Donations Needed
Editor:
The Noel Community continues its outreach program during the cold winter months. We are in need of new gloves, hats, socks, and blankets. This Valentine’s Day, open your heart and share the gift of warmth during our 13th Annual gLOVEs drive.
Please consider dropping off a donation of a new pair of gloves, hats, socks, or blankets at the Ocean Pines Library on Cathell Road between Feb. 2 and Feb. 14. The Noel Community also will accept donations at all Masses over the weekend of Feb. 15 at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church (3rd Street), The Church of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church (100th Street), Holy Savior Catholic Church (17th Street), and St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church (Talbot Street).
The Noel Community will distribute your donations to several local food pantries, low income day care facilities, and other groups that provide social services to those in need.
From your heart to theirs.
The Noel Community
Solar Energy Focus Needed
Editor:
I am a Baltimore resident and I am embarrassed that Maryland hasn’t taken a more aggressive approach in harvesting a renewable resource like solar energy.
I am a firm believer solar energy is booming and there is credible data to show that solar is rapidly growing throughout the U.S. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are now over 17,500 MW of cumulative solar electric capacity operating in the U.S., enough to power more than 3.5 million average American homes.
In comparison to the U.S. data, Maryland is lacking in using renewable energy and that must change. There is no valid reason Maryland cannot be one of the top leaders for solar energy with the amount of support from the Baltimore community.
I want to live in a state that prioritizes using cleaner renewable resources. We have to continue to strengthen the community support and keep pressuring our elected officials to pass legislation to bring more solar energy to Maryland. We have to hold our elected officials accountable for our future and the future generations to come.
Erica Williams
(The writer is a solar intern with the Environment Maryland organization.)
Home School Vs. Public School
Editor:
Would you say that your overall time in school was a positive experience? Do you think it is a major part of who you are today? From 1993-2007 over 85% of children, grades one to 12, attended public school. That number, by 2021, is said to climb to 91%. In the 2011-12 school year only 3% of children grades one to twelve were homeschooled. Their parents, when asked their reason for homeschooling, said that a concern about the environment of other schools was an important reason for their child. We will compare the amount of individual instruction, structure and flexibility, and the influences and pressures of public schools and home school.
Understanding what is being taught is very important and primarily based on the amount of individual instruction you receive from your teacher. In public school, you don’t receive very much individual instruction from your teacher because there are 29 other kids in your class that he or she must teach at the same time. In home school, the teacher’s focus is on you and his or her goal is to help you and give you the desired instruction time. In both public school and home school, the student completes their day-to-day work on their own. The difference in this area is that in public school you can get individual help, but once you leave the classroom you are on your own. Whereas at home, you and your teacher can work on the difficult areas until they are understood. I believe that home school is the better option in this area because you receive more individual instruction when needed.
Another area we will compare is the structure and flexibility in schedule. Many public schools are very structured and are not flexible in schedule. Children that attend public school must wake up early and get home late. Their day is spent getting ready for school, getting on the bus, getting to school, waiting for everyone to arrive, and then starting their first class. Home school is completely different in this area because they are already “at school”. This allows the student to sleep in longer, have breakfast, and start their school even before public schools begin the day. After public school students have completed their day of school at 2:30-2:45 p.m., they must get back on the bus and will not get home until 3:30-4:15 p.m. After students are home, they must do their homework and get ready for bed, just to do it all over again. Home school’s flexibility and public school’s structure are what makes them completely different. Home school’s flexibility in schedule wins my vote because I think it is great when you can change the daily routine. Then the school day can be more enjoyable.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, we will compare the influences and pressures of public school and home school, primarily in grades 9-12. By this age boys and girls are changing into young men and women and also have different wants and desires. These students, particularly boys in public school, are pressured from other students their age or older to do drugs, drink alcohol, and go to parties. Many of them give in and do participate in those activities. Some of them become addicted; others even die from overdose of drugs and alcohol. The choice is yours, with the help of your parents, to make the right decision, but you have to be strong enough to make the right choice. It is not easy to be different, but later in life you will be rewarded for making the right choices. In home school you are not surrounded by bad influences and are not pressured by anyone to make bad choices. Many times if you choose not to participate in the above activities, then you will be made fun of. You may also lose a lot of friends because they will most likely choose to do those things.
After careful consideration of the three areas, the amount of individual instruction, structure and flexibility in schedule, and influences and pressures, an individual choice must be made. For me in my schooling, home school was and is the right choice. That does not mean it is the right choice for you or anyone else. I believe that both alternatives have their pros and cons. Either can be the right choice for different types of people, but in the end you must make your own choice. I hope this comparison helps you make the right choice.
Josiah Magee