The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG—A hybrid meeting was the first glimpse into a return to normal at the Waitsburg School Board’s monthly meeting last Thursday. The board was able to meet in person while guests tuned in via Zoom.

Secondary principal Stephanie Wooderchak reported that high school students took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test on school-supplied Chromebooks. Typically the test is taken on paper and on-site.

The secondary school staff has been reviewing traditional spirit-building events and exploring new activities that could apply to the entire district. Wooderchak called it the “spirit calendar.” Last year’s senior class yard signs and graduation parade through town were ideas Wooderchak mentioned. Not only were these activities a hit with students, but they were also well-received by the community.

The staff has also been exploring ways to build school spirit for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. The Preston Hall Middle School is working on the Shout Out Board, recognizing six students per week. Students on the Shout Out Board will be entered by grade into a year-end drawing for a prize.

Wednesday afternoon’s targeted assistance program has been going well, according to Wooderchak. She felt confident that the additional help had reduced the number of failing grades at the end of the first semester. She said that there has been a great turnout.

During the athletic director’s report, Superintendent Mark Pickel shared there are 15 volleyball players from Waitsburg but did not know the number of players from Dayton. Practices were delayed a couple of days due to inclement weather. The first game was rescheduled for February 23; however, sports schedules are subject to change.

The football program has 18 players from Dayton and Waitsburg, and their first game is scheduled for February 27. Board members shared that the football players were very excited for the upcoming season.

Wooderchak explained that the Eastern Washington Athletic Conference (EWAC) created a season separate from the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association, allowing them to create their own set of COVID-19 guidelines for safety measures. Under the new EWAC rules, teams are limited to 25 students and two spectators per athlete at each game. In total, no more than 25% of a venue’s capacity, up to 200 people will be allowed. This total number includes first responders, officials, and announcers. Should a match or game during the season be canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak at a school, the EWAC decided playoffs for all sports will not be played.

Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor Colter Mohney shared that Bill Moran, with Alpine Industries, helped clear snow from the school parking lots creating a snow pile for the kids (and that he may or may not have been directed by students of all ages).

During the Elementary Principal’s Report, Pickel discussed the recently adopted grading and communications program, Qmlativ. He said it had been a steep learning curve for staff and teachers. Grades from the first semester went out to parents, despite the learning curve.

Students raised more than $5,000 for the Jump for Heart program, which took place in early-February, more than doubling their goal for the American Heart Association fundraiser. Celebrations are being planned for Mrs. Coulston’s fourth-graders, who were the top-earning class.

The district is currently looking for candidates for a fifth-grade teacher, a K-12 music teacher, and a special education paraeducator. Job listings have been posted in the local newspapers, online, and on the school’s website.

The Waitsburg Winners program is making a comeback in the elementary school this year. Waitsburg Winners was a long-time Waitsburg tradition recognizing random acts of kindness among elementary students. Similar to the Shout Out Board at Preston Hall, Waitsburg Winners are posted in the hallway each month, and their names are placed into a hat for a year-end prize-drawing.

“We have reached this point in the pandemic, and we are in the dog days of winter,” Pickel said. “A lot of students are struggling, so are the staff. We want to get things going in a positive way, and we are excited about that.”

During the Superintendent’s report, Pickel shared that the district is working with the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office to formulate a relocation/evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. The agency has requested the use of Waitsburg School District facilities for training and a way to become familiar with the schools’ layout. Pickel said he and the staff are thrilled with the idea and that there will be ample notice before the training takes place in the summer.

Superintendent Pickel said that the school applied to and was approved by the Washington Association of School Administrators for the Inclusionary Practices Project (IPP). The project will coordinate with the district to develop and implement systems that support all students in inclusive learning environments. Field experts will help administrators formulate a Universal Design of Learning (UDL) to meet the diverse student body’s needs.

The board will move forward with a public hearing concerning two surplus properties owned by the school. More information for the public hearing will be posted online.

The board discussed possible calendars for the 2021-22 school year. Pickel noted that if social distancing restrictions are not relaxed by the beginning of the new school year, they may end up having a hybrid schedule similar to what they are doing today.

The board adjourned the meeting following a review of recent policy readings.