Thank you, families, for your flexibility and support this week. We appreciate your partnership in helping students complete their at-home learning. We hope to see everyone soon!

The Webster County Schools Leadership Alliance met in the Webster County Annex on January 22nd for its second meeting of the year. The focus for this meeting included curriculum and instruction, food service, and school safety. 

After the initial welcome from Aaron Harrell, School Superintendent, Principals Jarrod Hankins (WCHS) and Eric Wheatley (Dixon), along with other school and district leaders, led the Leadership Alliance members on small-group classroom visits at Dixon, WCHS, and the WC Area Technology Center. These classroom visits showcased reading and math instruction, instructional technology, blended learning (a blend of different teaching modes that includes technology), and career & technical education courses in both the high school and the area technology center. 

After the classroom visits, Food Service Director Sue Shelton shared that Webster County Schools participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) as part of the National School Lunch Program. This allows schools and school districts located in high-poverty areas to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to enrolled students. Webster County Schools offer breakfast and lunch, with middle and high schools also offering a second-chance breakfast option and an after-school meal for students who stay after school for tutoring or other programs. Last year, the district served 202,527 breakfasts and 244,075 lunches. WC Food Service also provides summer meals for any child 18 and under. The food service staff provided the Leadership Alliance samples of some of the students’ favorite menu items, including Chinese dishes such as General Tso’s chicken, orange chicken, and an egg roll; buffalo chicken wraps; school pizza; a fruit slushy; and chicken with mashed potatoes. 

Zack LaGrange, Director of Safe Schools, and Russell Roberts, Dixon Campus School Resource Officer, shared some of the school safety upgrades implemented districtwide. All Alliance members checked in at the high school main office and experienced the Open Gate weapons detection system and the visitor check-in process. Each school campus now has a safe and secure entrance; the Open Gate weapons detection system; security cameras; a badge-swipe system for classroom and exterior doors; PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) for student behavior; access to both the WC Tipline & STOP Tipline; and a school resource officer, with one to be added at Sebree Elementary soon. When discussing the roles of a school resource office, SRO Roberts stressed the importance of “developing trust with students” as that helps to “keep the lines of communication open.”

This was the second meeting of the Leadership Alliance, a group of 24 Webster County community members, parents, and/or business leaders who are passionate about education and have a desire to learn more about Webster County Schools. The next meeting is scheduled for March.