The Courier
News
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
February 22, 2017 Volume 41 ~ Number 8
King’s Variety Stores To Close
Over the last century, King’s has worked to navigate the changing landscape of the world and retailing in particular. Founded in 1915, they survived two world wars, the Great Depression, the Great Recession, and many other ups and downs over the past 102 years. On Monday, February 20th, the owners of The retail climate has radically changed in King’s Variety Stores sent out a press release the past decade much as the job market did for one of their ancestors who made a living as a anouncing the closure of their stores. “It is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude leather harness maker (for horses) during the that we announce the closing of all the King’s 1800s. He lost his job with the completion of Variety stores. It was our grandfather’s and the transcontinental railroad. Every generation father’s desire to provide everyday products to brings with it advances and losses due to a small communities that did not have access to changing business environment. reasonably priced goods. That business model Brick and mortar stores need feet and faces allowed us to build a number of successful to survive, and that means salaries, rents, and stores throughout the intermountain west over other costs. Unfortunately, that is difficult in the current business landscape. With the ada long period of time.”
vent of both large-box retail stores and the internet, anyone with a computer can buy from millions of vendors around the world. “We are grateful for the years we have been able to serve the various communities of which we have been a part. Thank you for your many years of support. It has been an honor to be a part of your lives.” The staff & family of the M. H. King Company
Flooding Threatens Fairfield Homes Several warm nights and rain have exacerbated the ongoing problem of flooding in Fairfield. While much of the lower country lost its snow and ice earlier this month, Camas County still has plenty of snow, and in many places, it is acting as a dam against the water that wants to find somewhere to go. On the southeast side of Fairfield, several homes along Soldier Creek have their owners/renters scrambling to direct water to a safer place. So far, most homes have only had water in their crawlspaces, but at least one
had up to 4” of water inside. The City of Fairfield has been working to remove obstruction in the waterway, and along several streets to help move water away from homes, but what is really needed is cooler weather. There is a slight chance of snow on the Camas Prairie through Thursday, then clearing up for a couple of days. More importantly, temperature should drop into the low teens at night with daytime temps in the high twenties. On Sunday, another snow system is predicted, with a 50% chance of precipitation.
AREA EVENTS
February 25th Legion Post #19
Crab Feed & Raffle
7:00 at the Fairfield Legion Hall -----
Hagerman Firefighers
Chili Cook Off & Raffle
6:00 at the Hagerman Legion Hall
The Courier NEWS • Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Notices of Upcoming Events & Meetings Found at Camas Library
Left at the Library, a tablet case with a keyboard. To claim, please call and verify the color and size. Also, the library is looking for part-time help. Please come to the library to get an application and talk to Marilyn about the job.
Camas Chamber Meeting
The February 23rd Camas Chamber meeting has beem cancelled due to schedule conflicts. If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2017, it isn’t too late. You can mail your dues to the Chamber at PO Box 238, Fairfield, or bring them with you to the March meeting.
School Trustee Wanted:
Camas County School District is accepting applications
for the position of Trustee in Zone #1 – Hill City. Only those residing in Trustee Zone #1 – Hill City may apply. To make application please contact Wendy Strickler in person at the School District office, 610 Soldier Road Fairfield, Idaho, by phone at #764-2625 ext. 1002, or by email at wstrickler@camascountyschools.org.
“Pots ‘n’ Plugs” Tree & Shrub Sale
Serving with all Gentleness & Compassion...
Legislative Update from Senator Michelle Stennett Week Six-February 13-17, 2017 Great Turnout at Town Halls! We had our annual legislative district tour last weekend and we had record turnouts! I love seeing our community engage on issues that matter most and we had so many excellent conversations. Several of you asked how you can keep track of bills as they work through the legislative process. You can click here to visit the legislative bill center, which will tell you exactly what a bill says, who the sponsors are, where a bill sits at any given time, and our voting records.
voted to remove references to climate change and human impact on the environment from a new set of science standards. These standards are developed by a panel of experts from the Idaho Department of Education, the Idaho Board of Education, and public testimony. The rules are set to go before the Senate Education Committee next week. If you’d like to voice your concern, you can visit this page containing Constitutional Convention You may have heard rumblings of an Ar- contact information for all Senate Education ticle V Constitutional Convention to pass Committee members. a balanced budget amendment. Our con- ABLE Act stitution allows for revision by means of a Current law prevents Idahoans on disconvention of states, which happens only if ability from saving more than $2,000. This 34 states (2/3rds) agree to meet. There are means people on disability cannot save for currently 28 states that have passed resolu- critical quality of life measures like a wheeltions calling for the convention, and there chair ramp, vital equipment maintenance, is pressure for Idaho to follow suit. While and dental care. Senator Grant Burgoyne’s I do think a balanced budget merits urgent (D-16, Boise) ABLE Act bill allows people consideration, opening The Constitution currently receiving disability benefits to set has serious implications. In a Constitutional up ABLE accounts in other states. It also Convention, the scope is not limited to one allocates funds for a part time employee to subject - once the convention convenes, ev- assist people in learning to use the accounts, erything in The Constitution is fair game for and help determine what kind of account amendment and deletion, conservative and is needed. The bill has passed through the progressive issues alike. House and now awaits consideration in the The Founding Fathers did phenomenal work Senate Health and Welfare Committee. in creating this lasting governing document Thank you again for coming out to the disand I don’t consider it a wise move to cut trict town halls. Your input is so valuable it up, especially considering the polarized to me! If you have any questions or compolitical climate we are living in. ments please feel free to email or call at
The Camas Conservation District is currently holding its annual “Pots ‘n’ Plugs” Tree & Shrub Sale. Trees, shrubs and super plugs, specially chosen for the area are available. Check out their list and find something wonderful for your yard or farm. Quantity and special orders welcome. Order forms are available at the Camas Conservation District office - 403 Soldier Road Fairfield. Science Standards any time. Call 208-764-3223 or email Last week the House of Representatives Respectfully, Michelle Stennett camasscd@yahoo.com if you have any questions. ----Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues The Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is hosting a special “Duck Day” to have local representation in Camas County. District Con- Celebration on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 9 am to 1 pm for ages 8-12. Kids will servationist Derek Romer works in the Camas Conservation be able to create their own nature journal/sketchpad, learn about waterfowl ecology and District/NRCS field office (403 Soldier Road, Fairfield) on behavior, and get inspired to enter the Junior Duck Stamp art competition. The program Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please visit him for will be held in the park visitor center, located at 221 N State Street in Hagerman. your conservation needs and concerns.
Duck Day Celebration at Hagerman Fossil Beds
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 • The Courier NEWS
...but never Compromising the Truth.
Boys District Basketball Tournaments Steve's Quick Service After two decisive wins in the 1AD2 Tourna- man, 62-38, Shoshone faced off against Raft
ment (78-39 over Hansen & 70-37 over Murtaugh), the Dietrich Blue Devil Boys are set to play the Northside Conference Championship game against the Carey Panthers. This tournament is being held at Shoshone High School with the Championship game beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight - February 22nd. On Thursday, the loser of that game will play for second place. Last Wednesday, Shoshone lost to Oakley 5362 in overtime, sending them to play Hagerman on Monday night. With a victory over Hager-
River last night in the 1AD1 Tournament. The first game of the Boys 2A District bestof-3 series ended with a 51 to 20 victory for the Declo Hornets over the Wendell Trojans. They face off again tonight at Declo HS at 7 p.m. In game 5 of the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference Tournament, The Gooding Senators took down the Filer Wildcats 46 to 36, sending them to 3A Championship game. The Senators will have a second chance at Buhl tonight at 7 p.m. at CSI.
Empty Bowls Event – March 7, 2017
South Central Community Action Partnership (SCCAP) will be hosting the 8th Annual Empty Bowls Event at the Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Doors open at 6:00pm, dinner will be served from 6:00 to 8:00pm. There will be a no host bar. The band UNDRDoG will provide live music from 7:00 to 10:00pm. Dinner tickets are available for $20. With your ticket purchase you can enjoy dinner, choose a bowl painted and donated by someone in the community and be entered into a drawing for a door prize. Dinner will consist of a variety of gourmet soups and breads from local restaurants and bakeries. Desserts will be available for purchase at the Bake Sale. Join us for an evening of fun, including dancing, a silent auction and various raffles to win lots of great items. All money raised at the event will benefit SCCAP’s food programs. Contact Jenny Randolph at 208-733-9351 or email jenny@sccap-id.org for more information and advanced ticket sales. Tickets may also be purchased at Hands On and will be available at the door the night of the event.
The Solace of Open Spaces
The “Let’s Talk About It” program at the Camas Public library will host a scholar of Western Literature, Tara Penny, who will be leading a discussion of The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich. Gretel Ehrlich is an American travel writer, poet, and essayist who was born in 1946 in Santa Barbara, California. Solace is a series of essays about rural life, based on the author’s experiences on a small farm in Wyoming. It focuses on the people and landscape of the West and explore themes common to all areas. Monday Feb 27th at 6 p.m. (there will be refreshments)
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The Courier NEWS • Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Senior Center Menus All menus are subject to change without notice.
Hagerman 837-6120 (140 East Lake Street)
Lunch is served every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. -------------------------Friday, Feb 24... Oven Fried Chicken Monday, Feb 28... Baked Salmon Wednesday, March 1... Chicken Fried Steak
Wendell 536-9951 (380 East 1st Street)
Lunch is served every Monday & Friday at Noon. -------------------------Friday, Feb 24... Chili Dogs & Fries Monday, Feb 27... Chicken Soup & Corn Bread
Shoshone
886–2369 (218 N Rail St. W)
Richfield
487–2722 130 S Main Street
Lunch: $2 (2-9) $5.50 (10-59) $4 over 60 (suggested) Breakfast: 3rd Saturday of the Month (8 to 10) ----------------------Thur, Feb 23 (Rich) Chicken Sand. & Blueberry Crisp Baked Ham & Scalloped Potatoes Friday, Feb 24 (Sho) Monday, Feb 27 (Rich) Fried Chicken & Scalloped Potatoes Tuesday, Feb 28 (Sho) Pasta Alfredo w/ Sausage Wed, Feb 29 (Sho) Imaginary Food
Fairfield 764-2226 (129 Willow Avenue West)
Lunch: 2.50 (2-9) $5 (10-59) $4 over 60 (suggested) Breakfast: (8 to 10) 2nd Saturday of the Month Open for Coffee and Breakfast 7:30 to 11 a.m. Monday thru Friday the Music by e -------------------------m i Old T ers Friday, Feb 24 Baked Chicken Fiddl Tuesday, Feb 28 BBQ Pulled Pork Wednesday, March 1 Potato Bar & Chili
Gooding 934-5504 (308 Senior Avenue)
Lunch Suggested Donation $3.50 Breakfast: (7:30 to 10) 1st Saturday of the Month Fit & Fall Proof: Every Mon. & Wed. at 11:00 a.m. -----------------Thursday, Feb 23 Ham & Party Potatoes Monday, Feb 27 Potato Bar Tuesday, Feb 28 Pork Chops & Hominy Casserole Wednesday, Feb 29 Imaginary Food
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer.
Serving with all Gentleness & Compassion...
Letters to the Editor
The Fairfield Food Bank would like to thank all the kids at the Camas Schools for the Penny Drive donation to the food bank. A special thanks to Ginny Ganguet and her 2nd Grade class. Every little bit, even a penny, can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Setting Steve Miller’s Record Straight
Rep. Steve Miller believes a better educated citizenry is critical to our state, nation and economy and supports Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s plan to increase Idaho’s education budget by $110 million. Here are a few facts on Miller’s record. In 2016 Miller voted to fund the teacher career ladder and the k-3 literacy program. He advocated for more comprehensive data and collaboration in formulating an effective approach to improving reading abilities and comprehension skills. He’s a hands on guy and searches out the facts when he looks for ways to direct available funds. That’s the key to improving education in Idaho. The current Idaho education budget is 63 percent of the general fund budget. The governor’s revised education budget of $1.7 billion is an increase of 6.9 percent or $110 million. To me that says Idaho is serious about improving education in Idaho. Just pouring more money into the budget is not efficient or wise when you have a finite number of dollars. House Bill 67 lowered individual and corporate income tax from 7.4 percent to 7.2 percent which will reduce revenue by about $54 million. The bill also removed the lowest bracket. The top bracket starts at $10,905 adjusted gross income. Often, tax cuts spur economic growth which in turn increases taxes paid into state coffers. Facts matter and folks should refrain from scaring people with half truths and old canards. Respectfully, Julie Lynn - Ketchum
THANK YOU! Late on December 6th of this year, my kids and I lost most of our possessions in a house fire due to the chimney. The inspector said it’s common in older homes for the seams in stove pipe to rust and get too hot, causing them to come apart. I urge you all to perform routine maintenance on your wood burning fire places and stoves. I just want to take a minute to thank the community for your outpouring of love and support in my family’s time of need. Going through something like this has probably been the most humbling experience I have gone through. So tragic, but yet what an eye opener for my kids and I to really experience the true meaning of giving and kindness. I want to thank you all and let you know how grateful we are. Thank you to the Wendell Schools, Wendell High School Cheerleaders, Farmers National Bank, Kristie Sutton (owner of Latte Da’ Bistro) for your pancake breakfast fundraiser, KMVT, Grace Assisted Living, Diana Ochsner with American Red Cross, Wendell Fire Department, Afton Weaver with LuLaRoe, members of the New Life Church for dinners, to ALL my amazing clients and friends, to complete strangers that didn’t even know us. and all the wonderful members of our community. Without all of you we wouldn’t have anything to refurnish our home when we get to go back there. I will most definitely be paying it forward, back to our community when the time is right. I want to also urge all people who rent home to please consider renter’s insurance because, YES, it can happen to you! I was stupid and learned the hard way. Finally... What an amazing community we live in. Thank you, Misty, Reagan, Shelby Mikey, & Xander
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 • The Courier NEWS
...but never Compromising the Truth.
obit ua r ies
Geneva Packham Eskridge
Indai Clarissa Westfall
India Clarissa Westfall, died peacefully on February 10, 2017 at the age of 91 in Wildomar, California, in the home of her daughter, Cheryl Westfall Rogers, who had taken care of her for many years. India Clarissa Blackburn was born in Pocatello, Idaho to Jonathan Franklin Blackburn and Orpha Simmons Blackburn on July 23, 1925. She went by the names of Chris and Clarissa for much of her life. She was the youngest of seven children. Her four brothers and two sisters - Roscoe, Glen, John Wiley, William, Alice and Thelma, all of whom have preceded her in death. She attended Jerome High School during her sophomore year and graduated from Oakland High School in California in 1944. She became the bride of James “Jim” Hall Westfall in the Little Chapel of the Flowers, in Berkeley, California on January 17, 1945. Their marriage was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on February 9, 1945. She and Jim were homesteaders on the Hunt Project near Eden, Idaho. They raised about 60 dairy cattle for a living. During times when their debts from farming got too high, they did other things such as spending a year working a Church farm in Kaysville, Utah and working for Boeing Aircraft in Washington. They would return to farming in Jerome and eventually Wendell, Idaho. When her youngest child, Virginia, was ready to start college in 1978, India decided to go with her. She earned two Associates Degrees – in Elementary Education and Library Science from the College of Southern Idaho. James Westfall died September 19, 1987. Later in life she married James Higginbotham of West Valley, Utah. They moved to Pocatello, Idaho and then to Wendell. He preceded her in death. India was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She played the piano for the primary starting when she was 12 years old. She has served in many Church callings, as Relief Society President and in the Mutual Presidency among other things. She is survived by her children - Dorothy (Dave) Krueger of Norman, Oklahoma; William (Judy) Westfall of Salt Lake City, Utah; Richard (Betty) Westfall of Lebanon, Oregon; Vernelle (Robert) Massey of Avondale, Arizona; Janine (Raymond) Perkins of Orem, Utah; Cheryl (Robert) Rodgers of Wildomar, California; and Virginia Westfall of Wendell, Idaho; 38 grandchildren; 93 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. Her daughter, Afton (Roy) Diemart preceded her in death. A visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wendell; with a funeral service to start at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Jerome Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Wendell Chapel.
death & service notices
Charlie Gaskill, 96, a resident of Fairfield, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.
Robin “Bob” J. Young, 64, a resident of Wendell, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Demaray Funeral Service.
Tracy L. Dotson, 56, a resident of Hagerman, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at his home in Hagerman. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Demaray Funeral Service.
Geneva passed peacefully from this life February 8, 2017 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Geneva was born February 13, 1923 in Manard, Idaho, on the Camas Prairie being one of 12 children. Geneva met the love of her life, Gilbert Dean Eskridge, while attending school in Fairfield, Idaho. They married on June 1st, 1941 in a civil ceremony in Carey, Idaho. Geneva touched many hearts with her nurturing, loving, fun, adventurous life and determined spirit that never accepted defeat. She was a devoted mother to her four children. Her skydiving escapades when she was just 91 and 92 are inspirational as well as her message to stay active and to enjoy every second of this life. Geneva spent her life caring for others and she always put the needs of others above her own. This devotion was seen in the work she chose to do as a physician’s assistant, nurse’s aid, lab technician and OR scrub technician. With her husband she also had many adventures prospecting for precious metals and operating Alpine Assay, Inc in Twin Falls, ID for many years. Sign up to get each day’s obituaries sent to your email inbox Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne Eskridge and Rosemary Wickhowski of Boise, ID and Thomas Dean Eskridge and Linda Joan (Wall) Eskridge of Molalla, OR; daughter and son-in-law Debra Eskridge Otterstein and Michael William Otterstein of Cove, OR; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Geneva was preceded in death by her parents William J. and Luella Hickenlooper Packham; several brothers and sisters; her husband Dean Eskridge and daughter Joan Eskridge Boozer Benson. At Geneva’s request there will be no service and her cremains will join her husband in Mountain View Cemetery in Camas County, Idaho. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made online to FattyLiverFoundation.org or by mail to 3938 E. Shady Glen Ct, Boise, ID 83706.
401 Camas Avenue West
764-2611
Medical & Dental Care Sliding Scale fees available ===== OPEN: Mon, Wed & Fri 9 to 2 / Tue & Thur. 8 to 2
The Courier NEWS • Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Visit Your Public Library Today Hagerman Public Library HOURS
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 2:00 to 6:00 Wednesday 2 to 5 ~ Saturday 10 to 1
290 S. State Street, Hagerman ~ 837–6520
Camas County Public Library HOURS
Monday 12:30 to 8 Thursday 10 to 5:30 Tue, Wed & Fri 12:30 to 5:30
607 Soldier Road, Fairfield ~ 764–2553
Richfield District Library 105 South Main Street ~ 487–1242
Monday 2-6 ~ Tuesday 10-6 ~ Wed & Thurs 12-6
The Shoshone Library
211 South Rail West ~ 886–2843 ~ Open ~ Mon 12 to 5 ~ Tue 2 to 7 ~ Wed 12 to 7 Thur 10 to 4 ~ Fri 12 to 5
Wendell Public Library HOURS
11 to 5 Monday thru Friday ~ Open til 6 on Thursdays
375 1st Avenue East, Wendell ~ 536–6195
Gooding Public Library 934–4089 ~ 306 5th Avenue West Regular Hours of Operation
Monday 12 to 5 Tuesday 1 to 8 Wednesday 10 to 5
Thursday 1 to 8 Friday 12 to 5 Saturday 9 to Noon
Cup of Tee
© As President’s Day rolled around I found myself at the White House. Many government offices (state and local) and businesses were closed due to the holiday. My little white house was where I was stationed. Did you think I had another plane flight to Washington D.C.? It would have been nice to be visiting the President’s White House. As one thinks about President’s Day, they think of the presidents and not his house, but in this letter we are going to be about the White House (no, not mine). In March of 1791, President George Washington selected some land on the Potomac River for the site of the nation’s new capital. This land (district) was between the states of Maryland and Virginia. The District of Columbia was named after Christopher Columbus. Later, the town was named Washington after our first president. A contest was held for the architecture of the president’s house be built in the District of Columbia. Washington, after a tour of the Southern States, was impressed with the Charleston, South Carolina, county courthouse. The courthouse under construction, designed by Irish architect James Hoban, was chosen as the design beating the anonymous entry of Thomas Jefferson. In 1792 construction was started on the presidential palace. The sandstone used in the walls was shipped in from the Aquia Creek quary. The exterior walls were a mixture of salt, ground rice, glue and lime. The house was nicknamed the White House because of its color. The official name was given by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901 as the Executive Mansion to the White House. George Washington was the only president not to live in the White House. John Adams moved into the house not completed, still under construction. The insides smelled horribly of plaster (mixed with horse and hog hair) and the wall paper paste (made from white flour and beer). On August 24, 1814, after the British defeated the American troops at Bladenburg, they commenced upon the Capitol of Washington D.C. Excaping in a few moments, the White House was evacuated of its people. In fact, the house
Serving with all Gentleness & Compassion...
by Tee Hurd
was set for a dinner party of forty. The British helped themselves to what they wanted, and to break the spirit and to teach a lesson to the new Americans, the White House was set on fire. After the War of 1812, President James Madison ordered the buildings in Washington be rebuilt exactly as they were before the british burned them. This included the White House. Once again the White House was given a new white coat to cover the burn stains of the War of 1812. In 1816 James Hoban, on the job again, proposed the idea of running water in the White House. His idea was rejected for being too sophisticated. The water used was carried into the house by servents from nearby wells. In 1831 a nearby spring was purchased and Robert Leckie designed a system where the water was run to the White House and then pumped inside by hand. President Andrew Jackson wasn’t much in favor of the water inside, but the idea of fire safety was appealing. President Martin Van Buren (1840) was use to a little finer comforts of the city life. Van Buran installed a large coal furnace in the basement with the heat traveling through plaster lined ducts. The heat did not reaching the upper levels and fireplaces were still used. In 1848, the Baltimore Gas Company built a gas plant on the capital grounds, so the White House was added to have gas lights powered by coal gas, replacing the foul smelling lard oil lamps. First Lady, Sarah Polk refused to let them change the oil lamps of the Blue Room. The backup lights were used many times. President Franklin Pierce in 1853 had Van Buren’s hot air system turned in a hot water heating system. May 10, 1879, the National Telephone company installed the first phone on the wall in the Telegraphy room. President Rutherford Hayes had no one to call except the Treasurer/Secretary and a few others because the telephone was so new nobody had them. The typewriter introduced months later had the biggest impact on the day-to-day business (prior, all correspondence was by hand). Catch me next week to continue my “Cup of Tee” from the White House.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 • The Courier NEWS
...but never Compromising the Truth.
from the Editor
An Educational Fallacy - Early Childhood Education
The biggest problem with public education in America today is a profound disinterest by students in learning... anything. On an individual basis, students may be intrigued by certain subjects, but as a whole, they couldn’t care less. The scapegoat for this “disinterest” is the internet and its ability to captivate young minds. While it is true that the internet has made traditional education methods obsolete, the widespread disinterest in learning by students is really caused by something else. Early Childhood Education has become a mantra for teachers and politicians who insist that government knows what is best for our children. But, for twenty years or more, educators have known that putting children in school before the age of 7 or 8 has no lasting benefit. In fact, study after study has shown that starting formal education before 7 actually damages a child’s mental health by forcing them into stressful situations they are not ready for. One study out of Stanford Graduate School of Education (2015) showed that delaying kindergarten for just one year reduces inattention and hyperactivity by 73% (measured when children reach 6th grade). In New Zealand, research shows that children who start formal reading lessons at age 5 develop negative attitudes towards reading and have reduced comprehension compared to students who start at age 7. Further research, involving 15-year-olds across 55 countries, found no significant benefit to starting education early. This is prompting some countries to follow the example of Sweden and Finland and raise mandatory school attendance from 6 to 7. To be fair, there is one group of students that benefit from early childhood education - those with learning disabilities. These children need help reaching certain developmental goals and that process needs to start as early as possible. But, when we eliminate inattention and hyperactivity (caused mainly by putting kids in school too early), this represents only a small percentage of American students. Another effect of starting school early is “burnout.” Over time students just get bored with school. Year after year, we force them to sit in classrooms learning (and relearning) things they can find on a computer in just a few seconds. The result of all of this boredom is social misbehavior. According to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, teenagers who experience boredom on a regular basis increases their chance for substance abuse by 50 percent. If you add in stress such as family conflicts and/or too many school activities, the chance of becoming a substance abuser increases by 300 percent. Of course, social misbehavior is not just substance abuse. It also includes things such as rudeness, pre-marital sex, bullying, fighting, etc. And, if that’s not enough, boredom can lead to eating disorders, anxiety problems, and depression. Everyone wants an education system that works. We want students to be excited about learning. We want our children to be successful. We can not, however, achieve these goals if we ignorantly hang on to ideas that damage them for the rest of their lives.
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Bus Purchase Bid Invitation
Camas County School District 121 requests sealed bids for one new 47 passenger (54 passenger body) school bus to be delivered in the summer of 2017. Bid specifications are available by request from clerk Wendy Strickler (ph. 208-764-2625 ext. 1002) (Fax: 208-7649218) (610 Soldier Road – Fairfield, Idaho 83327) (e-mail wstrickler@ camascountyschools.org).
Sealed bids marked bus bid are to be in the possession of clerk Strickler by 4 p.m. March 13, 2017. Bids must be submitted on the school district bid form provided with the specification data. No fax, phone or Need to advertise your business, but e-mail bids. A public bid opening will take place at 6:00 p.m. March don’t have the budget for a full sized 13, 2017 in the Library at the Camas County High School during the ad? Even though it is small, our BudMarch regular trustee meeting. get Ad can pack a punch in leting people know about your business. The school district reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
News@highway46.org
The Courier NEWS • Wednesday, February 22, 2017
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Employment
#2 H a R D Place a number in each empty box in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. Solution on page 7. © Kevin Stone [www.brainbashers.com]
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Can you remember when day care centers were called homes. Contatct the Courier News at P.O. Box 339 - Fairfield, Idaho 83327 or call 208-764-3322
The Lincoln County Care Center in Shoshone has several opening including: Director of Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Nursing Assistant, LPN, RN, and CNA. Your future begins with Infinity Rehab. As a company founded and operated by therapists, we have the tools to ensure your success. From laptops and clinical software for point-of-care documentation to a comprehensive benefits package and a focus on continuing education, your success is our number one priority. When you partner with Infinity Rehab and join our family as a therapist, you will experience a company passionate about its mission: to enhance the life of every person we serve. Infinity Rehab provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all qualified individuals. Any personnel actions taken are without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Infinity Rehab also complies with all applicable state and local laws. Apply at: careersinfinityrehab.icims.com/jobs/2059/job
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For Sale
For Sale
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