CALL MEETING TO ORDER

TCSD #1 Recreation District Board Meeting 

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MEETING AGENDA

Regular Meeting - April 23, 2024

LOCATION OF MEETING: TCSD #1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE - 1235 GREGORY LANE

Suggested Motion: I move to approve the April 23, 2024 regular meeting agenda as presented.

TETON COUNTY RECREATION DISTRICT BUDGET UPDATE

1. Budget update

ACTION ITEM

TETON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1

FY25 APPLICATION

Executive Summary: TCSD#1 submits for the Advisory Board's consideration their FY25 Grant Application. TCSD #1 will provide the Final Report for FY24 after the spending is complete this summer, July of 2024.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands.  
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the TCSD#1 FY25 Grant Application, not to exceed $3,501,467.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

TETON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION

AFTERSCHOOL COMMUNITY KIDS CLUB PROGRAM

Executive Summary: The Kids Club Afterschool Program is vital to working parents in Teton County to provide a safe, supervised place for their children. At Teton County Parks and Recreation, we understand that every child is different with different needs, our programming, budget, and outreach reflect this. This request for funds helps us continue to support the K-5th after school program and to keep this resource affordable and available. With these funds for our Kids Club program, we aim to provide quality programming, accessibility through lower fees, nutritious snacks and food options, opportunities and affordable childcare to the many families that make up our community.

Teton County Parks and Recreation Kids Club Afterschool Program is one of the most affordable after school programs in Teton County. Considering the demographic and needs of the community we operate in; we see affordability and accessibility at the forefront of our mission. Leading our programs with these pillars in mind, we have expanded our capacities and quality programming in the past year to best fit the needs of the community.

We have introduced the students to many new community partners this year as well as continuing to bolster partnerships of the past. This year we have formed connections with US Fish and Wildlife to support conservation efforts in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Teton Science School AmeriCorps because we believe that young educators can learn and serve within our programs, Pet partners, National Museum of Wildlife Art, Hole Food Rescue, Wyoming Stargazing, Jackson Hole Historical Society Museum, are just a few of our many local community partners. Funds this year have helped us purchase new sensory toys, craft supplies, tables, chairs, Lego creation tables, organize craft supplies and new athletic equipment. These supplies keep our program running smoothly and equitably, while also offering varying activities and structure for the students.

Currently, Kids Club serves between 50-55 students per day. These students receive a nutritious snack each day. This always includes a fruit or vegetable. Snack time also includes the reading of a book, or some educational enrichment time. This has become a favorite time for students who will bring a book they want the counselors to read. Friday is the day of the week on which we offer 55 students a place to swim and feel safe and comfortable in bodies of water. At Kids Club we provide the students with an opportunity to learn how to safely spend time in the water. This spring, with the expansion of the Recreation Center we have created a shared vision to meet the needs of the community we serve with an opportunity to learn how to climb and introduce them to fitness and nutrition programs. In the future we intend to utilize our new facility to provide new program opportunities, collaborate with new partners and expand our programming in ways we haven’t been able to in the past.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input

To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 

3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the Teton County Parks and Recreation FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application for Afterschool Community Kids Club Program, not to exceed $40,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

TETON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION

HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS COURT RE-SURFACING

Executive Summary: The five tennis courts at the High School are an integral part of TCSD Student Athlete development and outlet for the community to recreate during the summer months. These courts were built in 2006 time frame as a partnership between TCSD and Teton County Parks & Recreation. Industry standard dictates that courts be re-sealed/painted every 5-7 years to ensure asset longevity. These courts were last sealed nearly 8 years ago and it is time. Town and County Administration directed staff to request the full amount.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input

To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 

3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Teton County Parks and Recreation for the High School Tennis Court Re-Surfacing, not to exceed $65,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Grand Teton Music Festival seeks to purchase instruments and equipment for our Education and Community Engagement (ECE) programs, including 20 ukuleles, four handheld percussion instrument sets, a portable drum set, 250 shaker eggs, and a portable speaker set. ECE programming includes year-round events as well as specific summer programs that run within our 8 week festival season. Examples of ECE programs include our partnership with Coombs Outdoors' Activate summer camps, where campers have the opportunity to learn ukulele in a group setting; "Musical Adventures," our free summer musical workshops for children ages 0–5; our camp visits to Camp Jackson, Coombs Outdoors, and Teton Literacy Center; and our year-round school outreach events. Each one of these programs contributes to the mental and overall wellbeing of its participants, opening up the recreational benefits of the performing arts to children and other community members in Teton County. Securing the proposed permanent supplies would enhance existing programs and enable GTMF to provide more recreational ECE opportunities for community members, especially during the school year.

The initial desire to acquire a set of ukuleles originates from our Coombs ukulele class, where Coombs Activate campers in 3rd–5th grade have the opportunity to enroll in a weekly, after-camp ukulele class with GTMF's Education Curator, Meaghan Heinrich. In 2023—the program's inaugural year—15 campers participated in the group class, which culminated in a class concert outside Walk Festival Hall for friends, family, and community members last August. The students not only achieved proficiency on their instruments, but were able to make music with one another—an extremely gratifying experience—and share their new skills with loved ones. In order to realize this program, GTMF borrowed ukuleles from Teton Music School's Uke55+ program, which the campers could only use during the class; due to its resounding success, we aim to purchase our own set of instruments for this and future ECE programs.

Ukuleles have great utility in music education programs, especially those geared toward children. Unlike the smooth fingerboards of violins and other string instruments, ukulele necks are fretted like a guitar, making it much easier to play the correct note. Ukulele, however, is much more "little finger" friendly than guitar—there are four strings as opposed to six; the strings are lighter and easier to hold down; and there is less distance between each fret. Ukuleles represent a great first instrument for students who want to learn guitar or an orchestral string instrument, as they teach many of the techniques needed for these more advanced instruments. Acquiring a set of ukuleles opens the door to new ECE programs and partnerships, such as summer and off-season group classes for young children or in conjunction with other area youth programs. Learning ukulele—especially within the fun, collaborative environment offered by group classes—is the first step toward learning an orchestral string instrument or guitar, opening up a lifetime of recreational opportunities.

Handheld percussion instruments (shakers, woodblocks, maracas, and triangles) and drums are essential to early musical development. They help young children develop a sense of rhythm, coordination, and a love for music, all while enabling them to participate in music-making. Many of the activities included in GTMF's "Musical Adventures," our weekly workshops for young children during the summer, involve handheld percussion instruments. Since the program's introduction in 2021, our Education Curator, Ms. Heinrich, has been utilizing her limited number of personal instruments, an unsustainable situation as the program expands and involves more children. The requested funds would help us acquire approximately 70 individual percussion instruments and a large collection of shaker eggs, expanding and variegating "Musical Adventures" activities and ensuring that each child can actively participate in the session. These instruments will also be employed during our summer camp visits to Camp Jackson, Coombs, and Teton Literacy Center's Practice Kindergarten and during the school year, such as during our outreach activities with TSCD #1 and our "GTMF Presents" student outreach concerts. The requested speaker system adds to the audience experience and accessibility of our ECE events—many are outdoors and in crowded areas, such as the Greenspace on the Block in Jackson, so a reliable sound system is necessary.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Grand Teton Music Festival, not to exceed $4,077.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: JHWW serves the youth and families of our community with an affordable after-school and weekend recreational activity on the square and at the Village. With discounted rental cost for local community families, JHWW provides wholesome outdoor physical activity for our children. our free learn to skate lessons provide to underserved families in Teton County, aiding them in the ability to enjoy the skating opportunities provided by Parks and Rec.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Grand Teton Skating Association, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Skating Club of Jackson Hole operates a critically needed after-school program for youth ages 3 and up. After-school programs, such as Learn to Skate, offer a safe and inclusive environment for young children during the after-school hours. More importantly, however, this recreational program provides the space and instruction to develop physical fitness, youth leadership skills, accountability, and self-expression through ice skating.

The program is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from October until Christmas break. The second semester begins in January and runs until Spring Break. This year, the 2023 – 2024 season, our program has served approximately 220 Teton County School District students and 11 adults. Our first semester culminates with The Holiday On Ice performance showcasing all of the hard work and dedication from the skaters in our program during the first semester, and is one of the most widely attended holiday performances in Teton County. The 2023 performances showcased two time U.S. National Champion and Grand Prix Finals Champion Alissa Czisny along with US Junior Nationals competitive skater Ella Kim, who had the audience on their feet. Children who attend or skate in the performance with their older role models and guest skaters of a professional level, are inspired by the possibilities. The Holiday on Ice serves to help build confidence and self-esteem in those who participate.

As our current programming stands for the second semester, we hold an exhibition show for skaters to participate in. Many of our skaters, as well as their families have expressed an interest in participating in a Spring Exhibition of similar caliber to the Holiday Show. In general, Spring Semester registration runs approximately 25% higher than the fall semester. The Spring Exhibition shines a spotlight on local talent, featuring duets and solo performances by skaters of ALL AGES & LEVELS. This Exhibition will showcase what skaters have been working on and will serve as a culmination of the participants' hard work and dedication during the second semester of the program! The exhibition will display the skills of several SCJH members and students from our Learn to Skate USA Program-Advanced in a fun relaxed production. Family, friends, and community members will be able to come enjoy an entertaining performance with admission being free to all.

Public performances are a very important component of the overall success of our program by introducing students in the audience to figure skating and causing them to be excited for the opportunity to participate. Students who participate in these shows are much more likely to return to the program for years to follow.

The weakest numbers in our program are our highest level of skaters. We rely heavily on our upper-level skaters to provide a strong support system for our younger skaters. Most of our upper-level skaters have assumed roles as coaches, mentors, and role models. In addition to continuing to perfect their own skills and advance through the ranks as a figure skater, the older skaters compete in figure skating competitions around the region, and they fill a need for coaches within the program. Participating in shows allows the upper-level skaters to not only showcase their skills as a figure skater, but also allows them to showcase their leadership qualities and their coaching skills.

As we have seen through the success of our Holiday Show, continuing to improve the quality of our Spring Extravaganza could have a very positive impact on our skaters and the overall health and strength of our program.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Skating Club of Jackson Hole, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum (JHHSM) tells the stories of Jackson Hole that connect people to the history of this valley and region. We steward and share artifacts and ideas that foster curiosity and continual learning, forge connections, and inform our 21st century dialogue. Over the last 30 years, JHHSM has grown and developed to include more educational activities, sophisticated exhibits, and improved outreach opportunities and partnerships. For the last decade, bolstering our youth education has been and continues to be a priority. In 2018, responding to a high community need for accessible, affordable childcare during the summer, JHHSM launched summer camp at the Museum. History Museum Camp for the summer of 2024 has taken further strides towards equity and inclusion; through an expanded partnership with One 22 to offer scholarship spots for each of our five camps. We also used a lottery system for enrollment, which brought in nearly three times the number of interested participants as last year's summer programming.

Through this comprehensive youth summer programming we encourage students to uncover history in their everyday lives. Using a variety of hands-on activities, recreational games, and active field trips, campers learn about and experience history. Our summer camp programs connect local history across disciplines through investigation, research, creation and connection.

In 2024 we plan to host five weeks of summer camp. Camps will focus on various topics including our community’s conservation and advocacy legacy, curating museum collections and exhibits, historical fiction writing, and more. With funding from TCSD #1 Recreation District, we will be able to secure transportation for each week of camp to allow greater access to local recreation sites, such as the Murie Center in Grand Teton National Park, Town and County parks, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Snake River and R-park, and Teton Pass. While we will utilize free public transportation whenever possible, a van is necessary to access locations that are not serviced by public transportation and to help us be the most effective with our timing and schedules. Additionally, we often have parents ask in advance of signing up for our programming about how active the camps are, and we'd like to assure parents that the camps are both active and we are able to accommodate all children whether they be younger with lower stamina or any age with a disability that precludes rigorous exercise. By securing transportation for several days during each summer camp week, JHHSM will be able to not only enhance its depth and efficiency of programming but ensure every activity is accessible and inclusive for all campers.

Along with transportation, this funding request includes partial financial support for our Rising Educator Intern. Working with the TCSD, the Rising Educators program pairs a local Latino high school student with JHHSM to assist with our summer camps. This internship provides a paid professional experience and is a mentorship opportunity. As a summer camp intern, the Rising Educator will learn teaching skills, classroom management skills, general workplace expectations and will form relationships with younger students. Our camp offers a unique opportunity with 5 weeks of summer camp over a 9-week period which allows for an intern to get deeply involved with both supporting instruction as well as playing an active hand in camp planning. The intern will be able to deepen their craft of lesson planning and take on more responsibility as time and training goes on. The intern will have many leadership opportunities, including leading first an activity and ultimately a full day of camp perhaps on a weekly basis. The Rising Educator group has set the salary to a minimum of $18 an hour, so that the program can be competitive with other local jobs - often in the service industry - so that students can pursue a career and mentorship without sacrificing the ability to make money over the summer potentially for their own college fund or their current family needs.

This funding will supplement JHHSM summer camp expenses and ensure that we are able to provide a high-quality dynamic camp that supports and engages with TCSD #1 elementary through high school students.

This project should be considered for funding because it will give unique, active, and enriching opportunities for local students who might otherwise spend their summer staying inside with limited chances for social and recreational engagement. This program bridges the gap between the school year and allows families to pursue students’ interest in the humanities, museums, and recreation further. Having campers do scavenger hunts in the Museum, playing games in the green space in the back yard, and taking hikes to historic places, they will learn healthy physical and mental life-long practices.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Wyoming Young Authors Competition is a state-wide writing contest offered for all grades, K-12 in public, private or homeschool. Entries include: poems, non-fiction, fiction, and graphic novels. The Young Authors Competition provides students the opportunity to write for enjoyment and to share their writing. Student writers are recognized in their building and school district. The winning entries at local districts are then sent to the State Young Authors Contest. Then, the winning entries and authors are recognized at a State Young Authors Celebration.

The Young Authors Competition has a long history of engaging Wyoming students across all grade levels in the challenging and fun world of creative writing. The program provides a recreational outlet for students who enjoy imaginative activities and who care about self-expression in language. Jackson Hole Writers sees great value in continuing to celebrate younger members of our community of writers. We understanding how celebrating the Wyoming State Literacy Association's mission to "provide information, support, and service to anyone concerned with the promotion of the lifelong love of reading and the development of literacy at all levels" also furthers our mission to help writers achieve success. A robust literary community of all ages benefits the community at large. As the National Governors Association stated in 2006, "literary readers have been shown to be more likely than nonreaders to pursue social and civic activities such as volunteering and attending sporting events. Therefore, literary reading may enhance community life and civic engagement." We aim to support this kind of civic engagement by fostering the aspirations of our younger literary writers.

In recent years, TCSD #1 coordinators have felt the burden of other responsibilities and job requirements in conflict with the time and effort required to coordinate the Young Author Competition. With dedicated time and resources to support classroom engagement in the competition, Jackson Hole Writers will focus on expanding on the current foundation of creative writing exposure for students in Teton County. One of the aspects of Young Authors that we will grow is to increase participation in mentoring and guidance by our local community of writers. Jackson Hole Writers is eager to help aspiring writers in the county feel part of a lively literary community.

During the 2023-24 school year, TCSD #1 coordinators reached out to Jackson Hole Writers about taking on the coordination of the program. Jackson Hole Writers is enthusiastic about stepping into this vital creative program and about expanding the support provided by local published authors as mentors and guides. We also feel we are strongly positioned to celebrate student writers through a culminating event and publication in which our community at large can celebrate the young writers. In addition, the Young Authors Competition dovetails nicely with Jackson Hole Writers long-standing summer youth programming, Almost Authors, by giving an initial taste of the fun of creative writing that can, for students interested in following this recreational pursuit further, lead to a more serious commitment to the literary arts.

To achieve our goal of expanding the reach and enthusiasm for the program among students and teachers, Jackson Hole Writers intended to create and/or reestablish several activities that celebrate the students and teachers who participate in the program. First, we will offer afterschool programs to connect local authors with students to work on contest submissions. We are in contact with TCSD #1 After School Program Coordinator, Libby Crews Wood, to coordinate these offerings. We have also designed a writers journal to be given to all students who submit work to the contest so that have a designated place to continue to pursue creative writing. Once coordination of contest submissions and local judging is complete, we will celebrate students and teachers by hosting an open-mic event where local contest winners and others can share their writing. We will also design and publish a Young Authors magazine to celebrate local winners in all grade levels and contest categories. With the high school literary magazine currently in an active and dynamic phase, we are eager to connect with next year's student editorial team (through faculty advisor Mary Hoelscher) to gauge interest in learning the skills required to produce such a publication. So, our plans and efforts stayed focused on our mission to build community among local writers and to help writers learn skills to achieve success and to develop a love of writing as a recreational pursuit they can carry through life.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Writers, not to exceed $3,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Teton Avalanche is a non-profit youth sports organization dedicated to developing athleticism and basketball fundamentals while promoting respect for the game. Based in Jackson and a member of the AAU, our organization offers opportunities for high school athletes from around our community. TCSD #1 Recreation District funding for equipment and uniforms, along with our volunteers and donors, will allow us to keep our programs affordable for families in our community as well as provide financial assistance for those who need it.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Teton Avalanche, Inc., not to exceed $4,680.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: We are looking for the cost of materials such as footballs, uniforms, flags, etc for flag football for grades 2-5.

This application is missing: 

• Code of Conduct & Drug / Alcohol Policy
• W-9
• IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• IRS Form 990

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Youth Football, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: We believe that some of the most important and effective preventative search and rescue initiatives we can fund involve Jackson youth. Whether we are teaching 7- or 17-year-olds basic first aid, avalanche-related snow science, backcountry packing essentials, or leadership and communication skills, we understand the impact of our time with this community’s young people. Thanks to our involvement in TCSD CREST days, JH Ski and Snowboard Club practices, JH Children’s Museum activities, Teton Literacy Center classes,TCSAR Venture Crew trainings, and COOMBS Outdoors workshops, in addition to the youth 'What's In Your Pack?' classes we host at the hangar (now totaling four a year) and free admission for folks under 18 at WYSAW, our reach of young people in this community is extensive. The more we can prioritize catching recreators while their risk management systems are still forming, the more we can execute our mission of reducing injuries and fatalities in the backcountry. This is why we are requesting funding support to mitigate costs for the teaching materials we use and participant goody bags we provide at our workshops. With financial help from this grant, we will be able to pay educators and SAR volunteers fairly for their time teaching and buy each student who attends our workshops backcountry med kit materials to take home. With any additional funds, we can also purchase snow science kits for long-term avalanche education use, informative stress injury handouts, winter backcountry checklists, fire starters, and perhaps even kids’ headlamps. The more we are able to get resources into kids’ hands while we are engaging with them, the more likely they will be to actually put them to use with confidence.

In 2023, our team was called 100 times to respond to backcountry incidents. In 2022, our team had a record number of callouts -- 136 total -- equating to 5,246 hours of volunteer time spent on rescues in the Teton backcountry. Our previous record for the whole calendar year was 105 callouts in 2021. Not only did 2022 have a unique call volume, but it proved the increase in SAR need is becoming a trend, as is the increase in injury severity and distance from medical support. The helicopter, for example, was used 44 times in 2022 to extract patients in hard-to-reach places and/or with life-threatening injuries, nearly double our previous annual high for helicopter use. This trend speaks to a lot of things: more folks in our community are getting out into the backcountry, more folks are comfortable accepting risk while recreating, and inherent uncontrollables -- weather, human nature, unprepared partners -- will always exist. That is why we committed 503 hours to community events and education last year.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input

To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 

3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Teton Youth and Family Services (TYFS) has provided comprehensive programming and support to struggling children and families in Teton County and beyond for over 45 years. We offer programs for all youth in the community, from leadership camps and prevention work to crisis intervention, emergency support, and wilderness therapy. Our comprehensive framework addresses behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues within an environment that champions the inherent worth of each individual. TYFS’s overall mission is to help children and families find their way to fulfilling and constructive lives. We directly change the trajectory of thousands of suffering children and families, and our role in fostering healthy youth and families leads to a stronger, more resilient community.

In the past year alone, we have seen a 40% increase in demand for our services and treatment centers’ transformative programs for children navigating trauma, neglect, and mental health challenges. Reports show that while one in five children have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, only about 20% receive care from a specialized mental health care provider. In Wyoming, these numbers are even more staggering, as our state’s suicide rates remain the highest in the nation, nearly 2X that of the country’s average.

To meet these demands, TYFS offers our community enhanced programming and long-term sustainability in safe, welcoming spaces for families and their children. TYFS is the umbrella organization for three entities that are crucial to child welfare in our community and state: Van Vleck House, which includes a Group Home and Crisis Center and Court Diversion Services; Red Top Meadows, which provides residential treatment and wilderness programs for adolescent males; and the Hirschfield Center for Children which provides programs for families and children as well as forensic interviews for children subject to neglect and/or abuse.

The requested funds will directly support the Red Top Meadows’ physical education program and the newly renovated Gymnasium. A critical program that the Red Top Meadows facility offers is physical activity and education, including a therapeutic wilderness program to promote mental well-being. The benefits of physical activity for mental health are countless. Movement releases endorphins and promotes growth and connection for nerve cells in the part of the brain that helps regulate mood, alleviate depressive symptoms, and improve brain functioning. Physical movement also boosts dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels, which impacts focus, attention, and stress levels. Exercise also serves as an incredible distraction that can help children focus more on the present moment, rather than fixating on negative thoughts or feelings.

The need for physical movement for our students is more pressing than ever. By providing them with the right tools we can collectively change their lives for the better. The funds will support the equipment needed to fully equip the physical education programs offered at Red Top Meadows. This program not only benefits the child's mental and physical health but also builds positive social interactions and engagement, which improves social skills and healthy peer interactions. The focus of daily living at Red Top Meadows is learning to develop and maintain healthy relationships and to be a part of a supportive community. We have received input from our mental health professionals and therapists to ensure the recreational activities support therapeutic goals and contribute to the overall well-being of our youth. With your support, we can provide even better programming in safe, welcoming spaces for young people navigating crises and seeking hope.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY23 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Teton Youth and Family Services (TYFS), not to exceed $15,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The best way for students (and by extension, their families) to develop an affinity for nature is to simply be out in nature, together. Birding transcends economic and physical barriers and adds depth to just about any outdoor recreational experience from hiking and biking to fishing, skiing, drawing or painting, or simply walking on a pathway and is equally enjoyed by people of all ages. Bird lovers have played an important role in many conservation successes, including the end of using wild bird feathers in fashion, the shooting of raptors, the use of DDT and more. Birders have taken the lead in many citizen science initiatives, creating a wealth of data that has tracked bird declines, shifts in range and the spread of invasive species.

For young birders, bird-watching requires paying attention to the smells, sights, and sounds of nature, including each bird's markings, sounds and behavior. Birding creates opportunities to improve focus and sensory processing abilities and allows students to build competence in a variety of areas. They learn how to quietly be in nature so that they can see exciting things. They learn how to identify birds and make observations about their behavior as well as the ecosystems they inhabit. As they get better at identifying the plants and creatures around them, confidence and self-esteem grows and all their outdoor experiences are enriched. Students learn to use research materials (for example field guides and free apps) to find the information they want. Birding allows children to observe and ask questions about the behaviors, habits, life span, and diet of the birds they are watching. In-field birding experiences help students understand the rich diversity of the ecosystems around them. Skills developed while birding can enhance performance in the classroom, as well.

Studies have shown that time in nature increases individual happiness, but it also strengthens connections and bonds between people experiencing nature together. The JH Birding Festival aims to provide a robust lineup of enriching opportunities for youth of Teton County in partnership with the organizations that serve them, both in and outside the classroom. Birdwatching can be as thrilling in your neighborhood or on the bike path as it is in the field. It can enhance virtually every recreational experience.

Working in close collaboration with area schools and youth-centric community organizations to facilitate birding activities and events into their programming, we will establish a series of Young Birders Clubs and events that specifically target underrepresented low-income students and families, to help address the lack of access to nature-based activities and educational programs that these students often face. This initiative not only promotes environmental awareness and conservation but also fosters a sense of community and belonging among a demographic that is often underrepresented in such initiatives. Offering enriched programming for the organizations currently serving the youth of Teton County to empower students to explore their natural surroundings, develop a passion for birds and other wildlife that is easily shared with their family and friends.

Through establishing the Young Birders Clubs and Birding programming in association with classrooms, After the Bell interest groups and existing community organizations, these students will be able to engage in rich hands-on learning opportunities, enhancing their understanding of local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Fostering a sense of community and belonging among the participants, the initiative goes beyond environmental education. It instills a sense of pride and ownership in their natural surroundings, empowering them to become stewards of the environment. This sense of responsibility and connection to nature can have long-lasting effects on their personal development and future career aspirations.

In supporting this project, stakeholders are investing in more than just a single initiative; they are investing in the potential of these young individuals to become future leaders in environmental conservation and advocacy. By equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and passion for wildlife and conservation, Young Birders Clubs and field excursions with noted experts not only benefits the immediate participants but also ripples out to create a positive impact on the entire community. It is through initiatives like these that we can foster a culture of inclusion, diversity, and environmental stewardship.

Informed by the pilot After the Bell project for 3-5 grade elementary and 6-8 middle school students this spring, specifically targeted curriculum-relevant programming will be designed beginning in July, for execution during the autumn when there are rich opportunities for field excursions. Partnering community organizations and faith youth groups are being enlisted each week, as we create robust and integrated community engagement.

During the inaugural JH Birding Summit, we will have a rich lineup of free community programming featuring nationally recognized bird specialists including filmmakers, photographers, writers, artists and musicians who incorporate birding into their work, as well as scientists, researchers, biologists and conservation leaders. Of particular interest will be The Nest–a hub for local organizations to showcase their work at the Center for the Arts

Importance of the Project and Community Impact:

The establishment of Young Birders Clubs that specifically target children and families that have limited resources addresses the prevalent lack of access to nature-based activities and educational programs faced by this demographic. There will also be clubs specifically conducted in Spanish for families. This innovative initiative serves to not only cultivate environmental consciousness and promote conservation efforts but also to nurture a sense of community and inclusivity among a group that is traditionally marginalized in such endeavors.

This project is fully aligned with the values and goals of our fiscal sponsor, The WYldlife Fund and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission/Department. Wild Excellence Films will produce the May, 2025 event with an expected 40+ local, regional and national partners. Field excursions and research expeditions will be slated in public and private venues throughout each day, with special evening speakers, and events.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Wild Excellence Films/Jackson Hole Birding Festival, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

TCSD #1 RECREATION DISTRICT 

MILL LEVY REQUEST

Executive Summary: TCSD #1 Recreation District request of .9 Mill Levy to go before Board of Education. 

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step up to the podium and begin by stating your name. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the TCSD #1 Recreation District .9 Mill Levy Request to TCSD #1 Board of Education as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Art Association of Jackson Hole is dedicated to encouraging a vital, creative community through education, engagement with, and enjoyment of visual art. The Art Association has made visual art a vital part of creative life in Jackson Hole for over 60 years. Comprised of five studios and a gallery, our facility provides over 10,000 square-feet of space to learn, practice, and exhibit art. Beginner to master level instruction is offered in the mediums of painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, silversmithing, glass, printmaking, blacksmithing, mixed media and more. Inclusivity is a key Art Association value and class fees are always kept at an accessible price point. The Art Association also offers scholarship funds for families in need.

The Art Association respectfully requests TCSDRD funds to directly support Youth Art Education and ensure that tuition prices remain accessible to all local families. The Art Association's Youth Art Education program encourages creativity and self-expression through artistic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. In each program our professional instructors give students individual guidance working on projects at an age appropriate level. Current class offerings for K-2 children include instruction in kinetic art, drawing & painting, toys & games design, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, a spring break camp, and ten weeks of summer break programs. Elementary students in grades 3-5 can take classes in digital photography, ceramics, digital illustration, sculpture, painting, two spring break camps, and a variety of camps during summer vacation. Middle and high school youth can select from instruction in drawing techniques, ceramics, digital animation, digital photography, painting, filmmaking, and summer programs. All of these programs occur after school hours, and during spring and summer breaks , offering a valuable resource to local working parents.

The Art Association works closely with TCSD #1 to publicize class and camp opportunities, including placing materials in buildings and distribution directly to students. The Arts are a form of recreation, as creating art is consistently linked to reduced stress, anxiety and positive self-thought. Art making encourages confidence and a sense of community. Creative expression develops critical motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children. The Art Association’s youth programs encourage creativity and self-expression in a safe, supportive environment. Through our programming, we ensure Teton County youth from diverse backgrounds have access to excellent art education.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 final report and recommend approval of the FY25 application from Art Association of Jackson Hole, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Dancing Alphabet is a two-week program that reaches five schools in the district. It uses movement and art to teach young children the ABCs in a way that best suits their learning style. The program is a collaboration between pARTners and Dancers' Workshop, and focuses on teaching dance concepts that enhance students' understanding of spatial awareness and the shapes of letters.

During the first week of The Dancing Alphabet, the students are each assigned a letter of the alphabet and asked to make the shape of the letter with their body and other kinesthetic movements. During the second week, a pARTners visual artist comes into the classroom to guide students through creating backdrops and performance t-shirts. At the conclusion of the program, parents are invited to a final performance, where students showcase what they’ve learned.

Research shows that dance and movement positively impact student learning and emotional well-being. Numerous reports demonstrate a connection between kinesthetic learning and student achievement, particularly for minority students (Latino) who can be challenged in traditional academic settings. In a research project conducted by Rima Faber (2011), she found that students who participated in kinesthetic activities “performed better and retained knowledge 30 days later than those who were not exposed to kinesthetic, dance-based approaches.” Another research study, Basic Reading through Dance (McMahon, 2003), found that movement activities could positively influence early reading skills. Lastly, a more recent study (2021) found that creative dance and movement programs improve motor competence and creativity, which are critical for positive developmental trajectories of health (Temple et al.).

This project should be funded, because it can positively impact the way students learn and process knowledge, while also promoting physical fitness and exercise. These opportunities motivate students, get them out of their seats, and encourage them to connect with their surroundings. Learning the alphabet through movement is a valuable experience for all children in Teton County.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Art pARTners dba. pARTners, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Dancers’ Workshop (DW) is seeking funds for DW’s Summer Arts Camps to help supplement the cost of teacher salaries, art supplies and materials. DW’s summer day camps vary from DW’s typical dance classes to involve a multi-disciplinary arts curriculum. Each week-long camp explores a theme by studying different artistic modalities and mediums such as creative movement, visual art, and creative writing. For this upcoming 2024 season, DW is scheduled to host 6 week-long camps, plus continuing education for previously enrolled students consisting of technique and choreography focuses.

DW’s summer camps provide students with all materials for the class including but not limited to: paint, markers and colored pencils, materials for sculpture, specialty adhesives, and fabrics. Students explore different artistic modalities such as watercolor and acrylic paint, sculpture, mask making, collage, and even book making. Students who are new to dance are introduced to the art form through creative movement and DW’s dance curriculum used in our Outreach Program throughout the public school system.

DW’s summer camps are unique in that they truly encourage students to find their own voice and use art to explore deeper and more complex themes. The camps are designed to attract a wide array of students, with no prior dance experience necessary. Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, think critically, and use art to express themselves and find their individual voice. The versatile curriculum of DW’s summer camps invite a diverse student population, and are developed to provide something for each attendee.

An example of summer camp curriculum: In “A World I Can Imagine”, students create their own imaginary world and are asked to answer questions regarding the environment, government, society and everyday life in their world. Drawing from current events and our own World, each morning begins with a ‘wall of questions’ where students dive deeply into certain topics to help answer questions about their own imaginary world. What kind of people live there? Does your world have money? Do people work? What kind of environment does your world have? Students are then asked to design and create their own world map, make a crown to represent their leadership and choreograph a cultural dance. At the end of each camp, students present and perform their creations for their parents, family and friends.

DW strives to keep summer camp tuition as affordable as possible and to provide child care for working parents in our community. Summer camp hours take place Monday-Friday 9am-3pm and cost $395 for the full week. If requested to do so, DW is willing and ready to provide an additional 2 hours of child care services post camp hours. DW provides scholarships for families who qualify. In addition, DW partners with One22 to reach a wider range of students which provides more financial aid to families in need of help. For One22 students: One22 provides one third of tuition, DW provides one third of tuition in scholarship support, and the remaining third is paid for by the family. For students paying full tuition, the cost of camp breaks down to $13.16/hr and for students enrolled through One22, the amount paid by the family breaks down to $4.35/hr. Funds from this TCSD Recreation District Grant will help supplement the expenses of each camp so DW can keep the cost of tuition lower and camp accessible to all in our community.

DW summer camps are a summer highlight for camp attendees as well as the staff who teach them. The day is broken into different periods of time, balancing art and dance classes and class discussions, with play and physical outdoor activity activities. DW strives to enrich the lives of each participant by providing a well-rounded and educational experience for each child.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY23 & FY24 Final Reports and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Dancers' Workshop, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: We believe all of our local kids should get to experience Jackson Hole’s amazing rivers and lakes safely and be able to have fun swimming in the summertime. But not all kids in our community have the skills and comfort they need to safely recreate in and around water. Swimming lessons increase water safety, outdoor access, and opportunities for fun, but they’re limited and expensive in Jackson.

At Coombs Outdoors, our mission is to empower local youth to grow and thrive by breaking down barriers to outdoor recreation through programs, mentorship, and community building. Last year a group of Coombs parents came to us and told us that Jackson’s lack of accessible, affordable swimming lessons is one of those barriers for many families, especially in Jackson’s Latinx community. So, in spring 2022, we started after school swimming lessons for elementary school kids.

In Coombs swimming lessons, experienced instructors guide participants age 5 to age 10 through a learn-to-swim progression including blowing bubbles, floating, kicking, and eventually adding arm strokes. We have been evaluating the program each season with surveys, interviews, and informal conversations, and we’ve received nothing but positive feedback. Kids have fun and feel more confident in the water and instructors are impressed by how much participants are learning. Parents are proud of their kids and feel relieved knowing their kids have the skills to stay safe in and around water. Now that we know the program is working, our challenge is to maintain and expand it for more kids in the future.

Since the start of our swimming program, between 13 and 30 1st through 5th graders have attended lessons, one day per week, each spring and fall, for a total of 4 seasons and 90 participants so far. Swimming lessons have quickly become our most popular new program, and our long waitlists continue to grow. The program spent 3 seasons at Astoria Hot Springs, supported with funding from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole and instruction from Jackson Hole Swimming. It’s now moved to the Rec Center thanks to Teton County Parks and Rec. We had our first 30 students there this past fall, which confirmed that the Rec Center is effective and convenient for its in-town location, large pools, and indoor space.

Offering accessible swimming lessons is a big achievement not only for our individual participants, but also for breaking down barriers that have historically kept people of color from accessing swimming and water sports. Access to swimming skills means a safer community and increased access to water overall, so more kids and families can take care of our watershed environment, have fun, and experience the mental and physical health benefits of water recreation.

Based on the high community need, successful program outcomes, and ability to run the program more easily in the new Rec Center location, we want to continue to offer Coombs swimming lessons two seasons per year in 2024. We are not able to offer a spring swimming session due to rising costs and limited staff capacity, so we are planning to instead offer them during our summer programs for the first time.

This funding would allow us to provide summer swimming lessons for 48 kids in K-8th grade across 9 weeks. Our fall swim lessons occur after school with 30 kids attending weekly for 8 weeks. These new summer swim lessons will be integrated into our existing summer camp sessions, giving them a unique structure with an opportunity to reach more participants across the 9-week season. Elementary school kids are each able to enroll in up to 3 weeks of “Activate” camp including one lesson per week. Middle school participants have the opportunity to sign up for individual camp programs by adventure trip or by activity, one of which will be swimming this year. Incorporating swim lessons into these Activate and Engage programs is an important expansion for our swim program and significant add-on to our summer programming.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Coombs Outdoors, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Today's girl faces many socio cultural pressures and stereotypical biases that compromise their well being: girls' confidence drops by 30% in middle school, 1 in 4 girls will be sexually harassed by age 18, only 1 in 5 girls think they are brave, and a recent report by the CDC shows that 57% of adolescent girls are in a mental health crisis, suffering from depression, anxiety, isolation, and suicide ideation. Concerns about peer judgment, toxic comparison, fear of failure and meeting expectations are the main barriers girls face when going out of their comfort zone or accepting new challenges. GAP! holds after school and In school personal empowerment sessions that teach the social emotional learning, community mindedness and leadership skill development that girls need to break through barriers and succeed in life. Our curriculum helps create the female leadership of our future.....confident women advocate for themselves, leave domestic violence situations, overcome wage disparity, and are more likely to seek healthcare for themselves and their families.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from GAP! Girls Actively Participating, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Jackson Hole Lacrosse Club's (JHLC) mission is to "Engage and cultivate youth in our community through exceptional lacrosse programs, inspiring participants to be their best both on and off the field." We believe strongly in the power of a team sports experience to make a difference in a young persons life and also enhance their physical, social, and mental health.

As an independent, community based youth sports organization, JHLC relies on fundraising and grants in order to provide quality programs and keep participant registration fees low in order to be an accessible sport to the youth of our community.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY23 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Lacrosse Club, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Teton Literacy requests funding to expand our summer program in response to TCSD summer school changes. We would like to extend our four week SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Academics and Recreation) to six weeks, Monday- Thursday from 9-4:30 pm. The Summer SOAR program is a free program prioritizing families through a weighted lottery process.

We seek funds to support an enhanced free summer program that will provide academic intervention and intentional social emotional learning for students. The Teton County Rec District Funding will be used specifically for field trip and partnership opportunities that help enhance summer opportunities for at risk students. Our community lacks access to academic and affordable afterschool and summer programs that work to eliminate the opportunity gap and combat the “summer slump.” Our comprehensive summer and school year programs at TLC provide critical support to students and families and enable our staff to follow and support students throughout their entire academic journey, working towards college and career readiness. Additionally, this proposal presents urgency based on the Teton County School District summer learning changes.

Cumulative summer learning loss is detrimental: by the fifth grade, summer learning loss can leave low-income students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers. The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) research illustrates that during summer, children in high-poverty environments lack basic needs like healthy food and safe places to spend their days. Low Income children experience a summer slide of 2-3 months in reading. The NSLA states that most elementary students lose 2 months in math. Our programs will combat this learning loss through morning academic instruction in math and reading, with afternoons focused on enrichment activities and STEAM connection.

This summer program at TLC provides intensive academic instruction connecting literacy with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) content areas. After summer, students will transition into school year support through afterschool tutoring, afterschool literacy clubs, and family literacy programs. SOAR will run June 24th- August 1st, Monday- Thursday 9-4:30 pm. Practice K will run from August 5th-15th. TLC will work with 140 students Kindergarten- 12th Grade. Daily components include literacy, math, and vocabulary instruction in the morning followed by Social Emotional Learning, community field trips, and recreational activities in the afternoon. TLC will maintain a 5:1 student to teacher ratio to ensure that we can provide individualized instruction.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the recommendation of the FY25 Grant Application from Teton Literacy Center, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Experiential learning creates an opportunity for youth to participate in art and art-making using their senses. Creating art is visual, kinesthetic, and auditory. With the high cost of summer activities in Jackson, JH Public Art offers engaging summer and fall programming free of charge and in accessible public spaces, giving youth the opportunity to participate with artists. Making art with community also forms connections, building bridges that cross ages and cultures. Community bonds that are shaped through creativity, imagination, and play are healthy interactions that can combat isolation and heal division.

Our 2024 Art in Motion programming is about youth outreach and artist interactions through a variety of public art projects this summer that include youth-created murals, asphalt art, Indigenous art, scavenger hunts, Discovery Boxes, and guided day-walks (2-hour camps). Below is an explanation of youth outreach activities and why each is recreational and worthy of funding.

For youth-created murals, JHPA pairs an artist with a class of students and they conceptualize, design, and paint 1-2 new murals each year on underpasses throughout the pathways system in Teton County. We have hosted artists from Tlaxcala and the Wind River Reservation to produce cross-cultural murals in the past year, creating a cultural exchange and brightening public spaces. We will produce 1 new artist-led high school student produced mural this year.

Asphalt art is vibrant, painted art that will highlight a busy intersection at Center for the Art, to welcome local youth and create safer crossings. Vivid designs using stencils are created by an artist then paint will be applied by volunteer community members and local youth. Youth learn about safe crossing behaviors, e-bikes, and applying specific thermal, semi-temporary paint to a street. This project will happen at one intersection (4 corners) and is pending successful grants.

LandSignals is a project that will bring 3 new large-scale artworks by Indigenous artists to Jackson (JH History Museum mural, 3D art at Center for the Arts, digital artwork at Russ Garaman Park). Each artist will work with local youth, showcasing the importance of conserving native language, and native traditions and plants. The digital artwork will include creation of two site-specific scavenger hunts for youth and families. Art makes cultural topic experiential and the scavenger hunt requires movement and discovery outdoors.

Guided day-walks are two hour “camps” where youth can explore each of the 3 LandSignals artworks, with JHPA, in an interactive exploration of the artists’ visions and narratives. These day-walks are a way to engage more of our youth in art, recreation, and the Indigenous narrative. We will offer 6-8 guided day-walks during summer.

Discovery Boxes will be placed at R Park (Mama Mimi troll), the Greenspace on the Block (Bison Wallow sculpture) and Garaman Park (LandSignals digital artwork). Each box will contain guided youth activities that children can check out and use independently. Three boxes will be kept filled with kits that encourage independent play and outdoor recreation while educating about recycled materials in art.

JH Public Art youth programming provides children and families with free, healthy, creative, outdoor engagement in the summertime, providing for youth who are unable to attend summer programs due to cost. Social interactions among children and families are encouraged in this safe, making and learning environment and our Community Mobilizer encourages diverse participation. With help from the Recreation District, we can create summer youth-focused programming that combines recreation with arts learning and engagement.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Public Art, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding (JHTR) respectfully requests $5,000 from TCSD #1 Recreation District toward our School-Based Adaptive Riding Program. If awarded, grant funding will support eight weeks of Adaptive Riding, Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), or internship coaching for more than 30 TCSD #1 students ages 5 to 21 with disabilities who are on an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students will participate once weekly for a four-week session in fall 2024 and again for a four-week session in spring 2025.

Physical activity is crucial for children, particularly those with disabilities, as it contributes significantly to their overall well-being and development. Engaging in regular physical activities helps improve motor skills, coordination, and muscle strength, fostering better physical health. Beyond the physical benefits, it also plays a pivotal role in enhancing cognitive functions, concentration, and emotional regulation. For children with disabilities, participating in adapted physical activities—such as those offered at JHTR—promotes inclusivity, social interaction, and self-esteem. It empowers them to overcome challenges, build resilience, and establish a positive relationship with their bodies. Inclusive physical activities not only contribute to physical health but also play a vital role in nurturing holistic development for children of all abilities.

At JHTR, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to engage in regular physical activity, regardless of their economic status. Through our longstanding partnership with Teton County School District #1, families of students with disabilities are not faced with deciding between cost and participation. Instead, our program is costless to all students on IEP enrolled through the school district. This ensures that every child, regardless of their family’s financial capabilities, is afforded the opportunity to engage in physical activities that benefit their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. With funding assistance through the TCSD #1 Recreation District grant, financial restraints present no barrier to participation.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Our mission is to help boys and girls be as successful as they can by teaching the fundamentals of basketball, respect for the game and life lessons such as hard work, fair play, teamwork and sportsmanship. JHYB offers recreational leagues, travel leagues, camps and clinics to boys and girls grades 1-12 in our community. Funding for uniforms and equipment, along with our great volunteers and donors, allows JHYB to keep our programs affordable for families in our community as well as provide financial assistance for those who need it.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community application from Jackson Hole Youth Basketball, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Jackson Hole Youth Soccer (JHYS) impacts a large segment of our local community. Last year JHYS had approximately 875 players with 1,250 total registrations for our programs. We operate youth soccer programs year-round, including indoor soccer in the winter and camps during the summer. In total, JHYS provides healthy after school options for an estimated 30% of all kids in local schools.

We aim to address several critical needs within our community:

Promoting Physical Health: With childhood obesity rates rising, our program offers regular exercise, encouraging healthy lifestyles from a young age.

Developing Social Skills: Through teamwork and competition, participants learn vital social skills such as communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Enhancing Emotional Well-being: Participation in sports has been shown to improve emotional health, boost self-esteem, and reduce anxiety and depression. Bridging Community Divides: By bringing together children from diverse backgrounds, our program fosters a sense of unity and understanding within the community.

In addition, our programs provide a positive impact on the education and development of children in the Jackson Hole community. We teach the ethics of hard work, the benefits of teamwork, self and team discipline along with the satisfaction of putting in the effort to achieve goals. Equipment is a vital part of our ability to engage young people in high-quality soccer experiences and equipment turnover is a large annual expense for the club. Soccer balls have on average a one year shelf life before they must be replaced due to heavy use throughout the season. We also need to invest annually in cones, training jerseys, equipment bags, mini goals, corner flags, agility training equipment, and player safety. This funding will not only allow us to provide our coaches and players with the necessary equipment to succeed, but it will also provide us the opportunity to subsidize the cost of jerseys and ease the financial burden on our Academy (recreational) families. For the upcoming spring soccer season, our season rates are unchanged for all of recreational and competitive programming. We recognize that a lot of families in the valley have been effected financially recently and JHYS does not want soccer to contribute to that burden. More so than ever, we are looking to outside resources to help us absorb this financial impact on our club.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Jackson Hole Youth Soccer, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Off Square Theatre (OST) seeks funding for its youth musical, a one-of-a-kind opportunity for youth in grades 3-12 to participate in a full-scale theatrical production during the academic year. OST is the only provider of an after-school program in theatre of this magnitude for this range of ages. It gives students a supportive hands-on environment to hone important skills like collaboration, organization, inclusion, and confidence. This program is especially valuable to the community because it allows children of all ages to work together, make new friends, and learn mentorship skills by helping each other succeed.

The 2025 Youth Musical will be OST’s 15th consecutive year of youth musicals. Over the years, OST has honed the process to combine the educational component with the production opportunity. The process begins with auditions and casting in October, followed by vocal coaching in November and December for key roles, with full rehearsals for the cast launching in January. Young artists are led by a professional team and are challenged to excel as they learn new skills and develop their imagination, all while having fun in a supportive environment.

For students who are not interested in performance, the Youth Musical Crew provides an opportunity to learn how to work ‘behind the scenes’ in one or more of OST’s technical theater program areas, including sets, costumes, lighting, sound, and more. Youth Musical Crew students hone valuable collaborative skills and vocational skills. The Crew is made up of students in grades 6-12 and includes the role of Student Director, allowing one older student the opportunity to take on a production leadership role with mentorship.

The goal of OST’s theatre education programs is to create the next generation of creative, empathetic leaders. We know that theatre provides unique developmental opportunities to help our students reach this goal. 100% of surveyed participants of our 2024 musical reported employing one or more of our seven empathy/leadership skills (emotional identification, collaboration, confidence, conflict negotiation, inclusion, motivation, organization, and problem-solving) during the course of the production. In addition to our survey results, parents and teachers anecdotally note an increase in classroom participation and increased motivation when it comes to homework.

In summary, the annual youth musical provides a vehicle for youth development within the community’s cultural ecosystem and is a programmatic addition to the academic and extracurricular offerings of TCSD#1.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Off Square Theatre Company, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Kids Cooking and Gardening Class Series provides a unique recreational opportunity that would otherwise not be available in our community. Participants, ages 3rd-8th grade, attend summer season cooking classes for hands-on experiences in growing, sourcing, preparing, and enjoying local Teton food and flavors. Through these classes, young chefs are trained in high alpine farming and gardening techniques, introduced to Teton area food producers, and receive instruction in preparing and cooking meals that feature seasonal, locally grown ingredients.

Activities are focused on understanding local food systems, farm-to-table cooking, and healthy and nutritious eating. Students learn skills such as basic gardening, plant identification, harvesting vegetables, compost and soil maintenance, recipe creation, knife skills, use of outdoor stoves, and general kitchen safety and cleanliness.

Classes are designed to empower and encourage students to take the information and skills they learn in class home with them to their own kitchens and gardens and extend the benefits of seasonal, nutritious food sourcing and cooking with their friends and family members.

Guest instructors with expertise in a variety of different food and farm skills will be scheduled to present throughout the summer on topics such as beekeeping, vegetables/flowers as textile dyes, outdoor pizza dough making, and local food foraging.

Program status update: 2024 is the second summer of the Cooking and Gardening Class Series. It is a revised version of the Slow Food Cooking and Farming Camp program that received funding from the TCSD#1 Rec District Grant in the past. Due to venue changes and staff shortages, Slow Food modified the camp program in 2023 to operate instead as a cooking class series that shares a venue with existing programming (the Slow Food Community Gardens, Farm Stand, and Farmstead Gardens) and draws on the expertise of farmers, chefs, and instructors who are accessible through our existing programming (People's Market, Farm Stand, and local food events). We were very pleased with the 2023 series and are looking forward to continuing the programming this summer with Coombs Outdoors, as well as a new partnership with Teton Literacy Center.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Slow Food in the Tetons, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: Teton Music School seeks funding to support the purchase of equipment and storage solutions for our after-school music programs. Support for this equipment purchase will help strengthen the foundation of TMS so that we can more effectively and efficiently develop and deliver accessible music education opportunities for our community.

Group Class Equipment

Our Rock Bands program has grown. Two years ago, we had one band each for Middle and High School. We now have four rock bands for Grades 6-12, an auditioned elementary rock band for Grades 4-5 and a feeder program called "Rock Band Prep" that gives students in Grades 3-5 the fundamentals of playing in a band by working on ukulele (for guitar/bass), buckets (for drums) and small keyboards (for piano). With this growth, we have also increased the number of performance opportunities for the bands, including our now annual "Teen Takeover" at The Center, special events like performing at local restaurants, and our year-end student showcase "TMS Fest". We are in need of several items to support the rock bands program: 1) a simplified drum kit designated for our elementary rock band; 2) 'stage snake' - a device to consolidate audio cables and set up for live events; 3) set of music stands and stand storage rack; 4) two iPad minis to run digital mixing boards; 5) adjustable/collapsible stands and benches for each of the rock band prep keyboards.

Storage Furniture

Alongside the growth of our ensembles, we have acquired the specific instruments and equipment needed to support these programs, including piano keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, percussion, PA systems, mixing boards and other instruments and audio equipment. Something you may not know about TMS is that our primary group classroom in the Center is actually a shared space - this room is also home to community music groups like Jackson Hole Community Band and Jazz Foundation of Jackson Hole who rehearse there weekly. Sharing a multi-use space like this means that we have to return it to neutral after every use, setting up and packing away every bit of equipment for each class. The room lacks sufficient storage for our equipment, and currently we need to store these items in other parts of the building in the Center, adding to the amount of setup and tear down time for any given class or program. We need a functional storage system that will allow us to lock away TMS specific instruments and equipment in that room when they are not in use. We plan to purchase large-scale, industrial storage locker furniture that will keep the shared room tidy and usable by our cohorts, protect TMS belongings, and can ultimately be moved to another location should TMS acquire new or different program space in the future.

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ABOUT TETON MUSIC SCHOOL

Founded and staffed by a group of local professional musicians and fans, TMS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich lives by providing accessible music education and exceptional music performance experiences for the benefit of the Jackson Hole community.

Teton Music School opened its doors in September 2019, aiming to fill the music education gap in our community. Teton County craves music education at this level: TMS taught nearly 6,000 lessons last year. We are now wrapping up our fifth year of operation in The Center for the Arts, and we have almost 300 students and a waiting list for after-school lesson times.

TMS is building our capacity and operational ability to better serve our mission. We have a passionate staff of 14 talented music teachers who deliver exceptional musical experiences daily. TMS is led by a full time Executive Director, we just renewed a 5-year lease on program space with The Center for the Arts, and we adopted a new 3-year strategic plan in fall of 2023.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from Teton Music School, not to exceed $5,000.00, as presented.

ACTION ITEM

COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Executive Summary: The Jackson Hole Children’s Museum’s afterschool, preschool, and STEAM programs reach the children of local working families from toddlers to 5th grade. In our many types of programs, one consistent thread is exploring Science, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) through play. During our free afterschool program at Jackson Elementary School, our students love tinkering, a process that builds design and engineering skills they can use throughout their lives. We would like to support purchasing a classroom set of Ozobots robots and three iPads to extend children’s love of building and tinkering by adding basic, tangible computer programming. Ozobots allow children to create robotics courses with paper, markers, cardboard, and other simple building supplies. The cute, small bots have built-in color sensors and will respond to combinations of colors, which are basic code elements. To use the Ozobots, children construct physical mazes and courses, then color them with markers to program Ozobot movement. Programming can also happen with an ipad app. This versatile system will be used for all our afterschool ages and can be enjoyed by the same children for years, as they move through our programs and develop more complex abstract thinking and programming skills. The tiny, cute robots combine physical maze-building and engineering with developmentally appropriate programming, making engineering and computer science fun. They are even more simple to use than the Lego robotics that many schools offer for older elementary and middle school students, and provide a great introduction to coding that could be applied to those later, more complex robotics systems. Using Ozobots, the over 200 TCSD students in our afterschool programs will develop problem solving, engineering, and programming skills through play. Computer programming and engineering can be seen as intimidating, but fun, playful experiences like playing with Ozobots can help develop children’s self confidence in this crucial field.

We would also like to purchase three ipads to accompany the Ozobots. The Ozobots have sensors to follow both codes drawn by markers and codes sent via bluetooth from an iPad app that allows children to program the bots digitally. The ipad app allows for a more adjustable approach to the bots. It has five levels, from pre-literacy through high school complexity, and is designed to work for early elementary through high school children. We currently have two iPads used daily at the museum for patron registration, so having three more would allow us to use ipads elsewhere. We will primarily use the iPads to pair with Ozobots and supplement our afterschool Teton Literacy Center partnership programs at JES. When not in use for Ozobots they can be used to offer Lego robotics sessions for our older afterschool students or will be paired with our chemistry Happy Atoms toys and atom identification app for 5th grade TCSD STEAM labs. The Happy Atoms app is used with over 150 students, as chemistry is the main STEAM field trip program we offer to all 5th grade classes in TCSD. We can also use the ipads with our mobile Green Screen, which allows our afterschool students and museum patrons to create costumes and tell stories based on books and themes of the classes. The green screen technology enabled by the iPads supplements our Biomimicry and Animal Habitats STEAM curriculum, which we offer free to every kindergartener and first grader in TCSD through our classroom STEAM trips.

1. Staff Report and Questions for Staff
2. Community Input - To provide public comment on this agenda item, please step to the podium or use the Raise Hand function. We will ask all community members in person to step up first, and then we will address the raised hands. 
3. Board Discussion
4. Vote

Suggested Action: I move to approve the community FY24 Final Report and recommend approval of the FY25 Grant Application from The Jackson Hole Children's Museum, not to exceed $3,795.00, as presented.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The Board of Trustees will receive oral communication at this time. A 3-minute time limit will be given to all members of the public that wish to speak. If the item is scheduled within the agenda, no further discussion will occur at this time.

Give your full name before you begin. While we want to hear everything you have to say, it is important to remember that we also want to hear from everyone. Please try to limit your comments to 3 minutes. Address the Board when speaking, not the audience.

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COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD

The Board of Trustees may use this time to communicate items from the Trustees to the public. Board of Trustees may respond to recognitions, written communications, e-mail and/or community input.

ADVANCED PLANNING

MOTION TO ADJOURN