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Show Volume XX Issue VIII The Ogden Valley news Page 3 May 15, 2012 Guest Commentaries A High School inofOgden Valley! unlawful behavior, screening of potential By Cole Schlack, Liberty Could we have a high school in Ogden Valley? Yes; it is very possible, if, as a community, we can unite and work together. There is currently no plan in place for Weber School District to add a high school in Ogden Valley; the only other option is a Charter High School. What is a Charter School? Charter schools are public schools created by a group of parents, teachers or community leaders who see an educational need in their community, and want to meet that need. To operate, charter founders must submit an application for approval by the State Charter School Board or the board of a school district. Like other public schools, charter schools can serve students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. What is the purpose of charter schools? Charters schools offer parents and students additional choices about where students attend school, and the school’s curricular emphasis. They allow educators freedom to try new strategies to inspire students and to experiment with innovative ways of educating students. Also, charter schools allow individuals and organizations outside of the traditional education system to create and run public schools. Does my child have to attend? No, parents have the option to enroll students in the charter school or continue with the available district school. Are charter schools subject to the same laws and regulations as other public schools? As a general rule, yes; laws and regulations relating to religion in the schools, school fees and tuition, health and safety, civil rights, annual reports, prohibitions against advocacy employees or volunteers for competency and fitness, and most other matters are the same for both charter schools and other public schools. The Utah State Board of Education may waive any of its rules for a charter school or other public school if the school applies for a waiver and the Utah State Board of Education finds that the waiver would not violate applicable law or cause harm to students or the school. A charter school is exempt from existing negotiated agreements relating to the hiring, employment, and dismissal of employees. A charter school’s governing body may determine the level of compensation and the terms and conditions of employment for its employees. Charter schools may only employ educators who hold valid teaching certificates or who meet State Board requirements for alternative certification or authorization. May a charter school limit its enrollment to certain students? No. A charter school is part of the public education system and must be open to all students, without discrimination, on the same basis as other public schools. If the number of students applying to enroll in a charter school exceeds the capacity of the school or of programs, classes, or grade levels within the school, then those to be admitted are chosen at random from among the applicants, subject to certain preferences. Are high school charter schools required to be accredited? Yes. In the State of Utah, by law, all public schools granting high school credit are required to be accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. Please visit www.ogdenvalleyschool.org to learn more, provide needed feedback, and find out how you can help. Tribute to Candy Facer THANK YOU Miss Inama! It was a cool, crisp late August morning in from slide rules to iPads. She has gone from party 1972. The new batch of 3rd graders who lived too close to school ride the bus, filtered into the classroom to find their desks and get a glimpse of their new teacher. They retreated to the playground for a quick game of hopscotch while awaiting the arrival of the buses, which transported the friends they had not seen since last May. The bell rang and the 7 and 8 year olds rushed through the doors and settled into their seats, not knowing that the next nine months would change the course of their lives. Even though many major events Candy were taking place, these innocent kids had not a worry in the world. They had heard about the POW’s at the Hanoi Hilton, but did not fully grasp foreign policy. While the Watergate scandal was unfolding, the innocent Huntsville kids could not be bothered with the fact that our president would be forced to resign in just a couple of years. The pending gas crisis was still a few months away, and they couldn’t fathom gas prices quadrupling from 25 cents to over a dollar in a matter of months. Kids at Valley School had more important issues, like kickball and four square, and perhaps a quick game of kissing tag. During the course of their scholastic career, students may have a small handful of teachers who leave a lasting, positive impact on their lives—someone who respects students and teaches them life’s lessons; someone who is forever dedicated and teaches because s/he loves it, and is not simply teaching for the fat paycheck, relaxing summer, and the lavish lifestyle; someone who treats every kid as though they are the most important child on earth. For me, and those who were fortunate enough to have her as a teacher, Candi Facer (Miss Inama, to me) tops that list. From that first morning in 1972 until her retirement in 2012, Mrs. Facer never lost her drive, determination, and dedication to the students, the parents, the administrators, and her colleagues. During her career, she has seen fellow teachers fulfill an entire career, from hire to retire. She has seen Kindergarteners become doctors and was a driving force in that transformation. She has watched second-grade students become grandparents. She has seen some nine principals come and go. She has worked with teachers who began teaching during the World War II era while mentoring student teachers who were just getting their start. With her students, she has watched astronauts land on the moon and circle the earth. She has progressed from blackboards to smart boards and lines to smartphones and from disco to hip hop. She has seen alcoves and lapboards morph into kiosks and workstations. Through it all, the dedication to her students has never wavered. Candi Facer treated her students with the utmost respect. The second and third graders were never “boys and girls,” but instead, “ladies and gentlemen.” While very few students ever needed discipline, Mrs. Facer ruled with love and was always fair and consistent. Perhaps one of her most incredible traits is that she taught, not because she to, but because she loved to, and Facer had because she wanted to. At some point, Miss Inama became Mrs. Facer and more than one teenage boy and former student was heartbroken to hear of the nuptial. While she could have spent her days at the gym or spa, she chose to dedicate her life to helping children. During the course of her prolific career, Candi personally and forever touched the lives of some 1,000 kids who were in her homeroom class while positively impacting the lives of nearly another 4,000. She has treated every student as if they were her only student, and has a personal recollection of each and every one. Even though she has been in the public’s eye, Mrs. Facer is humble and private. When up for an award or accolade, she is always quick to shield the attention and give the credit to the students and fellow teachers around her. In a recent letter to the editor in The Ogden Valley News, she wrote, “’Thank you’ seems like such an insignificant way to express my gratitude for the wonderful experiences I have had over the last forty years, but from the bottom of my heart, and with all my love, thank you so much for everything.” When faced with health issues a few years ago, she dealt with them privately and honorably, not allowing herself to be the object of anyone’s compassion or sympathy. Some of us have been more fortunate than others. While I would never openly admit to playing a game of hopscotch, I was that lucky kid who walked into Miss Inama’s classroom that fateful August morning of 1972. Better yet, each of my three kids were able to share the same experience of calling Mrs. Facer “teacher.” And to this day, when any of us see Mrs. Facer, we are greeted with a genuine and sincere, “Richard, how are you doing?” Or, “How is everything?” My silent answer is, “Our lives are infinitely better because of you.” THANK YOU Miss Inama! Richard Sorensen, Miss Inama’s 3rd grade class 1972 - 1973 Memorial Day Pig Roast RED CLIFF RANCH Saturday May 26, 2012 LIVE MUSIC ON OUR PATIO FROM 12 noon – 9 p.m. Featuring: Brett Turner Scotty Haze ANTIQUE & ANTLER SALE ~ ELK, DEER, MOOSE SHED ANTLERS ONLY For more information call: (801) 745–6900 www.redcliffranch.com 7 miles east of Huntsville on Hwy. 39 Americans Needs to Rid Country of Extraction Capitalists By Steve Olsen Television journalist Dylan Rattigan recently released a book titled “Greedy ‘Buggers.’” (Name modified to respect this paper’s family values!) His book contains important insights concerning what’s wrong with our nation. So what’s a Greedy Bugger? Rattigan explains there are two types of capitalism. There is “creative capitalism,” where money is invested in new products or services that create large profits, but also adds to the wealth of our country, without hidden costs to society. Everyone wins: the capitalist, the inventor, the delighted customer, the workers with new jobs, and society as a whole. Creative capitalism during the latter half of the 20th century made the United States the wealthiest nation in the history of the world. He calls the other type “extraction capitalism.” This type of capitalism does not create anything of value, but is designed to extract existing wealth from society, transferring it to the pockets of the capitalist. Extraction capitalism almost always includes excessive influence in government gained by purchasing politicians. Rattigan coined the term “Greedy Buggers” for this second type of capitalist. “Corporate communists” is another title. He also uses a more common term: thief. The book makes a compelling case that the majority of capitalist activity during the last decade has been of the “Greedy Bugger” variety. This is the reason we had near zero job creation and the crash of the financial markets that almost caused another Great Depression. Like a vampire, the Greedy Buggers sucked the life’s blood from the nation’s economy to enrich themselves, leaving the rest of us to suffer the consequences. I had an epiphany reading this book. I have another description of extraction capitalism. Many of you will recognize the motto of Book of Mormon bad guy Korihor: Let every man prosper according to his own genius, let every man conquer according to his own strength, and whatsoever a man does is no crime. Not to mention “letting the guilty go unpunished because of their money.” Is it possible that many of our politicians are modern-day disciples of Korihor? Even latter-day Gadianton robbers? Just sayin’. You’ve heard their rhetoric: Let the “job creators” (Greedy Buggers create nothing, least of all jobs) keep all their money and eliminate all regulation. You be the judge, but this sure sounds like the very thing Rattigan is warning us about, especially given where these politicians are getting their millions in campaign contributions to buy their re-election. Rattigan makes a compelling case against the logic of the Greedy Buggers’ bought politicians. Just like laws against theft by burglary or armed robbery strengthens rather than weakens our economy, so laws (otherwise known as regulation) against theft by Greedy Buggers prevent them from draining the lifeblood from our economy. Certainly, a main lesson of our Great Recession is that Greedy Buggers cause much more damage to society than a humble shoplifter. Not only that, depriving Greedy Buggers of their ability to get rich by stealing forces them to use their wealth for productive, creative capitalism, resulting in a win-win outcome for everyone. What can we do to root out the scourge of extraction capitalism from our economy? It starts with the realization that the behavior of Greedy Buggers is currently protected by our government, which they have purchased with their money. Congress today is owned by modern-day Gadianton robbers. Things will not change until that changes. Thoughtful Americans of every stripe are calling for a constitutional convention to change the way political campaigns are financed. Until then, here’s maybe the most important question we need to ask as voters: Is this candidate owned by the Greedy Buggers? That can be determined by examining who donates to their campaign. If the answer is “yes,” they need to go. Rattigan stresses the following principles for judging whether we have creative or extraction capitalism: visibility, integrity, choice (elimination of monopolies), and aligned interests. That last is especially important. If there is one thing that differentiates good capitalists from Greedy Buggers, it’s economic activity where everybody wins. Despite the serious nature of this problem, Dylan Rattigan is quite upbeat in his book. “I’m optimistic even when I see the massive waste and the ongoing theft perpetrated every day, because when I see that so much of our resources goes to bad deals, I realize how much we still have to work with—if we can redirect the resources of this great country.” America still has it—we just need to take our country back from the Greedy Buggers. Ogden Valley Football Registration May 14-15 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Snowcrest Jr. High Any questions call: Jeff and Melanie Shaw 745-0275. Come get signed up and be ready to play! If you are a new registrant, bring a copy of birth certificate. Memorial Day Cemetery Schedule May 28, 2012 Each year on Memorial Day, the American Legion Ogden Valley Post 129 holds Military Honors Memorial services at four Ogden Valley cemeteries. The schedule is as follows: Liberty Cemetery 3900 N. 3500 E. Liberty 9:00 a.m. Lower Eden Cemetery (Meadow View) 5100 E. 2200 N., Eden 10:00 a.m. Upper Eden Cemetery (Mt. View) 5500 E. 2770 N., Eden 11:00 a.m. Huntsville 12:00 p.m. 5500 E. 100 S. Huntsville After the ceremonies, a potluck lunch will be held at the American Legion Post 129 at 12:30 p.m. in Huntsville located at 604 S. 7800 E. Please bring your favorite dish! For more information, call Brad Brooks at 801-791-8661. “Every member of the state ought diligently to read and to study the Constitution of this country...By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated and be the better prepared to defend and assert them.” --John Jay While teaching American History at local colleges, Mr. Crockett was appalled at the ignorance of our young people when it comes to the founding of this country, its organic origins and the Constitution. He therefore decided to teach a free 8-week class at our library on basic Constitutional Principles to get the word out. The book is an easy read and written to simply explain the Constitution and the principles contained therein. MSRP is $19.95, but if ordered directly, the price is $14.95 plus $3.50 for shipping. Books may be ordered at www. crockettbook.com or lonnie@crockettscorner.com or mailing Lonnie D. Crockett, Ph.D., P.O. Box 508, Huntsville, UT 84317 For more information, call 801-745-5662. |