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Show I Helping your child Vj Succeed in school by Lily Eskelsen, president Utah Education Association As an Army brat, I traveled with my family extensively. 1 probably saw my grandmother less than a dozen times in my life. But my mother made her children write to her every month. It seemed such a little thing, and 1 never thought much about it. But my grandmother told me once that in many ways she felt closer to me, my brothers and sisters even though we lived thousands of miles away than to some of my cousins who lived right there in town. When I became a teacher, 1 found that a good way for kids to learn how to write is for them to write and write and write. So my students visited a retirement home, made friends with the greying residents, and became pen pals with them. Angela was upset one day because her pen pal never once wrote her a letter. When we took on our - - project, we knew there would be problems with pen pals who have poor eyesight and arthritic hands, but we always got excited at the prospect of having our letters answered. No, Angela never did gel a letter from her pen pal. But one day she received this note: My aunt recently passed away . As we were cleaning out her room we found several letters on her dresser tied with a ribbon. They had your name on them. The nurse told me about your schools pen pal program. My aunt was very ill and could not write back, but I am told she would show your letters to all her visitors and have them read to her over and over again. Im glad she had you as a friend. I think tonight would be a goodnight to have my sons write to grandma. North Sevier High FHA gets off to busy start Heather Willden, Reporter The North Sevier High School Future Homemakers of America report their new officers for the 1990-9- 1 school year as follows: President, Paula Barnes; Vice President, Heidi Reese; Secretary, Brooke Anderson; TreasurerRe-porte- r, Heather Willden. So far this year the FHA has participate in many activities, such as visiting the State Fair. There they were able to see all the interesting items other homemakers have made. The FHA also participated in the Homecoming activities. They performed in the Lip Syncs, painted a window on Main Street and won first place - receiving $25. They also entered a float in the Homecoming Parade. The FHA has been busy this first month of school, and plan to keep it that way. The presidency has planned a lot more activities throughout the year. The FHA would especially like to thank Sorensons Electric for their hospitality in letting us use their window for Homecoming. NSHS Wolf Talk Last week at North Sevier, the Wolf Women went to South Sevier and were defeated by the Rams, but came back on Saturday, at Hurricane by winnint Firest place in the tournament there. This week they will again travel to Hurricane on Tuesday to take on the Tigers, and then on Thursday will battle the RHS Wildcats here at home. Foodball will travel to Delta this week in hopes of a win - after the defeat by the Kanab Cowboys last Friday, 27-Last Tuesday, Sept. 25, a cross country meet was held in Kanab, winners include: Rasmus Gravesen, '3rd; Jason Sperry, 4th. This week on Oct. 2 a meet was held at Rich 0. By Jewly DeMille field at 4 p.m. The NSHS Uniques have been invited by the Badgerettes to perform at the halftime game at Snow College on Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. , The Secier County Rodeo Club will be in Manti this week on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6. Wednesday will be the FBLA Candlelight ceremony for all FBLA members and their parents. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the NSHS Commons area. Refreshments will be served. The 1990-9- 1 yearbook will be sold in the Commons area at lunchtime Oct. 1 - 10th for $27 plus $2 extra for adding your name. Sewing with Knits' class awaiting students Lana Ogden, homemaking teacher at Red Hills Middle School will teach a Sewing With Knits class sponsored by the adult and community education office of Sevier School District. Classes will meet on consecutive Tuesdays, from October 2 till November 20, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the homemaking classroom at Red Hills. Tuition is free for adults taking the class for credit toward high school graduation, and $48 for all others. At least 12 students are needed for adult and community education classes to carry. Other classes that have been requested include upholstery, cake decorating, creative writing, and diet and nutrition. Basic computer classes will also be held, one in each attendance area of the school district, if enough students will enroll. Those interested in these or other adult or community education 4 for classes should call enrollment information. 896-821- Resolution adopted by School Board The Sevier School District Board of Education approved a resolution stating why they had decided to try again on the Voted Leeway Tax, the information is as follows: Whereas we believe that a sound education is the most important preparation our young people can make for the future; A sound education provides the tools young people need for a lifetime of productive employment; Technology skills beyond simple computer literacy are an essential part of a sound education for productive employment; Computer learning requires loving, caring, well trained teachers interacting with students in classrooms; The basic skills in reading, math and language arts can be strengthened through teachers utilizing technology; Statistics from other Utah district using computer learning sys- i terns show academic gains of 10 to 58 in reading, math, and language arts; young people have a greater advantage in the increasingly strong competition for the job market, scholarships, technical training, or college; The 1990 Utah Legislature has committed $192,000 annually, for four years, for technical equipment for Sevier School District, based on our ability to raise matching funds locally; The proposed raises in taxes will bring back into Sevier County money that its citizens have previously paid to the state; Therefore the Board of Education of Sevier School District, encourage and support the passage' of a voted leeway proposition ghat will make available for the students in our schools the high quality education they are entitled to receive. Well-prepar- NEW OFFICERS: The Future Business Leaders of America (FLBA) at North Sevier High School have elected new officers for the 1990-9- 1 school year. They are, from back, left: Nathan Hallows, Treasurer; Brian Gladwell, Vice President; Ryan Braithwaite, Parliamentarian; Monica Christensen, Advisor. Front, from left: Jaime Shaw, Secretary; Jewly DeMille, president; Alisa Bastian, Reporter. Not pictured is Kim Fillmore, Historian. Only about half of students graduate with ability to use their minds SAYS EDUCATION DEPT. STUDY Most stuwhat cant analyze they read, cant handle moderately challenging math problems, and have a limited understanding of American history, according to a bleak picture of student achievement released recently by the Education Department. The Nations Report Card analyzes student achievement in the late 1980s and compares it to student performance 20 years ago. Surprisingly things havent changed much. Cumulative evidence shows that, for any curriculum area, only about half of our high school seniors may be graduating with the ability to use their minds to think through subject-relate- d information in any depth, according to the analysis. The executive director of the National Association of Elemen- WASHINGTON-(UPI- ) dents tary School Principals says that the results show schools need more money; the school day and school year need to be lengthened, and parents must become more involved in their childrens learning. The report tracked performance levels of children in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades. Among key findings were the following: Reading & Writing: Most students get the gist of what they read but have considerable difficulty analyzing and synthesizing what they have read. Many students have difficulty communicating effectively in writing, with less than half of the students producing at least adequate information and persuasive writing samples. of Mathematics: Only 21 the 9 year olds, and 73 of the 13 Straight from McGruff The Crime dog McGruff, teaches children about the importance of saying no to alcohol and other drugs in new comic books and coloring books now available from the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP). McGruff, the popular childrens character, tells elementary schoolers about ways to resist peer pressure to use drugs, and about the value of friendship, sports and games, and other healthy alternatives to the behavior of drug use. The playful books with the serious message were developed by OSAP, The National Crime Prevention Council, and the Department of Justice. They are products of our philosophy that no one agency or group can singlehandedly win the war on drugs. We can be more successful in this effort if we join forces with other community groups and agencies. In upbeat, personal messages to his young friends, McGruff also tells them that: -- Alcohol and other drug use is a problem for many people today. -- Drug use has serious potential consequences. -- Each person is responsible for making the choice not to use drugs. -- There are ways - and he suggests some - to create constructive friendships they can count on. To order copies of the comic book McGrufPs Surprise Party, written for third and fourth graders, and the coloring book Crack Down on Drugs call or write the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20857; (301) 468- - ycar olds displayed a firm grasp on basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and of beginning problem solving. Half of the high school students could not handle moderately challenging math material. Science: Students knowledge of science and their ability to use what they know appear remarkably limited. History and Civics: Students have a moderate understanding of some historical events but are far from displaying a coherent grasp of how the events interact to shape the nation. For example, 56 of 4th graders knew the names of Columbuss ships, but only 36 knew why he was sailing to America. Geography: High school seniors demonstrated generally low performance. Essay thanks groups District P.T.A. The Sevier District Board of Education approved a Resolution of Commendation of the Parent Teacher Associations and advisory committees in the district for their constant program of services recently. The Resolution noted that: public education needs public volunteer support; influence of involved caring parents has a significant on the education of children; public schools are not always able to fulfill every enrichment opportunity desired; Parent Teacher Associations provide unique support for principals and teachers to enhance educational programs; PTA provides volunteers to assist with special programs and projects in the classroom; PTA facilitates greater understanding and awareness between the schools and heir patrons. The Board voiced their grateful support of the PTAs continued activity in behalf of the children of the Sevier School District. Oops! The S un apologizes to the North Sevier High School F.F.A. for incorrectly identifying their picture in a recent edition as the NSHS Rodeo Club. The group was riding horses in the Homecoming Parade, with their advisor Randy Andrea-son- . Greenhand Initiation The North Sevier High School Future Farmers of America held their Greenhand Initiation recently at the Johnson Livestock Companys Mountain Ranch. Representatives of the Bureau of Land Management spoke to the group concerning deer and cattle on the range lands. In addition to the FFA members and their Advisor, Randy Andreason, Principal of NSHS, Larry Shumway also attended contest for students Utah high school students are invited to enter an essay contest offered by Common Cause a noncitizens, lobprofit, bying organization working to improve the was federal and state governments operate. Focus of the contest is on responsible citizenship with the essay to address the question, What is the Importance of My Becoming Personally Involved in Good Government? Contest coordinator Cassie Dippo said, As Common Cause celebrates 20 years of citizen action, we feel it is important to sponsor a contest on responsible citizenship.. non-partis- The first known sewing needles were made of bone and they are over 30 thousand years old. Prizes will be awarded to the three best essays - $100 for 1st place; $50 for 2nd; and $25 for 3rd. All high school students across the state are eligible to enter. For more information contact your high school office, or write Utah Common Cause, 145 T Street, SLC, UT 84103. |