August 16, 2017—We are less than a week away from the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, which will be visible to all of North America. The “path of totality” where the total solar eclipse is visible will stretch through 13 states from Oregon to South Carolina – North Platte Nebraska is in the “path of totality.” In the center of this 70-mile wide path, the total eclipse will last from 2 minutes to 2 minutes and 40 seconds. Outside of this path, observers will see a partial eclipse.

Big events also mean big opportunities for scammers and unscrupulous businesses. With a rare event like this, it is important to plan carefully and to trust your instincts. Below are some things to be wary of while you get ready for the eclipse.

Counterfeit Eclipse Glasses

To view the solar eclipse directly without damage to your eyes, you need special solar filter glasses. These are much more powerful than sunglasses. While sunglasses only block about 50% of the sun’s rays, solar filter glasses block more than 99.99%. Unfortunately, many of the solar glasses available online may be counterfeit or do not meet safety specifications. Your best bet is to stick with a brand whose glasses are certified by NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS).

Here are some additional tips for safe viewing:

• Regular sunglasses, even very dark sunglasses, are not enough.
• Warn children of the danger in viewing the eclipse without protective eyewear.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
• Do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer – the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
• If the filters on your eclipse glasses are torn, scratched, punctured or coming loose from their cardboard or plastic frames, discard them.

If you are unable to get glasses, one way of indirectly observing the eclipse is by using a pinhole projector. NASA has instructions on how to do this, as well as files to print out and use. Go to https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/2d3d-printable-pinhole-projectors.

The Junction City Commission has agreed to a letter of commitment to help support the local match for the  Quality Play for All community development block grant application. This would fund improvements to Fifth Street Playground Park.

If the grant is approved at the state level the City would be required to provide a $50,000 cash local match.

A local committee is seeking a $200,000 grant and has secured $150,000 in private donations for the project. Their spokesperson Joy Davis informed city officials it’s a matching grant. “The condition for the grant is that both the committee and the city have to have some part of the match for this grant.”

Extensive improvements are proposed for the Fifth Street Park ranging from multiple playground “stations” for varying stages of childhood and development to a turf-like surface that would keep the park aesthetically pleasing year-round.The City share of the funding could come from a Capital Outlay fund.

It will be a competitive grant process with other communities in Kansas. The grant recipients will be announced in late January.

The first several days of school will plant roots for the rest of the academic year, say education professors at Kansas State University.

“The first days and weeks are tough, so it’s best for parents to provide as much patience, understanding and support as possible,” said Spencer Clark, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the university’s College of Education.

Providing choices, such as what to wear and whether to bring a lunch or eat in the school cafeteria, helps students feel a sense of ownership in the process of preparing for school, said Lori Levin, who also is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education.

“Anytime kids have a choice, it’s freeing,” Levin said. “Choice is a huge motivator for children and teens alike.”

Students experiencing full-day kindergarten will probably be tired, irritable, fussy and hungry for the first few weeks of full schooldays, whether they go to day care afterward or come straight home, Levin said. It will take them some time to get acclimated to being engaged in high levels of activity for six hours of the day.

To help prepare them for long days, Levin recommends having children go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until they reach the ideal bedtime, using blackout window shades if necessary. Elementary-age children need 10-11 hours of sleep per night to function at their best, Levin said.

Mornings are important as well. The professors advise offering healthy breakfast foods or having high-protein granola bars on hand that children can eat on the way to school.

“It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but they do need to have something in their tummies before they head off to school for hours of learning,” Levin said.

Middle school brings new challenges to students, including changing bodies and a transition toward adulthood, Clark said.

“Studies show that the No. 1 thing that helps kids be resilient through middle school is knowing they have one adult in their life, whether it’s a parent, teacher, coach or clergy member, who they can rely on,” Levin said.

Regardless of the child’s age, Levin advises parents to share honestly with their children about their school experiences, including the fun times, the challenging times and how they overcame difficulties. Also, it is key for parents to ask about and acknowledge their children’s feelings about school.

“Listening attentively and without judgement is so important,” Levin said.

For teens entering high school, Clark recommends parents talk with them about how their decisions at this school level will affect their future steps, Clark said. However, parents should not put undue pressure on their children and instead should help the teens balance their activities and homework to achieve success, Levin said.

They can do this by discussing the teen’s schedule with him or her, helping teens decide when they should work on homework, and assisting them in selecting which extracurricular activities they want to participate in and how those activities may relate to their strengths and goals, Levin said.

“Studies of feedback from high schoolers show they are under tremendous pressure, which they put on themselves and feel from parents to get good grades, be in a sport and get into a great college,” Levin said. “Having reasonable expectations is important. So many teens try to do it all and get overwhelmed. Having some down time without technology is really important.”

For any age of student, the professors advise attending “back to school night,” which many schools offer to provide an opportunity for students to see classrooms, meet teachers and get acquainted with peers. If that is not available, parents and students can stop by to meet teachers and learn the building’s layout, Levin said.

“There are a lot of unknowns for students when they enter a new school, so anything to inform them about the unknowns will help to alleviate stress,” Clark said.