Cavalier County
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Republican
Single Copy Volume 135
cavaliercountyextra.com
In this issue:
Copyright © Langdon, North Dakota
Legislative reports from Senator Myrdal and Representative Damschen can be found on Page 9. Rita Maisel's Langdon Long Ago can be found on Page 12.
Index
OPINION YOUTH CHURCH COMMUNITY AG SPORTS PROF DIR PN CLASSIFIED
PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 10 PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PAGE 13
North Dakota State University Parenting Education Network hosted the third webinar in their five-part series Parenting in a Pandemic. The webinars are led by Erin Walsh, co-founder of the Spark & Stitch Institute based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This session shared supportive insights from research about screen time. Of the things that have intensified during the pandemic, screen time is at the top of the list. You are not alone if you feel both grateful and resentful of screens right now. You may appreciate the connective power of today’s technology, the entertainment, and even the diversion it provides, while at the same time resenting the limitations, what it doesn’t replace, and the power struggles it ignites. Media and technology are not inherently good or bad; they are powerful. Think about how screens are helping your kids through connection, Facetime, happy diversions, etc. Then think about how screens are getting in the way of their ability to stay safe, healthy, and connected, such as staying up late, feeling there is nothing else to do, overuse, and lack of physical activity. The goal is to do the best we can do right now to stay safe, connected, and healthy. Research has shown that too little screen time can be as harmful as too much. Mental wellbeing starts to decline at the
extremes. However, it is more complicated than looking at just the amount of time kids spend on their screens. It is important to ask how and why are they using it, how do they feel about it, and how much and when do they use it. The three insights that follow will guide you in assessing these questions. Insight #1: You have permission to pay attention to your child. Be curious. Think about
Red flags are when you see kids concealing or sneaking time on their screens; tantrums or escalating behaviors at screen transitions (if they’re getting violent you may need to reach out for help); screens getting in the way of school, socializing, or health; or persistent changes in mood, sleep, or eating patterns. When you see red flags, parental control and monitoring can be a useful tool but should not be
why you go to certain online spaces and what you get out of it. Why do you go there? How does it make you feel? Have you ever gotten help or support here that you otherwise would not have gotten? When and how often do you go there? Keep these questions in mind when you watch your kids online and how the media helps or hurts them. Talk to them, watch their behaviors, and notice how they are feeling and if they are having physical symptoms.
the only tool used. Walsh pointed out Common Sense Media, Circle with Disney, Bark, Family Time, and Dinner Time. While these are tools, it’s important to avoid the “catch and punish” approach to monitoring. It can erode trust and send kids to the darker part of the internet. Instead, talk to them about it first then install. Open communication is the best parental control. Be specific with expectations and skills. Instead of saying, “Stay safe,” explain what
Crockett earns multiple scholarships from UND By Linda Timian Republican Writer Langdon Area High School senior Sydney Crockett has always loved playing and performing music, and her dedication has earned her three scholarships from the music department at UND. The three music scholarships include a $12,000 Piano Music Major Scholarship ($3,000 dollars per year), a $250 Concert Choir participation offer, and a new $1000 scholarship from the Hastings and Geiger Cello and Piano Scholarship Endowment. “Sydney is the first recipient of this award,” said Dr. Nariaki Sugiura, associate professor of piano and collaborative piano at UND. “This scholarship is offered yearly to a student who is a cellist or pianist promising to be in the Red River Piano Trio, which is one of our music department’s leading student chamber music groups.” The Trio has traveled to offer musical and cultural activities in the state, region, and international locations including China and
Monday, April 5, 2021
Japan. “My music scholarships are tied to piano and voice,” said Sydney. “Piano will be my main instrument, and voice will be my secondary instrument.” Her goal is to be a piano teacher while still finding opportunities to perform herself and with other people. “I plan to major in piano performance for my bachelor’s degree,” said Sydney. “I will then
pursue my master’s degree in which I will major in pedagogy (teaching piano) and collaboration. Pedagogy is a master’s program, so it was best that I attain my bachelor’s degree in piano performance so I’m able to teach others to perform to the best of my ability.” Sydney started taking piano lessons from Lisa Schuler when she was in the 2nd grade in 2010. “Sydney was given 100%
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support from her family from her very first lesson,” said Schuler. “They gave her the foundation that instilled a good work ethic when she grew older. Sydney made up her mind in the 7th grade that she wanted to pursue music for her career, and she has never wavered. A few years ago, when I knew she wasn’t going to change her mind about pursuing a music degree, I contacted Nariaki Sugiura." Sydney started lessons with Sugiura her freshman year. “This year, she has 2 lessons with me and 2 lessons with Nariaki each month.” It turned out to be a good fit. Sugiura said students are usually intimidated at first, but Sydney was different from the beginning. “She seemed interested in what I do,” said Sugiura, “and she began seriously devoting her time into practicing the piano from the start. She is an extremely intelligent, motivated, and hard-working individual.” A few years ago Sydney had the opportunity to teach piano lessons and found her calling. “I’ve always loved performing, but when I started teachcont. on page 2
to look out for. For example, no one should ask them to keep a secret; no one should promise them money, games, or treats; no one should insist on them sharing pictures or personal information. Monitoring is useful when kids first get their devices when they’re young. Sit down with kids and talk to them. Set limits and explain how not all places are safe. As they build skills and you see trust, you can back off. If you are concerned about what you see, think about ways to shift content, timing, duration, or monitoring of screen time. For example, “We’re not going to play that game, but here are the eight other games we love.” “Yes, play video games with your friends, but we’re done at 9 pm.” Try to get the big picture. If your kid is spending more time online, try to understand the underlying things that make them seek it out. With rising anxiety and depression in kids, you may need to reach out for additional support. Insight #2: Set boundaries where they matter most - in safety, health, and development. There are four key zones: sleep, study time, physical activity, and family time. If they are getting enough sleep, can focus during study time, get physical activity, and have connection with family at mealtime or other times, things may be ok even if screen time is high. Set up a syscont. on page 2
Cavalier County Motor Vehicle Kiosk On March 25, the Cavalier County Motor Vehicle Department had a vehicle registration kiosk installed in the Cavalier County Courthouse. The kiosk is available 24/7 via access at the south end of the
using the kiosk, your registration will be disbursed immediately from the kiosk itself. “It will make it easier to accommodate our customers that cannot make it into our office during business hours and will be available on the weekends," Cynthia Stremick commented.
courthouse. At present, it will renew registration on vehicles as well as a 30-day permit. Looking in the future, you will be able to renew your driver license every other year. When
The Cavalier County Motor Vehicle Department has taken COVID precautions with a hand sanitizier station nearby, as well as social distancing signs.
By Jared Entzi Republican Writer
Invest in Yourself... Open Your IRA Today An individual Retirement Account is a safe, easy way to save for retirement. We offer both Traditional and Roth IRAs and our IRAs are separately insured by the FDIC to $250,000.
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Parenting in a Pandemic: Screen time during COVID-19 By Linda Timian Republican Writer
Munich Public School has released their honor roll, see list on Page 5.
Official Newspaper of Cavalier County Published since 1889