Opinion Darke County News Online

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Tasty and teary food memories
Buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy—a staple of the Appalachian culture. A traditional meal for country cook’in the mornings. And my mother made the dynamic duo from scratch. Biscuits: flour, shortening, and buttermilk. For a season, she baked the store-bought biscuits from a canister, but returned to homemade. Sausage gravy: flour, milk, butter, salt, pepper. Fried apples functioned... read more .

The Daily Signal… Electoral College Opponents Attempt to Have It Both Ways
Tara Ross -- May 23, 2019 -- Electoral College foes have been trying to get their way in Nevada for a decade. Have they finally succeeded? Nevada’s state Senate approved National Popular Vote legislation on Tuesday. The measure is now awaiting approval from Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. The governor’s signature will add Nevada to a growing movement to ditch the Electoral College. Worse, Maine... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Fitness #4Mind4Body
5/9/2019 - May is Mental Health Month; a time to raise awareness about the connection between physical and mental health, through the theme Fitness #4Mind4Body, sponsored by Mental Health America (MHA). Mental Health America shares two key messages through this year’s educational campaign: Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and... read more .

Laugh it up, By Melissa Martin
A weird and wild sound that trickles or gushes out of a human being is labeled laughter. Ha-ha-ho-ho-ho. Hee-hee-ha-ha-ha. Hee-ha-ho. Hee-haw. Tee-hee. Have you laughed so hard that you snorted? Have you giggled so much that tears spelled out? Bwahaha! Woah, oh, oh, oh! Hah, hah, hah! Chuckle, giggle, titter, snicker, guffaw, cackle, snort. What sounds do you make when... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Underage Drinking is a Big Deal
4/18/2019 - No other substance is more widely used by America’s youth than alcohol, making alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related problems the number one public health problem in the United States. Even though the legal drinking age is 21, people aged 12 to 20 drink 13 percent of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. More than 90 percent of that consumption is in the form of binge... read more .

EdSurge… Teachers Are Great at Designing Classrooms. Let’s Get Them Redesigning Schools. By Sujata Bhatt - May 22, 2019 - Let’s talk about cute for a moment. How many times have you walked into a classroom, say in one of the 88,665 or so elementary schools in the United States, and gasped at the sheer quantity and cuteness of the stuff on the walls? What teachers accomplish with butcher paper, scissors, tape, staples, and a glue gun is remarkable and... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… What’s Wrong With Me Now!? By Aprill Brandon
Hello, everyone! And welcome to America’s newest show, “What’s Wrong With Me Now!?” The only quiz show game devoted solely to all the weird and awful medical maladies that start afflicting you once you hit the age of 35 and beyond. Yes, your body is now beginning its slow decline toward death via a dirty bomb of disease and undiagnosed ailments. So, what’s wrong with you now? Let’s find out... read more .

Know! How Your Child’s Health Habits Rank
Parenting requires a daily balancing act—especially when it comes to raising tweens and teens. According to newly released research from the University of Texas Health Science Center, many of us should reexamine the health habits of our children (as well as our own) and help to make some adjustments. After studying the lifestyles of more than 60,000 American high school students... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Our Thoughts: Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Last week, Senior Airman Sean Oziegbe of the Ohio National Guard shared his experiences with mental health. This week, we’re talking about youth suicide, a topic of critical importance. As a reminder, if you or someone you know is in a crisis and needs support, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255... read more .

Aging Pollyanna people, By Melissa Martin
Pollyanna oldsters, please stop telling everyone how aging is akin to a scrumptious cupcake with icing and sprinkles. What a crock of nonsense. Discontinue the discussion on the youthfulness of aging—because it’s a sham. The anti-aging secrets are all lies. Stop telling us complainers that, “Every day above ground is a good day.” And no, we don’t want to play the Glad Game with you. After you leave... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Know! Your Parental Role: First Line of Defense
In the previous tip, Know! Underage Drinking is a Big Deal, we talked about the widespread prevalence of underage drinking and the destructive consequences it continues to create. We discussed the fact that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug and that alcoholism is a chronic disease. In this tip, we focus on the role parents play when it comes to alcohol and other... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Like walking to Mordor, By Aprill Brandon
If my social media feed is any indication, every single child in the world had their last day of school last week. Everyone, that is, except my son. Who still has FOUR WEEKS LEFT TO GO. Oh, that’s right. His last day doesn’t happen until mid-June. Because our local schools hate parents. And summer. And sanity. Of course, being that he’s in preschool, the demands placed on both myself... read more .

The Daily Signal… The New SAT ‘Adversity Score’ Turns the Idea of Meritocracy Into a Sham, Jarrett Stepman - May 16, 2019 - Editor: Education Dive announces on Monday... The Other Side of the "Adversity Score" story today - It would be nice to think that high school students can get into a good university based on their abilities or talents, but a proposed change to the SAT shows how the concept of meritocracy has been turned into a sham. The College Board, according... read more .

St. Mary’s School… The Countdown has Begun, By Kathy Ayette
I’ve noticed a lack of focus around the school lately… and that’s just the staff. Add some restlessness and general giddiness, and you have a description of the student body. Obviously it is the last month of school. The students have started their countdown. Actually in my math class counting the days until a specific event is part of the math meeting, and let’s face it what other event this month... read more .

Education Dive… Study: Tier-one grads may not be employers' best buy, Riia O'Donnell & Natalie Schwartz - May 10, 2019 - Dive Brief: Unconventional hiring processes can result in more qualified talent, according to a report from Correlation One. The Future of Data Talent report focused on research in the data science field, and its findings explain how employers can better attract and assess potential data science hires. By volume, there are "significantly more" qualified students at tier... read more .

EducationDive… Future of work-study: How colleges' role in student employment is changing, James Paterson - May 9, 2019 - The Federal Work-Study program needs an overhaul, its critics say, raising questions about who the program should serve, and how… A familiar chunk of financial aid, work-study has for years slid job-hungry students into easy-to-learn and fluid positions that colleges might otherwise struggle to fill, especially so inexpensively. It even sometimes bridges the gap with... read more .

Weight does not determine worth, By Melissa Martin
What is the difference between weight and worth? One changes—the other does not. Adding or dropping pounds does not make a person’s worth go up and down. Fear of fat. “Why do modern women in the most affluent countries in the world live like starving people in a primitive land? Why do they choose to be weak, apathetic and unable to fully contribute to their families, their careers... read more .

Education Dive… College students want careers with a social purpose, Hallie Busta
May 10, 2019 - Dive Brief: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority (69%) of college students aspire to jobs that have a positive impact on society, according to a new survey of more than 20,000 students by research firm College Pulse. Respondents believe the biggest contributors to society are doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists and construction workers. The professions that respondents said... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Mental Health Awareness Month
The following is a first-hand account from Sean Oziegbe, Senior Airman of the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. Sean works at Prevention Action Alliance as part of his duties. Growing up, we didn’t talk about mental health. In an African household, mental health isn’t a topic we thought about, much less discussed. I can probably count on one hand how many times... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Who deserves a vacation? By Aprill Brandon
Of all the titles I thought I’d have throughout my life, Illicit Vacationer was never one of them. And yet, here I am, with my Instagram feed defiantly full of photos of me and my family cavorting on a beach in Maine. In my defense, I didn’t read Michelle Singletary’s piece in the Washington Post titled “If you’re in debt, you don’t deserve a summer vacation” until after I got back. So, you can imagine... read more .

Education Dive… Report: Industry credentials earned in high school out of step with employer demand, Linda Jacobson - May 8, 2019 - Dive Brief: A new analysis of 24 states’ career and technical education (CTE) programs finds the industry credentials students can earn while in high school are not necessarily in high demand by employers nor would lead to a living wage. Conducted by ExcelinEd, a nonprofit founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Burning Glass... read more .

Laugh with the over-the-hill gang, By Melissa Martin
We spend our younger days climbing up the hill. High school graduation, college or employment, buy a house, tie the knot, kids and dogs. Trade in the sports car for a minivan. Eventually the kids leave home and you’re at the top of the hill—looking over into the valley. After the empty nest grief passes—it’s party time. Bring out the doughnuts for breakfast. Eat cookies before dinner. Cake is the main course... read more .

State (and Future) of Education in the United States, By Aaron Mathis, Fundamentals of Communication Student, Edison State Community College -- The United States is considered the most powerful and advanced country in the world, yet we are only 15th in education. When looking at the learning challenges of our youth regardless of what age, we also must analyze the system that is responsible for their education. Our education system has changed very little to accommodate... read more .

A Woman's Only Flaw
Editor Note: I found this on the Internet and published it in my weekly Daily Advocate column 15 years ago. For this Mother's Day, I felt it was time to make it available to County News Online readers. In honor of my Mom and all Mothers everywhere…. When God created Woman, he was working late on the sixth day. An Angel came by and asked, ‘Why spend so much time on her?’ The Lord... read more .

How do you celebrate your mother? By Melissa Martin
Sunday, May 12, 2019. Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers. An annual occasion to revere moms. History of Mother’s Day - After her mother died in 1905, Miss Anna Jarvis wished to memorialize her mom’s life and campaigned for a national day to honor all mothers. Her mother was an Appalachian homemaker and lifelong activist who had organized “Mother’s Work Days” to save the... read more .

EdSurge… Extracurriculars Are More Than Nice-to-Have: They’re Essential, By Amy Anderson and Julia Freeland Fisher - April 24, 2019 - Among many seemingly intractable problems in education, there’s one wide learning gap between the haves and have-nots that we know how to close: the extracurricular gap. Here’s the problem: Low-income and minority students are at a structural disadvantage when it comes to accessing out-of-school opportunities. Children from low-income... read more .

The Daily Signal… What Social Security’s Shortfall Means for You, Rachel Greszler
April 23, 2019 - Workers and retirees have long been warned that Social Security’s trust fund will run out of funds sometime in the future, and that the program has many trillions of dollars in unfunded obligations. But what does this year’s 2019 Trustees Report, revealing $16.8 trillion in unfunded obligations over the next 75 years and insolvency in 2035, mean for current workers and retirees... read more .

Start Talking! Know! What’s Hidden in Plain Sight – Part I
4/24/2019 -- This Know! Tip reveals some of the tools and tactics teens may use to hide drug use. If you suspect your child is using drugs, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662- HELP (4357). Would you know if your child was experimenting with or using drugs? Would you be able to spot the clues? Hidden in Plain Sight... read more .

Education Dive… Survey: Teachers remain lukewarm on ed tech's impact on classrooms, Shawna De La Rosa - April 26, 2019 - Dive Brief: Educators remain cautious of the hype around ed tech, with less than a third reporting that they've changed their teaching styles or philosophies based on ed tech innovations, Education Week reports. Other findings from a new survey conducted by the Education Week Research Center include that while another 29% do feel ed... read more .

Campus sexual assault in Ohio, By Melissa Martin
“Despite the work colleges and universities have done to prevent their occurrence, over 100 sexual assaults were reported on Ohio’s public campuses in 2013. Because of the tendency to underreport this type of crime, the actual number of assaults is likely higher.” www.ohiohighered.org/. What is consensual sex? “Colleges are trying to change students’ understanding of consensual sex... read more .

Humans Are Free… FBI: Sex with Children is the Fastest Growing Illegal Business in America - “Children are being targeted and sold for sex in America every day.” — John Ryan, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - Children, young girls — some as young as 9 years old — are being bought and sold for sex in America. The average age for a young woman being sold for sex is now 13 years old. This is America’s dirty little secret. Sex trafficking — especially when... read more .

Passing the stay calm test, By Melissa Martin
How do you stay calm in the mist of a trigger? It’s usually the small annoyances that push our buttons, raise our cortisol, and flood our bodies with adrenaline. I try not to sweat the small stuff—but I am human just like you. And sometimes I allow my triggers to irritate me. Situation. This Friday before Easter I stopped to pick up some outside items for the yard. Not smart. The store was buzzing... read more .

Education Next… To Improve Rural Schools, Focus on Their Strengths, By Michael Q. McShane and Andy Smarick - 04/08/2019 - A consistent criticism of education reform is that much of the agenda has been based on what some call a “deficit mindset.” That is, reformers saw individuals, institutions, and communities as broken and in need of fixing (or worse, saving), not as individuals, institutions, and communities with culture, history, and potential that could... read more .

Education Dive… Report: Policymakers 'systematically shortchange' community colleges, James Paterson - April 25, 2019 - Dive Brief: Policymakers have left community colleges strikingly underfunded compared to four-year institutions and as a result have made it more difficult for them to serve their 9 million largely lower-income students, according to a new study by The Century Foundation. The report explains that two-year colleges face a crisis as they struggle with chronic poor... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The weird things that excite you as a mom, By Aprill Brandon
I stood there in front of the refrigerator, the cool air wafting past my body like a million tiny kisses from the grocery store angel. I stood there and just stared. For how long, I have no idea. My brain was too busy taking inventory to notice something as trivial as time. Somewhere, way in the back of said brain, I realized I was doing the exact same thing I yell at my kids for doing. But I didn’t care... read more .

Education Dive… How new learning modes will shape the 'future of work'
By Hallie Busta -- April 22, 2019 -- Dive Brief: The function and makeup of the workforce will change as industries adapt to new technology and processes, raising questions about how educational models are responding to deliver relevant training, explains a new white paper from the World Economic Forum and the Boston Consulting Group. The report examines eight possible outcomes... read more .

Another spring arrives in Ohio, By Melissa Martin
Ah, the beginning of another spring. “Enjoy!” chirp the birds. “Enjoy!” buzz the bees. “Enjoy!” sing the daffodils. The earth in Ohio thaws out and plant life underground pushes up through the soil. The other side of spring. Mud, mud, and more mud. Bugs, bugs, and more bugs. Weeds, weeds, and more weeds. Ugh. 2019 Spring Weather Forecast What does the 2019 Farmers’ Almanac predict... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Know! What's New With 420
Editor’s Note: While 4/20 has come and gone, the message is still relevant: As parents and educators, when it comes to drug and alcohol messaging, it is important to take advantage of teachable moments with our youth. One of those ideal moments to strike up a conversation is just around the corner—April 20th. You’re more than likely aware that 420 is slang for marijuana... read more .

Education Dive… Finding a 'recipe' for turning around failing schools, Andrew G. Houlihan
April 15, 2019 - As a system leader, I constantly strive to examine the best “recipes” being utilized in other school systems for the purpose of learning what works and what doesn’t. I firmly believe that in education, we often identify many school improvement “ingredients” or strategies that work, particularly aimed at school and student performance, but for some reason... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Bad Poetry By A Tired Mom, By Aprill Brandon
I have two kids / Two beautiful unique souls / Each with a unique illness / Germs, his and hers // Simultaneous sickness / But different miseries / Because they couldn’t even / Extend the courtesy / Of having the same goddamn disease // How does that even happen? / What did I do wrong? / Am I being punished? / Is it revenge for when I was bragging / About their immune systems being so strong?... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Our Thoughts...CBD and Thin Mints Don't Mix
Do you know what’s called Thin Mint and is advertised as a “mellow minty taste with subtle chocolate undertones”? It’s not Thin Mint cookies from the Girl Scouts. It’s a CBD cartridge pen vape advertised by a wholesale company, Funky Farms. Funky Farms sells several CBD products, including gummy bears, tinctures, oils, vape pods, and cartridge pen vapes. Some... read more .

April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and, as such, is an excellent time to raise awareness about the impact of alcohol and underage drinking on our communities. It's also an excellent time to remind our communities about social host laws that reduce the prevalence of underage drinking. Below are some key facts about underage drinking. Alcohol is the number one drug of choice among youth... read more .

EducationDive… Report: Higher ed corruption is a global problem, by Ben Unglesbee
April 8, 2019 -- Dive Brief: Corruption of some form — including unethical, inappropriate and even illegal practices — touches higher education in every part of the world, according to a new study from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's International Quality Group (CHEA/CIQG). CHEA/CIQG surveyed nearly 70 accreditation and quality assurance bodies (AQABs)... read more .

NPR Ed… Financial aid award letters can be a little confusing
It’s college-fever time! That time of year where high school seniors are inundated with the question: What’s next? What are your plans after graduation? For many, if there’s even a possibility that college might be the answer, the decision is closely tied to a college's financial aid offer. But since there’s no current standardization of these offers, letters look vastly different... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… A chocolate cone with M&M’s, please, By Aprill Brandon
I took my kids to get ice cream today. That’s it. There’s no punchline. There’s no funny anecdote. No moral. No bittersweet ending. No big lesson. Just...I got ice cream with my kids today. My son, who is 5, chose chocolate. In a cone. With M&M’s on top. He was emphatic about that. Lots and lots of M&M’s, please. I suspect it was the please that made the women behind the counter add extra... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Our Thoughts... Ohio Legalizing Hemp?
The 2018 farm bill also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 legalized the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity and removed it from the list of controlled substances. Following in the footsteps of the federal government, Ohio is now aiming to legalize the growing of hemp and sale of hemp products at the state level through Senate Bill 57 (Hemp... read more .

Summer safety for kids, By Melissa Martin
Summer is a season for running in the yard, swimming, and playing in a tree house.
But for some children summer becomes a dangerous or deadly season. Lawn Mower Safety - Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that when visits to doctors’ offices and clinics are included, more than 17,000 children and teens are treated for lawn mower... read more .

St. Mary’s School… My Principal did it to me again, By Kathy Ayette
Some months when I sit down to write this column I am at a loss for content. Let’s face it, some months are rather uneventful. Not this April! For one of the shorter months of the year, this April is crammed full of events. Three of those events involve the cherub choir. Saturday April 13 the second graders of the parish received their First Holy Communion, and the cherubs led the singing. As a side note... read more .

Profanity on the playground, By Melissa Martin
Kids cuss behind the teacher’s back. And the playground is the opportune place for potty-mouth. No adults listening. That’s what children tell me—the ones that are upset by swear words. Offensive language is common language in some homes and taboo in others. Toddlers start out by mimicking words and phrases. They don’t know what words are taboo and what words aren’t until a shocked... read more .

eSchool News… How we turned around our reading program, By Mellissa Douglas
April 2nd, 2019 - Demographics: Rockford Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Illinois. More than 28,800 students attend the 44 schools in the district. Biggest challenge: There were many gaps in foundational reading across classrooms before we piloted our new reading program. It didn’t seem that we had a common methodology to teach foundational literacy. We... read more .

EdSurge… Why Students Can’t Write — And Why Tech Is Part of the Problem
By Jeffrey R. Young -- Apr 2, 2019 -- Writing is more important than ever, but many of today’s students are lousy at it. John Warner has some ideas about why that is, and how to fix it. Warner has been teaching writing at colleges for more than 20 years. And he’s written two books on the topic, including his most recent, called “Why They Can’t Write.” Part of the problem, he says, is technology. In some cases... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… What? Me? Jealous? No. By Aprill Brandon
Guys, I hate to be THAT wife, but I need to brag about my husband for a little bit. He just added the title of “children’s book illustrator” to his already impressive resume. A title he managed to squeeze in while working at his regular demanding journalism job and coming home to his regular demanding wife and kids always up in his face the second he walks through the door. I am so proud of him... read more .

Start Talking! Know! April is Alcohol Awareness Month
3/25/2019 - The month of April has been designated Alcohol Awareness Month as an opportunity to focus attention on America’s #1 health problem. This year’s theme, sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCAAD), is “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage.’” Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance among adolescents... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… March was FFA month, also aboulomanic!
March certainly came in like a lion, turned to a lamb for a few days, then back to a lion, and started back as a lamb.....and now is back to a lion! March seemed aboulomanic this year! (look it up, I had to!) It will not matter as long as the weather will eventually be getting warmer, and stays that way. (P.S. - aboulomania means a person is indecisive! You’re welcome!) There is... read more .

How to unlock students’ internal drive for learning, by Tara Garcia Mathewson
March 27, 2019 - Intrinsic motivators can be key to student achievement – but extrinsic motivation dominates classrooms - PROVIDENCE, R.I. – When Destiny Reyes started elementary school, she felt highly motivated. Like most young children, she liked learning new things, and she excelled at school. She got good grades and reveled in her success, thriving in an... read more .

Reading is a human right, By Melissa Martin
Children and adults in all countries around the globe deserve to be able to read. Literacy is a fundamental human right. Literacy for All - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that 175 million young people lack basic literacy skills. To address the issues, UNESCO Regional Office of Southern Africa (ROSA) is supporting programs and activities... read more .

Education Dive… 50 States of Education Policy: Governors' State of the State addresses, Jessica Campisi - March 26, 2019 - With nearly all 50 governors having delivered their 2019 speeches, we analyzed what they said about K-12 education and what it means for potential policies. This latest column focuses on some of the key takeaways from what's happened in state legislatures during the past month. Previous installments of The 50 States of Education Policy... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Disappointing your dentist & other fun adult stuff, By Aprill Brandon
If you were to grade me on my adulting capabilities, I’m fairly confident I’d receive a solid C average. For instance, I always pay my bills on time. But I’ve also been ignoring my leaking dishwasher for three weeks and can never seem to eat the avocados in my kitchen before they go bad. Mostly because they’re avocados and, as such, taste like avocados. I pretty much just buy them so when other adults... read more .

eSchool News… 6 steps to promote good digital citizenship for all students, By Dr. Audrey Hovannesian - March 29th, 2019 - Standing at the intersection of digital citizenship and responsible device usage, school districts can make a real difference in their students’ lives - By the time today’s digital natives enter high school, most of them have already been using devices, computers, the internet, and social media for years. They use these tools on their own terms and... read more .

Your brain on books … By Melissa Martin
Give your brain a workout—read a book. Pump up the muscle mass between your two ears. And encourage your kids to read, too. “Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares... read more .

Pass on the family stories, By Melissa Martin
“When families are invited to share their stories, folktales, and culture, there are a number of benefits for children, families, and schools: Encouraging students to talk with family members about their cultural heritage shows respect and interest in students’ diverse cultures, making students and families feel more connected to the school. Families are offered authentic, academically oriented... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Know! How Your Child's Health Habits Rank
Parenting requires a daily balancing act—especially when it comes to raising tweens and teens. According to newly released research from the University of Texas Health Science Center, many of us should reexamine the health habits of our children (as well as our own) and help to make some adjustments. After studying the lifestyles of more than 60,000 American high... read more .

Education Dive… 5 ideas for change in higher ed from SXSW EDU, Hallie Busta
March 11, 2019 - Pushback against rising tuition, the stress of shrinking state funding and the possibilities afforded by advances in technology have higher ed leaders beginning to challenge some basic assumptions about their field. That process tends to be slow, however, and often makes for hubbub at trade conferences long before its effects can be seen. But eventually the... read more .

Education Dive… 13 ways educators can transform literacy, by Jarred Amato
March 18, 2019 -- On Valentine’s Day, 13 of our Maplewood High School seniors and Project LIT Community founders were called down to the principal’s office. No, they were not in trouble. In fact, quite the opposite. One by one, our students received the same, life-changing news — that they had just received a full academic scholarship to attend Belmont University... read more .

The Daily Signal… FBI Exposes Wealthy Parents Rigging College for Kids. But It Was Always Rigged. Mary Clare Amselem - March 12, 2019 - The FBI dropped a new bombshell on Tuesday, and this time the scandal is Russian-free. Dozens of wealthy parents, including notable celebrities, were charged in a college admissions scandal and accused of paying a total of $25 million in payments to cheat their children into school. According to Politico, “parents paid a college counseling... read more .

Greenville City Schools… Family Involvement, By Laura Bemus, Assistant Superintendant
According to research, a family’s involvement in their child’s education is the single most important factor in school success and achievement. Kindergarten enrollment is April 2, 3, and 4. As we prepare for the beginning of another year of school, here are some ways for families to be involved: Visit the School, Attend Open House and Parent-Teacher Conferences... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Risk Factors Associated with Drug Addiction
3/5/2019 - More than 20 million Americans are currently in recovery from addiction, which is something to celebrate! Tragically, however, more than 20 million more Americans are currently facing addiction. Have you ever wondered why some people become addicted to alcohol and drugs, while others don’t? Many people believe those who are addicted to substances simply... read more .

St. Mary’s School… When testing begins, waves of sickness descend upon us, By Kathy Ayette
Ever have that nagging feeling that you have forgotten something… something kind of important…something with a deadline? All week I have had that very feeling. I thought perhaps this was the week to write this column, but no I didn’t have it written down in my lesson plan book, so that definitely couldn’t be it. Today as I sat down to do lesson plans, I took out my calendar to check the... read more .

Ohio neighbors connect via newspapers, By Melissa Martin
What’s happening in the 88 counties in Ohio? What’s going on in Ohio’s cities, suburbs and rural towns? North, South, East, West, and Central Ohio—what’s the state and local news? Via the internet by way of online newspapers or by print newspapers, Ohioans can reach out and read about each other. Consistent communication connects citizens. The Ohio News Media Association (ONMA) was established... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance... Our Thoughts: March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
March is a prime opportunity to increase awareness about the problems caused by gambling and to advocate for support for those negatively impacted. An estimated $10 billion in bets will be placed on the NCAA basketball championship games nationally. March is also the month with the highest volume of calls to the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… A time to laugh, a time to weep (but mostly weeping), By Aprill Brandon
They say to every thing there is a season. Which is why I suspect we have winter. Misery, depression and blanket fort binge-drinking need a season too. But, and I think I speak for most of us when I say this, it is high time to turn, turn, turn onto a new season. Before I burn, burn, burn Mother Nature TO THE GROUND. It’s the same thing every year. Winter overstays its welcome... read more .

Dark chocolate, heart healthy or heightened hype? By Melissa Martin
Delicious. Delectable. Decadent. Oh, how we enjoy chocolate goodies! The sweet treat is a palatable paradise. Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween—holidays oozing with multi-colored wrappers containing the exciting elixir. Chocolate hearts. Chocolate bunnies and eggs. Chocolate candy bars. Chocolate goes to the cinema. “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” is a popular book and movie... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Potty Training II: The Sequel (Even Squishier), By Aprill Brandon
Humans are good at many things. I mean, just look at all the things we have learned to ferment in only a few short millennia. But perhaps one of the things we are best at is avoiding doing things we don’t want to do. We have mastered this skill. Utterly mastered it. Individually and as a group. Our avoidance skills will be the number one thing aliens from outer space write in their... read more .

‘Medicare for All’ Would Ruin the Care Americans Already Like, Robert Moffit
February 15, 2019 - Liberals in Congress are promising Americans that their “Medicare for All” proposals for government-controlled health care will expand access to care. As Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., explains, “Obamacare was a first step in advancing this country, but I won’t rest until every American has a basic security that comes with having access to affordable health... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… Wall Street Journal features Darke County, KitchenAid again
February has certainly been a mixed bag, hasn’t it? This winter, and particularly February, has been schizophrenic; it could not decide if it wanted to be a full continuance of winter, or an early start to spring. A few times it was both in the same day! I don’t know about you, but I am thankful it is over, and I am totally ready for Spring! February seemed to be the month in the office where we prepared... read more .

Sexualized violence as a weapon of war, By Melissa Martin
Rape of females has been an aspect of war as long as war has existed, but only in recent years has rape in war been acknowledged as a weapon. The United Nations Human Rights Commission passed a resolution identifying rape as a war crime in 1993. Sexual assault in the United States armed forces continues to receive media coverage. The U.S. Army Study Guide states: “Sexual assault is a crime defined... read more .

Are you a ruminating thinker? By Melissa Martin
Like a dog chasing its own tail—around and around and around—some individuals can relate to the anxiety loop. They feel anxious. Soon they feel anxious about feeling anxious which causes even more anxiety. Are you a chronic worrier? A ruminating ruminator? An obsessive thinker? The brain becomes stuck in the chronic worry zone. The body responds with symptoms of distress: stomach upset, constipation... read more .

Preventiion Action Alliance… Know! The Facts on Youth Suicide
Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 12-24, second only to accidental death; and for every suicide, there are 100-200 suicide attempts. This is a vital topic we must be discussing, and revisiting regularly, with our youth. In the previous tip, Know! Momo and her Deadly Challenge to our Youth, we talked with suicide prevention experts... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Snow day but today, By Aprill Brandon
It begins with a whisper. A mere whisper of a rumor. Riding on the coattails of a rising and moaning wind. But it’s enough. Just enough to light a tiny spark of hope against the unrelenting bleakness of a neverending winter. But since nothing is in writing yet, it’s business as usual for the moment. You head up to your room, almost giddy. You haven’t felt this kind of anticipation since... read more .

Education Dive… School, district social media policies must tackle pitfalls as well as opportunities, by Shawna De La Rosa -- Feb. 14, 2019 -- Dive Brief: Developing a district-wide social media policy is important, but challenging — requiring an approach flexible enough to adapt to changing trends and thorough enough to address difficult scenarios involving students, staff and faculty, District Administration reports. A district communications director is the natural go-to person... read more .

Greenville City Schools… Understanding the Importance of School Attendance, James Hooper, Director of Curriculum & Instruction - Many parents underestimate the importance of good school attendance, especially during the early years. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. While missing a school day here and a day there may not seem like much, missing just 2 days... read more .

Education Dive… Is it up to schools to teach students basic life skills? Lauren Barack
Feb. 27, 2019 - Dive Brief: Educators are weighing in on Twitter regarding the debate over whether students should be learning basic skills — including cooking or doing laundry — at school or at home, The Washington Post reports. The recent string of comments began with University of Virginia cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham, who posted his response to a... read more .

Twitter tweeters need to chill before they spill, By Melissa Martin
Do you have a Twitter account? It is a powerful internet tool with instant access to other humans. Twitter, created in 2006, is an online social networking service where users post messages known as “tweets.” No chirping, cheeping, peeping birds—only humans. Twitter is designed to elicit frequent, unprompted, spontaneous, and unfiltered thoughts from its users, who come... read more .

The Daily Signal… How Socialism and Free Markets Work in the Real World
Sebastian Gorka -- February 01, 2019 -- If the future of the nation were a function of logic, then conservatives would have a very easy job. No debate would be needed, really. In the choice between the two competing models Judeo-Christian civilization has given us, with socialist arguments for “big government” on the one side and a market-oriented system that favors the freedoms... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… A (rented) room of one’s own, By Aprill Brandon
They looked bigger in the pictures online. The rooms. My compliments to the photographer. The pictures also managed to somehow downplay the whole floral aspect of the room. Did you ever sleep over at your grandma’s house in the 1980’s? It looked just like that. Complete with the four-poster bed and the beige, eternally out-of-date, carpet. And, of course, the floral wallpaper... read more .

Education Dive… Conflicting state, federal marijuana laws leave district policies in a haze, Amelia Harper - Feb. 13, 2019 - Dive Brief: Though medical marijuana use is now legal in 33 states and recreational use has been legalized in 10 states and the District of Columbia, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug and illegal under federal law — leaving schools in danger of losing federal funding under the Drug-Free Workplace Act if educators use marijuana in any... read more .

Greenville City Schools – Reading Matters, By Laura Bemus, Assistant Superintendent
Like developing anything important, building better students requires providing the right environment. School is filled with teachers, staff, and materials that serve the purpose of encouraging students to learn. Frequently the question is asked by parents, grandparents and community members, “What can we do we do outside of the classroom to encourage learning?” Having books... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… We Should Raise Taxes on Cigarettes
In January, the outgoing Ohio Department of Health Director Lance Himes recommended that lawmakers consider a tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products, including nicotine liquids and e-cigarettes. “Increasing the price of tobacco is the single most proven strategy for decreasing youth initiation and smoking prevalence,” Himes wrote in his budget request... read more .

St. Mary’s School… The Week that Wasn’t, By Kathy Ayette
I was planning to write about the activities and events that happened during Catholic Schools Week. However Catholic Schools Week turned out to be pretty much the week that wasn’t due to weather. It was more like “Catholic Schools Two Days”. It began well enough. The weekend Masses, with the students participating, were beautiful. The science fair exhibits were on display for... read more .

Black History Month and black women, By Melissa Martin
Let us teach our black daughters and our white daughters about civil rights and activists for freedom during Black History Month. Let us care about women of color. Could the civil rights movement have happened without black women? No, indeed. Let It Shine, Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013) authored by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Stephen Alcorn... read more .

Extra Credit… Parents, Are You Ready for Kindergarten? A Guide for Families, By: Wendy Grove -- 1/31/2019 -- Is there a child in your life who is 5 years old (or turning so soon) who is amazing you with all he or she knows? Mamas, daddies, grandparents and loved ones, that baby of yours is growing up! After surviving midnight feedings, watching them learn to walk and talk and answering their endless questions, it is time to start thinking about kindergarten. February is the time of year... read more .

Happy 287th Birthday, Mr. President, By Susan Olling
While there will be much Presidents Day sales advertising (car dealers are already at it), I will be celebrating the birthday of the president who was born on February 22 and who should be recognized with his own day: George Washington. His estate, Mount Vernon, is the only place I’ve missed since we left the greater D.C. environs. (I also miss the Tuba Carol Fest in Gettysburg, but that’s off-topic... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Know! Momo and her Deadly Challenge to our Youth
In the past, Prevention Action Alliance shared information on a dangerous internet game called the Blue Whale Challenge. It involves acts of self-harm and ultimately, to win the game is to take one’s own life. (Click here for the full Know! Tip on the Blue Whale Challenge). Another similar game is now trending throughout social media and is said to be impacting lives in... read more .

Kindness is in the little and big things, By Melissa Martin
“Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind,” proclaimed Henry James. Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, 2019. Help your family, friends, and co-workers get excited about Random Acts of Kindness Day. There are scientifically proven benefits to being kind. It is contagious, teachable, and makes you feel all fuzzy inside... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Who doesn't want aluminum as gift? By Aprill Brandon
Well, well, well, I never thought it’d come but here it finally is. At the end of this month, my husband and I will be celebrating our ninth wedding anniversary! ...yay…!...? Yeah. I know. Not that exciting. I mean, ten years, yeah, of course. That’s a huge deal. You made it an entire decade. It’s the... copper anniversary? Bronze, maybe? Holy crap. I just looked it up. It’s the tin or aluminum... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Psychedelic Mushrooms: Why Good Science Must Win Out
In early December, Oregon’s attorney general approved language for a ballot legalizing psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocybin is a psychedelic produced by mushrooms, often referred to as “magic mushrooms,” and can cause hallucinations and feelings of euphoria. The Oregon Psilocybin Society, run by a couple from Beaverton, Oregon, is behind the ballot push, and it’s currently... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Fuel Their Critical Thinking
1/28/2019 - Have you ever received an unsolicited, direct-to-consumer advertisement via email, text or social media? Of course you have! They somehow seem to find all of us, even if we’re not looking for them. The same holds true for our young people. Just like us, they are bombarded with advertising – mainly on their phones and laptops; from YouTube videos to game... read more .

The Daily Signal… How States Look to Resist ‘Overreach’ by Federal Bureaucrats
By Kevin Mooney -- Parents from Indiana to South Carolina who expect to have a voice in what their children are taught in public schools find that more difficult, state lawmakers and policy analysts say, because the federal government has overstepped constitutional boundaries and interjected itself in state and local affairs. Proponents of legislation aimed at reforming the federal grant-making... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Everyone get out my house, By Aprill Brandon
Pretty much at some point in my day, pretty much every day, I realize just how lucky I am. A loving husband who loves to tell me about his day. Beautiful little children who fill my ears and heart with the sounds of laughter and the pitter-patter of little feet. I treasure each and every moment with these amazing creatures. But I could treasure them even more with just a little... read more .

The Daily Signal… How Bible Literacy Classes Could Help Heal Our Bitter Divisions, Daniel Davis - January 30, 2019 - A good teacher of history knows that you don’t just stick with the textbook. To really understand an event like the Battle of Gettysburg or Martin Luther King’s March on Washington, you have to read the primary sources—the speeches, handwritten letters, and firsthand accounts of the people who were there. Otherwise, all we’re left with are far-removed accounts... read more .

Education Dive… 6 tips for implementing an effective online student safety program, By Christina Iremonger - Jan. 29, 2019 - Like many school districts, we went into this digital transformation relying on our students and teachers to tell us when someone was acting in a way that would harm themselves or others. With nearly 24,000 students, 37 schools, and a superintendent who is tightly focused on student safety in both the online and offline world, we knew we needed... read more .

A rogue doctor of death in Ohio, By Melissa Martin
The airwaves are buzzing with the story about an Ohio hospital and doctor. And deceased patients. Death by fentanyl. Incompetence or negligence? Intentional to reduce prolonged suffering? Mercy killings? Euthanasia is not legal in the United States. Physician-assisted death is not legal in Ohio. However, Ohio State Senator Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus) introduced SB 249, Ohio Aid in Dying... read more .

Education Dive… Vaping's rise necessitates rethinking of nicotine education, By Lauren Barack -- Published Jan. 23, 2019 -- Heather Ledbetter has watched high schools in Tennessee’s Maryville City Schools (MCS) grapple with the growing use electronic cigarettes by students. "Vaping" e-cigarettes even happens in hallways, she said, to the irritation of students who asked for help from administrators to make it stop. Their complaints led district leaders to launch a program... read more .

Vox… The hidden costs of the government shutdown, By Nicole Fallert
Jan 24, 2019 - 35 ways the shutdown is affecting America, from small-business loans to alcohol labels. Airport lines are long, national parks are being vandalized: These are ubiquitous signs of the 34-day partial government shutdown. Nine federal departments are closed, and hundreds of other government operations have been scaled back or stopped altogether. They might be less... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Know! The New Danger - Nicotine Toothpicks?
Do you KNOW! what an electronic cigarette and a toothpick have in common? They’re both nicotine products promoted as “helping adults to quit smoking,” yet they’re both haphazardly finding their way into the hands (and mouths) of our youth nationwide. Yes, a toothpick. Standard toothpicks are now being infused or coated with nicotine, so you can get your nicotine fix in a discrete manner virtually anywhere... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Jon Snow isn’t the only one who knows nothing, By Aprill Brandon
My oldest child is about to turn 5-years-old. But don’t worry. This isn’t going to be “that” column. You know, the one where the parent is shocked, absolutely SHOCKED, to discover their child continues to age according to the rules of linear time. Because I have to be honest, I’ve never experienced that phenomenon where I blinked and my baby suddenly wasn’t a baby anymore... read more .

Extra Credit… Recognizing Momentum... One of the Great Things Happening in Ohio’s Schools, By Chris Woolard - 1/25/2019 - Merriam-Webster defines momentum as “strength or force gained by motion.” In sports, the concept of momentum often is used to describe teams or athletes that create an energy that turns the game in their favor through a series of outstanding efforts and events. As a sports fan, I can recognize that concept in action. There is a feeling of extreme... read more .

Toddler Trump needs a timeout in the Oval Office, By Melissa Martin
President Trump announced an end to the government shutdown on January 25. Is it a real deal to reopen the federal government or another tactic of the power-grabbing politician? Is Trump backing down or bamboozling Congress again? Is this a permanent or temporary solution? The elephant and donkey games continue. Trump is using his demand for a $5.7 billion border wall to justify his... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Three Steps to a Happy New You!
1/15/2019 -- It’s a new year. Have you given thought to what you’d like to take on or improve over the next 12 months? How about a happier, more positive life for you and/or your children? When you consider the previous year, did you experience more negative thoughts than positive? If so, there may be a technique to see things in a more positive, realistic light. Who couldn’t use a little more light in their life... read more .

Chase… Is college the only path? Picking the education that's best for you, By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox - 01/15/19 - For generations, high school students like you have been told that a college degree is the route to success and financial security. But it's not the only way to go: in fact, while it may seem like all your friends are heading off to college, a large number of high school graduates—about 30 percent—don't take the college path. Finding happiness and success in your career should... read more .

The Daily Signal… A History Lesson on the Shifting Political Stances on Illegal Immigration, Walter E. Williams - January 16, 2019 - Here are a couple of easy immigration questions—answerable with a simple “yes” or “no”—we might ask any American of any political stripe: Does everyone in the world have a right to live in the U.S.? Do the American people have a right, through their elected representatives, to decide who has the right to immigrate to their country and under what conditions... read more .

Extra Credit… Teachers Who Pass the Torch Deserve to be Recognized, By: Jonathan Juravich
In the field of education, teachers are a part of an incredible relay — a passing of the torch. Knowledge and guidance are passed from teacher to student, from teacher to teacher, and from teacher to the community. Over the course of my first 14 years in education, I have been a part of this relay with some exceptional teachers. These teachers do remarkable things for their students and communities... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I don’t know who you are, but I will find you, By Aprill Brandon
It’s been a long, hard winter. A long, hard winter that is barely a third of the way over. And yet, if I’m doing my math correctly, my family has already been sick 1,376 times since November. I’ve seen things, man. Things not even a mom should have to see. Every shade of vomit. Every consistency of mucus. Pure liquid evil coming out tiny terrified tushies. All of which I cleaned up... read more .

Watch for wrinkle cream rip-offs, By Melissa Martin
Enchanted emollients. Dream cream promises. The spell of the gel. Well it happened. Scammers used Judge Judy’s notoriety to bilk and bamboozle consumers. With deception and deceit, greedy cons created a fake website to hoodwink the public. The TV icon of the legal system does not endorse or sell skin care products. Ointment for oldsters is not her bag. Have you been scammed by a... read more .

Start Talking! Know! What You Can Do to Improve Your Mental Health
1/7/2019 - With the start of each new year, people commonly vow to improve their physical health, including diet, nutrition and exercise. While this is a vital measure to take, it is equally important to resolve to improve one’s mental and emotional heath as well. A healthy mind is fundamental to a person’s overall well-being, regardless of age. Our mental state affects how... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The family that slays together, stays together, By Aprill Brandon
There are a lot of theories out there about the best way to raise children. These mostly come from people without kids, but a shocking amount of parents manage to form strong opinions about this subject too. Which they must do in-between chugging Merlot and crying in the shower, I imagine. I’ll admit I used to be one of those parents. With lofty ideals about proper nutrition and... read more .

The Daily Signal… Sweden Isn’t Socialist, By John Stossel
January 04, 2019 - For years, I’ve heard American leftists say Sweden is proof that socialism works, that it doesn’t have to turn out as badly as the Soviet Union or Cuba or Venezuela did. But that’s not what Swedish historian Johan Norberg says in a new documentary and Stossel TV video. “Sweden is not socialist—because the government doesn’t own the means of production. To see that, you.. read more .

St. Mary’s School… Ohio weather… you gotta love it! By Kathy Ayette
Mother Nature has been temperamental lately, lots of mood swings. As part of my second graders’ math class we graph the morning temperatures. The range of our graph is 30 degrees. The lowest temperature was 20 degrees and the highest, 50 degrees. (We round off to the nearest ten degrees). The first graders have a weather graph. They graph the prevailing weather conditions, and have.. read more .

Newspapers R Us because Humans R Us, By Melissa Martin
North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica. Humans live, work, and play on the 7 continents. Humans sail the seas. Humans fly the skies. And humans read online newspapers. “The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold,” declared Henry Ward Beecher. All free countries on the planet with a printing press and the internet are... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Family Support for Prevention
1/1/2019 - Research Institute has identified 40 developmental assets for adolescents; a specific set of skills, experiences, relationships and behaviors that help young people flourish and mature into successful and contributing adults. Studies of more than five million children of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds consistently show that the more... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… No one told me there’d be a quiz, By Aprill Brandon
I had big plans this winter, guys. BIG PLANS. I was finally going to give in and jump on the hygge bandwagon. That Norwegian...or is it Danish?...Swedish? practice of making everything super cozy and charming. And you know what, it doesn’t even matter the origin because I planned on practicing a super-Americanized version of it where I spend the next three... read more .

The same beginning—what happened? By Melissa Martin
What do Christians, Jews, and Muslims have in common? The three world monotheisms, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, all believe in the Genesis account of creation; the first humans in the Garden of Eden; and the fall of humanity when Adam and Eve disobeyed the Creator. The rest of the world calls the Adam and Eve story a myth; not compatible with science on the emergence of the human... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Set Family Goals for the New Year
12/20/2018 -- 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 potential objectives for 2019 we challenge you... read more .

Health is wealth, By Melissa Martin
“The first wealth is health,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. The days of childhood flew by without worries about physical health for the majority of us living in rural Appalachia. Our grandmothers and mothers practiced home remedies labeled Appalachian folk medicine. And doctor visits were rare. Nonetheless, my mother and her sisters gave birth at hospitals. Both of my grandmother’s were... read more .

A 2018 Thank You to Everyone, By Susan Olling
The end of one year and the beginning of a new are coming. I can’t let that happen without saying thank you to---- -the Iowa State University Marching Band for the fifty dancing dinos. Thank goodness for the Internet, or we would have missed it. If you didn’t see this T-rex treat, do a search on Iowa State t-rexes and watch the videos. You’re a Grinch if you don’t at least smile. -Nancy, a... read more .

Ohio: So long 2018—Hello 2019, By Melissa Martin
Another year (2018) has departed—12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days have ticked away. The residue of events, happenings, and goings-on of 2018 dwell in newspapers, history books, human memories—and in the bowels of computer hard drives, cell phones, and other techno devices. More time has passed—8760 hours, 525,600 minutes, and 31,536,000 seconds have ticked... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… The Link between Underage Drinking and Sexual Assault
A recent news story illustrates the link between underage drinking and sexual assault. Regardless of the final charges, this story provides a teachable moment for adults, an important reminder that there's a strong connection between alcohol and sexual assault. We don't want to make conclusions that aren't supported yet about the woman's guilt or innocence or... read more .

More is not always better, By Melissa Martin
“If I only had more,” said the people. How many of us have made (or thought) this very same comment? How many of us have envied or resented those with more? How many of us have obsessed over how to get more? It’s human nature to equate “more” with happiness, contentment, satisfaction. Work hard to have more. Invest to have more. Save to have more. Our cultural expectations of... read more .

Remembering beloved pets during the holidays, By Melissa Martin
Kids dressed in fur—is what I, and many other animal lovers call our much-loved pets. They jump for joy to greet us when we enter the door. They snuggle with us, play with us, and give unconditional affection to us. Dogs protect us and our homes—cats not so much. Humans form bonds with furry and feathered friends, and even reptiles. Hamsters, ferrets, canaries, lizards, snakes... read more .

Moderation during holidays, By Melissa Martin
Must Americans supersize everything? Must Americans make everything a competition? Must Americans go big-bigger-biggest? People, practice self-control. How many six-foot inflatable characters does one yard need? How many outdoor blinking lights does one roof need? How many Christmas trees does one house need? Some families get caught up in “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” by... read more .

Teachable Moments… Know! Beyond the Holiday Blues
‘Tis the season to be jolly; It’s the most wonderful time of the year; It’s the happiest season of all. That’s what we hear. But what if your student isn’t feeling jolly, wonderful, or even the slightest bit happy? He or she may be experiencing the holiday blues. Unfortunately, just like moms, dads, teachers, and other adults, young people are not immune from feeling sad, lonely... read more .

Christmas tears and Christmas laughter, By Melissa Martin
Christmas is the best of times and the worst of times—when there’s an empty seat at our dinner table. When a mother, a father, a daughter, a son, a grandmother, a grandfather, a sibling, a relative, a best friend, or a cherished neighbor has passed away. When soldiers rest in coffins instead of beds. When angles, cherubs, and teddy bears decorate graves instead of nurseries—the holidays... read more .

ODE: EdConnection… Understanding Each Child, Our Future: Core Principles
12/17/2018 - Each Child, Our Future is Ohio’s five-year strategic plan to ensure each student enjoys a bright future thanks to an excellent preK-12 education experience. More than 150 Ohio-based partners helped develop Each Child, Our Future, along with feedback from 1,200 Ohio parents, caregivers, preK-12 and postsecondary educators, employers, business leaders, community... read more .

ODE Extra Credit… The Power of Partnerships in Meeting the Needs of the Whole Child and Community, Lindy Douglas, Alexander Local Schools - As the superintendent of Alexander Local Schools, I am proud to tell you about our success providing students with wraparound services. Wraparound services are additional supports for students that help them meet their basic needs so they can focus and do well in school. The wraparound services... read more .

Start Talking! Know! How To Reduce Holiday Stress
12/10/2018 - The holidays are meant to be a joy-filled season of gathering with friends and relatives, enjoying festive lights and music, exchanging goodies and giving generously. However, when time and money are stretched, relationships are strained and expectations are not met, what is meant to be a time of celebration may become a time of overwhelming stress... read more .

The Daily Signal… Sex Trafficking Is a Pandemic in the US, and It’s Time to End Demand, Kevin Malone - December 04, 2018 - This past October, a Dallas-area man was sentenced to life in federal prison for trafficking children for sex. The case offered a rare glimpse into a dark underworld most Americans don’t realize exists, right in their own backyards. Because of the hidden nature of this crime, many Americans don’t realize that sex trafficking is not just an international problem... read more .

Oh joy! A Golden Buckeye card for Christmas, By Melissa Martin
What a lovely holiday gift. This month I received an invitation to join the “ranks of nearly 2.4 million Ohioans eligible for a Golden Buckeye card.” Wow! It’s party time. Thank you to the Ohio Department of Aging for reminding me that I’m an oldster—a senior citizen. Welcome to Club Gray. Santa Claus probably mailed my Golden Buckeye card in time for Christmas because I said he... read more .

Extra Credit… 25 Things I’ve Learned from Nearly Four Decades in Education, By: Steve Gratz
Editor's Note: Our colleague, Steve Gratz, is retiring after many years in education. Steve’s blogs have challenged many education concepts and provided sage advice for innovation in education. Thank you, Steve. We wish you luck as you transition to your next opportunity. I’m retiring from the Ohio Department of Education on Dec. 31, 2018, after 36 years in education and 10 state... read more .

St. Mary’s School… Don’t freak out. My class is capable of anything. By Kathy Ayette
There is one thing that I can say about the first half of December. It certainly has been eventful. In the first thirteen days of the month, we have had First Reconciliation, Mass with a bishop, a Christmas program and Donuts with Dad. Ever agree to do something that at the time seemed like a good idea, but as the task grew nearer, you had second thoughts, as in “Why didn’t my so-called... read more .

Teachable Moments… Know! To Give and Receive the Gift of Kindness
Tis the season for giving; and among the greatest gifts one can give to another is kindness. It need not cost a thing. One single act of kindness has the potential of inspiring others and creating a rippling effect that keeps on giving. Research shows that we as human beings are hard-wired to be kind, some people more than others. But even for those students who are not the... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Honest Christmas Letter, By Aprill Brandon
Greetings, friends and family and people I barely know anymore but still have your addresses saved so what the hell! I hope this year has been good to you (she types like she hasn’t stalked over half of you on social media late at night with a glass of wine in her hand...definitely-not-creepy haha!). It’s been a wonderful year here at the Brandon-Huddle household. At least I think... read more .

Will men in Ohio speak out against domestic violence? By Melissa Martin
Mothers, sisters, and daughters are victims of domestic violence. Wives, live-in partners, and girlfriends are victims of domestic violence. Teen girls are victims of dating violence. Throughout history it’s been women at the forefront for change at the grassroots level and at our nation’s capital as they marched for police, the courts, and the government to pass and enforce laws to prevent... read more .

Appomattox: The Surrender Grounds, By Susan Olling
The Surrender Grounds, as the locals call it, is well worth a visit. A stage road connected Richmond and Lynchburg in the early nineteenth century. The Clover Hill Tavern was built in 1819 to serve as a stop on the four day trip between the two cities. The tavern gave its name to a village after Appomattox County was formed in 1845. Then Clover Hill was renamed Appomattox Court House... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Practice Kindness
11/20/2018 - 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... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… Budget for 2019 has been balanced
November is the unofficial start of winter, and the official month of Thanksgiving. It seems the weather has brought winter in early on some days, and on other days it seems it was trying to hang onto fall! Our farmers have had a devil of a time getting crops in because of the rainfall this month, and at this writing, there is still plenty to harvest. November turned out to be eventful in... read more .

The white-washing of Santa Claus, by Melissa Martin
For starters (spoiler alert) Santa Claus is an imaginary character—not real. The jolly guy in the goofy red suit is an American icon of popular culture. Although portrayed as magical—he’s mythical. The Santa story is a fabled fairy-tale—not true. A lavish legendary yarn. The roly-poly male with the white beard is a fictional character. Flying reindeer, a toy manufacturing center at the North Pole, and... read more .

Teachable Moments… Know! CBD – Miracle in a Bottle or Modern-Day Snake Oil?
If you haven’t yet heard of CBD oil, you will soon. It’s one of the hottest, trendiest products on the market, and it claims to be a cure-all for whatever ails you. Celebrities are not only talking about and endorsing a variety of CBD oil-infused products, but they’re also creating and selling product lines of their own. CBD oil can come in everything from your morning coffee to your nighttime... read more .

Jesus was Jewish, By Melissa Martin
I did not know that Jesus was Jewish until Bible College. As a child, an adolescent, and young adult, I attended various church services, Vacation Bible school, youth group meetings, and Sunday services—but neither preacher or teacher talked about a Jewish Jesus. How did I miss Biblical and historical facts? Jesus was born Jewish. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph were Jewish... read more .

Extra Credit… A message from Ohio’s 2018 Teacher of the Year: Thank You, Superheroes, for the Difference You Make in Ohio’s Classrooms, By Jonathan Juravich - A week after I was named the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year, I received a note from an administrator in another part of the state asking if I really thought I “was the best teacher in Ohio.” I was taken aback by this question — the answer clearly is no. I am in no way the best teacher in Ohio or even... read more .

The Daily Signal… 1 Item in the Opioid Bill Will Cause Problems, by Jonathan Zalewski
November 13, 2018 -- President Donald Trump recently signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act), which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress. SUPPORT is an acronym for “Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment.” The new law will create new opioid treatment programs... read more .

Santa Claus: to lie or not to lie, By Melissa Martin
Ho-ho-ho. Do your kids believe in the magical, mythical, mysterious bearded man in the red suit who drives a sleigh with eight reindeer? Did you believe in the jolly ole guy during your childhood? Is your family seeped in the Santa-obsessed season? Well, here’s my question: Is there any harm to children when parents lie about Santa Claus being a real person? Answer: It depends on who... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Social anxiety increases substance abuse risk
11/15/2018 - Many adults are known to drink alcohol at social functions to “loosen up” and feel more comfortable interacting with others. Well, guess what? Many of our teens are doing the exact same thing. It is often referred to as “liquid courage” because, after a few drinks, a person may no longer feel afraid to get out there and dance, to ask out a love interest or to simply... read more .

Who was Patrick Henry? And more. By Susan Olling
It was a treat to hear the National Anthem played normally on Veteran’s Day. We watched one of the NFL pre-game shows (aired from a military base) and the start of one of the games (anthem sung by a military group). The anthem wasn’t tarted up either time. May I suggest that others sing/play it the same way? No embellishment’s needed. And certainly no annoying, swooping... read more .

The Daily Signal… The Surprising Story of the First Thanksgiving, Katrina Trinko & Daniel Davis - November 22, 2018 - Thanksgiving is a special day in this country, not just because of the turkey and football and relatives, but also because of the historical memory that lies at the heart of it. The story of the pilgrims and the Indians is our national story, which means we’d better get it right. To do that, we had the honor of speaking with Dr. Tracy McKenzie over the phone... read more .

St. Mary’s School… The Best Teacher in the World, By Kathy Ayette
You may not be aware of this, but you are reading a column by the “best teacher in the world”. I received this accolade seconds after I announced last Tuesday I would not be giving any written homework until after Thanksgiving. Little did my class realize, I had an ulterior motive. You know the song about going over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house. Well in my other... read more .

Recognizing the Power of School Libraries and Librarians, By Stephanie Donofe Meeks
A strong school library program has a powerful effect on literacy and learning for all students. In a March 2018 Phi Delta Kappan article called Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us, Keith Curry Lance and Debra E. Kachel cite research that supports this: Since 1992, a growing body of research known as the school library impact studies has consistently shown... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes, By Aprill Brandon
Cheeseball appetizer - Call mom for recipe. Get annoyed because she’s going into super detail and you’ll never remember it. Ask her to just email it to you. Forget within two minutes that any of this ever happened, letting the recipe languish in email purgatory until the end of time. The Turkey - For the brine: Vegetable broth...all of it the store has (you may get into a fight with... read more .

Teachable Moments… Know! Sexual Assault Prevention Tips for Teens
The following Know! Tip discusses subject matter that some parents and teachers may feel uncomfortable reading about, specifically regarding sexual assault. If you, or someone you know, has been sexually assaulted and want to talk, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is a free and confidential resource where counselors are available 24/7. You can reach the National Sexual... read more .

The ethical dilemma of Issue 1, By Bryan Day, Edison State Community College Student
Ohio issue 1 was on the 2018 ballot. Issue 1 was intended to decriminalize drug offenses. Ohio and the Dayton area is known for having one of the worst drug problems in the nation. The issue is getting worse. Drug convictions are filling our jails and costing the state more and more every year. Interstates 70 and 75 intersect just north of Dayton, Ohio. This gives drug dealers an ideal location to... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Effect of Peer Presence
11/5/2018 - 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 from Temple University... read more .

Safe, Inclusive Schools Prevent Bullying Before it Starts, By Kimberly Monachino
As I walk down the halls of schools, I am always intrigued with the creative and empowering messages that appear on bulletin boards. Especially those messages that focus on inclusive school culture and creating positive learning environments. One tagline read, “Do the right thing even when no one is looking.” Another illustrated a colorful box of crayons with each... read more .

Newspapers connect humanity, By Melissa Martin
North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica. Humanity lives, works, and plays on the 7 continents. And reads the newspaper. Because every life is a story and tells a story. All free countries on the planet with a printing press (and the Internet) are able to connect to share words, ideas, and daily happenings. People read newspapers around the globe because... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Heroin is a threat in your community
10/30/2018 - Have you talked to your children about the dangers of heroin? If not, you may be thinking: Heroin is not going to cross my child’s path where we live. My child is terrified of needles; there is no way she’d try heroin. Heroin may attract some kids, but not mine. If you share similar thoughts, you’re not alone. But keep in mind, heroin has changed over the years, along... read more .

6 Things That British Thinker Roger Scruton Has to Say About Conservatives and Freedom, Troy Worden - October 22, 2018 - Sir Roger Scruton has described himself as a “reluctant capitalist,” but when asked why in a recent appearance at The Heritage Foundation, he jokingly answered: “Because I’ve never had the chance to make money for myself.” Scruton spoke as part of a Heritage lecture series called “Free Markets: The Ethical Economic Choice.” David Burton... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… How to survive a road trip with your family (Part 1), By Aprill Brandon
Spoiler alert: You don’t. Sure, you’re alive. Technically. But you come back changed. Different. Hardened. You are not the same person who optimistically climbed into that tiny Hyundai Accent with your husband and two kids and an elderly dog, all bright-eyed with dreams of adventure and bonding and Instagram-worthy shots of the highway. You are now a survivor. You have been to... read more .

The Daily Signal… Giving Away Money Won’t End Poverty, but It Will Destroy Something Special About America, Jarrett Stepman - October 23, 2018 - One of the left’s hot new policy ideas is simply to give money to everyone to end poverty. And of course, California is leading the charge. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., proposed a national plan last week that would give families making under $100,000 a tax credit of $500 per month, which adds up to $6,000 a year. Harris... read more .

People still read newspapers, By Melissa Martin
According to a recent online article in Editor & Publisher, a Nielsen Scarborough study suggested “that in an average month, 169 million adults read a U.S. newspaper. They may be reading it in one or more iterations—in print, on the web, via a mobile app, courtesy of an e-newsletter or through a social media news feed.” www.editorandpublisher.com/. Some 58 percent of people ages 16... read more .

NPR Ed… 9 Things You Need To Know About Education And Tuesday's Election, Franziska Barczyk - With the midterms on Tuesday, we've devoted our weekly roundup to focus on education's role in the election. Here are our nine takeaways of key issues and trends to watch: 1. Teachers are flexing their (political) muscles - With just days to go, both of the major teachers' unions have devoted their considerable resources to the election. The American Federation of Teachers... read more .

The Daily Signal… Birthright Citizenship: A Fundamental Misunderstanding of the 14th Amendment, Hans von Spakovsky - October 30, 2018 - What’s the citizenship status of the children of illegal aliens? That question has spurred quite a debate over the 14th Amendment lately, with the news that several states—including Pennsylvania, Arizona, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Carolina—may launch efforts to deny automatic citizenship to such children. Critics... read more .

Nearly Half Of American Children Don’t Have Married Parents. Here’s Why It Matters. Grace Carr - October 18, 2018 - For the first time in U.S. history, out-of-wedlock births in America are largely a result of cohabitation, according to the United Nations Population Fund 2018 State of World report released Wednesday. Single mothers had nearly 90 percent of out-of-wedlock births in 1968, but that number decreased to 53 percent in 2017, according to the... read more .

The Daily Signal… Our Modern World’s Inability to Understand Fairy Tales, Katrina Trinko
October 19, 2018 - It’s not fair. This refrain—so quick to be invoked by young children, who seem to develop a thirst for justice very young indeed—may seem like a curious place to begin in defense of fairy tales. But let me explain. But to backtrack a little further first—well, the latest salvo against fairy tales comes from two Hollywood actresses, Kristen Bell (“Frozen,” “The... read more .

Do you know about domestic violence in Ohio? By Melissa Martin
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). In October 1987, the first national Domestic Violence Awareness Month was held. In conjunction, the same year the first national toll-free hotline was begun. In 1989, Congress passed the first DVAM commemorative legislation and it has been passed every year since. “The Ohio Domestic Violence Network... read more .

Start Talking! Know! the Link Between Alcohol and Sexual Assault
10/25/2018 - Alcohol is NEVER an acceptable excuse for sexual assault. Alcohol is, however, the substance used most frequently to assist in sexual assault. The connection between the two is complex. A false assumption exists that when alcohol is involved in a sexual assault, it somehow lessens the crime—as if the perpetrator is somehow less responsible for his... read more .

Harvard Graduate School of Education… The Fierceness of Mister Rogers, By Grace Tatter
October 25, 2018 -- The tinkling piano that signaled the start of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” the cozy sweaters, a warm smile: everyone remembers the gentleness of Mister Fred Rogers, and his Neighborhood, the ultimate safe space. But fewer people might remember that Mister Rogers deployed that gentleness to be radically honest with generations of children about topics that can be difficult... read more .

Killing the Electoral College Would Alienate Half the Country, by Walter E. Williams
October 17, 2018 -- Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, seeking to represent New York’s 14th Congressional District, has called for the abolition of the Electoral College. Her argument came on the heels of the Senate’s confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. She was lamenting the fact that Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, nominated... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I ran 13.1 miles & all I got was this lousy self-esteem, By Aprill Brandon
People do dumb things. It’s one of the few things you can rely on. You’ve probably heard that old quote that goes “the only constant is change.” But really it should be amended to “the only constants are change and people do dumb things.” I should know. I am a people and I just did something dumb. I ran a half marathon on Saturday. Not dumb enough for you? Just wait, there’s more... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Big Sibling Effect!
10/15/2018 - There is a unique and special connection between siblings that cannot be denied nor duplicated. They are both tormentors and protectors; a source of teasing one moment, the greatest ally the next. Siblings are also likely to be one and other’s longest-lasting relationship. Four out of five Americans get to experience the growing years with... read more .

Preventive Action Alliance… Alcohol Ads Increasingly Target Youth
In prevention, we talk a lot about the advertising practices of companies that sell addictive products. And for good reason, as alcohol and tobacco companies have used ads to encourage young people to experiment with and ultimately get addicted to those products. But what does it mean, exactly, to target youth? In Lockyer v. Reynolds, a court determined that... read more .

The Verge… Google’s new project teaches kids how to combat online abuse
By Nick Statt -- Oct 11, 2018 -- Google announced a new partnership today to promote online safety and positivity for young children. The company is working with the National Parent Teachers Association and the nonprofit DonorsChoose.org, which lets companies donate directly to public schools, on a project the organizations are calling “Be Internet Awesome.” Essentially, Google is trying... read more .

Living in paradise comes with a price, By Melissa Martin
Picturesque views of sky, sea, and sand. Oceanic experiences with wet creatures, lush vegetation, and tropical trends. Soothing sounds, salty smells, and savory seafood. A hammock, a book, and a cold beverage. Ahhh. “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water,” affirmed Loren Eiseley. What is your “beach personality?” An article in Coastal Living labeled the types... read more .

Americans Have Almost Entirely Forgotten Their History, Jarrett Stepman
October 04, 2018 - In America, we celebrate democracy and are justifiably proud that this nation was founded on the idea that the people should rule. That’s why it is so important that Americans be informed about their government. They are partakers in it. In fact, they control it. Under tyrannical systems, it matters little if the people are informed about political life... read more .

St. Marys School… October marks jack-o-lanterns and clutters of spiders, By Kathy Ayette
Once again I am being observed by a pumpkin patch of grocery sack jack-o-lanterns and a clutter of lunch bag spiders. (I actually looked up what a large group of spiders is called and it is a clutter. Learn something new every day!) This year the pumpkins are really keeping an eye on me. While rummaging around the art room, I found some extra-large shaky eyes. So after the children painted... read more .

Teachable Moments… Getting to Know! The Lawnmower Parent
By this point, we’re likely all familiar with the term Helicopter Parenting, where parents keep an overly watchful eye on their child’s every move and then swoop in to save the day at the first sign of trouble. But have you heard of Lawnmower Parenting? While the helicopter parent hovers and worries, the lawnmower parent takes it even further, stepping in to clear their child’s path of potential obstacles... read more .

NPR Ed… 5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Learn
We learned this week that where you live can determine your future success. And its these socio-economic factors that trickle into our schools, giving some kids a better quality education than others. That’s the achievement gap in nut shell. But did you know that researchers can start to see signs of that gap in kids as young as 18 months old? Research also tells us... read more .

Living History at Colonial Williamsburg, By Susan Olling
We spent a few days at the largest living history museum in the world, Colonial Williamsburg in mid-September. No matter how many times we’ve been down there over the years, we’ve always learned something. There were the old reliables: To Hang a Pirate, the trial of one of Edward Teach’s crew. We know him Mr. Teach as Blackbeard. Fifteen of Blackbeard’s crew were tried in the General Court... read more .

With Appreciation to The Triangle Dance Club, Roger Van Frank, Director, Darke County Parks
“The Darke County Park District is thankful for all of the support they receive in many forms from local citizens, property owners and merchants”, stated Deb Shiverdecker, Administrative Assistant. Just recently the Park District held their annual Prairie Days festival with over 5,000 people attending. Prairie Days is a free family event which combines lots of fun... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Foster Empathy for Bullying Prevention
10/2/2018 - In a previous tip, Know! The End of Bullying Begins With YOU, we learned that more than one in five students reported being bullied. Regardless of what position a child is in - a target, bully, or bystander – they are at an increased risk for a variety of mental health and behavioral problems, including substance abuse. In addition to positive role... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The End of Bullying Begins With YOU
9/25/2018 - Wondering why we hear so much about bullying? Because there’s way too much of it going on and it’s a huge problem for everyone involved. Students report getting bullied most often because of looks, body shape, race and sexual orientation. While every child is at risk for being the target of bullying, young people with disabilities or special education needs get bullied two... read more .

The Daily Signal… Why States Are Leaving Common Core, Jude Schwalbach
September 20, 2018 - After less than 10 years in the classroom, Common Core could soon be on its way out. The Obama administration introduced Common Core in 2010, imposing burdensome new standards and tests in an attempt to create uniform educational content across the nation. Despite loud objections from parents, teachers, school leaders, and state... read more .

Parenting to Prevent Childhood Alcohol Use
Drinking alcohol undoubtedly is a part of American culture, as are conversations between parents and children about its risks and potential benefits.However, information about alcohol can seem contradictory. Alcohol affects people differently at different stages of life—small amounts may have health benefits for certain adults, but for children and adolescents... read more .

Those left behind when suicide occurs in Ohio, By Melissa Martin
Some of my saddest moments have been in the presence of mothers and fathers whose children died by suicide or adult children that lost a parent to suicide. Anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide is considered a survivor of suicide. The American Psychiatric Association ranks the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide as “catastrophic.” Shock, confusion, despair, abandonment... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I believe you. By Aprill Brandon
I am angry. I am tired. I am sad. But mostly, I am angry. All week I’ve been glued to social media, watching how people are reacting to the sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. And realizing just how far we haven’t come. I’ve also been watching as my female friends and family have come out with their own horrific sexual assault stories in the wake of this news cycle... read more .

Bullying is on the rise, survey shows. How did we get here? by Jen Wilka
The severe and lasting consequences for victims - September 24, 2018 - I have been thinking a lot lately about bullying in schools, as a parent, citizen and executive director of a nonprofit that works closely with educators across the nation. I know that many of us have been. My organization, YouthTruth, has analyzed insights about bullying from survey responses of more than... read more .

Veterans and the tragedy of suicide, By Melissa Martin
Those who fought for our freedom are also dying by suicide on American soil. “On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind,” proclaimed Dan Lipinski. In 2015, an average of 20 active duty service members, non-activated guard or reserve members, and other... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To create an after school prevention plan
9/17/2018 - A new school year is a time of transition, especially for students entering middle or high school or students attending a new school. Studies show that times of transition increase a child’s risk for substance use. For some students it is the stress of having to navigate through a new school building and seeing so many new faces; for others it is the new or increased... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Ways to unsuccessfully deal with insomnia, By Aprill Brandon
1. Watch something. But not something too interesting. But also not so boring that it allows your mind to wander. Maybe something you’ve already seen but enjoyed. Preferably where at least one character has a British accent and is trying to solve a crime. 2. Read something. Same rules apply. 3. Eat something. Because, hey, it’s there and what else have you got to do... read more .

What movie would we be? By George Starks
There isn't a day that goes by when every news outlet is talking about some sexual abuse accusation. It's a never ending battle just to listen to it. It all stems back to the days of Dennis Rodman and Kobe Bryant. Women looking to get financial gain from an accusation. It was crazy then and it's getting worse. When Donald Trump was elected to the presidency, some porn star came out against... read more .

The Daily Signal… Why We Couldn’t Create Our Constitution Today, John York
September 17, 2018 - Americans should be thankful not only for the rare genius that assembled in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the Constitution, but for the unique circumstances under which they met. Not all moments in time are ripe for founding a nation. Nor is every citizenry equally prepared to receive new modes and orders. The Founders’ time and generation... read more .

Patrick Henry: The Voice of the Revolution, By Susan Olling
Patrick Henry’s favorite home was Red Hill, in Charlotte County, Virginia. Red Hill got its name from the color of the soil in the area and its location on a hill overlooking the Staunton (pronounced Stanton, the locals don’t like it when the word’s pronounced like it looks) River Valley. Red Hill was designated as the Patrick Henry National Memorial by Congress in 1986. It's a place that people... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Risk Factors Associated with Drug Addiction
9/13/2018 - September is National Recovery Month. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month is a time to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders and celebrate people living in recovery. More than 20 million Americans are currently in recovery from... read more .

Commissioners Corner… Darke County Airport Reopens
August was certainly an interesting month weather wise here in Darke County. It seemed like every day there was either a monsoon, or scorching heat to deal with. The weather and the recess of the legislature in Columbus, have certainly been the topic here in the Commissioner’s office. Now that September is here, let’s hope we have a normal fall! At this time of the year, the Commissioners... read more .

St. Mary’s School… Techno-gremlins started school year in full force, By Kathy Ayette
The halls of St. Mary’s are once again ringing with the sounds of students and teachers. This year I am rolling along with the crowd as opposed to lagging behind. I had my hip replaced this summer and have been impressing everyone with my awesome walking skills. One of my students noted I go a lot faster than I did last year, which isn’t necessarily all that fast. I would like... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I know how this ends, By Aprill Brandon
Despite the fact that I’ve pretty much made a career out of complaining, I must confess that lately things have been going well. My preschooler is slowly realizing that preschool won’t kill him. My 2-year-old has yet to burn down the house or train the dog to do her nefarious bidding. My husband and I are going strong, united in love and mutual exhaustion. Financially we... read more .

Ramblings of an Old Man… Act of kindness. Pass it on. By Bob Robinson
At a local restaurant not too long ago, an incredible thing happened. Something you see too seldom these days… There was a whole group of us waiting to be seated… including Katie, a former intern of mine, and her family. A long time ago intern. Hadn’t seen her in years, almost a decade, then all of a sudden we started running into each other at the store. And now at the... read more .

Teachable Moments… Know! The Key Skills for Your Child's Academic Success
Academic success is a team effort that includes an individual student, his or her teachers, and the child’s parents. In order to be the best team possible, we encourage you to share the following information with your parent network. PARENTS: As the new school year begins, you have the opportunity to help your students start strong and stay on track toward academic success. We... read more .

The Unsung Hero, Chris Mortensen & Rhonda Schaar
September 10, 2018 - The K-8 students and staff will take a moment to remember a day of tragedy and of unification of people around those who stood as heroes on September 11, 2001. We have heard it asked many times, “Where are all the heroes today?” We often consider the acts of people that occur randomly, and in the moment, to be our indicators as to whether a... read more .

Extra Credit… Your Words Matter to Others’ Mindsets, By Steve Gratz
Over the past few weeks at the Department, I've been overhearing the chatter of my colleagues getting their children ready for the return to school. Some of my co-workers are methodically getting their children up earlier and earlier in preparation for the first day of school. Many took full advantage of Ohio's sales tax holiday. And several shared how excited they were about... read more .

Ohio Department of Education… Getting to Class is the First Step to Academic Success, by Brittany Miracle, Program Administrator -- September is National Attendance Awareness Month. Regular school attendance is so important it gets an entire month of recognition and celebration! (Not that National Taco Day on Oct. 4 isn’t cause for celebration, too.) Did you know? Good attendance is important starting in kindergarten. Children with good attendance in kindergarten... read more .

For all they do, mothers are the glue, By Melissa Martin
I found the following short story circulating on the Internet. Author is unknown. It’s about recognizing mothers for all they do. And acknowledging that mothers are the glue. Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed." She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches, rinsed the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I survived the first week of school, By Aprill Brandon
I was ready for the tears. I knew they’d come. From him. And me. Oof, so many tears. So much ugly cry. An absurd amount of snot leaking from our faces. I was ready for the fear and the anxiety. Again, on both our parts. This is a huge change. Since the day he was born we’ve been by each other’s sides and now... well, now the real world was wrenching us apart. And... read more .

It’s a slower world; some even carry firearms, By Susan Olling
We started a new adventure when Mr. History was offered early retirement in February. He wanted to be moved from the D.C. environs by the end of May. Sounded good to me. Things moved faster than any of us imagined. We’ve been living in the Old Dominion since the Wednesday before Memorial Day. Mid-February through mid-May was an almost constant period of activity... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Apparently the tooth fairy got a tax break too, By Aprill Brandon
Considering my oldest child is only four, I admit I’m still fairly new to the parenting game. However, I’m not so new that I don’t already have strong opinions on how the rest of you are doing this wrong. (Oh, shut up, you know we all do. The second that baby came out of my body I was already critical of how the doctor was holding him.) Now, let me clarify, I don’t care how... read more .

Parents, teens and technology, By Melissa Martin
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Tumblr, Flickr, Reddit, WhatsApp,
Google, and all the other techno companies have produced products that have changed and benefited the world. Phones, apps, and the web are necessary to our daily work lives and personal lives. But, is there a dark side for teen usage? The annual Piper Jaffray Taking... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Middle School Challenges and Changes
8/15/2018 -- The first day of middle school is on the horizon. While your child’s initial fears of navigating the hallways, using the combination lock and finding someone to sit with at lunch may be officially behind her, it doesn’t mean she’s got a peaceful, easy feeling about the rest of her middle school experience. And as a parent, you must know, this is only the beginning... read more .

It’s a Wrap: Fun and Games at the Fair, By Bob Robinson
The 162nd Great Darke County Fair is a Wrap. Mother Nature wasn’t very kind this year with thunderstorms and too often just plain old rain and drizzle, either just before or during fair hours. The Cheer Competition had to be moved to Greenville High School, and I understand the Tractor Pulls had to be cancelled… That said… the rides were great, the food vendors were... read more .

September is the month for suicide awareness, By Melissa Martin
“The statistics for suicide in America are disturbingly high. It is tragic not only for the one whose life was cut short, but also for those loved ones left behind after their death. On average, there are 750,000 people a year whose lives are directly impacted by the suicide of a loved one. For many, these effects continue for years, even a lifetime,” according to a 2017 article in Psychology... read more .

The Great Darke County Fair… Top Fair Attractions... Friends and Animals, By Bob Robinson -- The Great Darke County Fair is a time for catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, family get-togethers and sometimes just saying hi to people you know or see - occasionally or otherwise - throughout the year. Sometimes you stop and talk; sometimes you wave in greeting as you walk by. So far, I’ve managed to hit the fairways (and the barns) every day. I see a lot of my “kids;” usually... read more .

Kids Day at The Great Darke County Fair, By Bob Robinson
Monday was kids day at the Great Darke County Fair, so naturally I focused on kids. Big kids, little kids… mostly happy kids. Twenty photos; 28 kids. Maybe a third of them were “my” kids… substitute teaching, former Edison State students, Empowering After School (tutoring) program. Most were there to take advantage of cheaper rides; others were still working... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… When reality bites, drink kombacha (mixed with vodka), By Aprill Brandon
You know how when you have kids and you look down for just a second to tie their shoe or pick up their Legos and the next thing you know it’s five years later and everything is different and you have no idea what is going on outside of your living room? Well, I just looked up and somehow, between getting knocked up with my first child and celebrating the second birthday... read more .

Bar-B-Que and More at The Great Darke County Fair, By Bob Robinson
After weeks of anticipation and, in some cases, months of preparation, the Great Darke County Fair finally arrived. I didn’t make it to the Grand Opening, but I assume it was rather wet. Rain was coming down hard about ribbon-cutting time, so much so that the cheer contest was moved to Greenville High School. By 11 a.m. or so, the sun had come out and people were beginning... read more .

ODE Extra Credit… Beyond Engagement: Empowering Students to Take Ownership of Learning, By: Virginia Ressa - Summer “vacation” is one of those things that non-educators sometimes misunderstand. Some people, even our family members, think teachers have three months off to lounge, sleep in and binge watch the shows we missed during the school year. We know differently. First of all, it’s not three months – it’s maybe two and... read more .

Five things to say every morning, By Melissa Martin
I am alive, I will choose my attitude for the day, I will be kind to myself, I will be kind to others, and I will not take anything personally. The goal is to begin every day focused on how you want to think, feel, act, and react. However, the purpose is not a Pollyanna denial about our problems, or to put a guilt trip on ourselves, neither to pretend in painful situations. The point is to start each day... read more .

Support for Trump’s “America First” policies, By Lyn Bliss
I voted for and today support President Trump even more than when I cast that vote. Because, when President Trump says “promises made, promises kept” he isn’t lying. The promises he has kept during his short term in office have made me wonder if some of the other Presidents were even really trying! He has a wonderful ability to do things other presidents have only talked about. Our economy... read more .

ODE Extra Credit… A Parent’s Hope for the New School Year, By Wendy Grove
This week, I am writing not as an education professional, but as a parent. My daughter is the child that made me a mother for the first time. Last week, she turned 11 years old, and I want to tell you about her. She is brave, creative, artistic, smart, stubborn, self-centered and difficult. She likes singing songs, watching anime, reading Percy Jackson books, snuggling... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… My favorite parenting book is “Frankenstein” By Aprill Brandon
It never ceases to amaze me how similar talking about raising kids sounds to the plotlines of horror movies. “I woke up, disoriented, only to discover his face was mere inches from mine, his milky breath washing over me. I screamed while his face contorted into an evil smile.” “I slammed shut the bathroom door but when I looked down I saw two pairs of sticky hands slowly reaching out for me from underneath... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The Effect of Peer Presence
8/7/2018 -- 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 from Temple University were curious... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… MARCS conversion complete; airport completion moved back
July has certainly been an interesting month in the Commissioner’s office! It seemed like every day there was a new challenge to deal with! The weather and the coming recess of the legislature in Columbus have certainly played havoc at times with everyone’s plans. Hopefully things will clear up in the future. Commissioner Stegall took a young man from... read more .

Kudos to school lunch ladies! By Melissa Martin
I remember the lunch ladies wearing white uniforms and hairnets as they dipped and dished food items onto plates. Some smiled. Some grumbled. But these hardworking women put up with a cafeteria full of noise and nonsense day after day and year after year—until retirement. The following is a funny fictional story I penned to express my appreciation for the school food staff; cooks... read more .

Ramblings of an Old Man… Helping a child grow, By Bob Robinson
Oh… so so SO tired. My Edison classes wrapped up on Thursday, May 10; there were still a full two more weeks of Greenville classes… so I looked forward to a few assignments. I got them. In spades. I was a kindergarten sub the next day… then first grade, then second grade, then… well, you get the drift. For the next 11 days I got to step into the shoes of teachers who work... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Transition Increases Risk
8/1/2018 - 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 faces, new... read more .

Ohio Department of Education… Relationships… The Foundation of a Successful School Year, By Kimberly Monachino -- It is hard to believe that another school year is fast approaching. Before we know it, the yellow school buses will be en route and the “20 mile per hour” school zone signs will be flashing. The marquees outside many schools will read “Welcome Back Students!” or “Good luck students and staff for a successful 2018-2019 school year!” Even after 30 years in education... read more .

Dealing with stealing, By Melissa Martin
The following scenario illustrates what can happen when adults look the other way and when a child lacks empathy and remorse, a sense of right and wrong, and a moral compass. Benson’s family was middle-class and he had lots of toys, clothes, the latest video-games, and trendy gadgets. His family lived in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. He went on vacations, played with other kids... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Sorry not sorry, By Aprill Brandon
One day, not long ago, my daughter went down a slide and rammed right into the back of an older child who had gone down the slide before her. It really hurt, the boy was quick to tell me, and my daughter should probably apologize for it. I agreed and turned to her, saying “Mae, can you say you’re sorry?” Her response? To stare defiantly at both of us. She stared so long... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Bust Summer Boredom
7/16/2018 - For many families, moving further into July 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 .

Living with Diabetes, By Kayla Seman, Edison State Community College student
“I’m thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.” ~Unknown - When people hear the word diabetes the first things they think are: you ate way too much sugar as a child, you must have been fat when you were younger, I know you can’t have sugar, and the one that frustrates me the most, “I heard you can cure that with cinnamon.” There are... read more .

Be prepared when Mother Nature rages, By Melissa Martin
From the beginning of the beginning, weather and climate have affected planet Earth and humankind. The forces of nature both bless and curse our world. Heat. Drought. Wildfires. Why is Mother Nature so angry? Blizzards. Hail. Ice storms. Too much sun and we experience drought. Too much rain and we experience floods. “Turn around. Don’t drown!” Too much wind and... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The Adventures of Kitty “Meow” Cat, III, Written by Kitty Cat
Hello. You probably don’t know me. In fact, there is no reason you should. My existence is of little importance to most people. Most people, that is, save one. And it is for her sake that I would like to share the following story with you. Perhaps I should start at the beginning. My name is Kitty Cat. A wholly unoriginal name, I’ll grant you, but considering... read more .

All the right moves, By Bob Robinson
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the best Annie Oakley Festival I’ve seen in years. After struggling with a huge fairgrounds that, while well attended, didn’t seem so due to the spread out space; after moving to York Woods and picking up speed, only to find out it was necessary to move again… The Festival hit a home run at the south end of the Darke County Fairgrounds... read more .

Protecting minors in public places, By Melissa Martin
“A 14-year-old boy has been identified as the person police believe sexually assaulted two teen girls inside a Kroger in Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon,” according to the WSAZ news website concerning the July 2018 incident. It was alleged the juvenile grabbed clothed female buttocks; one victim was in the bathroom and the other victim was in the cosmetics aisle. www... read more .

When enough is enough, By Melissa Martin
I found a heart-wrenching and a heart-warming poem on Pinterest and traced it back to several websites while searching for the writer. A book called I Wish You Enough: Embracing Life’s Most Valuable Moments One Wish at a Time (2009, Thomas Nelson Publisher) by Bob Perks popped up. So I bought it. The inspirational stories in Perks’ book contains 8 values for contentment in a world of abundance that we often take for granted... read more .

Start Talking! Know! July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
7/20/2018 -- July is nationally recognized by Congress as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise awareness about mental illness and its effects on minority populations. “Once my loved ones accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entire family, but it took too long. It took years. Can’t we, as a nation, begin to speed up... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The last days of nowhere to be, By Aprill Brandon
I think there’s something wrong with my calendar. I looked at it this morning and it said it was the end of July in the year of our Lord 2018. Which is practically August. Which is basically pre-autumn. And that can’t possibly be right. Because if that is right, that means my family is swiftly approaching the last golden-tinged days of childhood where we have nothing to do... read more .

Start Talking! Know! The New Marketplace for Buying and Selling
7/9/2018 - It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in June, and we were celebrating our eight-year-old son’s birthday at our neighborhood park with 20 of his closest friends and a handful of parents. The adults were busy watching the children launch water balloons at each other when one of the dads noticed something happening right in the... read more .

Anxious and fearful brains do not learn well, By Melissa Martin
Think about the last time you felt anxious. Did your brain jump offline? Did you make illogical arguments? Did your gray matter scramble and ramble? Anxiety and fear are natural human reactions and necessary biological functions. It’s part of an alarm system that’s activated whenever you perceive or confront danger or a threat. However, too much anxiety and fear is not healthy for your brain. And continual overwhelming... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The swimming pool incident, By Aprill Brandon
Guys, it took me a long time but I finally found...hang on...sorry, I need a moment. I just get so choked up about it, you know? But I finally found...sigh...a friend with a pool. Like, a legit pool. Inground and everything. Better yet, I found this friend with a pool in time for the FOURTH OF JULY. She had a cookout BY THE POOL. I have pictures. We... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Because this Facebook post is going to save America, By Aprill Brandon - I’ve been reading a lot of Mark Twain this summer. In fact, a few weeks ago, I dramatically declared to my husband that “this is The Summer of Twain!” while wearing a straw hat and holding a fishin’ pole (because everything is more fun when you can annoy your spouse with it). It started out that I simply wanted to re-read the adventures of Tom... read more .

Educators Rising...Inspiring the Next Generation of Teachers, Antoine Holloway II
Throughout my entire life, my mom always pushed me to be a leader and not a follower, so I always hold myself to that standard. I believe that helped me get to where I am today. Today, I am very proud to serve as the president of Educators Rising Ohio. Educators Rising Ohio is a career-tech student organization that includes more than 1,000 students... read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… Know! To Fuel Their Critical Thinking
Have you ever received an unsolicited, direct-to-consumer advertisement via email, text, or social media? Of course you have! They somehow seem to find all of us, even if we’re not looking for them. The same holds true for our students. Just like us, they are bombarded with advertising – mainly on their phones and laptops; from YouTube... read more .

Happy Birthday America! By Melissa Martin
Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday Dear American, Happy Birthday to you. Sing along with me. Let’s eat cake and celebrate the Untied States. Our nation was born on July 4, 1776. And the Fourth of July is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence; the day the thirteen colonies declared independence from Great Britain. Stop the... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… 37 things I’ve learned in 37 years, By Aprill Brandon
1. Decluttering your life only works if you refuse to allow your family back into the house. 2. You should do one thing every day that scares you, like skydiving or answering your phone when it rings even though this will likely result in having to talk to another human being. 3. When you’re a mom, children turn into gremlins the minute they find out it is your birthday... read more .

Do you fear change? By Melissa Martin
I gaze at the clock on my office wall. It is time for my next client, Mr. Pie. As usual, he rolls in, plops into the overstuffed chair and emotes. “I’m a crust with an identity complex and anxiety! I agreed to the new cheese mixture, and even accepted the assortment of veggies, and I conceded to the taco ingredients, even though I questioned lettuce on a pizza. But... read more .

Preventive Action Alliance… E-Cigs Target Teens… Nicotine University
E-cigarette sellers are offering scholarships to teens who write essays on topics such as whether a smokeless society can exist or which e-cigarette they'd recommend to others. This is a shameless marketing ploy to attract and addict a new generation of nicotine users. These companies say they're only helping current smokers switch to... read more .

Some Ohio citizens want a Superman Day, By Melissa Martin
“Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Superman!” And he’s flying over the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. The Ohio House is designating June 12 as "Superman Day.” [To enact section 5.49 of the Revised Code as passed by the House 132nd General Assembly Regular Session H. B. No. 135 2017-2018.] “For on this day, let it be known that Superman... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Summertime Increases Risk
6/14/2018 - It’s June – which, for most teens, means summer break is either close at hand or has already begun! Parents need to watch for risky behaviors during these warm weather months because first-time alcohol use and drug experimentation hit their peak in the summer. During the school year, the “risk-taking danger zone” for youth typically... read more .

Aaah... the good old days, By Melissa Martin
I think that’s why some people like antique stores, Flea markets, auctions, yard sales, and eBay. Items from the past are attached to memories. We remember happy holidays along with what food was served; hairstyles and clothes of the era; television programs and music. Some hanker for the good old days. The good old days had bad old days as well. Some memories... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Summer Freedom and its Challenges!
6/4/2018 - 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... read more .

It takes a team to prevent youth suicide, By Melissa Martin
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help,” according to the National Association of School Psychologists.www.nasponline.org/. The.. read more .

Prevention Action Alliance… The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer
Across our country, Highway Patrol units and local law enforcement are stepping up traffic enforcement ahead of what the American Automobile Association calls the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. The 100 days are those between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when AAA says teen drivers are far more likely to be involved in car crashes because they're out of school and on the road... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… That Old Dad Magic, By Aprill Brandon
My husband once told me that what I do is like magic. He had came home from a long day of work, put his stuff down and suddenly noticed that the formerly gigantic haphazard pile of mail that had littered his desk was now in nice, neat, organized stacks. How did that happen? he wondered. For that matter, what happened to all those dirty dishes? And when... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… Employers are looking for employees
May has certainly been an entertaining month in the Commissioner’s office! It seemed like every day there was a new challenge to deal with! We are hoping that this is because this is an election year, and as November gets closer maybe things will slow down to a normal pace! Let’s hope so. The Darke County Economic Forum was held Friday May 4th at... read more .

Is time management possible? By Melissa Martin
Three long-time friends met for a reunion. In the fullness of time, the conversation steered toward the topic of who was more important. Alas, tempers flared and egos erupted. “I’m more important!” Future proclaimed. “I show people how they can be. I am made of dreams, wishes, hopes, and goals. Without me, there would be no tomorrow.” “I’m more important!” declared... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Interact with Tact with these Smartphone Tips!
5/29/2018 -- 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 with their son or daughter. Children however typically want a smartphone for the ability to connect with friends, download their favorite music and apps, and access social media sites... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The grass is always shorter, By Aprill Brandon
There are a lot of things that suck when you are a teenager. School. Acne. Everyone over the age of 30 constantly asking you “so, you got a boyfriend yet?” (Actually no, Aunt Linda, I don’t. I currently look like the love child of Cory Matthews* and a pizza, so my dance card is pretty empty at the moment.) But perhaps one of the most universal sucky things about... read more .

Getting caught up in the darknet, By Melissa Martin
Whenever a device (Internet) is developed for the good—there are those who will counterfeit it for bad. World Wide Web, surface web, deep web, dark web, and darknet (or dark net) are terms referring to Internet functions. Clear as mud to me; a person from the generation that grew up without computer technology and without the Internet. Surface web. The portion of the World... read more .

Remembering those who sacrificed, By Bob Robinson
On Monday I closed up my computer, got dressed and headed into town. It was a little after 12… this year I wasn’t going to walk the parade route. At 73, I wasn’t sure that was the best plan on a hot (and I do mean hot) day at the end of May. Later I admit to being shamed at the number of veterans, my age or older, who DID walk the parade route. I parked on the side street at Greenville Union Cemetery... read more .

Teachable Moments from Prevention Action Alliance… Know! Every Bite Counts
May is Mental Health Month, an annual campaign to educate people on how a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health problems. Diet and nutrition is not just about our waistlines, it also has a huge impact on our mental wellness. The same holds true for your students... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Maybe I don’t know everything, By Aprill Brandon
Knowledge is power. And nowhere is this more evident than when you are the parent of small children. For all the exhausting yet mundane things you have to deal with on a daily basis as a parent (and there are A LOT), one of the biggest perks is that you can usually count on being the smartest person in the room. Children come into this world knowing nothing... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Fitness #4Mind4Body
5/16/2018 - May is Mental Health Month; a time to raise awareness about the connection between physical and mental health, through the theme Fitness #4Mind4Body, sponsored by Mental Health America (MHA). Mental Health America shares two key messages through this year’s educational campaign: Mental health is essential to... read more .

Saluting our Vietnam Veterans with words, By Melissa Martin
1965. President Johnson called for more ground troops to be sent to Vietnam. I was a child in elementary school. When the Vietnam War ended, I was 16 years-old. 1975. Rewind to the 60’s and 70’s. I have vague recall of warfare events on the evening news: the drafting of Elvis; the Kent State University shootings; the burning of the Washington Monument by war protesters; the outrage over Jane Fonda... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Finding my tribe, By Aprill Brandon
I thought it was like riding a bike. Or shotgunning a beer. That it was a skill, once mastered, couldn’t be forgotten. But then, at the age of 36 and a mom of two young children, I realized I had forgotten how to make friends. I mean, I have friends. Of course I have friends. Lots of them. Right? Shoot, according to Facebook, I have over 1,400 friends. So, yeah... read more .

In “Experts” We Trust, By Kate Burch
Fifty years after Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical, “Humanae Vitae” which upheld the ancient teachings of Christianity regarding human sexuality, there are still calls to “reconsider” the document and its teachings, despite clear evidence all around us of the havoc wreaked by the sexual revolution. In Humanae Vitae, the pope made four predictions about what... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Focus On Mental Health
5/11/2018 - 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... read more .

Sibling abuse; battlefield in the home, By Melissa Martin
Story. The first murder in the Bible is reported in the Book of Genesis. Cain killed his brother Abel. Motive: Cain became angry and jealous over his brother’s animal sacrifice, (Abel’s gift pleased God) so the older brother sought revenge. Weapon: Cain used a rock to hit Abel on the head. Forensic evidence: Blood was found on the rock and in the field. Witness: God... read more .

How the Greenville City Park Came to be, By Terry Venrick, Edison State Student
The First two articles I told how much the Greenville city park means to me and then I also shared the many things that you can do at the park. For my last one I will just share a little bit of history. A long time ago our beloved park was once known as Fort Green Ville. ”Mad” Anthony Wayne used this place as a fort for fighting the Native Americans. This came to... read more .

What You Can Do At The Greenville City Park, By Terry Venrick, Edison State Student
There are many things you can do at the Greenville City Park. You can visit the peacocks, they are large beautiful birds with extremely large feathers that fan out. A fun fact about them is that the females are plain and brown while the males are very colorful. This is to shoo off other peacocks, so if you ever visit the park you can see them but are not allowed... read more .

Why I Love The Greenville City Park, By Terry Venrick, Edison State Communications Student
I have been going to the Greenville city park as long as I can remember. My mom has pictures of me as a baby there feeding the geese. The first time I remember being at the park myself was with my Grandma. She would sit and read to me and my siblings stories and almost always had a treat for us. With the passing of my grandma this year I really look back and treasure those times... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… My post-vacation apology, By Aprill Brandon
To my dearest, dearest children, You two are the light of my life. I love you both so much. Which is why I’m writing this even though it’s...difficult. Very difficult. For me. Your mother. To admit this. But it’s important you know this so… Sigh... Listen up and listen hard because you will never hear this ever again. I was wrong. Long exhale... BUT I AM RIGHT... read more .

When big, old, gnarly trees die, By Melissa Martin
A few years ago, our hundred-year-old tree was cut down for safety reasons. A piece of history, once living—now dead. Now its twin tree is diseased (age and carpenter arts) and just about ready to end and begin the circle of life; like the song in the Lion King movie. A sense of sadness envelops me as the old makes way for the new. My grandmother, who loved nature... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Talk Teen Stranger Danger
4/23/2018 - 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 .

Elections are about Choices, Mike Stegall
Elections are about choices. This election, in particular, is about either moving forward on a path of stable growth in the economy, in community improvement and in job creation or putting a halt to that progress and choosing to make a blanket change based on reckless election promises. These past seven years, I have had to make some hard decisions. Usually... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… The perfect getaway, By Aprill Brandon
It has been a long, hard winter. Followed by several weeks of spring that were a long, hard winter. Followed by one nice day. And then two more weeks of snow. On top of this, my husband has just finished a huge project at work. He worked nights, weekends. For months, he was either at work or at home working. At one point he got so stressed out he stopped... read more .

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with your children, Melissa Martin, Ph.D., LPCC-S
Celebrate Children’s Book Week with your children, April 30-May 6. Schools and libraries highlight Children’s Book Week each year, and so can parents in their home. Make reading a family tradition. And make reading fun! Children’s Book Week is April 30 through May 6. Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in... read more .

Faith-based organizations need sexual abuse prevention policies, By Melissa Martin
The tragic story of the rape of Tamar, a young royal princess, sexually violated by her half-brother, and then betrayed by her powerful father, King David, can be found in the Old Testament. The Bible neither covers up nor ignores sexual assault. Around 25 years ago, when I practiced as a licensed and ordained minister, I listened as a speaker and former pastor... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Youth’s Number One Drug of Choice
4/16/2018 - What is the leading drug used by our youth today? If you’re thinking marijuana or heroin, guess again. The answer is alcohol. It has long been and still remains the most widely used drug among young people, making alcoholism and alcohol-related problems the number one public health problem in the United States. April is the annual Alcohol... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I forgot my phone, By Aprill Brandon
So here I am. Sitting at my usual place in the coffeeshop down the street. Ready to write my regular newspaper column. Laptop open, blank page staring back at me, cursor mocking me with its empty blinking. Tall mocha on my left. And my phone in its usual spot on the righ… Except it’s not there. Not today. I check then double-check my bag. My pockets. My... read more .

Raising readers, By Melissa Martin
Why is it important to expose babies, toddlers, and younger children to the world of books? Why is it important to read aloud to babies and toddlers? Why is it important to make reading fun for children? “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents,” surmised Emilie Buchwald. I agree. Parents are a child’s first teachers, first role models, and first communicators; talking... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Stand Firm Against Underage Drinking
4/6/2018 - In the previous tip, Know! April is Alcohol Awareness Month, we discussed the negative health and safety risks of adolescents consuming alcohol. In this tip, we will talk about the prevalence of alcohol among adolescents and the steps we can take to protect our children by helping to prevent underage drinking and promote well-being. Did... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Let the hunt begin, By Aprill Brandon
Now that I’m in my mid-30’s, I like to think I have a good handle on my strengths and weaknesses. For example... Strengths: Writing good-ish. Keeping my children alive. Playing beer pong. Weaknesses: Pronouncing the names of fancy wines. Eating only one doughnut. Buying a home. It’s that last one that I’m now having to confront (she types while... read more .

Universal Design for Learning Equals Learning Opportunities for All, By Kimberly Monachino
Today’s classrooms are very busy places. They are filled with students who have diverse needs and learning challenges. To meet their needs, teachers may be equipped with a variety of instructional strategies and have many other tools in their tool boxes. However, even with multiple tools, trying to meet the unique needs of each individual child... read more .

Start Talking! Know! April is Alcohol Awareness Month
4/5/2018 -- The month of April has been designated Alcohol Awareness Month as an opportunity to focus attention on America’s #1 health problem. This year’s theme, sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCAAD), is “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage.’” Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance among adolescents in our country... read more .

Ohio Department of Education… Mental Health First Aid...Indian Lake’s Response to a Community Crisis, Robert Underwood, Indian Lake Local School District - 3/29/2018 - I’m going to be open and honest here. The staff and students of Indian Lake Local Schools have experienced the suicides of two high school students in the past five years. I was serving as the high school principal during these tragedies, and it was, without a doubt, the most challenging time of my... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… March a good month for Darke County
March came in like a lion, mellowed just a little, then became a wet lion at the end. This looks like one of those winters that will not go away. As this is written, it has snowed on April 1st, then the forecast is for rain! At least it is rain, but enough is enough. Time for warm sunshine! March was a good month for the county. We saw our projects moving in... read more .

Family and Community Engagement is Something Good Schools Do, Tom Capretta, Family and Children Community Coordinator - 4/5/2018 - Tracy Hill is the executive director of the Office of Family and Community Engagement at Cleveland Metropolitan School District and one of the 2014 Education Week Leaders to Learn From. The first time I heard her say, “Family and community engagement is something that good schools do,” it just clicked. She made... read more .

Start Talking… Know! To Secure, Monitor and Properly Dispose
3/26/2018 -- Families are continuing to be devastated by children abusing medicine. Kids end up in the ER, become addicted, suffer physical pain and emotional turmoil, and some lose their lives altogether - all in the name of prescription drug abuse. Medicine abuse among youth continues to trend at an alarming rate. Why is this occurring at such rapid levels? According to youth... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Diary of an Insomniac, By Aprill Brandon
You know a fun time to start thinking every thought in the entire world? From 2-5 a.m. Although 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. is also fantastic. Or, on really special occasions, both of those time frames in the same night. How many baby wipes do we have left? What’s the date? When are taxes due? I forgot to clip the dog’s toenails again. Poor baby. He’s practically walking on... read more .

School visitor tragedy, snow days & more, By Susan Olling
We had quite a winter here in the D.C. environs. All the schools used their allotted snow days fairly early. MoCo schools used their three snow days by mid-February, including two in January for mere dustings of snow. The school administration seems to make its closure decisions based on what happens up-county. Schools were closed again on March 2. No... read more .

Start Talking! Know! Warning - JUUL at Your School
3/21/2018 - There is a new trend parents and school administrators need to be aware of, and it is called JUUL. It’s what some people are referring to as the iPhone of vaping. It is a device so discreet that it often goes unseen and teens are getting away with using it in public places. JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette that looks like a flash drive... read more .

Two Sparrows Farm & Dairy… The end of the road, By Whitney Belprez
March 15, 2018 - Last week while on our monthly grocery trip, we were shocked to see that milk was selling for $1.50 a gallon at ALDI in Big Rapids. $1.50. “Limit five,” the sign said. Clearly, most shoppers’ reaction to these prices was to say “wow, $1.50!” and to then stock up. For us, our hearts sank. Those farmers, their families, their cows. How in... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Important brain thoughts from an exhausted parent, By Aprill Brandon
I have a confession. I’m supposed to be writing right now. Which, yes, “technically” I am. I am “technically” stringing together letters into words and those words into sentences. Here’s the thing, though. I don’t really want to be writing right now. My brain is mush. Just a mushy, mushy, leaky puddle of its former self. This has been a particularly trying week and... read more .

Gullibles’ Travels, By Kate Burch
I have heard a few radio ads lately by auto dealers making the pitch that, since this is tax season, it’s the perfect time to buy a new car! Apparently, many who receive a tax refund think of it as a windfall and can’t wait for a good opportunity to spend it. How does it happen that people do not rise up in protest over a significant portion of their pay being confiscated... read more .

Start Talking! Know! How to Talk to Your Kids About School Violence
3/13/2018 - Have you checked in with your children regarding the recent school shooting in Florida to see what they’re thinking and how they’re feeling about it? Do you know what to say? It is only natural for parents to struggle with what to say about this senseless tragedy, along with the additional acts and threats of school violence that have since followed... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Stop, Drop and Breathe
3/6/2018 -- 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 parent who is in the habit of yelling and screaming... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Beggars can be choosers, By Aprill Brandon
Do you have pearls on right now? If so, prepare to clutch them... I no longer care what my kids eat. Oh yeah. I said it. And I mean it. This nose ring and these tattoos aren’t just for show. I’m a rebel mom. (slowly pulls off motorcycle helmet and shakes out hair) I. Don’t. Care. You hear me, world? I DON’T CARE. OK, I do care. Of course I care. I’m a mom. (sets... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Go play with your sister. That’s why we had her. By Aprill Brandon
Guys, we’re going to have to change the meaning of the word “natural.” It’s either that or stop referring to anything related to motherhood and parenting as “natural.” Take breastfeeding. Feeding your child with your very own body. It’s often claimed this is, and I quote, “the most natural thing in the world.” It is not. It is semi-aggressively shoving a sore and... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Recognize and Respond to Bullying
2/26/2018 - Bullying touches the lives of at least one out of every four children in the U.S. In this year alone, approximately 13 million youth, from preschool to high school, will experience it. Yet, many parents do not even know their child is a victim. One study revealed that as many as 64 percent of youth who were bullied did not tell a parent, teacher or... read more .

Pressing On, By Ben T.C. Davis
Walking into Minuteman Press International Inc., I had no idea what to expect or how this was even going to go. I have never dropped a line for an audience before, and I have sure never written anything that was journalistic. So, feeling like a fish out of water, I jumped into this project the only way I knew how; with an undeserved sense of entitlement and the delusions of grandeur... read more .

Start Talking! Know! To Talk Teen Relationships and Dating
2/21/2018 -- February is the month of romance, so what better time than now to bring up the subject with your teen? Whether your teen has shown interest in dating, it has more than likely crossed his or her mind. It is vitally important for our daughters and our sons to hear from us on this subject. They need to know what a healthy relationship entails; they need to be clear on the family... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Date night, By Aprill Brandon
For a 10-year-old who used to fantasize about going on elaborate dates with Jonathan Taylor Thomas to an almost excessive degree, I grew up to be a not very romantic adult. Take Valentine’s Day, for instance. I’ve never been a big fan. I don’t like a holiday dictating when I should shave my legs. Or Sweetest Day, for that matter. What is this thing? Valentine’s Day 2... read more .

Crazy About Jesus, By Will McCabe
One day a student asked me in one of my high school classes, “Will, do you live in your own little world?” She meant this as an insult, but was surprised when I responded with, “yeah, and it’s a lot better than the world here.” I immediately turned to one of my friends and started talking as if nothing happened. Needless to say, that particular student and I were not friends... read more .

Small Business Growth Puts Ohio on the Map for Doing Business
Every time we enter our corner coffee shop, purchase produce from our local farmers market, or dine at our favorite hometown restaurant, it becomes clear that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. The growth of this sector stimulates our economy and provides for individuals and families across the state. In 2017, Chief Executive magazine announced... read more .

The Fix Will Not Be Easy, By Kate Burch
No surprise that the people who want to take our stuff and control our lives are at it with a vengeance in the wake of the St. Valentine’s Day massacre in Florida. The demands range from better background checks and restricting gun purchases to those age 21 and older (not necessarily a bad idea, in my view, except for those with military service or other legitimate and trained familiarity with weapons)... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I’m telling my mom on you, By Aprill Brandon
I like to think I’m a mature person. Mature-ish at the very least. Especially since I became a mother. Because when the world hands you a screaming, leaking lump of fragile human clay and expects you to keep it alive for 18 years, you grow up a bit in spite of yourself. I can now even say the word Uranus without giggling. Usually. But let me tell you, the first... read more .

Start Talking! Know! What’s Trending – the Laundry Pod Challenge
2/6/2018 - If you are raising teenagers, you have no doubt heard of some of the ridiculous internet challenges that exist among this age group. While some of these new age “dares” are silly and harmless, many more are dangerous and even deadly. One such dare currently trending is called the ‘Tide Pod Challenge.’ It has nothing to do with... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Everyone deserves one thousand birthday hats, By Aprill Brandon
Here’s an interesting question you’ve probably never been asked before: Did you know it was possible to be bad at celebrating? Me neither. And then I had kids. My children are awful at celebrating. Just terrible. Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries. They’re hopeless. They’re even bad at those faux holidays like National Talk Like A Pirate Day (you should hear... read more .

Know! To Educate and Rx-Proof Students
1/31/2018 - Aside from prescription drug abuse being illegal, it is highly dangerous. Yet one in four high school students will use a prescription medication for non-medical reasons at least once before graduating. Youth say prescription drugs are easier to access than a six-pack of beer. So where are students getting these prescription meds? 64 percent of youth... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… To Whom It May Concern (yes, you), By Aprill Brandon
I didn’t want it to have to come to this. No one ever does. Love means never having to hire a lawyer. Or at least it should. But, alas, here we are. It is indeed regrettable but unfortunately necessary at this point. And so, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you, dear children, that you are in violation of our prenatal agreement. Actually, you’ve both been in... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Everything is cold and dead and stupid and I hate it, By Aprill Brandon
I’ve been sitting in this coffee shop for exactly 46 minutes now. And yes, I see you over there, Annoying Hovering Couple with that dual stink eye you’ve been giving me for the last 17 of these 46 minutes in the hopes I might feel pressured to hurry up and finish my business here so you can have my table. But the joke is on you. Because I can’t think of any... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I’ll sit in the sinkhole tonight, honey, By Aprill Brandon
You want to know what true love is? Volunteering to sit in the couch sinkhole after a long day of work and raising kids so your equally tired partner can sit on “the good side” while you watch Netflix. Wait, what? Oh, is that just in our house? You guys don’t all have a couch sinkhole? Well, in that case, let me explain to all you fancy folk with your houses full of... read more .

Start Talking! Know! What You Can Do to Improve Your Mental Health
1/8/2018 - With the start of each new year, people commonly vow to improve their physical health, including diet, nutrition and exercise. While this is a vital measure to take, it is equally important to resolve to improve one’s mental and emotional heath as well. A healthy mind is fundamental to a person’s overall well-being, regardless of age. Our... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Kid(not)napped, By Aprill Brandon
Funny title, huh? Ha-ha! HA-HA-HA! Oh yeah, LAUGH IT UP, CHUCKLES. My entire life is ruined but I’m glad YOU find it so hilarious. Oh man. Wow. Sorry, you guys. That was uncalled for. It’s just, I’m exhausted, you know? From all the not sleeping my oldest is doing. I knew this day would come. I mean, he’s almost 4-years-old. He napped longer than a lot of... read more .

Start Talking... Know! Family Support for Prevention
1/4/2018 -- Research Institute has identified 40 developmental assets for adolescents; a specific set of skills, experiences, relationships and behaviors that help young people flourish and mature into successful and contributing adults. Studies of more than five million children of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds consistently show that the more developmental assets... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Back off, fellas, I’m taken, By Aprill Brandon
I am a crappy wife. I mean, I’d hate being married to me. I’m a remote hog and an unabashed blanket stealer and I have to let you know in great detail EVERY SINGLE FEELING I AM FEELING AT THE EXACT MOMENT I AM FEELING IT. And then there’s my temper. My lethargic attitude regarding shaving. My severe allergy to replacing toilet paper... read more .

Without an Anchor, By Kate Burch
I read this morning a headline about the cratering sales of “organic” milk. At first, I thought it a positive sign that perhaps people had begun to wake up to the fact that paying a premium for so-called organic foods is a waste of money and comparable to buying a purse with a designer logo so that one may be perceived as somehow special or superior to others... read more .

Cogitating about 2018, By Bob Robinson
When I was young and stupid I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I thought I wanted to be a bomber pilot like my dad, but I didn’t play with planes. Or bombs. When I was in junior high I spent my time publishing a monthly community newspaper that I charged a penny an issue for. It even included miniature photos that I pasted in place to go with... read more .

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