Waitsburg School Board discuss start of school year

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg School Board met for a regular meeting on September 16.

Secondary Principal Stephanie Wooderchak shared that students and staff are doing well, and the school year is off to a busy but happy start. She said that roughly 95% of all student Chromebook use agreements had been completed. Google Classroom is still being incorporated into daily classroom use, but students are in full-time, in-person instruction.

During the first week of school, Wooderchak said, there were many adjustments in schedules to create safe, successful learning environments for both teachers and students. She wanted to thank everyone for their cooperation and schedule flexibility.

“I think we have been able to meet most of everyone’s needs,” Wooderchak said. “The staff’s attitude of what’s best for the students is part of what makes Waitsburg School District special.”

Wodoerchak said that school pictures were last week, and she said that it is essential that students have their photos taken for school needs, including yearbook and ASB purposes. A make-up day will be scheduled if any students miss the initial photo day.

Homecoming week starts October 11. The district is currently planning for a traditional Homecoming celebration, with events including Field Night. She said she is unsure if the school will be able to host a Homecoming dance and will share information as it becomes available.

Smarter Balance Testing starts September 27 and ends in November. It will reflect the grade students were in for the 2020-21 school year. The state-standard testing is typically held in the spring, but tests were postponed due to COVID-19. The 2021 testing will take place this spring, with dates and information to be released later. Superintendent Mark Pickel later added that elementary students would go through the same testing, both in the fall and spring.

Dayton-Waitsburg Athletic Director Sam Korslund reported that fall sports are up and going after being delayed by a COVID-19 outbreak. DW Volleyball played against Riverview at home last Tuesday, and the football team played against the Highland Scotties on Friday, September 17. He said that there were 29 football players and 22 volleyball athletes. Six cheer athletes have signed up, and there are plenty of middle school athletes playing in both volleyball and football.

Sixth graders are allowed to play sports this year, per the request of both Waitsburg and Dayton school boards. He said the league approved sixth-grader participation in all team sports except football but did not approve sixth-grader participation in track and field and wrestling due to fairness and safety concerns.

Korslund said that he sent out emails to all staff, including food service and custodial staff, at Dayton and Waitsburg schools with a list of all student-athletes. He encouraged staff to report behaviors that may not require administration intervention but are still problematic. Korslund said that he has high expectations for all student-athletes, in class and on the field, and said that he has already given students the opportunity for “cardiovascular enhancement” (using extra workout time) at practice, and it has improved behavior.

“I really believe that if we elevate the standards and expectations for these students, both high school and middle school, they will rise to meet them,” Korslund said. “We want to create something that is so attractive that other kids want to join because they are kids that behave well, they are getting good grades, and they are good citizens. Use athletics as a motivator for that kind of behavior. So far, it is off to a good start.”

Korslund said that all schedules are available online at http://www.dwsports.org, and they are available for print. He noted that the schedules are changing often, but he hopes that changes will slow down soon.

There are various open coaching positions for boys and girls basketball, which will be posted soon. Basketball schedules have been completed, except committing to a winter tournament. Korslund said he is trying to find one that is more local than tournaments attended in the past.

Superintendent Mark Pickel said backboards for the high school and the outdoor basketball courts at the elementary playground are ready. He said that it had been fun watching the kids play basketball and use the area as intended.

Pickel shared that the district is planning on taking the fourth and fifth graders skiing this winter and that Bluewood had extended the invitation to this year’s sixth graders since they missed out on skiing last year.

He said that fifth-grade teacher Tracy Barron was interested in bringing the crossing guard program back to students, and Pickel said he has reached out to the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office for crossing guard etiquette and safety, and the district has a veteran in mind to teach proper American flag etiquette.

Superintendent Pickel introduced Joyce McNiven, the new Food Services Director.

At the end of his report, Pickel commented on a football practice he observed and that he was impressed was with how the middle school and high school combined practices were being run, and how the middle school athletes looked up to the older football players.