July 2024 | Updates from the Partnership

July 2024 | The Latest Updates from WSUP

Can you believe the '24-'25 school year is already on the horizon? We are so excited to see what this year has in store for education in Wyoming and we hope you are too! Though July is coming to a close, don't forget to check in on some various summer educational engagements before the school year begins.

Partnership Specific

Governing Board Meetings

Review the minutes and materials from the April Governing Board meeting to ensure you are up-to-date on discussions and activities pertaining to the Partnership. The next WSUP Governing Board meeting will be held on Wednesday July 24, 2024 - UW Casper from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Welcome New WSUP Member Leaders

Please take a moment to welcome our new leaders in our member school districts, education organizations and higher institutions around Wyoming. Those leaders include:

Superintendent Dan Schmidt | Niobrara #1
Superintendent Joseph Libby | Sweetwater #1
President Kim Amen | Wyoming Education Association
Associate Dean Carolyn Pepper | UWyo Arts & Sciences

Education Community

Photo of class being taught by Lab School Choir Teacher.

UW Trustees Vote for One-Year Extension of Agreement for School District Lab School

Noting the University of Wyoming's ties with K-12 school districts across the state, the UW Board of Trustees has voted in support of the university admin's offer to ACSD1 of a one-year extension of a memorandum of understanding for the district's UW Laboratory School to operate on the university campus.

Free CTE Course for High School Students

The College of Education will be offering free CTE Courses for Wyoming high school students, starting in spring of 2025. The course provides high school students with an in-depth introduction to Career Technical Education and its diverse pathways. Tuition and admission fees are covered by the College of Education. Students need to reach out to Jody Evans or Levi Moore when they apply to UW to get the admission fee waived. Course delivery will be online asynchronous.

Photo of students learning in a classroom.

Photo of new Wyoming Education Association President Kim Amen.

Wyoming Education Association Vice President Kim Amen assumed leadership of the Wyoming Education Association on Monday July 15, 2024. Amen has served students as an educator for 31 years. She spent the first 13 years of her career directing Wyoming Early Childhood Education programs and the last 18 years in LCSD#1 as a teacher of gifted and talented students in grades 1-4.

Civics Ed Center

The Wyoming Department of Education launched the Civics Ed Center in collaboration with the University of Wyoming - Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program. The center is the result of the work of education stakeholders appointed by State Superintendent Degenfelder from across Wyoming to represent the interest of students, parents, school districts, and communities. The goal of Enhancing Civics Education and Engagement is intended to support the work being done by districts, schools, and community organizations through researching resources and making them readily accessible.

Learn More

Upcoming Conferences and PD Opportunities

Native American Education Conference

Registration is now open for the 15th annual Native American Education Conference, hosted by the Wyoming Department of Education, will take place August 6-7, 2024 at Central Wyoming College in Riverton. The cost for this conference is $35 and free for students. The theme this year is Community Wisdom and Engagement: Teaching Resilience to our Indigenous Youth.

Fall Literacy Conference

The University of Wyoming Literacy Research Center and Clinic will host the annual Fall Literacy Conference on September 27-28, 2024 at Casper College in Casper. The theme this year is A Celebration of Literacy and Literature with keynote speaker and afternoon sessions. The cost is $50 to attend and is reduced to $15 for undergraduate and graduate students. For more information contact Sara Pommarane.

Educational Resources & Student Experiences

Photo of Disability Pride Flag and Colors.

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month, observed every July, celebrates the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of people with disabilities. This month aims to increase visibility, challenge ableism, and honor the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enacted on July 26, 1990. Learn more about Disability Pride Month.

National Outdoor Leadership School Gap Year Programs

Not sure what do for the fall semester? Maybe you're not quite ready to start college or shift into a career track? That is okay and you are probably not alone. Take a moment to look through the various gap year programs offered by Wyoming's very own National Outdoor Leadership School. Their gap year programs provide valuable opportunities for students to gain new perspectives and independence, develop leadership skills, earn college credit through experiential education, and clarify their goals and aspirations for the future.

Learn More

Education Trunks for the 2024-2025 School Year

Don't forget to start thinking about reserving your Education Trunks from the Wyoming State Museum for the '24-'25 school year. There are a plethora of trunks to choose from including Frontier Army, Native Americans of the Great Plains, Mountain Men, Wildlife Conservation, and the Oregon Trail. Each trunk aligns with statewide curriculum while engaging students in grades 2-12.

Learn More

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