Wolf Point Schools Seeing Opt-Out Students Falling Behind
Wolf Point school officials expressed concerns regarding students who are opting-out this school year because of COVID issues during the school board meeting on Monday, Dec. 14.
Principal Greg Gourneau said only about 7 percent of students opting-out are making progress to pass at the junior high level. He made the statement during his report to the board.
Wolf Point High School principal Kim Hanks said, “Opt out is a real struggle for us.
She said 57 high school students were opting-out as of last week. Of those students, eight were passing all of their classes.
“This is going to cause a huge issue for students being on track for graduation,” Hanks said.
She has asked parents and students to come to the school to discuss progress. Few parents have taken advantage of that opportunity.
“I don’t think it’s anything unique,” board chairman Mark Kurokawa said of students opting-out falling behind. “It’s statewide from what I’ve been reading.”
The district will no longer allow students to opt out throughout the calendar as of Monday.
In other news, superintendent Loverty Erickson said warm apparel is available for students. She’s thankful for the community’s donations.
Erickson said that she and former principal Susan Brown are handling the leadership duties at Southside Elementary School while principal Ken Steele is on leave.
Activities director Cody Larson announced that Wolf Point has landed the Northern B divisional girls basketball tournament scheduled for March 3-6. As far as the district tournament, Wolf Point will host the boys’ tournament and Poplar will have the girls’ tourney. Plans might change if COVID issues occur.
“We should have people coming to Wolf Point to watch some basketball games,” Larson said.
Trustees approved the hiring of Nicholas Page as substitute teacher, Anthony Red Cloud as bus monitor and John Wetsit as assistant track coach. Trustees approved the consultant contract for Jim Baldwin. Lori Sande resigned from Math-Counts advisor and junior high Friday tutor.
Erickson said two teachers were hired to assist in the deep cleaning of schools.
Principal Georgie Gourneau said Northside Elementary School will have a winter theme art contest. Attendance figures include 88.69 percent for fourth grade, 86.39 percent for fifth grade, 88.34 percent for sixth grade and 87.77 percent overall.
Principal Greg Gourneau said there are 85 attending the junior high school and 39 students are opting-out. Attendance figures are 88.98 percent for seventh grade and 88.51 percent for eighth grade.
Facilities director Shane Reed discussed efforts to address a small leak in the high school roof.
Sarah Chambers, Baylor University doctoral candidate, asked for permission to conduct educational research to include Wolf Point. Erickson said she feels the research would benefit both Native American and rural education locations. Trustees approved the request pending approval by the tribes.
