Month: July 2023

2023-07-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – As the new academic year approaches, there’s an undeniable excitement in the air. Yet, beneath this anticipation lies a pressing challenge for many schools across the nation — a continued shortage of educators.

You may not know it, but you can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by stepping into the role of a substitute educator. Kelly Education®, one of the nation’s most trusted sources for educational workforce solutions, can help.

Beyond the traditional role of a substitute teacher, you can make a difference in our educational system in numerous other ways. You can consider roles from tutor, paraeducator and instructional assistant to food service, custodial and administrative positions. Each job holds a unique value, and every contribution plays a vital part in creating an enriching educational environment for young learners.

The thought of becoming a substitute teacher may seem daunting, especially if you do not have an education degree or previous experience in a classroom setting. But let’s set the record straight: these may not be prerequisites. What truly matters is your passion for nurturing potential and fostering a love for learning in students.

Now, let’s debunk some common myths and shed light on why more people are joining the ranks of substitute teaching and enjoying this rewarding opportunity.

Myth: Training to become a substitute educator comes at a cost.

Fact: Kelly Education offers free training for potential substitute teachers. Regardless of your prior experience in a school setting, you’ll be provided with all the necessary tools to hit the ground running from day one. Substitute educator training aims to equip you with knowledge, tactics and skills essential for thriving in a classroom environment and enhancing student learning. Plus, you’ll receive compensation for post-hire orientation on district-specific policies and procedures.

Myth: Substitute educators are only entitled to a few benefits.

Fact: As a Kelly Education substitute educator, you can enjoy weekly pay with direct deposit, a 401(k) plan, insurance benefits and a service bonus plan that includes employee recognition programs such as Substitute Teacher of the Year.

Myth: Substitute educators have limited opportunities for ongoing education.

Fact: Free post-hire online professional development modules designed specifically for substitute teachers are available. The Kelly Learning Center, an online training portal, offers over 6,000 voluntary, self-paced or facilitated career development courses and access to more than 55,000 e-books and publications — all at no charge for employees.

Myth: Substitute educators must adhere to an unfavorable schedule.

Fact: You have complete control over when, where and what grade levels you wish to work with. Substitute teaching allows you to make a meaningful impact and is tailored to fit your schedule. Create a work schedule that aligns with your lifestyle and priorities, ensuring you never miss out on what truly matters in your life.

Embrace the chance to inspire, motivate and educate the leaders of tomorrow. Join the ranks of substitute teachers today, and together, we can make a lasting impact on students’ lives across the U.S. Visit TeachKidsNow.com to learn more and begin your journey toward making a positive difference in your community.

2023-07-27T13:55:00

(BPT) – It’s time to change up your routines again for getting back to school — are you and your family ready? The biggest challenge can be the shift from looser summer schedules to the many expectations and activities that come with each new school year.

If you’re looking for better ways to keep your family’s routines running like clockwork, here are tips to help set everyone up for a smooth transition from summer to school mode.

Hold weekly meetings

If you don’t already have a set time for family meetings, try a time like Sunday after dinner to meet and discuss anything coming up that week. Are there appointments, events or deadlines everyone needs to know about? Any fun outings or get-togethers planned? Make sure the whole family is up to speed on the upcoming week, and you won’t have surprises like bake sales you didn’t prep for or unexpected birthday parties.

Leverage smart home technology

Between managing new schedules, coordinating after school activities, and keeping track of who’s coming and going, back to school is a hectic time for families. Make life easier by installing this new clever smart home device — the myQ Smart Garage^® Video Keypad. A cross between a video doorbell and a garage keypad, the myQ Video Keypad lets you SEE and CONTROL who opens your home’s busiest entryway — the garage (more than 70% of U.S. homes with attached garages use the garage door as the primary entry point for family and friends). It’s an easy to install, valuable smart home product that lets busy families keep track of daily traffic in and out of the garage.

Kids aren’t always great about checking in, but with a myQ Video Keypad you get peace of mind seeing your kids arrived home safely. It works with the highly rated myQ app so you can keep track of kids coming and going — anytime, from anywhere. And, unlike most cameras that only let you monitor your home, the myQ Video Keypad lets you manage and control who you let in (dog walker, service provider). With the myQ app you can easily create and manage personalized PIN codes and set limits on days and times codes can be used.

If you purchase a myQ Smart Garage Video Keypad in August you will be automatically entered to win the myQ Back-to-School Survival Kit, which includes a myQ smart garage door opener, myQ Smart Garage Camera, Amazon and Walmart gift cards, an iPad and a backpack. Learn more at myQ.com.

Write down your routines

It’s hard for children to follow a new morning or evening routine consistently when they can’t remember what it is, especially when a lot has changed from last year.

For each new school year, write down the schedule for each child’s wake-up and bedtime, plus any chores or activities you expect them to follow, depending on their age and unique schedule. This may include regular hygiene practices like brushing teeth and bathing, as well as homework time and free play time. Writing everything down clearly and posting in an accessible place helps your kids get used to their new routine, so everyone stays on time.

Use pictures to reinforce good habits

For any age, but especially for younger children, visual reminders can also help when setting expectations around things like chores. For example, take a picture of a child’s room when it’s clean, then post it near their door so they know what to aim for when it’s time to clean their room again.

Make sure it’s not unrealistic, but straightforward in terms of expectations — with a short list to match the picture, such as: a floor cleared of toys, dirty clothes in a hamper and the bed made.

Color code everything

If you have two or more kids, you know it can be difficult to keep tabs on which homework or notes from school should go in which backpack.

To solve this problem, have each child pick a color at the beginning of the school year, then make sure that color is prominent in all their school-related belongings such as backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. You can then use consistently color-coded folders for each child’s homework and school notes, colored markers for their additions to the family calendar and any other ways you organize items for each child.

Change can be challenging for children of any age, so using these tips should help make the transition to getting back to your school routines a lot easier, for you and for your kids.

2023-07-27T23:01:00

(BPT) – Heading into the spending-heavy summer holiday season, and in a year where inflation concerns are high, affording food is harder than ever before. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of food items has risen by 7.7% over the past 12 months. While this affects everyone, it is especially difficult for those who have trouble affording and accessing basic necessities.

Many people who struggle with food insecurity also live in food deserts. In these areas, there is little to no access to healthy food options, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. For the millions of Americans relying on SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Electronic Benefit Transfer), especially those living in food deserts, accessing nearby affordable fresh food that also accepts SNAP/EBT as a payment method can be a challenge.

While there’s no silver bullet to fixing food insecurity and access issues, companies like DoorDash are introducing products and partnerships to improve food access for all.

Expanding access to affordable food

Since its inception, DoorDash has been on a mission to grow and empower local economies and expand food access through innovative, affordable offerings. As part of this commitment, DoorDash has partnered with and will now accept SNAP/EBT payments on the platform with top grocers, including ALDI, Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer and participating 7-Eleven^® stores, for same-day online delivery from nearly 4,100 grocery and convenience locations nationwide.

Facilitating local delivery can have a transformational impact on food access. The ability to use SNAP/EBT payments to power food delivery can profoundly impact the high rates of food insecurity by connecting families and communities to essential items. Combined, these two initiatives can help SNAP/EBT recipients easily access thousands of grocery and convenience stores at affordable prices on the DoorDash platform.

Why delivery and why now?

More than 2.3 million people live in USDA-defined food deserts and over 4.3 million people live in communities where over 1 in 10 households receive SNAP/EBT benefits, according to data compiled by DoorDash.* With so many people struggling to afford food or even find places to buy food, same-day grocery food delivery could make a huge difference.

“The rise of on-demand delivery has had a transformational impact on food access. This is especially true for vulnerable populations, including seniors, people living in food deserts, and those facing disability or transportation barriers,” said Fuad Hannon, VP of New Verticals at DoorDash. “We’re proud to partner with these merchants to offer SNAP recipients access to quality groceries conveniently through our platform. Through the power of local delivery, enabling SNAP/EBT payments can make a profound impact on reducing food insecurity and connecting people to groceries and the essential items they need.”

“The Alliance to End Hunger is happy to see DoorDash expand its offerings with the inclusion of SNAP recipients. A key issue to ensure food security across the country is improved access, and DoorDash is taking a positive and commonsense step in today’s tech-friendly world,” said Eric Mitchell, Executive Director, Alliance to End Hunger, an organization working on the plans and ways to end hunger in America and the rest of the world.

Enabling SNAP recipients to order groceries through DoorDash can help families meet childcare and work obligations, relieve seniors of the potential stress of going to the grocery store and support people with disabilities who face mobility issues to access nutritious food efficiently and affordably with same-day delivery.

Making food delivery affordable

To make food delivery more accessible and budget friendly, DoorDash is offering SNAP/EBT recipients 2 free months of DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers members $0 delivery fees on eligible orders that meet minimum subtotals from thousands of restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores nationwide.**

With DashPass, customers using SNAP/EBT benefits can save even more time and money on fresh groceries, favorite meals and more.

While there is still a long way to go before everyone can afford and access healthy food, DoorDash’s initiative is a step in the right direction. This announcement comes as DoorDash celebrates its 10th anniversary with its biggest platform updates in a decade. To learn more about DoorDash and SNAP/EBT, please visit doordash.com.

*Based on census tract population data in the DoorDash service area. DoorDash service areas can map to multiple census tracts. DoorDash defines a ‘food desert’ using the following definition provided by the USDA in the Food Access Research Atlas 2019: “Low-income census tracts where a significant number (at least 500 people) or share (at least 33 percent) of the population is greater than 1 mile from the nearest supermarket, supercenter, or large grocery store for an urban area or greater than 10 miles for a rural area.”

** TERMS & CONDITIONS

Offer valid for new Dashpass subscribers only. Must add a verified SNAP/EBT card as a Saved Payment Method on DoorDash. Must redeem offer no later than 12/31/23. Dashpass benefits available for 2 months from date of offer redemption. DashPass benefits apply only to eligible orders that meet the minimum subtotal listed on DoorDash for each participating merchant. Other fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Dashpass terms (including how to cancel) here.

2023-07-27T08:01:00

(BPT) – When ChatGPT came on to the scene, it and similar generative AI platforms immediately began sparking heated debates among educators, students and parents about its potential to disrupt education.

A recent study from global learning platform Quizlet found that high school and college teachers and students (aged 14-22) who have used ChatGPT or a similar AI technology agree that it is an effective study tool, with students in particular responding that it helps them to better understand the material and study faster and more efficiently.

Generative AI will be on the minds of students and teachers as they prepare to head back to the classroom this fall. With this technology top of mind, here are some things to consider this school year.

Students study smarter, not harder, with AI

Those that claim the use of AI in the classroom hinders students’ academic potential can think again. Students who spend three or more hours a night on an average weeknight during the school year studying gave credit to ChatGPT and similar AI technologies’ ability to streamline studying by generating helpful resources like study guides. Other popular uses among students included conducting research and summarizing or synthesizing information. Twenty-six percent of students in this group also said that teachers have encouraged them to use AI-generated technology like ChatGPT while they study, whereas students who reported less than two hours of studying on an average weeknight during the school year were less likely to have a teacher recommend using this technology.

UC Berkeley student Sam Clement gives AI-generated learning a thumbs up, saying, “It feels like an extension of my brain, or a supplementary boost to my own thinking abilities.” He added, “Platforms like ChatGPT make studying engaging by allowing me to probe concepts over and over until I understand. It can feel like unlimited office hours, something invaluable to busy college students.”

Students also reported that AI-generated technology has had a positive impact on their mental health, with 73% claiming it helps reduce stress and anxiety, and 57% claiming it decreases their workload.

Teachers give it an “A”

High school and college teachers that have used ChatGPT and similar AI technologies for school cite the top four uses as research, generating lesson plans, summarizing or synthesizing information and generating classroom materials like tests and assignments. Nearly half of teachers agreed that the vast capabilities of AI have made their workload more manageable.

Maureen Lamb, Dean of Educational Technology and Innovative Pedagogy and a member of the Latin faculty at The Ethel Walker School, says, “The notion that tools like Google Bard and ChatGPT are essentially shortcuts focuses on the output rather than what we want the technology to help us achieve. It’s the same question teachers ask ourselves when creating assessments and exams. ‘What skill or concept do I want my students to demonstrate?’ If ChatGPT can provide a teacher with a lesson plan for the day or generate an essay prompt, then great. It gives teachers more opportunity to refine our teaching approach and challenge students appropriate to their unique needs.”

Students and teachers embrace AI in the classroom

Some students and teachers are already working together to set ground rules for using platforms based in generative AI at school and while studying at home. Thirty-seven percent of student respondents have had teachers or instructors talk to them about the proper use of AI technology as it relates to course work, and 60% of teachers say that students are proactively approaching them about using these platforms to enhance their studies. Teachers that have been approached by students about using ChatGPT or similar technologies say their students are either asking for permission to use AI-powered platforms, examples of proper use cases or instructions on how to use AI technologies.

Lamb, who embraces the use and exploration of new technologies in her classroom, says, “A strong and trusting classroom community was something we struggled to find learning virtually during the pandemic. We need to think about technology in the classroom now like we did then.” She adds, “AI should think with us, not for us. Now, more than ever, we should encourage students to trust the power of their own voices. While AI-generated technology is a powerful tool in our toolbox, human voices still hold a huge creative advantage.”

AI can help create equitable learning environments

Students and teachers see a future with limitless potential when learning and AI come together — 42% of all respondents categorized their attitude toward AI technology in education positively. Respondents that disagree with bans on the use of AI technology in schools say that it expands access to information, assists with studying and enhances creativity and critical thinking. Forty-eight percent of teachers predict that ChatGPT and similar AI technology will help students recover from learning loss that was caused by the pandemic.

“Personally, I love the technology and don’t think that its benefits to the classroom have been fully discovered yet,” Clement added. “AI-generated technology allows students to find learning solutions that work for them, and applies what works for them to any and every problem or concept they could need. Teaching students the proper way to use this technology will be key, but I for one am very optimistic about its future.”

2023-07-26T23:05:00

(BPT) – The back-to-school season can be a magical time of year for students and parents alike. Whether it’s picking out the perfect first-day outfit, getting decked out in a new football uniform, or helping decorate your rising college freshman’s first dorm room, the season can spark plenty of special moments that make lasting, lifetime memories.

But making these moments happen can be challenging. Prices of school supplies have risen nearly 25% in the past two years, according to a July 2023 Deloitte Back-to-School Survey, putting a major strain on back-to-school budgets. Despite prices being up, the survey showed that six in 10 parents say they would be willing to splurge for the right reasons, like treating their child or allowing their child to express themselves.

Thankfully, there are ways for shoppers to have more flexibility for their back-to-school purchases — to allow not only for notebooks and pencils, but also the sparkly new shoes and a special backpack. By checking out with PayPal, shoppers can save, have more flexibility on their budget, and shop smartly and securely — knowing their privacy, money and purchases are protected for all the moments that matter most.

Here are four tips to help you stretch your back-to-school shopping budget:

1. Create a shopping list before loading up your cart

It’s easy to be tempted by back-to-school product displays, but making a detailed shopping list before you start filling up your cart can help you stay focused. While your child’s school may provide a list of required school supplies, chances are you’ll need to purchase other items like backpacks, lunch boxes, cleaning supplies, electronics and clothes, too.

Once you have your list finalized, take inventory of supplies or items you might already have at home. Your child may have leftover supplies from last year, or an older child may have supplies they can share or pass down to their younger siblings.

2. Take advantage of flexible payment options

Another way to make back-to-school shopping more manageable is by spreading payments out over time, giving you the flexibility to pay for items at a pace that works best for you and your budget.

When checking out with PayPal, shoppers can choose to break up the cost of their purchases with PayPal Pay Later — either dividing the cost into four interest-free payments with Pay in 4¹ or for larger purchases ($199 to $10,000), selecting Pay Monthly and breaking the total cost into monthly payments over a longer period of time.²

3. Shopping online? Don’t forget to look for deals!

Utilizing coupons and discounts can make shopping less stressful — and help you stretch your budget even further. However, hunting for the best deals online takes time, and sometimes you don’t know how to determine the best deal.

One way to make sure you’re getting the best value when back-to-school shopping is by using PayPal Honey. With a few clicks at checkout, PayPal Honey’s mobile and desktop browser extensions will automatically search for, and test, available coupon codes on available sites. If a working code is found, PayPal Honey then will apply the one with the biggest savings to your cart.

4. Compare, compare, compare

If you’re a smart shopper, you already know it’s worth comparing generic and brand-name items to get the best bang for your buck. After all, many generic brand back-to-school items offer the same quality as brand-name products at a lower price.

But to truly get the best deals, shoppers should keep a close eye on the price of products — which are changing all the time. One easy way to do so is with PayPal Honey’s Droplist feature, which automatically notifies you if an item you’re interested in goes on sale. So go ahead — shop around!

Making financial decisions can be stressful, but sticking to your budget doesn’t mean giving up the moments — and memories — that matter most.

1. Disclosure: Pay in 4 is subject to approval. Eligibility varies by state. CA: Loans made or arranged pursuant to a CA Financing Law License. GA: Installment Lender Licensee, NMLS #910457. RI: Small Loan Lender Licensee. NM residents: Find more disclosures related to Pay in 4. Learn more at paypal.com/payin4.

2. Disclosure: Pay Monthly is subject to credit approval. Fixed APR is 9.99-35.99% based on your credit. Rates as low as 4.99% from time to time. Terms may vary based on the purchase amount. Offer availability varies by state, merchant, and purchase amount. The lender for Pay Monthly is WebBank. PayPal, Inc. (NMLS #910457): CT Small Loan Licensee. RI Loan Broker Licensee. VT Loan Solicitation Licensee. Learn more at paypal.com/buynowpaylater.

2023-07-26T13:15:00

(BPT) – As the car capital of the world, Michigan has steered itself to be at the forefront of the next mobility revolution. The automotive industry faces a historic shift from the internal combustion engine to the electric batteries powering cars and trucks, with this transition dramatically altering the future of the automotive industry.

The switch to electric vehicles (EVs) will also have a profound impact on the environment. EVs emit no greenhouse gases, which are the leading cause of climate change. Today, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gases, accounting for about 30% of total emissions in the United States. Passenger vehicles contribute nearly 60% of transportation’s share of emissions.

As a leader in clean energy, no state is better positioned than Michigan to decarbonize the automotive industry. Climate action also presents immediate and long-term opportunities to create economic growth and support good-paying jobs.

The state’s economic development arm, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), is committed to building on Michigan’s skilled workforce and strengths in manufacturing and the automotive sector to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more equitable mobility future. The state also wants to share its knowledge and successes with the world — to build on its manufacturing success, history of innovation and skilled workforce to be a beacon of responsible growth in creating a greener future.

A coordinated mobility strategy

Michigan leads the nation in auto production, with nearly 19% of all cars and trucks made in the state. The state is also home to 26 automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and 96 of the top 100 automotive suppliers in North America. And the mobility industry supports one out of every five workers in Michigan — contributing $304 billion annually to the state economy.

This creates a foundation that positions Michigan at the helm of the next generation of clean mobility through its clear vision and strategic investments in advanced manufacturing, the battery supply chain and workforce development. All three are essential to creating the EV ecosystem that will drive sustainable innovation, as well as attract new businesses and private investments.

The state is already pioneering a new way forward for the industry with the nation’s first Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. The office supports a comprehensive statewide approach to help government, education and the private sector drive EV advancement. Michigan is also working to ensure it stays at the forefront of mobility innovation by expanding smart infrastructure and engaging with startups. For example, Michigan is developing a first-of-its-kind system in the U.S. that embeds technology in the pavement that can charge EVs while driving.

The transition to cleaner mobility will also require manufacturers of all sizes to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and practices to unlock innovation and remain competitive. To be a catalyst for change and further underscore Michigan’s status as the global epicenter of mobility and manufacturing, the state has been selected for the first U.S. Center for Advanced Manufacturing, in partnership with the World Economic Forum. The center engages the national manufacturing ecosystem in shaping an agenda to improve the productivity and sustainability of the sector.

Building the country’s battery production hub

One of the biggest challenges in the transition to EVs is ensuring a stable and secure supply of lithium-based batteries. The proximity of battery plants to assembly plants is also critical.

Michigan is working with automakers and battery makers to expand battery production in the state to meet the demands of a growing EV market. Since the beginning of 2022, Michigan has seen significant commitments to new projects and jobs, including:

• General Motors investing $7 billion, creating 4,000 and retaining 1,000 jobs, to convert the Orion Township assembly plant to build full-size EV pickups and build Ultium’s third U.S. battery cell plant in Lansing.
• Ford Motor Company investing $3.5 billion to build the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, an EV battery plant in Marshall that will employ 2,500 people. The investment is in addition to the $2 billion the company plans to spend across Michigan to support EV manufacturing growth.
• LG Energy Solution investing $1.7 billion and creating 1,200 jobs to expand its battery plant in Holland.
• Our Next Energy investing $1.6 billion and creating 2,112 jobs to establish its first-ever battery manufacturing campus in Van Buren Township.

Recruiting and retaining talent

Last year, Michigan attracted over $14 billion in EV and battery investments. The state’s workforce is a big reason businesses locate and expand in the state. In fact, Michigan has more engineers per capita than anywhere else in the nation, and an unmatched skilled trades labor population. The future talent pipeline is also robust. Michigan’s University Research Corridor — an alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University — prepares nearly 15,000 graduates a year for careers in the mobility industry.

Michigan is also rising to meet the growing demand for talent and skills in the surging EV and mobility sector, including software developers and electrical engineers. MEDC’s new Talent Action Team leads an unprecedented recruitment effort in a public-private partnership with 14 major Michigan employers, public universities and community colleges. One of its initiatives, The Michigander EV Scholars program, will provide $10,000 scholarships to as many as 350 top tech students at participating universities who sign a letter of employment with an approved company and commit to staying for 12 months in the Great Lakes State.

Through the collective actions of MEDC and its partners, Michigan serves as a role model of how the public and private sectors can together support the creation of more equitable and sustainable transportation for all.

To learn more about Michigan’s agenda to become a global leader in a cleaner, greener and more equitable mobility future, watch the video at https://puremi.ch/4061cVN.

2023-07-25T06:01:00

(BPT) – Heartworms are one of the most common — and preventable — threats to pet health. Sadly, owners who think their pets’ risk is low may unknowingly be taking a pass on protecting them from heartworms. To help both veterinarians and pet owners better understand this threat, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) periodically conducts nationwide surveys of veterinary practices to see where the heartworms are. From their latest AHS survey, you can learn more about how heartworms spread (yes, mosquitoes are to blame), where heartworm-positive pets are being diagnosed, and why heartworms are now being found in regions once thought to be heartworm-free.