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Show wm DE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 April 1, 2006 valley has New Choices for Education Letters to the Editor a totally different and complete cranial protection not offered by those other helmets.’ course, because I own about a dozen of those already. Kate is visibly relieved not to be proclaimed freak of the mountain. I, however, feel compelled to express my frustration out loud at the helmet conspiracy. “So, I can buy the helmet and have Kate ski four times with no incident but own a pristine helmet, or NOT buy the helmet and really be kicking myself when I am spoon-feeding my 45 yr-old daughco 5 Kate and I proceed to the glove counter where we are helped into gloves and hat for a mere $65. I then turn and make a loud announcement to the general area that I will now be heading upstairs to the goggle and helmet department. This brings two of my three MIA’s into range and I am informed that Caroline is in the corner and won’t come. I head through the mass of coats, pants and skiwear and find her petting, yes, petting a child size white rabbit jacket. I say a silent thank you to the powers-that-be that her hands are clean as I catch sight of the $180 price tag. I then cruelly help her try it on. It’s fabulous. Now put it back. Life We head up to the equipment department, where we are eventually noticed by the approximately 16-yr-old salesperson there. He mbles over to me as | am watching my kids touch, pull down, and try out every item they can get their hands on. I hope that my two orally fixated ones aren’t licking anything. | explain that I need goggles for Kate and am also interested in “checking out” the helmets. Goggles are acquired and I am led to “The Wall of Helmets”. $70 to $250 range. I decide to throw it out there and ask the guy what he thinks. “Oh, fer sure, I would totally recommend it. I mean, it’s up to you. It’s totally optional. Like it’s not a law although I have seen some like naasty spills! Like most people wear them but not everyone. It’s totally your call but I would say oe definitely want to consider it.” w know nothing more, and may actually be generally dumber having talked to this guy. I also notice that he is wearing flip flops with no socks in January— maybe not a genius. So my next move is to get my friend Kristin on the phone as her daughter will be skiing with Kate and [’Il see what she thinks. She is also not a skier and the helmet issue is new to her. She then says that her sister is a snowboarder and may have a helmet to borrow, but if 1 am not going to get Kate a helmet she will also send Georgia without a helmet. Great. I now have two young lives hanging in the balance of my decision. | Hang up with her. I am now standing evaluating my Lge i realize that ultimately I am screwed. have one more option to throw out Ps and decide to float it with my equipment expert. “Would a bike or hockey helmet do the job?” Rate is palpably horrified waiting for his oO 2 I hear another woman in the department suck in her breath, clearly and physically horrified. And my sales dude responds with a “Whoa, lady. That’s dark “Kid, you have no idea.” We settle on a $90 helmet and I exit the store $155 + tax poorer but with confidence that Kate will return from skiing brain intact. And to Caroline’s disappointment, no rabbit fur jacket. I now contemplate the whole helmet evolution. I think about how many helmets I have owned in my life. None. How could I possibly have survived to the age of 37. I think of how many other people wore helmets in my formative years and it was Evil Knievel, football players, the infrequent hockey player, and occasionally, the Fonz. no child mounts a tricycle, bicycle, scooter, skate board, or straps on roller blades without the appropriate head gear. They wear hockey helmets and lacrosse helmets. You would be deemed an irresponsible and negligent parent if they didn’t. ay, it’s a good idea. However it may stunt the whole natural selection theory, but why stop there. I routinely pass the school playground with hundreds of children recklessly climbing high, swinging to dangerous heights, and flying down slides with virtually nothing protecting those precious noggins. We have seatbelts and airbags in our automobiles but those vulnerable, helmet less children eating their Happy Meal in the back seat are just a fender bender away from a closed head injury. And all top bunk bed sleepers should be unquestionably helmeted. It’s so Go buy yourself some thank me later. stock and Paige Leary, Daughter of Martha and Dick Schickedanz Eden respon Not ma’am. helmet These ski helmets offer a like ublic meeting will be held at the Uetes alley Library on Saturday, April 8 at 2:00p.m. Community members will be able to fister to a presentation by Jim and Patty Peterson, founders of the original Thomas Edison Charter School of Logan. There are now two successful Thomas Edison Charter Schools in Cache Valley. The Founders, Jim and Patty, will give a presentation on what charter schools are, the associated charter school laws, and the core curriculum of the school. They will discuss the core elements of the curriculum including a language arts program known as Spalding and the successful Saxon Math program. The schools have adopted the Glenn Latham method as the disciplinary program for the school —which will also be described at the meeting. Some frequently asked questions include: Where did the idea to start_a charter school in the Ogden Valley come from? Stephanie Wilkins, an Ogden Valley resident, had a child that attended a charter school in Gilbert, Arizona. Wilkins was absolutely enthralled with the success of her child in the school and its programs. During her early investigations for starting a school in the Ogden Valley she learned that the Thomas Edison Schools in Cache Valley offer the same educational program she experienced in Arizona. The founders and participants of the Logan schools are also very willing to mentor and train residents of the Ogden Valley in the process of establishing their own charter school. What is the tuition to send my child to a Charter School? Schools are Public Schools, and therefore there is NO TUITION a Where do Charter Schools receive their fundin Charter school funding is similar to district school funding. However, there are a few notable differences. These differences include: a) Charter schools do not receive funding for transportation, b) charter schools do not receive local tax funds — however, the egislature has provided additional funding from the state to make up much of this difference, and c) charter schools do not receive equal administrative funds compared to district schools How do Charter Schools finance their facilities? Charter schools are not allowed to finance their facilities through public bonds. Therefore, typically, charter schools attract private investors to finance the construction of their facilities and usually enter into longterm triple-net type leases. Friendly investors include a purchase option in their lease— thereby encouraging the school to own their facility much sooner than usual. Special Note: Since public bond monies cannot be used to finance charter school facilities, community property tax CANNOT be raised to fund charter school facilities. Who is eligible to enroll in a Charter School? Anyone can enroll. Enrollment is not limited to place of residence, income, race, gender, a chil d’s academic performance. Testing for eligibility is not required. When the number of students enrolling exceeds the number of available slots, they are selected via lottery. Once a student is enrolled, he or she may remain in UCATION cont. on page 14 winter WHITE gives way to the COLORS of spring REFRESH your wardrobe with $5 off your purchase this ad. expites 4-30-06) Dy) ) Za women’s fine clothing & unique accessories NZ 186 historic 25th st. w ogden, utah w 801.39.dream w www.umedesigns.com Woli Mountain’s Annual Easter Basket Stuffers for boys and girls under $5. HOME INTERIORS & GIFTS “SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE” s ‘Dottie (801) 745-6617 > Becks LLC B 5522 E. 2200 N. EDEN (Next to Eden General Store) snowbasin \s A SUN VALLEY RESORT Snowbasin's breathtaking foapseaton beauty makesit perfect for weddings, reu: or conferences. With amenities like gondola ‘i ie golf and over 26 miles of single-track trails, even a simple day of hiking or biking can become a special event. A SEASON for ALL April Fools Day! April 1, 2006 Bring the family to be part of our “Fun-Family-Full-of-Laughter-and-Surprises-Event” as the Grand Finale of our inaugural season! Go digging in your garage to create the fastest, craziest, creative and most unusual form of transportation to get down the hill at Wolf Mountain. Just about anything goes. SUMMER Scenic Gondola Rides Hiking Trails Disc Golf Mountain Bie Trails Bike Reni Shraae Outdoor Cote Full Moon Evening Gondola Rides tar Partie Mountain Outdoor Programs DINING OPTIONS leedles Lodge * The Plaza WINTER ipine Nordic Skiing MG WSHOGINE: Lift Assisted Tubing Lane Ski/Board Instruction. DINING OPTIONS Needles Lodge * Earl's Lodge John Paul Lodge FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 801-620-1000 OR VISIT: WWW.SNOWBASIN.COM 5925 E. Snowbasin Road, P.O. Box 460, Huntsville, Utah 84317 Push, pull, ride, slide, or drag your way to prizes, trophies, and bragging rights!! (contraption must include, skis, snowboard or ski poles) Soap Box Derby Entry Fee Win Awards for: $25 per family or business entry $15 for individual entry + Wildest/Most Creative Contraption + Best Costume + Best Tailgate Spread Registration: 9:00 am — 11:00 am + First and Second place for the fastest: Derby: 12:00 pm — 2:00 pm - Family - Business - Individual Ski Passes will be $5 for all ages, all day and night! $+ d11am All entries must be at the base of Wolfdeedo chair by 11 am 3 7 demd MORE INFORMATION AT WWW. WOLFMOUNTAINEDEN.COM Mountain 801-745-3511 |