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The Great Seal of the United States of America – Part 1

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Many students ask what is the meaning of The Great Seal of the United States of America. It is commonly found on US passports and other official documents. For those unfamiliar, check the back of the $1 bill in the right side circle. The Great Seal has a picture of a bald eagle with its wings outstretched, holding 13 arrows in one claw and an olive branch in the other. The arrows refer to the 13 original states and the olive branch symbolizes a desire for peace. The olive branch has 13 leaves and 13 olives also referring to the original states.

Take a break from your 4th of July celebrating tomorrow and check back here to learn more amazing secrets from the Great Seal of the United States of America.

America’s National Coat of Arms – Part 2

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Continuing to observe the left circle on the back of the $1 bill are more fascinating secrets. At the top of the pyramid is a triangle with an eye surrounded by the sun’s rays known as a sunburst. The eye symbolizes God leading our nation. The US Founding Fathers who created this design felt God had established a new order for the ages and that the Coat of Arms should reflect this characteristic of the nation.

The Latin above the pyramid ANNUIT COEPTIS means, “HE (GOD) HAS FAVORED OUR UNDERTAKINGS.” The Latin below the pyramid NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM means, “A NEW ORDER OF THE AGES.” In fact it was July 4, 1776 when a new order began based on the Declaration of Independence.

Do you wonder what the symbols in the right side circle of the $1 bill mean? Come back tomorrow for the surprising answers.

America’s National Coat of Arms – Part 1

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Leading up to our favorite holiday July 4th, we thought we would share some fascinating United States symbols you probably never noticed. Take a look on the back of a $1 bill and in the left circle you will see a picture of a pyramid. It was designed in 1782 and called America’s National Coat of Arms.

At its base are the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI. They stand for 1776 the year America was founded. A pyramid is historically recognized as a symbol of strength and durability. This pyramid contains thirteen layers of stone referring to the original thirteen colonies.

Check back tomorrow for more American Coat of Arms dollar bill secrets.

New Dissection Choice State

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“An Act Concerning Dissection Choice” passed the Connecticut Senate this week with a 34-1 vote and now heads to the Governor’s desk! Connecticut will now join 15 other states and the District of Columbia in guaranteeing students their right opt out of animal dissections and to learn through superior and humane alternatives.

The Five Worst Children’s Hospitals For Food

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Shands Hospital for Children at University of Florida – At least 5 fast food outlets including Wendy’s. Its patient menu includes high fat foods such as meatloaf with gravy.

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (Nashville, Tennessee) – Has 4 fast food outlets including Taco Bell and Pizza Hut Express. Its cafeteria features high fat foods such as cheese steak wrap and chicken-fried steak with cream gravy.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital – Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri) – Has 2 fast food outlets including Pizza Hut. Its patient menu has fatty foods including sausage, bacon, ham and roast beef with gravy.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – This hospital has a McDonald’s on the first floor. The patient menu features pizza and hot dogs.

Riley Hospital for Children (Indianapolis, Indiana) – This hospital also has a McDonald’s while it’s patient menu features sausage, bacon, and corn dogs.

ADHD By the Numbers

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Nearly 20% (1 in 5) of high school age boys in the United States and 11% of school aged children overall have received a medical diagnosis of ADHD according to new data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These rates reflect a marked rise over the last decade. Check back tomorrow for the surprising statistics.

Controversy At Newton South High School

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Newton South High School in Newton, MA graduates have run into a major problem in their freshman year of college. Some students have been deemed ineligible to play college Division 1 or Division 2 sports based on courses already taken at Newton South High School. The NCAA, the governing body of collegiate athletics determined that incoming college freshman who had taken certain Curriculum 2 classes from Newton South High School were ineligible to play college sports. Curriculum 2 classes are taught at a slower pace than Curriculum 1 and Honors level classes.

The NCAA decision is part of their effort to ensure that incoming athletes are academically ready for college. What is even more shocking is that many other high schools throughout America also offer Curriculum 2 classes that the NCAA have approved. In fact even Newton North High School’s Curriculum 2 classes are NCAA approved.

The problem with Newton South’s curriculum came to light last summer when the NCAA deemed a graduate who wanted to play baseball at he the University of Massachusetts Amherst ineligible. He had taken some Curriculum 2 classes. Newton South High School is currently appealing the NCAA decision. Since last summer, Newton South has been able to persuade the NCAA to accept Curriculum 2 classes in math and Spanish. English, science and history classes taught at that level are still ineligible and under appeal.

New School Lunch Rules: Students Fight Back

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Most schools comply with the new low calorie limits (650 – 850 depending on grade level) by giving out smaller portions. Kids complain that after they eat lunch, they are not full. As a result of schools putting caloric limits on school lunches, some students have started to protest. Students in Kansas made a spoof video on YouTube called “We Are Hungry”. Many Wisconsin students boycotted school lunches and started to bring in food from home.

With a high school calorie limit of 850, they are not taking into account a student’s weight. For example an 85 lb freshman and 280 lb senior each get the same portions by law. Some students have to purchase 2 meals just to get full. To get the equivalent of the amount of lunch kids got last year, they would have to spend about $6 – $7 now.

These smaller lunch portions were created with the assumption that all students are getting a full and filling breakfast at home before school. Unfortunately in the real world this does not always happen. For some students this scaled back lunch is often the main meal they rely on to get them through the rest of the day. In fact this meal is supposed to hold athletes over until their late night dinner after sports.

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