Schools taking steps to help students

The Wahkiakum School District board of directors heard reports in a short meeting December 18.

Superintendent Bob Garrett reported that enrollment dipped a bit from 415.20 full time student equivalents (FTEs) to 413.1 in December.

State funding is based on enrollment, and the district based its 2012-13 budget on 430 FTEs, based on the enrollment at the end of the previous school year. The district started the year with 403.4 FTEs.

Wahkiakum High School Principal Stephanie Leitz reported that school staff are working to implement a variety of instruction strategies to increase rigor and keep students engaged. Leitz said she has observed teachers using the "No Opt Out" strategy presented at a recent staff meeting.

Wendt Elementary/Thomas Middle schools Principal Theresa Libby reported staff are working in a number of ways to help students keep up with classes.

"There is after school homework help; lunch time homework help, and classrooms are open before school for students that need help," she said in her report.

Middle school coaches have adopted the pre-practice study hall program started in the high school this fall. Teachers and coaches staff rooms to aid students with their studies, and the result has been that students grades are improving and few student athletes have become ineligible because of grades.

Libby also reported that staff are proceeding with a program for accreditation, which will be a two-year process.