Current Connection 2.1

In an article entitled "Elementary School Cafeteria Goes Vegetarian", posted at ABC News.com, Alyssa Newcomb tells the story of an Elementary School of New York being one of the first in the nation to go meatless; therefore, creating healthy lifestyles for children!

Principal Bob Groff of  P.S. 244, Active Learning Elementary School says that because the students are tought throughout the curriculum about different food choices; they "understand what is happening and believe in" what is being done. Students of this elementary school, learning to live a healthy lifestyle, will use this knowledge of what certain foods contain, and how these foods effect the human body. With this knowledge, children will be able to identify different foods as beneficial and non-beneficial; healthy or fattening; or, good or bad.

He also informs that different recipes were "experimented with small groups of students". In order to provide a menu best for students, different hypothesis were created, and tested. At last! The results of a beautiful experiment was perfected, and children enjoy their school lunches! Foods such as; chickpeas, kidney beans, and tofu, full of nutrients and proteins, are provided for students, helping their bodies and minds grow. Food that is provided is beneficial and enjoyable!

However, children still have a choice to bring their lunches, containing anything would like to. Alyssa Newcomb explains that if the students do not like the "herbivore-friendly grub... they're always welcome to pack thier own lunch, including meat". Principle Groff also explains that "..it isn't just about having a vegetarian menu... it's about living a healthy lifestyle and educating students on what is out there". Providing healthy choices, students have the option to choose what they want, while making high calorie, fat, and sodium foods more difficult to make a first choice. If students want to pack their lunches and bring fried twinkies, they can.

Getting children into the habit of eating healthy food is something that would be great for schools nation wide! I, a fried chicken lover, and a sucker for anything fattening or high in sodium, try my best to eat as healthy as possible. My family suffers from heart disease, high colesterol, and high blood pressure. To avoid these diseases, I dodge the bullets. Some bullets are from snipers, and they sneak up on you at a family dinner. Everyone knows you are not allowed to turn down grandma's home-made pies. While other bullets, being shot from bebee guns; however, are easier to see coming, weaker, and are much easier to dodge. Avoiding the snack food isle in Wal-Mart is not as difficult. Eating well is good for you in several ways. Educating children about healthy food choices will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Not only will it help them, but develop stronger communities as well.

Healthy ways makes happy days! Spread the education about healthy food choices and maybe our schools can be just as lucky to have the oppertunity to have the excellent variety of good, hearty, healthy, foods like the others. Although healthy transitions would be amazing, it is not a crime to eat a Snickers on a bad day. Cure your inner diva!
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Works Cited

Alyssa Newcomb. "Elementary School Cafeteria Goes Vegetarian". ABC News. 1 May 2013. Web. 1 Nov. 2013.

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Current Connection: 1.2

Is your child over scheduled? In Bruce Feiler's "Overscheduled Children: How Big a Problem?" he tells his struggle with determining what is too little, too much, or not enough for his children; extra curricular and after school activity wise. 

Feiler has talked to authors and specialists to find the best amount of extra activities is best for his children. Days can end up "over stuffed", while others are "wide open". Some days there is so much to do, there are activities that have to eliminated from the day in order to get the most important ones done. Play dates are canceled in order to make it to piano practice. Wide open days are the opposite; however, these days you find yourself watching reality TV shows you are just watching to waste time. But how crucial are these overstuffed days to your children?

In recent years, there has been some "backlash" to these views. With scholars releasing studies showing the benefits of extracurricular activities, whether paid for out of school budgets or parents’ pockets, there are several articles posted with the title of, “The Overscheduled Child Myth.” Still, the more common headline reads: “10 Signs Your Kid Is Too Busy.” Feiler, a work at home dad, described himself as "frustrated" and "confused" from these messages.  Being a work at home dad, he is often the one taking children to soccer, and ballet practices, but when do you know if or when your child is over worked?

Feiler talked to specialists, and authors to find out. Michael Thompson, a clinical psychologist and the author of “The Pressured Child,” attempted to put him at ease by telling him, “As a general principle, there is a line between a highly enriched, interesting, growth-promoting childhood and an overscheduled childhood,” he said. “And nobody knows where that line is.” No parent is perfect; although, most strive to be. All that can be done is to attempt to do the best you can by doing what you can. Determining the fine line between making a child an overscheduled child, or an under achiever could drive you crazy. It is simply difficult, and maybe even impossible. 

I would rather have days that are wide open rather than overstuffed. Days that I am overstuffed, benefit me in some ways, but always have me stressed to the max. Taking care of mental well being is far more important than achievements; in my opinion. I, a mother, student, and employee; find a lot of days that are overstuffed. Overstuffed days can be crucial to that well being. 

Although you want your children to take in all they can; paying attention to whether they want to be involved in the activities they are involved in, and have enough time to express themselves is important. It is okay to have days that are wide open. 

Current Connection 1.1

"Rating Colleges"

In Eliza Gray's article entitled, "Education Secretary: Colleges Need Grades Too", posted at Time U.S., she informs us all of a new rating system being developed to rate universities by quality of education.

Eliza states that colleges that "keep their tuition down and are provding high quality education are the ones that are going to see their tax payer funding go up". Keeping tuition low gives middle class residents a chance to get a higher education, and high quality education ensures that everyone is getting the education that they are paying for. Every student deserves the best learning experience possibly given.

In essence, the rating system will "help students and parents figure out which colleges offer the best chance of graduating and the best value". The Administration is to help colleges become more affordable for students from different classes, and different backgrounds. Whether you come from a wealthy family with everything, or a poor family with almost nothing; that shouldn't have to limit your oppertunities. With this rating system, parents and students will figure out which colleges are of their best interest, and best benefit.

According to Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, "only 40% of jobs in America can be done with a just a high school degree and two thirds of those jobs pay a salary of $25,000 or less". The time of high school degrees giving a living wage is over. This is why the rating system "which has not been developed yet" will benefit those who are the most needy, and who are less likely to graduate from college. The middle class is beginning to say that college is meant for wealthier families.

Whether you want to join the Peace Corp, or be a doctor, you should be able to do what makes you happy. I think that the rating system is a great idea. Making a system to ensure you get a good education of an affordable expense ensures that not more people will be more educated! It will benefit not only students, but citizens getting serviced by these people that have been educated and specilize in what they do, because of the rating system!