OCR Text |
Show Ashley Valley takes on Starting this Fall, the Ashley Valley Educational Center (AVEC) will take on a different look. Students will be attending five days a week and there will be no Independent Study program as it was in the past "As we evaluated our program," AVEC Principal JoAnn Cowan commented, "we realized that our kids were offered 43 less days of instruction than other kids in the district. We were short changing our students in their time with teachers to provide the Independent Study packet program. Many kids in the Independent Study program were not succeeding, so there was very little pressure to continue that program at the expense of our kids." Instead of the Independent Study program, Ashley Valley will offer a night school program to allow for some to make-up opportunities and the chance to cam extra credits. During the day students will register regis-ter for seven classes a day which will allow them to be able to make up lost ground. The school is expecting 150 regular high school students there during the year. There will also be another 75 adults who will be enrolled at AVEC. "We found last year that a handful Discovery serves as a transition for fifth graders by Kristen Kremln Express Writer Expecting approximately 360 students. stu-dents. Discovery Elementary (fifth grade center) staff and faculty members will be spending the year focusing on the things that work best for the students. After reviewing Spring surveys and working with the parents. Discovery principal, Dixie Allen, says that she hopes to be able to rework the vision and goals for the school. She explained that she wanted to recommit to the things that were working for the students and says that she realizes it will be an ongoing process as new students come to the school each year. "Since the students are new each year, and because everyone is different, dif-ferent, this w ill probably be something some-thing that we are constantly doing. We just want to see where the students stu-dents are to be able provide the best education possible for them." Discovery Elementary has upgraded their computer lab and systems to be able to increase student stu-dent opportunity and Principal Allen explained that they will be adding to their curriculum some of the things that the kids w ill need as far as technology is concerned. Also, this year they will be emphasizing empha-sizing character education and the importance of making good and right choices. 6 igciiTiMigmBgg O YOUR COLLEGE EXPfflErXI BNTWHATWESWITIS rrswHATYOuwrris You asked for it You got it Your college experiences whatever you want You design voir classes, your schedule, how much you want to play orwprkorstuoy Colorado Northwestern Community wS be there for ycu24-toursaoty7-oaysa week. You can take classes on campus or onine from your home. S Colorado Northwestern Community College LEARNING FOR ANYONE, REGISTRATION BEGINS Al'Gl'ST 2511 1 of kids were choosing to leave the traditional high school on their own because they wanted to go to a smaller school with less social pressure," pres-sure," Cowan said. "Last year we had some really neat activities like our first Junior Program, a school play, boys and girls basketball teams, and field trips," reflected Cowan, "we hope to continue them. New opportunities opportuni-ties are planned for the kids this year. We are planning on more student stu-dent leadership and responsibility for planning activities. We hope to do our own yearbook, a newspaper, more sports teams, and our first ever music class in the spring. We want to give kids a chance to be involved in school activities and have fun while they are here working work-ing on their graduation." Cowan said. One of the interesting and unique features of our school is the adult roles class. Students are given an opportunity to work on community involvement, career planning and personal growth in this class. Students last year also performed hundreds of hours of community service through this class. The philosophy phi-losophy behind this class is that sometimes the really critical things Allen said, "Since this school is the only one-year school in the district dis-trict and all of the fifth graders come here, it makes a nice blend of the whole community. It has its pluses and minuses. It is hard to feel like you just get to where you know the students and then they are gone again, but it is a great way to stimulate kids to rise to a new level. It would be nice to have them longer, but this is a very structured and protected environment and it provides a good transition for them to be able to go from elementary school to the middle school." Discovery Elementary has a student stu-dent newspaper, yearbook, and student stu-dent government There are outside classrooms, the DARE program, and science and water fairs. There are also spelling and geography bees for the students to participate in. All of which provide the students stu-dents with more educational and learning opportunities on top of the average classroom experience. Allen said, "I believe that the fifth grade center is a good transition for students. We have good teachers who are all interested in what is best for the kids, and in this type of setting we can really focus in on what is best for them as a whole. The way the schools are set up now. brings both positive and negative consequences, but I feel like the benefits outweigh the pavblems by far" Colorado Northwestern has many certificate and degreeprograms, courses, scfiedufes, teachers and more. So what are you waiting for or do we naw to bringfhe car around too? fa rnore information about Colorado Northwestern Northwest-ern and the wide variety of programs that can crtange wfecd 1-800-56? 11 05 or visl our web-site at www.cncc.cc.co.us. to ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. 0 mrmtv j Colorado new look kids need to learn are life skills, not just the academic basics. Teachers team together in planning and delivering deliv-ering the materials for this class. Adult Education will take on a stronger role this year at Ashley Valley. About a third of the students enrolled are actually adults. Many are "super seniors' who need a couple cou-ple of extra classes to finish up their diplomas. "We are able to combine a successful suc-cessful GED score and their high school credits to get them that diploma," said Counselor Tony Cloward, "We want those kids who didn't quite finish last spring to come in and let us help them graduate." gradu-ate." Adults are also invited and encouraged to attend the night school when it starts after Labor Day. By having an extra program at night, AVEC is providing an opportunity oppor-tunity for working adults to finish school. The GED is still available for adults during the day at the campus cam-pus on south Vernal Avenue. English as a second language will also be offered as part of the night school program. Davis begins program by Kristen Kremln Express Writer With the extra funding that Davis Elementary received through the school trust lands funds, the school will spend the year emphasizing reading. This year, they will be starting a new program. Each day, they will be asking parents to take IS minutes min-utes with their students to work with the leveled reading books that Davis has purchased with the additional addi-tional funds. Inservice meetings and an introduction at Back-to-School night will help explain to parents w hat the program is about and how to best help their students. "We are greatly appreciative of the additional funding that has enabled us to be able to begin this program," stated Davis Principal Wayne Gumey. Gurney also explained that teach- Granted, for nine months at seven percent, it's a unique CD. But admittedly, we're a unique bank. And around here, it's not unusual to catch rates this good. You see. at Zions Bank, we recognise that your money keeps us in business so we're here to help you make the most of it. Our nine-month CD earns a competitive interest without obligating you to Sign up today. You'll to your money in less visit your local branch or OFFER ENDS AUGUST 26TH Art)f 0 M' wVDrtwH T 00 Parents can make transition to kindergarten easier There is no one quality or skill that children need to do well in school, but a combination of things contributes to success. These include good health and physical well-being, social and emotional maturity, language skills, an ability to solve problems and think creatively, cre-atively, and general knowledge about the world. As parents go about helping their child develop in each of these areas the need to remember that children develop at different rates and most children are stronger in some areas than in others. Children who match the school's expectations may be considered better prepared. Parents may want to visit their child's ' school to learn what the principal and teachers expect and discuss any areas of disagreement. Children need immunizations beginning around the age of two months to prevent nine diseases: measles, mumps. German measles (rubella), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b). polio, and tuberculosis. tuber-culosis. These diseases can have serious effects on physical and mental men-tal development. Regular dental checkups should begin at the latest by the age of three. Preschoolers need opportunities to exercise and develop physical coordination. coor-dination. To leam to control large muscles, children need to throw balls, run, jump, climb, and dance to music. Most of these are taught in most preschools in the Vernal area. To learn to control small muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers, fin-gers, they need to color with crayons, put together puzzles, use blunt-tipped scissors and zip jackets. jack-ets. In kindergarten, they will build upon these skills. Young children are often very ers will be focussing on writing as well as reading this year. This year. Gumey feels that it is crucial to provide students with the best education edu-cation possible to help them to be prepared to move up to the next grade, and explained that the teachers teach-ers are great at giving their students the educational opportunity that is needed. Gumey said, '"Davis is unique to the district because it is concentrated concentrat-ed on kindergarten through second tie - up your money nil Halley's returns. get a great rate and have access than a year. For more information. call l800-?89-BANK(2265). p" tiib gn men, 01,. L,mt t m Vernal Exprest I r ( . :Sm 'i - .. - ; -,.:?- f MacKenzie Johnson is dressed excited about entering school. But when they do, they can face an environment that's different from what they are used to at home or even in preschool. In kindergarten, they will need to work well in large groups and get along with new adults and other children. They w ill have to share the teacher's attention with other youngsters. Most 5-year-olds do not start school with good social skills or much emotional maturity. These take time and practice to leam. However, children improve their chances for success in kindergarten if they have had opportunities to begin developing these qualities: Children must leam to feel good about themselves and believe they can succeed. Confident children are more w illing to attempt new assignments assign-ments and try again if they don't succeed the first time. Children need to learn to do things for themselves and leam motivation. grade levels. The classrooms are more balanced this way. and we are very fortunate to be the first to teach the kids after their parents. It is a great responsibility, but it is a good one. We believe that parents are their children's first teachers and that it is our job to make sure that they continue to leam and that we make it fun for them. It is also important that the students know that they are important. Every individual indi-vidual child is very important" LIKE HALLEY'S DOESN'T COME ZIONS' 9 MONTH 7 C D (JUST ONE OF MANY GREAT PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT ZIONS BANK) rate Wednesday. August 9. 2000 in pink' and yellow to start school. Children are naturally curious and must remain so in order to get the most out of learning opportunities. They need to leam to finish what they start, be able to get along with others and leam to share and take turns. During preschool, kids leam and understand that son? behaviors, such as hitting and biting, are inappropriate. inap-propriate. They leam that there are good and bad wavs to express anger. Have a positive attitude toward learning and toward school. Children come into this world w ith a powerful need to discover and to explore. Parents need to encourage this curiosity if children are to keep it Enthusiasm for what children do helps to make them proud of their achievements. Gumey stated that he felt that along with academic excellence, that it w as important to be sure that the students were given the opportunity oppor-tunity to develop socially. In an effort to provide social development Davis will he working work-ing with character developmenteducation this year. A value will be emphasized each month, and activities will be planned to correspond with the value of the month. COMET, A CD LIKE THIS AROUND EVERY DAY. ZIONS BANK WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN WHO KEEPS US IN BUSINESS" o Copy o |