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The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
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News Online
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Start Talking… Know! Transition Increases Risk
8/21/2017 - While there is much excitement about the start of a new
school year, there may be much apprehension and anxiety as well. This
may be especially so for youth entering their first year of middle or
high school, and for adolescents of any age transitioning to a new
school (because of a move or several other reasons). The thought of
unfamiliar...
read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… A funny thing happened on the way to New
Hampshire,
By Aprill Brandon - Family vacations are a funny thing. Essentially all
you are doing is taking a group of people who are together all the time
and plopping them down… Hi! Um...hi… Where was I? Oh yes, and plopping
them down into a new location. But this simple act of geography change
can… Hello! Uh...hello? That was weird. Anyway, as I was saying, this
simple act of taking you...
read
more.
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Prioritizing
Education As the New School Year Begins
It’s hard to believe, but another school term has begun. With summer
winding down and more school buses on the streets, students all across
Ohio are entering the classroom again or beginning a new chapter in
their educational journey. College students and those in vocational or
tech schools are also gearing up for a new school year. As state
legislators, one...
read
more.
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The
Great Darke County Fair… Nothing else holds a candle, By
Bob Robinson
Rain or shine, excited or tired, happy or grumpy… we see it all at the
annual Great Darke County Fair. What I find so fascinating about this
annual 9-day event, is the bringing together and hard work of so many
diverse populations. Happy, grumpy or otherwise. There are local
vendors and those who travel the county fair circuits, offering
everything from... read
more.
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The Drug Epidemic… This Could Work! By Kate Burch
Probably no one above the age of ten is unaware that we are in the
midst of a “heroin epidemic.” That is actually a misnomer, as
heroin is no longer the most dangerous drug of abuse. Fentanyl, a
highly potent opioid, and the drug that killed the performer Prince, is
now the most circulated and most abused addictive drug. Its
derivative, carfentanil, is... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! The Trending Online Suicide Game:
Blue Whale Challenge
8/9/2017 -- There’s yet another online trend catching the attention of
tweens and teens around the world. It’s called the Blue Whale
Challenge. But unlike some of the fun, harmless challenges we’ve seen
in the past, the Blue Whale Challenge poses dire consequences. To win
this game is to take one’s own life. This social media game that is
being accessed through Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook...
read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… It’s time we had the talk, By
Aprill Brandon
Hey. Hi. How are you doing? Busy? Yeah, me too. But if you have a
minute, could you come over here? *pats couch* Oh, you’d rather stay
there? Sure, no problem. We can just do this right here in the kitchen
then. Look, I know this won’t be easy. But it’s time. We’ve put this
off for long enough. I know, I know. I’ve been dreading it too.
But...sigh... We... read
more.
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The
legacy we leave to our kids, By Bob Robinson
Remember Art Linkletter’s “Kids Say the Darndest Things”? I thought the
comments were hilarious… or maybe it was just the looks Linkletter
panned for the camera. Don’t know… I just know I laughed a lot. The
show has been gone for decades; it’s been replaced by Internet
offerings from dozens of different sources. I checked some of them out.
Hmm… With only a few... read
more.
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Microsoft’s
Plan to Expand Broadband Would Benefit Rural Americans,
Alden Abbott - August 07, 2017 - The growth of “broadband” (or high
speed) internet access has bestowed enormous benefits on the American
economy. Roughly 300 million Americans have access to
broadband—increasingly on mobile devices—which enables them to buy and
sell goods and services; carry out business transactions; connect with
clients, friends, and relatives; and obtain...
read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! Body Image Matters
8/1/2017 - Summer is a season of sleeveless tops, shorts and bathing
suits, so what better time than now to talk with youth about their body
image. Body Image is the way individuals think and feel about their own
body, as well as how they perceive others to think and feel about their
appearance. Heavily influenced by family, friends and media, one’s... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… What My Kids Did On My Summer Vacation,
By Aprill Brandon
Hey! Hi! How are you?! We are Aprill’s kids! And we want to tell you
all about what we did on our summer vacation. This summer was great! We
did so many fun things! And we did all those fun things for roughly an
hour and 15 minutes before having dual marathon meltdowns! Mommy said
this was because when we get overstimulated we turn into evil swamp... read
more.
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Darke County Commissioners… Perspective: Dispatch/9-1-1 Emergency
Services
In the last few months, there has been a tremendous amount of
misleading information concerning the proposal and the operation of the
dispatch/9-1-1 emergency service that was discussed between the County
and the City. During this time, there have been many opinions formed
based upon half information, tidbits of fact, and emotions... read
more.
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What
is Independence Day? By Abigail Bond, Edison
Communications Student
On July 4th 2017 I attended the annual parade on Miami Street in West
Milton, Ohio. I walked the street asking 12 children the same question,
“why are we here today?”. Many of the children would beam, saying
excitedly, “for the parade!” and others would say “for the candy!” They
were all very enthusiastic and were enjoying the celebratory
activities... read
more.
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Voters
to be asked for emergency communications levy
July has been a very busy month in the Commissioner’s office. We have
had parades, and festivals to attend, along with the regular business
of the County. The month started on the 1st with the Ansonia 4th of
July parade. Finally, the parade had excellent weather, and a good
crowd was on hand. The parades that we attend are always a fun time
for... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Pause, Breathe, Think, Act
7/26/2017 - In a previous Know! tip, the Effect of Peer Presence, we
discussed the fact that the mere presence of peers can lead a young
person to take risks he or she wouldn’t normally take on their own, and
that the main culprit is the adolescent brain and its underdeveloped
self-control center. In addition to parental supervision and extra... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Boogers: A love story, By
Aprill Brandon
There are a lot of mysteries in this world we have yet to solve. Why do
we all accept kale as food when clearly it’s gross? Why do we all
remember it as Berenstein Bears and not Berenstain Bears? Why do we all
hate Anne Hathaway and her stupid face so much? And then there’s black
holes and stuff. But while there are a million think pieces on Anne’s... read
more.
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If
you could just learn how to behave, By Susan Olling
This piece runs the gamut. Fasten your seatbelts, and read on.
There are mystifying lists of the best you-fill-in-the-blank. Who
takes them seriously? Someone ranked the top twenty
expensive, overrated tourist destinations. Mount Rushmore made
the list. Really? Washington, D.C. did not. It
certainly isn’t cheap to visit here, and it’s very much
overrated. There... read
more.
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Great
memories to look back on, By Katie Hurd, Miss Annie Oakley
2016
This last year of 2016 was a roller coaster of events with the Miss
Annie Oakley contest. I had finally won after 3 years of trying, and
countless hours of practicing. This year was the best year for me
to win it. Why? I had just gotten my license, so my parents were happy
to not have to drive me everywhere and just let me go to the places I
needed to be at. The first three... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! Summer Freedom and its Challenges!
7/18/2017 -- It is normal and healthy for adolescents to seek increased
independence as they grow and develop. It is also normal for parents to
have a hard time letting go. Naturally, we worry about our children’s
health and safety and quite frankly, their ability to make good
decisions. However, in order for our children to become mature,
responsible, self-disciplined young people...
read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… And the award for World’s Worst Soccer Mom
goes to...
By Aprill Brandon - My toddler just started playing on a soccer team.
Of course, by “soccer” I mean allegedly a sport in other parts of the
world, and by “team” I mean a loose configuration of tiny humans who
run around confused and desperately try to avoid playing anything that
resembles “soccer.” It’s super fun (she types wishing there was a
sarcasm font). No, no. Really, it is... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! The Effect of Peer Presence
7/16/2017 - We all know the heavy influence peer pressure can have on a
tween/teen, especially when it comes to risk-taking behaviors like
drinking, smoking and using other drugs. But are you aware of the
impact the mere presence of peers can have on an adolescent’s
decision-making, without any coercing or encouragement at all?
Psychologists... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… 25 Things I Won’t Feel Bad About For Anymore,
By Aprill Brandon
I don’t know about you but it seems that I am always feeling bad about
something. An awkward social interaction, losing my patience with my
kids, eating anything that is not kale. I mean, not even 15 minutes
ago, I was feeling awful because I spilled lukewarm coffee on my
toddler and then dropped a meatball on my baby’s face. But the
older I get, the more... read
more.
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Claws
are Better for Paws, By Paige Burns
The domestication of cats began about 12,000 years ago, and today cats
are one of the most popular animals to have as pets. Because cats are
natural predators, they are born with sharp claws that are used to
catch their prey. As domestic pets, cats don’t necessarily need their
claws because they don’t need to catch their food. Without the need... read
more.
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Start Talking… Know! To STOP Sexting in its Tracks
6/30/2017 - In a previous tip, Know! Your Child’s Risk for Sexting, we
talked about the prevalence of teen sexting, the problems it can cause
and the importance of making this topic a priority in your
conversations with your pre-teens and teens. In this tip, we provide
parents with ideas on taking those conversations beyond, “You better
never…” Sexting... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… The Summer of Aprill! (And Hairy Russian
Bears!), By Aprill Brandon
This summer, you guys. This is the summer. The summer I will think back
on when I’m old in rosy, golden, Instagram hues. Full of sunsets and
ice cream on the porch and ridiculous neon-colored cocktails. My
husband and I, still somewhat youthful and virile, our two children
still small enough to be enchanted with bubbles and sprinklers; all of
us just... read
more.
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The birth of America,
By Bob Robinson
ANSONIA – “Why are you here?” I love asking that question… Memorial Day
Parade and Independence Day Parade. Beyond the usual – “it’s a parade”
or “the candy” – I never know what to expect. Lots of red, white and
blue. Adults and kids. Sunglasses, T-shirts, hair decorations! Big
smiles. Well… mostly. Got “the parade” a couple times, candy once;
even... read
more.
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Commissioner’s
Corner… Looking for a good
second half of 2017
The year is officially half over already. This first half of 2017 has
been a mix of either too wet, or too dry, and one day of 85, one day of
65. June though, overall has been good to Darke County. We hope that
the second half of 2017 is just as good. This month has been a little
slower in the Commissioner’s office compared to May. This scenario
seems to be the way it goes; not enough time...
read
more.
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The
Chance for Something Greater, by Will McCabe
“You are an incredible human being, you know that?” “You are one of a
kind.” “There is no one like you.” Those phrases ordinarily are said to
be uplifting. However, sometimes they can give the opposite effect.
Your uniqueness can overwhelm you, your differences stick out so much
so often that you feel isolated and alone. There is no one like you. As
a... read
more.
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Representative Steve Huffman… Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Ohio
Ohio’s most pressing and urgent issue is the drug abuse and addiction
epidemic that is ravaging our families and communities. Because the
crisis threatens the health of our entire state and has the potential
to prevent future growth, the Ohio House has taken great strides
towards facing its many challenges with a multifaceted approach. In the
House-passed version of the state operating budget...
read
more.
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Start
Talking! at summer camps
6/20/2017 -- Kids who hear about the dangers of drugs from trusted
adults are up to 50 percent less likely to use. Mentors at summer
camps, or band and sport camps, can support Ohio’s youth in making
healthy choices. Camp leaders can lead a Start Talking!discussion and
share the facts about the dangers of alcohol, illegal drugs and the
misuse of prescription medications... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Preschool, By Aprill Brandon
There are a lot of private decisions you make as a parent that you hope
and pray never become public, else it makes you look like a bad parent.
Like, say, letting them wear the same clothes three days in a row. Or
giving them crackers and jelly beans for dinner because you can’t
handle one more tantrum. Or letting them watch that third “Sesame
Street” episode... read
more.
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Who
Are We, Anyway? By Kate Burch
I have a son whose job has required that he and his family live in
Europe for the past four years. I recently went for a visit, and
they took Grandma along for a family vacation to Israel. This was
an extremely generous gift and the fulfillment of a long-held wish to
see Jerusalem. I was profoundly moved to learn about and experience the
holy sites in Jerusalem. However... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! Your Child's Risk for Sexting
6/15/2017 - As any parent or caregiver raising teenagers knows,
smartphones play a leading role in their daily lives. While social
media, apps and messaging provide a fun and highly accessible path to
connect and share with friends, such outlets also allow youth to
connect with those they should not be connecting with and share things
they should... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… 36 Things I’ve Learned in 36 Years,
By Aprill Brandon
1. Life is too short to waste time matching socks. 2. Small children
are the funniest people on the planet. 3. Humidity is dumb. 4. The best
thing you can save up your money for is a family vacation. I don’t
remember what gifts I got for my birthday three years ago or what I had
for breakfast yesterday or even where I set down my youngest child just
now... read
more.
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Message
to D.C. Visitors… Be Respectful, By Susan Olling
This contribution was intended to be about another topic, but something
from the Midwest changed it. For all tourists who drive to D.C. and
plan to park on the National Mall or the Tidal Basin, be warned.
The days of free parking will end on Monday, June 12. About
eleven hundred parking spaces on the Mall and the Tidal Basin will be
metered. Drivers will have to... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Bust Summer Boredom
6/7/2017 - Moving further into June, for many families, means that kids
are sitting around the house complaining of summer boredom. Annoying?
Yes. Potentially dangerous? You bet. While there is absolutely nothing
wrong with teens experiencing a little boredom, too much time on their
hands with “nothing to do” can lead to trouble, like experimenting... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Requiem for a nap, By Aprill
Brandon
It was all planned out. A perfect Friday. A beautiful summer day. A
much needed antidote to the stress and chaos of the four previous days.
All I needed to do was stick to the plan and we would slide easily into
the weekend. Just stick to the plan. Wake up. Breakfast. Episode of
“Sesame Street” to hypnotize the kids so I could squeeze in a
luxurious... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Talk Teen Stranger Danger
5/31/2017 - If you’re a parent or other caregiver of teens, you likely
have had repeated “stranger danger” talks with them when they were
younger. You taught them not to talk to strangers. You warned them not
to fall prey to the stereotypical child lure of being offered candy to
get into someone’s car, and so on. Those types of stranger danger
safety... read
more.
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Start Talking!... Know! What Your Kids Are Watching - 13
Reasons Why
5/23/2017 - Even if you haven’t heard of 13 Reasons Why, don’t assume
your pre-teen or teen hasn’t, and do approach this as if he/she may
have caught some, several or all 13 episodes. The controversy
surrounding this show is the subject matter and how it is being
addressed, including depression, bullying, emotional abuse, substance... read
more.
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Greenville
Police/Fire Dispatch
To the citizens of Greenville: The Greenville Police Department is in
full support of keeping the Police and Fire Dispatch center serving the
citizens of Greenville. We have a dedicated and well trained staff who
have the best interest of our citizens and businesses in mind. The GPD
is a nationally accredited police agency through CALEA (The
Commission... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Chores, By Aprill Brandon
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I’m guessing it has
something to do with a mother’s natural inclination to try to do
everything herself. I mean, it’s hard to juggle 37 things at once by
yourself. But it can often be harder to ask someone to jump in and
match your exact rhythm to help you keep all those balls in the air.
Mom: I need help!... read
more.
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Commissioners Corner… May brought student day, new hirings, new
businesses & more
May has certainly been a mixed bag of weather and happenings! One
day it is 40, followed by 70 the next day, then dumped on by rain,
followed by a day of sunshine, then more rain. I think May is
schizophrenic! We are hoping May will finally get its act
together so we can have some resemblance of a Spring! May has been very
busy here in the... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… The real battle of the sexes,
By Aprill Brandon
No matter how strong your relationship is, there will come a time when
your love is put to the test. And this moment will come when you least
expect it. It could be next Tuesday. Or a Saturday two months from now.
But it will happen. And it will happen right before dinner time. And it
will go down just like this: MAN: What do you want to eat? WOMAN: Oh, I
don’t... read
more.
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Huffman… Honoring America’s Fallen Soldiers this
Memorial Day
What does being an American mean to you? Each of us has our own ideas
of what makes up the character of our great nation, but there are
certain indivisible principles that we all hold dear. We are a people
who subscribe to the values of freedom and equality. Our heritage is
rooted in the belief that all men and women are entitled to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Prevent Huffing, Sniffing and
Bagging
5/17/2017 - What do nail polish, deodorant spray, permanent markers and
correction fluid all have in common? They are all items we would expect
to find in our children’s bedroom or study area, right? They certainly
are not products that would signal a red flag or cause us to question
their use - nor should they necessarily. However, each of... read
more.
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My
Love Note to Salewa, By Kate Young
“Nope do it again… No. Not like that. Again. Noooo.”
“Tell me what I’m doing wrong?!” “I need your foot in the middle of my
frame.” “Where’s the middle of your frame?!” “Move your foot
forward… A little more… Right there. Step right there.” “You’re a
dork”. If there was a mouse listening to my sister and me while
we filmed, this is the conversation he... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Focus On Mental Health
5/9/2017 -- If our pancreas has a chemical imbalance, we seek
treatment. If our kidneys are not physiologically working right, we
seek treatment. When our most complex organ, the brain, is not
physiologically working right or has a chemical imbalance, for some
reason we ignore or hide it. May is Mental Health Month; an opportunity
to break the negative stigma that surrounds mental illness... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… I’m wearing these yoga pants ironically,
By Aprill Brandon
It’s no secret that when you become a mom, you go through a bit of an
identity crisis. It can be hard to remember who you were when it feels
like who you are now is someone who spends all of her time cleaning up
mystery stains. Is that poop or chocolate? Apple juice or pee? I used
to be on a first name basis with the mayor and win journalism awards... read
more.
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Just
Because You’re Paranoid… By Kate Burch
We read these days about the “conspiracy theorists” claiming falsely
that there exists a “deep state” composed mostly of Obama
administration holdovers who are busily undermining the attempts of the
Trump administration to realize its goals. According to the
pundits, who are hand-in-glove with the “resistance,” all
right-thinking people are outraged by... read
more.
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NPR Ed… A Public University Acquires A Big
For-Profit, And Raises Big Questions,
By Anya Kamenetz - In a move that's being called "bold" and "out of the
blue," Indiana's Purdue University is acquiring the for-profit Kaplan
University. In announcing the deal last week, Purdue President Mitch
Daniels said it was designed to open the university up to a vast new
pool of students nationwide. "We cannot honor our land-grant mission in
the 21st century without reaching... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Arm Them with Education,
Motivation, Expectations and the X-Plan
-- 5/2/2017 -- In previous Know! tips, we discussed the prevalence of
underage drinking and the many negative consequences that can go along
with it. We also shared an important fact; young people who begin
drinking before the age of 15 are six times more likely to develop
alcoholism or have problems with alcohol later in life, compared to
those who wait until turning 21... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Oh, the places you’ve been, By
Aprill Brandon
My little brother is graduating high school. And yes, if you’re doing
the math in your head, let me just stop you right there. There is a 17
year gap in our ages. I joke that my mom needed that long to recover
from my birth and let’s just leave it at that instead of getting into
the whole “she was a single mom for a long time and then finally found
love” story. Besides, this... read
more.
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Start Talking! Students Awarded for Drug Prevention Videos
4/23/2017 - Five students from Genoa Area High School in Ottawa County
were recognized on April 20 by representatives from Drug Free Action
Alliance, the Start Talking! program and Verizon for submitting the
winning video in the Start Recording/Start Talking statewide video
contest. The top three videos and the students who produced them were... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… I called my kid a butthead in public,
By Aprill Brandon
There have been times in my writing career that I have slightly
exaggerated a story for comedic effect. Not much, mind you. Just a
detail or two, here or there. For instance, when my kids are driving me
insane, I don’t actually chug a whole bottle of whiskey. It’s half a
bottle, tops. So, with that said, let me assure you that what follows
below is not one... read
more.
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Ramblings of an Old Man… Why Teachers Teach, By Bob
Robinson
“They cheered.” “Huh?” “They cheered,” said the teacher. “When they
heard you were subbing today, the whole class cheered. They didn’t even
know they’d be seeing you.” She grinned when she saw the expression on
my face. Confused? Uh… yeah! The students had entered the room and I
had to focus on settling them down long enough to learn what their
teacher... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! April is Alcohol Awareness Month
4/12/2017 - The media has done a good job bringing to light the
prevalence and severity of the use of heroin, prescription drugs and
marijuana among our nation’s youth. But what about alcohol? We don’t
hear much about it in the news anymore. Is underage drinking still that
widespread? And is it really that big of a deal? YES and YES. Alcohol
remains... read
more.
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State Senator Bill Beagle… Modernizing Ohio's Child Support Guidelines
As a parent myself, as well as the chairman of the Ohio Commission on
Fatherhood, I know firsthand that all children deserve the best
possible quality of life in order to prepare them for the future. Child
poverty’s devastating effects on families, education and eventually
one’s ability to work are well documented. Improving financial support
for Ohio’s children is why I introduced Senate Bill 125, which aims... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Guess who’s negotiating for dinner?
By Aprill Brandon
I’m not exactly sure when it happened. I have a feeling it was
something like when you go broke: gradually, then all at once. But
somehow our nightly family dinners have turned into a one big
negotiation (occasionally escalating into a full-blown hostage
situation). It doesn’t matter what I make. It doesn’t matter how many
options I give. It doesn’t matter that... read
more.
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What
I learned at the Senior Job Fair, By Mike Stegall
Tuesday April 12th at the Greenville High School, seniors from most of
the schools in the county came to visit with, interview, and to be
interviewed by 15 of our fine businesses. Lisa Wendel, our
workforce specialist, has done a great job organizing and putting on
this event along with Melanie Nealeigh, the office coordinator.
The Economic Development office has... read
more.
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Ramblings of an Old Man… Loss of Innocence, By Bob
Robinson
“How old are you, Mr. Robinson?” 72. “Aww… nobody’s that old!” “Yeah,
they are,” says another… “My grandma’s older than that!” I assure the
students that, yes, I am that old and, when necessary, remind them…
“I’m an old man, right?” Right! “Have you ever heard the term, Grumpy
Old Man?” A few say no, a few say yes… but quite a few have heard... read
more.
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College
Credit Plus… What does “College-Ready” mean?
Are you interested in College Credit Plus for your son or daughter, but
aren’t sure if he or she is ready for college? Many parents who have
students in grades 7 through 12 are excited for this option, and their
sons and daughters are academically ready, but it’s important to
consider all of the aspects of being “college ready.” Here are just a... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! Puberty is a Brain-Changer
4/5/2017 - Cracking voices, body odor and wild mood swings - all
indicators of the long-awaited and sometimes dreaded period in every
adolescents’ life. We’re talking puberty. Most youth are well-aware of
the physical changes they can expect their bodies to go through, but do
they know the impact of puberty on their brains? Are your children... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Rollercoaster of Love (and Anger and Guilt
and Exhaustion),
By Aprill Brandon - “So, how was your day?” Has there ever been a more
loaded question? Yes. But for my purposes here, I need you to ignore
that. Because I get asked this on a daily basis. Sometimes multiple
times during that daily basis. And it stumps me every single time. How
was my day? How was my whole, entire, day? Well, nothing is currently
on fire. That’s how my... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Secure, Monitor and Properly
Dispose
3/29/2017 - Tis the season for spring cleaning. As you’re working hard
to get your home decluttered, organized, spotless and sparkling, be
sure to include the clearing out of old, unused or unwanted medicines –
it’s a vitally important task. Families are continuing to be devastated
and destroyed as children by medicine abuse. Kids end up in the ER... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Free at last, free at last, By
Aprill Brandon
Hi. How’s your day going? I have cabbage leaves in my bra. And no, this
isn’t some fancy new way to make coleslaw I learned from Gwyneth
Paltrow on Goop (although I wouldn’t put it past her). Oh no. My bra is
stuffed with produce because it allegedly has healing powers. Which I
need because after nine long months, I am …(drum roll, please)… finally
weaning... read
more.
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Commissioner’s
Corner March 2017
Is it just me or should February have been March and March should have
been February? This weather has been completely confused! Seventy-
degree weather in February and 30’s in March was the norm this year.
Hopefully, now that we are at the end of the month, things will get
back to a more normal setting, and April will be a regular April! March
has been... read
more.
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Flight
From Love, By Kate Burch
There are a number of conditions of contemporary life in America that
disturb me. One that I find almost unutterably sad is the
“hookup” culture on our college campuses. Even at many
religiously-affiliated colleges, participation—usually
alcohol-fueled—in numerous and casual sexual encounters with strangers
or mere acquaintances has become normative behavior...
read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… The Life-Changing Magic of Giving Up,
By Aprill Brandon
Oh, early spring. Isn’t it lovely? That magical time of year where you
can kick the melting, dirty, gray snow out of your path with your new
flip-flops while walking in an unrelenting downpour of freezing rain.
Mmm…so life affirming. Ugh. Oh, how I hate this time of year. So much.
It’s dumb and the weather sucks and there are no good holidays unless
you count... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Stop, Drop and Breathe
3/15/2017 - Even as adults, anger can be a difficult emotion to
control, especially when it involves a child who continues to defy his
or her parents. No one can push our buttons like our own children.
However, the importance of exhibiting self-control in order to
discipline a child appropriately, is monumental. An angry parent is
scary enough. An angry... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… When your village lives far away,
By Aprill Brandon
My life would make for a horrible sitcom. Not because I’m not funny.
Pffft. Please. I’m super funny. Hilarious, even. And yet humble. Oh, so
humble. I’m essentially the love child of David Sedaris and some really
humble dude. And not because my life isn’t absurd. It is. Oh, how it
is. The other day I spent 45 minutes sitting on the floor of my... read
more.
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A
Message from Paolo DeMaria, Superintendent of Public Instruction
As Ohioans, we all want every child to receive a high-quality education
so they can succeed in life, careers and future learning. That unity is
crucial as we seek to lead our education system to be the best it can
be in the service of every child. Only by working together can we reach
our aspirations. The submission of the state's Every Student Succeeds
Act (ESSA... read
more.
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Start Talking… Know! To Practice Kindness
3/8/2017 -- When kindness is a priority in the lives of young people,
they are likely to have an increased overall sense of well-being,
purpose and happiness. We all want our children to be happy, right? So
as parents and teachers, we find ourselves going out of our way, doing
many small acts of kindness every day, solely for their benefit. But
what we quickly learn is that these acts... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Wolverine vs. The Really Hyper Bunnies,
By Aprill Brandon
Here’s a million dollar idea for all you budding entrepreneurial
wanna-be types: Invent a self-defense class for parents of small
children. Now, to be clear, I don’t mean for situations where you need
to protect your children. Pretty much every parent I know is capable of
murdering someone with a rattle if they catch that person even looking
at their... read
more.
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Know!
What a Healthy Dating Relationship Is, and What It Is Not
2/28/2017 - It is always important to focus attention on abuse in young
people’s relationships and provide information to help prevent it. In a
previous Know! tip, The Not-So-Innocent Side of Teen Romance, we
discussed the prevalence of physical, emotional and verbal dating abuse
that takes place among youth, as well as the long-lasting problems... read
more.
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A
day without a woman? By Susan Olling
A local commentator, whose opinions I respect, raised a good question
about what went on 08 Mar: who were women in this country trying to
educate? Any answers out there? If you want to hear
his excellent comments, follow this link and go to 08 Mar:
http://wtop.com/core-values-chris-core/. I read various articles about
a day without a woman... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… The seven-year glitch, By
Aprill Brandon
It was our seventh wedding anniversary. Which is the baby wipe
anniversary, I believe. Or perhaps the Swiffer anniversary. Either way,
we had no money for gifts after Googling local preschool prices. But it
didn’t matter. The sun was shining. I was wearing a skirt AND
non-pregnancy underwear. And my mother-in-law was in town, happily
volunteering to... read
more.
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A
bit of this and a bit of that….. By Susan Olling
I love a good clear out. Not necessarily a whole room, but
clearing stuff, even out of a drawer, is always therapeutic. I
found a bag on the top shelf of a closet recently. The bag
contained a copy of the Washington Post. The Wednesday, September
12, 2001 edition. Needing a break, I spent some time going
through this piece of ancient history. There was...
read
more.
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The Learning Network… Will Social Media Help or Hurt Your College
and Career Goals?
Student Opinion By Caroline Crosson Gilpin - Feb. 24, 2017 - Facebook,
Twitter and other social media sites have become an integral part of
teenage culture. Yet the snarky comment or inappropriate picture we
share with our friends just might not project the image we want the
rest of the world to see, especially as we get older. How careful are
you online? In this... read
more.
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Know!
The Not-So-Innocent Side of Teen Romance
2/14/2017 - The month of February is known as a time of “love,” where
secret-admirers and Valentines of all ages express their affection for
one another through candy hearts, red roses and love letters. In sharp
contrast, however, February has also become known as Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month to focus attention on abuse in young people... read
more.
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Commissioner’s Corner… Commissioners Update for February
February has passed by very quickly, and with weather comparative to
what we have in March; some nice days, some rain, some snow. Well,
after all, this is the Great Miami Valley, and if you don’t like the
weather now, just wait 5 minutes and it will change! The year has
started out pretty well for the county. We continue to move forward on
some projects... read
more.
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The
Opioid Solution, By Mike Stegall
I heard an incredible statistic last week, one that makes you really
stop and think. It stated that the United States has 4% of the
world’s population, but 80% of the world’s opioid use! That is
just mind-numbingly awful. I also saw where Dayton, Ohio is the
#1 city in America from drug deaths per capita. That is just 35
miles south of us here in Darke County. This problem is not
exclusive to just us... read
more.
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A
Crisis of Self-Doubt, By Kate Burch
A little-noted recent event was the call by Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s
foreign minister, for a “post West world order.” He made his
remarks, also including denunciations of the current “post truth” state
of international relations, at the Munich Security Conference.
Does the failure of our media to remark or object imply their
agreement? The intellectual and... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… White lies I told my children this week*
By Aprill Brandon
*or possibly just today. The sun doesn’t like it when you wake up
before he does. Mommy can’t play cars with you until she drinks ALL her
coffee. It’s the law. I’ll come help you find the green car in five
minutes. No, it hasn’t been five minutes yet. I still have three
minutes. Maybe I’ll let you go play in the snow after breakfast. Nope,
we’re all out of yogurt... read
more.
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Know!
To Role Model RESPECT for the Rx
2/7/2017 - Why focus on prescription drugs? Research shows that more
deaths are now occurring each year from accidental drug overdoses than
from car accidents. Someone in the U.S. dies every 15 minutes from an
accidental overdose. Nearly half of the drug overdose deaths are due to
prescription drugs. Parents are powerful influencers when... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Confessions of a “Threenage” Drama King,
By Aprill Brandon
He’s moody. He’s disrespectful. He hates everything I do. Yup, my
little boy is growing up. I can’t believe he’s a teenager already. Oh
wait. Sorry. That was a typo. I meant to type threenager. He’s three.
THREE. I always thought people were exaggerating when they talked about
the Terrible Twos. My angel was just that when he was two. An angel.
He... read
more.
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NPR Ed… Not All Fun And Games: New Guidelines Urge
Schools To Rethink Recess,
Sophia Boyd - February 1, 2017 - What's the best time for students to
have recess? Before lunch, or after? What happens if it rains? If
students are misbehaving, is it a good idea to punish them by making
them sit out recess? Those are just a few of the issues addressed in
new guidelines designed to help schools have good recess. The
recommendations... read
more.
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Musings
on Social Media, By Jim Surber
“If I were to run, I’d run as a Republican. They are the dumbest group
of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could
lie and they’d still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific.”
Millions of people read this quote on their Facebook news feed,
attributed to Donald Trump in a 1998 interview in People magazine. It
was, no doubt, received with... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… But where’s my gold star? By
Aprill Brandon
The one thing I probably hear the most since having children? (Besides
“whoa, you look tired”). “You are so lucky you get to stay home with
your kids.” There are different versions of this, of course. All with
fun varying degrees of passive-aggressiveness. “I’d love to spend all
day in my pajamas doing nothing.” “I hope you appreciate it. I die a
little... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Am I a lazy mom? By Aprill
Brandon
You know those brief moments in time when, as a parent, you finally
feel like you have it all together? All the balls are in the air and
you feel oddly confident you can keep them there? Maybe even have a
whole extra second to use one of your hands to gulp down a glass of
wine because you are a parenting goddess and you’ve earned it, dammit.
This... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! January 23-29 is National Drug &
Alcohol Facts Week
1/18/2017 - When it comes to alcohol and other drugs, there are
opinions and then there are facts. It’s hard enough for adults to
distinguish between the two; it is even more challenging for youth, who
get much of their information from the internet, TV, movies, music or
from friends. With that in mind, parents and other caregivers are
encouraged to... read
more.
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Hey
Everyone! Whew. It’s been a busy week
Let's start with Betsy DeVos' Senate confirmation hearing — all three
hours and change. We finally know a little more about Donald Trump's
pick to be the next education secretary. At the hearing, DeVos faced
questions on a range of issues, from private school vouchers and
charter school oversight to guns in schools. "The answer is local... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Why I went to the women’s march,
By Aprill Brandon
I’ve been trying to write this godforsaken article for hours now. So
much of my social media feed is cluttered with people demanding to know
why women across this country felt the need to protest and, as someone
who participated, I felt it was my duty to explain. To respond.
To…ugh…get a dialogue going. I started a bunch of sentences. About
how... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Get YOUR Cell Phone Use in Check
1/10/2017 - Teens spend an average of nine hours a day on their
smartphones. Yes - you say - you’ve heard it before, you know it’s
unhealthy for them for a number of reasons, and you have rules in place
to reduce their screen time. Very good; you’ve got your child’s phone
use in check, but how about yours? According to Common Sense... read
more.
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Yes!
I Want to Know, By Kate Burch
Governor Kasich, who more and more is exposed as a practitioner of the
kind of cronyism and authoritarian rule we have seen in Washington
these past eight years, is refusing to support or enforce a 2015 law
providing for transparency in the prices of health care services and
procedures. The law would provide that when a patient requests an
estimate of the total cost of a non-emergency...
read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… How much no is too much no? By
Aprill Brandon
Is there anything more surreal than being a parent? I can’t tell you
how many times I have been in the midst of some hardcore parenting and
thought to myself “is this real life?” Pretty much every day of my life
is the ultimate performance in the theater of the absurd. Take, for
instance, when I’m arguing with my almost 3-year-old about something... read
more.
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No place to be on Jan 20, By
Susan Olling
Every four years, January 20 is a day on the National Mall just like
the 04 Jul. There are a few differences, but the result’s the
same: the Mall is no place to be. Before continuing, I would like
to say a few things related to the upcoming festivities. The
local fish wrapper didn’t and still doesn’t have much positive to say
about the upcoming administration change. Mind you... read
more.
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Washington Post… Why surging high school graduation rates
might be a mirage,
By Jay Mathews - U.S. high school graduation rates are soaring.
President Obama announced in October that the 2014-2015 rate was up to
83 percent in a fifth straight record-setting year. The D.C. public
schools’ increase was the greatest anywhere, from 53 percent to 69
percent. Sadly, as impressive as these numbers seem, there is no
research indicating they... read
more.
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Unqualified???? By Kate Burch
Many on the Left are outraged by the election of a hugely successful
businessman as our new President.
Some decry his lack of experience in government, implying that
unfamiliarity with the arcana of Washington renders him ineffective as
the chief executive of our country. Others—those who believe that it is
fundamentally unfair that some... read
more.
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Start Talking… Know! To Set Family Goals for the New Year
1/5/2017 - January rolls in like a breath of fresh air. The calendar is
reset and, in many regards, it is a chance to begin anew and an
opportunity to do things “better” moving forward. The new year is also
an ideal occasion for parents and children to come together to set
fresh goals as both a family unit and as individuals. As you consider... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Surviving winter, By Aprill
Brandon
Well, Christmas is over. Meaning life is basically over. Nothing to
look forward to now except a bleak, never-ending winter and easily
getting all my cardio in with the Herculean exertion it takes to stuff
two squirmy tiny humans into snow suits and winter coats and mittens
and hats and snow boots that were designed by engineers who have... read
more.
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Start Talking… Know! How to Even the Playing Field for
Your Child
12/28/2016 - The NFL and its advertisers are gearing up for the Super
Bowl, set to kickoff Sunday, Feb. 5. About 111.9 million viewers tuned
in for last year’s Super Bowl, making it the third highest watched U.S.
broadcast in history. The upcoming Super Bowl is expected to catch just
as much attention for the commercials as much as the...
read
more.
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Greenville Schools: Looking Back… Looking
Ahead, By Bob Robinson
“I got memories,” he said. “I went to school there.” He rode up on his
bicycle while I was taking pictures of East school. Nice guy, late
twenties or early thirties. “Don’t know if I really want anything from
there, but I got my memories.” He was referring to the announced
auction sign in front of the school. The resident wanted to know if the
high... read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… I’m a Fitbit person now, By
Aprill Brandon
Guys, it’s been nice knowing you. You’re all swell, really. But
eventually all good things must come to an end. So, while I enjoyed our
time together, it’s a new year and time for me to move on. Time for me
to leave you in the dust as I walk exactly…*checks wrist* …6,101 steps
away from you. I’m a Fitbit person now. Yes, dear readers, thanks to my
husband... read
more.
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Sticks and Stones, By Kate
Burch
Living or working on today’s college campus must be, for one who is not
a member of a protected group, something like navigating a mine
field. One may, while totally lacking malevolent intent, commit a
“microaggression” or otherwise be guilty of insulting or disparaging,
or even “harassing” another by simply offering a compliment or
remarking... read
more.
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Social Media: A Good Thing or a Bad Thing?
By Jonathan Holman, Edison DCC Comp 1 Student - Social media is one of
the most argued subjects of today. From parents, teachers, and
reporters, to kids, students, and entertainers. It seems as though
everyone has a strong opinion on the subject in one way or another. But
this is all recent. The concept of social media has been around for
centuries. It wasn’t until now that people are starting to question its
methods... read
more.
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Start Talking! Know! To Interact with Tact with these
Smartphone Tips!
12/14/2016 - Is your son or daughter among the many youth begging for a
smartphone this holiday season? And are you among the many parents
considering the buy? Smartphones certainly have their advantages. The
number one reason parents cite for purchasing their child’s first
cellphone is that it provides location tracking and makes it easier to
communicate... read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… Making a Difference in the World,
Jim Kildow, Edison Student Volunteer - I have put in over 60 hours at
the afterschool program. As a result I like to consider myself fairly
knowledgeable about the mechanics of the program – how it works, why it
works, and what needs fixing. Originally I had assumed this option for
the final was provided only as an easy way to get more tutors for the
program. By the end of my first day... read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… The Program a Positive Reinforcement to the
Students,
By Samantha Buchy, Edison Student Volunteer - The after school program
was a great addition to our schools, and our students. This program was
designed to open a free after school program for students, which
provided tutoring and companionship for these young students. The
workers help the students with homework or understanding new lessons. I
feel like... read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… This Program has Rededicated my Commitment
to Learning,
By Courtney Toops, Edison Student Volunteer - The program in my opinion
was effective throughout the weeks. I think the children began to have
fun learning, made new friends, learned respect. Some of the students
are less than eager to leave when being told they are being picked up.
The age group is appropriate as well, since K-4th...
read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… This may change their future,
By Seth Phillippi, Edison Student Volunteer - I believe I have made a
good choice in choosing to do the after school program. This is one of
the best ways I can spend my free time. I enjoy coming and helping the
kids. I am thinking about helping out even after the semester is over.
I think the after school program has a good benefit from being in
communication class. I have used my own critical thinking during... read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… A Valuable Experience I’ll need later in
Life,
By Makenzie Stucky, Edison student volunteer - I feel as if I have
gained valuable skills that will benefit me later in life through
helping with this program. As I plan to be a teacher I believe that
this experience has been very valuable to me because it has shown me
some of the things I will have to deal with when I do become a teacher.
I think it was extra valuable because... read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… Helping kids become better students,
By Bryce Filbrun, Edison Student Volunteer - I have gained a lot from
participating in the after school program. By participating in the
program, I have gained a lot of respect for my parents. I have learned
that my parents have raised me in a way that I respect my schooling and
my grades. I have learned how to be more patient. When working with the
little kids, you have to be... read
more.
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After School Program at Edison… An experience I’ll remember forever,
By Kinsey Goins, Edison Student Volunteer - The After School Program
was a very unique, fulfilling, and satisfying experience. At first I
wasn't sure if I was going to like the program since I didn't know any
of the kids, or have any previous experience working in that type of
environment. All of the Edison core values were used over the course of
my participation in the program... read
more.
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State Rep. Jim Buchy … To the Residents of the 84th House
District, Farewell
As the year and my term of office wind down, I want to take a minute to
thank you for the privilege of serving in the Ohio House of
Representatives for 24 years. There is no better place in which to live
than west-central Ohio. We have the best families, schools, and places
to work. A very high percentage of our families have a strong belief in
God and are active in... read
more.
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Tips to
make the holidays happy and bright—and safe
(Dec.22, 2016) — According to the song, this is the most
wonderful time of the year. It’s also one of the busiest—and most
dangerous. With last-minute gifts to buy, social events to attend and
family and friends to visit, there are a lot of distractions that may
keep you from having that wonderful time. So the American Red Cross is
offering 12 health and... read
more.
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