WCS Is Future-Ready
WARSAW — As a “future-ready” school system, Warsaw Community Schools shares a corporation-wide vision to prepare each student for success in college, career and citizenship.
“Our mission,” says David Robertson, Chief Academic Officer, “is to inspire and equip all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others.”
Recognized nationally at the White House as a top 100 Future Ready in November, 2014, WCS prepares students for the future through a variety of programs and practices, including technology as part of the curriculum, the 1:1 program, the WILL STEM bus and Project Lead the Way K-12.
Through 1:1, each student in sixth grade has access to a device, with seventh and eighth grades being added for 2015-2016.
“We have an amazing technology team that is constantly adding new technologies and solutions to meet the needs of our students in an equitable manner,” says Brad Hagg, Chief Technology Officer.
Technology in the classroom is the gateway to 21st entury learning.
“Students need to understand technology and its proper use,” Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said. “We’re working with a generation that doesn’t remember a world without Facebook or Twitter. We have to adapt our procedures and practices to match where our students are coming from.”
Technology in the classroom starts with dedicated teachers, intentional about learning and staying current.
The WILL STEM bus is a mobile lab that provides the opportunity for student-driven learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“The WILL bus breaks apart the man-in-a-lab-coat stereotype by having students think like scientists and engineers, which are jobs that will be high need in the future,” Instructional Coach Nicole Baird said.
Hagg added, “W.I.L.L. allows students to have amazing learning opportunities that continues back in the classroom.”
Project Lead the Way incorporates STEM-based education using a curriculum that brings real-life, project-based learning to students. The skills students acquire can then be transferred into future careers, thanks also to the partnership with OrthoWorx and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
“I am currently teaching our PLTW Biomedical Program at Warsaw Area Career Center,” Rosemary Love said.“This curriculum provides students with the focuses on opportunity to solve real-world problems and to obtain lab skills they will use in future college classes or careers. My students are challenged to learn in groups and individually with the instructor acting as a facilitator. This allows students to take an ownership of the content. This curriculum is amazing at presenting the chance for the students to explore many careers within the biomedical field. Plus, it grows them as leaders in the classroom and provides many opportunities to present their ideas to adults in the biomedical professions in our own community.”
Students participating in the advanced placement and dual-credit opportunities have a jump start on a successful higher-education experience and career.
Being future-ready isn’t just for the success of students—it’s also to enhance the future of our community.
“Our community is rich with STEM-related industries (agriculture, orthopedic, poultry, manufacturing, and medical, just to name a few),” Christine Bonifield, Math Instructional Coach, said. “Whether our students remain in our community or further their boundaries, we need to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully pursue their dreams.”