$1.50 Sept. 22, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 37
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Centerville PD honors fallen K9
“We consider her a police officer”
Students fly high at Catalyst
page 6
page 4
Care for your beard
page 10
SPORTS
BHS, WXHS undefeated in Region 5 volleyball
By Catherine Garrett c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
Bountiful
HANNAH HOLBROOK ELEMENTARY teacher Alyson Gilson instructs full-time Kindergarteners in a counting exercise. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle
Full-day kindergarten successful so far
By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com FARMINGTON—Kindergarten can be exciting but also a little frightening for an incoming child going to school for the first time. For years, Utah children have gone to kindergarten for a half day. With the passage of SB127 during the last legislative session, schools can choose to offer full-day kindergarten. “We’ve been seeing signs in fourth grade that kids are struggling because they were in first grade during COVID,” said Traci Robbins, Elementary Director for Davis School District. “It’s a good time for full-day kindergarten. We’ve looked at the research. Four schools were in a pilot program last year. There was a big difference in kids who had full
day going into first grade knowing their letters and sounds. They had more time to practice in full day.” Robbins said the district had to determine what that would look like. “We wanted to build a robust, rigorous curriculum that would serve students but leave room for play and build the social and emotional skills that they need. Things like taking turns, learning to sit still, basic skills that can be built into the schedules as well as academics.” Some parents were happy about full day and others didn’t want it, she said. “In our culture we tend to hold our children tight. Others had just been waiting for it.” Individual schools can choose to offer half day for those parents who don’t want full day, said Robbins. “All the core curriculum will be taught in the morning
so half day kids get it. They’ll still be getting the curriculum, those in full day will just be getting more exposure to it. It’s like if you practice the piano for 40 minutes you’re going to be better than if you only practice 20 minutes.” There are still children who have separation anxiety and don’t want to comply, she said. “We saw it in first grade in full day too.” Right now there are only two to four children in a class who are staying half day, Robbins said. “Teachers use TAs (teacher’s aide) to help at station rotation so that the teacher can support children in other content areas.” Parents who are undecided or want a gradual release can let the principal know, she said. “We’ll watch. But it Please see FULL-DAY: pg. 8
SOL Recovery Center shines a light in the darkness of addiction
By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com
WOODS CROSS—Kendra Baum started using drugs as a teen then took up drinking. Now she is sober and wants to help others who are struggling with addiction. Baum opened the doors to SOL Recovery Community two weeks ago in time for National Recovery Month. It’s a place close to her heart where she hopes through treatment, people can find the joy she has found. It hasn’t been an easy road though. “I got married and my spouse struggled with alcoholism,” she said. “It was hard to watch him in his own recovery.” Baum had been sober for about five years when she relapsed during her undergraduate studies. “I found out I was pregnant with my son the day before I graduated,” she said. “It’s one thing to put that in my body but to my unborn son’s body – that was not an option. I dusted off my tool box but my partner didn’t.” Please see SOL: pg. 5
Bountiful beat Viewmont 25-15, 25-13, 25-13 Sept. 12. “The girls played a very consistent and high-level match,” said head coach Kelsie White. “In practice, we focused a lot on serving and passing, and it showed against Viewmont. I challenged the girls to attack serving and they did exactly that. Our serving totaled 12 aces in a three-set match, with Adelaide Stevenson contributing four and Hallie Hewlett three. The serving set the tone, keeping them out of system, allowing our block to do their job, and giving us a strong advantage. Viewmont played a great match and did some great things. They are not a team to take lightly.” Against Northridge Sept. 14, the Redhawks won 25-18, 25-16, 25-14. “We played another great game,” White said. “Northridge always shows up against us and brings an awesome student section which makes for a really fun and competitive environment for everyone. I challenged the girls to stay consistent and confident throughout the match and they did a great job. Our outsides Taylor and Milika had a great night and showed just how dominant we are on the pins. Our passing was solid with Adelaide as libero, giving us lots of options to spread the offense. Hallie kept the flow going all night and again had some key runs with her serving. I was so proud of the girls. They make coaching so fun!” Bountiful remains undefeated in Region 5 through five matches and are 8-5 this year.
Woods Cross
Woods Cross defeated Bonneville 25-11, 25-22, 25-23 behind 10 kills from freshman Alisi Tapa’atoutai and seven from junior Nesi Pututau, who hit .715. The duo also had five blocks between them to protect the net for the Wildcats. Tapa’atoutai and senior Akilisi Pahulu both served three aces with Pahulu recording 13 assists in running the offense. Sophomore Avery Poulton had nine digs on the back line with senior Anau Tua’one adding seven. Against Viewmont Sept. 14, Woods Cross won in five sets 21-25, 28-26, 2025, 25-16, 15-8. Poulton’s 20 skills were tops for the Wildcats while Tapa’atoutai put away 16 kills with no errors, hitting .552. They also had four and three blocks, respectively at the net. Freshman Zamari Christensen ran the offense, recording 41 assists, and also led the team’s defense with 20 digs. Four others – freshman Ella Hinton (17), Poulton (16), senior Dani Brey (16), and junior Nesi Pututau (12) – also had double-digit digs in contributing to Woods Cross’ total of 102 as a team. The Wildcats are now 5-0 in Region 5 and 10-3 overall.
Farmington
Photo 1: KENDRA BAUM AND HER HUSBAND BILL, daughter Ericka and son Dallas at SOL Recovery Community. Baum created the center to help others after her own struggle with addiction.
Photo by Becky Ginos
Farmington began Region 1 play Sept. 12 with a 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-23 win over Fremont. Senior Jenna Goates had 11 kills to lead the Phoenix with junior Ellyse Taylor Please see VOLLEYBALL: pg.8