Should Students Dress for Success?

In our special January Education issue of Northern Connection magazine, I started the conversation on the whether students should be required to “dress for success” whether that be adhering to a dress code or wearing a uniform.

As I mentioned, I loved the ease of wearing a uniform at school. My sister also loved wearing a school uniform because it made everyone (especially all the girls) even – no status of high fashion and expense, no competition. At least not in that regard.

Studies across the country have proven time and again that students behave better and performance increases when wearing a uniform or adhering to a strict dress code. As in this report from education.com points out regarding a dress code policy in Long Beach California:

“Long Beach Superintendent Carl A. Cohn reported that during the first year suspensions decreased by 32 percent, school crime by 36 percent, fighting by 51 percent, and vandalism by 18 percent (Cohn). At Whittier Elementary, attendance rates have risen each year since the policy went into effect, reaching a high of 96 percent (Caruso). Schools in Chicago, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, and Virginia have made similar claims (Caruso).”

(Visit http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Student_Dress_Codes/ to read the whole report.)

Of course, some students (and their parents) have rebelled against dress codes citing everything from freedom of expression to civil liberties, in spite of the positive data from study after study that proves otherwise.

To learn more about student rights and dress codes, visit http://education.findlaw.com/student-rights/school-dress-codes.html.

So what are your opinion, thoughts and experiences? Do you think dress codes should be stricter? More lenient?  Should they be mandatory, better enforced? Have you ever heard of a case that was taking the rules a bit too far?

Be sure and leave your comments below and let’s Continue the Conversation:

 

How Do you Put The FUN in Dysfunctional?

It’s that holiday season again and when was the last time it was filled with rest and relaxation? For me, I think it was elementary school but perhaps I’m just remembering a gentler time. In the December issue of NorthernConnection magazine’s ‘Starting the Conversation’, I asked for much needed advice on how to put the FUN in “dysfunctional”. How do you create a balance among everyone who wants your time? Do you eat two dinners? Do you take annual turns? What have you found that works for you and yours to make the holidays "fair"?

The NFL is Tax-Exempt? Pardon Me?

A reader of Northern Connection sent me the following video of Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and his quest to eliminate the tax-exempt status of the NFL:

https://screen.yahoo.com/nfls-tax-touchdown-sports-league-000702495.html  

And another reader sent me this link to CNN that gives the details:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/22/us/nfl-nonprofit-taxes/

 

In the CNN article, they mention that the NFL employs a team of lobbyists:

“According to a CNN analysis, the NFL employed 20 lobbyists in 2014 and spent more than $1 million in efforts to sway lawmakers…Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, which runs the transparency website Opensecrets.org, says the NFL's lobbying team is "all pro," and almost all are "former government employees, former Hill staffers. So they have good access by buying the help of people who know how to navigate Congress."…Nineteen of the 20 worked for Congress, largely in the offices of House and Senate leaders, according to a CNN review of lobbying disclosures…If the NFL were to lose its tax exemption, there's precedence for it. Major League Baseball gave up its nonprofit status in 2007, and the National Basketball Association never had one.”

Call me naïve, but why in the world does the NFL need so many, let alone any, lobbyists? Do you think Coburn has a chance to get the NFL tax-exempt status removed? Do you think it's okay for the NFL to be tax-exempt?

Looking forward to hearing from you, so let me know your thoughts in the Comment section below:

Do You Believe In Ghosts?

Halloween is just around the corner, so in the October issue of Northern Connection magazine, I asked if you believe in ghosts and shared a personal encounter that I witness on occasion between my pets and something only they can see:

"What we all, including my husband, would observe was not so much the ghost as how our pets would interact with something that they could most definitely see, that we could not. Just as a dog can hear a high-pitch whistle too high for humans to hear, our pets could see something that wasn’t there. Dogs visiting this home would be lying in the living room panting – when something would catch their eye and they would stop panting, and stare at a certain spot in the room near the ceiling – no shadows, no cob webs – just the corner. Cats and kittens would jump onto the top of the chair and try to paw at whatever it was they were seeing. We’ve all seen the pets, alone and in groups, interacting with something only they can see.

Actually, we think there may be more than one ghost because sometimes, when you are in the home alone, you can hear a whispered conversation going on in the living room that stops as soon as you enter the room.”

So what do you think? Is this house haunted? Have you ever experienced something supernatural, visited a haunted place where the unexplainable took place? I hope you’ll share your encounter with us in the comment section below:

Social Media: Friend or Foe?

What is your opinion of Social Media? We ‘Started the Conversation’ on social media in this month’s edition of Northern Connection magazine. There is no doubt that it is here to stay but how do you teach children and teens to not talk, text, chat, or meet strangers? One rule we have is that everyone can only post past events. For example, “We went on vacation…”, “I went to the mall…”, and so forth, so no one knows the house was empty.

Another rule we have is the golden rule of, “if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all”, which is very difficult when so many people feel so comfortable in being rude on social media and write nasty things that they would never say in a face-to-face conversation. Leading to having to resist the temptation to retaliate and “turn the other cheek” instead.

Also in the article, we mention, if you are mean out in cyberspace, you can be in jeopardy of being criminal, according to new laws and adaptations to existing laws against harassment and stalking. So be aware that if someone is cruel to you or your child online, you and your child have rights! Check out http://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/cyberstalking-and-cyberharassment-laws.aspx, to learn more.

In doing research for this article and blog, three great teens that I happen to know informed me that since all the parents are on Facebook and Twitter, they have started hanging out in other sites, such as:

www.Instagram.com – more photo and video intensive than Facebook and Twitter, it streamlines getting impromptu pictures without as much text and then it is easy to share out the pictures or videos that you want to Facebook.

www.Pinterest.com – this site really helps you organize any content that you have found on the web so you can come back to it and relocate it in a snap – it is infinitely more efficient than just saving out “favorites” in your web browser.

www.Snapchat.com – similar to Instagram, it came with the promise of photos only lasting 30 minutes and then they’ll auto-delete. Unfortunately, this is NOT entirely true and people have been hurt because if a so-called friend sees it during that 30 minutes and downloads it, then they can share it out to Facebook or wherever they want and you have no control over it.

www.Spotify.com – this is the ultimate in managing your music via playlists. You can upload your own playlists but you can also access all the other playlists that have been uploaded to find various kinds of music and genres and people can access your list, as well.

www.Tumblr.com – an “edgy” version of Facebook – this has become a big favorite among teens.

www.Vine.com – recently purchased by Facebook, Vine is similar to Instagram but with more of a focus on short videos.

www.YikYakApp.com – similar to Facebook and Pinterest but it is a public bulletin board that is based on your location – so you see the posts of people physically near you and they can see your posts. Supposedly streamlining what you see, relevant to your area. (Personally, I think this is a bit close for comfort – but is that me?)

If you want more statistics on people using the Internet for social media, check-out: http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/

As always, we are very interested in your comments and opinions, so let’s continue the conversation and please enter your thoughts in the comment section below, Is Social Media Friend or Foe? (Also, don’t forget to subscribe to this blog, “like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/northernconnection and follow us on Twitter at @NConnectionMag https://twitter.com/NConnectionMag  and look for more Northern Connection in social media outlets.

Advice on Helicopter Parenting?

 

In this month’s issue of Northern Connection magazine, I started the conversation by wondering how on Earth, parents manage in this day and age when there are dangers around every corner – even via the computer, SMART Phone, “Live” gaming on a child’s game console – everywhere! How do you do it? How do you know who to trust?

On the computers and devices, you can set parental controls and install software such as Net Nanny http://www.netnanny.com/, but even those require diligent surveillance. A friend of my husband recently had to punish his middle-schooler by taking away all his electronics because his son re-configured his computer to get around all the precautions. (The friend confessed that it was tough, because on the inside, he was actually proud and impressed that his son was that tech-savvy).

And then, as I mentioned in the article, how do you know when to step back? So many college students have a very difficult freshman year because of a lack of self-reliance.

What do you think? Any recommendations, suggestions, additional concerns or frustrations that you would like to share? As always, I am eager to hear from you!

Should We Bury The PA Death Tax?

In the July issue of Northern Connection magazine, I “Started the Conversation” regarding the injustice of the Pennsylvania Inheritance tax, also known as, the “death tax” that taxes certain beneficiaries of a will of the deceased. The injustice is due to the fact that the deceased already paid taxes while alive and in many cases, the estate includes property, such as a home, which must be sold to pay for the taxes.

With the help of our reader, Myer Spector, who supplied the following documentation for me, you can see that, once money is made from the sale of property it must be declared as income and taxed accordingly IN ADDITION TO the death tax.

Furthermore, Mr. Spector received the amounts collected from the inheritance tax from the PA House Appropriations Committee that for 2013-2014, PA estimates it received $894.3 MILLION – yes, almost a BILLION in proceeds from the death tax. When this figured is coupled with the fact that according to a new study, Pennsylvania is ranked 5^th among the MOST corrupt states in the nation http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/study-pennsylvania-fifth-in-corruption-1.1703090, it begs the question: How much of these ill-gotten gains are paying for this corruption?

Also, Mr. Spector received two letters from Tom Corbett the current Governor of Pennsylvania. In one letter, prior to becoming governor, Tom Corbett made the campaign promise to repeal the death tax once he became the Governor of Pennsylvania. The second letter is a status report that explains what he has been doing OTHER than repealing the death tax.

The following letters and documentation inserted here for your consideration:

 

 

 

 

If you would like to contact the Governor regarding this matter, you can message him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Gov.TomCorbett

Let’s Continue the Conversation - What do you think? Please leave your comments below:

 

Manly, Yes, But I Like it Too!

Breaking stereotypes, doing what you want and not caring about what others might say or think, this was the topic for this month’s “Starting the Conversation” in Northern Connection magazine. I remember when breaking stereotypes was more the norm with catchy slogans like “Manly Yes, but I like it too” for Irish Spring soap.

Being a Pittsburgher, I am also a huge fan of professional sports (very few women outside the Steeler nation are) so even though he wasn’t a Steeler, I was tickled-pink when football legend Emmitt Smith appeared on – and won – Dancing with the Stars! #DWTS

Here he is dancing his Freestyle, if you missed the season: #EmmittSmith

Then, our very own Hines Ward was also on the show: #HinesWard

I think I was so enthused because my husband Tom and I had taken ballroom lessons for years so it was so thrilling to see our favorite sport stars and actors also embracing the past time. Here’s a picture of us having a spin around the floor:

 

So let’s continue the conversation, have you ever broken a stereotype or have wanted to? Why do you think people tease or bully to stop people from doing what they want? I’d love to hear from you, please feel free to leave a comment below.



Why is it a "Boy" Thing?

In this month’s issue of Northern Connection magazine, I started the conversation regarding my concern over the lack of young women and girls that are interested in the sciences and wondered why it has suddenly started being labeled a “boy” thing. I also referred to two of my favorite female scientists that are terrific role models on television and show girls having fun and great jobs in science. They are: Kari Byron in Mythbusters and Mayim Bialik who portrays Amy on The Big Bang Theory who, in addition to being an actress, earned her PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA. In case you haven’t seen them, here are some interviews and clips of these incredible women:

 

Why do you think science is being labeled a "boy" thing? How do you think we can encourage girls to embrace the sciences?

Please leave your thoughts and comments below we'd love to hear from you.

Planning Vacation Memories?

In the April issue of Northern Connection magazine, I started the conversation on Vacation Memories. Vacations are usually such a great time off filled with doing, seeing or even just relaxing. Of course, there are vacations that don’t go according to plan, sometimes the “best laid plans of mice and men” just don’t work out. Have you ever had a vacation go wrong?

I sure have. There was the time that a ticket agent sold me tickets to a sold out train, then there was the time I got separated from the tour and left behind in the middle of Italy and then there was the time my plane was taxiing to the runway and the power went out in my plane and we rolled off into the nearby grass and hedges.

Then, in Dublin on our way to tour the Guinness factory, something happened that is now being known simply as “The Incident”. Here is what happened:

Tom and I were thrilled to be back in Dublin and after a lovely luncheon of fish and chips at Arthur’s Pub on Thomas Court, we headed off to the Guinness Brewery and Gift Shop to run amuck buying souvenirs. When, all of a sudden, sperrrr-plattttt! I feel something hit me. I look down and there on my rather largely endowed bosom was a HUGE pile of excrement. AAAAGGGHHHH! Was I classy? Was I graceful? Of course not! I started screaming like a banshee. I believe I even had the feet going as I ran in place screaming my whole head off.

Tom came running to my aid, saying, “You’re okay, you’re okay.” Meanwhile, two very nice American college girls heard my screams and also came running to my aid. One even had a really cool Tide packet that she gave to Tom that you snap and it starts to foam up with detergent. The girls are trying to calm me down saying sweet things like, “It’s happened to me – you’re not the only one – it could have been worse – one more step forward and it would have been in your hair.”

I’ve stopped screaming but I’m still dithering, “worse…hair…step…hair…”

Fortunately, Tom is also a trained zoologist, so he immediately goes into science mode and starts trying to identify the species based on the excessively large fecal sample still clinging to my bosom as he removes it with the very cool Tide packet, saying, “definitely too large to be pigeon, could be sea gull, might even be pelican – definitely could have been a pelican.”

I’m thinking pterodactyl.

As Tom concludes his oral dissertation on water fowl of eastern Ireland, he has also managed to make me somewhat presentable and suggests that we continue on to the brewery where he’ll buy me a new shirt and everything will be fine.

I’m still dithering, “New…shirt…fine…shirt…”

He looks around and says, “Hey, where’d those girls go?”

They had vanished. I well up, saying, “They were angels, I know it, they were angels.”

Tom says, “Yes they were definitely angels of mercy. Angels who carry some really cool cleaning products.” I’m soooo not in the mood for humor.

We get to the brewery and I spot the girls in front of us in line. I point them out to Tom, “Tom, look it’s my angels.” Tom, ever gallant even in moments of crisis, goes up to the girls and says, “Young ladies, thank you so much for coming to my wife’s aid, I insist that you allow me to pay your entrance fee.” The girls awwwww and protest. But Tom insists. I’ve started dithering again, “Thank…you…wife’s…aid.” I’ve definitely started going round the bend.

Tom gets me to the gift shop, he buys me the first shirt we see and I head off to the ladies. I’m in there a loooong time. When I finally emerge, Tom has bought at least one of everything so we head up to the gravity bar where I have a pint to prevent my going any further into shock. After a while, I start to come around and so we head out and get a carriage over to the distillery. Tom has the driver take our picture where Tom puts his arms around me to send the message to my mother, “It’s okay, I’ve got her, she’ll be alright.”

And off we go…clippety clop— it’s time to remember I’m having the time of my life...

 

 

I hope you like the story of “The Incident”. Do you have a vacation memory you would like to share? Post them in the comment section below.

Do You Believe in True Love?

In the March issue of Northern Connection magazine’s “Starting the Conversation”, I mentioned that I love stories of true love especially stories of a love that has withstood the test of time.

Specifically, I shared the story of former talk show host Mike Douglas and his wife Genevieve and her advice to me not to be too clingy when my hubby is busy with work or with the public (which was excellent advice since my husband is a public speaker). I also told the story of Roy Rogers and Dale Evens, television and film stars that believe in the 70-30 rule: where you each promise to give 70% and only expect 30% and that way, the marriage will feel more even and balanced.

What do you think of these stories? Do you have a story of true love you’d like to share?

I’d love to hear from you, post your comments, thoughts and stories in the comment area below:

Obamacare: Is it Good, Bad or Ugly?

In the February issue of Northern Connection magazine, I “Started the Conversation” on Obamacare; and wonder whether it is good, bad or ugly? On the one hand, it seems much more affordable and covers pre-existing conditions, which would definitely be a good thing. On the other hand, there’s the intense concern about whether we will be guaranteed the same level of care. Will the insurance companies dictate to doctors what they can prescribe or tests they can run? This would definitely be a bad thing. And if I’m permitted a third hand, the ridiculously expensive snafus with the web site – that was downright repulsive. Then, there was the whole issue whether people can remain with their same insurance provider or not - one minute it’s yes, the next minute it’s no – and with little to no explanation.

What do you think? Have you had any personal experiences with Obamacare? Do you have concerns? Are you all in favor?

You can enter your thoughts below in the comment section and let’s “Continue the Conversation.”

Should Taxes Follow?

I “Started the Conversation” In the January issue of Northern Connection magazine, regarding the question on taxes for alternative schooling. Charter Schools which are independent public schools are funded by the taxes allotted for a child go with the child from their current school district.

Which begs the question: shouldn’t the taxes allotted for a child follow the child if he or she attends any alternative schooling?

I know in my own case, when I was being emotionally and physically bullied, the school district could no longer guarantee my safety, so my parents sent me to a private high school where I received a wonderful education in a safe and wholesome environment. Unfortunately, my family had difficulty affording the private school so any kind of tax break would have helped.

Also, just a few months ago in November of 2013, the Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amended version of a charter school reform bill that will allow most charters to receive payments directly from the state rather than routing them through the local school districts and will enable other entities other than the state and school districts, such as universities, to authorize charter schools. (here's the amended version of the bill ).

Which begs another question: if they wanted, should a private or parochial school be able apply for “charter” status and receive state funded money?

What do you think? Let your voice be heard in the comment section below: