Immunizations
Immunization notices were mailed in the spring to parents of those students needing immunizations. These parents are asked to have these immunizations completed prior to the start of school. All new and transfer students must present with completed immunization records upon registration.
If you have questions regarding what is required for immunizations, please call Janet Chimenti, School Nurse, at 864-6562 starting August 15.
Child Find Services
Child Identification is the parent/public awareness of handicapping conditions and educational services for children and youth, birth through age 21. HSCSD #1 stresses the importance of identifying and assessing children who have problems or conditions, which create obstacles to learning. Further information about disabilities and special education is available from HSCSD by calling 864-6528.
Asbestos Notification
In compliance with AHERA Regulations all known friable asbestos materials have been removed from Hot Springs County Schools. If you have any questions, contact JereApland at 864-6545.
School Bus Isolation Procedures
Bus stops will be set so that students will not have to walk in excess of one mile. If unacceptable road conditions prevent establishing a stop within one mile, isolation payments will be made in lieu of bus transportation. Application for isolation may be made by completing an Application for Transportation or Maintenance of Isolated Pupils form annually, which is available from the Business Office. If you feel you are eligible for this isolation, contact Jerry Bowman, Transportation Supervisor, at 864-6600.
School Lunch Prices
Lunch prices for 2014-15 are as follows:
Grades K-4:$2.25
Grades 5-12:$2.55
Adults$4.00
Reduced .40 (set by State)
Breakfast Program$1.75
Reduced .30 (set by state)
Home Schools
Parents planning to teach their children at home during the 2014-15 school year are reminded that a basic academic educational program that provides a sequential progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science must be submitted to the HSCSD #1 Superintendent’s Office prior to approval of the home school in order to meet State compulsory attendance laws.
The curriculum should be thorough with a scope and sequence, which outlines when and what will be taught for each child. A home-based educational program means a program of educational instruction provided to a child by the child’s parent or legal guardian or by a person designated by the parent or legal guardian. Home schools are considered as non-accredited schools and HSCSD #1 reserves the right to require appropriate testing or to use other means it deems appropriate for placement in a grade level when a student comes from a home-based educational program and enters Hot Springs County Schools.
Drug-Free/Tobacco-Free Schools
To carry out the goals of the District’s health curriculum regarding the use of alcohol and drugs, including tobacco, and to promote the health and safety of all students, staff, and patrons, the use of drugs and/or tobacco in buildings, school vehicles, or on district grounds is prohibited at any time. This restriction extends to all District employees and patrons and to school-owned or operated vehicles and facilities. The use and possession of tobacco by students is not permitted on school property, in school vehicles, or at school-sponsored activities at any time. The District issues this directive in a sincere appeal to all employees, students, and patrons to cooperate in having drug-free and tobacco-free schools and in helping create within our facilities a healthy environment.
Emergency Closing Procedures
Occasionally we may have to close schools, delay starting time, or dismiss school early in case of severe weather or due to other emergencies that threaten the safety or welfare of the students. In the event of an emergency closing, the following procedures will be followed. An emergency parent notification system will be used to notify parents and students of decisions related to emergency situations. In addition, KWOR radio station in Worland will be utilized extensively for the purpose of informing patrons of Hot Springs County regarding school decisions relating to emergency situations. Television stations KTWO and KCWY in Casperand our local Channel 27 in Thermopolis will also be utilized for school closing information. The stations will give these reports from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on days when school will not be held.
The same emergency parent notification system, radio, and television stations will be used to announce an emergency closing that occurs during the school day. Circumstances under which all pupils will be sent home are dependent upon the time and the conditions. When children are dismissed early, they will generally be left at their regular bus stop. If conditions such as blizzards or other emergency situations make it mandatory to remain in the building, all pupils will be kept at school. All available adult personnel will supervise pupils. Rural children will be kept at school when weather or other conditions prohibit the safe operation of buses outside of town. Rural children will be bused to city homes if possible. Parents should make arrangements with a friend or relative in Thermopolis to take the student.
Student Accident Insurance/Kid Care Chip Wyoming Coverage
Student accident insurance is not provided by the District, including coverage for student athletes. Information on an optional policy is available through the athletic director or the business office.
Kid Care Chip Wyoming coverage is available to qualified applicants. This is free or low cost health insurance for qualifying children age birth to 19 years. You may call 1-855-294-2127 or visit their website Forms will also be available at school offices at the start of the school year.
District Offices
All offices in the district will be open Monday through Friday except for designated holidays. Phone numbers are as follows:
Ralph Witters Elementary864-6561
Middle School864-6551
High School864-6511
Bus Garage864-6600
Food Service Director864-6595
Special Services864-6528
Curriculum & Instruction864-6529
Business Office864-6580
Superintendent’s Office864-6515
Maintenance Supervisor864-6545
Nurse’s Office864-6562
H.S. Attendance Office864-6531
H.S. Activities Coordinator864-6533
H.S. Boys’ Coaches Office864-6537
H.S. Girls’ Coaches Office864-6537
Hot Springs County Rec. District864-3767
For More Information on HSCSD #1:
(1)Web site:
- Power School Access (students, grades, attendance, lunch balance, etc.)
- Building Web sites (Ralph Witters, Middle School, High School)
- Related links
(2)Other information regarding district events is also posted on Channel 27.
Parent Notifications
Assistance services are available for homeless children including free lunch. For more information contact your student’s Principal.Homelessness is defined as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (substandard housing); who shares housing due to economic struggles; is living in a shelter, hotel, motel, or public place not designated for sleeping (cars, parks); is an unaccompanied youth; is awaiting foster care placement; and/or is abandoned. (McKinney-Vento Homeless grant)
Home school staff and students may qualify for and have access to programs and services provided through Federal funds. For more information contact district curriculum office at 864-6529. (Titlefunding; 21st C-Community Learning Center grants, IDEA funding)
The District has a Crisis Management Plan. Periodic emergency drills are conducted for students and staff to practice procedures. For more information contact your student's Principal.
Parents can request information about the qualifications of their student’s teacher. If the student receives services from a paraprofessional, parents have the right to know the qualifications of the paraprofessional. For more information contact your student’s Principal. (NCLB - No Child Left Behind)
Information regarding sex offenders either employed by the school district or attending a school at Hot Springs County School District #1 may be obtained by contacting the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Department.
HSCSD#1 is in full compliance with safeguard of student information as outlined by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).
Non-Discrimination Notice
Hot Springs County School District No. 1 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Dustin Hunt, Superintendent of Schools
Hot Springs County School District No. 1
415 Springview, Thermopolis, WY 82443
(307)864-6515
Model Notification of Rights under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for Elementary and Secondary Schools
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
(1)The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access:
Parents or eligible students should submit to the principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
(2)The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate:
Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify what it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
(3)The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
The school or district must, with certain exceptions, obtain parent written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records. An exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school staff with legitimate education interests, such as a person employed by the district; a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as grievance or disciplinary committee or assisting another school official; and or/an official of another school district in which a student seeks to enroll. A School official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill a professional responsibility. A school district may also disclose personally identifiable information from education records without prior written consent to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. Student directory information may also be disclosed without prior consent if the categories to be disclosed are designated and parents are given the opportunity to opt out prior to disclosure.
Hot Springs County School District #1 will make available, to the public, directory information pertaining to students at Hot Springs County School District #1. Directory information includes the following: the student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, grade level, photograph, participation in school-sponsored activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, the most recent previous education agency or institution attended, and awards, honors, or school recognition. Secondary students’ directory information may also include email address and degrees or certifications received. HSCSD#1 provides military recruiters or an institution of higher education, upon request, names, addresses, and telephone listings of secondary students. Post-secondary institutions, prospective employers, military recruiters have limited access to secondary students. If you are unwilling to allow any or all of the above described directory information or access to be released without your consent, you must notify the Office of the Superintendent within thirty days from the date of this notice.
(4)The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605
Bullying Prevention
One of our goals is to prevent and stop bullying behavior in our district. In an effort to partner and communicate with parents and community members, we have added a “Bullying Prevention” tab to our website, Within this page, you will find information on the definition of bullying, suggestions on how to stop bullying, and a bullying reporting form that can be submitted to the building principal. In addition to the form, HSCSD#1 offers a text tipline, 307-840-9145, for parents and students to text their building principal to report bullying. We want to work together to offer a safe environment for the education of all students.
Weapons/Firearms in schools
Any student who possesses, uses, transfers, carries or sells a deadly weapon while on the school campus or on any school bus or while in attendance at any school activity, shall be expelled from school for not less than one (1) year except in special circumstances. Consequences may result in referral to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system. Policy JICI (use this for back to school ad)