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Whitewater schools want input from community on learning

WHITEWATER — Whitewater school officials are asking parents, students and community members for their input on how best to address academics that will prepare students for a changing world.

The school district is implementing a 21st century learning community model. Superintendent Suzanne Zentner said it's a different way of operating schools founded on academic excellence; physical, emotional and social wellness, and sustainability. The goal is to prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs.

Academic excellence drives everything, Zentner said, and the district wants to take advantage of opportunities for innovative programs and alternative funding that will help it implement the best possible model.

Officials want the community to weigh in by exploring the following questions during a series of meetings, the first of which is Monday:

-- How do we help our students prepare for an increasingly competitive global workforce?

-- How do we create a sustainable learning environment that in its progressive design will attract and retain students and staff?

-- How do we support students, staff and the community to stay abreast of the rapidly changing future of technology?

-- What changes might be helpful as we look to develop the foreign language, science, engineering, math, fine arts and business talents of our students?

Zentner said many people in the community are interested in helping guide the district, and the meetings will capitalize on their expertise and ideas.

"This is bringing together all the people interested and start really talking about innovation here," she said. "We're building a community model, and you need a community to build a community model."