CASPER, Wyo. — Hundreds of Wyoming youth across 54 teams filled the Ford Wyoming Center on Saturday morning to face off in the FIRST LEGO League Masterpiece Championship. Andre Moyd, program specialist for the Natrona County School District and activities facilitator for FIRST Wyoming, said the turnout of teams is the biggest the competition has […]
Education
Posted inEducation
Tribal school officials, lawmakers sketch out performance gap solutions
by Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile FORT WASHAKIE—Wyoming can support tribal schools on the Wind River Indian Reservation with funds for additional language teachers and counselors, substance abuse programs, early childhood education and mental health needs, district superintendents told legislators Friday. The mental health piece, “I’m sure it would resonate across the state of Wyoming in many different […]
Posted inEducation
Public funds for private schools? Lawmakers advance ‘education savings account’ bill
by Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile A measure to create “education savings accounts” using state funds for parents to pay for costs associated with their children’s preschool education or non-public-school expenses is headed to the legislative session, despite concerns it may not be constitutional. The Legislature’s Joint Education Committee advanced the bill on Wednesday. Under the measure, Wyoming parents whose […]
Posted inEducation
Degenfelder issues library book guidance: Here’s what’s in it
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Education released on Wednesday its school district guidance for shaping policies related to library books. It comes as districts are increasingly contending with book challenges from parents concerned about mature or explicit topics. Lacking legal teeth, the guidance is intended as a resource rather than a requirement, Wyoming […]
Posted inWyoming
Amid teacher exodus, Wyoming eyes $68M to cover rising K-12 costs
by Tennessee Watson, WyoFile Teacher pay in Wyoming has seen little growth over the last decade, leaving educators struggling to keep pace with inflation, which spiked in 2021 and has remained high since. The number of teachers leaving the field has also spiked. At 12% this year, the teacher exit rate is at the highest level […]
Posted inWyoming
State education agency will wade into book battles, Degenfelder tells Congress
by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile The Wyoming Department of Education will formally step into the ongoing battle over library books next month when it releases guidance and model policies to local school districts. “I respect local control in government including authority of books and curriculum by locally elected school boards,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder told the U.S. […]
Posted inLocal Schools
NCSD reports performance ratings for last academic year
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County School District recently unveiled its school performance designations at the Natrona County School District Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 23. These ratings, a pivotal element of the Wyoming Accountability in Education Act, or WAEA, serve as the primary measure for the NCSD High Expectations Goal, according to the […]
Posted inArts
‘Spark! Places of Innovation’ set to ignite Wyoming’s rich history next year
CASPER, Wyo. — Smithsonian’s “Spark! Places of Innovation” is set to light up Wyoming. Wyoming Humanities recently unveiled six selected sites for the exhibition’s statewide tour. A Smithsonian Showcase in Wyoming’s Heart The Smithsonian Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program, dedicated to delivering top-notch tours to U.S. towns, backs the “Spark! Places of Innovation” initiative. […]
Posted inEducation
Congress grapples with explicit content debate in school libraries
CASPER, Wyo. — Megan Degenfelder, the elected state superintendent of public instruction for Wyoming, testified before Congress Oct. 19, highlighting the need to shield children from explicit content in school libraries. The testimony was given at a House Committee on Education & the Workforce meeting titled “Protecting Kids: Combatting Graphic, Explicit Content in School Libraries.” […]
Posted inWyoming
Out-of-state anti-trans group stages protest at UW sorority
by Joshua Wolfson, September 29, 2023 Three out-of-state activists placed flyers and rocks with discriminatory statements Thursday evening near a University of Wyoming sorority that made history last year by becoming the first to admit a transgender woman, police and LGBTQ advocates said. University police responded near the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house after the three […]
Posted inEducation
Daniels Scholarship Program application now open
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Daniels Fund has opened the application process for the Daniels Scholarship Program, providing opportunities for students looking to pursue their higher education dreams. Wyoming high school seniors are encouraged to apply to become a 2024 Daniels Scholar online here by 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 to be considered for the scholarship. The Daniels Scholarship […]
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Mini KEY Camp offers unique learning experience for Natrona County fifth graders
CASPER, Wyo. — Casper College will host “Mini KEY Camp,” a day-long enrichment opportunity for fifth graders in Natrona County, on Monday, Oct. 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., according to a news release by Casper College. The camp — which includes lunch, dinner and snacks — will take place at the Casper College […]
Posted inSports
Kelly Walsh High School looks to add batting cages with $5,000 donation
CASPER, Wyo. — Kelly Walsh High School recently received a donation of $5,000 from John and Cindy Farrell. The intent behind the donation is to contribute toward the purchase of two indoor batting cage mounting and netting systems for the school’s softball team, according to a memo provided to the Natrona County School District Board […]
Posted inEducation
Pineview Elementary awaits approval for edible garden grant
CASPER, Wyo. — Pineview Elementary School has secured a $3,000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation, a sum that’s currently awaiting the nod from the Natrona County School District Board of Trustees. The grant’s purpose is to initiate an in-class edible garden, aimed at educating students about life cycles, sustainability and consumer and distribution dynamics. […]
Posted inEducation
Empowerment, leadership, community: Kiwanis International’s Key Leader event comes to Casper
CASPER, Wyo. — This September, the Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp on Casper Mountain prepares to host a leadership event for high school students from Wyoming, Colorado and western Nebraska. Empowering the Next Generation From Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. to Sept. 24 at 11 a.m., high school students will gather for the Key Leader […]
Posted inEvents
Palestinian Christian scholar to speak on Middle East issues at Wheeler Concert Hall
CASPER, Wyo. — Middle East specialist, biblical scholar and author Peter Sabella will discuss “The Middle East: A Crisis of Identity” at Wheeler Concert Hall on Monday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., according to a news release by Casper College. Sabella, a Palestinian Christian from Jerusalem, offers a unique dual perspective as both a Palestinian […]
Posted inEducation
(PHOTOS) NCSD students and Lions Club collaborate to complete Casper Mountain bridge project
CASPER, Wyo. — A remarkable project that showcased creativity, teamwork and technical expertise came to fruition over the summer as a group of Natrona County School District students and staff joined forces with the Casper Mountain Lions Club to design and construct an upper bridge for the Casper Mountain Lee McCune Braille Trail, according to […]
Posted inEvents
Casper College to host seminar on artificial intelligence
CASPER, Wyo. — As industries either embrace or battle AI technology, Casper College is taking on the topic at this year’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The theme of the event is “AI: A Fork in the Road, Navigating Turns in the Tech.” All seminar events are free and open to […]
Posted inEducation
NCSD examines attendance and interventions for 2022–23 school year
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County School District Board of Trustees received a report on attendance data for the 2022–23 school year during its meeting Aug. 28. The report indicates that the overall attendance rates remain consistent with the previous academic year. According to the report, the total attendance rate of 89.9% for the 2022–23 […]
Posted inCommunity
Boys and Girls Club to help elementary students with financial literacy
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County School District Board of Trustees approved a contract with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming at its board meeting Aug. 28. In an effort to equip elementary students with fundamental financial literacy skills, the Natrona County School District has had a contract with the Boys and Girls […]
Posted inEducation
Centennial students visit Disneyland with $5,000 donation
CASPER, Wyo. — Centennial Middle School received a $5,000 donation from the McMurry Foundation to send 20 eighth-grade students to Disneyland, where they attended the “Where Everybody Belongs” seminar, according to a memo prepared for the Natrona County District Board of Trustees. Although the students have already gone, the Board of Trustees is expected to […]
Posted inWyoming
Judge dismisses lawsuit against UW sorority, transgender sister
A 72-page complaint against Artemis Langford and Kappa Kappa Gamma failed to adequately state a claim, according to the ruling.
Posted inEducation
CyberWyoming’s student challenge focuses on safeguarding internet-connected medical devices
CASPER, Wyo. — CyberWyoming Alliance has announced a challenge aimed at students in grades 6–12 to enhance their understanding of internet-connected medical devices and their protection. The initiative aims to promote cybersecurity awareness and equip Wyoming’s youth with valuable employability skills. The third annual Cyber-In-A-Box School Video Challenge focuses on the subject of medical internet […]
