6A The Mountain Messenger, Tuesday, February 27, 1990
By ANDREA GAINER
WVU Extension Agent, Home Economics, Greenbrter County
What's healthy for mom and dad
isn't always best for their baby. Low-
fat diets are one example.
Researchers agree that most
adults are healthier when they re-
duce their fat intake. However, suffi-
cient fat in the diet of the developing
infant is vital.
A baby needs fat for proper brain
development and nervous system
growth. Both breast milk and com-
mercial infant formulas are good
sources of nutrients and contain sub
ficient fat,
Because whole milk is an impor-
tant source of fat, babies should not
drink skim milk until at least t8
months old, and then only if sug-
gested by a doctor.
But young children should not be
allowed to become overweight.
There appears to be a relationship
between how fat a child is at 3 years
old and how fat the child will be as
an adult.
Nutritionists recommend that by
the age of 3 children should be
started on good nutritional habits
that emphasize low.fat foods. Then
these early habits need to become
part of a lifetime pattern. (That
would mean eating a variety of nutri-
tious foods from each of the major
food groups and limiting fats to
about 30 per cent of daily caloric in-
take. Choose low-fat meats such as
fish, chicken, and lear~ beef, and
limit fried snack foods such as
chips.)
Nutritionists also suggest that
parents encourage their children to
get plenty of physical activity, setting
in motion the beginning of good ex-
ercise habits.
Remember, It is important not to
severely limit your children's intake
of fat. Several children have become
severely ill because they were fol-
lowing low-fat diets.
Before you put your children on a
low-fat diet, consult with your physi-
cian or registered dietician.
TODAY'S CHUCKLE: A small
boy purchased a ticket for the after-
noon show at the theater. The man-
ager followed him and asked, "Son,
aren't you supposed to be in school
today?"
"1 don't have to go to school to-
day," the little boy replied. "1 have
the measles."
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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER
122 North Court Street - Lew~burg, W. Va. 24901
The Dandelion Festival commit-
tee will meet Wednesday, February
28, at 7 p.m., in Council Chambers
of the White Sulphur Springs City
Building. The fifth annual "DANDE-
LION FESTIVAL" wilt be held me-
morial Day weekend, May 25-28.
New activities added to the festi-
val this year will be a "Bummers"
Parade; a Bed Race; and a Para-
chute Jump under the direction of
Chris Bowling and the Nationa
Guard.
The Dandelion Festival is co-ordi-
nated by Kenny Bryant of Seneca
Broadcasting. Assisting Mr Bryant
will be Ralph Hanna of C. W. Lewis,
Inc. The festival is sponsored by the
White Sulphur Springs Chamber of
Commerce and is a community proj-
ect.
East Pie Baking
Classes for Adults
A community education course in
pie baking and cake decorating will
be taught at Greenbrier East High
School beginning Tuesday, March 6
at 6 p.m, in building C.
Basic techniques will be demon-
strated as well as proven, success-
ful tips given, Classroom teaching
methods will consist of lecture, dem-
onstration, and "hands-on" participa-
tion by students.
The class is 30 hours, and the
cost is $45. All required materials
wilt be purchased by the student,
Enrollment is limited to the first
15 paid registrants. Any class with-
- out sufficient class enrollment will be
cancelled.
Monroe Summer
Garden Program
Monroe County Community Serv-
ices Council, Inc., will accept appli-
cations for their 1990 Summer Gar-
den Program starting February 26.
Community Services will accept 200
income eligible applications.
You may apply for the free gar-
den supplies by stopping at MCCSC
office located below Dr Guy's office
in Union, Monday thru Friday from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A representa-
t=ve from the office will be in Peter-
stown at the Monroe Health Center
Building March 13 from 11:30 a.m.
til 12:45 p.m. taking applications for
the garden program. Also. on March
13, applications will be taken at the
8allard Food Center from 1 to 2
p.m.; on March 15 at the Senior
Center in Alderson from 10:30 a.m.
1o noon,. If you are a citizen of
Monroe County you may apply for
the garden program at this time.
You must take proof of your in-
come at the time of application. If
you have any extra bags, please
take them in before the distribution.
If you have any questions, or
need more information, please con-
tact 772-3381 and ask for Brenda,
Jill or Ann.
Red X Blood Mobile
The Red Cross blood mobile will
be at the Old Stone Presbyterian
Church in Lewisburg, March 2 from
noon till 6 p.m. with a quota of 90
pints. The sponsors of this blood
mobile are the ladies of the Lewis-
burg United Methodist Church, as-
sisted by the local Lions Club, and
the local Nurses assisting for the
medical history of prospective do-
nors.
WRON
%
Ms O'Conner and Mr Darnl
Selected as Valentine Ro,
Virginia Faber and Larry Darnell
Jody O'Connor (left) and daughter Kelly
Jody O'Connor of Lewisburg, a
third year intern at the West Virginia
School of Osteopathic Medicine was
named the WRON Valentine Queen.
She lives in Lewisburg with her
twelve year old daughter, Kelly and
her ten year old son Jonathan.
When Ms O'Conner checked the
messages on her answering ma-
chine and heard she had been
Creek Gallery in Lewisburg.
WRON's Valentine King~
is Larry H. Darnell of White
Springs. Mr Darnell is the
and Mrs Murle H. Darne
teaches math and a com
at White Sulphur Springs
High School. While he said
no idea who registered his
where, he said he was very,~
chosen WRON's Valentine Queen. to win!!!
She didn't believe it," she thought a
friend was playing a ioke. Ms
O'Conner's daughter went to the
station to help her mother take
home her gifts! Ms O'Conner regis-
tered in the contest once at Wolf
Ms O'Conner and Mr
shared over $1500 in
would like to thank the
ness, who made this year's
possible, and all the
registered.
The best things in the Greater
Greenbrier Valley are free...
Including The Mountain Me,,
LETTER TO
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
GREENBRIER COUNTY
Dear Friends, Officials, and Fellow Citizens:
We must act immediately if we wish to protect the jobs of our teachers and preserve our
comm~/nity junior high schools!
~kC~KXmD
Our Board of Education is advocating two proposals which, if implemented, will eliminate 27
teacher positions and will close the junior high schools at Lewisburg, Rx~nceverte, Whine
Sulphur, Alderson, Renick, Smoot, Willamsburg, and Crichton. A total of three junior highs
will remain: i) a new, 1100-student facility to be constructed in Eastern Greenbrier County,
located on or near the Greenbrier East High School campus, 2} Ruper~ (i~clud~.'ng students
previously at Smoot), and 3) Rainelle (including students previously at Crichton).Only
minirm/mmodifioations are planned at Rupert and Ralnelle.
The proposal to close Lewisburg, Ronceverte, White Sulphur, Alderson, Renick, and Wil-
liamsburg has already been subn%itted to the regional school building authority (RESA) for
approval with a funding request for $8 million. If approved, construction cogld begin as
early as June on the new consolidated junior high. This proposal was submitted in December
1989, but as of February 17, 1990, there have been NO PUBLIC HEARINGS on this matter and
none are yet scheduled.
The second proposal, which is a first step in the ~master plan", immediately closes Wil-
liamsburg (consolidated with Renick and Lewisburg), Smoot (consolidated with Rupert) and
Crichton (consolidated with Rainelle) tO prOduce cost savings in the next year. Public
hearings on this proposal were held at Smoot, Williamsburg, and Crichton during the week of
February 12, 1990. There were over 100 presentations by parents, teachers, and community
residents. Each and every speaker OPPOSED the Board's proposal. A number of alternatives
were advanced, which appear superior to the the Board's recommendations. For example, why
not complete the partially constructed classrooms at West and add additional classrooms ~s
required to form a new 3unior high for the western region? The virtually ~u~animous ¢onclu-
slot was that the Board has not done an adequate job of planning and analysis.
Many, n~ny, of the presentations in the public hearings focused on the importance of commu-
nity involvement and extracurricular activities in an effective junior high program. The
deep heartfelt belief is that the learning process in junior high demands continuing inteI-
action between the students, teachers, and parents both in the classroom and outside. Extra-
curricular activities like sports teams, drama groups, public speaking programs, and band/
choir activities are CRITICAL to educational success. These are the activities that form a
positive self-image. The proposed consolidation plans, which isolate the junior high schools
from the parents, and which inhibit a wide- range of extracurricular activities, WILL NOT
provide the qud~lty of education which our children requlre to build a foundation for the
complex and competitive high school environment. For our smaller coRwmJnities, the
high schools are vital to the very survival of the comnnlnity. We are being TOLD that
totally unreasonable for a rura[county like Greenbrier. Given modern insulation
heat p~np heating/cooling equipment and modular construction designs, there are no
cant construction cost savings for facilities beyond the 200 to 300 student range.
the shared staff opportunities in a combined el~tary/junior high or a combined
high/high school can realize most of the savings associatedwith an independent juni0~
school of similar total size. Any State mandate requirlng an 850 student limit
junior high construction should legally be challenged! Particularly, when this studen~
would be comprised of students as young as 12 years of age.
The 3unior high schools have much in common with the elementary schools including a
curriculum. Many states combine K-8 in elementary schools and 9-12 in high school.
condition of a junior high requires new construction, why not consider a j~nior high
tact on the can~ous of an existing elementary school? For example, if replacement of
Junior High were required for safety reasons, why not add a new building to the
Elementary campus? If the White Sulphur Junior High School cannot he cost effectively
rated, why not add classrooms to White Sulphur Elementary?
Very few of our exlsting junlor high schools have an adequate ntunber of computers
comprehenszve collection of educational software. On a pilot program basis,
anstruction could be added to the junior high curriculum through the use of a mobile
which moves from school to school providing access to the computer
qUired mobile unit could be leased from private industry with no longer-Cerm
Compliance with the State guidelines for student/teacher ratio will reduce the
required junior high teachers. Therefore, to assure the continued full-time
our teachers, an aggressive adult education initiative in the basics of English,
science is proposed for implementation at the cormm/nity junior high schools.
private foundation funds will be used for this program.
An overview of the ~electronic consolidation" concept has been presented to a ma
the Greenbrier County Board of Education on both an individual basis and in a joint
meeting. Representatives of con%oanaes which can design and implement the proposed
were present at the working meeting. These companies, and likely many others, will
ately respond to a request by the Board for specific plans and cost estimates for
electronic system. Neither funding nor a firm promlse to let a contract is required.
Sg~GEST~IONPLAN
I) The Board of Education should undertake, and make available for public revlew, a
evaluation of the varlous consolidation options and consolidation alternatives,
including "electronic consolidation" and cos~s associated with combined junior hi,
tary schools and 3unior high/West High School combinations. Proposals for electroniG
solidation should be formally invited WITHOUT any assurance that a contract will be
sarily let. The objective is to gather relevant detailed data regarding all options.
2) Public hearings should be promptly scheduled for Lewisburg, Ronceverte, White
we must sacrificeithe education of our children ~d jeopardize the very existence of soma of Alderson, Renick, Rupert, and Rainelle to explain the various options and
our communities td balance the Board of Education's budget. These communities have a RIGHT to express their views in open forum as soon as
The Board's projection of a continuing decline in enrollment at county schools Ignores the 3) When the public hearings are completed and an evaluation of the various
economic growth possibilities associated with the'completion of 1-64. State projections show
substantial growth in Greenbrier County population over the next decade. Further, an eco-
nomic development team, led by a full-timedirector, has been formed by local businesses to
stimulate economic growth in this county. The quality of our school system and the vitality
of our local communities are primary factors in drawing business investment to the county.
An alternative, tern~d "electronic consolidation', was ~ntroduced at all three recent public
hearings. Thls i~ simply the use of available, relatively inexpensive, teleco~x, unication
electronics ~o "link" all of our junior high schools into a local network, The purpose is to
provide live, two-way television between selected classrooms in all of the junior high
schools such that critical teacher resources can be shared without violating State require-
ments relatave to student/teacher ratios and teacher qualifications. In addition, using
satellite links, certain specialized subjects, like foreign languages, coul~ be taught by
instructors located in other regions of the state, or other states. The links between the
schools could be created either through the use of fiber optic cables currently being in-
stalled by C~9 Telephone throughout much of the county or entirely through satellite-based
paths.
All of our junior high students could have equal access to a substantially improved curricu-
lum. All of our 3unior high classes would have a local instructor physically present in the
classroom and participating in the teaching team. Is it unreasonable to ask a teacher quali-
fied in mathematics (K-8) to assist a fully-qualified algebra instructor in teaching ninth
grade algebra? This ks typical of the compromise necessary to meet State guidelines for
student/teacher ratios with a mixuure of small and large schools. The lead or master teacher
in every class would be fully qualified to teach the gaven subject and the assistant in-
structor would be at least qualified K-8. It is important to remember that the junior hiqh
~rriculum is narrow and focused on the basics of English, math, and science.
~Electronic consolidation" can achieve four ms]or objectives:
I) continued productive employment of all our teachers;
2) Dramatic in~provem~|nt in educational opportunities for our junior high students.
~) Compliance with all state guidelines regarding student/teacher ratios and teacher quali-
fications, and hence,
4) The elimination of the requlrement to physically consolidate our existing ]unior high
school=.
These goals can be achieved with a capital inve~mmnt of significantly less t/~an $8 million,
the majority of the proposed new funds for ~he renovatioa of our existin~ schools
where appropriate, the construction of new Schools in the local ~m~unities. The else-
be used to great advantage whether there are E~n junior high schools or
number. The nua~er of junior high schools should be se~ by the community needs
economic development plans of the county.
statements that any new junior high school must have at least 850 students is
published, an election-like poll should be conducted to provide specific guidance
Board. This consolidation issue is exceptionally controversial and, although the
the authority, there is no reason for it to shoulder the total responsibility in
ter.
4) Once the final decisions are made, multiple funding paths should be pursued
Federal funds, private foundations, and State funds. Our objectives should include
employment of our teachers, a substantial improvement in educational opportunity
junior high school students, and new opportunities for effective adult continuing
at our local schools.
5) The plan selected by Greenbrier County through a detailed comparison of
(whether including physical consolidation, "electronic consolidation," or some
different approach) should be submitted to RESA with the full expectation of
consideration. We do not believe that Governor Caperton or the West Virglnla
intends for bond funds to be used to "blackmail" a rural county like Greenbrier
consolidation plan which does not treat all of the students (East and West) in aD
fashion and which does not make the best use of available funds for maximum
~he quality of education. Further, we do not believe that the present, unbalanced
tion plan, even if approved by RESA, will withstand legal review.
6) Finally, in the search for new funding sources to partially support our
believe that the Board of Education should ask the Governor's Office of Community
nomic Development to extend the deadline (currently February 23, 1990) for Title
posals under the Job Training Partnership Act. Greenbrier County in conjunction with
industry and our local "partners-in-education", should develop a proposal to offer
aided instruction for both junior high students and adults based on a mobile unit
move from school to school. This can represent a significant source of new funds
coming year to help resolve the existing budget deficit. The educational program
with this m~bile unit would be conduced by our existing junior high teachers. No
in~stlt would be required.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY! WRITE MR GARY WILSON, PRESIDENT, GREENBRIER COUNTY BOAgD
EDUCATION, 202 CHESTNUT STREET, LEWISBURG, WV 24901. SIMPLY SAY ~I WANT TO
INFORMED ABOUT THE VARIOUS CONSOLIDATION ALTERNATIVES, AND I WANT TO VOTE! I DO
DELEGATE MY AUTHORITY TO THE BOARD ON THIS MATTER!"
(signed)
E. Sterling "Tod" Hanger, Jr. - Alderson
Tom E. Housby - Alderson
Carl C. (Pete) Piercy - Clintonville
Virginia B. Blake - Ronceverte
Keith Eo Morgan - Ronceverte
M. M. Casdorph - Ronceverte
T. Lindy Hodges- Ronceverte
Vivian R. Pranulis - Lewisburg
Charles W. M~ndy - Rupert
Eugene W. Walker - Rainelle
John A. Hill - Rainelle
C. R. Walkup - ~nite Sulphur SpriS9~
PAID FOR BY WILLIAMSBuRG coMMUNITY ACTION. DAVID SMITH, TREASURER
