& g Le The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, May 8, 1996 3 2 GL "RE Ral Special school aims to save troubled students By GRACE R. DOVE 3S Post Staff | ~ DALLAS TOWNSHIP - When ‘he, first came to the alternative education program at the old Dal- las Township school, Pete had been arrested for selling mari- juana and was on probation. He says he was negative, ar- -gued with his mother, yelled or talked back to adults and didn't do his chores at home. “It's strange,” the 14-year-old said. “I'm not like I used to be.” Pete is one of the 44 students enrolled in Luzerne Intermediate Unit. 18's innovative alternative education program, designed for at-risk students in grades seven through 12 who have had disci- pline and academic problems at Heh. old schools. CL was having a great time at stood” Pete said, smiling ruefully. “I didn't know the police were watching me because some- gre had told them I was selling marijuana. They arrested me in school.” ~~ He was suspended from school for 10 days, placed on a year of juvenile probation, spent four weekends at St. Michael's School for Boys in Falls, sentenced to community service and referred to the alternative ed program. He performs his community service at the Mountaintop recycling plant near his home. Now Pete has stopped arguing and talking back to his mother and regularly removes the trash at home, runs the sweeper up- stairs, unloads the dishwasher and keeps his room clean. “Keep- ing my room clean takes a while,” he said, smiling. He says his parents are proud of his change in behavior. His four-year-old brother had been praying for him at his church [youth group. _Aslong as he continues to keep "his grades up and his behavior iclean, he'll be allowed to return to KT zoning permits Kingston Township zoning officer, { Benjamin Gorey issued 57 permits tand collected $8.738 in fees during April, - Six permits were for new homes: | O1 Sign at 291 Crane Rd., valued at 18214; 885; C. Cresko at 5 Maple ‘Leaf Rd., valued at $176,110; F. 'Berley at 16 Maple Leaf Rd., valued ‘at $146,740; J. Mulhern at14 Ivy Dr, ‘valued at $154,000; J. Urban ‘at "I'l8 Green Rd., valued at $118,140; and E. Lange, 6 Highwoods Rd., valued at $98,087. = Other large projects include con- istruction of a garage at the S. *Stylinski residence at 102 Davis vSt., valged at $11,400; a roof at the *R. Ritts residence at 227 Skyline “Dr, valued at $17,000; repairs to a Hoading dock on property owned by A. Reishtein at 144 N. Memorial ‘Highway, valued at $10,000; an in- *ground pool at the residence of J. opp at 34 Alfred Rd., valued at ’s 10,000 and exterior demolition on sproperty owned by F. Collini at 126 :N. Main St., valued at $8,700. DL eh SE a ME i J a8 3 hn SR SN 8 4 Banners-Magnetics-Neon Vehicle-RV-Big Rig-Boat Wooden-Plastic-Metal Labels-Engraving-MORE Complete SIGN Service LE 0h 0 BN A Order by FAX: 675-0574 “FREE Delivery!! “OPEN SAT. 8 AM-Noon HGH ETEREER HN FTE FE - PHARMACY WW EW ET 159 N. Memorial Hwy, : Shavertown, PA Crestwood next year. “I can’t wait,” he said. “I'll be with my friends again - that will - be okay. Theydon'tgetinto trouble like I did. I'll never go back to that. As long as I'm good I'll be able to stay there.” After graduation he plans to join his father in the family air- conditioning business, or possi- bly work part-time with his step- father while taking the classes he'll need to be certified to work in air-conditioning. [.U. 18's alternative ed program is one of many of its type operat- ing across the country, according to principal Steve Laidacker. Itaccepts at-risk students with major behavior or academic prob- lems, who have disrupted classes, made repeated emotional or physi- cal outbursts, refused to work or skipped classes or entire school days and have been referred by their home districts. Parents may ask their districts toevaluate their child for referral to the program. There are no frills — no art, music, gym or field trips. The stu- dents are grouped by ability into three classes. They study four academic subjects math, English, social studies, science — and do additional work in subjects they failed in their home districts. The program has the right to pass, fail and promote the students. Se- niors who pass all their courses are recommended to their home districts for graduation with their high school class. POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE Alternative education students at Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18’s program at the old Dallas Township high school review their lessons during a class break. If students need counseling or other support, they are referred to the appropriate social agencies. The average student attends alternative ed classes for a semes- ter, which can be extended to a full school year at the request of either the parent or the home district. Afullyear of classes costs the home district about $5,000. “It's money well spent,” Laidacker said. The program services the Dal- las, Greater Nanticoke, Hanover Area, Wilkes-Barre, Wyoming Val- ley West, Pittston and Wyoming Area school districts. Seven Dal- las students presently attend. The three teachers hold valid state teaching certificates and are also state-certified in passive re- straint techniques, CPR, first aid, behavioral management tech- niques and conflict resolution techniques. Laidacker has expanded the teachers’ training, commending the staff for its performance. “We take a pro-active stance whenever possible,” he said. The classes are small and very structured, with each ability group staying together all day long. “Our students crave structure,” Laidacker said. “It makes them feel safe. When they feel safe they can do their school work.” ~ Although his program also has the right to expel students, Developments on Rte. 118 on county planners' docket The Luzerne County Planning Commission will consider the fol- lowing requests at its May 9 meet- ing: Sterlyn D. May, RR #3, Box 100-B, Hunlock Creek, PA, re- quests the rezoning of a property on the northeast corner of the Intersection of PA Rt. 118 and Macri Rd., 1.831 acres in Lake Township, from an Agricultural (A-1) District to a Community Business (B-2) District, to build a carwash. They are also seeking final plan approval for the 2,688 sq. fl. car wash, served by on-lot water and * bath & shower gels * bath salts * lotions * soaps DOWN TO EARTH Bath and Body Shop 743 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 18704 0 2 TTI 3 2 "0 0 0° septic. A performance bond, ac- ceptable to the county engineer and solicitor, will be required. Jack and Maureen Moran, De- velopers of the Guaranty Bank Land Development in Lake Town- ship, are seeking final plan ap- proval to convert an existing block building into a bank branch office on 1.23 acres of land at the north- west corner of Rt. 118 and Rt. 29. The site will be served by on-lot water and septic and is zoned Highway Business (B-3) District. A performance bond, acceptable to the county engineer and solici- tor, will be required. Gift Baskets * accessories * bath pearls "It makes scents" 717-283-8401 June 4-June 7 v July 8-July 12 Registration also being accepted for Fall 96-97 School Year Program. Limited Space Available "Preschool Program” Accepting Registration for SUMMER CAMPS June 10-June 14 Nature & Indian Week June 17-June 21 Fun & Fithess June 24-June 28 American Girl (Girls 6 & 7 yrs. old) + All Camps meet Mon. - Outdoor activities. Registration Limited. » Open to Boys and girls, ages 3-4-5, except American Girl Camp for ages 6-7. + Director, Maureen Judge Devine, BS degree Elementary/Early Childhood Education and former director of Wilkes-Barre YMCA Youth, Preschool and Aquatic programs. Shavertown, PA 18708 When | Grow Up | Wantto Be! Fantasy Land Fri. 9:00 - 12:00. Indoor/ 183A North Main St. 675-3180 | 675-1191 Laidacker says he'd rather have them attending school every day. “At least they're not out on the streets,” he said. Laidacker has been principal of the alternative ed program for the past nine weeks. Since he started, cursing in the building has decreased by about 75 per- cent and there have been no fights or incidents of students leaving school, Laidacker said. “You must be realistic and ex- pect a major fight, because that's what they are used to doing,” he said. “But we let them know we don't tolerate this behavior.” Many of his students have prob- lems because they haven't had stable, trustworthy adults in their lives and have learned not to trust them, Laidacker said. “They have had very few suc- cesses in their lives and often lack even the ability to interact suc- cessfully with adults,” he said. His teachers constantly rein- force the students’ positives to help them change their behavior. “First you stop the negative behavior, then change it by build- ing on their positive attributes,” Laidacker said. Ruggles UM to host breakfast May 19 Ruggles United Methodist Church, Rt. 29, behind Harveys Lake, will host an All-U-Can-Eat- Breakfast, Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Adults $4.50, chil- dren $3.50. Free under five years. It's Easy To Subscribe! Use the handy coupon on page 2 SA[PUEd « SIUSO[0D « SITE} May 8, 1996 to the future. Sincerely, oe Thomas J. Ward President & CEO PR__ BlueCross vAVll of Northeastern Pennsylvania Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ® ®Registered Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Dear BlueCross & First Priority Health Customers: There is no doubt that today’s health care environment is constantly evolving. Rapid consolidation and significant changes in the market for health services require us to explore new and different ways to align ourselves with partners to best meet customer needs. In response to these challenges, 1 am pleased to announce that the boards of Capital BlueCross and BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania have entered into an “intent to merge” agreement. We are joining forces to better serve our customers in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. As we proceed, however, please be assured that we remain committed to providing the highest quality of service to all of our customers. The new organization will build upon our common strengths to continue to provide you with tremendous value, quality, choice and innovative products and services that you have come to expect from BlueCross. Individually, we understand the needs of the people of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, and we will work to combine that knowledge to better serve our customers. This is an exciting time for all of us and we hope that you share our enthusiasm about this partnership. We have a strong and committed management team supported by a dedicated workforce ready to meet your needs. Let me reiterate that the expertise and service you have come to expect in our organizations will continue throughout this transition and into BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
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