Back to School - July 2017

July 2017 • A Special Supplement to media solutions

Housing How-To How to save on college housing costs

Continuing Education

3 tips to finding the right graduate program

Tech Talk

Today’s tech options for students

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

A Supplement of

117 N. Second Street, Edwardsville 618.656.4700 PUBLISHER Denise Vonder Haar, Ext. 14 dvonderhaar@hearstnp.com

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EDITOR Bill Tucker, Ext. 47 btucker@edwpub.net AD DESIGN MANAGER Jennifer Potts, Ext. 32 jpotts@edwpub.net CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Melissa Pitts, Ext. 27 mpitts@edwpub.net

4 Mobile phones and their place in the classroom 6 Reduce kids’ risk of getting colds at school 6 Did you know –

classroom technology 7 How to ask for a letter of recommendation

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Did you know?

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ccording to an Experian College Graduate Survey conducted in 2016, 58 percent of soon-to-be graduates acknowledged they had a credit card, and 30 percent admitted they had credit card debt. The average debt of the respondents was more than $2,500, a substantial sum considering that much of it is likely consumer debt, and not the so-called “good debt” like car loans or mortgage payments that can help young people establish their credit histories. A report from the Institute of College Access and Success indicated that the average member of the college class of 2015 graduated with $30,100 in student loan debt. Student loans are often repaid over many years, with some repayment schedules extending more than a decade. In addition, as long as students make their payments on time and in full, the amount of interest they will pay if their loans come with fixed rates will remain the same. Students’ credit card debt is not the same, and students who can only afford to pay the minimum payments each month will see the amount of interest they’re paying grow considerably until the balance is completely paid off. That’s one reason why students must learn the difference between consumer debt and student loan debt and how accumulating the former is far more detrimental to students’ financial futures than accruing the latter.

Navigating tech choices for school use

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How to save on college housing costs

3 tips to finding the right graduate program

11 Healthy ways to get to school 11 Avoid back injuries by choosing the right backpack 12 Maintain a safe school bus stop 13 Vocational schooling can pave the way to high-paying jobs 14 How to keep school uniforms looking like new 15 How to indentify and stop cyberbullying

Theintelligencer.com July 2017 • July 2017

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Navigating tech choices for school use more for laptops with high performance.

Another shortcoming of laptops is that they generally have smaller screens than desktop computers, which can make working on fine details more challenging.

Tablets

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echnology is essential in the daily lives of students. Whether it’s kids learning their ABC’s or graduate students pursuing advanced degrees, technology has transformed the way lessons are taught and learned.

Statistics support the notion that technology in the classroom is irreplaceable. According to data from the tutoring resource PracTutor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and various colleges, 98 percent of schools have one or more computers in the classroom. In addition, 77 percent of teachers use the internet for instruction, while 40 percent of teachers report students use computers during instructional time in the classroom.

Many instructors now assign homework that must be completed online. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at computer usage among 15-year-olds across 31 nations and regions. Many students in high-performing nations reported spending between one and two hours a day on a computer outside of school.

Because computers are so necessary in and out of the classroom, families and students may want to revisit their options before buying new devices.

Desktop computer Desktop computers used to be the go-to for families and students, and there are still many reasons why desktops make sense. In addition to their relatively inexpensive sticker price, desktop computers allow students to customize their packages according to their needs and get a powerful operating system in the process. New and advanced processing speeds also mean that many desktop computers can be relied on for educational purposes while also being fast enough to handle recreational gaming.

One of the main disadvantages of desktop computers is their lack of portability. Desktops are not easily moved, and if repairs are necessary, it can be a hassle to have them fixed.

Laptop computers Over the last decade, laptop computers have become more popular than desktop computers, largely because of their portability. Laptops are designed to be taken from place to place, so students can use them for note-taking in the classroom and then studying at home.

Although laptop processors have just about caught up to desktop processors, they may be lacking the processing pop unless consumers are willing to pay

Tablets offer the most in terms of portability. They’re lightweight and small and offer a wealth of access in a compact package. Today’s tablets offer much more than the first such devices to hit the market. Some can run apps and equivalent programs that were once exclusive to desktop and laptop computers. Tablets also tend to be less

expensive than desktops or laptops.

Where tablets may fall short is in the peripherals. It’s difficult to connect backup drives and other accessories to tablets. However, with advancements in cloud-based storage, this may not be an issue. Also, note-taking on virtual keyboards may be more challenging, and working on tablets’ small screens can be tiresome over time. Convertible tablet/laptops are now emerging to bridge these gaps.

Shopping for a new computer can be complicated, but basing purchases on need rather than want can help guide the process.

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

Teachers can look at ways to harness the power of mobile phone technology in the classroom.

Mobile phones and their place in the classroom

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obile phones are ubiquitous. Most people would admit that they’d rather leave home without their wallets than without their phones.

According to statistics provider Smart Insights, 80 percent of internet users own a smartphone, while more than 50 percent of mobile phone users admit to reaching for their phones first thing when they wake up.

Since more than 90 percent of today’s teenagers own a phone, schools are forced to find ways to include mobile phones in the classroom without having them overshadow lessons or distract students.

A 2013 University of Nebraska-Lincoln study of 777 students at six American universities found that the average respondent used a digital device for non-

class purposes 10.93 times during a typical school day. Students’ activities included texting, social networking and emailing. Many respondents cited boredom and staying connected to the outside world as motivating factors.

Until recently, many schools implemented strict policies regarding mobile phones in school. Some forbade students from carrying them on campus or mandated that students left them in lockers. Many schools are now realizing the ways students can harness the technology of mobile phones in creative and innovative methods. Plus, as smartphone capabilities continue to evolve, educators are increasingly recognizing the potential of educational apps and how they can be used in the classroom.

Using mobile phones in the classroom for educational purposes also may cut down on how much the phones are used for nonschool purposes, such as texting or checking social media. According to data published in the journal Computers & Education, 80 percent of students admit that mobile phones can hinder their ability to pay attention in school when phones are not being used in conjunction with their lessons.

Schools vary in their rules regarding mobile phone usage in the classroom.

Some schools let teachers decide, while others have more liberal policies.

The following are some ideas for broaching the subject.

• Research educational apps. A number of apps and websites are educational. Whether students are connecting via a phone, laptop or tablet, these applications can encourage class participation. Some apps can report students’ progress to teachers in real time. Remind101 is an app that can text reminders for assignments and tests to students.

• Teachers can monitor diligently. The image of teachers standing in the front of the classroom lecturing is becoming more and more obsolete. It’s easier to guide students to stay on task while on mobile phones when the teacher roams the classroom to keep an eye on phone activity. It’s more difficult for students to engage in negative behaviors when their phones are out in the open.

• Cut down on tech expenses. Not every school can afford to give each student a laptop or have 20 to 30 tablets in the classroom. When students embrace BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology), teachers can maximize resources.

Mobile phones are not going anywhere soon, and schools are trying to find ways to make them more useful and less distracting in the classroom.

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

Reduce kids’ risk of getting colds at school

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chool-aged kids who catch colds or the flu from their classmates can quickly spread those colds to their family members, who then might spread the colds further when they go

to work. Preventing the spread of colds and flu at school is a team effort that requires the assistance of not just parents, but also teachers and students.

Still, parents might be the first line of defense when it comes to preventing the spread of cold and flu at school.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 38 million school days are lost to the flu each year. Those lost days can affect students who miss lesson plans, but also affect parents, who often must take days off from work to tend to their sick children.

While there’s no way for parents to guarantee their children won’t catch a cold or the flu this school year, they can take various preventive measures to increase kids’ chances of staying healthy and achieving perfect attendance.

Make sure kids are immunized and that their immunizations are current.

Vaccinations bolster kids immune systems. That’s important, as kids’ immune

Did you know?

Modern technology has forever transformed the classroom.

As calculators replaced abacuses, mobile phone apps have now replaced calculators, and such advancements continue to change how students learn. One way schools are notably different from those of the past is through the absence of a once major component of the classroom layout. Chalkboards are either missing or completely retrofitted in modern learning environments. In the 1800s, slate blackboards were the new technology, replacing handheld tablets of wood or slate. Within the last few years, schools have increasingly opted for cleaner “white boards” or “smartboards,” which are digitally connected to computers and offer touch interfaces similar to those on tablets and smartphones. As ebooks replace textbooks and more assignments are handed in via digital documents, lockers may be the next to vanish.

systems are naturally less mature than adults’, making them more vulnerable to germs and viruses. The CDC recommends that adults and children receive their flu vaccinations in October while noting that such vaccinations can be administered as late as January and still prove effective. The CDC also recommends that adults and children receive flu vaccinations each year.

Additional vaccinations may not need to be administered as often, but parents should still ensure kids’ are up-to-date with their shots.

Make sure kids regularly wash their hands. Kids often catch colds by rubbing their hands that have been exposed to cold virus germs on their noses or eyes. To prevent that, parents can teach kids to wash to their hands thoroughly, including scrubbing the backs of their hands, between their fingers and around their fingernails.

Kids should know to wash their hands regularly, but especially after they use the bathroom and before they eat, drink or touch their mouths, noses or eyes.

Keep kids home when they are sick.

Parents don’t want their children to miss school, but kids who are suffering from colds or flu should be kept home. This prevents the spread of colds and flu to classmates and teachers, and time to rest at home may help youngsters recover more quickly.

Teach kids to avoid common germ spots. Germs can be lurking anywhere, but some spots seem to make more welcome homes for germs than others. Studies have shown that kids were most likely to encounter germs in schools on water fountain spigots and on plastic cafeteria trays. Teach kids to never put their mouths on fountains and to avoid eating any food that might fall onto their trays in the cafeteria.

School-aged children are susceptible to colds and flu when spending time in the classroom. But parents can reduce their youngsters’ cold and flu risk in various ways.

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How to ask for a letter of recommendation Choose wisely when selecting teachers to write letters of recommendation.

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nowledge, skills and personality can get students far, but having the right people in their corners can open doors for new opportunities that students might otherwise never have considered. Perhaps this is why recommendations are so coveted when applying to schools.

Asking for a letter of recommendation is something that should be done with forethought. The correct approach and proper timing can mean the difference between receiving a recommendation or not.

Who to ask The first step for students is to decide who they want to ask for a recommendation. Select those teachers who know you well or can validate how you performed or improved in class. Opt for a teacher whose class you recently took so the recommendation reflects the student you are today and not the student you might have been when you were younger.

It can also help to ask for a recommendation from teachers or staff who have sufficient experience. Their input may carry more weight than someone whose career is less accomplished. A well-established teacher who leads a class that pertains to your academic goals is a good fit.

Remember to consider the requirements of a college or university as well. Schools frequently ask for recommendations from specific people, such as a teacher in a certain subject.

Ask early Teachers may be inundated with college letter recommendation requests around application deadlines and at the end of semesters. It’s better to leave plenty of time than to put teachers under pressure.

The same rule applies to anyone else you’re asking to write you a recommendation.

Request in person Underscore the importance of the recommendation by making it a personal request.

Schedule an appointment with the individual and discuss why you believe he or she would be the right person to provide the recommendation.

Remind the person of your attributes and point out something that exemplifies your skills. Speaking face-to-face shows respect and gives you the advantage to make your points personally, rather than through email.

Make the process easier Provide all of the necessary items to help the person along. This can include a brief résumé, academic progress report, required forms, and so on. Also offer any college- or employer-directed requests.

As the deadline looms, offer concise reminders that you will need the recommendation. Offer to pick it up personally. Make copies or scan and save the original just in case a mix-up in the admissions office occurs.

Recommendations are a key part of landing a job or being

offered acceptance into a college or university. Asking the right people early will translate into recommendations that

paint an accurate picture of applicants.

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

How to save on college housing costs

which may last anywhere from six to eight months. However, there are ways for students and their families to reduce those costs.

Examine your dormitory options.

Many schools assign students to dormitories for their freshman years, giving students little say with regard to where they will live. However, students might have more input in their housing come their sophomore, junior and senior years. Some dorms might be more attractive and offer more amenities than others, but students and families looking to save money on housing costs should opt to live in the most budget-friendly

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are moving out of the dorms and into university or off-campus apartments can save money by continuing to live with roommates. This can be especially beneficial to students who will be living in off-campus housing where amenities such as electricity, cable television and water are unlikely to be included in the cost of the rent.

Commute to school. While it might not be ideal, commuting to school can save college students and their families substantial amounts of money. Public university students who did so during the 2016-2017 school year might have saved nearly $11,000, or $44,000 in four years. That’s money that can be used to pay tuition or finance postgraduate educations.

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ollege is expensive, and the costs are only rising. Scholarships and grants can help mitigate the costs of higher education, but even students who receive such aid could find themselves scrambling for ways to make college more affordable.

Housing is one of the more expensive costs for college students and their families. According to the College Board, the average cost for room and board during the 2016-2017 school year was $10,440 at four-year public schools and $11,890 at private colleges and universities. And those costs typically cover housing for just the school year,

dorms available to them. In addition, choose to live with a roommate rather than in a single room, as singles tend to cost substantially more than double rooms.

Sign up to be a resident advisor.

Resident advisors, or RAs, often receive free housing in exchange for living in dormitories when they are upperclassmen or graduate students. RAs help newly enrolled or younger students adjust to campus life while also ensuring nothing untoward happens on the floors they’re tasked with looking after.

Students who may want to apply for RA positions should first confirm if serving as an RA will affect their overall financial aid package and how great that impact might be.

Live with roommates even after leaving the dorms. Due to limited space, many colleges insist dorm residents live with roommates. Upperclassmen who

Theintelligencer.com July 2017 • July 2017

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

3 TIPS

to finding the right graduate program

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raduate school allows college graduates the chance to intensify their studies as they pursue advanced degrees. Many professions require advanced degrees, but students may enroll in graduate school for various reasons, including their own intellectual curiosity and the chance to improve their earning potential.

Choosing a graduate program is an important decision that can impact students’ career prospects and financial futures. According to Peterson’s Real Guide to Colleges and Universities, the average annual tuition for a graduate program at a public university is $30,000, while graduate students at private universities can expect to pay nearly $40,000 each year. Such figures illustrate just how important it is for prospective graduate students to find the right schools for them.

1. Conduct exhaustive research.

Because the cost of graduate school is so substantial, students should be extra diligent when researching potential grad schools. Gather as much information about each school as possible, even contacting department heads and/or professors to learn if a given program is best for you.

Graduate programs tend to be specialized, so make sure each school you’re considering offers exactly what you’re seeking.

For example, graduate programs in history may specialize in a particular period of history. As a result, students who want to pursue graduate degrees in history must find the program that allows them to study the period that most interests them.

Finding such programs requires extensive research, so students must afford themselves ample time.

2. Speak to current students and recent graduates.

3. Be realistic about your finances.

Current students and recent graduates can provide a unique perspective that prospective grad students won’t get from brochures or online research, no matter how exhaustive that research might be.

Encourage students and recent grads to be candid, asking them about their experiences as grad students and, for recent grads, how they fared in the job market after earning their degrees. Don’t discount the latter, as grad school is an investment of time, energy and money, and that should lead to professional fulfillment upon graduating.

While many people enroll in graduate programs to improve their earning potential, some students may not enjoy that benefit.

The cost of grad school varies depending on the school and the program, but prospective grad students may want to change their plans if the cost of obtaining an advanced degree will greatly affect their financial freedom for years to come. Students worried about their post-grad school earning potential may want to choose less expensive programs so they can still pursue their degrees without mortgaging their financial futures.

Graduate school requires a substantial investment of time, energy and money. Prospective grad students should do everything possible to ensure they invest in the grad school that best suits their particular needs.

Theintelligencer.com July 2017 • July 2017

Healthy ways to get to school

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raffic on roadways increases during the morning and afternoon hours during the school year. During the morning and mid-afternoon, millions of students make their way to and from

school. Safe Routes to School National Partnership estimates that as much as 20 to 30 percent of all morning traffic is generated by parents driving their children to school.

Today, many school-aged children are driven to school by their parents. That not only increases traffic and the opportunities for vehicular accidents, but also contributes to the poor air quality in and around local neighborhoods. The cities of London and Camden in the United Kingdom have already placed bans on driving on some roads around schools to help curb air pollution. The World Health Organization says air pollution is linked to the deaths of three million people around the world each year.

Driving to school may also contribute to the obesity epidemic plaguing the nation’s youth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the

1970s. Roughly one in five school-aged children is obese. Canada’s Childhood Obesity Foundation notes that childhood overweight and obesity has been steadily climbing. Rates have almost doubled for children between the ages of two and 17.

If that trend continues, by 2040, as much as 70 percent of Canadian adults are expected to be overweight or obese.

Families can find healthy ways to transport children to school, and these alternatives can benefit the environment as well.

Walk to school Walking one mile to and from school each day can fulfill around two-thirds of the 60 minutes of the recommended physical activity for children each day. Considering that recess times are being cut and kids are spending more time indoors or on devices instead of playing outside with friends, walking to school provides much-needed exercise.

Young children should be accompanied by an adult chaperone when walking to school. Older children are urged to walk in pairs or groups to increase safety in numbers. Students should heed traffic signals and stick to routes with access to crosswalks and crossing guards.

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Bike to school Bicycling is another great physical activity and an efficient way to get to school. The Wisconsin Department of Health states that, when kids cycle at a moderate effort for one mile, they can burn between 20 and 30 calories depending on the weight of the child.

When biking to school, students should follow the rules of the road and wear the appropriate safety gear, such as helmets.

Carpool Sharing rides to school is another way to cut down on congestion and air pollution.

Families can work together to drive students to and from school, sports games and clubs.

Ride the bus In districts that offer school bus service, students can take advantage of this safe mode of transport. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that

traveling by school bus is seven times safer than traveling by car or truck. School buses also reduce the number of cars on the road during peak travel times.

Avoid back injuries by choosing the right backpack

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inding the right backpack is an essential component of back-to-school shopping. Children may have their own ideas of what’s in style, but parents should look for backpacks that are functional before factoring in style. Marrying form and function together can be challenging, but it’s necessary to prevent students from developing back problems. But parents must give consideration to more than just the size of their children’s backpacks.

Depending on school schedules, students may be carrying backpacks for up to 10 hours per day, five days per week. Backpacks may be filled with several pounds of stuff, such as textbooks,

binders, laptops, and other supplies, potentially leading to injury.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 14,000 children are treated for backpack-related injuries every year. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says that the weight of a backpack should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of a child’s body weight. But many students pack their bags with much more weight than that.

Improperly sized, worn and overstuffed backpacks can injure joints and lead to neck, back and shoulder injuries. They also may affect children’s posture.

Choose a streamlined model. Select a backpack that will get the job done without much added bulk. Many backpacks have been designed to hold technological devices as more and more schools integrate technology into the classroom. A less bulky bag might be lighter and easy to carry.

Consider shopping at a sporting goods store. Employees at camping and sporting goods retailers understand how to fit backpacks for hikers and outdoor adventurers. They can help measure a student and find a pack that will fit his or her body frame. Also, these retailers may have a wider selection of backpacks than some other stores, increasing the chances of finding the right fit.

Select a pack with a waist strap. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the body is not designed to carry items hanging from shoulders. By using the waist strap in conjunction with taut shoulder straps, students can distribute the weight in their backpacks over their hip bones instead of the shoulders.

The padded and adjustable shoulder straps should be at least two inches wide. All straps should be used each time the pack is worn.

Backpacks should be loaded properly.

Heavy items should be near the center bottom to distribute the load, rather than placed on top. Students should only carry what is necessary, visiting lockers or desks as needed to lighten their packs.

Backpack fit and functionality is something parents should take seriously when shopping for school

supplies.

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

Maintain a safe school bus stop Being safe while en route to and at the bus stop is just as important as staying safe while riding on the school bus.

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chool buses are safe modes of transportation for children. Statistics from Transport Canada indicate that transportation by school bus is safer than by passenger car. School buses are large and heavy vehicles that protect riders during collisions. School buses also help keep a greater number of passenger vehicles off of the roads during high-traffic school times.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that each year approximately 450,000 public school buses transport 23.5 million children to and from school and school-related activities around the United States.

Although safety is enforced while students are on the bus, it is also vital for students to remain safe before they board. Ensuring a safe bus stop requires diligence.

Safety starts with students and parents. Students are under the authority of the bus driver while they are

on the bus.

But before they board the bus, students typically are not supervised. Chaperoned bus stops can help deter rowdy actions, particularly at crowded bus stops. Parents can rotate standing watch and keeping tabs on bus stop behavior.

Arrive early at the bus stop.

Accidents can happen when people are rushing and not paying attention. NHTSA advises getting to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

Stand at a safe distance.

Children should remain no less than six feet away from the curb or roadway while waiting for the bus to arrive.

Parents should routinely remind students not to run and play at the bus stop.

Lobby for safe bus stop locations. District transportation directors are often tasked with choosing school bus stop locations based on local

policies and attendance. Only basic requirements may be addressed, such as distance between stops. Parents and community members might be able to offer feedback regarding roads with low traffic volume and spots that offer maximum visibility during all seasons.

Minimize street crossings.

Parents can drop children off on the side of the road where the bus will stop so the kids do not have to cross roadways unattended.

Use traffic assistance whenever possible. Children who walk to bus stops are urged to walk in crosswalks and on sidewalks and obey traffic controls. Parents can work with their children to find the safest routes to the bus stop, such as on residential streets rather than high-traffic roadways.

Familiarize yourself with the route to the bus stop.

Parents are urged to research the area and know where

potential hazards on the route to the bus stop may lie. This includes potential human hazards. According to BusBoss, a school bus routing and tracking company, it’s important for parents to know where registered sex offenders live and ensure kids avoid these homes on the way to the bus stop. Other hazardous areas include spots where drug activity or other illegal behavior occurs.

Drive cautiously during school hours. Drivers should exercise extra caution and reduce speeds when schools are opening and closing.

There will be lots of students on the roads between 8 and 9 a.m. and again between 2 and 4 p.m.

Maintaining school bus safety is of the utmost importance.

Students, parents and the school district can work together to make security a priority.

Theintelligencer.com July 2017 • July 2017

Vocational schooling can pave the way to high-paying jobs

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any students believe that the next natural step after graduating from high school is to go off to college. Secondary education has become such a common transition that many parents begin saving for college tuition as soon as their children are born. Although college can be the next chapter in a student’s education, many teenagers still choose to attend trade school.

Television personality Mike Rowe feels that the country is in the midst of a skilled labor shortage because workers lack the necessary training to fill the hundreds of thousands of available jobs. Lack of information may drive the notion that trade jobs are nothing more than a backup plan if college doesn’t pan out.

However, by realizing that trade jobs, along with shortterm vocational training, is a smart investment — and

eventually a lucrative career choice — attitudes about trade schools and labor-intensive jobs may shift.

A great number of college graduates enter the workforce with degrees that may not help them land jobs. And these students typically carry thousands of dollars in tuition debt. Many college grads are underemployed and working in jobs that aren’t even in their fields of study. Career and technical schools help students develop specialized skills that make graduates immediately marketable in their chosen fields, and trade salaries can be very competitive.

The following are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying trade careers to consider, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Forbes magazine.

Construction manager: Construction professionals with great organizational and communication skills can enjoy high earning potential as construction managers. Expected growth of this career over the next 10 years is 5 percent. The average income of a construction manager is $87,000. However, with a topend hourly pay of around $75 per hour, it’s easy for managers to earn into six figures.

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Elevator installer and repairer: This career is listed as a top-earner. These employees can earn anywhere from $74,000 to $105,000 per year. Elevators are in demand as urban centers increase, so this career has staying potential.

Rotary drill operator: The oil and gas industry relies on rotary drill operators to extract oil or natural gas from underground sources. Salaries for these jobs can range from $30 to $40 per hour.

Dental hygienist: Cleaning teeth and inspecting mouths for disease is an important role. Job growth is still hovering around 20 percent, and hygienists can expect to earn up to $98,000.

Electricians and plumbers: Electricians and plumbers are continually in demand. With a short amount of trade school and apprenticeship, it’s possible to earn up to $90,000 per year.

These are just a few of the many skilled professions that vocational schools prepare their students for.

Scholarships and funding programs are available to help make vocational training an affordable possibility.

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July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

How to keep school uniforms looking like new

S

chool uniforms can simplify dressing for school and may even bolster school pride among the student body. The U.S. Department of Education says that wearing a uniform may help decrease the risk of violence and theft and instill discipline while helping school officials more easily recognize potential intruders.

Although once found only at religious and private schools, school uniforms are now worn at many public schools across the United States and Canada. The National Center for Education Statistics indicates roughly 20 percent of public and private schools across the U.S. required students to wear uniforms in the 2011-12 school year — the most recent year for which data is available.

In Quebec, school uniforms are far more common than in other provinces, potentially influenced by the classical Quebec private colleges and Montreal’s English independent schools.

School uniforms may help families save money on clothing.

Although the initial cost of the uniform may be higher than some other clothes parents may purchase for school, uniforms can be worn again and again, saving parents the expense of buying many outfits for their kids to wear to school. Uniforms may even be available for purchase from multiple places, allowing families to shop around for the best prices.

Some uniforms may be simple, such as a white shirt and khaki pants, so that parents have more options.

School uniforms require an investment, and it is important to take care of the uniforms so they can handle the wear and tear of daily use, as well as all of the potential hazards kids might experience in a typical day. These tips can help families keep school uniforms in the best condition possible.

Launder gently. Wash clothes in cold water to prolong the life of the clothing. When possible, line-dry items or tumble dry on low.

Have a few backups. Purchase a few pairs of pants, skirts and shirts that can be interchanged each day. This will cut down on how frequently uniforms need to be washed.

Spot-treat stains immediately.

Kids seem drawn to stains from ink, grass, grease, and more, and these stains can permanently ruin clothing if they are not addressed promptly. Rely on some of these stain-removal techniques to keep uniforms looking newer longer: - Soak clothes in cola for 30 minutes prior to laundering to remove greasy marks or food stains.

- A paste of white vinegar and baking soda can remove grass stains when worked into the stains and then washed.

- Spray pen marks with hair spray then blot to lift off the ink.

Repeat as needed before laundering.

Skip some washes. If the uniform isn’t especially soiled or smelly, it may be possible to wear it again without washing.

Clothes can often be “refreshed” by using at-home dry cleaning kits.

Reinforce buttons. Use a thin coating of clear nail polish to serve as a protective barrier on button finishes. This will help the buttons look newer longer. The polish also can strengthen the thread that holds buttons on.

Label all clothing. Uniforms all look the same. Be sure to use iron-on labels or sewn-in labels to identify kids’ clothing and avoid having to replace lost items.

Theintelligencer.com July 2017 • July 2017

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How to identify and stop cyberbullying T

oday’s students have many new things to contend with as they navigate the school year. As a greater number of schools transition to providing lessons, homework and tests on digital devices, students spend much more time online. This connectivity can have many positive results. However, the same availability also opens up students of all ages to various dangers.

One of these dangers is a more invasive form of bullying called “cyberbullying.” The global organization DoSomething.org says nearly half of kids have been bullied online, with one in four saying it has happened more than once.

Cyberbullying has grown as access to computers and devices that offer an online connection has grown. Bullying is now just as likely to occur online as it is on the playground. Cyberbullies may bully classmates through email, social media, instant messaging, and other social applications. Since cyberbullying tends to target emotions and mental well-being, and reaches beyond the school campus into a student’s home, its impact can be even more serious.

According to the Megan Meier Foundation, which campaigns against bullying, peer victimization during adolescence is associated with higher rates of depression, suicide ideation and suicide attempts. In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, according to data compiled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Cyberbullying occurs in many different forms. Here are some types of cyberbullying educators and parents can look for if they suspect their students or children are being bullied.

Flaming: This is a type of bullying that occurs in an online forum or group conversation. It’s achieved by sending angry or insulting messages directly to the person. Flaming is similar to harassment, but harassment usually involves privately sent messages.

Children, adolescents and young adults can be the victims of a pervasive type of abuse called cyberbullying.

Outing: This type of bullying is a sharing of personal and private information about a person publicly. When information has been disseminated throughout the internet, one has been “outed.”

Fraping: Fraping occurs when someone logs into another’s social media account and impersonates him or her.

This could be a child or an adult impersonating the person and posting inappropriate content in his or her name.

Sometimes this type of bullying is also called “posing” or “catfishing.”

Masquerading: Masquerading occurs when bullies create fake profiles so they can harass someone anonymously. The bully is likely someone the person being targeted knows well.

Exclusion: Sometimes direct targeting is not necessary. Students can be bullied simply by being deliberately left out, such as not being invited to parties or encouraged to participate online conversations.

Securing privacy online is one way to prevent cyberbullying attacks. Students also can be selective about who they share personal information with or whose social media friendships they accept. Thinking before posting and paying attention to language and tone can help curb cyberbullying as well.

Students should stick together and report instances of cyberbullying if it becomes an issue.

July 2017 • theintelligencer.com

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