OCR Text |
Show yrr JULY 27, 1983 Insurance Needs Outlined FARMINGTON - Many Farmington office will attend. W'eve been asked to have at least one person knowledge-able-Isure the training will be very worthwhile, she said, I think its an area adding, badly needed. senior citizens have five or six different life insurance policies and the confusion--no- t to mention money spent-c- an be phenomenal. TO HELP acquaint seniors with what insurance coverage is available and necessary beyond Medicare, federal officials from Denver will conduct a seminar Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outlining options. Council on Aging Director Alice Johnson says one volunteer and a staff member from each of the three senior citizen centers and possibly from the m ONE COUNCIL member emphasized, We should have some way of checking which one is the best, and ask if a brochure could be prepared for distribution, with Mrs. Johnthats the obson indicating ject of the program. Council Chairman Newell Parkin noted personal experience with skyrocketing insurance rates, indicating his Blue Shield-Blu- e Cross, recalling it was $13.42 quarterly eight years ago and has jumped to $112, adding, we should fight these rising costs if we can. WE WILL just discuss the policies offered and train some people, Mrs. Johnson reaffirmed, indicating in Utah you can cancel any contract in three days. Every company will say theyre not responsible for oral remarks of their salesmen. She quoted the saying that, the big print gives and the fine print takes away, referring to contracts and added, we will try to have some peo ple with varied" information trained. MANY PEOPLE are buy everything be- ut cause theyre so afraid, Council Member Eva Hancock related. So many plans are offered but they often contain "so many restrictions they probably wouldn't pay (what was wanted) anyway, Mrs. Johnson said, adding, as many as are interested we will try to train." tb IT IS? An echo is the only thing that can cheat some people out of the last word. Report Could Change Bums County Schools some potential educational alternaOutlining tives for elementary, junior high and high schools, he quoted from material prepared by the state office of curriculum and instruction, Promising Prospects for Strengthening Public Education." By TOM BUSSELBERG North County Editor - FARMINGTON The national report, Nation at Risk is taking on some grass-root- s meaning that could transform the Davis School Districts schools from one end to the other. FOR ELEMENTARY students, it stresses the need for students of mastering functional competencies such as reading, writing, speaking and listening, gaining an introduction in mathematics, science and problem-solvinas well. An introduction to citizenand practices would also be offered ship principles along with mastery of those introductory skills of computer literacy, art, music, movement and fitness, health education, social studies and second language. Equal access would also be provided for the mild and moderately handicapped and high risk students, with special programs for severely handicapped. On the junior high level, focusing on a higher order intellectual skills in language arts, prealgebra and algebra, writing, earth, life and physical science; mastery of functional competencies, including democratic governance, consumer information, goods and services. Expansion of skills such as music, art, fitness and computer skills, exploration of vocational education and continued programs for severely handicapped. THURSDAY and Friday saw about 40 educators in a huddle that resulted in 76 ideas formulated into 13 major concepts with implications. And while many will require sizeable cash outlays, others involve greater use of community volunteers or other free concepts. Its the first major step taken by the district after digesting the Nation at Risk report supervised by University of Utah Pres. David Gardner while also considering two other reports dealing with the quality of American education and ways to improve it. AMONG THE concepts outlined were improving public relations between the homes and schools. That would include informing parents what a course listing is about and student expectations, rather than merely listing intermediate algebra concepts practi-cuusing a fictitious example. That public relations effort would also involve working with volunteers in the community at large, explains District Public Information Officer Bonnie Durrance. BOYHOOD FUN What could be more fun than being 6 years old and having nothing better in the seat of a tree stump and float a wooden boat in a nearby stream especially when the summertime temperature reaches near 100 degrees? Photo by Marty Lee. to do than to relax . A major goal is smaller elementary class loads that would see classroom teachers assisted by more support personnel, specialists such as in music, art, foreign language, computer science and physical education. Currently, elementary teachers must handle music, art and physical education on a regular basis and already have 1 basic areas they have to teach, Mrs. Durrance notes. INCREASED requirements for students will be Benstudied, including graduation requirements. chmark testing would be implemented in elementary grades to carefully suivey (teaching of) the basics, to make sure the 2nd, 3rd grades are up to snuff in reading, mathematics, etc., she explains. More time on task for students in all grades will be sought. For secondary students that includes moving activities outside the regular school day, fewer interruptions in classwork with assemblies, from the intercom, etc. That problem goes beyond Davis District, incidentally, and has been the subject of a study in the Salt Lake City School District, for example. 1 E oard Names Principals - FARMINGTON Therell be more than a few new faces in key positions at some Davis County schools this fall, along with a former assistant principal filling a d post, newly-create- the board of education has announced. WITH THE appointment of Dr. Nancy Fleming as principal at Viewmont High School, replacing Almon Flake, her post as assistant principal at Layton High will be filled by Ross Poore, who has served as assistant principal at North Layton Junior High for the OPTIMISM? The cost of living isn't rising quite as rapidly as formerly. But it's still safe to assume that if you can hold on until the end of one month the next will be worse. past four years. Moving to fill Mr. Poores slot is J. Wayne Baker, who served 11 years as head basketball coach at Woods Cross High School where his team claimed the state championship this year. ROBERT filling Mr. Waites vacancy. SPEAKING of the new foundation director position, Board Pres. Sheryl Allen compared the post to Bernell Loveridges as energy coordinator for the district. Although some patrons expressed con- - cent at creation of a new department, his salary has been paid for many times in energy savings across the district. I hope this (foundation job) will do likewise. He will have additional responsibilities," she emphasized, tb Bown, an assis- tant principal at Viewmont High for the past decade, has been tapped to serve as the di- stricts foundation director. That new position will involve generating contributions and will include other duties, Supt. Lawrence Welling says, calling him a very fine administrator. Paul Waite, currently working as assistant principal at Centerville Junior, will move to that same job at Viewmont. Mike Timothy, a social studies teacher and department chairman at Bountiful High will move to Centerville Junior Completes Training Airman Kevin J. Brown, son of Carol A. Burns and stepson of Jerrold A. Bums of 674 W. 700 N., Clearfield, has completed Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Tex. DURLNG THE six weeks at Lackland, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs and received special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. THE AIRMAN will now betraining in the gin structural and pavements field at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. Brown is a 1980 graduate of Clearfield High School. extra-curricul- ar COORDINATION of curriculum between schools in grades kindergarten-1- 2 will be stressed, meaning every 7th grade algebra class in every junior high school would be teaching the same material, for in- stance. A uniform district wide procedure for removal of those students who will not learn was formulated along with differential staffing including summer classes with extended teacher contracts a possibility. MORE PROGRAMS for the gifted and talented for further study along with a proposal to provide adequate materials and textbooks for every class. As Mrs. Durrance indicates, several of the proposals would cost additional funds, such as purchasing enough textbooks or providing the teacher assistance. That issue will be tackled later as the district continues outlining plans it hopes can be actively pursued early next year after more input is received from anyone interested, from students to parents, teachers and the community at large and details worked out. received a Denies Bid County Of Medical Clinic For Tax Exemption inside of it. The smaller ambulance is lighter, more maneuverable and has fewer maintenance problems than the big ones, he said. The council also amended a contract with the states Department of Drugs and Alcohol to extend prevention and education services for the countys Mental Health office through Aug. 31. ACCORDING to Ray Johnson, business manager for the Mental Health Department, the county will be operating its own education and prevention programs starting Sept. 1. The county is scheduled to receive $145,000 from the state's new beer tax for use in the drug and alcohol prevention and education programs. About $100,000 of that total will be used in the school dis- trict. l - - zzzz go-ahe- ad THE WORKSHOP also saw discussion on ways of teaching, such as teacher training concentrating on the field a teacher intends to follow, reducing the education-relate- d classes programs require. Durr-anc- e Many suggestions came into the open, Mrs. teachers from to a need improve says, ranging colleges, including more careful screening of teacher candidates, to more emphasis on teacher reading and writing skills. That was coupled with a desire student teaching exteachers receive more ss perience. WE WANT TO stress that these workshops will be ongoing, Mrs. Durrance says. We hope there will be parental and public input. Supt. Lawrence Welling outlined district goals as acthey relate to state board of education-relate- d tions to the board of education last week. The whole nation trying to improve education will take the best efforts of us teachers, administo make any and students members trators, board introduction. as said he significant inroads, ITS OF paramount importance to also know what the leadership of the state and nation are looking at. We may not know that until the national election, he said. g, - HIGH SCHOOL would involve a comprehensive curriculum with a core which enhances the quality of life that would mean studying English, math, science and specialization in pre or post-hig- h school pursuits, the superintendent explained. Post high school pursuits could mean everything from apprenticeships to work entry and training to attending college or military service to sheltered and specially supervised employment for the handicapped. POSSIBLE implications could mean minimum basic competencies required in the elementary grades, Supt. Welling told the board, using the example of mandating a 4th grader is progressing satisfactorily rather than waiting until 8th grade competency testing to see if he can graduate from high school. It means going grade by grade, Dr. Welling said, to see if theyre really learning. It (state report) does not answer what to do about the kid who doesnt or wont learn. HIGH SCHOOL admittance wouldnt be automatic, he said further, with admittance based on performance standards with principals and teachers accountable for their (students) performance." Looking back on the average school day over the last years, he spoke of increasing emphasis activities, as they've placed on in more integrated into and become number grown the regular school day, moving from perhaps a dozen activities ranging from athletics and sports with their cheerleaders and pep clubs to musical performing and the yearbook in the 1940sand 50sto vocational education teams, flag twirlers, literary magazine and scholarship preparation today. 30-pl- extra-curricul- ar THIRTY YEARS ago, such activities were held outside of the regular school day and now are often scheduled as specific classes held during the regular school day, he noted. and Is it time to how much time should be spent in the instructional day he involved in other (non academic) activities, asked. k, USING THE example of fitness or weight training for athletes, he said in a day that could mean up to one-thir- d of the day spent there, currently. There may be little wonder some of the basics (are suffering for some). This may be contributing-so- me graduates have not had the opportunity to pursue many such classes, he said further. A myriad of changes to meet educational needs are being considered, he reiterated, such as allowing not only professional physical education teachers but also recreation aids who could supervise many of those fitness and conditioning programs and save six-peri- thousands of dollars. MAYBE YOU dont need a professional teacher to count how many times someone does a pushup, Dr. Welling mused. If there can be some savings in money, expanding the program would be better. And while some of the changes may not suit teachers fancies, entirely, he went on, it may be a better program. SOMETIMES the instructional program doesn't match the objectives, he said, adding ways should be found to find proper ways to teach each student and at the same time hold both the student and teacher accountable and then we may get closer to what we hear people want. I |