Page 16 The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume II, Issue V February 2000 StudentsNews Assessment in February Snowcrest is one of the 100 schools in Utah that has been chosen to administer The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to about 60 randomly selected students on Thursday, February 17th. Students will be assessed in mathematics and science. All responses obtained in the NAEP are confidential and no individual results on students or schools are ever reported. The names of the students who take part are not recorded on any of the assessment materials that leave the school. Parents will be notified if their student has been selected. If you would like more information about the 2000 assessment, you may visit the web site athttp://nces.ed.gov/ nationsreportcard. Attention: All PTSA Volunteers You know the saying, “Time is Money.” When talking about the time you spend volunteering for PTSA, that saying has never been more accurate! You may be surprised to know that the volunteer hours reported each month are forwarded to our state and national governments. These hours represent man hours spent to further the mission of the PTA so these hours are converted to Legislative dollars given back to the schools and spent on our students. To report your hours or if you have any questions about this important means of contribution, contact Kathy Venable at 745-2421, Michele Angelsey at 745-2533 or the Snowcrest office at 745-2608. You can also check the National PTA website at www.pta.org. Snowcrest Participates in Industrial Science Project In December the science students at Snowcrest took part in what has become known as the crash test dummy test. Flexpoint, a Salt Lake firm that has designed airbag deployment weight sensors, came to Snowcrest with their engineers and a team from General Motors, to test their product on students. No airbags were deployed, but data was collected showing the effectiveness of the sensors. The sensor’s job is to tell the airbag to deploy or not to deploy, based on the size of the individual in the seat. Students sat in six different seats in several positions and allowed the sensors to do their calculations. The test provided Flexpoint with valuable information on the performance of its product, and the experience allowed Snowcrest students to see a real practical science project being conducted. The product will show up on next year’s Cadillac model, and on other vehicles in the future. In addition to having a great learning experience, the science department was able to earn money for their role in the research, some of which has already been spent to provide cool “daily demo” and other lab supplies. Thank you Flexpoint for involving Snowcrest students in this current scientific and technological study. Snowcrest Performs Melodrama In December, the Snowcrest Theater Arts department presented “Lily of the Valley” a classic melodrama adapted from the original play “Belle of the Valley.” Junior High teacher Ms. Bulloch renamed and reworked the play to include some historical facts about Ogden Valley from 100 years ago. In true melodrama style, the play came complete with a despicable villain, Diar S. Woad played by Cody Layton, and his evil sidekick Bubba (Paul Droubay). Also on the scene were a virtuous heroine, Lily Wallaby (Becca Cox) and, of course, a too good to be true hero, Tom Good played by Eden’s own Rhett Ferrin. These characters, along with all the fine citizens of the Valley who attended the melodrama, pulled together to make sure that good defeated evil. Valley Elementary Teacher Wins Distinguished Award By Kera Fuller Now days, who is concerned about this great country of ours and the noble red white and blue? Both the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), which was founded in 1899, and the Ladies Auxiliary are, and they support the education of our youth in the areas of American history, civic responsibility and patriotism for our country. One of the ways that VFW does this is by recognizing top educators at elementary, junior high school, and high school levels. This year’s local winning nominee for grades 6th through 8th grade levels, is Michelle Evans, a sixth grade teacher at Valley Elementary School. Chris Wright, who nominated this outstanding teacher, says, “Michelle Evans is a teacher extraordinaire who weaves humanitarian and community service into her curriculum. She believes when students serve, they not only enhance their self-worth and empathy for those less fortunate, but also unite an entire community through that service.” Michelle’s students use the skills they learn in the classroom to help benefit the community around them. For example, the students used their math skills to design Christmas ornaments and dollhouses, which they donated to the Christmas Tree Express. All proceeds collected by Christmas Tree express went to special needs children. Students made Easter baskets from recyclable materials that went to homeless children at St. Anne’s Shelter. Chris Wright in her nomination letter says, “Michelle’s students write and sell math booklets to help fund a new library, write to servicemen worldwide, and raised money through a classroom business project to purchase a new flag for the cemetery and one for their school. They go to school in an authentic pioneer cabin and tie a quilt to aid hurricane victims; they create and market a board game to discover the history of Ogden Valley, then donate the proceeds towards building a museum to preserve local history. Her students know they will learn the basics in an exciting, illuminating, often philanthropic experience.” As a winner at a local level, Michelle Evan’s name will now be submitted at state level. If selected as a state winner, her name will be sent to VFW National Headquarters, where she will be considered for a national award. The national winner will receive a $1,000 cash reward for professional development expenses, and an all-expense paid trip to attend VFW and Ladies Auxiliary National Community Service Conference in Washington D.C. The winning teacher’s school will also receive a $1,000 award and plaque. Good luck, Mrs. Evans, and thank you for your time, talent and dedication to our students, community and to our country. Students to Participate in Reading Competition By Mr. Stillwell Snowcrest has entered into a reading contest called The First Annual Reading Challenge Cup.” Snowcrest students will be competing against four other junior high schools for $1,000 cash for the library and a traveling trophy. The contest is sponsored by the Weber District Foundation. The rules are simple; during the 3rd term, which runs through March 23, the school with the most Accelerated Reader points wins. The points are divided by the number of students the respective schools have, so we have an excellent chance of winning! The whole idea is really a win-win situation! Every student can help us become District Champions in reading. Parents, please encourage your students to read and to earn Accelerated Reader points.