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• Final approval still pending from state.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Last week, the Carbon County District 1 School Board unanimously approved the four-day school week for Little Snake River Valley School.
The schedule was endorsed for the next three years. But before it can be adopted, it must go before the Wyoming Department of Education for approval. Principal Rick Newton estimates a decision could be made by July.
The three-year stint is to allow the schedule to iron itself out, Newton said. In their research and promotion of the calendar, the school’s staff developed goals to meet. Among them is preserving class time.
Newton acknowledged that next year’s schedule would have trouble meeting that goal. LSRV Activities Director Ann Wille was unable to work several athletic events around the proposed schedule because it was not yet approved.
“Our staff is really excited about the possibilities and, for the most part, our community is too,” said Dale Wille, LSRV vocational agriculture teacher. “It’s not going to happen in one year and it’s going to take tweaking.”
One of the community concerns about the change was eased by the knowledge that a day-care center exists in Baggs. Many slots are vacant, and the center has a capacity of 36 children. However, parents still question being able to pay for the care.
School board members voiced concern about academic performance being compromised with the new schedule. LSRV staff found that schools operating in a four-day week neither improved nor reduced their PAWS scores. However, school board members thought the new schedule might open a door for improvement.
“District-wide, we’re not stellar performers,” Board Chairman Jim Espy said. “We want to give you guys the chance to do something different.”
If the schedule is approved, LSRV administrators have much more work to do, particularly in planning Friday tutoring, activities and teacher in-service days.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Guitarist plans Saratoga shows
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Finishing his widespread tour in Saratoga, singer-songwriter Noel Rosa has a special reason for next week’s visit.
The musician, who has made his mark primarily in Christian contemporary rock, is stopping by a homespun guitar shop to check on the progress of three new, custom-designed instruments — the Noel Rosa Signature line of thin-bodied acoustic guitars.
“As far as we know, there’s nothing like it on the market,” said Scott Platts, owner of Stone Tree Custom Guitars.
Rosa has a prototype that he’s been playing while on tour. The instrument has an electric-guitar style but was matched with an acoustic sound and light weight, which is a plus in light of his recent, crippling back trouble. It also eliminates the sound feedback that is characteristic of acoustic guitars on stage.
Concerts are scheduled on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, all for different crowds. His current tour is to promote the new album, “The Noel Rosa Acoustic Sessions.”
On Sunday, he’ll speak to the congregation at the Platte Valley Christian Center at 11 a.m. and plans a concert for the public at 6 p.m. The worship team from Aliens and Strangers Youth Center should open that show.
Rosa’s time on Monday is set aside for area students, who will be privy to a motivational talk during school hours. A concert at 7 p.m. at the Platte Valley Community Center is open to students and their parents.
Wednesday’s performance is for the Aliens and Strangers Youth Center, to be held at 7 p.m.
Rosa last visited Saratoga in 2006, according to Gene Smith, pastor at the Platte Valley Christian Center.
“He’s one of the most amazing guitarists I’ve ever heard,” Smith said. “The youth really love him. And the whole community can enjoy and benefit from his visit.”
The musician may soon sign onto the national market, and he hopes to take Platts’ guitars with him. He has already partnered with the guitar builder to serve as the guitars’ marketing representative.
When he arrives in town, he’ll be introduced to the new Signature designs, all with different wood combinations and different sounds.
Rosa is also excited to see the Saratoga audience once again.
“It’s amazing,” Rosa said. “The people in Wyoming really, really like my music and like me.” He has received several phone calls from friends and fans who want to meet with him during his visit.
Times staff writer
Finishing his widespread tour in Saratoga, singer-songwriter Noel Rosa has a special reason for next week’s visit.
The musician, who has made his mark primarily in Christian contemporary rock, is stopping by a homespun guitar shop to check on the progress of three new, custom-designed instruments — the Noel Rosa Signature line of thin-bodied acoustic guitars.
“As far as we know, there’s nothing like it on the market,” said Scott Platts, owner of Stone Tree Custom Guitars.
Rosa has a prototype that he’s been playing while on tour. The instrument has an electric-guitar style but was matched with an acoustic sound and light weight, which is a plus in light of his recent, crippling back trouble. It also eliminates the sound feedback that is characteristic of acoustic guitars on stage.
Concerts are scheduled on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, all for different crowds. His current tour is to promote the new album, “The Noel Rosa Acoustic Sessions.”
On Sunday, he’ll speak to the congregation at the Platte Valley Christian Center at 11 a.m. and plans a concert for the public at 6 p.m. The worship team from Aliens and Strangers Youth Center should open that show.
Rosa’s time on Monday is set aside for area students, who will be privy to a motivational talk during school hours. A concert at 7 p.m. at the Platte Valley Community Center is open to students and their parents.
Wednesday’s performance is for the Aliens and Strangers Youth Center, to be held at 7 p.m.
Rosa last visited Saratoga in 2006, according to Gene Smith, pastor at the Platte Valley Christian Center.
“He’s one of the most amazing guitarists I’ve ever heard,” Smith said. “The youth really love him. And the whole community can enjoy and benefit from his visit.”
The musician may soon sign onto the national market, and he hopes to take Platts’ guitars with him. He has already partnered with the guitar builder to serve as the guitars’ marketing representative.
When he arrives in town, he’ll be introduced to the new Signature designs, all with different wood combinations and different sounds.
Rosa is also excited to see the Saratoga audience once again.
“It’s amazing,” Rosa said. “The people in Wyoming really, really like my music and like me.” He has received several phone calls from friends and fans who want to meet with him during his visit.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
School projects halted
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Earlier this week, two Carbon County School District 2 elementary school projects were halted by the School Facilities Commission.
The projects, Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain elementary schools, were well on their way and had a construction start date of early June.
But on Monday, District 2 Superintendent Bob Gates received word that both projects were over budget and would need significant changes, including the demolition of the Elk Mountain gym.
“Everything is on hold right now,” Gates said of the two projects. After community, staff and board meetings, the superintendent should be able to present a course of action to the school board next Friday.
The Elk Mountain gym was supposed to be saved. Now, a month before construction was to begin and in the midst of teachers packing up their classrooms, the bad news came.
A community meeting where residents can voice their concerns as well as vote on the next step is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the school.
“To say it will be a hot meeting is an understatement,” Gates said.
The school board ultimately decides between two options, either going forward with the adjusted project or holding off until fall to re-apply for funding.
Gates said the cost to renovate the gym to bring it up to code is nearly $1 million. Re-applying in the fall has a slim chance of success, Gates said, because the commission’s funding is not expected to grow soon.
Because the cost of construction is always increasing, he said, waiting likely won’t help the gym’s chances of survival. Ken Daraie, director of the School Facilities Commission, was not available for comment.
The announcement has fewer ramifications for Medicine Bow.
“Medicine Bow isn’t losing as much because they didn’t have as much to lose,” Gates said. The biggest change is that the new school will now be built on the open football field in town instead of on the demolished remains of the vacant building in the center of town.
The demolition savings amounts to $500,000 and will be put back into construction of the new building, according to Gates.
Troy Maddox, Medicine Bow Town Council president, was disappointed by the news. Plans have often been snuffed in the council’s quest to find a use for the building. However, the wait should be two years before the old facility can be removed, because funds for demolition should appear in the School Facility Commission’s next biennial budget.
“One of the reasons the trade was going to work so well was because the building was going to come down,” Maddox said. “But we can wait for two years. We understand the budget.”
Times staff writer
Earlier this week, two Carbon County School District 2 elementary school projects were halted by the School Facilities Commission.
The projects, Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain elementary schools, were well on their way and had a construction start date of early June.
But on Monday, District 2 Superintendent Bob Gates received word that both projects were over budget and would need significant changes, including the demolition of the Elk Mountain gym.
“Everything is on hold right now,” Gates said of the two projects. After community, staff and board meetings, the superintendent should be able to present a course of action to the school board next Friday.
The Elk Mountain gym was supposed to be saved. Now, a month before construction was to begin and in the midst of teachers packing up their classrooms, the bad news came.
A community meeting where residents can voice their concerns as well as vote on the next step is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the school.
“To say it will be a hot meeting is an understatement,” Gates said.
The school board ultimately decides between two options, either going forward with the adjusted project or holding off until fall to re-apply for funding.
Gates said the cost to renovate the gym to bring it up to code is nearly $1 million. Re-applying in the fall has a slim chance of success, Gates said, because the commission’s funding is not expected to grow soon.
Because the cost of construction is always increasing, he said, waiting likely won’t help the gym’s chances of survival. Ken Daraie, director of the School Facilities Commission, was not available for comment.
The announcement has fewer ramifications for Medicine Bow.
“Medicine Bow isn’t losing as much because they didn’t have as much to lose,” Gates said. The biggest change is that the new school will now be built on the open football field in town instead of on the demolished remains of the vacant building in the center of town.
The demolition savings amounts to $500,000 and will be put back into construction of the new building, according to Gates.
Troy Maddox, Medicine Bow Town Council president, was disappointed by the news. Plans have often been snuffed in the council’s quest to find a use for the building. However, the wait should be two years before the old facility can be removed, because funds for demolition should appear in the School Facility Commission’s next biennial budget.
“One of the reasons the trade was going to work so well was because the building was going to come down,” Maddox said. “But we can wait for two years. We understand the budget.”
Medicine Bow to turn 100
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Medicine Bow turns 100 next year, prompting resident Kenda Colman to organize a celebration.
The event comes at an opportune time, converging with a proposed influx of energy workers and an effort to revamp the town’s rodeo grounds.
The Centennial Committee met for the first time last week and emerged with grand ideas for a two-day birthday party in June 2009.
According to Colman, the prized idea is to ask all the town’s organizations to host an activity. For instance, the Fire Department might hold a dinner. Or, the rodeo arena committee might have a rodeo.
“It may not be a full-swing rodeo like the old days, but maybe something reminiscent,” Colman said.
In the preliminary concept, each organization would absorb event costs as well as proceeds. However, Colman said her committee members suggested setting some of the funds aside to continue the celebration in coming years. It could be a revival of Bow Days.
“If (the 2009 event) is successful,” she said, “we’ll see Bow Days return.” If nothing else, Colman has ideas to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Virginian hotel two years later.
Because the town has history in air, train and car traffic, Colman has contacted Union Pacific Railroad, an antique model car group and a collector of old airplanes to participate. She also hopes to recruit an American Indian group because of the town’s name and history. The event should also involve a parade, a dinner and games for children.
The Centennial Committee hopes to provide overarching support for the town’s organizations by helping to write grants and plan events.
“We’ll see how much of a celebration we can do with the money we get and the people who contribute,” Colman said.
Times staff writer
Medicine Bow turns 100 next year, prompting resident Kenda Colman to organize a celebration.
The event comes at an opportune time, converging with a proposed influx of energy workers and an effort to revamp the town’s rodeo grounds.
The Centennial Committee met for the first time last week and emerged with grand ideas for a two-day birthday party in June 2009.
According to Colman, the prized idea is to ask all the town’s organizations to host an activity. For instance, the Fire Department might hold a dinner. Or, the rodeo arena committee might have a rodeo.
“It may not be a full-swing rodeo like the old days, but maybe something reminiscent,” Colman said.
In the preliminary concept, each organization would absorb event costs as well as proceeds. However, Colman said her committee members suggested setting some of the funds aside to continue the celebration in coming years. It could be a revival of Bow Days.
“If (the 2009 event) is successful,” she said, “we’ll see Bow Days return.” If nothing else, Colman has ideas to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Virginian hotel two years later.
Because the town has history in air, train and car traffic, Colman has contacted Union Pacific Railroad, an antique model car group and a collector of old airplanes to participate. She also hopes to recruit an American Indian group because of the town’s name and history. The event should also involve a parade, a dinner and games for children.
The Centennial Committee hopes to provide overarching support for the town’s organizations by helping to write grants and plan events.
“We’ll see how much of a celebration we can do with the money we get and the people who contribute,” Colman said.
Award-winning bears on display
Times staff report
“Bear Rock,” the award-winning sculpture created by Encampment High School art students, is on display at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne through June 14.
The display includes the eight winning designs out of the 35 submitted. Titled “Wild About Bears,” the exhibit celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. The museum may be named the official wildlife art museum of the United States, pending President Bush’s signature on the bill.
The goal of the museum’s bear competition was to encourage students to pursue wildlife art. By displaying them professionally, students can envision their success as artists. The cash prizes awarded to the schools that created the winning bears help boost art programs.
“Bear Rock,” the award-winning sculpture created by Encampment High School art students, is on display at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne through June 14.
The display includes the eight winning designs out of the 35 submitted. Titled “Wild About Bears,” the exhibit celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. The museum may be named the official wildlife art museum of the United States, pending President Bush’s signature on the bill.
The goal of the museum’s bear competition was to encourage students to pursue wildlife art. By displaying them professionally, students can envision their success as artists. The cash prizes awarded to the schools that created the winning bears help boost art programs.
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