讀報：Education

I read three articles about education from ‘ Bucks County Herald’ October 31,2024. Barbara gave me the newspaper.

1) “Central Bucks asking students if they feel accepted at school”. Written by Freda R. Savana
The Central Bucks School District is asking in grade 5 through 12 how they perceive their acceptance, respect and support in their schools.
The survey is both voluntary and anonymous， the district said in a recent letter to parents.
The PSSM belonging survey asks students to rate their feelings on 18 issues, such as, “ I feel like a part of my school,” “ l feel very different from most other students.”
Alyssa Wright , director of pupil services at CBSD, said in the letter, “ The results will help us develop and/or expand programs and initiatives that foster a positive and inclusive school culture.”

***I think that middle school should not only teach students textbook knowledge, but also pay attention to their physical, mental, and emotional growth. I studied high school at Shanghai West Middle School from 1952 to 1955. The school required our classmates who lived nearby to form an activity group and often studied, discussed, played, and exercised together. This cultivated friendships among classmates and played a good role in our overall growth.

2) “Educator proves it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” written by Lisa DeAngelis
“ It’s truly that I have a career in the field of education.” said Ron Rolon.
Rolon tells me, “ I grow up in a first-generation Puerto Rican household. Supporting education, even reading to children was never a priority in my house.”
“ I graduated high school as a very average student. College for me is not an option. After high school, I took a job working in a hospital as an orderly and I was pretty content to make $8 an hour.
Rolon’s work destiny changed considerably when he received some advice from a mentor 
“ His name was Bill Simons. Bill said if I ever wanted to succeed professionally, it would require more education.”
And that was exactly what Rolon did. “ It took me four years to get an associate’s degree, while I was still working full time. I took the seven-year plan to get a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care.”
For the next 25 years,Rolon worked as a respiratory therapist in a Bucks County hospital.

 “I went back to college and earned my master’s degree in education.” Rolon first job in education was as a healthy teacher. “ I wanted to help young people make positive health choice.
The underdeveloped adolescent brain is curious, spontaneous and often without forethought of consequences. My approach was to channel their brain into pro-social activities.
Later, Rolon accepted his present position with the IU in Office of Safe and Drug-free Schools.
“ As educators, we never truly know what impact we have had on an adolescent. The best I can hope for is that when they’re in a situation and make a decision, the message I shared will help them make a good one.”

***I think: After graduating from high school, Rolon worked as a physical laborer. Later, he went to college and became a medical worker. After obtaining a master's degree, he became an educator. Indeed, physical workers have a low level of education, while mental workers have a high level of education. In fact, the professional knowledge learned in college may not necessarily be useful in future work, but studying in college has developed the brain and laid the foundation for further self-learning. I graduated from university in 1960, and at that time, my job was assigned by the nation. Some of my classmates and I were assigned jobs that had nothing to do with what we were studying. But we can further learn and be competent in our work。

3) ‘BCCC to Host Community+ Lifelong Learning at Bucks Expo’ 
Bucks County Community College will host the second annual Lifelong Learning at Bucks Expo 8a.m. -2p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Newtown Campus.
The expo will bring lifelong learners in Bucks County together for a day of discovery, inspiration and meaningful connections.
The day will culminate in a special information panel discussion, “ Designing a life of Purpose and Healthy at Bucks,” focused on the seven dimensions of wellness ( physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, environmental, vocational).
The panel will feature Karen Gross, special guest emcee and signer, founder and host of the media and mentorship platform She rocked It, and Bucks County native.

***I think: As people age, how to live a good old age life is a problem. Many elderly people in China practice calligraphy, painting, singing, and playing mahjong. I am in the United States, reading some books and newspapers to improve my English proficiency. I also care about China online and write comments to communicate with others.