Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dayton-Waitsburg Full Combine Lacks Parent Support

School district plans meetings for athletic combine and Capital Levy

DAYTON-A recent survey of parents and students in grades 6-12, show fewer than originally thought, are in favor of the full athletic combine with the Waitsburg School District, said District Superintendent Doug Johnson.

Two hundred thirty surveys were sent to parents with 85 responses. Thirty-eight percent approved a full combine and sixty-two percent said "no".

Two hundred surveys were sent to students and the response is half in favor and half opposed.

The main reasons cited are the cost, loss of identity and mascot pride, said middle and high school principal Paul Shaber.

"The news is very concerning to the board," Johnson said. "It was believed the full combine would move forward in the fall of 2018. It seems that while many, if not most, support the current football and baseball combine, taking the next step has not garnered the same level of support."

Johnson said a combine requires full support from students, parents, school officials, and the community.

The next combine meeting has been scheduled for Jan.8 in the Waitsburg Elementary Library at 6 p.m. The board will take information from the surveys to the meeting and discuss how to proceed, he said.

On Jan. 25, at 6 p.m., in the elementary multipurpose room, the community is invited to attend another important meeting. This meeting is to discuss and gather input on a Long Range Facilities Plan for the Dayton School District as well as to answer questions about the proposed two-year capital projects levy, Johnson said.

School Nurse Amie Green has been working to ensure children either have received all the state mandated immunizations or completed the exemption process.

"The district reminds parents to confer with their child's physician to insure the immunizations requirements are met," Johnson said. "Gaps usually occur when students go into 6th grade and into high school."

A Facility Safety Audit was conducted last month on the entire campus. Areas suggested for improvement by the auditor are; door locks and procedures, fencing, installation of safety and tinted glass, adding surveillance cameras, improving wayfinding signage and improving communication tools.

All employees will undergo training in safety and security on Feb. 7, from 1-5 p.m. with additional training scheduled for the fall of 2018.

Johnson said the district is reviewing potential math curricula. A curriculum called "Ready Math" has been reviewed at the National Level and has received high praise in all categories. Online lessons and opportunities for intervention has impressed teachers, Johnson said.

Business Manager Paula Moisio said the general fund cash balance is higher than usual. Enrollment is slightly above the budgeted amount and tax collections are strong.

The district has purchased a new bus. Funds for the bus are part of a depreciation schedule and reimbursement is through the state budget.

Elementary Principal Denise Smith said staff and students recently celebrated the honor of being named a School of Distinction, for five-year growth in state assessment scores in math and English language arts.

Smith said the Christmas concert was well attended and Mr. Sumner and the students did a great job.

Middle and high school Principal Paul Shaber said the Level Up Respect Initiative has been a success and the teachers want to repeat it.

He said students have been recognized for respectful and positive behavior by their classmates, teachers and administrator, with gift cards.

"The staff and other students actually have noticed a difference. The staff wants to do it, again," Shaber reported.

Focus on Performance teacher groups have met to discuss transitions, safety, and big picture items.

Shaber said he has recently heard comments from the community that he and his staff are not doing enough about harassment and the perceived negative school climate.

Shaber would like the community to take a look at what has been done since he came on board, from November 2015 until November 2017.

*Screened "Paper Tigers" and hosted student discussion.

*Invited Brad Barton to discuss meeting challenges and creating a bright future.

*Sent all students to a CAP retreat about how to interact with students who are always negative.

*Implemented "Anonymous Alert" notification system for immediately reporting harassment at any time of day.

*Implemented a "Second Steps" curriculum for all middle school students discussing positive peer interaction, bullying prevention, drug and alcohol awareness for the 2016-17 school year.

*Screened the movie "Hidden Figures" with follow up lessons in ELA class to discuss treatment of others and overcoming prejudice.

*Invited Brad Henning to a student assembly about differences between the sexes and how all actions count.

*Held separate assemblies for boys and girls addressing difficulties students have getting along with each other, and how to make positive changes.

*Sent middle school students to workshops to learn about goal setting, avoiding harassment, being nice to each other and learning to work as teams.

*Participated in hiring a K-12 school counselor to better address social and emotional issues for students.

*Invited Hoan Do to discuss how to overcome personal challenges and be a better version of oneself.

*Implemented a plan to recognize positive student behavior through "Positive Action Cards."

*Used "Bulldog Tuesday" in conjunction with English class to teach what respect is and what it looks like in action, and instituted the Respective Initiative to track, recognize, and reward respectful behavior.

 

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