September 7, 2023 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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By Gordon Weeks
gordon@masoncounty. com
The Southside School District started the school
year Aug. 30 with a cooling system for the first time
in its 120—year history.
Last spring, classes were sometimes conducted
outside or in the gym when the building temperatures
climbed into the lower 80s, said Superintendent Paul '
Wieneke. The heating system was also remodeled.
“My challenge was getting it done in one summer,”
he said.
The district projects it will start the school year
with 207 students in kindergarten through seventh
grade. That would be an increase of 10 students from
last school year.
The district starts the school year with a new math
curriculum and is in the fourth year of its reading
curriculum.
The Southside School Board in July passed a
$4—million budget for the School year.
Wieneke said the district was faced with COVID
and failing test scores when he arrived three years ago.
In a news release in April, Southside School Dis—
trict stated it is setting high marks in the post-pan-
demic classroom. According to Southside administra-
tors, perseverance and partnerships have been the
key to closing learning gaps in student achievement
at Southside.
“Prior to the pandemic, annual student improve—
ment scores were trending down for all Southside stu-
dent groups,” said Principal Robie Spaulding. “Dur-
ing and after the pandemic, academic scores actually
reversed and are now trending upward for all our stu-
dent groups.” '
The news release states the Southside adminis-
trators are referring to the state measurement called
the Washington School Improvement Framework, or
WSIF. WSIF identifies how schools can improve the
education of all students. The guideline combines as
many as nine indicators (such graduation rates, at-
tendance, and proficiency on state tests in math and
English language arts) into a 1-10 score. The school’s
What’s your
plan?
Let us help you achieve it.
Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 — Shelton—Mason County Journal Page 11
Southside Schools just got a cooler
Southside Elementary School students react to seeing staff members receive
a pie in the face at an
event in May. Journai file photo by Gordon Weeks
score then determines the state’s programs to help
the school improve.
“From 2015—2020 Southside’s student scores were
trending toward the threshold where the. school
would be identified as needing intensive state inter-
ventions,” Spaulding said in the news release. “Since
2020, student scores have trended up, despite the ed—
ucational challenges of the pandemic." .
“I’m happy we took improvement funds and re-
versed the downward trend in student performance,"
Wieneke told the Journal. ‘
Staff members want students to envision a
‘
.
positive future and inspire them to be committed
to achieving their goals, the superintendent said.
Among the district’s goals this school year, “I want
to make sure all students who pass our threshold
have a welcoming adult,” he said. adding that dis—
.trict staff members “believe all students are capable
of success,” he said. .
District voters in November passed the district’s
replacement levy.
Winter break is Dec. 18 through Jan. 2, and spring
break is April 1—5. The tentative last day of thevschool
year is June 11.
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