2020 Make the Grade

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2019 MAKE THE GRADE

Friday, July 31, 2020 • 1C

2020 ◗ LOCAL SCHOOLS

offer distance learning

◗ BACK-TO-SCHOOL stress ◗ PARENT-TEACHER relationship COVID-19 OPTIONS

SHAWNEE SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE THREE EDUCATION PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS

By Elisabeth Slay | (405) 214-3926 eslay@news-star.com | Twitter:@ElisabethSlay

S

tudents and teachers of Shawnee Public Schools are scheduled to begin their 2020-2021 school year Thursday, August 13 and students will have three different options regarding what their education looks like this school year.

According to Superintendent Dr. April Grace, the district is offering three different education pathways for students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grace said all students enrolled are automatically enrolled in the first education option which is a "traditional classroom learning pathway with digital learning days."

In this option, Grace said students will remain SPS students and they will have in-person social interactions with their peers and staff.

Students, Grace said, will also have immediate access to the district's learning resources such as libraries and other materials.

"SPS will utilize technology and the Internet to connect all teachers, students and parents for seamless learning transitions," Grace said.

In addition, students will have 24-7 online access to submitted or grad-

ed assignments, can participate in school-sponsored athletic and fine arts programs and will have free transportation to and from school.

Lastly in this option, Grace said those students participating in this pathway will be prepared to transition to digital days if schools need to shut down again.

"Digital Learning days are also available to individual students if needed.

This is a joint decision between the school and the individual families," Grace said.

Grace said the second pathway is virtual and online learning for students pre-K through 12th grade who wish to continue their distance learning.

Students and parents who choose this option, Grace said, should contact the Shawnee Virtual School Coordinator.

In this pathway, Grace said students can access their lessons anywhere, will have a flexible work schedule, have a plan specific to them and have 24-7 online access to assignments.

Grace said students will be supervised by SPS certified teachers, regular communication between parents and teachers will be available, technology and Internet access will be provided, students will be able to participate in school-sponsored athletic and fine arts programs and will have access to all school services.

The final educational pathway only applies to high school students, Grace said, as it is a "personal hybrid pathway."

Grace said this option is a blend of on-site and online classes for grades nine through twelve.

"Students enrolled in Options (Two and Three) are expected to be independent learners," Grace said. "Support and supervision are provided, but parents (and) guardians are essential partners in the success of each student."

According to SPS Public Information Officer Cherity Pennington, while the district has educational plans available for students, other aspects regarding a mask mandate and social distancing policies are still being discussed.

"We do not have all the answers yet.

We continue to have communication with state and local officials and we anticipate further guidance, which will help us provide more detailed information soon," Pennington said.

For more information visit https:// www.shawnee.k12.ok.us/vnews/display.v/ART/5f07126bd8c56

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2020 MAKE THE GRADE

2C • Friday, July 31, 2020

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TECUMSEH, SHAWNEE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AUG. 13

WILL OFFER DISTANCE LEARNING OPTIONS

By Elisabeth Slay (405) 214-3926 eslay@news-star.com Twitter:@ElisabethSlay

S

imilar to other districts, Tecumseh Public Schools will begin the 2020-2021 school year Thursday, Aug. 13, but it will offer virtual options for students who wish or need to continue distance learning.

According to Superintendent Tom Wilsie, TPS is planning for most students to return to in-person instruction in the Fall, but the district has also developed a new and solid distancing learning plan.

“We are still developing the plan. We hope to have it out next week and...

In terms of the distance learning we will have a brand new virtual learning plan where parents can opt to do that just from day one if they want to,” Wilsie said.

The administrator said TPS was one of many to receive an Incentive Grant from the State Board of Education and used their $200,000 grant to purchase a new learning management system called Canvas.

“We feel like it will give the teachers a great way to develop lesson plans (and) put those in a format that the students can easily access,” Wilsie said.

“We feel like it will help us because it’s going to be one location that teachers would have to go in terms of putting those plans together and it’s one location for students to go to access those lesson plans.”

Wilsie said Canvas will make it easier for students who chose virtual learning to stay at the same pace as students who are physically in school.

The program, Wilsie said, will also make it easier for students to continue their education without much interruption should they need to leave in-person instruction or the district has to shut down again.

In addition to the purchase of Canvas, Wilsie said the district also used its grant to purchase 1000 devices such as Chromebooks and iPads so students have access to the program.

“We will be checking those out (to students) probably around the first part of August,” Wilsie said.

Along with Canvas and more devices, Wilsie said TPS also used part of its Incentive Grant to purchase 500 hot spots. “(These) will be working with those families that have need for that,” Wilsie said. “(It’s) to make sure that we are delivering a quality education to every student.”

Wilsie said while the district has a solid distance learning plan, TPS is still developing and discussing what day-today in-person instruction will look like this year.

“Our intention is to start with the traditional in-person learning as we would each fall,” Wilsie said. “We know that’s going to be subject to change upon the most current information we have and as we know that’s changing all the

time.”

The administrator said the district has and will continue to follow guidelines from state, national and global health organizations.

“We’ll have a platform ready for students to be in virtual distancing learning if that is the need and then we’re still planning all the things that are going to go with in-person learning and that is social distancing, the health checks, the masks and... the temperature checks,” Wilsie said.

The superintendent said as he and other leaders develop their plan for the district there are two goals they will focus on; the health and safety of everyone and ensuring students receive a quality education.

Like Tecumseh, students and teachers of Shawnee Public Schools are scheduled to begin their 2020-2021 school year August 13.

However, SPS students will have three different options regarding what

their education looks like this school year.

According to Superintendent Dr. April Grace, the district is offering three different education pathways for students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grace said all students enrolled are automatically enrolled in the first education option which is a “traditional classroom learning pathway with digital learning days.”

In this option, Grace said students will remain SPS students and they will have in-person social interactions with their peers and staff.

Students, Grace said, will also have immediate access to the district’s learning resources such as libraries and other materials.

“SPS will utilize technology and the Internet to connect all teachers, students and parents for seamless learning transitions,” Grace said.

In addition, students will have 24-7 online access to submitted or

specific to them and have 24-7 online access to assignments.

Grace said students will be supervised by SPS certified teachers, regular communication between parents and teachers will be available, technology and Internet access will be provided, students will be able to participate in school-sponsored athletic and fine arts programs and will have access to all school services.

The final educational pathway only applies to high school students, Grace said, as it is a “personal hybrid pathway.”

Grace said this option is a blend of on-site and graded assignments, online classes for grades can participate in nine through twelve. school-sponsored athletic “Students enrolled and fine arts programs in Options (Two and and will have free transThree) are expected to be portation to and from independent learners,” school.

Grace said. “Support and Lastly in this option, supervision are provided, Grace said those students but parents (and) guardparticipating in this path- ians are essential partners way will be prepared to in the success of each transition to digital days student.” if schools need to shut According to SPS Public down again.

Information Officer “Digital Learning days Cherity Pennington, while are also available to indithe district has educavidual students if needed. tional plans available for This is a joint decision students, other aspects between the school and regarding a mask manthe individual families,” date and social distancing Grace said. policies are still being Grace said the second discussed. pathway is virtual and on“We do not have all the line learning for students answers yet. We continpre-K through 12th grade ue to have communicawho wish to continue tion with state and local their distance learning. officials and we anticipate Students and parents further guidance, which who choose this option, will help us provide more Grace said, should contact detailed information the Shawnee Virtual soon,” Pennington said.

School Coordinator.

For more information In this pathway, Grace visit https://www.shawsaid students can access nee.k12.ok.us/vnews/ their lessons anywhere, display.v/ART/5f07126bwill have a flexible work d8c56 schedule, have a plan

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Welcome Back-to-School!

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

Friday, July 31, 2020 • 3C

McLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

McLOUD TO OFFER IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, VIRTUAL LEARNING TO STUDENTS

By Elisabeth Slay (405) 214-3926 eslay@news-star.com Twitter:@ElisabethSlay

S

tudents of McLoud Public Schools will return to classes Tuesday, Aug. 4, and will have either the option to return to in-person instruction or continue distance learning.

According to Superintendent Steve Stanley, the district is planning for most students to return to school in the fall or continue their education virtually.

Stanley said the district spent several weeks developing policies and procedures for students attending school in person.

“The health and safety of our students and staff is a top priority. These guidelines have been established using recommendations from (Oklahoma State Department of Education), CDC and McLoud Public Schools policies and procedures,” Stanley said.

Several policies and safety measures regarding social distancing will be in effect beginning in the fall Stanley said.

The administrator said the district released details of its back to school plan Tuesday, July 14 which included rules that require students in fourth grade and above to wear appropriate masks in school, require all staff to wear masks and other such social distancing measures.

• Anyone entering the facilities will be asked a series of questions that will be reflective of any symptoms of COVID-19.

the day.

• Staff members will sign-in each time they enter the building and will notify the administration if their temperature is over 100.0. Staff members with a temperature of 100.0 or higher will not be allowed to remain in the building. Staff will be asked to remain at home until they are fever-free for three days. If other symptoms are present they should remain at home for 10 days after the symptoms began. The staff member may return sooner if they present a current negative COVID-19 test or if they present a medical diagnosis with something other than COVID-19.

• Parents/Guardians are encouraged to get the McLoud Proud App on their phones. Updated information and school closures can be quickly found on this platform.

• If a student presents with a fever at any time, the student will be asked to remain at home until they are fever-free for three days. If other symptoms are present the student should remain at home for 10 days after the symptoms began. The student may return sooner if they present a current negative COVID-19 test or if they present a medical diagnosis with something other than COVID-19. Distance learning services will be provided for each day the student is not at school.

Students will not be counted absent if they meet attendance requirements for distance learning.

• If the district receives confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test during the school day, the building in which that student or staff member attended will be closed for 24 hours at the conclusion of the school day.

• If the district receives confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test of a student or staff member after the conclusion of the school day, the building (secondary) will be closed the following day for elementary the classroom will be closed.

• Siblings or members residing in the same household of a confirmed case must quarantine for 14 days.

During this time they will receive instruction via distance learning.

• Students or staff members who have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should self-quarantine for 14 days. During this time, distance learning is available to students.

• Facilities will be misted with a microbial as recommended.

• ECC, Elementary, and Intermediate students will sit with their class during lunch.

• Lunch tables will be arranged in an effort to limit contact.

• Salad bars will not be available at this time. Premade salads will be available in limited quantities at the secondary level.

• Support staff will wear proper personal protective equipment, as outlined in their job description.

• The district is recommending that parents/guardians transport students to school at this time. If students ride the bus there is an associated inherent risk. If a student or bus driver tests positive, that bus route will be suspended for 24 hours. The bus will be sanitized prior to reopening the route.

• Students riding a school bus must wear a mask/face covering at all times. Students who remove the mask/ face covering will be disciplined. First offense is a warning, second offense is four-day suspension from the bus, third offense is a suspension for the remainder of the nine-weeks and the fourth offense is a suspension for the remainder of the semester.

• Windows will remain open on school buses during transport per CDC guidelines. Windows will be closed for inclement weather.

• An additional COVID-19 sanitizing fee will be charged for non-school usage of school facilities. $25- daily fee and $500-seasonal fee.

Stanley said changes could be made to this plan as new information regarding COVID-19 changes daily, but the community will be informed on any of these changes.

• The school nurse’s priority will be attending to students who may present with symptoms of COVID-19.

The remaining policies and procedures are as follows: • Individuals entering any MPS facilities for any reason during this time will have their temperature taken. If their temperature is 100.0 or above they will not be allowed into the facility. Students with a temperature over 100.0 will be placed in a designated area for pickup within one hour of parent/guardian notification.

• A limit of two individuals per student will be allowed in the facility to drop-off students.

• Two adults per student will be allowed to accompany the student at enrollment.

• Good hygiene will be practiced and promoted throughout the district. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout facilities.

• Restrooms will be frequently disinfected throughout

EDUCATION

NRC ANNOUNCES SOCIAL DISTANCE POLICIES FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION

By Elisabeth Slay (405) 214-3926 eslay@news-star.com Twitter:@ElisabethSlay

As the students and educators of North Rock Creek Public Schools in Shawnee prepare to return to school Aug. 13, the district announced its policies and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to Superintendent Dr. Blake Moody, students will have the option of returning to school for in-person instruction or to continue distance learning from home.

Moody said the district developed several policies and safety measures regarding social distancing to protect those students and staff members who will physically return to school.

“Over the past few

months with information changing daily and consideration from our stakeholders, guidelines have been thoughtfully developed that are layered and adaptable while being mindful of developmentally appropriate practices for our students,” Moody said.

The administrator said these guidelines can change as time goes on and summer comes to a close.

While all students have the option of virtual learning, Moody said the district understands not all students will make that choice and they want to keep everyone as safe as possible.

“The information presented in the public summary is shared so that all of our community can start with a shared understanding of our responsibility in keeping

our students and staff safe from COVID-19,” Moody said.

The policies developed include daily temperature checks for both students and staff, self symptom screenings for staff and students, provided facemasks, a new dress code policy requiring students in fifth grade and above to wear facemasks, encouraging lower grades to wear masks, remaining six feet apart when possible, hand wash hygiene and disinfection of surfaces.

“We understand that we cannot eliminate the virus, but with wise choices, we can mitigate it,” Moody said.

For more information regarding NRC’s polices and procedures visit https://www.nrcps. org/vnews/display.v/ ART/5f1074df473e5

FALL

2020

Students can enroll virtually or in-person.

Schedule a virtual appointment by emailing advising@sscok.edu or sign up for in-person by visiting sscok.edu.

CLASSES START

August 17!

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

4C • Friday, July 31, 2020

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PRAGUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PRAGUE STUDENTS TO RETURN TO TRADITIONAL SCHOOL AUG. 12

MACOMB PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MACOMB STUDENTS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AUG. 5, DISTANCE LEARNING TO BE OFFERED

By Elisabeth Slay (405) 214-3926 eslay@news-star.com Twitter:@ElisabethSlay

L

ike various other districts, Macomb Public Schools is scheduled to begin its fall semester in August and will offer students the opportunity to continue distance learning and in-person instruction.

According to Superintendent Matt Riggs, students will return to school Aug.5 and while distance learning will be offered to all, it will look different for each grade.

“The district plan for distance learning will look different for PK-6 and 7-12 (grades),” Riggs said. “The blended model for 7-12 (grades) will consist of an online platform with projects in core subject areas. Students will have ample opportunity to work on their virtual assignments at school.”

Riggs said students pre-K through sixth grade will have online learning as well but will also have in-person handson activities to do which will be sent home with students.

“Teachers will use each Friday to prepare for the following week's virtual instruction. Elementary will be assessed on whether or not mastery of content and preparedness for the next grade level,” Riggs said.

Over the summer, Riggs said educators went through various training sessions to gain the necessary knowledge and tools to learn how to teach students both in person and online.

“We have also ordered devices and are in the process of upgrading our technology infrastructure to make sure connectivity and access is not an issue on campus,” Riggs said.

In addition to distance learning, Riggs said the district has developed policies and procedures to keep staff and students safe during in-person instruction.

“We are keeping students and staff in one room and delivering meals to the classrooms to decrease the opportunities for large group gatherings,” Riggs

said. “Teachers will be spacing students in their classrooms to the best of their ability.”

The administrator said one of the biggest challenges the district will face is physical distancing as buildings on campus have limited space.

“We will be providing sanitizer and ‘quick cleaning’ products for teachers and students to use in their classrooms.

We will be doing a more thorough cleaning daily,” Riggs said.

Along with physical distancing and keeping things sanitized, Riggs said students and staff in fourth grade and above will be required to wear masks.

Students in pre-K through third grade will be strongly encouraged to wear masks and no student will be required to wear masks during recess.

The administrator said he’s hoping by returning to school the community will regain some sort of normalcy.

“We recognize this will be an incredibly challenging year for all of us. However, we want to get back to providing services for our students and families and building on the momentum of the last few years,” Riggs said. “I hope that at the end of all of this we will look back as a school community with pride on how we met and overcame this obstacle.”

Riggs said he’s very proud of his staff for their hard work at helping students and parents through this difficult time.

We are feeling the challenges as well.

I could not be more proud how the staff has accepted this challenge. It truly feels like we are all in this together,” Riggs said.

Riggs would like to thank Caraline Beauchamp, Steve Martin, Rick Riggs and DonNell Riggs who have put in countless hours to the district’s distance learning plan and in-person instruction plan.

In addition, Riggs said he would also like to thank Marty Holcomb, Marie Butler, MaeLee Hancock, Donald Akens, Reba Holcomb, Tami Perez and Teri Fugate who’ve kept the district’s meal plan going during both the shutdown and the summer.

By Elisabeth Slay (405) 214-3926 eslay@news-star.com Twitter:@ElisabethSlay

P

rague Public Schools is among many districts in Pottawatomie County returning to traditional school in August.

According to the district’s plan on the PPS website, students will begin the fall semester August 12. And while students will return to in-person instruction, the district will have contingency plans prepared.

“As we begin preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, we must prepare for several scenarios in regard to learning and attendance of school,” the plan stated.

The plan stated it is the goal of PPS to provide health and safety measures for all students and staff, reduce the learning gap, address social and mental health needs of all students and staff and provide students all equal opportunities to learn.

The district’s plan includes various items including the return of all classes and activities at regular times, in-person instruction with a traditional school day, health and safety measures in place at school sites, student access to a device and technology and learning management instructions which will be given in classrooms.

According to the district’s plan, high school students will be allowed to take home their devices as long as they have the proper paperwork.

In addition to the plan for learning, the PPS return to school plan includes the safety policies the district created to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The safety policies include temperature checks with children being sent home if they’re temperature is over 100, the option of wearing masks, social distancing in classes and common areas, the closure of water fountains, daily cleaning and deep cleaning once a week, screening of visitors, hand sanitizers on school buses and the requirement of bus drivers wearing masks.

Should the district need to close schools or there are positive cases in the district, according to the plan, PPS will implement blended learning.

“We will do our best to limit the amount of closures while still keeping the safety of our students and community as our first priority,” the plan said. “If at all possible, only certain sites will be closed if necessary.”

The district said if students have to quarantine or miss school due to COVID-19 PPS will offer a combination of face-to-face and virtual learning.

For more information visit https:// www.prague.k12.ok.us/ and click on Plan For Reopening School.

THE BENEFITS OF

A NEW APPROACH TO LEARNING FOR STUDENTS The validity of the adage “necessity is the mother of invention” was on full display during the COVID-19 outbreak. People quickly had to learn to adapt to a new way of life, including an educational system that was transformed dramatically by social distancing guidelines.

More than 76 million students are enrolled in United States schools, per the latest Census Bureau information. In 2018, 2.12 million students were in Canadian postsecondary institutions alone. In a matter of days, millions of students who once attended classes in-person were forced to transition to virtual learning instruction. The process showed just how flexible learning systems can be, and how virtual instruction may become more than an emergency protocol in the future.

Schools utilized systems like Google Classroom, Canvas and virtual meeting apps to connect and learn.

While in-class lessons provide the socialization and one-on-one interaction that can be vital for students’ academic success, there are many different reasons why virtual instruction can be a key component of learning models as well. When virtual learning is used in conjunction with traditional teaching, students may have a more well-rounded experience. Here are some potential benefits that may unfold as more data is collected.

Continued on page 5C

Back-To-School CONTEST

Share your special memories for a chance to WIN! The winner will receive a Fire 10 Tablet in addition to being published with the top 10 finalists in the Weekender, Sept. 9th edition of The Shawnee News-Star!

Deadline for submissions is Friday, August 28

Enter at www.news-star.com/contests starting July 30

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

Friday, July 31, 2020 • 5C

HOW TO EASE

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

STRESS

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

NEW APPROACH continued from page 4C

• Pace: Virtual learning affords students the chance to work on lessons at a pace that fits their individual needs.

Students can go back and re-read or re-work problems until they’re satisfied they have learned their lesson.

Lessons can be slowed down or sped up depending on proficiency, creating a customized educational experience.

• No more weather days. Many school districts include snow or extreme weather days into their calendars, adding on extra days at the end of school year to meet the specified number of educational days. Remote learning can take over in these times and keep school districts from having to pad calendars.

• Convenience: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start at 8:30

a.m. or later to provide students the best chance to get the amount of sleep they need. Still, most adolescents currently start school before 8:30 a.m.

Remote learning enables students to complete their assignments when it works best for them. This may help them get more sleep, too.

• Apps: Learning apps are a new wave of educational tools that have helped buoy virtual instruction.

Primary school students or those with individual education plans may benefit the most from reinforced app skills that match their learning pace in fun ways.

Virtual home instruction may become a large part of the educational landscape even after it’s no longer a social distancing necessity.

BS208043

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hildren feeling scared or nervous about school starting is common, and parents may worry about how they will adjust.

Some kids dwell on who will be in class, will they make friends and what will the teacher be like, while others have special challenges that can make school more difficult, said clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Markham, founder of Aha! Parenting and author of “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids.”

This fall children may worry about leaving the safety of their home and returning to school, being in close contact with others amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Markham said.

Some of the signs a child may feel anxious about school include: • Procrastination getting ready • Crying before school • Stomachaches • Acting needy and overwhelmed • Acting short-tempered with parents or siblings • Fighting with parents • Wetting the bed • Less appetite than usual “Basically, think fight (challenging behavior), flight (not attending to getting ready) or freeze (regression and collapse),” Markham said.

To relieve stress visit the school, even if a child is familiar with it.

“If the kids will be allowed to play on the playground, then playing on the playground now, before

school opens, will help the child feel comfortable there and look forward to being at school,” Markham said.

Laughter is also a terrific stress reliever, so playing silly games about the return to school can be helpful, she said.

“Encourage your child to share concerns by asking what he thinks his new grade will be like. Normalize any fears,” Markham said. Help your child brainstorm how they will handle situations they’re worried about happening.

“Your message should be that it is normal to feel a bit worried when you encounter any new situation, but your child has handled all kinds of difficult things in the past successfully, and they will be able to handle this,” Markham said.

Younger kids need to bond with their teachers so that they are comfortable in the absence of parents. If possible, meet them in advance.

“Take a photo of your child with the teacher and put it up on your refrigerator and talk to it, which builds a relationship between your child and the teacher,” Markham said.

Reading books together is a good way to start conversations and help get a child excited about what they can expect, Markham said.

“If you’re new in town, make a special effort to meet other kids in the neighborhood. ... Even if your child is not new to the school, find out what other kids are in her class and arrange a playdate so she’ll feel more connected if she hasn’t seen these kids all summer,” Markham said. “If you can arrange for your son or daughter to travel to school that first morning with a child he or she knows, even if they aren’t in the same

classroom, it will ease last minute jitters.”

Offer a child reassurance that they will have fun, that the school can reach you if necessary and that your love is always with them even when you aren’t, Markham said.

Even young children can benefit from mindfulness practices such as listening to a guided meditation to help them relax, she said. Start when children are little and they will use this invaluable habit throughout their childhood and into high school or college.

“Orchestrate small separations to practice saying goodbye, and develop a parting routine, such as a hug and saying something like, ‘I love you, you love me, have a great day and I’ll see you at three!’” Markham said.

Give your child a small token to hold on to, such as a cut-out heart with a love note, a scarf or a small stone you found together, that they can keep in their pocket while you’re apart and give back upon your return.

“Most kids like to have a picture of the family in their backpacks,” Markham said.

6C • Friday, July 31, 2020

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

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2020 MAKE THE GRADE

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Friday, July 31, 2020 • 1D

HOW TO HELP

YOUNG LEARNERS

THRIVE

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

T

he skills children learn in elementary school build upon each other like the foundation of a house. ”The habits of the mind for a growing child — reading, writing, math, learning — all start from a young age, and there are several things parents can do at home to help in the scaffolding process,” said Pam Allyn, senior vice president of innovation and development for Scholastic Education.

This “scaffolding process” is “fast and deep,” she said.

“It’s really exciting to watch children, mine and others, learn.

Children are always growing and learning, and they are very aware they are learners,” Allyn said.

For little learners to build a solid academic foundation, families need to focus on some big concepts along the way.

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PARENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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stablishing a healthy teacher-parent relationship can help a child find success in school because the way the adults in their life interact and communicate provides a child with guidance.

Readiness to learn Creating a healthy living routine can make sending a child to school ready to learn easier for busy caregivers, Allyn said.

“With a routine it becomes less of a task and more of a habit,” she said.

A nutritious breakfast fuels kids for the day and gives them the energy they need to do better in school.

Alert learners need a good night’s sleep. That’s between nine and 12 hours a night for ages 6 to 12, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Be sure to create a consistent bedtime routine on school nights.

“Wake up a couple minutes early to be ready or lay out clothes the night before,” Allyn said.

Take attendance seriously because attendance is deeply connected to engagement, she said.

Being a role model Model and share lifelong learning, Allyn said. Allow your children to see you learning, whether that means trying a new recipe or mastering minor home repairs.

“It’s great to talk about ‘someday you could be a lawyer, a doctor or an educator,’ but it’s more exciting for children to see you as a parent as a lifelong learner,” Allyn said.

Reading together In addition to creating a safe space for children to learn at home, parents should give kids access to a diversity of books and magazines so children can have an expansive view of themselves, Allyn said.

“Reading is opening a world of possibility not just of who you are today or what career is possible but also what kind of person you are going to be,” she said.

Sparking their curiosity To open a world of possibilities, ask questions instead of making statements.

“Instead of saying, ‘Someday, you could be an engineer,’ create an inquiry. To ask a 7-year-old ‘What are your hopes and dreams?’ will spark some amazing conversation. We don’t give children enough chances to,” Allyn said.

Staying on track Be sure to take time to talk to kids about what they are learning in school so they know that education is important to you, Allyn said.

Review results of state standardized tests to see if children are meeting or exceeding standards.

“The results shouldn’t be a surprise. If they are a concern, you should have a good line of communication with the teacher. Don’t ever be afraid of having a team approach, but start with the teacher,” she said.

Ask what you can be working on at home and the best ways to keep in touch, Allyn said.

Being a fan “Have so much empathy for a child as a learner even when they stumble,” Allyn said. After a bad day or a poor grade, offer a warm embrace. Ask how you can help.

Let them know you are their biggest fan.

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Start early To foster good communication, Lisa Mitchell, a library media specialist with the Oregon Trail School District, likes to make phone calls or send emails to parents noting positive aspects of their child’s behavior.

“I try to do this right at the beginning of the school year. Later, if there is a problematic issue, I try to find common ground. Usually the commonality is that we all want the student to be successful,” Mitchell said.

Develop a routine Encouraging school attendance is one of the most important ways you can help prepare your child for academic success, said Patrick Grady, associate superintendent of Legacy Traditional Schools in Arizona. Students who exhibit regular school attendance early on often see improved grades,

learning skills and overall behavior.

Moreover, parent involvement has a positive and direct impact on school attendance, according to Johns Hopkins University.

“When preparing for school, give you and your child enough time to get ready in the mornings and evenings,” Grady said. “Set a bedtime routine to have your child pick out clothing and shoes to wear, as well as pack their backpack with assignments. Follow a set bedtime and wake-up time to stay on track.

Don’t forget breakfast. A study by the Food Research & Action Center found that breakfast has a direct correlation on behavior, participation and overall performance in students.”

Reach out Attending back to school night and introducing yourself to the teacher is a great step in building a relation-

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SOFT

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SKILLS

YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLER SHOULD KNOW

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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hile learning about complex math, foreign language and how to take a bus to school, middle schoolers are also refining the soft skills that will help them in school and in everyday life.

“Middle school is the best time to lay soft skills foundations,” said Sarah Fraser, founder of Academic Coaching DC. “Giving them a strong foundation now helps them build up a better sense of self before high school and sets them up to thrive inside and outside the classroom,” Fraser said.

Critical thinking “Thinking critically means reflecting and evaluating ourselves and our views of the world. To do this requires an openness to acknowledge that our views could be partial or incomplete, to genuinely step outside of our own beliefs or perspectives,” said Kelsey Komorowski, chief skill builder and founder of Komo, an online learning platform.

“Middle school is a great time to begin building this skill because this is when kids are starting to form their sense of self. If they understand the value in questioning the information on their phones or that their friends’ opinions don’t need to be their opinions, then they can start to grow into an authentic version of themselves,” Komorowski said.

Empathy “Middle school involves tough issues,” said educator Karen Gross, author of “Trauma Doesn’t Stop at the School Door.” Middle schoolers are struggling with growth spurts, and engagement between the sexes is often fraught with teasing.

“It is for these reasons that middle schoolers can and should develop empathy, caring about others and ap-

preciating the consequences of their acts,” Gross said.

Encourage philanthropic activities such as volunteering, visiting or reading to senior citizens, or making gifts for those in need.

“This shows the tweeners they are developing,” Gross said.

Communication “At this point, students should be able to advocate for themselves when it comes to their progress in class, their grade and to explain their thinking. It would be hard for middle schoolers to get their point across if they were constantly getting upset and unable to communicate effectively,” said Annette Estrada, fourth/fifth grade classroom teacher at LUCHA Elementary in San Jose, California.

Metacognition Just because a student reads an assignment doesn’t mean they understand it.

“Metacognition is thinking about how you are thinking,” Fraser said. Using metacognition a student can understand how a reading or homework assignment fits within the subject as a whole.

PARENT-TEACHER Continued from page 1D

we’ve always developed great relationships.”

ship, said Mike Kawula, founder of HelpATeen.com, a site devoted to helping teens learn real world skills to stand out in the college application process and in the job market.

As a parent Kawula shares his teen’s strengths, challenges and style of learning in an introductory “hello” email to a new teacher.

“This helps tremendously and they’re always appreciative,” he said. “I let them know we’re both in this together for encouraging children to learn. However we can assist, we’re here. It’s a simple email and quick but

Maintain boundaries “Parents should have an easy way to reach teachers quickly and directly, such as e-mail.

However, at the same time, teachers need to establish boundaries in order to manage parent expectations,” said Rachel Kamath, a former kindergarten-12th grade Spanish and English as a Second Language teacher in New York City, Los Angeles and Minnesota. “For example, give parents a reasonable timeframe to respond to their emails, so that they know they can expect a response at the end of the school day.

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Time management “Middle school is the best time to learn how to effectively manage a course load,” Komorowski said.

“Once students understand what time management looks like in practice and how it makes their lives easier, it becomes a part of their everyday life. High school has a more demanding course load, so middle school is the perfect time to learn how to properly manage and complete their work.”

Perseverance Middle schoolers have to learn that mistakes are part of life and learn from them.

“Failures are the road to success; without failure it would be difficult to learn the many angles of solving a problem,” said Estrada.

If those boundaries aren’t made specific from the getgo, it can result in frustration on both sides.”

Be open to listening “Too often, parents dread phone calls from teachers and administrators. That doesn’t always have to be the case,” said Erin Frey, second grade teacher, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy. “Celebrate positives that students are doing.

Share those little victories and let parents know the successes students are experiencing in class. Building up these connections strengthens your team and ultimately helps the student grow with a positive support system.”

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“This is a deeply important skill, and middle school is the best time to start building it. Parents can work on this through asking for their student’s understanding of their homework at the beginning of middle school, backing out of the process as it becomes clear their student is assessing their understanding independently,” Fraser said.

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THE GOOD & BAD OF HAVING A

SIBLING @ SCHOOL

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

F

ollowing in an older brother’s or sister’s footsteps can both help and hurt a sibling in school.

Chances are good teachers who know both will compare the two.

Living in another’s shadow can make it harder for a younger child to carve out their own identity.

The double-edged sword works both ways, though. Older siblings can be a steady form of support, guidance and connection, offering something no one else can.

“Growing up with a sibling, for better or worse, shapes who you are,” said Laurie Kramer, a professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University in Boston who has long studied sibling relationships. “Parents may be empathetic, but siblings are the ones who will truly understand.”

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TALKING ABOUT

RACISM WITH YOUR CHILD

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on’t shy away from the topic of race because children will encounter it, sometimes even at school.

“Continued education and engagement in conversations around race and white privilege are necessary in households of all races,” said Chrishane Cunningham, a postgraduate fellow at the Family Institute at Northwestern University.

Children are not too young to learn about this “slippery and elusive” topic, she said.

Many people tend to think of racism in the context of mistreatment based on skin color and the belief in the superiority of one race over another, but racism is much more complex.

“At its core, racism is about power and prejudice,” Cunningham said. It “allows LAURIE KRAMER for one group (white Americans) to have disproportionate access to resources as well as power and influence in shaping “They are a realistic source of advice cultural norms, values and institutional and help,” Kramer said. policies.”

One of the biggest benefits they offer Because racism is pervasive and each other is the shared experience, she said. No one truly understands what systemic, it is oftentimes perpetuated you’re going through like a sibling, inadvertently and unknowingly, for exwhether that refers to the difficulty of ample in a lack of representation in school fifth grade math or how to navigate the curriculums, Cunningham said. junior high lunchroom.

Children of all ages can experience racPlus, siblings have an uncanny ability ism, and it can be confusing and hurtful. to monitor each other.

“It can teach them that their value is “They are always watching and comdetermined by the color of their skin and paring constantly, which can be good,” not by all the wonderful things they will Kramer said. come to offer the world,” she said.

A succeeding sibling can help a As a parent it can be a daunting task younger sibling become a better student, to talk with a child who has witnessed athlete and all-around person, she said. racism, Cunningham said. But racism is On the flip side, a child who feels unrooted in injustice, and this is a concept able to achieve what an older sibling has that most youth are familiar with. accomplished may stop trying.

In discussions, using age appropriate “They may still feel pride in their language helps your child gain a better sibling and competition but also shut understanding of what they witnessed. down,” Kramer said.

“It may be helpful to frame the Competition doesn’t have to be negconversation around an ‘unfairness’ or ative. It can lead to growth, she said. ‘wrong’ they experienced,” CunningIf one sibling is known as the studious ham said. Ask questions like “Has there one, another may try to stand out as an ever been a time where you felt people athlete or musician. treated you unfairly?,” “Did anyone Parents should listen and watch. Point help or stand up for you?,” “If not, what out what they enjoy doing. did that feel like?” and “How would “It might not be obvious,” you have helped a friend in a similar Kramer said. situation?”

Help each sibling build a sense of who These questions can help a child gain they are. empathy and a better idea of how to Avoid buying into the notion that each navigate future encounters, Cunningsibling must have completely different ham said. activities, Kramer said. Try to have at It is also a great time to share with least one thing the whole family can your child your personal experiences do together. Think about it like a Venn and struggles with racist encounters. diagram. Everyone enjoys their own pur- Hearing your struggles and steps suits but comes together to play tennis towards allyship — including your misor a family-friendly video game. takes — can be illuminating for their

“Coach them what they can say to a teacher. Practice having conversations and try to help them think of ways they can deal with their feelings and be true to themselves.”

Teach them to speak up Children and adolescents should be encouraged to build their own identity, to have their own likes, needs and preferences, Kramer said.

“We all want to be seen as individuals,” she said.

Both parents and teachers can make a child feel compared to another. Sometimes all it takes is a teacher asking if the two are related. Unfairly or not, this can make a sibling feel less than.

“Adolescents make assumptions that may be different from what a parent or teacher intends,” Kramer said.

When children are feeling compared, it’s great if they can speak up to parents or teachers, she said.

“A confident child may be able to say something like, ‘You might expect me to be similar to my brother, but I want you to know I’m a different person.’ Said in a respectful way, it can be an ‘aha moment’ for a teacher,” Kramer said.

Parents can play an important role in legitimizing an adolescent’s concerns.

“Coach them what they can say to a teacher. Practice having conversations and try to help them think of ways they can deal with their feelings and be true to themselves,” Kramer said.

Be sure to listen and ask them to share the reasons why they feel treated differently.

Source of support Attending the same school can lead to issues of competition and sibling rivalry, but older siblings are also available to help younger ones navigate a school’s social and academic environment.

A REFRESHER COURSE IN SCHOOL BUS SAFETY The dawn of a new school year is a time marked by change and fresh opportunities. For many children, school marks the first time they are away from their parents for an extended period of time. It also may be the first time they ride in a vehicle other than their parents’ cars.

Each school day, 25 million children ride a bus to school in the United States. A school bus is among the safest modes of transport and one of the most regulated vehicles on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Riding a school bus can be a novel experience no matter a student’s age or grade. Kindergarteners may be introduced to the school bus on their first day of school, while older students are no doubt familiar with life inside a school bus. But all students and families can benefit from a refresher course on school bus procedures to ensure this school year begins on safe footing.

country have specific school bus laws that include stopping when red lights are flashing on the school bus. Cars must stop whether they’re behind the school bus, next to it or on the opposite side of the street facing the bus. Stopping allows passengers to enter or exit the bus safely.

• Be a smart pedestrian. Riding the school bus is very safe, but injuries can occur walking to and from the bus stop. Watch for cars backing out of driveways and always look both ways multiple times before crossing streets.

• Minimize distractions. Always speak softly and behave so that you do not distract the driver.

• Remember school bus laws. Most areas of the

• Stand away from the curb. The National Safety Council advises keeping six feet, or three giant steps, away from the curb while waiting for the bus. Young children should be carefully supervised.

• Be visible. Always cross in front of the bus, making eye contact with the driver so that he or she knows your intentions before crossing. If you drop something, do not bend down to pick it up. Tell the driver instead.

• Remain seated. Find a seat promptly and remain seated for the duration of the ride. Do not stand up and proceed down the center aisle until the bus has stopped.

School buses are very safe vehicles, but passengers need to do their part to avoid injury. BS208051

personal journeys, she said.

If your child has been the target of racism, it can be very difficult to cope.

“If they are very young, it can feel like a loss of innocence, and if they are older it can feel like a cruel reminder of things to come,” Cunningham said.

Parents should try to foster honest and open communication with their child about their experience and the world around them, Cunningham said.

Let children share their experience, feelings and full range of emotions.

“Feelings such as fear, confusion, shame and anger may arise. It is important to make sure to communicate to them that they did nothing wrong, their feelings are valid and that they do not deserve such treatment,” Cunningham said. “It is also an opportunity to lead/ teach by example. The best thing you can do for your child is be an advocate for them and teach them how to advocate for themselves.”

Help them through the process of reporting the offense and looking into restorative justice opportunities or helping them find a trusted and trained professional, such as a school social worker or therapist to process their experience.

“Ultimately, it is important to help your child learn to talk about their experience and how it makes them feel while ensuring that they know they do not have to handle such encounters alone,” Cunningham said.

For more resources including book, movie and podcast lists, check out pb-resources.com, which was created

by New York University student Alexis Williams.

“I encourage people to look up organizations within their community that are working to spark positive changes, as they are often loaded with information and resources that directly impact your community,” Cunningham said.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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IEP

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

FR

EE

he more a parent knows about a child’s IEP — Individualized Education Program — the more involved they can be in getting the best services and support available.

The IEP process can be complicated and nerve-racking for families, especially this year as schools reopen still dealing with COVID-19.

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“If evaluations and timelines are delayed some parents may find themselves in limbo. They will be geared up (to address a child’s needs) yet find themselves in a holding pattern,” said Amanda Morin, author of “The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education” and an expert on the Education team of Understood.org.

IEPs can be confusing, overwhelming and filled with technical jargon, but one of the most important things to know is that, as a parent, you are an equal partner by law in the decision-making process, Morin said.

An IEP is like a to-do list with specific details about what a child with special needs should accomplish during a school year. A team consisting of parents, teachers, administration, specialists and other support create a plan with “SMART goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, result-oriented and time-bound,” Morin said.

Before getting an IEP, a child must first be evaluated, and either a concerned parent or someone at the school can start the conversation. To request an evaluation a parent must put it in writing.

From there a school will conduct an evaluation to determine whether a child qualifies for special services and support. Next, parents will receive a written report that contains lots of numbers and data, Morin said.

“Take a deep breath and flip to the back page and read the summary and recommendations first. Then go back and read it from the beginning,” she said.

While the report may feel like a cold-hearted look at a child’s ability, the summary is filled with great observations that will let parents know the school is looking at a child’s strengths and not just deficits, Morin said.

“Highlight anything that stands out or that you don’t understand,” she said. Take those flagged questions with you to the IEP meeting.

Parents are allowed to bring outside help to the meeting such as a therapist or case manager who has special knowledge of the child, or a supportive friend or someone who can take notes, Morin said. Let the school know who will be attending.

“It’s emotional. It feels like high stakes for your child’s education,” so having someone supportive there can be invaluable, she said.

Typically, the meeting will have an agenda so a parent should know what to expect. After introductions the evaluation is explained, and a parent has time to ask questions. A parent may ask something like, “Is this typical for a child of this age or not to be expected?”

Other good questions include asking what a child’s typical day looks like at school or to explain how a

child is being assessed.

The parent also gets time to make a report and share what teachers and staff don’t get to see at school, for example, if a child is exhausted after the school day or if they struggle with math but love chapter books.

“Describe their strengths,” Morin said.

Together the team and parents come up with goals and specialized instruction for the school year. As a child grows, he or she needs to get on board with the plan, too, Morin said.

Parents should be aware that an IEP is not a checklist.

“They shouldn’t hear, ‘We offer this or that,’” Morin said.

The IEP should include services and accommodations that best support a child’s ability to learn just like the general school population.

“The goal is not to make a child feel different; it’s to make a child feel successful,” Morin said.

Many parents are hesitant to talk about special education services their child receives, but Morin suggests they should be more open to lessen the stigma.

“You’re not alone. There is a support system out there. Be informed, empowered and keep shaking things up. It will only help you and your child,” she said.

“AMAZING TEACHER AWARDS” 2020 PROMOTION (Shawnee News-Star) OFFICIAL RULES

HOW TO REALLY

HELP TEACHERS P

arents and teachers have one main thing in common: They both want children to succeed. From donating supplies to sending kids to school ready to learn, there are plenty of things that teachers want parents to know.

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

Do what you can

“When I taught elementary school, I loved having help from parents,” said Cindy McKinley Alder, a teacher from Milford, Michigan, author of ”One Smile and One Voice” and coauthor of “365 Teacher Secrets for Parents.”

“Help can come in so many different forms. Some parents have the time and energy to come in a few times a week to help with whole-class activities. Others prefer occasionally working with kids one-on-one. Some like to come in but would rather help with checking papers. Parents can also pitch in from home to help prepare school projects such as assisting with book orders.

Help is always welcome,” Alder said.

One of the best things parents can do to make a teacher’s job easier is to send kids to school ready to learn, Alder said. A well-rested, well-fed child who comes prepared with homework and supplies will be in a better position.

Be a role model

“We’ve all heard the famous adage, ‘Actions speak louder than words,’ but how often do we take it to heart?

Children are like sponges, and they’re learning all the time. This is why it’s so important to model the behaviors you want from your children,” said Lisa McGrath, a high school teacher and mentor in Olympia, Washington.

“Take action: Read something every day, take a class, learn a new skill, and show — don’t tell — your children how important being a lifelong learner really is. The simple investment of time, curiosity and practice has the ability to transform your life, and you’re worth it,” she said.

“Teachers would love it if what they were doing in the classroom was reinforced at home. Knowing her students are reading and writing at home on a regular basis would make any teacher happy,” Alder said.

Make a donation

Supplies are always a welcome gift. Teachers need tissues, pencils, new markers,

sanitizing wipes and more. It’s simple to find what a teacher is in need of: Just ask, Alder said.

Don’t just drop by to talk

A some point most parents At w will need to contact their child’s teacher with regular questions or in an emergency, so it is helpful for teachers to recommend the best way to communicate.

“Parents need to know that teachers are so busy and often don’t have time for drop-in conversations. Email is great because it gives both parties time to think before responding,” Alder said.

Be proactive

Some schools may move to v virtual learning in the fall, w which presents its own challenges. Start the new school year on the right foot by expressing concerns before there is a real problem, said developmental psychologist Erin O’Connor, a professor at New York University and a mother of two daughters.

“Even though we’re all going through the same crisis, we have different resources at hand. What if a teacher doesn’t have a strong enough internet to do a virtual class live? Then a parent could offer to run a live book group with a small group so that children still have a chance to have real-time interaction,” O’Connor said.

Have a safe learning space

Be intentional about the space you choose where your child will regularly engage in online learning or studying, said Dr. Kevin Corsini, president of San Diego Christian College. Ask yourself whether a student learns best in the solitude of home or in the midst of others at a local coffee shop.

“Everyone is wired uniquely. Figure out what works best for you and get to that spot each week for your class.

Having a consistent location for your online class will help create a physical framework for learning and lead to a more enjoyable experience,” he said.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. PROMOTION DETAILS The Shawnee News-Star “Amazing Teacher Awards” 2020 promotion (the “Promotion”) is to honor the dedication and skill of teachers (the “Teacher” or “Teachers”) in our community and their role in educating and empowering children of all ages. We are looking to recognize five (5) outstanding Teachers who serve our community and provide amazing learning experiences for children.

PUBLICATION Shawnee News-Star (the “Publication”), located at 215 N. Bell in Shawnee, Oklahoma is conducting this Promotion.

SPONSOR The following is referred to as “Sponsor”: Gannett d/b/a Shawnee News-Star, 175 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, NY 14534 BUSINESS SPONSOR In addition to the above-referenced Sponsor, Patriot Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Chandler, Oklahoma will be sponsoring this Promotion (the “Business Sponsor”).

PROMOTION PERIOD There are three (2) parts to this Promotion as follows: 1. Nomination of Teachers - begins at 12:01 a.m.

Central Time (“CT”) on July 31, 2020 and ends at 5:00 p.m. CT on August 19, 20209 (the “Nomination Period”); and 2. Online Voting Phase – begins at 12:01 a.m. CT on August 25, 2020 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on September 9, 2020 (the “Voting Period”).

The Nomination Period and the Voting Period are together referred to as the “Promotion Period”.

ELIGIBILITY - NOMINATOR To submit a nomination in this Promotion, the individual must be a legal resident of the United States who is eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of nomination (the “Nominator” or “Nominators”).

Employees, contractors or interns of Gannett and the Business Sponsor, and each of their respective divisions, affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies (including, in each case, immediate family members) are not eligible to submit a nomination in this Promotion.

For purposes of this Promotion, “immediate family members” is defined as spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren, whether as "in-laws", or by current or past marriage, remarriage, adoption, co-habitation or other familial extension, and any other persons residing at the same household location, whether or not related. In order to nominate a Teacher, the Nominator must comply fully with these Official Rules (the “Rules”), and by entering agrees to be bound by these Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, whose decisions shall be binding and final in all respects.

TEACHER NOMINATION CRITERIA The proposed Teacher nominee(s) (the “Nominee” or “Nominees”) must: (a) be actively employed and presently working as a teacher in a school district within a 50-mile radius of the Publication’s market area (together, the “Eligibility Area”); (b) be a teacher for pre-kindergarten through grade twelve in a public, private, alternative, parochial, or home study program in the Eligibility Area; and (c) not be an immediate family member of any employees, contractors or interns of GateHouse Media or the Business Sponsor, or their respective divisions, affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, advertising or promotion agencies.

HOW TO NOMINATE A TEACHER AND PROMOTION RULES 1. There are two (2) ways to nominate a Teacher in this Promotion. The entry form for the Promotion (the “Entry Form” or “Entry Forms”) will be available in the Publication during the Nomination Period. The Publication is available for purchase at select retail locations in and around Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Entry Form will also be available at no charge at the offices of the Publication during regular business hours. Email entries will be accepted if all of the required information is included and it is emailed to kimberly.morava@news-star.com.

2. The Nominator should complete the Entry Form (each, the “Nomination” or collectively, the “Nominations”) with the required contact information, and provide as much information as he or she can about how this Teacher has made a difference in the lives of his or her students. The Nomination should contain a short paragraph (250 words or less) specifying how the Teacher has exceeded, above and beyond the duty requirements of his or her position, and how the Teacher exemplifies the virtues of professionalism and dedication to the community.

3. The Nominator may nominate more than one Teacher in this Promotion, but each Nomination should have a separate Entry Form and be submitted separately.

4. All Nominations must be received by the Publication by 5:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, August 19, 2010 in order to be eligible for consideration in this Promotion (the “Nomination Deadline”). No Nominations will be accepted after the Nomination Deadline.

5. There must be at least five (5) Nominations submitted by the Nomination Deadline for the Promotion to continue. If the required number of Nominations is not submitted by the Nomination Deadline, no voting will occur, and prizes will not be awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion.

VOTING During the Voting Period, all Nominations submitted to the Publication and approved for posting on the Publications’s website at www.news-star. com/Contest (the “Website”) by staff of the Publi-

cation, will appear on the Website. Members of the Shawnee area community will be invited to view the Nominations and follow the link to submit a vote for a favorite Teacher (each, the “Vote” or collectively, the “Votes”). There is no fee to vote in this Promotion.

ELIGIBILITY – VOTER In order to vote for a Teacher in this Promotion, the individual must be a legal resident of the United States who is eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of voting (each, the “Voter” or collectively, the “Voters”). Employees, contractors or interns of GateHouse Media and the Business Sponsor, and each of their respective divisions, affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies (including, in each case, immediate family members) are not eligible to submit a vote in this Promotion. In order to submit a Vote, the Voter must comply fully with these Rules, and by voting agrees to be bound by these Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, whose decisions shall be binding and final in all respects.

VOTING RULES 1. For purposes of this Promotion, the Vote must be cast on the Website by a “unique” Voter. A “unique” Voter is an individual person: (a) who has registered to vote on the Website, (b) with unique registration information (i.e. e-mail address) that is not duplicative of another Voter’s information. If Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that an abuse of the “unique” voter rules has occurred, the Sponsor may disqualify Votes cast by such Voters, including if more than five (5) of such Voters registered from the same residential computer “IP address”.

2. Vote totals will not be published at any time during the Promotion Period.

3. Voters are limited to one (1) Vote per day during the Promotion Period.

4. Sponsor will not be responsible for misdirected Votes.

5. Votes generated by a script, macro, or other automated means is prohibited and such Votes will be disqualified.

6. Any use of robotic, repetitive, automatic, programmed, vote exchange websites, vote “farming” or other method to vote or unfairly increase votes, as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion, is prohibited and will void all Votes submitted by that Voter.

7. The Voters and the Nominees are prohibited from obtaining Votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

8. If Sponsor concludes, in its sole discretion, that any Nominee has colluded with any Voter to violate these Rules or has participated in or actively encouraged such activity, whether directly or indirectly, Sponsor may disqualify that Nominee and the Voter from further participation in this Promotion.

9. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Voter or Nominee from further participation in this Promotion if Sponsor concludes, in its sole discretion, that such Voter or Nominee: (a) has attempted to tamper with the voting process or other operation of the Promotion; (b) has disregarded or has attempted to circumvent these Rules; or (c) has acted toward Sponsor or any other Nominee or Voter in an unfair, inequitable, deliberately annoying, threatening, disrupting or harassing manner. If a dispute arises regarding compliance with these Rules, Sponsor may consider, in its sole discretion, data reasonably available to Sponsor through information technology systems in Sponsor’s control, but Sponsor will not be obligated to consider any data or other information collected from any other source.

10. SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO DISQUALIFY ANY VOTE AT ANY TIME THAT IN ITS OPINION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THESE RULES. If Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that the security, administration, fairness and/or operation of the Promotion has been corrupted or impaired by any non-authorized intervention, network failure, information storage failure, telecommunications failure, malfunction, or any other cause beyond Sponsor’s control, Sponsor may terminate the Promotion. If Sponsor terminates the Promotion, Sponsor will post notice of same on the Website and select the winners by applying the criteria set forth above based on eligible, non-suspect Votes received as of the termination date.

HOW THE FIVE (5) WINNERS ARE CHOSEN Five (5) Teachers will be chosen as winners in this Promotion (each, the “Amazing Teacher” and together, the “Amazing Teachers”).

TOP PRIZE The Teacher to receive the highest number of Votes during the Voting Phase will be awarded a check for $500.00 made payable to the winning individual for a classroom project for the 2020-21 school year.

FINALISTS The four (4) Teachers to receive the next highest number of Votes during the Voting Phase will each be awarded a check for $250.00 made payable to the winning individual for a classroom project for the 2020-21 school year.

In the event of a tie between Teachers, a random drawing among the tied Teachers will be conducted at the offices of the Publication to determine the winner.

Each of the Amazing Teachers will also be recognized with his or her picture and biography featured in a future edition of the Publication.

NOTIFICATION OF THE WINNERS Each of the Amazing Teachers will be notified by phone and/or e-mail on or around September 27, 2020 in accordance with the contact information supplied with the Nomination. Each of the potential prize winners must sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release (the “Affidavit”) in order to be eligible to accept the prize.

No substitution or transfer of the prize will be

allowed, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.

Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value.

The prize must be picked up by the winner at the offices of the Publication or the winner must make alternate arrangements with the Publication by September 30, 2020. The offices of the Publication are open Monday through Friday during normal business hours, and closed on Saturday and Sunday.

TAXES The reporting and payment of all local, state and federal taxes incurred by accepting a prize will be the sole responsibility of the prize winner.

INTERNET It is the Nominator’s and Voter’s responsibility to participate in this Promotion in the appropriate manner. Each Nominator and Voter is responsible for all costs or charges involved in accessing the Website and warrants that the cost of accessing the site, if any, is part of a larger agreement with an Internet Service Provider or some other means, and that the cost of this access is not an incremental cost. If for any reason the internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Promotion, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Promotion. Should the online portion of the Promotion be terminated prior to the Promotion end date, the winners will be drawn at days-end from eligible entries received online up to the time of cancellation.

Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communication line failure, theft, or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of Entries. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible, damaged or undelivered Entries. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, services or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any email or entry to be received due to technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading of any material in this Promotion. CAUTION: Any attempt by any person to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Promotion is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. In the event of a dispute, entries made by Internet will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g. business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Automated entries are prohibited, and any use of such devices will cause disqualification. Collection and use of personally identifiable information will be in accordance with the Publication’s Privacy Policy as posted on the Publication’s website.

CONDITIONS By entering this Promotion, each Nominator, Nominee and Voter (collectively, the “Participant” or “Participants”) agrees to comply with these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are binding and final, and release Sponsor, and each of its divisions, affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and anyone associated with the production of this Promotion, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for any claims, injuries, losses or damages (including attorneys fees) of any kind arising out of their participation in this Promotion or resulting from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize. The potential prize winner waives the right to assert as a cost of winning the prize any and all costs of verification and redemption or travel to redeem said prize and waives any liability or claims (including attorneys fees) which might arise from redeeming or seeking to redeem said prize. In the event of non-compliance with these Official Rules, or if prize notification is returned to Sponsor as undeliverable, if prize is refused or cannot be accepted for any reason, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected in a random drawing. Upon forfeiture or refusal, no compensation will be given. Acceptance of prize or participation in this Promotion constitutes permission to use the Teacher’s name, photograph, likeness and/or statements attributed to this Promotion, for advertising and publicity purposes without further compensation or consent. All Entries become the property of Sponsor. This Promotion shall only be construed and evaluated according to the laws of the state of Oklahoma, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws and submission of any entry constitutes acceptance of such laws. This Promotion is void where prohibited. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Promotion. Sponsor reserves the right to change, alter, or amend these Official Rules as necessary, in its sole discretion, to ensure the fair administration of the Promotion or to comply with applicable law. All decisions of Sponsor regarding the Promotion are final.

NAMES OF WINNERS To obtain the names of the winners, contact Kim Morava by September 30, 2020.

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

Friday, July 31, 2020 • 5D

Nominate the teachers that make a difference!

From the 1st grade teacher with the heart of gold to that high school English teacher who infuses kids with a passion for reading.

Teachers all across our districts educate and empower kids of all ages.

NOMINATE A TEACHER TODAY!

Top Prize is $500 for a Classroom Project 4 finalists will receive $250 for their classroom project.

Your Name: ___________________________________________________ Your Email: ___________________________________________________ Your Phone: __________________________________________________ Name of Teacher: ______________________________________________ Name of School: _______________________________________________ Grade or Teaching Position of Teacher: _____________________________ How has this teacher made a difference (250 words or less) : _______________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Drop off your nomination form at 215 N. Bell Shawnee, OK or email with required information to kimberly.morava@news-star.com with Amazing Teacher in the subject line See contest rules and regulations in today‘s edition.

SPONSORED BY

Deadline for nomination forms is Wednesday, August 19th by 5:00 p.m.

2020 MAKE THE GRADE

6D • Friday, July 31, 2020

Your remote learning checklist

By Amanda Tarlton Reviewed.com

If you’re getting ready for another semester of remote learning, be sure you have the right gear. Here are some experts’ recommendations: 1. THE BEST LAPTOP FOR STUDENTS First things first: You need a good laptop. Of all the ones we’ve tested, we chose the Asus Chromebook Flip as the best laptop for students. Why? Not only does it have a great battery life, it also has a beautiful design and vibrant display — all at a surprisingly affordable price (around $500). Its performance is equally impressive, so you can browse the internet, check your emails, take notes and stream your live classes all at once.

4. OUR FAVORITE NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES Trying to focus on studying is hard. Trying to focus on studying when your little brother is throwing a tantrum in the other room is even harder. Enter these top-rated Sony WH1000XM3 Noise-Canceling Headphones. Our experts found them to be even better than Bose (yes, really) thanks to their active noise-cancellation technology, which can drown out sounds of any volume.

You can even customize the amount of noise cancellation, so you can control how much of the outside world you do — or don’t — hear.

5. THE TOP TABLET Even if you have a laptop, a tablet is a great secondary device to have, especially if you want to multi-task (i.e. log into class on your laptop while taking notes on your tablet). And the best tablet, in our opinion, is the Apple iPad 2019. It has a long battery life, gorgeous high-resolution display and access to the largest library of apps, media and more. Plus, it still has a headphone jack, which will come in handy if you don’t have wireless earbuds or your earbuds die and you have to resort to wired ones.

2. A TOP-RATED WIRELESS MOUSE If you’ve ever had to use your laptop trackpad for eight straight hours, you know the pain that is muscle cramps and stiff fingers. Prevent all of that with a wireless mouse, like the Logitech MX Anywhere 2S. It’s our favorite wireless mouse because it can be used on any surface (including glass) and has a rechargeable battery that can last for up to 70 days. And if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly pick? We recommend the HP Wireless Mouse, which costs less than $25 and works well with various hand sizes.

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

BUDGET FRIENDLY!

3. THIS POWERFUL ROUTER FOR FASTER WI-FI You can have the best laptop, the best mouse, the best everything ... but if you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi connection, remote learning is going to be nearly impossible. We’ve tested more than our fair share of wireless routers and found the D-Link DIR-878 Wi-Fi Smart Router to be the best overall. It had the best performance at the longest range and is incredibly affordable compared to other routers — about $125.

Plus, it’s super simple to set up so you can get online ASAP.

6. THIS BEST-SELLING SURGE PROTECTOR Printer, laptop, lamp, router ... the list of things you need to plug in to create your at-home “classroom” is incredibly long. You’ll want to use a surge protector like the AmazonBasics 6-Outlet strip to conserve energy and protect your electronics. Over 10,500 reviewers like that this AmazonBasics strip has a long power cord (so you can move it around) and that its six outlets hold plugs securely. People also say the surge protector lasts for a long time and is great quality, especially for its low price (about $13).

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Exceptional education.

Close to home. okbu.edu

28 Consecutive Years Best Regional Colleges U.S. News & World Report

15 Consecutive Years Best in the West The Princeton Review

12 Consecutive Years America’s Top Colleges Forbes.com