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Show New State Law Duchesne District says working with parents, not fines, answer to truancy By Lrxlt E. Whiting A new stats law that gives school district tht authority to fins par onta ofstudents who are habitually truant from class wont get a lot of mileage in the Duchesne County School District The law is welcomed by school administrators and educators, because its intended to cut down on the days students are absent from school, but the "bite it provides wont be used much, says Duchesne School District Superintendent John Aland. "We're not going to change much; the new law allows you to give fines, but theres no teeth in it to collect the money, said Aland. And besides, the school district prefers working with parents and kids when it comes to getting them to school. The school district sets attendance policies, but gives school principals the flexibility to work with parents ifthere are attendance problems, said Aland. Under state law parents are required to send their children between ages 6 - 18 to a or private school, or get the Siblic teach them at home. Under House Bill 85 districts are now able to determine what excuses lor missed school days won't be accepted. Larger school districts have set down some strict rules which will determine what is an excused absence and what isn't. For example, parents who keep kids out of class to help tend younger siblings wont get an excused absence from principals in the Salt Lake area, nor wul those who take a day off to go water or snow skiing. After too many unexcuaed absences fines will be levied and citations sent to homes. nised a lew years ago that weVe had an excessive truancy problem here. We began working hard with 8th District Juvenile Court Judge Larry Steel. We've had kids who are helped, Aland explained. Belova truant is ever sent to see a juvenile court judge, several steps of intervention are taken to prevent the trip to the courtroom and obtain help for the child and family through various resources. Duchesne School District Social Worker Alan King is responsible for "tracking" students with habitual attendance problems. King says he frequently gets calls for help directly from the parents ofkids stuffing school Other times its school However, in the Duchesne County School District, where chronic truancy is a problem that occurs in about 3 to 4 percent of the student population, that probably wait happen, said Aland. WeVs leaning toward accepting medical excuses and working with parents on the others. We recog administratorswhoreferhim tostu-denafter they've been absent for a ts few days at a time. Even downtown business people will contact him when they sc kids around town when they should be in school. Some truants hang around their homes, others prefer to spend their day off school roaming, while still testing to take place over next 2 weeks for 3rd, 9th & 11th graders SAT By Chtryl Meehan It's that tims of year again. Tha Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) for students in grade 3 - 9 and 11th will take place in Duchesne County schools starting now through Oct. 6. The SAT test is issued to give ilston and public officials on how well Utah students an performing compand to tha rest of tha nation. Tht test, called the "newly normed Stanford 9th edition test," helps teachers and parents determine the skills and abilities of individual students, thus, changing what the test score means Therefore, SAT scores can no longer be used as valid information to criticise teachers or schools. The SAT measures student skills and learning in reading, mathematics, language, science, and social studies. These main subject areas are separated into subtest with specific ecores for each om, such as vocabulary, spelling, concept of numbers, math applications, etc. Test scores can tell how a single child'asfsdrnuc prriflnanvcqjeoate. parse to the performance of others tested in the saihf grad faros the nation, and can determine if a child is making good progress in school in particular areas. Schools con use group ecorra in evaluating curriculum and deriding what to teach. To help students do well parents can plan for days by helping children get enough stop the night before the tests end by provid tt ing s nutritious breakfast the morning of testing. Parents may help boost their childrens self confidence by maintaining s positive attitude and by being optimistic and upbeat about the tests. School children can prepare for testing by feeling confident in themselves, listening attentively, and following direction! given. To do their very best they must read questions carefully, answer them, and leave enough time to get through swer. -- the entire test. Children must answer each question to the beet oftheir ability .and, if tha answer is not known, eliminate choices that art obviously wrong and make an educated guess. Messy tests result in low scon. Students must mark answers carefully and answer in the right area. If there is time, students may review their answers and correct carries mistake. And yet, they must be careful not to change a correct an- - may sis after Nov. 30, when the Utah State Office of Education ecores are completed. Each achool will schedule a time for teachers, parents, and students to meet together to review teat ecores, reports Duchesne County School District. Reviewing scores with students is s very important step, educators say, explaining, "If students do not see and understand their score, they will view the teet ss s waste of time and will not tty as hard next time on other tests." Test score have many variables; however, it has beat reported that They are as much a measure of tha student's horns support system as a measure of the quality ofthe schooL It has been found that families and students who value education and do homework daily are able to succeed in school regardless of their background." socio-econom- ic Foot action rewarding student athletes with scholarships For the tenth consecutive year, athletic specialty retailer Footaction USA is offering $100,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors. This year, Footaction will award at least 84 scholarships, including on at $10,000, one at $5,000. two at $2,500, and 80 at $ 1,000. Tho deadline for applications in January 15, mail-base- d 2000. Applicants are judged on tho basis of financial need, class rank and standardised teet score, and level of sports participation. Agroup of 300 semifinalists will be selected by an independent administrator. Semifinalists will bo required to complete a more detailed application and submit additional information. including a 250-wor- d y. For more information or to request an application call the toll-fi- ve or visit the Footaction USAwebsite at htt p7 hotline at www Jbotaction.com. Sewing Conference L'LNTAH BASIN STANDARD. Srrtcir.her 28. other truants are at school walking the halls, but never going to their classes. The worst truancy problem occur at Union, the district's largest high school, but King has worked with truants as young as first grade. When intervention efforts fail to help offenders. King enters the picture. For truants who didn't take advantage of earlier attempts to help them straighten up, they can expect a visit to "Saturday School" and a 8100 fine. Saturday School is a three-wee-k commitment 1- - PaccJ i that starts Friday nights and continues on Saturday morning and after a break, resumes Saturday night. There could be anywhere from one student to ten attending the special classes. New plans are in the works to enhance the value of the experience for teens who end up spending their weekende in school, said King. While Saturday School works for some, it doesn't adequately deter others. With just one month of achool out of the way, there an already enough truancy problems to warrant sessions of Saturday School Should all forms of intervention fail, the truant will be sent to Juvenile Court, but King says the district considers that a last resort for tbs youth. "Were always exploring new alternative! to see what works and what docent," King detailed. "Ws'rs trying to let kids be succeaeful in school We harcoT set all the conse- in eoocret. We want to be Suences Right now King la working with between six to eight families to tackle truancy problems. LEARNING ABOUT MOSQITTOS-Ka- ic Wright and Gam-l- l Larsen from (he Duchesne Count) Mosquito Abatement District talked to Gloria students at Myton Elementary. Students looked at mosJoness shown bow to do blood dra w s oo chkkcns. Mosquito larvae acre and quito Abatement officials draw blood e cry ether week iruhrtk for the encephalitis virus which can be transmitted by mosquitoes. A!1 students mated a hat. Pictured with Kaie Weight ts Nickcy Jo Murray. 3rd-grad- e Coast to Coast supports local vocational students Coast to Coast today kicked off 1999-200- 0 Tools for Tomorrow Vocational Student Awards (AAYSA) program in tha Roosevelt area by announcing the arrival of the new student awards applications. Tho AAVSA is a national award program that recognise outstanding vocational technical students in their comm uni-tic- s. the Nearly 2,500 Coast to Coast, SerriStar and True Value retailers across the country recognise how ' important skilled labor is for tho future of the American workforce. "Students who are studying vocational technical and career trades are the backbone ofour community and our country, and wt want to recognize and support their efforts." aid Mark Stewart Since its inception in 1992, Tools for Tomorrow has honored nearly 14 .000 students with more than $ 1 .7 millioo in scholarships and award. This yea; more than 3400,000 in award will be available for up to 4,000 vocational technical students across the country. Each AAVSA winner will receive a $100 gift certificate, redeemable at aqy Coast to Cosat, SerriStar or True Value retailer, as well as a custom sword certificate. A nationally acclaimed program supporting vocational technical education. the AAVSA is only one part of Tools for Tomorrow. In addition to sponsoring winners and schools in the swards competition, participating Const to Coast, SerriStar and True Value retailers provide discounts and donate materials to vocational technical students, offer internship opportunitis and spearhead community service projects. Oukrt and Mrs. Browns classes rniosrd LEARNING BIG GAME-M- rs. listening to Roland McCook of die l"ie Tribe Fish and Game. He showed animal horns and items from his buffalo Kit. them many U-ge AWESOME ASSEMBLY -- The Mullins Brothers from National School Assembly entertained Neoia Elementary students w ith musical instruments and musk from several different countries. USU Sewing Conference, "Sew Creative, Wed, Sept 29 Arum 9 am. 4 p at USU Education Crater, 987 E. Lagoon, Roosevelt Registration fee includes lunch. Deadline Friday, Sept 24. For more information call Barbara Mathis. 0 ext 143. a 738-114- UHS 722-399- 822-448- Conference Parent-Teach- er Conference have been scheduled for Wed, Sepl 29 from 5 9 pm. in the commons. AD are welcome. A Union High School PTSA membership drive will also be held that night. AH concerned ritisens, parents, teachers, and students are encouraged to join. Parent-Teach- er SAT Testing Its that time of year again. The Stanford Achievement Teet (SAT) for student in grades 3 9 and 1 1 will take place in Duchean County schools starting now through Oct. 6. To help students do weU, parents can plan for test days by helping children get enough stop tha nigM before tha tost and provide a nutritious breakfast the morning of testing. IT omom COMMUNITY EDUCATION ; 8 Fall Schedule 1999 RJHS-RooCountry Line Dancing....... Oct 15 at al 6 at Oct ... Digital Photography USU-Roo- s. 16 at Oct History-InternFamily Nov 5 at USU-Vem4.0. Family History-rA- F Oct 6 at Halloween Fun Ideas Nov 2 at USU-Roo- s. Holiday Stamp Art al Nov 3 at Holiday Xmas Decor 2 at Oct Natural Dyes Oct 6 at USU-Roo- s. Photography Basics UHS-RooTottery or stained Class.... Oct 5 at 19 Nov at Scanning Basics. Oct 6 at Weaving Workshop Sep 28 at Yoga Exercise Exercise............ Sep 30 at USU-Roo- s. Yoga $50 $20 $40 $10 $30 $30 $20 $40 $50 $25 $40 $15 $15 et al al USU-VemUSU-Vem- al s. USU-Vem- al USU-Vem- al USU-Vem- al Senior Citizen Discount (ages 55) 50 For more information Call 722-22- 94 or 789-368- 9 Cali Clarity off fees Privacy Increased Security Reduces Cross Talk v Wireless pcs .Paging Cellular IBTA COMMUNICATIONS ext 242 or see vrww.ubtancLconiAisuhorizons Life $15 s. USU-Vem- USU-Vem- Increase of Battery jL Stop by, See for yourself the Benefits of Digital Cellular phones 1 riMysS&Zidbh. J&m N |