PIKAS!!

By: Pooja D.

Q: What are pikas?

A: Pikas are animals related to rabbits and are about the size of a hamster (6-8 inches). They are adorable mammals that have round ears. They also have luxurious whiskers and a tail that is not visible. They communicate using a series of squeaks and squeals. 

Q: Where do pikas live?

A: Pikas live in the mountainous regions but because they do not have a good way of regulating their body temperature they are prone to overheating. They can overheat during summer heat waves. They also have problems finding food in the winter if the freezing and thawing collapses their snow tunnels.

Q: What are the pika predators?

A: The pikas only predators are the weasels, coyotes, hawks and eagles.

Q: How many types of pikas are there?

A: There are 25 different types of pikas. To see all of them go to this Web site.

Q: Are pikas endangered?

A: Yes, they are very close to being listed under the Endangered Species Act because of global warming. Unlike some animals, pikas can’t move north and they are running out of spaces to hide from the sun. They will become extinct soon. Please help by telling everyone of the pikas situation because not many people know about these animals. HELP SAVE THE PIKAS!!

GiGi Fun Fact - Happy birthday ESA!

The Endangered Species Act or ESA turns 35 this year! The U.S. Congress passed the ESA in 1973 to protect all fish, wildlife and plant species that are at risk of extinction. Species protected under the ESA are classified as "endangered" or "threatened," depending on how many are left in the wild and how severely their survival is threatened. As of June 2009, there are 1,318 U.S. species on the list (572 animals and 746 plants). Thank you to Embere Hall for this GiGi Fun Fact. Hall is the Research Director at Conservation Research Center of Teton Science Schools in Jackson, Wyoming.

For a rainy day!

By: Stephanie G.

If you’re bored one day and have nothing to do, you should do something exciting. I have always wondered about the history of my hometown. I envisioned that someone historically famous stepped foot on the land in my backyard or something of great importance took place where my house is today. 

On one rainy day, I decided I had wondered long enough and thought it would be a great idea to try to get some information about the history of my own town. So I went to my city court house to find out information about what my city use to be like many years ago.

When I went there, the information I came back with was great! I found out that the city of Snellville was called Webville until 1925. It was named after Andrew Web who was willed a 900-acre farm from James Flowers. There was a cotton gin, a grist mill and a post office in my area. This is how Web Ginn House road and how Flowers Crossing subdivision got their names. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, my house was part of the 900 acre farm, in the woods, where no one famous visited most likely. I cam across so much information that I am going to go again!  

Well, on you rainy day I hope you can find something really interesting about the history of the land in your area. All you need to do is go to your county or city courthouse and ask for historical records. You can also check the deed book to find out who owned the land where your house is today. Have fun!

Climate change

By: Marissa M.

Climate change is caused by the Earth’s warming and is caused by the Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect is when CO2 and other gases in the atmosphere, hold the sun’s energy in the atmosphere causing the Earth’s temperature to heat up. This causes the arctic ice to melt. In the summer of 2007, scientists recorded the melting of more than a million kilometers of the ice. At least 10 percent of the ice has melted each year. This melting causes the oceans to rise and after time, parts of the Earth’s land to be under water. The ocean level has risen from 10- 25 cm over the past 100 years.

Climate change is not only bad for us, it’s also bad for animals because they could become extinct. And polar bears could be first. Polar bears live in the arctic and are listed as threatened with extinction by the U.S. Department of Interior. They need the ice to feed and they use the ice to smell where seals are so they can break through the ice or wait for the seal to come up for air. Polar bears can’t reproduce if they don't have enough food to eat.

We can help reduce climate change. We must stop burning fossil fuel because they create three major greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). We also need to be energy efficient.  We can start with turning off lights when we leave a room or switching from standard light bulbs to the energy efficient ones. Even the simplest things can make a difference!

GivingPoint

By: Leka G.

How would you like to be rewarded for your volunteer hours? I know what you’re thinking, isn’t volunteering supposed to be giving time up out of the goodness of your heart? Well, with GivingPoint, you can help yourself and the nonprofit organization where you volunteer.

First of all what exactly is GivingPoint? GivingPoint is an organization for kids ages 14-18. You can explore your interests and track how you are changing the world. You can get rewards, give grants and learn about the needs of the community. You can also share your stories and recruit others. You can even download your civic transcript for school or college applications.

You earn points by volunteering, donating, taking online quizzes and posting and presenting your project. These points help you get grants for nonprofit organizations. For every 500 points, you are able to give grants for up to $250, and more than $2,000 a year! You can also sign up for micro grants, apply for the Youth of the Year Award and get endorsements from your organization. So, now that you know about it, want to sign up? Just go to www.mygivingpoint.org and follow the steps!

The  411 on getting a part-time job

By: Ashley J.

Need a little extra pocket change this year? Considering a part-time job? Look at the traits below and find what job best suits you:

I am….

• A good team player - try a fast food restaurant
• Friendly - how about a retail or grocery store cashier
• A great multi-tasker - consider a movie theatre usher
• Great with kids - be a babysitter

Once you have figured out what type of job you would like to apply for, pick a couple of places near your house and fill out their applications.

When you go into a business to apply for a job – dress SMART. Also, pay extra attention to your appearance, including your cleanliness! Your outfit should be:

Sensible

Mature

Approachable

Reserved

Traditional

When you enter a business to apply for a job, politely ask for the manager. Introduce yourself (don’t forget to shake their hand) and ask if they have any job openings. If they do, ask for an application. If they do not have any openings or if they simply aren’t hiring, say thank you and leave a copy of your resume in case any openings come up in the future.

GiGi HOT TIP: Make yourself stand out by leaving a lasting impression! Not many teenagers would think to make a resume, so make one for yourself and attach it to your completed application. If you don’t like resumes, consider making yourself a business card with your contact information on it instead.

IMPORTANT: Whether you fill out an application or not, always maintain a good attitude, a positive outlook and a friendly smile:) Always thank the manager for taking the time out of their busy day to speak with you!

APPLICATION TIPS:

If you are in need of references, look for people you know who are over the age of 25. Use only one friend your age. If you need more than one reference, consider using your Girl Scout troop leader, your favorite teacher or another adult who is not related to you. Never put anybody down as a reference without asking them first! Bring a list of references and their info (phone numbers, addresses, etc.) with you when you apply so that you will have all of the information that you need at your fingertips.

Once you have filed your application, wait two business days. If you haven’t heard from the business, call them. Ask for the status of your application. This will show that you are really interested in getting the job. If your application is still being evaluated, wait a week and repeat this procedure. Perseverance pays off!

Too young to work? Try volunteering! Not only will you benefit from volunteering, but your community will benefit as well! When you do apply for your first paying job, the time you spent volunteering will count as work experience and you will have a load of references. Look at the traits below and find the one that best suits you to determine where you may be interested in volunteering:

I love...

• People - be a candy-striper at a local hospital
• Animals - try being an animal shelter volunteer
• Children - consider being a library volunteer

Call any public service organization (like the ones listed above) and ask if they have any volunteer opportunities. Once your application has been accepted, the next step is usually an interview. Since your application passed, they like the sound of you, but an interview is still necessary so that your future employer can make sure you are a good fit for their business.

INTERVIEW TIPS:

• Dress appropriately, remember SMART! Wear business-casual clothing. Don't wear jeans, t-shirts or flip-flops!
• Shake your interviewers’ hand before you leave.
• During the interview, make eye contact frequently and smile. Stay cool, calm and collected. Don’t let your nerves cost you a job opportunity!

GOOD LUCK!

Whatever happened to bedtime stories?

By Rachel B.

Are you one of the kids in today’s generation of teenagers who doesn’t read? If you are, I’m surprised, because you are reading this article. If you are not, then join the club of reading teens concerned for their illiterate companions. I was alarmed when I came across multiple kids who did not enjoy reading (gasp)! I wondered just how many kids felt that way; does today’s generation of teenagers spend their days glued to their televisions and cell phones and never bother to pick up a book? Are the reading habits of young adults considerably decaying? In a 2003 magazine article, president of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), Caryn Sipos, says “not at all.”

According to Dude, That Book Was Cool: The Reading Habits of Young Adults, by Ursula Furi-Perry in 2003, about 20 percent of library card carriers in the United States were under the age of 18.

However, in a 2007 article found on www.education-portal.com, the statistics are distinctly different from Furi-Perry’s article. In this 2007 article, Furi-Perry writes that, “Every year, at least two million adults considered to be functionally illiterate swell the ranks of Americans unable to read.” The statistics are shocking. Fifty million are unable to read at a higher level than is expected of a fourth or fifth grader! Save that gasp for the next statistic: 42 million American adults can't read at all. According to this article, it appears that the number of adults that are classified as functionally illiterate goes up by about 2.25 million each year. As for my fellow teens, I am sad to say, 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as being functionally illiterate at the time they graduate. The National Assessment of Educational Progress’ testing indicates that the percentage of American children who are able to read well hasn't improved at all in the last 25 years prior to 2007!

I know what you’re thinking: “That can’t be true! You wouldn’t believe the line to pick up the last Harry Potter book!” Actually, I can; I was at the bookstore that night getting the book myself. I saw a lot of guys there too, which makes this next statistic just as shocking. Based on several surveys, the rate of reading among boys and girls is significantly different, with girls reading much more than boys. What’s the reason behind this? It could be attributed to, according to a 2005 study posted on www.literacytrust.org, the fact that most students claimed to have been taught how to read by their mother, however most male students prefer discussing what they have read with their father (female students preferring their mother or friends).

Speaking of parents, what do your moms and dads want you to read? Did The Old man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott “magically” find their way onto your bedside table? Let me guess, you didn’t read them? According to a 2006 poll of 100,000 teens ranging from the ages 11-16, posted on www.literacytrust.org, teens have a very different idea about what a “good read” is than their parents and professors. Though favorite author J.K. Rowling’s reading suggestions included Withering Heights and To Kill a Mockingbird, teens still seem to shy away from said books.

According to the 2006 poll, some books children can’t get enough of are:

• Harry Potter series, JK Rowling
• Alex Rider series, Anthony Horowitz
• A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket
• The Lord of The Rings trilogy, JRR Tolkien
• The Saga of Darren Shan series, Darren Shan
• His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
• The Diamond Girls, Jacqueline Wilson
• Girl 15, Charming But Insane, Sue Limb
• Holes, Louis Sachar.

There were originally ten books on this list, but for your parents’ sake, I have removed one, because it was also on the list of books that children hide from their parents. If you truly feel that you have to know for yourself just what the ten books children hide from their parents are, you can go here.

However, the news isn’t all bad, in 2008, the Independent reported on a survey of children by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). The survey observed that watching television has declined in popularity as a leisure activity among nine to 11 year olds for the first time in years. The survey was of 4,500 children, and showed that, opposed to the 62 percent in a similar survey four years prior, only 55 percent of children preferred watching TV to reading. It furthermore found that the waning popularity of reading has been halted, leaving nearly 70 percent of nine year olds and 60 percent of 11 year olds stating that they take pleasure in reading stories.

With the encouraging statistics that the Independent reported, let us all hope that the reading level of teens now increases. Although we can no longer all wait in giddy excitement over the next upcoming Harry Potter book, now that the series is complete, there’s more out there to enjoy. Everyone’s ability to ‘handle books’ is different (for instance, when someone started an online forum asking “Artemis Fowl: suitable for young children?” they got widely varying answers) so I can’t make any recommendations without actually knowing the person who is going to read the books. However, if you are wondering what’s out there for kids your age, see what’s popular and what your friends are reading. If you aren’t sure about a book, have your mother or father read it first for approval. Now go forth, my fellow teens and tweens, and read happily ever after.