Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1990)
Spilyay Tymoo Warm Springs, Oregon August 24, 1990 PAGE 3 How are How to group students for in struction is an issue that concerns many educators. The National Education Association hasjust re leased a new report on academic tracking that severely criticizes the practice of segregating students by ability groups and calls for better ways to group students. The NEA study, conducted by Johns Hopkins University, found that virtually all students are tracked, with minority and low income students disproportionate ly placed in low-achievement groups. While the goal of tracking is to tailor learning to students' needs, the NEAJohns Hopkins study concluded that as practiced in most schools today, tracking docs more harm than good. "The system was set up with good intentions," says NEA Vice President Bob Chase, "but it has become so rigid that too many stu dents essentially get stuck in low tracks for their entire school careers. We must give students an education that will open up not close off - their options for the future." Tracking can benefit students, accordingtotheNEAJohns Hop kins report, if: 1 ) students are grouped only for specific skills (such as reading) rather than by general ability or behavior. 2) group assignments are fre quently reassessed, and 3) teachers adapt their instruc tion to meet students needs. The way tracking operates in most schools - with ability-grouped class assignments, special pro grams for the gifted, and special education for students with learn ing problems - is at odds with these findings. Students are segre gated all or most of the day based on general achievement or behav ior rather than on skill in a particu lar subject. In addition, the group ings are very rigid and are likely to create racially identifiable classes. While the NEAJohns Hopkins study found tracking creates enor mous problems, it recognized that merely ending the practice with out first addressing the issues of class size, student diversity, and funding - could create more prob lems than solutions. "What we need are more exam ples of successful alternatives to tracking," says NEA's Chase. "We've got to reshape our thinking and offer all teachers better ways to deal with student diversity." The NEAJohns Hopkins stu dent sought out examples of how NEA members are dealing with the issue of academic tracking. English teachers who belong to the Parkway (Missouri) Education Association, for example, decided to eliminate the low track, avoid Household size, income determine eligibility for lunch Jefferson County School Dis trict 509-J today announced it's policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Pro gram. Each school and the office of Jefferson County School District 509-J has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by an inter ested party. The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Families may fill out applica tions prior to the start of school so that lunch benefits are not delayed. Applications are available at the District office at any time, 1355 Buff Street, Madras, Oregon, 97741 (Phone: 475-6192) or at the individuals schools beginning on August 23, 1990. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determin ing eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program offi cials. Important - benefits will not begin until the application has been approved. For school officials to determine Smoke Detectors Do Save Lives The National Fire Information Council has released data showing the effectiveness of smoke detectors. without detectors is more than twice most favorable where detectors are originated. Residence Type Detectors Present Deaths1000 fires 1-2 Family Yes 4.6 Dwellings No 9.9 Apartments Yes 7.7 No 8.4 Fatalities where a detector is present arc usually due to one or more of the following reasons: improper detector maintenance or location; detector battery missing or dead; power disconnected; victim was unable to escape due to disability, age, or impairment by alcohol or medication; victim did not know or follow proper escape procedures; or victim was intimately involved in fire's start (clothing or bedding on fire, for example). students all-black classes and uddrcss the student failure rate. The low track has been replaced with an addi tional period of English called "tutorial" for designated small groups of students having diffi culty with reading and writing skills. Teachers report the program is working, that classes are more heterogeneous, and that the failure rale is dropping. In Dalton, Georgia, the faculty of the Westwood Primary School studied the research on homo geneous and heterogeneous group ingand decided to restructure their second-grade classes in order to maximize student diversity. NEA Vice President Chase em phasizes the importance of teacher involvement in this issue. "Each school staff must devise its own alternatives to tracking." he says. "Change must come from the bottom up. Teachers - work ing with students, parents, and administrators -- must develop new ways to group students, new ways to structure schools, and new ways to teach our increasingly diverse student population." I he report concluded: Minority students are signifi cantly underrepresented in what are called "gatekeeper classes" courses such as eighth-grade alge School supplies listed Kindergarten 1 box of 8 large crayons 5 primary size pencils 2 4 oz. bottles of white glue 1 pair of scissors 1 box Kleenex First and Second Grade 1 box of 16 small crayons 2 pencils size 2 1 eraser 2 4 oz. bottles of white glue 1 box of Kleenex Third Grade 1 box of 16 or 24 small crayons 2 pencils size 2 Pink Pearl erasers 1 sharp point scissor 1 4 oz. bottle of white glue 1 large box of Kleenex 1 12 in. ruler (in.centimeters) Pee Chee Folders Fourth and Fifth Grade 1 box of 16 or 24 small crayons pencils size 2 Pink Pearl erasers 1 sharp point scissor 1 4 oz. bottle of white glue 1 12 in. ruler (in.centimeters) eligibility, households receiving food stamps or "Aid for Depend ent Children (ADC)" must list the child's name, their food stamp or ADC case number and the signa ture and nameofanadult(2l years or older) household member. Since you have already given informa tion to the welfare office, the school can confirm your eligibility. Households not receiving food stamps or ADC must list: names of all household members; social sec urity number of the primary wage earner responsible for the child applying for benefits; total month ly income and the amount of in come ( before deductions for taxes, social security etc.) each received last month and source of the in come received by each household member certifying that the infor mation provided is correct. If you have a household member for whom last months income was higher or lower than usual, list that person's expected average monthly income. You may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now, but have a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, or be come unemployed, fill out an ap plication at that time. Under the provision of the free The death rate per 1,000 fires the rate with detectors. Survival is located in the room where the fire grouped? bra or ninth-grade geometry, which arc prerequisites to higher level courses. Often these gatekeeper classes are not even offered in low socio economic status schools. Without these critical foundation courses, too many students arc prevented from pursuing careers in certain fields such as science or engineer ing. Class size and diversity arc related. From a teacher's perspec tive, when incompatible learning styles are added to a classroom, the number of students in a classroom must be decreased or the ability to maximize academic performance for all students will be sacrificed. Tracking docs not begin after children arrive at school. Children come to school with a readiness for learning based on parental care, nutrition, health, and other fac tors. Effective intervention - in the form of prenatal care, day care, latch-key programs, programs for children who are disabled or at risk -- must take place early. NOTE: The NEA Center for Innovation will serve as a clearing house on alternatives to tracking. For more information, contact NEA Communications (202) 822 7200. Notebook paper 1 box Kleenex Sixth Grade 1 box of 16 or 24 small crayons Pencils size 2 Pink Pearl erasers 1 sharp point scissor 1 4 oz. Elmer's glue 1 12 in. ruler (in.centimeters) Notebook paper 1 box Kleenex Ballpoint pens, blue or black (not erasable) No spiral or thick notebooks Seventh and Eighth Grade College Ruled Notebook paper One 2-inch, 3-ring (metal ring) binders with dividers NO Pee Chee Folders Some classes may require addi tional materials. If so, students will be notified during the first week of school by their classroom teacher. School supplies will need to be replenished throughout the school year. and reduced-price policy, school officials will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the de termining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request Household Size Yearly Monthly Weekly Yearly Monthly Weekly One 11,618 969 225 8J64 681 157 Two 15,577 1,299 300 10,946 913 211 Three 19,536 1,628 376 13,728 1,144 264 Four 23,495 1,958 452 16,510 1,376 318 Five 27,454 2,288 528 19,292 1,608 371 Six 31,413 2,618 605 22,074 1,840 425 Seven 35,372 2,948 681 24,856 2,072 478 Eight 39,331 3,278 757 27,638 2,304 532 For each additional family member add 3,959 330 77 2,782 232 54 New director The physical, emotional and mental health care of Warm Springs youth lies in the hands of many. When families are found to be dysfunctional, tribal authorities intervene and children are re moved from their harmful envir onment. Hired in April as director of Childrens Protective Service, Jon Grant helps ensure that the existing system works. Childrens Protective Services (CPS) is but one part of the circle of care. Grant attained a Bachelor's de gree in psychology from Southwest Missouri State University. He at tended the University of Nebraska for two years while working on a Master's degree. During I9H4 and 19X5. Grant worked for Nebraska State De partment of Social Services. From 1985 through the end of 1989. Grant was an employee oflhe Mis souri Division of Family Services, working two-and one-half years each in Kansas City and Butler. While working in Missouri, Propriety One of Jerry Kcndrick's duties as tribal prosecutor is to help "en sure that everything is done prop erly" in the legal process, from the original arrest to the final sentenc ing. To assist in that goal, Kcndrick not only participates in trials, but trains police officers and tribal legal ad vocates as well. Propriety is the buzz word in the world of law enforcement and legal representa tion, In Warm Springs since May of this year, Kcndrick works closely with the Warm Springs Police department and supervisor Jeff Sanders. "He (Sanders) gives mc a lot of latitude."says Kcndrick. "He points me in the right direction and turns me loose." Kcndrick. a native of Texas, "loves Warm Springs"and became a criminal defense attorney in I978. "Now I'm on the other side," he says. Not only is being on the other side new to him, but the tribal Law and Order Code is a challenge as well. "It's a new law for me to learn." Warm Springs law takes into account traditions and customs and is not as "technical as state or fed eral law. It offers more range in which to operate." Nor is Warm Springs law so highly specialized. It's "more down to earth and not highly intellectualized. It's more for the common man," he adds. Another plus, says Kendrick, is that a person, if he chooses, can represent himself or have a "non law"person represent him in court. "The justice system here is more fair to the average person" because of this policy, says Kendrick. Prosecution of cases has changed a bit in recent months, says Ken drick. In the past, Kendrick ex plains, a person could be convicted numerous times for driving under the influence before he was sent enced to jail or received a fine. Now, a second conviction brings Attitude important in Students don't drop out of school in high school or middle school - they drop out mentally and attitudinally in elementary school. That observation is the foundation upon which the Na tional Education Association's new proposed initiative. Operation Jump Start, is built. Operation Jump Start is an in tensive readiness session for ele mentary students who need extra attention. NEA President Keith Geiger unveiled the ambitious project at NEA's annual meeting earlier this summer. He characterized the pro gram as an "all-out, full-alert effort to give every elementary child who needs it an education booster shot." "Operation Jump Start," Geiger explained, "will provide a high- either orally or in writing to the hearing official identified for a hearing on the decision: Stanley G. Dmytryk, 1355 Buff Street. Mad ras, Oregon, 97741 (Phone: 475 6192). If you list income information and your child is approved for meal benefits, you must tell the INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES Effective July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1991 REDUCED-PRICE hired for Childrens Protective Service Jon Grant is prosecutor's aim 1 i 7 r l Tribal prosecutor Jerry Kendrick works closely with the Harm Springs Police department and local court personnel. He has been on the Job since May. not only a minimum 30-day jail sentence, but the person is put on one year probation, receives a $500 fine and must undergo counseling andor treatment. "Punishment is not the answer," says Kendrick. "Treatment is." Another change, says Kendrick, is the prosecution of assault and battery cases. Photos and state ments are taken at the time of the energy jolt for the millions of child ren for whom more personal rela tionships with teachers, greater confidence in the school environ ment, and a closer relationship be tween school staff and families could make the difference between future success and failure." As envisioned by Geiger. local educators would identify those students who could profit the most from the intensive two-week pro gram, proposed to be conducted immediately before the start of the 1991-92 school year. These might be students who need special atten tion in school work, in self-esteem, or in other areas. The program itself, while local ly designed, would probably in clude morning sessions with no more than 15 students. The classes program school when your household in come increases by $50 or more per month ($600 per year) or when your household size decreases. In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for school meal benefits. If you wish to apply for meal benefits for a foster child, contact the school for help with the application. FREE Grant was involved with children in foster care and group home care. He placed children in foster homes or group homes and worked with families. The ultimate goal was to return children to their families. Grant works to "empower peo ple to accept their responsibilities" as parents and to help them be come "functional." He helps fami lies "meet certain minimum stand ardsol living.. ..Indian people have excellent traditional child rearing skills." The CPS deals with children w ho are victimsol sexual and phys ical abuse and neglect or are be yond parental control. W hile pre viously a facility for longer-term care, the facility now provides "temporary serxices for children." A child is usually brought to CPS by the police. Within 24 hours a preliminary hearing is conducted by the tribal court. Testimony is presented b parents. CPS workers and the juvenile coordinator. I he report. I he court will not drop the charges against the perpetrator if the victim backs out. "We will prosecute with or without the vic tim's" assistance, says Kcndrick. "I want to make sure that things are done legally and that no one's rights are violated," asserts Ken drick. "I'm fair, but strict. I know what the Tribe wants and they're going to get it." success would be held in the schools the children would normally attend, with the teachers being familiar faces who will follow up with the students during the school year. The afternoons would allow time for teacher planning, parental con tacts, and home visitations. Operation Jump Start would reach about one-third of all ele mentary students. The projected cost is $2.2 billion; NEA is asking the federal government to cover half of that amount with states and localities to pick up their propor tional amounts. Geiger challenged Congress and the President to live up to the commitments they made in estab lishing the national goals for edu cation. "I'd like them to tell me," he said, "how they justify ignoring needy children struggling to hold body and soul together, while money gushes from our treasury to bail out the failing savings and loan institutions." Gym open to public Jefferson County School Dis trict 509-J will begin scheduling evening gymnasium use by the public on Monday. August 20. Groups desiring to receive a specific night or building may ob tain the necessary forms at the district office, located at 1 355 Buff Street. Madras, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. No group will be granted more than one regular night per week for 36 weeks during the first week of reservations. Based on current school board policy, rental fees arc due at the time of application. Interested groups or individuals should contact Stan Dmytryk or Carolyn Thorpe at 475-6I92 for further information. judge then determines if the child is to be returned to his parents or is to remain in temporary custody. As sessments arc done on the child and family with 14 days. At that time. CPS makes recommenda tions to the court as to what should be done. Within 30 days of the orig inal contact an ajudication hearing is held. The child is then cither to be left in foster care, left with rela tives or returned to the family. CPS employs three counselors while the home has 10 workers. Two workers are on staff at all times. Teenagers remain at the home for longer periods of time because of a shortage of foster homes. "There is a desperate need for fos ter homes for children, especially teenagers." says Grant. The goal for CPS is to "raise children so they are not harmed." says Grant. A safe environment means a healthv future.