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Newspaper Archive of
News Letter Journal
Newcastle, Wyoming
March 12, 2015     News Letter Journal
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March 12, 2015
 
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10 -- March 12, 2015 / editor@newslj.co &apos;i By Denlce Pisciotti NLJ Reporter This week i third through fifth graders at" Newcastle Elementary School, and all of the students at Newcastle Middle School will begin taking the Proficiency Assessment for Wyoming Students, the state test used to determine proficiency of students, teachers and schools. Elementary students will be testing this week in the morn- ings, and hope to be wrapped up next week. Middle school stu- dents will begin testing Thurs. * Be a good listener. Listen to the directions given by the teacher. * Read and follow the directions in the test booklet. * Answer each item care- fully. PAWS is not timed, so take as much time as you need. * Fill in the circles darkly and neatly. * Completely erase answers if you change your mind. * Trust your instincts, your first choice is usually the right answer. and Fri., and plan to finish more " than a week later, on Mon. & Tues., March 23 and 24. On Monday, NES students were encouraged to be prepared for the test with a show featuring strobe lights, music and dancing. Special guest DJ Diamond Dee provided a fun assembly to help motivate students and get them excited for the exams. The students entered the NES gymnasium accompanied by the song, "Everything is Awesome." Dressed in a wig and amusing attire, Principal Brandy Holmes reminded the students they have the skills necessary to succeed, and assured them they just need to do what they know how to do. Several times during the assembly the students were told they were awesome, & were encouraged to do their best on the important test. Officials are asking that the students receive support from home as well. "Families can help their kiddos by making sure they get good sleep & breakfast, & that they are here. If they have to make that up, it's a bit Stressful for them. Just to be supportive, ask them how did it go today? Encourage them to do their best, but try not to put added pressure on them," stated Holmes. Last week, a bright yellow letter was sent home to elemen- tary school parents informing Denice Pisciotti/NLJ :. DJ Diamond Dee sets the stage for keeping a PAWS-itive attitude during the upcoming PAWS testing during the : kick-off Monday morning at Newcastle Elementary School. ,i them when the PAWS test would be taken, and how they can help their children perform well on the assessment. Educators are quick to point out that the state assessment is important, but doesn't represent the total picture when it comes to their child's education. "It's one snap shot in the big picture of things. That is what I always try to remind parents and teachers. It is one piece of the big puzzle, even though they (State of Wyoming) do give us big accountability for it," revealed Holmes. To make testing easier at NMS, the science portion will be given to students this week on Thurs. and Fri.. At the end of the day on Friday, March 20, they will have their PAWS kick-off assembly. On Mon. and Tues., March 23 & 24 the students will complete the reading and math portion of the assessment. NMS Councilor Eileen Vickers is the building coordi- nator for PAWS, and each year she enjoys picking a theme for the assembly to help encourage kids to do their best on the test. "It will be fun and entertaining for the kids" reassured Vickers. She also iterated it is impor- tant for students to get a good night's sleep, and not argue or be disagreeable because it distracts them. She has also encouraged students eat a good breakfast and to relax and not ,ll! stress because they have already,. learned what they need to know,,, "It seems like a biggie, and it is a biggie, but to them it J shouldn't be because they know, this stuff. It is just a multiple, choice test. The right answem! are there. They just have to think about it. Eliminate the ones they know aren't the answer, double check and read carefullyi because some of them (quest). tions) may try to trick them,", she recommended. '., P ) Celebrating three decades of learning as Christians::i By Denlce Plsclotti NLJ Reporter To celebrate 30 years of educating children, Newcastle Christian Academy is inviting the community to a dinner and auction at the Weston County Fairgrounds Youth Exhibit Hall on Saturday, March 14. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner of sloppy joes, chips, salad, drink and dessert will be served at 6 p.m. for $5 a plate. Proceeds will benefit the School. "I want everybody in town to come to the auction!" announced Colter Franklin, a kin- dergarten student• A couple of other students attempted to count how many people that would represent, and were excited to think they could pass their goal of 150 people attending the fund- raiser for their school. The seven students have been busy making projects to sell. Businesses & community members have also donated items for the live auction, which include a basket of goodies from Crazy Horse with.a gift certificate for four meals and tickets to the light show, handmade items from the Pines Motel, a LEGO gift set, lamps from CLT, Easter baskets for a girl and a boy, and a Ruger firearm. Dr. Chuck Franklin is even auctioning off a ride in his airplane. Two sets of a wreaths made by the students, accompanied by decorative mason jars and a table runner, will be in both the live and silent auctions. A special plaque handmade by Moriahn Kenney will be given away to a lucky person at the dinner just for attending, so NCA instructor Amanda Finley suggested attendees pick their seat wisely. "The students are excited to see people buy the items they have made. They have put so much work into them! That is what we have done for art for the past couple of weeks," acknowl- edged Finley. Donations from the community are greatly appreciated, but they wanted the students to contribute as well to show school spirit and demonstrate a willingness to put time and effort Wyoming Pipeline Company Success is no Accident Denice Pisciotti/NLJ Academy students Austen Kenney, Bryton Syverson, Ashton Block, Colter Franklin and Moriahn Kenney proudly display the items they are making for the auction Saturday. into making sure the school continues to operate at the highest level. "The students will be serving, helping walk around the live auction items, as well as help set up and clean up," noted the teacher. There will also be entertainment provided by Meadowlark Academy of Dance during dinner, and after dinner Bill Haley and company will play after the auction for about an hour. The auctioneer for the evening is Jeremy Slaamot. Finley is grateful all have volunteered their time. This year the one room school has two kin- dergarten students, a third, fourth, seventh grader and two seniors in attendance Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This will be the first year in quite awhile they will have a graduation ceremony. It will be Sat., May 16. Mike Wiles is the current principal at the school and was a teacher for five years, beginning the second year after the school opened. The News Letter Journal caught up with him at his job at Jewel Cave National Monument earlier in the week to learn more about the history of the academy. He said the idea of the Christian school environment came from a couple of mothers in Newcastle. They talked to Walt Cline, who was the pastor of First Christian Church at the time. After researching the options, he came across a company called Accelerated Christian Education, and the school began its first year in the 1984- 1985 school year. "Through word of mouth they found a few people who were interested, and that is why we ended up with 14 our very first year. We have had as many as 19. It has been up and down over the years. The interest seems to be growing. Bryan McVay Valued Team Member since January 13, 2012 We really want to make our next 30 years very" purposeful-- more outreach, more awareness  and more connected with the community," Wile- informed. <: After moving to the area to work at Jewel. Cave in the summer, Wiles began attending the: First Christian Church in Newcastle. Because he seasonally, he began teaching at the, l the second:year they were opened. :, really love the environment of the one room school house, but it takes a special talent, .to be juggling all those kids and all those ages and subjects. Amanda does an amazing job with that!" he declared, r"  In the mornings, when Wiles goes to the school to assist with math, he said it uplifts him to see the relaxing, loving environment. He appreciates ho the students all interact with each other, which i[ one of the things he likes best about the school. ' In fact, when the NLJ asked the students to say something about the school, several replied they like that they have a lot of friends. One of the seniors, Taylor Humes, a second generation student, has attended the school for most of his education, except a few years when he. was home schooled. When he was asked to thine of a memory that stood out, he replied he enjoyed! the years his Uncle Bryant Humes attended witi him.  "If you want to work hard, there are ni perks," Humes said. He could be a junior btitl he put his nose to the grind stone to be able to graduate early. Attending school in the same room with the younger students is something h  enjoys-- particularly because he is still able t t enjoy recess if he wants to. " Wiles acknowledged one of the philosophiJ Of the school is to encourage students to thinki for themselves and make decisions on their owr.: They also enjoy the freedom of being able to talkl about God and the bible throughout the day. J "We just want to give them all the informal: tion, so they have a well-rounded education" 1 concluded. I Pipeline safety Did you know? To protect our community and environment, Wyoming Refining routinely patrols the pipeline route and the pipeline is equipped with safety shutdown valves designed to isolate the pipeline in the event of a sudden pressure loss. Questions? Call (307)746-4445