4 The Post EDITORIAL Sunday, March 21, 2004 OUR OPINION School attendance shouldn’t come at too high a cost For all its faults — and there are many — the federal No Child Left Behind act has forced school administrators to look with new intensity at policies and procedures that can affect student performance. While the federal government has speci- fied standards for test scores, teacher qualifications and gradu- ation rates, each state can pick from a basket of other bench- marks and Pennsylvania chose attendance. That seems like a wise decision, at least if you believe the old saying that half of success derives just from showing up. The NCLB standard for attendance is 95 percent. That may sound high, but when applied to an individual student leaves room for nine absences in a 180-day school year, not an unrea- sonable number for someone with a strong constitution and a reasonable family life. But not all students live in such circum- stances, so to reach the 95 percent threshold, schools must work conscientiously to reduce chronic absenteeism, since fail- ing to hit the mark or show improvement can lead to a failing school label. That designation triggers consequences that in- clude having to provide transportation to a supposedly better school in another district. The Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts are both hov- ering around the acceptable level, but not without a great deal of effort. Each district has its own approach, and Dallas has the advantage of a full-time Home and School Visitor, who spends a portion of his time working with truant students and their families. But try as they might, both districts don’t get through to a certain number of families each year, and send them to the magistrate when all other approaches have failed. It’s our guess that even that drastic action doesn’t always get unwilling students back in class. So, what are we do do? Should schools — in order to meet some theoretical standard — direct even more resources to students who don’t value a traditional education or clearly don’t want to be in school? Under the NCLB system, our schools have little choice, or they'll be faced with even more disruption if placed on the bad list. This seems like a misuse of administrators’ talent and energy that could be better used on students who demonstrate some interest in their own im- provement. Perhaps a better solution is to offer classes and ac- tivities that will attract reluctant students to school, even if those offerings don’t fit the standard curriculum. Then, legal action could be reserved for only the most egregious cases. The worst option is to commit even more teacher and ad- ministration time to chasing down students and families who show no interest in school, diverting resources from those who recognize the benefits of a good education. But as long as NCLB exists, that may be the only real choice. Student achievements tell a positive story And now the good news from the schools — lots of it. Each week, The Post receives or reports on student achievements from the mundane to the meritorious, and it’s remarkable how many there are. From dean’s lists to diving medals, business clubs to science fairs, local students demonstrate a remarkable range of accomplishments, and we are more than happy to re- port them. This week’s issue carries stories about two large groups of achievers — the Future Business Leaders of Dallas and science students from both the Dallas and Lake-Lehman districts — and a host of others. The business group is sending its largest contingent ever to state competition — 15 students — and there is hope that some of them will earn a spot at the national event, as Steve Losh did last year. In science, several teams from both schools qualified for the state level Science Olympiad by placing well in a regional competition held at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. The sports pages are loaded with names of individual and team champions at all levels. While skill at basketball or swim- ming is unlikely to bring lifelong benefits, it’s always interest- ing to note how many young people excel both on the field and in the classroom, setting a pattern for a lifetime of achieve- ment. So, keep those items coming. We may not be able to get them in as quickly as you'd like, since often there are too many to fit in a single issue, but we're honored that you trust us to spread the word about these worthwhile deeds, which foretell a bright future for your children and our region. Letters are welcome Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: e Letters should not exceed 500 words. ® Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a telephone number for verification. * Names will be withheld only if there exists a clear and verifi- able threat to the writer. e No writer may have more than one letter addressing the same topic published during a 30-day period, except as a reply to another letter. e The Post retains the right to accept or reject any letter, and to edit letters for grammar and spelling, as well as to eliminate any libel, slander or objectionable wording. Send letters to: The Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18711, or by e-mail to: thepost@leader.net. 0 i, An 4 Ne a a eT E- eC a a nh . oo a, a oC il wr gh = ad or jo oo : wo Field in Noxen looks for signs of spring. Photo by Ch arlotte Bartizek. GUEST COLUMN Land trust says thanks to property owners By RICK KOVAL The North Branch Land Trust is proud to have complet- ed four wonderful land conser- vation projects during 2003 — three in the month of Decem- ber alone. Totaling 617 acres on four properties, these proj ects bring the total number of acres preserved by NBLT to more than 1,000 acres, thanks to the dedication of 11 proper- ty owners. You may view and -download pictures of the prop- erties preserved in 2003 at www,nblt.org/2003inreview/. NBLT would like to extend special thanks to the following landowners that helped us reach this goal in 2003. — Julianne and Howard Daly with 243 acres in Lake Township, Luzerne County. — Gerard Kipp with 42 acres in Sweet Valley, Luzerne Coun- ty. — J. Harvey with 52 acres near Lopez, Sullivan County. — Bill Dittmar and Freder- ick Kulikowski with 280 acres in Silver Lake Township, Susquehanna County. These properties all have unique conservation values — from mixed mature hardwood trees to unique plant and ani- mal habitats, watersheds, or scenic viewsheds that help make our communities special. Specifically, on the Kipp prop- erty, the plant and animal in- ventories conducted on the property revealed an impres- sive and diverse listing of species. Landowner Gerard Kipp of Rhode Island was over- whelmed by the number of species listed in his baseline in- ventory report. only reflective of a limited number of mid-to-late season flora and fauna visits.) In addi- tion, according to Mr. Kipp, (And that’s “the signing of this easement is obviously one of the more im- portant events of my life.” Aside from the environmen- tal benefits of conservation, the landowners may qualify for substantial income tax savings based on the value of the devel- opment rights donated to NBLT. Finally, preserving open spaces helps keep Pennsylvania beautiful — an important con- sideration since tourism is one of the state’s largest industries. “Preserving Precious Land Forever” is why the North Branch Land Trust was creat- ed. This means working with property owners to permanent- ly conserve their land using a tool called a conservation ease- ment (more info at http://www.NBLT.org). A con- servation. easement , allows a property owner to retain own- ership and possession of the property, while donating select- ed development rights to NBLT — meaning the farm, wetland, mountain or other , property will never be the site of inappropriate development. In addition, NBLT helps to save historic structures (like the Noxen Train Depot), and we recognize and try to address land-use issues such as urban open space, and sustainab land-use planning while pr serving the community’s cul- ture. : decay, suburban sprawl, loss of i The North Branch Land ; Trust — formed a decade ago to help protect the quality of ; life in this region. For more in- formation on this event or the NBLT in general, please call Rick Koval at 696 1691 or e- mail koval@nblt.org. Rick Koval is the Land Pro- tection Specialist for the North Branch Land Trust. Tie POST TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 + 570-675-5211 thepost@Ileader.net Patrick McHugh Ronald Bartizek PUBLISHER EDITOR Justin Wisnosk Erin Youngman ADVERTISIN REPORTER Greg Stauffer AD PRODUCTION MANAGER GUEST COLUMN Land trust says thanks to property owners Editor, Your editorial about state grants and Harveys Lake was irresponsible and biased as well as grossly unfair to the people of Harveys Lake! First let me say that the peo- ple of Harveys Lake pay their fair share of state taxes — in- come, sales, gasoline, etc. — and are certainly deserving of their fair share of state grant monies. Secondly, I want to point out that millions and millions of state grant monies are awarded across our state each year for all kinds of projects. Grant money doesn’t just fall into your lap. The amount for which the community qualifies and what programs for which it qualifies are largely based on population. Small communities must compete to get their fair share. I don’t gain anything be- cause a library across the state gets a state grant; or some Growing Greener Grant is awarded to preserve some wet- lands in the northern counties; or to build a new bridge some- where else in the state. There- fore, why should you expect the people of Harveys Lake to provide something to benefit the entire state with their state grant monies? That is ridicu- lous! As far as I am concerned, the people of Harveys Lake are do- ing more than their fair share to preserve this natural re- source by way of a $600 a year sewer bill. The sewer system was state mandated and re- quires 14 pumping stations to pump around this big lake. Our small population must share in this cost. More than half our population does not own shore- line. I will agree that even so, their property values are higher because of the quality of our lake water. I think the state should do more to help our community keep the lake clean. After all, it is the largest natu- ral lake in the state and does have a nice, free state access ties, used by people from all over the state. The last I knew, this lake is also listed as an emergency water supply. It would be in the best inter- est of the state to help out here more. I read your opinion, this : is mine. Michell’e T. Boice Harveys Lake Editors Note: Perhaps the ed- torial wasn’t clear. It was not our intent to dismiss the efforts | being made to improve the wa- ter quality at Harveys Lake, only to point out that few people | share in the benefits, since pub- lic access is limited to a boat launch. ® area complete with toilet facili- 70 Years Ago March 16, 1934 WATER SHORTAGE ENDS AS WEATHER WARMS — Slowly rising tempera- tures this week thawed many of the wa- ter mains which have been frozen for several weeks. — The Dallas Ro- tary will conduct its annual Easter Egg hunt for children at Fernbrook Park on Saturday, March 31. — The debating team from Misericordia defeated the team from Pittston Council, Knights of Columbus, in the college gymnasium last Friday. ONLY YESTERDAY 60 Years Ago March 17, 1944 LABARS BOMBARDED WITH MAIL — The Timothy LaBars of Main Street, were literally bombarded with letters from all sections of the country, call- ing to their attention the arti- cle written by Ernie Pyle about their son, Jimmy. — Claude Newhart, junior at Lehman High School, took tests this week for the Army Aviation Cadet Reserves. — Items that could be pur- chased at the ACME Super . Market: Pork Loins, 37¢ per pound; iceberg lettuce or new carrots, 2 for 15¢. 50 Years Ago March 19, 1954 TRIPLETS FOR HADSALLS — The tiny triplets born last week to Mr. and Mrs. Carlton B. Hadsall are holding their own at Nesbitt Hospital. The three had a combined birth weight of 11 pounds. — Back Mountain Horse- men’s Club has made plans for a 100-mile ride in April. — The Women’s Missionary - Society of Trucksville Free Methodist Church is searching for a used treadle-operated Singer Sewing Machine to send to Pearl James in the Do- minican Republic. 40 Years Ago March 19, 1964 CRANE RAISES CROSS — A steel cross covered with aluminum, weighing about 1,000 pounds is raised by a crane to the top of the new chapel at College Misericordia. — One of Noxen’s most beloved citizens, Lawrence Race, 77, passed away at his home Monday morning, fol- lowing a long illness. 30 Years Ago March 21, 1974 SWINGLES TO OBSERVE 70TH ANNIVERSARY — Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Swingle, Sterling Farms, Har- veys Lake, will observe their 70th wedding anniversary, March 24. The couple was mar- ried in 1904 by the late Rev. Stang. — Three-hundred guests at- tended a Saint Patrick’s Day dance held in the Gate of Heav- en auditorium. — Items that could be pur- chased at the A & P Market whole beef loin, $1.38; famil{§@® pack pork loin, 88¢ per pound; Chase and Sanborn coffee, 99¢ . per pound. 20 Years Ago March 21, 1984 LIBRARY PLANS MOVE — The library should move ~ to its new quarters in the old Dallas Borough School by Jan. 1985. Architects estimate it will require about $300,000 to revamp the building. — A creek improvement project from the Main Street bridge in Shavertown to about 1,000 feet north is set to begin # soon. — Aspect Associates deci- sion to withdraw its applica- tion to build 38 townhomes on the corner of North Lehigh Street in Shavertown has resi- dents of the area elated. Only Yesterday is compiled from the back-issue files “of The Post.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers