3 Great Ways to Get Kids Motivated to Move More
(StatePoint) Getting regular physical activity helps children meet developmental milestones and promotes mental and physical wellness. However, forming this healthy habit works best when you get started early. To motivate your kids to move more, consider the following ideas:
• Go on an outing: At least some of the time, be sure to select active outings. This way, physical activity will become a natural part of your family’s lifestyle. For example, go skating or rock climbing instead of to the movies. If you’re going on a picnic, hike or bike to the picnic site and bring along frisbees, balls and other toys and games that keep people moving.
• Put on your dancing shoes: It’s easy to get kids moving and grooving with fun dance games. Especially those that incorporate innovative and interactive tech such as the new VTech Kidi Star Dance. By wearing motion-activated bands, kids can learn 20 cool dance moves step-by-step by following the animated dance instructor. Once kids learn the moves, they can put them together and dance along to the included music. Color-changing lights flash along to the music to make kids feel like a star. Play four motion games or create music through movement by playing 14 different effects, including drums and magical fairy sounds. Give the second band to a friend and challenge them to a game or dance-off. Connect your own MP3 player or load songs using a microSD card to add more music so kids never get bored.
• Take evening walks: Instead of heading straight for the couch in the evenings, make a ritual of taking a short walk first. This is a great chance to chitchat, get some fresh air and even promote better sleep. Kids may not be able to travel too far at first, so start with a brief walk around the block. As they begin to build endurance, extend it a bit farther or consider turning the ritual into a friendly race.
Physical activity is not only great for you, but it’s also a lot of fun. By incorporating games and activities into evenings and weekends, parents can play an active role in getting kids motivated to move more.
Murray County Central Asks for Operating Referendum Renewal
On November 5th, the School District will be asking voters to consider a ballot question to renew our current operating levy that has been in place for the past nine years and will expire in 2021. Under current law, operating referendums are valid for up to 10 years, at which point a school board must seek voter approval to renew the referendum. At the August 12th, 2019 school board meeting, the board passed a resolution with a 6-0 vote to declare it necessary to renew the School District’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $625.69 per pupil that is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2020. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would first be levied in 2020 for taxes payable in 2021 and applicable for ten years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
With a renewal, we are asking the voters to just extend the property tax referendum and there would not be an increase on current property taxes. The reason the district is asking for a renewal on this operating levy is due to state aid not keeping up with inflation. Without the additional local money that equates to $458,084 per year, we would not be able to provide the current programs and staffing that we currently have. This could mean reduction in staff, larger class sizes, less class offerings, and a reduction in technology. Even as the total state aid for each student has continued to rise by 2% each of the last four years from the legislature, the buying power relative to these increases has not kept up with the inflationary costs of running schools. Adjusted for inflation, the buying power of our current dollars is actually less than in 2003 which has necessitated 97% of Minnesota School Districts to pass referendums to close this gap in funding.
Included is a tax impact table to show the impact that the renewal question will have on taxpayers. The way that you use this chart is to take your assessed value and follow the column over to the right to get your impact if the question passes, per year. For instance, if your house is assessed at 125,000 dollars, the passage of the question will result in a $4 dollar per year savings. The reason that everyone will experience a slight savings is due to an overall increasing tax base since the last election, an estimated decrease in pupil units in pay 2021, and a legislative change that moves some money from the taxpayer to state aid.
For agricultural property (both homestead and non-homestead), the taxes for the proposed referendum renewal will be based on the value of the house, garage and one acre of land. There will be no referendum taxes paid on the value of agricultural land and buildings. For seasonal recreational residential property (e.g., cabins), there will be no taxes paid for the proposed referendum.
Homestead Residential, Apartments, and Commercial/Industrial Properties
Market Value Expiring Levy Authority Renewed Levy Authority Difference between Expiring Levy Authority and Renewed Levy Authority
$50,000$-66$65-$1
75,000-9997-2
100,000-133130-3
125,000-166162-4
150,000-199195-4
175,000-232227-5
200,000-265259-6
225,000-298292-6
250,000-331324-7
275,000-365357-8
300,000-398389-9
325,000-431421-10
350,000-464454-10
375,000-497486-11
400,000-530519-11
425,000-564551-13
450,000-597584-13
475,000-630616-14
500,000-663648-15
550,000-729713-16
In order to ensure that you have the information that you need to make an informed decision on November 5th, 2019 we are providing a public meeting/information session on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Absentee ballots will be available for voters on Friday, September 20th through election day in the district office from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. All district precincts, no matter where you live in the Murray County Central School District, will be voting at the designated combined polling place which is the Slayton Senior Center on Broadway Ave.
As always, if you have individual questions or would like to meet individually or in a small group about the referendum please contact me at 507-836-6575 or Joe_Meyer@mcc.mntm.org.
Blood Donors Needed at the Slayton Community Blood Drive
Slayton, MN - Community Blood Bank will host a blood drive with Murray County Medical Center on Wednesday, September 11 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This blood drive will help save local patients in need throughout the fall.
“The need for blood throughout the area is very consistent, with 540 units of blood being used in the area last week,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “This blood drive event helps bring awareness to the community about the need for blood as we approach the change in seasons. The hope is to bring about an increase in local blood supplies in order for us to be able to treat trauma, surgery and cancer patients throughout the fall and avoid a shortage in our community. We encourage residents to please consider donating blood when we are at Murray County Medical Center on Wednesday, September 11. Your donation will impact patients’ lives throughout the Slayton area.”
Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 lbs or more and be in good general health. Please bring an ID with you. It is recommended that donors eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood.
Community Blood Bank is a nonprofit cooperative of Sanford Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital. Community Blood Bank is not affiliated with other blood bank organizations and takes pride in being self-sufficient, thanks to the generosity of our local blood donors. For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or contact Community Blood Bank at 1-877-877-3070 or call Murray County Medical Center at 570-836-1286. Walk-ins are welcome.
Murray County Medical Center Board Special Meeting Notice
Murray County Medical Center’s (MCMC) Board invites community members to attend an informational forum addressing MCMC’s long-term strategic vision to remain an independent community hospital. Public input will be invited as we discuss selecting a regional healthcare system to provide supportive resources that will enhance our ability to carry out our mission. This special meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 11th, 7-9 pm, at Silverberg’s downtown Slayton.
Good News
By: John Stenen
In the first three chapters of the Book of Romans, the apostle Paul clearly lets us know that all of mankind is guilty before God. God says, there are none righteous, no, not one. However, in Romans chapter one, Scripture tells us that God has put it in the heart of every man to know that there is a God and that we are without excuse. If we don’t believe in God it is because we choose to deny Him and we love sin more than righteousness. (John 3: 17-21). They may ignore God, deny Him, and totally reject Him, but deep down inside, they know there is a God. Even Psalm 19:1 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God.
In Romans 3: 19-20, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has considered all of mankind. This includes the very evil people as well as the good people such as a nice, friendly neighbor that we all appreciate. I hope you do realize that the “broad path that leads to destruction” has many good people on it as well as the evil ones. Those three chapters in Romans leave us asking, “Is there any way a man or a woman can please God and be saved apart from faith in Jesus Christ?” The answer is a resounding NO! It is impossible. Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Light and no man can come to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). Which path are you on – the broad path or the narrow path?
