Garrett Adding Courses to Curriculum
Article by Sue Carpenter | KPC News | January 30, 2019
GARRETT — The Garrett-Keyser-Butler school board Monday learned about new course offerings at the high school.
Principal Matt Smith outlined the courses that would include a combined credit with English, social studies and history emphasizing both Indiana and Garrett local history.
Another course would offer interdisciplinary learning with art, music and English. A work-based learning capstone course would work with the career development and internship classes in an elevated capacity.
Computerized design and manufacturing classes through Ivy Tech and introduction to computer design and production will be offered.
Also Monday, Tim Pitts from EMCOR Group Inc. of Fort Wayne offered an initial overview of projects the district is working on to improve energy conservation. Items under consideration include building automation, replacing antiquated fire alarm systems, speakers, some lighting and ceiling tiles, the heating, and air conditioning and ventilation systems in the older parts of the building and in the locker rooms. Later in the meeting, the board gave its approval to hire EMCOR as a qualified provider for the energy-efficiency projects.
Cold weather resulted in multiple school closures and e-Learning days this week. A planned e- Learning and professional development day scheduled for Feb. 4 has been canceled in order to return students to the classrooms. The school is working with families who made plans for the scheduled day away, said Superintendent Tonya Weaver.
“We feel we need to get our kids in (the school), not e-Learning,” Weaver said of the decision.
The board approved the resignations of Kristen Handshoe as Head Start teacher aide, Kerri Kirby as Head Start lead teacher, and Mary Burns as custodian, and the retirement of Steve Rhoades as high school math instructor and Stephanie Rhoades as high school special education instructor.
The board approved hiring Amanda Gondell as a J.E. Ober media center instructional assistant, Brittany Martin as a Head Start cook, Ravyn Beckner as a Head Start teacher aide and Josh Hettinger as temporary band instructor.
The board acknowledged grant awards and donations, including $6,400 for Early Intervention supplies, $4,000 from the American Dairy Association for the Fuel Up to Play program, $16,000 from the United Way of DeKalb County for social and emotional health, and $61,135 for Office of Early Learning Head Start and Early Head Start 2019, among other individual and business donations.
J.E. Ober Principal Kristi Surfus reported the school will hold its first-ever schoolwide math night for the entire family on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. The school’s science fair will be Wednesday, Feb. 13, with awards at 2 p.m.
The middle school science fair will be Feb. 7 with awards on Feb. 11 at 2:40 p.m.
Article source: https://www.kpcnews.com/thestar/article_0a883eea-601a-5917-bbc5-3dbe191cc5f6.html