The West Bend Current

Karen Eichmann’s classroom is a lot bigger this year.

Last year Eichmann supervised the Academic Support Center at the West Bend High Schools, but in September she moved to the former East Library to supervise the new ninth grade study hall system.

This program was spearheaded by Kelsey Petersen, the assistant principal in charge of the ninth grade class. The decision to revamp ninth grade study halls was made at the end of last school year. The Knight Center at Nicolet High School in Glendale also had a ninth grade study hall which inspired WBHS to do the same thing. Staff wanted an area strictly for ninth graders to help prepare them and help them adjust to high school. 

Guided by Eichmann, the new study hall is supported by a dedicated team of staff members. There are a total of 13 diverse teachers who are in the old library space on a daily basis to help students.

“Without my team this wouldn’t run the way it does,” Eichmann said.

They all teach a variety of things to help the students out in different classes if they need it. The period is very structured. There are check-ins on a weekly and daily basis, along with plans that are set up for students that need it. Not to mention, the math lab is also now in the old library classroom so students know where to find it and can easily get help during study hall.

If students are struggling in a particular class, Michael Anderson, a reading interventionist, takes them to his room across the hall and helps them individually. He provides more one-on-one instruction. When they are doing well in a class and have no D’s or F’s, and no missing assignments, they are rewarded. Eichmann and her team have set up a game room, where students can color, do puzzles and play cards and board games.

Eichmann says there have been bumps along the way, but that is to be expected when starting something new. She feels that the program is going well and running as it should.

“It’s challenging but extremely rewarding,” she said.

Eichmann is working really hard with all students to show them that at the end of the day she and her staff have the students’ best interest at heart. Eichmann makes sure that all students follow the same rules and expectations in all of her classes. It is also hard when there are so many students in there that struggle to ask for help. Each teacher is assigned a group of students to check in with weekly, but the students are still able to get help from any teacher in the study hall.

East social studies teacher Michael Lewandowski is one of the study hall supervisors and he says some students don’t yet have the skill set to be in a large group, especially when they are still transitioning away from a middle school mindset. Sometimes they have a hard time accepting help and struggle with the expectations,

“They don’t understand the opportunities they have or take advantage of them,” Lewandowski said.

Lewandowski says this program has at times tested his patience as a teacher and as a human being, but overall this change has made it easier to build relationships and provide more direct support to the 18 students under his direct supervision. He has had some success with students and the study hall encourages students to adopt a high school mindset. 

“I can see the value of this new structure, and most of the freshmen are beginning to appreciate the opportunity to help one another, complete work and make up missing assignments or assessments,” Lewandowski said.

Most students and teachers say their main concern is the amount of people in each class, which impacts their ability to focus and teach. Otherwise people seem to enjoy it and recognize how much it helps in their academic success.

West ninth grader Mady Multhauf says it has been 100% helpful. There is a teacher for each subject which helps a lot because they actually teach and help students learn instead of just giving them answers. It is also easy to get help when needed and is helpful to know when everything is due and know the things you need to do in an organized manner.

Olivia Dobson, an East ninth grader, says that this study hall has helped her succeed in her classes and if she was in a normal study hall she wouldn’t be as successful. Having teachers in there that teach different classes helps a lot because she can get the help she needs for certain classes. This program helps her to get work done whenever she’s having trouble getting it done, especially when in a sport or having other things going on. Although it can be distracting when trying to get work done due to the amount of people in the room, it has still helped her to be a successful student.

West English teacher Sonia Taylor reports that the new study hall system is showing results.

“Fewer freshmen are failing my class this year, probably because of this class,” Taylor said.

Meanwhile, Eichmann hasn’t lost contact with her previous students. While she doesn’t teach the same group anymore, she says the new program makes her feel like she made a lasting impression in her old role, because those former students will often stop in to say hello or give a quick hug.

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Top image: Karen Eichmann supervises the new WBHS ninth grade study hall today during fourth period.