Superintendent Message

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (REVISED May 2024)

Part 1: ARP Implementation Plan

Substitute Worker Incentive Plan

Substitute Worker Incentive Plan

Board Approved 12/21/21, Posted 12/29/21, Clarified the Effective Date of Part 2 on 2/25/22

Purpose: To use GEER II funds to recruit and retain Sublette County School District #9’s substitute workforce.

Part I: Recruit new substitute workers

1.- Substitute Teacher Training

a. Sponsor substitute teacher training course to be offered 2nd semester.

i. Waive course fee for all participants

ii. Provide $100 stipends to all individuals who finish the course, receive PTSB certification, get on our substitute teacher list, and sub at least one time for the district.

1.-This applies retroactively to anyone who has completed the above requirements since July 1, 2021.

2.- Bus Driver Training

a. Provide $500 stipends to all individuals who complete bus driver training, receive CDL (passenger endorsement), and drive at least one time for the district.

i. This applies retroactively to anyone who has completed the above requirements since July 1, 2021.

Part 2: Retain new and current substitute workers (Beginning January 1, 2022)

1.- Substitute Worker Stipend

a. All substitute workers will receive a $100 stipend for every 10 days worked

i. This includes substitutes for teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, food service staff, custodians, etc.
ii. Days worked includes part-time days

iii. This does not apply to long-term substitute teacher positions

Substitute Worker Incentive Plan

Parent Survey: Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

Parent Survey: Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

11/17/21

Hello Sublette 9,

SCSD #9 is set to receive approximately $865,000 in federal funds as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), also known as ESSER III. These funds are to be used, among other things, to help close learning gaps that may have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, support and enhance academic initiatives currently in place, and purchase supplies and equipment to make sure our schools maintain clean and healthy learning environments. In order to receive these funds, school districts must submit a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan. This is somewhat similar to the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan that was developed and shared with the community earlier this school year. In the plan, the district is required to address eight mitigating measures for the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this brief survey, you will find the eight mitigating measures and a brief description of how the school district is currently addressing them. Please indicate whether or not you believe the school district's current practice for each mitigating measure should remain the same or be changed. The survey closes at noon on Fri. Nov. 19, 2021.

I appreciate you for taking the time to provide us with input regarding this matter.

Here is the link to the survey.

Thanks!

Dr. Jenks

Superintendent

September 3, 2021

September 3, 2021

I have been thoroughly impressed with the staff and students here at Sublette County School District #9 as I have observed and interacted with them over the first week of school. I think we’ve had a great start to the school year and it's fun to see so much excitement and energy. We have great expectations for all students and we look forward to seeing what they can accomplish inside and outside the classroom throughout the year.

One thing that we don’t want to dampen our excitement for this school year is the COVID-19 pandemic. As was expected, we have seen our fair share of quarantines and isolations due to positive cases of COVID-19. We expected this to happen and that is why we developed the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan that was shared with everyone a couple weeks ago. The plan was built to be flexible and adaptable based on the status of the pandemic in our community. If community spread of the virus were to continue to increase, the plan could be updated to be more restrictive than it is now. We hope that does not happen, but our goal is to keep students in school for face to face instruction because we believe it drastically improves outcomes for many, if not all.

Here are a few highlights of the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan that I want to review with everyone:

SCSD #9 encourages staff and students (12 and older) to get vaccinated. Vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine if they are exposed to the virus. So, if you are not necessarily opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, but for some reason have not made the time to get your children (12 and older) vaccinated, please consider doing so now. It just might save them from having to miss many days of school or an important athletic event or other extracurricular activity.
Students, teachers, and staff are to stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness. We ask that parents/guardians please screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms each morning before school. Please do not send children to school if they are sick.
While masks are not required, they are still recommended at this time, especially for those who are not fully vaccinated.

I know and understand that there are various opinions about some of the recommendations listed above. We are trying to do our best to respect those opinions while also keeping our schools open and safe for everyone. I remain very optimistic about the school year and I want to thank parents and the community for their continued support of our schools!

Charles Jenks, Ed.D.

Please See the 2-page Initial COVID-19 Mitigation Plan Below Posted 8/18/21

Introduction to the Community

Introduction to the Community

Greetings Puncher fans! My name is Charles Jenks and I have been hired as the new superintendent for Sublette County School District #9. I am excited and honored to work in this great school district. My wife and I have five children with ages ranging from 3 to 16. We have only been here a few weeks, but we’ve already been impressed with the kindness and generosity of so many people who have reached out to us. We truly look forward to making ourselves a part of this community. I want to thank Coach Visser, the high school football team, and others for showing up to our house to help unload the Uhaul and trailer. That was awesome!

As the new superintendent, I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and staff here to ensure the students of this district continue to learn at high levels. My job is to make sure that the vision, mission, values, and goals set forth by the district are upheld and integrated into all the work that we do. Student learning and attainment of essential skills will always be the top priority. Making decisions based on the needs of students will be the focal point of our operations.

During the 2021-22 school year, we will be revisiting the district’s strategic plan and seeking your input. Stakeholder input is vital to creating a strong and cohesive plan that truly represents the values and priorities of Sublette #9. My sense is the communities of Big Piney, Marbleton, and LaBarge take great pride in their schools and want the best outcomes possible for their students. I feel blessed to be working in a school district with such strong support from its community members.

I know it will take me a while to get to know all of you, but I look forward to visiting with you and maybe even working with you in the near future. I am a very optimistic person and I believe great things can be accomplished when people come together to solve problems collaboratively. I truly believe in the power of collective efficacy to address the challenges that we face in education.

As we approach the new school year, please watch for any updates posted to the school website and our Facebook page. We want to do our best to make sure everyone feels ready and prepared for the upcoming school year. Our hope is that we will be able to open the school year with a lot fewer restrictions while still maintaining a safe and clean environment for staff and students.

Go Punchers!