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Show THE SENTINEL Thursday, February 28, 1981 2 Page "The theory of o free press Is that the truth will emerge from free that it will be presented perfectly reporting and free discussion, not " account. In O pinions any one and Instantly Walter Llppmann Schoolers. and -- To whom it may concern : This week, the education association placed an ad in the Sentinel that appears on the front page of the second section. The ad demands that Rep. Haddow apologize for statements that he made on the floor of the legislature last Friday. But the ad doesn't explain what precipitated Haddow's comments. rv soumMaw right and who is wrong will have to be in the eyes of the beholder. Sincerely, Jim Landers Editor P.S. Most school officials claim that when the PTA sends home letters with students, the school is reimbursed in someway - either with in kind services, replacement of materials, or with cash payments. This letter could be addresed to Rep. Mac Haddow or some PTA president, or the Jordan Education Ass'n or a school Principal. But it just seems best to address it to anyone who is interested. . Dear Parent, Your PTA is asking for your help with the legislature regarding the v9 Homo by Barry McWilllams Dr. Daryl J. McCarty Executive Secretary Utoh Edocotion Aociotion GorNocHoice-r- Ve RUN OUTA ROOM faR a kid, Tom Cuncount on being hit could ningham with an overwhelming question the moment he walked into his house after a day at school. "What did you learn in school today?" Mom would ask. Sometimes it stopped Tom cold. Invariably, he was After all those hours in the classroom, he didn't want to think about school for awhile. But there was Mom, demanding to know what he'd learned. Sometimes, young Tom Cunningham would have to think for awhile. But his Mom would patiently wait until he'd satisfied her that he had learned something that day. Good question, Mrs Cundid several It ningham! things for son. your First, it made him know that you had a deep and unabating interest in your son's progress. Second, that question made it absolutely plain to Tom that he 7 W.Harward, was expected to learn when he Dist. 24 Representative Dee went to school. Aldredge, Third, it gave Tom the opporDist. 25 Representative C. to chat with you about contunity 'Mac' Haddow, that he was not learning cepts Dist. 26 Representative Dix Holt trouble areas that could give you McMullin, for helping Tom or seeking Dist. 8 Senator Fred Finlinson, signals from his teacher. help Fourth, Mrs Cunningham, your 10 Dist. Senator Arnold question told Tom that he was exChristensen, to retain the things he learDist. 11 Senator E. Verl Asay, pected ned at school. that loaded Fifth, asking question opened some long, deep conversations with Tom V the kinds of conversations that too Jordan Valley Sentinel many young people don't have CwIimmi Ikt Mi) SmMMl, ttU iwi with their parents these days. nUWnM m Hit. nrtln mn; Tlwntf l SmUmI , What did you learv in school, MM?. ' RmtMtn IHW. CtMD Strati Mrfxta. MM7. hMMK ini m ckwfa Ite tortM Mq today? Tom Cunningham' never SMml lot M. UUt MM7. forgot that question. After a sucSukxrlnt ten ywr In Stato of Utt cessful school career, he accomOf hi IwiUh CHiiM Ula fMr tfmtt plished a lot in business. Still, he CvTuMnktri Dovid C. Godfrey James M. lenders always took the time to ask That Question to each one of his Ad. Mgr. David C. Godfrey ; Editor JometM. lender children every school dav. Maybe every parent should ask MCMiCR each child: "What did you learn in ; school today?" When he was W0USlM6Sp0?Hri5f study-wear- , funding for public education. On Feb. 3, the House of Representatives passed the tax Sometime in the recent past, a limitation bill (Sub. H.B. 60) that couple of district schools sent could severely limit funds for some information home with public education starting in 1982. If students that Haddow construed to this legislation is passed by the the education State Senate, the local boards of mean that association was promoting their education will have even less conpolitical stance on House Bill 60 trol over local educational through the schools. programs than they do now. Many of the local programs are already The letters that were sent home controlled by the state. are reprinted at the conclusion of The above mentioned tax this letter. limitation could be just one of the people to attend all of the hearings have one. education as the facing problems but more input from the locals is 3. Questions The best information that I can Public Education ApJoint needed. find explains the situation this Accept questions and answer propriations Committee begins its in advance for any as directly and honestly as We thank you way: deliberations on the funding for assistance you can render. possible. If you don't know the anThe JEA had a meeting with various education programs. (This Local School PTA swers, don't go out on a limb Your some ' Jordan PTA Council deliberation will probably begin faking the answer. Tell your representatives to explain their Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. and will Every decision that affects representative you don't know but opposition to the bill and some of continue every Tuesday and Thurseducation is a political decision. will try to find out. the things that they hoped to gain day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the Local input from parents is a big Closing: in the current session of the next two weeks.) They could cut or factor in decision making at the Tell your representative that delete some of the programs now legislature. Some of the inforlegislature meeting in Salt Lake you appreciate the opportunity for mation that they gave to the PTA being funded. Programs such as City. It is important that we coninput. Remember that open comgroup was the second of the two kindergarten, elementary music, tact our representatives and exmunication is the point of good letters. The original letter was sent elementary counseling, gifted and press our concerns about funding public relations. Don't get upset or to teachers. Then because the intalented, media, handicapped or for education. antagonize your representative. funded formation that is contained in the any other specially When contacting your represenYou will need to contact them letter is good information for program could be lost. follow this tative, simple again at a later date. If you have strong feelings about anyone to have, a school principal "You procedure: Be Polite Remember duplicated; the, letter changing only any of the programs, we need you 1. Introduction u t -- can catch m ffires with hontJ the words tjiat: orginally; said1; to contact yourlegistator.'Or.be1;- - i VjiJ Introduce yourself and jden "than JJi you can with vinegar." "teacher" to "parent," but neglec- iter, contact members of the Joint tify the area in which you live. J.E.A. Public Relations : on ted to take out the signature line Appropriations 2. Issues Political Action Task Forces that attributes the letter to the Public , Education and express Note issues of concern in your January, 1981 JEA. An honest mistake. your concerns over cuts in the local schools and community, i.e., Senators and Legislators The first letter was written by program. concentrate on two or three key Representing Jordan and home someone in the PTA and could be Any meaningful input from PTA issues, planned in advance. State phone. ill advise. members will be greatly apeach issue and present a clear picDist. 21 Representative SherSo, if any of that makes sense, preciated. ture of the problems as you view man Harmer, Jr., The State PTA has assigned that is what happened. Who is them. Also state a solution if you Dist. 23 Representative Merrill 262-623- 3 y. 943-053- 255-83- Mc-Cla- in 561-516- 254-485- 6 0 268-92- . , . 255-21- 968-324- . 7 IN PO ', 171. !'" . OF THE Yours ' ; , i Editor; I woud like to respond to the in the Sentinel on Feb. 19, 1981 criticizing the Salt Lake County Sheriff Assisting Youth (S.A.Y.) - School Resource Officer Program written by an Ardith Campbell of Cottonwood j Heights. Ms Campbell is obviously the possessor of misinformation concerning the school resource officer or is (S.A.Y.) program to distort attempting deliberately the facts to satisfy an ulterior motive. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has developed a highly specialized and effective School Resource Officer Program during the past six years. This program is the Sheriff's Assisting Youth or S.A.Y. Unit of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. The unit is comprised of twenty (20) sworn personnel. Almost all possess (including degrees college , , , ' ' graduate). ; The primary area served is the education community within Salt Lake County and is composed of 12 high schools, 22 junior or middle schools, 99 elementary schools and approximately 110,000 students in two school districts. Specially trained Deputy Sheriffs with offices in each high school specialized unit) provide instruction and prevention in all elementary and secondary schools that feed the specific high school area and implement several youth involvement programs aimed at the community's improving the understanwith cooperation ding of the police. These programs are an effective force in crime prevention because they encourage involved youths to view law enforcement as a positive force and help them to understand (12-ma- n their own responsibilities toward the law. This program was implemented in 1975 and has received state and national recognition. The unit has received an award from the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges and has served as a prototype for the establishment of similar programs throughout Utah and other western states. Ardith Campbell's letter is the first public criticism I have received regarding this program (several laudatory statements have been received). Each deputy's responsibility is not limited to a high school, but each junior high (middle school) and elementary school that comprise a high school area. A deputy actually has the responsibility for 11 or 12 schools not one as indicated by Ms Campbell. : The S.A.Y. Unit also provide complete investigative services for the educational community including a Juvenile Drug and Alcohol Division (one of the few in the western U.S.). One phase of our duties include instruction in the classroom. (We also serve as a resource for school teachers. ) The 1968 Presidential Crime Commission advocates the placing of officers in the high schools to instruct in curriculum and prevent (and detect) criminal activity and violence.- Law enforcement has a unique opportunity of combining personal .training and experience in teaching young people concerning .the; law. and their subsequent responsibility in its preservation. Our classes have been accredited by several colleges in Utah. This instruction provides the student and officer a law-relat- law-relat- ed y, situation promoting a positive, open dialogue experience. Deputies make numerous presentations to civic, community, ch, boy scout, cub scout in addition to their etc. gatherings, regular working hours. Deputy Sheriffs continually work many uncompensated hours for the benefit of the citizens of Salt Lake County. Most of our officers have a Vocational Law Enforcement Class starting at 7:30 each morning in the various high schools. Our deputies also teach several other classes daily in the high schools, junior high schools, middle schools of Salt Lake County. k has participated financially with our successful Officer Friendly Elementary School program for several years. Last year our unit instructed more than 5000 total classes with over 200,000 student class participants. This unit also arrested over 1800 persons involved in d criminal activity during the 1979-8school year. Law enforcement periodically provides security for school districts at their request. These officers must be To be able to economically hire highly trained officers, knowledgeable on how to handle juveniles and familiar with specific campus , is highly beneficial to the schools involved. These officers are paid substantially less by. the school districts than other . institutions and less than other law enforcement agencies in the valley. The result is a savings for the taxpayer. These sports activities (football, basketball, etc.) can develop into violatile situations and experienced security personnel often diminish this potential. Sears-Roebuc- school-relate- 0 off-dut- y. trouble-maker- s, There is no question the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office is understaffed. Sheriff N. D. "Pete" Hayward, extremely concerned about the youth of the county, has made a significant and prudent manpower deployment in the implementation of this program for the education community. The sheriff is attempting to assure parents that their children can attend school without crime and violence totally undermining the very purpose of these institutions. these problems To disregard would be irresponsible on our part. Our efforts have resulted in the prevention, detection and some control of crime and violence on school campuses and afforded students the opportunity to follow their academic pursuits (so important to their future) in a conducive an is This environment. economical investment in the development of future responsible citizens of the unit are : Some additional objectives and programs of the unit are : (1) Assign trained personnel to concentrate on the investigation of all crimes committed on school man (2) (Two campuses. specialized unit.) (2) Enforcement of alcohol and drug laws on school campuses by a select enforcement unit (4 man specialized unit) equipped to detect and apprehend persons disrupting school areas by this type criminal activity. (3) An accredited daily vocational class for high school seniors in law enforcement. This class is 'for prospective students seeking Criminal Justice careers or those desiring .a better knowledge of law enforcement. This is an extremely popular class (restricted enrollment) on our high school campuses. (4) Officer Friendly development of campus problems. (13) Arrange tours of courts, jails, and prisons for interested students. Program Foundation) in the elementary grades. This program instructs students in authority, safety, vandalism, and teaches civic responsibility to reduce problems of disruptive and unlawful behavior both in schools and society. (Sears-Roebuc- k American (5) Association's Bar Law-Relat- ed Education is widely used in all grade levels by certified personnel. This education seeks to improve the citizenship skills of students by helping them learn about the law, legal processes, and the legal system. (6) Counseling is employed by Sheriffs Office personnel with and Probationers Juvenile Parolees enrolled in the schools, encouraging academic accomplishment. ' (7) Instruct all grade levels in alcohol and drug abuse, safety, (driver, personal, etc.) vandalism, etc. (8) Education programs concerning rape, incest, child abuse and encourage the reporting of this abuse. (9) Instruct faculty and administrators in procedures to prevent and control criminal activity and violence on campuses . (10) Coordination of activities of allied community agencies, i.e. PTA, school administrators, and Juvenile Court to address mutual problems and accomplish goals in Juvenile Criminal Justice and crime prevention. g (11) Provide a for This students. affords patrol the student the opportunity of viewing personally the police role in their community. (12) Attendance at all school extra curricular activities (games, dances, etc.) to prevent the ride-alon- ; . These are a programs influence the schools in stabilizing and community and prevent and nunimize disruptive activity, allowing the schools to function for their designated purposes. Student surveys by the Sheriffs Office have indicated positive attitudinal changes toward the role of law enforcement. The school (administrators and students), community and the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office have all been benefactors in this mutually rewarding effort. This substantial manpower deployment by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in the implementation of this program is a prudent investment in the development of future responsible citizens of our community. Ms Campbell's derogatory reference to "Kiddy Cops" does not obviate the necessity of assigning specific enforcement personnel to work effectively with the juveniles who perpetrate of our crimes. Ms Campbell should contact any high school principal in the Granite or Jordan School Districts and ask them how valuable the S.A.Y. Program is in their school. Because our program is so diversified. I would like to personally invite Ardith Campbell to contact me, come to our office, review our statistics and performance become standards, familiar with our program and one of our spend a full day Resource Of ficen.'. Lt. Joe Gee Unit Administrator Sheriff Assisting Youth Program Salt Lake County Sheriff s Off ice one-ha- lf ., |