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Show Thursday, September 4, 2008 OREM TIMES Page 7 J 4 NEWS AND IDEAS FROM CLASSROOMS AND EDUCATORS Cascade Elem. starts year with new principal Melissa Mayntz NORTH COUNTY STAFF The start of a new school year is a challenge for teachers, teach-ers, students, parents and administrators, and that challenge chal-lenge is even more difficult when the top person at the school is himself new to the surroundings. Doug Finch is the new principal prin-cipal of Cascade Elementary, and when he was first appointed appoint-ed to the school by the Alpine School District last spring he'd never even seen the school before. "It was later that Friday afternoon af-ternoon that I first came to the school," he said. Since that day he's been preparing pre-paring for his new role, and his previous positions as an assistant assis-tant principal at Lehi and Lone Peak high schools as well as one of several curriculum and professional development coordinators coor-dinators for the school district have prepared him for new challenges. He admits to learning learn-ing new things every day that need to be taken care of at the elementary school level, but he has been warmly welcomed by the tight -knit Cascade community. com-munity. "They've been very open, inviting in-viting and accepting of me and I'm very appreciative of that," he said. "There's much that I'm learning by doing for the very first time." Finch brings a strong sense of curriculum to the school and hopes to continue helping students make good growth academically and socially. The regular collaboration time between teachers, he said, is particularly valuable to address ad-dress students' needs. According Accord-ing to Finch, students who have a good education can help strengthen democracy, eliminate bias and improve the quality of life for the entire community. "1 am such a believer in edu- .J..-..-V t.--" - 4L. T'tl AC n 1 x-l MELISSA MAYNTZNorth County Doug Finch is the new principal at Orem's Cascade Elementary. cation," he said. "I believe it opens doors for people." To open doors for all Cascade Cas-cade students, Finch plans to develop more extracurricular activities for students to participate par-ticipate in. The school has a thriving choir and orchestra program, and he is working work-ing with the PTA to start a ballroom dance program as well. A well-rounded range of options, Finch believes, can motivate students to excel academically aca-demically because they want to participate in other activities. "That can be something that lures them to the school as a place they want to be," he said. At the same time, Finch wants parents to feel welcome at the school as welL He has been awestruck to see how involved in-volved parents at Cascade are in their children's education, and he wants to continue that sense of community. "I make every effort to have a very open door," he said. Finch said his best qualities as a principal are his enthusiasm enthu-siasm for education and his ability to be a good listener. He hopes to combine those two qualities to help the school thrive and grow to meet the changing needs of all its students stu-dents and their families. "Cascade is a place that is very responsive to the needs of our parents," he said. "We can't be something for everyone, every-one, but we're sure going to try our best." That enthusiasm is the very best way to start a new school year. : tiger Kate Erickson Who said that clothes make the man or woman? Surely, this statement relates to the impressions we have of people based on what they wear. During the last three weeks of school, I have noticed that clothing plays a part in how we initially present ourselves to others before we even know each other. The beginning of the school year invites the newest styles and the latest trends. Last year's apparel is saved for later days and coeds put their best fashion foot forward. Planning and executing the perfect outfit is crucial in the early weeks of school because it may at least in the mind of the wearer, set one's standard for personal fashion success for the rest of the year. But the packaging in which we are viewed by others reveals re-veals little of what is contained inside. Clothing, whether fancy or plain, trendy or not, over time becomes merely the outer expression of what is within. This expression of either individuality in-dividuality or conformity is, perhaps, the representation of our personalities waiting to be discovered or shared. I started to wonder if rather than something to be judged for style quality, the clothing I and my peers are wearing could actually be a visual invitation invi-tation to friendships and inclusion. inclu-sion. On the other hand, for others, clothing choices might be a signal of rebellion or solidarity. soli-darity. There are great lessons to be learned from others by simply watching the choices in clothing cloth-ing and trends of classmates at school. I wouldn't have thought previously that our everyday apparel could signify the messages mes-sages we send to others about ourselves. But now I realize how our clothing choices actually play a notable part in who we are and whom others take us to be. What messages are you sending? Orem High School Victory Dance The Student Council is sponsoring sponsor-ing the Victory Dance after Friday's football game in the lounge from 9:30-11 p.m. Dress is casual. Ballroom dance registration registra-tion Regular registration for the ballroom dance Tiger Classic ends Wednesday. Late fees will be assessed for late registrants. The competition competi-tion is the first in the Utah Dancesport Series presented by the Utah Ballroom Alliance Alli-ance and will be held at OHS on Sept. 20. Dancers of all ages are welcome. Entry forms are available online at www.OremHighBallroom. com. Canyon View Junior High School Freshman barbecue The annual freshmen barbecue Is today in the pavilion from 5-8 p.m. Call 227-8748 for more information. Cascade Elementary School Bank Day Friday is the first Bank Day for students participating in the Washington Washing-ton Mutual savings program. Any student can sign up for the program. Contact the Main Office for details. PTA-SCC meeting There will be a, combined PTA and SCC board meeting Wednesday Wednes-day at 11 a.m. in the media center. Call 227-8707 for details. School photos School pictures will be taken Sept. 11. Retakes will be offered at a later date. Macey's fundraiser Cascade Cas-cade Elementary is participating partici-pating in the Macey's School Cents fundraiser. Parents can write their student's name, school name and teacher's name on the back of any Macey's receipt and deposit them in the box in the Main office. Hillcrest Elementary School PTA membership drive The PTA membership drive will continue through Sept. 12. All parents are welcome to join and volunteer participation partici-pation is not required. HomeChoice Jjfeekly We've got your home!1 ft SI Mil MENTION THIS AD AND WE'LL OIVE YOU A 20 BONUS PER POUND ON ALUMINUM CANS looking for a close convenient place to turn your scrap into cash. We buy all types of Metals, Steel, Autos, Appliances, Aluminum, Atuminun Cans, Copper, Brass, Radiators, Stainless Steel, and Batteries. We offer Competitive Prices, Fast Friendly Service, and a True Commitment to Our Customers, Stop by and Give Us A Try! GCO No. Gonova Rd. 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