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10 -- March 12, 2015
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editor@newslj.co '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