Education

Sixteen local teachers earn test score bonus

Sixteen hard-working educators in the San Juan School District received a surprise during the last week of the school year: a $4,600 bonus. The teachers earned the bonus as a result of growth in the test scores of students in their classrooms. This is the third year of an incentive program that...

Despite virus, USU Blanding will honor grads

Utah State University (USU) Blanding will be honoring their 2020 graduating class this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 consists of 29 certificates, 71 associate, 26 bachelor’s, and 14 master’s degree receipients. Nine of the 140 students receiving a degree or certificate will...

County high school seniors positive despite loss of senior year finale

The hallways and classrooms are deserted. The gymnasiums and cafeterias are silent. The school buses are empty. For youngsters of the 1980s, it seems like the world of the movie “Red Dawn” has come true. It’s not true, of course, but for the first time in modern history, life at schools in San Juan...

Nineteen locals earn Sterling Scholar honors

Two students from San Juan County earned the title of Sterling Scholar and 17 more were named runners-up at the annual Southeast Utah Sterling Scholar competition. The initial competition, scheduled to take place on March 18, was delayed because of the new coronavirus pandemic. Judges and officials...

Schools feed, educate thousands

Despite the fact that school buildings are closed to students, the San Juan School District is working at full capacity to educate and feed children. “Not to say that things are perfect, but we have seen a tremendous amount of teamwork,” explained Superintendent Ron Nielson. “It has been an...

Local schools dismissed for two weeks

Beginning March 16, schools in the San Juan School District will be under a “soft closure” for the following two weeks as part of a massive public health response to slow the spread of coronavirus. San Juan School District Superintendent Ron Nielson called the action a “school dismissal” but added...

Monticello art teacher is Teacher of the Year

Shari Griffin, an art teacher at Monticello High School, is the 2020 Teacher of the Year for the San Juan School District. Griffin was honored for her work at a March 2 banquet. Monticello High School Principal KC Olson said, “Shari Griffin is a valuable asset to our MHS team. As a member of our...

Scholarships for three SJ athletes

Three students at San Juan High School will have an opportunity to play their respective sports at the next level after receiving athletic scholarships from three universities. Delaney Palmer signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO, Kian Conway...

San Juan County students participate in regional History Day Fair

Nearly 120 students from across the San Juan School District participated in the annual regional History Day Fair, which was held on February 25 at the Utah State University Blanding campus. “Breaking Barriers” was the theme of the contest this year. There were 80 projects in total, with 27...

San Juan students named to Academic All-state teams

Five San Juan County student athletes earned Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) Academic All-state honors for the recently completed winter sports season. At San Juan High School, Sophia Redd was named to the Academic All-state drill team, Madison Palmer was honored in girls basketball...