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the emporia gazette

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enrollment A success By Ben Fitch

ben@emporiagazette.com

Online enrollment for Emporia schools began for the fall semester July 23. The process has come a long way, and will allow one family, currently vacationing in Japan, to enroll their student in the Emporia School District — a world away. In the beginning, about eight years ago, the Emporia School District started a central enrollment, meaning it centralized individual enrollments for each building into one location. Administration mailed out forms and information to parents in advance and asked parents to bring them back filled out. Come enrollment day, parents could sign up for transportation, food service, get immunizations for their child and so on, all in one location. Over time, the realization set in, that the amount of paper being mailed was overwhelming. “As technology has improved, we have moved from that to doing it online,” Nancy Horst, community relations director, said. “When we started our central enrollment, everything was paper and pencil and we had everything in one location.” The goal, said Horst, is to make the enrollment process easy and seamless, while eliminating paper waste. “We have a room set aside here at Mary Herbert and some extra staff coming in,” she said. “So, they can come here and get some assistance.” Full-scale online enrollment only began a year ago, and last year, it was held at Emporia High School.

“Now we’re in year two, people are probably a little more comfortable with it, and we’re going to be prepared at Mary Herbert to help people between Tuesday and Aug. 2,” Horst said before enrollment opened. While last year was the first time for completely online enrollment, the process of electronic enrollment has been phased into practice gradually over the past several years. For the first time last year, there was some apprehension among parents, Horst said, but this year was simpler and quicker. “We have re-populated some of the forms so they don’t have to retype everything,” Horst said. “We’ve made some improvements on the site itself.” The district trials the website with parents before launch, and the feedback this year was positive. Letters were mailed to parents of all returning students and kindergarten students who were pre-registered during kindergarten orientation. The letters included a unique log-in code for each child in the family. The code is required to access a student’s information and make needed updates and corrections. Parents were asked to complete their enrollment by Aug. 2. The district has eliminated textbook rental fees K-12 and pay-to-participate fees at the middle and high schools. Therefore, no fees were assessed for K-5 students, and 6-12 students were required to pay only a $10 activity fee per student. Yearbook and high school parking permit fees were optional.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Welcome back to school in South Lyon county By Mike Argabright

USD 252 Superintendent of Schools

We would like to welcome our students, staff, parents and patrons to the 2013-14 school year! The start of school provides enthusiasm, excitement, and a fresh start for students and staff. We are looking forward to another successful and rewarding year. Southern Lyon County continues to receive outstanding academic achievements on state assessments. Our academic success is a tribute to our students, staff, and parents. Our district is fortunate with many outstanding contributions towards post secondary scholarships for students to continue their educational and career goals after graduation. Our athletic and activity programs have enjoyed many successes over the years. We have a good balance of programs for our students to choose from. Students are encouraged to participate in various activities throughout the school year. Our communities support and enjoy our students’ successes in all areas. Facility improvements included annual roof replacements to maintain the integrity of our attendance centers and facilities. Building and bus security cameras are updated annually. Each building will have classrooms and areas with new flooring and paint.

We will be expanding our classroom opportunities with technology as we enter into the second year of our one to one technology initiatives. Southern Lyon County one to one technology initiatives; both PC and apple operating platforms, promethean interactive white boards in each classroom, document cameras, and Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) mobile labs are available for additional opportunities for students and staff in grades K-12. Our technology initiatives continue to bring an exciting era for student learning opportunities. We are committed and dedicated to provide opportunities for students to experience academic success and have the opportunities of activities, fine arts, vocational programs, and athletics in a positive atmosphere. We pride ourselves in low student to teacher ratios in building a strong foundation for academic success! We continue to work towards and achieve our goals and objectives at USD 252! Thank you to our staff, patrons, and USD 252 Board of Education! Parents and/or guardians interested in enrolling their children in our district should call 620-392-5519 to get the proper information or visit our website at www. usd252.org. First day of classes will be Aug. 21 starting at 8 a.m.! We are proud of our students, parents, patrons and communities!

teddy bear clinic

Emporia Gazette Photo

Children had an opportunity to experience first-hand what might happen if they visited their doctor or the hospital emergency department at the annual Teddy Bear Clinic held each April by Newman Regional Health. This non-threatening introduction to medical professionals can help soften the fear and anxiety young children feel when they visit their doctor. Children also learned about health and basic safety rules. Children and parents had an opportunity to visit fun and educational booths, see emergency vehicles including a fire truck, ambulance, medical helicopter, and more.


The emporia gazette

Friday, August 9, 2013

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Tips for Talking With Your Kids about Bullying StatePoint Media

Think bullying is just harmless teasing? An estimated 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students, according to the National Education Association. And Yale health researchers have found a connection between suicide -- the fourth leading cause of death in children ages 10 to 14 -- and bullying and being bullied. Experts say that kids themselves have the power to put a stop to bullying. Unfortunately, both victims and bystanders don’t always know the best way to handle bullying situations as they occur. “Most kids feel terrible when they see friends or classmates get bullied. They want to help, but they don’t what to do,” says Alice Cahn, Cartoon Network Vice President of Social Responsibility. “Having strategies for these situations can help prepare children to intervene when the time comes.” With this in mind, Cartoon Network launched the award-winning Stop Bul-

lying: Speak Up in 2010 to educate kids on what to do when they see friends getting bullied. In partnership with official advisors, including staff from the US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services; and partners including CNN, The Anti-Defamation League, the Pacer Foundation, and nationally recognized academic experts, the bullying prevention campaign aims to put a stop to this common and serious problem. The pro-social campaign is offering these tips for parents and kids to help stop bullying in their schools: ✦✦Tell an adult: When someone gets bullied, tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult. Talking about it isn’t tattling or snitching. It’s helping someone out. ✦✦Be friendly: Bullying can make a victim feel alienated and lonely. Saying a few kind words to the person who has been bullied makes a huge difference. ✦✦Volunteer: Your school’s bullying prevention program needs parents and students to help encourage everyone to speak up against bullying.

✦✦Say it loud: Ask your school to fly or display the official Stop Bullying: Speak Up flag, which indicates that the school is a place where bullying actions will not be tolerated. ✦✦Learn more: Free online resources can help you learn how to deal with bullies. Visit www.StopBullyingSpeakUp.com to access public service announcements, two 30-minute documentaries and tips sheets for parents and teachers that offer a step-by-step guide for safe and effective ways to be an active bullying bystander. The site also provides links to the Anti-Defamation League, Boys and Girls Club of America and other partners providing expert advice about bullying. All materials are available in English and Spanish. “Don’t stop there,” says Cahn. “These resources are meant to spark a conversation.” No child should feel like his or her school is not a safe place to learn. Parents, teachers and students can work together to make a difference.

Kids need to eat, so eat healthy StatePoint Media

Childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed over the past 30 years. Right now, onethird of American kids are overweight or obese. “Unfortunately, healthy eating for kids isn’t always stressed consistently,” says Debbie Blacher, founder of Wholesome Tummies, a children’s food franchise devoted to bringing nutritious meals to schools. “Many kids lack access to nutritious food and good information about healthful eating and behaviors.” Since most kids consume half their daily calories at school, healthy eating habits must be addressed both at home and in the classroom, she stresses. Blacher, a mom herself and an expert on crafting healthful school lunches, is offering these lunch packing tips for parents: ✦✦Make a bento box: Instead of packing the traditional entrée and sides, make lunch out of small snacks in a multicompartment box. Hardboiled eggs, raisins, an apple or other fresh fruit, crackers, tuna fish, pasta salad, veggies, dips and more. ✦✦Travel the world: Go with an international theme each day, such as Mexican, Asian or Italian. Include an educational note about the meal’s origin.

✦✦Include a surprise: Kids love surprises, such as favorite photos, stickers or a reminder about an upcoming event. A lunch box surprise can make your child’s day extra special. Busy parents may not have the time to pack lunch each day. But programs like Wholesome Tummies are providing schools with affordable, healthy, kid-friendly lunches. More information can be found at www. wholesometummies.com. But nutrition is only half the equation. As screen time competes for kids’ attention, active time is decreasing. And exercise is crucial to preventing obesity, improving motor skills and providing a social outlet. Unfortunately, not all kids are receptive. “One of the biggest challenges is getting shy kids to participate,” says Jyl Camhi, cofounder of Great Play, a children’s gym franchise that uses interactive technology and a progressive curriculum based on motorskill development. Camhi is offering tips to coax a child forward in a group fitness scenario: ✦✦Allow spectating: The first time in a new environment can be emotionally draining. Stay for an entire class and return the next time. ✦✦Never force participation: Be a source of comfort for your child while he or she sits on the sidelines. Your child will feed off your energy.

✦✦Look for peer leaders: Outgoing children are often thrilled to help another child feel more comfortable. ✦✦Sometimes leaving helps: Oftentimes kids behave better when they don’t have a parental crutch to lean on. ✦✦Pay attention to leaders’ personalities: Whether it’s classes, sports or school, the leader can make or break the experience. Does the coach make kids com-

fortable? Look for telltale signs and find a coach that works well with your child. More information about kids’ fitness or to find a Great Play Franchise near you can be found at www.GreatPlay.com. There are some trends not worth following — and an unhealthy lifestyle is one of them. With the right tools and tricks, you can be a positive influence on your kids’ health.

Emporia Gazette Photo


the emporia gazette

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Friday, August 9, 2013

Tips to make the home more conducive for learning Special to The Gazette

1. Reduce clutter and get organized Stacks of workbooks and papers make studying appear as a daunting task. Help your child organize his or her learning materials and store them in a dedicated place such as a filing cabinet or paper folders – one for each subject. Consider pasting a chart on the inside front cover of the folders to (1) track the amount of time spent studying for each subject, and (2) note what chapters and assignments have been completed. This will organize your student’s educational materials within your home and document his or her learning accomplishments for the school year.

ies – even if it is coming from another room. Be aware of when your child is studying and encourage family and visitors to avoid unnecessary interruptions, such as loud video games or conversations. Consider turning off or silencing electronic devices that can interfere with students’ concentration during study time.

3. Designate an “education space” Designate a room, or even a table, as your student’s learning space. Setting aside a specific area of your home where studying takes place creates an environment conducive to learning, much like a working classroom atmosphere. You and your child will come to associate that space with productive study habits.

2. Monitor noise levels Whether your child is working independently or together with you, phones, televisions and outside noises distract children and pull them out of their stud-

4. Create a routine Having a set time scheduled each day when learning or homework occurs creates good habits for you and your child.

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This also is important for other members of your family, so they can avoid creating distractions during study time. Do not allow yourself or your child to occasionally watch a favorite television show or go over to a friend’s house during this scheduled time. You must treat it as “study-only” time to reinforce the importance of the learning process.

5. Make learning enjoyable Showing interest in your child’s ideas and progress makes learning a positive process. Ask your child what materials or environment he or she needs to effectively learn and study within the home. Remember, learning at home doesn’t always have to be restricted to your residence – visiting a local science museum or taking in a play may be related to your child’s school work.

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The emporia gazette

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Changes in the Classroom StatePoint Media

Across the country, parents are beginning to notice that today’s classroom looks quite different from what they experienced in their own school days. From personalized learning technologies to new educational standards, teachers and administrators are using a variety of tools to ensure students are better prepared to succeed than ever before. In this era of innovation in education, this school year will be particularly exciting in part because states will be piloting assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards, the new set of K-12 educational standards designed to improve students’ readiness for college and future careers. So just what do these changes mean for your kids? • Shift to New Standards Schools nationwide are finding new ways to provide individually tailored lesson plans while addressing the Common Core State Standards, often relying on a new generation of educational technologies that help students learn and succeed at their own pace. McGraw-Hill Education’s Reading Wonders is one such tool. Available in both alldigital and print/digital formats, it is the first K-6 core reading program designed specifically for the new standards. “Even before the advent of the Common Core, we knew that preparing students for the demands of college and careers required setting a solid foundation in skills such as reading comprehension and writing,” said Christine Willig, senior vice president of products at McGraw-Hill School Education. “When the new standards reiterated the importance of these skills, we saw an opportunity to build an entirely new program that would address the Common Core requirements, by leveraging contemporary cognitive science about how we learn, using

cutting-edge digital tools.” • Personalized Learning Education research has shown that instruction becomes more effective when tailored to students’ unique learning styles and needs. Personalized learning tends to lead to deeper learning – which will help students meet many of the new Common Core standards. As classrooms continue getting bigger however, delivering that sort of individual attention to students becomes more difficult. With this in mind, Reading Wonders was built using entirely new educational technology, offering interconnected platforms personalized for students and teachers and accessible across any device. Other digital learning tools use additional techniques to help students succeed. McGraw-Hill Education’s LearnSmart and FLEX Literacy, for example, each use “adaptive” technology to continually assess students’ knowledge, skill and confidence levels and to create a unique study path designed to help each student in the topics and concepts they need most – a level of personalization previously only available from a personal tutor. LearnSmart delivers this adaptive learning experience for a variety of high school subject areas, while FLEX Literacy incorporates it into a comprehensive, Common Core-specific reading and language arts intervention system for students in Grades 3–8. More information about new digital programs, including those designed specifically for the Common Core State Standards, can be found at www.mheducation.com. In this ever-evolving educational landscape, keeping up with the changes can seem daunting – but it needn’t be. Parents can rest assured that teachers are increasingly equipped with new technologies that ensure their students are getting the personalized attention they need to improve their chances for long-term success.

Emporia Gazette Photo

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the emporia gazette

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Friday, August 9, 2013

Forum in Admire: Common Core receives criticism By Ben Fitch

ben@emporiagazette.com

ADMIRE — The debate over Common Core standards is as far reaching as Admire, and it is heating up. Local legislators and state school board representatives were confronted with overwhelming opposition Saturday morning when they met with around 20 members of the community at the Admire Community Center. It was a public forum organized by Ginny Graham of Reading, who said she wanted to know more about Common Core. Graham has a daughter who is a teacher, and they have talked about the issue at length. “I got online, and I got information,” she said. “I started talking to a couple members of the school board, and they didn’t have any clue.” Granted, the members of the USD 251 North Lyon County school board were new members, said Graham, but she still wasn’t happy with what she was hearing. The discussion over Common Core standards has received some attention in the past six months: a bit of a frustration, said Sen. Jeff Longbine — also in attendance — since the process started around two years ago, and there was little to no feedback then. “The difficulty we have as legislators at this point is separating what is fact and what is fiction,” Longbine said. “We really need to examine what the facts are and get to the bottom of each of the concerns.” The initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. As a collaboration between teachers, school administrators and education experts, the standards were developed in hopes of creating benchmarks for students preparing for higher education or the national workforce, regardless of where they live. Opponents of the initiative argue that the program drains initiative from teachers by enforcing a homogenous curriculum that ignores cultural differences among classrooms in various areas of the country. Kansas State School Boards representative Sally Cauble said the state school board was caught off guard by

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette

Sen. Jeff Longbine speaks during a public forum regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative, an initiative to establish standards in reading and math on a national scale, on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at the Community Center in Admire.

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette

Joyce Thierer, a history professor at Emporia State University, listens during a public forum regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative on Saturday.

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette

Sally Cauble, vice chair of the Kansas Association of School Boards, fields questions during a public forum regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative, an initiative to establish standards in reading and math on a national scale, Saturday at the Community Center in Admire.


Friday, August 9, 2013 the opposition to Common Core standards. “But that’s coming down from a national movement,” she said. “The state of Kansas has been into Common Core for two years.” Indeed, several school districts throughout the state have fully implemented the English standards outlined by Common Core, but the math standards are only just beginning. The forum in Admire was Cauble’s fourth over Common Core standards. “No one has ever complained about what the standards are,” she said. “It all seems to be that it was developed on a national level.” It’s a possibility that there is a fair amount of misinformation, Longbine said. However, one revealing truth remains: educators are in overwhelming support of Common Core standards. Longbine has received more than 900 emails from educators within his district in support of Common Core. Sarah Malcolm, a teacher from the North Lyon County school district, was at the forum to share her valuable perspective. Malcolm teaches ninth- and 12th-grade English and theater forensics classes, and has been teaching for a decade. She said members of the Admire community were possibly apprehensive about the idea of “national” standards, but notably, “national” does not mean “federal.” “It’s not necessarily that the government is trying to force it,” she said. “Curriculum is still locally driven, and it’s still locally decided.” Malcolm said the standards reinforce what is “quality teaching.” The accountability factor of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, in support of standards-based education reform, is important, she said. “I think this is more skills-based,

The emporia gazette which means it’s going to be more difficult to assess, and it’s going to have to be assessed differently, but I think teachers are in favor of it because we know these are the skills kids need, rather than whether they know the right answer on a test,” Malcolm said. Also in attendance, and with a unique perspective of the issue, was Rep. Ron Highland of the 51st District. Highland serves on the education and education budget committees. “There’s discontent all over the state,” he said. “The parents that are involved with their students’ education are concerned because what we are seeing is a trend towards sameness.” That inhibits students who excel from achieving further and leaves struggling students without the attention they need to catch up, he said. “Everybody will be the same, and they are wanting to do that across the entire country,” he said. “As a state, is that what we really want?” That was a concern, as well as the cost, Highland said. The indication he had received was that funding for Common Core was not a reallocation, but new money. Graham said she wanted to make sure children in the community were getting a good education, and the possibility of Common Core implementation being a misappropriation — a sentiment posed by some attendees of the forum — was not a worry for her. “I would give the kids 75 percent of my earnings if I knew they were getting a good education and that the administrators weren’t getting all of the money,” she said. “I want the money to go to the kids.” Progress with standards is at different levels throughout the state, but the Emporia school district is at between 80 percent and 90 percent of implementation.

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette

Sarah Malcolm, an English teacher at Northern Heights High School in Allen, participates in a public forum regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative on Saturday.

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Joe Ahlquist/Gazette

Rep. Peggy Mast speaks during a public forum regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative on Saturday morning at the Community Center in Admire. About 20 members of the community turned out for the session with state legislators and school board officials.

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette

Rep. Ron Highland speaks during a public forum regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative on Saturday.


the emporia gazette

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Friday, August 9, 2013

Help Students Keep Organized Lockers this School Year StatePoint Media

Parents can do everything in their power to provide children with the proper tools and supplies to stay organized this school year. But when their kids get to school, all preparations can easily get thrown out the window -- or, into a messy locker. As the one piece of real estate students keep without regular parental review, the locker is often a place of disorganization and a pitfall in the path to being and staying organized. To help students get their lockers in order and, in turn, keep them functional and organized for efficient learning, follow these quick tips:

Shelving Notepads, pens, papers and other everyday items tend to get stuffed in the bottom of lockers without arrangement, leading to wrinkled assignments,

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smashed food, and lost books. Use durable, long-lasting locker shelves, like the Five Star Stackable Shelf or Five Star Top Shelf Extender, to create additional space for school supplies. These locker shelves hold up to 100 pounds, so books, binders and other supplies can quickly and easily be stacked or thrown into the locker. Keep personal items and academic supplies separate for quick and easy access to both. With an organizer like the Five Star Hanging Locker Shelf, students can store a makeup bag or running shoes in the top compartment and textbooks, folders and binders in the bottom, creating an easily accessible space.

Easy Access Books should sit upright in the locker to maximize space and be displayed with the spines facing out so it’s easy to see which books are needed. Arranging books to align with their class schedule

also makes it easy when students have just a few minutes between classes. Save locker space and time between classes by magnetically storing pens and pencils on the locker door. The Five Star Neo Storage Pocket has industrialstrength magnets that ensure no matter how hard the locker is slammed, the pocket will securely stay on the locker door. Contents stay in place for an easy grab-and-go at the next locker stop.

Set a Schedule Even with an organization plan in place, it doesn’t take much for a locker to get cluttered all over again. Create a cleaning schedule — either weekly or even once-a-semester — to straighten up and reassess the contents of the locker. Include a weekly locker purge where all unnecessary items are removed and all missing supplies are replaced. For more ways to organize a locker, visit www.MeadFiveStar.com.


The emporia gazette

Friday, August 9, 2013

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Gazette File Photo

Football is one of many sports available to students at Emporia Schools. Participating in athletics can help improve students’ health and mental focus.

Gazette File Photo

4-H is one activity area school children can participate in year-round. Information can be found at the Lyon County Extension Office, 2632 W. U.S. Highway 50 or 341-3220.

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the emporia gazette

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Friday, August 9, 2013 Gazette File Photo

The Emporia High School Cheerleaders entertained the crowds at the Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow’s Fiesta 2012. The annual Fiesta is the biggest multicultural event in the school year, and children of all ages participate in the parade, dancing, contests and compete for the title of King and Queen. This year’s Fiesta is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Las Casitas Park in Emporia. The annual HOTT Fiesta raises funds for local scholarships. Donations and sponsors are being sought, and the community is invited to participate in the Fiesta parade. For more information, contact Sally Sanchez, 620-366-1094, or Izzy Gonzalez, 344-3300, or email hottfiesta@hotmail.com. Also visit the organization’s website: hottfiesta.com.

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The emporia gazette

Friday, August 9, 2013

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How to get kids excited about the new school year StatePoint

Make Schoolwork Fun In a perfect world, all children would be enthusiastic about starting a new school year. But in the real world, some children will be reluctant, nervous, or annoyed about exchanging their summer fun for the classroom. How do you get kids motivated about going back to school? While you can’t dole out pep talks during the school day, you can take steps at home to get kids excited about school all year long:

Set an Example Off to work? If you act grumpy about the day ahead of you, your kids will take your cue. Over breakfast, be positive and upbeat. If your kids have apprehensions about school, their friends or after school activities, talk to them in a constructive way about what’s bothering them. At dinner, remember to check in with them again. Tell them about what you did that day and ask them about what they learned.

Cool school supplies can inspire your kids to stay organized and motivated. Think colorful and cheerful designs and personalized back to school supplies, which can give kids a sense of ownership and pride over their school work. For example, MyChronicleBooks, creates folders, journals, spiral notebooks and even stickers that can be customized with names and school subjects. To foster after school learning, thinking, doodling and dreaming, consider personalized Ivy and Bean journals.

Go the Extra Mile Encourage your kids to do more than just go to school and come home. It’s in their art classes, on the basketball court and playing in the concert band where they will discover their talents and interests they didn’t know they have. Extracurricular and after school ac-

tivities provide a great social outlet for kids and are where some of the best memories of school days are made. If the school doesn’t have programs that interest your child, investigate other classes, teams and activities offered locally.

Customize Lunch Add a little flair to lunch room drudgery. Remember to always pack a favorite snack or dessert to give your kids something to look forward to midday. From pirates and princesses to dinosaurs and trains, ditch the paper bag in favor of a lunch box featuring your children’s interests. And personalizing the lunch box with their names can help prevent lost lunch mishaps. More information can be found at www.MyChronicleBooks. com. From brighter moods to better grades, getting kids excited about the school year will have positive consequences.

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