Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 10, 2017)
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local Teachers, parents push back against 5-day school week idea BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com Teachers and parents in support of the four-day school weeks are pushing back against the proposed five-day school week with a shortened school day. The group has been working for a few weeks, gathering information to present to the school board. According Coby Ma- strude, a member of the group and a mother, Andi Jaca told her and other members of the group that Superintendent Mark Witty was working to push the five-day school week through. Recently, a small group of parents had sub- mitted a petition support- ing that idea. “It appeared that the school board and Witty were going to take some action on it,” explained Mastrude. “And so then we just felt that there are a lot of us who like it how it is. So we started researching and asking more people and it just kind of grew— the movement grew.” Mastrude explained that she and other members found research done on rural Colorado school districts. She explained that it tends to be rural schools in Western states that have this situation, stating that most school districts go to four day weeks for the cost effectiveness. “There is research out there, if you look on the internet, that says that these four day weeks actu- ally academically benefit kids,” explained Mastrude. “Math scores go up signifi- cantly, they say language arts maintains—they did say that there is a slight improvement but not statis- tically significant enough to claim it. “But there is no reduc- tion in test scores because of being in four days versus five. And it leads to less absenteeism by students by teachers, by other staff members; it tends to correlate with higher morale in students and teachers. “Teachers have men- tioned that their students are engaged more, it really seems to work for families. It certainly works for my family; it certainly works for my friend’s family. “I definitely think the majority of people that I know are in favor of the four-day week and keep- ing it as it is. I do know a couple people who would prefer a five day week and they have their reasons, but our group finds that this benefits our kids and our families the most to leave it as it is.” Mastrude explained that teachers agree with their findings. She explained that her group does not understand why they are trying to change the school days. The group planned to present their findings at the school board meeting March 9th and they en- couraged as many families who supported the continu- ing four day school week to be there. They planned to have a few people speak about why they felt it should stay the same. “We’re just trying to make our numbers heard,” Mastrude explained. “We honestly feel like we are in the majority when it comes to this decision. And that’s really all we can do is just try and make as big a pres- ence for them to see our numbers.” Mastrude explained that many of her fellow group members were gathering signatures for the presenta- tion. She estimated around 200 signatures at the most for the presentation. The information they found was conducted by Mary Beth Walker from Georgia State Univer- sity. She is the one who researched comparisons between four and five day school weeks. Mastrude explained that Walker’s research stated that they did not expect to find that four days worked better for kids but they do. “The only benefit to a five-day school week that I can come up with is that there are kids that get fed probably a more nutri- tious meal on Friday at the schools for breakfast and lunch than if they weren’t at school,” said Mastrude. “There is going to be that pocket population in every school district, that’s the case, but I cannot think of any other reason why it would be beneficial to go back to school on Fridays. A half day, which they are proposing, is in the Middle School and the High School level—you’re taking classes that are an hour long and cutting them down to 20 minutes. Go back to when you were in high school; what can you get done in 20 minutes in a class? You’re not going to learn a lesson. You might be able to use it as a study hour or like a home room, but it’s basically a waste of a day.” Mastrude praised the Friday Academy, explain- ing that the courses offered helped students and 5J should expand it. Farmers Market needs volunteers The Baker City Farmers Market Board of Directors is currently seeking volunteers to fill two board positions. If you have an interest in joining the board team in promot- ing and growing our community Farmers Market, please contact Amy Young for more information, at 541.519 7281. Fire Marshal urges fire alarm testing during clock changing Sunday, March 12 marks the beginning of daylight sav- ing time and serves as a good reminder for Oregonians to test their smoke alarms. The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal is urging residents to test their smoke alarms before automatically changing the batteries. “Smoke alarm technology has advanced and many now come with 10-year batteries and some are tamper- resistant,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. “So, I encourage residents to test their alarms before changing the battery.” Oregon law requires ionization-only smoke alarms that are solely battery powered to come equipped with a hush feature and a 10-year battery. Because of this technology, the national slogan “Change your clock, Change your bat- tery” may not apply to Oregon residents who have these ionization-only smoke alarms. Other types of alarms are also being sold with either a 10-year battery or a standard-life battery. “Ensuring you have working smoke alarms in your home is the single most important step you can take to increase your family’s safety from a home fire,” adds Walker. “Also, be sure to replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or older.” To test your alarm properly we recommend you: 1)Push the test button to be sure the battery is working. 2)When replacing batteries, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct battery type to use. 3)Always retest alarms after installing new batteries. 4)Replace any alarm that fails to operate after installing a new battery. 5)Inspect your alarms to determine if they are 10 years old or older, and replace any smoke alarm 10 years old or older. Look for a date on the back of the alarm. If there is no date, your alarm is more than 10 years old and should be replaced. 6)Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for regularly cleaning your alarms of dust and cobwebs. Working smoke alarms provide a critical early warn- ing to a fire, allowing you vital minutes to escape, which increase your chances of survival. Additional safety tips: • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area (hallway). • Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other uses. • Use the smoke alarm’s hush feature to silence nui- sance alarms. • Make a home fire escape plan and practice it with family members. • Practice you home fire escape plan at least two times a year at different times of the day/night. • Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Ensure that someone will help them. For more home fire escape planning information visit: http://www.oregon.gov/osp/SFM/Pages/escapeplan.aspx For more smoke alarm and fire safety information, con- tact your local fire department or visit http://www.oregon.gov/osp/SFM/Pages/CommEd_SA_ Program.aspx Follow the OSFM on Facebook https://www.facebook. com/OregonStateFireMarshal and Twitter @OSFM. Funding site up for dog park Baker City citizens and the Baker City Park & Rec volunteer board, are working towards funding a dog park. The City has approved property to use for this purpose near the Sam-O swim center. Any money raised for the dog park will be used to purchase fencing materials and other equipment needed to operate and maintain the park. Writes Gail Duman via email, “I wanted to update you and let you know that our GoGetFunding account is up and running. This means that anyone can make a dona- tion to our dog park. This is the link: https://gogetfund- ing.com/baker-city-dog-park/ to reach our site. Please share this with all your friends and dog lovers.” Quilt show ahead July 14th and 15th are the dates set for 2017’s quilt show, again to be held at 2020 Church. The theme is "Quilting on the Oregon Trail" and the show will again feature bed turnings. With local participation, this is sure to be another great show. There will be no judging of the quilts again this year. Snow days = more quilts!