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GEORGE B. KAUFFMAN: Chemistry -- it's elemental!
In her official proclamation, Mayor Ashley Swearengin cited as reasons for declaring Oct. 18-24 National Chemistry Week in the city of Fresno:
Chemistry is essential for meeting our basic needs, improving the quality of our lives and maintaining a strong economy.
Citizens are increasingly called upon to make decisions on political, scientific and technological issues in which chemistry plays a central part.
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Libraries need to promote learning atmosphere
Regarding “No shushing here, please”[story Nov. 1]: It’s sad to see such a reduced respect for learning in our libraries.
I’ve seen Fresno Unified School District libraries where the students are allowed food, loud conversation and nonschool activities, and the learning atmosphere drops to almost zero. Those who have no other quiet place to study are constantly disturbed by others. I am sure that college students have the same problem.
Arguing library attendance is up is pointless if learning is down. Attendance to church might go up if they brought food, lattes, wi-fi, and video games to your pew while you chat with friends, but they would lose their purpose, which like our libraries isn’t idle entertainment but to provide an environment free of distractions where learning is possible.
It doesn’t take a psychologist to observe how easily distractions harm our ability to concentrate. Libraries should be for studying.
Yosemite, Woodward Park, libraries and churches all have this in common: They are designed
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2008 Honorable Mention recipients
FIRST GRADE
Avery Fong, 7, Clovis
School: Mickey Cox Elementary
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School sued for punishing teens over MySpace pix
Two sophomore girls have sued their school district after they were punished for posting sexually suggestive photos on MySpace during their summer vacation.
The American Civil Liberties Union, in a federal lawsuit filed last week on behalf of the girls, argues that Churubusco High School violated the girls' free speech rights when it banned them from extracurricular activities for a joke that didn't involve the school. They say the district humiliated the girls by requiring them to apologize to an all-male coaches' board and undergo counseling.
Some child advocates argue that schools should play a role in monitoring students' behavior, especially when dealing with minors. And the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that students can be disciplined for activities that happen outside of school, so long as the school can prove the activities were disruptive or posed a danger and that it was foreseeable the activities would find their way to campus.
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Fifth Grade: Sara Maldonado
Sara Maldonado is one of those students who just likes school.
“I like the fact that I can be with my friends every day,” the Kingsburg girl says.
But that’s not why this straight-A student has her sights on a career as a school psychologist or teacher.
“When I was little, in the third grade, I was attacked by a dog,” Sara says. “I remember the school psychologist helped me by talking about it.”
The Earth Club at Bullard High School recently planned a weeklong program of lunchtime activities to spread
awareness about environmental concerns.
Information was presented on issues such as water and air quality, pollution and renewable energy resources.
The group of students, led by AP Environmental Science teacher Eric Neilson, organized presentations to inform
fellow students on environmental issues and provided solutions that can lessen local environmental problems.
To promote environmental stewardship, students who carpooled or rode bikes to school had an opportunity to enter a
drawing to win a stylish, nonpolluting beach cruiser bike. Green ribbon bracelets were distributed to encourage
Bullard students to participate in the lunch activities regarding the environment.
The Earth Club members campaigned for bettering the environment and found it difficult to get fellow students to
engage in these environmentally educational activities. I suppose not all teenagers are interested in changing the
current environmental conditions, but the Earth Club members are hoping for change.
Sophie Seiden
Fresno
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