By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Two years after implementing a new software system, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County staff are on track with digitizing electronic medical records, allowing the hospital to comply with possible federal legislation.
As he began his second term in 2004, President Bush pushed for hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes and other health care facilities to create electronic records. The hope was to create a national medical network that would lead to better accuracy in medical care and “avoid dangerous medical mistakes, reduce costs and improve care,” Bush said.
Four years later, there is little progress. However, some care providers have recognized the value of digital records and have streamlined their systems.
Choosing the health management system software to work toward that end, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County staff are continuing to iron out the bugs. However, Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said the software makes record keeping more efficient.
“We had numerous systems — separate lab system, hospital documentation was all done manually and we had a separate radiology system,” she said. “When we made the change in 2004, we moved to the fully integrated system.” Now, most hospital functions can communicate seamlessly despite the ongoing troubleshooting.
Kostic said the national system could be implemented in 2010. In anticipation, hospital staff chose compatible software. Listed as a certified provider of software compliant with national initiatives and with more than 400 users nationwide in 2003, the health management system seemed to be the best option, according to Kostic.
Dr. James Bush, Medicaid medical director at the Wyoming Department of Health, scoffed at the idea that the national system would be up and running by 2010.
“They are just now reaching interoperability standards,” he said, describing the need to standardize databases so different software can easily communicate. “The 2010 deadline is falling by the wayside.”
Still, James Bush realizes the value of a unified network. He is currently working to roll out the red carpet on a statewide Medicaid network, scheduled to launch this summer.
The ongoing question of privacy in health records has slowed national progress toward a fully electronic system, and it has not been ignored by staff at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. The privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevents full access to patient records by care providers, making the security of software systems a hot ticket in debates.
Terry Webster, director of health information management at the hospital, said hospitals get paranoid when information is put on a computer. “But there’s the same worry when it’s on paper,” she said.
Webster recently came to Rawlins from a Montana hospital that was part of a four-hospital network. The Meditech system they used prohibited access unless the patient provided an access code for their records. James Bush said that with patient confidentiality at the top of the list of priorities, software providers are nearly guaranteed to safeguard their systems.
Kostic listed another problem area in the ambitious project — the question of care providers being technologically savvy. “Many physicians’ offices aren’t able to purchase the sophisticated equipment that is required, so how will they fit into the network?” she asked.
James Bush said that when care providers, no matter how tech savvy, see the benefits of an integrated system, they will jump on board. “It is one of those true win-win situations,” he said of the developing Medicaid system.
State to go digital as well
Wyoming Department of Health officials are set to launch the “total health record” this summer, the state’s version of an electronic program centered around Medicaid patient care.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A world away, Filipino nurses make Rawlins home
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
In 2003, a small contingent of Filipino health care professionals found themselves transplanted to the tiny blip on the world map known as Rawlins.
About 7,500 miles away from home, Sherry Longog and Angie Colson stepped onto a small plane in Denver to head to Rock Springs. It would be one of the last legs of their long voyage to begin work as lab technologists at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. One from the southern Philippines and one from the northern part of the archipelago, Longog and Colson were missing home, but at least they had each other.
“We knew there were mountains,” Colson said. “We looked it up before coming. But we were looking down from the plane and wondering why there were no houses or buildings. Who were going to be our patients? We thought the hospital was on top of the mountains.”
Landing in Rock Springs, the pair finished out the trip along Interstate 80. “When we got here,” Colson said with a laugh, “it wasn’t so bad — the hospital wasn’t on top of the mountains.”
More health care professionals are being produced in the Philippines than the country can use, so many often work abroad. A 2004 report by Health Affairs listed the nation as the leading source for nurses being recruited by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
“Filipino nurses are in great demand because they are primarily educated in college-degree programs and communicate well in English,” the report read. Receiving countries can therefore expand health care work forces, which have been notoriously shorthanded for years, Professional Healthcare Resources recruiting agency wrote.
The trade is reciprocal: New recruits often send home remittance income, bolstering the Philippines’ economy. Health Affairs reported that in 2004, Filipinos living abroad sent more than $800 million back home.
Longog said hers and Colson’s agency, then known as Agape, recruited physical therapists, nurses and technologists. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s two Filipino nurses, Suzette Enriquez and Jeraldine Lebanan, came through Troy Professionals. The two nurses are now friends, but have much different stories.
Lebanan did not originally want to come to the U.S., but knew she had the opportunity to gain the duel benefit of getting out of financial trouble, while simultaneously fulfilling her lifelong dream of having a child. Of all the Filipinos still at the hospital, Lebanan had the most difficulty adjusting.
“I had a hard time,” she said. “If I had to choose, I’d work in the Philippines because I’m used to it and my friends are there and I can speak my native language.” Lebanan worked in the Philippines for 11 years prior to moving.
On the other end of the spectrum, Enriquez took full advantage of the opportunity to go abroad. “It was my dream since I was a little kid to come to the U.S.,” she said. While waiting for her application to go through, she worked in Saudi Arabia’s Turaif Government Hospital for three years.
Culturally shocking for a woman accustomed to equal rights, Saudi Arabia was a good experience for Enriquez. “I went there to experience working there and (meet people of) other nationalities,” she said. “The language was very hard, though. I didn’t know it before going. I carried a dictionary, but it didn’t help. I just learned (Arabic) by speaking to patients.” Finally, in 2003, she got the chance to come to the U.S.
Of the more than 10 Filipino nursing and technologist recruit to pass through Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, these four remain. Many departed after their three-year contracts were complete, hospital Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. The four have stayed at least two years longer than their contracts lasted.
“(These four) have developed within the community,” Young said. “They’ve bought homes, they’ve had children, they’ve married... they’ve integrated into the community.”
Times staff writer
In 2003, a small contingent of Filipino health care professionals found themselves transplanted to the tiny blip on the world map known as Rawlins.
About 7,500 miles away from home, Sherry Longog and Angie Colson stepped onto a small plane in Denver to head to Rock Springs. It would be one of the last legs of their long voyage to begin work as lab technologists at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. One from the southern Philippines and one from the northern part of the archipelago, Longog and Colson were missing home, but at least they had each other.
“We knew there were mountains,” Colson said. “We looked it up before coming. But we were looking down from the plane and wondering why there were no houses or buildings. Who were going to be our patients? We thought the hospital was on top of the mountains.”
Landing in Rock Springs, the pair finished out the trip along Interstate 80. “When we got here,” Colson said with a laugh, “it wasn’t so bad — the hospital wasn’t on top of the mountains.”
More health care professionals are being produced in the Philippines than the country can use, so many often work abroad. A 2004 report by Health Affairs listed the nation as the leading source for nurses being recruited by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
“Filipino nurses are in great demand because they are primarily educated in college-degree programs and communicate well in English,” the report read. Receiving countries can therefore expand health care work forces, which have been notoriously shorthanded for years, Professional Healthcare Resources recruiting agency wrote.
The trade is reciprocal: New recruits often send home remittance income, bolstering the Philippines’ economy. Health Affairs reported that in 2004, Filipinos living abroad sent more than $800 million back home.
Longog said hers and Colson’s agency, then known as Agape, recruited physical therapists, nurses and technologists. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s two Filipino nurses, Suzette Enriquez and Jeraldine Lebanan, came through Troy Professionals. The two nurses are now friends, but have much different stories.
Lebanan did not originally want to come to the U.S., but knew she had the opportunity to gain the duel benefit of getting out of financial trouble, while simultaneously fulfilling her lifelong dream of having a child. Of all the Filipinos still at the hospital, Lebanan had the most difficulty adjusting.
“I had a hard time,” she said. “If I had to choose, I’d work in the Philippines because I’m used to it and my friends are there and I can speak my native language.” Lebanan worked in the Philippines for 11 years prior to moving.
On the other end of the spectrum, Enriquez took full advantage of the opportunity to go abroad. “It was my dream since I was a little kid to come to the U.S.,” she said. While waiting for her application to go through, she worked in Saudi Arabia’s Turaif Government Hospital for three years.
Culturally shocking for a woman accustomed to equal rights, Saudi Arabia was a good experience for Enriquez. “I went there to experience working there and (meet people of) other nationalities,” she said. “The language was very hard, though. I didn’t know it before going. I carried a dictionary, but it didn’t help. I just learned (Arabic) by speaking to patients.” Finally, in 2003, she got the chance to come to the U.S.
Of the more than 10 Filipino nursing and technologist recruit to pass through Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, these four remain. Many departed after their three-year contracts were complete, hospital Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. The four have stayed at least two years longer than their contracts lasted.
“(These four) have developed within the community,” Young said. “They’ve bought homes, they’ve had children, they’ve married... they’ve integrated into the community.”
Long break is not what SHS wanted
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The Saratoga High School boys basketball team may as well be coming off winter holiday as it heads into Thursday’s game against Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow.
After a host of games were canceled due to weather and no plans to reschedule them have emerged, the HEM game is Saratoga’s last chance to prepare for the conference tournament.
“We will know on Thursday what we need to work on,” Saratoga coach Rex Hohnholt said. “I try to get the kids in game-like situations, but when you’re just playing one another, you know, our kids know all the plays.”
Hohnholt said he is lucky to have players who give their best in every practice. Although the Panther seniors were disappointed not to participate in senior night, which was scheduled during one of the canceled games, they are ready for their final regular season game.
Tipping off at 8 p.m. in the HEM gym, Saratoga expects to face its opponent’s best effort. Panther coach Rex Hohnholt pointed out that he has one 6-foot-3-inch player who can match up with one of the “big guys” on the Miner team, but his team’s lack of height leaves him with a poor pair when trying to cover the other half of the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo.
The county rivals may not be well matched in terms of height, but even with the discrepancy, Saratoga has managed to come out on top in prior meetings this season.
Saratoga leads its conference as the No. 1 seed going into the conference tournament, which starts on Thursday, Feb. 21.
Times staff writer
The Saratoga High School boys basketball team may as well be coming off winter holiday as it heads into Thursday’s game against Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow.
After a host of games were canceled due to weather and no plans to reschedule them have emerged, the HEM game is Saratoga’s last chance to prepare for the conference tournament.
“We will know on Thursday what we need to work on,” Saratoga coach Rex Hohnholt said. “I try to get the kids in game-like situations, but when you’re just playing one another, you know, our kids know all the plays.”
Hohnholt said he is lucky to have players who give their best in every practice. Although the Panther seniors were disappointed not to participate in senior night, which was scheduled during one of the canceled games, they are ready for their final regular season game.
Tipping off at 8 p.m. in the HEM gym, Saratoga expects to face its opponent’s best effort. Panther coach Rex Hohnholt pointed out that he has one 6-foot-3-inch player who can match up with one of the “big guys” on the Miner team, but his team’s lack of height leaves him with a poor pair when trying to cover the other half of the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo.
The county rivals may not be well matched in terms of height, but even with the discrepancy, Saratoga has managed to come out on top in prior meetings this season.
Saratoga leads its conference as the No. 1 seed going into the conference tournament, which starts on Thursday, Feb. 21.
School board to meet
Wyoming Department of Health officials are set to launch the “total health record” this summer, the state’s version of an electronic program centered around Medicaid patient care.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Four day week liked by teens
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The verdict is in: High schoolers in Carbon County School District 2 who are on the four-day week want to keep it.
With 113 student surveys received from Saratoga Middle High School and 75 from Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Middle High School, the younger crowd tipped the scales against the staff and parent votes at the online polling booths. While parents and staff continue to battle it out, more than 70 percent of students at both schools approved of the four-day week.
The Encampment student council voted against having students fill out the District 2 school week survey. Still, a lone student voice emerged from the 60 community-member polls in the town.
“Being a student at Encampment,” the opinion went, “I believe that the four-day schedule is not the best way to go. By having five days in our school week ... the school year ends earlier and the days do not have to add more hours.
“Our parents would have to find a child-care service to watch over their little ones (and some) don’t have the money to do that. Yes, in some ways the four-day schedule would be nice because game days would always be on Fridays ... Why change something that has worked in the past?”
The community member and teacher votes in Encampment also chirped a tune of support for the five-day schedule. They touted consistency, more learning time, matching parent-child schedules and keeping kids out of trouble on Fridays as reasons to maintain the five-day week.
On the Saratoga and HEM side, parents and teachers largely stood alongside students, showing support for the four-day schedule.
Primary concerns of Saratoga and HEM community and staff members included attention to activity schedules outside of sports and addressing the differing schedules within the district and towns.
On the elementary level, the school board may as well flip a coin to determine overall schedule opinions. Split down the middle, the survey generally shows that high school is one thing and elementary school is another.
Saratoga Elementary School parents rolled out in numbers that topped those surveyed in Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and Hanna. In the three smaller schools, 16 parents and community members said they mainly supported the current four-and-a-half day schedule. The 81 Saratoga community-member surveys showed roughly 50 percent support the four-day schedule.
On the staff side, people affiliated with Saratoga Elementary School generally supported their current schedule. Meanwhile, it’s the teachers at Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools who are doing the splits. Seemingly battling for extra time with either the four-and-a-half day or five-day week, they stood fast against switching to four days.
In Encampment, results were polled for kindergarten through 12th grade inclusively, so individual grade results were less apparent. Based on comments, the surveys seemed to show majority support for the five-day week.
Various Voices
“Not having to miss class because of sports helps me keep my grades up.” — Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Junior Senior High School student.
“My children aren’t in sports, so this works very well. I can’t see any sense for them to go to school on sport days when nothing is done anyway. I prefer the four-day schedule.” — HEM parent.
“A regular five-day schedule would be better for my students, particularly the at-risk students.” - Hanna Elementary School staff member.
“We are five distinct communities with different needs — different schedules is a way of meeting those needs.” — Elk Mountain Elementary School staff member.
“I feel that our staff does not have enough time to meet in regard to children and planning. Perhaps a four-and-a-half day week might help to that end.” — Encampment School staff member.
Times staff writer
The verdict is in: High schoolers in Carbon County School District 2 who are on the four-day week want to keep it.
With 113 student surveys received from Saratoga Middle High School and 75 from Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Middle High School, the younger crowd tipped the scales against the staff and parent votes at the online polling booths. While parents and staff continue to battle it out, more than 70 percent of students at both schools approved of the four-day week.
The Encampment student council voted against having students fill out the District 2 school week survey. Still, a lone student voice emerged from the 60 community-member polls in the town.
“Being a student at Encampment,” the opinion went, “I believe that the four-day schedule is not the best way to go. By having five days in our school week ... the school year ends earlier and the days do not have to add more hours.
“Our parents would have to find a child-care service to watch over their little ones (and some) don’t have the money to do that. Yes, in some ways the four-day schedule would be nice because game days would always be on Fridays ... Why change something that has worked in the past?”
The community member and teacher votes in Encampment also chirped a tune of support for the five-day schedule. They touted consistency, more learning time, matching parent-child schedules and keeping kids out of trouble on Fridays as reasons to maintain the five-day week.
On the Saratoga and HEM side, parents and teachers largely stood alongside students, showing support for the four-day schedule.
Primary concerns of Saratoga and HEM community and staff members included attention to activity schedules outside of sports and addressing the differing schedules within the district and towns.
On the elementary level, the school board may as well flip a coin to determine overall schedule opinions. Split down the middle, the survey generally shows that high school is one thing and elementary school is another.
Saratoga Elementary School parents rolled out in numbers that topped those surveyed in Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and Hanna. In the three smaller schools, 16 parents and community members said they mainly supported the current four-and-a-half day schedule. The 81 Saratoga community-member surveys showed roughly 50 percent support the four-day schedule.
On the staff side, people affiliated with Saratoga Elementary School generally supported their current schedule. Meanwhile, it’s the teachers at Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools who are doing the splits. Seemingly battling for extra time with either the four-and-a-half day or five-day week, they stood fast against switching to four days.
In Encampment, results were polled for kindergarten through 12th grade inclusively, so individual grade results were less apparent. Based on comments, the surveys seemed to show majority support for the five-day week.
Various Voices
“Not having to miss class because of sports helps me keep my grades up.” — Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Junior Senior High School student.
“My children aren’t in sports, so this works very well. I can’t see any sense for them to go to school on sport days when nothing is done anyway. I prefer the four-day schedule.” — HEM parent.
“A regular five-day schedule would be better for my students, particularly the at-risk students.” - Hanna Elementary School staff member.
“We are five distinct communities with different needs — different schedules is a way of meeting those needs.” — Elk Mountain Elementary School staff member.
“I feel that our staff does not have enough time to meet in regard to children and planning. Perhaps a four-and-a-half day week might help to that end.” — Encampment School staff member.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
'Analog sunset' approaches
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
On Feb. 18, the sun will set on a technological era as wireless carriers nationwide are no longer required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide analog service.
While city dwellers are largely unaffected by this change, wireless providers have had to pay particular attention to rural areas. In Carbon County, with its spotty digital wireless coverage and a number of wireless users who only own mobile phones for emergency coverage, the transition has been smooth, but not seamless.
According to Chelsea Fallon, media contact at the FCC Wireless Bureau, the decision was made that the “analog requirement was no longer necessary because original goals had been met with digital technology” in 2002. After the five-year phase-out period instituted after that decision, few analog customers remain. However, the question remains whether the few that are left will still receive the same coverage.
Robert Kelley, the media contact for Verizon Wireless’ mountain areas, said Verizon’s network team has spent the past few months analyzing the analog and digital areas to be sure coverage will be the same. “They’ve actually beefed up a few fringe areas where they saw a delta between (the two),” he said.
Verizon’s efforts follow the requirements of the FCC’s “analog sunset order,” which says no provider should discontinue analog coverage until it can guarantee the users will see no problems in the transition to digital. Additionally, the order mandated wireless providers to supply options to analog users to smoothly transition them to the digital networks.
In the case of Alan Braga, the transition is not as smooth as he’d like. Previously owning a bag phone, a large device that effectively picked up a signal in the most remote places through the analog advanced mobile phone service, the Encampment resident was forced to transition to digital through his provider, Union Telephone. He received a free phone and a similar plan, but Braga is certain he will not experience the same coverage with the new, smaller phone.
“My little phone can’t put out the same power that my bag phone did,” Braga said. “I am sure I could get more signals and stronger signals with (the bag phone).”
When Braga once happened upon an accident just south of the Wyoming-Colorado border, he was able to get a signal with his bag phone when another fellow was unable to make a call with his standard cellular phone. The accident was at the three-way intersection of Wyoming Highway 230 and Colorado highways 125 and 127. When Braga tried to call 911, he was successful.
“It’s a low spot there, and I had no problem getting out when he wasn’t able to with his little one,” Braga said.
Braga admitted he could have purchased a digital bag phone that would have worked effectively in the rural areas of Carbon County. However, he could not justify the steep price listed by Union Telephone.
A representative from Verizon Wireless confirmed that their $400 digital bag phone is the only current option for rural coverage, able to pick up more signals, particularly in remote areas, than a regular phone. According to Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor with the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s telecommunications department, the current price tag on bag phones is relatively small. He said bag phones cost $1,500 to $2,000 when they first hit the market.
Braga is somewhat frustrated because he had no choice in the matter. Because he carries his phone solely for emergencies and cannot get the same coverage with the phone provided by Union Telephone, he said “I’m sort of defeating my purpose.”
Cellular History
The Feb. 18 “analog sunset” is not the first in cellular history.
The industry began in the 1950s and as technology progressed, transitions occurred.
Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor within the Wyoming Department of Transportation telecommunications department, provided the background for the most recent cellular transition.
The improved mobile telephone service of the 1960s transitioned to the advanced mobile phone service in about 1989. It was about six years after the service was introduced into the cellular market and about two yeas from when the large carriers petitioned for it to be removed from the market.
It’s usually a business decision, Sheridan said. “(The advanced service) was power hungry and it was a limited capacity system,” he said. In the case of digital services versus analog, he said the transmission of four to eight digital conversations is roughly equivalent to the use of one analog signal. It becomes much more cost-effective for carriers to function digitally.
The large carriers in the late 1980s petitioned for the shutdown of the improved mobile telephone service in much the same way carriers in the late 1990s asked the Federal Communications Commission to end the requirement to provide the analog service.
Personal stories during the two transitions also mirror each other. Sheridan’s personal story of his cellular experience during the 1989 transition is similar to that of Alan Braga, an Encampment resident who used the analog service as of three weeks ago.
The petition to transition from one cellular system to another was still hanging when the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area, where Sheridan was living. Part of the vast impact was downed phone lines. Amidst the chaos and not knowing the decision on the improved mobile telephoneservice, Sheridan attempted to use his old phone, which was kept under the seat of his car in the case of an emergency.
“Wouldn’t you know, I picked up the phone and heard a dial tone,” Sheridan said. He called his parents in Michigan to warn them about what they would soon see on the television and to assure them he and his family were safe.
Soon, the improved mobile telephone service system was shut down nationwide in favor of the analog service. The time taken to phase out the improved mobile telephone service to the analog service closely mirrors the efforts of wireless companies throughout the last five years to transition to digital services.
On the other end of the line during the interview, Sheridan likely shrugged his shoulders as he said, “It’s just the march of technology.”
Times staff writer
On Feb. 18, the sun will set on a technological era as wireless carriers nationwide are no longer required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide analog service.
While city dwellers are largely unaffected by this change, wireless providers have had to pay particular attention to rural areas. In Carbon County, with its spotty digital wireless coverage and a number of wireless users who only own mobile phones for emergency coverage, the transition has been smooth, but not seamless.
According to Chelsea Fallon, media contact at the FCC Wireless Bureau, the decision was made that the “analog requirement was no longer necessary because original goals had been met with digital technology” in 2002. After the five-year phase-out period instituted after that decision, few analog customers remain. However, the question remains whether the few that are left will still receive the same coverage.
Robert Kelley, the media contact for Verizon Wireless’ mountain areas, said Verizon’s network team has spent the past few months analyzing the analog and digital areas to be sure coverage will be the same. “They’ve actually beefed up a few fringe areas where they saw a delta between (the two),” he said.
Verizon’s efforts follow the requirements of the FCC’s “analog sunset order,” which says no provider should discontinue analog coverage until it can guarantee the users will see no problems in the transition to digital. Additionally, the order mandated wireless providers to supply options to analog users to smoothly transition them to the digital networks.
In the case of Alan Braga, the transition is not as smooth as he’d like. Previously owning a bag phone, a large device that effectively picked up a signal in the most remote places through the analog advanced mobile phone service, the Encampment resident was forced to transition to digital through his provider, Union Telephone. He received a free phone and a similar plan, but Braga is certain he will not experience the same coverage with the new, smaller phone.
“My little phone can’t put out the same power that my bag phone did,” Braga said. “I am sure I could get more signals and stronger signals with (the bag phone).”
When Braga once happened upon an accident just south of the Wyoming-Colorado border, he was able to get a signal with his bag phone when another fellow was unable to make a call with his standard cellular phone. The accident was at the three-way intersection of Wyoming Highway 230 and Colorado highways 125 and 127. When Braga tried to call 911, he was successful.
“It’s a low spot there, and I had no problem getting out when he wasn’t able to with his little one,” Braga said.
Braga admitted he could have purchased a digital bag phone that would have worked effectively in the rural areas of Carbon County. However, he could not justify the steep price listed by Union Telephone.
A representative from Verizon Wireless confirmed that their $400 digital bag phone is the only current option for rural coverage, able to pick up more signals, particularly in remote areas, than a regular phone. According to Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor with the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s telecommunications department, the current price tag on bag phones is relatively small. He said bag phones cost $1,500 to $2,000 when they first hit the market.
Braga is somewhat frustrated because he had no choice in the matter. Because he carries his phone solely for emergencies and cannot get the same coverage with the phone provided by Union Telephone, he said “I’m sort of defeating my purpose.”
Cellular History
The Feb. 18 “analog sunset” is not the first in cellular history.
The industry began in the 1950s and as technology progressed, transitions occurred.
Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor within the Wyoming Department of Transportation telecommunications department, provided the background for the most recent cellular transition.
The improved mobile telephone service of the 1960s transitioned to the advanced mobile phone service in about 1989. It was about six years after the service was introduced into the cellular market and about two yeas from when the large carriers petitioned for it to be removed from the market.
It’s usually a business decision, Sheridan said. “(The advanced service) was power hungry and it was a limited capacity system,” he said. In the case of digital services versus analog, he said the transmission of four to eight digital conversations is roughly equivalent to the use of one analog signal. It becomes much more cost-effective for carriers to function digitally.
The large carriers in the late 1980s petitioned for the shutdown of the improved mobile telephone service in much the same way carriers in the late 1990s asked the Federal Communications Commission to end the requirement to provide the analog service.
Personal stories during the two transitions also mirror each other. Sheridan’s personal story of his cellular experience during the 1989 transition is similar to that of Alan Braga, an Encampment resident who used the analog service as of three weeks ago.
The petition to transition from one cellular system to another was still hanging when the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area, where Sheridan was living. Part of the vast impact was downed phone lines. Amidst the chaos and not knowing the decision on the improved mobile telephoneservice, Sheridan attempted to use his old phone, which was kept under the seat of his car in the case of an emergency.
“Wouldn’t you know, I picked up the phone and heard a dial tone,” Sheridan said. He called his parents in Michigan to warn them about what they would soon see on the television and to assure them he and his family were safe.
Soon, the improved mobile telephone service system was shut down nationwide in favor of the analog service. The time taken to phase out the improved mobile telephone service to the analog service closely mirrors the efforts of wireless companies throughout the last five years to transition to digital services.
On the other end of the line during the interview, Sheridan likely shrugged his shoulders as he said, “It’s just the march of technology.”
Friday, February 8, 2008
Collision leaves hole in city's movie theater
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Ever heard a deep rumble and wondered whether it was the sound of a nearby truck or distant thunder?
On Tuesday, two ladies at The Movies 3 had different options: ice falling off the roof or the theater wall falling in.
In this case, a three-by-six foot section of the theater’s cinderblock wall came crashing in after a truck hit the building, perhaps just as the three stars of Mad Money came crashing out of the Federal Reserve on screen. It happened during the early evening matinee at which the two women made up the entire audience — of both the film and the accident.
“They said they were startled,” Rose Kain, owner of The Movies 3 said. “They didn’t know whether to finish the movie or get up and tell us.” The ladies stayed to watch, though they could see the light of day through the wall. They were presumably unable to resist watching Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton work together to smuggle money from the Federal Reserve. “They said it didn’t bother them,” Kain said. She gave them movie vouchers anyway.
The Movies 3 had permitted the company Basic Energy to park one of its trucks in the parking lot. The driver attempted to move his vehicle, which was attached to a trailer towing a heavy bulldozer, to make room for more cars in the lot. It was then he hit the building not once, but twice.
Kain said the first bump left only a mark. The second hit knocked out a hole the size of the driver’s end load.
“It’s funny, but not funny,” Kain said. “Every time I look at that hole, I start laughing. It couldn’t have happened on purpose.” She said her insurance is working with Basic Energy’s insurance to cover the damages. The theater is still functional after being patched with insulation on the interior and boards on the exterior.
Times staff writer
Ever heard a deep rumble and wondered whether it was the sound of a nearby truck or distant thunder?
On Tuesday, two ladies at The Movies 3 had different options: ice falling off the roof or the theater wall falling in.
In this case, a three-by-six foot section of the theater’s cinderblock wall came crashing in after a truck hit the building, perhaps just as the three stars of Mad Money came crashing out of the Federal Reserve on screen. It happened during the early evening matinee at which the two women made up the entire audience — of both the film and the accident.
“They said they were startled,” Rose Kain, owner of The Movies 3 said. “They didn’t know whether to finish the movie or get up and tell us.” The ladies stayed to watch, though they could see the light of day through the wall. They were presumably unable to resist watching Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton work together to smuggle money from the Federal Reserve. “They said it didn’t bother them,” Kain said. She gave them movie vouchers anyway.
The Movies 3 had permitted the company Basic Energy to park one of its trucks in the parking lot. The driver attempted to move his vehicle, which was attached to a trailer towing a heavy bulldozer, to make room for more cars in the lot. It was then he hit the building not once, but twice.
Kain said the first bump left only a mark. The second hit knocked out a hole the size of the driver’s end load.
“It’s funny, but not funny,” Kain said. “Every time I look at that hole, I start laughing. It couldn’t have happened on purpose.” She said her insurance is working with Basic Energy’s insurance to cover the damages. The theater is still functional after being patched with insulation on the interior and boards on the exterior.
'Depth Impact' at RHS
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Listen for coach Don Brinkman’s shrill whistle and see what happens.
If you’re on the pool deck, you should see a slight acceleration of the swimmer in the water as he hears the sound and understands its signal: go faster.
On Friday morning, the Outlaw swimmers head to Buffalo for the conference championship, seemingly the most important meet of the year. The Rawlins High School boys are scheduled to come out ahead of the pack — and it will be a tight pack — to take the conference championship for the sixth year running.
With preliminaries at 5 p.m. Friday and finals on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., the team has a lot to look forward to. Brinkman knows his team has depth, so while his boys are mostly seeded fourth to ninth in their respective events, they should earn the points necessary to leave Buffalo as champions.
“If they do what I hope they will,” Brinkman said, “we’ll come out ahead.” He thinks the team will be mostly competitive with Buffalo, but Douglas and Worland should also give Rawlins a run for its money. Newcastle has top swimmers, but little depth.
Outlaw senior Ryan Palmer has the most at stake as the defending conference diving champion. He set the Rawlins pool record last year with a 475.45, leaping to the top of the top 10 board. He knocked off the previous record-holder with a score almost 30 points higher.
This year, Palmer’s highest score is 435, but that still puts him in the No. 1 seed in the conference with Buffalo’s Ryan Iannelli trailing in second with 358 points. How will he keep his title? “I listen to music and really focus,” he said. “I try not to pay attention to what the other divers are doing.”
Palmer is also vying for a first-place medal in the 50-yard freestyle. With his best time of 24.72, he contends again with Iannelli, who swims the event in 24.43 seconds. Palmer is also up against Garrett Anderson from Worland, who has finished the event in 24.57 seconds.
Palmer and the other four seniors lead the team into what Daniel DeMillard claimed is probably a bigger meet than the state competition. “I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s bigger because this one we can probably win.” This year, however, the team goes in without stars who graduated last year. Which means the team should depend on its numbers more than its speed.
DeMillard has qualified for the state meet in more events than he can physically swim. So, he is not looking for qualifying times this weekend, but he does hope to finish among the top three in his individual events, the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle.
According to Brinkman’s seeding estimates, the feat is possible, as DeMillard is seeded fifth and third, respectively, in the events. DeMillard also hopes to garner all-conference honors, a title earned by finishing high in each of a swimmer’s events.
On the flip side, David Trujillo, another senior, aims to shave 1.25 seconds trimmed off his 100-yard breaststroke time this weekend to qualify for state. He has already qualified in the 100-yard backstroke. In meets, the two events are swum back-to-back. Which will he choose in the state competition? “I’ll qualify in the breaststroke this weekend, so both,” he said. He also aims to finish in the top three for the 200-yard individual medley, an event for which he is seeded eighth.
Jason Sipes, another Outlaw senior, is pushing for a qualifying time in the 100-yard breaststroke. He must shave two to three seconds off his time to do so. “I wish I’d joined the team sooner,” Sipes said. He has been on the team since his junior year and pointed out that he is the only senior this year to not yet qualify in any state events. “I joined last year to get in shape for track, but this year I’m focusing more on swimming.”
Sipes has reaped the benefits of a welcoming youth pastor who recently provided a stable home for the high school senior. The change has allowed him to fully pursue three seasons of sports. Though he’s dedicated to swimming this year, “the second it’s over, it’s all about track,” he said.
James Laux supports the senior set through his experience. The only year-round swimmer on the team, Laux has been swimming since age 5. And he’s not bored yet. “It’s just my sport,” he said.
Entered in the 200 -yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, Laux also helps his teammates by swimming backstroke in the medley relay. He has butterflies for the butterfly, in which he is seeded fifth, but hopes they’re be gone by Friday night.
Each senior emphatically agreed that this meet would be a tough fight. With middle-of-the-pack seeding, they should be pushed less by the adrenaline of a neck-and-neck race for first and more by their mental strength to earn points.
Times staff writer
Listen for coach Don Brinkman’s shrill whistle and see what happens.
If you’re on the pool deck, you should see a slight acceleration of the swimmer in the water as he hears the sound and understands its signal: go faster.
On Friday morning, the Outlaw swimmers head to Buffalo for the conference championship, seemingly the most important meet of the year. The Rawlins High School boys are scheduled to come out ahead of the pack — and it will be a tight pack — to take the conference championship for the sixth year running.
With preliminaries at 5 p.m. Friday and finals on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., the team has a lot to look forward to. Brinkman knows his team has depth, so while his boys are mostly seeded fourth to ninth in their respective events, they should earn the points necessary to leave Buffalo as champions.
“If they do what I hope they will,” Brinkman said, “we’ll come out ahead.” He thinks the team will be mostly competitive with Buffalo, but Douglas and Worland should also give Rawlins a run for its money. Newcastle has top swimmers, but little depth.
Outlaw senior Ryan Palmer has the most at stake as the defending conference diving champion. He set the Rawlins pool record last year with a 475.45, leaping to the top of the top 10 board. He knocked off the previous record-holder with a score almost 30 points higher.
This year, Palmer’s highest score is 435, but that still puts him in the No. 1 seed in the conference with Buffalo’s Ryan Iannelli trailing in second with 358 points. How will he keep his title? “I listen to music and really focus,” he said. “I try not to pay attention to what the other divers are doing.”
Palmer is also vying for a first-place medal in the 50-yard freestyle. With his best time of 24.72, he contends again with Iannelli, who swims the event in 24.43 seconds. Palmer is also up against Garrett Anderson from Worland, who has finished the event in 24.57 seconds.
Palmer and the other four seniors lead the team into what Daniel DeMillard claimed is probably a bigger meet than the state competition. “I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s bigger because this one we can probably win.” This year, however, the team goes in without stars who graduated last year. Which means the team should depend on its numbers more than its speed.
DeMillard has qualified for the state meet in more events than he can physically swim. So, he is not looking for qualifying times this weekend, but he does hope to finish among the top three in his individual events, the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle.
According to Brinkman’s seeding estimates, the feat is possible, as DeMillard is seeded fifth and third, respectively, in the events. DeMillard also hopes to garner all-conference honors, a title earned by finishing high in each of a swimmer’s events.
On the flip side, David Trujillo, another senior, aims to shave 1.25 seconds trimmed off his 100-yard breaststroke time this weekend to qualify for state. He has already qualified in the 100-yard backstroke. In meets, the two events are swum back-to-back. Which will he choose in the state competition? “I’ll qualify in the breaststroke this weekend, so both,” he said. He also aims to finish in the top three for the 200-yard individual medley, an event for which he is seeded eighth.
Jason Sipes, another Outlaw senior, is pushing for a qualifying time in the 100-yard breaststroke. He must shave two to three seconds off his time to do so. “I wish I’d joined the team sooner,” Sipes said. He has been on the team since his junior year and pointed out that he is the only senior this year to not yet qualify in any state events. “I joined last year to get in shape for track, but this year I’m focusing more on swimming.”
Sipes has reaped the benefits of a welcoming youth pastor who recently provided a stable home for the high school senior. The change has allowed him to fully pursue three seasons of sports. Though he’s dedicated to swimming this year, “the second it’s over, it’s all about track,” he said.
James Laux supports the senior set through his experience. The only year-round swimmer on the team, Laux has been swimming since age 5. And he’s not bored yet. “It’s just my sport,” he said.
Entered in the 200 -yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, Laux also helps his teammates by swimming backstroke in the medley relay. He has butterflies for the butterfly, in which he is seeded fifth, but hopes they’re be gone by Friday night.
Each senior emphatically agreed that this meet would be a tough fight. With middle-of-the-pack seeding, they should be pushed less by the adrenaline of a neck-and-neck race for first and more by their mental strength to earn points.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Street cred is earned
One of the two front-pagers for today...
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Legislators from all over the world have made their way into Carbon County politics to represent the area in the state Senate, but only two have earned street-name status in Rawlins.
On Tuesday night, Sen. Bill Vasey, D-Rawlins, spoke about the history of Carbon County politics at the Carbon County Higher Education Center’s “The Power of Place: Legacies of Carbon County” lecture.
Briefly reviewing the long list of state senators, Vasey said he stuck to the Senate because there were simply too many commissioners, city councilmen, school board officials and House representatives to talk about.
Looking at the Senate, Vasey highlighted several key figures. Among them were John Mahoney, serving in 1907 and 1909, and W.W. Daley, who had a 10-year stint in the Senate from 1915 to 1925. These were the fellows whose last names became street signs.
Interestingly, neither Vasey nor local historian Dan Kinnaman could give a reason as to why these gentlemen were bestowed with such an honor. However, Kinnaman wagered a guess. “Maybe just the times they lived and the times (the city) was making additions,” he said. “Whoever was making the additions may have thought it was something to do.” He pointed out that Daley Street was more likely named after W.W. Daley’s father.
The Daleys were a wealthy family who dealt in sheep. In fact, the William Daley Company was one of the largest livestock dealers in the area in its time and was started by the elder William Daley. He was a politician and businessman and was also a man with connections. So much so that he hosted Theodore Roosevelt at his ranch during Roosevelt’s bid for vice-president. “He was an outstanding guy, no doubt about it,” Kinnaman said.
William Daley’s son, W.W. Daley, filled his father’s shoes and more. In his 10 years in the Senate, he saw beneficial laws passed including the state highway system, the Workingmen’s Compensation Act, and educational and banking laws.
According to the August 27, 1929 issue of the Rawlins Republican, “(W.W. Daley) introduced the bill creating the state flag and flower at the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution and fathered the bill for memorial hospitals throughout the state.” The newspaper listed W.W. Daley as a “public-spirited man in Rawlins,” one of a series of men given the title as the newspaper’s editor sought to inspire more individuals to contribute to the community.
The Daleys were well-established in the United States and only became more so when they rooted themselves at their ranch not far from Rawlins.
John Mahoney was of a different blood. Mahoney immigrated from Ireland with his brother Tim. “Either to eat or go west, they joined the military,” Vasey said. Tim fought Apaches in the southwest while John served in Meeker, Colo., fighting in the Meeker Massacre or Battle of Milk River, depending on what side you’re on. There, he found a partner that would cause him trouble until the day he died — a bullet.
When he was out of the service, John Mahoney went into agriculture, Vasey said. He became a landowner of vast proportion, having lakes and dams named after him. He was also a civic man and served as part of the agriculture committee. “It’s the American story,” Vasey said. “An immigrant in Boston who took the train west to where he wanted to be.”
Beyond illustrating the lives and personalities of Carbon County’s historical characters, Vasey also answered the question of why Wyoming is as conservative as it is. “Grant, Hayes, these guys were Union presidents, Republicans,” Vasey said. “Wyoming was created after the Civil War, so its officials were appointed under Republicans.”
Vasey went on to discuss the top issues of the Senate during his tenure. Triple trailers on trucks, voting redistricting, the location of the penitentiary, tort reform, gun control, abortion and gay marriage have been the most emotional issues, he said.
He answered questions about recent decisions regarding school funding, water issues, possibilities for levies and speed control for trucks on the interstate as well as mentoring the youth in politics.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Legislators from all over the world have made their way into Carbon County politics to represent the area in the state Senate, but only two have earned street-name status in Rawlins.
On Tuesday night, Sen. Bill Vasey, D-Rawlins, spoke about the history of Carbon County politics at the Carbon County Higher Education Center’s “The Power of Place: Legacies of Carbon County” lecture.
Briefly reviewing the long list of state senators, Vasey said he stuck to the Senate because there were simply too many commissioners, city councilmen, school board officials and House representatives to talk about.
Looking at the Senate, Vasey highlighted several key figures. Among them were John Mahoney, serving in 1907 and 1909, and W.W. Daley, who had a 10-year stint in the Senate from 1915 to 1925. These were the fellows whose last names became street signs.
Interestingly, neither Vasey nor local historian Dan Kinnaman could give a reason as to why these gentlemen were bestowed with such an honor. However, Kinnaman wagered a guess. “Maybe just the times they lived and the times (the city) was making additions,” he said. “Whoever was making the additions may have thought it was something to do.” He pointed out that Daley Street was more likely named after W.W. Daley’s father.
The Daleys were a wealthy family who dealt in sheep. In fact, the William Daley Company was one of the largest livestock dealers in the area in its time and was started by the elder William Daley. He was a politician and businessman and was also a man with connections. So much so that he hosted Theodore Roosevelt at his ranch during Roosevelt’s bid for vice-president. “He was an outstanding guy, no doubt about it,” Kinnaman said.
William Daley’s son, W.W. Daley, filled his father’s shoes and more. In his 10 years in the Senate, he saw beneficial laws passed including the state highway system, the Workingmen’s Compensation Act, and educational and banking laws.
According to the August 27, 1929 issue of the Rawlins Republican, “(W.W. Daley) introduced the bill creating the state flag and flower at the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution and fathered the bill for memorial hospitals throughout the state.” The newspaper listed W.W. Daley as a “public-spirited man in Rawlins,” one of a series of men given the title as the newspaper’s editor sought to inspire more individuals to contribute to the community.
The Daleys were well-established in the United States and only became more so when they rooted themselves at their ranch not far from Rawlins.
John Mahoney was of a different blood. Mahoney immigrated from Ireland with his brother Tim. “Either to eat or go west, they joined the military,” Vasey said. Tim fought Apaches in the southwest while John served in Meeker, Colo., fighting in the Meeker Massacre or Battle of Milk River, depending on what side you’re on. There, he found a partner that would cause him trouble until the day he died — a bullet.
When he was out of the service, John Mahoney went into agriculture, Vasey said. He became a landowner of vast proportion, having lakes and dams named after him. He was also a civic man and served as part of the agriculture committee. “It’s the American story,” Vasey said. “An immigrant in Boston who took the train west to where he wanted to be.”
Beyond illustrating the lives and personalities of Carbon County’s historical characters, Vasey also answered the question of why Wyoming is as conservative as it is. “Grant, Hayes, these guys were Union presidents, Republicans,” Vasey said. “Wyoming was created after the Civil War, so its officials were appointed under Republicans.”
Vasey went on to discuss the top issues of the Senate during his tenure. Triple trailers on trucks, voting redistricting, the location of the penitentiary, tort reform, gun control, abortion and gay marriage have been the most emotional issues, he said.
He answered questions about recent decisions regarding school funding, water issues, possibilities for levies and speed control for trucks on the interstate as well as mentoring the youth in politics.
GED scores are up
... and front pager no. 2 for the day!
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The bar is set a little higher at the Carbon County Higher Education Center for those seeking General Educational Development diplomas, and, as a result, the center has seen higher scores.
Higher scores mean more options for those who have not received a high school diploma, CCHEC’s Adult Center for Learning Director Bunnie Mursko said. She said CCHEC wants to produce as many Hathaway scholars as possible. Issued through the state, the scholarship provides a financial reward to eligible students to attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.
With the Hathaway Scholarship as a goal, the staff at CCHEC has adjusted its focus and strategy to push its GED candidates toward higher scores and future opportunities.
CCHEC seeks to make the GED more important in the eyes of those hoping to earn their diploma. The GED is a battery of tests in math, science, writing, social studies and reading that, upon successful completion, credits an individual with high school proficiency in the subjects.
Mursko said when she initially arrived at the higher education center two years ago, her GED candidates wanted to simply finish the test as soon as possible. Now she coaches candidates to be less satisfied with lower scores.
“We’ve been working harder to get them to understand that achieving a higher score gives them better opportunities,” Mursko said. The center hopes it can open candidates’ eyes to the possibility of college.
Additionally, CCHEC has sought to increase its one-on-one time. Mursko encouraged this because “(the GED) helps them for the rest of their lives.” She said she’s had candidates from Lander and Green River. Both people had testing facilities nearby, but chose to take advantage of the atmosphere and attention provided at CCHEC.
Compared to state averages, “CCHEC has come up tremendously,” Wyoming GED Administrator Carolyn Chelsvig said. “They’ve taken the time to individualize their program and have seen their scores go up and up and up.”
In December 2007, according to a monthly report by Chelsvig, CCHEC candidates scored almost 100 points higher in social studies and reading than the state average. The center’s averages were below the state’s in writing and math by about 50 points. Information was unavailable for CCHEC’s science standings.
Mursko expressed a hope that the numbers of those taking the test will go down while scores go up. “Trying to get the GED is not easy,” she said. “It’s really easier to stay in school and get the diploma than to do the battery of tests.”
She said most students come in for intense tutorials for one or two months before they tackle the GED. They can try for the GED after a pretest and a practice test. Often, candidates begin the testing or tutorials, but do not go on to finish their GED. Last year, 27 out of 48 people received their GED.
When asked why this might be the case, Mursko said lower-income pupils often can’t afford the testing and tutorial fees. However, when they can, they often strive more than medium-income candidates. “The higher the income, the less likely they are to finish,” Mursko said.
With its new goals and new tactics, CCHEC has reached new heights. Of the 27 who earned their GED last year, 23 attained scores that met Hathaway Scholarship targets. Eleven scored 500 or above, enough to meet the opportunity range, which allots $800 per semester. Six hit the honors range at 540 or above, qualifying them for the $1,200 per semester allotment. Another six reached the performance level, scoring 575 or above to earn $1,600 per semester toward college courses.
The figures show increasing scores throughout the past two years. In 2005, CCHEC had 34 who tested with nine of them at the opportunity level, three at honors and another three at performance. The majority of test-takers passed with a score of 499 or below in 2005.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The bar is set a little higher at the Carbon County Higher Education Center for those seeking General Educational Development diplomas, and, as a result, the center has seen higher scores.
Higher scores mean more options for those who have not received a high school diploma, CCHEC’s Adult Center for Learning Director Bunnie Mursko said. She said CCHEC wants to produce as many Hathaway scholars as possible. Issued through the state, the scholarship provides a financial reward to eligible students to attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.
With the Hathaway Scholarship as a goal, the staff at CCHEC has adjusted its focus and strategy to push its GED candidates toward higher scores and future opportunities.
CCHEC seeks to make the GED more important in the eyes of those hoping to earn their diploma. The GED is a battery of tests in math, science, writing, social studies and reading that, upon successful completion, credits an individual with high school proficiency in the subjects.
Mursko said when she initially arrived at the higher education center two years ago, her GED candidates wanted to simply finish the test as soon as possible. Now she coaches candidates to be less satisfied with lower scores.
“We’ve been working harder to get them to understand that achieving a higher score gives them better opportunities,” Mursko said. The center hopes it can open candidates’ eyes to the possibility of college.
Additionally, CCHEC has sought to increase its one-on-one time. Mursko encouraged this because “(the GED) helps them for the rest of their lives.” She said she’s had candidates from Lander and Green River. Both people had testing facilities nearby, but chose to take advantage of the atmosphere and attention provided at CCHEC.
Compared to state averages, “CCHEC has come up tremendously,” Wyoming GED Administrator Carolyn Chelsvig said. “They’ve taken the time to individualize their program and have seen their scores go up and up and up.”
In December 2007, according to a monthly report by Chelsvig, CCHEC candidates scored almost 100 points higher in social studies and reading than the state average. The center’s averages were below the state’s in writing and math by about 50 points. Information was unavailable for CCHEC’s science standings.
Mursko expressed a hope that the numbers of those taking the test will go down while scores go up. “Trying to get the GED is not easy,” she said. “It’s really easier to stay in school and get the diploma than to do the battery of tests.”
She said most students come in for intense tutorials for one or two months before they tackle the GED. They can try for the GED after a pretest and a practice test. Often, candidates begin the testing or tutorials, but do not go on to finish their GED. Last year, 27 out of 48 people received their GED.
When asked why this might be the case, Mursko said lower-income pupils often can’t afford the testing and tutorial fees. However, when they can, they often strive more than medium-income candidates. “The higher the income, the less likely they are to finish,” Mursko said.
With its new goals and new tactics, CCHEC has reached new heights. Of the 27 who earned their GED last year, 23 attained scores that met Hathaway Scholarship targets. Eleven scored 500 or above, enough to meet the opportunity range, which allots $800 per semester. Six hit the honors range at 540 or above, qualifying them for the $1,200 per semester allotment. Another six reached the performance level, scoring 575 or above to earn $1,600 per semester toward college courses.
The figures show increasing scores throughout the past two years. In 2005, CCHEC had 34 who tested with nine of them at the opportunity level, three at honors and another three at performance. The majority of test-takers passed with a score of 499 or below in 2005.
Employee benefits prove beneficial
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Riding the waves of ups and downs in hospital employee health care, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has reached a crest as hospital board members review possible increases to the employees’ premiums or deductibles in the next year.
Facing a series of years of “catastrophic claims” by employees, hospital officials now seek to adjust rates to bring hospital finances back on track. The changes could affect the hospital’s stance as one of the best health care providers in the state, a position it uses for recruitment and hopes to maintain.
“We’ve had some catastrophic claims that have really pushed premium costs to the hospital way up,” Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. She said the claim amounts have been increasing throughout the last few years, with last year marking the pinnacle.
The hospital currently has the “Cadillac plan” of hospital health benefits in the state, Young said. But the hospital has been lucky to be staffed with primarily healthy employees throughout the past few years.
Large claims create an increased risk factor in the eyes of the hospital’s stop-loss carrier, an outside firm that contracts yearly to cover expenses that exceed the hospital’s cap of $60,000 per claim.
Each time a claim goes over the hospital’s predetermined cap, the stop-loss carrier reimburses the hospital accordingly for amounts in excess of $60,000. It simultaneously raises a flag to consider a rate increase for services.
Currently, hospital board members are faced with a rate increase that must be carried over to the employees in the form of either a higher deductible or higher premiums. Health plan payments go up and down, Young said. “The good years with higher premiums pay for the bad years.”
Board members plan to collect employee feedback and incorporate it into their decision. The board hopes to find a solution that maintains the hospital’s position as offering some of the best health coverage in the state for hospital employees. Young said the feedback is scheduled to be delivered at the next board meeting on Feb. 28.
Times staff writer
Riding the waves of ups and downs in hospital employee health care, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has reached a crest as hospital board members review possible increases to the employees’ premiums or deductibles in the next year.
Facing a series of years of “catastrophic claims” by employees, hospital officials now seek to adjust rates to bring hospital finances back on track. The changes could affect the hospital’s stance as one of the best health care providers in the state, a position it uses for recruitment and hopes to maintain.
“We’ve had some catastrophic claims that have really pushed premium costs to the hospital way up,” Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. She said the claim amounts have been increasing throughout the last few years, with last year marking the pinnacle.
The hospital currently has the “Cadillac plan” of hospital health benefits in the state, Young said. But the hospital has been lucky to be staffed with primarily healthy employees throughout the past few years.
Large claims create an increased risk factor in the eyes of the hospital’s stop-loss carrier, an outside firm that contracts yearly to cover expenses that exceed the hospital’s cap of $60,000 per claim.
Each time a claim goes over the hospital’s predetermined cap, the stop-loss carrier reimburses the hospital accordingly for amounts in excess of $60,000. It simultaneously raises a flag to consider a rate increase for services.
Currently, hospital board members are faced with a rate increase that must be carried over to the employees in the form of either a higher deductible or higher premiums. Health plan payments go up and down, Young said. “The good years with higher premiums pay for the bad years.”
Board members plan to collect employee feedback and incorporate it into their decision. The board hopes to find a solution that maintains the hospital’s position as offering some of the best health coverage in the state for hospital employees. Young said the feedback is scheduled to be delivered at the next board meeting on Feb. 28.
County foes clash heads Thursday
Times staff report
The Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Miners clash with the Encampment Tigers Thursday in Hanna to determine seeding for the upcoming regional basketball tournaments.
The girls face off at 4:30 p.m., while the boys hit the court about an hour and a half after the girls finish.
“This game could determine who goes into regionals second or third,” said HEM coach Jackie Jones about the girls game. Encampment lost to Cokeville in Wednesday’s make-up game, putting them just behind the Lady Miners in the standings.
The two teams mirror each other in terms of how they use posts and guards, Jones said. She expects a “good game,” reminiscent of the last. The Miners won by six in the first game.
Clif Jones hopes his boys will shoot the ball as they continue to move beyond the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo. “Sometimes a missed shot is as good as a pass,” Clif Jones said. Then Larson and Palm can get their share of offensive rebounds to go back up for points.
“They are one of the best teams in the state,” Clif Jones said of Encampment. “Last time we played, we were never even in the game with them. They’re going to be the No. 1 seed going in.”
The Miner boys need to win once more before the regular season ends to guarantee they are out of the pigtail game in the regional tournament. Clif Jones is looking toward the team’s final game against Little Snake River Valley for that win. “We won’t know the final order until the last game is played,” Clif Jones said. “We’ve still got a lot of basketball to play.”
The Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Miners clash with the Encampment Tigers Thursday in Hanna to determine seeding for the upcoming regional basketball tournaments.
The girls face off at 4:30 p.m., while the boys hit the court about an hour and a half after the girls finish.
“This game could determine who goes into regionals second or third,” said HEM coach Jackie Jones about the girls game. Encampment lost to Cokeville in Wednesday’s make-up game, putting them just behind the Lady Miners in the standings.
The two teams mirror each other in terms of how they use posts and guards, Jones said. She expects a “good game,” reminiscent of the last. The Miners won by six in the first game.
Clif Jones hopes his boys will shoot the ball as they continue to move beyond the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo. “Sometimes a missed shot is as good as a pass,” Clif Jones said. Then Larson and Palm can get their share of offensive rebounds to go back up for points.
“They are one of the best teams in the state,” Clif Jones said of Encampment. “Last time we played, we were never even in the game with them. They’re going to be the No. 1 seed going in.”
The Miner boys need to win once more before the regular season ends to guarantee they are out of the pigtail game in the regional tournament. Clif Jones is looking toward the team’s final game against Little Snake River Valley for that win. “We won’t know the final order until the last game is played,” Clif Jones said. “We’ve still got a lot of basketball to play.”
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
A political speech the west needs to hear
"One of our most urgent projects is to develop a national energy policy. The United States is the only major industrial country without a comprehensive, long-range energy policy. Our program will emphasize conservation ... solar energy and other renewable energy sources. ... We must face the fact that the energy shortage is permanent. There is no way we can solve it quickly. But if we all cooperate and make modest sacrifices ... we can find ways to adjust."
Imagine those words spoken by the next president shortly after taking office on Jan. 20, 2009, continuing a theme originally established on the campaign trail. The words seem to be aimed directly at Westerners: "If we wait, and do not act, then ... we will feel mounting pressure to plunder the environment. We will have a crash program to build more nuclear plants, strip-mine and burn more coal, and drill more (oil and gas) wells. ... Intense competition will build up among ... the different regions within our own country."
The president concludes: "If you will join me so that we can work together with patriotism and courage, we will again prove that our great nation can lead the world into an age of peace, independence and freedom.
"This difficult effort will be the moral equivalent of war - except that we will be uniting our efforts to build and not destroy."
Inspiring and timely, indeed. But doesn’t it sound kind of familiar? It should. The president who made those speeches did so 30 years ago. His name was... [click here to read full article]
Trapped
Patty was watching PBS earlier tonight. On it, there was a winter advisory notice.
I heard her say, "Janice, come here," as I was working out an overdraft on my Wachovia account. I went in, and I found Patty sitting there with her jaw dropped open in wonder.
"I've never seen this before!" she exclaimed.
Maybe it's because she was on PBS, maybe it's just a crazy storm out there, but either way, it means that I'm trapped here in Rawlins for the night. Not that I need to go anywhere, so it's completely fine, but if I sit back and think about it, I realize just how ridiculous it is to live here.
The other night, I was at a lecture at the local community college. Senator Bill Vasey was speaking on the history of local politics, and he said that a prior Governor Campbell said something along the lines of, "this state is so rich in minerals, it's like a gold mine. But no one is crazy enough to settle in such a harsh climate!"
Well, here you have it. Here I am!
I heard her say, "Janice, come here," as I was working out an overdraft on my Wachovia account. I went in, and I found Patty sitting there with her jaw dropped open in wonder.
"I've never seen this before!" she exclaimed.
Maybe it's because she was on PBS, maybe it's just a crazy storm out there, but either way, it means that I'm trapped here in Rawlins for the night. Not that I need to go anywhere, so it's completely fine, but if I sit back and think about it, I realize just how ridiculous it is to live here.
The other night, I was at a lecture at the local community college. Senator Bill Vasey was speaking on the history of local politics, and he said that a prior Governor Campbell said something along the lines of, "this state is so rich in minerals, it's like a gold mine. But no one is crazy enough to settle in such a harsh climate!"
Well, here you have it. Here I am!
First time...
And, it's the first time none of my by-lines appeared in the paper. Granted, my production was low, and I did have two "staff reports," but it strikes me that I did something wrong...
Senior pinners to be honored SaturdayTimes staff report
Times staff report
Due to road closures, the Outlaw wrestlers missed last weekend’s tournament at Riverton High School.
Now, they are looking ahead to a busy week with a Thursday dual against Torrington and a senior day event at home against Wheatland on Saturday.
The team has finished its conference meets, assistant coach Wes Banta said, and now awaits the state competition on Feb. 22 and 23 in Casper. In the meantime, they are preparing for this week’s upcoming meets.
On Thursday, the Outlaws face Torrington with have a nearly-full lineup.
On Saturday, Outlaw wrestlers Dennis McCaslin and Aaron Steele should be honored at the senior day dual against Wheatland.
Wheatland, one of the better teams in the state, according to Banta, should put on a good show, but shouldn’t overshadow the time set aside to honor this year’s Outlaw seniors who have shown leadership throughout the season.
Due to road closures, the Outlaw wrestlers missed last weekend’s tournament at Riverton High School.
Now, they are looking ahead to a busy week with a Thursday dual against Torrington and a senior day event at home against Wheatland on Saturday.
The team has finished its conference meets, assistant coach Wes Banta said, and now awaits the state competition on Feb. 22 and 23 in Casper. In the meantime, they are preparing for this week’s upcoming meets.
On Thursday, the Outlaws face Torrington with have a nearly-full lineup.
On Saturday, Outlaw wrestlers Dennis McCaslin and Aaron Steele should be honored at the senior day dual against Wheatland.
Wheatland, one of the better teams in the state, according to Banta, should put on a good show, but shouldn’t overshadow the time set aside to honor this year’s Outlaw seniors who have shown leadership throughout the season.
Three swimmers advance to state
Times staff report
The chaos of road closures shook things up in last weekend’s swimming events in Lyman and Gillette.
Arriving in Lyman for the 3A Lyman Invitational, the Outlaw swimmers found themselves up against three 4A teams — Evanston, Green River and Rock Springs — that meant to be in Gillette. Cheyenne Central was scheduled to be at the Lyman meet but instead found themselves at the 4A invitational in Gillette.
Sublette County, Kemmerer, Lyman and Rawlins high schools welcomed the 4A teams into the meet so everyone could get another chance to shave some time as they sought to qualify for the upcoming regional and state meets.
The Outlaws came off the weekend with three more boys qualified to compete in the 3A state meet. Daniel DeMillard joins James Laux in the ranks of the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:33.92. Jacob DiFore also qualified to swim the event last weekend, earning a time of 2:34.45. David Trujillo, with a time of 1:10.29, added himself to the 100-yard backstroke list alongside Laux, Daniel DeMillard and Erick DeMillard.
With more than two weeks remaining before the state meet in Gillette on Feb. 21-23, Outlaw swimmers and divers have qualified in every event except for the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.
The Outlaws compete this weekend in Buffalo at the 3A east conference tournament, where Rawlins is shooting to win its seventh championship.
The chaos of road closures shook things up in last weekend’s swimming events in Lyman and Gillette.
Arriving in Lyman for the 3A Lyman Invitational, the Outlaw swimmers found themselves up against three 4A teams — Evanston, Green River and Rock Springs — that meant to be in Gillette. Cheyenne Central was scheduled to be at the Lyman meet but instead found themselves at the 4A invitational in Gillette.
Sublette County, Kemmerer, Lyman and Rawlins high schools welcomed the 4A teams into the meet so everyone could get another chance to shave some time as they sought to qualify for the upcoming regional and state meets.
The Outlaws came off the weekend with three more boys qualified to compete in the 3A state meet. Daniel DeMillard joins James Laux in the ranks of the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:33.92. Jacob DiFore also qualified to swim the event last weekend, earning a time of 2:34.45. David Trujillo, with a time of 1:10.29, added himself to the 100-yard backstroke list alongside Laux, Daniel DeMillard and Erick DeMillard.
With more than two weeks remaining before the state meet in Gillette on Feb. 21-23, Outlaw swimmers and divers have qualified in every event except for the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.
The Outlaws compete this weekend in Buffalo at the 3A east conference tournament, where Rawlins is shooting to win its seventh championship.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Twin towers' role slows
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Following the girls’ trend of doing the splits during the weekend, the Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow boys basketball team lost to Farson-Eden 48-46 and prevailed against Cokeville, 63-51.
The Farson-Eden game was neck and neck at halftime with the Miners leading by one. HEM managed to pull ahead of Farson-Eden, 41-31, with four minutes left. Thinking the game was won, the Miners lost control in those last four minutes. “They just watched it slip away,” coach Clif Jones said.
Farson-Eden sunk a 3-pointer with six seconds left to tie the game. Each team went to the line for free throws in those final seconds, and Farson-Eden simply came out on top, Jones said.
“Mentally, we weren’t ready to play. It has happened before,” Jones said. He did not blame the road delays. Instead, he said it would be something the team would continue to work on as the regional tournament approaches.
Still, Jones had a good show from a few of his players. Justin Palm went up for 14 points and 11 rebounds. “It was a quiet double-double,” Jones said. “We didn’t really realize he was there at times.”
Charlie George, still making a few freshman mistakes, braved the basket and sunk 12 points for the team. It was his second game in double figures. Mitch Long put up six points while Kalter Blauvelt had four.
The weekend generally saw more balanced shooting from the team. Jones said the Palm-Matt Larson duo has become less of a crutch for the team. They previously put up 50 percent of the baskets and now, their scoring is reduced to 30 percent.
Against Cokeville, the Miners were leading by 13 in the fourth quarter when their opponents stepped it up to close the gap to five. Jones called a time-out, reminding his team that the game wasn’t over. “(HEM) jumped back in there to get back to a 10-point lead,” Jones said.
Palm again led the pack with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The guards and wings successfully got the ball to him so he could work his magic. Larson, with 10 points and 10 boards, and Blauvelt, 11 points and eight rebounds, were close behind Palm. George put up eight points and had six assists.
Ryan Puckett, the 12th man on the bench, stepped onto the court for a few minutes in the first half to help keep the lead players out of foul trouble. He nailed a 3-pointer and left the court with a steal.
“This is the first year we’ve swept Cokeville (since the 1970s),” Jones said. The teams have split for the last three years. Jones hopes the wins reveal a positive trend for the HEM basketball program.
Times staff writer
Following the girls’ trend of doing the splits during the weekend, the Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow boys basketball team lost to Farson-Eden 48-46 and prevailed against Cokeville, 63-51.
The Farson-Eden game was neck and neck at halftime with the Miners leading by one. HEM managed to pull ahead of Farson-Eden, 41-31, with four minutes left. Thinking the game was won, the Miners lost control in those last four minutes. “They just watched it slip away,” coach Clif Jones said.
Farson-Eden sunk a 3-pointer with six seconds left to tie the game. Each team went to the line for free throws in those final seconds, and Farson-Eden simply came out on top, Jones said.
“Mentally, we weren’t ready to play. It has happened before,” Jones said. He did not blame the road delays. Instead, he said it would be something the team would continue to work on as the regional tournament approaches.
Still, Jones had a good show from a few of his players. Justin Palm went up for 14 points and 11 rebounds. “It was a quiet double-double,” Jones said. “We didn’t really realize he was there at times.”
Charlie George, still making a few freshman mistakes, braved the basket and sunk 12 points for the team. It was his second game in double figures. Mitch Long put up six points while Kalter Blauvelt had four.
The weekend generally saw more balanced shooting from the team. Jones said the Palm-Matt Larson duo has become less of a crutch for the team. They previously put up 50 percent of the baskets and now, their scoring is reduced to 30 percent.
Against Cokeville, the Miners were leading by 13 in the fourth quarter when their opponents stepped it up to close the gap to five. Jones called a time-out, reminding his team that the game wasn’t over. “(HEM) jumped back in there to get back to a 10-point lead,” Jones said.
Palm again led the pack with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The guards and wings successfully got the ball to him so he could work his magic. Larson, with 10 points and 10 boards, and Blauvelt, 11 points and eight rebounds, were close behind Palm. George put up eight points and had six assists.
Ryan Puckett, the 12th man on the bench, stepped onto the court for a few minutes in the first half to help keep the lead players out of foul trouble. He nailed a 3-pointer and left the court with a steal.
“This is the first year we’ve swept Cokeville (since the 1970s),” Jones said. The teams have split for the last three years. Jones hopes the wins reveal a positive trend for the HEM basketball program.
Miners 'pick' up win Friday night
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
After a long morning of confinement on school property due to closed roads, the Lady Miners finally breathed open air as they traveled across the state to face Farson-Eden on Friday and Cokeville on Saturday.
In a satisfying 42-24 conference victory against Farson-Eden on Friday night, the Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow girls woke up at halftime. They were sluggish getting off the bus and into the game, coach Jackie Jones said. Going into the half, they were six points ahead. In the last two quarters, they picked up their game to finish 18 points up.
“It was a game where we could move the ball and choose the shots we wanted,” Jones said. It was the team’s first time above 50 percent in free-throw shooting this season. They also had buckets, rebounds and steals from not just one member of the team.
Penny Blauvelt went up for 13 points, five steals and three assists while her teammate Jennifer Korkow sunk 10 points, had five boards and four assists. Amanda Booth bucketed six and pulled down four rebounds and five assists. Kayla Brown led the rebounding pack with six as well as contributing seven points and two steals.
After Friday’s excitement, the girls put on a bad show Saturday against Cokeville, losing 59-27. “They beat us like borrowed mules,” Jones said. “It was our worst game of the year. And I can’t blame it on bus lag.”
Cokeville was clicking on all cylinders with its fast-paced game, Jones said. And her team’s transition defense was sub-par at best. “(The team’s) lack of effort contributed to the loss,” Jones said.
Counteracting the horrific performance as a team were a few individual spotlights. Among the high scoring of Booth, Korkow and Blauvelt was Chelsy Broderick, a sophomore who moved back to the area recently. “She really worked hard defensively,” Jones said. “She’s a firecracker and we needed that on Saturday.”
Times staff writer
After a long morning of confinement on school property due to closed roads, the Lady Miners finally breathed open air as they traveled across the state to face Farson-Eden on Friday and Cokeville on Saturday.
In a satisfying 42-24 conference victory against Farson-Eden on Friday night, the Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow girls woke up at halftime. They were sluggish getting off the bus and into the game, coach Jackie Jones said. Going into the half, they were six points ahead. In the last two quarters, they picked up their game to finish 18 points up.
“It was a game where we could move the ball and choose the shots we wanted,” Jones said. It was the team’s first time above 50 percent in free-throw shooting this season. They also had buckets, rebounds and steals from not just one member of the team.
Penny Blauvelt went up for 13 points, five steals and three assists while her teammate Jennifer Korkow sunk 10 points, had five boards and four assists. Amanda Booth bucketed six and pulled down four rebounds and five assists. Kayla Brown led the rebounding pack with six as well as contributing seven points and two steals.
After Friday’s excitement, the girls put on a bad show Saturday against Cokeville, losing 59-27. “They beat us like borrowed mules,” Jones said. “It was our worst game of the year. And I can’t blame it on bus lag.”
Cokeville was clicking on all cylinders with its fast-paced game, Jones said. And her team’s transition defense was sub-par at best. “(The team’s) lack of effort contributed to the loss,” Jones said.
Counteracting the horrific performance as a team were a few individual spotlights. Among the high scoring of Booth, Korkow and Blauvelt was Chelsy Broderick, a sophomore who moved back to the area recently. “She really worked hard defensively,” Jones said. “She’s a firecracker and we needed that on Saturday.”
Not everyone likes four-day weeks
Another front-pager... this one caused a bunch of controversy and some phone calls... guess I'm doing my job...!
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
With the deadline for the Carbon County District 2 schedule surveys nearing, the battle over four- and five-day weeks rages on in the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow schools.
Hanna Elementary School educators Kim Besel, a first-grade teacher, and Nancy Allen, a second-grade teacher, both dislike the four-day school week. They stand with virtually all of their colleagues — kindergarten, first-, second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teachers — who all oppose the four-day week, Besel said.
Zack Scott, the physical education and computers teacher at Hanna Elementary School who also acts as assistant coach to the high school basketball team, admitted that he stands alone in his personal enjoyment of the shorter week. “In the classrooms, I’m guessing it would be better to have the five day. That’s what my colleagues tell me anyway,” he said.
Besel said that both of the Elk Mountain Elementary School teachers are against the four-day schedule. Her colleagues at Medicine Bow Elementary School “are flexible,” she said.
The major concerns of those opposing the four-day week include the time crunch in delivering curriculum, the idea of sports taking precedence over academics and schedules that are not cohesive between elementary and secondary schools. The teachers added to the list the fact that, despite promises to the contrary, some scheduled events still take students out of class on days other than Fridays. Besel also said she worries “about kids who do not have parents around to spend time with them.”
When the rest of the country is increasing instructional time, according to Besel, she finds it strange that District 2 schools are reducing it. She said the four-and-a-half-day week the elementary schools currently functions under is acceptable, but curriculum modifications still must be made. The elementary math teachers have adopted a new curriculum that is adapted to a five-day week and find it difficult to squeeze it into the four and a half days they are provided.
What about teachers who are accountable to the state to reach certain proficiency levels? Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow High School boys basketball coach Clif Jones, also a social studies teacher at HEM, said he is still on target. “I have been able to adapt,” he said.
When asked about the remedial help and enrichment time offered on Fridays in place of class time, Besel said there is none at the elementary level. “And my understanding is that few do take advantage of that Friday help in the high school,” she said.
HEM girls basketball coach and special education instructor Jackie Jones said the high school’s “Lights On” remedial help and enrichment program is well attended.
As a coach, Jones encourages her team to attend Friday programs when they are not traveling. “I’ve had 100-percent turnout each time I’ve asked them to show up,” she said. “It has helped some of the girls stay eligible.” Some students take part in peer tutoring, some work with teachers and others use it as homework time or for study groups, she said.
On the other hand, Douglas Allen, an HEM math teacher who is also accountable to the state, feels he needs the class time. According to him, the Friday remediation has largely turned into field trips such as ice fishing, bowling and skiing among other activities. Admittedly a minority amongst his colleagues at the high school, he stands firm in his dislike of the four-day week.
“Something’s got to give,” Allen said. “I do the best with the time I’ve got.” Admitting the negative impact on students who miss class time due to activities, Allen believes the school board should have picked high-impact Fridays as the days off. Under this plan, school could continue on the Fridays when most students are available.
Jackie Jones spoke of the benefit to her special education students who tire easily both mentally and physically. “Having one more day for them to recuperate is truly beneficial,” she said.
Yet on the elementary level, Brandi Silas, president of the Hanna Elementary School parent-teacher association, spoke of the difficulty of getting young children back on track after three days off. “It’s already hard enough to get them back after two,” she said.
The consensus among the elementary school teachers is that the younger children shouldn’t be taken away from academics because high school sports are being made a priority. “I’m not against sports,” Silas said, “but I am against losing out on education for sports.”
Clif Jones believes the four-day schedule is best for students right now, especially those active in sports and activities.
He mentioned one of his players, Justin Palm, who participates in three sports as well as various activities. “I could not guess how many days he missed last year,” Clif Jones said. “But this year he has not missed any for athletics.” Jones said he would have missed six days already this year, but with the new schedule, Palm has missed none.
Scott likes the idea of the four-day week so he does not have to miss as much class time to join Clif Jones on basketball road trips. “I have been gone from the classroom,” he said. With the travel, he has been forced to modify his curriculum. His counselor regularly teaches health class on Fridays when Scott is not in attendance. “We have not lost contact hours; we have just squeezed it all together,” Scott said.
Regardless of their opinions of what school week should be adopted, most of those interviewed agreed that the school schedule should be the same in each town, if not across the district.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
With the deadline for the Carbon County District 2 schedule surveys nearing, the battle over four- and five-day weeks rages on in the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow schools.
Hanna Elementary School educators Kim Besel, a first-grade teacher, and Nancy Allen, a second-grade teacher, both dislike the four-day school week. They stand with virtually all of their colleagues — kindergarten, first-, second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teachers — who all oppose the four-day week, Besel said.
Zack Scott, the physical education and computers teacher at Hanna Elementary School who also acts as assistant coach to the high school basketball team, admitted that he stands alone in his personal enjoyment of the shorter week. “In the classrooms, I’m guessing it would be better to have the five day. That’s what my colleagues tell me anyway,” he said.
Besel said that both of the Elk Mountain Elementary School teachers are against the four-day schedule. Her colleagues at Medicine Bow Elementary School “are flexible,” she said.
The major concerns of those opposing the four-day week include the time crunch in delivering curriculum, the idea of sports taking precedence over academics and schedules that are not cohesive between elementary and secondary schools. The teachers added to the list the fact that, despite promises to the contrary, some scheduled events still take students out of class on days other than Fridays. Besel also said she worries “about kids who do not have parents around to spend time with them.”
When the rest of the country is increasing instructional time, according to Besel, she finds it strange that District 2 schools are reducing it. She said the four-and-a-half-day week the elementary schools currently functions under is acceptable, but curriculum modifications still must be made. The elementary math teachers have adopted a new curriculum that is adapted to a five-day week and find it difficult to squeeze it into the four and a half days they are provided.
What about teachers who are accountable to the state to reach certain proficiency levels? Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow High School boys basketball coach Clif Jones, also a social studies teacher at HEM, said he is still on target. “I have been able to adapt,” he said.
When asked about the remedial help and enrichment time offered on Fridays in place of class time, Besel said there is none at the elementary level. “And my understanding is that few do take advantage of that Friday help in the high school,” she said.
HEM girls basketball coach and special education instructor Jackie Jones said the high school’s “Lights On” remedial help and enrichment program is well attended.
As a coach, Jones encourages her team to attend Friday programs when they are not traveling. “I’ve had 100-percent turnout each time I’ve asked them to show up,” she said. “It has helped some of the girls stay eligible.” Some students take part in peer tutoring, some work with teachers and others use it as homework time or for study groups, she said.
On the other hand, Douglas Allen, an HEM math teacher who is also accountable to the state, feels he needs the class time. According to him, the Friday remediation has largely turned into field trips such as ice fishing, bowling and skiing among other activities. Admittedly a minority amongst his colleagues at the high school, he stands firm in his dislike of the four-day week.
“Something’s got to give,” Allen said. “I do the best with the time I’ve got.” Admitting the negative impact on students who miss class time due to activities, Allen believes the school board should have picked high-impact Fridays as the days off. Under this plan, school could continue on the Fridays when most students are available.
Jackie Jones spoke of the benefit to her special education students who tire easily both mentally and physically. “Having one more day for them to recuperate is truly beneficial,” she said.
Yet on the elementary level, Brandi Silas, president of the Hanna Elementary School parent-teacher association, spoke of the difficulty of getting young children back on track after three days off. “It’s already hard enough to get them back after two,” she said.
The consensus among the elementary school teachers is that the younger children shouldn’t be taken away from academics because high school sports are being made a priority. “I’m not against sports,” Silas said, “but I am against losing out on education for sports.”
Clif Jones believes the four-day schedule is best for students right now, especially those active in sports and activities.
He mentioned one of his players, Justin Palm, who participates in three sports as well as various activities. “I could not guess how many days he missed last year,” Clif Jones said. “But this year he has not missed any for athletics.” Jones said he would have missed six days already this year, but with the new schedule, Palm has missed none.
Scott likes the idea of the four-day week so he does not have to miss as much class time to join Clif Jones on basketball road trips. “I have been gone from the classroom,” he said. With the travel, he has been forced to modify his curriculum. His counselor regularly teaches health class on Fridays when Scott is not in attendance. “We have not lost contact hours; we have just squeezed it all together,” Scott said.
Regardless of their opinions of what school week should be adopted, most of those interviewed agreed that the school schedule should be the same in each town, if not across the district.
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