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Show r L'INTAM BASIN STANDARD. November 19. 2002 - Credit Where Credit is Due Ask A Specialist RJHS attains accreditation review, following completion of process How can we make family mealtime a success? on-si- te By Susan Collier A relatively new state mandate was instrumental in Roosevelt Junior High becoming accredited. When the state called with a mandatory review date for the schools accreditation, some, even principal Guy Coleman, wondered why ajunior high needed accreditation. Credits aren't used for high school graduation and accreditation is not necessary when students move to attend another junior high. I wondered why we needed to go through the process, admitted Coleman. It looked like a chore of momentous proportions, he said quickly adding the process turned out to be very beneficial and much easier than he anticipated. Accreditation was a process of at the school that involved the parents, teachers, and students, explained Coleman. Those involved produced a booklet outlining goals, strengths, and weaknesses of the school. Exam scores and completed student, teacher, and parent questionnaires were the sources of data used in compiling the booklet. Ute leaders Answer by Tom Lee. Utah State University Extension Family and Human Development Specialist The booklet focuses on two or three items necessary to improve the school, and we will use it as a model to keep improving very year. Our top academic focus right now and in the foreseeable future is reading, said Coleman. According to Coleman all students will participate in a silent reading program for 25 minutes each Wednesday, and all seventh graders will take a mandatory reading class for one half of the school year. Last week state officials and local educators spent two days at the school talking to teachers, students, support personnel, and Coleman. They also evaluated the booklet. We came in quite well, declared Coleman. So well, in fact, that before they left the state officials declared the school accredited. I appreciate the effort of the teachers, parents, students, and everyone involved. It was a big help, and they did a fantastic job, praised Coleman. Family mealtime provides many benefits, it is an ideal time to teach family values, strengthen family ties, encourage learning, strengthen youth and. of course, encourage good nutrition. IT LOOKS THE SAME Irmay look the same but Roosevelt Junior High is now accredited with the state of Utah. The accreditation is good for six years. A new state mandate requires that even junior high schools eam accreditation. tribal members attend national Indian convention National Congress of American Indians 59lh Annual Convention. The Convention was held last week in Sand Diego. Tribal leaders from over 200 tribes across the nation including Alaska came to participate in the week long convention. There were over 2,000 registrants for the annual event. Tribal leaders heard from members of Congress including Congressman Bob Filner (D-CCongressand Senaman Frank Pallone tor Ben Nighthone Campbell ). The Deputy Assistant Secretary for (D-NJ- ), Bureau of Indian Affairs Neal McCaleb. McCalebs boss, Assistant Secretary Gale Norton did not attend the convention. An Intergovernmental Affairs report from the White House was also given by Jennifer McFarley, who urged those with concerns to call her. The speakers stated that Indian Issues are neither Republican nor Democrat but are human issues. Being human issues, members of Congress are supporting and working with Indian nations. But, they also want Indian Country to continue makingtheir voices heard. NCAI was given credit for informing members of Congress on the issues. Even those without Indian tribes in their districts have supported Indian issues due to information provided them by Indian advocates. There are several pieces of legislation that will protect Indian concerns but an effort will be needed to of these legislative seek bills. There were past bills that were defeated due to the collective efforts of tribal advocates on Capitol Hill. The tribes were told to keep the pressure on and the support will be there. Since tribal governments deal with the issues that fall under the rubric of the Home Land Security Government Security, there is an effort to include tribal governments to tap the fund that will become available under the Department of Home Land Security. Tribal governments should deal directly with the federal government instead ofasa local town. It was reported that the President respects the sovereign-to-sovereig- n relationship of tribal governments with the federal governments. There is also the recognition of Executive Order that requires consultation between a governmental agency and Indian Tribels). ii I m vw vm- i, v '.'I V 1 jjjgy 'sr w sigsw Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Neal McCaleb gave a review of the past events between the tribes and the Department of Interior. He also gave examples, besides gaming, of the successful efforts of several tribes in improving the conditions for their members. One of the tribes is the Southern Utes of Colorado with their AAA credit rating which took them 25 years to accomplish. He said, This is our time, the industrial revolution passed us by. Why is gaming so successful in Indian Country? Its because of our unique franchise, tribal sovereignty. Arizona and California recently voted on some propositions that would have an effect on Indian Gaming. Preliminary indication were that the vote was favorable to Indian gaming. The most important issue before Indian Country is the Individual Indian Trust Fund issue. On Sept. 17, Federal U.S. Judge Royce C. Lamberth handed down a decision of contempt and that Defendant Assistant Secretary Gale Norton and the Cobell plaintiffs submit a strategic plan to comply with the court by Jan. 6. Deputy Assistant Secretary McCalbe said that he hod no silver bullet for a solution. Meanwhile the tribes are debating whether or not to submit Amicus Briefs or to intervene in the class action case. Other reports ad discussions included pending Supreme Court cases, other proposed congressional legislation. Indian Education, Health, breakout sessions on Trust Reform, Indian child Welfare Act Amendments, Environmental Programming, Telecommunication, FCC and Cell Towers, Sacred Lands, Economic Development. Land Recovery and others. NCAI held its first Benefit Concerts that was hosted and sponsored by the Native American Music Association. The performers were Native Americans who performed to an unexpected standing room only house. There were many who came only to attend the Concert and to support both the Native American performers and NCAI. The Convention ended with the tribal leaders voting on the many resolutions that were presented to NCAI during the week. Next years Convention will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. w- - g ers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital studied 527 adolescents and found that if mealtimes are shared with parents or grandparents regularly, adolescents are 75 percent less likely to have problems with substance abuse, depression or other adjustment problems. Family mealtimes contribute to this success, as do other positive family activities. Modeling good nutrition. Children eat better at a regular family mealtime than when they fix food or eat out on their own. Offer a variety of foods, but dont force children to eat. Invite children who finish quickly to stay at the table to visit for a few minutes. With all these benefits, it's worth getting the family together at mealtime. Make it a priority, hut be flexible. This might include bringing prepared food home or giving children an early snack so they can wait for a later dinner when everyone is home. Make it a time for pleasant visiting with an emphasis on building relationships. Avoid making it a time to lecture or scold. And of course, turn off the TV. To see other .Ask A Specialist visit columns, http extension.usu.edu publico news aska Duchesne Elementary students dressed in READY FOR A PARADE their Halloween best and marched in the school's Halloween parade. The students also enjoyed class parties. ALL DRESSED UP This little wTanglcr and a petite nurse w ere among the assortment of brightly attired Duchesne Elementary students who participated in a Halloween parade. Governor's office seeks nominees for science technology awards ' Gov. Mike Leavitt recently announced that the Utah State Advisory Council on Science and Technology is accepting nominations for the 2003 annual Governors Medal for Science and Technology Award. The Governors Medal is awarded as a symbol of recognition to those individuals and groups of individuals who have provided distinguished service to the state of Utah in science and technology. Nominations can be made in any one of four categories: academic, science education, industry (including independent inventors and entrepreneurs), orand government. Any Utah citizen organization may submit nominations. The team category nominations awarded in past years will no longer be accepted. Nominees must meet a residency of Utah requirement detailed in the Procedures and Criteria for Selection document located on the Internet at The State Advisory Council on Science and Technology is responsible for administeringthe award and for recommending nominees to Governor Leavitt. This year, nominations will follow a simplified, two-ste- p submittal process. A one-puform, attached, is all that is needed to initiate a nomination. If preferred, this form can be accessed via the web at http:dced.utah.govscience7 medal.html. As needed, nominees selected from the first round of applications may be asked to suhmit a more complete application package. The nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 15. IN V( )LVI.D IN SI K VICE Students at Thompson School recently tied two vcrvicc as a community project and donated them to the Family Support quilts Center. The students did the majority of the work and enjoyed the pmject. We are planning to do other service projects for the Family Support Center. ( )ne w ill he collecting canned items and clothing for them. This service is in conjunction with the Community of Caring program adopted by the Duchesne School District," said Cindy Bristol Community ufCaring Coordinator for'Thompsen. Students pictured working on the quilts are: Stephanie Tuinman, Jay Draper, Patrick Longsoldicr. Levi Tucker, Emma I lawnrth. Mrs. Johnson. Crystal Patry, and Jerad Farley. Community of Caring program to begin in classrooms in county Bv Angela Eddington The Community of Curing program was adopted by the Duchesne http:dced.utah.govscience 2002procedurecriteria.pdf. Leavitt emphasized that he will recognize individuals who have made a significant impact and contribution to science and technology in the state of Utah. Candidate nominations representing Utahs biotechnology, computer technology and medical technology markets are strongly encouraged. V,1 i. SM ELLS DELICIOUS The second graders at East Elementary watched a demonstration last Friday on how to make Ipdian Fry Bread. While the bread cooked they listened to stories about Indian culture. PY Dinnertimechat-tin- exposes them to a broader vocabulary. especially as they listen to conversation between adults. Strengthening teens. Research & Tribal leaders and some members of the Ute Indian Tribe attended the Only one in three families in the United States eats meals together regularly. Consider these reasons to bring vnur family together this evening. Teachingvalues. Eating together is a natural time for children to be around and observe adults. Children learn values through many little interactions, not in one big dose. Values are taught hy discussing daily events, decisions and the reasons why something was good or bad. Bonding families. Meal preparation. clean up and spending time together whileeating are natural rather than staged" times to talk together and strengthen family ties. Encuuraginglearning. Preschool children who eat with family have better vocabularies. Submitted by Curtis R. Cesspooch PC Ji ELUTE MUSIC IMPRESSES WOMEN Marci Amiwchis explains to second graders at East Elcmenlury how Naliv c American men used to play tlie flute to impress women. Students spent last Friday learning about American Indians. Anowchis demonstrated several oilier Indian instruments and said that now even women play the flute. School District this past summeruml is now supported hy most of 1 in the district. As part of t he Safe and Drug Free Schools pn igra m . Community of Caring emphasizes five values that cun he taught in school and help to hu i Id u ch i Id s sel and confidence. The values taught are: family, caring. resmsi-bility- , respect, and trust. This kindergarten through 12th grade program emphasizes that t Inability to reflect upon anil to art usin values is essentiul in shaping lives, guiding decisions anil illuminating responsible goals," staled a reort issued by the National Association of Secondary Schools. Young ople today want to Is- - engaged in their communities. They wunt to make wise, safe choices, Community of Caring helps them to do so ns well ns to make caring a part of their every day decisions and everyday life," continued. Although the values of the program are taught in sliool. its more of an attitude than a program... It should he a way of life, and a way of teuehing, said Carolyn Davis. Davis serves as the Duchesne County School District Sale and Drug Free Schools Program coordinator, and is now also in charge of Community of Caring. Community of Caring is a nationwide program that lias liecn approved by the state of Utah as a proven program," said Davis. If st udents are in a community, or classroom, where they feel cared for and liked, it becomes easier for a teacher to teach, and studi-nt- s to learn. The Community of taring program has been emphasized hy President Bush as n part of his No Child Left Behind Act, said Davis. Its a good time to jump into it. we have the support of all the schools, who are trying to implement it." (JUST AN OBSERVATION) .... SO WHAT THE IIECK DOES THIS REALLY MEAN? IIECK IF WE KNOW! |