Vol. 108 No. 8 = RAVAN CTE ow | SHG VISIR EI =o Oi i | = By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Post staff DALLAS TWP. - One of the ongoing debates surrounding the new K-5 elementary school is the question of size. Bigger or smaller? Studies indicate the answer lies in smaller proportions, though some educational reports suggest differently. At Dallas School Board meet- ings, “The Basic School, A Com- munity for Learning,” published by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching by Ernest L. Boyer, has been referred tonumerous times as data show- ing the smaller community school Michael plans run for county controller Clarence Michael, a persistent critic of local politics, is throwing his hat in the ring for the office of county controller. Michael, 60, of Dallas, puts campaign fi- nance reform at all levels of gov- ernment high on of his list of is- sues, pointing outthatonecan- didate for the of- fice has an- nounced plans to spend $250,000 in his quest for CLARENCE MICHAEL the $35,000 per year post. Michael pledged to run a “cam- paign of information,” and to op- erate the office in an open and efficient manner if elected. “The public will have a voice, not an echo,” he said. He feels corrupt and lethargic county politics are a major obstacle to economic devel- opment. In order to be included on the May primary ballot, Michael must turn in a petition with 250 signers supporting his candidacy. “But I See MICHAEL, pg 3 as more suitable for children of elementary age. That study reports that size matters. According to the study, smaller schools with no more than 400 to 500 students encourage community. A school should be small enough for everyone to be known by name the study says. /The report goes on to say that due to stronger interpersonal re- lationships between the students, teachers and parents, small school size improves a student's outcome on grades and test scores. The Carnegie report supports pleas from Westmoreland parents to preserve their community of the small, local school. “Site D” on the main campus poses the biggest threat to the small school supporters. On this site the new school would be adjoined to the existing Dallas Elementary build- ing. Although the schools would be independent of each other, sharing only certain facilities such as a gymnasium and library, the parents fear it will create a “cha- otic” environment. ‘Many questions surround the idea behind “site D.” How com- mon is adjoining a new school to an existing one? Has it been proven to be successful? Would they stay truly independent of each other? A representative of the Council of Educational Facility Planning International in Arizona said it is a common building technique and LOVE AMONG THE BALLOONS Gerry Delescavage and Stephanie Potisek were surrounded by decorations for the Valentine's Dance held last Saturday at the high school. More photos on page 3. POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Supervisors pledge aid to solve runott problems By JENNIFER JUDGE Post Correspondent LEHMAN - At the regular Feb- ruary meeting of the Lehman Township Supervisors, the super- visors and Lehman residents Gerald and Althea Clark tried to work together to resolve drainage problems on the Clarks’ property. The Clarks, whose residence is on old Route 115, are no strang- ers to water runoff problems. At- torney Ben Jones, who is repre- senting the couple, said, “Over the past 24 months, the place has Out of Africa Marilyn Rudolph sees exotic animals, learns region's 1lls By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER 2 Post staff DALLAS - A pride of lions hunt- ing for their dinner no more that 20 feet from your convertible Range Rover, a baboon snatching abanana from your breakfast tray, a cheetah killing an impala right before your eyes and dragging it up into a tree for safekeeping. Although not your average Ameri- can vacationer's travelogue tid- bits, these are some of the first hand experiences that Marilyn Rudolph can claim as her own after a recent trip to Africa. Rudolph, who is children’s li- brarian at the Back Mountain Me- morial Library, ventured on a three week tour of Africa that provided a well-rounded look at the conti- nent. She started on the northern tip in Tunisia, then went to Ethio- pia in the east, down to Botswana and South Africa and back up to Mali, which is on the western side of the continent. Rudolph said she couldn't pass up the opportunity when her brother-in-law and his wife asked her to join them on the “Tour of Endangered Africa,” sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. “It was certainly an offer I couldn't refuse,” she said with a laugh. On Jan. 10 Rudolph and 67 other knowledge-craving adven- turers left for the big continent See AFRICA, pg 8 started springing leaks.” Both township officials and the Clarks have been unable to deter- mine the source of the runoff that is eroding the property. Douglas Ide, roadmaster and township su- pervisor, explained that the water is “filtrating underneath the road and going to the other side of the bank.” Supervisor chairman David Sutton said, “We're concerned. We want to help.” In an effort to solve the problem, the supervi- See LEHMAN, pg 3 Marilyn Rudolph at the Fasilidas Compound in Ethiopia. The castle was built in the 16th century by King Fasilidas. 1D VAN 5 B02 SST BAN oS = LV PAY NR © 2: [© [©] BS B 1 ES I = { [03 BS) Dallas, Pennsylvania Hh that she hasn't heard ot any com- plaints regarding the connected schools. “It's certainly not un- common. This has been around for approximately the last five to sevenyears,” said Connie Gaston, director of professional develop- ment. She points out that it all de- pends on the community. “There is no cookie cutter mold out there. It needs to fit within the concept of the community,” said Gaston. Sometimes districts can’t always achieve a smaller school for vari- ous reasons, so they get creative in personalizing and making a more intimate situation, she said. Joel Sims of Quad 3, Inc., the Most, but not all, studies say small schools are best architectural firm that is commis- sioned to design the new school, said many school architects ‘are designing these connected build- ings. "It's a common concept in dealing with the issue of consoli- dation and keeping a small scale atmosphere,” said Sims. He said examples of this idea can be found in people's everyday lives. “It's like an apartment complex. It's separate with common walls.” When asked for specific schools that have executed this type of building plan, neither Sims or Gaston could name more than one. See SCHOOLS, pg 5 LCCC classes may cut costs for high school By JENNIFER JUDGE Post Correspondent LEHMAN - In an effort to cut - costs, Lake-Lehman School Dis- trict Superintendent Dr. William Price announced that the district will be examining other options for a program that allows high school students to take college courses. Currently the program is self-selective and is offered at no cost to the student. Students who wish to take courses at Penn State University, Wilkes University, King's College, or College Misericordia must be in good class standing, meet a grade point average criteria, and have completed necessary prerequi- sites. Students involved in the program travel to the school to take the course. : The school board authorized Price to research a proposal from Luzerne County Community Col- lege that would bring college fac- ulty to Lake-Lehman to teach four advanced electives per year. Price explained that the classes would be open to up to 15 students per class and the cost would be $180 per student. The cost to the dis- trict would total $12,000 per year. Price said the program would “curtail courses at Wilkes, King’s, Penn State, and Misericordia.” Cutting back on student travel would also cut down on liability and cost, he explained. Proposed offerings include an introduction to philosophy, an See LAKE-LEHMAN, pg 8 RT EEE Tae a # Gate of Heaven explores building a new church By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff DALLAS - Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish has begun plan- ning the construction of a new, free-standing church. If built, it would replace the present facility, which is incorporated into Gate of Heaven School. Fr. David Cappelloni, assistant pastor, said last week the present worship area was intended to be temporary when it was con- structed in the early 1950's. Now, with 1,050 families as registered members and more who aren’t active, the time has come to give the church its own home. “The present church has served us well,” Fr. Cappelloni said. “But our church is outgrowing the fa- cility.” Fr. Cappelloni, who is leading the parish in the absence of Fr. a William Cusick, who is ill, said he’s assembling a “Dream Team” of parish members who will guide the project. The parish has pur- chased the former Phillips home at 38 Machell Ave., adjacent to the school playground, as a first step, although it’s not at all cer- tain that's where a new building would go. x Building a new church is not a Bl Remembering The Trucksville UMC jr./sr. high Sunday School plans a special event in memory of Seth Linsinbigler. Pg 7. HB Century mark Gate of Heaven's eighth grade girls basketball team records 100th win. Pg 10. 16 Pages 2 Sections Calendar.........aiiiiia 16 Classified............... 14-15 Crossword..............c... 16 Editonials..............iu.. .4 Obituaries..........co.es: 14 Schooh..uiiu. ii 11-13 SPOS... 0 ai aes 9-10 CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING The Dallas Post MAILING LABEL- Please enclose this label with any address changes, and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366
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