POINTS of PRIDE: Oelwein Community School District

LEADERS: Mr. Westerberg (Superintendent), Barb Schmidtz (Counselor), Joanna Esker (Grad Student)

Education beyond the classroom walls is what we seek in today's schools.  Some districts are turning to project-based learning while others are using technology to reach the world.  In the Oelwein Community School District, with its creative use of the 21st Century Grant, CAMPS are being used as a way to reach the outside world in order to meaningfully engage today's learners. 

OELWEIN DEMOGRAPHICS

Enrollment:  1200

Buildings:  Early Childhood Center attached to High School, neighborhood schools with grade 1, upper primary school grades 2-5, a middle school, a high school and an alternative high school

Free and Reduced Lunch:  65%

Oelwein Community School District was a recipient of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant in Iowa this school year. Steve Westerberg, superintendent, very enthusiastically shares how collaboration has changed the culture of the schools in the district because of the additional supports offered through the grant.  Coaches, department heads, and a district leadership team are assisting teachers to provide an instructional foundation focused on Iowa Core implementation.    Training for leadership roles were based on what topics were most critical for those entering teacher leadership.  Mr. Westerberg cautions that not everyone can be a teacher leader and site-based review committees help keep teacher leaders accountable by making sure they are fulfilling their job description.  

A strong partnership exists between the Oelwein School District and the Northeast Community College satellite center located in town. Beautiful facilities provide great opportunities for Oelwein students.

With so many great things happening in Oelwein, one point of Pride the superintendent wanted to share was their 21^st Century Grant facilitated by Barb Schmitz, elementary school counselor.  Seeing a need for students to have extended learning, the 21^st Century Grant helps to fulfill this need.  This K-8 program operates 15-18 hours per week.  There is a 7 A.M. before school program, averaging 9-30 students.  Available resources include use of the computer lab, a study area, children’s magazines, and activities to improve spelling.  All students are invited to attend morning sessions but students must register for the afternoon camps. 

Goldie Blox

The after school program operates Monday through Thursday and on early out days.  These after school activities are organized in camps because this format keeps students engaged.  With a variety of camps being offered, it keeps this part of the day fresh and high with excitement.  Camps include:  Passport Camps (learning about other countries), Merkel and Martha Speak (modeled after a PBIS program), Geo caching, Math Mania, Book Clubs, Mindcraft, and Goldie Blox (designed for young girls to involve them in engineering).  The creators of these camps ask, “What will this give to our students in the long run?”  These camps provide a place that is safe and engaging.  Last year they had over 195 students who attended a camp with 70 returning for more than 30 sessions.  One of the more recent camps being offered is Fashion Camp, including a Skype with a fashion designer and a project of fashioning designs. 

Summer school is also connected with this grant.  This program has grown from 30 to 180 this past summer.  Breakfast, lunch, classes, and bussing are offered.  Swimming lessons are embedded in the middle of summer school.  They have partnered with the Old Creamery Theater for a Drama Camp.  Students work 4 hours per day with professional actors, and the culminating activity is the performance of a show written by the Old Creamery Theater. 

The key to the success of the camps is to find the correct people to run the camps.  Usually they run 4-7 camps at one time for a variety of grade levels.  Partnerships are key to its success – partnerships with the public library, Wellness Center, the local hospital, police department, firemen, the Economic Development Committee, retired citizens, and Fayette County Extension for STEM activities.  Members from these partnerships also serve on an Advisory Board that oversees the 21^st Century Grant.

 

If the statement is true:  “When students are engaged, they are learning,” Oelwein should be very proud of the effect its CAMPS are having on the culture of its schools.  It is a model many districts should embrace for adding to education beyond the classroom walls.