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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday November 15, 1995 The Record welcomes letters from Thank you. Dear Editor: Monument Valley High School recently received an anonymous letter from an individual who is opposed to plans of the San Juan School District and our school to develop a curriculum to teach Navajo children about their culture including a Clan wheel to teach them about the Clan system. We respect the rights of to express points of view different from our own. However, the person who wrote this letter decided not to sign hisher name. We therefore have no choice but to respond in a public forum, and are left to assume that this individual does not have the courage of hisher convictions to claim the letter and the viewpoints expressed within. The letter contains several inaccuracies and blatant statements of prejudice that we believe must be ad- dressed. author The imagines that we are teaching Navajo students about their culture because we are legally obligated to. In the first place, the course on Navajo language and culture is not required, but is there for students who wish to take it. The courses in Navajo language and culture have nothing to do with litigation, and everything to do with building and pride among our students, as well as maximizing the potential of each and self-estee-m every one of them. Research conducted over the past decade has indicated that Limited English Proficient (LEP) students who are enrolled in transi- tion bilingual programs develop Out On A Limb considerably stronger skills in English, math and science than students who are placed in so- - The idea is that both languages and cultures serve to reinforce one another and the result is students who are competent and confident in both Navajo and English. We base our decision on years of proven research, not on the antiquated notion that what kids really need is reading, writing and arithmetic. If you argue that we are not doing our jobs because our students are scoring low on the reading component of standardized tests, then you are ignorant of the fact that our reading scores improved dramatically last year over the previous years, placing us ahead of several Anglo schools high throughout the state. Would you suggest that these schools drop their sports programs and other nonsense until they show an improvement in their reading scores? so-call- ed Or would you simply suggest that Navajo students are not entitled to extracurricular activities the way students in other areas are? We are very proud of the fact that our reading scores have improved over the last few years without having to sacrifice our sports and other activities to accom- plish this goal. The school district is not being sued because of attempts like ours to teach our students about English and Navajo culture, language and history. The district is being sued because of the lack of a program to train teachers how to teach in a bilingual classroom. The teachers at Monument Valley resent the implication that we are, or could be, responsible for law suits against the school district. The faculty and staff at Monument Valley are dedicated to helping our students become strong, smart and capable in every respect. That is our job. by Bill Boyle In preparation for the Utah State Centennial, one might consider the language of the Utah Enabling fedg Act; the eral law which established the ground rules for the Territory of Utah to begin preparations for eventual still-bindin- statehood. Section 3 of that federal law says: That the people inhabiting said proposed State do agree that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries thereof; and to all lands ly- ing within said also tells us 7:00 Stars Demi Moore Scarlet Letter (R) 8:45 Stars Demi Moore Saturday, November 18 7:00 Scarlet Letter Now and Then Sincerely, Eric Aasheim, Language Arts Teacher, & Eli Spanier, School to Work Coordinator from ownership and governance prior to the act of (please turn to page 14) today for information on shows playing Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday Adults $3.50 Children $2 Too often, we spend money we dont have to buy things we dont need to impress people we dont like. Mams is cekSratiny her 85th Sirthday Saturday 9ovem6er 18 from 2 until 6pm at Her home 16W2ndS Monticello and Share Memories 9do gifts please Come Visit (t Jensen Orthodontics Alan C. Jensen, D.D.S., M.S. 470 West 400 North Moab, Utah 84532 Call for an appointment 801-587-259-77- no taxes shall be imposed by the State on lands or property therein belonging to or which may hereafter be purchased by the United States or reserved for its use. Today we are told that the federal government owns 67 percent of Utah; not as a mere proprietor but as a superior and sovereign government in the same manner and with the same powers that it retained over Indian lands in the Enabling Act. Federal ownership and governance of the majority of Utah is therefore Has anyone else noticed that the siren in Monticello has not worked for several days? (Dorothy or 39 801-259-22- 32 SPECIALIZING IN BRACES instructs that, Will be in Moab December 7 & 8 J) FOOD STORES : - Monticello Utah: Congratulations to NICK MOSE of Blanding - winner of our Harley Davidson Bulldog indistinguishable (Sub Sandwiches made fresh daily) V HERE TO SERVE YOU r SAN JUAN BUILDING SUPPLY 377 West 300 South Blanding Deal with the people who know the building industry 9:15 Cal that ABSOLUTE POWER of the federal government was reserved for Indian lands only. One can assume that the federal government did not intend to exercise absolute power over lands it retained ownership to or that were not Indian lands. Continuing on, Section 3 many seats in the 1994 Congressional campaign with promises of stopping government gridlock. OPEOttfOUS'E In- intended to hold the grant of statehood hostage until the people of Utah capitulated and relinquished all claim to unappropriated lands. It 9:00 17 defending the status quo that the central government 3) Friday, November Now and Then (PG-13- ) morning, it appears as if federal employees in San Juan County will get a vacation because of the government shut down. After Bill Clinton used the word change so many times in the 1992 election campaign, I find it interesting that he is the one who is dian or Indian tribes... and said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the Congress... This statement tells us Stars Winona Ryder (R) As of press time Tuesday limits owned or held by any Thursday, November 16 How to Make an American 7:00 Quilt (PG-1- Dangerous Minds change. It is also interesting that the Republicans gained programs. its readers on any subject of public interest. Letters must be no more than 300 words in length. The publishers reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any contributions. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone individuals and standing in the way of Page 2 called English immersion Letters To Hie Editor number. - Give us a call - 801-678-21- 40 QUALITY BUILDING MATERIALS the Annual Subscription Rates San Juan i Record ISSN J j 0894-327- 3 $11.00 APO or FPO address Newsstand Senior Citizen $10.50 $12.00 30c $12.00 $11.50 Published weekly at 49 South Main, Monticello, Utah. Second class postage paid at Monticello, Utah 84535 (ISSN Postmaster: Send all address changes to P.O. Box 879, Monticello, Utah 84535. The San Juan Record is a member of the Utah Press Association and National Newspaper Association. 0894-3273- San Juan County Outside County - USA ). An Award Winning Community Newspaper Publisher Editor Bill Boyle Office Manager ............. Pat Richardson Ad Layout ..................... Pat Richardson Jennie Richardson Typesetter Rewrite - Paste-u- p ....... Daniel Francom Proofreader ......................... Dawn Boyle PHONE and FAX 801-587-22- 77 |