“Census statistics indicate nearly half a million students drop out of school each year, and Mexican origin youth are especially susceptible to not completing school on time,” said assistant professor Robert Ream of UCR’s Graduate School of Education. “Our study shows that student engagement behaviors—including participating in extracurricular activities—contribute to the formation of friendship networks which arc toward educational attainment; the same behaviors detract from the likelihood that students will become susceptible to the social and behavioral influences of others who drop out of school.”

The study shows that socioeconomic disadvantage detracts from student engagement among Mexican American adolescents.

“Low-income Mexican American adolescents may be less able to participate in homework or school sports, or music because many are obligated to hold after-school jobs or are required to care for siblings while their parents are working,” Ream commented. “Enrollment fees may also discourage economically disadvantaged students from participating in extracurricular activities,”

Disengaged students are also more likely to have friends who have dropped out of school. Various studies show that having dropout friends increases one’s chances of not completing high school.

Ream, who conducted the study with Professor Russell Rumberger of the Gervirtz Graduate School of Education at UC Santa Barbara, states that disengagement and withdrawal from school is the result of a long-term process that can begin as early as elementary school.

“Our study shows that what kids do impacts who they know and spend time with. These links between engagement behaviors and friendship networks play an important role in whether or not adolescents complete high school.”

“Students need to have opportunities available in a broad range of school-related activities,” Ream said. “Drama and the arts, or sports, even the academic decathalon are engagement behaviors that help kids develop school-oriented peer networks and facilitate their ability to seamlessly navigate home and school environments.”

Ream said engagement activities structure opportunities for students to meet other school-oriented students in and around schools and should therefore not fall victim to tight educational budgets or more narrowly defined educational reform agendas.

PALO ALTO —With the nation’s economy forcing families everywhere to rethink their spending habits, BettyConfidential.com released a list of 10 tips to help families enjoy summer while mitigating the stressful effects of an uncertain economy.

“Anxiety, embarrassment, pain – that’s what many of our BettyConfidential.com users are feeling right now thanks to financial worries,” says April Hussar, managing editor, BettyConfidential.com. “Whether it’s officially a ‘recession’ or not, financial strain is causing women everywhere to stretch even further as primary caregivers. We’re being forced to give up even more of ourselves as we struggle to afford the same things this summer as last summer, and to entertain kids home from school.”

From camps to family vacations; pool memberships to summer childcare, this time of year really puts additional pressure on women to spend, spend, spend. With the belief that a great summer doesn’t have to mean an expensive summer, “The Bettys” (the Betty Confidential editorial team) compiled a list of top-notch, creative advice for cutting costs without cutting fun.

Here are a few of BettyConfidential.com’s great tips:

1. Freeload!
Summer is a great time to find fun things to do for free, from picnics in the park (make them even more fun by packing real china and flatware) to potluck parties. Take advantage of your area’s free activities (library readings, free concerts or afternoons at museums, etc.) and don’t be shy about accepting invitations from friends with pools – just be sure to being a snack or drink to share!

2. Kid Swap
Yes – sounds wacky – but it’s not like wife swapping! Find like-minded families who want to take turns watching the kids for an evening so you can step out without shelling out for a babysitter. This is also a great tactic to use during the week if you stay-at-home or work from home.

3. Put Your Kids to Work!
We don’t mean digging ditches - but from about age 5 kids can start to learn the value of working and saving. If there’s a big-ticket item or activity your kid wants this summer… don’t just shell out - put him to work! It’s a life lesson truly worth learning. Yes, in the end you’ll end up being the one “paying” him for most of the work he does, but it’s better than coughing up cash all summer for every item that strikes his fancy.

4. Look for DAMAGED Goods!
Look for that shirt that may be slightly “off” or that piece of furniture that may have a bit of a scratch, and ask for a discount. It could be a beach towel at Target, sandals at Nordstrom or an open sunscreen at Whole Foods – most retail stores are happy to accommodate a slight discount for damaged goods. 

5. Pamper at Home
If you have daughters into pampering, now’s the time to tell them they’ll have to cut back on professional manicures, pedicures and highlights. Instead, host pampering parties at home – girls-nights-in with snacks, movies and polish.

For a complete list of tips, click here.
 

Little girls everywhere in San Diego can feel like a Princess as they enjoy a party with Belle, while Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Chip, and Cogsworth treat the little ones to a charmed afternoon of royalty filled with catered sweets and cupcakes, tea, and lemonade. Finish with a behind the scenes tour, as guests discover all the inner workings of the majestic castle. Guests also receive a complimentary autograph book filled with space for the children to remember their day of magic.
 
This story will be presented at the Sherwood Auditorium, on July 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19 @ 7pm and July 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 2pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA  92037 from July 10-20, 2008.  Ticket prices start at $15-$25, with prices for the Tea Party starting at $30-$45.
 
For tickets please go to www.yatsandiego.org or call 619-670-1267.

The public is invited to meet and photograph a 5-month-old baby black bear between 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Lake Arrowhead Resort in Lake Arrowhead. Admission is $5 per person.
 
Open to the public, this event affords an unusual experience to see a black bear cub from the wild.  Bring your cameras and your children for a wonderful time.

Misha, a California black bear, arrived at Wildhaven Ranch on May 2.  She was captured by farm hands at a winery in Santa Ynez Valley days earlier and had been wandering from winery to winery in the area crying for her mother.  She was probably orphaned about six days before being picked up and had lost about one third of her body weight. She cannot be returned to the wild and will live at the wildlife sanctuary in Lake Arrowhead.

Misha is the mascot for Bears With Us, a bear aware program sponsored by Wildhaven Ranch to educate the public about how to live harmoniously with black bears. A presentation will be given about living in bear country and what to do to avoid confrontations and problems.

For more information, call Diane Dragotto Williams, Executive Director, Wildhaven Ranch (909) 337-1391 or e-mail  ddwilliams at hughes.net

Website: www.wildhaven.org

The basis of the these activities is the ShakeOut Scenario, a realistic depiction of the consequences of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, which will be presented with stunning new visualizations.

Elected officials, community and business leaders, emergency managers, and many others from throughout Southern California will be meeting on June 4 to discuss the drill. Speakers include U.S. Geological Survey Chief Scientist Dr. Lucy Jones, Southern California Earthquake Center Director Dr. Tom Jordan, California Office of Emergency Services Deputy Director Stephen Sellers, California Seismic Safety Commission Chair Don Parker, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Michael Freeman, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Darline Robles, City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City of Los Angeles Councilman Greig Smith, and Art Center College of Design President Richard Koshalek.

ShakeOut Website: http://www.ShakeOut.org

shakemap_intensity.pdf

High Desert Opportunity 2008 is sponsoring an essay competition for local high school students.

High Desert Opportunity is a day-long event that focuses on drawing attendees from out-of-the area who are business owners, managers and site locators. Local cities, chambers of commerce, the County of San Bernardino, organizations and other businesses come together at this conference, to showcase the desirable business climate in the Inland Empire North (High Desert) to the attendees from out-of-the-area.

The essay theme is “My Favorite High Desert Business and Why I Think They Are Successful.” The essays should be 500 to 800 words. The winning essay will be printed in the High Desert Opportunity special section in the Daily Press and available at the event.

High Desert Opportunity’s marketing efforts extend beyond the high desert. Marketing for the event includes mailings to site locators and business owners, email blasts to the target market customers and ads in high profile trade publications. In 2007, business owners, site locators and commercial real estate brokers attended the conference in record numbers, many from out-of-state.

High Desert Opportunity is an annual event celebrating its 27th year. A volunteer group of High Desert business and civic leaders coordinate the conference. The group remains focused on drawing potential new business to the High Desert and believes that the keynote speaker, Olympic Champion and Sports Broadcaster, John Naber, will add value to all attendee’s conference experience.

The winner of the essay contest will receive a $100 gift certificate and will be invited to High Desert Opportunity 2008 on Thursday October 16 (along with a guest) and will meet John Naber.

Deadline for submitting essays is July 31. Essays should be sent to: HDO Essay Contest c/o The Daily Press, PO Box 1389, Victorville CA 92393 or e-mailed to sdrake@vvdailypress.com. They should include the author’s name, daytime phone number, age and school of attendance. Please note that the student should not be affiliated with the business they choose for the essay topic (no family connection or working relationship).

The 2007 conference drew over 1350 attendees representing the fields of real estate, insurance, manufacturing, architecture and economic development, organizers said. In addition to the exhibit area and Naber’s presentation, a morning program features local and regional speakers discussing the advantages the High Desert offers to new and expanding businesses. For more information on this event visit www.highdesertopportunity.com or telephone 245-7600.

Summer Day Camp sessions for children ages 7 to 12 run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each session costs $155 per child ($135 for Museum Association members). Three different themes are planned, each one offered twice.

 “Art For Kids” runs from June 16 to 20 and from July 14 to 18. This camp is for children who are seriously interested in art. Using composition, line, form, texture, and patterns, campers will learn to observe closely as they create their art works in a variety of materials and mediums. Families will be invited to an “Artists Reception” on the Friday that ends each session.

“Growing Up Serrano” runs from June 23 to 27 and July 21 to 25. Campers will experience many of the traditional activities of the local Serrano Indians, including children’s toys and games, tool-making, hunting skills, food, clothing, houses, trading, uses of native plants, music, and musical instruments. A family “Pow-Wow” will be held on the Friday that ends each session.

“Animals Around Us” runs from July 7 to 11 and July 28 to August 1. This camp will focus on the diversity of animal life in our urban environment. Which animals like to live with humans, and which avoid us? Which animals make good pets and which don’t? Campers will meet some local residents up close and observe others from a distance. A family “Celebration of Animals” will be held on the Friday that ends each session.

“Grandma’s Attic” steps back to a simpler time, when kids made their own fun and imagination ruled. Adults and the children they bring will gather in the museum’s imaginary attic to play with some old-fashioned toys and games. Each adult may bring up to three children between the ages of 4 and 7. The session runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon on June 30, July 1, and July 2. Each child costs $75.00 (Museum Association members cost $65.00), which includes museum admission and all supplies and activities.

Pre-registration for museum summer day camp sessions is required. Forms are available at the museum and on line at www.sbcountymuseum.org. For more information about these programs, call the museum’s education division at (909) 307-2669 ext. 256.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit.

Kara Sweeney, a licensed educator and mother, is seeking parents to join her High Desert Mommy and Me group.

The classes will be held in Hesperia for moms (dads are welcome too) and children ages 3-5.

Concepts will include:

- alphabet & phonics
- numbers and counting
- arts & crafts
- days of the week and weather
- music & movement
- cooking
- pouring & measurement
- following directions
- manners (raising hands, sharing, etc.)

For more information, call Kara at (760) 987-9472.

The bus leaves at 10 a.m. from the Historic Harvey House to the Kelso Depot, with a windshield tour along the way narrated by a Mojave National Park Ranger. A barbecue lunch follows.

On the way back to Barstow, you’ll get a guided tour of historic Route 66 including a stop in Amboy. The cost, including lunch, is $35 for adults, with half off for seniors, kids, military and groups.

Make your reservations at least 1 week in advance by calling the Barstow Chamber of Commerce at 760-256-8617 or 1-888-4-Barstow.