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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2016)
The Shedd Institute www.theshedd.org - 541.434.7000 Siri Vik Do I Move You? The Life & Music of Nina Simone Siuslaw and Umpqua watersheds,” MRT has earned our gratitude and respect. Its efforts have not come easily or cheaply: The trust depends on foundation grants and consistent, sizeable contributions from individuals to pay staff and purchase desirable land. Unfortunately, but necessarily, due to its size, its policies and its obligations, MRT can neither purchase from willing sellers nor oversee donations on many properties that would qualify for a conservation easement. Fortunately, as one of the number of “small, locally-driven land trusts” that, Warren notes, “protect historic sites, farmland, wildlife habitat, water quality, rural heritage and more,” Northwest Land Conservation Trust (NWLCT) is able to conserve lands statewide that larger organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and MRT cannot or will not. With a volunteer board and as an accredited nonprofit land trust, NWLCT has for more than 25 years preserved the natural, historical and cultural values of private properties both large and small through conservation easement donations. If you have property you wish to conserve and believe would qualify for a conservation easement, please consult the NWLCT website at nwlct.org. Lives are finite, legacies infinite. Robert Emmons Fall Creek TURN THE TESTING TIDE Parents, you should opt your children out of Smarter Balanced tests. Here’s why: 1. Common Core isn’t over until states agree, meaning students keep taking the same flawed standardized tests until you opt them out. 2. Zero schools have lost funding from opt-outs, contrary to propaganda. New York’s 15-percent rate didn’t cost one federal dime. 3. Test questions focus unfairly above grade level, while containing errors in punctuation, grammar and logic. 4. Scores don’t show which answers students get wrong or Common Core standards they meet. Results arrive the next year, too late to act. 5. Tests waste seven hours for a third grader and 11 for older kids, not including drills and practice tests. Classes lose two to four weeks of instructional time. 6. Oregon’s $27.5 million Smarter Balanced tests consume electives that would motivate kids, teach lifelong skills and improve graduation rates. 7. Expanded testing is merely the first step in corporate plans to profit from every classroom activity “from cradle to college,” they boast. 8. Better, less expensive methods are available. 9. Oregon’s Department of Education is working jointly with the Oregon Education Association on improved assessments. Yet some officials still resist. You have the power to turn the tide. The Community Alliance for Public Education is hosting a parent meeting about opting out: 7 pm Monday, April 18, at the Springfield Public Library. For more Now Serving Rec! Fri, Sat & Sun April 15-17 Jaqua Concert Hall cabaret seating Schledwitz Paul Schledw ersar y v i n n A A 20th Swing! Year of Sentimental Journey E=McSwing!, 1943-46 Featuring Papers, Pipes, Chinese Herbs and more! 700 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove • 541-649-1164 apothecaria-cg.com Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the infl uence of this drug. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children Thu April 21, 7:30p cabaret Sun April 24, 2:00p concert eugeneweekly.com • A pril 14, 2016 5
