The Re-2 School Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in opposition to Amendment 31, the English Language Education Amendment, at the most recent board meeting on Oct. 8. The proposed ballot initiative to amend the Colorado Constitution will appear on the general election ballot this November. Amendment 31 requires school districts to teach children by using the English language in their classrooms and requires children who are learning English to be placed in an English-immersion program that is intended to last one year or less.The Re-2 Board of Education shares the belief that every student needs to be fluent in English to be a success in this country, but also believes that problems associated with this proposed amendment far outweigh any benefit. The amendment eliminates the constitutionally established right of local control given to boards of education, deprives school districts of any decision-making authority to meet the needs of English-language learners, eliminates existing programs for English-language learners, limits the ability to offer other approaches to English instruction, and places substantial barriers to parents who want to choose another educational option for their students. Although the proposal includes a “one year immersion program,” there are no back-up educational or financial provisions that will address children who need more than one year to learn English.The fiscal impact of this initiative on school districts is significant because it provides for no additional state funding to offset the costs of implementation or the costs of required additional testing. The amendment allows lawsuits to be brought for up to ten years against teachers, administrators and school board members who “willfully and repeatedly” fail to enforce Amendment 31.-The Rifle High School Annual Coffee House will be held Oct. 29 in the school commons area. Dessert will be served at 6:30 p.m., and performances begin at 7 p.m. Even though tickets will be available at the door, seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased from any choir student. Tickets are just $4 for an evening of delightful entertainment and delectable desserts.-The Re-2 Transportation Department will be performing annual Emergency Evacuation drills during the Oct. 23 afternoon routes, and random evacuation practices after the first of the year. The practices are scheduled to better prepare students and drivers for a real emergency.-The end of the first quarter of the Re-2 school year was Oct. 11. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held Oct. 23 and 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Please call your specific school for more information.-Riverside School’s Harvest Daze is set for Thursday, Oct. 31. For the past six years, community members have been sharing their talents with the entire school for a day of hands-on activities including storytelling, pumpkin decorating, apple bobbing, and cider making. Grades 6, 7, and 8 will have a dance from 2:20-3:20 p.m. and the fourth- and fifth-grade room parties will be held from 2:30-3:25 p.m. If you would like to help out with any of these activities, please call Christy Walters at 625-7800.