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| Principal Brett Nagle & Superintendent Peterson |
"The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong." ~Thomas Carlyle
A visit with Wapello's Superintendent Mike Peterson provides a person with a view of what makes Wapello Community School District a success. His positive attitude reflects the positive direction Wapello Schools are headed. The district's continuing initiatives include implementation of data teams, PBIS, and Everyday Math. New initiatives include LETTERS training by all elementary staff and vocabulary instruction at the high school level. Both have been chosen as a focus based on assessment data. Their Iowa Assessments are turning the corner with "delayed status" in both reading and writing for the district. Superintendent Peterson speaks highly of the support given to his district by the Great Prairie AEA.
Demographics
District enrollment: 679
Free and Reduced Lunch: About 53%
Two buildings: PreK - Grade 6; Grades 7-12
Mr. Peterson also speaks highly of the community support shown his district. One organization "Just Two Moms," is a group started by two mothers who have lost children to cancer. This group provides advocacy and fundraising for cancer research by working with the school district. All sports hold "Pink Out" nights to bring awareness to cancer. The FCCLA partners with the local food pantry with food drives and lessons in meal preparation. Wapello has a very strong Ag program and FFA that holds the largest youth sponsored professional rodeo in Iowa. It is held in conjunction with the annual local town celebration. Another way that the community supports the district is through Junior Achievement, focused on fifth and sixth grade along with business partnerships. |
| JH/JS Auditorium seats 360 |
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| Secretary Hammond |
Mr. Steve Bohlen has been the Junior High/High School principal for more than 20 years, but he gives a great deal of credit to the success of the high school to his secretary, Rae Laneia Hammond.
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| Ticket booth for rodeo made in IT |
The Trades Lab Wing houses Family Consumer Science, Industrial Tech, and Ag classes. Courses include Construction Tech, Woods I & II, Welding, Small Engines, Ag, Animal Sciences. Concurrent enrollment classes include Horticulture, English Composition, and assorted online classes, in partnership with both Southeast and Muscatine Community Colleges. Other opportunities for high school students include Mock Trial, Battle of the Books, Art Club, Knowledge Bowl Team, Jazz Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Pep Band, Large Group and Individual Speech, FCCLA, and FCA.
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| Principal Steve Bohlen & Karen McCullough |
It was great to run into Ms. Karen McCullough, FCS teacher and FCCLA sponsor. Karen was in FFA with my children in eastern Iowa. During FFA she baked pies as her SAE (Supervised Ag Experience) and is now sharing that talent with her FCCLA students. Pie baking has become a major fundraiser to support the FCCLA activities. Last year they sold 64 pies, and this year that has more than doubled to 148. What a joy to see a young adult making a difference in the lives of others doing a job where she can share her talents!
A new addition to the JH/HS is the weight room. Kent Feeds donated $25,000 towards the building of the Weight Room at Wapello. The Indians and Arrows are making good use of this facility as they work towards success both in the classroom and on the playing field. Soccer has been recently added to the list of sports teams in order to meet the interests of students in the district, and it has been met with great enthusiasm.
Elementary principal Brett Nagle says the best thing about Wapello is that everyone knows everyone else. This adds to the welcoming atmosphere of a special place called Wapello Community School District.
School Motto:
T - Trusthworthy
R - Respectful
I - Inspiring
B - Be Responsible
E - Encourage Others
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