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Show THE ZEPHYR JUNE 1990 would return to a ay schedule. Originally, the ay week was Instituted In order to uva th district money. The actual dollar amount of savings hai diminished since 1h first year and now remaining on a ahortanod weak only yields about a $25,000yaar savings. Advocates of the ay week claim that children are Just now beginning to show the effects of the ay now at the end of Its third year. They assert that academic week, achievement has dropped. Parents and teachers complain regarding the smaller number of classes middle and high school students attend. When students miss school for a day due to Illnesses or extracurricular activities, they actually miss 1 14 days of class. Some teachers claim they cannot teach the same number of lessons on a schedule as they were able to on a ay schedule. Parents have adopted the term "contact time, and argue that simply by being In school a fifth day their children would have more contact time with the teacher, that Is opportunities for Interaction with herhim. week generally believe that Grand County needs to Proponents of the ay Improve the educational programs It currently has on Its schedule before plunging ahead and returning to the ay week. Teachers already operate with limited supplies, In some cases, Insufficient andor outdated textbooks, and ed classrooms. Most school programs are under funded, consequently no program stands out as a shining example, though many programs are successful because of the time and energy of dedicated teachers and students. "Contact time Isn't enough. Where are the chances greater for a student to have an Interaction with a teacher? In an classroom 5 days each week, or In a class with fewer students 4 days each week? Simply being In the classroom does not assure quality learning experiences. Advocates of the school week value the extra day they have with their children. It allows for addtlonal family activities, be they educational In nature or simply enjoying time together. Though no one openly verbalizes the personal convenience Issue at state In the ay versus ay argument, it lies Just under the surface. Some parents want their children In school five days a week because It's one additional day that they do not have to worry about them. School Is a safe place; students are and kept busy; and Ifs free. Conversely, there are parents who like their long three-da- y weekends with their families. Ifs convenient The School Board has promised to study this Issue. They have begun by sending home an parent survey to random families. They will study Achievement Test scores closely to determine whether academic achievement Is slipping. The financial ramifications of both schedules need to be studied exactly. The District made the decision to move to the ay week after a great deal of study and thought and they will not be rushed Into making any decision about returning to the ay week without carefully all facts. The the some has for the considering Superintendent plans possibility of a 4 12 with a day week, variety of options and programs on the fifth day for Indicated students. What are the solutions to these complex problems? We must remember that educational change occurs slowly, but that we have many opportunities to Influence the direction that change goes. We need to help the schools lobby for state money and make our voices heard to our local and state representatives. More funding will go a long way towards Improving the quality of education In Grand County. The school board meets monthly and welcomes Input from the citizens of Grand County. All the schools Invite volunteers Into their buildings. You might offer your resources, experience and expertise to the schools. Speak In positive tones about our schools. Tell teachers thank you. Get 5-d- PAGE 9 4-d- 5-d- 4-d- 4-d- ay 5-d- 4-d- ay 5-d- over-crowd- over-crowd- ed ay 4-d- 5-d- well-supervi- sed In-de- pth 4-d- 5-d- WATERING DOESNT HAVE TO BE A DRAG Simplify your irrigation system with drippers & CALL KEN. mini-sprinkle- rs and let him design your Irrigation system. Involved. Where In November each of us will have an opportunity to cast a vote for bettering education In Grand County. We can vote In favor of the proposed 2 mil levy. This tax Increase would be specifically designated for class size reduction and would enable the district to hire at least three new teachers. Why should we vote ourselves a tax Increase? Because we need to show the children and educators of Grand County that we value education enough to pay for a portion of It ourselves. Ifs our responsibility to show our support at the polls. High-Te- c and Common Sense Meet. Friendly Bushes Happy Trees Castle Canyon Nursery CALL 259-827- 4 ANYTIME The Grand Co. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council by John Weisheit has held several meetings recently to discuss a growing concern for alcohol and drug abuse In the Grand County student body. Included In the discussions were school officials, faculty and students, city and county officials, Four A task force of volunteers Comers Mental Health, recovery specialists and members of Alcoholics apd Narcotics Anonymous. Later In the development of this body, we learned that the abuse of drugs In Grand County Is not entirely practiced In and around the classroom and that equal focus for attention would have to Include all residents of Grand County. The Group has Impressed me In their sincere efforts to Improve education, treatment and recovery for both the student and adult resident This group Is also cognizant that It Is potentially useless unless the reading public avails Itself to the help the GCADAC Is establishing. The reality of drug use, both for reasons of health and pleasure, Is ageless and causes of abuse should be explained In medical and behavioral terms. Biologically, 10 of our population Is susceptible to drug addiction by reasons of genetics and behavior patterns. This Is a medical reality, as Insurance companies do not accept claims based for reasons of moral decay. For most people the unpleasant aftereffects of abuse, the hangover and the general feelings of Illness, are enough to encourage moderate social consumption. However, to the addictive personality, It Is never a question of moderation. One drink or addict to the degree that It drug Is never enough. As It Is a disease, It soon consumes the Is the total focus of attention In their lives and their lives become unmanageable. When this He or she must stage of the progressive disease Is met, the addict no longer has a choice. fatal accident rather or suicide Is an addict for by usually quit and abstain or die, and death than biological shock. Denial Is the adders greatest obstacle to overcome. Part of the creed to twelve "Those who do not step programs (Alcoholics, Cocaine and Narcotics Anonymous) reads, to this simple themselves not will or completely give recover are people who cannot of being honest with program, usually men and women who are constitutionally Incapable themselves." If youre missing days at school and work, spending time In Jail and money on violations because you use drugs, chances are you are an addict If your relationships with schoolmates, workmates, close friends and family are strained because you use drugs, you may be an addict There Is a written evaluation test available from therapists to determine the severity of your addiction and for residents of Grand County this may Include a visit to Four Comers Mental Health. Treatment for the disease can go beyond this If you have medical Insurance to cover the expenses of detox and therapy at an approved treatment center of which there are now many In Salt Lake City. If an addict does not have the finances for the advanced medical care, there Is programs of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous always peer help from the twelve-ste- p here In Moab. (NA Is very new to the community and a result of GCADAC.) The only requirement for membership Is a desire to stop drinking or drugging and the cost Is entirely free as funding comes from the voluntary contributions of the membership. Membership has no age limits and Is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or Institution. It Is, however, a spiritual program based on a higher power as "we understood Him." as progresses, many other programs will become readily available for detox, therapy, recovery and education to the students and adults of Grand County. Success to the GCADAC depends upon one thing and that la to recognize step one: "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (drugs) and that our lives had Hopefully In time, GCADAC become unmanageable. 1; Here are phone numbers to assistance: School District - 259-53and 1, 8; Four comers Mental Health Alcoholics recovery, (Dixie) Anonymous 259-74- 4, 2; 1; and Narcotics Anonymous - 259-70and and ed family groups) see Alcoholics Anonymous phone numbers. 259-893- 17 269-813- 31 259-565- Al-An- on 259-613- 259-734- 90 259-613- (non-addtet- John Weisheit Is a volunteer member of Grand County Alcohol and Drug. Abuse Council |