Monday
September 9, 2013
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Panthers overcome flags, Cardinals in home win
SAVE THE DATE the 4th Annual
extravaganza holiday to holiday
Thanksgiving | Christmas | New Years
SPORTS, page 5A
Monday, October 28, 2013
Writing ON THE WALL
QUICK NEWS
Is cursive handwriting on the outs in local schools?
n
RVTV here today!
By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
I
s it “write” or wrong to teach cursive writing during school hours? It has become apparent that some schools are phasing out cursive so more technology classes such as keyboarding can be taught. “I think you’re going to see some focus on that next year in legislature in Iowa,” said Rep. Tom Latham, RIowa. “It’s very con- Latham cerning.” Iowa adopted Common Core, a curriculum standards initiative, in July 2010 and blended it with the state’s current education standards to produce Iowa Core. In the standards, handwriting is required to be taught, but cursive writing is never directly mentioned. According to Staci Hupp, Iowa Department of Education communications director, that leaves cursive writing decisions up to local school districts.
Cursive Scott Driskell, Creston Elementary School principal, said cursive writing is still taught at Creston Schools, but not to the extent it used to be. “So many people communicate through technology that cursive isn’t as valued as much in the scheme of where we’re at, educationally speaking,” said Driskell. Diagonal School District is
CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
Keyana Leith-Peterson writes a paragraph about rocks in Joni Gillam’s second-grade class at Creston Elementary School today.
an example of where technology is used daily. “All of our sixth- through 12th-grade (students) have their own computers,” said Diagonal Superintendent Karleen Stephens, “so all of their assignments are done by computers. Younger Diagonal students use portable laptops, but Stephens said cursive is still taught at the school district. “We do both,” Stephens said. “We teach manuscript, which is the Stephens traditional printing, and then at the end of second grade, they learn cursive and practice that through the elementary. And then, (they learn) keyboarding.”
Gaps Because technology is so widely used, cursive writing is taught in less depth and is
no longer an expectation, according to Driskell. However, he also said there needs to be Driskell a transition period. “There are gaps. That’s why we’re hesitant to move completely away from cursive writing,” Driskell said. “Generationally speaking, that type of writing is going to be less used.” Driskell said he knew of several fourth-grade students who text on cellphones and communicate on the Internet using social networks such as Twitter. “It’s one of those catch 22s. You only have so many hours in the day and you have to make educational decisions,” said Driskell. “And, cursive writing has fallen to the wayside.” Stephens said even though
cursive writing is taught at Diagonal Schools, she is unsure for how much longer. “Even though we teach it in the elementary, once they get to middle school and high school, they do so much on the computer. And, what they do write by hand, they tend to go back to printing,” said Stephens. “So, we ask ourselves oftentimes, is this the best way to spend our learning time?” Stephens also said she can empathize with struggling school districts making educational decisions based on time in the classroom, as well as the communities surrounding school districts who remain traditional in their educational views. “Communities feel bad when tried and true things go away, and I understand that. But, for now, it’s an important skill. ... If nothing else, I think it’s good for fine motor (skills).”
The big event is finally here. RVTV rolls into Creston today with tailgate festivities kicking off at 4:30 p.m. and lasting until 10:30 p.m. tonight at the restored Creston Depot. WHO13 RVTV will be broadcast live from Creston at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. Fans make sure to wear your best Hawkeye or Cyclone gear. There will be a best-dressed contest and a competition for which fan base can donate the most non-perishable food items. Local food vendors will be selling tailgating food. SWCC staff/students will host tailgating games. Cy the Cyclone will also be in attendance. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
Wrestling reinstated
Seven months after being dropped as one of the core sports at the Olympics, wrestling has been reinstated for the 2020 Tokyo games. The sport received 49 votes in the first round of secret ballot voting by the International Olympic Committee, easily beating out bids to reinstate baseball/softball and squash. Wrestling has roots dating back to the games in ancient Greece and has been on the Olympic schedule for every modern Olympic games except 1900.
Potential record heat
The National Weather Service is forecasting a potential record-high temperature of 97 degrees for the Creston area today. The previous record of 97 degrees was set in 1955. The NWS also released a special weather statement, warning anyone that
Please see CURSIVE, Page 2
Please see QUICK NEWS, Page 2
Walk to End Alzheimer’s:
Clint and Christy Williams of Creston, and their Labrador Krypto standby as they wait for the start of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday in McKinley Park. The Williams — dubbed “Team Lewis” — walked in honor of Christy’s father Frank Lewis and in memory of her grandmother Doris Lewis, both affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
CNA photo by SARAH BROWN CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
St. Malachy Food Fair: Dr. James Mansour, right, of Creston serves Middle-Eastern
baklava to eighth-grader Alexis Baker during St. Malachy’s annual international food fair held at the school Sunday evening. International foods this year included Bohemian, Irish, Middle Eastern, Midwest, Oriental, Mexican, Italian, German and American. Organizers said more than 250 people attended the one-night event. Serving Southwest Iowa since 1879 Price 75¢
If you do not receive your CNA by 5 p.m. call 641-782-2141, ext. 221. Papers will be redelivered in Creston until 6:30 p.m. Phones will be answered until 7 p.m.
Volume 130 No. 63 Copyright 2013
Contact us 2013
In person: 503 W. Adams Street Mail: Box 126, Creston, IA 50801-0126 Phone: 641-782-2141 Fax: 641-782-6628 E-mail: news@crestonnews.com
Contents
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Deaths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tuesday weather High 95 Low 66 Full weather report, 3A