PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

 

  • Pre-School for 3 and 4-year olds.
  • Full-day kindergarten is held Monday-Friday. 
  • Title I services are available for K-5 students in reading and math.
  • To develop and improve reading skills, students participate in the following programs:
    • Accelerated Reading Program (Grades 1-8)
    • Fast ForWord (Grades K-12)
    • Building Blocks (Kdg.)
    • 4-Block Literacy Model (Grades 1-5
    • Saxon Phonics (Grades 1-5)
    • Huskie Reading Program (Grades 1-8)
    • Book-It Program (Grades K-8)
    • Daily Oral Language (Grades K-8)
    • Read Across America (Grades K-12)
  • Elementary classes are scheduled weekly in the library where our librarian reads a book and provides a coordinating activity for the book.  Students in upper-elementary and junior high receive research and library skills training.  High school students are assisted as needed.
     
  • The use of technology is encouraged and supported. All faculty and students in grades 6-12 have been issued laptop computers for use at school and home. Handheld computers are also available. Advanced business students maintain our school website, www.wchuskies.com and update the White City information on the district website, www.usd481.org.
  • To develop and improve writing skills, students participate in the following programs:
    •    6-Trait Writing Model (Grades K-12)
      • At the high school level, there is an emphasis on writing in the content areas.
    • Daily Oral Language
    • Building Blocks (Kdg.)
    • 4-Block Literacy Model (Grades 1-5)
  • To develop and improve math skills, students use problem-solving strategies such as APSE, manipulatives, Mad Minutes, AIMS activities, ACE activities, and Marcy Cook Math strategies.
  •  We offer an after-school program sponsored by the district.  Children in grades K-5 participate in activities including educational  games, arts and crafts, piano lessons, dance lessons, German, and technology.  Classroom teachers, who are assisted by community and student staff, plan and direct the activities.  A nutritional snack and homework assistance are also provided.
  • Students with special needs are serviced through the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education based in Salina.  Our school psychologist visits our building once a week.  We have two full-time learning resource teachers.  An itinerate gifted consultant and a speech pathologist are available to meet student needs.  Helping to meet the needs of an autistic student, a specialist visits our building once a month and provides continuous program support throughout the year.  We also have an occupational therapist and a physical therapist who visit our building weekly.  All of our special services staff are willing to provide additional time as needed.  When appropriate, we use the inclusion model to meet the needs of the students.
  • An alternative school, the DCLE (Dickinson County Learning Exchange), is available to students in our school who have difficulty performing in the traditional classroom setting or who need to make up credits in order to be on schedule for graduation.  The school is located in Enterprise, Kansas. Online courses are also available for credit recovery or advanced courses.
  • Music classes are available for students in grades K-12.  Students perform during winter and spring music programs.  High school music students participate in a league vocal music clinic and concert in the fall and also participate in the music contests sponsored by the KSHSAA in the spring.
  •  With a half-time art teacher, junior high and high school students have the opportunity to enroll in art classes.  The art teacher is also available to the elementary staff as a consultant for classroom art projects.
  • Students in Grades 3-5 use Student Planners to develop organization skills and to increase communications between parent and teacher. Students Grades 6-12 use their laptop computers for electronic planning.
  • Fifth grade students participate in the STARBASE program sponsored by the Kansas National Guard.  Through this program, students have the opportunity to explore math, science, and technology and to develop personal growth skills.
  • The fifth grade is active in the DARE (Drug Awareness and Resistance Education) program.  Law enforcement officials present the program.
  • Exploring the Food Pyramid with Professor Popcorn is a nutrition education program presented monthly in first grade by the Cooperative Extension Service in Morris County.  Students will also participate in the Body Walk program sponsored by KSDE. Our school health council sponsors a Fun Food Friday on the last Friday of each month. Students get the opportunity to learn about the food pyramid and to enjoy a healthy snack from one of the food pyramid groups.
  • A team plan time is in place for junior high teachers to integrate curriculum materials, communicate with parents, discuss student needs and progress, and plan activities.
  • The Junior High students explore various curriculum areas by participating in a nine-week rotation.  This year the content areas include art, keyboarding and computer studies, and vocal music.
  • Junior high science students participate in an annual Science Fair held each fall.  High school science students and community members act as judges for the fair.  The public is invited to view the displays.
  • Eighth grade students who have demonstrated excellence in math are enrolled in Algebra 1 so that they may have the opportunity to complete Calculus in high school.
  • Vocational programs including Family & Consumer Science, Construction Trades, Welding, and Business and Computer Technology are available to our secondary students.  All have been approved for state vocational funding.  Our FACS program was recognized at the August 2004 KACTE Conference as an exemplary program.
  • High school students have the opportunity to take upper-level math and science courses including College Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
     
  • Our interactive distance learning classroom has been updated and this year courses in Mandarin Chinese, Psychology, Sociology, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communications, and College Algebra are available. We broadcast Spanish 2 and Calculus to other schools.
     
  • Through Butler County Community College we offer junior college classes to the community and to our juniors and seniors.  Juniors and seniors may earn concurrent credit for the courses they take.  College Algebra is offered for concurrent credit during the school day.  Other courses are available in the evening.
  • We provide two levels of high-school Spanish instruction.  This year we are excited to have an exchange teacher from Spain teaching our classes.
  • The school counselor provides in-class guidance to students in Grades K-5.  Communication skills, social behavior skills, hygiene skills, and career awareness are some of the topics discussed.  The focus for the junior high groups is on personal developmental and career exploration.  Assertiveness training, preparations for post-secondary education, and career training are emphasized with the high school students.
  • A variety of drug and alcohol materials, character education, and career education materials are used in Grades K-12.
  • Athletic competition is available for grades 6-12 in volleyball, basketball, and track.  Students in grades 7-12 may participate in football.  Cross-country and softball are available for high school students.  Students have the opportunity to participate in cheerleading in both junior high and high school.
  • Both the junior and senior high have Scholar's Bowl teams that attended several competitions throughout the year.
  • High School students have a variety of extra-curricular clubs from which to choose, including FCA, SADD, Weight Club, Forensics, and FCCLA.  The high school also has an active Student Council and National Honor Society chapter.
  • We have been fortunate to have several foreign exchange students in our building on a consistent basis.

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