T he P ortland O bserver « J une 18, 1997
P age A5
Edile a t ien
State Treasurer’s bill I Diversity
saves money for schools
With education funding becom­
ing more critical and complex, State
Treasurer Jim Hill has stepped up
his efforts this session and intro­
duced legislation that will save
money for Oregon schools, provid­
ing additional resources within
school budgets to help fund K.-12
education
Treasurer Hill has introduced leg­
islation that will save school dis­
tricts money by allowing the dis­
tricts to use the state’s bond rating
when issuing debt. The legislation,
entitled the Oregon School Bond
Guaranty Act, allows districts to use
the state’s A A rating, which is higher
than most rural and smaller dis­
tricts. The bill, which gained full
support from the House Revenue
Committee and passed unanimously
on the House floor, could save Or­
egon schools $5 million in the first
year alone and as much as $22 mil­
lion in the first five years.
“As a state we need to come
together and do whatever we can
to see that all Oregon children
have the best education possible,”
Hill said. “With the school budget
as tight as it is, any amount o f
savings will be critical for many
districts. The Oregon School Bond
Guaranty Act has a single pur­
pose, and that is to save money. It
will allow schools to use that sav­
ings as additional resources to
enhance the quality o f elementary
and secondary education in Or­
egon.”
"Since becoming Treasurer back
in 1993,1 have been constantly work-
ing to m aintain and enhance
Oregon’s bond rating,” Hill said.
“That work has paid off with the
state’s recent rating upgrade, and
now it’s my hope that it will pay off
for our schools as well.”
Call (503) 288-0033 To Advertise In
(The ^Jnrtlanb (Observer
Community!
What’s the matter
with kids today?
Parents get online edge
With over 7 million American kids already online,
and analysts predicting that over 20 million children
will be online by the year 2002, it’s time for even the
most technically challenged parent to learn the basics
of the Internet.
And it’s easier than ever, thanks to a new book that
takes a humorous, practical approach to the subject.
“GoodParents.com: What every good parent should
know about the Internet” isn’t like any other computer
book ever written. Written by Robert Maynard, a
former Internet executive who is also a parent, the book
offers simple tips that parents can begin using immedi­
ately to shepherd their kids into the networked world of
the future even if the parents have no need to use a
computer at all.
Maynard, a father oftwo, puts is simply. “I wrote this
book to give even the most computer-phobic parent
enough skills to get their kids started in the right
direction, keep and eye on what they are doing, and help
keep them safe without having to become an expert on
the computer or the Internet. I tried to do this while
giving parents a chuckle or two along the way.”
The book, which comes with a CD-ROM filled with
software and a 30-day money-back guarantee, is now
available directly from the publisher, The Fidelis Group,
at 800/GOODPARENTS (800/466-3727). It can also
be ordered on-line through the company’s web site
(http: //www .goodparents.com).
Maynard, a well-known Internet expert as well as a
parent, takes the fear out o f the world’s most child-
accessible technology in his new book. It’s filled with
tips and techniques that help parents teach-and moni-
tor-their kids online activities. Some of the tips are
simple, common-sense ideas, and others may surprise
even the most computer-literate parent.
For example, one of the best ways to encourage kids
to steer clear of material parents find objectionable is to
move the computer into the family room, kitchen or
hallway. Even the boldest teenager will think twice,
Maynard says, before visiting many sites if he knows
mom or dad might walk by at any minute.
“This book isn’t about censorship, and it isn’t in­
tended to scare parents. It’s a guidebook for parents, by
parents, that de-mystifies the Internet and helps give
our kids the tools, techniques and appropriate parental
supervision they need to get online safely,” Maynard
says. “The book helps parents set clear guidelines for
Host families needed
Foreign high school students are scheduled to arrive
soon for academic program homestays, and the spon­
soring organization needs a few more local host fami­
lies.
According to Pacific Intercultural Exchange (P I E.)
Executive Director, John Doty, the students are all
between the ages o f 15 and 18 years, are English-
speaking, have their own spending money, carry acci­
dent and health insurance, and are anxious to share
their cultural experiences with their new American
families.
Families who host for P.I.E. are also eligible to
claim a $50.00 per month charitable contribution
deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month
they host a sponsored student.
Portland area families interested in learning more
about student exchange or arranging for a meeting
with a community representative may call P.I.E., toll-
free, at 1-800-631-1818.
kids on-line, and outlines ways to help kids get involved
in age-appropriate on-line activities. It’s easier than
parents think
— and probably more rewarding, too.”
“GoodParents.com: What every good parent should
know about the Internet” is now available directly from
the publisher, The Fidelis Group, at 800/GOODPARENTS
(800/466-3727). The book includes a CD-ROM that
contains trial versions of useful software, including Internet
access software, a program called SafeSearch that gives
parents control over where kids go on the Internet, plus
educational titles from Whole Village Technology’s
OpenMedia collection.
The
G oodP arents.com
web
site
(h ttp ://
www.goodparents.com) includes a discussion forum for
parents, reviews by parents of computer-related products,
and tips for parents whose kids are active online. The
Fidelis Group is dedicated to bringing relevant and im­
portant Internet-related products and services to families
worldwide. Contact the company at 972/208-1225.
IJV World
>
| Literacy
7 Crusade
of Portland
Do you or someone you know have
problems...
reading?
studying?
tilling out job applications?
learning in school?
IF YOU AN9WERED YE8 TO ANY
OF THE ABOVE...
Come in for FREE tutoring
Tuesdays, 6:30pm -8:30pm
Saturdays, 10:00am-1:00pm
3 5 4 8 N Mississippi
(corner of Fremont)
CALL 203-1301
WE CAN HELP!!!
Tutor training also available.
The World literacy Crusade works in association
with Applied Scholastics International and uses the
learning methods of American educator L. Ron Hubbard.
Apptad BoholMHot 1« • lr»d»marf( and nrvto«
o f AwooUHon tor
BoHw LMng and EduoaHon and la uaad wHh Ha parmlaalon.
bobb T conner
A bsolutely N othing .
s part of this year's Pacific Power Rose Festival
a
Kids Program, 500 students from 17 area
elementary schools pitched in to make our
community a better place to live.
Pacific Power salutes these young citizens for their
enthusiasm, hard work and dedication to our
community. Some of their efforts include:
•
•
•
•
•
cleaning up the environment
planting native trees and shrubs
raising food, supplies and money for the needy
volunteering at the Special Olympics
working with seniors and lots more.
P articip atin g Schools: Abernethy Elementary, Capitol H ill Elementary, Chapman
Elementary, D.A. Grout Elementary, Eastside Education Center, Edwards
Elementary, Floyd Light Middle School, Franciscan Montessori Earth School, The
International School, Our Lady o f Sorrow, Rigler Elementary, St. John Fisher,
St. Stephens, Stephenson Elementary, Vernon Elementary, Vestal Elementary and
Woodmere Elementary.
1997
Bobbi Conner, the host of public
R#SE
radio's weekly program “The
Parent's Journal.” culls the
best
advice from a decade of
FESTIVAL
interviews with celebrated
The
Parent’s Journal
Guide to Raising
Great Kids , a warm-hearted
childcare experts in
KIPS
guide to life's toughest job.
P R I f IP J T I D B V
PACIFIC POWER
)
S