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4 •THE CHARLTON VILLAGER• Friday, June 6, 2008 www.charltonvillager.com School officials mull cell phone regulations BY PATRICK SKAHILL TIMES STAFF WRITER DUDLEY — As cell phones become more akin to an extra body part than an electronic luxury throughout the country, local school officials are increasingly finding themselves scratching their heads with how to regulate these devices during school hours. Last Wednesday, May 28, members of the Dudley- Charlton School Committee briefly discussed the issue as they mulled over potential changes to student handbooks with district principals. “We’re getting into a time now where [cell phones] are an appendage ... I’m not sure at this time we want to [ban] these,” said Superintendent Sean Gilrein, “but whatever we can do to curb their use during the day is worthwhile.” While committee members and district administrators all agreed unilaterally banning cell phones on school grounds would make little sense, they also recognized the distractions inherent in allowing students to carry these devices into class. “We’ve all had that problem,” said committee member Catherine Kabala, noting how cell phones go off in classrooms all the time. “It’s out of control.” Currently at Shepherd Hill Regional High School, students using electronic devices — which also include MP3 players and mobile web devices — during classroom time are subjected to increasingly severe penalties ranging anywhere from a warning to an out of school suspension, said Principal Timothy Schur. Over at Dudley Middle School, electronic devices are prohibited during academic hours and any device brought to school must be turned off and stored in a locker during Hospital offers child/teen support group the school day. If this rule is violated, the devices are confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian. This same confiscation regulation holds at the high school as well. While committee members said they had no hang ups about school officials confiscating devices that hinder classroom learning, some members did raise questions about how the devices are taken, pointing to the potential liability issues that could arise. Kabala highlighted one issue of particular concern saying phones confiscated by school officials, if stolen, could lead to “a lot of financial issues” for the district. Over at Shepherd Hill, Schur said there are nearly 20 cell phones currently sitting at the school that have not been claimed by parents. The phones are all kept under lock and key, a practice committee members praised Gilrein and said should be implemented across the district. By the end of the brief discussion, school officials and committee members agreed — electronic devices should only be confiscated by school administrators, not teachers, and once confiscated, the school is responsible, so administrators must be sure they are kept secure. While an outright ban on these electronic devices will probably never happen, administrators did say they thought their solution was the fairest and most classroom-friendly way of dealing with the problem since they argue it will act as a deterrent to classroom distractions, but still leave students in possession of devices, which have in this day in age become a vital lifeline for coordinating after school activities and schedules with parents. Committee members also emphasized administrators must make very clear in their handbooks that neither they nor any teacher will have the right to go through the contents of a student’s confiscated electronic device. Other items discussed during Wednesday night’s meeting included the approval of a $17,100 grant from the state for a summer MCAS program at the school. Payment should be transferred to the district after July 1. Bank names 11 new officers About 175 applications for the program have been sent out to students and Gilrein said he expects enrollment to be higher this year than last. Gilrein additionally announced a generous donation of one Smartboard to Shepherd Hill from the French River Education Center, Inc., a non-profit educational, training and support agency based in North Oxford. The center will also donate an “Integrity Call Notification System” for the next school year, which will be used to notify parents in the event of an emergency. “We’d like to thank [The French River Education Center] for their continued efforts to give back to the school district,” Gilrein said. Patrick Skahill may be reached at (508) 909-4129, or by e-mail at pskahill@stonebridgepress.com. SOUTHBRIDGE — Harrington Memorial Hospital hosts Families Matter, a child and teen support group, on the first and third Tuesday of the month in the third-floor conference room at G.B. Wells Human Service Center, 29 Pine St., from 4-5 p.m. The support group is open to children and teens above the Home of the “Good Guys” 1307 Park St. (Rte. 20) • Palmer, MA 01069 413-289-1016 • 1-800-662-1016 Mon-Fri 7:30 to 5:00 15% Senior Discount Every Day! (parts only not valid with other coupon offers) Lube, Oil & Filter Superceeds all other coupons where every 4th Oil Change is Free! Coupon applies to $ 17 95 same vehicle only With quality Exxon Mobile, oil, oil filter, 21 point check, top off all fluids. Up to 5 quarts of oil. Most Vehicles. Expires 6/30/08 NEW! Custom Dual Exhaust Systems Duplicate virtually every automobile and light truck exhaust system on the market here in-house using our Top quality KRO7 Bender 24 Hour FREE Towing (to Jackson’s for Repair within a 15 mile radius) Brake Special $ 79 95 Replace front pads & turn rotors or replace rear pads & turn rotors Most Vehicles. Expires 6/30/08 Tune-Up Special 4 Cylinder $ 39 95 6 Cylinder $ 49 95 8 Cylinder $ 59 95 Includes: plugs, timing/idlespeed, and complete diagnostic checks Most Vehicles. Expires 6/30/08 We accept most major Credit Cards Gift Certificates Available 12 month,12,000 mile NAPA warranty AUTOCARE CENTER Every 4th Oil Change FREE (not valid with other coupon offers) Wheel Alignment Check FRONT $ 39 95 4 WHEELS $ 49 95 Includes tow. All other adjustments extra Most Vehicles. Expires 6/30/08 ✁ Clip and Save ✁ age of 9 who have a family member with mental health issues. For more information, contact Liz Swenson, MA, at 508-765-9167, ext.4242. — Submitted by Harrington Memorial Hospital Radiator Flush $ 39 95 Up to 2 Gallons of Anti-freeze. Most Vehicles. Expires 6/30/08 6 5-Star Authorized Registered State Emissions Repair Facility #RP008269 Approved Auto Repair ASE Certified Mechanics Automatic Transmission Repair Quality Pre-Owned Vehicles Weekly Tire Specials Exhaust Special 25% OFF All Exhaust Work Expires 6/30/08 Battery & Electrical System Check $ 9 95 . Most Vehicles. Expires 6/30/08 SOUTHBRIDGE — Savers Bank has announced the promotions of eleven new officers. Joseph Coderre has been named senior vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. Three vice presidents have been appointed: David Merrill and William Carbone to the posts of vice president Commercial Lending, and Walter Czabaj to the position of vice president Consumer Lending and Collections. The bank has named three assistant vice presidents, Lou-Ellen Corkum as AVP Training and Compliance Officer, Robin Chinese Restaurant Tuesday thru Friday Lunch Buffet • 11:30-2:00 Full Liquor License We Have Delivery Service Open 6 days: Tuesday-Sunday • Closed Monday 344 Main St. (Rte. 131) Southbridge MA 508.765.0398 • www.foodaw.com/015/dynasty Iannucci to AVP Deposit Services and BSA Officer and Laurie Anderson to AVP Mortgage Servicing. Additional appointments include Dan Kirschner as Retail Banking Officer, in addition to his position as Branch Manager of the Auburn office; Mary Jane Perkins as Mortgage Operations Supervisor & CRA Officer and Vivian Delisle as Retail Banking Officer as well as Branch Manager of the Southbridge Office. All have been longtime employees of the Bank. The appointments were announced by Savers Bank President Paul R. Jalbert.\ VILLAGER TRIVIA ANSWER: Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. MITTENS DOESN’T LIKE THE VET. A 100 MILE RIDE IN THE CAR IS NOT GOING TO ENDEAR MITTENS TO YOU EITHER. All local. All the time. TheHeartOfMassachusetts.com
www.charltonvillager.com Friday, June 6, 2008 MONDAY, JUNE 2 CHARLTON — 3:17 p.m. — Traffic control on Burlingame Road. Services rendered. CHARLTON — 1:09 p.m. — Disturbance on Nuggett Drive. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 11:49 a.m. — Theft on G. French Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 9:39 a.m. — 911 hang up on H. Putnam Road. Unfounded. CHARLTON — 7:41 a.m. — Domestic disturbance on Ramshorn Road. Investigated. CHARLTON — 2:23 a.m. — Noise complaint on Ten Schoolhouse Road. Peace restored. SUNDAY, JUNE 1 POLICE LOG CHARLTON — 5:38 p.m. — Disabled motor vehicle on Worcester Road. CHARLTON — 1:39 p.m. — Neighbor complaint on Old Town Road. Peace restored. CHARLTON — 1:32 p.m. — Building check on Oxford Road. Building secured. CHARLTON — 12:46 a.m. — General nuisance on Wamsutta Ridge Rad. Investigated. Saturday, May 31, 2008 CHARLTON — 11:43 p.m. — Stolen motor vehicle on Worcester Road. Call given to officer. CHARLTON — 10:14 p.m. — Fire on Cranberry Meadow Road. Investigated. CHARLTON — 8:12 p.m. — Restraining order questions on Masonic Home Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 7:46 p.m. — Animal missing on Bayies POLICE LOGS BUSINESS Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 4:41 p.m. — Vandalism on Denfield Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 10:51 a.m. — Building check on Oxford Road. Building secured. CHARLTON — 9:38 a.m. — Erratic operation on Worcester Road. Could not locate. CHARLTON — 8:27 a.m. — Illegal dumping on Freeman Road. Services rendered. CHARLTON — 12:02 a.m. — Disabled motor vehicle on Main Street. Assisted citizen. FRIDAY, MAY 30 CHARLTON — 11:48 p.m. — Burglar alarm on Main Street. Building secured. CHARLTON — 9:01 p.m. — Disturbance on Northside Road. Investigated. CHARLTON — 8:32 p.m. — Threats on Masonic Home Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 8:19 p.m. — Warrant service on Northside Road. Could not locate. CHARLTON — 6:45 p.m. — Larceny, forgery, fraud, on Ramshorn Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 5:57 p.m. — Motor vehicle accident on Worcester Road. Services rendered, CHARLTON — 5:15 p.m. — Disabled motor vehicle on Worcester Road. Party spoken to. CHARLTON — 5:10 p.m. — Keep the peace on Northside Road. Services rendered. CHARLTON — 2:00 p.m. — Suspicious motor vehicle N. Sturbridge Road. CHARLTON — 1:38 p.m. — Theft on Masonic Home Road. Report taken. CHARLTON — 12:01 p.m. — Theft on S. Sturbridge Road. Report taken. Shirt-off-your-back pricing gains popularity •THE CHARLTON VILLAGER•5 WHAT IS IT? CONTEST ENTRY FORM: June 6, 2008 Deadline: June 12, 2008 My guess for this week's photo is: _____________________________________________ The current difficult economy is pointing many shoppers toward a variety of lower-than-retail-priced clothing stores. The managers of shops with names like Time & Again and Renaissance say that they are seeing new faces sliding the hangers on their clothing racks. Indeed, the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops reports annualized growth at a rate of 5 percent. There are several kinds of clothing stores that feature below-retail prices. Factory outlets, some of which feature seconds or slightly marred apparel, and avoid the markup associated with the distribution channel leading to retail, are often found in malls. Discount stores sell goods that they usually have purchased in large quantities, which enables them to offer attractive pricing. Off-price stores charge less than retail and more than discount, often because they offer remainder items. Long regarded as semi-charitable in nature, thrift shops have recently gained prominence. The term “thrifting” has entered the parlance of some shoppers. There are approximately 25,000 thrift stores in the country, and recent surveys indicate that about 18 percent of all Americans shop in thrift stores. The thrift shop industry expects to see an upturn in late summer-early fall FINANCE SENSE THOMAS J. SMALARZ back-to-school shopping for youngsters’ clothing. Parents and guardians say that they can find what is typically termed as gently worn apparel with labels that are popular with children, and pay significantly less than they would for the identical items as new. Meanwhile, adults are also purchasing for themselves, at markdown prices, in thrift shops as well as in consignment stores. Consignment stores typically have prices higher than those in thrift shops, but they sell higher-end or designer merchandise. Perhaps because everyone loves a bargain, consumers who either don’t feel an economic pinch nowadays or are comparatively little affected by today’s economy are drawn to the lower-than-retail spectrum of stores. Just as sustainability is fast becoming a watchword in daily life with respect to environmental concerns, purchasing recycled clothing is gaining regard as a prudent environmental practice. The attractively priced merchandise must come from somewhere, and many people sell or donate their unwanted or unusable clothing or household goods to thrift and consignment stores. Under certain circumstances such donations can fetch a tax deduction. The world of finance reaches every corner of daily life. Consumer behavior is a central part of financial matters, and nowadays this can include the clothes on your back. Thomas J. Smalarz is president and CEO of Southbridge Credit Union. SEARCH LOCAL. IT’S A NO-BRAINER Find what you’re looking for, quick and easy. All Local. All the time. TheHeartOf Massachusetts.com THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S WHAT IS IT: The historic landmarker marking the First settlement in old west Oxford. The marker is on Old Worcester Road. Who wants $25 cash in their pocket? Anyone? The Charlton Villager has it to give. Enter ‘What is It?’ now for your chance to win! Name________________________________________ Address______________________________________ State_______Zip_______ Telephone#_____________ Please mail your entry form to the Charlton Villager, 25 Elm St., Southbridge, MA 01550, attn: Editor, or drop off to the office at 25 Elm St., Southbridge. You may also fax your entry to (508) 764-8015. All photos are of sights seen in and around Charlton, Charlton City and Charlton Depot. Responses must identify the subject and where it can be seen. Answers will be given the following week in the Charlton Villager. At the end of each month, all entry forms with the correct answer will be included in a random drawing. One lucky winner will receive $25! Good luck! Sturbridge, MA The Western Massachusetts Tantasqua Pop Warner Football and Cheer League announce registration for the fall program to begin in August 2008. REGISTRATION Sturbridge American Legion Post 109 located at: 308 Main Street June 14th from 10am until noon. 2008 FEES Football $150. 00, Cheerleading $125.00. Aditional costs apply for cleats and pads and cheering uniforms. Opportunities for discounts appy for families registering more than one child and /or should parents register to volunteer at the games. The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. is to enable children to benefit from participating in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that the children will use throughout their lives. Pop Warner is a non-profit organization that provides youth football and cheer programs for participants in 41 states and several countries around the world. Consisting of approximately 360,000 young people ranging from 5-16 years old, PWLS is the largest youth football, cheer and dance program in the United States. For further information about the Central Massachusett Tantasqua Braves Pop Warner Football And Cheer League, please contact League President, Phil Desrochers at president@tantasquapopwarner.com
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