Back to School for Teachers and “Eclipse” Time for Opening Institute

By DANYALE SERVICE

With summer coming to a close and school starting Aug. 22, Emery County School District ended the summer with the Opening Institute. Superintendent Larry Davis welcomed all district teachers and administrators to discuss the coming school year on August 21, which is the day before students returned back to school. The President of the School Board, Laurel Johansen thanked the teachers for helping the students. She began by telling a story about Kathy Keith, who went to Argentina. Kathy visited a zoo where visitors could go in with the trainers and could pet the animals. She asked the trainer how it was possible to enter and pet the lions. The trainer called her attention to the dogs that were in the pen. The trainer said that they put the dogs in the pen with the lions when they were younger. The dogs would keep the lions in line by biting at their legs whenever they did something bad. As the lions grew they would still cower from the dogs, thinking that they were still small and weak”. Laurel Johansen said “Students are just like the lions and will cower from self-doubt. Students tend to focus on failures rather than their accomplishments.” She addressed the teachers and explained “You (the teachers ) are crucial to the development of the students. Think about a teacher who has helped you get rid of those pesky dogs. We have all had a teacher that has helped us become who we are today.”
Superintendent Larry Davis then took the stand. “Thank you to the audience, a year ago I could not say that, but today I am able to because I have been in your classes and talked to your students.” He said, “You do not only need my appreciation but my admiration.”
He continued outlining the events of the past school year. “At Bookcliff Elementary, with the break in, school had to be put on hold while repairs went underway. We offered the teachers to drop the days, and the teachers responded by taking a full Friday to make up those days they missed. Thank you for what you have done for the district and the providers/stakeholders.
“At Green River high school, teachers and students said that they had positive experiences. Small schools are like families.
“At Ferron Elementary the liberty kids set the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the day. I heard little voices echoing down the hallway ending with liberty and justice for all. At the end of the day, they retired the colors with the same kind of respect.
“At San Rafael during the veterans day program they honored the veterans. Last Veteran’s Day Sam Singleton, a veteran who spoke, passed away a few days later.
“At Emery High school, Ethan Winter, a high school senior and a soccer player, passed away. Dealing with personal grief, Emery High rose above the grief to continue with school and remember Ethan.
“Castle Dale Elementary had issues with the size of classes. The problems weren’t human caused, but with teamwork we found the needs to help the students.
“All schools have been impacted by the decision to move the sixth graders to middle school and the ninth graders to the high school. Time can only tell what will happen. The studentbody has grown by over 100 students. Six and a half FTEs have been adjusted and transportation routes have been altered for the school year. We will see how well it will go tomorrow.”
Every student deserves that personal attention. One way to get better is to get involved. “That interactive part was the best,” said Superintendent Larry Davis. “In Mr. Cox’s class I was interpreting a poem I’d written when a student raised his hand and asked how old I was. ‘I’m a lot younger than I look,’ I replied. If we learn from the kids we can age backwards. I appreciate what you have done for me personally, I am younger than I was a year ago.”
The key speaker, Neal Peacock, was unable to attend the event but will be present for the first day of school. New employees were then introduced and mentioned.
According to the House Bill 286, which was implemented during 2016, all School District Employees must attend a child sexual abuse prevention program. This program was presented to all the teachers and administrators with the help of Carbon/Emery Child Support and Justice Center.
Lee Moss, head of the Science Department at Emery High, continued the meeting with a presentation that he had been working with the Math and Technology Sterling Scholars, to set up an eclipse viewing station for the event. Elizabeth Nielson, the Technology Sterling Scholar, presented a powerpoint to highlight the importance of the solar eclipse. Lee Moss demonstrated the telescopes that would be used during the solar eclipse. All attendents were then excused to view the rare solar eclipse.
Teachers and Administrators assembled in front of the Emery High School beginning at 11 am to 1 pm to view the historical event of the solar eclipse. Everyone appreciated the telescopes and glasses which were provided by the Superintendent and Lee Moss. A benefits fair for the school was also held during the solar eclipse.