GOSHEN COUNTY – In case you missed all the social media updates, emails and letters home from Goshen County School District (GCSD), here are some highlights and information students, parents and guardians, as well as community members should know regarding back-to-school procedures next week.
All GCSD elementary, middle school and high school students return to class on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at the regular time of 8 a.m. However, every school will have early dismissal on the first day and students will be released at 1:30 p.m.
GCSD teachers and staff returned on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
In his welcome back letter to the entire district, students and parents and guardians, GCSD Superintendent Ryan Kramer wrote, “I hope everyone has had an exciting summer filled with fun. I have appreciated the time with family and the opportunity to enjoy many different summer activities.”
“I hope this year we can come together to start the year with a goal that every student who leaves our school buildings after Day 1 is aware that they are valued and have a voice,” Kramer wrote. “Our students need us every day, and with the staff we have in place, we can accomplish great things this school year.”
Kramer added, “I am excited to continue the work that we have started and build on the improvements that we have made. The work done this summer by many of you has been significant and will provide a strong foundation for a successful school year.”
Kramer also welcomed 46 new GCSD staff members, not including recently hired staff members from the last school board meeting, as the letter to the community was sent out prior to last week’s board meeting.
“I look forward to a year filled with excitement, growth and success,” Kramer stated.
In a Facebook post on Aug. 11, GCSD advised parents and guardians bussing information was sent home via postcard and email. The district also advised that if any families had questions, to contact the transportation office at (307) 532-2542.
The district is also seeking a bus driver and bus aides, those interested are encouraged to contact the district office or visit the GCSD website.
Trail Elementary, 1601 E. M St., Torrington, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
Lincoln Elementary, 1402 E. P St., Torrington, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. However, due to staggered start dates at Lincoln for Kindergarten, the Kindergarten “Meet Your Teacher” night will be held on Monday, Aug., 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
Lincoln Elementary Principal Robert Wiegel wrote families a letter and said, “I am excited to get started with a new school year. Thank you for everything you do for your student, and we cannot wait to help them have a successful school year.”
Wiegel also welcomed 15 new teachers and support staff members to Lincoln Elementary, including several paraprofessionals, special education, early interventionists and a Title I teacher.
LaGrange Elementary, 626 W. 25th Ave., LaGrange, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
LaGrange teachers will be serving desserts starting at 4:45 p.m., which will be followed by a Title I meeting. Families are asked to bring a side and/or dessert to share as staff members will provide main dishes and drinks.
Southeast Schools, 1 Lacy St., Yoder, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
Lingle-Ft. Laramie Schools, 404 3rd St., Lingle, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
Torrington High School, 2400 W. C St., Torrington, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
Torrington Middle School, 2742 W. E St., Torrington, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
Torrington Middle School Principal Marv Haiman sent out a letter to parents and guardians earlier this month emphasizing the district's policy on a number of things, including dress code guidelines, attendance guidelines, athletics, health and wellness procedures such as reminding parents seventh graders are required to have a TDAPbooster, discounted and pre-sale yearbooks through September 9, and a number of other administrative procedures for item drop off/pick up and procedures for when students leave early for appointments.
Platte River School, 2400 W. C St., Torrington, invites parents, guardians and students to “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians and students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, meet the principal and dean of students, find their classrooms and drop off extra or bulky school supplies before the first day of school on Tuesday.
GCSD is hosting an all-district “Back to School Night Celebration” after each school's meet and greet on Monday, Aug. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Torrington High School on the Old Wiseman Field. The event will have food, games and back-to-school activities for the entire family.
Registration is now open for the PRACTICE After School program for the 2022-2023 school year. This program is open to students at Lincoln Elementary, Trail Elementary and Lingle-Ft. Laramie Elementary students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.
The program offers students the opportunity to participate in academic enrichment activities, eat a snack, have an extra recess, get homework help, STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math) activities, SEL (social emotional learning) opportunities and more. The program runs from when school is released to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with no programs available on Fridays. Registration is required and due to limited staffing as the program works toward hiring and training more staff, some students could be placed on a waitlist.
To register visit, https://form.jotform.com/221737381976063.
Each school has advised parents of a price increase for both breakfast and lunch, and that the federally provided free breakfast and lunch program for all students in all districts nationwide has ended. For parents interested in the district's free and reduced breakfast and lunch program, parents and guardians will need to visit the Food and Nutrition tab on the district website under District offices for information about how to apply. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) school lunch program waiver expired on July 31 and neither the USDA nor the US Congress has renewed it.
As previously reported in a prior Telegram story covering the GCSD board, board members unanimously approved a ten-cent increase in the district's breakfast, lunch and ala carte food items for students and teachers at its June meeting.
The price of meals districtwide are as follows:
All grades student breakfast: $2.30;
Elementary lunch: $3.05;
Grades 6-8 lunch: $3.25;
Grades 9-12 lunch: $3.40;
Adult breakfast: $2.30;
Adult lunches: $4.80;
Ala carte items are an additional ten cents each, an extra breakfast entree will cost $1.50, extra lunch entree will cost $2.50.
Milk, water and/or bottled water are now .55 cents and an extra side will be $1.00. The district has its districtwide August and September lunch menu posted on its website.
The district wanted to remind community members it has a number of positions left to fill and those interested are asked to visit the district website.
The Telegram will be at many of the schools on the first day of school to capture the excitement and return to school. If you wish to send your back-to-school, first day of school photos to the telegram, please do so by midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 24 to be featured in the Friday edition. Parents can send photos to editor Logan Dailey at ldailey@torringtontelegram.com or reporter Marie Hamilton at Mhamilton@torringtontelegram.com.
In preparation for going back to school, Torrington Police Department, Torrington High School and Goshen County Sheriff's department participated in active-shooter training. The Telegram will have more about this in a separate story.
For teachers and students looking for last-minute supplies, Torrington Office Supply, 1945 Main St., Torrington, is running a 30% off sale through the end of August to help students and staff smoothly transition back to school.
