Thought for the Day: The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. Martin Luther King, Jr.(www.brainyquote.com/topics/education)

Constitution Day, Monday, September 17, 2018: “On September 17, 1787, 39 men signed the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and 231 years later, these 4,400 words remain the law of the land.  “Schools across the country will dig into this all-important document. Constitution Day (formerly known as Citizenship Day) was established by law in 2004 after Senator Robert C. Byrd attached a rider to an appropriations bill requiring any educational institution receiving federal funds to teach the document every September 17.”  (Here’s a link to the EdWeek Article for more inspiration.)

School District Accreditation:  The State of Wyoming has changed the way that school districts and individual schools earn accreditation.  We used to do AdvancED accreditation, and every five years we would host a peer review team from AdvancED.  The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) decided to no longer support this model because of cost and time required to do this process.  The WDE is moving to a peer review model that is similar to AdvancED, and this year they are piloting a process with four school districts.  We volunteered to do the pilot, so on November 6 & 7, 2018 we will host a peer review team with members from the WDE and teachers and administrators across the state.   We are in the process of collecting artifacts and sharing important processes with building administrators during the next couple of months.

School Safety and Air Quality: we have had an interesting summer and fall with heat and fires in the west, and the question was raised about air quality in Laramie during school times.  County Emergency Management monitors air quality and notifies city and county officials as well as county residents if precautions need to be taken.  We usually do not have to worry about air quality in Wyoming, but I thought you would like to know that we have a plan if necessary.