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Show The Garfield County Insider Page 2 November 12, 2009 ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS LETTER FROM Dear Parents, We're defined by what we pass on to the next generation. Let me assure you that the employees of Garfield County School District are working harder than ever to make sure our students have a wonderful year. We are making great efforts to work together, solve problems and look for solutions to the financial situation we are facing. All you have to do is look around, watch the evening news or talk with your family and friends to realize that most of us have been affected by the steep financial loss that has brought us to our own current economic downturn. Despite this pervasive sense of dread, I do not believe we should panic, but make careful decisions and chart a course that will continue to ensure that our children are well prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead of them. Last year the State of Utah, along with almost every other state, was hit with' a large shortfall, and was unable to fund education at the projected allocations. The Federal Government enacted "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" CARRA), which allocated funding sources to help the states backfill funding to each school district. The ARRA funding for the 2008-2009 school year was $566,024.00, these funds replaced the funding which had been allocated by the state. Because of the sharp economic decline, the state was unable to fund the projected allocations. This year, 2009-2010 the ARRA will fund at a rate of $335,613.00. This will be the last year of the backfill funding from the federal government stabilization funds. The State Board of Education voted a board action for "Local Flexibility for the 2009-2010 Calendar." This action was to help provide additional flexibility to local school boards of education in this current difficult financial climate. The Board's action allows the reduction of five instructional days. The Garfield County School District Board of Education voted and approved cutting five days of instruction in open board meeting on September 17,2009. Every employee in the district will take a cut in pay that will save district funds that can be used to retain programs and personnel. The instructional time in our schools is well over the state required 990 hours of instruction. Even with the fiveday cut in contact time, all elementary schools are over the 990 hours and the secondary schools are only five and 1/2 minutes from the 990. Our educators have always taught longer than the required instructional time. The five days approved by the board are: *November 16th, *November 30th, *March 31st, *April 6th, *May 28th . Schools will be closed on these five days across the district. The board approved coaches to hold limited practices on these days. Students cannot be required to attend practice and should not be penalized if they do not attend. For nearly a decade I have worked with curriculum, data and professional development in Garfield County School District. My focus has been quality instruction and student achievement. We have worked relentlessly to improve the level of instruction and target the need as identified for each student. Our schools are among the very best in the state and the nation. We have reason to celebrate the gains in student proficiency that the entire educational family has worked so hard and for so long to achieve. Last year a high percentage of Utah High School Students passed the exit exam; Utah Basic Skills Competency Test. 82% of Utah’s seniors passed the test. The BSCT consists of three sections: writing, reading and math. Last year the math section proved to be the toughest for Utah students, 7% of the seniors failed the math section of the exam. 1% failed the reading portion and less than 2 % failed the writing portion. Garfield County School District had 100% of our seniors pass the UBSCT. Students in Garfield County School District are high achievers on the end of level tests: CRT’s. The following table compares the percent of students proficient in the State of Utah with the percent of students proficient in Garfield School District. Content Test State % of Garfield % of Students Students Proficient Proficient Language Arts 78% 85.20 % Science 64.83% 70.35% Math 71.42% 84.32% It is my hope that we will all listen to each other, take time to learn the facts of each situation and recognize that the decisions we will need to make over the next few months will be hard and will in some cases not only affect programs but our employees. Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for the opportunity to work with your children. Please help us this year, read with your child, help with assignments, attend activities and take time to listen and talk with your child everyday. “Together we can achieve the impossible”~Helen Keller Thank you, Janice B. Hatch School Board Meets Nov. 19th The Garfield County School District has scheuled its monthly board meeting for Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Bryce Valley High School. Board agendas are posted on Utah’s Public Notice Weblsite ( http://www.utah.gov/pmn/ index.html ) and at various locations throughout the County. Meetings generally consist of business, administrative and executive items from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and general items from 6:00 pm until the meeting adjourns. Standard items include reports from board members and school administrators, public comments and an open forum regarding education. The public is encouraged to participate. Additional information can be obtained by contacting a local board member, the School District office, or your local school. PANGUITCH SWIMMING POOL HOURS OPEN SWIM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6-8 pm • Saturdays: 2-4pm LAP SWIM Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6-7 am Tuesday: 6:30 - 7:30 pm Thursday: 5-6 pm Saturday: 8 - 9 am SWIM TEAM Tuesday & Thursday: 3:15 - 4:30 pm WEDDINGS Protsman ~ Sell Mark and Debby Illian of Hatch, Utah are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Brooke Noel Protsman to Matthew Michael Sell. The two joined their hearts and lives in marriage on October 16, 2009 at White Stone Community Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The ceremony was followed by a beautiful reception with family and friends at the Dousman Lions Club. Brooke and Matthew were pleased to have many family members and friends from out of town at the wedding. They took a short honeymoon to Door County, Wisconsin the weekend following the wedding and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors on the peninsula. Brooke is employed by the Lake Mills School District as a Kindergarten teacher. Matthew is employed by Knueppel Healthcare Services as a service technician. The couple resides in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and they are enjoying their new life together. womens Stargazing Program Escalante Petrified Forest State Park health Friday, November 13 • 7 p.m. issues DISCUSSION Phase II Center for Women’s Health of St. George, will be holding free discussions on every Wednesday during the lunch hour. Bring your lunch and join us from 12:10-12:50 for a discussion regarding important issues for a woman. They will be held at 230 N. 1680 E., Building I-2 by Renee Grandieri, MS, APN. • November 18th: Aesthetic update: Botox, Juvederm and more! • November 26th: Bone Health-prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis. If you have any questions, Please call us at 435627-2978 Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with an evening of stargazing. Join the park naturalist on a tour through the galaxy as we search for planets, constellations and other celestial wonders. Dress warmly and bring folding chairs or blankets. Hot drinks will be served. Meet at the Escalante State Park Visitor Center located at 710 North Reservoir Road. |