Weekly District Update - Oct. 28, 2022

Weekly District Update - Oct. 28, 2022
This is the image for the news article titled Weekly District Update - Oct. 28, 2022On Wednesday, the district announced that it had been awarded nearly $4 million by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the purchase of 10 electric school buses and the infrastructure needed to charge them.

“Our decision to apply for this funding was based, in part, on a letter the district received earlier this year from the Utah Petroleum Association encouraging us to electrify our fleet and look for other ways to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the Uintah Basin,” Uintah Schools Superintendent Dr. Rick Woodford said.

“Also, with the addition of these 10 new buses, the district is saving local taxpayers more than $1 million over the next three years that would have otherwise gone to purchase route buses on our regular replacement schedule,” Woodford said.

To read more about this funding award, visit: bit.ly/UintahElectricBuses

UMS Hawkathon Results
Uintah Middle School held its 4th annual Hawkathon on Oct. 20. This school-wide triathlon included swim, bike and run legs. The winners of this year’s event were 6th graders Kenadee Justice and Ty Madson, 7th graders Izabelle Lawson and Andrew Olsen, and 8th graders Sadie Rhoades and Parker Stasburg.

The other award recipients were Braxton O’Crowley (Speedy Sprinter Award for the fastest sprint to the finish line); Toree Morgan (Kindest Competitor Award for running alongside another runner after Toree had already finished); David Pierce (Perseverance Award for pushing on when the bike leg got hard); Miriam Pena (Fastest Cyclist); Emery Tapanna (Best Costume); Anjali Anderson (The Little Engine That Could Award for being small but mighty); Dallin Martinsen (Mix It Up Award for running backward around the corners); Mailey Rimmasch (Solid Swimmer Award); and Alyssa Winters and Emree Hutcheon (Together We Run Award for running hand in hand to the finish line.)

Great job, Hawks!

Discovery Celebrates Dia de Muerto
The teachers from Discovery Elementary's Spanish dual immersion program assembled an ofrenda again this year in the school's front lobby to help students, staff and the community celebrate Día de Muertos.

This traditional Mexican celebration, known in English as Day of the Dead, is a time for families to honor and remember deceased loved ones during the harvest season. It’s often viewed as a holiday of joyful celebration rather than one of mourning as people pay their respects to and remember friends and family members who have died.

Discovery’s dual immersion teachers built the multi-tiered display full of traditional brightly colored coverings, tombstones, flowers, esqueletos (skeletons), papel picado (intricate paper banners), and candles (tea lights). Students, staff, and the Discovery community were then invited to add photos of their loved ones or place offerings on the ofrenda, including fruit, cookies, candy, breads, fresh tamales, drinks, and books. It's been an amazing experience to see everyone come together to not only take part in the celebration, but to share stories and memories of their loved ones.

The ofrenda will be on display through Monday.

Red Ribbon Week
Several of our schools celebrated Red Ribbon Week this week with plenty of fun activities and dress up days. Red Ribbon Week is the nation's largest and longest running drug-use prevention campaign.

At Naples Elementary, the students and staff came together to form a large letter “N” on Tuesday. A picture of the activity is being submitted to the 2022 National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest.

Over at Ashley Elementary, the PTA organized an assembly with the school resource officer, Uintah County Sheriff’s deputy Amy Leishman and her K9 partner Riddick. Deputy Leishman and Riddick showed the students how Riddick finds drugs. Then, to the delight of the students, Ashley Elementary behavior interventionist Jodie Mapp volunteered to put on a bite sleeve so Riddick could demonstrate his apprehension skills.

Uintah High Theatre Presents Anastasia
There are only two performances remaining for Uintah High Theatre’s production of Anastasia. This musical tells the story of Anya, an orphan living in 1920s Russia who is trying to find her lost family. When Anya encounters an ex-aristocrat and a conman, they try to convince her that she might be the long-lost Romanov duchess Anastasia. This show only runs tonight and tomorrow, so get your tickets now. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at https://uintah.ludus.com/index.php

College Coaches Connection at UHS
Uintah High Athletics is hosting the College Coaches Connection for a free college sports seminar for parents and all student-athletes on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. This seminar will provide parents and kids with information about how college coaches really recruit; why academics matter and how they impact your future opportunities; five key steps to getting recruited and how student-athletes can receive scholarships; 10 types of scholarships, including non-athletic money college coaches use; five myths about recruiting and mistakes everyone makes; ways to be a positive sports parent to have a more impactful role in your child's life; and what college coaches want to see from student-athletes.

Backpack Buddies Donation
Discovery Elementary recently received a generous donation from the Uintah Riders All Terrain (URAT).

URAT held its annual poker run on Oct. 8. Money raised during the event was used to buy food that was donated to Discovery Elementary. The food will be used by the school's Backpack Buddies program. Thank you, URAT!

The Backpack Buddies program provides students with easy to prepare, kid-friendly food to supplement meals over the weekend or during school breaks. In Uintah County, 18 percent of children experience food scarcity. That's the 5th highest rate in Utah.

The district is looking for individuals or groups who want to donate to the Backpack Buddies program at its schools. If you or your group are interested, please contact USD Support Services Director Mindy Merrell at 435-781-3100, ext. 1050, or [email protected].

Celebrations
Congratulations to Uintah High Cross-Country Coach Gary Galley! He’s been named the 5A Cross-Country Coach of the Year! Each year the recipient of this award is chosen by their peers for their commitment to the sport and the community, and their work as a role model for student-athletes, coaches and parents. It’s a well-deserved honor for Coach Galley!

Coach Galley received his award at the 5A State Cross-Country Meet in Rose Park on Tuesday. Seven members of the UHS boys team and two members of the girls team competed in the state championship race. For the boys, David Anderson was the top Uintah finisher in 56th place, followed by Heston Gowen (128th), Kade Richens (134th), Dace Johnson (147th), Slade Bowden (150th), Karston Keel (161st), and Carter Rimmasch (175th). For the girls, Kate Slaugh finished in 70th place and Dalli Horrocks finished in 166th place.

Thanks for a great season, Utes!

Upcoming Events
The Uintah High Swim Team starts its season this afternoon. The Utes host Juan Diego High School at the Uintah Rec Center. Races are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The Uintah High Marching Band travels to Davis High School this weekend to compete in the Davis Cup. The band is scheduled to take the field Saturday at 2 p.m. Their performance will be streamed live on the Uintah Bands Facebook page.

Uintah High Volleyball finished the regular season ranked 20th in 5A. They travel to Viewmont High on Tuesday to take on the 13th-ranked Vikings in the first round of the playoffs. The game starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free. The game will be streamed live on the Viewmont Viking Athletics Channel.

GO UTES!
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No district employee or student shall be subjected to discrimination in employment or any district program or activity on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The district is committed to providing equal access and equal opportunity in its programs, services and employment including its policies, complaint processes, program accessibility, district facility use, accommodations and other Equal Employment Opportunity matters. The district also provides equal access to district facilities for all youth groups. The following persons have been designated as Title IX coordinators to handle inquires and complaints regarding unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation: Dr. Mistalyn Leis, Human Resources Director (435) 781-3100. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, Denver, CO, at (303) 844-5695.