Proud Past Christ-Centered Mission Strategic Future - Wisconsin ...
Proud Past Christ-Centered Mission Strategic Future - Wisconsin ...
Proud Past Christ-Centered Mission Strategic Future - Wisconsin ...
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FUTURE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT<br />
From Thailand to WLHS – One Student’s Journey<br />
<strong>Future</strong> host families are already being secured for the 2013-14 school year.<br />
For information on host families or any questions about the experience, please<br />
feel free to contact Hannah Reinke, international student program coordinator,<br />
at hannah.reinke@wlhs.org or 414-453-4567 x2353.<br />
Moo Thaw Paw, happy to be at WLHS.<br />
moved up 5 grade levels in 1 semester!<br />
Moo Thaw Paw was born in a refugee camp in Thailand.<br />
Her parents had to flee from Burma during wartime for<br />
believing in Jesus. They lived in the jungle and were even<br />
slaves for a time before entering the refugee camp. She<br />
said she lived in a bamboo house with a leaf roof and was<br />
always fearful for her safety in the refugee camp. One<br />
example she could speak of was how the drinking water<br />
was often poisoned.<br />
When the U.S. government learned of these refugees,<br />
they found a way to help many of them. Moo Thaw Paw<br />
and her mother, father, two brothers, and sister were<br />
among the fortunate ones able to come to the U.S.<br />
They arrived in New York City first and Moo Thaw Paw<br />
thought she had landed in heaven. Then on to Chicago<br />
and then their new home town — Milwaukee. They now<br />
attend St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church and Moo Thaw Paw<br />
is a sophomore at WLHS.<br />
She is excelling here — both spiritually and academically.<br />
Her freshman math teacher, Mr. Plamann, said, “Moo Thaw<br />
Paw was a delight to have in class. She worked very hard<br />
and had one of the highest scores in the Math Lab. Moo<br />
Thaw Paw started at WLHS at a fourth grade level. With<br />
the College Readiness Continuum (CRC) program she<br />
moved up to ninth grade math in just one semester!”<br />
College Readiness Continuum<br />
In the fall of 2011, WLHS launched the CRC. The program<br />
has exceeded expectations and helped a great number of<br />
students make strides to be better prepared for college.<br />
The CRC was developed from a bold vision generated<br />
by the WLHS board of directors and leadership team to<br />
provide every student, no matter their background or<br />
geography, with the highest quality instruction that meets<br />
their needs.<br />
CRC’s goal is to ensure that every student who enters<br />
WLHS below grade level will be prepared for ninth grade<br />
level work by their sophomore year. CRC is a yearround,<br />
comprehensive effort that may begin with summer<br />
preparation for incoming freshmen, continues with doubled<br />
instructional time in math and reading throughout the school<br />
year, and may conclude with summer credit recovery, if<br />
necessary. Students who are prepared for main-stream<br />
classes by their sophomore year will then be better<br />
prepared for college-prep work as upperclassmen.<br />
“We are pleased with the results from CRC,” said<br />
Ned Goede, principal. “Our experience has proven that if<br />
students are given individualized instruction by excellent and<br />
dedicated teachers, they can overcome academic challenges<br />
and achieve their greatest potential.”<br />
International Student Program<br />
First or second generation immigrants are not the only<br />
WLHS students who bring an international flair to WLHS.<br />
WLHS also accepts foreign born students who desire<br />
an American education into the International Student<br />
Program. These students attend on an F1 visa and live<br />
with host families who act as surrogate parents during the<br />
school year. This strong network of host families helps<br />
provide a loving, <strong>Christ</strong>ian home for these students while<br />
they attend WLHS. Each year more students have been<br />
added to the Program, and continued growth is anticipated.<br />
Activities during the school year are planned to introduce<br />
the students to the greater Milwaukee area and distinctly<br />
<strong>Wisconsin</strong> events. WLHS’ Program is designed with a<br />
great deal of individualized student attention and<br />
support. The Program includes a coordinator<br />
and counselor for academic and social<br />
support, English language support,<br />
academic tutoring, on-campus<br />
advocacy, and a student mentor<br />
program. While Moo Thaw Paw is<br />
not residing with a host family,<br />
she is accessing the benefits<br />
of the International Program.<br />
Thankful for WLHS<br />
Moo Thaw Paw says she<br />
likes to learn and see new<br />
things — such as snow<br />
and buildings. Her favorite<br />
subject is math and she<br />
wants to become a doctor<br />
someday. Of everything that<br />
she likes about the U.S., she<br />
likes knowing more about Jesus.<br />
Moo Thaw Paw is thankful for her<br />
safety and thankful to be at WLHS.<br />
International<br />
student doing<br />
homework in<br />
WLHS library<br />
10 CONTACT Fall 2012
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