By Irinna Schwenke
With 600 school children singing patriotic songs, a brass quartet, a hot air balloon and two magicians on hand, one would think that the circus was in town.
Think again.
The Utah County Republican Women will host a “Back to school” commitment rally on Monday, Oct. 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Timpanogos Elementary School.
The Utah County Republican Women president, Bonnie Payne, hopes to promote the importance of education reform and George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” campaign.
The “No Child Left Behind” campaign rests on the premise that pigment and poverty need not determine a child’s academic performance, Payne said.
According to Bush’s campaign, the standard is English literacy. The goal is equal opportunity. All to be done in an atmosphere where every heritage is respected and celebrated, Payne said.
“Timpanogos is the perfect school to promote the ‘No Child Left Behind’ campaign,” Payne said.
Half of the students who attend the school are Hispanic. The school has recently implemented the state’s first dual immersion bilingual education program. Timpanogos is a great school that could use the campaign, Payne said.
Guest speakers at the rally will include Governor Mike Leavitt and his wife Jackie. Leann Smith, assistant principal of Timpanogos Elementary, will also address the audience, said Barbara Packard, rally coordinator.
“We have a lot of entertainment planned for the day. All 600 students of Timpanogos Elementary will sing patriotic songs in both English and Spanish and a hot air balloon carrying the banner, “Soaring to greater heights, no child left behind,” will fly over the audience, Packard said.
There will also be two magicians on hand to entertain the kids while the guest speakers address the audience. Tables will be set up to take contributions from the public to aid voluntary school programs, Packard said.
Principal Erin Sauls of Timpanogos Elementary is excited about the rally.
“I’m sure that the rally will successfully demonstrate how elected officials, parents, teachers and administrators can work together for one cause. Helping the children,” Sauls said.
Following the rally, the Utah County Republican Women will hold a meeting and luncheon in the auditorium. Leavitt will address the group more in depth at this gathering, Payne said.
The public is invited to attend the rally. Extra parking will be found across the street east by the park. For further information contact Bonnie Payne 785-4388 or Barbara Packard 225-0919.
