Balancing high school and a part time job

Cell phone bills, new clothes, car payments and insurance all cost money. When these factors become an everyday necessity, being a teenager and relying on your parents for money starts to become burdensome. Your needs as a teenager in high school are much more expensive than your needs were as a student in grade school. Most teenagers today, have gotten jobs while being in high school to compensate the need for money. Having a job allows teenager to earn their own money and learn job skills for their future.

Two summers ago, at the age of 15, I decided I needed to start making some extra money for my expenses, so I applied for a job at a local fast food restaurant. I learned how to fill out an application, get references, and interact during an interview. It was just my luck that I got hired. 

At my job, I learned how to work with the public. I knew some of my co-workers, since it was a local restaurant. However, I soon realized how different it was being behind the register rather than being the customer. I also quickly learned how cruel customers could be to employees. 

Although having a job as a teenager is highly beneficial, jobs take up time. Choosing between going to work or hanging out with your friends is a difficult decision. Furthermore, choosing to be employed while continuing to balance school work can be a hassle.  

Although having a job in high school is very difficult to manage, I made the decision to sacrifice some of my time in order to prepare for my future. In my opinion, the decision to have a job while being a full time student is defiantly worth it, if you are ready for the commitment. To all teenagers in high school who are wanting a job, please make sure you are prepared for what is ahead of you. Trying to juggle both work and school can be a very difficult task to accomplish. 

If you are a student trying to decide whether to get a job or not and you need some advice about the situation please feel free to contact me. My email is sadriannaaa@gmail.com.

Are you overworked?

Ask yourself this question: "Am I overworked?" If your answer is, "No, I just want to be a part of cheer leading, swim team, football, volleyball, volunteering at the vet, reading to the blind, and working at the library. I'm not overworked!" Then, you are probably overworked. Face it, you probably get close to 4 hours of sleep a night and that is just on the weekends! 

When teens get overworked, their brains send signals telling them to fall asleep more often, and sometimes at the worst times, like in class or behind the wheel. Most teens think they can chase it away with coffee or energy drinks, but that is not the case. Overworking yourself can lead to exhaustion, depression, grade reduction, and social depletion. Make sure to get as much sleep as possible, have fun when you need to, and study when you have to. Here are some ideas if you want to know how to get back on track and still have time to do your homework!

• Try setting up a calendar, so you know what events you'll be participating in ahead of time. 

• Create an hourly schedule for your afternoons: You can have time to do your homework, do your chores, maybe play that video game you have been wanting to play for months, and still have time to get some sleep!

• Try some yoga exercises: You will be relaxed, it is good stress relief, and you will be flexible for gym class! Nobody likes a leg cramp! Ouch!

• Get organized! Being organized saves time.  Have a specific notebook for each subject!

• Create a daily check list for what you need to complete -- you wouldn't want to forget that essay for Honors English, now would you?

Hope you found these ideas and suggestions helpful! 

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2014 F.C.A. super youth day

On Saturday, September 6th, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

At UVA Wise 

Lots of sports!

BASKETBALL

FLAG FOOTBALL 

PUNT PASS AND KICK

VOLLEYBALL

SOFTBALL

CORN HOLE 

BADMINTON 

RELAY RACES 

ALL YOUTH GROUPS WELCOME!

sponsored by F.C.A., Local churches, & businesses

For more information, contact Gary Maggard 

gmaggard@fca.org or 276 365 0721

John I. Burton takes a stand against tobacco

Smokeless tobacco is a major problem in our school.  At most schools, students frequently see other students using tobacco or they smell or see the remnants of tobacco. The same is true here at John I. Burton.  Nearly everyday I see tobacco spit in the bathroom floors, on the stairs, or in the water fountains. Our school now has signs to remind everyone that we are a tobacco free area. Signs have also been placed at the football stadium to notify the public of this policy as well.  Tobacco is not supposed to be used in the football stadium or in the gym during athletic events.

In my opinion, our new tobacco free signs have done little to deter tobacco use by students, as there does not seem to be anyone to enforce this policy. If there was somebody to enforce these rules, our school would be much better place. How can we stop this problem? I believe having a resource officer's presence in bathrooms and in hallways would cut back on the use of tobacco by John I. Burton students.

On the other hand, the administration feels that our new tobacco free policy has been successful during sporting events.  Before each game, fans are given little cards, discussing the disadvantages of using tobacco. During the game announcements are being made every quarter reminding fans that tobacco products are not to be used in the stadium. Coach Helton said, "I believed that everything is working." However, if you do see anyone smoking in the stadium, you should tell a school administrator.

We need to stand up to tobacco and not let it destroy our school. We need to keep our school clean and safe. If you want to take a stand against tobacco in our school, contact a responsible adult in our school.

Football: Burton vs. Lee High

On August 29, 2014 the John I. Burton Raiders opened up their season against Lee High Generals. At the being of the first quarter, the Generals made the first touchdown scoring six points. Shortly afterwards, the Raiders intercepted the football scoring six points and one point after touch down completion. 

Later on in the second quarter, three of Burton's starters Cobye R., Nelson T., and Blakelee C. sustained injuries. The game continued, and we went into half time. At this point, the score was Lee Generals 26 and Burton 14. Our half time entertainment was provided by the Burton Band. Their theme this year was "Off to Never NeverLand." The show songs included: "Teenage Dream" by Katty Perry, "Dream On" by Aerosmith, and "Enter Sandman" by Metallica. 

                           

During the half time show, it began to storm, and ten minutes later, we were put on a lighting delay. After an hour and half, we were able to begin the third quarter.Throughout the third quarter, Burton Raiders went scoreless. As for the Lee High Generals, they picked up where they had left off. By the the end of the third quarter, the score was 32 to 14, with the Generals in the lead. When the fourth quarter began, Lee High Generals scored right away. Later on, Burton recovered a fumble from Lee High. Shortly after Burton scored with a two point conversion. The end score was 40 to 22, with Lee High winning the game!

Class rings: Remembering your high school career

On September 2, the sophomore class met with Jostens and received different details about class rings. During the meeting many topics were discussed, such as how the rings are made, different types of metals that are offered, and examples of rings that have been made in the previous years at John I. Burton.

There are many different options for class rings such as the new ShadowCast option. This is a new unique metal finish that transforms the white lustrium ring into a darkly appealing work of art. Other metal options also include yellow lustrium, solaris elite, dualcast white, dualcast yellow, 10K, 14K, and 18K yellow and white gold.

There are so many different options to choose from when designing your class ring. You can choose from an extremely large selection of side images and protected emblems which are located inside the gem. Prices range anywhere from $69.99 to however much you want to invest. For more details or to design your own ring, visit www.jostens.com. Do not miss out on getting one of these high school souvenirs, which you can treasure for many years to come. Orders for class rings can be placed on September 11th, in Burton's lobby, during lunch or after school until 6:15.  Parents can come in to place orders after school.  A down payment of $75 is due when you place the order.

J.I.B. in need of a resource officer

John I. Burton High School is an outstanding and secure school, but we could use some extra help in keeping our school safe. Norton City Schools is truly in need of a resource officer. Both staff and students have been hearing rumors that our school may be trying to acquire funding to fill this position.  Dr. Perrigan, our superintendent, Mr. Williams, our principal, and Mrs. Wohlford, the elementary school principal, are currently looking into grant funding which would allow the high school and elementary school to share a resource officer.

If Norton City Schools is able to fill this position, the superintendent and both principals would have to establish the hours that the officer would work at each school. At the elementary school, there are more students, so it is likely that if an officer is hired they will spend the majority of their day at the elementary school, ensuring the safety of the smaller children.

On a latter note, John I. Burton is looking into providing a criminal justice class with the resource officer. Mr. Williams believes this class could be a good opportunity to students, who are interested in becoming a police officer. With that being said, the resource officer would be at both schools five days a week. The officer would be here to help protect our school, making it safer.

The search for foster parents in our city

When you are a child, your worries are not about getting fed, or going to school, but about what toys you 'need' and how much candy you can eat before bedtime. At least that is what one would think; in reality, there are many children that worry about starving and questioning whether their parents are going to provide to their everyday basic needs. These children usually have been or will be in the foster care system by the time they reach the age of 18. 

Currently, Norton Social Services has expressed to the City of Norton that they are in need of foster parents. Foster parents are qualified individuals who take children into their home, meet their needs, and provide them with the care they deserve. The need for foster parents in our city are at an all time high this year. 

In my experience, in order to be a foster parent in Norton you have to meet these requirements : you must be over the age of 18, have a stable home and enough room for a child to sleep comfortably in your home, have a steady income every month, and  be able to provide  children with the love and care they deserve. Foster parents can also not have a criminal record.

If interested in this immense opportunity, please research the requirements and contact the Norton Social Services for further instructions on how to be a foster parent!