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No One Really Knows Why People Stutter

No One Really Knows Why People Stutter

Okay, here comes our waiter. I stare at the silverware. He clicks his pen. I’m always the last to order. Sometimes my mom tries to help me by tossing out what she thinks I want.“Cheeseburger, John?”“... Yyyy-uhh ... yyyueaah,” I force out.If I’m lucky, there are no follow-up questions. I’m rarely lucky.“And how would you like that cooked?” the waiter asks.“... ... ... ... Mmm-muh ... mmm-edium.”His face changes. I want it medium rare, but R’s are hard, so I cut myself off.“And what kind of cheese?”Vowels are supposed to be easier, but I can never get through that first...

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We meet two school families at GSIS

We meet two school families at GSIS

German Swiss International School (GSIS) is a leading dual-language international school in Hong Kong that has offered through-train education from Kindergarten to Secondary since 1969. Delivering a unique multicultural experience, GSIS is renowned for its academic excellence in two parallel streams, the English International Stream preparing students for IGCSE and IB, and the German International Stream leading to the globally accepted German International Abitur (DIA). We chatted with two families for insights into why they’ve chosen GSIS. Family #1 Michael and Emmy are parents of seven-year-old Allison, who attends K02 in the German International Stream at GSIS Hong Kong Why...

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On brink of recession, Newsom and lawmakers must budget cautiously

On brink of recession, Newsom and lawmakers must budget cautiously

Gov. Newsom on Tuesday proposed a roughly $297 billion state budget plan for the 2023-24 fiscal year.  In contrast to last year’s nearly $100 billion surplus, the administration projects $29.5 billion in lower than estimated revenues and a $22.5 billion shortfall. The Newsom spending plan does some good things – including paying down public pension debt, making $5.7 billion in cuts and $3.9 billion in trigger cuts if revenue doesn’t materialize, and suspending new ongoing spending.  Unfortunately, it avoids some of the tough budget choices these uncertain economic times requires to get our fiscal challenges under control and prevent painful...

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Homer Early Learning FREE 60-Day Trial + See Why My Family Loves It!

Homer Early Learning FREE 60-Day Trial + See Why My Family Loves It!

See why we love Homer and how you can score a free trial for your kiddos! Prep your kiddos for Kindergarten with Homer Early Learning! My oldest child recently started Kindergarten and while I was a little worried about how he would adjust to the new environment, I’ve never once doubted his school readiness, thanks to Homer! Homer is the one educational app that I chose, on my own, to continue my subscription after my own free trial period ended. I’ve been using it for the past YEAR and counting! You’ll have to keep reading to find out all the...

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Must a Teacher Defy Parents Over a Student’s Gender Identity?

Must a Teacher Defy Parents Over a Student’s Gender Identity?

Meet Michael, a 4-year-old who “usually comes to school in jeans and a T-shirt but always goes to the dress-up area as soon as he arrives and puts on a dress or skirt.” The preschooler is the subject of a 2019 case study in the education journal Young Children’s “Focus on Ethics” column, a recurring feature about how educators ought to respond in fraught situations––in this real case, a parent objecting to their child’s gender expression.Take off that skirt, Michael’s mother tells her child one day while volunteering in the classroom. She orders him instead to put on firefighter gear,...

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