Bullying

                All over the news this week is Chardon High School, and the shooting that occurred there Monday, February 27, during lunch. The shooter killed three fellow students and injured two. The 17-year-old shooter is more than likely going to be tried as an adult. It is said that he chose his victims randomly when he opened fire in the school cafeteria.

                The question of his reasoning is on most people’s minds. His answer: bullying. Bullying is affecting everyone more than ever now-a-days, and students have acted out by taking their own lives, or – as this student did – taking the lives of others.

                Many parents look at this with an insensitive eye – that is, until they are affected. Not enough is being done in public schools to keep bullies at bay. In many schools, the teachers themselves are the bullies.

                Something needs to happen. Action needs to be taken to keep our schools safe. A zero-tolerance on bullying and stricter punishment for bullies need to be implemented in high schools and middle schools. Along with that, schools should have “safe spaces” where kids can come together and talk about things that are going on with them; either at home, school, work, or where ever. Supportive clubs like the Gay-Straight Alliance, or First Priority must be allowed in order to assure a safe school environment.

                Situations like that of Chardon High School can be avoided by harboring at-risk students and punishing bullies. It is very un-costly to implement these devices and, anyways, at what price would you keep  your students safe?

“Leap Day”

                “President’s Day only comes once a year!” “Christmas only comes once a year.” “One day sale only – happy Thanksgiving!” Advertisements constantly exploit holidays, having major sales on these days and always claiming that the reason is because these days only come once a year.

                There is a day in the Gregorian calendar, however, that does not come once a year, but instead, graces us with its presence once every four years. February 29, Leap Day, only happens within this intercalary day. The purpose of Leap Day is to line up our human year (since time is a man-made invention) with the solar year.

                Leap Day is special to many. A lot of people are born every day, and Leap Day is no exception. But these children – born on leap day – do not have their birth-day come every year. Instead, they are forced to celebrate it some other day in either February or March.

                Leap Day is a special day. It is more rare than all the holidays, yet, it gets no gratitude.  Happy Leap Day, everyone.

Black History Month

Black History Month. Isn't that kind of ironic? Shouldn't it be called "African American History Month"? I mean, in order to be politically correct and all...
I have nothing against the month, or African Americans. No, my beef is with the government, constantly telling us what is and isn't "politically correct".
Do you ever during "Black" History Month hear of the black people in Africa (actual Africans) that are suffering? Or those down in South Africa that have actually contributed to our 21st Century world? No. All you hear about are dead black people who contributed to America.
Just like America...
They put all the focus on themselves. They just wanted to attempt to look like they cared about diversity, but they don't. America is still the same it was 200 years ago - prejudiced and hateful.

Childhood Obesity: A Parent’s How-to on Combat

“Childhood Obesity: A Parent’s How-to on Combat”

By: Stephanie Clinton

            Many new statistics from the Center for Disease Control have come out, proclaiming that childhood obesity is on the rise, and the projected age limit for the coming generations, is far less than that of their parents. As a concerned parent, how do you fight such statistics, and make sure that your child will grow up healthy, and live to be a ripe old age? Regular diet, exercise, and love are all you need.

            Growing children do need a lot to eat, that’s true, but no thirteen year old boy needs a Big Mac Super-Sized Combo, even if he did just come from basketball practice. Instead, trying feeding him colors; bananas, oranges, apples; these will give his body back the nutrients he lost in sweat, and aide in muscle growth, so the next time he practices he will not wear out as quickly. This should be the same for all children and teens though. Feeding them the basic food groups, along with lots of different colors at every meal will help contribute to a long, healthy, happy life for your son or daughter.

            Another important aspect to fighting obesity is regular exercise. Most elementary and middle schools have a required fitness program, but this drops off in high schools. In order to combat this, try writing your school board, or town senate, asking them to make physical education required all four years in high school. If you don’t believe this will work, and your child is not involved in sports, try to make a family outing of it. Once a month go hiking together, or simply get a treadmill and set up a nice place for it away from where it will become an oversized coat hanger, then get your kid interested in it by using it yourself every day. Remember, children learn best by example.

            The last, and most important, step is to love. Why? Many teenagers have developed mental issues because they believed they were obese, when really they were only moderately overweight, or sometimes not at all overweight. These kids can develop these disorders from many different sources, but it’s important as a parent not to become one. Show your child you love them no matter what the scale says. Tell them that the models and movie stars they see are unrealistic and unhealthy. By staying loving and involved, your teen will be less at risk to combat “obesity” with kamikazes.

            Childhood obesity is a very important issue. As a parent, you need to stay involved in your child’s life and make sure they are getting the nutrition, exercise, and love that they need. If everyone looked positively towards a brighter future for their children, obesity would not even be an issue.

Tattoos

           Tattoos are very popular among young adults and teenagers today. Everyone seems to be getting a tattoo; they are no longer just for gangs and bikers. Even clergy of the Church get tattoos these days, promoting their religion. So, what is so great about tattoos?

            Many people get a tattoo in order to tell a story. A lot of new mothers or fathers will get a tattoo after their child is born, with that child’s name and birth date on it. Tattoos can also serve as a memorial to someone past; generally a family member or someone the tattoo recipient was very close to.

            What a lot of people want to know, however, is why people are suddenly getting all these tattoos and “defacing” their bodies. In older years, tattoos were seen as a scary, demoralizing mark that would never fade. Tattoos stick with you for the rest of your life, which is why it’s very important to consider your thought process before you get one.

            Tattoos are not only dangerous to have because you can lose such things are a job, respect, or just a lot of money; but tattoos are also very dangerous to get. When a person sits down in the parlor and holds out their arm, leg, ect. for the needle, they risk their very well being. Such infections as hepatitis, tetanus, or even AIDS can be transmitted through a dirty tattoo needle. When someone decides to get a tattoo, they must make sure where they get it is very clean and up to health code standards. They must also make sure that they are healthy, and are up-to-date on all their shots.

            Tattoos are not to be feared, as long as they are not ridiculous. Tattoos show respect and reverence, when used correctly. Tattoos should not be “an eye sore”, but an art, and once the art of getting tattoos and keeping them is perfected, perhaps people will be a little more open-minded towards them.

REFERENCES

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/safe_tattooing.html#