e Skillman Corporation

� e Class of 2024

Key team members Bart York, Pat Portteus and Victor Landfair will be familiar faces at WCCS.

Back row: Lucas Minier, Mary Raber; Samuel Bechtold, Mary Raber; Kameron Hoag, Northern

Heights; Bronson Cra� , Northern Heights; Katelin Bolinger, Coesse. Front row: Cassidy Laursen,

Coesse; Samuel Eberly, Little Turtle; Jalynne Pope, Northern Heights; Ian Stahl, Little Turtle

Page 5Page 4

It takes a village to make a program successful. (l-r) Mayor Ryan Daniel, Chief Tom LaRue, Tanner Moore, Noah Graham, Katie Bridegam, Megan Sanders, Tracie Miller, Trey Wolfe, Christopher

Brooke, Daniel Watts, Dr. Laura McDermott, Captain Kyle Francis

Name? William Tucker

Occupation? Retired Trust Banker

Time on board? 7 years

Are you an alum? Grade school, Je� erson Center

Favorite teacher in the school? All of them. I was an equal opportunity student

What was your � rst job? Carry out boy at Rogers Markets

Ever live away from Whitley County? For 7 years when I � rst got married and spent time in the Navy

Apple or Android? Android

One thing people may not know about you? I think I can � y � sh

Favorite part of WCCS? I am a witness to the outstanding dedication of the administration, teachers and sta� to all of our students

10 Questions with...

Board Member, Board of School Trustees

Bill Tucker,

Firefi ghter training is now part of WCCS curriculum

A dynamic partnership between several agencies has resulted in a new program at WCCS—one that will help the community in times of trouble. A Fire Safety class was recently introduced at Columbia City High School. � rough the two-year program, juniors and seniors will now be able to get the training and education necessary to prepare them to be a � re� ghter.

Fire� ghting? For high schoolers?

“On the surface, it might sound a little strange,” said Columbia City Fire Captain Kyle Francis. “But actually, it’s the same training we teach every adult who wants to become a full-time or volunteer � re� ghter.”

Francis, in charge of all training at the Columbia City Fire Department, is teaching the class every day at CCHS. He said a� er completing the class, the students (there are 10 in the classroom) will be able to walk into any � re department having the proper certi� cation and training to become a full-time � re� ghter.

� is unusual arrangement is the result of a very serious need, said Gene Heckman, � orncreek Township Trustee. Over the years and for a variety of reasons, Heckman said, surrounding townships have had di� culty recruiting and retaining volunteer � re� ghters—the backbone of their operations. He and other township trustees, along with Francis and Fire Chief Tom LaRue, took the idea of a CCHS program to the Mayor’s o� ce. Already successful in 38 other school districts in Indiana, they could show an e� ective model for high school training was bene� cial for the community.

“Actually, it’s just a perfect � t. With renewed focus on career training in school systems, for students to come out of school with a certi� cation in something, it bene� ts the student greatly,” Francis said. “In our program, � rst-year students will come away with a minimum of � ve certi� cations that they can take into the public safety � eld.”

During the second year, they’ll receive even more certi� cations. Some weekend training at � re safety training centers is also part of the curriculum. For seniors who signed up, they can continue a� er they graduate by completing the work at a � re station.

� ey’ll also be able to take their certi� cations into the other industries. “� ese certi� cations have a crossover bene� t, because many industries have their own

response teams,” Francis said.“It de� nitely shows a dedication to all types of students—not only those who are focused on post-secondary education. He added, “College may not be for everyone. (WCCSs’) desire to make sure the best opportunities for all types of students are o� ered is huge.”� e two-year program is funded through a series of grants, including a sizeable contribution from the Community Foundation of Whitley County. Francis said it’s a worthwhile investment.

“It’s going to help the community greatly because the number of volunteer � re� ghters is down drastically, not only in our county but throughout the country. It shows a desire not only by the school, but also townships, the city and private investors to come together and collaborate to ensure the success of our community and the success of our students.”

Infusing technology with great teaching

� e start of the school year was more hectic than usual for the technology department at WCCS. Between rolling out devices for 1,852 students in grades 6-12 (complete with several instructional parent meetings prior to the � rst day of school), launching a new school district website, and prepping the next year’s professional development lessons for teachers, no one could blame Director Jake Hoag if he got a little frazzled.

But the reality is, he couldn’t be happier.

“It’s been a massive undertaking,” he says. “From an organizational standpoint, I love it. � e website is easy to navigate and pairs really well with the mobile app. � e device rollout went smoothly. � ere were times when it was a little nerve-wracking, but our team has done a great job.”

Hoag and his team of � ve worked throughout the summer preparing for this pivotal moment in the district’s history. In what might be the biggest undertaking to date, they issued a computer device to every student.

“We’ve used the tagline ‘Grounding technology use in principles of great teaching’. We really want to take the great teaching that’s already occurring in our district, and capitalize on that. How can technology make it

stronger, and serve as an accelerator for learning? � at’s where we’re focusing our professional development.”

Nineteen teacher leaders from the district met with Hoag to plan the 45-minute professional development delays that � rst began last year, and will continue this school year.

“We’re preparing students to work in a world where jobs haven’t even been invented yet,” he said. “As educators, we’re teaching students to be prepared for a world no one really knows what it will look like. So we teach them how to think critically, solve problems, to be able to communicate, to collaborate, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Up next is the elementary device launch. While high school and middle school students each received a Chromebook, Hoag and his team will decide what device provides the most opportunity for elementary students. “Maybe it’s a Chromebook, but maybe a tablet makes more sense.

“It’s not necessarily about what device we want, although that’s an important piece of the conversation, it’s more about what do we want the student to do with that device. And then � gure out what device best � ts that need.”

that. How can technology make it Jan Boylen, ISMS Principal and

Jake Hoag,WCCS Director of Digital Learning

and Technology

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Welcome to � e WCCS Connection, the district publication of Whitley County Consolidated Schools.When people ask if I had a good summer, I say yes, I truly had a great summer! While I was lucky to spend some vacation time with family and

relax with friends more than once, the thing that generated the most exhilaration for me and throughout Central O� ce was the feeling of tremendous accomplishment over these past couple of years. I am just so proud of our WCCS family and everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve, all for the sake of our wonderful students.

We have so many things to celebrate in our district. Our 1:1 tech initiative is successful and a good example of something we believed in and went for—technology not just for the sake of having the latest and greatest, but technology as an investment to enhance learning. Our entire community has embraced this e� ort, which not only shows the deep connection we all share, but actually helped the entire process unfold with little di� culty.

You can read more about our three-year technology initiative inside this issue as well as other moments and programs to celebrate. Our sweet Kindergarten Countdown students had a beautiful experience in the two weeks leading up to the start of school. Our upper level high schoolers can now be certi� ed and trained to be � re� ghters, and our special education program is so strong, it’s an international role model.

I wish I could bottle the tremendous enthusiasm we feel as a district. Our students are compassionate, intelligent and enthusiastic. Our teachers prove over and over that we believe and live our values as a school district—we take pride in what’s important to us and keep pushing for more and better opportunities.

We just keep getting better, and there’s no better reason to celebrate than that.

Until next time,

Dr. Patricia O’ConnorSuperintendent, WCCS

Welcome!

Jennifer Rei� , CCHS Principal,

and Brady Mullett, ETA Principal

Earning the title of Four Star School

Staff Spotlight: Susan Harmeyer, Director of Special Education

In May, Columbia City High School and Eagle Tech Academy were among the elite schools in the state to earn the coveted Four Star School designation—the highest mark of excellence in education.

Issued by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), schools with this designation must perform within the top 25th percentile of schools in ISTEP+, earn top marks in the state’s accountability system and be IDOE accredited.

“� is is an outside a� rmation of the work the students, sta� and parents do daily for our childrens’ success,” said Jennifer Rei� , CCHS Principal. “It gives credibility for those outside our walls of our e� orts here. � is award reminds all of us that we can never sit back and be ‘good enough’. Our children are depending on us.”

Brady Mullett, Principal at Eagle Tech Academy, agrees. “I’m really excited about what this means, especially at this time. It’s something to be proud of for the sta� , students and the community. As we look at building a new school, it makes a nice launch point. We can get excited for all the changes and opportunities that are coming.”

� e WCCS Special Education department provides services to 630 students in 22 di� erent disability categories. � ese students range from 3 to 22 years old.

When Susan Harmeyer talks to people in the community about her job, and the role her department plays at WCCS, they’re o� en surprised to hear this. As Director of Special Education, Harmeyer and her sta� of 33 are trained to educate and care for a vast range of students with special needs.

“� ere are people in our community who don’t realize we teach the profoundly disabled at our schools—as well as provide services for students who don’t appear to have any disabilities at all,” Harmeyer said.

Within the department, there are three administrative team members and 30 certi� ed sta� members ranging from speech & language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and resource teachers.

� e district has a special education program for preschool students starting at age 3. At the four elementary schools, there is a resource special education program. In addition, Coesse has a behavior skills program and Little

Turtle has a program that serves moderate-to-severe and profoundly disabled elementary-age students. In the middle and high schools, there is a resource program, a functional

life skills program, and a behavior skills program. In the high school, the functional life skills program is split between those who are typical high school-age, graduating with their peers, as well as a group of students who remain in the program a� er graduation until the age of 22.

“Our numbers have increased over the years,” Harmeyer said of students requesting services from the Special Education Department. “We’re seeing an increase of students on the autism spectrum.We’ve also seen an increase in speech and language needs at the preschool level.”

Harmeyer and her sta� are continually researching to better understand

how to address all students. WCCS is one of the � rst districts in the state of Indiana to go district-wide with evidence-based training for all of its teachers, not just the special education

department. Her department also works with Columbia City’s � rst responders (police, � re, paramedics) to understand how to work with community members who have autism.

� is focus has built the district’s reputation as a proactive organization and a role model for other schools in the region, across the state, and nationally. Many

educators have visited to see how WCCS does things, coming from as far away as Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

What does it mean to a community when their school has a strong special education program?

“Ultimately, we want to integrate all of our students, especially those with special needs, into the general population. We want them to have the supports in place they will need to be successful,” Harmeyer said. “If we can build those relationships starting really young (between the general education and the special education populations), once they do graduate and they stay in the community, they’ll have those positive experiences and relationships for the rest of their lives.”

Susan Harmeyer, Director of Special Education

Jennifer Rei� , CCHS Principal,

and Brady Mullett, ETA Principal

Check out the new face of WCCSonline.com

Check out the new face of com

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www.WCCSonline.com

You’re Invited� e Board of School Trustees for WCCSconsists of nine members elected by thedistrict voters. � e Board conducts awork session on the � rst Monday of eachmonth in order to receive informationprior to their business meeting. Althoughthe Board reserves the right to conductits business as necessary, the generalpurpose of these work sessions is toreceive important information prior tomaking decisions for the corporation.� e business meeting is conducted on thethird Monday of each month. � e publicis encouraged and invited to attend boththe work and business sessions.

Board of School TrusteesDon Armstrong, PresidentTim Bloom, Vice PresidentDeborah Hiss, SecretaryDan Curless, Board MemberMary Ann Schaefer, Board MemberJames Renbarger, Board MemberJill Western, Board MemberStan Meyer, Board MemberBill Tucker, Board Member

Whitley County Consolidated Schools107 North Walnut Street, Suite AColumbia City, IN 46725

Contact UsWCCS Administrative O� ce (260) 244-5771Columbia City High School (260) 244-6136Eagle Tech Academy (260) 244-5707Indian Springs Middle School (260) 244-5148Coesse Elementary School (260) 244-3351Little Turtle Elementary School (260) 244-3343Mary Raber Elementary School (260) 244-5857Mary Raber Preschool (260) 244-5857Northern Heights Elementary School (260) 691-2371

Feedback is WelcomeWe welcome feedback, story ideas or comments. Email us at WCCSConnection@wccsonline.com or call 260-244-5771.

2016-17 School Year

On the Cover:� e class of 2024: WCCS � � hgraders. See page 3 for moreinformation.

Connecting the Community to Whitley County Consolidated SchoolsConnecting the Community to Whitley County Consolidated Schools

Students Receive Firefi ghter TrainingNew WCCS curriculumStudents Receive Firefi ghter TrainingNew WCCS curriculum

September 5th Labor Day—No schoolOctober 13th K–12 Parent Teacher ConferenceOctober 14th Fall Break—No SchoolNovember 4th End of Trimester 1November 7th Professional Day—No StudentsNovember 23rd—25th � anksgiving Break—No SchoolDecember 21st Winter Break Begins—No SchoolJanuary 5th Classes ResumeFebruary 24th End of Trimester 2February 27th Professional Day—No StudentsApril 3rd Spring Break Begins—No SchoolApril 10th Classes ResumeMay 22nd End of Trimester 3

May 23rd Professional Day—No StudentsMay 24th Make Up Day 1May 25th Make Up Day 2May 26th Make Up Day 3May 29th Memorial Day—No SchoolMay 30th Make Up Day 4June 1st Make Up Day 5June 2nd Make Up Day 6June 3rd Make Up Day 7June 4th Make Up Day 8June 5th Make Up Day 9June 6th Make Up Day 10June 9th CCHS Graduation

CCHS Project UpdateCCHS Project UpdateYear One: Plans are drawnYear One: Plans are drawn

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