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Show EDUCATION The Park Record. Editor: Carolyn Webber education@parkrecord.com 435.649.9014 ex.118 PARENT NIGHT TO DISCUSS DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION As part of its Red Ribbon Week, Ecker Hill Middle School is set to host a parent information night about substance abuse prevention and intervention, according to the school’s newsletter. The event will take place in the school auditorium on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. Ben Belnap, the district’s assistant superintendent of student wellness, will present, as well as Cole Parkinson from the Utah Attorney General’s Office. As area director or Utah NetSmartz, he will focus on internet safety, especially cyberbullying, internet predators and social networking dangers. PARLEY’S PARK TO OFFER PARENT DANCE CLASSES Parley’s Park Elementary School is offering parent interactive dance classes beginning Nov. 1. According to the district newsletter, kindergarten parent classes will be Nov. 1, 2, 6 and 8, from 11:55 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. First-grade parent classes will be on Nov. 2, 6, 8 and 9, from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Parent performances will take place in December. Melissa Gonzales, an instructor sponsored by the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, will be teaching the classes. The dance program is sponsored by the Park City Education Foundation. STATE MATH COMPETITION REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Students around the state are now able to register for the 11th annual MathMatters Contest, which is set to take place on Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. at Beehive Science & Technology Academy in Sandy. According to a press release, the competition is open to all fifth and sixth grade students but is limited to 350 students. Those interested can find sample questions online at www.beehiveacademy. com, where they can register for free as well. The contest includes a written test of 15 questions that participants must complete within 30 minutes. Prizes will be given to the top students and their teachers. SOUTH SUMMIT BOND GIVEN SUPPORT, A-10 A-9 BOARD SEEKS MORE PUBLIC INPUT, A-10 www.parkrecord.com WED/THURS/FRI, OCTOBER 25-27, 2017 Suicide prevention clubs launch at schools HOPE Squads are at the high school, junior high and middle school By CAROLYN WEBBER The Park Record Utah has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, and the Park City School District believes it has gone unchecked for too long. In the last year, the district added school counselors and held several educational lectures about mental health, but officials know that when a student has suicidal thoughts, they tend to tell their peers first. That is why the district helped initiate HOPE Squads at Park City High School, Treasure Mountain Junior High and Ecker Hill Middle School, said Samantha Walsh, a counselor at the high school and co-advisor for the club. Participating students go through training on what to do if a peer comes to them with suicidal thoughts, and there are already 42 students involved at the high school and 45 at Ecker Hill. Counselors at Treasure Mountain are Please see Clubs, A-11 CAROLYN WEBBER/PARK RECORD Members of the HOPE Squad at Park City High School are trained to help their peers who are suffering with mental health issues and who may be contemplating suicide. The squads will also be launching at Ecker Hill Middle School and Treasure Mountain Junior High this year. SAGE exam ends, opting out likely to continue The contract for the SAGE exam is expiring in 2018, and the Utah State Board of Education decided that it will not renew it. But, Park City officials said the new test will likely not change how parents and students view statewide exams. The Board announced in a press release on Oct. 13 that it will be replacing its former testing vendor, American Institutes for Research, with Questar Assessment Inc. The five-year contract will provide computer-adaptive tests for Utah students between third and The Utah State Board of Education will not be renewing contract By CAROLYN WEBBER The Park Record eighth grade. The previous assessment, SAGE (Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence), tested students from third to 11th grade. Mark Peterson, spokesperson for the Board, said officials are still considering options for grades nine through 11, and pre-ACT or -SAT tests, such as ASPIRE and the PSAT, are not out of the running. Park City School District is notorious for having some of the highest opt-out rates for the SAGE exam in the state, with Park City High School at 47 percent and Ecker Hill Middle School and Treasure Mountain Junior High both at 26 percent. Kathleen Einhorn, associate superintendent for teaching, learning and technology for the Park City School District, said the change might affect opt-out rates at the high school, but it will likely not alter parents’ opinions about statewide tests. Opting out does not affect students’ grades, but it does affect the school disPlease see SAGE, A-10 TWO MAYORS CONSIDER THE FUTURE AND MAKE THE SAME CHOICE “ MAYOR THOMAS ENDORSES ANDY BEERMAN We have worked together with the city council and the community to make decisions that I believe are substantial. They include clarifying our long term strategic goals (the complete community concept), affordable housing, energy responsibility, transportation initiatives, building support for the Latino community, open space purchases (Bonanza Flat), and laying the foundation for the Arts and Culture District. We have a lot more work to do on all these issues as well as others. Andy knows the job to be done and continues to be an objective advocate. We have agreed on most issues, but importantly when we have disagreed he was always respectful and never held a grudge. We have learned from each other’s perspectives and I think the community receives the benefit of our discussions. I know that each of us have become a better person because of the opportunity to work together. Andy has grown into FORMER MAYOR SAYS PARK CITY’S FUTURE IS BRIGHTEST WITH BEERMAN AT THE HELM “ I am more inspired than ever by our collective potential and truly excited to endorse Andy Beerman for Mayor as the candidate who will lead us into our greatest years yet. Andy Beerman is thoughtful and balanced. He listens more than he speaks, all the while doing deep research on matters most affecting Parkites today. He works tirelessly to find the solution with the greatest benefit for the entire community. Andy espouses the values we all champion as residents of Park City. He commutes around town by bike. He drives his electric Chevy Volt. He wakes up early to hike his dog and ski before settling in for full days of community meetings, negotiation sessions with State government, climate seminars and coffees with residents to hear ideas and concerns. He's an a leader we can trust because his words are consistent with his actions and his actions are consistent with our town's core values. JACK THOMAS PARK CITY MAYOR “ everyman in sneakers and fleece who puts on a tie to greet our Governor and get things done at the Capital. He's one of us. “ BRAD OLCH FORMER MAYOR OF PARK CITY The Right Choice for Right Now. PO Box 1570 | Park City, UT 84060 (435) 731-8366 | andy@parkcityandy.com | www.parkcityandy.com | FB/ParkCityAndy Full endorsements available on parkrecord.com. This ad is paid for by Andy for Mayor. |