BACK TO SCHOOL

On theMove/MRHIVKEVXRIVWLIEHMRKXS;EWLMRKXSR7GLSSP0-2/7XS)EWX7MHIERH;MRERW4EKI

2013

Also Inside+IXXMRKSJJXSELIEPXL]WXEVXXSXLIRI[WGLSSP]IEV4EKI

&%'/837',3304%+)

7+(NLGVDUHKHDGHG EDFNWRVFKRROZKDWDERXW\RX"

Find a clear path to the career or degree you want. Gallatin College MSU can help you get there.

1-year certi!cate programs:Bookkeeping Health Information Coding Medical Assistant

Residential Building Performance Welding

2-year associate degrees:Aviation Design Drafting Interior Design General Education/Transfer Degree

Day & Evening Classes Career-Focused Academic Support

1(:&ROOHJHFRXUVHV12:RIIHUHG,QOLYLQJVWRQ9 Workplace Written Communication (2 credit course)9 Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace (1 credit course)

Gallatin College MSU is southwest Montanas source for one- and two-year career training and

general education programs.

Residential Building Performance Medical AssistantBookkeeping

Classes offered Tuesday evenings starting August 27 119 South 3rd Street, Livingston

Apply online and register by Friday, Aug. 16 at www.gallatin.montana.edu

For details or to explore Gallatin Colleges other programs, visit gallatin.montana.edu or call 994-5536 109 So. 2nd 222-0075

Save t ime Save moneyat Gateway Off ice Supply

We have l is ts f rom area schools so you' l l

know exact ly what suppl ies your ch i ld needs.

knowledgewhat doeslook like?

Knowledge has the wisdom to inform. It listens, guides, and says, Ive been there. Lets get through this together.

visit your local branch or !rstinterstate.com

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

&%'/837',3304%+)

New for 2013-14: Schools in Park and Sweet Grass counties gear up for a great year

%\0DF\5LFNHWWV(QWHUSULVH6WDII:ULWHU

Washington School is back in business. At Livingstons April school board meeting, administrators voted to open Wash-ington Elementary School on the north side of town to kindergartners and younger special education stu-dents in the fall, 10 years after the elementary school closed its doors due to low enrollment. The decision to move all kinder-garten classes over to Washington School came just two years after the school board made a monumental decision to convert Winans and East Side elementary schools into two grade-level specific schools. East side houses grades three through five, and Winans will now house grades one and two.

Not enough classrooms An overflow of students at Winans School, which housed students in kindergarten through second grade last year, forced school administra-tors to consider several options to get more space for students. We saw a pretty significant increase in grades K through eight in the district last year, Livingston School District Superintendent Rich Moore said. We pretty much maxed all our space (at Winans) out. We had to move our computer lab into the hallway, and another lab into the library. Moore said a variety of options for increasing space at Winans were dis-cussed. This was the best option, he said. Moore went on to explain how the use of mobile classrooms, building additional classrooms onto Winans

and moving part or all of a grade over to East Side School was dis-cussed, but the Washington decision was the most feasible. At Washington, since its just one grade level, well be able to focus on just that age group, he said. In addition to housing kindergar-ten classes, Washington School will also open its doors to special educa-tion students in younger grades. In one grade, we have seven autis-tic students, Moore said, explaining that the need for extra space for these students was also eminent in the past school year.

Preparing for the move Third-year Winans Principal Luke Shelton will take over the principal position of Washington School in addition to his duties at Winans. Its a big task, Shelton said of being principal of two schools. The

main thing is having good staff and good procedures in place. When Shelton is not on location, Washington will have office staff and certified administrators in place to handle problems that arise. In addition, guidance counselor Bob Burns will be available for assis-tance. The good thing is, (Livingston) is a small town. You can get anywhere in five to 10 minutes, Shelton said. In addition to Shelton, Washington School will also have other staff members it shares with other schools. Physical education, music, library, guidance and kitchen staff will all be shared with other schools in the dis-trict. The Livingston School District has

Enterprise photo by Shawn RaeckeAbove: Livingston School District summer crew worker Matt Schad, of Livingston, hauls supplies to Washington Elementary School in July in preparation for kindergarten students making the move from Winans Elementary School this fall.On the cover: Livingston School District summer crew chief Nick Henry, of Livingston, moves boxes of supplies from Washington School in July to make room for the new students and teachers.

See New, Page 7

&%'/837',3304%+)

(YHU\FKLOGVKRXOGIHHOJRRGDERXWVFKRRO2XUKLJKO\SHUVRQDOL]HGDSSURDFKEXLOGVWKHVNLOOVKDELWVDQGDWWLWXGHV\RXUFKLOGQHHGVWRVXFFHHGLQ

VFKRRODQGLQOLIH

'HYHORSVLQGHSHQGHQWZRUNKDELWV,PSURYHVDWWLWXGHV0RWLYDWHVOHDUQLQJ3URYLGHVIHHGEDFNIRUSDUHQWVDQGWHDFKHUV

)5((6.,//6$66(660(176WRSLQWRGD\IRUDIUHH6\OYDQ$VVHVVPHQWDYDOXH

2IIHUH[SLUHV9DOLGDWSDUWLFLSDWLQJFHQWHUVRQO\0D\QRWEHFRPELQHGZLWKRWKHURIIHUV

6\OYDQ/HDUQLQJ%R]HPDQ(GHOZHLVV'ULYH&DOO5DQG\RU-DQ0RUULVRQ

V\OYDQOHDUQLQJER]HPDQFRP

:THY[:H]PUNZMVY

Back To School6--:(5+0:2:HU+PZR

&%'/837',3304%+)

Area schools promote health to produce better students

%\0DF\5LFNHWWV(QWHUSULVH6WDII:ULWHU

For parents, the phrase back to school can only mean one thing: chaos. Between shopping for sup-plies and clothes, registering for classes, and easing your little scholar back in to work mode, it can be easy to forget about the dizzying array of immunizations, hearing and vision tests and sports physi-cals that come with the fall semester. Heres a guide to keeping your children healthy in the upcoming school year.

Those dreaded shots There are a variety of shots your child needs to receive before enrolling in school, said Sue Harriman, RN and school nurse for Winans Elementary School and Park High School. Kindergartners need a total of nine vaccines to enroll, Har-riman said. Those include vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio. Most of these shots are administered when the kinder-gartners are infants, Harri-man added. After that, students dont need any more vaccines until seventh grade, she said. At that time, a tetanus/diphtheria booster is needed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website thor-oughly explains childhood vac-cinations, advising what vacci-nations are needed at what age. Those seeking more infor-mation on vaccines for their student may also contact the Livingston School District, or consult a pediatrician. For student athletes entering grades six through 12, theres something extra: sports physi-cals. Students cannot compete in cross country, volleyball, soc-cer or football in the fall with-out getting a doctors OK. Community Health Partners, located at 126 S. Main St., offers free sports physicals to all Park County student ath-letes. To make an appointment, call 222-1111.

Can your child see clearly? Along with those vaccina-

tions, students also undergo ear and eye testing at school, Harriman said. Every student in grades K, one, three, five, seven and nine are tested for eyes and ears, she said. We try to hit them every couple of years. Harriman said the tests, which involve colorblindness testing when the children reach third grade, are impor-tant to students learning. They have to be able to see and hear in order to be able to learn in the classroom, Harri-man said. According to the Vistar Eye Center website, vision prob-lems affect one in 20 pre-schoolers and one in four school-age children. Approximately 14.9 percent of U.S. children experience hearing loss in one or both ears, according to the Ameri-can Speech, Language and Hearing Association. If we dont test them, (the student) wont even know, and the parents wont notice it either, Harriman said. In addition to testing eyes and ears, the Livingston School District also tests sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students for scoliosis,

Harriman said. Scoliosis, a developmental disorder, is characterized by a curve in the spine, which often devel-ops as kids are growing, according to the Scoliosis Research Society. Left untreat-ed, the disorder can cause sig-nificant physical challenges, since the spine affects posture and mobility. By testing kids for scolio-sis, we can help kids avoid sur-gery and a lifetime of back pain, Harriman said. Treatment for juvenile scoli-osis usually involves bracing, the SRS website says, but if the spinal curve is drastic enough, surgery is usually required to correct the problem.

Informing the schoolof medical needs If your child has medical issues such as asthma, aller-gies or a heart murmur, school administration needs to know about it, Harriman said. There was a kid who was having an asthma attack once, and we had no idea because the parent didnt let us know, she said. Its important to communicate with the school. You can inform the school of medical needs such as medica-

tion, diabetes shots, asthma inhalers or scoliosis braces by listing it in your childs school registration packet, or by informing the secretary at the front office.

School nutrition Its important to eat right so you have the energy to get through the long school days, says John Polacik, food ser-vice supervisor of the Livings-ton School District. Studies show when kids are full, they learn better during the day, Polacik, in his second year of being supervisor, said. The Livingston School Dis-trict follows a national school breakfast and lunch program that follows guidelines for dai-ly calorie intake and food groups, Polacik said. By serv-ing balanced, healthy lunches, the school district is able to capitalize on reimbursements that the government offers. For free, reduced and regu-lar lunches, we receive money for the government if we fol-low the national school lunch program, he said. For exam-ple, I think for a reduced-price lunch, we get 40 cents back for every lunch we sell. We try to serve the food

according to the guidelines, but also make it taste good, Polacik said. Polacik emphasized the importance of eating a bal-anced meal. Meals are made up of five components, he said. (The school district) used to use the food pyramid, but now its called My Tray. My Tray is made up of groups of meats, grains, milk, fruits and vegetables, Polacik explained. The national school lunch program isnt without its prob-lems, according to Polacik. When the government assigns a specific calorie intake for each age group grades kindergarten through five, six through eight, and nine through 12 all have dif-ferent calorie requirements that requirement doesnt always fulfill every students needs. You might have a tiny ninth-grader who doesnt eat anything, and then a 12-grade football player, and theyre essentially getting the same meal, Polacik said. I dont have a solid answer for that one. But what I do know is the guidelines are in accordance with the American Dietary guidelines. They have these specific guidelines averag-es, I would say and we all have to get certified by the state in order to qualify for reimbursement. Although following the nutri-tion guidelines is important, Polacik said, the school dis-trict never lets kids go hungry. We try to feed the kids, he said. You can have as much fruit and vegetables as you want. Park High, Sleeping Giant Middle School, and now East Side also have salad bars, where kids serve themselves up with fruits and vegetables. They can take as much veg-etables as they want, Polacik smiled. Polacik encouraged parents to follow the My Tray guide-lines while feeding their kids at home. If you ate lunch with all five components, I guarantee you would be full, he said. I encourage parents to go out on a limb and get their kids to try things.

Enterprise file photo by Shawn RaeckeArea school districts make it a goal to have healthy, filling meals to fuel a students ability to be alert during the entire day.

(BPT) Most kids dont want us to remind them that breakfast is the most important meal of the day as theyre running out the door to get to school on time. But they might be interested in hearing that eating a balanced breakfast will make them feel better, inside and out, contrib-uting to better grades, better per-formance on the field and better nutrition choices throughout their days. A significant percentage of ele-mentary and an even greater per-centage of middle and high school students skip breakfast daily or a few times a week. On a given day, up to 30 percent of teens in the U.S. skip breakfast. As they get older, homework, jobs, sports teams, the arts and the Inter-net result in all-too-short nights for students, and the need to catch a few more moments of sleep in the morning. Breakfast allows students to break the fast of nighttime, reigniting brains and concentration abilities. Its everything youve heard about in terms of it being a critical meal of the day, says Sue Moores, a reg-istered dietitian and consultant to schools in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Miss or skip breakfast and you start the day playing catch up. According to Moores, many kids already lack important body-strengthening, body building nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, potassium, protein and fiber. Without breakfast, which is a meal that can easily offer all of these, theres extra pressure to fill the nutritional gaps with snacks and other meals. Including carbohy-drates in the morning meal (whole-grain carbs, says Moores) is key, as carbs are the preferred source of energy for the brain. Add in a bit of protein to help distribute the energy carbohydrates offer, and you have the start of a great meal. Skipping breakfast may not only put students behind the eight-ball for morning nutrition, adds Moores, it may also set them back by way of poor food choices for the rest of the day. Some studies show breakfast-skippers actually crave salty, higher fat, sweet foods throughout the day compared to people who eat a morn-ing meal. What they eat in place of breakfast is far from nutritious fare. Beginning this school year, school breakfasts are required to meet the

United States Department of Agri-cultures new food-based meal pat-tern, which outlines increased amounts of fruits/vegetables, grains and milk food components. Amy Harkey, a registered dietitian and director of Child Nutrition Operations with Charlotte-Mecklen-burg Schools, North Carolina, says that this fall the Universal School Breakfast Program is being imple-mented in her district, meaning that more than 140,000 students will receive a balanced morning meal at no charge. Previously, these break-fasts were offered to all students based on their eligibility. We want to remove any misper-ceptions that breakfast is only for those children who are economically disadvantaged, says Harkey. Its important for all students to break the fast and get the nutrition they need to begin their busy academic days. Harkey explains that they provide a variety of Quick Bites for Break-fast, offering both hot and cold options that meet the complete school breakfast requirements. We learned in our pilot test of the pro-gram this spring that the students are reacting positively to our break-fast menus. They enjoy having the menu board outside the cafeteria so that in the afternoons they can see what will be offered the next morning, says Harkey.

Companies have stepped up to the plate, delivering whole grain and protein-rich options that, when paired with a calcium-rich, low-fat milk, provide a solid start to the day. Schwans Food Service offers the new Beacon Street Cafe (TM) 51 percent whole grain Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sliders this fall, with 8 grams of protein, 11 grams of whole grains, 0 grams of trans fat and only 160 calories per serving (two piec-es). Whether students catch a brain-boosting breakfast at home or at school, its important to find a way to fit nutrient-rich foods in for a good day of learning, says Moores. It may seem inconsequential to skip a morning meal, but results in the classroom show that breakfast is key.

&%'/837',3304%+)

123 W. Lewis St. LivingstonOffice 406.222.0944

Fax 406.222.0946www.insuranceiskey.com

Do you have a student who will

start driving this year?See us for all your insurance needs.

Were here to help you.

Because experience is Key!

Breakfast: It really is important

A healthy breakfast, either at home or at school, is a stepping stone to a successful day of classes.Brandpoint photo

&%'/837',3304%+)

done many things to prepare for the incoming kinder-gartners, according to school district maintenance director Derek Stringer. Maintenance staff have enhanced the technology and infrastructure of the building, he said. Improve-ments include new floors, a two-way speaker Tele-comm, new fencing and new blinds for the windows. Kindergarten teachers Mary Bunkers and Pat Thums said they are enthusiastic about the move. Its been busy, but were excited, Thums said. We have a really strong staff. Bunkers, who is a certified administrator in addition to a kindergarten teacher, said the staff is excited about the possibilities. We all really love working together, she said.

The power of collaboration While the Washington staff is looking forward to the move, having another school for kindergarten poten-tially poses a problem for parents of multiple children. In order to alleviate some of the stress that accompa-nies school drop-offs and pickups, Shelton said the dis-trict has established staggered start and end times for each of the schools. East Side will begin first at 8:15, Winans will be next at 8:20, and then Washington at 8:25, Shelton explained. The school district will also offer a shuttle bus option. Parents of children at multiple schools can have their children transported to a single pickup spot after the school day. Shelton, Thums and Bunkers all said the positives of having kindergarten at a separate school outweigh the negatives. When you have an entire grade under one roof, teachers are able to align their curriculum, Bunkers said. Ive seen it as a teacher, from the teachers side the power for colleagues to collaborate. Its so benefi-cial to the schools, Shelton said of having separate grade-level schools. Im able to get around (the school) and see every teacher at one grade level. They all bring something special to the table. School for kindergartners starts Sept. 3, but there will be an open house for students and parents on Fri-day, Aug. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Classes for the rest of the school district begin on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

LINKS moving to different locations In past years, Washington School housed the LINKS for Learning program, an after-school enrichment pro-gram for grades one through five. With the upcoming kindergarten move, LINKS Director Julie Hancock said the program will make a smooth relocation to each of the districts schools. Students will attend LINKS on location at each of their schools, Hancock said. There wont be anymore busing, she said, refer-ring to the after-school bus LINKS students had to take to reach its Washington School location. Hancock plans to hire more staff to help with the changes. Im thinking itll work out, she said. Washington School history Washington Elementary School was closed in 2003, more than 20 years after the school began to signifi-cantly decline in enrollment. From 2000 to 2003, administrators talked about closing Washington, but held off, citing the need for neighborhood schools in Livingston. Eventually, the financial strain of running a school whose students accounted for less than 7 per-cent of the schools total student population was too much, and in June 2003, school board members voted to close Washington. Here is a chronology of key events affecting Wash-ington School:

1954 Washington School opens on Livingstons north side.

1980 Washington has the smallest student population of the districts three elementary schools.

November 2000 District Business Manager Bill Adamo recommends closing Washington School due to declining enroll-ment.

January 2001 District Superintendent Verne Beffert says during a board work session there are 10 empty classrooms at East Side and Winans Elementary Schools that could be filled with Washington students.

February 13, 2001 Beffert recommends either closing Washington or eliminating extracurricular activities to balance a $240,000 elementary budget deficit. Then-Washington Principal Kelly Young describes Befferts advice as anti-student.

February 19, 2001 Board members vote 4-3 to close Washington School.

March 2001 Young submits a letter of resignation stating, I am deeply saddened that the very legitimate debate over the value of small neighborhood schools was manipu-lated into a fractious community argument.

May 2001 Board members change their minds and reopen Washington School, even after a recently failed ele-mentary levy.

May 2003 Closing Washington is once again brought up for consideration. Adamo says $120,000 per year could be saved by closing the school.

June 2003 Board members vote 5-0 to close Washington School, one year shy of its 50th anniversary.

April 2013 Board members vote to reopen Washington School to district kindergartners, saying increased enroll-ment has created the need for more classroom space.

Heres a look at whats happening in schools in Park and Sweet Grass counties:

Livingston The Livingston School District will see a plethora of new teachers and administrators. Regina Wood will take over as the new Park High School activities director, and former Gardiner School Principal Tom Gauthier will be Parks new vice principal. Joey Lane will be the new world history, economics and world cultures teacher. Taska Larsen, of Poplar, will join the Park High staff as a special education teacher. Sarah Dahl, of Park City, will be the new cheerleading coach. Garrett Stannard, of Cheney, Wash., will be the high schools new band director. At Sleeping Giant Middle School, Amanda Smith, of Bozeman, will teach sixth-grade social studies and special education. Kyle Neibauer will bring his math and science teaching expertise to Livingston from Roberts, Mont. Michael Raw, of Shields Valley, will teach sixth- and seventh-grade health and physical education. There will be two new faces on the Livingston School District board as open seats are filled. The school district is still looking for teachers to fill the recently vacated positions of assistant librari-an and business teacher.

Big Timber School Superintendent Alvin Buerkle said there will be new music appreciation and world music class-

es offered in the high school. Big Timber has adjusted its curriculum slightly to follow Common Core standards, but the school will still offer the same classes. Newly painted walls, new school and athletic lock-ers, and new carpet installed this summer will give the high school a facelift. Math teacher Jake Hall and special education and resource teacher Erica Beckers will join the Big Tim-ber School District staff. The Sweet Grass High School Sheepherders foot-ball team will compete in a different athletic confer-ence, Buerkle said. The team will now play in the East-ern 4B conference. The rest of Big Timbers athletic teams will continue to compete in the Western 5B dis-trict.

Gardiner Gardiner schools will welcome a new K-12 princi-pal, Mike Baer, of South Dakota. Enrollment remains about the same, according to District Superintendent JT Stroder. The school board recently approved a pilot FFA program for next year.

Shields Valley The school district is making renovations to the Shields Valley High School football field which is also used by the junior high school players includ-ing new raised bleachers with a carrying capacity of 74 people, a new locker room for the football players, and a new crows nest above the locker room. The new facilities are expected to be completed before the first football game of the season, according to District Superintendent Erik Wilkerson. The Shields Valley School District will welcome three new teachers sixth-grade teacher Melissa Boeck, fifth-grade teacher Billi Taylor and music teacher Mark Mills. A new boiler will be installed in Clyde Park School for the upcoming school year. The school district will continue to adjust curricu-lum to align with Common Core standards, as well as continue training for Indian Education for All curricu-lum.

St. Marys Catholic School New English and math teacher Angie Flanagan will begin teaching in the middle school, according to Principal Nicole Kirschten. St. Marys is looking to hire a new hot lunch coordi-nator and another preschool teacher, Kirschten said. There will be new English and religion curriculum integrated into the classroom. This year, the elementary school has about 12 stu-dents per classroom, while the middle school has six to eight students per grade, Kirschten said.

Cooke City and Arrowhead The school clerks at Cooke City and Arrowhead, Freya Ross and Cinda Self respectively, said there were no major changes in the schools for the upcom-ing year. The Arrowhead School District will continue looking to fill its recently vacated superintendent/principal position.

Springdale This fall, Springdale School will welcome a new teacher, Cindy Anderson. Springdale will also introduce a new language arts curriculum to its students, Ander-son said. There are five students enrolled for school in the fall in kindergarten, first, second and fifth grades.

Pine Creek Calls to Pine Creek School Administrator Shawn Wiencek were not immediately returned. In a July 18 school board meeting, Pine Creek administrators voted against sharing a superintendent with Arrowhead School, citing the need for a superin-tendent who is dedicated more to Pine Creek School, according to Chairwoman Jane Tecca.

New, from Page 3

&%'/837',3304%+)

(BPT) Did you know the best preparation for back to school is a good nights sleep? Lack of sleep can affect a childs performance, atten-tion, learning, behavior and biological functions, experts say. In fact, recent studies show that American students might be falling behind in school due to a lack of shut-eye. With all the excitement and stress that accompanies the new school year, many children slip into a pattern all too familiar to tired parents. One more book, one more glass of water, one more TV show ... the child who contin-ually resists going to bed experiences difficulty in falling asleep, resulting in what doctors identify as limit-setting sleep disorder. Parents can help children through the transition by creating an enjoyable bedtime routine thats fun and relax-ing, says Dr. Laura Sergis, pediatri-cian for the Childrens Medical Group and advisory board member at Cloud b, creators of award-winning products designed to help children sleep. The all important routine can include fam-ily story time with favorite books, sing-alongs to favorite lullabies and cuddly companions that alleviate night time fears with soothing sounds and lights. Incorporating a trusted buddy like Cloud bs new Twilight Carz in the bedtime routine helps children transi-tion from playtime to bedtime with its fun push and play action by day and its soothing starlight projection by night. Sleep expert Kim West, licensed cer-tified social worker, also known as The Sleep Lady, recommends that all electronics be turned off an hour before bedtime. Homework and get-ting bags together should be done before the one-hour electronics off time the one hour should be for relaxing activities including bathing, washing up, reading, talking about the day, etc. Read stories like the new Scholastic classic, My Turtle and Me, inspired by Cloud bs Twilight Turtle, an adorable plush that projects

a soothing view of the night sky to comfort children to a peaceful nights sleep. Parents can add another magical ele-ment to the routine with Cloud bs new Twilight Turtle Tunes that plays per-sonalized lullabies featuring favorite songs, soothing sounds and even the voices of loving parents or caregivers as it projects a starry sky above. Par-ents put it all together on the Twilight Turtle Tunes app that delivers the magic to the special edition toy via Bluetooth. In planning the ideal bedtime, West suggests parents do the math back-wards. For example, if your 2-year-old needs to be up at 7 a.m. to get dressed and out the door to daycare, then he should be asleep by 8 p.m. (This age needs, on average, 11 hours at night and two hours during the day.) She notes that it also goes without saying that parents should eliminate caffeine from their childrens diets. If it cant be done completely, then no caffeine after 3 p.m. Dinner should be at least two hours before bedtime so that your child gets a chance to digest. Finally, exercise during the day does help a child sleep better, but try to avoid exercise an hour before bed-time. Definitely avoid rough-housing, which can really rile up a child just when you want him to be settling down. As parents find the best routine and stick to it, theyll discover that the whole family is functioning better. Bedtime may become the best time of the day a calm, quiet moment before slumber to make great memo-ries and strengthen the bond between parents and children. For more information on sleep-friendly toys and products, visit www.cloudb.com.

Sleeping tips for back-to-school success

Even toddlers need adequate sleep to do their best in day care and

pre-school environments.Brandpoint photo

South Dakota panel approves rules for armed school sentinels PIERRE, S.D. (AP) A South Dakota commission unanimously approved rules Friday for training teachers, oth-er school staff members or volunteers to carry guns in schools under a state law aimed at improving security.We believe this package both carries out the directives of the Legislature and best protects our children under that scheme, Attorney General Marty Jackley said after the Law Enforce-ment Officers Standards and Training Commission passed the rules.While President Barack Obama and officials in many states sought to pass

gun control measures after the New-town, Conn., school shooting in Decem-ber, the South Dakota Legislature instead passed a law that allows school districts to decide whether to arm school leaders in order to deter would-be attackers. Local law enforcement officials must approve a schools plan. Under the rules, the so-called school sentinels will undergo at least 80 hours of training in firearms proficiency, use of force, legal issues, first aid and weapons retention and storage. The rules will not take effect until Septem-ber, so officials say the first training

class probably wont be held until next summer when teachers and others have time for the two-week course. Only those approved by a school board and local law enforcement offi-cials could be trained to have guns in schools. Officials have said the fee charged to school districts for the ini-tial 80-hour course is expected to be $700. To retain qualifications, sentinels would have to complete another eight hours of training each year.Jackley said no school district has for-mally notified the state it plans to arm teachers and others under the law.

Ive had some just general inquiries from school board members regarding the process, but no official indication any school board was moving forward through a resolution at this point, Jackley said. Hes a member of the commission, which also includes state, local and federal law enforcement offi-cials and prosecutors. Hughes County Sheriff Mike Leidholt, another member of the com-mission, said he thinks the group did a good job of writing the rules as required by the law passed by the Leg-islature.

&%'/837',3304%+)

Eight ways to help kids hone their homework habits (BPT) Helping children with their homework requires more than an understanding of the subject matter, whether its algebra or world litera-ture. To help children succeed throughout the school year, its important for par-ents to nurture positive study habits and organizational skills, and provide kids with a home environment that fos-ters concentration. Whether your kids are just learning to read, write and spell, or they are studying for the SATs, we parents have an opportunity to help instill work and study habits that will stick with our children for life, says educa-tion and parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba, who is the bestselling author of 22 parenting books and a frequent TODAY show contributor. Borba offers parents some easy tips to help children of all ages develop skills that will help them reach their academic goals:

Give them space Create a dedicated space for home-work and study. This underscores the importance of homework to kids. If you dont have room for a home-work desk, consider keeping all home-work and study tools in a bin or box that children can take out and use every day. Keep all essentials in one place to help avoid time wasted looking for the dictionary, ruler, calculator or other tool.

Create a routine Choose a time that works best for your child to do homework, then stick to that time every day. A set and pre-dictable schedule helps minimize homework battles. Work before play can motivate kids to get their homework done, but if your child plays sports or has other after-school commitments, doing homework after dinner may be the best option.

Smart tools, study aids Just as your mechanic cant fix your car without the right tools, its hard for kids to do homework without the proper tools. Choose tools like the new Post-it Study collection (www.Post-it.com), which is designed to help students stay organized and use time efficiently. For example, Post-it Study Message Flags are restickable flags that feature helpful reminders like Study, To Do and On Test that help kids high-light material that needs additional attention. Note Tabs, Page Markers,

Flags and other products in this collec-tion by Post-it Brand stick securely to papers, notebooks, textbooks and more yet remove cleanly to help kids organize information during home-work and study time.

Avoid distractions Establish a technology-free zone for homework and studying. Turn off TVs, ban text messaging and ensure kids

are using their PC for research, rather than Facebook. This measure may seem obvious to you, but remember - kids are so tied to tech these days that they may be sur-prised to find out they can more effi-ciently use their time without the dis-

tractions of technology.

Map out assignments Help children plot homework on a schedule so they have simple remind-ers of daily, weekly or long-term assignments. Include other engage-ments like sports or music lessons to help kids have a clearer picture of their own schedules. This can help build basic time man-

agement skills, like working on a long-term project every day over time, or avoiding a late-night cram-ming session for a big test.

Lessons in planning Teach kids to make lists of what they need to do each

night in order of priority. As your child accomplishes each item, have him cross it off the list. For children who had difficulty staying on task, breaking large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks can help.

Encourage kids to do the hardest homework first to help relieve the pressure of a long to-do list.

Emphasize the effort Stressing perseverance and effort in a task helps children work longer and harder, because they recognize their success is based on how hard they work. Instead of asking What score did you get? ask How hard are you working?

Effective study habits Spreading out study sessions and practice testing were the two most-effective learning tactics, according to a recent report by the Association for Psychological Science. Both techniques involve strong time management skills. Help children think of study sessions or pieces of a larger project as daily to-dos, and just as important as the homework assignment that may be due

Brandpoint photoThere are lots of ways to help a youngster get a fast start on homework, especially if the parents help the student develop positive study habits.

If you dont have room for a homework desk, consider keeping all homework and study tools in a bin or box that children

can take out and use every day.

Pathway to success

&%'/837',3304%+)

College students have options to save money on technology

(BPT) If you are one of the more than 22 mil-lion college students heading to campuses across the nation this fall, youll probably be packing all sorts of items, including advanced digital tech-nology. College student spending on technology is up 227 percent over last year on everything from tablets and smartphones to digital TV antennas, software apps and more, according to a research study by marketing firm refuel. What may be somewhat surprising is that stu-dents spend 14.4 hours per day with technology. Do you spend that much time with it? Just because 18-to-24-year-olds have a lot of buying power, however, does not mean that theyll be shelling out the estimated $1,500 it will cost for a pair of Google Glasses to help with class work or entertainment, or the nearly $1,300 a year for cable or satellite TV. You are not just taking smartphones and tablets to campus. According to marketing surveys, more than 70 percent of students take their own TV sets to school with them, and watch an average of nearly 11 hours of TV per week. If youre a budget-conscious student, there are low cost alternatives to many of your favorite technologies.

Free HDTV One way you can save up to $1,300 per year is to cut the cable or satellite TV cord by owning an HD indoor antenna. You wont have to give up watching the top 10 ranked TV shows either. You can use a high-defi-nition digital broadcast TV antenna to get free programming available up to 50 miles away from broadcast towers in the city where you attend college. TV stations in many cities offer from 10 to 30 or more free over-the-air broadcast channels. You also have a range of choices when it comes to cost and how many channels you want to watch. You can spend anywhere from $30 to $90 for a high definition antenna and get all the local VHF and UHF digital channels available by using any of the Winegard FlatWave family of antennas. Razor thin and weighing in at less than three ounces, these high-tech antennas wont take up any space in your dorm or apartment and can be placed on any wall, window or desk. It delivers the highest quality TV picture avail-able with near Blu-ray resolution. The FlatWave antennas pick up free TV from all the major local broadcast networks, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS. You can even catch this falls new shows such

as S.H.E.I.L.D. or Downtown Dracula in true HD.

Free video chat Heres another no-cost technology that offers some amazing capabilities. An increasingly popular free video sharing technology is Google+ Hangouts.

Its similar to Skype, Facebook and FaceTime video chat services that focus more on person-to-person, but offers some unique features such as group video conversations with up to 10 people at a time. Users also can share images, documents,

scratchpads and YouTube content with others. You might even want to use it to start a business or communicate by video with friends.

Low-cost Internet anywhere If youre a typical student, mobile access to course work, assignments, family and friends is a must. Imagine gaining access to the Internet on a lap-top just about anywhere you go, without searching for Wi-Fi to get online. Tether is a low-cost app that lets users access the Internet from their laptops or desktops direct-ly through their iOS, Android or Blackberry smartphone wireless service. Students can download Tether on their cellphones and laptops, connect the two and hop on the Inter-net anywhere a cell signal is available. When you leave for school this fall, you can still get all the entertainment you want for a fraction of the cost with these technologies. Add streaming to this entertainment system and maybe you still will have some money left over for those Google Glasses.

Students going back to school can find free or low-cost technology

Brandpoint photoThere are lots of ways a college student can enjoy the benefits of modern technology without spending a small fortune.

Just because 18-to-24-year-olds have a lot of buying power, however, does not mean that

theyll be shelling out the estimated $1,500 it will cost for a pair of Google Glasses to help

with class work or entertainment, or the nearly $1,300 a year for cable or satellite TV.

&%'/837',3304%+)

Time-smart ways busy teenscan continue social activism

during the school year (BPT) When kids head back to school, its easy to get swept away with schoolwork, extra-curricular activities and socializing and forget the issues that teens are passionate about when they have more time. Parents who want to encourage their childs social aware-ness need to step in and help teens find ways to remain active in the issues they care about. Activism benefits teens on many lev-els from teaching them how to work as part of a large team toward a great-er goal, to helping them learn skills that they can apply to their future careers. Just one hour of volunteering a week makes student activists 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol or ciga-rettes, or engage in destructive behav-ior, according to VolunteerGuide.org, the website of Charity Guide. Whats more, kids who volunteer as teens are more likely to volunteer as adults, the site notes. Fortunately, its not difficult for par-ents to find creative, powerful ways to

help time-pressed teens stay socially active throughout the school year. Finding a place to volunteer and make a difference may be as simple as looking to students own classrooms. Each year, thousands of American chil-dren go back to school without the sup-plies they need to learn. While teachers often supplement classroom supplies by purchasing needed items with their own money, teens can help provide supplies for oth-er students in need. Staples has teamed with Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the sixth annual Staples for Students national school supply drive. Now through Sept. 28, cus-tomers at any Staples store can donate $1 or more to benefit local Boys & Girls Club students. Staples kicked off the campaign by donating $125,000 worth of school supplies to the program. In a public service announcement now available online, and airing on TV and radio, teen actor Jake T. Austin, encourages teens to get involved. I cant imagine starting school without

the right supplies, says Austin, who is currently starring in ABC Familys The Fosters. Teens can help make a difference in their communities by making sure students have the essen-tial supplies they need to succeed. Social media from Facebook to Twitter, blogs and message boards can also be a great way for time-pressed teens to continue social activ-ism throughout the school year. The Sta-ple for Students Facebook page will allow teens to complete a series of mis-sions to help drive donations. As they complete each mission, teens will earn donation rewards for Boys & Girls Clubs, coupons for school supplies and opportunities to participate in sweep-stakes. Social activism by teens benefits both young people and the communi-ties in which they live. When parents help teens find ways to stay socially active during the busy school year, theyre helping improve their chil-drens lives and the lives of others in their community.

Brandpoint photoWith little effort, teens can easily find ways of doing work within their community, even during the busy school year.

AN AMERICAN TRADITION1415 W. Park Street 222-8600 yellowstonecountrymotors.com

88

:(:28/'/,.(72:,6+$//7+(678'(176$1'('8&$7256$6$)($1'35263(5286

&%'/837',3304%+)

SUMMERCLEARANCE SALE

:HUHPDNLQJURRPIRUIDOOLQYHQWRU\PRICES SLASHED

ON SELECTED ITEMS!

30% Off2LUTVYL,SP[L(WWSPHUJLZ

-YPKH`:H[\YKH `(\N\Z[

:LHYZ-YPLUKZHUK-HTPS`+H`

4VUKH `(\N\Z[Extra Savings

Storewide!:V4HPU