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Woodside Middle highlights community-building; students describe stronger sense of belonging
Summary
Woodside Middle School staff and four students told the Southwest Allen County Schools board that a data-driven counseling program, expanded activities and intentional staff practices have improved attendance, lowered major disciplinary removals and strengthened students’ sense of belonging.
Woodside Middle School leaders told the Southwest Allen County Schools board that intentional community-building efforts — from expanded clubs and new courses to small-group counseling — are producing measurable improvements in attendance and behavior.
Principal Dr. Clark said the school has grown to about 1,038 students and tied this year’s work to a strategic plan theme of legacy. “We’re being intentional. We’re making efforts,” he said, linking those efforts to lower first-semester removals and steadier attendance.
Assistant principal Mrs. Lockhart described a wide range of student activities and supports designed to increase connection, including revived middle-school dances, three annual activity nights, and small-group counseling run by three counselors. “There’s no reason every single kid isn’t involved in at least one thing,” she said, noting new course offerings such as dance and engineering classes.
Counselor Janelle Zukowski said the school collects an annual student needs assessment and has tracked steady increases in students’ sense of belonging over three years. She told the board that counselor access also has risen and that group counseling and targeted classroom lessons help focus staff time.
Four students closed the presentation with first-person accounts of how those efforts affect daily school life. Seventh-grader Marie Grama, who moved from Colombia, said Woodside staff and peers made her feel included after earlier experiences of bullying: “Teachers take the time to listen and support students,” she said. Eighth-grader Riley Martin praised show choir and team time for building peer connections; seventh-grader Leo Mendieta described the school as “a family.” Eighth-grader Anila Johnson credited teachers and counselors for noticing students and helping them improve.
Board members praised the presentations and the students’ speaking. Dr. Clark invited the community to a “warrior showcase” in two weeks for families to see student work and activities.
The board then moved on to other agenda items.
