Wisconsin Heights has successful summer school session

Wisconsin Heights summer school Principal Josie Geishert filled the board in on a successful summer school session at the Sept. 23 meeting. The first part of the program lasts three weeks, and includes enrichment and remedial classes. Remedial reading and math are provided for all grade levels, and there are 29 enrichment classes to choose from. Classes are 75 minutes in length, three choices per day. Classes included: STEM, Superheroes, Read! Write! Publish!, Travel the World, Perler Beads, Skating, Cooking, Science Fun, Challenge Island, Paper Crafts, Famous Artwork, Podcasting, Crime Scene Investigation, Computers, Trash to Treasure, Master Builders, Rain Forest Café, Game On, Health & Fitness, and Board Games. Geishert said that most classes filled up, including STEM and cooking classes that filled up in 13 and 15 minutes. There were no cancellations this year, and most classes had more than the planned maximum number of students. She said there’s a need for more teachers next year. The 2nd session lasts two weeks, and is composed of traditional remedial summer school classes by teacher invite only. Enrollment topped last year, with 431 students, an additional 31. After a peak in 2011 of 388 students, summer school enrollment dipped to 273 in 2016, but quickly jumped to 33 the next year. Minutes taught have increased by roughly 33 percent since 2013. Geishert said the online enrollment system worked well, and the majority of parents used the system. For future suggestions, she listed the following online features: option to pay online, breakfast/snack permission, bussing location preference. Geishert also suggested a science camp. New staff introduced themselves to the board at the meeting as well. The board toured the remodeled classrooms at the Middle/High School. They also approved a 2.07 percent increase in pay for teachers.