November 23, 2010 | Volume 23, Issue 3 Moments Districts Realigned, p. 5in Oz p. 12
Inside Districts Realigned, p. 5 Your
Mind pp. 6-7
Donny Blom:
58 years of Dutch football tradition Budget cuts revive familiar p. 5 Marching Band tunes, p. 4
Students define their ideal superintendent Everyone gets a voice. That’s what the school board, teachers and students hope to see in the process of selecting the new superintendent to replace the incumbent, Mark Wittmer, who announced his retirement in October. Both teachers and students met with a hiring company called The Else Group to determine what qualities they viewed as important for potential superintendent candidates. Then the hiring company presented their findings to the school board. “I enjoy being part of the process because it shows that we have a strong school district in place and that we aren’t going to be settling for anything less than what we want,” said Ashlee Whittington, board advisory council member, teacher and athletic coach. Essentially, Else Group links superintendents with perspective schools that desire their offered skills for their district. “Though this process is expensive, it’s more efficient because they usually have more connections. They’re doing some of our footwork because they’re narrowing down the selection of candidates from about 100 to five or six,” said teacher, faculty council member and district leadership team member Kathy Van Norden. Students appreciate being included in the process as well, since it awards them the rare chance to voice their opinion in a pertinent district decision. “I thought it was important that the students got to help choose the person who influences their academic life most,” said senior student council member Tricia Wisniewski. See: Superintendent, p. 2
CONCLUSION. Senior quarterback Teag Klyn embraces assistant coach Brian Huddle after Pella’s 26-14 fall to Solon in the semi-final round of state championships on Nov. 15. The game marked the end of the Pella’s single-loss season record, and the final team experience for the class of 2011 players. The seniors have relinquished only 6 of 40 games record across three seasons, and is the only class in school history to have seen three Unidome appearences, with two semi-finalist titles in 2008 and 2010, as well as one state runner-up title in 2009. •Photo by Molly Neil
Farewell PEase: 5-day fitness proposed for 2011 Students next year may find themselves deciding between three physical education options. The change (still waiting approval as of Nov.1) will eliminate year-long P.E. as an alternative to a semester of personal fitness. In its place will be two new semester options, both of which involve gym on a daily basis. The plan, proposed by curriculum director Lowell Ernst and Principal Eric Nelson, promises to offer students more variety. Personal Fitness will still be around for students who prefer working at their own pace. “Lifetime Sports” and “Group Fitness” will be the new, group-style classes. “There are three ways to look at [P.E.]. “Personal Fit” will still be around for those who like to work alone. For those who like to play games, Lifetime Sports will be a group class focused on playing different sports and games,” said Nelson. “For those who like to work out, Group Fitness will be offered. It’s more focused on working out and exercising, but includes group motivation some prefer.” For those students wishing to maintain physical activity year long, a second
option entitled “Group Fitness 2” would be offered. This option bears a similarity to “Personal Fitness B”, considering it requires a prerequisite (Group Fitness 1), and would act as an extension on to the curriculum. Students would be expected to act more as leaders in activities, but the curriculum would still be that of a group oriented class. Both Group Fitness and Lifetime Sports would contain structures similar to their predecessor, including testing, effort points and make-up work. Several other reasons were included in the decision to redefine physical education. The classes would be daily, so students may earn the fitness credit required for graduation in one semester, instead off requiring two semesters like the current year-long P.E. course. This would free up a period for students to take other classes during the off semester. As Nelson pointed out, it also would make scheduling easier for counselors and teachers. The change would also create a more consistent schedule for students to work out. As in its current state, the physical education 11 and 12 options meet only twice a week for class. “It just isn’t enough.” Said Nelson in
regards to the current year long P.E. schedule. “The proposed change would give students more of a workout.” The P.E. department also plays an important role in prepping for and leading the curriculum. “At first I was a little hesitant about it [the change],” said P.E. teacher Corey Thorson, “I like the system as it is, and there is no evidence [the change] it will be better. Now though, I think it’ll be new and interesting.” Iowa code allows the district the authority to determine its own P.E. program at the high school level. Where as the middle and elementary schools are required to follow state dictated teaching curriculum’s.The switch comes simply as the decision by Ernst and Nelson. However, it may come as a result of the school’s new participation in Pe4Life, a program that promotes better physical activity in schools. The organization’s vision, “All children embrace wellness for life,” is exemplified in the class name “Lifetime sports.” The switch has yet to be approved. •Adam Gromotka (apg.pelladium@gmail.com)