JULY 2012
Back to School, back to AVINGS n
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o How to save l back-to-schoo clothes
Technology As a Learning Tool The many reasons to support technology in the classroom
Financing Your Future Financial considerations for adults mulling a return to school
Getting the Gig Job tips for new college grads
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
4 Alleviating first-day-of-school jitters 5 How to recognize if your child
has a vision problem
6 Buy school supplies in bulk and save 8 Homework help may force parents
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The many reasons to support technology in the classroom
18 Adults returning
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9 How parents can get involved at school 10 Classroom layout can affect learning 12 Tutors help fill educational gaps 14 Parents connecting with
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15 Net-Zero school is a living
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16 Autism rates rising...but why? 16 After-care options for
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17 Are school lunches
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18 Adults returning to school to
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There are many ways parents can help nervous youngsters get over the first day of school jitters.
ALLEVIATING FIRST-DAY-OFSCHOOL JITTERS A child’s first day of school is a momentous occasion, one that parents and children alike will never forget. For parents, the day might stir memories of their own first day of school all those years ago. For youngsters, the excitement of the first day of school might be accompanied by a little anxiety, as kids don’t know what to expect. Anxiety may decrease as kids grow more acclimated to their school and their classmates, but that first day can be difficult for some youngsters. Here are a few steps parents can take to prepare their children for
school. Discuss the schedule with your child. Having a schedule can be a difficult adjustment for youngsters, especially those who have never attended preschool or another structured program. To help kids handle this adjustment, discuss the schedule with your children ahead of time, explaining when school begins and ends each day and how activities are likely to be scheduled during the school day. In the weeks leading up to the first day of school, help kids get in the swing of
July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com things by waking them up earlier and scheduling some activities so kids can get used to a more structured environment. Visit the school. The school itself might also be a cause for anxiety. Kids who have never been inside of a school might benefit from a visit to the school in advance of their first day. Arrange a tour with the local school district so kids can see the bright classrooms and the playgrounds, which should settle any fears they might have about leaving the comforts of home for the classroom.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE IF YOUR CHILD HAS A VISION PROBLEM
Remind kids you’re just a phone call away. Going to school and becoming independent is an important step for kids, but children might be reassured if their parents remind them Mom and Dad are just a phone call away. Soon enough, kids will adapt to the classroom and won’t need that reassurance, but those initial nerves might be calmed if kids are reminded that their parents are still nearby. Consider carpooling with another family. One thing that’s certain to calm a youngster’s first-day-of-school jitters is the presence of a fellow friend or neighbor who is also going to school for the first time. Consider carpooling with another family so children forget about their anxiety and spend their school day mornings talking or playing with a friend. While this might not be feasible on the very first day of school when parents want to cherish the occasion by dropping their kids off themselves and watching them walk into school, it can help going forward.
teacher feels the child might be struggling with his or her vision. Such struggles can affect how a child performs in school.
recommend such surgery until a patient’s eye has fully developed, which does not occur until after childhood.
Children who get frequent headaches might also be suffering from nearsightedness.
Are there other symptoms of childhood vision problems?
Doctors recommend that kids have their eyes examined at six months, three years of age and prior to entering the first grade. But even if kids have passed previous eye examinations at each of those benchmarks, it’s best to take them for another exam the moment a vision problem is suspected.
Let kids know their classmates will likely be nervous as well. For youngsters who seem especially nervous about their first day of school, parents can point out that other kids are likely just as nervous. Parents can even share stories of their own anxiety with regard to school and explain to kids how the nervousness was quickly calmed.
Is myopia preventable?
Parents want their kids to be as healthy as possible. Whether tailoring kids’ diets to include healthier foods or encouraging their youngsters to be physically active, parents often go the extra mile with regards to the health of their children. But as hard as parents may try, some health-related issues are difficult to avoid or prevent. For example, even the most conscientious parents might have little influence over their children’s vision. Many children have a form of myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, which progressively worsens as kids get older but eventually stabilizes when their eyes have stopped growing, typically in a young adult’s early 20s. Myopia is common and treatable, but parents should still educate themselves about it so they can better respond should they suspect their child is suffering from nearsightedness. What causes myopia? When a person has myopia, light
entering his or her eye is focused incorrectly. Nearsighted people usually have an eyeball that is slightly longer than normal from front to back, and the light rays that make up the images a nearsighted person sees focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result is that objects that are far away appear blurry. Are there indicators that a child is nearsighted? Kids likely won’t tell their parents that they are struggling to see distant objects clearly, so it’s important for parents to look for indicators that a child might be struggling with myopia. Kids who are nearsighted might squint to see objects that are far away, including the television. One of the telltale indicators is how a child behaves in the classroom. Children who tell their teacher they need to move closer to the chalkboard should be taken to the eye doctor. Parents who suspect their child might be nearsighted can talk to their child’s teacher and ask if the
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Since it is often inherited, myopia is not preventable. However, treatment can significantly minimize its effects. Children who appear to be struggling to see distant objects clearly should be taken for an eye exam. That exam may include an eye pressure measurement; a refraction test, which is used to determine a correct prescription for eyeglasses; a retinal examination and a visual acuity test, which measures sharpness of vision at close and far distances. When a child is diagnosed as being nearsighted, the doctor will likely prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK surgery can correct vision, but many surgeons are reticent to
There are additional symptoms of childhood vision problems that might not indicate nearsightedness, but might indicate another problem that should result in a trip to the eye doctor. For example, a child might close one eye when watching television or reading. This could be indicative that vision in one eye is poorer than the other. Young children who struggle to color within the lines might have an issue with their handeye coordination. Poor hand-eye coordination could be the result of a vision impairment. Children who tilt their head to one side to improve vision might be suffering from a vision problem that makes it difficult for them to look directly down. Vision problems can negatively affect how a child performs in school as well as in social situations. Though such vision problems are not always preventable, parents who can identify them can greatly minimize their effects.
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not vary their requirements from year to year, so if your son or daughter has been assigned a teacher, ask around among last year’s students to see what that teacher requires. This way you can head to the store or comparison shop online at your convenience.
BUY SCHOOL SUPPLIES IN BULK AND SAVE
It’s the time of year to stock up on pencils, scissors and other school supplies. Purchase in bulk could save you money.
The back-to-school season is fast approaching. This is a time of school bus traffic on the roads, anxious parents snapping first-day-of-school photos, and children will meeting their new classmates and forging new friendships. This time of the year is also one when parents and students must shop for school supplies. Tradition dictates that families will flock to stores after dismissal and shop for folders, binders, pens and protractors. Caught up in the moment, many shoppers choose convenience over low prices on school supplies. Parents could end up at the check-out line with a considerable bill to pay, particularly if they are shopping for multiple students. Buying items in bulk — and sharing the cost — may be a more affordable option. Although it can be easy to procrastinate and wait until school starts to buy supplies, it might be prudent to shop before the new school year begins. Many teachers, in an attempt to help parents save money, publish school-supply lists online in advance of the school year. Most teachers do
Some supplies are standard regardless of class assignment. These include pens and/or pencils, folders, spiral notebooks, copy paper, looseleaf paper, erasers, crayons, markers, and highlighters. Purchased individually, the per-unit cost of each item may be higher than purchasing these items in bulk. This is when the advantage of buying in bulk shines through. Here are some helpful hints for parents about to shop for school supplies. • Shop for frequently used items in bulk, whether from online wholesalers or through a warehouse store for which you are a member. • Collaborate with a few different school parents to chip in for school supplies. Then one parent does the shopping and splits the supplies with the others. • Keep a stockpile of supplies at home. They do not expire, and next year you may not have to shop at all. • Having extra supplies on hand enables duplicate sets for at home and in school for consistency. • Some parents like to buy many supplies and then donate some for underprivileged children. This time of year manufacturers or retailers could actually donate a portion of school-supply proceeds to some educational organizations. • Buying larger quantities of
supplies could enable you to build up rewards points at certain retailers. This may entitle you to future coupons or dollar awards that can be put toward more expensive items, including tablets or graphing calculators. • Contact the teacher and see if you can volunteer to buy all of the supplies in bulk for the entire class, with each student then paying the required amount. This will save many families time and effort. • If you have a friend or family member who is a teacher, find out if he or she can purchase your school supplies. Often teachers are eligible for a discount on school supplies. • Purchase bulk quantities of certain supplies and find out if they can be sold as a fundraiser for the school. A portion of the sales will go to the PTA. Buying school supplies in bulk can save money and provide an opportunity to give something back to the school community.
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Homework time often becomes a family affair. Many parents are finding they need to brush up on basic skills to offer adequate assistance.
HOMEWORK HELP MAY FORCE PARENTS
TO REFRESH SCHOOL SKILLS Your fifth grader brings home math homework and asks for your assistance. The class is up to multiplying fractions, and it’s been years since you’ve done this type of work. Never mind numerators and denominators, the most you know about fractions at this point is how a pizza is cut into eight slices. What are you going to do when your child is a teenager bringing home even harder homework? Although they are routinely the first people students ask for homework help, many parents confess they are flummoxed by algebra equations and can’t tell a preposition from a participle. Whether they earned straight As when they were students or not, lack of practice means parents may no longer recall the lessons of their youth.
In a 2010 Encyclopedia Britannica survey, researchers tested 500 British parents who had children under the age of 16 at the time. The parents took a quiz based on lessons studied for General Certificate of Secondary Education, or GCSE, exams. The survey found that mothers struggled, answering 12.3 percent of questions correctly, while fathers (27.8 percent) did not fare much better. Many North American parents struggle to help their students with homework as well. Immigrant parents have the most difficulty, likely due to language barriers. In addition, immigrant parents were likely schooled in different education systems in another part of the world, making homework assignments seem foreign even for those parents who speak English well. Parents who understand the homework may be confusing their children by assisting them in a manner that is inconsistent with the way the students are now bing taught. So what is a parent to do? Some school districts are aware of the problem and provide solutions.
Jill I., a parent in New York, says that her son’s school sends home a parental instruction book that explains the basics behind subject matter and illustrates how to explain it to children. Other parents are left floundering to figure out the best way to be of assistance to their kids. These are some of the steps they can take. Contact the teacher and find out if you can purchase or borrow a copy of the teacher’s edition of the textbook. This way you can keep abreast of the lessons and instruct in the same way that the lessons are being taught in school. If a book is not available, find out if instructional materials can be assembled to assist you in mastering the concepts. Log online to search for the subject matter and refresh your memory. Many teachers or experts volunteer information online to help educate students (and parents) about math, science, reading, and other subjects. Parents looking to double-check their math and science work can use a Web site like Wolfram Alpha, which is a computational knowledge engine.
Hire a tutor if you find you’re doing more harm than good when assisting with homework. If lack of personal knowledge about the homework or simple frustration over your child’s inability to grasp the lessons is making homework time unbearable, and ending in a shouting match, consider the use of a tutor. Students a few years older than your child might be able to help with homework because it is more fresh in their minds. Plus, your child may feel less pressure when learning from a peer or older sibling. The “MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: The Homework Experience,” a 2007 survey which polled teachers, students and parents, found that almost everyone believed in the value of homework. Homework was viewed as an essential part of student learning. Because it is an integral part of a child’s learning experience, it behooves parents to find ways to assist with homework questions, no matter the method.
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HOW PARENTS CAN GET INVOLVED AT SCHOOL
Research indicates that children whose parents get involved with their education are more likely to earn better grades and less likely to have behavior problems in the classroom. The concept of parents working in conjunction with schools is nothing new. A 1987 study by Paul G. Fehrmann and colleagues documented the importance of parental involvement on their child’s grades. Published in the Journal of Education Research, the study found that when parents stayed directly involved in their child’s studies throughout high school, the child’s grades improved. There are many different reasons for parents to get involved with their child’s school and the community. Helping their children succeed is just one of them. The choice is just how to go about connecting with the school. Here are a few ideas. Work with the teacher Teachers are increasingly facing obstacles with regards to time and funding. Many must preside over large classes and are responsible for outfitting their classrooms with certain supplies. This presents ideal opportunities for parents to step up and pitch in. Volunteering in your child’s classroom is a good way for you to help his or her teacher and get a firsthand account of what your child is doing in class. You may be asked to prepare and package homework assignments or put together materials for craft projects. Some teachers welcome parents who come in to read books to the class or even give spelling tests. Think about chaperoning a field trip or helping with the set-up and cleanup of class parties. If you keep an open dialogue with the teacher through phone calls or e-mail, you may be presented with plenty of opportunities to get involved. Attend meetings Parent-teacher associations or organizations are often instrumental in
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helping a school to run smoothly. They are the people behind fundraisers and special activities outside of the classroom. The PTA is also privy to information on upcoming events before the rest of the school community. Attending monthly meetings can keep you up to speed on the goings-on at your child’s school. It will also ensure your voice is heard with regards to school policy. Showing your face at meetings will also give you the opportunity to meet other parents. Attend special events Not every parent can serve on the PTA or be present in the daily activities of the classroom. However, you can show your support by attending special events hosted by the school — such as fundraisers or field-day activities. Volunteer your time with the setup of teacher-appreciation lunches and bake sales, serve as a tour guide for the school when new parents are invited, build sets or make costumes for a school play, or take pictures of events and create a collage to be put on display in the school.
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TUTORS HELP FILL EDUCATIONAL GAPS Many parents choose to hire a tutor for a child who is struggling with a portion of his or her school work. Finding the right tutor involves some research. That’s because, in addition to the tutor being well versed in his or her area of expertise, he or she should have a connection with the tutored child. Otherwise the child may struggle. The role of standardized testing has increased in recent years, and a child’s test scores are now subject to heightened scrutiny during his or her academic career. No longer just for admittance to college, standardized tests now play a bigger role earlier on in a child’s academic career. Tests taken during elementary school may be used to determine where a child attends middle school. Some schools are prepping students strictly for what will be on tests. The resulting gaps in the curriculum can leave students clueless about routine lessons, such as spelling or grammar. The combination of these factors has led many parents to hire tutors to ensure their children receive a more well-rounded education. According to Eduventures, an educational market research firm, tutoring is now a $4 billion industry, with revenues increasing by 15 percent each year since 2001. With so many people getting into the tutoring business, the average parent may not know where to look to hire someone for his or her child’s needs. There are a few steps you can take to hire a tutor. • Contact your child’s teacher or teachers, some of whom may tutor outside of the classroom. If your child responds well to a teacher’s methods, consult that teacher about the possibility of your child receiving private tutoring. • Visit the guidance department and find out if they recommend tutors who have successfully worked with students at the school in the past. This can help narrow down the number of prospects. • Talk to other parents about their experiences with tutors. Those who have been in the same situation may recommend a tutor or point you in the right direction. • Explore the franchised tutoring businesses available in the neighborhood. Most, if not all, tutoring
companies have a Web site where you can research options. A quick browsing of the Internet may also yield reviews of particular companies, so you will get a better idea of their track records. • Check the newspaper for advertisements. Independent or freelance tutors may advertise their services in the classifieds or even in a church bulletin. The newspaper also may provide information on former teachers or educators acting as volunteer tutors. • Visit the library and see if they have a relationship with any local tutors. Or see if any tutors are using the library as a meeting place for tutoring sessions. This way you can make a connection and find out more information. Once you find the right tutor, be sure to have all policies spelled out in a contract. Make sure the tutoring rate and duration of services is listed as well as any guarantees of student improvement. It is a good idea to do a background check on the tutor to ensure your child’s safety. When the student meets with the tutor, make sure it is in a quiet, private location that will facilitate learning without any distractions. Many parents realize their children can benefit from a tutor offering personalized lessons.
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PARENTS CONNECTING WITH
SOCIAL MEDIA product reviews and online entertainment. Reports show that adults devote a quarter of their time spent online to social media sites. Parents, in particular, are finding new ways to put these sites to use. There is a power outage, and your child’s school is dismissing students early, requiring you to arrive quickly for pickup. Your kid will not be left waiting for you because you got this information immediately after a quick log-in to the social media site you use to connect with other parents. Some other parents may be delayed in receiving this important information because they rely on phone alerts. Social media has changed the way people communicate. Whether through tweets or status updates, information shared through social media avenues is often instantaneous and can reach a large number of people, which is why many parents have turned to social media to learn about events at school. According to a study by Nielsen McKinsey Company, parents are more likely than adults without children to play games, engage in creative pursuits, and look for entertainment on Facebook, blogs and other social sites. The data collected from 2,000 adults (both parents and nonparents) who frequently use social media found 88 percent of users rely on social networking sites for communicating with family and friends. The next most popular activity is connecting with new friends, followed by accessing
Social media is helping parents in a variety of ways, even enabling them to keep an eye on their children when they go online. According to a survey from Laptop magazine, 55 percent of parents are using social media to watch their kids’ online activities. Of that 55 percent, one-fifth indicated they only use social media to monitor their child’s online activity. However, social media has other handy purposes. Many parents use it as they would a bulletin board — posting all types of information. Some parents use social media to stay abreast of school happenings, asking questions about when fundraiser money is due or if anyone got the spelling words for the week. Others find it is a good way to meet parents or speak with the parents of their child’s classmates. Some moms and dads use it to set up parents’ nights out, advertise things for sale or ask for recommendations on contractors. Parents also use social media to invite people to special events, including birthday parties. Others can see who was invited and decide if they’re going to come, too.
Parents are increasingly relying on social media sites to communicate with others and learn about school happenings.
More parents are turning to social media sites for advice and information, to stay in touch or simply to share a good laugh.
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NET-ZERO SCHOOL IS A LIVING LESSON IN CONSERVATION
At Richardsville Elementary school, all the electricity is produced self-sufficiently. This is the result of a groundbreaking collaboration between the architects, builder, and suppliers to produce the first net-zero achievable school in the United States. This building in Bowling Green, Kentucky is so energy efficient it is able to produce, on site, as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. Kids tend to be attracted to good news and hopeful information and it was soon apparent that the students at Richardsville reveled in the innovations that have made their school so special. Pay a visit today and you may be greeted by a student eager to conduct a tour, pointing out all of the energy-saving components and underlining how technology can have such a positive impact on everyday life. “We believe that the bridge to the future begins with the successful education of our children,� says principal architect, Kenny Stanfield at the Louisville location of Sherman, Carter, Barnhart Architects. “So it’s appropriate that this building of the future be a public school. A net-zero
achievable school, as defined by the federal government, must use 25 kBtus or less per square foot annually, whereas the typical school today consumes 73 kBtus of energy.� So what materials and methods should we be using in future buildings and in our new homes? To answer this, a student tour guide at Richardsville will first point out that the construction team needed to make many strategic decisions regarding walls, windows, roofing, water management, ventilation, indoor climate control, and kitchen utilities. “The key to designing and achieving an affordable net-zero building is a focus on strategies that reduce energy consumption,� Stanfield explains. “We always begin those design strategies with a high performance building envelope, and for those walls, it is insulated concrete forms that work admirably with this number one goal.� To replace the inefficiency of the standard wall construction methods, insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are delivered to the construction site where, to build
the walls quickly and efficiently, they lock together like Lego. The supplier, Nudura, says that their ICF system (nudura.com) is comprised of stay-in-place, preassembled forms that are steel reinforced and then filled with concrete. “The durability and energy efficiency of this concrete system has shown to reduce energy costs up to 70 percent,� says Todd Blyth, a manager with the company. “As compared to wood walls on your home, the Nudura system has shown to be nine times stronger, with far more fire protection, and with far more sound insulation.� Student Tour Richardsville kids would probably also show you: the 40,000 solar panels on the rooftop that convert solar power to electricity and deliver clean, renewable energy back to the community; the geothermal heating and cooling system; the north-south positioning of the school for effective daylight; the wireless computers; and all of the energyefficient food preparation because “a standard school kitchen typically accounts for 25 percent of the building’s energy drain.�
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
AUTISM RATES RISING... AFTER-CARE OPTIONS FOR
BUT WHY? In early 2012, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued findings from a study that found 1 in 88 children is now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by the age of eight. This is a 23 percent increase in ASD diagnoses in just two years. What troubles doctors is that the rate has risen far above the 2006 estimate of 1 in 110.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that ASD includes a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by social impairment, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Children with ASD can have difficulties learning what are typically simple lessons for other children. Although ASD varies in severity, the common thread is that it occurs in all ethnic groups and affects every age. Males are four times more likely to have ASD than females. Doctors do not understand why autism rates have risen so profoundly. Some believe that a broader definition of autism is fueling these growing numbers. Diagnostic criteria has changed, and ASD is now encompassing conditions that weren’t first included under the autism banner. Currently, ASD is classified into the following subsets. Pervasive developmental disorders (not otherwise specified, or PDDNOS): These are a large group of disorders characterized by delays in communication and socialization skills. Children may vary in their abilities, intelligence and behaviors. A PDD is typically diagnosed by age three. Asperger’s syndrome (AS): AS is a developmental disorder that includes repetitive routines or rituals, peculiarities in speech and language, such as speaking in a formal manner or monotone, socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact with peers, clumsy motor movements, and problems with nonverbal communication. Unlike children with autism, children with AS retain their early language skills, but their condition may be realized due to motor development delays, says the National Institutes of Health.
Autism disorder (AD): Also known as classical autism, those with this diagnosis often have the most severe form of ASD. Characteristics of this disorder include repetitive movements, self-abusive behavior, inability to speak or communicate, failure to play with other children, and no smiling or social responsiveness. Many with AD have restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus. Because children are placed on the autism spectrum at different severities, autism in general is quite a broad term — and only seems to be getting broader. Therefore, net ASD includes more and more children who may not have been diagnosed with ASD in the past. Increasingly, doctors and specialists have a better understanding of behaviors and symptoms indicative of ASD, which means more children have the potential for an ASD diagnosis than in the past. These are just some of the factors contributing to why autism rates seem to be growing. According to Autism Speaks, just a few years ago little was known about the causes of autism. Now it is known that there is no one cause of autism, just as there is no one type. Scientists recently identified a number of rare genetic changes, or mutations, associated with autism. Many cases, however, seem to be a combination of genetics and environmental influences during early brain development. The organization also notes that the clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth. They include advanced parental age at the time of conception (both of mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. These factors don’t cause autism, but they can contribute to it. Autism spectrum disorder affects more than one million children in the United States alone. Mark Roithmayer, president of Autism Speaks, says that autism should officially be considered an epidemic in the United States. Ongoing research and customized treatment options remain the best opportunities for anyone with ASD.
DUAL-INCOME FAMILIES
Dual-income families are relying on after-care programs and more.
In a perfect world, school and work hours would run concurrently. But the average school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 3:00 p.m., while the average work day lasts from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As a result, parents must arrange for child care during those hours when school is out, but Mom and Dad are still at work. The two-income family is more common than ever before. Up until the 20th century, a dual-income family was rare. Today, however, roughly 80 percent of families in North America have both parents working, and many find it is impossible to live on one income. Dual-income families often have to make difficult choices about child care. If a mother returned to work shortly after giving birth, day care was probably arranged early on. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, 48 percent of children ages 0 to 4 with employed mothers were primarily cared for by a relative. Twentyfour percent spent the majority of their time in a center-based arrangement. As children grow and attend elementary school, traditional day care is usually not an option and parents have to make other arrangements. School-based care Many schools offer programs both before and after school, many of which are reasonably priced. This helps dual-income families, but may not be practical during early-release days, during teacher planning days or holiday breaks. Programs that help parents before school typically allow working parents to drop off their children before the parents head to work. The students are kept in the school’s gym or cafeteria until the regular school day begins. The same scenario applies to after school programs. At dismissal, after-care students will return to the designated location to work on homework or engage in some activities with other after-care participants until their parents arrive to take them home.
Family and friends Parents who prefer a different situation than school-based care frequently turn to friends or family members to bridge the gap between school and work. Students who carpool may be dropped off early at the driver’s home and stay there after school until their parents get home. In addition, many families have welcomed older relatives back into their homes in light of the struggling economy. In such instances, grandparents or aunts and uncles can look after the kids once school has ended for the day. After-school programs Some children are enrolled in care centers that watch children before school, bus them to school and then return in the afternoon to pick up the children again. This is one of the more costly options in child care. However, it may be more educationally structured than the care programs provided at school. Students who participate in sports or academic clubs may have an arrangement to stay with a teacher, coach or club administrator until their parents are home from work. These programs vary depending on the region of the country and the particular school district. Personal finances also play a role in the type of care families can afford. When the decision is made, there are some questions parents should ask before enrollment. • What is the ratio of caregivers to students? • What is the cost of the program? • How are delayed opening days and early dismissal days handled? Holidays and breaks? • What happens if I arrive late? • What activities will take place? • Is there ample time for homework? • Are caregivers teachers or volunteers? • Are background checks conducted? • Is financial assistance available? • What is the turn-over rate of staff? • Is there a nurse available? • Who oversees the program? • Is busing available? • How are emergencies handled? • How is poor behavior handled? • May I visit the program for a check-in? • With whom do I speak if I have a problem? • If my child is absent, do I receive a refund for that day? • How long is the waiting list?
These are just some of the questions to ask, and parents are encouraged to come up with their own to find the best program for their children.
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
ARE SCHOOL LUNCHES BECOMING HEALTHIER?
Sample before-and-after lunch menu for elementary students, courtesy fo the USDA.
Grilled cheese on a pretzel bun; maple burst pancakes; cold nachos; breaded chicken nuggets — these are some of the lunch options in school cafeterias across the country. Following streamlined government regulations aimed to make school lunches healthier, some parents are left scratching their heads wondering if anything has changed. In January 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled new standards for school meals that will result in healthier meals for kids across the nation. The new meal requirements will raise standards for the first time in more than 15 years and are expected to improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. The healthier meal requirements are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let’s Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama. The new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real-world circumstances of America’s schools, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA indicates that there are a few main components of the new lunch and breakfast standards: • Offer students both fruits and vegetables every day of the week. • Substantially increase offerings of whole grain-rich foods. • Offer only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties. • Limit calories based on the age of the children being served to ensure proper portion size. • Increase the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium. These changes are not perfect, but many believe they are a step in the right direction. Some parents, however, feel the new stipulations are not stringent enough, particularly when it comes to work-arounds for some of the new policies. For example, syrupy canned fruit cocktails that are high in sugar count toward the fruit requirement in many schools.
Sodium content is another bone of contention. Research indicates that lowering sodium levels can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. To adhere to the new lunch program, schools will have to cut sodium in lunches by more than 50 percent within 10 years. Currently, elementary school lunches contain roughly 1,300 mg of sodium. The goal is to lower that to 1,230 mg by the 2014/2015 school year, gradually dropping to 935 mg by 2017. Many parents and health experts feel sodium levels are not going down fast enough. The new plan will also extend nutrition standards outside of the cafeteria. Foods and beverages sold in vending machines and through other venues on campus must also be modified to adhere to a healthy diet. Canadians may learn from the trials in the United States should they develop their own school lunch programs. Canada remains the only westernized nation without a federally funded school food program. The reason Canada has not developed a national school food strategy (or even a coordinated provincial and territorial program) is that no single ministry takes responsibility for food. Students can bring their own lunches or choose among fast food in cafeterias or snacks from vending machines. One company taking advantage of the United States’ new school lunch standards is Domino’s Pizza. It has developed its “Smart Slice” school lunch program, which meets the revised standards set by the USDA. Freshly baked and delivered to schools, “Smart Slice” features multiple nutritious ingredients like whole-grain crust, light mozzarella cheese and reduced sodium sauce. Reduced sodium pepperoni is also available. More than 3,000 schools in 37 states participate in this food program. Although many changes have been put in place to make school lunches healthier, not all parents think these changes are sufficient. Parents who have concerns about school lunches can prepare lunches for their children that meet their personal standards.
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
ADULTS
RETURNING TO SCHOOL TO ADVANCE CAREERS What do you do if the economy has stalled your career prospects or left you looking for a new job? Many adults are choosing to go back to school.
Thousands of laid-off workers or those who are stuck in careers that may not have been their first choice find that the path to new opportunities runs through a classroom. Spurred by the $787 billion economic stimulus bill that President Obama signed back in February 2009, which included almost $2 billion for adult employment services like training, many adults have traded in their time cards for textbooks. Or they’re spending evenings and weekends taking courses after-hours. Community colleges and some vocational schools are finding the recession has been good for enrollment. To attract adult students, they’re offering programs that are tailored to individuals seeking new skill sets. Some school marketing teams have sent recruiters into factories and other industrial places to speak to workers at the source. Other schools are expanding or just developing online degree options, which
enable adults to take classes on their own time. Online schooling is an attractive alternative because of flexible schedules and no commute times. According to Back to College, an online resource for those interested in going back to school, recent statistics indicate more than 90 percent of traditional institutions provide or plan to provide some kind of program through distance learning. Thousands of students now log on to distance-learning portals instead of sitting in a traditional classroom. Those interested in going back to school will have some choices to consider and steps to take. Decide on what you want to study. Some adults are going back to school to further develop their skills in a particular career field. Others are returning to learn entirely new things in preparation for a new job. Have your major clearly defined so you can immediately get started with
schooling. Choose the college or university. There are schools all over the country and the world. Community colleges are less expensive than private schools, and some offer comparable educations. When going back to school, the prestige of the learning institution may not be as important the second time around. Many adults look for schools with online courses so they can continue to work. These will be factors in deciding where to go. Apply for financial aid. Adults returning to school are just as entitled to apply for financial aid as new students right out of high school. Federal funding and grants, as well as private scholarships, may be available to help pay for your education — especially if you’re experiencing financial hardship at the time. Start out slowly. Do not take too many classes at once if you already have a busy
schedule. You want to ensure you’ll have time to study and do your homework. Once you can gauge how much time the average class requires of you, you can increase the number of courses accordingly. Be patient. Although many adults are returning to school, it may be expected that you will be outnumbered in the classroom by younger students. Some adults feel awkward in these situations, while others embrace the opportunity for new experiences and chances to impart their own knowledge on younger classmates. It may take time to find your groove once more. There are several reasons adults are returning to school. The process has become easier now that the economy has made furthering your education almost a necessity.
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STOCK UP
Shopping for college wardrobe essentials need not break the bank.
ON COLLEGE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS FOR LESS
Prior to starting school, many students spend a portion of the summer scouting aisles of clothes at area stores to expand their wardrobes. Students entering or already enrolled in college may want to make subtle changes in the clothes they select. to put your best foot forward. Have the clothing dry cleaned frequently enough so it is always ready-pressed and sharp looking.
College students hoping to make a good impression may want to pay attention to the clothes they choose to wear to school, job interviews, formal functions and networking opportunities. Remember, you can network with everyone from fellow students to professors and other staff. This is why it can pay to concentrate on always looking dapper and well kept when attending classes or being on campus. College students who already are facing high tuition bills and costs for textbooks and supplies may feel they do not have the funds for a respectable wardrobe. However, it is possible to get professional-looking clothes on a budget. Start with the basics. Begin with the basics when assessing your wardrobe. Certain essentials can be used in many different ways. For example, suit starters, consisting of suit jacket, slacks (and skirts for women) and button-down shirts, can be mixed and matched. The slacks can be worn with just about any top, and the same goes for skirts. Pair a jacket with khakis or jeans for a less formal look that is still professional. The button-down shirt can dress up jeans and look crisp but not overly done-up.
Stock up on dark-wash jeans. Darkcolored jeans in a trouser cut look more professional than those that have been acid stained and purposely cut or full of holes or are too form-fitting. When going out, it is alright to wear trendier items, but in the classroom or when representing yourself and the school, you may want to wear more understated attire. A few basic shirts, sweaters and cardigans can be mixed and matched to look professional. Select a muted color palette. That great floral blouse may look tempting, but something that has a large pattern or is easily recognizable cannot be worn as frequently as something less noticeable. College students have minimal storage space and minimal funds for drawers full of clothes. It pays to find pieces that can be reused over and over. Basic colors, especially solid colors, are more versatile than more colorful items. Have at least one good suit. A well-fitting suit is an asset to a student going out on interviews or participating in internships. Be sure to have one or more suits or formal pairings that will serve well when you need
Shop sales or at discount stores. Just because you need to look polished doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Many discount stores, consignment shops and big-name retailers have classic styles in offbrands that are not as expensive. Shop at the end of the season when stores are clearing out old merchandise for the next round of clothing. Since classic pieces never go out of style, spend the end of the season shopping for lightweight clothes that can be worn next year instead of paying full price for autumn wardrobes right now. Choose clothes that can be cleaned in a washing machine. Check the care labels inside of clothes before purchase. Having
too many pieces that need to be dry-cleaned can eat away at your budget. Select fabrics that are more durable and can be washed easily. Ask for clothing as gifts. As a child, you may have cringed when you received clothes as a gift. But now that you’re older, clothing as a gift can be an asset. If you don’t trust the shopping skills of gift-givers, say that gift cards to specific retailers would be much appreciated. Don’t be shy about hand-me-downs. Certain family members or friends you know may have gently worn pieces of professional clothing that they can share. Rather than have these people put items in the donation bin, ask if you can look through the clothing to see if any items will enhance your wardrobe. Do not be embarrassed about asking for quality pieces on social media, either. Browse online auction and retail sites, such as Ebay or Etsy, for low-cost clothing. While you may not have to retrofit every piece of clothing to create an adequate college wardrobe, it pays to add pieces that will showcase your professionalism — especially to those people who still may judge a book by its cover.
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
JOB TIPS FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS Some analysts have begun to question the value of a college degree for recent college graduates who have student loans to pay off. But the concern should be less about the value of a degree and more about how recent graduates can find jobs in an economy where a lack of professional experience might make them more affordable, but ultimately less valuable to prospective employers. The following are a few tips recent college grads can employ to increase their chances at finding a job.
Though many college students dream of the day they will walk across the stage and receive their bachelor’s degree, the reality that awaits many after the last note of “Pomp and Circumstance” has been played may not be what is expected because job availability remains bleak. According to analysis of government data conducted for the Associated Press, nearly 54 percent of bachelor’s degree holders under the age of 25 were jobless or underemployed in 2011. That’s the lowest such level in more than a decade.
Use the resources at your disposal. Even if it may seem you’re on your own the moment you put away that cap and gown, there are resources at your disposal. Your university’s alumni career center, for example, has helped graduates find jobs in what has proven to be a historically bad economy over the last several years. Alumni career centers often sponsor networking events and will help recent graduates craft their resumes. Graduates who went to school away from home can still tap this potentially valuable resource even if they’re no longer nearby campus. Chat online with an alumni center representatives and access online video workshops that offer anything from interviewing advice to how to write a better cover letter. Other resources
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may include your parents, their friends, your own friends who have already found work or anyone else who might share their experience and advice. Look for jobs in fields that are expanding. Though it might seem as though no job fields are fertile in the current economy, that’s not true. Green jobs and jobs in the field of health, for instance, are growing and projections indicate that growth is expected to continue in the years to come. Such fields are likely to have more entry-level positions available, and entry-level positions do not typically target experienced professionals. Consider moving. One of the biggest advantages to being a recent college graduate is freedom to move around. Few have spouses or children to consider, and even fewer have a mortgage to pay. Having so few strings attached to you can work to your advantage — allowing you to relocate to a stronger job market even if you don’t already have a job offer in hand. As the economy has struggled, many companies have been forced to cut back, and one of the cutbacks many companies have made is reducing their relocation budgets. A 2009 poll from the Society of Human Resource Management found that
58 percent of companies had reduced their relocation programs, while 17 percent had eliminated such programs entirely. Simply put, companies have begun to limit their hiring to local candidates. If a particular company has caught your eye, consider moving to where that company is located. Being local might just make you a more attractive applicant. If no company has caught your eye, consider a relocation to a city with strong prospects for an unemployed person. A U.S. News analysis of statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and job aggregator Web site Juju. com indicated that Washington, D.C., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Boston, Massachusetts were the three best cities for an unemployed person to find work. In ranking the cities, the analysis considered the number of individuals per advertised job and the city’s overall unemployment rate. Other locales, including Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and St. Paul, Minnesota rated highly as well. Recent college graduates with nothing tying them down might want to consider relocating to a city where their prospects are stronger. Though there is no magic formula new college grads can employ to find a job, there are ways they can increase their chances going forward.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the College Board, the cost of a college education has risen by almost 130 percent in the last 20 years. However, middle-class incomes have flatlined, making a college education an unattainable goal for many students. Those who take out loans as a means to pay their way may want to consider college majors that may better prepare them to find jobs in well-paying fields and offset the cost of those loans. According to salary data site PayScale, engineering majors are the majors to consider if salary is a priority. • Petroleum engineering: Starting pay, $91,000; median pay, $155,000 • Chemical engineering: $64,500; $109,000. • Electrical engineering: $61,300; $103,000 • Aerospace engineering: $60,700; $102,000 • Computer engineering: $61,800; $101,000 • Physics: $49,000; $101,000 • Applied mathematics: $52,600; $98,600 • Computer science: $56,600; $97,900 • Nuclear engineering: $65,000; $97,800
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT INTERNSHIP rewarding career, and a step that provided valuable insight into their chosen field. To find the right internship, consider the following tips.
Work with your school. Whether you’re in college or you’re that rare high schooler looking for an internship, lean on your school for direction and advice. Colleges and universities have career centers that can help you gain an internship. They can assist you through access to job listings and by providing advice on crafting resumes and cover letters or tips on how to interview. In addition to your school’s career center, speak to professors in your desired field and seek their advice. Many professors likely have experience in the field outside of the classroom and might even still work in the field, be it full-time or as a consultant. These professors can point you toward job opportunities or give you advice on what prospective employers are looking for from an intern.
Recent college grads have found the job market to be somewhat underwhelming. Gaining the attention of a prospective employer is never easy, and it’s even less so when the economy is struggling.
Start early. It’s never too early to start looking for an internship. In fact, many companies hope to have their internship positions filled well in advance. For example, if you’re looking for a summer internship, begin your search no later than January and continue that search throughout the semester.
One of the ways current students or even recent graduates can make themselves more attractive to prospective employers is to find the right internship. Internships are not always easy to get, and many of them don’t pay. But students who find the right internship often look back and recognize that their internship was their first step toward a
In addition to starting early, don’t just seek summer internships. Some companies make internship opportunities available year-round, so you might be able to get one that coincides with the school year, even if you had a previous internship with a different company during the year. Internship experience is invaluable, and the more of it you
can gain the more attractive you are likely to be to potential employers after graduation. Do your homework. Chances are you’re working toward a degree in a specific field. Research the leading companies within that field and learn about their internship programs. Visit each company’s Web site and peruse their job listings. This is more direct and takes less time than searching for internship opportunities on the large job listing Web sites. Such sites might have internship listings, but searching through them can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Do some networking. You might not have an expansive network of associates to tap into, but that does not mean you should go it alone. Talk to your parents to see if they or someone they know has heard about any internship opportunities in your chosen field. You might also be able to network via your school’s career center, which likely has an alumni-networking service that enables you to contact past graduates currently working in your chosen field. In some instances, these alumni-networking services can be an internship gold mine, as past graduates might prefer to hire current students from their alma mater as opposed to applicants from other schools. Competition for internships is often steep, and that’s especially so when the economy is struggling and even recent graduates are hoping to land internships. But students can employ several strategies to find the right internships and take their first steps toward rewarding careers.
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
POOR JOB MARKET LEADS TO SURPLUS TEACHERS In response to teacher shortages in school districts across the country, many college students decided to earn degrees in education and graduate ready to fill the deficit. However, the tides have quickly turned, and now there are more teachers than there are jobs available. Even substitute teaching positions have dried up.
Budget shortfalls and poor performance has also jump-started school closings in Illinois, Ohio and Rhode Island. School closings are often based on poor performance on standardized tests, declining enrollment and outdated facilities. While closing and consolidating schools may or may not help students in the long run, it doesn’t bode well for teachers trying to find jobs. Fewer opportunities and more applicants have combined to make the current job market for teachers less than bountiful. And that problem is not uniquely American. According to TeachNZ in New Zealand, the number of school teachers leaving the profession is at its lowest point in a decade. And, not surprisingly, the number of teaching vacancies is also the lowest it has been in a decade. A new Nova Scotia report detailed a “critical” overabundance of qualified
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the education sector now hovers around 9 percent. Since autumn of 2008, school systems, state education agencies, technical schools, and colleges have shed about 125,000 jobs. Even teachers who specialize in math and science — subjects that tend to have the largest number of shortages — have found fewer and fewer opportunities. Schools simply are not hiring. School closings are one reason for the loss of jobs in all areas of education. New York City was recently in the spotlight after Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggested some schools be closed. New York City’s Panel for Educational Policy voted to shut down 19 of the city’s public schools due to underperformance.
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teachers in that province. Furthermore, the Ontario College of Teachers published an article in its in-house magazine about a dire surplus situation in the province, which is expected to continue for years. Some students are taking notice and making changes with regard to their education. Though a degree in education once nearly guaranteed a job, that is no longer true. Some teachers are electing to specialize in certain subjects that generally offer the most amount of vacancies. Others are considering relocation to different areas of the country in an effort to find jobs. Some teachers have decided to travel overseas and teach English to others until the job market at home levels off. Teaching was once a profession that was seemingly immune to the ups and downs of the economy. Today, budget constraints and other factors have greatly diminished the number of employment opportunities for teachers, leaving a surplus of teachers out of work or working in another field.
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July 19, 2012 - TheIntelligencer.com
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