Students are certified in multiple welding positions including flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead.
WCCS Families,
The 2026-2027 School Year Calendar was approved by the school board at their 11/17/2025 business meeting. You can also find a link to the calendar on our website and also in the WCCS mobile app.
Donations can be dropped off at the Columbia City girl's basketball game on 11/18/25
November 13, 2025
Good afternoon, WCCS families!
As this week has made quite clear, the winter weather season is upon us and with that in mind, we want to briefly outline our priorities when making school delay and closing decisions. This email also includes some information about Synchronous Learning, which we will implement, beginning December 1, for school closings due to weather.
We recognize that weather conditions in Northeast Indiana can be variable and there are many things to take into account when weather hits or when conditions rapidly change. While there are no concrete rules for making decisions about school delays or closures, the following guidelines reflect our beliefs:
Safety First: The safety of students guides all decisions regarding delays or closures.
Keeping Schools Open: Whenever possible, we aim to keep schools open to provide educational services, supervision, and essential resources such as breakfast and lunch.
Parental Responsibility: We trust that parents will dress their children appropriately for the weather conditions when sending them to school.
Respecting Decisions: WCCS respects each parent's choice regarding their child's attendance during extreme weather. If parents decide to keep their child at home, they must inform the school. The absence will be recorded according to Indiana code, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work.
As an administrative team, we track weather several days in advance, when possible, in order to make the best decision regarding our students, schools, and general safety. We consult with local emergency preparedness officials and local weather services to inform our decisions. We have multiple team members out early checking roads and potential trouble areas throughout our district. We make sure our buses can safely transport our students to and from school and that our buildings are fully accessible. Altogether, we consider student safety, transportation, facilities, food services, and after school activities, and, as a team, we make a decision that best aligns with the current and forecasted conditions.
Information regarding school delay and closing guidelines can be found on the main WCCS website under the “Closings and Delays” tab.
Starting December 1, 2025, WCCS will begin using Synchronous Learning on days when weather requires that we close school, similar to neighboring districts and those across Indiana. On these days, students will meet with their teachers live through Google Meet, which is a change from past eLearning days when students worked on their own. Teachers have already been practicing this format with students to help them get ready.
Synchronous Learning helps students stay on track with their learning and reduces the need for make-up days later in the year. It also gives students valuable experience using a mix of in-person and online learning tools.
Also provided on our website and linked through the Delays and Closings page, you can find additional Synchronous Learning guidance.
If you have questions regarding synchronous learning or how it might impact your family, please review the linked website pages or contact your child’s school.
Thank you,
WCCS Administration
Thank you to our Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology partners for joining us for our quarterly breakfast meeting at Columbia City High School! It was a great morning of conversation and collaboration as teachers and community partners work together to improve student experiences!
Did you know CCHS has 138 students exploring careers through intentional internships this semester?
Thank you community partners!
In the near future, we will be reaching out to you and your children (grades 3 - 12) with a brief stakeholder satisfaction survey. As always, you have the option to opt your child out of participating in this anonymous survey. The only identifying information collected will be the child's school and grade level.
Questions to be included in the survey are:
1) Which of the following best matches your role at WCCS - Student; Parent/family member/caregiver; Teacher; School staff; School Leadership; or District staff
2) Which school do you attend? (Schools are listed and each student selects one)
3) What grade are you in? (Grade levels 3 - 12 are listed and each student selects one)
4) Overall, how much do you feel like you belong at your school? Answer selections are Do not belong at all; Belong a little bit; Somewhat belong; Belong quite a bit; or Completely belong
5) On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how likely are you to recommend your school to a friend or family member? Numbers 0 - 10 are listed, student chooses one.
6) Which of the following best describes you? (optional) American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian or Asian American; Black or African American; Hispanic or Latinx; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; White; Multiracial or Biracial; Prefer not to answer; A race or ethnicity not listed here (please specify).
Please notify your child's school if you wish to opt your child out of completing this survey.
Thank you.
Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS) is committed to keeping families informed about valuable community opportunities for school-aged children! All flyers and announcements that have been shared with and approved by WCCS are posted in a designated area within each school building.
Additionally, WCCS maintains a dedicated webpage where these opportunities are regularly uploaded for easy access. All posted documents are also available in the WCCS app!
If your child occasionally forgets to bring flyers home—or if you'd just prefer to check them yourself—you can view everything directly online here:
Stay informed, stay involved! #WCCS
WCCS & WCTA Master Contract for Certified Teachers - Tentative Agreement
A public meeting will be held on October 6, 2025, in compliance with I.C. 20-29-6-19 to discuss the tentative agreement. Electronic participation from the governing body and the public is not permitted.
Representing WCCS were Board Members Jill Western, Dave Smith, Mary Ann Schaefer, Chad Moore, and Tom Rentschler, alongside Superintendent Dr. Laura McDermott and Assistant Superintendent Seth Slater. Their attendance reflects WCCS’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence, innovation and strong governance.
Throughout the conference, our team engaged with statewide peers on topics ranging from legislative updates and student achievement strategies to community engagement and future-ready learning environments. These insights will help inform and strengthen our local efforts to serve students, families, and the broader Whitley County community.
We thank our leadership team for their dedication to continuous learning and for representing WCCS with professionalism and purpose.
Columbia City High School hosts the annual parade on Friday with athletic teams and clubs from CCHS and ISMS, and our Columbia City public service departments.
The parade will begin at 4:15 p.m. from Eagle Park (former High School property), out west to 9 and around the Courthouse Square.
Gates open for the Homecoming game approximately 5:15 p.m. with kickoff for the Eagles at 7 p.m.
Mr. Slater had a conversation about math and science (size, scale, and distance) while reading the book "Your Place in the Universe" along with reflections on time and momentary concerns in the larger scheme of all that surrounds us.
Thank you, Mr. Slater!
#Read #Schools #WCCSEagles
POSTPONED // You're invited! Join Whitley County Consolidated Administration and School Board members for conversations and coffee during our Espresso Exchange at BrewHa!
An open-house format designed to foster connection and communication with families and the community if you have questions, ideas or just want to say 'hello', we welcome you to stop by, grab a cup of coffee and chat with us.
Everyone is welcome. No RSVP needed.
These will be routine opportunities if you can't join us this time!
Sept. 26, 2025, from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Today, CCHS Principal led a conversation about student connection.
