OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES 11 Nov. 10, 2011 "Just as our troops embody the courage and character that make America's military the finest in the world," Obama said, "their family members embody the resilience and generosity that make our communities strong." U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA in the Military Family Month proclamation which he signed and dated Nov. 1 Obama calls on nation to honor its military families and caregivers November declared Military Family Month BY ELAINE SANCHEZ American Forces Press Service W NICK SHORT/Standard-Examiner Above, Khalil Hicks (left) steers his robot at Northridge High School in Layton as he practices tactics. Northridge High School gets funds for math, science, engineering A robot sits on the counter at the school. Much of a $660,000 grant recently awarded to Northridge will benefit the popular robotics class and go toward enhancing the study of science. A counselor has also been hired to assist students from military families in converting their previous school credits when they arrive. BY JASEN ASAY Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau L AYTON — Northridge High School is building a new stadium, and the competitors who will do battle there are still in the early construction phase. Thanks to a $660,000 grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership, Northridge will have extra money for its engineering, science and math departments. A good chunk of the cash is going to the newly formed robotics class. "The goal is to put the money where we can benefit kids the most," said Assistant Principal Luke Rasmussen. Rasmussen was instrumental in the application process, filling out the initial paperwork with technical support from many of Northridge's teachers and district personnel. The money comes from the FY 11 Grant Program, which is dedicated to helping military-connected local education agencies increase student achievement and ease the challenges students face due to transitions and deployment. "Northridge High has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Hill Air Force Base and recently has worked in conjunction with them to develop a strong engineering program," said Principal John D. Haning. "Just this year we started a robotics program that has been wildly popular." The robotics class during school hours filled up quickly, which has school officials considering adding a second class. Rasmussen said the school will build a stadium for competitions, which will be used in tournaments FLU From -page 9 of breath, high fevers (102.5°F for adults or 104.0°F for children) or severe headaches. Before flu season starts, come to the clinic for your flu shot. This vaccine protects against the influenza virus and only the influenza virus. Though not perfect, the influenza vaccine has significantly featuring schools from Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. The grant also allows for the purchase of several robotics kits. Northridge's goal is to have one kit per two students, which is different from the usual one kit per five students. "Now we've been able to take this to the next level," Rasmussen said. Rasmussen said that, in addition to engineering, the grant will improve science studies. "We can start organic chemistry and pay for extra instruction and after-school tutoring and science labs," Rasmussen said. "We'll also be able to get a lot of technology equipment for the teachers, such as smart boards, document cameras and probes used in labs. The math classrooms will receive similar equipment that reduced the number of Influenza cases, and, more importantly, the number of deaths. Contrary to popular belief, the influenza vaccine does not cause influenza, even though side effects of the vaccine may mimic the flu, with achiness and fatigue. Everyone older than 6 months of age is recommended to obtain the influenza vaccine each year, especially high risk individuals: 65 years and older, people living in longterm care facilities, people with chronic illnesses (asth- will be valuable teaching tools. The math department also plans to reinstitute morning and afternoon tutoring. Part of the money is reserved strictly to aid military students. Northridge now has a counselor who specifically works with students from military families. A key part of his responsibility is credit evaluations. Since military students likely have attended multiple schools, the counselor will help ease the students' transition to a new school while making sure classes from previous schools count toward graduation. "He's started meeting with kids already," Rasmussen said. "We want to make sure they're on track to graduate and evaluate their needs and help them be successful in college and the future." ma, diabetes and heart disease, for example), pregnant women and very young children under 2 years of age. The 75th Medical Group wants to ensure that you stay as healthy as possible year-round. Please visit the clinic regularly for preventive health visits, and attend the many classes offered in the medical group facilities or at the Health and Wellness Center to assist you with diet, exercise and illness prevention techniques. ASHINGTON — Calling on the nation to celebrate military families' service and sacrifice, President Barack Obama signed proclamations designating November as Military Family Month and National Family Caregivers Month. "With every step we take on American soil, we tread on ground made safer for us through the invaluable sacrifices of our service members and their families," the president said in his Military Family Month proclamation signed Nov. 1. This month is devoted to celebrating military families' exceptional service, strength and sacrifice, he said. Their commitment to the nation, he added, "goes above and beyond the call of duty." "Just as our troops embody the courage and character that make America's military the finest in the world," Obama said, "their family members embody the resilience and generosity that make our communities strong." Families are weathering deployments and long separations while serving with heroism in their homes and neighborhoods, the president noted. Military spouses hold down home fronts, children step up to take on additional responsibilities, and parents and grandparents offer their quiet support as they wait for their loved one's safe return . "To these families, and to those whose service members who never come home, we bear a debt that can never be fully repaid," the president said. Obama cited the Joining Forces campaign as a way the nation can express its gratitude to troops and their families. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched the campaign earlier this year to call on all Americans to support and honor service members, veterans and their families. This support, he added, should continue not just while the nation is at war, but during every stage of service members' lives. Obama said his administration is committed to improving military families' lives by enhancing learning opportunities for military children, aiding military spouses in their quest to advance their careers and education, and improving mental health counseling. "Our service members swore an oath to protect and defend, and with each step we take on this land we cherish, we remember our steadfast promise to protect the well-being of the family members they hold dear," he said. "Every act of kindness we can offer helps cultivate a culture of support for our military families, and I encourage each American to make a difference in the lives of these patriots." The president also urged Americans to celebrate and honor caregivers in his National Family Caregivers Month proclamation. "Across our country, millions of family members, neighbors, and friends provide care and support for their loved ones during times of need," Obama said. "With profound compassion and selflessness, these caregivers sustain American men, women and children at their most vulnerable moments, and through their devoted acts, they exemplify the best of the American spirit." As Obama cited the contributions of all caregivers, he noted the importance of sustaining military caregiver support. "One of our nation's greatest responsibilities," he said, "is to ensure our veterans, their families, and their caregivers receive lasting and comprehensive support." Obama noted that he signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act last year, which extends additional assistance to family members who care for severely wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. "Our military caregivers exemplify the heroism found not only on the fields of battle, but also in the hearts of those who tend to our wounded warriors when they come home," he said. This month offers a time to honor the "tireless compassion" of all family caregivers, Obama said. "This month and throughout the year, let the quiet perseverance of our family caregivers remind us of the decency and kindness to which we can all aspire." |