Show The Herald Journal Logan Utah Sunday April 18 2004 Homework Continued foomAl ' do as much as Abbey but she’s more motivated’ Homework can cut in on family time Kathi said But the Blair kids have a somewhat set schedule for finishing their homework “They're usually supposed to do it after school after a snack and before friends” she said “Otherwise we don’t get it done” Kathi said she thinks teachers may feel more pressure this year from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) man- dates “Sometimes teachers feel the pressure of students performing well and that shows in the amount of homework that comes home” she said Whether or not homework has increased in the last year Abbey’s regimen is right where it should be according to local school districts’ elementary homework guidelines Logan City School District’s policy updated in 2001 suggests “although it is not required to assign homework every day homework should be a regular part of each student's experience Time spent on homework should increase with the age and maturity of the student” The policy suggests students in 1st and 2nd grades should spend 20 minutes daily on homework Suggestions for 3rd 4th and 3th grades are 30 40 and 50 minutes daily respectively Homework in the early grades should emphasize practice in skills previously taught by the teacher the policy states and be an “enrichment which extends classroom learning and student interest” Holly Peterson associate superin- tendent of elementary education at Cache County School District said her district has no written homework policy but suggests similar princi- pies “It's a time for guided practice not for learning new skills” Peterson said “It’s for what they've (students) already gained an understanding of" Reviewing is the most important part of homework Kathi said Practicing what the kids are already doing at school is optimal busy work isn’t effective she said Both districts said communicating with students and parents is fundamental Clear instructions and expectations are needed when assigning homework and sensitivity to different home situations is a must school officials agree The March 2004 Communicator the newsletter of the National Association of Elementary School Principals noted a “small increase in homework could result in an outcry from single parents or homes where both parents work The key is knowing the community and enacting a suitable homework policy” Parents are an integral part of the homework plan Peterson said Homework is not intended to be burdensome on them or the child — in either district It can be problematic if they feel it’s a burden she said If a child doesn't have an understanding homework can be frustrating for the whole family “Our teachers do a pretty good job of accommodating each child's needs which are different if two parents work” Peterson said But Cache Valley families arc very supportive of education said Peterson who has worked with the district for 32 years She hasn't seen a major increase in homework assigned since NCLB but she has noticed more emphasis on literacy The reading proficiency in both districts can also be attributed to family support she said “We have proficiency in raiding in both districts" she said ’ Inch is' likely a combination 'of instruction iii the home and in the classroom Families arc very supportive of education in the valley They become a great partner in teaching” That support system is important to the full development of children Logan City School District's policy states Assignments shouldn't be “so lime consuming that these activities must he excessively curtailed Kathi arid Abbey Blair agree The weekend und holidays should be free of homework for elementary students Kathi said “With elementary school kids I don't think they should have Friday homework” she said ‘That should be their time to have a break from school'” Cheney talks to A15 i calls Kerry threat to gun rights NRA ' I PITTSBURGH (AP) — Vice President Dick Cheney portrayed President Bush and himself as champions of the Second Amendment — and Democratic candidate John Kerry as a potential threat to gun owners — in a speech at the National Rifle Associa- -' lion’s 133rd annual conven-tio- n Saturday “John Kerry’s approach to the Second Amendment has been to regulate regulate and then regulate some more” Cheney said citing votes against legislation that would protect gun makers from law- suits and in favor of allowing federal authorities to randomly inspect gun dealers without notice Cheney lauded the NRA for its safety programs and said the best way to prevent gun crimes was to enforce existing Taws Federal prosecutions of crimes committed with guns increased 68 percent under President Bush he told the crowd ' Bush “has shown you respect earned your vote and -appreciates your support” Cheney said Cheney spoke for about 25 minutes after he was greeted by a standing ovation punctuated by chants of “Four more ' years'” Cheney did not address the federal assault weapons ban which expires in September and which the NRA maintains has been ineffective Kerry in a statement issued before Cheney’s address said “most voters don’t know that (Bush and Cheney) are stand- ing against major police orga- nizations and breaking their promise to renew the assault weapons ban — which helps assault keep military-styl- e out the of hands of weapons criminals and terrorists” Earlier in the day Tom Mauser whose son Daniel v" i? t was killed with an assault vTj weapon in the Columbine If High School killings five i 4 years ago tried to enter the ' j convention hall where the NRA was meeting seeking to urge Cheney to support extending the assault weapons -- q ban:' Mauser was turned away by Eya security guard as several conventipneers applauded A couple of conventioneers ' yelled“Get a life” and “Vote for Bush” I Mauser who marched three blocks to the convention hall literally in his son’s shoes said before tire march that ' 'v continuing the ban would be common sense “What is the useful purpose to these weapons? i They are the weapons of gangs drug lords and sick people” Mauser Mauser said called the NRA “an brganiza- (ion with a magazine membership but a ' ' INTRODUCING OUR BEST NETWORK EVER GSM” AMERICA FROM AT&T WIRELESS : : Double the coverage Improved signal strength even in buildings Take our 30-da- challenge and see for yourself y While no wireless carrier has perfect coverage everywhere we're so confident you'll love our Improved network we're backing it up risk-fre- e trial If you're not satisfied just with ouf exclusive y " return your phone and pay Only for usage pO-da- : Already a customer? 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IADOV ' 10645 S Slate Si 801496-026- ' - --' Important Information ' V Aimtfoowl montHy $ITS HupfcroryWopwm F—appto sohelpfcndqwcompkancf leadership’’ The NRA expected tip to 60000 people at its weekend convention dubbed “Freer dom's Steel” The association which endorsed Bush and Cheney in die 2000 election will not endorse a candidate until the fall spokesman Andrew Anilanandam said i i v-:- wk wriounawmnanimiitwil y V' proprami4iidi my nor yeib "V Vy - WVSi your ithlTIiiih notnxxx y gprTuiftrihyy oiwo yur ap— nancuiliyaotilr danice and SITS cincDMlion ha Nm artwtinna ahorayiri credc approwl and Mi tcatauan hoffcx n4tkfarpucchM or mi up iral Ua(t fe iwkd 19 an At nma Ai mmuM Uhiaad monrir aiomanc low AMhfeiqr and litaMw of svrica ana Ubfta to nnmim bmaom Al imaes aiwikik from ippicafalie Scrwc Doquim qatAed phn oHJ999 or AgrnfaliRr MipWqr nriw Ana Mbrant nwaappAr wtimi auarida amh applakit SwWa Ana RomnkaddUoinal nanuiand londaanc ckwgm appWnoua tuaiudiarH (mi and odwraucumcno (aunwrul andtoropmaMdhyodiycinWnSomafcaDwssiioitionlyonthaponionofournaaiioikdiarwiomandop— iCnany adouMiAtiimnalGSMcdnrageaniitwn mt Mnmna rmai C'nnWi dnka ykh KO GSM Mhh njinri so aka M mkanrue of uproan— a UwiniMaD MabDa Sa MahDa Htoul— Appkei to afc phcml so or recwwd cohrwcimcy darfey iq nom the appkutle Mok4e-t- o nf Niit and I ang Ftt and FnV pnv-- Mon 55V imApytcitte tong AMncodauMmMaonalWnlnimtaa rHfirebwyiiririiihe SOLfclMdSom Surofaril aromt wn itntom mwDMum imitwngij pkona far itobid m Aria 10 and ymf only far pmrmd mowWy yenKt&anjn an ATATVWnl— wan or ! 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