OCR Text |
Show A-10 Wed/Thurs/Fri, August 31-September 2, 2016 The Park Record New chapter for Young Life Continued From A-9 Start times The committee also conducted a survey of Park City residents that found broad support for changing the start times. Nearly every member of the school board indicated that they, too, were in favor of changing the start times, but there was concern about the feasibility of making the switch in time for next school year. If the high school and Treasure Mountain Junior High began around 8:30 a.m., for instance, there would be a domino effect at the other schools. One scenario the committee presented at the meeting suggested that the elementary schools could begin at 7:45 a.m. and Ecker Hill Middle School could start at 9:25 a.m. Implementing such a structure could cause problems in BUBBA BROWN/PARK RECORD Wes Stout, area director for Young Life Park City, says the organization is hoping to get more students and adults involved this year. He says the value of Young Life, where students can be themselves and find peer and adult support, cannot be understated. Student group is hoping for more participation By BUBBA BROWN The Park Record Wes Stout knows as well as anyone the impact Young Life can have on teenagers. The organization, a nondenominational ministry that aims to provide leadership and guidance to adolescents, played a large role in Stout’s teenage years. He participated in Young Life as a high school and college student in Ohio, and he recalls how it helped him through a transformative time in his life. And now, as he steps into his first school year as the full-time area director for Young Life Park City -- he was with the organization part time during the It’s always been on my heart to have other high school and middle school students have that privilege that I did” Wes Stout, Area director, Young Life Park City last two years -- he is eager to share what the organization has to offer. “It’s always been on my heart to have other high school and middle school students have that privilege that I did,” he said. “Because of the impact it had on me, I want to be able to share it.” Stout’s primary goal is to increase participation in Young Life. Students from sixth to 12th grades can participate, and there’s also a program for special needs youth called Capernaum. Stout said the group puts on weekly or bi-weekly activities for students and takes them on several camping trips throughout the year. But in addition to wanting more students to participate -- around 100 students were in Young Life last year -- Stout is hopeful more adults will volunteer, too. Attracting more adults would give Young Life the resources to recruit more students. Please see Young, A-11 several areas. First, the district would have to figure out a new transportation plan to bus students to school. Also, some families rely on their older students to take care of their younger children after school, and elementary schools getting out first might make it difficult for those families. Delaying the high school start time could also force athletic teams to practice in the dark and miss more class on game days. Several members of the school board wanted to find solutions to those concerns -as well as others -- before officially implementing a change to the start times. Member Julie Eihausen argued for the board to officially adopt a change for the 2017-2018 school year, though, saying that doing it as soon as possible is what’s best for the students. “We’re always going to be overwhelmed,” she said. “The data is crystal clear.” Other board members, however, worried that it would be difficult to fully explore all of the relevant issues by January, when the district must create the master schedule for the next school year. “We’re going to screw it up if we do it next year,” said Phil Kaplan, another member of the board. Additionally, member Nancy Garrison said that, while the start times committee has explored the science and received public support, the district hasn’t sought the input of teachers and other staff members, a crucial step in implementing such a large change. In the end, the school board chose not to specify a timeline but seemed to agree that making the switch as soon as possible is important. To that end, the task force, which will be made up of teachers, district staffers and community members and will explore all of the issues surrounding the change, is set to begin work in the coming weeks. The task force will keep the school board updated throughout the fall, and the board still has the option to change the start times for the 2017-2018 school year if it chooses. For more information on the start times discussions, visit pcschools.org. Community members interested in serving on the implementation committee can also visit the website to see how they can sign up. About-face: School board changes course on SAGE Motion rescinded that eliminated the tests for some By BUBBA BROWN The Park Record Park City ninth- and 10thgraders who were elated to hear they would no longer have to take the state-mandated SAGE tests at the end of the school year celebrated a bit too soon. The Park City Board of Education in its public meeting last week rescinded its vote from earlier in August that eliminated SAGE tests for grades nine through 11. It then voted on a new motion, doing away with the tests only for 11th graders. According to an explanation at the meeting from Superintendent Ember Conley and Tim McConnell, an associate superintendent, the board’s about face was due to a misunderstanding surrounding the state’s position on requiring that schools administer the SAGE tests. Molly Miller, the district’s community relations specialist, clarified in an interview that district leaders were under the impression that the state Legislature was going to give districts the power to forego SAGE tests for high school students at a special session this summer, in response to the high percentage of students who are opting out of those tests statewide. However, the Legislature took no such action, meaning Park City Schools must still administer SAGE tests to be in compliance with the law, which requires third- through 11th-graders to take state assessments. The district was able to keep 11thgraders exempt from the testing because they take the ACT test, Miller said. “It sounded like it was a done deal, but it was not,” she said of a possible move from the Legislature. “The official action was not ever taken. A number of people ... (had) the impression that it was good to go, that (districts) could opt out.” The Board of Education first voted to eliminate SAGE testing for grades nine through 11 Please see SAGE, A-11 Please see xxx, A-xx Windows and Doors to Complete Your Vision! Wild Meets West Enjoy a Riverhorse classic... or discover a new one! Lobster Jambalaya rock shrimp • andouille sausage • basmati rice red chard • okra “After we replaced our windows with Infinity, our utility bill was so low the utility company came by our house because they were sure our meter was broken!” – Randy & Lynn S. with the purchase of 5 or more fiberglass windows tender stem broccoli • herb whipped potatoes • mango 90 Day Dry Aged Bone-In Ribeye cabernet reduction • crispy onions • beehive cheddar grits Expires 8-31-2016 Some restrictions apply. Please call for details. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Expires 10-15-16 Pan- Roasted Pork Tomahawk black garlic gnocchi • boursin • smoked tomato butter Expires 8-31-2016 Infinity Windows with LoE glazing can reduce your heating and cooling bills by UP TO 30%* *Estimated savings are based on data set forth in the Window Selection Tool of the Efficient Windows Collaborative, available at http://www.efficientwindows.org. Actual Savings will vary by product type, location, method of installation, individual home characteristics, local climate and conditions, utility rates, and other factors Call us today for a FREE in-home estimate: 801–335–9988 Visit Our NEW Showroom 2625 South 600 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 Showroom Hours Monday-Friday: 8am–5pm Saturday: 9am Visit Our Website: www.usiinc.com Braised Buffalo Short Rib pappardelle pasta • mushrooms • roasted carrots gremolata 25 $ leek tart • sweet pea succotash House made Sausage Pierogis roasted heirloom tomatoes • basil • citrus cream Macadamia Nut-Crusted Halibut SAVE Each $ 100 On Window Lemon Scented Wild Salmon Crispy Frog Legs & Wild Mushrooms braised fennel • truffle aioli Hand Cut Buffalo Tartare dijonaise • fresh horseradish • egg yolks capers • baguette Poached Pear & Burrata Cheese Salad figs • stuffed dates • local honey • aged balsamic OFF DINNER OR $10 OFF BRUNCH with the purchase of TWO entrées Offer Valid Through: Monday, October 31, 2016 PLEASE PRESENT THIS COUPON TO YOUR SERVER WHEN ORDERING. • Limit TWO dining certificates per group • Not valid in conjunction with any other promotional offer • Food must be consumed on the premises • A 20% service charge will be added to the bill before the discount • Contracted parties not valid 540 Main Street, Park City 435.649.3536 | RiverhorseParkCity.com Open Daily at 5pm | Saturday & Sunday Brunch 11am – 2pm Reservations strongly recommended |