• West Washington High School
• Awards & Recognition

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Congratulations to Lennon Wieging for being named West Washington's most recent Star Student! Keep up the good work!

• Education
• Government
• State of Indiana

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Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), along with Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05), has formally requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) review special education services for children with disabilities enrolled in private schools to determine possible under-identification. This effort aims to address significant gaps in the identification and provision of services mandated for students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

“Children with disabilities deserve access to the resources and support they need, regardless of the type of school they attend,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “It is unacceptable that students in private schools may be overlooked, leaving them without the assistance provided by federal law.”

Under IDEA, local educational agencies are required to evaluate all children with disabilities within their jurisdiction, including those enrolled by their parents in private schools. However, research suggests that only 3 percent of private school students are identified as having disabilities under IDEA—far below the 6 to 9 percent estimated need and significantly lower than the 13 percent identification rate for public school students.

“These discrepancies suggest widespread issues that must be addressed,” added Congresswoman Houchin. “Through this review, we can ensure that children with disabilities in private schools are no longer left behind and receive the support they need, regardless of their educational setting.”

Congresswoman Houchin remains committed to advocating for students with disabilities and their families, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

• Salem High School
• Education
• Wellness

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By Morgan Humphrey, SHS Student Writer

Salem Community Schools is one of many Indiana schools implementing regulations for teachers to help students with anxiety through social-emotional learning programs. In terms of bringing these regulations to Salem, there are certain guidelines that are being followed.

“Salem is currently implementing approved programming from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE),” said Superintendent Jill Mires, adding that the second step is a program Salem purchased using Title IV funds which focuses on the development of coping skills and emotional awareness.

“This program also has lessons that focus on bully awareness and drug education,” she said.

Salem is planning professional development for all grade levels on the Zones of Regulation, which is approved by the IDOE. Teachers, students and families will learn about these zones.

“There are four types of zones, these zones will help students better understand and manage their emotions, energy, and responses,” she said. “It divides feelings and states of alertness into four color-coded zones, each representing a different type of emotion and level of energy.”

The zones are:

Blue Zone- This zone includes feelings like sadness, tiredness, or boredom, and times when we are feeling low.

Green Zone- This is the ‘ready to learn’ zone, where students feel calm, focused, and in control. It's an ideal zone for learning and positive interactions.

Yellow Zone- In this zone, students can feel excitement, frustration or worry. Students might need strategies to stay balanced.

Red Zone- This zone is for anger, panic, or elation. This zone is for students to take a step back, calm down and regain control.

When asked if teachers have to go through a certain training, Mires said, “Indiana has developed Social-Emotional Learning Competencies, similar to the standards we might hear teachers discuss for math and English. These competencies encourage practices in self-management, emotional regulation, and relationship skills, which teachers can integrate into classroom activities.”

Teachers can collaborate with school counselors or mental health professionals for support.

“These new regulations can benefit both teachers and students by helping them recognize our feelings and learn coping mechanisms to move between zones as needed,” she said. “This can help students and teachers build friendships, and improve overall well-being.”

• Fundraisers
• Special Events

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

If you never participated in the Polar Purge this could be your year! Presented by Special Olympics as a fundraiser with 19,000 members state wide, this is the 26th year of the Polar Plunge and is the largest money raising event for the organization. Their sayings are “Be Bold, Get Cold,” and “Freezin’ for a Reason.” Meeting at Deam Lake, groups and individuals step down into the water and splash around in the 194-acre ice-cold bath. Each individual must raise at least $99 to join in the fun; the state goal is one million dollars. Individuals can still make virtual donations even if the plunge is not for you. To register and donate, Click Here!

Some groups that accept new members include Hannah's Frozen Friends or the Washington Co. Chillers group. But feel free to start any group you want!

Aptly named the “world’s coolest field trip,” the first event is at Borden High School on Friday February 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The plunge begins at 10:30 a.m. at Deam Lake and is open to students.

The community plunge is Saturday, February 15 with registration from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the Polar Plunge beginning at noon. After the plunge is the Splash Bash at 1:00 p.m. Plungers must be 12 years old the day of the event day to enter the water. Those under the age of 18 must have a signature from parent or guardian.  Questions can be emailed to Scott Furnish at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are several sites in the state holding this event, however Deam Lake is closest to Salem and is located at 1217 Deam Lake Road, Borden.

In 2024, the group raised $136,000, and the total that took the plunge ended up being 337 individuals and 28 groups. The groups that collected the most money were Hannah’s Frozen friends and SOIN Clark and Floyd Counties Polar Bears tied at $26,000.

Last year, even members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department joined in and they collected $2,300 for the event! Total people that took the plunge from Washington County was 34 and in total raised $14,050. Register and donate today to have a great time supporting a great cause!

Washington Co. Chillers

Group from Prosser.