SR #4- Waiting for Baby Jimmy!

My oldest brother James (I call him Jimmy though) and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their first baby. They found out it was a boy and they decided to name him James Blake (nicknamed Jimmy). He will be sharing the name with my brother, my dad, and Elizabeth's dad. That's a lot of James'! 

I'm super excited to become an aunt because I'm the youngest so I never got to be around babies. I am getting very impatient though because he was due on June 8 and it's now the 13th. What's taking to so long, kid? 

I just want him to be healthy so I suppose he can be born whenever he wants, but I want to see him now!

CE #4- Cafeterias Try to Curb Obesity

Childhood obesity is a major issue in the United States. The New York Department of Health did some research to see if they could encourage students to buy fruits and veggies instead of junk food.

They thought the problem was the cost, but they soon discovered that it was all about the presentation and marketing of healthy foods that boosted sales. Good lighting, prominent locations, and verbally asking students to purchase fruit or juice boosted sales a lot!

Many schools aren't sure how to tackle the issue of growing childhood obesity. Some think that they should just cut out cookies and french fries completely, but others argue that children will just get their fix elsewhere. The Department of Agriculture has been given $2 million to conduct more research on healthier food options. Several ideas to decrease child obesity are: smaller portions, paying in cash, or allowing parents to limit what their children can buy on their lunch card. 

I don't buy lunch in the cafeteria, but I have been through the lunch line, and I have to say that the presentation of fruits/veggies or healthy entrees is not good at all. It's hard to expect kids to pick healthy foods when the cookies are right next to the cash register and there are lights shining on the french fries. I think it would definitely help if healthier food options were placed in a more prominent location or the lunch ladies encouraged students to buy them. 

Read the article here. 

SR #3- Cincinnati, here I come!

After months of writing essays, taking SATs, completing applications, and interviewing, I have finally found my college home at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

My dad grew up in Cincinnati and went to this college and while he's been an avid Bearcat Football supporter for as long as I can remember, I never imagined that I would be going to the very same school as him.

Honestly, it surprises me that I will be attending a college so far away from home in a state where I don't have any family members at all, but I think I can handle the challenge. I chose Cincinnati because of the amazing business program that I will be apart of and all of the great opportunities I will receive as a student there.

After watching so many siblings grow up and go off to college, I'm excited to finally get to do it too. I can't wait for the chance to be on my own. It will be an adjustment starting over at a new school where I don't know anyone, because I've never had to do it before, but I'm hoping it will all go fine. Good luck to everyone, wherever you may go!

Go Bearcats!

CE #3 Florida's Standardized Test Issues

NCS Pearson, one of the largest education companies in the world, was responsible for scoring the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (similar to Virginia's SOLs), but they have encountered issues with scoring.

These setbacks have caused a lot of problems for Florida's schools. Results have been delayed which makes it difficult to plan curriculums and to decide who to hire. All of these decisions had been previously made with the test data.

Another issue this year, is that only one reader was hired to grade all of the essays. In the past, 2 readers were hired and an average score was given. This practice was stopped to save money.

The author of this opinion piece sought another opinion from Todd S. Farley who used to work in the Standardized Testing business.

Farley states that ALL standardized tests experience scoring problems, but the public only hears about several (like bad SAT scores). He believes that tests that bear so much weight on a student's future should be graded by humans rather than machines.

I thought this was an interesting article because it is very relevant to me as a student. I have been frustrated by tests that are graded electronically, because sometimes there are errors that don't get picked up and my grades can suffer from it.

Click here for the article