graphing calculator

Scientific or graphing calculator? What students should purchase?

As your kids get older and get older, the list of school supplies will likely get shorter, but not necessarily cheaper.

One thing that can trigger sticker shock to parents of middle and high school students is a special calculator. Some schools prefer that students have their own handheld scientific calculator. In the most rigorous math classes, such as AP Calculus, a graphing calculator may be required.

But, what's the difference? A scientific calculator is able to perform functions beyond subtraction, addition, multiplication and division. A scientific calculator generally has buttons specifically designed for parentheses, trigonometric calculations, exponents pi, and inverses -- as well as other functions.

A graphing calculator does even more. It'll feature a larger screen that allows you to input a function and then look at a graph of it.

Best buy's Geek Squad agent Derek Meister states that scientific calculatorscan run anywhere from $10 to $60. Calculators that graph are generally priced more, typically between $80 and $150.Should back to school students buy technological or graphing calculators? (KOMO News)

But, Best Buy says you may not have to purchase a device and recommends talking to your school first.

Harmony Weinberg, Edmonds School District's media and public relations supervisor Harmony Weinberg, Edmonds School District's media and public relations supervisor, tell KOMO News each individual school is responsible for its own policy.

"For higher level classes, like AP Calculus, it is often expected that students have a handheld graphing calculator, such as TI-83, TI-84 or TI-89."

These kinds of calculators are ideal for AP tests. Weinberg is also of the opinion that schools have a system in place for students to borrow calculators just like they check out texts if they are unable to or don't want to buy their own.

Within the Edmonds school district the calculators are managed in a similar way to textbooks, namely, they are not subject to loss or damage, but aren't charged to use.

Another option could have a laptop from their school. Weinberg says at Edmonds "all students have access to scientific and graphing calculators through their district-issued Chromebook." The district also encourages teachers and teachers to use Desmos online calculators as they are utilized in state-wide assessments and also on state assessments.

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West Seattle family says school quarantine policies skewed against unvaccinated

written by Joel Moreno, KOMO News reporterSaturday, September 18th 2021

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.485.1_en.html#goog_1206168445Volume 90% Denny International Middle School.

SEATTLE A family from West Seattle say their young son was told to stay home after they came in contact with an individual who was positive for COVID-19, prompting his family members to assert that he was singled out and being treated differently by school district officials since the child was not vaccine-free..

In the last week, the 12 year old student attending Denny International Middle School was exposed to an individual in the class who was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Officials at his school instructed him to remain home for two weeks since the vaccine he received was not up to date.

His family members said they've learned that if he had been vaccinated, the 7th grader would not be forced to miss class as when he didn't exhibit symptoms of the virus.

"My kid has no symptoms," stated Jeremy Gollyhorn, the boy's father. "He's totally healthy. Why is it that he doesn't get an unfavorable COVID test and go back to class?"

Gollyhorn stated that his son is being kept to a higher standard than other students who've received their shots, and even should he fail a COVID-19 test, he wouldn't be allowed back to school after the two week quarantine has ended.

However, those close to them that are fully immunized and have no symptoms do not require to stay in quarantine. They can go back to classes, although they are advised to be tested within three or five days after to confirm.

Gollyhorn said it makes no sense.

"Vaccinated people can still spread COVID too so what's the difference there?" he said.

A spokesperson confirmed that Seattle Public Schools is following guidelines on public health that are set by the state.

Gollyhorn has said that the policy deprives people of their choices. Gollyhorn also stated that his family doesn't believe in vaccines and such situations can only motivate him to fight back.

Since Seattle Public Schools started the school year on September. 1st, the district has confirmed 117 positive cases of COVID-19 and Denny International Middle School has reported four positive cases over the same time.

It's unclear how many faculty and students have been told to remain in quarantine because of exposures. But, these absences are considered excused.