Tongue River Elementary Honored

Annie Griffin talks about TRE Honor

Following students after graduation, masks, and Tongue River Elementary School receiving an honor were on the SCSD#1 board meeting Tuesday night.

The meeting was held in the Big Horn High School Auditorium, so people could better social distance, and visitors were informed that if there was enough social distancing, masks could be removed. The board members were seated on the stage, and continued to wear their masks throughout the meeting.

Al Sparkman, Big Horn High School Principal, spoke of the new hires for 2021, and presented a slide show about the mission statement for Big Horn. One of the points in the statement was that Big Horn High School will continue to track each students process after graduation.

He said that the school wants to catch students that may be close to failing and help them to bring up their grades before they have trouble. “Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated,” he added.

“The most important thing about kids is who they are and where they are going in life.”

Tongue River Elementary School was one of two schools in Wyoming recently named as a Blue Ribbon School for 2021. Annie Griffin, Tongue River Elementary Principal, had this to say:

Around 30 people came to meeting, and several spoke on the mask mandate, saying the mandate was unconstitutional, and could be affecting the students learning ability and mental health.

Dani Harnish, parent, felt that masks take away from students the ability to read facial expressions, which was detrimental to learning. “A one-size fits all doesn’t work,” she said.

Two parents felt that students should not be made to feel responsible for the health the community, and should not be wearing masks.

Shannon Rinken, parent, thanked the board for holding the meeting in a large venue, so people could social distance and not wear the masks during the meeting.

“Why are we putting children in masks all day when a physician says masks don’t work?” she asked. “The board should talk to other doctors in the community…. Any good decisions come with testing and trying…. You should ask questions on both sides. Get two opinions. If you had to get a major medical procedure, you would get two opinions. Have other doctors come in so you can make an informed decision.”

Superintendent Pete Kilbride, in closing, thanked Dennis Mansfield for his work covering the school board meetings for the Sheridan Press, he added that Mansfield is moving back to Michigan. “Thanks for covering Big Horn High School,” he said.

Board when into executive session at 7:15.