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March 31, 2008
NCSD News Briefing
Board approves isolation applications
On Monday, the board of trustees approved the applications for reimbursement for private transportation or maintenance of isolated students, or those who live so rural, their parents must transport them to the nearest school or bus stop.
Board accepts three BOCES grants
The board accepted the following grants on Monday:
* A grant for $10,000 to fund Girls Exploring Tomorrow's Technology, which is a project designed to stimulate and encourage girls in grades seven through 12 to pursue technology careers. The program, run in collaboration with Chester County Pennsylvania and Casper College, hopes to attract 50 girls from Natrona County who are interested in learning more about their opportunities in various technology fields.
* Funding in the amount of $8,076 to bring in popular children's author Jack Gantos for the Equality State Book Festival. The three-day festival, which will celebrate the benefits of reading and writing, will bring in approximately 40 additional authors of regional and national reputation to read and discuss their literary work.
* Funding for the third year of Kid Lit Bit in the amount of $5,352.24. This project provides professional development opportunities for NCSD teachers, Casper College pre-service teachers and instructors, and University of Wyoming/Casper College pre-service teachers. The program demonstrates how to successfully integrate children's literature, science and history by helping participants develop thematic units. Through the program, emphasis will be placed on children's literature and networking between teachers in grades K-12; and county, elementary, secondary and college librarians.
Board accepts Dvorak's superintendent-elect contract
Dr. Joel Dvorak's term as NCSD superintendent will begin July 1, 2008, as he replaces retiring Dr. Jim Lowham. The contract approved by the board of trustees on Monday continues through June 30, 2010, unless terminated or extended earlier. Dr. Dvorak will receive an annual salary of $178,000, less appropriate deductions for benefits, costs, state and federal taxes and other similar government deductions. Dr. Dvorak will receive the same group health, accident and dental benefits as provided to other administrators and cabinet members. The district will, however, pay a term life insurance policy in the amount of $350,000. Dr. Dvorak will be entitled to name the beneficiary for 50 percent of the coverage, while the district will be the beneficiary for the remaining 50 percent of policy proceeds.
Board hears first reading of science texts and materials adoption
On Monday, the board heard a first reading recommendation to adopt a list of science textbooks and materials for use in grades 10 through 12 at Natrona County, Kelly Walsh and Midwest high schools. Roosevelt High School has asked for an extension to review their school data. According to Dr. Vicki Foster, director of content and delivery, the school fully intends to be part of this grant next year.
Throughout the last 10 years, when the district last adopted science materials, much research has been conducted on how students best learn science. It has been found that an inquiry-based approach is the best method. Instructors from NC, KW and Midwest have analyzed various materials that align with the district, state and national standards and considered many criteria in their recommendations, including: student engagement and relevancy, digital resources and technology, assessment, inquiry, content, concepts, rigor and support, as well as accessibility, pedagogy and learning strategies.
The materials are on display outside of the board room at the Central Services Facility through April 28. The second reading will be at the April 28 board meeting.
Boiler replacement bids awarded to CK Mechanical Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
The board of trustees awarded CK Mechanical Plumbing and Heating, Inc. the bid for boiler replacements at the following locations: Southridge Elementary School in the amount of $155,480; the Special Education Services Center in the amount of $153,082; Paradise Valley Elementary School in the amount of $137,851; and Facilities Operations in the amount of $83,255. The new boilers will be able to be easily moved and relocated, said associate superintendent of Facilities & Technology Mark Antrim.
Funding for the boiler replacements will be provided by major maintenance funding through the Wyoming School Facilities Commission.
Fort Caspar playground equipment bid awarded
A $202,517 bid for the supply and installation of playground equipment for Fort Caspar Academy was approved by the board Monday night. Funding will be provided by the Wyoming School Facilities Commission Fort Caspar Academy new construction project and the Fort Caspar Academy Parent Teacher Organization.
Board authorizes Park property acquisition negotiations
On Monday, the board approved a recommendation that staff be allowed to finalize negotiations with the City of Casper and the Carey Family Trust to acquire the property adjacent to Park Elementary School, which will allow for future expansion of the school. The Natrona County School District's legal counsel will develop the contract and set up the closing for the acquisition of the property.
Board hears from two district members
Two people addressed the board Monday night.
Doreen McGlade, president of the Natrona County Education Association, informed the board that John Jorgensen and the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation will receive this year's Friend of Education Award at the Wyoming Education Association's Delegate Assembly in April. The Friend of Education Award recognizes people who have made significant contributions to education in Wyoming.
Six-year NCSD substitute Rob Nivens asked the board to continue looking into the salaries for substitutes, as well as allowing them access to the district's e-mail system.
Board thanks Willard
The board of trustees thanked Willard Elementary School for hosting the board meeting Monday.
Next board meeting set
The next board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., April 14, at the Central Services Facility.
March 31, 2008
Compact Issues Committee reviews salaries, benefits
The Compact Issues Committee (CIC) met Monday for its first round of regularly-scheduled sessions to discuss NCSD employee salaries and benefits.
The group began with reviewing current insurance figures, insurance options and the employee wellness program. The afternoon was spent looking at classified employee market analysis. The group also heard a report on the external market study, and reviewed and discussed the internal equity within the district.
No decisions were made, although Dr. Joel Dvorak, associate superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, said it was a "great and informative day."
The committee would like to thank the insurance, wellness and human resources departments for their hard work in bringing forth data.
The group will continue its discussions Saturday, April 5 at 8 a.m. at the Central Services Facility.
March 31, 2008
Popular children's author will visit North Casper
Amada Irma Perez, popular English/Spanish children's author, will visit North Casper Elementary School from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1. Her books are written in both English and Spanish, and some of her works include: "Nana's Big Surprise/Nana, Que Sorpresa!," "My Diary From Here to There/Mi Diario De Aqui Hasta Alla," and "My Very Own Room/Mi Propio Quartito."
The tentative schedule is as follows:
5:45-6:45 p.m. - Perez will present and conduct her workshop with parents and children.
6:45-7 p.m. - Destination Literacy book giveaway and the opportunity to purchase her books and have them signed.
More information on Perez can be found at www.amadairmaperez.com.
March 28, 2008
Lattimer resigns as KWHS head wrestling coach
Todd Lattimer announced Friday that he will resign as head wrestling coach at Kelly Walsh High School to spend more time with his family.
“I have three great kids and one heck of a supportive and understanding wife. Two of my kids are teenagers and my youngest daughter has Downs Syndrome,” he said.
“Over the years, I have really listened to coaches who inspire me. One thing I consistently heard is that they have spent most of their lives raising other people’s kids and wished that they had spent more time with their own.
“For that reason, I have decided that I need to spend more time watching and supporting my kids as they head into and finish their high school endeavors. I love the time I have spent working with kids and helping them to become better people. Now, I need to spend the time showing my family how much I love and support them.”
Lattimer has been the head wrestling coach at Kelly Walsh since 2003. His career in wrestling started much earlier, though. He began wrestling at the age of 5 and was demonstrating Greco techniques for other students as early as sixth grade. While studying at the University of Wyoming, he also volunteered with junior high and high school wrestling programs in Laramie.
After college, he was hired as a teacher and assistant wrestling coach in Thermopolis. Over the years, he has taught and coached in Worland, Fort Washakie and Casper. He became the assistant wrestling coach at Kelly Walsh, under Coach Tim Wilcox, in 1999-2000 and took over as head coach in 2003.
In the past five years, he has coached five state champions, 13 state finalists, 31 state placers and three Tournament of Champion winners. As a club coach, he also has coached three All-Americans from club teams and 22 All-Americans from wrestling clubs.
“The people I have worked with and the Kelly Walsh community has helped create kids who are great people,” he said. “We teach them more about being great people than just instilling the attitude that winning is everything. Don’t get me wrong, we want to win, and I want my kids to be competitive. But when it is all said and done, we want kids to leave the program and live a life worth living. Words like work ethic, honesty, compassion and integrity mean a lot.”
Kelly Walsh Athletic Director Ralph Obray said Lattimer has been a great addition to the wrestling program and the school as a whole.
“Coach Lattimer has done a wonderful job as Kelly Walsh High School’s head wrestling coach,” Obray said. “The competitiveness, passion and overall interaction with the student athletes of Kelly Walsh and athletes all over the state of Wyoming is second to none. He will be sorely missed, but not forgotten. The administration, staff, students and parents thank you for the time, effort, dedication and love you have poured into coaching the student athletes of Kelly Walsh.”
Lattimer said he expects to continue helping out with teams when he has the opportunity, but that he doesn’t know what his coaching future might hold after his children graduate from high school. In the meantime, the head coaching position has been posted through the Natrona County School District, and a new head coach will be hired through a targeted selection process.
Marh 27, 2008
Sen. Barrasso will visit Dean Morgan
United States Sen. John Barrasso will visit Dean Morgan Junior High's ninth-grade leadership students from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. Discussion topics will include the traits and skills of a successful leader and how to be good citizens.
March 26, 2008
NCSD recruitment fair relocated
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Natrona County School District's 2008 teacher recruitment fair has moved.
The recruitment fair will be held at Centennial Junior High School on April 12. Check-in and a continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m., and activities will begin at 8:20 a.m. A boxed lunch also will be available later in the day.
The last day to register for the Natrona County School District's 2008 teacher recruitment fair is April 1.
All applicants must be registered for the fair by April 1 to be guaranteed interview times and written assessments. Those who register after April 1 will be placed on a wait list and will only be allowed to participate in interviews if time and space allows.
Applicants must have a completed application on file with the district in order to participate. They also should bring five to 10 copies of their resume the day of the fair.
Learn more about the fair here.
March 25, 2008
Renowned walker Robert Sweetgall visits Casper schools, health event
The Natrona County School District Wellness Department invites you to join motivational speaker, author and walker Robert Sweetgall this week for walking events in Casper.
Sweetgall, often called “the real Forrest Gump” because he has walked across America seven times, is the only person to have walked all 50 states in 365 consecutive days. He also is the author of 14 books, a frequent guest on national radio and television talk shows and founder of Creative Walking, Inc.
Sweetgall will visit Casper this week, starting with appearances at several schools, sponsored by the NCSD Employee and Student Wellness Departments. He’ll take part in the district’s monthly walking event, which is open to students, district staff and community members.
His visit will culminate with the Blue Envelope Health Fair 2-mile fun run/walk on Saturday, sponsored by NCSD Wellness, Windy City Striders and the Blue Envelope Health Fund. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the front entrance parking lot of the Casper Events Center. There will be a warm-up clinic at 8:30 a.m., followed by the fun walk with Sweetgall at 9 a.m. Lap walking also will be available on the Events Center concourse starting at 8 a.m. All members of the public are invited to participate.
Sweetgall’s schedule for appearances earlier in the week follows.
Thursday, March 27
University Park Elementary School
“Start the Day Walk” (motivational talk and 10-minute walk)
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Evansville Elementary School
Motivational talk and practical
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Mills Elementary School
Motivational talk and practical
2 – 3 p.m.
Monthly Wellness Walk
Platte River Parkway (meet at Amoco Park)
4 – 5 p.m.
Poles are provided. Call 577-0389 or 577-0228 to sign up.
Friday, March 28
Dean Morgan Junior High
“Start the Day Walk” (motivational talk and 10-minute walk)
8 – 8:45 a.m.
NCSD Curriculum & Instruction Leadership
Walk and motivational speech
9:10 – 9:40 a.m.
Sagewood Elementary School
Motivational talk and practical
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Roosevelt High School
Motivational talk and practical
12 – 12:45 p.m.
Woods Learning Center
Motivational talk and practical
1:10 – 1:55 p.m.
Pineview Elementary School
Motivational talk and practical
2:15 – 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 29
Blue Envelope Health Fair
8 a.m. warm-up clinic
9 a.m. fun run/walk
10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Nordic Walk Workshop
March 24, 2008
Former NCSD students named cross country champions
Four former Natrona County School District students recently competed at the USCSA National Collegiate Championships at Black Mountain in Rumford, Maine.
John Kirlin skis for the University of Wyoming, and competed as an All-American and ranked third overall at the championships. Justin Kinner also skis for the University of Wyoming and earned All-American status. The University of Wyoming team ranked third in team standings.
Jens Matson skis for St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and earned All-American status. The St. Olaf men won the national cross country ski crown. Matson was joined by Jeff Stamp, who is on the All-Discipline Men's/Women's National Championship Team, or the USCSA President's Cup.
March 20, 2008
KW jazz choir students receive perfect scores at NW Jazz Festival
The Kelly Walsh High School jazz choir students, Encore!, attended the Northwest Jazz Festival March 17 and 18, and the following students received perfect scores from the judges:
| Brittany Bennion |
Scott Ashby |
| Laura Capasso |
Ethan Harris |
| Joseph Butler |
Sheridan Murray |
| Brooke Eades |
Nathan Higginson |
| Amanda Marquez |
John Stefansen |
| Bridget Bower |
Bryan Riedl |
| Lauren Popish |
Gretchen Skatula |
| Mollie Smith |
Eric Zepsy |
| Everett Ross |
Logan Hendrickson (drummer) |
At the festival's finale, the above-listed students were selected as the Outstanding Vocal Ensemble and were invited to perform at the Gala Concert.
March 19, 2008
No consensus in Special Education IBAP, will schedule another meeting
The Special Education Staffing IBAP team has spent a significant amount of time working to create a collaborative and equitable process for staffing special education teachers, related service providers and assistants. However, the group has found that its work is far from finished.
The group has focused on three main categories of staffing:
1) Teacher (building) allocations
2) Assistant (building) allocations
3) Related service provider daily allocations for psychologists/diagnosticians, social workers and speech language pathologists
In regards to fair and equitable staffing, the group's focus has been on student needs. The group understands that each student in special education has a different set of needs, and the intensity of services from each group (1, 2 and 3, listed above), varies depending on the needs of the student.
1. Teacher allocations
The IBAP group developed a weighted formula that took into consideration IEP driven services regarding: academics, behavior plans, vocational needs, medical needs, accommodations, modifications, inclusion and functional skills. The formula was field tested with a large number of teachers.
2. Assistant allocations
The hope is to build assistant allocations into the above weighted formula (including: academics, behavior plans, vocational needs, medical needs, accommodations, modifications, inclusion and functional skills).
3. Psychologist, social worker and speech pathologist daily allocations
The IBAP group took into consideration the impact the following would have on each of these three service groups: ILS, FLS, BASS, resource, direct student contact time, referrals, assessment/RTI, report writing, case management, collaboration, travel, scheduling and Title I. While taking these into consideration, the group recognized that each would affect the three related service providers differently.
Next steps
The following information led to the group's decision to continue the IBAP until it has more information and research around equitable staffing in order to align the related services formula to student needs rather than program needs:
* There is not yet a process built in to increase or decrease staff based on student needs.
* The IBAP team cannot live with the proposed related services formula, as it is not based on meeting the needs of students.
* The weighted formula does not address early intervention.
* There is a need/desire to align special education class sizes with regular education class sizes (with an average of 17.8 students at the secondary level; 17:1 at the primary level).
* There is a desire to align the teacher descriptors to the related service provider formula.
* The team is not convinced that the proposed formula will lead to a fair and equitable process.
* The team feels a proposal cannot be developed until the process is complete.
* There is a need for representatives to have more flexibility to share information with their groups.
* There was consensus that the group is not ready to move forward until it has more story, research and data.
Staffing for the 2008-09 school year will occur as it has in the past, until the special education IBAP team can reach consensus on an equitable and collaborative staffing process.
The team will schedule another meeting for sometime in May.
March 18, 2008
Natrona County students excel at state science fair
The 2008 Wyoming State Science Fair was March 9-11 at the University of Wyoming. Winners from Natrona County included:
2008 State Sweepstakes Winners
Tessa McCardell, Poison Spider School, Junior Division Sweepstakes Award of Exceptional Merit, $125 and a framed certificate
Professional Awards
Courtney Stratton, Poison Spider School, Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium Awards, $75
Stephen Belden, Paradise Valley Christian, U. S. Metric Association, certificate
Courtney Stratton, Poison Spider School, IEEE - certificate and gift card, $100
Brent Bihr, Centennial Middle School, Wyoming Mining Association, $100 scholarship
Courtney Stratton, Poison Spider School, Wyoming Mining Association, $100 scholarship
Stephen Belden, Paradise Valley Christian School, 2008 Society for Science and the Public Middle School Program Nominee
2008 Wyoming State Science Fair Preliminary Winners
Botany – Junior Division
Tate Chamberlain, Poison Spider School, second place, "It's a dirty job"
Kailey Richner, Poison Spider School, third place, "Leaf me alone"
Earth and Space Sciences – Junior Division
Tessa McCardell, Poison Spider School, first place, "Rock and Roll"
Engineering – Junior Division
Stephen Belden, Paradise Valley Christian, second place, "Were the Wrights Right?"
Courtney Stratton, Poison Spider School, fourth place, "More Energy with Wind"
Environmental Science – Junior Division
Nathan Pieper, St. Anthony's, fourth place, "How Clean is Wyoming Coal?"
Mathematics – Junior Division
Brigit Kelly, Poison Spider School, fourth place, "It's OK to Copy"
Medicine and Health – Junior Division
Sydney Anderson, Centennial Junior High School, third place, "Bacteria Busters"
Junior Special Awards
Sydney Anderson, Centennial Junior High, for Creative Design and Presentation, "Rubics Cubes"
Stephen Belden, Paradise Valley School, for “Let it Fly!!” Wyoming Camo Reversible Beanie Caps
Rebekah Johnson, Paradise Valley Elementary, for “Brain Games,” Wyoming WNIT Caps
Morgan Wood, St. Anthony’s, for “Testing Your Ticker,” TI 36X Calculators
Courtney Stratton, Poison Spider School, for “You Make it Easy to Be Green!” TI 30 XIIS Calculators
Nathan Pieper, St. Anthony’s, for “Future Pyromaniacs,” Wyoming Logo Nalgene Bottles
March 18, 2008
Board looks at history of schools of choice
How did we get where we are today?
It’s an important conversation for any organization to have, and the Natrona County School District board of trustees jumped into it Monday evening.
Setting aside time during its work session Monday to begin conversations around the school of choice system, the board began by taking a look into history. Where did schools of choice come from? What were the goals? What was the educational environment?
Several board members and administrators were members of the school district or the larger Natrona County community when the school system re-invented itself.
Here’s a look at their stories:
“There started to be some concern within the school community and the larger community about the idea that education was a one-fits-all situation,” recalled Linda Nix. “For as much as we were talking about meeting the child where they were and taking them as far as they could go, we didn’t have a system in place for a child with a specific learning style and a family that supported that learning style to have a venue.
“People came together and decided that the best way to ignite some interest was to bring forward proposals and then for folks to go out and raise the money to implement them. Then, if they proved out, the district would pick them up.”
That was the beginning of what were called “Lighthouse Schools,” she said. Some of the schools lasted only a year or two. Others, such as Woods Learning Center, thrived.
“One of the ‘whys’ is that there was a strong feeling that it was time we began to talk about individualized instruction,” recalled Elizabeth Horsch, who was teaching in the district at the time. “We had just come through a strong back-to-the-basics time. There was a feeling we had gone to a very narrow focus on curriculum.”
Student disengagement was high, and a large number of families were opting to home-school their children, board members recalled. At the same time, the charter school movement was erupting across the community, and Natrona County residents were having heated debates about what should be taught in schools.
“There were factions trying to get the entire system to move in one direction,” Nix recalled.
The Lighthouse Schools eventually proved so popular that the district opted to embrace the system. More schools started to develop programs focused around innovation and meeting students’ unique needs, and the district adopted a school of choice model.
“Had the district not embraced Lighthouse Schools, I think the business community would have embraced charter schools.”
Likewise, added Associate Superintendent Cheryl Olsen Quinlan, many home-schooling families came back to the district once they felt they had options that fit their children.
In many ways, the program worked exactly as it was supposed to, solving several of the challenges facing schools at the time.
But questions from newer members of the board also indicated that as education has continued to change, some elements of the school of choice program may not have been considered.
For example, Nix said, “One assumption that I think was not followed through on was that if a school was successful, then there would be an effort to replicate it and offer more seats. I don’t think that played out.”
State standards and measures of student achievement also have changed. Schools of choice began long before the No Child Left Behind Act required measurable accountability in the form of student testing and public reporting of data. What standardized tests existed at the time were not geared to measure individual student performance, and they weren’t aligned to any curriculum.
“We have (student-teacher) ratios down to 17 to 1. We’ve got instructional facilitators, mentors, an attendance supervisor. A lot of things have changed, so this discussion is always really important,” said Trustee Steve Degenfelder. “We have standards, benchmarks, so we should continuously analyze our program.”
The district and board intends to do just that, looking for ways to continue to support innovation and meet the needs of all children.
The board asked administration to bring back data comparing several factors before schools of choice and today, including home-school data, busing mileage, displaced students and measures of success. The discussion is expected to continue next month.
March 17, 2008
NCSD News Briefing
The following is a brief synopsis of reports and action by the NCSD board of trustees on Monday. For the full report, click here.
Board receives enrollment report
The Natrona County School District board of trustees on Monday received an update on the online school request process.
According to the report, 11,431 students in grades K-12 were placed in schools districtwide using the process. Of those, 98 percent (11,210 students) were placed in their first-choice school; 1 percent (139 students) was placed in their second-choice school; and 28 students were placed in their third-choice school. An additional 43 students did not receive any of their choices, and the district is working individually with those families.
School construction going strong
The Wyoming School Facilities Commission has approved the 10 percent value engineering review of the design of CY Middle School.
“The SFC team thought this is one of the best middle schools we have ever had the pleasure of reviewing,” said Dennis Bay, executive director of NCSD Facilities & Technology.
Students, community work to fight suicide
Also Monday, the board heard a report from the Suicide Prevention Task Force. Brian Jackson, a ninth-grader at Casper Classical Academy, explained how he works with the task force to visit eighth-grade classrooms to talk to fellow students about warning signs of suicide and ways that youth can find help. Lance Neiberger, a father whose teenage son committed suicide two years ago, explained that he works with the group to share a survivor’s perspective with students.
District receives grants
The board also accepted two grants on behalf of the district.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Grant from the Wyoming Department of Education will allocate $32,080.50 for the 2007-08 year and $29,279.04 for the 2008-09 year. The Sara Suyematsu Endowment through the Casper College Foundation awarded an additional $3,605 grant to the district.
Work sessions cover budget, attendance
In a work session Monday afternoon, the board also received brief updates on the budget development process and attendance in district schools.
Work sessions cover budget, attendance
In a work session Monday afternoon, the board also received brief updates on the budget development process and attendance in district schools.
Staff tracks
The board also approved contract renewals for administrators, cabinet, initial teachers and psychologists. Salaries for these positions will be published at a later date. For the complete list of approved contracts, click here.
Coming Tuesday …
A significant portion of Monday’s board work session involved a discussion of the district’s schools of choice policy, starting with a look at the history of the policy. Read more of the board’s “Lesson in History” on Tuesday on the district’s Web site.
March 17, 2008
What a Wiz he is! CCA preps for PAWS
 Casper Classical Academy put a new twist on an old story Monday to kick off the beginning of PAWS.
Staff at the school presented “The Wizard of PAWS” at a pep rally Monday morning to get students excited and prepared for the 2008 Proficiency Assessment of Wyoming Students.
In their version of the story, Dorothy runs away from her Wyoming home to avoid taking the PAWS test, only to wind up in a fairy tale land so strange that she instantly was willing to take the test in exchange for an opportunity to leave.
The Lollipop Guild sent her on her way to see the Wizard for a ticket home. Along the way she meets the brainless scarecrow, heartless tin man and cowardly lion – and is pursued by the Wicked Witch (played by Principal Marie Puryear), who insists Dorothy will never pass PAWS. The witch even tries to delay the group of wanders with television, junk food and video games.
All ends well, though, when the Wizard sends Dorothy home to Wyoming ready and willing to take her test.
“I bet you’re wondering what’s so important that the whole staff would humiliate themselves this morning,” social studies teacher Matt Sharpnack, who played the Wizard, told students after the short play.
He explained that the staff wants students to take the exam seriously and put their best effort into the annual test.
Students statewide in grades three through eight and grade 11 take tests each year in reading, writing and math. This year, students in grades four, eight and 11 also will take a science test. The results of PAWS are delivered individually to students to help them assess their strengths and growth opportunities in each subject. Reading, writing and math scores also are used to measure the school’s progress in student achievement. PAWS testing throughout the state runs from Monday through April 16.
Sharpnack even presented a Letterman-style Top 10 list of reasons CCA students should do their best. Among the (joking) reasons: “Frontier thinks they’ll beat us this year,” “Mrs. Puryear will name her baby after the top scorer,” and “We don’t have a sports team, so this is how we show other schools how good we are.”
 
Top right: "My tongue is purple and my spleen hurts. I can't take the PAWS," Dorothy tells her aunt. Bottom left: Dorothy meets the Scarecrow and convinces him to join her to visit the Wizard. Top right: CCA students watch with amusement as their teachers present "The Wizard of PAWS."
March 14, 2008
NCSD hosts traveling theater production
Paul Revere is riding into Casper!
Theatreworks USA, a traveling non-profit theater troupe from New York City, will bring its musical, “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” to Wyoming students March 24-27.
“From the halls of British Parliament, to the port of Boston and the ‘Tea Party’ protest, to the Boston Massacre, to the dangerous thrill of Revere's now-legendary ride warning people of the coming British invasion, this new musical makes American history accessible and exciting through a unique combination of music, drama and humor,” says a synopsis of the production.
Appropriate for students in grades three through nine, the production offers curriculum connections to communication, language arts, social studies and music.
The event is sponsored by the Natrona County School District’s F.R.E.D. program, which brings enrichment opportunities to local students. The F.R.E.D. program is offering the event to NCSD students, as well as neighboring school districts, private schools and home-school students.
There will be a morning and afternoon showing daily March 24 through 27 at the Kelly Walsh High School Auditorium. There is space still available at all showings. The program is free, but groups are responsible for their own transportation.
For details or to sign up, call Lori Burns at 261-6837.
March 13, 2008
NCSD, Apple team up to recycle computers
The Natrona County School District is recycling – with a little help from Apple.
On Thursday, the district sent 24 pallets full of obsolete, unwanted computer equipment to be recycled and responsibly discarded. In years past, the district has sent its surplus and obsolete machines to auction. Those that weren’t bought were trashed. This year, though, Apple volunteered to collect and recycle unwanted machines at its own expense.
Student workers and employees in the district’s Information Technology Department spent several days before and during spring break packing up the obsolete computers.
“The IT’s, including student helpers, have been working hard,” said Drew Walker, manager of the IT Department.
“This wouldn’t have worked unless we had the PAWS all squared away,” he explained, noting that the department also has had to prepare for the online state assessment test this month.
“It’s pretty awesome,” said Doug Slotsve, an IT support manager. “It was just a big junk pile before.”
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March 7, 2008
Dvorak will be next NCSD superintendent
Associate superintendent lays out agenda for months ahead
Watch the press conference online!
 Dr. Joel Dvorak has been selected as the next superintendent of Natrona County School District No. 1, board chairwoman Shannon Jackett announced Friday.
Dvorak, currently the associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the district, is uniquely qualified to take the reins of the district, Jackett said.
“Dr. Dvorak is not only a highly qualified educator and administrator, he is also a dedicated member of this community,” she said. “He has worked in Wyoming for more than 25 years, including five years in Natrona County. His love of this community poises him to hit the ground running and to create a truly great future for the Natrona County School District.”
Dvorak got an immediate start Friday by laying out the beginning of an “Agenda for Greatness for the Natrona County School District.”
“This agenda will include a very intentional plan to make each and every student a champion; to engage and partner with our community; to build relationships that are healthy and sustaining for everyone; and to ensure our graduates have the knowledge and skills they need in the 21st Century,” he said.
NCSD began its superintendent search in September 2007, knowing of the retirement plans of current superintendent Dr. Jim Lowham.
“We knew it would be difficult to replace Dr. Lowham, and we set about our task with high expectations,” Jackett said.
The board of trustees assembled a committee, comprised of community members, parents, teachers and administrators and also hired a national search firm, Ray & Associates, to assist in the search. Trustees eventually considered three finalists. On Wednesday, the board voted unanimously to offer Dvorak the position. Contract negotiations are still under way.
Dvorak will officially assume the position of superintendent July 1, 2008, upon Lowham’s retirement. In the meantime, Dvorak said, “I will work closely with the trustees and Dr. Lowham to ensure a successful transition so our staff can continue to do all they can to meet the learning needs of our most important customers: our students.”
Download the Agenda for Greatness here.
March 6, 2008
Music future search reaches consensus, moves forward with implementation
A group of district staff and community members have been working for the past several months to solve the issue of the future of the Natrona County School District instrumental music program. The issue stems from the need to restructure instrumental music at the elementary level, due to the fact that more sixth-graders are moving into middle schools, while more ninth-graders are moving into the high school level.
Recently, the group proposed a solution to the problem, which considered the following issues: At what grade does instrumental music begin, and what does the delivery of music look like at each level after that?
The proposal consists of two phases, on which the group came to consensus.
Phase I
General
* All elementary students (kindergarten and older) will attend general music with their grade level classes.
* In one year (or by a specific date, which is yet to be determined), the district will commit to establishing a minimum number of elementary students in band and orchestra classes, as well as a timeline for implementation.
* The group hopes to create a district music administrator position. The group will begin to develop this position, as well as find a funding source. A recommendation will be made by the finance committee.
* The funding source for the position will be developed for the summer music program, which will begin in the summer of 2009.
* Secondary instrumental teacher will not be needed to teach elementary music with this proposal.
* Elementary instrumental music teachers will teach differentiated instrumental instruction and/or music for life classes as a pilot program at the middle level schools (which are those schools that mutually agree to participate in the pilot program).
* Elementary instrumental music will be offered as a pull-out program to students in the top grade in each elementary school.
Schedule
* Elementary instrumental music will be offered on a six-day rotation schedule, with two 45-minute classes per each six-day rotation.
* All elementary instrumental music classes will be scheduled during the morning (9 to 9:45 a.m.) or afternoon (2:45 to 3:30 p.m.) timeframe.
* Elementary schools starting at 8:30 a.m. will have instrumental music at the end of their school day.
Phase II: (2009-10)
General
* Elementary instrumental music teachers will teach beginning band/strings and/or music for life classes (guitar, piano lab, music technology, etc.) in the middle school program to accommodate students.
* Elementary instrumental music teachers will be available to middle level schools for differentiation and music for life classes during the school day, outside of their elementary obligations.
* A summer music program will be offered in the summer of 2009.
Fort Caspar Academy, Park Elementary and Woods schools are not part of the proposal, as schedules, entry points and grade level participation has been previously determined through the board of trustees approval process. These schools will continue with their current elementary instrumental music schedules.
This proposal must first be approved by the NCSD Human Resources and Curriculum & Instruction subcommittees. After approval from these two groups, the proposal will be presented to the board of trustees for final approval.
For more information, contact Dr. Emily King at 577-0244 or Emily_King@ncsd.k12.wy.us.
March 6, 2008
CSF and PV tied in jailball match
CSF staff members play a friendly game of jailball with Paradise Valley Elementary students Thursday. Each team won one game.
March 5, 2008
CCA plans event to raise money for student
Casper Classical Academy, in partnership with HomeTown Buffet, is sponsoring a Detective/Suspect Scavenger Hunt from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28 at the Eastridge Mall.
Hunt headquarters will be at HomeTown Buffet. "Detectives" will be played by students, while "suspects" will be teachers and community leaders.
Each participating student will collect donations to participate in the hunt. Donations will benefit Matthew Stairs, an eighth-grader at CCA with Stargardt's Disease, a degenerative genetic eye disease. Though there is currently no treatment for Stargardt's Disease, Matthew is eligible for a new procedure not yet approved by the FDA or covered by insurance.
To make a donation to help Matthew's family with the financial cost of the treatment, call Casper Classical Academy at 261-6181 or Dorothy Reimann at 577-5661.
March 4, 3008
NCSD celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday
In honor of the National Education Association's Read Across America program, which celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday, Natrona County Education Association President Doreen McGlade read various Seuss stories to several schools in the district. Above, she reads "The Cat in the Hat" to Oregon Trail kindergartners and third-graders.
March 3, 2008
Special education IBAP creates formula, will perform test run
The Special Education IBAP team met Monday to work toward the solution of fair, equitable and collaborative assignments of special education staffing throughout the district. The team created a formula for teachers, based on student needs, and teacher assistance will be worked into that formula. Team members will work this week to gather baseline data and perform a test run.
Upon revisiting the formula for related services, which received consensus at the Feb. 25 meeting, the group agreed that it is correct the way it is written.
The team will meet on Monday, March 17 at 3:30 p.m. at the Special Education Services Center (500 S. Jefferson) to review this baseline data. Historical data also will be reviewed in order to make a final consensus. Detailed written and verbal communications will be provided after this meeting.
March 3, 2008
Cross country skiers head to Alaska
Wyoming high school cross country skiers who qualified throughout the year will head to Anchorage, Alaska to compete in the Junior Nationals the week of March 9 through 15.
The Natrona County School District has 11 members on the High Plains USSA team: Russell Crouch, Matt Hall, Nathan Hough, Jordan Sherer, Richard Ortega, Bryan Sanger, Morgan Cropsey, Emmy Voigt, Shanna McCleary, Kacie McCleary and Bridget Weiner. Casper coaches include Jim Miller, Bob Matson and Janelle Kinner.
Wyoming's team will be the smallest team at the competition.
Good luck, skiers!
March 3, 2008
Centennial Junior High goes MADD
“The choice you make today is going to affect the choice you make tomorrow,” said a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Centennial’s gym was full of students Friday morning, as they watched a new MADD presentation, designed to encourage this specific age group, who will soon be driving, not to drink until they are at least 21.
“Underage drinking is 100 percent avoidable,” the representative said. “And the only people who can make that happen is you.”
The students watched a 40-minute movie, presented on three huge screens, that featured popular music, scenes from funny films, and real-life teenagers giving their experiences. Several statistics also were mentioned to try to deter youngsters from illegally drinking:
* Teens are three times more likely than adults to get in a traffic accident.
* Using a cell phone while driving is the same as driving drunk.
* The odds of a teen driving being involved in an accident increase with each additional passenger.
* The average minor in possession fine is $500.
* Underage drinkers contribute 16 percent of the nation's alcohol consumption.
* In 2005, $271 billion was spent on advertising.
* The alcohol industry spends more than $5 billion on advertising, placing it where people of this age group will see it.
* Since the establishment of the Underage Drinking Act of 1984, 25,000 lives have been saved.
After the movie, before students returned to class, the representative reminded them that they are not invincible, and sometimes we aren't given second chances. He encouraged them to find an "anti-drug:"friends, sports, family, etc.
He concluded by saying, "Think about your future, because it's wide open."
MADD was founded in 1980 by Candy Lightner, whose daughter was killed by a repeat drunk driving offender.
March 3, 2008
Local artist shares expertise with University Park students
Above: Local illustrator Zak Pullen shared drawing tips with select University Park students Friday. The students were randomly selected by having their Caught Being Good ticket drawn in the weekly drawing. The group enjoyed root beer floats with Pullen.
March 2, 2008
Chad Hymas's dreams still coming true
 Chad Hymas, considered by the Wall Street Journal to be one of the top 10 most motivational speakers in the world, spoke at the Special Education Services Center Sunday in honor of National Disability Awareness Month.
Hymas was left a quadriplegic in 2001 after a 2,000-pound bale of hay fell on him.
His wife had called to tell him their 1-year-old son was taking his first steps, and he should hurry home. Hymas told her he'd be home shortly; he just had to stop and feed the elk herd (the family owned and operated an elk farm in Utah).
The hydraulic fluid was low in his tractor, and when it picked up the 1-ton bale of hay from the top of the stack, it toppled backwards and fell on Hymas, breaking his neck. He didn't make it home to see his youngest son walk for 14 days.
"My purpose today," Hymas said, "is to make a bunch of friends, and help people be aware of those around them. Encourage them to go up to people who are different than them, to see their talents and help them fit back in."
Marilyn Skogen, coordinator for the Parent Resource Center, brought Hymas in because he is a "dynamite speaker, and has a soft spot in his heart for Wyoming."
When Hymas found out he'd be paralyzed for the rest of his life, he said one of the first things he thought about was how he wouldn't be able to teach his sons how to play basketball, his favorite sport. His wife told him to do something about it; to change his way of thinking.
"If you're not happy about a certain aspect in your life," he said, "what is it that you're thinking and doing to get to that point?"
He paused for a moment ...
"And then change it."
Hymas changed his way of thinking about how to teach his children (his family has grown to include a little girl they adopted from Guatemala) to play basketball. In his backyard sits a shortened basketball hoop, where he can play with his kids.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Hymas said in closing, "are my dreams still coming true today?"
In unison, the audience said, "YES!"
Above: Chad Hymas (center), tells his story to a crowd at the Special Education Services Center. | |
