8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, April 9, 1997 a a Math (continued from page 1) Dept. from elementary through high school for nurturing great niinds like these. “It's a team effort with all the math teachers. The love of math is instilled at a young age. They deserve so much credit,” explained Preece. “If you have the product to work with, it makes all the difference.” Preece wasn't always a teacher. After a year in the district he left for Washington D.C. and began work as a systems analyst for IBM. After four years he came back to the area and took a simi- lar job in a computer business, but found himselflonging to teach again. “I missed the challenge of teaching. It's definitely more dif- ficult than the computer busi- ness | was in,” said Preece. He added, “Although I took a pay cut, I'don’tregret it. I wouldn't change a thing.” His love of teaching is no sur- prise considering his upbringing. His mother taught at Rutter Av- enue Elementary School in King- ston. “Iwas always around teach- ers while [ was growing up,” said Preece. “That's what I knew.” Preece’s stint in the corporate world has served his students well. Due to this experience he knows firsthand what math skills are required to make it in the business world. “Most high pay- ing jobs such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and engineering usually require Cal- culus. It's important that our students are prepared well enough to make it through all the math requirements,” Preece explained. “I'want to get them through Cal- culus, which is always the num- ber one drop out class in college. [don’t want them to eliminate any choices. That is why I want to encourage all students whether they are making a C oran A. What alarms me is that some people are too A conscious. If a student is working their hardest and getting a C, that is commendable.” Frank Galicki, high school prin- cipal, views Preece as a valuable asset to the faculty and students. “He is personable, approachable and demanding. Because of his experience in the business world, he knows what is expected of the students,” he said. According to his students, Preece takes the time necessary to make sure they understand exactly what they are doing. “He is a very good teacher,” said Rose Alaimo, sophomore. “He helps you to understand instead of just memorizing. He goes back and explains from the beginning until it makes sense and is logical.” Christen Cembrock, senior, agrees with Alaimo. “Mr. Preece explains everything in detail and takes his time. I also like his sense of humor,” said Cembrock. Sophomore Chris Nattress ad- mires Preece’s ability to make the long classes upbeat. “He's a good teacher and very funny. He makes learning fun,” explained Nattress. Preece believes mathematics helps students gain problem solv- ing skills and develops “logical thinking skills. With technology sneaking up on the educational system providing instant infor- mation, colorful graphics and Security (continued from page 1) Joseph Kunec, board member, asked Joel Sims of Quad 3, Inc. if the new elementary school would have a security system built into it. “It's too soon to tell. If the board wants it we can look into it,” answered Sims. Also, the board voted unani- mously to hire Quad 3, Inc. to design the new K-5 elementary school for a fee of $525,000. James Richardson, Joseph Kunec, John George and John Litz made up the committee in charge of the recommendation. Quad 3 has worked with the district for more than two years developing plans for the building, which will be located behind the middle school on the district's main campus. The board made one last unani- mous vote by agreeing to pur- chase aJohn Deere tractor for the district. The district will pay only $13,857 fora 72-inch bladed trac- tor that normally sells for $19,311. The discount is due to a state program. George said the state stepped in because the district's current tractors were in bad shape. In other news, Dr. Gil Griffiths, acting superintendent, said 32 people applied for the position of elementary principal for Westmoreland Elementary. He said the administration is in the screening process now. Griffiths said a current administrator has asked to fill the position, and he said it is customary to try to ac- commodate those within the dis- trict first. Results of the screen- ing process will be known next week. The next school board meeting will be April 14 at 7 p.m. Use the coupon on page 2 to subscribe “He is a very good teacher. He helps you to understand instead of just memorizing.” Rose Alaimo Dallas sophomore sound bites, Preece knows kids still need the basics. “Technology, while wonderful, is a quick fix. Computers and calculators are for speed. They don’t replace the necessity of un- derstanding how to work out prob- lems. Students need to know why something is working, what's be- hind the scenes,” explained Preece when asked if his teaching style had to change due to interactive technology. POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Charles Preece, left, and Scott Saba are all smiles after their math students swept a recent competition. Tower (continued from page 1) public utilities are exempt from the height limitation. Cellular One must still go before the Planning Commission on May 13 at 7 p.m. Geri Gitlin feels betrayed by the supervisors’ action. “They lied to us. They misled us,” she said. “They said at the meeting, ‘This is just the beginning. We have to go through planning and zoning.’ They knew what they were going todo. And then they had it written in the paper that no residents showed up.” According to Glen Howell, town- ship secretary, the township has no say in the height of the tower. He said only the Federal Commu- nications Commission can deter- mine a tower’s height. Jay O'Connor, engineer of Broad Band Branch, commercial wireless division, Wireless Tele- communications Bureau with the Federal Communications Com- mission, said the F.C.C. only gets involved with height/power re- strictions. “It really depends on the terrain, height and power of the tower. If it is too high pow- ered, the height would be less- ened. Normally there is never a problem in this area,” he ex- plained. According to O'Connor, that is the only situation in which the F.C.C. would have any say in tower height. “We can put our stuff on it for free. That's the main thing,” said township supervisor Frank Wagner, referring to 911 and po- lice antennas that will aid police department reception. “I'm glad it’s here.” The contract stipulates the ini- tial five year lease will have nine renewable five-year terms, for a Bloomers (continued from page 1) ~ sultant for the Underwater De- sign class, started participat- ing in the show last year. “I had never done anything like this until last year. I really enjoy it,” said Johnston. “We are always looking for people to get in- volved and participate.” According to Freifeld, 200 committee members and more than 100 volunteers partici- pated at last year’s event. Also, 21 venders attended the show. Linda Thoma, chairperson, said she expects that many this year. Freifeld, who is on the board of directors of the Northeast PA Philharmonic, thought up the idea for a flower show as a fund raiser for the Philharmonic in 1990. She said the Bloomers was perfect because it is a fed- erated garden club, meaning anyone can enter it. “It took a year to get it all together,” she said of the begin- ning. “Now it's easier. A lot of Area’s Largest Selection Tuxedo’s starting at 349. 717-823-7658 “a “We want the event to educate the public on horticulture and artistic designs.” Lora Marcolina Freifeld Flower show chairperson people have gained knowledge and other gardening clubs are involved.” For more information call the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic at 1-800-836- 3412. To obtain an informa- tional booklet including listings of all divisions, send two first- class stamps to: Back Moun- tain Bloomers Garden Club, P.O. Box 125, Dallas, PA 18612. total of 50 years. Cellular One will lease the space for $9,600 per year or S800 per month, witha 10 percent increase at each renewal. The contract also stipulates that upon termination of the contract Cellular One is responsible for removing the tower, equipment shed, and fence from the town- ship property. “They are moving very quickly,” Gitlin -said.”* "These ‘people shouldn’t have this kind of power over the area. It makes me very suspicious. S800 is very puny. It’s “We can put our stuff on it for free. That's the main thing.” Frank Wagner Township supervisor a terrible spiritual and environ- mental detriment. Why would someone who has been a lifelong resident of the area want this?” According to O'Connor, there is the option of “putting in a lot of smaller towers.” O'Connor said increasing the number of towers would increase costs. Atthe second March meeting of the township supervisors, Rich Rusnok of Cellular One told resi- dents the tower would permit ad- ditional servers. At the April meet- ing, Dallas Township solicitor Frank Townend said Cellular One had said they would share income received from additional servers with the township, but Townend admitted he was unsure if this was included in the contract. A copy of the contract contained no provisions for the Dallas Town- ship to share in revenues from subleasing space on the tower. | There's sa 2 tay to fh of a town.” =. Caer G According to Gitlin, residents who were concerned about the tower were advised by a township supervisor to get a lawyer. Gitlin, who plans to do just that, says, “There's a way to have progress without ruining the character of a town.” Roger Landry, also a township resident, also plans to hire an attorney. Landry hopes to find out whether or not the township “circumvented the process.” Landry said he would like to see the issue opened up for public discussion. Kunkle rescue unit to hold chicken dinner Kunkle Fire / Ambulance Rescue will hold its annual Chicken Dinner on Sat., April 26 at the Kunkle Community Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. Afamily style dinner will be served and homemade pie will be available at a cost of $6 for adults and $3 for children 10 years of age and under. i COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY ¢ 1996 OUTSTANDING CRA RATING ) ADMINISTRATOR OF NATIONAL BANKS Affordable Service $300.00 Minimum Balance GRANGE NATIONALBANK. A Fordabls e Friendly * Independent Laceyville: 869-1522 e Back Mountain: 696-6958 © Bowmans Creek: 298-2163 * Edwardsville: 283-4462 ¢ Lawton: 934-2178 Little Meadows 623-2297 ¢ Meshoppen: 833-2131 e Towanda: 265-4711 ® Tunkhannock: 836-2100 www. grangebank.com MEMBER FDIC Checking! And, NO service charge unless your balance falls below minimum is how Grange National Bank works together with you to keep checking costs at a minimum. 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