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This article discusses facial reconstruction sculptures done by art and anatomy students. These sculptures were made based on the remains of migrants in Arizona and New York, and were created to help with the identification of the remains.

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They're Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease

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They're Hosting Parasitic Worms in Their Bodies to Help Treat a Neglected Disease

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/health/parasitic-worms-schistosomiasis-trial.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Ftrilobites

Several volunteers have agreed to host parasitic worms in their bodies for 12 weeks in order to help advance research toward a vaccine for schistosomiasis. The traditional way of finding a vaccine for this disease would cost millions and obtaining the money to fund it is difficult.

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Italy has just had new elections. New parties have done well and this can change the tide of Europe. These parties are anti-immigrant and will change the policies on migration.

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The center-left, as elsewhere in Europe apart from Britain, collapsed. The Democratic Party took just 18.7 percent of the vote and its leader, former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, said he would quit. Not even Silvio Berlusconi, whose resurgence had been much mooted, could defy anti-establishment gravity. His center-right Forza Italia won 14 percent.

The combined support of the two centrist parties scarcely equaled that of the Five Star Movement, "a typical Italian product, with a little bit of everything, mostly incompetence," as Claudio Gatti, a prominent Italian journalist, put it to me.

The party, whose core is a web platform called Rousseau that's supposed to deliver direct democracy, is a by-now familiar 21st-century political product: tech-savvy, angry, sympathetic to Vladimir Putin, a vehicle for a hodgepodge of resentments and "fake news." Its 31-year-old leader, Luigi di Maio, who was chosen after a Rousseau vote, stands for very little.

The party swept the poor Mezzogiorno, or southern Italy, where a culture of dependency on state handouts is deeply ingrained; unemployment is high; and corruption is rife. The money that long oiled the crony politics of the South has dried out. The Christian Democrats, patrons of that system, are gone. The Five Star Movement has stepped into a void with its inarticulate ire and its very southern opacity.

When TV was what mattered, Berlusconi, who still owns several channels, was the man. Now that the internet has risen, the Five Star Movement is its natural Italian child. The digital world was supposed to bring people together. In fact, social media has hurled them apart, less bridge-builder than disintegrator.

In the north, it was the League that triumphed - and was promptly praised by the rightist French National Front of Marine Le Pen. Its leader, Matteo Salvini, is an anti-immigrant bigot who has called for cities to be "cleansed" by the police. For Northern Italy, which is rich, the Mezzogiorno, particularly Sicily, was once "Africa," a place from which the poor came north seeking jobs. Now Africa is Africa.

It will not be easy to form a government. The League and Five Star Movement have the numbers to govern, but Salvini has waved away such suggestions. Steve Bannon thinks it's a good idea - "a bigger mandate to govern" and presumably generate the havoc he seeks. (Bannon was also impressed that the League "got 20 percent of the votes in Tuscany, which is traditionally a turf of the left or the center left: This is equivalent to Wisconsin going to Trump," as he opined to the Swiss publication Die Weltwoche. Well, if you insist, Steve; had never thought of the Green Bay-Florence axis.)

Other possibilities, none of which look stable, include a center-right coalition that would need outside support to have enough seats to govern and would presumably see the odious Salvini as prime minister; a far-fetched coalition of the Five Star Movement and the Left; or a German-style grand coalition that, as in Germany, would see the defeated mainstream parties trying to govern and would thereby fuel rage against democracies that refuse to heed what voters say.

Putin is certainly happy. Trump is likely happy. The giants of European unity and freedom - Alcide De Gasperi of Italy, Konrad Adenauer of Germany, Robert Schuman of France - are turning in their graves. The almost three decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall have been a long strange trip to the politics of the mob.

The wise Mario Draghi completes his term as governor of the European Central Bank in October. He's the best answer to Italy's problems I can see. Rome has seen empires come and go; it can see out the seven months until then.

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Opinion | Italy's Five-Star Electoral Performance

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The center-left, as elsewhere in Europe apart from Britain, collapsed. The Democratic Party took just 18.7 percent of the vote and its leader, former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, said he would quit. Not even Silvio Berlusconi, whose resurgence had been much mooted, could defy anti-establishment gravity. His center-right Forza Italia won 14 percent.

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Tanya Bolick from North Carolina believes we can't operate on the basis of trust alone:

While trusting people to tell the truth about whether or not the pet is an emotional-support animal or not is a good thought I don't think that it is possible in this day and age. As said in the article, it is easy to get a red vest for animal and call them an emotional-support animal, this makes it almost impossible to know who is telling the truth and who is not.

Sadly I think it is necessary for people to provide papers that prove their animal is certified. I think that some time in the future these problems will be resolved and thing can go back to a trust basis. But until people take responsibility for their actions and stop lying the rules will have to increase.

And Brandon Brodwater from Wilmington, N.C., made a good point about animals on college campuses:
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In response to the prompt "What Have You Learned From Movies?", students shared the life lessons they picked up from their favorite films.

Tucker G. Oakley from Wilmington, N.C., has learned about life, love, responsibility and filmmaking:

My overarching dream is to write scripts for tv shows and movies, to create the dreams before they hit big screams. Naturally, I depict what lessons and meanings are hidden in movies about love, freedom, friendship, responsibility, and chaos. Believe me, you can ask anybody in my class about me, and they will say this kid knows almost any movie quote.

Some of the best lessons I've learned from movies come from lesser known movies or secretly popular.

I've learned that love can come right from behind you by staying true to yourself, whether a lovely girl or a hunched zombie from Warm Bodies and 16 Candles.

I've seen that friendship lasts from the highs and lows, even if you are a lobby-boy in a deathly chase for a dead woman's will for Grand Budapest Hotel.

Logan taught me responsibility can lead to the redemption of who you once were and that it can give somebody else a better life than you had.

The Road Within gove me an insight on how to set yourself free and enjoy life, even with turrets syndrome.

Of course, I've had a fair share of chaos, and how people cause and experience it from The Dark Knight and Pulp Fiction.

If you toss these traits together, you can create a masterpiece. I could go on about Shape Of Water and the Marvel Universe, but people know those, whereas these movies are special to me and truly men something in my life. I see that movies aren't always for entertainment, but rather for us to embrace a lesson on how we can better ourselves and the world.

Brianna Browning from Wilmington, N.C., has gained wisdom from one of her favorite movies, "Dirty Dancing":

I love the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, in which can never truly be recreated in this century. Patrick Swayze fit the role as a misunderstood individual perfectly. And therefore my favorite moral was how you can not assume something about a person who you do not even know. Furthermore dwelling into the idea that religion, race, or class shouldn't separate us. And how the people we associate with shouldn't be restrained by the size of our diamond rings or the house we call home. As these are materialistic things that will never hold true value to us. I would rather live a short life in the company of many types of people and cultures than have to live a million years in my invisible barrier.

Collin from Lawrence 's eyes have been opened to historical and social issues:

I want to see more Historical Movies. Not only because there entertaining but they are real. They people on screen are not characters that someone has thought up, they exist. They have more depth to them than any character anyone could think up. Historical movies don't just entertain, they educate.

Movies like Hacksaw Ridge and Saving Private Ryan show the Grittiness of WWII, and in the theater... they're so much better. The sight of the battlefield mixed with the sounds of war make for a raw, untamed experience. You hear every gunshot, you feel every explosion, as far as you know, you are at war. There exists another type of struggle though. One that is not physical, but social and emotional. In this light, a different type of movie shines. Hotel Rwanda, Schindler's List, 42. These movies all show the Struggle and hardship faced by the main character.

Tyler Rouse from Wilmington, N.C., has been personally inspired by a film:

One of the greatest movies of all time is about a black man struggling with poverty and his wife leaving him. He was fired from his job and was in search of a new one while trying to pay his rent. He eventually found a job at a big corporation and lived to be a millionaire. If you haven't guessed what movie I'm talking about yet, it is The Pursuit of Happyness. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and can truly show you what it's like to live in poverty. This movie really shows how if you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it.

And Jillian Lancaster from Wilmington, N.C., has learned that movies don't always depict reality:

Two of my favorite movies are Mean Girls and Clueless, which aren't the movies you would look to for a profound life lesson. But, for me, these movies set a sort of expectations for life.

Before I started high school, I had no clue what I was walking into. The only reference point I had for what high school was truly like was from these movies. Obviously I wasn't expecting people to be making Burn Books a la Mean Girls, but I did expect to attend three or four parties a year, be in a tight-knit clique, and to put lots of effort into my outfit every day. Little did I know that I would be spending my weekends studying and I would attend school in my workout gear instead of a dress and sandals.

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Surprisingly, almost all students said they would not tell if they caught their classmates "Cheating." Here are their reasons:

Lee Simhi from Israel wrote:

While I believe that cheating is wrong and immoral, if I caught a classmate of mine cheating I wouldn't report them.

For one, their dishonesty doesn't affect me in any way, it is their choice whether to cheat or not and they will have to live with the consequence of their decision. As long as those consequences don't harm anyone else it is not my place to tell them what is right or wrong, they have to decide themselves.

Moreover, the majority of students cheat on exams because most schooling systems today value high grades more than student's value learning. There is an immense amount of pressure put on students to get high grades, where I believe the focus should be put on learning and hard work.

In conclusion, as much as I think cheating is wrong I don't think it's my place to report a student who cheated on an exam.

Cheyenne Newkirk from Wilmington, N.C., chooses to assume the best of people:

Just to get this out there, I'm not saying cheating is the best way to pass high school, but if we're being completely honest, I'm pretty sure every single kid in high school has cheated. And yes, convincing yourself that it was only a small peek is still cheating.

What I do know, is that just because a student cheated on a test doesn't make them a bad person. For all you know they could've been having a really bad day, are tired from all the stuff a normal high schooler goes through, and completely forgot they had a quiz. Sounds familiar? It does to me. I think that one time you cheated should not come to define you as being a careless student.

For me telling on someone really depends. In general I don't think I would. Wanting to cheat is their own business, now whoever they're cheating off of...that is a different story. If that person feels their learning and hard earned studying is being compromised by all means report it. Some people feel that it's not a big deal. I'd say out of those two categories I'm probably in the middle...drifting toward the second.

Whether or not someone should be reprimanded or "told on" for cheating, like anything, really depends. Do they cheat often, or is this their first time? Does the whole class believe they were not properly prepared for this test? Are they struggling with problems outside of school? There are so many questions regarding what should be done about cheating and how you should feel, it's difficult to have one definite answer.

Bella Cankurtaran from Wilmington, N.C., thinks everyone needs a little help sometimes:

Jeraldyn Ramirez from Rhode Island believes those who cheat will suffer natural consequences eventually:

I remember when in my freshmen year of high school, my class was accused of cheating. Our teacher turned out to be correct when he found that one of my peers had found the quizzes online. As a consequence, our quizzes began to only be made by our teacher. I knew that my peer had found the quiz online, however, I figured that he was doing no harm to me. He was only hurting his own intelligence because he would eventually be tested on this chapter, and he would have to actually study this time. I don't feel that I should be the one to report them.

Like many other commenters, Lola Byers-Ogle from Wilmington, N.C., wondered if the problem is not the cheating itself, but the reason students might do it in the first place:

I honestly can't say if I would tell on a friend for cheating or not. There are so many variables I'd need to consider before making up my mind to tell. I have seen my friends cheat before, but I haven't ever said anything. Like the article said, people often cheat because of pressure. I think instead of focusing on trying to get rid of cheating, we should try and help people feel less pressured, so they don't feel like their only option is cheating. This isn't to say they shouldn't care about a bad grade, but I know so many people who will tear themselves apart because of bad grades. I think parents, students, and teacher alike should try and understand that a bad grade isn't the end.

S. Jin from Maryland could think of one situation in which one might tell on a classmate:

If I caught my classmates cheating on a school assignment, I probably would not tell on them. First of all, if I tell the teacher, that person will establish a negative feeling towards me, some people will even make trouble for you after school, etc. Secondly, when someone is cheating, they are ultimately deceiving themselves. When they really face a challenge in real life, how can they cheat then? As a result, my opinion is to ignore people who are cheating to avoid any trouble, and for those who cheated, they will taste their consequences later on.

On the other hand, If they are cheating off of me, I would not just let it go. I feel that is an invasion of privacy, with the direct breach of our school's code of conduct, I would tell on them. After all, cheating is bad and against the school rules. It is unfair to those who really put in the efforts to study and taking on class works legit to get the same or if lower grades than the person who cheats.

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We asked students to write the opening of a short story for our Picture Prompt "Tiaras and Gowns." Here's what they came up with:

We would love to see how this story by Barbara Stanton from Baltimore ends:

Annabella the fairy queen was disgruntled. This was her hundredth ball and yet her hair refused to be properly tamed. Her beau, king of darkness was late. She would make him pay when he finally rode his flaming horses into the portico.

Meghan Miraglia from Massachusetts used repetition to keep us in suspense:

It is now or never.

Well, at least, that's according to her mother. Well, at least, that's according to everyone's mother. The pressure weighs down on each of them like a third coat of mascara.

It is now or never.

She eyes the rest of them like they are competition. In another world, perhaps she would go off on a champagne-coated tangent about how tragic it is that mankind has forced her to see girls in this way, not for their innate goodness, not for their girlhood, but for the way that their hair looks and the fact that so-and-so didn't put enough lash glue on, and now her falsies are somewhere underneath all of this tulle.

It is now or never.

She takes another anxious sip of water. Feels it slide down the back of her throat and splash into the pit of her stomach. Licks her lips and licks them again, the sticky redness of new lipstick most definitely coming off on her tongue.

It is now or never.

It smells of perfume. The cheap kind. Knock-off Chanel and Juicy Couture. She takes her wrist, pale and shaking, and holds it to her nose. Perfect.

It is now or never.

Now? She thinks. Never?

They make it seem like you have a choice. You do not.

Nyah Price from Providence, R.I., took us on an emotional roller coaster:

It was almost time. I sat nervously in the corner waiting for my number to be called. Soon I would be given the chance to become a member of the royal family. My mother's words echoing in my mind, "Don't blow it."

134. 135.

They were getting closer to my number, 138. What would I say when I came face-to-face with the prince. What if I made a complete fool of myself?

I looked around the room at all the young men and women that had gathered for the ceremony. They all were dressed in their finest in hope of impressing the prince and princess.

136. 137.

I was next. My hands were shaking and I could feel the tears begin do pool up in my eyes. "Don't blow it," she said. "And if you do don't bother coming home."

I blinked away my tears and pulled out my compact mirror to fix my makeup. I was in a room filled with some of the most gorgeous women in the country, but my little brother said I was as beautiful as a queen.

I can't let him down. I wasn't doing this for mother or myself but for him. My sweet little brother who meant to world to me.

138.

It was my turn. I held my head up high and gracefully walked toward the man who had called my number.

It was time to have my shot at becoming the future Mrs. Belmont.

Aryana from Rhode Island developed her main character in just a few sentences:

Every girl in my family has been forced to participate in the annual debutante ball. My three older sisters have done it, and now its my turn. But I would rather die than be paraded around in front the "elite" families. Unlike my sisters I never cared about our money, and I don't want to be apart of this society. Everyone in that ballroom is shallow and selfish.

My mother nudges me, "it's time to get in line."

I shake my head, "I don't think I can do this mom."

As I say this she is pushing me towards the stairs. She proceeds to tell me how all of my sister were nervous too.

"Places everyone!" The music starts, and the first couple walks down the stairs. I turn around to face my mother, and I hug her. Before I let go I whisper, "I'm sorry," into her ear. And then I run, and I don't stop until I reach the train station.

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Commenters made astute points for our Picture Prompt "Stop Telling Women to Smile."

Brooke Myers from King of Prussia, Pa., thinks a smile is a cover-up:

People tend to think others look better when they smile so they tell them to smile. This is more for women, it shows the struggles the women face and tend to cover up with their smile because everything is okay if you're smiling. Everything is not okay just because you smile, it sometimes makes it worse.

David M from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, said coercion doesn't work:

Telling someone to smile never gets you what you're looking for anyway. If you can, make them smile. It'll be more sincere and more pleasant for them. And if they don't want to smile, respect their autonomy to be who they are and to feel what they feel.

If you feel a person is only worth seeing when they're smiling, then perhaps you shouldn't inject yourself into their world in the first place. Regarding art, we are more meaningfully served when we explore the full range of human emotions, not just the easy to consume ones. And it is alienating to be only presented with smiles and feel you're alone in not feeling this way yourself. Once we allow images to convey all that women feel, perhaps then we'll better see them as complete human beings instead of just candy for our eyes.

Tiffany Morel from Rhode Island said telling a woman to smile is telling her to be happy:

This artwork is making one of the most crucial points necessary for this new era. For the longest time, women were seen as mere objects. Objects were meant to look pretty. Therefore women also had to look pretty. The easiest way to appear "pretty" in modern society is to be happy. The definition of happiness changes depending on who is being asked, but usually, happiness is associated with smiles. Smiles are a symbolic way of showing that someone is feeling comfortable with their surroundings. Before, women had to look as though they were always happy with their surroundings. Their appearance did matter, but their opinions did not. While our society has been able to make some progress with women's rights, the stigma remains.

...There is too much going on in this world for people to focus on whether or not I, or any woman, smile. Smiling may be considered pretty, but there is nothing more attractive than someone who can speak their mind and show how they feel.

Lauren Thornton from Providence, R.I., thinks the message is powerful:

Gender equality is something that men and women have been fighting for for centuries, and things still aren't what they should be. This artwork is saying that women should not be expected to be okay with with making less than a man, and that we shouldn't be satisfied with being someone's assistant or secretary. I think the message is very powerful and speaks for all women who are tired of being okay with the same old society.

Adam's Myth from California said simply:

I want to put my own sign next to it: "Stop telling other people what to do." It's meta, ya see.

Mark Patz from Wilmington, N.C., thinks being nicer to each other is the answer:

I agree I think we should all be nicer to each other in everyday life. Sometimes people are just having really bad days maybe they just got fired from a job, their boyfriend/girl friend just broke up with them, or they just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Some people just want to be left alone, and others like to have new iterations with new people. People should do what they want to do, period.

Heather Ramstein from Germany created a story line:

You're walking in a public area, deep in your own thoughts. You are alone among a sea of strangers when one of those strangers decides to intrude. They don't catcall, make obscene gestures or suggestive comments. They nicely tell you to "smile." Raised to be nice, you feel obligated because it seems so benign, giving a stranger a smile. But what it actually feels like, is having that stranger pull strings on your facial muscles. You could be witch and tell them to shove it, but that's out of character for many of us. So we let the stranger into our carefully-constructed mental fortress of solitude, and let them play puppeteer

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Our Picture Prompt "Lottery Winnings" asked students if they would want to win the lottery, and if so, what they would do with the money.

Elyssa Sanchez from Apopka, Fla., said a car would be helpful:

Kaplan Aktas from North Carolina said winning would be a burden:

Honestly, winning would be more of a hassle and burden than being self made. First of all, it puts a target on your back for robbery and other horrible crimes. It isolates you from your family and changes you. If that doesn't happen, than you get to deal with taxes, and it's proven that depending on how much you win, at least 30% goes to taxes. Not only is it a burden, it can also be life changing, for the worst. Being self made is the key to living a happy life, if you do it right.

Abby Tank from Wilmington, N.C., gave credit to her parents:

My family has actually talked about what would happen if we won a few years back while seated around the dinner table. We went around the table spewing out ideas left and right on what we'd do with the money. Of course, there were the usual wishes: dream cars, a new house, vacations, etc., but we went deeper than that.

We discussed what stocks we would invest in, which charities we'd support, the debts we'd pay off, the savings accounts we'd open, college payments, and more. My dad continued to say that he'd quit working and enjoy the chance to relax, but then we looked towards my mom.

My mother is THE most hard-working and devoted person I know. She's an OB/GYN and she absolutely loves her job. When we asked whether or not she'd quit her job, my mother firmly answered "No. Winning the lottery will not affect my job. I might shorten my hours and not go on call anymore, but overall it will remain the same."

I know that the majority of lottery winners spend all of their money within the first few years, but after having that conversation years ago, I know that my family would be different. My parents are very smart with their money, and the winnings would be managed very well and used wisely.

Tara Samtmann from Wilmington, N.C., would keep her identity a secret, if she won:

Maddie Leber from Wilmington, N.C., said she would like to be financially stable:

If I were to win the lottery I would probably use the money to makeup for small inconveniences in my life, such as buying a new desk since mine is old and unstable, or splurge on things I've always wanted, like an iPad. After spending the money that I need, I would put the rest into savings. With college coming up in my near future I would want to make sure I was financially stable and would be able to pay for college, plus the many other expenses that come along with it.

Mark Patz from Wilmington, N.C., said playing the lottery is an acceptable form of gambling:

The lottery has been the source of imagination for the easy way to the good life. Going against all odds and winning millions of dollars in an instant, the classic gamblers dream. Winning the lottery is actually can be extremely detrimental to you and the ones your love in a myriad of ways.

First of the people who won lotteries, 70% of them have spent their fortune in 5 years! Millions of millions of dollars spent on superficial items that make you 'happier', just to end up or in an even worse place than you were before. The lottery is just a more accepted form of gambling fueling a masked disease. Personally if I won the lottery I would save most of the money just because I wouldn't even know what to spend a million dollars on.

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The Student Opinion question "What Do the Types of Dogs in Your Neighborhood Say About Where You Live?" brought in the following comments:

Brianna Huertas from St. Cloud High School in Florida summarized the article's points well, and related them to her own neighborhood and her own dog:

This article shows that the smaller, more expensive, and you can even say "trendy" dogs are more common in the areas of New York City that are home to more wealthy citizens. The bigger the dog, some that are feared by those who are probably uneducated on those breeds, are more common in the areas that have lower income households. This proves that where you live can influence the type of furry friend you decide to become best friends with.

I own a Shih-Tzu named Gizmo. Having Gizmo shows who I am as a person. Him and I have the same personality. We're both calm and collected but when something exciting happens, we both are joyful and very outgoing. In my area Shih-Tzus are a pretty popular dog to have, but there are also a lot of bigger more unpopular dogs in around where I live. This shows that there is a mix between people with higher incomes and people with lower incomes yet we all live near each other.

Emily Ball from Wilmington, N.C., said a dog's name means the most:

When I am out riding my bike or walking, I see many different types of dogs, hardly any are the same, unless in the same family. I see everything from huge dogs "walking their owners," to tiny dogs being rolled around in a stroller.

I have three dogs, all different breeds, and all with a name that symbolizes something. My brothers and I take turns getting to name our dogs, and with our oldest dog, a chihuahua mix, it was my brother's turn to choose, and he was only two, so he picked Captain Elizabeth, from Pirates of the Caribbean. Being that my family are huge N.C. State fans, we named our next dog after Carter Finley Stadium, his name is Finley. Our last dog, a dachshund is named Annabel Lee after the Edgar Allen Poe poem. We didn't really get a choice of the types of dogs we have, because they were all rescued. The names of my dogs show a whole lot more about my family than the types of dogs they are.

Jenny H. from North Carolina said her own dog's breed is rare in her neighborhood:
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Most, but not all, of our comments for the Student Opinion prompt, "Should Schools Teach About Climate Change?" answered in the affirmative.

Francesca Altunyay from Wilmington, N.C., feels lucky about her district's choices:

The concept of climate change in schools has been made overly controversial due to the fraught and polarised political atmosphere surrounding it. In standard science classes since elementary school, I have been taught about global warming very upfront - it is introduced as the rapidly progressive period of warming that our Earth is currently undergoing, and has undergone in the past. Climate change is discussed, albeit not so thoroughly; we learn about the effects of long-term global warming and how climates across the world can be catastrophically altered, as well as human contribution.

Despite feeling that it should be a more heavily studied concept, I now feel lucky, knowing that in some districts in Idaho teachers can choose to skip that part of the curriculum completely if not reinforced within state standards. I find it ridiculous that politics has parasitically attached itself to a globally paramount issue that has been vindicated by scientific consensus. Students are the future, and should not have their right to be completely and fully educated unwittingly taken away from them.

Max Bergman from Wilmington, N.C., thinks every child deserves climate change education:

YES climate change is real, and YES climate change should be taught in schools all across the country. Climate change is being caused by us, and it's a scary topic. The temperature of our Earth is slowly rising every year, which is causing our sea levels to rise.

I think that every child deserves the right to get an education on climate change. The children of America are our country's future and we need to educate them on the problems going on around the world. If this generation of kids is taught about climate change maybe they will find a way to prevent it or maybe even end it for good! Our generation of kids are strong and intelligent, and I am confident in saying that we have the power to change the world for the good, so let our schools teach kids about climate change!

Alice Gerasimova from Wilmington, N.C., was enthusiastic:

Oh, yes! I definitely think that Climate Change should be taught in schools. More than that, I think that students should talk about it, and understand how important and scary it is.

Why shouldn't they? Because president said so? That's an absurd, that's not how a modern democratic country works.The president is just an employee (!!!) of the country and not everything he says is true, especially if it's based not on obvious facts, but on foolish beliefs. I agree with Christopher Taylor when he says that Climate change should not be a political issue, it's a 100% science and should be treated as such.

Gene Preston from Austin agreed:

To not teach real science is just plain wrong. Of course schools should teach about the effects of green house gases and its consequences. This question falls into the same category as evolution and whether the earth is flat or spherical.

Emily Brodeur from Rhode Island saw teaching climate change as part of an overall mission to educate youth on current events:

Education shapes the minds of children everywhere. School systems are responsible for creating a curriculum that effectively educates the youth, and makes them aware of current issues. Climate change is a current issue that affects many people. Therefore, I believe schools should teach about climate change. Climate change is an issue that needs a solution, and by teaching about climate change in schools, the youth can become fully educated and take steps toward solving the problems of climate change.

Climate change has always been a reality on earth, but not man-made climate change. Before humans were around, the dinosaurs lived on a tropical earth, and after that there were ice ages, and man had no impact on them. The earth has always changed temperature and climate. Now, there are definitely greenhouse gas issues with the atmosphere, but I do not know if that is what is causing global climate change.

I cannot say whether I believe in climate change or not, but I do think that schools should allow children to make their own opinions, rather than making them pawns of the government and indoctrinating them with the ideals of politicians on both sides. The children are the future and should not be corrupted at a young age by the corrupt government that we live under. Yet another example on how we need to fix our country by removing corruption from the government. Nobody has proved to me either way that climate change is real or isn't real, so my mind is still open...

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On Emotional-Support Animals, Cheating in School, Movies and Climate Change: Our Favorite Student Comments of the Week

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Tanya Bolick from North Carolina believes we can't operate on the basis of trust alone: While trusting people to tell the truth about whether or not the pet is an emotional-support animal or not is a good thought I don't think that it is possible in this day and age.

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No Sign of Newborn North Atlantic Whales This Breeding Season

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No Sign of Newborn North Atlantic Whales This Breeding Season

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/science/north-atlantic-whales-endangered.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience

There have been recent indications that the populations of the North Atlantic Right Whales are rapidly decreasing and are possibly nearing extinction. The fact that there have been no signs of any new newborn whales this breeding season, is an alarming thought.

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The Left Shouldn’t Be Too Proud to Meme 

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The Left Shouldn’t Be Too Proud to Meme 

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/opinion/democrats-memes-social-media.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FSocial%20Media&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection

Memes are often thought of as a funny video or picture that goes viral. President Trump even uses memes to communicate his ideas or @ someone, mostly the democratic party.  He uses memes to market ideas and although they are not always civil, they are effective.  You may find this to be childish and a form of bullying, but Trump uses memes in a way to build a following for his ideas.     This is important because memes are a big part of politics especially for social media user to hear about issues and political events happening.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/climate/cows-global-warming.html

The article posted by the New York Times is structured in a Q and A format. According to the authors, farming, a category that includes everything from crops to livestock, is responsible for 574 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, approximately 8 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. The article mentions that the worldwide levels of methane have doubled in less than a decade after remaining flat since the 1990s. Ruminants like cows who rely on bacteria to digest grass release lots of methane during digestion. In addition, as of January 1, the Trump administration has blown past the UN deadline on cutting planet-warming greenhouse emissions. This article is important because if action is not taken, Americans must prepare for the consequences of climate change. America shouldn't shy away from environmentally friendlier options such as all-grass fed cows. By feeding ruminants grass and green vegetation, their  gas emissions will cut in half.

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The article details the story of a company that has focused on buying residences for the purpose of dorm living for the working class in San Francisco. The article may be seen as important because it details a possible lifestyle change and new way of producing income for companies relating to realty and housing.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/learning/on-emotional-support-animals-cheating-in-school-movies-and-climate-change-our-favorite-student-comments-of-the-week.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Flearning-current-events&action=click&contentCollection=learning&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

A conversation on emotional support animals, students discuss their importance and certain rules that should or should not eb implemented.

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Tanya Bolick from North Carolina believes we can't operate on the basis of trust alone:

While trusting people to tell the truth about whether or not the pet is an emotional-support animal or not is a good thought I don't think that it is possible in this day and age. As said in the article, it is easy to get a red vest for animal and call them an emotional-support animal, this makes it almost impossible to know who is telling the truth and who is not.

Sadly I think it is necessary for people to provide papers that prove their animal is certified. I think that some time in the future these problems will be resolved and thing can go back to a trust basis. But until people take responsibility for their actions and stop lying the rules will have to increase.

And Brandon Brodwater from Wilmington, N.C., made a good point about animals on college campuses:
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In response to the prompt "What Have You Learned From Movies?", students shared the life lessons they picked up from their favorite films.

Tucker G. Oakley from Wilmington, N.C., has learned about life, love, responsibility and filmmaking:

My overarching dream is to write scripts for tv shows and movies, to create the dreams before they hit big screams. Naturally, I depict what lessons and meanings are hidden in movies about love, freedom, friendship, responsibility, and chaos. Believe me, you can ask anybody in my class about me, and they will say this kid knows almost any movie quote.

Some of the best lessons I've learned from movies come from lesser known movies or secretly popular.

I've learned that love can come right from behind you by staying true to yourself, whether a lovely girl or a hunched zombie from Warm Bodies and 16 Candles.

I've seen that friendship lasts from the highs and lows, even if you are a lobby-boy in a deathly chase for a dead woman's will for Grand Budapest Hotel.

Logan taught me responsibility can lead to the redemption of who you once were and that it can give somebody else a better life than you had.

The Road Within gove me an insight on how to set yourself free and enjoy life, even with turrets syndrome.

Of course, I've had a fair share of chaos, and how people cause and experience it from The Dark Knight and Pulp Fiction.

If you toss these traits together, you can create a masterpiece. I could go on about Shape Of Water and the Marvel Universe, but people know those, whereas these movies are special to me and truly men something in my life. I see that movies aren't always for entertainment, but rather for us to embrace a lesson on how we can better ourselves and the world.

Brianna Browning from Wilmington, N.C., has gained wisdom from one of her favorite movies, "Dirty Dancing":

I love the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, in which can never truly be recreated in this century. Patrick Swayze fit the role as a misunderstood individual perfectly. And therefore my favorite moral was how you can not assume something about a person who you do not even know. Furthermore dwelling into the idea that religion, race, or class shouldn't separate us. And how the people we associate with shouldn't be restrained by the size of our diamond rings or the house we call home. As these are materialistic things that will never hold true value to us. I would rather live a short life in the company of many types of people and cultures than have to live a million years in my invisible barrier.

Collin from Lawrence 's eyes have been opened to historical and social issues:

I want to see more Historical Movies. Not only because there entertaining but they are real. They people on screen are not characters that someone has thought up, they exist. They have more depth to them than any character anyone could think up. Historical movies don't just entertain, they educate.

Movies like Hacksaw Ridge and Saving Private Ryan show the Grittiness of WWII, and in the theater... they're so much better. The sight of the battlefield mixed with the sounds of war make for a raw, untamed experience. You hear every gunshot, you feel every explosion, as far as you know, you are at war. There exists another type of struggle though. One that is not physical, but social and emotional. In this light, a different type of movie shines. Hotel Rwanda, Schindler's List, 42. These movies all show the Struggle and hardship faced by the main character.

Tyler Rouse from Wilmington, N.C., has been personally inspired by a film:

One of the greatest movies of all time is about a black man struggling with poverty and his wife leaving him. He was fired from his job and was in search of a new one while trying to pay his rent. He eventually found a job at a big corporation and lived to be a millionaire. If you haven't guessed what movie I'm talking about yet, it is The Pursuit of Happyness. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and can truly show you what it's like to live in poverty. This movie really shows how if you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it.

And Jillian Lancaster from Wilmington, N.C., has learned that movies don't always depict reality:

Two of my favorite movies are Mean Girls and Clueless, which aren't the movies you would look to for a profound life lesson. But, for me, these movies set a sort of expectations for life.

Before I started high school, I had no clue what I was walking into. The only reference point I had for what high school was truly like was from these movies. Obviously I wasn't expecting people to be making Burn Books a la Mean Girls, but I did expect to attend three or four parties a year, be in a tight-knit clique, and to put lots of effort into my outfit every day. Little did I know that I would be spending my weekends studying and I would attend school in my workout gear instead of a dress and sandals.

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Surprisingly, almost all students said they would not tell if they caught their classmates "Cheating." Here are their reasons:

Lee Simhi from Israel wrote:

While I believe that cheating is wrong and immoral, if I caught a classmate of mine cheating I wouldn't report them.

For one, their dishonesty doesn't affect me in any way, it is their choice whether to cheat or not and they will have to live with the consequence of their decision. As long as those consequences don't harm anyone else it is not my place to tell them what is right or wrong, they have to decide themselves.

Moreover, the majority of students cheat on exams because most schooling systems today value high grades more than student's value learning. There is an immense amount of pressure put on students to get high grades, where I believe the focus should be put on learning and hard work.

In conclusion, as much as I think cheating is wrong I don't think it's my place to report a student who cheated on an exam.

Cheyenne Newkirk from Wilmington, N.C., chooses to assume the best of people:

Just to get this out there, I'm not saying cheating is the best way to pass high school, but if we're being completely honest, I'm pretty sure every single kid in high school has cheated. And yes, convincing yourself that it was only a small peek is still cheating.

What I do know, is that just because a student cheated on a test doesn't make them a bad person. For all you know they could've been having a really bad day, are tired from all the stuff a normal high schooler goes through, and completely forgot they had a quiz. Sounds familiar? It does to me. I think that one time you cheated should not come to define you as being a careless student.

For me telling on someone really depends. In general I don't think I would. Wanting to cheat is their own business, now whoever they're cheating off of...that is a different story. If that person feels their learning and hard earned studying is being compromised by all means report it. Some people feel that it's not a big deal. I'd say out of those two categories I'm probably in the middle...drifting toward the second.

Whether or not someone should be reprimanded or "told on" for cheating, like anything, really depends. Do they cheat often, or is this their first time? Does the whole class believe they were not properly prepared for this test? Are they struggling with problems outside of school? There are so many questions regarding what should be done about cheating and how you should feel, it's difficult to have one definite answer.

Bella Cankurtaran from Wilmington, N.C., thinks everyone needs a little help sometimes:

Jeraldyn Ramirez from Rhode Island believes those who cheat will suffer natural consequences eventually:

I remember when in my freshmen year of high school, my class was accused of cheating. Our teacher turned out to be correct when he found that one of my peers had found the quizzes online. As a consequence, our quizzes began to only be made by our teacher. I knew that my peer had found the quiz online, however, I figured that he was doing no harm to me. He was only hurting his own intelligence because he would eventually be tested on this chapter, and he would have to actually study this time. I don't feel that I should be the one to report them.

Like many other commenters, Lola Byers-Ogle from Wilmington, N.C., wondered if the problem is not the cheating itself, but the reason students might do it in the first place:

I honestly can't say if I would tell on a friend for cheating or not. There are so many variables I'd need to consider before making up my mind to tell. I have seen my friends cheat before, but I haven't ever said anything. Like the article said, people often cheat because of pressure. I think instead of focusing on trying to get rid of cheating, we should try and help people feel less pressured, so they don't feel like their only option is cheating. This isn't to say they shouldn't care about a bad grade, but I know so many people who will tear themselves apart because of bad grades. I think parents, students, and teacher alike should try and understand that a bad grade isn't the end.

S. Jin from Maryland could think of one situation in which one might tell on a classmate:

If I caught my classmates cheating on a school assignment, I probably would not tell on them. First of all, if I tell the teacher, that person will establish a negative feeling towards me, some people will even make trouble for you after school, etc. Secondly, when someone is cheating, they are ultimately deceiving themselves. When they really face a challenge in real life, how can they cheat then? As a result, my opinion is to ignore people who are cheating to avoid any trouble, and for those who cheated, they will taste their consequences later on.

On the other hand, If they are cheating off of me, I would not just let it go. I feel that is an invasion of privacy, with the direct breach of our school's code of conduct, I would tell on them. After all, cheating is bad and against the school rules. It is unfair to those who really put in the efforts to study and taking on class works legit to get the same or if lower grades than the person who cheats.

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We asked students to write the opening of a short story for our Picture Prompt "Tiaras and Gowns." Here's what they came up with:

We would love to see how this story by Barbara Stanton from Baltimore ends:

Annabella the fairy queen was disgruntled. This was her hundredth ball and yet her hair refused to be properly tamed. Her beau, king of darkness was late. She would make him pay when he finally rode his flaming horses into the portico.

Meghan Miraglia from Massachusetts used repetition to keep us in suspense:

It is now or never.

Well, at least, that's according to her mother. Well, at least, that's according to everyone's mother. The pressure weighs down on each of them like a third coat of mascara.

It is now or never.

She eyes the rest of them like they are competition. In another world, perhaps she would go off on a champagne-coated tangent about how tragic it is that mankind has forced her to see girls in this way, not for their innate goodness, not for their girlhood, but for the way that their hair looks and the fact that so-and-so didn't put enough lash glue on, and now her falsies are somewhere underneath all of this tulle.

It is now or never.

She takes another anxious sip of water. Feels it slide down the back of her throat and splash into the pit of her stomach. Licks her lips and licks them again, the sticky redness of new lipstick most definitely coming off on her tongue.

It is now or never.

It smells of perfume. The cheap kind. Knock-off Chanel and Juicy Couture. She takes her wrist, pale and shaking, and holds it to her nose. Perfect.

It is now or never.

Now? She thinks. Never?

They make it seem like you have a choice. You do not.

Nyah Price from Providence, R.I., took us on an emotional roller coaster:

It was almost time. I sat nervously in the corner waiting for my number to be called. Soon I would be given the chance to become a member of the royal family. My mother's words echoing in my mind, "Don't blow it."

134. 135.

They were getting closer to my number, 138. What would I say when I came face-to-face with the prince. What if I made a complete fool of myself?

I looked around the room at all the young men and women that had gathered for the ceremony. They all were dressed in their finest in hope of impressing the prince and princess.

136. 137.

I was next. My hands were shaking and I could feel the tears begin do pool up in my eyes. "Don't blow it," she said. "And if you do don't bother coming home."

I blinked away my tears and pulled out my compact mirror to fix my makeup. I was in a room filled with some of the most gorgeous women in the country, but my little brother said I was as beautiful as a queen.

I can't let him down. I wasn't doing this for mother or myself but for him. My sweet little brother who meant to world to me.

138.

It was my turn. I held my head up high and gracefully walked toward the man who had called my number.

It was time to have my shot at becoming the future Mrs. Belmont.

Aryana from Rhode Island developed her main character in just a few sentences:

Every girl in my family has been forced to participate in the annual debutante ball. My three older sisters have done it, and now its my turn. But I would rather die than be paraded around in front the "elite" families. Unlike my sisters I never cared about our money, and I don't want to be apart of this society. Everyone in that ballroom is shallow and selfish.

My mother nudges me, "it's time to get in line."

I shake my head, "I don't think I can do this mom."

As I say this she is pushing me towards the stairs. She proceeds to tell me how all of my sister were nervous too.

"Places everyone!" The music starts, and the first couple walks down the stairs. I turn around to face my mother, and I hug her. Before I let go I whisper, "I'm sorry," into her ear. And then I run, and I don't stop until I reach the train station.

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Commenters made astute points for our Picture Prompt "Stop Telling Women to Smile."

Brooke Myers from King of Prussia, Pa., thinks a smile is a cover-up:

People tend to think others look better when they smile so they tell them to smile. This is more for women, it shows the struggles the women face and tend to cover up with their smile because everything is okay if you're smiling. Everything is not okay just because you smile, it sometimes makes it worse.

David M from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, said coercion doesn't work:

Telling someone to smile never gets you what you're looking for anyway. If you can, make them smile. It'll be more sincere and more pleasant for them. And if they don't want to smile, respect their autonomy to be who they are and to feel what they feel.

If you feel a person is only worth seeing when they're smiling, then perhaps you shouldn't inject yourself into their world in the first place. Regarding art, we are more meaningfully served when we explore the full range of human emotions, not just the easy to consume ones. And it is alienating to be only presented with smiles and feel you're alone in not feeling this way yourself. Once we allow images to convey all that women feel, perhaps then we'll better see them as complete human beings instead of just candy for our eyes.

Tiffany Morel from Rhode Island said telling a woman to smile is telling her to be happy:

This artwork is making one of the most crucial points necessary for this new era. For the longest time, women were seen as mere objects. Objects were meant to look pretty. Therefore women also had to look pretty. The easiest way to appear "pretty" in modern society is to be happy. The definition of happiness changes depending on who is being asked, but usually, happiness is associated with smiles. Smiles are a symbolic way of showing that someone is feeling comfortable with their surroundings. Before, women had to look as though they were always happy with their surroundings. Their appearance did matter, but their opinions did not. While our society has been able to make some progress with women's rights, the stigma remains.

...There is too much going on in this world for people to focus on whether or not I, or any woman, smile. Smiling may be considered pretty, but there is nothing more attractive than someone who can speak their mind and show how they feel.

Lauren Thornton from Providence, R.I., thinks the message is powerful:

Gender equality is something that men and women have been fighting for for centuries, and things still aren't what they should be. This artwork is saying that women should not be expected to be okay with with making less than a man, and that we shouldn't be satisfied with being someone's assistant or secretary. I think the message is very powerful and speaks for all women who are tired of being okay with the same old society.

Adam's Myth from California said simply:

I want to put my own sign next to it: "Stop telling other people what to do." It's meta, ya see.

Mark Patz from Wilmington, N.C., thinks being nicer to each other is the answer:

I agree I think we should all be nicer to each other in everyday life. Sometimes people are just having really bad days maybe they just got fired from a job, their boyfriend/girl friend just broke up with them, or they just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Some people just want to be left alone, and others like to have new iterations with new people. People should do what they want to do, period.

Heather Ramstein from Germany created a story line:

You're walking in a public area, deep in your own thoughts. You are alone among a sea of strangers when one of those strangers decides to intrude. They don't catcall, make obscene gestures or suggestive comments. They nicely tell you to "smile." Raised to be nice, you feel obligated because it seems so benign, giving a stranger a smile. But what it actually feels like, is having that stranger pull strings on your facial muscles. You could be witch and tell them to shove it, but that's out of character for many of us. So we let the stranger into our carefully-constructed mental fortress of solitude, and let them play puppeteer

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Our Picture Prompt "Lottery Winnings" asked students if they would want to win the lottery, and if so, what they would do with the money.

Elyssa Sanchez from Apopka, Fla., said a car would be helpful:

Kaplan Aktas from North Carolina said winning would be a burden:

Honestly, winning would be more of a hassle and burden than being self made. First of all, it puts a target on your back for robbery and other horrible crimes. It isolates you from your family and changes you. If that doesn't happen, than you get to deal with taxes, and it's proven that depending on how much you win, at least 30% goes to taxes. Not only is it a burden, it can also be life changing, for the worst. Being self made is the key to living a happy life, if you do it right.

Abby Tank from Wilmington, N.C., gave credit to her parents:

My family has actually talked about what would happen if we won a few years back while seated around the dinner table. We went around the table spewing out ideas left and right on what we'd do with the money. Of course, there were the usual wishes: dream cars, a new house, vacations, etc., but we went deeper than that.

We discussed what stocks we would invest in, which charities we'd support, the debts we'd pay off, the savings accounts we'd open, college payments, and more. My dad continued to say that he'd quit working and enjoy the chance to relax, but then we looked towards my mom.

My mother is THE most hard-working and devoted person I know. She's an OB/GYN and she absolutely loves her job. When we asked whether or not she'd quit her job, my mother firmly answered "No. Winning the lottery will not affect my job. I might shorten my hours and not go on call anymore, but overall it will remain the same."

I know that the majority of lottery winners spend all of their money within the first few years, but after having that conversation years ago, I know that my family would be different. My parents are very smart with their money, and the winnings would be managed very well and used wisely.

Tara Samtmann from Wilmington, N.C., would keep her identity a secret, if she won:

Maddie Leber from Wilmington, N.C., said she would like to be financially stable:

If I were to win the lottery I would probably use the money to makeup for small inconveniences in my life, such as buying a new desk since mine is old and unstable, or splurge on things I've always wanted, like an iPad. After spending the money that I need, I would put the rest into savings. With college coming up in my near future I would want to make sure I was financially stable and would be able to pay for college, plus the many other expenses that come along with it.

Mark Patz from Wilmington, N.C., said playing the lottery is an acceptable form of gambling:

The lottery has been the source of imagination for the easy way to the good life. Going against all odds and winning millions of dollars in an instant, the classic gamblers dream. Winning the lottery is actually can be extremely detrimental to you and the ones your love in a myriad of ways.

First of the people who won lotteries, 70% of them have spent their fortune in 5 years! Millions of millions of dollars spent on superficial items that make you 'happier', just to end up or in an even worse place than you were before. The lottery is just a more accepted form of gambling fueling a masked disease. Personally if I won the lottery I would save most of the money just because I wouldn't even know what to spend a million dollars on.

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The Student Opinion question "What Do the Types of Dogs in Your Neighborhood Say About Where You Live?" brought in the following comments:

Brianna Huertas from St. Cloud High School in Florida summarized the article's points well, and related them to her own neighborhood and her own dog:

This article shows that the smaller, more expensive, and you can even say "trendy" dogs are more common in the areas of New York City that are home to more wealthy citizens. The bigger the dog, some that are feared by those who are probably uneducated on those breeds, are more common in the areas that have lower income households. This proves that where you live can influence the type of furry friend you decide to become best friends with.

I own a Shih-Tzu named Gizmo. Having Gizmo shows who I am as a person. Him and I have the same personality. We're both calm and collected but when something exciting happens, we both are joyful and very outgoing. In my area Shih-Tzus are a pretty popular dog to have, but there are also a lot of bigger more unpopular dogs in around where I live. This shows that there is a mix between people with higher incomes and people with lower incomes yet we all live near each other.

Emily Ball from Wilmington, N.C., said a dog's name means the most:

When I am out riding my bike or walking, I see many different types of dogs, hardly any are the same, unless in the same family. I see everything from huge dogs "walking their owners," to tiny dogs being rolled around in a stroller.

I have three dogs, all different breeds, and all with a name that symbolizes something. My brothers and I take turns getting to name our dogs, and with our oldest dog, a chihuahua mix, it was my brother's turn to choose, and he was only two, so he picked Captain Elizabeth, from Pirates of the Caribbean. Being that my family are huge N.C. State fans, we named our next dog after Carter Finley Stadium, his name is Finley. Our last dog, a dachshund is named Annabel Lee after the Edgar Allen Poe poem. We didn't really get a choice of the types of dogs we have, because they were all rescued. The names of my dogs show a whole lot more about my family than the types of dogs they are.

Jenny H. from North Carolina said her own dog's breed is rare in her neighborhood:
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Most, but not all, of our comments for the Student Opinion prompt, "Should Schools Teach About Climate Change?" answered in the affirmative.

Francesca Altunyay from Wilmington, N.C., feels lucky about her district's choices:

The concept of climate change in schools has been made overly controversial due to the fraught and polarised political atmosphere surrounding it. In standard science classes since elementary school, I have been taught about global warming very upfront - it is introduced as the rapidly progressive period of warming that our Earth is currently undergoing, and has undergone in the past. Climate change is discussed, albeit not so thoroughly; we learn about the effects of long-term global warming and how climates across the world can be catastrophically altered, as well as human contribution.

Despite feeling that it should be a more heavily studied concept, I now feel lucky, knowing that in some districts in Idaho teachers can choose to skip that part of the curriculum completely if not reinforced within state standards. I find it ridiculous that politics has parasitically attached itself to a globally paramount issue that has been vindicated by scientific consensus. Students are the future, and should not have their right to be completely and fully educated unwittingly taken away from them.

Max Bergman from Wilmington, N.C., thinks every child deserves climate change education:

YES climate change is real, and YES climate change should be taught in schools all across the country. Climate change is being caused by us, and it's a scary topic. The temperature of our Earth is slowly rising every year, which is causing our sea levels to rise.

I think that every child deserves the right to get an education on climate change. The children of America are our country's future and we need to educate them on the problems going on around the world. If this generation of kids is taught about climate change maybe they will find a way to prevent it or maybe even end it for good! Our generation of kids are strong and intelligent, and I am confident in saying that we have the power to change the world for the good, so let our schools teach kids about climate change!

Alice Gerasimova from Wilmington, N.C., was enthusiastic:

Oh, yes! I definitely think that Climate Change should be taught in schools. More than that, I think that students should talk about it, and understand how important and scary it is.

Why shouldn't they? Because president said so? That's an absurd, that's not how a modern democratic country works.The president is just an employee (!!!) of the country and not everything he says is true, especially if it's based not on obvious facts, but on foolish beliefs. I agree with Christopher Taylor when he says that Climate change should not be a political issue, it's a 100% science and should be treated as such.

Gene Preston from Austin agreed:

To not teach real science is just plain wrong. Of course schools should teach about the effects of green house gases and its consequences. This question falls into the same category as evolution and whether the earth is flat or spherical.

Emily Brodeur from Rhode Island saw teaching climate change as part of an overall mission to educate youth on current events:

Education shapes the minds of children everywhere. School systems are responsible for creating a curriculum that effectively educates the youth, and makes them aware of current issues. Climate change is a current issue that affects many people. Therefore, I believe schools should teach about climate change. Climate change is an issue that needs a solution, and by teaching about climate change in schools, the youth can become fully educated and take steps toward solving the problems of climate change.

Climate change has always been a reality on earth, but not man-made climate change. Before humans were around, the dinosaurs lived on a tropical earth, and after that there were ice ages, and man had no impact on them. The earth has always changed temperature and climate. Now, there are definitely greenhouse gas issues with the atmosphere, but I do not know if that is what is causing global climate change.

I cannot say whether I believe in climate change or not, but I do think that schools should allow children to make their own opinions, rather than making them pawns of the government and indoctrinating them with the ideals of politicians on both sides. The children are the future and should not be corrupted at a young age by the corrupt government that we live under. Yet another example on how we need to fix our country by removing corruption from the government. Nobody has proved to me either way that climate change is real or isn't real, so my mind is still open...

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On Emotional-Support Animals, Cheating in School, Movies and Climate Change: Our Favorite Student Comments of the Week

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Tanya Bolick from North Carolina believes we can't operate on the basis of trust alone: While trusting people to tell the truth about whether or not the pet is an emotional-support animal or not is a good thought I don't think that it is possible in this day and age.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/health/drug-prices.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fpolitics&action=click&contentCollection=politics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=sectionfront

This news article is important because with our new administration health care is becoming a luxury many can not afford. More people are succumbing to illness and are unable to do anything about it with the new healthcare reforms. As prices for medications go up and the amount of help received from insurance companies and medical  providers goes down people like Saundra Johnson put their health at risk to be able to afford their medication and their daily needs.

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Is ‘Black Panther’ a ‘Defining Moment’ for the United States — and Particularly for Black America?

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Is ‘Black Panther’ a ‘Defining Moment’ for the United States — and Particularly for Black America?

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/learning/is-black-panther-a-defining-moment-for-the-united-states-and-particularly-for-black-america.html

How Black Panther is a defining moment for Black America and how it is one of the first all black cast's. It is grossing a lot of money in the U.S and worldwide and this will promote young African American actors and actresses and directors. It is one of the first films that puts African American or black people in general in royalty, or technological geniuses or anything of that sort.

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Sri Lanka Declares State Emergency After Mob Attack on Muslims

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Sri Lanka Declares State Emergency After Mob Attack on Muslims

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/world/asia/sri-lanka-anti-muslim-violence.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fworld&action=click&contentCollection=world&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=sectionfront

March 6th, 2018 - Mobs composed of the Sinhalese ethnic groups attack the Muslim population in Colombo. In response, the Sri Lanken government declares a state of emergency to maintain law and order. There has been one confirmed victim so far, a man who was killed in what people describe as a road rage incident.
Racial tensions  have been rising over the years due to movements lead by Sinhalese Buddhist extremists. The government of Sri Lanka has been accused of emboldening the extremists by not condemning their actions.

The importance: People should recognize that racial violence exists in many places in the world, and it seems to be an ever growing problem. I hope that after reading this article, people will take further action in preserving peace between different racial groups.

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Korean Political Star Falls as #MeToo Campaign Grows

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Korean Political Star Falls as #MeToo Campaign Grows

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/world/asia/me-too-south-korea-ahn-hee-jung.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fworld

Renowned Korean politician Ahn Hee-Jung has resigned from his position of governor after recent sexual assault allegations. Jung was the favored Democratic candidate of South Korea's next presidential term in 2022. This news article is especially significant because South Korea is known to be a conservative country where the treatment of women is not seen as an issue of importance; additionally, this article demonstrates the international scale of the #MeToo movement.

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Washington becomes the 1st state to set up net neutrality rules

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Washington becomes the 1st state to set up net neutrality rules

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http://time.com/5187117/washington-net-neutrality-rules/

It is extremely important for people to be aware of the importance of net neutrality in the United States and how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s repeal of net neutrality can affect you personally.  The existence of net neutrality means that internet service providers cannot charge fees for accessing certain sites or slow down your internet without discretion. Visit https://www.battleforthenet.com/ for more information.

Washington has set up regulation in order to protect free and open internet for its citizens and it sets a precedent for other states to follow, hopefully sparking a movement that eventually overturns the FCC's decision.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2018/03/05/feature/african-migrants-facing-deportation-in-israel/?utm_term=.82468931a7b4

Thousands of African migrants in Israel, who fled the wars and devastation of their home countries, could be facing three options: being deported to their home country, getting $3,500 and being deported to an unnamed "third country," or going to jail. Most of these migrants arrived in Israel as children, speak Hebrew, and celebrate the Jewish holidays. They know no other country other than Israel. The migrants who are in danger of being deported have organized protests throughout the last month, claiming that they would not be deported if they were white. This article is important because it demonstrates the injustices that many people face under their status quo. This also brings up issues of racism and classism within the Israeli government.