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May 15, 2008
NCHS hosts Sports Awards Banquet
The Natrona County High School Sports Awards Banquet will be held Wednesday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the school's gymnasium. The banquet is for all athletes who participated in sports during the 2007-08 school year. The Mustang and Filly graduating seniors, outstanding athletes for each sport, All-State recipients and state championship teams will be honored.
A free dinner reception will be provided by NC's Booster Club.
Poison Spider exposes students to various careers through enrichment
On Friday, May 16, Poison Spider School will host an enrichment day for fourth- through eighth-grade students, exposing them to various careers. There will be five sessions, each lasting one hour: 9 to 10 a.m., 10 to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon, 1 to 2 p.m., and 2 to 3 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served for lunch.
Enrichment sessions include: crocheting, crime scene investigation, fire soccer, scrapbooking, drumming circle, painting, CPR, old-time medicine show, rodeo, soccer, search and rescue, science activities, Jim Craig sculptor/carpenter and cake decorating.
May 14, 2008
Special board of trustees work session focused on public comment, media relations
A special Natrona County School District board of trustees work session was held Wednesday and focused on two issues: the allowance of public comment time during board meetings and maintaining good media relations.
Chairman Shannon Jackett called for this special meeting to brainstorm ways to allow for more public engagement. The work session was open to the public and engaged the media and members of the school district in some of its discussions. Together, the group came up with several ideas for better processes. One of the suggestions, specifically regarding board meeting public comment, was to rearrange the board meeting agenda.
The next board meeting is set for Monday, May 19 at Midwest School. The work session, which will focus on Midwest's school improvement, will begin at 6 p.m., with the regular session following at 7:30 p.m. The agenda for this meeting will not be changed according to the group's discussion today. However, the agenda setting committee will look at making some adjustments for the June 9 board meeting.
For more information, contact Board Chairman Shannon Jackett at 234-4917 or shannonj@alluretech.net.
Bell tower to be installed at new Fort Caspar Academy
The cupola, or bell tower, of the new Fort Caspar Academy will be installed Friday, May 16 at 1 p.m.
May 13, 2008
University Park presents The Pied Piper
With the help of the Missoula Children's Theatre, 52 University Park students will perform an original musical adaptation of the classic tale, The Pied Piper, at 7 p.m. May 17 in the school's gymnasium.
This production is part of the Missoula Children Theatre’s unique international touring project and is presented locally by University Park Elementary. Tickets are not needed but donations are welcome. There will be cake available for purchase. T-shirts and pre-orders for DVD’s will also be sold, as well as playground fundraising opportunities at the door.
The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Casper is brought to you by University Park Elementary with the support from Bresnan Communications, Walmart, Kinder-Morgan and the Very Special Arts of Wyoming. For more information, contact Diane Weiss at 577-6715.
May 12, 2008
NCSD News Briefing
Work session focuses on schools of choice
During the work session Monday, the board of trustees worked to define how it will engage the community around the topic of schools of choice, how to move forward and any possible implications any changes may have.
The work session focused on the following question: What would it take to have a community conversation about "schools of choice," so that the multiple concepts of choice are better defined, understood and reflect the input and interests of all groups in the community?
Michelle Sullivan, of Sullivan & Associates, facilitated Monday's work session.
Regarding including the community in school of choice discussions, the following were brainstormed:
* Outcomes: a community that is more engaged and supportive of schools; a registration process that reflects the community's interests and values; a better definition of "schools of choice;" measurement of success; providing and receiving articulated communication; review of policies; a model that could be used for other issues; a replicable process; an understanding that data has changed.
* Interests: inviting a broader constituency to the table; creating a process in which trustees, the district and the community can learn from one another; building trust between the district and community; creating public support for schools; "school of choice" versus "school of preference;" hearing from individual schools; being conscientious of the history; the focus be that education is provided for every child in the district; clarifying (mis)perceptions.
* Values: inclusivity; authenticity; openness; transparency; children will be better served if the community trusts the school system; excellence comes in many packages; keep open minds; empower those who have the most direct affects on kids; respect for different types of knowledge; board members should be able to hold their own opinions.
At a later date, Sullivan will present back to the board her suggestions for moving forward.
Poison Spider State Science Fair winners recognized
Poison Spider teacher Georgia Phipps presented the school's 2008 State Science Fair winners to the board of trustees. The science fair was March 9-11 at the University of Wyoming. For a complete list of winners, click here.
NCSD registrar receives Award of Excellence from the Wyoming State Archives
Bev Jackson, registrar for the Natrona County School District, was recognized by Dr. Joel Dvorak, associate superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, for receiving the Award of Excellence from the Wyoming State Archives.
Frontier Middle School teacher receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Trustee Elizabeth Horsch presented Frontier Middle School science teacher Brant Jungck to the board for having received the 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for his students' study of Bernoulli's Principle (the principles of flight). Horsch explained that this is the highest award a math/science teacher can receive.
Carruth recommended for Pineview principal
A recommendation was made Monday night that Christine Carruth be appointed principal of Pineview Elementary School. The selection of Carruth is the result of a Targeted Selection Process.
Carruth received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1995, and obtained her Master's of Educational Leadership on May 10, 2008, both from the University of Wyoming.
During the 2007-08 school year, Carruth was the interim principal at Pineview. She taught sixth grade and was an academic and behavior interventionist at Evansville Elementary School from 2001 to 2007. She taught sixth grade at Fort Caspar Academy for the 2000-01 school year. Carruth also taught first and fifth grades in Laramie from 1996 to 2000.
Recommendation to change summer workers' salary
The board heard a recommendation on Monday to raise the salary rate for summer workers by $1.50 per hour in each cell, to be effective immediately.
The recent series of Compact Issue Committee meetings studied the issue and recommended this increase. A local market analysis, using only local sources, was conducted and evidence showed that beginning and ending pay rates were significantly low in the market, which has negatively affected recruitment and retention efforts in preparation for summer work.
Four grants accepted Monday night
Four grants were accepted at the board meeting Monday night:
* The Wyoming Department of Education awarded $1,387,475 for the Wyoming Bridges Program.
* Very Special Arts of Wyoming awarded an additional $2,000 to Crest Hill's drama and art clubs.
* University Park received an award of $2,000 from the Kinder Morgan Foundation in support of the Missoula Children's Theatre residency tour.
* The Consolidated Grant (for the 2007-08 school year) was approved by the Wyoming Department of Education in the amount of $10,058,218.
Roosevelt roof replacement bid awarded
The board of trustees awarded the bid for the Roosevelt High School gymnasium roof replacement to Limmer Roofing in the amount of $29,700.
Report made about CARTE actions in school zones
Pete Abrams, crime prevention officer for the Casper Police Department, explained to the board the progress the CARTE (Combined Accident Reduction and Traffic Enforcement) Program has made in district school zones. The program was formed to maximize traffic enforcement efforts in the greater Casper area, and has shown success in reducing speeds in such areas, increasing seat belt usage, among other initiatives.
Video report shown about secondary equipment replacement
A video made by Natrona County High School's video production class, under the direction of teacher Lance Madzey, was shown to the board Monday night explaining (and showing) what equipment has been purchased and how it is being used.
Next board meeting set
The next board of trustees meeting will be Monday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Midwest School.
Kelly Walsh wins 4A West regional soccer title
Casper teams went all the way to Rock Springs for their latest cross-town face-off.
The Kelly Walsh and Natrona County girls' soccer teams faced each other in a nail-biter Saturday during the 4A West regional soccer tournament. KW won 4-3 in a "shootout thriller," wrote the Casper Star-Tribune, and earned a top seed at the state tournament.
Read the CST's full story here.
CYJH holds "Just Click It" competition
On Wednesday, May 14, CY Junior High will be hold a "Just Click It" competition, sponsored by Safe Kids of Wyoming and the Wyoming Seat Belt Coalition. CY was picked for this competition because of the work its Student Council did in handing out seat belt surveys earlier in the year for the Wyoming Seat Belt Coalition.
The competition will consist of teams of six students. Each team will get into parked mini-vans and once everyone is buckled up, they will jump out, rotate one seat and buckle again. This will continue until each student has sat in all six seats in the vehicle. The team that has the best time will win an ice cream social for their school core.
The competition is being done to encourage students to buckle up and to show that it does not take that long to ensure vehicular safety.
FMS concert postponed
The Frontier Middle School community concert scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled due to weather.
The concert will be Monday, May 19, at the Washington Park Band Shell. The school's orchestras will start at 5:30 p.m., bands at 6:15 p.m. and choirs at 7 p.m.
Frontier choir takes the show
The Frontier Middle School show choir traveled to Denver on Friday and Saturday to compete against students in six Western states. The Frontier Show Choir won first place in the Middle School Show Choir category for the second year in a row. The group also received the award for Best Middle School/Junior High Choir.
Champions hosts orientation session
Champions Mentoring Program will host an orientation session from 6 to 8 p.m. May 22 at the Mercer House Family Choices office, 100 N. Casper, Fifth Floor.
Champions is a new program designed to pair volunteer adult mentors with children in grades four through eight. Mentors will be screened, receive extensive training and will meet with students at school or in supervised large-group activities. Students will be able to receive help with academics and goal-setting, benefit from the friendship and guidance of a trusted adult and participate in fun cultural activities.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program, including potential mentors or students and families interested in having a mentor, are welcome to attend the orientation session.
High-schoolers: Learn how to get free college credits!
ACE, powered by BOCES, is hosting two orientation sessions this month.
ACE is the program that lets high school students in Natrona County take free college classes. The orientation sessions will cover how to get involved in ACE and will provide additional information about admissions, transcripts, distance education, Hathaway Scholarships and financial aid.
Students who already have summer and/or fall enrollment forms for ACE can turn them in at one of the orientation sessions. Those just learning about the program can pick up enrollment forms there.
Sessions are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, or from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Strausner Student Center at Casper College.
Attend either orientation session for details, or call 268-3309 for more information.
Student athletes break records at Regional Track
Ten regional records were broken or set at the West 4A Regional Track Meet this weekend at Natrona County High School:
Shanae Hedlund of Kelly Walsh High School, 57.32 in the 400m dash
B. Young, K. Dick, H. Romsa, M. Snell of Natrona County High School, 4:03:29 in the 4 X 400 relay
Jordan Merback of Kelly Walsh High School, 38'00.00 in the triple jump
Baillie Gibson of Natrona County High School, 44'05.75" in the shot put
Amanda Olguin of Green River High School, 9' in the pole vault
Taylor Villegas of Natrona County High School, 14.54 in the 110m hurdles
Z. Powell, M. Harris, J. Maddox, M. Mounce of Natrona County High School, 43.52 in the 4 X 100 relay
Cale Fedore of Natrona County High School, 22' 4" in the long jump
Carson Rowley of Natrona County High School, 161' 11" in the discus
Carson Rowley of Natrona County High School, 54' 4.5" in the shot put
Overall, team scores were as follows:
Girls
1. Evanston 151
2. NCHS 148.50
3. Kelly Walsh 139
4. Rock Springs 76.50
5. Green River 74
6. Star Valley 26
Boys
1. NCHS 218.50
2. Kelly Walsh 116.50
3. Star Valley 95
4. Rock Springs 86.50
5. Green River 85
6. Evanston 49.50
Coaches of the Year were Lance Morey of Evanston for the girls' teams and Roosevelt Brown of Natrona COunty High School for the boys' teams.
May 9, 2008
NCHS dedicates new track
 It was a momentous day at Natrona County High School on Friday as the school’s new track – and the many people who made its construction possible – were honored at a dedication ceremony.
“This is a day to be really thankful for all those people out there on oil and gas rigs or in coal mines,” said teacher and coach Steve Harshman. “We’re thankful for the board of trustees’ vision that allowed this to be done the right way … and the wisdom to provide for the health needs of the kids and community for years to come.”
Athletic director Glen Legler said thousands of students and other community members already have benefited from the track, which was completed this winter. By the time school is out at the end of this month, NCHS will have hosted 11 elementary school track days and 2 junior high track meets, as well as high school events including this weekend’s 4A West Regional track meet.
“Thank you to everyone who made this possible,” said student athlete Kayla Dick. “It’s great as a senior to have a track.
"Practices are more efficient … and I’m sure Kelly Walsh is glad to have us out of their hair,” she joked to the good nature cheers of a few Trojans.
During the dedication ceremony, NCHS recognized several former track coaches who returned to the school for the event, as well as distributed awards to many people who helped fund and build the track.
“Thank you so much for all the work you have done to make this dream come true,” said Superintendent Jim Lowham. “And keep up the good work of building community.”
4A West Regional Track is at NCHS today, Saturday
The location of the 4A West Regional Track Tournament was incorrect in this morning's Casper Star-Tribune.
The meet is at Natrona County High School, NOT at Kelly Walsh High School.
All events begin at 9 a.m. today and Saturday. There also will be a dedication ceremony for NCHS's new track starting at 12:30 p.m. today.
Otherwise, the schedule was printed correctly:
Today
9 a.m. -- 800 meter run (finals), boys pole vault (followed immediately by girls pole vault), girls triple jump, boys discus
9:40 a.m. -- 100/110 meter hurdles (preliminaries)
10:40 a.m. -- 100 meter dash (preliminaries)
11:30 a.m. -- Girls high jump, 300 meter hurdles (preliminaries)
2 p.m. -- 200 meter dash (preliminaries), boys triple jump, girls shot put
2:45 p.m. -- 3200 meter run (finals)
4:15 p.m. -- 400 meter relay (finals)
5 p.m. -- 400 meter dash (preliminaries)
Saturday
9 a.m. -- 3200 meter relay, boys long jump, girls discus
10 a.m. -- 100/110 meter hurdles
11:15 a.m. -- 100 meter dash
11:30 a.m. -- Boys high jump
1 p.m. -- 400 meter dash
1:35 p.m. -- 1600 meter run
2 p.m. -- Boys shot put, girls long jump
3 p.m. -- 300 meter hurdles
3:30 p.m. -- 200 meter dash
4:30 p.m. -- 1600 meter relay
May 8, 2008
Summer registrations begin soon
Summer Bridges
Registration for the 2008 summer semester, or Summer Bridges, will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 through 30 at the Central Services Facility, 970 N. Glenn Rd.
Tuition for Summer Bridges is $20 per class per semester, and payment is due at the time of registration. Summer Bridges for ninth- through 12th-graders will be housed at Dean Morgan Junior High, and will be offered two semesters: Semester one will run from June 12 through July 2, and semester two will run from July 14 through Aug. 1. Busing, breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Elementary schools will provide summer programs for those students who would benefit from a jumpstart remediation opportunity. Schools will be sending invitations to eligible students.
For information about Summer Bridges, contact Judi Christensen at 577-0260.
Driver's education
Registration for driver's education will be from 7 a.m. to noon on May 19 at the Central Services Facility. Courses will be held at Natrona County High School. Three sessions will be held: June 2-14, June 16-28 and July 14-26. Tuition is $250 and is due at the time of registration.
Special Education Extended School Year
Special education also will offer Extended School Year opportunities at Manor Heights for elementary students and Dean Morgan for secondary students. Both sessions begin June 10 and end July 24, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Elementary sessions will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the secondary program will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided or may be brought from home.
Back on Track
Back on Track will offer Summer Bridges for students for two semesters: June 2-20 and June 23-July 25, both sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Catherine Hartley 261-6122.
Archived stories
Central Services Facility
970 N. Glenn Road
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 577-0200
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| Summer Sun 2008 The fun and learning never stop in our community! Take a look at this guide of free or low-cost activities and programs to keep your children engaged and active during the summer!
Download Summer Sun |
| 2008 Student Academic Awards Seventy-eight students, along with teachers they deemed significant, were honored at this year's Academic Awards Banquet.
View the honorees |
| Wyoming IF Conference The 2008 Wyoming Instructional Facilitator Conference will be held Sept. 2-4 in Casper. Learn more about the conference and register today!
READ MORE |
| News Zone Keep up-to-date on District happenings with the monthly newsletter, News Zone, now also available online.
April 2008 News Zone |
| Create The Future Imagine ...
The NCSD has embarked on a massive construction program that will reshape the schools of the future. What do you dream for our children?
Watch a 5-minute inspirational film asking that question and more.
Create The Future |
| ACE powered by BOCES High School Students ~ Earn college credits at no cost!
Learn more |
| Community services for families A database of services for Natrona County families.
Community Services |
| Grievance Procedures Read NCSD's policies for employee and student grievances.
Grievance Policy |
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