WCSM Highlights Reading, Guidance and Student Programs During Day 3 at Minster

WCSM Radio continued its “Back to School” week at Minster Local Schools on Wednesday, highlighting several academic programs and student-support services offered by the district.

Kevin Sandler hosted the third day of broadcasts and opened the program with elementary reading interventionists Gail Dwenger and Melissa Schmackers. They discussed how students are screened, placed into small intervention groups and provided targeted instruction based on their individual reading needs.

Minster’s reading intervention program serves students for approximately 20 to 30 minutes each day and focuses on areas such as phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Dwenger and Schmackers also explained how progress monitoring helps educators determine whether students are meeting their goals or need a different approach.

The discussion also highlighted Minster Elementary’s five-star early literacy rating on Ohio’s latest school report card and the school’s previous recognition as a Governor’s Science of Reading Champion.

Teacher Emily Funk and several students then discussed the seventh-through-12th-grade yearbook program. Students are responsible for photography, writing, graphic design and documenting the school year. Advertising purchased by local businesses helps keep the cost of the yearbook at $45.

High school guidance staff members Melissa Utrup and Greg Zumberger explained how they assist students in grades seven through 12 with academics, career and college planning, workforce preparation and social-emotional needs.

The guidance program includes individual scheduling and career conversations, visits to Tri Star Career Compact and a mock interview day involving approximately 15 to 20 area businesses. Students also receive help preparing for college, employment, military service, internships and scholarships.

School nurse Brenda Eiting discussed the wide range of responsibilities handled by the district’s health office. Those duties include responding to illnesses and injuries, administering medications, conducting vision screenings, reviewing immunization records and teaching students how to advocate for their own health needs.

Wednesday’s broadcast concluded with teacher Marianne Bruns and students discussing Minster High School’s science offerings. Courses include biology, anatomy, astronomy, environmental science, chemistry, physics and injury physiology, providing options for students pursuing college, healthcare, engineering or direct entry into the workforce.

WCSM’s “Back to School” broadcasts from Minster Local Schools continue through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The complete Wednesday program is available below.

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