USA Today (Yesterday) "To Deal with Sexting"

Tuesday, May 5, USA Today's editorial talked about the growing problem of teenagers using cellphone texting to send explicit photos, often of themselves. To read the entire editorial go to www.usatoday.com . One national survey showed that 22% of teenage girls had sexted their own picture and 29% of teens have received such pictures third-hand. Utah is one of a few states that has legislated a punishment of juvenile-law misdemeanor for the offense rather than a felony conviction. This is just another problem that we face in an every changing world.

Sorry no blog contest this month. Thanks for reading. Rick

Sorry no Blog contest this Month

I am sorry to say that we won't have a blog contest this month as reported in our Link newsletter. That is my fault. We appreciate everyone who has followed our blog and I hope the bits of info have helped keep you somewhat informed.

The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission is looking for members. Three positions of three year terms are now open until May 22. Contact jean.hill@school.utah.gov if you are interested. Our own Christine Heslop, OHS teacher, is a member of the commission. This group rules on licensure issues and hears complaints. They recommend to the State School Board revocations or suspensions of teaching licenses.

Thanks for reading. Rick

Big Board Meeting

Members of both OEA and WEA's Executive Board met last Friday to talk about their goals for next year and welcome the newly elected leaders. They spent the time planning and setting meeting schedules for 2009-10. Clay Kirkham was elected as the UniServ President with Paul Fawson serving as the Vice-President for the two year term. Clay went over the budget and commented on the continuing financial report. Lisa Vipperman was also introduced as the new OEA VP to serve with Doug Stephens next year.

The Principal and the Paddle

Find the May 4 edition of Newsweek and read the article "The Principal and the Paddle". A principal in a South Carolina Elementary School uses corporal punishment on kids. I was astonished that anyone in America still paddled kids. I received my one and only paddle as an 8th grader in Aberdeen Jr. High (Idaho). I administered my only paddling in 1976 in Hazelton, Idaho. I felt so bad afterwards that I retired that mean piece of wood. You old timers will remember the paddles with holes in them for swift air resistance proof stinging. Just the sight of the paddle hanging by the teachers desk was enough to deter my misbehaving. Utah did away with corporal punishment in the early 80's. Now, we tell teachers to not touch kids unless they are breaking up a fight or keeping a student from injuring himself or property. If you can't find a print edition go to www.newsweek.com to read this interesting, but disturbing article. Rick

Most Schoolkids Make Gains in Reading, Math

An AP story out of Washington, D.C. printed in the SL Tribune (www.sltrib.com) says that kids are making strides in reading and math. Math seems stalled among high school students according to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) data. Reading score for high school kids improved since 2004. In fact every group (9,13,17) made gains. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said, "It's a step in the right direction". Go to the trib site to read the entire article. Thanks for blogging with me this year. Rick

New North Ogden Elementary

I had not stopped by to see North Ogden Elementary for a few months, so today I visited and was rewarded with a guided tour by Principal Aaradema. It is going to be a beautiful school to replace a fine school. The district did a nice job of placing the two-story building on a 3.5 acre parcel of land. They have been very efficient in using the space. The views are magnificent toward the mountain peaks to the north. I am sure the students and staff will greatly appreciate it when it opens next fall. Rick

House of Delegates Report

Several OEA and WEA members traveled to Alta High on Saturday to attend to the business of the Utah Education Association. Hundreds of members from around the state deliberated and voted on new business items, changes to the bylaws, approved the legislative platform and okayed the budget for next fiscal year. The hottest debate came over a bill that Ogden/Weber UniServ brought to freeze UEA dues for next school year. Without the freeze the dues will increase $13 based on a formula of last year's increases in average teacher salaries in Utah. Our leaders spoke to the fact that many teachers will be losing pay and in some cases their jobs because of the economic downturn. The vote was close but the bill to freeze failed by about 30 votes out of over 450 votes. The House of Delegates is an annual event and allows our members the opportunity to debate the issues and see the association up close and personal.
Thanks Rick