Weber Teachers Chosen for "Excellence in Teaching" Awards

Two fine WEA members have been nominated and chosen as recipients of the UEA's "Excellence in Teaching" awards. Norm Unck, Wahlquist Jr. High science teacher, and Pamela Searson, Sand Ridge Jr. High Special Ed teacher, will recieve their awards and a $1500.00 check at the UEA Superstars in Education Banquet, Oct. 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sandy. We are so proud of all of the fine educators in Ogden and Weber districts.

Rick

GOP Will Oppose Citizen Initiatives

Both the Republican legislative leadership and the GOP state committee have come out in opposition to the "ill-advised" legislative ethics and redistricting initiatives. Bob Bernick and Arthur Raymond write in the Deseret News today that "Dave Hansen, state GOP chairman, said it is too early to detail what the majority party in Utah may do in trying to defeat the initiatives."
Ogden will hold a hearing on the Ethics Initiative at Mound Fort Jr. High, Sept. 29, at 7 pm in the media center. Read the entire article at www.deseretnews.com


Rick

UEA New Teacher Workshop, Oct. 2

I visited with several student teachers at WSU last week and invited them to the UEA Convention New Teachers' Workshop, Friday, Oct. 2 at the South Towne Exposition Center. I am visiting with more tomorrow. The new teacher workshop is full of great speakers and break out sessions for new and future teachers. Please make a special invitation to any student teachers or new teachers in your building. They can register online at www.utea.org


Rick

AYP Scores Reported

Check the Standard-Examiner for an article about the Ogden and Weber AYP scores. Scores in both Weber and Ogden have risen.

Deficit of revenues of $150 million

Lisa Riley Roche (www.deseretnews.com) wrote on Sept. 16 that state revenues could fall short this budget year by as much as $150 Million. That could cause more cuts in education and other programs when legislators meet in January, 2010. The next revenue estimates are in December and we can only hope that the economy's slow rebound will speed up.

Rick

Ethics Initiative Hearing - Sept. 29 Mound Fort Media Center

I would like to invite you to an open hearing for the Ethics Initiative, Sept. 29, 7-9 pm, at the Mound Fort media center. Representatives from the group sponsoring the petition drive will be there to explain the initiative. The initiative would limit legislator gifts, campaign contributions, and set up an independent ethics commission.

Rick

New Future Educators Association Chapter in Weber

We are excited to announce a new FEA chapter in Weber District. Joan Iverson's Ed 1010 class is excited to join our Ogden and Davis chapters in exploring the teaching career. One of their first activities will be "Read for the Record" where the students will read "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" to as many children as possible in one day in October. We have ordered books for the students, who will donate the books after the program. Joan does a great job with her Ed 1010 concurrent enrollment class that meets at West Haven Elementary School. They meet for instruction and then work in classrooms for practical experience.

Rick