Two outstanding educational initiatives took center stage at the October board meeting. Lakeview Middle School highlighted their Dual Language Immersion program, while Edgewood Middle School showcased their accomplishments in STEM education.
Lakeview Principal, Todd Braddock and DLI teacher, Maria Burns were proud to provide updates about the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, a trailblazing approach that enriches students' educational experience. The DLI program combines both English and Spanish-speaking students in a dynamic learning environment, resulting in a well-rounded education that not only fosters linguistic skills, but also cultural appreciation and readiness for Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Lakeview students Dylan Mora Munoz, Contreras Ochoa Kamila, Samuel Falla, Graham Deeds, Barrett Hodoreck and Mollie Paladino shared about two engaging projects: "El trabajo de tus Sueños" (Your Dream Job) and "Paises de Latinoamerica y su cultura" (Latin American Countries and their Culture). These projects are thoughtfully aligned with the themes of the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam, including Contemporary Life, Social Customs, Values, Education and Careers.
In addition, Edgewood Middle School Principal JoElla Hauselman and Assistant Principal, Jason Culver, along with educator Abbi Richcreek and students Fisher Whitaker and Bayleigh Sleeth, provided STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program updates for the board.
Edgewood Middle School, recognized as a STEM school by the Indiana Department of Education in Spring 2023, has set a remarkable standard for pioneering and experiential education. Their achievements include providing comprehensive training for new teachers in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and STEM approaches, fostering the goal of having all staff complete one STEM activity each quarter and one PBL unit per semester. Furthermore, Edgewood promotes cross-curricular collaboration with the invaluable support of a dedicated STEM coach within PBL units. This integrative approach extends to incorporating literacy, employability skills and mathematics across their curriculum.
Edgewood’s commitment to excellence is also evident through professional development initiatives, such as their collaboration with Zimmer Biomet. Additionally, the recent Manufacturing Exploration Day on October 3rd showcased their students' creative skills, with the production of an impressive 1,038 shirts for 8th graders in Kosciusko County. Looking ahead, Edgewood is gearing up for the STEM Conference at Purdue in January 2024, where they will have five teachers in attendance, with two teachers presenting their innovative approaches to education.
Both Lakeview and Edgewood Middle Schools are shaping the future of education and equipping students with valuable skills and cultural awareness that will serve them well in a rapidly evolving world.