back to school

12 � Back to School 2010 Journal Gazette & Times-Courier jg-tc.com

BACK TOSAVINGSSaving on School Supplies

back toschool

’10

TAKING TOTECHNOLOGYHow Students Can UseTechnology to TheirAdvantage

+FINANCINGYOUR CHILD’SFUTURESavvy Ways to Save for College

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http://www.jg-tc.com

Be Smart: Stay School-Bus Safe2 � Back to School 2010 Journal Gazette & Times-Courier jg-tc.com

Kindergarten1 large book bag (large enough

to hold construction paperprojects) No wheels, please

1 box crayons - regular size (no

more than 24 count)1 box Crayola markers - Primary

colors, washable (8 count)2 glue sticks1 box tissues (100 count size)

*There will be additionalitems requested by your child'sclassroom teacher on the firstday of school. Please label bookbag, coats, gloves, etc. some-where on the inside.

Early Childhood1 large book bag (large enough


1 8-count box regular size Cray-ola crayons

1 pkg. Playdough brand play-dough

2 boxes of Kleenex3 Elmer's glue sticks1 box snack item1 container juice mix, jug of

juice, or sugar free Koolaidmix

1 complete change of clothes(pants, shirt, underwear,socks)Please label book bag, coats,

gloves, etc. somewhere on the in-side.

• Thomas Kinkade- Puzzles- Throws- Lamps- Bible Covers- Mugs and more!

• Fabric & Notions• Scrapbooking Supplies

-Over 1000 Stamps

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• Wooden Toys- Barns- Trucks - Horses - Skidsters - Many More! HUGE

SelectionOver Six Room’s Full

Women, Men & Children’s Name Brands

Bridal SelectionsHouse Hold Items

Toys • ShoesJewelry • Purses

N Style Resale Shop

1 Mile East of Coles Moultrie516 E. Dewitt

Tues-Fri 10-5 • Sat 10-3

(MS) - School buses are es-sential modes of transportation,taking thousands of students toand from school every day. Whileschool bus accidents are rare,riders should still practice safetyaboard and around the bus.

In the early days of educa-tion, students were educated inlocal schools within walking dis-tance. If they needed to travel, itwas by horse-drawn wagon. Asthe nation's roadways began toevolve, so did the methods of

getting children to school. Even-tually school buses became thenorm.

In an effort to prevent in-juries, representatives from 48states met in 1939 to establishsafety standards for schoolbuses. Since then, several meet-ings, known as the NationalConferences on School Trans-portation, have taken place tomodify safety procedures andstandards.

In addition to safety proce-

dures regarding ridership,school buses are built with cer-tain standards in mind. Mirrors,lights, braking systems and thelike are regulated to provide theutmost safety to passengers.While catastrophic accidents in-volving school buses are veryrare, buses are built to handlemuch more than the occasionalrun-ins with passenger cars andlight trucks.

Maintaining school bussafety is a team effort. Students

need to do their part while rid-ing the bus. Here are the safetyprecautions that should be fol-lowed.

* Walk to the bus stop, don'trun.

* Always use caution whencrossing roadways.

* Walk on the sidewalk when-ever possible. If no sidewalk ispresent, walk in the opposite di-rection of traffic to be aware ofon-coming traffic.

* Don't fool around at the busstop. Accidents can happenwhen individuals are unaware oftheir surroundings or distracted.

* Stand at the bus stop in asafe location. Do not enter thestreet.

* Arrive at the bus stop earlyso there is no need to rush andbe distracted.

* Wait for the school bus tocome to a complete stop and forother traffic to halt before ap-proaching the bus.

* Promptly take a seat, andremain seated throughout the

entire ride. If there are safetybelts present, use them.

* Do not distract the busdriver with loud yelling, music,etc.

* Don't throw anythingaround the bus.

* Keep the aisle clear toavoid tripping hazards.

* Follow the driver's instruc-tions in the event of an emer-gency.

* Remain seated until thebus has stopped at a particulardrop-off location.

* When exiting the bus, takethree steps away from the bus sothat visibility of the driver is im-proved.

* Watch for traffic whencrossing the street. Always crossin front of the bus.

* If something is forgotten onthe bus, don't try to run backand retrieve it. The driver maynot expect a student to be re-turning to the bus.

Mark Twain School

jg-tc.com Journal Gazette & Times-Courier Back to School 2010 � 11

6th Grade5-2 pocket folders2 packages of loose-leaf filler

paper1 pkg. colored pencils1 pkg. markers1 pair of scissors (sharp point)2 glue sticks3 boxes of tissues (Kleenex

brand has box tops for educa-tion)

1" 3 ring binder Or TrapperKeepers

4 single subject notebooks 5-3 ring folders for binder20 pencils2 black/blue pens2 red pens4 highlighters (different colors)2 Pink Pearl eraserCalculator TI 30 XA or TI 30

IIXS preferredBlack Sharpie1 pkg. of 8 binder dividers1 1/2” 3 Ring Binder

7th Grade2 packages of loose-leaf lined

paper3-1 subject notebook5-2 pocket plastic folders1-2" binderInk pens black/blue/red

Pencils (if mechanical purchaselead)

Highlighters (3 colors)Pkg. of markers (thick)Pkg. of colored pencils2 glue sticks2 boxes of tissues (Kleenex


2 black sharpie markers (art)2 Pink Pearl eraser (art)Calculator TI 30 XA2 composition notebooksPencil pouch for binder

8th Grade3 - 1" binders1 single subject notebook3 packages of loose-leaf notebook

paper2 composition notebook8 pkg. subject dividers24 pencils6 black pensColored pencils2 boxes of tissues (Kleenex

brand has box tips for educa-tion)

2 black sharpie markers (art)Pink Pearl eraser (art)Calculator TI 30 XA1 Highlighter1 pkg of 2x2 post it notes

Mattoon Middle SchoolMany parents feel early en-

rollment in school is a good firststep for kids' academic careers.But some experts warn that toomuch, too soon may not be theway to lay the ground work of asuccessful academic career.Some believe that waiting untila child is age 6 for formal educa-tion provides the best opportu-nity for learning advantages.

According to a British studypublished in The Cambridge Pri-mary Review in October 2008,the concensus was that formalschooling should be delayeduntil children reach 6. The find-ings offered that trying to teachliteracy and math at a youngage is counterproductive. If chil-dren under 6 are in school pro-grams, they should continue tolearn through play-based initia-tives.

An early start in school isn'tnecessarily a good start. Chil-dren may show the maturity andthe social readiness to attendschool, but they may not havethe capacity to grasp conceptsoutside of their play-based way

of learning. Forcing informationon a child who is not ready couldset him or her up for aversion toschool.

What's more, there's no evi-dence that early schooling pro-duces a more educated child inthe long run. Many countries inEurope start school later thanBritain or the United States.Finland, for example, begins for-mal training at age 7. Whenstudied, children who startedschool at the age of 6 or 7 oftenovertook English pupils in testsof reading before the start of sec-ondary education.

Parents who have littlechoice but to enroll children indaycare/pre-school programs be-cause they work should look forcurriculums that feature the fol-lowing:

* Emphasis on play-basedlearning, with more time gearedto kids being kids than sittingbehind a desk.

* Access to a computer, sinceso much of students' lives in-volve computer literacy.

* Opportunities to go outside

and play when weather permits.* Interaction with books so

parents can read with their chil-dren and spend time together.

* Limited focus on gradesand performance. Does a 3-year-old child really need a reportcard?

* Activities that involve thefamily so Mom and Dad are par-ticipating in their child's educa-tion.

* Small class sizes, optimaliz-ing the teacher-to-student ratio.

* A relaxed atmosphere withthe time and space to explorephysical and social environ-ments.

Some children are naturallymore advanced than others andmay benefit from earlier, morestructured schooling. However,the vast majority will do fineduring their academic career ifthey begin formal education atage 6. That doesn't mean thatchildren can't attend school at 5.The programs should just be beless structured and more play-based.

When's the Right Time forChildren to Start School?


Financing Your Child's Future College Prep Tips forHigh School Juniors

(MS) - Saving enough moneyfor a child's college education isa concern so great many parentsbegan planning even beforetheir first child was born. Theescalating costs of a college edu-cation make such concerns whol-ly understandable.

According to the CollegeBoard, a nonprofit aiming toconnect students to college suc-cess and opportunity, a year oftuition and room and board at aprivate four-year college in 2010increased by nearly five percentto $26,273. Public institutions,where room and board andtuition cost nearly $7,000 in2010, increased by nearly sixpercent.

Those numbers figure toincrease dramatically for chil-dren born in 2010. While it'simpossible to predict exactlywhat a college education willcost for a child entering school in2028, the College Board's 2008

"Trends in College Pricing"report estimated the cost oftuition and room and board at aprivate four year university tobe roughly $85,000 in 2028, acost that escalates to nearly$100,000 by the time the stu-dent reaches his or her senioryear.

Such statistics can be scary,particularly in the current eco-nomic climate in which manyfamilies find themselves strug-gling to get by. However, thereare ways to save for college thatcan make the aforementionedfigures and predictions far lessdaunting.

* Start now. As previouslymentioned, many expecting par-ents started saving for collegeeven before their first child wasborn. Such savings don't need tobe too complex. For instance,assuming an eight percentannual return, parents who sim-ply put $100 month into a sav-

ings account for 18 years willearn $48,000 by the time those18 years are up.

* Consider stocks when build-ing a college savings portfolio. Itmight seem as though the cost ofcollege is rising faster thaninflation. This is actually true.As a result, portfolios that relyon stocks can be an investor'sideal way to build the most sav-ings long term. As a child's firstday of college draws closer, shel-ter any returns with less riskypropositions such as bonds.

* Seek professional assis-tance. Television advertisementshave increasingly noted the easewith which investors can handletheir own portfolios. While port-folios might be more accessiblethan they once were, for manypeople the investment game isstill as confusing as ever. Amutual fund is managed by aprofessional in accordance withthe fund's investment objective.This allows investors to choose afund that matches their owngoals and objectives whileaffording them the freedom fromwatching the markets daily andworrying with each and everydip in the market.

* Open a 529 savings plan. A529 plan is designed to encour-age saving for the future highereducation expenses of a desig-nated beneficiary. Certain quali-fied withdrawals are now free offederal tax, and many plansallow account holders to save inexcess of $200,000 per benefici-ary. No income or age restric-tions apply, so a 529 can startregardless of how much parentsearn or how old their beneficiaryis.

* Don't forget to save forretirement. As daunting as thecost of a college education 18years from now might seem,tomorrow's college students willhave far more resources for pay-ing for that education thanretirees will have for getting byin their golden years. When sav-ing for the future, parents mustremember to save for their ownfuture as well.

(MS) - High school students,particularly high school seniors,anxiously anticipate their nextstep after high school. With thefreedom and excitement of col-lege just around the corner, it'sno wonder high school seniorsoften catch a case of "senioritis"as the school year carries on.

With university acceptanceletters already in hand, manyseniors might be able to relaxsomewhat and enjoy their wan-ing days of high school withfriends. High school juniors,however, can use their third yearof high school to set themselvesapart from their classmates aswell as the competition at otherschools. Taking the followingtips to heart will not only helpkids gain entry into the school oftheir choice, but possibly helpthem gain some financial assis-tance as well.

* Consult a guidance coun-selor. While smaller high schoolsmight feel more like a tight-knitcommunity in which everyoneknows one another, larger highschools can make it difficult forstudents to connect to the facul-ty at their disposal. This is espe-cially challenging for a stu-dent/guidance counselor rela-tionship. High school studentsmight not have needed theirguidance counselor much duringtheir first two years of highschool, but a guidance counselorshould be sought out once junioryear begins. Guidance coun-selors can help students choosethe right courses as well as giveadvice on which standardizedtests certain colleges require foradmission. Guidance counselorsmight also be able to steer kidstoward colleges the studentsmight be interested in, helpingto get the ball rolling on thatprocess.

* Study for standardizedtests. Too many high school jun-iors feel the SAT or ACT examsare something to be worriedabout after junior year. While it

can be a good approach to takethese exams very early in thesenior year of high school, stu-dents should begin studying forstandardized tests no later thanjunior year of high school. Thelocal bookstore sells exam prepa-ration books and a student's ownschool might even providepreparatory classes. The morefamiliar a student gets with theformat of the SAT or ACT examsthe more comfortable that stu-dent is likely to be when itcomes time to take the actualtest.

High school juniors hoping togain early admission to theiruniversity of choice should con-sult their guidance counselor asto when the best time is to takethe standardized tests thatschool requires. Early admis-sions decisions typically come inlate fall, so students who havenot taken standardized tests intime might not qualify foradmission if those test scoresare not accessible by the earlyapplication deadline.

* Visit schools. High schoolstudents often have no ideawhat to expect from the collegeexperience. With that in mind, itcan be very difficult to choosepotential schools. High schooljuniors can remove some of themystery by visiting schoolsthroughout their third year ofhigh school. On-campus visitsand open-house events provide aglimpse of what college life islike at different schools and canbegin to give high school stu-dents ideas as to what they mayor may not like about certainschools.

For high school students whocannot make a campus visit,visit the schools' Web sites andfill out requests for information.When doing so, list potentialareas of study that might be ofinterest and request additionalinformation about those courses.

* Research different loans,grants and scholarship opportu-nities. High school juniors mightbe surprised to learn the num-ber of scholarship, loan andgrant opportunities available tothem. Oftentimes, locally basedscholarships and grants havevery specific requirements. Highschool juniors should researchsuch requirements to ensurethey have a chance at earningscholarships and grants thatcould help reduce the increas-ingly costly burden of attendinga college or university.

General Dentistryfor Children & FamilyGeneral Dentistryfor Children & Family

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960 18th St. Charleston, IL (217) 348-5803M-F 9am-5pm Sat 10am-4pm

Merchandise accepted by appointment onlyNancy Kuykendall, Owner/Manager

Students may NOT wearshoes to school with wheelsin them.

We ask students to wear ten-nis shoes on PE days. If yourchild wears a different type ofshoe on PE days, please providea pair of gym shoes for yourchild.

1st GradePlease label all items includ-

ing individual crayons, pencils,and markers prior to sendingthem to school! (Permanentmarker works great!)1 book bag1 - 4 oz. bottle of Elmer's Glue-

All - not blue or white schoolglue

12 glue sticks2* boxes of crayons, #242 boxes of tissues, 200 count

(soft ones for our tendernoses!)

12 #2 pencils, sharpened1 set of 8 primary colored broad-

tip markers (Crayola brand)1 plastic school box (Space-

maker size from Wal-Martfits our desks)

1 box Ziploc bags (gallon, quart,or sandwich size)

2 pink pearl erasers1 set of long colored pencils1 pair of Fiskar scissors4 3-pronged pocket folders (1

red, 1 yellow, 1 blue & 1green)

1 - 1/2-inch or 1-inch 3-ringbinder

1 package of Post-it notes - 3"x3"1 composition book1 box of gallon and 1 box of

quart size Ziploc bags (BOYSONLY)

1 box of sandwich size Ziplocbags and 1 container of babywipes (GIRLS ONLY)

For Art Class1 sharpened pencil1 pink eraser1 hand-held pencil sharpener

DO NOT LABEL the itemsthat go to art class, Ziploc bagboxes or tissues.

2nd Grade1 large book bag (to hold books,

notebooks, etc.)1 4 oz. bottle white glue (Elmer's

recommended, no gel)4 glue sticks1 box of crayons - #24 (Crayola

recommeneded)2 boxes 200 count tissues24 #2 pencils, sharpened1 set of 8 primary broad-tip

markers, washable, no fluo-rescent

1 zippered bag for pencils, not acardboard box, cloth is best

2 large pink pearl rubbererasers

1 set long colored pencils, sharp-ened

4 pocket folders w/3hole fasten-

ers (plain, no pictures 1 eachof blue, red, yellow & green)

1 black fine point Sharpiemarker (not ultra-fine)

1 pair pointed Fiskar scissorsw/plastic handles (6"-7" long)

1 box of zip-lock freezer bags(students whose last namebegiin with A-L - quart size;students whose last name be-gins with M-z - gallon size)Bags should be zip toclose and not fold to close

1 spiral wide-ruled notebookwithout perforated pages - 70pages

1 composition book - marbled, 9-3/4"x7-1/2" - 100 sheets

3 package of light-colored Post-itbrand notes - 3"x3" (1 pack-age = 90 sheets)

For Art Class1 Crayola washable watercolor

paint set.1 package of two (2) colored fine-

point Sharpie markersPlease, no Trapper Keepers!

3rd GradeNo notebooks or Trapper

Keepers due to limited storagespace1 book bag (please label with

name)1 4 oz. bottle of Elmer's school

glue4 small glue sticksCrayons, Markers, & Colored

Pencils (classic colors)24 #2 pencils2 boxes of tissues, 200 count1 school box - small plastic box

(8x5)4 plain 2-pocket folders with 3

brass fasteners - red, green,yellow & blue

1 large plastic coated 2-pocketfolder for homework - to bereplaced as needed

1 pair of sharp medium sizedscissors (not small)

1 box of Ziploc baggies (A-Mbring gallon size; N-Z bringquart size)

1 wide ruled spiral notebook1 black Sharpie marker1 package of wide-ruled note-

book paper2 packages of Post-it type notes -

3"x3" any colorFor Art Class1 Crayola washable watercolor

paint set1 package of two (2) ultra fine

point Sharpies (black)1 box Crayola colored chalk

Bring all supplies at begin-ning of school. Please routinelyask your child about his/her sup-plies - some will need to be re-plenished throughout the year.

Do not label materials withnames (this will be completed atschool)

Individual teachers may re-quest additional items whenschool begins.

Carl Sandburg Elementary St. Mary School Registrationjg-tc.com Journal Gazette & Times-Courier Back to School 2010 � 3

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Registration for St. MarySchool will be held on Wednes-day, August 4, from

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. andThursday, August 5, from 1:00p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Even if youhave pre-registered, you MUSTofficially register your child dur-

ing registration hours.Parents of first time students

are asked to bring a copy of theirchild’s county birth certificate.Students entering Preschool forthe first time and Kindergartenare required to have a schoolphysical before entering school.

Students entering Kindergartenare also required to have a den-tal and eye exam. Students en-tering 2nd grade are required tohave a dental exam.

Late registration will beginon Friday, August 6 at 8:30 a.m.

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Traditional Textbooks May Be Replaced by E-Readers(MS) - E-readers are palm-

sized electronic devices that canoffer newspapers, magazinesand books as digital content.While they can be convenient forthe recreational reader, e-booksmay be a boon to students aswell.

The e-reader market ex-ploded when Amazon introducedits Kindle and Kindle 2. Sony,Barnes & Noble and other com-panies have also introducedtheir own e-reader devices.While the mainstay of e-readerrevenue is generated from down-loaded fiction and nonfictionbooks, e-book reader companiesare realizing the benefits of of-fering digital versions of text-books as well. Amazon hasalready contracted with threetextbook companies to offer digi-tal editions. This could mark themove from cumbersome text-books to compact information.

Many professors already in-struct their students to go onlinefor information, to read blogs ordownload digital content fromWeb sites capable of staying cur-rent in today's increasingly fastnews cycle. Soon they may be in-structing them to purchase thelatest editions of textbooks de-livered right to an e-reader de-vice.

There are several advantagesto having textbook material

available for e-readers. The first,and most obvious, is the weightissue. The average college stu-dent takes 5 classes per semes-ter. That can equal 5 or moretextbooks to purchase, eachweighing several pounds. A stu-dent has the potential to be car-rying 50 pounds on his or herback at any given time, and thatcan lead to injury. In compari-son, most e-readers weigh just afew ounces and can hold a thou-sand books or more, dependingon file size. A student can carryall of the required textbooksright in a back pocket.

The next advantage is cost.While e-readers require an up-front cost of roughly $300, sometextbooks can cost as much. Al-though the cost of textbook ma-terial delivered to an e-reader isstill unknown, and likely basedon the individual publisher, itmay be more affordable than on-campus book store prices. Also,should a traditional textbook belost, a student has to repurchaseit. Many e-readers feature back-up ability, where a previouslypurchased book can be retrievedfree from a database or storagedevice.

Convenience is another factorfor e-books. Students simplybrowse wirelessly for their de-sired reading and download it inmere minutes. This is certainly

more time-efficient than waitingon long lines at the campusbookstore or waiting for books tobe delivered through the mailfrom online sources.

E-readers have the potentialto be successful for school use,but they need to have the sup-port of professors behind them.For a device like e-readers togarner broad acceptance, insti-tutions may need to make thedevices part of the school's re-quirements. This is similar tomany schools requiring all stu-dents own a laptop. Studentswho are unable to afford an e-reader may be subsidized for thedevice or be able to use studentloans to pay for them.

E-readers can be advanta-geous in the classroom and stu-dents can also use them for theirown personal purposes.

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Technology Helping Today'sStudents and Teachers

(MS) - Since the turn of thecentury, technology has changedjust about every aspect of life.Perhaps nowhere is that more ev-ident than in the increasing rateof cellular phone subscribers.

According to CTIA-The Wire-less Association(R), an interna-tional nonprofit representing thewireless communications indus-try, cell phone subscribers totaleda little more than 86 million in1999. By 2008, that figured hadballooned to more than 262 mil-lion, a staggering increase insuch a short period of time.

The growth of cell phone sub-scribers is indicative of the grow-ing reliance the world has placedon technology. Few people can en-vision the world before cellphones were so prevalent, eventhough such was the case as re-cently as 15 years ago.

While some scoff at society'sapparent dependence on technol-ogy, technology has paid innu-merable dividends in many areasof life, including the classroom.Students can now access more in-formation much more quicklythan their mothers and fatherscould when they were students.Such readily available access hashelped students and educators ina number of ways.

* Interactive Web sites canhelp kids better understandcoursework. The Internet hasboth its advantages and disad-vantages with respect to kids.One clear benefit is the use of in-teractive Web sites to help chil-dren learn. For example, childrencan now visit a Web site, read astory for class and then answerquestions pertaining to whatthey just read. When done with agiven quiz or questionnaire, kidsare then shown how they fared.

In many cases, these post-quizbreakdowns show kids whichquestions they answered rightand which they answered incor-rectly.

Such interaction allows infor-mation to sink in instantly, as op-posed to waiting until the nextday in class when the materialsare discussed. Interactive Websites are available for most sub-jects, including math andspelling.

* Technology has helped im-prove the lines of communicationbetween students and teachers.Thanks to e-mail, today's educa-tors are more accessible thanever before. This is especially im-portant when considering today'skids tend to be busier than everbefore, with school and socialcommitments often making it dif-ficult for students to meet withtheir teachers for one-on-one in-struction. With e-mail, however,today's students can e-mail theirprofessors whenever a questionor issue regarding their study

arises. In many cases, e-mail ac-cess has improved the line ofcommunication between studentand teacher, especially amongstudents who might be too shy toask a question in the classroom.

* Technology has improvedkids' comfort level. Many momsand dads marvel at their kids'ability to adapt to computers. Buttoday's kids are not all naturalborn computer whizzes. Instead,they merely grew up with thetechnology and therefore find itmore natural to work with. Thishas helped improve children'scomfort level in the modern class-room, where computers have be-come increasingly prevalent.Nowadays, many kids are famil-iar, or at the very least ac-quainted, with computers beforethey enter kindergarten. As a re-sult, once they do begin schooland see computers in the class-room they're less likely to be in-timidated and more likely to feelright at home.

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Boost Your GPA the Easy Way(MS) -Grade point average, or

GPA, is a number that followsstudents through high schooland college. An often accuraterepresentation of a student'sacademic performance, GPA isalways changing, giving stu-dents constant opportunities toimprove as a result.

A GPA is a cumulative num-ber that represents grades as anumerical value divided by thenumber of courses taken. Thehigher a student's GPA, the bet-ter that student has performedin school. Colleges may baseacceptances on high school GPAand additional aptitude tests,including the SAT exam. Once ina college or university, a stu-dent's GPA can earn him or heracademic awards and advance-ments. Students hoping to boosttheir GPA should keep the fol-lowing tips in mind.

* Keep course load in mind.High schoolers may not be ableto dictate the number of classesthey take, but they can limittheir extracurricular activitiesor extra-credit projects. For col-lege students, don't try to packyour schedule full of classes. Toomany classes can make it diffi-cult to devote adequate studytime to each class. Taking sixclasses and getting a C in eachis less beneficial than taking fiveclasses and earning straight As.

* Focus on the big pictureinstead of just the grade. Whenin class, do your best to payattention, learn and study.Changing your approach to focuson learning, rather than havinga specific grade in mind, willlessen the pressure and makeyour goals more attainable.

* Don't procrastinate. Doassignments promptly to allowfor proofreading and reworking,if necessary. For example, if you

have a writing assignment due,give yourself time for rewrites.Chances are if you edit yourmaterial, the final copy will bebetter than the first draft. Doingthe assignment the night beforeit is due gives you little time forrevision.

* Ask the instructor for assis-tance. Use your teacher as asounding board for ideas. If youdo assignments early, you canget the teacher's feedback onwhether you're taking the rightpath or should explore anotherangle. Many teachers will bewilling to give advice or steeryou in the right direction. Thiscan easily boost your grade andshow him or her that you're put-ting in the effort.

* Give all classes equal atten-tion. Some college students padtheir schedule with one or two"easy" classes in an effort toboost their GPA. However, mosttimes there's no such thing as aneasy class. Taking Introductionto Astronomy or Horseback Rid-ing 101 simply because youthink it will be a breeze maybackfire, especially if you don'tput the same level of effort intothe course. That "easy" coursecan quickly turn difficult ifyou're getting Ds because of lackof effort.

* Participate in class. Manyteachers and professors factorclass participation into theirgrading method. So while testsand homework may be impor-tant, the extra factor can beclass participation. Don't expectto sit mum all semester and geta great grade. Your teacherwants to hear from you. Partici-pation also can make absorbingthe material easier becauseyou're actively involved insteadof playing a spectator's role.

http://www.richeys.com

http://www.mattoonacademy.com

http://www.papajohns.com

Grade 41 plastic school box (preferably

space maker supply boxw/zipper)

1 pkg. #2 pencils1 yellow highlighter1 red ink pen1 box crayons1 box colored pencils1 set (8) small tip markers (for

art)1 set (8) wide tip markers (for

art)1 pair sharp pointed scissors1 8 oz. bottle of glue (Glue All)1 glue stick1 clear plastic or wooden met-

ric/standard ruler (no fold uprulers)

1 pkg. wide-ruled notebookpaper

3 spiral-bound notebooks1 2" 3-ring binder or trapper

keeper1 notebook dividers with tabs

(pkg. of 8)1 vinyl zipper pouch with holes1 pocket folder for music1 large box tissue

Team teachers may requestadditional items. Please replen-ish supplies during the year asneeded.

Grade 51 plastic school box (for art)

preferably Space Maker Sup-ply Box)

1 set watercolors for art1 set (8) fine tip markers for art1 set (8) wide tip markers for art1 box colored pencils7 folders with pockets12 pencils (2 for music)1 pair sharp point scissors1 metric/standard ruler4 glue sticks2 large box Kleenex2 small erasers (1 for music)3 composition notebooks1 pkg. post-it notes (3x3)1 pkg. of highlighters/ or 1 high-

lighter1 pkg. wide-ruled loose leaf

paper (200 count)

Please replenish suppliesduring the year as needed.

Grade 61 3-ring binder (2 inch)1 set of tabbed dividers with

pockets1 pen/pencil pouch to fit in

binder (1 for music)2 packages notebook paper

(wide-ruled)5 folders with prongs and pock-

ets (1 for music)2 CD-R’s (music)3 spiral notebooks24 pencils1 eraser1 pair sharp point scissors1 box colored pencils1 ruler with standard and met-

ric markings6 glue sticks (white or clear)1 box 24 crayons1 set (8) fine point felt tip mark-

ers (for art)1 set (8) wide tip markers (for

art)1 set watercolors (for Art)2 large or 4 small boxes of facial

tissues1 container for supplies (no

larger than a shoebox)3 composition notebooks1 combination lock (optional)Sticky notes for whole class use

Other subject related sup-plies might be requested asneeded at a later date. Please re-plenish supplies during the yearas needed.


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Jefferson Elementary(MS) - A brown paper bag or

a plastic lunch box. No two itemscan elicit such fear in the heartsof parents across the country.They seem like harmless itemson the surface, but it's comingup with what goes inside can betruly scary.

Day after day, creating newlunch ideas that children will ac-tually eat can be challenging.Parents are often short on timein the evening or the morningbefore the bus arrives and maybe at a loss as to what foods tokeep stocked in the pantry,which makes planning lunches ataller order than it may seem.

Rest assured that concoctingschool lunches doesn't have to bedifficult. Follow these tips forlunchtime success.

* Think outside the bread.Bread can be boring. Skip thesandwiches and think of otherfoods that can serve as thewrapping for tasty foods. Tor-tillas, pitas, pizza crusts, andcrackers are other ideas for top-ping or holding items together.What's more, rolling up a tortillaor topping your own pizza ismuch more fun than biting intothat standard PB&J sandwich.

* Explore more mature fla-vors. Who says kids only wantbologna and cheese? Ask yourchild what he or she enjoys eat-ing and stock up on those ingre-

dients. For example, if you enjoya wrap of grilled chicken withfresh mozzarella and basil, yourchild might as well.

* Make it fun. Pack lunch ac-cording to a theme. Maybe Mon-day is all round-shaped foods.Tuesday may be cowboy themed,with southern flair. On Wednes-day all the foods may be red.Your child will be eating thesame foods he or she always didbut just in a more interestingway. Chances are if it's fun toeat, the kids will be on board.

* Involve the kids. Make achart that lists foods in specificcategories: fruit, vegetable,meat, dairy, and snack. Enableyour child to pick the combina-tion he or she desires each day.Involving children in meal cre-ation helps make them more intune with food choices and morelikely to eat what they have cho-sen.

* Who says lunch has to be"lunch"? Instead of packing therequisite lunch foods, considerbreakfast items instead. Maybeyour child will enjoy a bananawrapped in a pancake or yogurttopped with crunchy granola. Amini bagel packaged with an in-dividual serving of cream cheeseand jelly could fit the bill, too. Aslong as your child is eating ahealthy, balanced meal, it doesn'tmatter what the foods may be.

Skip Boring School Lunchesjg-tc.com Journal Gazette & Times-Courier Back to School 2010 � 5

Getting Kids Ready for the Big Day

(MS) - Kindergarten will bemany children's first foray intoschool. Their experiences inkindergarten can set the scenefor a lifetime of learning. Tostart laying the foundation foryour child's entrance into for-mal education, consider the fol-lowing tips.

* Identify the school yourchild will attend. You can callyour county school board or sim-

ply ask other parents in thearea. Some communities assignschools, while others allow par-ents to choose their child'sschool. When determining whichcase applies to your community,inquire about bus service aswell.

* Some schools have full-daykindergarten programs, whileothers offer half-day. This maybe district-specified or the choiceof the parent.

* Visit the school to find outabout registration requirements.You'll likely have to fill outforms and provide proof of resi-dence. The school also will in-form you of any rules they have,including copies of healthrecords, screenings or placementtesting.

* A routine physical examand a copy of immunizationrecords will most likely be re-quired. Visit your child's pedia-trician to ensure that he or sheis up-to-date with shots and re-ceives a health check-up. Proofof dental visits may be required.

* If your child will be attend-ing a private school, the schoolmay have registration fees, sup-ply fees, uniform requirements,and other expenses. It's impor-tant to find out about these costsahead of time.

* Visit the school with yourchild ahead of time. Attend akindergarten open house or

school tour. This way kids canbecome familiar with the prem-ises and won't be caught offguard the first day of school. Atour will provide an example ofthe school's layout and overallatmosphere.

* Make friends with parentswhose children attend theschool. Set up a play date soyour child will see some familiarfaces on the first day of school.

* Talk about attending schooland make it seem like a positiveexperience. Let kids know schoolis something to look forward to.Some children get excited aboutkindergarten just because theyget to ride the bus.

* Shop for a backpack and alunch box early on so that yourchild will be excited for school.Enable him or her to choose sup-plies in the theme of choice.

* Find out which types of les-sons your child will be learningand begin to practice some ofthem at home, including the al-phabet, preliminary math andwriting.

* Always use positive rein-forcement and talk about schoolin an upbeat way. This increasesthe likelihood that kids will lookat school in a positive light.

* Discuss fears and concernsabout kindergarten with yourchild. This way you can work outsituations before the first day ofschool starts.

Banning Junk Food in Schools(MS) - Nutrition experts have

long urged schools to cut downon the amount of sugary and fat-tening foods they have availableon campus. Now the U.S. govern-ment is flexing its muscles re-garding the junk food ban.

There's a food fight going on,and it involves the government,schools and students. Legisla-tion was proposed in February2010 to ban sugary drinks andother junk foods from schools.But many argue that removingvending machines and fattyfoods from schools may do littleto impact growing obesity ratesamong the country's youth andmay only fuel students to "smug-gle" in foods of their choice.

There is also concern over thefoods that are the staples ofschool fundraisers. Candy bars,cookies, holiday treats -- all ofthese items are frequently soldto raise money for athletic teamsand other extracurricular clubs.Will the junk food ban extend torestricting chocolate bar salesfor the glee club?

Part of the legislature is a re-sult of the First Lady's pledge tomake childhood obesity her mis-sion du jour. Michelle Obamasays importance has to be placedon this issue.

According to the CDC, child-hood obesity has tripled in thelast 30 years. A combination ofincreased caloric intake andsedentary lifestyles has ledmany children to be classified asobese. As of 2008, 19.6 percent ofchildren ages 6 to 11 were and18.1 percent of adolescents 12 to

19 were obese. Obesity puts individuals at

risk for many health ailments.Increased risk for cardiovasculardisease, high cholesterol andhigh blood pressure are someconcerns. Cancer, type 2 diabetesand joint problems are also anincreased risk for overweightkids.

Many schools have alreadytaken on individual initiatives toreduce unhealthy foods inschools and beef up the offeringsof healthy alternatives. A federalpush in schools could see anoverhaul of school breakfast andlunch programs that wouldmean additional money spent byschool districts that are alreadytapped for funds. Healthier foodstend to cost more to buy and pro-duce.

Some detractors argue that aban will not alleviate the prob-lems. Students who cannot buyjunk food at school will simplybring it with them from home orindulge after school hours. Per-haps more education on healthyeating, including showing stu-dents that healthier alternativescan still be tasty, is a betterroute to putting a dent in obe-sity numbers.

Plus, it's up to parents andcaregivers to do their part, sayhealth experts. If the messagefor healthy eating does not ex-tend beyond school property,kids are less likely to get themessage. Therefore, healthyfoods will have to be a part ofhome life as well.

221 Lake Land • Mattoon235-6999

Monthly Payments

http://www.afchoice.com/

.KindergartenCrayons: 3 boxes of 24 - regular

size (washable) Crayola pre-ferred

Glue: 3, 8 oz. bottles of whitesqueeze type, Elmer's pre-ferred

Scissors: Fiskar's metal bladepreferred

Pencils: 1 package of 6, yellow#2, sharpened, please

Markers: 1 box of 8, Crayolawashable, classic colors, pre-ferred

School box for school supplies, 5"x 8"

Tissue: 1 box of 250 countEraser: 1 Pink Pearl preferredKindermat: foldable typeZip top bags, 1 box sandwich

size, and 1 box gallon size

Grade 1Crayons: 2 boxes of 24 - regular

size (washable), Crayola pre-ferred

Glue: 1 8 oz. bottle of whitesqueeze type, Elmer's pre-ferred

Glue sticks: 8. Elmer’s preferredScissors: Fiskar's pointed metal

blade preferredPencils: package of 24, #2-sized,

yellow, sharpened, please.Markers: 1 box of 8, Crayola,

Washable, Classic Colors pre-ferred


Tissue: 2 boxes of 250 countErasers: 3, Pink Pearl preferredPocket folders: two, 2-pocket

folders. Please, no 3-ringbinders or Trapper Keepers

Zip top bags: 1 box sandwichsize and 1 box gallon sized

Gym shoes are required for P.E.class (no additional shoes are

required if gym shoes areworn to school)

Grade 2Crayons: box of 16, (washable)Glue: one 8 oz. bottle of white

squeeze type, Elmer's pre-ferred

Glue sticks: 3Scissors: Fiskar's metal blade

preferredPencils: package of 24, #2 sized,

sharpened, pleaseMarkers: 1 box of 8, Crayola ,


Eraser: 2 Pink Pearl preferredPocket folders: two, 2 pocket

folders. Please no 3-ringbinders or Trapper Keepers

70 page notebook: two spiralbound, 1 subject, 8 1/2" x 11"wide lines (not college-ruled)

Tissue: 1 box of 250 countZipper pencil bagPost-it notes (3x3): 2Zip top bags: girls=1 box quart

size; boys=1 box gallon sizeGym shoes are required for P.E.

class (no additional shoes arerequired if gym shoes areworn to school)

Grade 3Crayons: box of 24 (washable)Glue: one 8 oz. bottle of white


Glue sticks: 2 Scissors: Fiskar's metal blade

preferredPencils: 48 regular size #2,

sharpened, and please, nomechanical pencils

Markers: 1 box of 8, Crayola,Washable, Classic Colors pre-ferred

Highlighters: 2 chisel-tipped

highlightersColored pencils: package of 12,

Crayola preferredEraser: 2 Pink Pearl preferredPocket folders: six, 2 pocket fold-

ers. Please, no 3-ring bindersor Trapper Keepers

70 page notebook: two spiralbound, 1-subject, 8 1/2" x11"wide lines (not college-ruled)

Loose leaf paper: 1 package of100 count

Tissue: 3 box of 250 countZipper pencil bagPost-it notesZip top bags: 1 box quart size,

and 1 box gallon sizeGym shoes are required for P.E.





preferred

Pencils: 48 regular size #2sharpened, and please, nomechanical pencils

Eraser: 2 packages pencil-toperasers


Colored pencils: package of 12,Crayola preferred

Notebook paper: 8 1/2" x 11"wide lined, not college ruled,loose leaf, 250 sheets

Pocket folders: 8 pocket folders.Please, no spiral bound note-books.

Tissue: 2 boxes of 250 countPost-it notesZipper pencil bagZip top bags: 1 box quart size,




squeeze type, Elmer's pre-

ferredScissors: Fiskar's metal blade

preferredPencils: 24 - regular size #2,


Eraser: Pink Pearl preferredColored pencils: package of 12,

Crayola preferredNotebook paper: 8 1/2" x 11"

wide-lined, not college rulerd,loose leaf, 250 sheets

Riddle only: 3 ring binder: 2inch, with subject dividertabs. Please, no spiral boundnotebooks or Trapper Keep-ers.

Williams only: pocket folder: 5pocket folder. Please, no spi-ral bound notebooks or Trap-per Keepers.

Tissue: 1 box of 250 countZipper pencil bagZip top bags: 1 box quart size,



Mattoon Elementary6 � Back to School 2010 Journal Gazette & Times-Courier jg-tc.com

Helping Christian Families Train Their Children� 4 Year old kindergarten through Grade 12� Traditional Christian Curriculum� Teacher Taught Classes� Emphasis on Character Development� Striving for Academic Excellence� Art, Music� Girl’s Volleyball Team (grades 7-12)� Girl’s Basketball Team (grades 7-12)� Boy’s Basketball Teams (grades 3-12)� State Recognized (K-12) School

Now Receiving Applications2605 University Drive

Call 345-4476 for more informationThis school is a ministry of Charleston Bible Church

CharlestonChristian Academy

(MS) - In an era when mobilephones provide Internet accessand laser eye surgery restoresvision in one visit, it might seemincredulous that a tiny, parasiticbug could cause such havoc. Butlice are alive and well and con-tinue to plague school childrenand their parents.

Lice are very small insectsthat live in the hair. They feedon blood and reproduce right onthe scalp. A louse can live for upto 30 days on a person. Eggs --

called nits -- can survive for twoweeks.

Because they spread throughclose contact with other people,lice are a common concern in theclassroom. Students frequentlyshare close proximity with oth-ers and may store their coats,hats and other belongings inlockers or cubbies directly nextto others. Should one studenthave lice, the rest of the stu-dents are at risk.

A lice infestation is identifi-able by a few different symp-toms. Initially, visibly identifylice and their eggs. Nits look likedandruff flakes, but do not falloff the hair shaft easily like dan-druff. Rather, they are coatedwith a sticky substance thatkeeps them on the hair securely.Lice are very small, but can beseen moving on the scalp if onelooks closely. They are commonlyfound around the ears and atthe top of the neck where eggsare laid.

Bumps on the scalp, shoul-

ders and neck where lice havebitten can also indicate a prob-lem, as can intense itching of thescalp.

Treatment for lice includesmedicated shampoos and lotionsdesigned to kill the live bugsand their eggs. These can bebought over-the-counter. If theOTC shampoos do not work, adoctor can offer a prescriptionfor a stronger medicine. Re-moval of the nits with a comb isalso recommended.

Lice can live off of the scalpfor a short period of time. It paysto treat porous fabrics, such ascarpeting and upholstery, withsprays designed to kill lice as aprecaution. Thoroughly launderlinens and clothing of the in-fected person.

It is important not to send achild to school until lice treat-ment has been completed. Partof the reason lice are so trouble-some is that there is a highchance of reinfestation.

Watch Out for Head Lice


Savvy School Supply Saving Tips(MS) - Perhaps no time of year

is as bittersweet for parents asthe back-to-school season. Goneare the relaxing days of summer,but back are the days when kidsget excited about school and theextracurricular activities thatcome with it.

As bittersweet as back toschool can be, one aspect fewparents enjoy is the annualschool supply shopping trip. Stu-dents of all ages must purchaseschool supplies each year, andparents with more than onechild in school might cringe atthe costs of such supplies. Thefollowing shopping tips shouldhelp savvy parents prepare theirkids to start the school year onthe right foot.

* Take inventory. Most par-ents remember the last day ofschool growing up, when pens,papers and notebooks were setaside for the summer the mo-ment the final bell rang. How-ever, unless kids threweverything in the trash on theirway out of school, chances aremany of their supplies from lastyear are still lying around thehouse. While last year's note-books may not be reusable, lo-cate pens, rulers and other

supplies that are in good shape,and take inventory of what youcan reuse and what new itemsshould be purchased.

* Make a list. Today's schoolsupplies are flashier than ever,essentially transforming theschool supply aisle into some-thing that would fit right in atthe local toy store. Kids are typi-cally as mesmerized by theschool supply aisle as they arewhen they visit a toy store, soparents should make a list be-fore heading out and stick tothat list to avoid overspending.

Once that list has been made,parents should choose a storethat allows them to get schoolshopping done in one fell swoop.

* Start shopping early. Manyof today's teachers post a classsyllabus online well in advanceof the first day of school. The syl-labus typically lists the suppliesand textbooks the class requires.

* Purchase supplies that ex-cite your child. In essence, schoolsupplies are designed to helpchildren be the best studentsthey can be and inspire them todo their best work. With theright supplies, kids are preparedto achieve and succeed. By let-ting kids select a few suppliesthat express their personalityand excite them about the newschool year, they're more likelyto be engaged in and excitedabout the back-to-school process.

REPEATBOUTIQUE

Consignment Resale Shop

3408 Marshall Ave.Mattoon, IL

258-6900

½ PriceBack To School

ShoppingAT

7th GradePencils, replenished throughout

the yearBlack, blue and red pensErasers1 - highlighter3 boxes of tissuesLoose leaf paper - 2 packages4 - pocket folders with holesScientific Calculator (TI-30 XA)2 - spiral notebooks4 glue sticksColored pencils1 - 1 1/2 " binder with 5 tab di-

viders1 - pack of 3x5 notecards with

linesPencil Case with a pencil sharp-

ener1 - pack of 4 dry erase markers1 - package of sticky notes1 - composition notebookBlack Team:1 - roll of scotch tapeFor Math class: Last Name

starts with:A-I: markersJ-R: colored pencilsS-Z: Crayons*Thumb drive is not required

but may be helpful for savingprojects

*Individual teachers may re-quire additional supplies forspecific classes. You will beinformed of these in the firstfew days of school, or mayfind them on the team web-site.

8th GradeScientific Calculator (TI 30XA or

TI 30XIIS)2 boxes of tissuesGlue sticks1 pkg. Vis-a-Vis markers2 highlighters1 black permanent markerPens and pencilsPink eraser1 pkg. of lined note cardsLoose leaf notebook paper1 pkg. Post-it notes1 pkg. of dividersOne 3-ring binder (2 inch)Optional: travel/flash driveAdditional items for Red

team:8 - 70 page spiral notebooks1 composition book3 Scotch tape refillsAdditional items for Gold

team:2 - 70 page spiral notebooks

Charleston Middle School

http://charlestonbiblechurch.org/cca.html

.KindergartenCrayons: 3 boxes of 24 - regular

size (washable) Crayola pre-ferred

Glue: 3, 8 oz. bottles of whitesqueeze type, Elmer's pre-ferred

Scissors: Fiskar's metal bladepreferred

Pencils: 1 package of 6, yellow#2, sharpened, please

Markers: 1 box of 8, Crayolawashable, classic colors, pre-ferred


Tissue: 1 box of 250 countEraser: 1 Pink Pearl preferredKindermat: foldable typeZip top bags, 1 box sandwich

size, and 1 box gallon size

Grade 1Crayons: 2 boxes of 24 - regular

size (washable), Crayola pre-ferred

Glue: 1 8 oz. bottle of whitesqueeze type, Elmer's pre-ferred

Glue sticks: 8. Elmer’s preferredScissors: Fiskar's pointed metal

blade preferredPencils: package of 24, #2-sized,

yellow, sharpened, please.Markers: 1 box of 8, Crayola,



Tissue: 2 boxes of 250 countErasers: 3, Pink Pearl preferredPocket folders: two, 2-pocket

folders. Please, no 3-ringbinders or Trapper Keepers

Zip top bags: 1 box sandwichsize and 1 box gallon sized

Gym shoes are required for P.E.class (no additional shoes are

required if gym shoes areworn to school)

Grade 2Crayons: box of 16, (washable)Glue: one 8 oz. bottle of white



preferredPencils: package of 24, #2 sized,

sharpened, pleaseMarkers: 1 box of 8, Crayola ,


Eraser: 2 Pink Pearl preferredPocket folders: two, 2 pocket

folders. Please no 3-ringbinders or Trapper Keepers

70 page notebook: two spiralbound, 1 subject, 8 1/2" x 11"wide lines (not college-ruled)

Tissue: 1 box of 250 countZipper pencil bagPost-it notes (3x3): 2Zip top bags: girls=1 box quart

size; boys=1 box gallon sizeGym shoes are required for P.E.




Glue sticks: 2 Scissors: Fiskar's metal blade

preferredPencils: 48 regular size #2,



Highlighters: 2 chisel-tipped

highlightersColored pencils: package of 12,

Crayola preferredEraser: 2 Pink Pearl preferredPocket folders: six, 2 pocket fold-

ers. Please, no 3-ring bindersor Trapper Keepers

70 page notebook: two spiralbound, 1-subject, 8 1/2" x11"wide lines (not college-ruled)

Loose leaf paper: 1 package of100 count

Tissue: 3 box of 250 countZipper pencil bagPost-it notesZip top bags: 1 box quart size,






preferred

Pencils: 48 regular size #2sharpened, and please, nomechanical pencils

Eraser: 2 packages pencil-toperasers


Colored pencils: package of 12,Crayola preferred

Notebook paper: 8 1/2" x 11"wide lined, not college ruled,loose leaf, 250 sheets

Pocket folders: 8 pocket folders.Please, no spiral bound note-books.

Tissue: 2 boxes of 250 countPost-it notesZipper pencil bagZip top bags: 1 box quart size,




squeeze type, Elmer's pre-

ferredScissors: Fiskar's metal blade

preferredPencils: 24 - regular size #2,


Eraser: Pink Pearl preferredColored pencils: package of 12,

Crayola preferredNotebook paper: 8 1/2" x 11"

wide-lined, not college rulerd,loose leaf, 250 sheets

Riddle only: 3 ring binder: 2inch, with subject dividertabs. Please, no spiral boundnotebooks or Trapper Keep-ers.

Williams only: pocket folder: 5pocket folder. Please, no spi-ral bound notebooks or Trap-per Keepers.

Tissue: 1 box of 250 countZipper pencil bagZip top bags: 1 box quart size,



Mattoon Elementary6 � Back to School 2010 Journal Gazette & Times-Courier jg-tc.com

Helping Christian Families Train Their Children� 4 Year old kindergarten through Grade 12� Traditional Christian Curriculum� Teacher Taught Classes� Emphasis on Character Development� Striving for Academic Excellence� Art, Music� Girl’s Volleyball Team (grades 7-12)� Girl’s Basketball Team (grades 7-12)� Boy’s Basketball Teams (grades 3-12)� State Recognized (K-12) School

Now Receiving Applications2605 University Drive

Call 345-4476 for more informationThis school is a ministry of Charleston Bible Church

CharlestonChristian Academy

(MS) - In an era when mobilephones provide Internet accessand laser eye surgery restoresvision in one visit, it might seemincredulous that a tiny, parasiticbug could cause such havoc. Butlice are alive and well and con-tinue to plague school childrenand their parents.

Lice are very small insectsthat live in the hair. They feedon blood and reproduce right onthe scalp. A louse can live for upto 30 days on a person. Eggs --

called nits -- can survive for twoweeks.

Because they spread throughclose contact with other people,lice are a common concern in theclassroom. Students frequentlyshare close proximity with oth-ers and may store their coats,hats and other belongings inlockers or cubbies directly nextto others. Should one studenthave lice, the rest of the stu-dents are at risk.

A lice infestation is identifi-able by a few different symp-toms. Initially, visibly identifylice and their eggs. Nits look likedandruff flakes, but do not falloff the hair shaft easily like dan-druff. Rather, they are coatedwith a sticky substance thatkeeps them on the hair securely.Lice are very small, but can beseen moving on the scalp if onelooks closely. They are commonlyfound around the ears and atthe top of the neck where eggsare laid.

Bumps on the scalp, shoul-

ders and neck where lice havebitten can also indicate a prob-lem, as can intense itching of thescalp.

Treatment for lice includesmedicated shampoos and lotionsdesigned to kill the live bugsand their eggs. These can bebought over-the-counter. If theOTC shampoos do not work, adoctor can offer a prescriptionfor a stronger medicine. Re-moval of the nits with a comb isalso recommended.

Lice can live off of the scalpfor a short period of time. It paysto treat porous fabrics, such ascarpeting and upholstery, withsprays designed to kill lice as aprecaution. Thoroughly launderlinens and clothing of the in-fected person.

It is important not to send achild to school until lice treat-ment has been completed. Partof the reason lice are so trouble-some is that there is a highchance of reinfestation.

Watch Out for Head Lice


Savvy School Supply Saving Tips(MS) - Perhaps no time of year

is as bittersweet for parents asthe back-to-school season. Goneare the relaxing days of summer,but back are the days when kidsget excited about school and theextracurricular activities thatcome with it.

As bittersweet as back toschool can be, one aspect fewparents enjoy is the annualschool supply shopping trip. Stu-dents of all ages must purchaseschool supplies each year, andparents with more than onechild in school might cringe atthe costs of such supplies. Thefollowing shopping tips shouldhelp savvy parents prepare theirkids to start the school year onthe right foot.

* Take inventory. Most par-ents remember the last day ofschool growing up, when pens,papers and notebooks were setaside for the summer the mo-ment the final bell rang. How-ever, unless kids threweverything in the trash on theirway out of school, chances aremany of their supplies from lastyear are still lying around thehouse. While last year's note-books may not be reusable, lo-cate pens, rulers and other

supplies that are in good shape,and take inventory of what youcan reuse and what new itemsshould be purchased.

* Make a list. Today's schoolsupplies are flashier than ever,essentially transforming theschool supply aisle into some-thing that would fit right in atthe local toy store. Kids are typi-cally as mesmerized by theschool supply aisle as they arewhen they visit a toy store, soparents should make a list be-fore heading out and stick tothat list to avoid overspending.

Once that list has been made,parents should choose a storethat allows them to get schoolshopping done in one fell swoop.

* Start shopping early. Manyof today's teachers post a classsyllabus online well in advanceof the first day of school. The syl-labus typically lists the suppliesand textbooks the class requires.

* Purchase supplies that ex-cite your child. In essence, schoolsupplies are designed to helpchildren be the best studentsthey can be and inspire them todo their best work. With theright supplies, kids are preparedto achieve and succeed. By let-ting kids select a few suppliesthat express their personalityand excite them about the newschool year, they're more likelyto be engaged in and excitedabout the back-to-school process.

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7th GradePencils, replenished throughout

the yearBlack, blue and red pensErasers1 - highlighter3 boxes of tissuesLoose leaf paper - 2 packages4 - pocket folders with holesScientific Calculator (TI-30 XA)2 - spiral notebooks4 glue sticksColored pencils1 - 1 1/2 " binder with 5 tab di-

viders1 - pack of 3x5 notecards with

linesPencil Case with a pencil sharp-

ener1 - pack of 4 dry erase markers1 - package of sticky notes1 - composition notebookBlack Team:1 - roll of scotch tapeFor Math class: Last Name

starts with:A-I: markersJ-R: colored pencilsS-Z: Crayons*Thumb drive is not required

but may be helpful for savingprojects

*Individual teachers may re-quire additional supplies forspecific classes. You will beinformed of these in the firstfew days of school, or mayfind them on the team web-site.

8th GradeScientific Calculator (TI 30XA or

TI 30XIIS)2 boxes of tissuesGlue sticks1 pkg. Vis-a-Vis markers2 highlighters1 black permanent markerPens and pencilsPink eraser1 pkg. of lined note cardsLoose leaf notebook paper1 pkg. Post-it notes1 pkg. of dividersOne 3-ring binder (2 inch)Optional: travel/flash driveAdditional items for Red

team:8 - 70 page spiral notebooks1 composition book3 Scotch tape refillsAdditional items for Gold

team:2 - 70 page spiral notebooks

Charleston Middle School

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Grade 41 plastic school box (preferably

space maker supply boxw/zipper)

1 pkg. #2 pencils1 yellow highlighter1 red ink pen1 box crayons1 box colored pencils1 set (8) small tip markers (for

art)1 set (8) wide tip markers (for

art)1 pair sharp pointed scissors1 8 oz. bottle of glue (Glue All)1 glue stick1 clear plastic or wooden met-

ric/standard ruler (no fold uprulers)

1 pkg. wide-ruled notebookpaper

3 spiral-bound notebooks1 2" 3-ring binder or trapper

keeper1 notebook dividers with tabs

(pkg. of 8)1 vinyl zipper pouch with holes1 pocket folder for music1 large box tissue

Team teachers may requestadditional items. Please replen-ish supplies during the year asneeded.

Grade 51 plastic school box (for art)

preferably Space Maker Sup-ply Box)

1 set watercolors for art1 set (8) fine tip markers for art1 set (8) wide tip markers for art1 box colored pencils7 folders with pockets12 pencils (2 for music)1 pair sharp point scissors1 metric/standard ruler4 glue sticks2 large box Kleenex2 small erasers (1 for music)3 composition notebooks1 pkg. post-it notes (3x3)1 pkg. of highlighters/ or 1 high-

lighter1 pkg. wide-ruled loose leaf

paper (200 count)

Please replenish suppliesduring the year as needed.

Grade 61 3-ring binder (2 inch)1 set of tabbed dividers with

pockets1 pen/pencil pouch to fit in

binder (1 for music)2 packages notebook paper

(wide-ruled)5 folders with prongs and pock-

ets (1 for music)2 CD-R’s (music)3 spiral notebooks24 pencils1 eraser1 pair sharp point scissors1 box colored pencils1 ruler with standard and met-

ric markings6 glue sticks (white or clear)1 box 24 crayons1 set (8) fine point felt tip mark-

ers (for art)1 set (8) wide tip markers (for

art)1 set watercolors (for Art)2 large or 4 small boxes of facial

tissues1 container for supplies (no

larger than a shoebox)3 composition notebooks1 combination lock (optional)Sticky notes for whole class use

Other subject related sup-plies might be requested asneeded at a later date. Please re-plenish supplies during the yearas needed.


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Jefferson Elementary(MS) - A brown paper bag or

a plastic lunch box. No two itemscan elicit such fear in the heartsof parents across the country.They seem like harmless itemson the surface, but it's comingup with what goes inside can betruly scary.

Day after day, creating newlunch ideas that children will ac-tually eat can be challenging.Parents are often short on timein the evening or the morningbefore the bus arrives and maybe at a loss as to what foods tokeep stocked in the pantry,which makes planning lunches ataller order than it may seem.

Rest assured that concoctingschool lunches doesn't have to bedifficult. Follow these tips forlunchtime success.

* Think outside the bread.Bread can be boring. Skip thesandwiches and think of otherfoods that can serve as thewrapping for tasty foods. Tor-tillas, pitas, pizza crusts, andcrackers are other ideas for top-ping or holding items together.What's more, rolling up a tortillaor topping your own pizza ismuch more fun than biting intothat standard PB&J sandwich.

* Explore more mature fla-vors. Who says kids only wantbologna and cheese? Ask yourchild what he or she enjoys eat-ing and stock up on those ingre-

dients. For example, if you enjoya wrap of grilled chicken withfresh mozzarella and basil, yourchild might as well.

* Make it fun. Pack lunch ac-cording to a theme. Maybe Mon-day is all round-shaped foods.Tuesday may be cowboy themed,with southern flair. On Wednes-day all the foods may be red.Your child will be eating thesame foods he or she always didbut just in a more interestingway. Chances are if it's fun toeat, the kids will be on board.

* Involve the kids. Make achart that lists foods in specificcategories: fruit, vegetable,meat, dairy, and snack. Enableyour child to pick the combina-tion he or she desires each day.Involving children in meal cre-ation helps make them more intune with food choices and morelikely to eat what they have cho-sen.

* Who says lunch has to be"lunch"? Instead of packing therequisite lunch foods, considerbreakfast items instead. Maybeyour child will enjoy a bananawrapped in a pancake or yogurttopped with crunchy granola. Amini bagel packaged with an in-dividual serving of cream cheeseand jelly could fit the bill, too. Aslong as your child is eating ahealthy, balanced meal, it doesn'tmatter what the foods may be.

Skip Boring School Lunchesjg-tc.com Journal Gazette & Times-Courier Back to School 2010 � 5

Getting Kids Ready for the Big Day

(MS) - Kindergarten will bemany children's first foray intoschool. Their experiences inkindergarten can set the scenefor a lifetime of learning. Tostart laying the foundation foryour child's entrance into for-mal education, consider the fol-lowing tips.

* Identify the school yourchild will attend. You can callyour county school board or sim-

ply ask other parents in thearea. Some communities assignschools, while others allow par-ents to choose their child'sschool. When determining whichcase applies to your community,inquire about bus service aswell.

* Some schools have full-daykindergarten programs, whileothers offer half-day. This maybe district-specified or the choiceof the parent.

* Visit the school to find outabout registration requirements.You'll likely have to fill outforms and provide proof of resi-dence. The school also will in-form you of any rules they have,including copies of healthrecords, screenings or placementtesting.

* A routine physical examand a copy of immunizationrecords will most likely be re-quired. Visit your child's pedia-trician to ensure that he or sheis up-to-date with shots and re-ceives a health check-up. Proofof dental visits may be required.

* If your child will be attend-ing a private school, the schoolmay have registration fees, sup-ply fees, uniform requirements,and other expenses. It's impor-tant to find out about these costsahead of time.

* Visit the school with yourchild ahead of time. Attend akindergarten open house or

school tour. This way kids canbecome familiar with the prem-ises and won't be caught offguard the first day of school. Atour will provide an example ofthe school's layout and overallatmosphere.

* Make friends with parentswhose children attend theschool. Set up a play date soyour child will see some familiarfaces on the first day of school.

* Talk about attending schooland make it seem like a positiveexperience. Let kids know schoolis something to look forward to.Some children get excited aboutkindergarten just because theyget to ride the bus.

* Shop for a backpack and alunch box early on so that yourchild will be excited for school.Enable him or her to choose sup-plies in the theme of choice.

* Find out which types of les-sons your child will be learningand begin to practice some ofthem at home, including the al-phabet, preliminary math andwriting.

* Always use positive rein-forcement and talk about schoolin an upbeat way. This increasesthe likelihood that kids will lookat school in a positive light.

* Discuss fears and concernsabout kindergarten with yourchild. This way you can work outsituations before the first day ofschool starts.

Banning Junk Food in Schools(MS) - Nutrition experts have

long urged schools to cut downon the amount of sugary and fat-tening foods they have availableon campus. Now the U.S. govern-ment is flexing its muscles re-garding the junk food ban.

There's a food fight going on,and it involves the government,schools and students. Legisla-tion was proposed in February2010 to ban sugary drinks andother junk foods from schools.But many argue that removingvending machines and fattyfoods from schools may do littleto impact growing obesity ratesamong the country's youth andmay only fuel students to "smug-gle" in foods of their choice.

There is also concern over thefoods that are the staples ofschool fundraisers. Candy bars,cookies, holiday treats -- all ofthese items are frequently soldto raise money for athletic teamsand other extracurricular clubs.Will the junk food ban extend torestricting chocolate bar salesfor the glee club?

Part of the legislature is a re-sult of the First Lady's pledge tomake childhood obesity her mis-sion du jour. Michelle Obamasays importance has to be placedon this issue.

According to the CDC, child-hood obesity has tripled in thelast 30 years. A combination ofincreased caloric intake andsedentary lifestyles has ledmany children to be classified asobese. As of 2008, 19.6 percent ofchildren ages 6 to 11 were and18.1 percent of adolescents 12 to

19 were obese. Obesity puts individuals at

risk for many health ailments.Increased risk for cardiovasculardisease, high cholesterol andhigh blood pressure are someconcerns. Cancer, type 2 diabetesand joint problems are also anincreased risk for overweightkids.

Many schools have alreadytaken on individual initiatives toreduce unhealthy foods inschools and beef up the offeringsof healthy alternatives. A federalpush in schools could see anoverhaul of school breakfast andlunch programs that wouldmean additional money spent byschool districts that are alreadytapped for funds. Healthier foodstend to cost more to buy and pro-duce.

Some detractors argue that aban will not alleviate the prob-lems. Students who cannot buyjunk food at school will simplybring it with them from home orindulge after school hours. Per-haps more education on healthyeating, including showing stu-dents that healthier alternativescan still be tasty, is a betterroute to putting a dent in obe-sity numbers.

Plus, it's up to parents andcaregivers to do their part, sayhealth experts. If the messagefor healthy eating does not ex-tend beyond school property,kids are less likely to get themessage. Therefore, healthyfoods will have to be a part ofhome life as well.

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Traditional Textbooks May Be Replaced by E-Readers(MS) - E-readers are palm-

sized electronic devices that canoffer newspapers, magazinesand books as digital content.While they can be convenient forthe recreational reader, e-booksmay be a boon to students aswell.

The e-reader market ex-ploded when Amazon introducedits Kindle and Kindle 2. Sony,Barnes & Noble and other com-panies have also introducedtheir own e-reader devices.While the mainstay of e-readerrevenue is generated from down-loaded fiction and nonfictionbooks, e-book reader companiesare realizing the benefits of of-fering digital versions of text-books as well. Amazon hasalready contracted with threetextbook companies to offer digi-tal editions. This could mark themove from cumbersome text-books to compact information.

Many professors already in-struct their students to go onlinefor information, to read blogs ordownload digital content fromWeb sites capable of staying cur-rent in today's increasingly fastnews cycle. Soon they may be in-structing them to purchase thelatest editions of textbooks de-livered right to an e-reader de-vice.

There are several advantagesto having textbook material

available for e-readers. The first,and most obvious, is the weightissue. The average college stu-dent takes 5 classes per semes-ter. That can equal 5 or moretextbooks to purchase, eachweighing several pounds. A stu-dent has the potential to be car-rying 50 pounds on his or herback at any given time, and thatcan lead to injury. In compari-son, most e-readers weigh just afew ounces and can hold a thou-sand books or more, dependingon file size. A student can carryall of the required textbooksright in a back pocket.

The next advantage is cost.While e-readers require an up-front cost of roughly $300, sometextbooks can cost as much. Al-though the cost of textbook ma-terial delivered to an e-reader isstill unknown, and likely basedon the individual publisher, itmay be more affordable than on-campus book store prices. Also,should a traditional textbook belost, a student has to repurchaseit. Many e-readers feature back-up ability, where a previouslypurchased book can be retrievedfree from a database or storagedevice.

Convenience is another factorfor e-books. Students simplybrowse wirelessly for their de-sired reading and download it inmere minutes. This is certainly

more time-efficient than waitingon long lines at the campusbookstore or waiting for books tobe delivered through the mailfrom online sources.

E-readers have the potentialto be successful for school use,but they need to have the sup-port of professors behind them.For a device like e-readers togarner broad acceptance, insti-tutions may need to make thedevices part of the school's re-quirements. This is similar tomany schools requiring all stu-dents own a laptop. Studentswho are unable to afford an e-reader may be subsidized for thedevice or be able to use studentloans to pay for them.

E-readers can be advanta-geous in the classroom and stu-dents can also use them for theirown personal purposes.

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Technology Helping Today'sStudents and Teachers

(MS) - Since the turn of thecentury, technology has changedjust about every aspect of life.Perhaps nowhere is that more ev-ident than in the increasing rateof cellular phone subscribers.

According to CTIA-The Wire-less Association(R), an interna-tional nonprofit representing thewireless communications indus-try, cell phone subscribers totaleda little more than 86 million in1999. By 2008, that figured hadballooned to more than 262 mil-lion, a staggering increase insuch a short period of time.

The growth of cell phone sub-scribers is indicative of the grow-ing reliance the world has placedon technology. Few people can en-vision the world before cellphones were so prevalent, eventhough such was the case as re-cently as 15 years ago.

While some scoff at society'sapparent dependence on technol-ogy, technology has paid innu-merable dividends in many areasof life, including the classroom.Students can now access more in-formation much more quicklythan their mothers and fatherscould when they were students.Such readily available access hashelped students and educators ina number of ways.

* Interactive Web sites canhelp kids better understandcoursework. The Internet hasboth its advantages and disad-vantages with respect to kids.One clear benefit is the use of in-teractive Web sites to help chil-dren learn. For example, childrencan now visit a Web site, read astory for class and then answerquestions pertaining to whatthey just read. When done with agiven quiz or questionnaire, kidsare then shown how they fared.

In many cases, these post-quizbreakdowns show kids whichquestions they answered rightand which they answered incor-rectly.

Such interaction allows infor-mation to sink in instantly, as op-posed to waiting until the nextday in class when the materialsare discussed. Interactive Websites are available for most sub-jects, including math andspelling.

* Technology has helped im-prove the lines of communicationbetween students and teachers.Thanks to e-mail, today's educa-tors are more accessible thanever before. This is especially im-portant when considering today'skids tend to be busier than everbefore, with school and socialcommitments often making it dif-ficult for students to meet withtheir teachers for one-on-one in-struction. With e-mail, however,today's students can e-mail theirprofessors whenever a questionor issue regarding their study

arises. In many cases, e-mail ac-cess has improved the line ofcommunication between studentand teacher, especially amongstudents who might be too shy toask a question in the classroom.

* Technology has improvedkids' comfort level. Many momsand dads marvel at their kids'ability to adapt to computers. Buttoday's kids are not all naturalborn computer whizzes. Instead,they merely grew up with thetechnology and therefore find itmore natural to work with. Thishas helped improve children'scomfort level in the modern class-room, where computers have be-come increasingly prevalent.Nowadays, many kids are famil-iar, or at the very least ac-quainted, with computers beforethey enter kindergarten. As a re-sult, once they do begin schooland see computers in the class-room they're less likely to be in-timidated and more likely to feelright at home.

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Boost Your GPA the Easy Way(MS) -Grade point average, or

GPA, is a number that followsstudents through high schooland college. An often accuraterepresentation of a student'sacademic performance, GPA isalways changing, giving stu-dents constant opportunities toimprove as a result.

A GPA is a cumulative num-ber that represents grades as anumerical value divided by thenumber of courses taken. Thehigher a student's GPA, the bet-ter that student has performedin school. Colleges may baseacceptances on high school GPAand additional aptitude tests,including the SAT exam. Once ina college or university, a stu-dent's GPA can earn him or heracademic awards and advance-ments. Students hoping to boosttheir GPA should keep the fol-lowing tips in mind.

* Keep course load in mind.High schoolers may not be ableto dictate the number of classesthey take, but they can limittheir extracurricular activitiesor extra-credit projects. For col-lege students, don't try to packyour schedule full of classes. Toomany classes can make it diffi-cult to devote adequate studytime to each class. Taking sixclasses and getting a C in eachis less beneficial than taking fiveclasses and earning straight As.

* Focus on the big pictureinstead of just the grade. Whenin class, do your best to payattention, learn and study.Changing your approach to focuson learning, rather than havinga specific grade in mind, willlessen the pressure and makeyour goals more attainable.

* Don't procrastinate. Doassignments promptly to allowfor proofreading and reworking,if necessary. For example, if you

have a writing assignment due,give yourself time for rewrites.Chances are if you edit yourmaterial, the final copy will bebetter than the first draft. Doingthe assignment the night beforeit is due gives you little time forrevision.

* Ask the instructor for assis-tance. Use your teacher as asounding board for ideas. If youdo assignments early, you canget the teacher's feedback onwhether you're taking the rightpath or should explore anotherangle. Many teachers will bewilling to give advice or steeryou in the right direction. Thiscan easily boost your grade andshow him or her that you're put-ting in the effort.

* Give all classes equal atten-tion. Some college students padtheir schedule with one or two"easy" classes in an effort toboost their GPA. However, mosttimes there's no such thing as aneasy class. Taking Introductionto Astronomy or Horseback Rid-ing 101 simply because youthink it will be a breeze maybackfire, especially if you don'tput the same level of effort intothe course. That "easy" coursecan quickly turn difficult ifyou're getting Ds because of lackof effort.

* Participate in class. Manyteachers and professors factorclass participation into theirgrading method. So while testsand homework may be impor-tant, the extra factor can beclass participation. Don't expectto sit mum all semester and geta great grade. Your teacherwants to hear from you. Partici-pation also can make absorbingthe material easier becauseyou're actively involved insteadof playing a spectator's role.

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Financing Your Child's Future College Prep Tips forHigh School Juniors

(MS) - Saving enough moneyfor a child's college education isa concern so great many parentsbegan planning even beforetheir first child was born. Theescalating costs of a college edu-cation make such concerns whol-ly understandable.

According to the CollegeBoard, a nonprofit aiming toconnect students to college suc-cess and opportunity, a year oftuition and room and board at aprivate four-year college in 2010increased by nearly five percentto $26,273. Public institutions,where room and board andtuition cost nearly $7,000 in2010, increased by nearly sixpercent.

Those numbers figure toincrease dramatically for chil-dren born in 2010. While it'simpossible to predict exactlywhat a college education willcost for a child entering school in2028, the College Board's 2008

"Trends in College Pricing"report estimated the cost oftuition and room and board at aprivate four year university tobe roughly $85,000 in 2028, acost that escalates to nearly$100,000 by the time the stu-dent reaches his or her senioryear.

Such statistics can be scary,particularly in the current eco-nomic climate in which manyfamilies find themselves strug-gling to get by. However, thereare ways to save for college thatcan make the aforementionedfigures and predictions far lessdaunting.

* Start now. As previouslymentioned, many expecting par-ents started saving for collegeeven before their first child wasborn. Such savings don't need tobe too complex. For instance,assuming an eight percentannual return, parents who sim-ply put $100 month into a sav-

ings account for 18 years willearn $48,000 by the time those18 years are up.

* Consider stocks when build-ing a college savings portfolio. Itmight seem as though the cost ofcollege is rising faster thaninflation. This is actually true.As a result, portfolios that relyon stocks can be an investor'sideal way to build the most sav-ings long term. As a child's firstday of college draws closer, shel-ter any returns with less riskypropositions such as bonds.

* Seek professional assis-tance. Television advertisementshave increasingly noted the easewith which investors can handletheir own portfolios. While port-folios might be more accessiblethan they once were, for manypeople the investment game isstill as confusing as ever. Amutual fund is managed by aprofessional in accordance withthe fund's investment objective.This allows investors to choose afund that matches their owngoals and objectives whileaffording them the freedom fromwatching the markets daily andworrying with each and everydip in the market.

* Open a 529 savings plan. A529 plan is designed to encour-age saving for the future highereducation expenses of a desig-nated beneficiary. Certain quali-fied withdrawals are now free offederal tax, and many plansallow account holders to save inexcess of $200,000 per benefici-ary. No income or age restric-tions apply, so a 529 can startregardless of how much parentsearn or how old their beneficiaryis.

* Don't forget to save forretirement. As daunting as thecost of a college education 18years from now might seem,tomorrow's college students willhave far more resources for pay-ing for that education thanretirees will have for getting byin their golden years. When sav-ing for the future, parents mustremember to save for their ownfuture as well.

(MS) - High school students,particularly high school seniors,anxiously anticipate their nextstep after high school. With thefreedom and excitement of col-lege just around the corner, it'sno wonder high school seniorsoften catch a case of "senioritis"as the school year carries on.

With university acceptanceletters already in hand, manyseniors might be able to relaxsomewhat and enjoy their wan-ing days of high school withfriends. High school juniors,however, can use their third yearof high school to set themselvesapart from their classmates aswell as the competition at otherschools. Taking the followingtips to heart will not only helpkids gain entry into the school oftheir choice, but possibly helpthem gain some financial assis-tance as well.

* Consult a guidance coun-selor. While smaller high schoolsmight feel more like a tight-knitcommunity in which everyoneknows one another, larger highschools can make it difficult forstudents to connect to the facul-ty at their disposal. This is espe-cially challenging for a stu-dent/guidance counselor rela-tionship. High school studentsmight not have needed theirguidance counselor much duringtheir first two years of highschool, but a guidance counselorshould be sought out once junioryear begins. Guidance coun-selors can help students choosethe right courses as well as giveadvice on which standardizedtests certain colleges require foradmission. Guidance counselorsmight also be able to steer kidstoward colleges the studentsmight be interested in, helpingto get the ball rolling on thatprocess.

* Study for standardizedtests. Too many high school jun-iors feel the SAT or ACT examsare something to be worriedabout after junior year. While it

can be a good approach to takethese exams very early in thesenior year of high school, stu-dents should begin studying forstandardized tests no later thanjunior year of high school. Thelocal bookstore sells exam prepa-ration books and a student's ownschool might even providepreparatory classes. The morefamiliar a student gets with theformat of the SAT or ACT examsthe more comfortable that stu-dent is likely to be when itcomes time to take the actualtest.

High school juniors hoping togain early admission to theiruniversity of choice should con-sult their guidance counselor asto when the best time is to takethe standardized tests thatschool requires. Early admis-sions decisions typically come inlate fall, so students who havenot taken standardized tests intime might not qualify foradmission if those test scoresare not accessible by the earlyapplication deadline.

* Visit schools. High schoolstudents often have no ideawhat to expect from the collegeexperience. With that in mind, itcan be very difficult to choosepotential schools. High schooljuniors can remove some of themystery by visiting schoolsthroughout their third year ofhigh school. On-campus visitsand open-house events provide aglimpse of what college life islike at different schools and canbegin to give high school stu-dents ideas as to what they mayor may not like about certainschools.

For high school students whocannot make a campus visit,visit the schools' Web sites andfill out requests for information.When doing so, list potentialareas of study that might be ofinterest and request additionalinformation about those courses.

* Research different loans,grants and scholarship opportu-nities. High school juniors mightbe surprised to learn the num-ber of scholarship, loan andgrant opportunities available tothem. Oftentimes, locally basedscholarships and grants havevery specific requirements. Highschool juniors should researchsuch requirements to ensurethey have a chance at earningscholarships and grants thatcould help reduce the increas-ingly costly burden of attendinga college or university.

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1st GradePlease label all items includ-

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All - not blue or white schoolglue

12 glue sticks2* boxes of crayons, #242 boxes of tissues, 200 count

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12 #2 pencils, sharpened1 set of 8 primary colored broad-

tip markers (Crayola brand)1 plastic school box (Space-

maker size from Wal-Martfits our desks)

1 box Ziploc bags (gallon, quart,or sandwich size)

2 pink pearl erasers1 set of long colored pencils1 pair of Fiskar scissors4 3-pronged pocket folders (1

red, 1 yellow, 1 blue & 1green)

1 - 1/2-inch or 1-inch 3-ringbinder

1 package of Post-it notes - 3"x3"1 composition book1 box of gallon and 1 box of

quart size Ziploc bags (BOYSONLY)

1 box of sandwich size Ziplocbags and 1 container of babywipes (GIRLS ONLY)

For Art Class1 sharpened pencil1 pink eraser1 hand-held pencil sharpener

DO NOT LABEL the itemsthat go to art class, Ziploc bagboxes or tissues.

2nd Grade1 large book bag (to hold books,

notebooks, etc.)1 4 oz. bottle white glue (Elmer's

recommended, no gel)4 glue sticks1 box of crayons - #24 (Crayola

recommeneded)2 boxes 200 count tissues24 #2 pencils, sharpened1 set of 8 primary broad-tip

markers, washable, no fluo-rescent

1 zippered bag for pencils, not acardboard box, cloth is best

2 large pink pearl rubbererasers

1 set long colored pencils, sharp-ened

4 pocket folders w/3hole fasten-

ers (plain, no pictures 1 eachof blue, red, yellow & green)

1 black fine point Sharpiemarker (not ultra-fine)

1 pair pointed Fiskar scissorsw/plastic handles (6"-7" long)

1 box of zip-lock freezer bags(students whose last namebegiin with A-L - quart size;students whose last name be-gins with M-z - gallon size)Bags should be zip toclose and not fold to close

1 spiral wide-ruled notebookwithout perforated pages - 70pages

1 composition book - marbled, 9-3/4"x7-1/2" - 100 sheets

3 package of light-colored Post-itbrand notes - 3"x3" (1 pack-age = 90 sheets)

For Art Class1 Crayola washable watercolor

paint set.1 package of two (2) colored fine-

point Sharpie markersPlease, no Trapper Keepers!

3rd GradeNo notebooks or Trapper

Keepers due to limited storagespace1 book bag (please label with

name)1 4 oz. bottle of Elmer's school

glue4 small glue sticksCrayons, Markers, & Colored

Pencils (classic colors)24 #2 pencils2 boxes of tissues, 200 count1 school box - small plastic box

(8x5)4 plain 2-pocket folders with 3

brass fasteners - red, green,yellow & blue

1 large plastic coated 2-pocketfolder for homework - to bereplaced as needed

1 pair of sharp medium sizedscissors (not small)

1 box of Ziploc baggies (A-Mbring gallon size; N-Z bringquart size)

1 wide ruled spiral notebook1 black Sharpie marker1 package of wide-ruled note-

book paper2 packages of Post-it type notes -

3"x3" any colorFor Art Class1 Crayola washable watercolor

paint set1 package of two (2) ultra fine

point Sharpies (black)1 box Crayola colored chalk

Bring all supplies at begin-ning of school. Please routinelyask your child about his/her sup-plies - some will need to be re-plenished throughout the year.

Do not label materials withnames (this will be completed atschool)

Individual teachers may re-quest additional items whenschool begins.

Carl Sandburg Elementary St. Mary School Registrationjg-tc.com Journal Gazette & Times-Courier Back to School 2010 � 3

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SAT. 8:30-4:30Dr. Kelly

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with CR-39 Lenses)Many other packages available. Call usfor details. Coupon expires 09/12/10.

Registration for St. MarySchool will be held on Wednes-day, August 4, from

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. andThursday, August 5, from 1:00p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Even if youhave pre-registered, you MUSTofficially register your child dur-

ing registration hours.Parents of first time students

are asked to bring a copy of theirchild’s county birth certificate.Students entering Preschool forthe first time and Kindergartenare required to have a schoolphysical before entering school.

Students entering Kindergartenare also required to have a den-tal and eye exam. Students en-tering 2nd grade are required tohave a dental exam.

Late registration will beginon Friday, August 6 at 8:30 a.m.

Be Smart: Stay School-Bus Safe2 � Back to School 2010 Journal Gazette & Times-Courier jg-tc.com

Kindergarten1 large book bag (large enough


1 box crayons - regular size (no

more than 24 count)1 box Crayola markers - Primary

colors, washable (8 count)2 glue sticks1 box tissues (100 count size)

*There will be additionalitems requested by your child'sclassroom teacher on the firstday of school. Please label bookbag, coats, gloves, etc. some-where on the inside.

Early Childhood1 large book bag (large enough


1 8-count box regular size Cray-ola crayons

1 pkg. Playdough brand play-dough

2 boxes of Kleenex3 Elmer's glue sticks1 box snack item1 container juice mix, jug of

juice, or sugar free Koolaidmix

1 complete change of clothes(pants, shirt, underwear,socks)Please label book bag, coats,

gloves, etc. somewhere on the in-side.

• Thomas Kinkade- Puzzles- Throws- Lamps- Bible Covers- Mugs and more!

• Fabric & Notions• Scrapbooking Supplies

-Over 1000 Stamps

217-268-5144 Hrs: M-F 8-5; Sat. 8-3Closed on Sunday

400E CR200N • Arcola, IL5 Miles West of Arcola on Springfield Road

• Wooden Toys- Barns- Trucks - Horses - Skidsters - Many More! HUGE

SelectionOver Six Room’s Full

Women, Men & Children’s Name Brands

Bridal SelectionsHouse Hold Items

Toys • ShoesJewelry • Purses

N Style Resale Shop

1 Mile East of Coles Moultrie516 E. Dewitt

Tues-Fri 10-5 • Sat 10-3

(MS) - School buses are es-sential modes of transportation,taking thousands of students toand from school every day. Whileschool bus accidents are rare,riders should still practice safetyaboard and around the bus.

In the early days of educa-tion, students were educated inlocal schools within walking dis-tance. If they needed to travel, itwas by horse-drawn wagon. Asthe nation's roadways began toevolve, so did the methods of

getting children to school. Even-tually school buses became thenorm.

In an effort to prevent in-juries, representatives from 48states met in 1939 to establishsafety standards for schoolbuses. Since then, several meet-ings, known as the NationalConferences on School Trans-portation, have taken place tomodify safety procedures andstandards.

In addition to safety proce-

dures regarding ridership,school buses are built with cer-tain standards in mind. Mirrors,lights, braking systems and thelike are regulated to provide theutmost safety to passengers.While catastrophic accidents in-volving school buses are veryrare, buses are built to handlemuch more than the occasionalrun-ins with passenger cars andlight trucks.

Maintaining school bussafety is a team effort. Students

need to do their part while rid-ing the bus. Here are the safetyprecautions that should be fol-lowed.

* Walk to the bus stop, don'trun.

* Always use caution whencrossing roadways.

* Walk on the sidewalk when-ever possible. If no sidewalk ispresent, walk in the opposite di-rection of traffic to be aware ofon-coming traffic.

* Don't fool around at the busstop. Accidents can happenwhen individuals are unaware oftheir surroundings or distracted.

* Stand at the bus stop in asafe location. Do not enter thestreet.

* Arrive at the bus stop earlyso there is no need to rush andbe distracted.

* Wait for the school bus tocome to a complete stop and forother traffic to halt before ap-proaching the bus.

* Promptly take a seat, andremain seated throughout the

entire ride. If there are safetybelts present, use them.

* Do not distract the busdriver with loud yelling, music,etc.

* Don't throw anythingaround the bus.

* Keep the aisle clear toavoid tripping hazards.

* Follow the driver's instruc-tions in the event of an emer-gency.

* Remain seated until thebus has stopped at a particulardrop-off location.

* When exiting the bus, takethree steps away from the bus sothat visibility of the driver is im-proved.

* Watch for traffic whencrossing the street. Always crossin front of the bus.

* If something is forgotten onthe bus, don't try to run backand retrieve it. The driver maynot expect a student to be re-turning to the bus.

Mark Twain School


6th Grade5-2 pocket folders2 packages of loose-leaf filler

paper1 pkg. colored pencils1 pkg. markers1 pair of scissors (sharp point)2 glue sticks3 boxes of tissues (Kleenex


1" 3 ring binder Or TrapperKeepers

4 single subject notebooks 5-3 ring folders for binder20 pencils2 black/blue pens2 red pens4 highlighters (different colors)2 Pink Pearl eraserCalculator TI 30 XA or TI 30

IIXS preferredBlack Sharpie1 pkg. of 8 binder dividers1 1/2” 3 Ring Binder

7th Grade2 packages of loose-leaf lined

paper3-1 subject notebook5-2 pocket plastic folders1-2" binderInk pens black/blue/red

Pencils (if mechanical purchaselead)

Highlighters (3 colors)Pkg. of markers (thick)Pkg. of colored pencils2 glue sticks2 boxes of tissues (Kleenex


2 black sharpie markers (art)2 Pink Pearl eraser (art)Calculator TI 30 XA2 composition notebooksPencil pouch for binder

8th Grade3 - 1" binders1 single subject notebook3 packages of loose-leaf notebook

paper2 composition notebook8 pkg. subject dividers24 pencils6 black pensColored pencils2 boxes of tissues (Kleenex

brand has box tips for educa-tion)

2 black sharpie markers (art)Pink Pearl eraser (art)Calculator TI 30 XA1 Highlighter1 pkg of 2x2 post it notes

Mattoon Middle SchoolMany parents feel early en-

rollment in school is a good firststep for kids' academic careers.But some experts warn that toomuch, too soon may not be theway to lay the ground work of asuccessful academic career.Some believe that waiting untila child is age 6 for formal educa-tion provides the best opportu-nity for learning advantages.

According to a British studypublished in The Cambridge Pri-mary Review in October 2008,the concensus was that formalschooling should be delayeduntil children reach 6. The find-ings offered that trying to teachliteracy and math at a youngage is counterproductive. If chil-dren under 6 are in school pro-grams, they should continue tolearn through play-based initia-tives.

An early start in school isn'tnecessarily a good start. Chil-dren may show the maturity andthe social readiness to attendschool, but they may not havethe capacity to grasp conceptsoutside of their play-based way

of learning. Forcing informationon a child who is not ready couldset him or her up for aversion toschool.

What's more, there's no evi-dence that early schooling pro-duces a more educated child inthe long run. Many countries inEurope start school later thanBritain or the United States.Finland, for example, begins for-mal training at age 7. Whenstudied, children who startedschool at the age of 6 or 7 oftenovertook English pupils in testsof reading before the start of sec-ondary education.

Parents who have littlechoice but to enroll children indaycare/pre-school programs be-cause they work should look forcurriculums that feature the fol-lowing:

* Emphasis on play-basedlearning, with more time gearedto kids being kids than sittingbehind a desk.

* Access to a computer, sinceso much of students' lives in-volve computer literacy.

* Opportunities to go outside

and play when weather permits.* Interaction with books so

parents can read with their chil-dren and spend time together.

* Limited focus on gradesand performance. Does a 3-year-old child really need a reportcard?

* Activities that involve thefamily so Mom and Dad are par-ticipating in their child's educa-tion.

* Small class sizes, optimaliz-ing the teacher-to-student ratio.

* A relaxed atmosphere withthe time and space to explorephysical and social environ-ments.

Some children are naturallymore advanced than others andmay benefit from earlier, morestructured schooling. However,the vast majority will do fineduring their academic career ifthey begin formal education atage 6. That doesn't mean thatchildren can't attend school at 5.The programs should just be beless structured and more play-based.

When's the Right Time forChildren to Start School?

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