Whitley County Consolidated Schools

Today, on National School Custodian Day, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible custodians who keep Whitley County Consolidated Schools running smoothly every single day. Our custodians do so much more than maintain clean, safe, and functional buildings. They are true partners in the education of our students, going above and beyond to build meaningful connections and positively impact young lives. Whether it's high-fiving students in the hallway, helping with lunches, or engaging in our school fun, our custodians demonstrate care and investment in the well-being of our school community. Behind the scenes, our custodians work tirelessly to ensure our classrooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, and playgrounds are meticulously maintained. Their hard work and diligence allow our teachers to focus on delivering top-notch instruction and our students to learn, grow, and thrive. To our amazing WCCS custodians - thank you for all that you do! We are incredibly grateful for your service. Your contributions are invaluable, and we couldn't do it without you. Please join us in honoring and celebrating our custodial staff on this special day. #WCCSRealtionshipBuilders #ExperienceWCCS

Whitley County Consolidated Schools is pleased to award Shelley Eberly, fifth-grade teacher at Little Turtle Elementary and Katie Kellam, office assistant at Coesse Elementary, as Teacher of the Month and Staff of the Month for September 2024! #WCCSRelationshipBuilders

Columbia City High School Fine Arts presents Beauty and the Beast! Tickets are on sale now. Friday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Purchase Tickets here: https://cur8.com/18800/project/125271?fbclid=IwY2xjawFfj71leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRA8Vp6eWFon14dczXek4GJvNMEVxA-ScR4D_vAheyFuisQtZdTOPbx35Q_aem_1gLvr9Yb0eFEqAaL2tMnZw Tickets are $10 each and a show you won't want to miss. Bring your princess and beasts to a Tea Party with Mrs. Potts following the 2 p.m. show on Saturday! #ExperienceWCCS #BeautyandtheBeast

This month’s Whitley County Consolidated Schools’ (WCCS) transportation employee spotlight is Janell Wood who serves as a special needs’ bus aide. Janell has been a bus aide for 8 years.  Janell grew up in Columbia Township and graduated from Columbia City High School. Prior to becoming a full-time bus aide for WCCS, Janell had her own home daycare for 28 years. Janell has been married for 39 years, has three sons and, and six grandkids.   We asked Janell the following questions: What is the favorite thing you enjoy about being an aide and a special needs bus? Interacting with the kids.   What kind of hobbies do you have? Enjoys going to the Wagon Wheel and watching plays and musicals. What is your favorite restaurant? Wherever the kids and grandkids want to go. What do you do in your free time?  Spend time with family. Thank you, Janell! #WCCSRealtionshipBuilders #ExperienceWCCS

Yesterday Northern Heights was celebrated at the Indiana State House! Northern Heights Elementary School, part of Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS), was celebrated at the Indiana Statehouse for their reading proficiency scores. Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner recognized schools where at least 95% of students demonstrated reading proficiency. Northern Heights Elementary School fourth grade class was celebrated with a reading literacy achievement of 97.5% on their IREAD assessment as third-grade students during the 2023-2024 school year. Northern Heights Elementary Principal, Mrs. Michelle Burch, and teachers, Mrs. Mindy Gawthrop and Mrs. Lisa Kissinger, accepted the award on behalf of the school. Read more: https://www.wccsonline.com/article/1787256

School Smiles will be at WCCS the week of October 14. Parents/Guardians must register their child(ren) before the event. Exams, X-rays. dental supplies, and more. Click the link to view when School Smiles will be at your school and to register today! https://www.wccsonline.com/article/1786358

At Whitley County Consolidated Schools, we believe that empowering our teachers is the key to empowering our students. That's why we are committed to providing our educators with robust professional development opportunities to continuously improve their knowledge and skills. Today was a success, allowing us to closely follow our strategic plan and deliver impactful training tailored to the unique needs of our teachers and staff. Through interactive workshops, collaborative discussions, and exposure to the latest best practices, our educators left feeling energized and inspired to take their teaching to new heights. By investing in the growth and development of all of our staff, we are ensuring that every student at WCCS receives the highest quality education possible. Our teachers are the backbone of our schools, and when they thrive, our students thrive too. We're so proud of the dedication and adaptability our teachers and staff have shown, and we can't wait to see the incredible impact they will have in our buildings. "Adults are continuous learners too," said Mrs. Courtney Straub, an elementary teacher at Mary Raber Montessori. These professional development days are full of intention so we can bring more to our students. We look forward to seeing our students tomorrow! #ExperienceWCCS #WCCSRelationshipBuilders

As a reminder, Whitley County Consolidated Schools will participate in our first teacher professional development day of the school year on Wednesday, Sept. 25. There is no school for students on Sept. 25. There are four more planned through the year, you can find them on our calendars at https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2777/WCCS/4357776/Approved_24-25_-incorporating_5_PD_days_-_24-25.pdf

At Whitley County Consolidated Schools, we are deeply committed to the well-being and safety of every student in our care. Several years ago, we embarked on a strategic planning process to enhance our comprehensive student experience. This involved implementing Eagle P.R.I.D.E. a culture of belonging, and having staff and students knowledgeable about purpose, processes and procedures for providing mental health support and resources. Through these intentional efforts, we have seen a positive impact on student well-being. Our students know that they are seen, heard and valued. They have access to caring adults, peer support, and professional counseling services whenever they are struggling. While we pause to acknowledge this achievement, we also recognize that the journey to safeguard student mental health is an ongoing one. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continually evaluate and enhance our programs to ensure that Whitley County students receive the support they deserve. To the students, families, educators and community members who have contributed to this milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude. Together, we are building a future where all students can thrive. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, help is available. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for free, confidential support. WCCS also encourages the use of STOPit, an online anonymous reporting system to make reports and alert school administrators to issues. https://www.wccsonline.com/page/stopit #WCCSRelationshipBuilders #ExperienceWCCS

Good morning, Whitley County Consolidated Schools is on a two hour delay this morning, Wednesday, September 18th, due to dense fog. in the northern parts of the county. Thank you.

Good afternoon, WCCS Families, During student pick up today, a guardian had a medical emergency that required medical attention at Coesse Elementary. Fire and EMS were dispatched to the scene. There were no students involved and we would appreciate your well wishes for a full-recovery. As always student and staff safety are our top priority and we wish to provide transparent communication. Thank you, medical professionals for your response!

Friday, Sept. 13 | The Columbia City Police have identified the source of the initial post. There is no threat to student safety. There will be increased police presence today, however, we know the threat was not credible. Thank you CC Police Department for your investigation and support of our student and staff safety.

Following yesterday's threat, Whitley County Consolidated Schools wants to thank our Whitley County Sheriff Department and Columbia City Police Department, along with the Indiana State Police, for their organized response and communication with our WCCS administration in resolving this incident. Our relationship with the police department stood up to the test of a threat, thank you. Secondly, we know communication to our families can seem vague. Student and staff safety is our highest priority. We want to assure you we take all threats about our school and students very seriously and we act on them quickly. We share the details as soon as we can. Due to the nature of the threat, confidentiality has been upheld. WCCS is taking necessary disciplinary action for the student(s) involved. Parents, please speak with your child(ren) about their role in school safety. It is crucial that if a student sees something, or hears something, they need to say something. From the police, the investigation would have gone smoother if the initial social media post hadn’t been shared and re-routed so many times. When students know something, they should report the incident to either a staff member, police, or other authoritative figure, instead of sharing the post with their peers. This way authorities can begin the investigation and determine the severity and legitimacy of the threat. Students can also use the anonymous tip line of STOPit via wccsonline.com/page/stopit or the mobile app. STOPit allows students and family members the power to help end harmful and inappropriate behavior they see online through social media, hear of incidents, and other means. STOPit can be used to report bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination, harassment, violence, threats, weapons, alcohol or drug-related issues, mental health struggles like suicidal ideations, or any other concerns. This is a community that cares deeply for our students and their safety. We want you to know that while this incident did cause fear and concern, our systems worked the way they were supposed to and we saw clear evidence of our ongoing training and preparedness for crisis response. As a reminder, official communication comes through the WCCS app (Whitley County Consolidated Schools in Google Play or App Store), Whitley County Consolidated Schools Facebook, WCCSonline.com, and email notifications, or as a phone call. Parents should verify their Skyward accounts are accurate. We know communication is a personal preference and continue to work to build transparent systems that work for all. Please know that we will continue to build on what we learned yesterday and today, what went well and what can be improved.

WCCS wanted to make you aware of a situation that occurred today, so you will have accurate information should rumors become embellished. Information was received by school administrators about an alleged social media post related to a threat of a shooting at Indian Springs Middle School. Immediately, a thorough investigation with students and staff was completed by ISMS administration and law enforcement. The thorough investigation determined the alleged threat was unfounded. Every possible step has been taken to ensure that our buildings continue to be safe. Student and staff safety is our highest priority. We want to assure you that we take all threats about our school and students very seriously and that we act on them quickly. Tomorrow, increased police presence will be at WCCS buildings. As law enforcement continues to respond, WCCS was made aware of a similar threat circulating on snapchat in multiple states and neighboring districts. Parents, please speak with your children about their role in school safety. Let your child know that if they notice any suspicious or threatening behavior, they should report it to an authority figure immediately. The information will be given top priority, and, if appropriate, reported to law enforcement. We thank you for your support as we continue to work together to ensure our school provides a safe learning environment for your child as their safety is our top priority. We will provide updated as we know more.

Suicide Prevention Week is now. With the help of 988, a dialing code operating through the formerly known National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, WCCS wants you to know there is support and care when you need it. Dial 988 or use our STOPit App for non-emergency reporting or to check in on a friend. Remember, mental health can affect anyone. #BeThe1To Ask. Be the one to be there. Be the one to keep them safe. Be the one to help them connect. Be the one to follow up. All of these actions are important for suicide prevention. https://www.wccsonline.com/page/stopit https://988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/ https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/ #WCCSRelationshipBuilders #BeThe1To #StudentWellness #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

Some of our bus drivers completed student safety training on our buses at the elementary buildings. Some reminders for our bus riders: Be at bus stop 5 minutes early Wait 10 feet off the road Wear bright clothes. Do not approach the bus until the bus stops and all the red lights are flashing. When crossing the road, look to ensure traffic is stopped Find your seat quickly. If your bus has seat belts, buckle up Sit up right, keep hands to yourself. Classroom voices When going home, pay attention to your stop location. Only get off the bus at your designated location. Do not cross traffic until you look or your drivers tells you it is okay to cross. Ensure all traffic is stopped. After you exit the bus, take 10 big steps away from the bus. Always be kind and respectful. Report any bullying to your bus driver. Students were also taught where the emergency exits are, how to set the parking brake, how to release the passenger door, how to use the radio, and the first aid kit location. An emergency evacuation drill was completed. #SafetyFirst #WCCSRelationshipBuilders

We are once again introducing our new teachers! Welcome to WCCS! #WCCSRelationshipBuilders #ExperienceWCCS

Remember, all WCCS students get FREE breakfast this year! As part of a pilot program for the 2024/25 school year, each morning, WCCS students can join us for a nutritious breakfast free of charge. Breakfast is available after the morning bus drop-off.

We are once again introducing our new teachers! Welcome to WCCS! #WCCSRelationshipBuilders #ExperienceWCCS

We are once again introducing our new teachers! Welcome to WCCS! #WCCSRelationshipBuilders #ExperienceWCCS