POINTS of PRIDE: Winterset School District

Kindergarten PLC

Welcome to Winterset!   
Motto:  Whatever It Takes!

Demographics
Enrollment 1750
Free and Reduced Lunch 34%
4 buildings PK-12

Dr. Meade & Mike Kaldenberg

Dr. Meade & Principal Wendy Sawyer

Dr. Meade & Principal Kathryn Wharton

Winterset subscribes to the WHATEVER IT TAKES motto - with common planning time, every day WIN (What I Need) intervention time, and a focus on quality implementation of Professional Learning Communities across the district.   In the words of Superintendent Susie Meade, their process has been wildly successful.  Their Title I buildings are no longer on the SINA (School in Need of Assistance) list with elementary being off the list and middle school being in Safe Harbor. 

Winterset is in their first year of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant.  Previously, for two years the Heartland Area Education Agency provided an instructional coach.  Now through their TLC grant, instructional coaches are serving K-12 in ELA, Math/Science/Technology, and Special Education.  A coordinator brings all coaches together along with a district leadership team to plan and implement professional development.

Elementary Data Wall

Their elementary classroom has a data room for tracking progress and a place for Professional Learning Communities to gather and plan strategies for instruction.   Iowa Core and National Standards are a focus.  At the elementary there are data days every 4 - 6 weeks.  At the end of that time, the Heartland specialist comes in to discuss those students not moving and develop a plan for those not moving.


Their middle school has been open for four years and holds grades 4-6 with a strong principal focused on the Gradual Release of Responsibility. With the middle school success with GRR, it is now implemented in all buildings and the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) focus discussion on enhancing its use.  The district-wide focus on Gradual Release of Responsibility is manifested through the posting of learning targets and an emphasis on active engagement for all students.  Teachers also study and implement the use of higher levels of Bloom's questioning.  To encourage the successful implementation of PLCs, around 30 staff members are taken every year to Minnesota to a PLC conference.

The Junior High School is grades 7-8.  There is common planning time.  All special education students are in the Core classes as much as possible with co-teaching.

The High School is organized in block scheduling.  They also have Career Academies:  Building Trades program (build a house); Electrical program (graduates move into additional opportunities beyond this class); CNA program; Engineering classes including Project Lead the Way; and a Culinary Arts Program when enough show interest.  Their high school also has an MOC program - Multi-Occupation Career Exploration, and participants gain work skills by community employment.


Dr. Meade is very happy with the PAES program incorporated in the Special Education classrooms.  (It comes from West DesMoines.)  Students learn how to be gainfully employed.  They complete tasks which are assessed, and they are paid depending upon their performance.  Genesis is a sheltered workshop for adult special needs, and they partner with the high school to help with transition from school to the world of work.

Winterset is well known for its quality music program.  80% of the Winterset students are invovled in band, choir, or athletic teams.  Other opportunities for student involvement include:

• Conservation Club
• Robotics Club
• Young Women's Club
• Speech Club
• Student Council
• Huskie Help Day - community service in the spring for seniors.  It is a day of release with a teacher to perform community service.

Another Winterset motto:  

THINK STRAIGHT A's - ATTENDANCE, ATTITUDE, ACHIEVEMENT

 Whatever it takes, Winterset!  You are most definitely on your way!