Story posted Thursday, February 4, 2010
'Wheeling High School' To Remain
By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Reversing an announcement made last year, the name of Wheeling High School will not change, although a new academic logo made its debut.
In December, Principal Lazaro Lopez told the Journal & Topics Newspapers that Wheeling High School would officially become Wheeling High School Math Science and Technology Academy for the 2010–2011 school year.
"Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is where opportunities will lie in the 21st century economy," he said at that time, explaining the change.
However, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, he sent a statement to the paper rescinding that decision.
"While we never intended to change our core name, Wheeling High School, after recent feedback from current and former students as well as community members, we have decided the addition of a byline to our name would not fully represent the continued comprehensive nature of our school," he wrote.
Lopez pointed toward the school's recognition in 2009 as one of the Kennedy Center Schools of Distinction in Arts Education by the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education. "We will continue to support and invest in the success of our fine arts and co curricular programs in addition to our new initiatives."
Even though the name will stay, a redesigned logo with the tag line "Math Science Technology" now graces the school's Web site. Lopez explained the new logo does not replace the traditional athletic wildcat logo; it is an academic logo including the original school crest with the new tag line.
Planned curriculum changes will still move forward. The school board held a meeting at the school on Jan. 28 where trustees toured the new facilities and heard an overview of some of the new programs.
The school still plans a pre-engineering program for sixth through eighth graders to excite them about engineering and technology. There will also be a summer "STEM For All" workshop for first through eighth graders.
The high school will offer additional college level curriculum including Calculus 3 with differential equations as well as a program to teach special education students computer assisted design and one allowing students to earn their Certified Nursing Assistant certification before they leave high school.
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