The Torrington Telegram | Student representatives discuss the importance of activities

TORRINGTON — The Goshen County School District Board discussed the benefits of extracurricular activities at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Student representatives on the council presented information from their schools on why students believe extracurricular activities improve their education.

Klacie Groene of Torrington High School (THS) said 62% of boys and 68% of girls in the school participate in extracurricular activities. Groene said he surveyed 36 students, as 63% believed their grades had improved due to their participation in extracurricular activities.

“The correlation of grades and participation is there among the student body,” Groene said. “Students love participating in activities to experience equality. They want to surpass, not just participate.

Groene also said that most freshmen aren’t aware of the activities available in high school.

Kamryn Rafferty of Lingle-Fort Laramie High School said she asked her coaches why they liked coaching.

A coach said she loves teaching students and that sports help students get involved in something bigger than themselves.

Rafferty said 42 out of 46 boys participate in an extracurricular activity. Rafferty added that being a student athlete first requires being a student.

Southeast High School’s Alex McIntyre sent out a survey to his classmates that asked if participating in extracurricular activities influenced attendance. 21 respondents said yes while eight said no. McIntyre also asked if there was an increase in school spirit when participating in extracurricular activities. 13 answered yes.

“School spirit is one of those things if you don’t really have it, school spirit, you don’t go to a lot of extracurricular activities,” McIntyre said.

Students who participated in the survey also said that more freshmen needed to be recruited to increase extracurricular participation.

Superintendent Ryan Kramer said student representatives have done a great job using school data for their reports.

In a public forum, Valley Christian principal Crystal Woehlecke asked the board to approve the action to allow Valley Christian students to participate in sports with Torrington Middle School (TMS) . Woehlecke said it’s like homeschooling because students have choices and she sees it as a partnership between private and public schools.

The board has approved Valley Christian students to participate in middle school sports with the district.

During Routine Proceedings, the board approved District Policy 3381 (Student and Staff Memorials) at second and final reading, District Policy 3651.1 (Receipts and Admissions) at second and final reading, revisions to the District Policy 4150.5/4241 (Military Leave) Second and Final Reading. and Final Reading and Revisions and Retitle of District Policy 4119.5/4219/5156 (Sexual Harassment) at Second and Final Reading.

In new business, the board approved the reinstatement of District Policy 5113 (Student Attendance). Administrator Carlos Saucedo proposed an amendment to also add parents as responsible for student absences in elementary and middle school cases where children often do not have full control over whether or not they will attend school. , which was approved by the board.

The board also approved the offer of Eldon Hubbard a contract as Acting Director at THS offering contracts to Gabriel Skaria as a behavioral interventionist at THS, Lana Swingholm as a special education teacher at Trail Elementary, Browynn Larsen as an elementary school teacher at Lincoln and Meghan Shimic as a special education teacher at Lincoln for the 2022-23 school year.

The board also approved the resignations of District Transition Coordinator Steve Zimmerman and THS English Teacher Stacey Bergeson, revisions to District Policy 4300/5100 (Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Procedure) during the introduction and first reading, updated GCSD #1 Smart Start Plan, intergovernmental agreement with the City of Torrington and Torrington Police Department for School Resource Officers through 2025, contract with SHI for the district’s Microsoft license renewal for $26,300, a contract with STAR Autism Support Inc. for professional development services and online resources for $17,145, a contract with Brooke Larson LLC for behavior counseling services autism for $65,000, a contract with Sources of Strength for professional development services for TMS and THS staff for $11,000, a contract with Tiny EYE Therapy services for teletherapy services for $116,000, renewing district and building student intervention programs, adding ams high school girl wrestling program at district high schools, adding cross country programs -country to college in district colleges, renewing annual maintenance agreement with Long Mechanical Solutions for $24,950, contracting with Boiler Freak LLC for two replacement PK boilers at TMS, contracting with ATI Restoration Services in the Southeast Automotive and Timber Buildings for $360,889, subcontracting with Tobin and Associates for architectural services in Southeast Automotive and Timber Buildings, student textbooks for the 2022 school year- 23 and authorizing the District Business Manager to pay year-end invoices by June 30.

An item relating to the practice and process of use of the neurofeedback tool by guidance counselors was postponed to the next meeting.

The approved consent program also included the WDE Grant for Homeless Children and Youth of $47,973.77, a special education contract with Wyoming Child and Family Development Inc for GCSD #1 to provide vocational assessment services , occupational therapy and consultation by an occupational therapist, a contract renewal with Follett School Solutions for the Destiny library

Software for $6,712.65, purchase of additional Eureka2 Elementary Math Textbooks and Teacher’s Editions from Great Minds for $4,591.28, purchase of additional Eureka2 Elementary Math Manipulatives from Didaz Incorporated for a total of $2 $708.65, special education contracts with Tuna Lindberg House in Caoser fir residential services not to exceed $27,261 and student day programs not to exceed $6,885 from September 6 to December 31 and special education contracts with Overtures of Longmont, Colorado for residential services must not exceed $52,134 and student day programs must not exceed $18,765 from July 1 through November 30.

During the superintendent’s report, Kramer provided an update on Title IX investigative and legal work as well as the May student enrollment report. Kramer said there will be a full year registration report at the next meeting.

Kramer also said there has been a decrease in positive drug tests this year to 10 out of 477 tests.

At the end of his report, Kramer responded to claims that the district did not have an active shooter plan, which was brought up during public comments.

“We have things in place to prevent them,” Kramer said. “Doing and accusing the school of not having a plan is dangerous and inaccurate.”

Kramer added that it wasn’t perfect and they were still reviewing it and working on it to make it better. Kramer also said he has an open door policy for anyone with questions and concerns.

The next regular meeting is July 12 at 7 p.m.