Posts for 'Schooling' Category

After a summer of sleeping in or doing things on your time, the alarm bell announcing that first day of school can be a rude awakening. Whether you're an anxious new freshman or a confident senior, heading back to school signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers, new schedules, and a new social scene.

Dread it or love it, you gotta go to school. Here are some ways to make the transition from summer to school a little easier.

First-Day Mania
There's no escaping the fact that the first day of school can be crazy. New kids wander around in circles. Lockers won't open. The school nurse needs your medical records. You forgot your gym shorts. Freshmen are running in all directions, looking for their homerooms.

Read the complete story

The mission of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is to provide guidance and support to the library regarding provision of services to West Linn middle- and high-schoolers. TAB members represent a diversity of educational experiences, including home-schooling, public schools, and alternative venues. If you would like additional information about becoming a TAB member, please contact Elaine Spence, Teen Services Librarian at 503.656.7853, ext. 3030.

THE strongest of bonds between human males are forged during their years together in school (I dare not speak for the females of the species).Those are the years pre-pubescent and teenage boys on the road to self-discovery and adulthood converge in a commonness that will later bridge the chasm between their diverse and grown-up lives.

This is why reunions among school buddies and friends from one’s teenage years are so rejuvenating, this evocation of the best time of our lives, in the company of those who shared them with us.My school years were split into two phases – primary school, most of which was in Penang and secondary school abroad, where I also formed a number of friendships that remain strong to this day, despite sporadic contact.

A couple of weeks ago, a few of my secondary school friends gathered with our families for an evening of reminiscing. The food was abundant and delicious, the wives laughed and joked among themselves and the kids ran unfettered, as we old chaps sat by ourselves and mulled over good old times, mates and teachers. You could almost envision a fire-place and snow on the lawn!

Read the complete story

Chicago's Northside College Prep kept its firm hold on the state's top-scoring high school spot, while a new arrival — Palatine's Fremd High — muscled its way into the top 10 by vaulting over eight other schools.Chicago claimed four of the state's 10 highest-scoring public high schools, six of the top 10 middle-grade schools, and four of the top 10 elementary-grade ones.

Those are some of the results of a Chicago Sun-Times analysis of 2008 state test scores released today statewide. The Sun-Times analyzed the reading and math scores of every third- through eighth-grader in the state, as well as every public school junior. The annual rankings are based on actual student scores rather than the percent "passing" the state standard.

Read the complete story

The first semester has ended and the second is just around the bend. It is good to give some thought to schooling and why it is a good thing to attend school. Let us start by calling trash what it is, and the proposition mouthed by the sycophants of the unschooled who seek the high positions of power and privilege by simply riding on the crest of popularity that it matters not whether a candidate is highly schooled or not is definitely unmitigated trash! If there were no difference between the schooled and the unschooled, then let us close all our schools. But do not even the humblest of families aspire after schooling for their children, and rightly so.

Read the complete story

JACKSON, Miss Debra Barnes has a thriving chiropractic practice, a nice home and a family who loves living in the South, but she said she would leave Mississippi in a heartbeat if health officials tried to force her home-schooled children to be immunized.Barnes is part of a network of parents whose decision to home-school their children rests on their belief that mandated vaccinations for public and private schoolchildren are a dangerous overreach by state governments While the mainstream scientific community maintains that childhood vaccines are safe,

Barnes relies on the work of some scientists who argue that immunizations can bring on autism or weaken the natural immunities of children.If you want to vaccinate your children, go ahead. But don't force me to vaccinate my children.

Read the complete story

Why have previous attempts at community schooling largely failed? Pam Woolner from the Centre for Learning and Teaching at the University of Newcastle discusses, and sets out possible implications for the current initiative

The appeal of extending the use of schools beyond the traditional school day and into the wider community has a long history. In the last issue of Extended Schools Update we looked at some notable examples of what has been put into practice in the past in the UK and USA. Nowadays, extended schools up and down the country are operating as hubs of the community but many are yet to follow suit. Now, we ask why this intuitively appealing idea has not by now become the norm.

Read the complete story

The National Ballet of China has arrived for a week's season at Covent Garden, bringing Swan Lake as its opening gambit on Monday night, and following it on Friday with Raise the Red Lantern . This repertory ploy is astute: we are to see not only that the Chinese troupe is a fine classical ensemble in the most sacred of balletic fare, but that the company is also able to make works that reconcile the demands of its national identity and theatrical traditions with the exigencies of the western dance-manner it has embraced.

The company is, as we saw with this Swan Lake , and as I have had the pleasure of reporting over the past decades, a strong, assured ensemble. These dancers have not put on the academic manner as a convenient disguise: the style is theirs by right, and they speak its language with authority.

Read the complete story

Life-changing. That’s how Alison Antonio, Executive Director of the Delta Spirit of B.C. Community Committee, characterised her recent experience at the Canadian Olympic Academy.

The week-long course was educational, inspirational and filled with outstanding speakers and worthwhile workshops, Antonio said.Among the speakers were Dr.Gene Sutton, President of the Olympic Academy, Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Dick Pound from the International Olympic Committee.Academy attendees also heard from many Olympians about “making a difference,” which served as the academy’s theme.

Genetic drugging, fair play, political boycotts, youth Olympics, sponsorship, and judging issues were discussed. Three papers were compiled as a result and submitted for review by the Olympic Committee Executive.Members were encouraged to ask tough questions and to debate.To ensure Vancouver’s 2010 games are Canada’s Games, a nationwide one year countdown celebration will take place.

Many Olympic alumni members will be recruited to spearhead local celebrations. The magnitude of what happens Feb. 12, 2009 exactly one year before the opening of the games is important, but the objective is the “Spreading of the Spirit” for the Olympics, Antonio said.

Read the complete story

With globalization catching up at a rapid speed in India, can global fashion be far behind! The modern Indian teen is aware of the latest in fashion and knows what’s hot and what’s not. If you thought girls were the only ones who cared for fashion, it is time to get your facts right! Teenage boys are equally conscious and overt about the latest trends and compromise on nothing when it comes to looking good. With the advent of the New Year 2008, we present some hot fashion trends and styles are that are going to be popular amongst teenagers in this year. Check it out and remain stylish!
 
The Ladies…
All you pretty girls, make sure you stack up your wardrobe with stuff that is going to be hot this year. Throw away those ill-fitting clothes and buy yourself an entirely new variety that will enhance the best features of your body and make you look absolutely stylish. Follow these style tips and trends for staying “in”.
 
Get funky and striped sleeveless tees and kurtas for yourself. They can be teamed with jeans and can be accessorized with a chunky belt, in any color. Belts that are made of metal and look like jeweled waistbands are absolutely hot this year, so don’t forget to buy one of those.
However much we fret about denims, these snug, comfy and extremely stylish clothes never go out of fashion. Make sure you buy a decent pair that has a little flare at the ankles. Jeans with embellishments may look a bit gaudy, but you can always hunt down a pair that has simple crystals just around the pockets.

Read the complete story