THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220204
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jon Glass
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
A resolution opposing violence on television, sponsored by the W.H. Taylor Elementary PTA, was approved at the Virginia PTA convention earlier this month and will be forwarded to the state General Assembly.
The resolution calls on local PTAs to work with parents in developing alternative family activities to reduce the amount of time children spend watching TV.
The measure also requests legislation requiring local cable companies to provide, at no charge, a device that would allow parents to block out specific channels or programs.
``It is time for parents and teachers to take a stand,'' Mella Goldman, Taylor PTA president, said. ``We want to protect our children from the violence which surrounds us.''
Researchers estimate that by age 18 children will have watched 25,000 murders portrayed on television.
The resolution states that research shows exposure to TV violence desensitizes children to the pain of others, increases their fear of the world around them and sparks more aggressive and harmful behavior toward others. RETIREMENT RAISE OK'D
The School Board last week unanimously approved a 3 percent retirement allowance increase for non-professional school system employees, including custodial, maintenance and cafeteria workers.
The increase will apply to current and future retirees and will take effect next July. It will add about $120,000 in budget expenditures, of which $91,000 will come from the general fund and the remainder from the schools' food-service fund. TEACHER GETS RECOGNITION
Myrna Nelson Matthews, kindergarten teacher at Oakwood Elementary, recently received the ``Apple for the Teacher'' award from Iota Phi Lambda Sorority. She was cited for her outstanding contributions to educating the area's children. FAITH ACADEMY WINS GRANT
Faith Academy School of Excellence has won a $3,500 grant from Bell Atlantic to buy high-tech computer and communications equipment.
The school, an affiliate of the Faith Deliverance Christian Center of Norfolk, was one of 11 grant winners among more than 1,750 contenders in the mid-Atlantic region.
With 123 students, Faith Academy was the smallest among the public and private schools to win a grant in Bell Atlantic's Million Customer Celebration for Answer Call, the company's voice messaging service.
The company awarded the grants based on the number of calls that came in supporting each school on the toll-free messaging service. Faith Academy started a community campaign last spring to encourage people to call on behalf of the school.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK SCHOOL BOARD
by CNB