Washakie County school districts see changes before year starts

WORLAND – This week students all over Washakie County will be kicking off their 2018-19 school year.

Tuesday, Worland Middle School holds an orientation for sixth-graders and new students at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, South Side is holding a New Year’s Eve party where students are welcome to go to the school and join in activities such as putting their supplies away, becoming acquainted with the school and their teachers, and even doing a treasure hunt to help them become more familiar with the school.

This year, both the Worland High School (WHS) and Worland Middle School (WMS) are experiencing new class times which will alter everyone’s school schedules. WMS will now start classes at 8:05 a.m. and go until 3:30 p.m., WHS is extending their time from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for every day except for Thursday, in which they will have their late start and will start classes at 8:15. The elementary schools will remain the same with starting at 8:10 and ending at 3:15.

For Ten Sleep, school starts Wednesday, Aug. 22. There has been no time changes to the schedule, and Washakie County School District No. 2 students will continue to start their school days at 7:58 a.m. Monday through Thursday and end at 3:15 p.m., and start at 7:58 a.m. and go until 12:58 p.m. on Friday.

Lunch prices will remain the same for the Ten Sleep school with a price of $2 for grades kindergarten through sixth, and $2.50 for seventh through 12th.

New Security Measures

Washakie county schools have taken a step forward with new security measures and new changes.

According to Washakie County School District No. 1 Superintendent David Nicholas, there have been ongoing discussions with the school board over topics such as hiring architectural firms to add new safety features to the schools such as resistant glass, metal detectors, and double entry securities.

The board has discussed hiring full time school resource officers, and is still considering the idea of allowing staff to conceal carry. No decisions have been made.

A new addition to this year’s security is ALICE Training. According to the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) website, ALICE training instructor classes provide preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder, or active shooter event.

ALICE Training teaches individuals how to handle attacks, whether it be by an individual person or groups of people. ALICE training is said to provide options and classes that address the unique challenges specific to public areas such as schools, healthcare facilities, businesses and more.

According to Nicholas, ALICE training has been done in most Wyoming school districts, and is being used to train school staff and officers.

Aside from ALICE training, Nicholas is also guiding the schools through a more proactive system when it comes to students being a possible danger to themselves.

The schools are now more actively promoting and encouraging both parents and students alike who “see something, to say something.”

“This is probably a small thing, but the most profound thing, is that for all of us as teachers, educators, everyone that’s in our community – not just in the school community, but even parents, if you see something, you have to say something,” Nicholas said. “You know, if we have a student who is struggling for whatever reason, whether it be struggling with issues in their lives who need more support for mental health, or whatever, we need to get them some help. It’s the notion that any problem is all of our problem.”

“Our town and our school will be as safe as we want it to be and we work together to make it that way,” Nicholas said.

He added, “As we meet with our law enforcement, Chief Gabe Elliott and Sheriff Steve Rakness, they say the most comforting thing I know of. They say that these schools are the center of our towns. When school is in session, that’s where the life of the town is – it’s in every one of those five attendant centers. They’re still doing those unannounced walk-throughs and they are so good to us. They support us in a really neat way. I’m really thankful for them, and that they do that.

“The front of all safety is that we’re looking around and taking care of one another, and if we have a kid who’s emotionally or mentally getting into a place that’s not healthy, we need to help them get into a spot in their thinking and in their emotional health so they don’t continue down that path.”

Recently, they’ve had their staff also go through Olweus anti bullying training. Nicholas hopes this will also help students who are having a rough time mentally, and who are being treated unfairly. “We want to help them before they get resentful and angry, and we just want to take care of our kids,” he said.

If a parent or student takes notice of a student who may be reaching a bad state, Nicholas encourages them to tell someone, whether it be a building official – a teacher, or a counselor, anyone who can help the student reach a healthy state.

Students who notice this also may contact Safe2Tell, in which they will be able to submit reports anonymously. According to Nicholas, it’s seen as a great resource for those who don’t feel comfortable or are unsure about telling an adult.

According to their website, Safe2Tell reminds students that telling isn’t snitching, and that telling is when you need to keep yourself or someone you know safe from threats, harmful behaviors or dangerous situations.

The confidentiality of all Safe2Tell Wyoming reports is protected by Wyoming state law.

The hotline is open 24/7. The calls are free, as well. However, for students who may feel uncomfortable with phone calls, they have other options such as submitting a web-tip, or downloading the Safe2Tell mobile app. Those who want to make a report can call 1-844-996-7233.