School Days 2018

Sunday, September 9, 2018

SCHOOL

DAYS A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE TIMES RECORD

FREE, REDUCED MEAL PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THOUSANDS IN AREA UAFS OFFERS NUMEROUS SERVICES FOR STUDENTS LIVING ON, OFF CAMPUS PAY FOR COLLEGE WHILE SAVING FOR RETIREMENT HELP YOUR STUDENTS GET ORGANIZED FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR

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Free, reduced meal program provides assistance to thousands

By Jadyn Watson-Fisher Times Record jwatsonfisher@swtimes.com

A lot has changed since director of child nutrition Philip Garcia joined the staff at Fort Smith Public Schools 20 years ago. iPhones were invented, social media made its debut, medical discoveries were made and dietary requirements became the norm for school meals. What hasn’t changed, especially in the district, is an emphasis on making sure no student goes hungry. No matter the time of year.

This summer, the Fort Smith School District served more than 45,000 meals as part of its free and reduced meal program, Garcia said.

Anyone 18 years and younger was eligible for free breakfast and lunch at one of 11 area elementary schools.

The program wasn’t just for kids, though. Adults could buy meals at a reduced price of $2.50 for breakfast and $4 for lunch.

“It’s there to help kids that need help and parents that need help feeding their

kids,” Garcia said.

Now, with school just beginning, the district is once again offering free or reduced price meals to kids this coming year, trying to make sure that an empty stomach isn’t the reason a student is struggling to succeed.

“What it helps to ensure is that all students have the opportunity to eat,” Superintendent Doug Brubaker said. “I know, personally, I don’t perform at my best when I’m hungry. You’ve heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — you’ve got to take care of those physical needs first. Having something to eat makes it so you can focus on classwork.”

Breakfast is free for all Fort Smith students, whether or not they qualify for the program, and reduced lunches cost only 40 cents.

“I love that in Fort Smith they provide breakfast for every kid,” said Lisa Miller, Southside High School principal. “I walk up and down the halls in the morning and say, ‘Good morning.

Did you eat? Let me tell

you what they’ve got in the cafeteria.’”

The free and reduced meal program was started in 1946 when President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act. It aims to provide nutritionally balanced meals to students every day.

During the school year, students can be considered “categorically eligible” — they are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); have a status of homeless, migrant, runaway or foster child; or participate in certain Head Start or prekindergarten programs — or qualify based on income.

Income qualifications are based on federal guidelines.

Miller said she’s an avid supporter of the program and encourages families to apply for the program, even if they don’t think they’re eligible or they don’t think they’ll ever actually participate.

“If you don't think you'll qualify, I encourage families See MEALS, S4

Table of contents Free, reduced meal program provides assistance to thousands .........................2 How to instill happiness in kids..............................4 UAFS offers numerous services for students living on, off campus ...............................5 Pay for college while saving for retirement .........7 University of the Ozarks launches comprehensive digital learning initiative .............8 A parent's survival guide for back-to-school........9 Helping teens handle anxiety ...............................10

Nyjah Fox, 3, selects a watermelon with a little help from his grandmother, Kimberly Wieneke, at Carnall Elementary School.

Nyjah and many other children were eating their free lunch at the school and then were able to each select a watermelon provided

by Antioch for Youth and Family. Fort Smith Public Schools offered the free breakfasts and lunches for children Monday through Friday each week this past summer. Schools participating were Ballman, Barling, Beard, Fairview, Carnall, Howard, Morrison, Pike, Spradling, Sunnymede and Tilles elementary schools. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

About School Days Help students get organized.................................11 New technologies support STEAM learning........12 Getting girls interested in STEAM subjects ........13 Health education: What teachers want kids to know ..................................................14 How parents can help boost kids‘ financial literacy ...........................................15 Ways to make math part of your child's daily life..............................................15

School Days is a Special Section published by the Times Record, focusing on issues facing students of all ages and parents throughout the school year.

For more information: ccosta@swtimes.com Publisher Crystal Costa Editor Steve Peterson Contributing writers Thomas Saccente, Jadyn Watson-Fisher Photographer Brian Sanderford Production manager Christy Morrison Advertising sales manager Julie Newman

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How to instill happiness in kids

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

In a time when kids seem happiest when they’re connected online, parents can find other ways to instill happiness.

“Happiness for children is often found in enjoying a variety of activities,” said licensed counselor Joshua Nickels, owner of Intuitive Strengths Family Services in Endicott, New York.

“Technology, used for the right purposes and in moderation, can be one activity that provides a child with happiness. Other activities, such as role-playing, running around with kids on a playground or creating a work of art from raw materials, provide children with an internal sense of accomplishment, belonging and confidence, which all lead to greater happiness.”

“Giving children something to care for that is dependent on them — for instance, a pet or even a plant — can bring sense of accomplishment and closeness to the family,” said Kimberly Friedmutter, a life

MEALS From Page S2

to fill out the form and just see,” Miller said. “If you’ve got four or five kids at home, it’s amazing how quickly you can qualify, even if you qualify for just reduced.”

She also tells students to fill out the application, because not only are schools reimbursed for the meals they provide at the free and

management expert.

Bringing happiness into a child’s life creates resilience and helps him better weather the storms of life, said Donna Bozzo, author of “Fidget Busters: 50 Ways to Keep Kids Busy While You Get Things Done.”

“Look for simple ways to make your time together more fun. Maybe it’s having dinner under the dining room table or starting out the day with a knock-knock joke written out in soap on the bathroom mirror, or fun five-minute science experiments at the breakfast table,” Bozzo said.

“Undivided attention is an effective and sincere way to help a child generate their own sense of happiness,” said Ais Her, director of schools at Fountainhead Montessori School in Dublin, California. “This could be a simple 15 minutes to have a conversation, set the table together, read a book, etc.

Also, fostering whatever the child is good at, or enjoys doing, helps promote his/her sense of positive self-worth and pride of accomplishment. Even if sometimes

these things are different than what the parent envisioned for their child, by providing that foundation of support, the child knows the parent is interested in helping him/her feel happy.”

Parents can model what

happy looks like by showing each other love, patience, compassion and appreciation for the little things, and by processing this with their children, said licensed professional counselor Anahid Lisa Derbabian.

Children shouldn’t have to be in front of a screen to be happy. Help teach your child to find joy in other things besides electronic devices.

reduced pricing, it’s simply a good backup plan.

“Especially at the high school level, we struggle to get kids to bring forms back, because they’re like, ‘I’m going to bring my lunch every day. I’m never going to eat at your cafeteria,’” Miller said. “I tell kids, even if you’re not going to eat lunch in the cafeteria, on the one day you forget your lunch, just to know that it’s there and all you have to do is scan your card. Why wouldn’t you do that?”

Garcia said the program is a service to the community, saving parents money on meals for their kids. He said nearly 70 percent of the 14,684 enrolled students for 2018-19 are eligible for free or reduced lunches. In the previous two school years, 76 percent of Fort Smith students were eligible for the program, according to data from the Arkansas Department of Education.

Hackett and Van Buren school districts had similar percentages of students

participating in their programs. The last two academic years, 73.5 percent of Hackett’s student population was eligible for free or reduced lunches. An average of 61 percent of Van Buren’s students qualified for the program.

The national program serves an average of 30.5 million students per year with approximately 21.5 million students served on a typical day. There are more than 98,000 participating schools, according to the Food Research and Action

Center, and Fort Smith is proud to be a district dedicated to serving students through the program, the superintendent said.

“This program has had a positive, powerful force on students’ health, well-being and academic performance,” Brubaker said. “For some kids, meals at school are critically important, because they might not have food security outside of school.

I’m always mindful of that, and I’m grateful for the program.”

[MORE CONTENT NOW]

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UAFS offers numerous services for students living on, off campus

By Thomas Saccente Times Record tsaccente@swtimes.com

In the years since it became a four-year institution, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has done much to ensure its students feel at home.

Beth Eppinger, UAFS director of housing and residential life, said the university became a part of the University of Arkansas system and a four-year institution in 2002. There was no student housing at this time.

However, there was a company that opened an apartment complex to students right next door to the university in 2003.

The university then purchased that apartment complex in 2005, and it is

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith students climb the 35-foot climbing wall inside the Recreation and Wellness Center on the UAFS campus. The center was holding an event celebrating its second year. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

now called the Sebastian Commons Apartments.

“So when we first purchased it, when it was first opened in 2005, it held 300 residents in four bedroom, two bedroom and one bedroom floor plans,” Eppinger said. “And because of the growing four-year university and growing demand, the university immediately set into action an expansion for the apartment complex.”

This 180-bed expansion opened in Fall 2007, Eppinger said. The Lion’s Den Residence Hall on campus, which has 460 beds, opened in August 2010.

“We have enough space for 940 students See UAFS, S6

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UAFS From Page S5

to live on campus, and our student population is slightly over 6,000 students, so we are still definitely a largely commuter campus, but we’re definitely meeting the needs for our students who are further away or who are looking for that campus experience,” Eppinger said.

Eppinger said although the Lion’s Den Residence Hall is open to all students, primarily first-year students live there. To be eligible to live in the Sebastian Commons Apartments, one needs to have been in the Lion’s Den Residence Hall for a full year, or be at least 20-years-old or be at least a sophomore.

There are two primary locations for food on the UAFS campus, Eppinger said. The first of these is the Lion’s Den Dining Hall, which is open every day of the week for every meal and is an all-you-can-eat facility. In addition, students with their meal plans are not the only ones who eat there. Anyone can eat there and pay a door rate.

The second location is the UAFS food court located in the campus center.

“And that food court has national brands such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Subway and a brand new Oath Pizzeria ... and Oath Pizzeria is a brand that’s typically more common on the east coast, so we’re excited to have this new pizza opportunity in our food court,” Eppinger said.

Eppinger said the Lion’s Den Dining Hall opened at the same time as the Lion’s Den Residence Hall. The food court, however, has been at UAFS since before 2002.

“So when the campus center was built, they built the food court in there, but previously, our student

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith students play spike ball in the Recreation and Wellness Center on the UAFS campus. The center has a 35-foot climbing wall, strengh and cardiovascular equipment, two full-size basketball courts, a walking and jogging track and group fitness rooms. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

union was the Fullerton Administration Building, so I believe there was even food opportunities when we were not the University of Arkansas (at) Fort Smith,” Eppinger said.

There are a variety of other facilities on campus available for student use. Dave Stevens, UAFS dean of students, said there is a health clinic located on the second floor of the Pendergraft Health Sciences Center.

It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 8 a.m. to

noon Wednesday and Friday.

UAFS also has a counseling center. Stevens said this is provided to the university through a contract it has with a third-party vendor, the Guidance Center. They are there Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In terms of physical exercise, Stevens said the UAFS Recreation and Wellness Center is two years old.

Eppinger said previously the university had a fitness center.

“Our recreation and wellness center, it’s an amazing

facility,” Stevens said. “It has a 35-foot rock climbing wall. It has a 15-foot bouldering wall. They have Matrix strength and cardio equipment over there.

They have free weights, and then they also have the machines.”

Numerous group fitness classes, such as zumba, are offered in the recreation and wellness center throughout the week as well. The center also includes two full-sized basketball courts, two studio rooms and a walking/jogging track on the second floor,

among other features.

Stevens said UAFS has about 100 registered student organizations as well.

When asked why all these different things, as well as others, are so important to UAFS as a whole, Eppinger said this is because the university is that perfectsized package in the area for any student who is wanting to feel like they have a place, that they are not just a number like they may at a big university, yet still be able to experience so many opportunities.

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Pay for college while saving for retirement StatePoint

Saving for retirement and college simultaneously is a balancing act that many families face.

However, experts say these goals don’t have to be in competition with each other. To manage both priorities, consider the following tips.

• Get started now: “Your greatest asset is time,” says Mark Kantrowitz, bestselling author and financial expert, who points out that every dollar you save is approximately a dollar less you’ll have to borrow, and every dollar you borrow will cost about two dollars by the time you repay the debt.

“By saving money, you literally save money.”

Make saving for both college and retirement a given with automatic monthly transfers from your bank account to your different savings plans.

• Don’t mix apples and oranges: Don’t use your retirement plan as a college savings fund.

Distributions from retirement plans, even a tax-free return of contributions from a Roth IRA, count as income on financial aid application forms.

Save for college using a 529 college savings plan, which according to savingforcollege. com, offers tax and financial aid advantages not available for other savings methods. Like a Roth IRA, with a 529 you invest after-tax dollars, earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis, and qualified distributions to pay for college costs are entirely tax free. But 529

It is possible for parents to help pay for their children’s college education while also saving for their own retirement; it just takes a little planning and discipline. [MONKEYBUSINESS/STOCK.ADOBE.COM]

plans can be treated more favorably by financial aid formulas.

• Follow formulas: Maximize the employer match on contributions to your retirement plan.

That’s free money, so take advantage of it. As a general rule, Kantrowitz recommends saving one-fifth of your income for the last fifth of your life.

As far as college is concerned, he says to use the one-third rule to split future college costs: one third from savings, one third from current income and one third from loans.

• Look at all funding sources: If scholarships, grants and federal loans in the student’s name fall short, consider private student loans or a private parent loan.

For simple, personalized loan options, check out specialists in the industry, such as College Ave Student Loans.

Using technology and expertise, they offer competitive rates, a wide range of repayment options and a customerfriendly experience from application through repayment.

Financial industry veteran Joe DePaulo, CEO

and co-founder of College Ave Student Loans says that keeping your child involved in college cost discussions is critical to avoid becoming the bank of Mom and Dad, and that parents can be very influential in setting up a student for long-term financial success. “As a general rule of thumb, students shouldn’t borrow more than what he or she expects to earn their first year out of school,” he says.

For more information, tips and resources visit CollegeAveStudentLoans.com.

A college education is invaluable, and with smart strategies, parents

won’t have to compromise their financial future to fund it.

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University of the Ozarks launches digital learning initiative Times Record staff

The University of the Ozarks in Clarksville has collaborated with Apple to distribute nearly 1,000 Apple iPad devices, Apple pencils and smart keyboards to its students and faculty, according to a recent news release. Most of the students, including almost 300 incoming freshmen, received their iPads just before classes began for the fall semester. A majority of the faculty, as well as about 70 students, received their iPads in the spring, during the first phase of the program rollout.

The initiative, called Compass, is a comprehensive student-success program that will provide universal access to a common set of learning technologies, according to the UofO. “We believe Compass will transform the teaching and learning experience at Ozarks by creating a dynamic and integrated environment of innovation, creativity and discovery,” University President Richard Dunsworth says in the release. “Students will be able to access content in a way that supports their personal learning style, and it will increase accessibility for all of our students.”

The iPad devices will be used by the about 880 full-time students and 100 faculty and staff, including adjunct faculty, administrators and athletic coaches.

The university has invested $1.3 million in the Compass initiative, which includes training seminars, equipment such as Wi-Ficonnected Apple TVs in classrooms and an enhanced wireless infrastructure for greater bandwidths and faster internet speeds.

The current students will

Amy Oatis, associate professor of English at University of the Ozarks, center, works with freshmen Jared Hollowell of Clarksville, left, and Rey Lozano of Lavaca with their new iPad devices during the university’s rollout of its Compass program, a campus-wide digital learning initiative. [PHOT COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS]

not incur additional costs to participate in the Compass program, and officials believe that future costs of the technology will be more than offset by decreasing the amount students pay for traditional textbooks and other materials.

“This is especially important as the university seeks to control, and in some cases decrease, the cost of attendance while also improving the educational experience,” Dunsworth says.

Students will be eligible to keep the iPads if they complete six semesters at UofO. Upper class students who will graduate before the

six-semester limit will have the option to purchase the iPads at a reduced cost.

Alyson Gill, provost at the university whose office coordinated the development and implementation of the program, said Compass promotes an active learning environment in which students and faculty engage with the material and each other both inside and outside the classroom.

“Compass will be a key driver as we support this pedagogical practice in which we move towards a student-centered learning model where students are actively involved in creating

content for their courses and engaging with each other and their curriculum,” Gill said.

Caleb J. Keith, assistant provost for institutional effectiveness and strategic priorities, said Compass ties into the university’s mission and core values.

“Compass seeks to create equity for students at University of the Ozarks by providing all learners with technology in the classroom,” Keith said. “This essentially evens the playing field for all learners, meaning everyone starts the race from the same starting line."

Amy Oatis, associate professor of English and a

member of the Compass steering committee, was one of the professors who used the iPad in the spring — for her academic writing course.

She said faculty members are extremely excited about this program.

“I saw students’ engagement and creativity increase through the use of the iPad that I didn’t see in my other classes that didn’t have the devices," Oatis said.

Oatis said she was particularly surprised about how Compass has fostered and promoted collaboration between students.

“Everyone having the same equipment really facilitated peer sharing and collaboration,” Oatis said. “There was a lot of spontaneous collaboration between the students as well as between the students and faculty that was surprising. It actually enhanced communications and teamwork because it is so easy to share files and projects or just comments.”

Officials said there will be several training and workshop opportunities for faculty and staff throughout the school year, including a weekly noon event at the on-campus coffee shop that Oatis coordinates called Appy Hour.

“We wanted a place where students, faculty and staff could come together and share stories, best practices or their favorite educational apps,” Oatis said.

“We started Appy Hour in the spring, and it was really well-received by the entire campus community. I love how students and faculty who might not normally encounter each other are able to collaborate. Everyone is excited about the opportunities and possibilities that are out there. They really are limitless.”

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A parent’s survival guide for back-to-school StatePoint

Parenthood is a demanding and busy job, particularly during backto-school season. With lunches to pack, homework to check, projects to oversee and activities to drive the kids to and from, it’s no wonder many parents find it challenging to squeeze in time for self-care.

But, if you want to keep up with your kids, it’s important to carve out time for healthy eating and exercise. Here are some ways to make more time for your own health, according to Courtney McCormick, dietitian for Nutrisystem.

Be an early riser Relish early morning peace by getting moving an hour or two before the kids start stirring. Work in your morning fitness routine, meditate to mentally prepare for the day, do yoga and prepare a healthy breakfast. The earlier you rise, the more such daily habits you can adapt.

Sometimes parents have to be reminded to take care of themselves, especially during busy back-to-school time. [LORDN/STOCK.ADOBE.COM]

Get prepped Schedule it Schedule exercise the same you would a trip to the doctor’s office or hair salon. If it’s on a daily task list or calendar, you’re more likely to follow through. If positive reinforcement is a good motivator for you, use fun colored markers to record your various appointments and give yourself a big check mark or smiley face when you’ve completed a workout.

Nothing makes mornings more chaotic than having to pack lunches while trying to get everyone out the door.

And packing lunch in a pinch can leave you susceptible to making hasty choices. Take about 10 minutes in the evening to prepare the next day’s lunches; you will thank yourself in the morning when you have healthy meals and snacks packed and ready to roll for yourself and your kiddos.

Other meal prep ideas:

Walk on your lunch break

• Put together a bunch of meals on Sunday to simply pull out of the fridge and heat for quick, yet wholesome dinners on busy week nights.

• Boil a dozen eggs for an easy protein-rich snack. Create baggiesized portions of nuts and fruit. Prepping nourishing grab-and-go snacks for the afternoon crunch will help you stay on track.

If you find yourself really strapped for workout time, try taking a 30-minute walk before eating your lunch. Even doing light cardiovascular exercise for a half hour can help you stay in shape and shed some pounds.

Get the kids moving If you weren’t able to squeeze in a sweat session sans kids, round up the family and take a long, after-dinner stroll.

Encourage your children

to keep up a moderate pace, while sharing stories and highlights from the day and playing games like “I Spy.” More health and wellness tips can be found at

Leaf.NutriSystem.com.

While it sounds counter-intuitive or even impossible to put yourself first when you’re a parent, prioritizing your health and fitness is essential.

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Helping teens handle anxiety

Social media and peer pressure can combine to raise any teen’s anxiety levels. Parents can help by modeling good coping behaviors. [MORE CONTENT NOW]

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

Almost a quarter of teens — 22 percent — suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point, and that number has been steadily rising for decades, according to the National Institutes of Health.

While social anxiety has always been an issue, it’s being emphasized more frequently nowadays, said Robin Henderson, clinical liaison with Well Being Trust, a national foundation focused on mental, social and spiritual health.

“Kids live in the limelight of social media all day every day,” Henderson said. In the past kids might have been nervous about what will happen at school the next day, but because of social media they may be anxious about what’s happening the next instant, she said.

“Teen anxiety is more common than people realize — including doctors,” said Dr. Henry Berman, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital and a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Compared to depression, pediatricians and general practitioners often don’t know how to talk about anxiety and don’t know what to look for, Berman said.

“With depression, people know what to look for.

A depressed teen looks depressed,” he said. “Anxiety is more common, but harder to diagnose.”

From fear of missing out to the incredible stress put on teens to succeed in school, it’s no wonder anxiety is on the rise. What happens when a parent takes a teen’s phone away? He feels like he’s lost a lifeline, Henderson said.

“They’re worried about getting a 4.3 grade point average on a 4-point system. The

expectations are too high, and the pressure to perform is crippling,” she added.

Anxiety affects girls more than boys, Berman said. A study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that it might be because of blood flow to the brain. Another study from the University of Calgary found that girls were more likely to exhibit anxiety when they perceived their parents were experiencing high levels of stress.

Instead of sharing their anxieties openly, parents need to model good behavior, Henderson said.

“Avoid saying, ‘Are you worried about the test?’

Instead, ask ‘What can I do to help?’ or ‘Do you need a study snack?’” Henderson said.

One common way anxiety presents itself is in a teen feeling too sick to go to school. A child will feel physical pain such as a bellyache or be vomiting in the morning and ask to stay home, but by noon — when it’s too late to go to school — he or she is recovered. Often a parent will take a child to the doctor, who can find nothing physically wrong, Berman said.

Parents need to be on the lookout for patterns in this behavior. The behavior also doesn’t occur on the weekend, he added.

Anxiety hits both the physical body and the mind, but there are tips for dealing with it.

• Exercise: Get outside.

Go for a walk. “Exercise is proven to help reduce anxiety,” Henderson said.

• Breathe: Use deep breathing exercises such as box or square breathing, which is quick, easy and can be done on short notice, Berman said. Breathe in through your nose for four counts. Hold your breath for four counts.

Exhale through your mouth for four counts. Hold your breath for four counts.

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Help students get organized StatePoint

School-related stress is common among multitasking students. But smart organization can make it easier to dash from class to study hall to after-school activities.

It all starts with the right supplies. Gear up for a successful, low-stress school year with these handy tips.

Consult the list Give your students the tools they’ll need to hit the ground running, and alleviate their stress of being unprepared, by referencing the supply list the school sends home. Then spend some time before the first day of school doing something fun together that’s also educational, like visiting a museum or reading books. This will get brains active and alert before the first bell rings, ensuring a smooth transition to classroom learning.

Work smarter A lot of information is thrown at students during a lesson, but even the quickest notetaker can run into trouble sorting it all out when it comes time to study. The right school supplies will allow students to learn in a meaningful way.

New alternatives to traditional notetaking can make finding relevant information a cinch during study sessions. For example, the Five Star College Ruled Interactive Notebook

includes a table of contents with a spot for the date, topic descriptions and page numbers to help students quickly find specific information.

Side margins and page number blocks allow for page customization and organization, while the grid ruled quick reference guide is a handy tool for periodic tables, multiplication tables and a glossary of terms.

Students can stress less with organizational tools such as these.

Likewise, the Five Star Flex Hybrid NoteBinder, which acts like a notebook and works like a binder, is adaptable to meet the needs of all types of learners. On the inside, pocket dividers provide built-in organization and paper storage to which students can add paper and dividers as needed.

Reduce your haul It’s practical to maintain two sets of certain school supplies — one for a student’s home workstation and the other in his or her locker. Pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, extra paper, sticky notes and rulers are great examples of supplies to store in both places. Doing so will save students the stress of remembering everything before leaving for school or home and can also reduce some weight in heavy backpacks.

Seek durability Stuffed into

The right school supplies help students get organized and help to reduce stress throughout the year. [STATEPOINT]

backpacks, stored at the bottom of lockers and shuttled between school and home, school supplies take a beating.

This can mean ripping and even losing important papers. Seek out items durable enough to store materials for multiple classrooms and functional enough to withstand multiple locker visits, such as the Five Star 3-Inch Binder with Removable Padded Case. It comes with an expanding file for quick access to papers and a padded pouch for storing tech gear. Double the strength of competition, Five Star College Ruled Reinforced Filler Paper is a must-have for schoolwork and pairs well with

binders.

Five Star aims to be an ally and champion for students looking for creative and expressive ways to manage the stress of their daily routines. More tips to reduce schoolrelated stress can be found at strengthenotstress.com or join the conversation using #StrengthNotStress.

“Stress is a common challenge for students,” says Jessica Hodges, vice president of marketing at ACCO Brands, which builds school supplies based on evolving student needs. “Knowing you can channel stress into something more positive is empowering.”

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New technologies support STEAM learning StatePoint

With each new school year comes a brand-new set of subjects, books and teachers. It also means new technologies being introduced into the classroom.

As students head back to school, here is a look at the technologies that will support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning this year.

• Digital Art: Enter some art classes today and you may find a dearth of paints, brushes and charcoal. Today, art students can learn the same painting, drawing and sculpting techniques they previously would have learned using traditional supplies, only with digital tools instead. While the traditional mediums aren’t completely going away any time soon, today’s students can benefit from the versatility that cutting-edge tools supply, from the time a project idea is conceived through when the finished product is shared with the world.

• Visual Science: Whether it’s an anatomical diagram of the human heart or a map of the Milky Way, every science teacher knows that a picture’s worth a thousand words, particularly when it’s a sharp, clear picture. Teachers and students are benefitting from top of the line projection technology in classrooms. The LampFree Projectors from Casio’s Core Series, for example, have the ability to project images and video wirelessly from

Classrooms make use of available technology to supplement and encourage science, technology, engineering, arts and math education. [PHOTO COURTESY MONKEY BUSINESS/STOCK.ADOBE.COM]

smart phones, laptop computers and tablets, expanding teachers’ ability to create engaging lesson plans. Additionally, the mercury-free Laser and LED hybrid light source is energyefficient, reducing power consumption by up to 40 percent, a bonus lesson in environmental stewardship.

• Accessible Computer Science: Certain innovations are helping students go beyond just consuming technology.

Apps abound for independent learners, as well as educators, to use in their classrooms to help computer science students of all ages and abilities to hone their coding skills.

From straight-forward instructional apps to those that gamify the learning process, young coders-in-training have a wealth of resources at their fingertips.

• Intuitive Music: New technology is rocking the music education boat in

an effort to make learning an instrument more intuitive. For example, Casio’s LK-265 is outfitted with such tools as a Key Lighting System, Voice Fingering Guide and Step-up Lesson System, enabling beginners to learn built-in songs at their own pace.

Additionally, an LCD display makes mastering music notation and correct hand positioning easy. Students don’t even have to wait for teacher feedback -- the

keyboards have a Scoring System that evaluates performance.

• In-Depth Math: Today’s students are getting a closer look at the inner workings of mathematics than their predecessors, thanks to new graphing calculators, such as the fx-CG50 PRIZM and fx-CG500, which offer expanded features, including the ability to easily draw three dimensional graphs such as planes, cylinders and spheres, and view

them from various angles to better analyze their shapes. A cross-section option and special zoom function allow students to closely examine graphs for in-depth analysis and an improved catalog function means students can use commands more easily and quickly.

As rapidly emerging technologies innovate education, it’s an exciting time to be a student or teacher.

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Sunday, September 9, 2018 13

Getting girls interested in STEAM subjects StatePoint

Science, art and math are becoming increasingly important school subjects to embrace.

Here are five ways to ensure your girls get interested and stay interested in these critical subjects through the years.

Get involved early.

Setting a foundation of math, science and the arts is essential to getting young children, especially girls, interested in continued learning.

Encourage them from a young age to participate in hands-on science, arts and math activities, and those with an interest or aptitude in these subjects will continue to pursue these paths as they learn and grow.

Find practical applications. Science, art and

math are an integral part of everyday life. Finding the practical applications as you go about your day, demonstrates for children of all ages how important these subjects really are in life. Use the weather report as an opportunity to discuss meteorology. Bake with your daughter and work on figuring out measurements for doubling recipes. On the road?

Have your daughter calculate the distance from your current location to your destination, as well as the amount of gasoline you’ll need to get there.

Seeing math, science, and art in the world will help keep kids engaged.

Provide intuitive tools.

Intuitive learning tools can foster a better understanding of a subject and make learning easier, encouraging

Science, art and math are increasingly important school subjects to embrace — especially for girls. [VIACHESLAV IAKOBCHUK/STOCK.ADOBE.COM]

students to continue their studies with enthusiasm. For example, Casio’s fx-CG50 PRIZM Graphing Calculator will support students and educators of math through middle school and high school, and into college. With Natural Textbook Display and an intuitive icon-based menu, students will find the calculator easy-touse. Plus, its brand new 3D Graph Drawing and

improved catalog function allows for greater engagement and real-life application in the mathematics classroom.

Encourage group and club participation. From

outdoor education clubs that focus on environmental science to math competition leagues, support and encourage girls and young women to join special groups that focus on math, science and art — both in

and out of school. For example, robotics clubs have been growing in communities across the nation and foster an understanding of key math and science functions.

Make it fun. Get girls interested in science, math and the arts by making it fun and enjoyable. Kids won’t even realize they are learning if they are having a good time while doing

so. For example, music students can try out the LK-265 keyboard from Casio, which includes a Dance Music Mode, letting musicians create and remix electronic dance music quickly and easily.

Select from 50 styles of EDM, and use the lower keys to choose different variations of drum beats, bass lines, and synth parts. Its lighted keys show you how to play your favorite songs

which users can download from MIDI files. Or, connect your device’s headphone output to the LK-265’s audio input, and explore an endless library of music.

By starting early and making it fun to integrate these key subjects into their daily lives, you can help girls develop a lifelong love of science, art and math, which can help them in school and, later, in the workplace.

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Sunday, September 9, 2018

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Health education: What teachers want kids to know

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

Health education in schools matters because healthy students have a better chance of making the most of their educational opportunities, said Kimberly OharaBorowski, health teacher at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., and SHAPE America’s 2018 National Teacher of the Year in Health Education.

Health educators tackle myriad topics with their students, covering risky behaviors including the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, and actions that can result in unintentional injuries and violence.

It’s not all focused on the negative, though.

Health educators promote healthy habits like embracing a wellbalanced diet and the benefits of exercise, and find time to talk about mental health, OharaBorowski said.

Childhood is the right time to talk to kids about these serious issues because bad behaviors established while young are difficult to shake later in life, she said, and contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability and social problems among youth and adults in the United States.

No consistency Inconsistency in the way health is taught to children from state to state is one of the biggest challenges

Health educators work with students to promote healthy habits like embracing a well-balanced diet and the benefits of exercise among many other topics, according to experts. [MORE CONTENT NOW]

facing health education, Ohara-Borowski said. Often students are exposed to just a single semester of health education in middle school and another in high school.

“What we’re teaching are the most important things they need to learn in their lifetimes, but it’s very limited at only a semester,” OharaBorowski said.

Health educators not only talk about dangers but also what messages kids are getting from

their parents, online and on social media.

“E-cigarettes and terms like ‘vaping’ or ‘juuling’ are trending,” Ohara-Borowski said.

Health education is currently undergoing changes in how it’s taught, however, with educators focusing on a more skills-based approach, she said. The goal is to give kids functional knowledge and good decision-making skills so that when they are offered an e-cigarette, for example, they

will understand why they should refuse and have the confidence to do so.

“Skills-based health education teaches kids to make healthy choices, to set goals and achieve goals, and to reset goals if needed,” she said.

Mental health awareness Concerns over the mental health of children and teens is also a huge topic for health educators.

“People downplay the

warning signs of mental health” issues, OharaBorowski said.

Adults who say “It’s just a phase” or “She’s just acting like a teenager” may be missing that a child is struggling with a mental illness.

One in five children ages 13-18 have or will have a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For 50 percent of kids, the signs or symptoms of mental illness show up by age 14. Some of the

most common are mood, conduct and anxiety disorders. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for ages 10-24.

“Recognize the warning signs and let them know if they’re struggling, you can help,” Ohara-Borowski said.

Warning signs include feeling sad or withdrawn, changes in diet, intense worries or fears, use of drugs or alcohol, and changes in behavior including difficulty concentrating or staying still.

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Sunday, September 9, 2018 15

How parents can help boost kids’ financial literacy StatePoint

Money basics

cashier and the customer.

It’s never too early to actively engage kids on the topic of money.

“Even young children should learn about basic money concepts, like saving for a goal and spending only what you can afford,” says Alison Summerville, business administration executive and head of Corporate Citizenship at Ally Financial. “Building an understanding of basic money skills and good savings habits at a young age can positively impact your children by giving them a solid foundation that they can use to manage their finances at every phase of their lives.”

This month and beyond, consider the following lessons:

Conceptualizing how money works can be challenging for kids, who may see you using credit or debit cards, buying things online, and even purchasing movies on televisions and mobile devices. Since many consumers rarely use cash, children may not realize when you are actually spending money.

Discuss the prices of various products and services.

Explain how money can be spent only once, and that after buying something, a person needs to earn more money in order to buy something else. To teach this concept, play “grocery store” or other games that involve buying and selling items. Take turns being the

Start saving An allowance can be an opportunity to teach kids how to save. Having “give,” “save” and “spend” piggy banks is a simple but effective way to illustrate the three main uses of money and teach them about giving.

Kids can practice math skills by tracking the amount saved for future spending on the things they want.

To maximize the benefits your child receives from saving money, you may want to consider a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) or custodial bank account. For example, those offered by Ally Bank, Member FDIC, require no minimum balance to open,

and offer competitive interest rates and no monthly maintenance fees. When opening such an account, take time to discuss interest and other basic banking concepts.

Needs vs. wants Help your children learn the difference between needs and wants. Explain how you have to pay for needs like food, shelter and heat, before buying items that you want, such as toys and electronics. Help your children come up with a plan to save and spend their own money that takes into account their needs and wants.

Helpful resources

that your family can use to help teach kids financial concepts. For example, Ally, a digital financial services company, released “Planet Zeee and the Money Tree,” a book for parents and educators that uses a fun and futuristic story line to teach kids ages 6-10 basic financial literacy. Parents can visit allywalletwise.com to download the book and play “What’s Zeee Answer?” an interactive game where players answer questions based on the concepts covered in the book. Additional resources for all ages are also available at fdic.gov/ moneysmart.

Take the time to plant the seeds of money mindfulness and boost your children’s financial knowledge.

Turn to free resources

Ways to make math part of your child’s daily life StatePoint

For many students, math can seem like the most challenging school subject. But it doesn’t have to be. Math is actually all around us. Here are five ways you can help kids draw connections between classroom math and the math that touches their daily lives.

Bake and cook. Math and the kitchen go hand-inhand. Making cookies?

Double or halve the batch to learn about dividing, multiplying and fractions.

Have the right recipe but the wrong measuring gear?

Convert from metric to English to practice simple formulas. Witness how fractions work firsthand

by quartering ingredients like peppers and apples. For more hands-on education, let kids do the measuring, timer-setting and anything else that requires math.

Build something together.

Following instructions from start to finish is important for any math student, so build something together, like a new toy box or a bench for a reading nook. These types of projects require the use of math — from measuring materials to calculating the area and volume that objects will occupy. Be sure to point out when and how math is being used.

Have family math night. Play games that deal with math

and the tools on hand to win them, like the Casio fx-55 PLUS, a scientific calculator which helps students learn elementary mathematics such as fractions, division with remainders and random numbers. The True Fraction Display helps student understand the mathematics behind improper fractions, mixed fractions and simplification, providing the tools they need not to be intimidated by math concepts.

Go shopping. Shopping is the perfect opportunity to practice percentages. Kids can calculate how much an item will cost and the money saved any time there’s a listed discount, like 20 percent off

Cooking and shopping with your children are great ways to show them the importance of math in everyday life. [SOLISIMAGES/STOCK. ADOBE.COM]

or half off. They can also calculate what the total charge will be after the sales tax is added. At the grocery store?

Let kids weigh produce and calculate the cost.

Create a budget. A great way to teach kids how budgets work is with their own spending money. They will learn how to make their

money last, as well as how to count it out and figure out how much change they’ll get back. You can also loop them into your own budgeting process. For example, if you have vacation plans on the horizon, you can show them how to create a budget for transportation, accommodations, food and more.

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Sunday, September 9, 2018

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