Elma Major By JOHN F. KILDUFF When 82-year-old Elma Major of Overbrook Road, Dallas, decided to write a book five years ago she had one thing in mind — helping people. The former grade-school teacher was the driving force nearly 45 years ago for Pennsylvania’s first Special Education Elementary class held in Luzerne County. Major also taught Pennsylvania’s first class for “trainable mentally retarded children’ in the late 1940’s while employed by the Allentown school district. Now Major is about to become a published author of a book entitled, ‘Tips to Parents of the Mentally Retarded.” The book is being published by Carlton Press of New York and is expected to hit the book stores some time later this year. Major said she hopes the book will help families with retarded children to better cope with their special children. “If this book helps only one family,” Major said, “then T know it will be worthwhile. I have seen the frustration on the faces of parents with retarded children and I thought a book like this just might be able to answer some important questions.” Major said before she even began writing the book, she rummaged through area libraries looking for information that would be helpful to families with retarded children. Major said she found a great deal of information on what retardation is, but very little on the various mental levels of children. So she began five years ago to compile a book designed to provide first-hand anecdotes about her 43 years of teaching and her experiences with retarded children. “When I began teaching I was concerned about all children,”” Major said. ‘They (children) were not all alike. There were children of all mental levels. I found that families needed hope, courage and information on what help was available,” Major said. “This book has a little bit of everything in it. There is even a section on how to find an institution for the child if it is needed.” Major said the best thing to happen in education dealing with retarded children was then Pennsylvania made it mandatory in 1972 for school districts to provide special education classes. Prior to 1972, there were some experimental classes but they were not mandatory and often were the first programs to be eliminated. “I was very pleased when they made special education mandatory,”’ Major said. ‘Before it was too easy for parents to say no to schooling, or to say that they did not have time for them.” According to Major, one of the main topics of the book deals with the “Importance of Readiness.” In other words, knowing when to push retarded children and how far you can go before you harm the child. “A child should not be pushed,” Major said. “In my book, there is an explaination of the certain stages of retardation. It also explains that you should go slow. You can’t expect to go fast with all retarded children. They are all different.” Major told the story of writer Pearl Buck, author of the best seller, “The Good Earth” and how she knew when to slow down while teaching her only child, a downs syndrome case. Buck reportedly pushed her daughter ‘until her little hands began to sweat,” Major said. “Again, they are all on different mental levels and families need to be aware of that fact.” Other chapters in. the soon-to-be published book include, A Mother’s Search, a chapter about a working mother’s search for help with her mentally retarded child; We Have Come a Long Way, a section dealing with the evolution of special education; Types of Mental Retardation and Know the Level of Your Child, a chapter which explains how to determine what level of retardation you child may be suffering from. By CHARLOT M. DENMON Staff Correspondent ~The awarding of contracts to pro- vide milk to the schools of the Lake- Lehman School District was the subject of controversy again this year when the board of directors met Tuesday, Aug. 13. . When the proposal to award the contracts to Dallas Dairy, Blue Ribbon Dairy and Highland Dairy ‘was made, director Bing Wolfe reminded the board that in prior ‘years, the milk contracts were the subject of some disagreement. Wolfe recommended that in order to avoid additional problems, the con- tracts to supply the milk be awarded to the three dairies on an equal basis. Since all three bids were equal, and the three compa- nies purchased the milk from local farmers, Wolfe suggested that all three should deliver equally. Director Daniel Hudzik amended - Wolfe’s motion with the exclusion of Highland Dairy. The motion passed as amended by Hudzik after much discussion among the board mem- bers. John Oliver, junior high school principal, was appointed assistant football coach, at a salary of $1,920, and Susan James was appointed assistant girls’ volleyball coach. Ms. James was also one of the nine appointments made at the meeting. She was named as a math- ematics aide at $8 per hour. Other appointments in cluded Drena Gorgone, reading and pany a life transition adult learners) Wilkes-Barre. English teacher, $14,284; Judson Holdredge, reading specialist, $14,- 334; Emily Larkins, elementary teacher, $13,984; Debbie Noon, half- time mathematics teacher, $6,992; Patricia Pfieffer, reading supervi- sor, $27,784; Jeff Smith, suspension monitor, $13,984; Sandra Stickland, reading specialist, $14,684; and Bonnie Turchin, elementary teacher, $14,334. Bryon Dodson was appointed as a full-time custodian, and Catherine Coombs and Diane Yaple were appointed to cleaning positions. Sab- batical leave for the second semes- ter of the 1985-86 year was approved for Edward Ladamus; and for the first semester of 1985-86 for Byron Race. Marilyn Smith’s leave was extended to one year. The board approved the use of Rural Health’s services to provide a school physician and Nesbitt Hospi- tal’s athletic screening program for the district at a cost of $2,500. A motion to approve an agree- ment with College Misericordia for allowing the college to place student teachers and nurses in the’ district was passed by the board. The Northeastern Pennsylvania segment of the 1985 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Supershow - the Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) - needs volun- teers, announced Manny Gordon, chairperson of the Supershow in this area. The 21% hour extravaganza will be televised on WNEP-TV Channel 16, starting at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, through 10 p.m., Monday, Sept. 2. The 20th annual Telethon Super- show, which will originate live from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, will be carried throughout the U.S. by some 200 “Love Network’ stations. The show’s format includes 45 min- utes of national programming and 15 minutes of local programming Barre, it isn't as imagined.” during most of its hours on the air. Funds raised by the Supershow help MDA continue its extensive research and patient care programs covering 40 neuromuscular dis- eases. The Association sponsors 500 individual research projects world- wide as well as research-clinical centers here and in England. MDA also supports some 240 hospital- affiliated clinics nationwide, where people with any of the 40 disorders covered by Association programs receive medical care, orthopedic aids and related services. The MDA clinics serving this area are located at The Geisinger Medi- cal Center in Danville, The Wil- liamsport Hospital, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. difficult as | had — sresessasnssssnnaas Hay ride The Annual Shrine Family Picnic was held at Irem Temple Country Club on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Illus- trious Potentate Paul Schramm appointed Dr. Richard C. Post, Ori- ental Guide as General Chairman, who had special praise for all the Nobles who contributed their time in making the Family Picnic another smooth success. An Old Fashion Hay Ride round Irem Temple’s Country Club grounds was enjoyed by many with Dr. Richard C. Post, Oriental Guide as driver of the tractor. Listed below are the winners and place winners in the various compe- titions which were held during the afternoon: Sports Events: 25 yard dash, ages 4 and 5, boys, Matthew Herbert, Jarrett McTigue; girls, Blaire Quinn, Lia Hartman, Sharon Thomas; 35 yard dash, ages 6 to 8, boys, Chris Walsh, Mike Lee; girls, Amy Luft, Debbie Dembroski; Sack race, ages 9 to 11, boys, Richard Meredick, Ricky Knaus; girls Jenni- fer Fletcher, Michelle Melner; 3 legged race, ages 12 to 14, boys, Kenny Turley, Chuck Harts; girls, Eileen Smith, Robyn Fedor. 75 yard dash, ages 15 and up, boys, Matt Lipo, Harrison Bal- thaser; girls Lyn Krasnavage, Danny Duda; spoon race, ages 4 and 5, boys, Lenny Tohach; girls, Heather Jones, Tara Slocum, Heather Agnew; 50 yard dash, ages 9 to 11, boys, Scott Lufft, Ken Turley; girls, Jennifer Fletcher, Bonny Lee; Wheelbarrow race, ages 6 ot 8, boys, Ryan Harts, Michael Preuss; girls, Stacey Lloyd, Kathy Lockman; wheelbarrow race, ages 12 to 14, boys, John Karasnavage, Harry Karasnavage, Kenny Turley, Chuck Hart; shoe race, ages 12 to MUMS THE WORD Cotton on a spoon, boy, Walter Fry, girl, Bar- bara Knaus; clothes race, boy, Jack Jones, girl, Lynn Krasnavage; Feet first, boy, Jack Jones, girl, Jennifer Besecker; Back stroke, boy, Tom Mertz, girl Jennifer Besecker. oy 2 NE 29 Y) Teleflora e WE DELIVER ETE m VISA | Dallas Post subscription for: Name ye Address Given by Address like us tosendacard). your "at ng a ne em & S51 one yee * A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers