SAGE Test Results For Rich County

Anita Weston, Reporter
Bobbie Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. October 21, 2014. The school board discussed the SAGE (Utah Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence) and their confusion about what it means.  The board said that it may require that teachers and administration work with both parents and students when the results become known.  This is not a pilot test or even a beta test.  There is nothing to compare it with.  It isn’t even a baseline test for this next year. It appears that the test will be revised and changed for this next year which means scores this year cannot be compared with last year or next year.  These scores are just numbers with no real meaning according to district representatives.  However, the SAGE test was designed to measure subject proficiency for students intending to enter college.

Administrators said that comparisons can only be made when there is either a benchmark or scores collected and averaged over time.  This test was an adaptive test.  This means when a student does well, he/she is given more and more difficult questions until they are unable to answer them.  "What kind of a score can be given in such a situation?" Administrators asked.

Parents are accustomed to getting percentages or scores that gives a comparison with others taking the exam.  Such cannot be determined or given with the SAGE results.  However, the SAGE scores are much lower than has been commonly seen on different exam structures.

The Utah State Board explains the SAGE test as such:"In the spring of 2014, your student took one or more of the SAGE tests in grades 3-11 in English language arts, mathematics and science. These tests were designed to measure their knowledge and skills on the Utah Core Standards. These standards reflect the expectations for what students should know and be able to do by the end of grade or course and be on track for college and career readiness after graduation.

FOX 13 News Reported:"The Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence, or SAGE, was created to test how students understand what they are learning under the new standards put in place under the Common Core initiative. Most states will have similar tests in place by the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

In the first round of SAGE testing, overall statewide data indicated that 41.7 percent of Utah students were judged as proficient in Language Arts, 38.7 percent are proficient in Mathematics and 43.7 percent are proficient in Science.

The Utah State Office of Education, USOE, made the SAGE results available October 27.  A complete set is available on the web.  For Rich High School the percentages of students judged proficient in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are:
Language Arts--50%, Mathematics--33%, Science--35%.

For the Rich Middle School the percentages judged proficient were:
Language Arts--56.3%, Mathematics--57.4%, Science 44.3%

The Middle School scores were considerably higher than those of the high school, especially in mathematics.  While comparisons with other districts and schools should be made only after more careful and detailed analysis, it was noted that Monticello High School, another small school in a small district, had a mathematics proficiency of 56.2%, which made it the 5th highest rated high school in Utah.
                                 

State School Board Representative

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. October 21, 2014.  Terryl Warner, the State School Board Representative for District 1, was present at the meeting and was asked to make a few remarks about what is happening in the State, and was thanked for sending out a newsletter. 

She reported that she had talked with the State Board concerning various brands of computers and software.  She noted that they understand that some schools have already purchased and are using various machines and software so that choices will be allowed as they transition to more technology.  Currently the state is looking at some technology that will cost each district $749 for each student, and the state will be asked to match that amount which results in a $1500 cost per student.  She doesn’t think the legislature will go for something that expensive.

Ms. Warner also reported that the new state superintendent has been hired.  The voting for hiring the current individuals was 8 to 7—not a majority by any means.  Ms. Warner felt that the Board Members should have at least done an internet search to obtain information about each of the candidates. Most members didn’t do that.

It was noted that the State School Board had hired a search firm to find a new state superintendent as well as appointing a search committee. Since the announcement of the new superintendent, Ms. Warner has received no emails of congratulations concerning the choice.

Garden City Annual Halloween Party

GARDEN CITY ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY AT THE KOA FRIDAY OCT 31!
We need families to decorate the little cabins and to pass out their Halloween candies there.

The festivities start at 5:30!

Two Carpet Rolls Stolen

At some time during the last two weeks, 2 rolls of tan carpet were stolen from a home in Garden City, which was undergoing construction.

 The carpet totaled 110 square yards. If anyone has any information that might help solve this crime, please call Rich County Sheriff's Office @ 435-793-2285

November 4 is Election Day

Vote November 4 at local polling places.  This year the only contested local race is for the school board.  There are three districts up.  Garden City, Laketown and Randolph.  The school board candidates have responded to RCTonline with what they would like to see in our schools.

 

Become informed about the statewide candidates and judges running for elections at vote.utah.gov

 

 

 

LAKETOWN Eric Wamsley VS Dallas L. Clark

Eric Wamsley LAKETOWN SCOOL DISTRICT Candidate

This year my youngest child started kindergarten, so now we have a daughter in eighth, one in sixth, our son is in second grade, and our youngest daughter is in kindergarten. There is nothing I want more in life, than the best for them. They are my motivation. I believe we need great teachers, that are teaching for the right reasons. The reasons being the children they teach. I want to make sure this happens. And if there is a teacher that is not doing their job, then a change is needed. In my profession my pay is based on my performance. I think that it keeps me motivated to do the best that I can. I want to see our school system continue to improve and provide more opportunities for our youth and keep improving education. I think we need to focus on the student. I do believe we are blessed with some of the best teachers in the state. "Let's focus on the good, and deal with the bad as needed."

I believe that education should be the priority of the school system. And that all extracurricular activities should support this priority. I believe that after school sports should be a place to build self-esteem, teach moral character, and reinforce values taught in the classroom. And that winning is the second priority!

I believe that people who are educated are the backbone of society. It is the job of parents, teachers, civic and religious leaders to make sure that it happens correctly.

I am excited to be running for School Board and to have the opportunity to represent and serve one of the most outstanding school districts in the state. Having grown up here in Rich County and being a Graduate of Rich High School, I feel that I have a understanding of the needs of the Students in this area.

Dallas L. Clark, LAKETOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT, Candidate

My name is Dallas Clark and I am running for the Rich County School Board seat #4 (Laketown).  My wife Ane Marie and I have lived in Laketown for the last 14 years and enjoyed raising our 5 children in this community.  I believe that rural schools can provide an excellent education.  I was raised in a small school district in Washington State (21 in my graduating class) and was able to go on and receive my bachelor and doctoral degrees from the University of Utah.  I feel that the small class size and individual attention that I received in my school from dedicated teachers provided superior instruction and a desire to learn.

I have spent the last 12 years serving on the Planning and Zoning and Laketown Town Councils.  I am a business owner and understand the importance of managing money.

As a School board member I would like to see strong programs that support and develop our fantastic teachers, staff and administrators, and rigorous classes that expect the highest from our students.  These programs need to prepare our students to excel in their choice of college or vocational training.  The classes represented in the acronym “STEAM”-Science, Technology, English, Arts, and Mathematics need to be a focus.

I hope to have open and frequent communication between myself and those I represent.

RANDOLPH: Monty Weston VS Ralph Johnson

Monty G. Weston –RANDOLPH SCOOL DISTRICT Candidate

 

As your school board member representing Rich School District #3, I feel it very important to keep my constituents informed as to any policy changes that occur within the district. Their input is important to me and they should know about and make comments about any changes before they happen and not after they are ratified. My top priority is to make education a pleasant experience for the students. This can be partly accomplished through a smooth working environment between administration and personnel. We are a diversified district with students who have a variety of interests. We can and should do a better job of providing a variety of extra- curricular activities to our students. Many have expressed their concerns about bringing back the drill/dance team, and organizing an FFA Chapter. I am also aware that many of our qualifying seniors would like the option of taking seminary for 3 trimesters. These and other interests are all things that I would bring to the table for discussion. I will make myself available to my constituents with an open mind to talk about their concerns. Together we can make a “rich” educational experience for the students in the Rich School District.

Ralph B. Johnson RANDOLPH SCHOOL DISTRICT Candidate

Being a part of the Rich County Board of Education for the past twelve years has been a wonderful opportunity and a special privilege.

Since 1974, I have served in education as a teacher, coach, principal and board member.  If re-elected I will continue to provide encouragement and support to our administrators, teachers and staff.  Together we will do everything possible to meet future challenges and foster an environment in which our young people can learn, grow, and ultimately reach their fullest potential

GARDEN CITYTammy Calder VS Bryce Huefner

BRYCE HUEFNER GARDEN CITY DISTRICT
No To Government Interference

My heart beats with a desire to control my own destiny.  The Constitution of the United States of America gives me the ability to work out my own life's story because of its design to limit government and empower individuals.  I love the freedom to become whatever I choose and if I fail a time or two then at least I had the opportunity to try.   

America is the greatest nation on the earth.  There is no doubt we have problems but when any other nation is compared to America, there isn't even a close second. As a people, we are innovative and industrious.  We have wonderful natural resources and infrastructure.  We are kind and generous, but perhaps our greatest assets are our history, limited government and faith in God. 

The founding fathers were men of faith in God.  They believed in and understood the potential in each individual and sought to preserve men's God given natural rights.  Today we are a faithful people, but too much of our faith is focused on climate change, non discrimination, money, power, the human body, government and the list goes on and on.   Faith, according to Merriam-Webster is a "strong belief or trust in someone or something".    We have faith in and worship at the alter of all these gods when we measure mans worth according to these gods' dogma.

What does this have to do with individuals today?  Across all types of people, political parties, educated or not, and rich or poor; people are loosing faith in the God of our founding fathers and hence are loosing faith in ourselves and others.  This is evident when we as a people ask the government to do something for us that we can do ourselves or should do ourselves. If we accomplish difficult things we can regain hope and faith in ourselves, others and God.  It might be difficult, we may have to wait or do without and we might fail a time or two but it strengthens us.

We must stop asking for free money.  It is dangerous to our freedom.  It doesn't matter what the cause is, whether it be the children, the poor, the aged, the fish, the fire department, the city, the environment, the snail, none of these things are worth our individual freedom. When we get money from someone there are always strings attached and often the strings are little but we all know that when enough strings are bound together it becomes a rope and will strangle us.  We ask our government to strengthen and tighten the rope every time we ask for money. Politicians buy our votes with money and like a drug, it's never enough.

I am running for school board in Garden City.  I want it to be clear where I stand. I say no to government interference in our community no matter how much money the combination gives us individually or as a district. I want the state to get the federal government out of our schools.  The state has the power to say no but do we as a people have the will power to make it happen?

I read the letter sent recently to Governor Herbert by Rich Kendall requesting we stay in common core because if we don't then we are stuck with "no child left behind". We shouldn't be stuck at all. The federal money Utah receives is between 6% and 8% of the k12 budget. Let's get tough and get out. In the letter he lists all school board members in the state who want to continue Common Core. All five of our current Rich County School District board members are listed.  We obviously will give anything away to get money, even in conservative, cowboy Rich County.  Historically cowboys are admired throughout the world. Why?  Because they worked hard, took a chance, were independent, strong and took care of their families and communities.   Cowboys could start with nothing and end with wealth and respect.  That is the heritage of Rich County!  It seems many of us have turned away from that heritage. 

We should be an example of how to get it done with out government intrusion, money or corruption.  We don't need to bow to an alter of money.  Please do not renew the NCLB waiver!  Please get us ENTIRELY out of federal programs and money so that we as a state, as schools, as parents can help our children shape their own destiny. 

My heart beats with the desire for freedom, let's get it done. 

Bryce Huefner

TAMMY CALDER GARDEN CITY SCHOOL BOARD, Candidate

Hello residents of Rich County.  For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tammy Calder (Tamalyn E. Calder on the ballot) and I am running for school board member in the Garden City precinct.  

I have served on the Rich School Board for 16 years and would love to continue to serve you and your children for another term.  There is a common theme in the political arena at this time that it is "time for change", and I couldn't agree more.  There is ample room for both change and improvement in many of our governing bodies.  With that in mind, I am asking you to re-elect me at this time because of my stability,experience, and desire to offer our children the best education possible in this ever-changing and challenging world.

I believe strongly in keeping a small-town atmosphere and work ethic in our schools, while still preparing our students to compete in a global work force. I bring a "feminine" view point to our current board that includes four male counterparts, which is important in decision making.  

I do not believe in making political promises to sway your vote.  I will tell you that I will do everything in my power to make the best choices possible in educating our children, spending our tax dollars wisely, keeping a balanced budget, and constantly monitoring policies and procedures while making changes when necessary.  I am more than happy to listen to your concerns and discuss alternatives to current methods of instruction.  

I believe our administration and teaching staff is second to none and that they truly have the best interest of educating our children foremost in their minds and in their hearts.  I have lived in 
this community since 1983 and am proud to call it "home".

 I would appreciate your vote of trust and confidence in serving you with another term on the Rich School Board.  Thank you.

Tammy Calder

Cisco No More

By Bryce Nielson

Today there is a lot on my mind. The State has awarded Brian Hirschi the concession contract for the Bear Lake Marina. It is a long story but after eleven years my butt is out of there. Suffice to say I have a lot of stuff to get rid of including the watercraft, building, docks and fuel system. I have until February. This is not the best time of year to sell marina stuff but I have no choice. As soon as I can face it I will compile a list of items and post a link. It breaks my heart to see this phase of my life come crashing to an end. I will miss everyone, especially the Cisco Kids which kept me young. I really appreciate all of you and your support. I won't be running Cisco's but I will still be ME.

School Surplus Sale

RICH SCHOOL DISTRICT SURPLUS

 

Rich School District is accepting bids on Douglas Fir Lumber planks from bleachers in old gym in Randolph.

Going price on the web: $65 for 18 footers, $56 for 16 footers.

 

Sealed bids due Nov  17, 2014 Rich School District reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.

Interested individuals are welcome to examine.

Any questions, contact Rick Limb 435-757-3248 or the district office 435-793-2135

The Unmuddled Mathematician

The Unmuddled Mathematician
By Chris Coray

It’s been an interesting week.  We are in Florida, doing our best to render a little service this week to dear life-long friends.  So we have been thinking about things more important than the usual hum of everyday life.  That is not to say that humor isn’t important and at the end of this article there will be one comment.  But for now you get my Bucket List.  The items are not necessarily ordered.

1-      Remain faithful to my God and try to live as He has instructed,

2-      Take care of my companion in all important ways and tell her more frequently that I love her,

3-      Spend as much time as possible with the 3 jewels in our family we call granddaughters and try to lift them up whenever I can.  During all of my life preparing to be a mathematician and throughout that career I never saw coming the great blessing that would be mine as I get to help those girls in their studies because grandpa can actually do mathematics,

4-      Be useful to others,

5-      Avoid all contention.  This is not easy as it seems many seek it,

6-      Try to be as dependable and competent as the “Muddled Male”,

7-      Never become a burden to others, especially my daughters,

8-      Anonymously surprise someone with a gift or help,

9-      Be a bigger support, both emotionally and physically, to my sister who continues a 15 year intensive effort caring for our mother,

10-   Stay close to my friends,

11-   Try to stay fit

As you read this list notice that it doesn’t contain anything about a big fish or some football game.  So much of my time is spent on stuff not worth a spit.  I must do better.

However, there are some small things that cannot be ignored.  The Mano e Mano gauntlet thrown by the engineer last week needs at least some response.  Did any of you notice that in his article about his “improved” version (over my model) of the IPhone 6+ carrier he has designed he included photos.  These photos are “Selfies” of his own fanny, taken by himself.  His wife did not take those pictures.  He is the only guy I know who at age 79 has taken photos of his own rear end, albeit encased in “Man Pants”, and then published them.  A little guy wearing “Man Pants”.  That’s a good one. I want all to know that I have an actual photo, which I am hereby threatening to use, of the ultimate IPhone carrier, namely a fanny itself.  In this photo, which is not a selfie (or a photo of me), the IPhone is actually implanted in the owner’s fanny, from which it sends a radio signal to the owner’s special new hearing aids, and hence onward to the user’s ears or computer glasses for video stuff. This set up is completely waterproof and recharging occurs while sleeping in bed.  Top that one.  The photo may appear in a future article.  One becomes either a left cheek or a right cheek carrier.

And by the way, I would like to catch a bonefish and a wahoo.

Autumn At The Lake



Photo by Lauriann Wakefield