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Show Happy Mothers Day VOLUME 65 NUMBER 18 MAY 6. 1987 PRICE 350 WE MUST HAVE PARENT APPROVAL Meetings to inform parents of changes Ail the teachers and staff at Salma Elementary School have now visited and evaluated the Northridge Elementary School in Orem, according to Kent Christensen, principal of the Salma school. The Enhanced Study Schedule is in force at Northridge, and the program was being evaluated to see if It was felt that it would be useable at Salina Elementary. Sahna Elementary was constructed in 1961, with a student capacity of 340 students. At that time Kindergarten through 6th grades were being held at the school. As enrollment increased, it became necessary to move the 6 th grade to the Middle school in 1982. Two years later, the 5th graders were sent the Middle School Campus. Enrollment at Salina Elementary for the upcoming school year is expected to be 504 students. In considering the options, the goal of the committee was to choose a plan that would best utilize the facilities, capitalize on the strengths of faculty members, attain the highest level of academic achievement of students, and maintain traditional family schedules. Christensen noted. The committee selected the Enhanced program as it best met the goals and appeared to be the only plan that could be begun in the upcoming school year. We feel this is the best program, and want to go ahead with it," Christensen said, but we must have the approval of the parents before we implement it." Christensen said that a preliminary proposal for a $35,000 grant to implement the program has been approved. A formal proposal will be made when the approval is received for the d. The money will be used to buy Because of our desire to have necessary equipment to set up the the 5th grade return to our campus program, including computers and other items necessary for the and to lower teacher - to pupil ratio in the upper grades from the program to function properly. In the Enhanced program, schomiddle thirties to the lower twenties in the basic subjects, a ol is virtually divided into two sections - the Basics, and the steering committee was formed, General subjects. Students are said Principal Kent Christensen. divided into two groups. The first The committee considered several options including year round group will meet at 8 a.m. and study basic subjects until the schooling and the Enhanced pro- lunch break at 11:30 a.m. At 12:15 grams. - Teachers and committee members traveled around the state visiting several schools to see how the programs had progressed thep.m. they will study general subre. jects until 2 p.m. when they are After consideration they felt that dismissed for the day. Group 2 comes to school at 9:30 implementing the Northridge program would be beneficial for a.m. and studies General subjects until 11:30 p.m. After lunchbreak alina Elementary students. they will study the Basics until when they are dismissed. Basic subjects will include reading. spelling, writing, language, math, and social studies. While general subjects will include art, science, foreign language, health and computer literacy. 3 JO Christensen says that parents must be informed of the program, and give their approval before it can be begun. To help in this project, a senes of parent inform-mativ- e meetings has been set up to explain the program and answer any questions that parents or students may have. A meeting was held last night, May 5, for residents of Redmond. Meetings are set for Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. for residents of Aurora (with surnames beginn); ing with A-And at 8 p.m. for those with surnames beginning with N-Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. a meeting will be held for residents of Salina whose names begin with A-- And at 8 p.m. for Salina residents whose names begin with N-- Anyone unable to attend at the assigned time, may come at another scheduled time. The meetings will all be held at the Salina Elementary Media Cen-.te- r. A survey will later be sent to all parents to see if they approve of the proposed changes. We hope everyone will attend these meetings to learn just what the new program can offer," Principal Christensen concluded. The Miss North Sevier Pageant was held Saturday night at North Sevier High School. Chosen as Queen was Natalie Willardson, center, ROYALTY: with Christy Whitlock, left and Lori Taylor as attendants. Nine local girls competed for the prestigious title. Track complex may be ready for first NSHS game We are currently $75,000 under the architects estimate, and we are hoping that we will be able to install a sound system, put in fixed concession stands, and hope to have a press box, Smith stressed. One of the upcoming projects entail the laying of turf on the We football field playing area. hope that we can accomplish this in one day - by having the turf professionally cut and then have about 30 residents to help install it. The weather will play a major part in the success or failure - and the readiness of the field for the first season game, Smith noted. A hot, dry summer could be hard on the newly planted turf, while a wet, cooler summer will be w ill We feel good about the track and field complex," said Principal Tim Smith. There are still about twelve major items needing to be finished, but if all goes well, the field should be ready for the opening football game of the season. Work will soon begin on the cement and ashpalt, and the grass project up to date. Smith said. Many volunteers have helped in the project, and members of the studentbody have aided in laying the sod and other projects. Smith says the new complex will be a safety factor. Students wont have to leave the campus for football, track, or other games or practices, and tin . my primary concern," Smith said. Hopefully, we will be able to offer a home track meet for the first time - we will have bigger and i.-- must be laid on the football field so that it will have time to develop and be in shape for the football season. Its still an Ify situation, said Smith. We wont move the bleachers from the Middle School until we are positive that the field will be ready for use in September, he said. Im really pleased with the better facilities than any other small school in our area, Snn'ii noted. It will be a benefit to cur students as well, as they can take pride in the facility, Smith said. Home schools topic of School Board meeting GOOD FOOD, GOOD FRIENDS: Last Saturday night Salina Stake presented its annual Golden Jubilee. Former residents of the Salina area and local Senior Citizens gathered for a dinner and dance. The popular event was well attended as old friends and acquaintances returned home to see their friends once more. Thirty six miles of line completed, says Mt. Fuel mile transmission line from Indi-anoto Cedar City began in late March. Sterling Construction was awarded the contract for the first segment of the transmission line, extending 100 miles from Indian-ol- a to Monroe. By April 27, about 36 miles of pipe had been laid in the trench and covered. la Mountain Fuel Supply officials report that about three of every four potential customers contacted thus far in its new central and southwestern Utah service area have signed up for natural gas service, and that construction ogf the new system is progressing on schedule. As of April 27, 78 percent of the potential residential customers have signed up for natural gas service, along' with 88 percent of potential commercial customers. The door to door sign up canvass began in February with company representatives contacting resid- a ents and businesses from Indiano-lto Sterling. The second phase of the canvass covered communities from Gunnison to Circleville. We are pleased with the enthusiastic reception we have received in the first two phases of the sign up, said Gary Olsen, manager of retail sales. Cedar City. Actual construction of the 204 Currently contractors are ins- talling distribution systems in some of the communities to be served, with 415,322 feet in the ground as of April 27th. Contracts on four sections have been awarded: Fairview, Mt. Pleasant, Moroni, Chester, and Spring City to Niels Fugal and Sons, Pleasant Grove; Ephraim, Manti, Sterling, Gunnison, Centerfield & Axtell, to PftckAcres of Salt Lake City; Redmond, to Doug Urie Const, of Cedar City; and Salina, Sigurd, Aurora, Venice and Richfield to the Tempest Company of Salt Lake City. Contracts for the remaining five sections have yet to be awarded. The Sevier District Board of Education met recently at North Sevier High School. Principal Timothy Smith updated the Board on the progress on the football field and track com- plex. He said the project is moving well and there is continued excellent volunteer community support. The rubberized track is set for installation in July. The board later toured the track facility. Kevin Eppich, teacher at NSHS reported on the Outcome Driven Development (ODDM) and said it is working very well. However, teachers are still adjusting to correctives and retesting. Tutoring after school, however, is assisting students with correctives and testing has proves successful. Computer tracking of students is now in the planning phase and will soon be put into practice at NSHS. Smith noted that Mr. Eppich s math students recently palced first in Snow College math competition, first in the Utah public schools meet, and 3rd over all in the same competition. Smith also noted that the Academic letter program is working well and assists students in setting and achieving goals. About 32 percent of the students at NSHS will qualify this year for an Academic Letter. Smith commented on a new legislative law related to how profits from vending machines in schools may be spent. At North Sevier High, the profits have ben used in various ways to benefit Natalie Willardson was crowned Miss North Sevier at last Saturday night's competition. Nine girls competed in areas of talent, poise. Bird evening yawn. education. The new legislation Giving up her title was last requires that vending machine year'squeen, Katie Johnson. profits must be spent on textbooks classroom supplies. Smith Attending Natalie are Lori and said he would prefer that the State Taylor and Christy Whitlock. legislature change this require- ment. Linda Wilson, president of the Utah Home School Association in Sevier County, said she represents many home school participants in the county. Many parents are conscientious and work hard to help their children, but it is also recognized that in some home schools, childrens educational ne- ed are not being met. Attorney Douglas Bates, State Office of Education, was welcomed to the meeting to discuss his views on the home school issue. Bates noted that he has a concern that some home schools are used as a screen or cover up for other than educational needs. He said whether enrolled in public school or home school, a child should receive education for citizenship and self sufficiency. Who is going to check to see that childrens needs are being met, and who determines proficiency? he asked. Bates noted a statute dating back to the 1880s requiring a parent to report to the board on an annual basis to prove that childrens educational needs are being met. A question was asked about the religious right to have home schools. Bates noted a Supreme Court ruling that dated back to the 1800s referring to the George Reynolds case ruling against home schools for strictly religious reasons or First Amendment. Boards of education have auth- ority to require many things of home school participants, such as an approved letter of request or sworn affidavit. Bates noted that is legal backing for school boards to enforce proper learning of students and to refuse home there schools that are not functioning well. In his opinion, the State of Utah has a responsibility as w'ell as school boards and parents to properly educate children. Bates cautioned the board that if there is doubt, or warning signs concerning a home school situation, they should consider refusing, for cause, a home school request. Children should be protected from bad situations. Bates recognized too, that many parents are doing a great job in the home school program. He said the general public has the responsibility to protect children, and this is easier in the public schools, as they are open to evaluation. Bates said if home school parents are not following careful and prudent action in educating their children, the Board has the responsibility to contact the Division of Family Services to follow through. The State Core could be used as a guideline of expectation for home schools. Mrs. Wilson said she has studied the State Core and agrees it is very basic and logical. Bates said if approved by the Board, home schoolers could pos- sibly get their high school diplomas by following procedures such as agreeing to take competency tests and meeting other guidelines as required by the school system. A high school diploma is very important in a persons's life. It can open or close many doors. Continued on Page 2 |