Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
A Special Supplement to
HOW TO G U I D E WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016
NEWSMINER.COM
I N S I D E: • How to choose a private school • How to save money & help keep our air clean • How to choose an orthodontist • How to spell
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
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HOW TO GUIDE
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HOW TO choose a private school We all instinctively want what is best for our children, and this naturally includes the best education. For this reason, many people choose to send their children to private schools. With the outcome so important, making just the right choice seems like a daunting task. It becomes less daunting if you give it some thought, do some research and break the process down into steps. The following tips may help you choose just the right school:
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Start by objectively evaluating your ultimate educational goals for each child (every child is different).
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Ask for recommendations from your child’s current school, teachers, guidance counselors, family and friends. This should give you a good starting point.
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Make a general list of the things your ideal school would offer. E.g. do you want your child to have access to extracurricular activities such as sports, band, art or debate?
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Do an Internet search (or word of mouth) of the schools in the area. Check their website, do they still interest you? Depending on how far the school is, you will determine if there suitable transportation options available to and from the school. The perfect school won’t be so perfect for you if you are going to have transportation issues.
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Depending on how far away the school is, you will need to determine if there are suitable transportation options available to and from the school. The perfect school won’t be so perfect for you if you are going to have transportation issues.
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Once you have done the preliminary research, you are ready to make your “short list” of schools. These are the schools that fit your initial criteria and you and your child think should be in the running.
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Once you have your list in hand, it is time to start filling in the details. This will help you further narrow the field. Don’t forget to determine entrance requirements and insure that your child meets them before moving forward with a particular school.
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Call the schools that interest you and set up a tour: Create a list of general questions along with a set of specific questions for each of the schools on your list. While there, ask questions about the enrollment paperwork and any testing your child will have to complete. Use your time at the school to get a feel for the atmosphere. Is it relaxed and friendly or more structured and disciplined? Most importantly, is it what you expected and will your child feel comfortable here? Pay attention to how you are treated by the staff members. Are they friendly, helpful and respectful of your questions and concerns about your child’s education? Remember these will be the people you will be dealing with throughout your child’s school career. Picture your family engaging in school activities and particularly picture your child spending time
there. Try to meet as many of the staff and teachers as are available which, of course, depends largely on what time of year you go on your tours. If your child attends the tours, make sure to ask her what she thinks about the schools.
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After your tours have been completed, start reviewing your notes. At this point you will have already begun to eliminate schools.
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Now you also have a better understanding of the total financial cost of each school. If you will need it, you should already have asked each school if they have any financial aid.
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If all has gone well, you’ll be able to apply to the school of your choice and have your child happily accepted.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
10 REASONS
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We offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.
enter four-year colleges or
universities.
We set high standards for student achievement and help them succeed.
We use technology effectively to enhance education.
We instill in students the value of service to others.
We teach children respect of self and others.
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We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring and effective.
We encourage our students to continue on to higher education; 97% of our graduates
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We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life.
We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.
We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.
Save the Date:
OPEN HOUSE Friday, March 4
PreK - 12th Grade • (907) 456-4574 • www.catholic-schools.org •
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to choose the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks:
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
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HOW TO GUIDE
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HOW TO save money & help keep our air clean By improving energy efficiency you reduce the amount of energy needed to stay warm, meaning you save money and help improve air quality in our community. There are many simple things that each of us can do to help minimize our impact on the air we breathe, here are just a few simple tips: Plug in your vehicle when the temperature is 20째 above zero or colder for at least one hour before starting the engine. This can reduce emissions, including fine particulates (aka PM2.5) and carbon monoxide, by up to 70% and minimizes vehicle wear and tear. Electric timers are inexpensive and can be set to turn on automatically an hour or two before the time you usually leave the house to further minimize the amount of energy used. Idle vehicles for less than 10 minutes to avoid wasting gas and polluting the air. A vehicle in motion warms up faster and more completely. Check out all that MACS Transit has to offer! The Borough currently offers 10 bus routes, including one route onto Ft. Wainwright and another around Van Horn Road. Free fares are offered for UAF Students, Faculty and Staff with Polar Express cards; Seniors (60+); and children (5 and under). A discounted rate
is available for active duty military and their dependents (military ID required). By riding the bus you reduce the amount of gas you use and save money on vehicle maintenance costs. If you heat with wood or coal, consider upgrading to a more efficient heating appliance. The Borough Air Quality Division is still offering a reimbursement incentive for replacing or repairing SOLID fuel burning devices (i.e. wood or coal stoves, wood- or coal-fired furnaces, wood- or coal-fired hydronic heaters, or fireplace inserts). Funding is limited so contact FNSB Air Quality for more information today! Invest in home improvements. By weatherizing your home and installing Energy Star rated appliances you will reduce energy costs and emissions by using less fuel. Consider participating in an energy efficiency program, like the ones offered by the Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation. Also, be sure to sign up at AQFairbanks.com to receive air quality advisories via text or email, and follow us at facebook.com/AQFairbanks. By taking simple steps to save energy, you save money and you help keep our air clean and healthy to breathe!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: AIR QUALITY
TRANSPORTATION
OTHER ENERGY SAVING TIPS
Fairbanks North Star Borough AQFairbanks.com or 459-1234
MACS Transit MACSTransit.com or 459-1011
UAF Cooperative Extension www.uaf.edu/ces/energy
Alaska Department of Conservation dec.alaska.gov/air Environmental Protection Agency AIRNow.gov
AHFC Home Energy Rebate www.ahfc.us/energy/home_rebate.cfm
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
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LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR AIR CLEAN & HEALTHY TO BREATHE! Did you know? The FNSB Air Quality Division is using multiple methods to alert the public when PM2.5 concentrations either reach or are forecast to reach unhealthy levels. You can be one of the first to know when we are having poor air quality conditions through one of the following methods: • Sign up to receive the information via text or email at AQFairbanks.com • Follow us at facebook.com/aqfairbanks • Add the mobile app to your smart phone from m.fnsb.us/aq • Look for one of four electronic highway signs: Sourdough Fuel in North Pole, next to Fred Meyer on Airport Rd, next to the Noel Wein Library, and next to the Mattress Ranch. • Listen to local tv and radio for our public service announcements • Call our AQ forecast line at (907) 459-1234
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For more information call 459-1005 or visit AQFairbanks.com
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
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HOW TO GUIDE
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HOW TO choose an orthodontist A perfect smile gives an impression of confidence, health and happiness. While not everyone is born with that perfect set of teeth, an orthodontist has the skills to create one for her patients. DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST? No. You can arrange a consultation without your dentist’s referral. However, your orthodontist will ask you to see your dentist for a checkup prior to any treatment. If you do not have a dentist, your orthodontist will provide you with options for a wellrespected and caring dentist who can look after your general dental needs.
SERVICE The title of orthodontist is reserved for only those specialists who have undergone two or more years of additional post-doctoral education from an accredited university. Only 6% of all general dentists pursue the rigorous additional training required to become an orthodontist. Since membership in the American Association of Orthodontists requires a degree from an accredited orthodontic program, it’s an easy way to distinguish between dentists practicing orthodontics and those formally trained as orthodontists. Orthodontists all complete similar education and training requirements but not all are equally gifted and caring practitioners. There are several traits the best ones all share. A good orthodontist provides a treatment regimen customized to the individual and delivered through compassionate service. Word of mouth recommendations from neighbors, friends and coworkers provide some of the best information on the orthodontist’s office and are usually eager to spread the good word.
Good service is one of the prime requisites when searching for an orthodontist. You’re going to be visiting them very frequently for a year or more. It’s wise to find one with whom you can build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. You’ll endure some physical discomfort while in the treatment chair. That’s expected. However, the patient waiting area should be comforting and soothing. Many initial visits are free to new patients, so pay close attention to the way the staff treats you and others. Children are often orthodontic patients, so watch their actions and emotions closely. If they come in with a smile of anticipation, you know you’re in the right doctor’s office. You’re going to be seeing a lot of the staff as well as the doctor for several months. It helps if you and they share a cordial relationship. People lead very busy lives these days. An orthodontist who schedules his or her appointments to reduce waiting time is a treasure. Hold out for one who respects your time schedule, too. Feeling at ease with your orthodontist is another important factor in having a good overall experience.
The best ones personally perform most of the work on your braces themselves and won’t offload it on subordinate staff members. Having an orthodontist who listens to your questions and provides clear answers is a necessity. You’re not just a number on a patient file. A good orthodontist regards you as a valued client and treats you accordingly. Dental assistants are active and contributing professional members of your treatment team, so it is wise to form good relationships with them as well. They perform a number of important treatment phases and have undergone rigorous training supplemented by continuing education classes. They are professionals, not the hired help.
TECHNOLOGY There are several orthodontic systems for straightening teeth. Ask your doctor during your first visit about which technologies are utilized. Each system is quite different from the others in terms of appearance and function. Some require more adjustments than other, and some take longer to do the job. This is also the time to ask lots of questions about the technology. Your orthodontist should explain the trade-offs between one system and another. Each system has its strengths and weaknesses. Ask them to explain why they prefer one method over the others. There are always advances being made in orthodontic procedures and the patient is the one who really benefits. One popular option for braces today is the Damon System, which doesn’t use elastic or metal ties. Since there are no “rubber bands” in your mouth, the Damon System is a discreet, comfortable, and easy to clean choice that doesn’t attract plaque like older style braces that use elastic ties. Orthodontia is a significant investment not only of time and money but also of self-esteem. It doesn’t pay to let just anyone put his or her hands in your mouth to twist wires and make you miserable for a few days. The right combination of education, certification, experience and personality and technology ought to make the months of suffering worthwhile. A million dollar smile starts with a million dollar orthodontist!
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
How To Spell!
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016
7:00 p.m. • Westmark Fairbanks Hotel Limited to 25 teams For complete info and a registration form, please call
Paulette Rahm, 456-6212 paulette@literacycouncilofalaska.org
The 24th Annual Daily News-Miner Biz Bee is generously co-sponsored by: