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Show 1 Wednesday, November 9, 1977 Page 3 . IV YOUR DREAM HOME QUALITY BUILT TO RIGID SPECIFICATIONS - FAST Please call for free estimates i J McComb Says Schools Are Better But Still Need Improvement I Nancy McComb graduate gradu-ate of Lake Forest College in Illinois, mother of six, co-ordinator of the Marsac Community Council and chairperson of a 1976 task force to evaluate the Park City schools talked to The Newspaper Monday regarding regar-ding the current status of Park City's schools. In a traditional vein, McComb Mc-Comb favors homework on a regular basis, strong foreign language departments and the creation of a summer school. She works ardently to set fires under local faculty members and administrators. ad-ministrators. "I would like to preface my statements," began McComb, Mc-Comb, "by saying that I have high ideals; all of my thoughts are idealistic. In the meantime, however, I feel I am jeopardizing my kids while everyone is sitting around waiting for the schools to get good!" McComb said she felt Marsac Elementary School, under the direction of Otis Falls, was "doing much better bet-ter this year." "Otis has a good handle on things," said McComb, "and he is really trying to get a lot of new programs started." Some of the new programs include a "Readers' Theatre" currently involving in-volving the fourth graders. This group of "thespians" is given scripts which are not actually memorized but which are practiced enough to allow performances without reading directly. (This Wednesday the fourth graders will give a presentation presen-tation to the first and second graders.) Advance placement math is now being organized. This program will have community com-munity volunteers . helping advanced pupils with " discovery math games. ' N ' ' "Many kids are learning the same skills they have learned since kindergarten," kindergar-ten," noted McComb. "This f wm j III 1 VI I I School activist Nancy McComb repetition is causing them to lose motivation and, consequently, con-sequently, they don't learn." Other "pluses" on Mc-Comb's Mc-Comb's list include implementation im-plementation of the optional fluoridation program. Consent Con-sent slips will be sent home with students this week. Although library conditions con-ditions are still a major concern con-cern of the community activist, ac-tivist, she was enthusiastic about the turnout at last Monday's middle school Halloween Carnival, which netted $1,000 for the Marsac and Winters' library funds. McComb revealed plans for a January bookfair which promises to include a magician. The fair will be held at the media center where kids will browse throughout the week. On the last day, parents will be invited in-vited to attend to purchase books which their children have selected. The school libraries will get a percentage percen-tage and a credit for the books sold in addition to free texts for the display. As far as continuing deficiencies in the schools, McComb is very vocal about the "quality" of teachers. "Some of the teachers simply lack aspiration. There are many out of their field, especially in the high school, and many who do not have a good command of the English language," she said. She claims state regulations are lax. "The state could care less," she commented. "They are very lenient. We have to do the work on a local level." Although some in-class grouping and team teaching is being practiced at Marsac, Mar-sac, ability levels are so varied that, in some instances, instan-ces, teachers must make as many as six preparations. McComb feels more and better bet-ter teachers are needed. "I guess money lies at the base of . many of the problems," she acknowledged. ; ; In the 1976 Task Force report, she suggested that administrators take great pains to "hire interested, motivated and innovative teachers." ' ,: McComb would like to see the elementary school offer more "extras." Her suggestions that foreign languages be made available at an early age to establish a broader base of knowledge for the learning of English as well as inhance cultural awareness have been met. with pessimism by administrators. . ii "People say to me,. 'Well, you offer cultural and travel experiences at home,' and this it true, but I feel like it's resting more and more OLD PARK CITY IN A NEW SUBDIVISION Prospector Park NOW FOR SALE Theodore Roosevelt Pknty of room for wide-open living, with 1.576 square feet of reloxed. feet-on the-coffee-ftible spaciousness. Dining nreo. kitchen, living and family rooms. 3 bedrooms. 2V bafhs-pus a bonus room offering an additional 165 square fact, lo be finished any way you want. T. H. would have heartily approved. Co aliead. live in the past-wifh every modern amem'ty-in amem'ty-in the Theodore Roosevelt. The Capturing of Old Park City in a new Subdivision Commercial, Condominiums , Residential, Lots 405 Main St. 649-9304 REAL ESTATE SALE Sold exclusively by Western Woo lands responsibility on my shoulders. Why should the brunt of my children's education fall on me?" McComb remains concerned concer-ned with . arousing com-' com-' munity support. "My main concern is for quality education," she summarized. sum-marized. "I understand the need for extra-curricular activities, ac-tivities, but the foremost goal of any school should be the highest possible level of education." McComb, who said she is often called a "gadfly" by administrators, feels relatively alone in promoting her cause. "I feel I express the views of a number of people in the community, but I'm ineffective ineffec-tive because the administrators ad-ministrators have seen my face too much," she said. "It's always the same few people who attend all of the meetings. We need more people to become involved with the quality issue. The schools have improved but they still have a long way to go. The School Board meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., the Marsac Mar-sac Community Council meets the third Wednesday of the month at 12:00 noon; and the Carl Winters Community Com-munity Council meets the second Thursday of the month mon-th at 9 a.m. McComb urges interested Park City residents to attend. GREAT AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION CO. 2285 South Main -Suite 16 Salt Lake City. Utah 841 15 467-1143 UTILE C0WM7 HESIAUIWlll Featuring Steak Seafood & Chuckwap Salad Bar LIVE MAINE LOBSTER New England Style 1 Va Lb. $9.95 Reservations Call B49-7071 m m AVENUE Design Coalition a moved! 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