< Previous• Dental Sleep Appliances • Cosmetic Dentistry • Porcelain Laminates • Ceramic Crowns • Implants • Emergency Care • Tooth Colored Fillings • Gum Treatment • Extractions • Root Canals • Digital X-Rays • Nitrous Oxide • Partials • Intra-Oral Cameras • Teeth Whitening • Bridges • TVs Over the Chairs • Kids Arcade & Play Room Mark Martinsen DDS Texas A&M - B.S. Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry - DDS Brent Patterson DDS Texas A&M - B.S. UTHSC at SA - DDS Includes Cleaning, Exam, Bitewing, Panoramic X-Rays Good thru 9/30/21 Dental Care …That makes the Grade Summer Appointments Still Available TEXAS CITY OFFICE 409-938-1700 LEAGUE CITY OFFICE In front of Education Village 281-557-7747 10 | Back to School | 2021 I n the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many schools hastily transitioned from traditional in-person learning to remote learning. This transition posed new and unique challenges to educators as well as students and their parents. One of the biggest challeng- es posed by remote learning was keeping students connect- ed to their teachers and their classmates, not all of whom had readily available access to devices that could facilitate such connections. In recognition of that chal- lenge, school systems worked to procure devices for stu- dents only to be confronted by another challenge: low bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred over an internet connection per second. Low bandwidth can compromise students’ ability to stay con- nected to their virtual class- rooms, according to Microsoft. In an effort to help students overcome that challenge, Microsoft offers the following tips on how educators, stu- dents and parents can manage low bandwidth during remote learning sessions. REDUCE RELIANCE ON VIDEO DURING CLASS SESSIONS Turning video cameras off during live class sessions can help to overcome the challeng- es posed by low bandwidth, as live video is a key contributor to excessive use of bandwidth. If video must be used, encourage students to turn off their camer- as when they are not speaking. USE PRE-RECORDED CONTENT Pre-recording content en- ables students to stream video over the internet, saving those with low bandwidth the hassle of downloading large video files to their computers. Microsoft recommends edu- cators who pre-record content for their students to stream to instruct those students to use class time to complete assign- ments. Educators can make themselves available via chat to answer questions students may have about their assignments. How teachers can manage low bandwidth during remote learning sessions AVOID VIDEO-BASED ASSIGNMENTS It can be difficult for students with low bandwidth to send very large files, such as videos. Educators can help students avoid that issue by not requir- ing them to submit videos as part of their assignments. ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SYNC FILES TO THEIR DEVICES Each device is different and each manufacturer has its own instructions on how to sync files to devices. But Microsoft notes that syncing files to a device allows students to read them offline, which is ideal for students with limited internet connectivity. Low bandwidth poses a challenge for remote learners. Thankfully, there are ways to overcome low bandwidth so students can keep learning. — Metro Creative Connection “Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred over an internet connection per second.” MICROSOFT TIPS FOR RETURNING TO SCHOOL LATER IN ADULTHOOD Education opens many doors. Sometimes life throws a person a curveball and education gets put on the back burner. Even if school plans have been derailed for several years, one can explore how to return to school as an adult. Recognize you’re never too old. If you have the time and the means to attend school, you can likely find a program that can benefit you regardless of how old you may be. Remember that education can help you get out of a rut. No matter your age or experience, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Going back to school can help a person get out of that rut and on a path to something new. Ask for the support of friends and family. Students’ success often depends on a strong support network. Be sure to discuss plans to return to school with a spouse, family members or others who can lend a helping hand. Explore accessibility. Now more than ever schools are adapting to the changing times by offering an abundance of classes online. SOURCE: METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION; GRAPHIC: LIZ DAVIS/THE DAILY NEWSMIND. BODY. SPIRIT. Trinity Episcopal School, Galveston, Texas For a campus tour, please access an inquiry form by clicking the “Visit Us” tab under the “Admission” tab at tesgalv.org 720 Tremont Street, Galveston Island • 409-765-9391 • tesgalv.org Established in 1952, Trinity Episcopal School has a distinguished history of providing students with a solid academic foundation which helps set the path for life-long learning. Trinity offers an excellent learning experience, emphasizing the growth and development of the whole child - intellectually, physically and spiritually. Trinity admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discrininate on the basis of sex, race, religion, or national origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial assistance programs, athletic or other school-administered programs. NOW ENROLLINGPK2-8TH GRADE 2021 | Back to School | 11 H igh school stu- dents, particularly juniors and seniors, spend a considerable amount of time contem- plating their academic futures. Students typically feel pressure to set them- selves apart from the mil- lions of other teenagers who apply to college each year, and many look to college prep courses as a potential game-changer. College prep courses can improve students’ stand- ing in the eyes of college admissions officers, but it’s imperative that high schoolers consider a host of factors before enrolling in such courses. TIME Today’s high school stu- dents are busier than ever. The average high school student spends a little less than 90 minutes each day participating in an extracur- ricular activity like playing sports, working or volun- teering, according to the 2019 American Time Use Survey from the U.S. Bu- reau of Labor Statistics. Coupled with their exist- ing academic responsibil- ities, high schoolers’ time may already be stretched thin. That’s a significant factor to consider before enrolling in college prep or advanced placement courses, which tend to require more work outside of the classroom than stan- dard classes. Students whose sched- ules are already full may need to choose between their extracurriculars and college prep courses to avoid being overextended. RIPPLE EFFECT Students who have the time to take on the extra work of AP or college prep courses must consider the potential ripple effects of such a decision. It’s true that many institutions view students who excel in AP classes more favorably than their peers who excel in conventional classes. However, students should be sure they can handle AP coursework without adversely affecting their performance in other class- es. Students’ grade point averages will likely drop if a strong performance in an AP class comes at the expense of strong perfor- mances in other classes. That dip in GPA could negate the benefits of performing well in an ad- vanced course. GRADUATION AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS A strong performance in an AP class will not negate the basic requirements stu- dents must meet in order to graduate high school or be accepted into the college of their choice. Students must confirm that including a college prep or AP course in their class schedules won’t prevent them from taking another course that will help them fulfill their requirements to graduate or enroll in college. — Metro Creative Connection Factors to consider before enrolling in college prep courses DID YOU KNOW? Arts programs cater to an array of stu- dents, from the musically inclined to those who love to paint to the next generation of movie stars. Parents and students may be surprised to learn there are a host of pre-college arts pro- grams that can help students interested in the arts take their passion to the next level. • Acting and Performance Summer Insti- tute: This three-week online program hosted by the University of California, Los Angeles focuses on theater arts. The program en- compasses performance training programs, movement-based techniques and a final showcase where students create their own content through the devised theater process. • ArcStart: ArcStart is a two-week pre-archi- tecture program for rising high school soph- omores, juniors and seniors as well as rising college freshmen. The program is offered through the Taubman College of Architec- ture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. ArcStart is designed to give students an opportunity to study various aspects of architecture. • Art as Experience: A three-week pro- gram offered by Cornell University, Art as Experience is designed to expand students’ understanding of the ideas and practices of art today. The course is open to pre-college students and undergraduates and introduces a broad range of mediums to students. • College Audition Preparation: This program at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington is designed for vocalists, brass and woodwind players and composers entering grades 11 and 12. The program is ideal for students who are planning to apply for entrance to college music programs. — Metro Creative ConnectionSCHOOL UNIFORMS PANTS SHIRTS SHORTS & MORE! LA MARQUE 409-933-4440 Located in the Gulfway Plaza: 13021 Delaney Rd. La Marque TX 77568 www.uniformdestination.com Tuition–Free Classes DISTANCE LEARNING ALSO AVAILABLE For information call: 281-990-8899 or register on our website: http://www.shbi.org email: shbi@shbi.org OPEN TO ALL. ATTEND IN-PERSON, ONLINE OR BY DISTANCE LEARNING. Tuition-free, once-a-week, Christ-centered classes in Bible, ministry and Christian growth. Classes begin August 23rd The UPS Store 6341 Stewart • Galveston, TX 77551 409-741-1400 • FAX 409-741-1402 www.theupsstore.com email: store4495@theupsstore.com 12 | Back to School | 2021 C hoosing a college major is an important decision that many stu- dents delay making until their sophomore or even junior years. Only after taking a few courses and uncovering one’s interests do some college students figure out what they want to do with their lives. Each student is different, and while some may pursue a degree based on a par- ticular passion, others may choose majors that can lead to high-paying jobs. While men often lean to- ward majors like engineering and computer science that have traditionally been linked to high earnings, women have historically gravitated to lower-paying specialties like education and social sciences. But in recent years a shift has occurred, and more women have begun to choose ma- jors associated with higher post-graduate salaries. Reports from the career guidance site Glassdoor analyzed how much male and female professionals with the same college degree earned and identified many instances in which women went on to earn more than men in the first five years of their career. Despite these findings, the college resource CollegeFac- tual and the U.S. Department U ncertainty has reigned over many students for the last year-plus. As the COVID-19 virus spread across the globe, schools were forced to transition to virtual learning. Some did so full-time, while others offered hybrid learning plans that combined virtual learning with in person instruction. Some students may have no choice but to carry on with their studies until schools return to more traditional, full- time classroom settings. But students about to graduate from high school or college may be wondering if now isn’t an ideal time to take a gap year. Others may be intrigued by gap years but not be entirely certain what they are. WHAT IS A GAP YEAR? A gap year as “a semester or year of experiential learn- ing, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practi- cal, professional, and personal awareness,” according to The Is now the time for a gap year? College majors that can lead to higher earnings Majors where female college graduates can earn as much or more than their male counterparts and find successful careers. • Architecture • Pharmaceutical sciences • Information sciences • Chemical engineering • Computer science • Electrical engineering • Mechanical engineering • Computer engineering • Business economics • Civil engineering • Sports management of Education says that women remain likely to pursue edu- cation, design and applied arts, health services and social work as career options. Female students unsure of which major they want to pursue can take career as- sessments to help narrow down their options. Working with mentors or engaging in internships also can present a first-hand idea of high-paying career paths. — Metro Creative Connection DID YOU KNOW? Reasons students might want to take a gap year: • Experiential education • Explore career paths • Internships • Travel • Volunteer work • Burnout from school • Military service Gap Year Association. The GYA notes that no two gap years are alike, though the spirit of a gap year is to afford students a chance to expand their comfort zones and have a cross-cultural experience while ensuring they have the time to reflect on those expe- riences. DO GAP YEARS DERAIL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC CAREERS? Parents might be concerned that a gap year will derail students’ academic careers by decreasing the likelihood that they will ultimately return to school. However, the GYA reports that 90 percent of students who take gap years enroll in a four-year institution within one year of completing their gap year. That can quell some of the concerns parents and even students may have about taking a year off from school at a time when many of their peers may be moving forward with their educations. WHAT DO STUDENTS DO DURING THEIR GAP YEARS? Though the GYA notes that some space and time to ex- plore the unknown is vital to a gap year, students who think a gap year may be right for them should know that such years are most effective when students engage themselves in activities designed to expand their horizons. Many students spend their gap years volun- teering with a service organiza- tion while others may accept an internship to see what life in a given profession may be like. — Metro Creative ConnectionRobinson’s Auto Repair 2700 Hughes Rd. Dickinson, TX Corner of Highway 3 and Hughes Rd. 281-337-6762 www.robinsonsautorepair.net Maintenance & Repair Cars & Light Trucks NETWORK ADMINISTRATION VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS ALL THINGS COMPUTER DownsConsultingServices.com Randy Downs (832) 794-6081 S hopping for school supplies once entailed stocking up on pens, pads and notebooks. Students today still buy many of the same items, though they also now stock up on electronics. Technology and education now go hand-in-hand. For students to find success both in and out of the classroom, the right tech can make all the difference. • High-speed internet: Connectivity is key in a digi- tally driven world. Students need access to the internet for homework, lectures, email, entertainment and much more. The faster your internet speed the better. Streaming videos on a sin- gle device or web browsing requires between five and 40 Mbps, according to High SpeedInternet.com. Down- loading large files or using multiple devices simultaneous- ly requires high speeds. When accessing the inter- net via smartphones, make sure your plan has unlimited data or provides enough data to ensure interruptions do not occur. • Laptop or notebook com- puter: Laptops and notebook devices are similar in that both offer many types of software preloaded that a student will need. The devices seem interchangeable, but there are some differences. Laptops are generally larger than sleek, light notebooks. Notebooks are sized to fit easily into backpacks. Notebooks tend to have minimal features, including less RAM capacity and slower speeds, helping to keep their costs down. Some notebooks may have very small amounts of hard drive storage space, requiring users to pur- chase external storage devices. • Headphones: Most schools now require students to have their own dedicated pair of earbuds or over-the-ear head- phones so that work conduct- ed on a computer does not disturb others also working on their own devices. Headphones also can make it easier to hear and comprehend videos and other digital lessons while do- ing homework. • Chargers/battery packs: Devices must maintain power to help kids learn. Students can benefit from having a backup charger or battery pack to maintain functionality on their devices. • Storage and charging base: Keeping electronics neat and accessible for the family may mean rethinking counter- top or other storage spaces. Charging stations hold multi- ple devices and allow them to charge simultaneously. • Touchscreen pen: Many notebook and laptop comput- ers have touchscreens that respond to pens/styluses and make drawing or writing on the screen more detailed. • Printer/scanner: While many schools have adopted paperless formats, there may come a time when printing an assignment or report is nec- essary. A quality ink-jet printer can fit the bill. A scanner to scan photos or documents also makes it easier to com- plete assignments. The above are just some of the many gadgets that can assist students with their studies. — Metro Creative Connection 2021 | Back to School | 13 Recommended tech for students 7 WAYS NEWSPAPERS BENEFIT STUDENTS Numerous studies have found that reading can improve youngsters’ vocabulary. Each day, newspapers are lled with fresh stories that can introduce kids to new words, helping them to strengthen their vocabularies and make them more effective communicators. Newspapers improve reading skills. Reporters are trained to report the news, sharing facts without allowing their own opinions to inuence their stories. Educa- tors can choose stories from the newspaper to serve as catalysts for discussions that focus not just on the facts listed in the story but what might be behind them. Many children are aware of major world events, even if they don’t know or understand the details. Newspaper articles about world events can be used as avenues to discussions about what’s going on in the world. Customized newsfeeds funneled through social media outlets can make it hard for young people to recognize and understand the world beyond their own communities and interests. Each day, newspapers include local, national and international stories that can illustrate to kids that there’s a world beyond their own. Newspapers allow young people to be exposed to the social issues facing their communities or those issues that are affecting people across the country and the world. Newspa- pers provide unbiased exposure to such issues and encourage them to form their own opinions. Newspapers provide a welcome break from tablets, smartphones and computers, and kids may have fun ipping pages and getting a little ink on their hands. Classrooms have come a long way since the days when pioneering settlers would send their children to single-room schoolhouses. Modern classrooms might be technical marvels, but one less ashy learning tool remains as valuable as ever. Newspapers might not be as glamorous as tablets or other gadgets, but they are still an invaluable resource to educators and students. The following are seven ways in which newspapers in the classroom can help students with their reading and comprehensive skills throughout their education. Newspapers build vocabulary. 2021Metro Creative ConnectionBack to School 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Like the old adage says, “Practice makes perfect.” Reading newspapers each day can help kids develop their reading and comprehension skills. Newspapers promote critical thinking. Newspapers bring ideas & current events to life. Newspapers build global awareness. Newspapers promote social consciousness. Newspapers make learning fun. SOURCE: METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION; GRAPHIC: LIZ DAVIS/THE DAILY NEWS Learning comes to life in the newspaper. Start your subscription today. Call 409.683.5201Julie Greenwell 281-622-1244 A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO LARGER SCHOOLS! We offer an exceptional Christian education, combining social skills, and hands on activities to complete your student’s education. PK3 through 12th Grade Experienced teachers Low teacher/student ratios We would love to have you join our family! ASPIRE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 9111 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway Texas City, Texas 77591 (713) 805-6623 aspirechristian.myschooldesign.com 14 | Back to School | 2021 B usy schedules, hybrid learning and demanding coursework have affect- ed students’ academic perfor- mance over the last year-plus. The number of middle and high school students with two or more failing marks increased by 83 percent in the first quar- ter of the 2020-2021 school year compared to the year pri- or, according to a recent report from the Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Research and Strategic Improvement in Vir- ginia. But students’ grades may slide or they may find certain school work overly challenging even in normal years. Since many parents have not seen a periodic table or had to solve high school math prob- lems in decades, tutors may be just what students need to regain their academic footing. Failing grades are not neces- sarily the most notable indica- tor that students can benefit from the services of a tutor. Twenty-five percent of high school students say home- work is their biggest source of stress, and homework prog- ress can help parents deter- mine if it’s time to call in a tutor, The Princeton Review said. Students who find their home- work is taking too long, particu- larly double or triple the amount of time it once required, may need some extra help. Here are some additional indica- tors that a tutor may be needed. • Declining test scores: Some students are simply poor test takers, but a grad- ual or sudden decline in test scores may indicate students are having trouble mastering material. Teachers can pinpoint if certain concepts are overly challenging to students and notify parents if there are any problem areas. • Poor time management or focus: Students who are strug- gling may have their attention drift or they put off doing tasks because they don’t grasp the assignments. • Lack of homework help at home: Parents may have prior commitments during the times of day when their children are doing homework. Even when parents are home, they may dis- cover that the concepts covered in school are not being taught in the ways parents learned them and they may have difficulty as- sisting their children. Tutors can step in and help students when parents cannot. • Learning disorder: Certain students learn differently from others due to a diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disorder. A child who is struggling with reading, phonics, spelling and writing may have dyslexia, ac- cording to the tutoring experts at Dyslexia Practitioner NJ. Tutors who specialize in learning disorders can assess and address learning conflicts and tailor instructions in ways Know when it’s time to call in a tutor that can help students over- come those challenges. • Students “shut down” or say they “hate” school: Disinterest in school or expres- sions of hating going to school may be indicative of academic struggles in the classroom, the Princeton Review said. Some students get so frustrated they simply give up. Tutors can solve learning puzzles and help get students back on track and reignite their interest in school. Tutors can be valuable re- sources for students who need some one-on-one attention to master general learning con- cepts or reinforce skills for key tests or projects. — Metro Creative ConnectionFor the 2021-2022 school year we are implementing pathways that will help lead students to promising, high-demand, high-wage career paths. Our STEM track includes engineering, aviation (pilot and drone), anatomy and physiology, EMT, patient care technician, maritime and IT/CISCO. Feeding minds, filling hearts, fueling ambitions 1320 Tremont, Galveston, TX ♦ 409-765-5534 ♦ www.oconnellprep.com Small school atmosphere, big school opportunities! Now enrolling grades 9-12 O’Connell College Preparatory School Join our school family for a nurturing environment that provides a strong academic foundation to help each individual succeed. Now registering Pre-K - 8th Grade for 2021-2022 Satori School Established 1981 2503 Sealy Street, Galveston, TX 77550 409-763-7022 • claire_wilkins@satorischool.net 2021 | Back to School | 15 G etting kids to and from school can be a challenge for working parents. School start times do not always coordinate with parents’ work schedules, and school typically lets out before parents’ workdays end. Carpools are one way par- ents confront the challenge posed by juggling work and family. With a new school year approaching, parents can take the following factors into consideration as they work to establish carpools. DETERMINE YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS Before planning carpools, parents who plan to partic- ipate should contact their auto insurance providers to make sure their policies cov- er driving others. The orga- nizer of the carpool should make sure every parent does this prior to the school year. Some parents may need to purchase supplemental insurance, and each parent should be willing to pro- vide proof of their insur- ance as well. REACH OUT TO PARENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD A carpool that is neigh- borhood-based as op- posed to one that is based more on students’ social circles likely will prove more convenient for parents. A carpool with neighbors means parents won’t have to drive far to pick up and/ or drop off other students, saving everyone valuable time each day. DON’T GO OVERBOARD Even if your minivan or SUV can seat half a dozen children, you may want to limit the carpool to a more manageable number of youngsters. Getting kids up and out the door each morning is a challenge when there’s just one youngster involved, let alone several. By limiting a carpool to be- tween two and four children, parents won’t have to worry about too many hiccups during their morning routines. DISCUSS EARLY DISMISSALS IN ADVANCE School schedules tend to be the same throughout the year, but there are vari- ous times when early clo- sures can affect carpools. This is especially true for parents with children who attend different schools. When planning a carpool, discuss early closure dates with other parents, and develop a plan for how to manage pickup. School carpools are convenient for working parents. Planning prior to the school year is a great way to ensure carpools are successful. — Metro Creative Connection Factors to consider when setting up a school carpool Tips for Preventing Student Burnout Today’s teenagers are busy. With so much dobetween school, work and extracirricular activities, teens can easily nd themselves overextended. Community involvement is important, but it’s equally important that high school students avoid burnout. Parents can employ various strategies to help. LOOK FOR SIGNS OF BURNOUT Teenagers usually enjoy the activities they engages in. So, it’s unlikely that they will self-report burnout to their parents. Look for these signs. TEACH STUDENTS TIME-MANAGEMENT SKILLS Time management skills can help kids make eective and ecient use of their time. Use a calendar to plan their weeks. Knowing what’s expected of them each day can help kids develop a plan to get everything done. In addition, parents can see their daily activities, and they can see if they’re taking on too much. TEACH KIDS THE ART OF PRIORITIZING Teach kids how to prioritize, emphasizing that academics always come rst. Give kids some credit if they’re initially resistant to dropping some activities, as that can indicate an admirable willingness to commit. Activities that are low priority might need to be sacriced during the school year. SOURCE: METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION; THE AMERICAN TIME USE SURVEY FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS; GRAPHIC: LIZ DAVIS/THE DAILY NEWS 1.5 HOURS An average high school student spends per weekday on extracurricular activites ◊ Procrastination ◊ Negative attitudes ◊ Testiness ◊ Diculty concentrating ◊ Disinterest in favorite activitiesNo need to take a break from the summer fun to schedule a back-to-school appointment for the children in your life. With pediatric and family care clinics conveniently located in the communities where you live and work, UTMB Health makes it easy to schedule an appointment with one of our providers for annual well-child visits, sports physicals, immunizations and more. Children age 12 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. As a timesaver for parents, UTMB’s primary care clinics can offer the COVID vaccine during an annual back-to-school or sports physical. Scan the code, call our 24/7 Access Center or visit our website to make an appointment. Pediatric Care. Close to home. (800) 917-8906 | utmbhealth.com/children The University of Texas Medical Branch is in-network for most major insurance plans. Pediatric Primary Care locations near you: • Alvin • Angleton • Dickinson • Friendswood • Galveston • Lake Jackson • League City • Texas City • Webster 16 | Back to School | 2021Next >