AAUW

The Washington, Iowa Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) met at the media center of the Washington High School on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. Co-hostesses for the evening were Patty Roe, Kitch Shatzer and Gerry Schmidt.

The topic for the evening?s discussion was the WHS 1:1 Computer Program, which provides a computer for each high school student?s use during the school year. Presenters were Joan Hippen, WHS media specialist/teacher, and Erik Buchholz, WHS principal. Joan told how the media center no longer has non-fiction books due to the easy access of students gaining reference information on their computers. She shared that readership of fiction books is up. She told how many older and unread fiction books were not moved to the new high school and how the staff strives to have very current and popular books on the media center shelves. She added that she received much training in technology during her library science studies, and how she is constantly helping students during the day with their computer ?issues.? Principal Erik Buchholz shared that the teachers have a program that enables them to identify any possible student plagiarism. In addition to parents being able to get online to see their student?s grade, they soon will be able to use Schoology. The latter is a learning management system which will allow parents to look into the future and see upcoming assignments. In closing, both Joan and Erik enthusiastically emphasized how technology enhances both the teacher?s teaching AND the student?s learning.

Highlights of the business meeting concerned a discussion of AAUW?s commitment to the Tuesday, Oct. 14 Healthy Relationships Summit to be held at the local library. Members signed up for various responsibilities. Kitch Shatzer handed out greenery information for the annual fundraising project. Also, a sign-up sheet was passed around for the Nov. 18, 2014 National Honor Society Reception to take place at the United Presbyterian Church for the students and their parents. A thank-you note was read from WHS National Honor Society Adviser, Angela Taylor, and the selected students for the past reception in their honor. A thank-you letter was also read from the National Camp Invention organization for the club's provision of two scholarships which enabled two elementary girls to attend the local camp last summer.

With regard to the Little Free Library project, Marde McConnell is in the process of painting and staining the library, and Virginia Bordwell has taken care of its registration. The group selected three teen books as a memorial contribution to the Washington Public Library in the name of charter member and former junior high librarian, Joy Batterson.

Anyone wanting more information about AAUW, feel free to contact Marde McConnell at 653-3884, Jennine Wolf at 461-1497 or Gerry Schmidt at 653-3492.