North Ogden

Northern Utah--Thanks to big government, the days of “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” will soon be a thing of the past or levied a large fine.  The Division of Air Quality in Utah is seeking to strip away the freedom of choice in Utah.  Utah is about to institute a mandatory no burn action when they feel the pollution is building up to unhealthy levels during winter inversions. The regulations would cover nearly every county in Northern Utah including Box Elder County and Weber County.

Pleasant View—Weber High will present The Addams Family on February 27, 28 March 2, 5, 6 & 7. This play, inspired more by the 1960s TV series than by the original Charles Addams New Yorker cartoons, The Addams Family proved to be one of the more successful of the TV shows-turned-movies of the 1990s.

Pleasant View—Coach Mark Larsen is excited to see Weber High boys’ basketball team compete this season. He is in his fifth year as the head coach and says that even though the team was young last year, this year everyone is coming back stronger and more skilled. “I love the competition that basketball brings. I also enjoy the fact that it is such a fast paced game. You don't have much time to dwell on anything, just focus on playing the next play,” he said through an e-mail.

Editor’s note: The following is a lightly edited transcription of an interview Libertas Institute conducted with a Utah mother of three whose parental rights have been violated by the judicial system. The comments in this interview do not necessarily reflect the views of Libertas Institute.

Libertas Institute: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Weber High School Sterling Scholars are:

English: Stephanie Laubacher

Math: Garrett Bingham

Science: Caid Lunt

Social Science: Wesley Johnson

World Language: Sophie Gustaveson

Computer Technology: Nathan Robbins

Skilled/Technical Science Education: Cooper Karras

Family/Consumer Science: Jasmine Tilley

Business Marketing: Alyssa Snyder

Speech/Theater Arts/Forensics: Kaden Dearing

Vocal Performance: Nina Jo Sandstrom

Visual Arts: Noelle Roskelley

Instrumental: Anika Songer

Dance: Anna Cheal

In 2013 the Utah Legislature mandated parental review of SAGE test questions and established what is now called the SAGE Parent Review Committee. It was a response to concerns that the computer adaptive tests could include biases or agendas that are objectionable to Utah family values.

Email from Molly Foster (written to the other members of the 15-parent committee to review SAGE test questions)

… In the spring when I was made aware of the USOE putting words in my mouth I contacted Judy Park several times, through email and phone messages to no avail until I sent a more honest email to her one day, she immediately responded. I will enclose our emailed conversation.

UTAH- Common Core has been the source of much concern for parents in Utah State. The Utah State Department of Education has gone to a lot of work and expense to ease the minds of concerned parents, citing results of a 15 parent review committee

              Green Acres Elementary—Jayna Frost finds herself during just her 2nd year teaching at Green Acres, and already she is working as the coach of the brand new Robotics team.  She says everything is new and they are all learning as they go.  She adds, "We couldn't do it without the 7 volunteer coaches!" 

North Ogden Elementary- Art is making a big mark on students in Weber School District with the reintroduction of a district art specialist after years of not having one at all.  New programs are available to the students as a result, enriching and enlivening the education for local students.