Big Horn 1 approves school spirit and speech and debate groups

The Board of Trustees of Big Horn County School District No. 1 approved two new student clubs during their regular Thursday meaning, introducing a spirit club into Rocky Mountain Middle/High School and a speech and debate team to Burlington High School. 

The first club approved is the Grizzly Spirit Club with an approved stipend of $2,600.

According to the proposal presented to the board, the purpose of the spirit club will be include all students in school wide activities and to promote pride in the school. The goal of the group is to include all students in activities and sporting events at school while providing opportunities for those who don’t play sports to still be a part of the school community. 

“This club would help provide a formal cheering section for students because we do not have a cheer team this year,” the proposal states.

According to the proposal, the Grizzly Spirit Club will begin fundraising money for ongoing expenses like supplies, spirit gear and toss outs at games. The group will also begin holding 50/50 drawings at select home games.

The board also approved the beginning of a speech and debate club in Burlington. 

“The purpose of Burlington Speech and Debate will be to support students in gaining confidence, developing camaraderie and practicing public speaking skills in a competitive environment that fosters growth and cognitive challenges,” the proposal to the board stated. “Our goal is to help students gain confidence, access to valuable scholarships, and to bring value to resumes and future careers and to network with other students from other districts.”

Another program started at the beginning of this year is off to a good start, according to a report to the board. 

A coach mentorship program, which provides mentors to new coaches in the district, has given coaches invaluable resources this year, according to a report to the board by the district’s athletic directors.

“I think the collaboration between the new head coaches and the mentors has been very successful,” Superintendent Matt Davidson told the Chronicle following the meeting. “Mentors attend contests and practices and provide feedback. They answer questions. It’s just having someone to collaborate with.”

The board also heard a report on the advancement of special services within the school district. Special education teachers at Rocky Mountain Elementary have received new training in reading intervention, with teachers being instructed in the Orton-Gillingham approach for young students who struggle with reading. According to the Orton-Gillingham webpage, the approach is designed to help struggling readers by explicitly teaching the connections between letters and sounds. 

“Right now, it’s being used there for kids who need intense reading intervention,” Davidson said. “Lots of tactile and movement and a variety of senses are involved in the project.”

Board actions

The board approved several amended policies on first reading. Davidson said that no major changes were made in district procedures.

The board approved minor changes to their insurance management policy construction contracts, bidding and awards policy, contractors, affidavits and guarantees policy, board inspection and acceptance of new facilities policy and evaluation of instructional programs policy.

On second reading the board approved tweaks to their professional staff recruiting and hiring policies and support staff recruiting and hiring policies.