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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (March 24, 2021)
2A | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 | APPEAL TRIBUNE Balancing Children’s Screen Time Address: P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309 Phone: 503-399-6773 Fax: 503-399-6706 Email: sanews@salem.gannett.com Angie Grove Willamette Connections Academy Guest columnist Pandemic quarantines and social distancing changed many aspects of ev- eryday life. Computers, tablets, and phone screens offer digital connections to the outside world for families – tele- commuting, internet grocery shopping, telemedicine appointments, and dis- tance education for students accus- tomed to attending traditional public schools. Between remote learning, social media, video games, and other digital programs many kids have added ingre- dients to their digital intake this past year. Should parents be overly con- cerned about all this screen time? Ex- perts say it may be more valuable to look at screens in the context of other as- pects of your child’s general wellbeing. Are they getting sufficient sleep, exer- cise, and eating healthy? When the coronavirus hit, many par- ents tossed out limits on screens in or- der to keep restless children engaged and entertained. New data from Pear- son shows 73% of parents have still al- tered or suspended rules about their child’s use of technology, such as limits on screen time, restrictions on social media sites, or other tech-related rules. Now that many schools are reopen- ing for full-time in-person or hybrid learning, parents might rethink screen time limits. Putting the genie back in the bottle may be tough, but it’s a good time for adults to revisit their child’s internet activity. Are concerns about the impacts of screens on children justified or exagger- ated? Even before COVID, researchers found school-aged children used screens for entertainment between 4 and 7 hours a day. Over the past year those numbers have probably increased with widespread remote learning across the country. The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions parents about men- tal and physical health impacts from ex- cessive screen time, including behavior problems, obesity, impaired sleep, and DMV Continued from Page 1A could take – rather than promise too much and fall short of expectations. The process goes more smoothly if you sub- mit an accurate application and fees, said Lauren Mulligan, another spokes- person for the transportation agency. Before the pandemic, mail transac- tions would usually take less than five weeks, depending on how difficult the transaction was, Ridenour said. Oregon police agencies have agreed to a rolling moratorium on citations through the end of April. In a memo dated Dec. 22, interim DMV administrator Amy Joyce said po- lice will “exercise discretion” when driv- ers present expired licenses, permits, ID cards, registration, trip permits or plac- ards for people with disabilities that ex- pired between Nov. 1, 2020 and April 30 of this year — and have been expired for less than three months. So at this point, if your license expired in November, you are beyond that three-month grace pe- riod. “DMV and law enforcement will con- tinue to monitor the COVID-19 public health emergency, and may upon mutu- al agreement extend this moratorium as needed,” Joyce wrote. Oregon DMV field offices were closed between March 18 and June 2 last year due to the pandemic, but they opened up for limited appointment slots last summer. Those appointments are pretty pop- ular, and get snapped up quickly in more populated areas of the state, Ride- vision. When the pandemic swept across the country and communities were locked down, students turned to technology as an important avenue not only for their education but also to cope with social isolation. Managing screen time during this pandemic isn’t easy for families but there are ways you can support your child. House Rules Establishing “no-screen” zones and times — for mealtime, or relatives vis- iting — can help a child’s social-emo- tional development and improve family relationships. Digital devices disrupt sleep so keep them out of your kid’s bed- room at night. Finally, make a rule to lead by example and monitor your own screen habits. Staff News Director Don Currie 503-399-6655 dcurrie@statesmanjournal.com Advertising Westsmb@gannett.com Deadlines News: 4 p.m. Thursday Letters: 4 p.m. Thursday Obituaries: 11 a.m. Friday Display Advertising: 4 p.m. Wednesday Legals: 3 p.m. Wednesday Classifieds: 4 p.m. Friday News Tips The Appeal Tribune encourages suggestions for local stories. Email the newsroom, submit letters to the editor and send announcements to sanews@salem.gannett.com or call 503-399-6773. Missed Delivery? Call: 800-452-2511 Hours: until 7 p.m. Wednesdays; until 3 p.m. other weekdays To Subscribe Call: 800-452-2511 $21 per year for home delivery $22 per year for motor delivery $30.10 per year mail delivery in Oregon $38.13 per year mail delivery outside Oregon Main Statesman Journal publication Suggested monthly rates: Monday-Sunday: $22, $20 with EZ Pay Monday-Saturday: $17.50, $16 with EZ Pay Wednesday-Sunday: $18, $16 with EZ Pay Monday-Friday: $17.50, $16 with EZ Pay Sunday and Wednesday: $14, $12 with EZ Pay Sunday only: $14, $12 with EZ Pay To report delivery problems or subscribe, call 800-452-2511 To Place an Ad Published every Wednesday by the Statesman Journal, P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309. Quality, not Just Quantity matters Researchers look at the use of screens instead of the total screen time. Not all time online is equal. An hour Zooming with grandparents is different than an hour alone in the basement playing Xbox. Join your children when they go on- line to play a game or watch a video and ask them questions about the session. Not only will you get a better under- standing of your student’s digital expe- riences, but it could open up other op- portunities for discussion. USPS 469-860, Postmaster: Send address changes to Appeal Tribune, P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID: Salem, OR and additional offices. Send letters to the editor and news releases to sanews@salem.gannett.com. Benefits Navigating the delicate balance of on-screen time with off-screen time ac- tivities is different for every family, but it’s also important to note that recent surge in screen use wasn’t all bad. Awareness and Acquaintances Healthy Balance To help balance an increased use of screens, make sure your child’s daily routine includes play, exercise, and oth- er off-screen activities. Schedule brain breaks for physical outdoor time, or a few minutes of stretching to boost ener- gy and improve focus. Digital devices allowed students to become more informed about current events like the election and raise their awareness about civic engagement. Some learners who tend to be introverts became more empowered using tech- nology to overcome social anxiety and engage with friends using games such as Minecraft. Go Old School Explore the planet Encourage kids to spend non-screen time reading a physical book, playing a board game, or working on a puzzle. Hands-on learning like drawing, paint- ing, and cooking, are also creative ana- log outlets. nour said. In-person appointments are re- quired for some transactions, such as taking the knowledge test to get a driv- er’s license. Fee increases last year In 2017, state legislators hammered out a deal to raise billions of dollars for transportation projects across the state. That law raised the gas tax, as well as title and registration fees over a period of seven years. It also means you’ll have to pay a $15 tax if you buy a new bicycle that costs at least $200. The annual passenger vehicle regis- tration fee used to be $43. In 2018, the new law increased that fee to $56, ac- cording to the Oregon Department of Transportation. In 2020, the fees increased again, and the annual registration fee in- creased more if your vehicle was more fuel efficient. To register a car that is from 1999 or earlier, or a car that is new- er but has 0-19 miles per gallon, you’ll need to pay $122 for a two-year registra- tion, or $61 per year. You’ll pay $132 if your car is from 2000 or newer and gets 20-39 miles per gallon, and $152 if your car is from 2000 or newer and gets 40 or more miles per gallon. Electric vehicle owners must pay $306 for a two-year registration. You might need to pay more depend- ing on what county you live in and whether you need to get Oregon plates for your car. Another fee increase will take effect next year. Title and registration fees go to the state’s Highway Fund and under the Oak Continued from Page 1A Six toppled over roots and all, and four snapped in two, including a promi- nent oak in the amphitheater. The Signature Oak fared better than other trees. It lost a significant branch that snapped off about midway up the trunk, and an even bigger branch nearly broke off but remains attached, resting on the ground. Ken Hector, chair of The Oregon Gar- den Foundation Board of Directors, in- vited us to view the damage after our story about Willamette University’s “2021 Oregon Oak Salvage Project.” Science professors Karen Arabas and Joe Bowersox joined us to collect cook- ies from some of the downed trees and branches for the project. They hope to Web site: www.SilvertonAppeal.com Classifieds: call 503-399-6789 Retail: call 503-399-6602 Legal: call 503-399-6789 Willamette University Professor Karen Arabas labels a cookie from the Signature Oak on Wednesday at The Oregon Garden in Silverton. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STATESMAN JOURNAL better understand the history of Oregon white oaks and urban forest structure. Hector and Kitchen escorted us to the Screens can take students to distant places. A Willamette Connections Academy 5th grade teacher took her class with her “virtually” as she visited several national parks. The students state’s Constitution can only be used for roads, according to ODOT. If you buy a specialty plate, some of the money you pay might go to a partic- ular cause. For example, the $40 sur- charge on the Gray Whale license plate – which is on top of ordinary title and registration costs – goes to the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Insti- tute. New federal standards known as “Real ID” add another layer of cost and complication. Starting Oct. 1, you will have to pre- sent a passport or a driver’s license or other form of ID that complies with Real ID standards to fly domestically, enter a secure federal building or a military base. Oregon started issuing driver’s li- censes that meet Real ID standards last July. If you’re getting a new driver’s li- cense, and want it to meet those stan- dards, you’ll be charged $30 more. The state is charging that $30, an increase that the legislature passed, because the DMV had to update its systems and ma- chinery to accommodate the new stan- dards, Ridenour said. You can still get a standard driver’s license and avoid paying the $30, but you won’t be able to use that license to board a plane starting Oct. 1. What you’ll pay in OR, WA, ID Even with the increases included in the 2017 law, the taxes and fees associ- ated with car ownership are still com- paratively cheap in Oregon, according to Oregon Department of Transporta- tion officials. Signature Oak, where Bowersox used a chainsaw to cut two slices from the downed branch. He also collected one from another tree. Kitchen said the partially-severed branch resting on the ground will not be removed, per the recommendation of Mountain View Tree Service, since it’s far enough off the path and shouldn’t pose a risk. She pointed out another branch of the tree that nearly split in half some time ago and continues to grow. Mountain View installed the cable system, which relies on a strong upright branch to help support weaker branches. Aside from that, there may not be much else that can be done for the Signature Oak. Hector said the garden eventually plans to bring in an arborist to do a more thorough assessment. “We understand everybody loves the studied ecosystems, history, and many other subjects about each park using a trivia game, and scavenger hunt as cre- ative activities for learning. Tech Training Having a front row seat to your child’s online life, you may have seen how tech-savvy they’re becoming. Stu- dents are learning new skills earlier in life, which will help them keep up with technology for the 21st century. As the world starts to open up again, keep in mind children are still facing a lot of pandemic uncertainties. Give yourself some grace when it comes to managing screen time, and keep the fo- cus on your child’s overall happiness and wellbeing. Angie Groves is Willamette Connec- tions Academy Middle School Assistant Principal. ar. To learn more about the school or to begin the enrollment process visit www.WillametteConnectionsAca- demy.com or call 888-478-9474. “Oregon will remain one of the cheapest states for vehicle taxes and fees,” officials wrote in a summary of the policy, “And Oregon’s total automobile related taxes and fees will be tied with Montana as the lowest of any nearby western state.” Let’s say you own a 2012 Toyota Camry. In Oregon, since the car has a combined miles per gallon of 32, ac- cording to Car and Driver, and is newer than 2000, you’d pay $132, or $66 per year, to register the car, not including lo- cal fees that your county may charge. (This also doesn’t include the cost of a title, which is a separate fee). In Washington, you’ll pay a base fee of $43.25 per year. You’ll pay an extra fee corresponding to the weight of the car. According to Car and Driver, a 2012 Camry weighs about 3,340 pounds. So that extra fee would be $25. So before local costs, your state reg- istration fee for the year would be $68.25. And depending on where you lived in Washington, you’d pay more in local taxes and fees. In Idaho, for that same car, you’d pay a $45 base fee to register the car, since the car at this point is more than seven years old. (You’d pay more for a newer car, or for a car that is electric or a plug- in hybrid). You might also need to pay more in local fees or taxes, depending on which county you lived in. Claire Withycombe is a reporter at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at cwithycombe@statesmanjournal.com, 503-910-3821 or follow on Twitter @kcwithycombe.Support local journal- ism by subscribing to the Statesman Journal. tree,” Kitchen said, “but they’re telling us it may be near the end of its lifespan. Maybe not next year, not even five years, but maybe in our lifetime.” The Signature Oak was designated in 2002 as an Oregon Heritage Tree. A sign posted near the site lists the tree’s height as 99 feet, 6 inches. Oregon white oaks are generally slow-growing trees, but unless they shrink with age like humans, this one must have grown over the past 19 years. Maybe the next arborist to assess the state of the tree could get an official up- dated measurement. Capi Lynn is the Statesman Journal’s news columnist. Her column taps into the heart of the community – its people, history and issues. Contact her at clynn@StatesmanJournal.com or 503- 399-6710, or follow her on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiL- ynnSJ.
