2019 Education Guide

Education Guide Brought to you by the Chester County Press August 7, 2019

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STUDENTS SPEND THEIR DAYS GAINING INDUSTRY SKILLS, EARNING COLLEGE CREDITS AND BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS...

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What is TCHS? Technical College High School (TCHS) is a place where students get to explore the things that interest them through a hands-on approach to education. TCHS is a part-time, public career focused program for high school students in Chester County. TCHS is a supportive community of educators, industry and college partners and students who share common interests. TCHS is where students get to apply the skills ma^r e^Zkg bg ma^ \eZllkhhf mh k^Ze phke] lbmnZmbhgl Zg] \hgÛ]^gmer pZed ZpZr pbma Z roadmap for their future.

TCHS0819001 An equal opportunity employer and educator.

Learn more at www.tchspennocks.org

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The Tome School The Tome School sets high standards in academics and personal behavior with a rigorous academic program and a dedicated, caring faculty that helps students reach their potential and acquire the skills that they will need to lead successful lives.

“Tome is unique,” said head of school Christine Szymanski. “We put a big emphasis on respect, personal responsibility, and academic rigor.

We talk about doing things the ‘Tome Way.’” The ‘Tome Way’ has always been to provide a top-quality education to students at an affordable cost—that was what Jacob Tome envisioned when he founded the school in 1889. Jacob Tome, a banker, politician, and philanthropist, built one of the largest fortunes in the U.S. at the time while he was living in Cecil County. He wanted to create a school in the area that would offer the finest education for students willing to undergo its challenging regimen, regardless of their families’ ability to pay the cost for that education.

With its long tradition of excellence, the Tome School continues to be true to that mission today, focusing on academics, character, and community. The school educates approximately 455 K-12 students each year. With small class sizes—the maximum number of students is

14 in kindergarten, 20 in grades 1-8, and 25 in grades 9-12—the faculty members offer the personal attention that students need.

Tome graduates are well-prepared for the future. In two recent graduating classes, the school’s seniors exceeded the state average SAT scores in reading, math, and writing by more than 100 points. When a graduate of The Tome School arrives on a college campus, he or she is typically ready for the new academic challenge.

“We are very academically driven,” explained Szymanski. “So when students get to their next schools, they are very well-prepared.”

Tome School keeps tuition significantly lower than other independent schools, partly because of the substantial funding from The Jacob Tome Institute and partly because of parental assistance. Volunteer efforts by Tome families help keep tuition increases to a minimum.

The Tome School is proud to be a part of the Cecil County Community, and has been an active member of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce for 30 years.

The Tome School is located at 581 S. Maryland Avenue in North East, Maryland. The telephone number is 410-287-2050. For more information, visit www.tomeschool.org.

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UD PCS offers Microsoft Excel training Essentials and advanced classes available

According to research conducted on Indeed.com job listings in 2016 for 50 of the most populous cities in the U.S., Microsoft Excel is the most in-demand software skill on the market.

In response to this need, the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) is continuing to offer foundational and advanced Excel classes—on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Newark campus—to equip participants with the skills needed in today’s job market.

“Knowing that Excel is required in so many professions, our goal is to provide students, recent college graduates, career changers, and anyone else looking to obtain the necessary skills with the appropriate training in a convenient, evening, weekly format,” said Patricia Allen, UD PCS program coordinator.

Microsoft Excel Essentials (Sept. 3 to 24) focuses on the foundational skill set needed to navigate through the Excel application with confidence and acquire familiarity with its data management capabilities. Summarizing datasets and preparing a workbook for distribution on a professional level are covered.

Microsoft Excel Advanced Concepts (Oct. 1 to 22) addresses complex datasets using advanced functions and formulas.

Lessons include instruction on presenting data insights using advanced charting techniques, setting up forms for collaborative workplace projects, and preparing interactive pivot tables for distribution on a professional level.

Microsoft Excel Advanced Reporting and Analytics (Nov. 5 to Dec. 3) concentrates on creating interactive dashboard reports and data visualizations using the advanced capabilities of Power View, Power Pivot and DAX formulas. Focus expands from traditional pivot tables to state-of-the-art Power Pivot data modeling. To register, or for more information, visit pcs.udel.edu/ ms-excel, email continuing-ed@udel.edu, or call 302-831-7600.

Microsoft Excel Essentials, Microsoft Excel Advanced Concepts and Microsoft Excel Advanced Reporting and Analytics are independent courses and are neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Microsoft Corporation.

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Centreville Layton School helps students reach their potential Centreville Layton School serves students who learn differently from pre-K to 12th grade.

It is the first school of its kind in the state and is proud to be on the cutting-edge of education. Centreville Layton School offers a rigorous educational and cultural experience for students who learn differently. The program identifies academic and social needs of the individual and provides a curriculum that focuses on problem solving and critical thinking. Through intervention and strengthening learning strategies, the school empowers each student to reach his or her potential.

Centreville Layton School offers small class sizes and targeted areas of support for each student. For more information on curriculum and services, visit CentrevilleLayton.org

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Lincoln University professor gets Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Jamaica for teaching and research Dr. Nicole Files-Thompson of Lincoln University has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Jamaica to teach and conduct research in intercultural communication and tourism studies, according to the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Beginning in January 2020, Files-Thompson will teach and research at the University of the West Indies Mona and Western Jamaica campuses as part of the participatory action project “Race, Culture, Sustainability and New Media: Implications for Applied Digital Communication and the Informal and Sharing Tourism Economies in Jamaica.”

“This Fulbright is especially significant because it will allow me to teach, learn, and grow in a country that I have come to love and consider my second home,” said Files-Thompson, who is chairwoman of the Department of Mass Communications. “I know personally that tourism can represent a site of empowerment and cultural awareness, and so, being able to continue to study the impact of tourism from an African diasporic perspective is incredibly gratifying.”

Files-Thompson said she will use the Fulbright to build upon efforts started last year to open up pathways for Lincoln students to engage the African Diaspora. In summer 2018, she took 18 Lincoln students to Jamaica on a faculty-led study abroad.

Dr. Nicole Files-Thompson

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Americans Spending More for College Out-of-Pocket (StatePoint) The Bank of Mom and Dad is open for business, as parent out-ofpocket spending has become the number one source of college funding. In fact, 62 percent of families did not borrow to pay for college last year, according to a new report.

The national study, “How America Pays for College 2015,” from Sallie Mae and Ipsos, now in its eighth year, found that parent income and savings covered the largest share of college costs -- 32 percent -- surpassing scholarships and grants at 30 percent, for the first time since 2010.

Families covered the balance of college costs using student borrowing, student income and savings, parent borrowing, and contributions from relatives and friends.

While families spent 16 percent more on college in academic year 2014-2015, the report found that fewer families are worried that economic factors would affect their ability to pay for college, fewer eliminated colleges from consideration due to cost, and fewer took cost-saving measures to control college costs.

“The increase in the amount families are spending appears to be less about the rising cost of college and more about the choices parents and students are making about how they pay for college,” says Michael Gross, vice president and head of the higher education practice at Ipsos Public Affairs. “Traditional economic concerns, such as job loss, declining home values, and decreased value of savings, are less worrying for parents this year, allowing families greater freedom to concentrate on college.”

Still, while the majority of families agree college is an important and worthwhile

investment -- and are making such responsible decisions to help pay for it as filing for federal aid, reducing personal spending and working while attending school -only 40 percent of families have a plan to pay for college.

“College remains a priority for parents, and they are feeling more confident as they reach into their own pockets and put their money where their values are,” says Raymond Quinlan, Chairman and CEO, Sallie Mae. “It’s gratifying to see families are borrowing responsibly and making efforts to reduce costs.”

In an effort to move that stubborn statistic and encourage more families to make a college financing plan, the experts at Sallie Mae are expanding their suite of free tools and information. To get started, they recommend these three steps: • Start with money you won’t have to repay. Supplement your college savings and income by maximizing scholarships, grants, and work-study.

• Explore federal student loans. Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

• Consider a responsible private education loan. Fill the gap between your available resources and the cost of college.

To view the complete report, visit SallieMae.com/HowAmericaPaysForCollege.

For free tools, such as a college planning calculator, scholarship search and the College Ahead mobile app, visit SallieMae.com/PlanforCollege.

For many families, college is one of the biggest investments they will ever make. Fortunately, as the cost of college trends upward, so too is the incidence of responsible decision-making when it comes to financing an education.

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5 tips for protecting kids with food allergies at school (BPT) - If it seems like life-threatening food allergies are more common than they were when you were a kid, you’re not imagining it. The number of children with food allergies increased by nearly 50 percent between 1997 and 2011, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Researchers are working to discover why food allergies are on the rise in developed countries around the world.

In 2011, Congress passed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to improve food safety in the United States. This act shifted the focus of food safety from response to prevention. The shift resulted in new guidelines for parents and educators to manage the risks of food allergies and severe allergic reactions.

There might not be a cure for food allergies, but there are some steps you can take to ensure your child is safe at school: Form a partnership with teachers and school staff.

Communication is key when it comes to managing allergy risks. Introduce yourself to all the adults your child sees every day, from teachers and nurses to bus drivers, cafeteria staff and administrators. There are often misconceptions surrounding food allergies, so take this time to clear those up. Provide specific information about your child’s needs and how each staff member can support them each day, as well as in an emergency situation.

Have a collection of go-to safe snacks.

Food allergies can be scary, but don’t let food become an object of fear in your family.

Allergies create an opportunity to teach your kids about safe eating.

Find safe snacks to put in your child’s lunchbox or backpack, like Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, which are now made in a peanut-free facility and safe for kids with peanut allergies. Kids with allergies often feel left out during times with class treats, but storing wholesome and tasty options like these in their locker is the perfect solution.

Teach your child to manage their allergies.

Encourage your child to advocate for his or herself when it comes to prevention.

Find books about food allergies to read with younger children and help them practice with auto-injector trainers. When they’re ready, teach them to read food labels, speak up for themselves at school, avoid non-labeled or homemade foods and recognize the symptoms of a reaction.

Have your child wear a medical ID. You can keep your kids safe when you’re around, but when they’re at school, camp or even a friend’s house, you can’t always protect them. Wearing a medical ID helps kids remember exactly what they’re allergic to. And if they have a reaction when you’re not there, a medical ID lets others know what to do by listing your contact information and instructing to use an auto-injector or call 911.

Have a plan for emergencies.

You can download the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan from the Food Allergy Research and Education website. This plan outlines recommended treatment in case of an allergic reaction and has space for specific doctor notes and emergency contact information. It also includes allergens, symptoms and easy-tofollow treatment instructions. Print out several copies of your plan and keep them in an easily accessible place. Let your physician, school staff and other parents know it is available.

Follow these steps to ensure your child is as safe as possible from their food allergens. To learn more about food safety, visit foodallergy.org and for more peanut-free snack options, visit snydersofhanover.com.

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Mental Tricks to Help Raise Grades (StatePoint) Maintaining strong grades in every subject can be tough on even the brightest of the bunch. This is especially true these days, as students routinely are taking on more extracurricular activities and part-time jobs while enrolled in school.

Students looking to grasp complicated class material -- and still have time left at the end of the day -- can stand to benefit from tried-and-true systems for learning, say experts.

“Every student from a young age should learn speed reading, speed math and mnemonics,” says Harry Edelson, venture capitalist, managing director of Edelson Technology Partners and author of the new book, “Positivity: How to be Happier, Healthier, Smarter, and More Prosperous.”

Edelson, the son of an illiterate Russian immigrant, attributes his triumph over childhood poverty and success in the classroom and business world, to the adoption of key mental tricks and a positive attitude. In “Positivity,” he delves into how others may follow suit. Here he shares a few insights.

Speed Reading Speed reading allows a reader to take in written material much more quickly than traditional reading. While those wishing to improve their speed reading skills once had to attend seminars or enroll in a course, now lessons are widely offered online.

Free software, as well as apps available for download to your phone, can offer training in this useful art.

Speed Math Like speed reading, speed math can help students finish their homework faster and with more precision.

Additionally, learning this skill offers students a deeper understanding of mathematical operations.

A range of books on the subject, as well as online tutorials, can supplement classroom learning.

Mnemonics So much of school testing involves the need for recall and recitation, especially as schools nationwide adopt Common Core Standards. Mnemonics are a classic and effective method of memorization and information retention. Depending on the material, students can turn to existing mnemonic devices or create their own.

Positive Thinking “I consider myself to be very lucky. I have been happy all my life even though I started out as poor as a child could be,” says Edelson, who says positivity can lend itself to success. “Take control of your senses, determine to be happy and develop a frame of mind that will make you and all those around you happy.”

For an edge this semester, don’t reinvent the wheel. Consider first the academic techniques and personal philosophies that have worked so well for others.

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Classroom technology unites students nationwide, ushers in new learning experience (BPT) - When Cyndi Roberts steps into her classroom in Columbus, Ohio, her 19 students finish their conversations and get ready to start the day’s lesson. Like a scene from a high-tech science fiction film, she’s followed by voice-activated motion-detection cameras as she greets 14 people in the seats in front of her and five students who are gathered almost 500 miles away.

For Roberts, assistant national dean, College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University, any distance vanishes. She writes on the whiteboard in her Columbus classroom, knowing her notes are appearing, in real-time, on the whiteboard in front of her students in Philadelphia. Cameras automatically follow the student voices and movements there too, so Roberts can hear their questions and see their responses.

Exchanges like this are the norm for students who take classes in DeVry University’s innovative connected classrooms. The new learning experience incorporates cutting-edge technology to connect two to three classroom locations for simultaneous instruction, with a single instructor.

“This connected-classroom technology is not merely a teacher standing in front of the room, lecturing to students over a video feed,” says Brian Bethune, Ph.D.,

national dean of the College of Media Arts & Technology at DeVry University.

“It is a completely interactive, immersive education environment. Through this technology, we aim to meet the next generation needs and expectations of our students, and provide an enhanced experience. Here, students take active roles in discussions and interact with professors and fellow classmates - whether sitting next to each other, or in cities far apart.”

Framing today’s education experience Currently, there are 23 innovative classrooms on campuses across the country, each equipped with voice-activated motion cameras, facial recognition software, highdefinition wide-screen monitors with picture-in-picture views, desktop cameras and interactive touch-screen whiteboards. The technology enables an immersive learning community among students with diverse geographies and education needs.

The classrooms are used for courses ranging from engineering technology to composition and financial accounting. Instructors complete in-depth trainings so their curriculum fits the classroom format, rather than vice versa. While remote conferencing is widespread in the business world, a setup like this is completely new to education.

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“From day one, I made a point to learn remote students’ names and include them - so much, in fact, I now have to hold back from calling on them exclusively,” says Teresa Hayes, a professor at DeVry University’s campus in Chicago. “It’s made me very aware of each student in my class. I can tell which ones are struggling and give them the attention and resources they need. The technology has changed the way I teach.”

Hayes’s adaptive approach represents the state of education as a whole. A Pew Research report, “’How Do They Even do That?: How Today’s Technology is Shaping Tomorrow’s Student,” indicates that as technology changes how humans interact and access information, it is also changing how students prefer to learn.

The report acknowledges digital technology not only enhances existing classrooms, but it can also completely change the relationship students have with their physical learning environment.

Driving tailored, targeted learning for tomorrow Technology-driven classrooms can fill a gap in today’s globally connected world.

When classes are only offered online or in-person, students who prefer on-site learning are limited by course offerings at their local campus. The connected classroom technology provides benefits on a practical level, including having access to more courses and exposure to video conferencing capabilities that mirror the way communications happen in many companies today.

The next steps for the technology will be to expand to more DeVry University campuses and more classrooms in the near future.

Toward the end of class, students from the different campuses wave goodbye and wish each other a good weekend. It seems connecting new friends is one thing that may never change about the college experience.

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Cecil College and Penn State Harrisburg sign articulation agreement for Early College Academy program Representatives from Cecil College and Penn State Harrisburg signed a new articulation agreement between the two institutions that allows a smooth transition for students enrolled in Cecil’s Early College Academy (ECA) programs to complete a four-year degree at Penn State Harrisburg.

The ECA program enrolls students in grades 9 through 12. Successful students simultaneously complete the program with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree in general studies from Cecil College.

Cecil College currently has ECA programs running in the Oxford Area School District in Pennsylvania, Cecil County Public Schools, and for local homeschool families.

Penn State Harrisburg, located in Middletown, Pennsylvania, is the most comprehensive of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, offering more than 65 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

“Cecil’s ECA program significantly reduces barriers to degree attainment allowing students to successfully transition to four-year colleges and

universities. Partnering with Penn State ensures our ECA students will continue to benefit from the support and high academic standards that will allow them to own their future,” said Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt.

This agreement provides a pathway for students who have successfully completed an Associate of the Arts in General Studies at Cecil College to transition to a baccalaureate degree program at Penn State Harrisburg. The agreement defines admission criteria and processes, course equivalencies, and academic advising services to support students in their transition from Cecil College to Penn State Harrisburg.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Cecil College,” said Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor John M. Mason Jr. “The ECA is a unique program among institutions with which we have articulation agreements, allowing high school students to get a head start in their college education. I am impressed with the achievements of these students, and we look forward to welcoming

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them to Penn State Harrisburg. I am confident that they will become proud graduates of our bachelor’s degree programs, and that some may choose to continue on to our master’s programs as well.”

Successful ECA students who wish to attend Penn State Harrisburg must complete the admissions process, including an undergraduate admissions application, submission of all official transcripts, as well as official standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). The admissions application fee will be waived. Penn State Harrisburg will consider applicants as incoming first-year students with credit. Therefore, students must meet the college’s first-year admissions standards.

“Cecil College’s partnership with Penn State University is very welcome by the Oxford Area School District community. Each year, many graduating Oxford students seek admission to Penn State programming and the addition of the agreement to the Early College Academy will enhance and promote student interest in attending this prestigious university in the heart of Pictured here signing the articulation agreement are Robert Coffman, director of enrollment management Pennsylvania,” said David Woods, Superintendent of at Penn State Harrisburg, Dr. John M. Mason Jr., chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg, Dr. Mary Way Bolt, Oxford Area School District. president of Cecil College, and Dr. Christy Dryer, vice president of academic programs at Cecil College.

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