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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 23-25, 2019 Continued from A-5 Grants given grant proposals, Highfield said. Trends included grants for capital expenditures — like $15,000 to create a flexible learning space in Treasure Mountain Junior High’s library — and for special education programs. Several teachers asked for materials for dual-language immersion learning, such as a new program at Ecker Hill Middle School called Hablemos! Spanish teacher Patricia Munoz received a $7,500 grant to create an organization that will allow students to practice their Spanish language skills while participating in cultural activities like cooking, crafts, theater and dance. Participants in the program are expected to meet once a week after school. Kassie Deckard, who manages the makerspace at Parley’s Park Elementary School, re- Continued from A-6 Session to address education back on the table” because the non-binding question was voted down. The first part of the compromise, which went into effect last year, made it so districts with high property tax revenues and low student populations, such as Park City School District, were putting more money into the system and getting less out. The gas tax would have brought more funds into the Park City School District, equalizing the give and take of the district, Hauber said. “There are pieces still in place, but the whole funding mechanism is not, so we will be watching this coming session to see exactly what the Legislature plans to do to either revisit the concept or move in a totally different Continued from A-6 Team to craft tools an African-American perspective. She also has consultants from the Navajo Nation and the Siletz Confederated Tribes in Oregon who are eager to use the software to create books to help people learn to read Navajo and Siletz. Then, the team plans to work on helping with the creation of books in Spanish and Ancient Greek. Callow-Huesser said she plans to work with languages that are less common, because the National Science Foundation was particularly interested ceived a $5,500 grant to roll out the Global Inventors program at the school. The program uses curriculum from the national education organization Level Up Village to connect students in Park City with those in different countries. Students at Parley’s Park will have pen pals from a Spanish-speaking country and will work together on a project to design and create 3-D solar-powered flashlights. Deckard will then help the Park City students print the flashlights with the school’s 3-D printer. Throughout the eightweek program, students will be able to work on communication and Spanish language skills and learn about different cultures, she said. She was shocked to receive the grant, because this is her first year in the district. She said receiving the grant took away the worry of figuring out how to bring the program to the school. Stephanie Lassig, a special education teacher at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School, had a similar reaction. She said she got a little emotional when she learned she would be given $2,413 to purchase C-Pens for her students. direction,” he said. “There is not a clear signal to where that is going, but it has to be addressed in some fashion.” Hauber said school safety and security is likely to come up during the session as well. The Utah State Board of Education has identified a need for $95 million to help schools with infrastructure and operations to improve safety at schools. Gov. Gary Herbert included a similar number in his 2020 budget plan. H.B. 120 by Rep. Raymond Ward (R-Bountiful) requests changes to school safety policies, including provisions to emergency evacuation drills and the creation of a team that would assess threats to the school. Hauber said both Republicans and Democrats have written bills that address a lack of mental health services in public schools also. Several districts do not have the funding to provide mental health resources to their students, he said. Other bills expected to be filed address at-risk students. Hauber said because spreading revenues more evenly across schools is already being dis- A-7 The Park Record PHOTO BY ANDREA SOLUM Students at Ecker Hill Middle School participate in an escape room activity. Andrea Solum, a teacher at the middle school, received a teacher grant to purchase pre-made escape room kits for her own classroom. “I couldn’t believe that they would be willing to do that,” she said. “Because investing in these kids, they are worth it, and I want them to feel successful as they move throughout life and through their academic career.” The pens help students with reading disabilities learn to read, because they contain small scanners that read the text and vocalize it to the students through an ear bud. Lassig pur- chased a C-Pen for her son and was amazed to see how much it helped him be more independent in school. She wanted to purchase one for all her students, but at $275 a piece, that was not an option. “This would be the only way that I would be able to give these students this opportunity,” she said. “I am so incredibly grateful, and my students are super excited to have this.” cussed, providing equal opportunities to students in school is probably “the next front of equalization.” He said two audits on school fees performed last year helped tee up student equalization conversations. The audits showed that academic and extracurricular fees were prohibiting some students from accessing services and programs at school. Hauber said the Utah State Board of Education is expected to work out the kinks of recently pro- posed rules regarding school fees, but the Legislature could choose to tackle school fees on its own. Despite the big topics being discussed during the session, Hauber said there is a relatively low number of bills filed so far. Typically, there are about 100 numbered bills leading up to the session while this year there are about 15. If that number remains low, Hauber said it will be good for districts that are trying to catch up on previous legislation. We can’t agree on everything. in the prospect of preserving languages. “The hope is that if we can get kids interested in learning the language and learning how to read in the language, that it really can revitalize language,” she said. In one year, Callow-Huesser hopes to have a kindergarten-age program in each of those languages available. But first, they have to reach the six-month goals they set with the National Science Foundation. Callow-Huesser and Major received $225,000 from the foundation to complete the first six-month phase of the project. If the duo meets their goals, they could receive an additional $900,000. “If we succeed at that, I will have spent the last 10 years of my career doing exactly what I wanted,” Callow-Huesser said. “To help marginalized kids feel not so marginalized.” We can agree on savings. Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant Despite our differences, everyone has an appreciation for saving money. Conserving WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHEF’S DINNER energy is a great place to start. For only $25, you can get a Home Energy Plan to $29.95 for Three Courses Enchanting European Inn & Fine Dining Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Served Daily Sunday Brunch lower your monthly gas bill. It’s something every homeowner can do to save. To schedule a Home Energy Plan, call 1-888-324-3221. AAA FOUR DIAMOND AWARD, 2015 Inn & Restaurant BEST OF STATE 2018 Best Northern European Fine Dining Best Bed & Breakfast Best Plated Brunch 1235 Warm Springs Road, Midway, Utah 435.654.1400 • www.theblueboarinn.com Learn more at ThermWise.com |