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Show 4 e TARDY TIMES - AUGUST 1992 — Schools—What’s Best for the Children? parents are opposed to the idea of an elementary school here, most would administrator Don Weeks researched the possibilities of receiving funding love it, although teens I spoke with seem to prefer the wider mix of for the district’s home-schoolers. He children at GCHS. Some of our kids, though they may not like the long commute, enjoy being in Moab and wouldn’t have it any other way. Independent or Alternative School Another choice in the future might be a private and/or non-profit altema— tive school. An independent school is WPU, a student would have to spend long afternoons at the river. Less family and free time. based on the premise that community students. In addition, texts and materi- parents and other adults are willing to It is hard enough for parents to send their six-year-olds off that first time for the average six and a half hour assume the obligation and responsibil- als would be given to the students. Probably these materials would be the same as those used in the Moab schools. For most children here in the valley another school year begins next week. School is usually greeted by most parents and children with a mixture ofjoyful anticipation and a tinge of grief. Time for independence, friends, new ideas, and group projects, but it also signals the end of another summer. No more slow mornings and school day, but for Castle Valley commuter kids, the day is even longer—most are on the school bus by 7 am, returning around 3:40 pm. Add homework, and how much is left for family, work, play, or just quiet time? Most of us get used to it, but some parents wonder whether busing into Moab is the only way to educate our children. So I decided to ask some questions about alternatives which might be available for Castle Valley students. Public School in Castle Valley I began by talking with educators and administrators in Moab about Utah schools in general and about the possibility of a small public school here in Castle Valley. Utah ranks around 45th in the nation in its per student spending. We also have some of the ity to educate community children. Alternative schools hold the potential for superior education when there is a shared vision and purpose—and considerable devotion and organization by a united group. Funding is developed through grants, tuitions, endow- ments, and/or fund-raising enterprises. While the demographics of our community may not yet support this concept, it is certainly a possibility for the future. Home Schooling While most parents have accustomed themselves to what seems "nonnal"—traditional public schooling—others have not. There are almost 40 home-schoolers here in CV. The reasons given for this choice are as numerous as the people involved; however, without exception these are families who choose to spend a good deal of their time together. found that for the district to receive the two hours a week with a district teacher. Mr. Weeks calculates that he would need a minimum of 22 registered home-study students in order to generate the funds to cover costs for a staff home teacher to meet either individually or in small groups with For some this might be very helpful. The student would be formally evaluated and advised and would also be provided with the same information as public school students, facilitating future testing or transferring of students into public school classes. However, many parents have chosen homeschooling for their children due to dissatisfaction with the present school education provided by the state, either on moral or academic grounds. For some, school crowding and environment is the problem, while for others the academic level of traditional schooling seems inadequate. Moving the same curriculum into the home would not be acceptable in these cases. Many home-schooling families are opposed to the regimentation traditional in public school systems and appreciate The school district at present the freedom to schedule a couple of this means is that we are on a tight receives no funding for these students, hours a day for the basics (the 3 Rs) budget In Utah our Weighted Pupil although state law requires that they be and the remaining school day on Unit (how much the state budgets per registered. While there is no financial incentive for our local schools to offer support, either in the form of texts, supplies, or counsel, I have found both subjects or skills important to the family, such as religion, humanities, creativity, wilderness adventure, or HMK and Red Rock staff to be extremely helpful and supportive. Dr. Richard Averett, our new superintendent, talked to me about our highest teacher/student ratios. What child for one school year) is $1,490 for the 1992-1993 school year. The national average is $5,500. In Utah, some small rural schools are given double funding (double Last year school district business WPU), but only if they can meet three daily living. SCHOOLS Cont., Page 6 requirements—that it is a rural school, it is existent, and it is considered necessary. Castle Valley does not meet CASTLE CANYON NURSERY these requirements at present, and in KEN and ALICE DROGIN fact the State of Utah is now encouraging consolidation of smaller schools I III. into larger ones for cost effectiveness. The cost of establishing a new school here at present would be prohibitive for the county. But if there were a public school here in the valley, would parents choose to send their children there? Among those I questioned, around 40% probably would. While a few CV "\ Box 2106. CVSR, Moab. 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