Students embrace compost experiment

Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret Raffety

School Board member Dave Dingman spoke with Rawlins Middle School students about finding an alternative to depositing 375 plastic foam lunch trays into the trash every day.


By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer

Filing into Rawlins Middle School’s room 310 on Thursday afternoon, the sixth graders had no idea that their guest was going to assign them homework.

They chattered and squirmed as five neat rows of young adults turned into a mess of bodies scattered through the room.

“You’ve come up with a problem for us to fix,” School Board member Dave Dingman said loudly. The room quieted. “In fact, I didn’t think this issue existed, but you made us aware of it. And you’ve got our attention.”

Charged with the task of finding a solution to depositing 375 plastic foam trays into the Rawlins landfill daily, Dingman wanted to find out what the kids thought before presenting his own ideas.

“We could bring our own plates,” Lincoln Garlington called out.

“That would be weird,” some voices murmured. “No, that would be cool!” others piped up.
Or maybe the trays could be edible, like ice cream cones?

Students thought of plates made of plastic or metal, to be cleaned by students serving in-school suspension or doing community service. Or, they could be carted to the high school to be washed, they said.

Mel Fryar wondered if the paper salad plates could be used.

Each suggestion was met with laughter and uproar, until Dingman presented his idea of creating a compost experiment. He was met with 50 blank stares.

Dingman explained that during the summer the kids could try a science experiment. They could mix 100 biodegradable trays and some discarded food in a bin, add water and worms and stir it regularly to see what happens. If it worked, he said, the school board may decide to continue the project on a large scale.

However, the project requires some planning. In the next week, the sixth graders will discuss Dingman’s proposal while he figures out its budget and time feasibility.

Four-day week under review

By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer

Little Snake River Valley School could go to a four-day week next year.

Given the ongoing wrestling match in Carbon County School District 2 about the pros and cons of such a schedule, district 1 officials have examined the possibility under every light.

Carbon County District 1 School Board members raised concerns that echoed those of residents. Through surveys, community discussions and staff meetings, Baggs residents said they have explored their options thoroughly and mostly lean toward adopting the new schedule.

Concerns were voiced about support staff schedules, pay reductions and accurately gauging whether the community understood that a four-day week could mean that children are at home while parents are working.

“There appears to be strong community support,” said Neil Terhune, district 1 associate superintendent.

Duane DeWald, district public information officer, outlined the results of the survey of the Baggs community which showed overwhelming support for the four-day week and strong community support for child care on the days students would not be in school.
The survey also turned up things board members want addressed.

Some members of the community said they aren’t well-informed about how the schedule would iron out. And some parents worried they might not be able to find adequate care for their children on Fridays.

LSRV school staffers say the small school could benefit from the schedule by increasing student-teacher contact time and by opening up remediation opportunities for lagging students. Often, kids are on the road due to family reasons, appointments that require a full day’s travel and school events. Though the schedule is still in the works, the idea is to provide a day for such activities.

“It’s a big change, so there’s reservations,” LSRVS Principal Rick Newton said.
The School Board and the LSRVS staff agreed if a four-day week is implemented, there will likely be kinks. To provide an opportunity to iron those out, the schedule should roll out as a three-year plan.

“We have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best, but it won’t be perfect as it goes forward,” Terhune said.