The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

State School* Hold Public Hearings On Competency Testing The Illinois state board of education's Planning and Program committee will \ conduct). public hearings across ih- : ii r on minimum compete > v nig during • March and Apnl. The hearings will be held March 26 in Springfield, April 14 in Mt. Vernon, April 15 in DeKalb and April 23 in Chicago. C o m m e n t s a n d 5 suggestions at the hearings will supplement information gained from a two-year study by state board staff/A law enacted in 1978 directs the board to present data and recommendations concerning minimum competency testing in Illinois schools . to* the General Assembly by June 30. The board's Planning and Program committee is especially interested in responses to seven policy questions. The list of questions, which will be available at each hearing, include: -What are the pros and cons of minimum com­ petency testing that the board needs to hear? -Should passage of a test be a requirement for high school graduation? -Should students classified as special education students have separate and distinct graduation or minimal achievement requirements? -Should schools be allowed to issue various classes of diplomas? At the hearings, oral testimony will be limited to five minutes and written testimony of any length will be accepted. Individuals are requested to provide the Planning and Program^ committee with 10 copies of either oral or written presentations. Persons wishing to testify at the hearings should contact the State Board of Education office (217-782- 9560) by March 25. If an individual is unable to attend a hearing, written testimony should be mailed to Thomas Kerins, Illinois State Board of Education, 100 North First Street, Springfield, 111. 62777. The closest public hearings will be held April 15, 9 a.m. to noon, Holiday Inn, 1212 West Lincoln high­ way, DeKalb; and April 23,1 to 4 p.m., Cook County Board of Commissioners, board room, 5th Floor,- County building, 118 North Clark street, Chicago. Hold Auditions For Play In Early May McHenry County Per- f o r m i n g A r t s Association (MCPAA) will be holding auditions for their spring production of John Cecil Holm's comedy, "Gramercy Ghost", March 25,^26 and 27 at 8 p.m. at city hail^ 1111 N. Green street, McHenry. A cast of six men and six women is required of various ages and character types. The story revolves around a young girl who has inherited a ghost and all th* complicated problems that arise because he is only visible to her. This hilarious comedy is filled with ex­ citement, a little insanity and a lot of fun. Show dates are May 2, 3, 9 and 10 at McHenry Junior high. The beginning or ex­ perienced actor, or those just interested in helping behind the scenes, are welcome. Call for further information (815 ) 344-2969 or (815 ) 344-0565 after 6 p.m. in jnsiii'ii iihii> staff psychologist .news from the Family Service and Mental Health Clinic ot McHenry County. (Editor's note: This is another in a series of especially written articles for McHenry County readers. Joseph Cools is a psychologist on the Family Service and Community Mental Health Center staff. This article is "Coping - Magical Thinking in Children") More than one set of parents have become ex­ tremely concerned when they felt that their child's fantasy life was reaching the point where they felt the child was almost in another world. More than simple daydreaming, the fantasies sometimes take on a rather "magical" quality, in which the child may feel that he has rather special gifts or powers, over and above those of other children and adults. As these feelings are fantasies and therefore usually very private, parents often are fairly unaware of the intensity of the feelings. Furthermore, most people are relatively unaware of similar feelings in their own childhood. Consequently, when parents do become aware of some aspects of this magical thinking, they may become concerned that their child is developing emotional problems. However, such thinking actually appears to be universal in all children from all cultures. Usually developing bet­ ween four to six years of age, the content of the magical thoughts vary from child to child. Some children believe that they can see into the future; others feel that they can control .events by wishing; some believe that per­ forming some ritual can alter the future. Of course, one can easily see the similarity between such childish magical thinking and some serious Pregnant, NEED HELP? Call BIRTHRI6HI Ot»lU OPlN<i IMAM AHUtHOV ' I'^l*WMON't"ulll l J* HOD* ANSWERING SiftVICI 15-385-299' adult emotional distur­ bance: the belief of the psychotic that he can control the future or alter the destiny of some other person by willing it; the necessity of the obsessive-compulsive to perform certain rituals. In children, however, such behavior is completely normal, and disappears as the child acquires more experience and gives in to the pressures of society. Interestingly, in primitive societies many aspects of "magical thinking" are retained and incorporated into the adult culture. Superstitions in our own culture are also a variation of magical thinking that has survived and become a part of our society. Disappointments are inevitable if you have ambition or hope. RENT RMSijtyMC the professional do-it-yourself carpet cleaning system First Hour of Rental $1.00 per hour . . . for every hour thereafter. Example 2 hours . total chprge $1 plus tax.'] NO MINIMUM Special Rental Rate Good Moriday thru Thursday R I N S E N V A C d e a n s t h e w a y p r o f e s s i o n a l s d o a t a t r a c t i o n o t t t j e c o s t 1 SUN (2 .HIS SS 00 MIN OVERNIGHT SPECIAL I • :00 P.M. -9:00 A M $10.00 8 HORNSBYS - f a m i l y center* -- 4400 W. RTE. 120. McHENRY III. Included with the four policy questions previously mentioned, the remaining questions the committee is seeking responses to are: -Should there be a state mandate requiring minimal levels of student achievement in Illinois schools? A. Through tests developed and administered by-the state? B. Through requirements that each district be responsible for development and administration of tests based on state standards and guidelines? C. Through requirements that each district be responsible for development and administration of tests based on local standards? D. Through individually determined plans and educational programs relating to student needs and capabilities? -Should there be a state mandate requiring local districts to develop and implement a state approved student assessment plan based on standard criteria, which would include a requirement that they issue periodic reports on student achievement to their communities? -To what extent would additional state funding (for testing, remediation, etc.) be required to support any mandate assuring minimal levels of student achievement? YOU AND YOUR PET Preparing Your ! Pet to Show Not so long ago. cat and dog shows , were considered to be the reserve of purebred animals with extensive pedigrees. However,an increasing number of shows now include a few clashes for non-pedigreed household pets, and some shows are exclusively for everyday pets. N • If you would like ^o try showing a cat or dog, there are many shows to choose from: specialty breed shows, general pet shows, cat shows, dog shows. You can locate them in newspapers, occasionally on flyers posted in local supermarkets, and in pet publication advertising columns. Once you've made your choice-perhaps with the help of a friend familiar with the local pet show circuit- contact the show clerk for an entry application and show information. You'll need to know about entry fees, the schedule of classes and general show regulations. For the best results, you should start preparing your pet some months before actual show time. Some of this preparation will be required by show rules. Most By Robert L Stear DV M Manager oi Veterinary Services Norden Laboratories shows require that cats be vaccinated against feline enteritis, rhinotracheitis and caliciviruses. Dogs need protection against distemper and other contagious diseases. Do not assume that you can skip the vac­ cinations because the other pets will be protected. Disease-causing Viruses may enter the hall at any time, on the clothing of spectators or with air currents, and your pet may sicken when you return home. Fleas, mange or other skin infections will generally prevent your pet's entrance into the showhall. Eliminate these hazards by the time you send in your show registration. Some external parasites are extremely persistent, responding only to specific treatment. These include ear mites in cats, and mange in dogs. Your veterinarian can supply the appropriate prescription medication. Basically, you want your pet to look like the champion it is. Plan to bathe your pet about two or three weeks before the show. Bathing too close to show date can remove much of the natural oil that produces a shiny, glossy coat. Daily brushing from bath day to show date will keep the coat in good shape. Cat and dog show classes are arranged so that animals of a certain type are com­ pared against one another. There will be separate classes for ̂ kittens, females, and males at a cat show. Long-haired cats will compete separately from short-haired cats. Each animal is judged several times, by different judges. At the end of the show, winners from the various divisions may compete against each other for ad­ ditional awards. Unlike pure-bred classes, there are no specific stan­ dards within "household pet" classes. Basically, the winning pet should look like a well-cared-for cat or dog. A household pet judge evaluates the pet's cleanliness and general appearance. He or she will also consider the animal's personality and age. A friendly, alert pet presents a better image than a poorly groomed, uncooperative one. If your pet likes attention, is in good condition and is cooperative, it could be a ribbon Winner. Dr. Stear regrets that he is unable to personally answer letters from pet owners. He suggests that readers consult their own veterinarians when their pets have problems. PAGE II - P LAIN DEALER - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19,1980 3000 Aristocrats In March 29-30 Dog Show More than 3,000 canine aristocrats will be on hand for the fortieth annual In­ ternational Kennel club Dog show March 29 and 30 at Chicago's International Amphitheatre. The show is expected to be one of the largest held in the United States this year. The show will be benched. There will be three groups shown each day. Jhe Sporting, Hound, and Toy breeds will be shown Saturday, March 29, with the Working, Terrier, and Non- Sporting groups shown Sunday, March 30. A slate of 22 judges from 11 slates arid Mexico will select the tops of each breed. The Best in Show, which will be held Sunday night, will be judged by Langdon L. Skarda, of Clovis, N.M. Shirley Hosie Named Heart Representative Mrs. John (Shirley) Hosie of 1003 S. Totem Trail, is the new Heart representative in McHenry, according to Leo Bezdek, Heart association president for McHenry county. Organizations interested in films or programs should contact Mrs. Hosie. Films concerning the heart and heart related diseases, when available, have no rental fee if ordered through the local Heart representative. Educational materials are available for persons in­ terested in heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Heart association or in learning more about it is encouraged to contact her or the local service area office at 119 S. Grove avenue in Elgin. A number of volcanoes on the Hawaiian Islands are still active. Eruptions in recent years have added hundreds of acres of land to the island of Hawaii, reports National Geo­ graphic World magazine. from HISTORY'S SCRAPBOOK DATES AND EVENTS FROM YESTERYEARS March 20, 1852 -- "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Harriet Beecher Stowe's story of slavery, is published for the first time in book form iand promptly becomes one of the all-time sensations of book-publishing history. March 21, 1790 -- Thomas Jefferson of Virginia becomes the first U.S. Secretary of State in the Cabinet of George Washington. March 22, 1794 -- Congress enacts legislation prohibiting slave trading with foreign countries. March 23, 1942 -- Japanese-American residents of the Pacific coastal areas, most of whom are native born, are moved from their homes to internment camps in inland communities. SPIESS INVITES YOU TO JOIN IN OUR FUNI4STIC BIRTH DAY CELEBRATION "US' S4VE 20%, 30%, 40%/IND EVEN MORE IN ELGIN AND CRYSTAL MKE ON SPRING FASHIONS AND HOME NEEDS. FIVE BRIGHT D4YS BEGINNING THURSDAY, IVWRCH 20 THRU MONDAY, IVWRCH 24.