Friday, April 19, 2024

News on the Week [Reading Log]

Day 1

Monday

Date : 8 April 2024

Time

05.30 – 06.05 AM

Title

1. Officials say FAFSA fixes are coming. For many students, it’s too late.

2. Kansas considers fining public universities for diversity programs

3. This Georgia charter school focuses on teaching the 'whole child' with a modern approach

Sources

NBC News

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/fafsa-chaos-college-applicants-are-navigating-financial-uncertainty-rcna145367

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/kansas-considers-fining-public-universities-diversity-programs-rcna144506

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/miles-ahead-charter-school-georgia-rcna140811

Newsworthy event (Main event)

1.   Millions of people are waiting for extended college financial aid, but some are already facing difficult decisions to secure housing on campus, positions on sports teams, and household budgets. Six months was not how Bricelyn Harrelson intended to spend applying to colleges.

2.  The fact that state lawmakers are unable to agree on a definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the bill's deliberations could jeopardize certain campus services should the legislation succeed.

3.  Kolt Bloxson's school with unique classrooms, flexibility for teachers and a cleverly named bus aims to be a model for other schools.

Background event (Elaboration)

1.   Millions of college students are experiencing delays in their application process due to the botched overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The bureaucratic process has caused many students to make tough choices to secure campus housing, sports teams, and household budgets. The Department of Education has been clearing a backlog since mid-March, but many universities have pushed back accepted students' decision deadlines. Some college athletes' families have begun planning for financial fallout rather than waiting for aid information. Olivia Maynard Payne, an Advanced Placement student, has applied to Mercer University, the University of Rochester, and Massachusetts' Wellesley College, but all are out of budget.

2.   Kansas lawmakers are attempting to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but cannot agree on how to define these terms. The Kansas House is set to vote on a bill preventing universities from basing student admission or employee hiring on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity, or inclusion. The Senate approved a $25 billion state budget with provisions to force universities to eliminate requirements and mandatory DEI training. Over 30 states have introduced bills banning or limiting DEI initiatives.

3.  Miles Ahead, a tuition-free charter school for kindergarten through eighth grade, opened on Aug. 2, 2023, with 14 teachers, eight staff members, and 195 students. The school aims to teach students the High Five Habits, which include kindness, integrity, determination, compassion, and wonder. Students can also take STEAM courses during "Instructional Day," taught by specialists. Effective teachers must have a love and advocacy for kids, making a connection with their homes and interests in their needs as people.

New Vocabularies found

Tough

Snags

Eyeing

Tuition

Backlog

Disrupted

Shelving

Sophomore

Loans

Grants

Equity

Pledge

Enacted

Hew

Attorney

Adhere

Wrestled

Refurbished

Zeal

Underserved

Dwindling

Feasible

Antiquated

Acumen

Relentless

Comments

School is the most important place that supports the development and growth of the young generation. Development in infrastructure and internally needs to be encouraged through the support of all parties: people's aspirations, government efforts and structured funds.


Day 2

Tuesday

Date : 16 April 2024

Time

04.05 – 04.32 PM

Title

1. The next generation of influencers are here. And they’re less than 10 years old.

2. Child Marriage: Far Cry from Happily Ever After

3. Israel-Iran Conflict: See analysts predictions on potential retaliation and Middle East fallout

Sources

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/gen-alpha-influencers-parents-face-backlash-rcna136650

https://www.ourbetterworld.org/series/women-empowerment/story/child-marriage-far-cry-from-happily-after

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-attack-israel-israel-war-gaza-hamas-drone-missile-rcna147784

Newsworthy event (Main event)

1.    A new wave of influencers from Gen Alpha — kids born between 2010 and 2024 — are building followings online for videos posted on their parent-run accounts.

2.   Over 100 million girls at risk of child marriage over the next ten years. For non-governmental organization, Aangan Trust, this is the adage that guides their work in building communities which protect children from trafficking, child marriage, hazardous work, violence, and exploitation.

3.   Analysts have warned that if Israel decides to hit back hard, it could plunge the wider Middle East into war.

Background event (Elaboration)

1.    Kansas lawmakers are attempting to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but cannot agree on how to define these terms. The Kansas House is set to vote on a bill preventing universities from basing student admission or employee hiring on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity, or inclusion. The Senate approved a $25 billion state budget with provisions to force universities to eliminate requirements and mandatory DEI training. Over 30 states have introduced bills banning or limiting DEI initiatives.

2.   NGO Aangan Trust’s mission is to keep India’s children safe. Amongst many threats that jeopardise children’s safety, one of the issues they work on is preventing child marriages. Together with a collaborative network of schools, the police and village heads, the organisation empowers women volunteers to lead this movement. By training women to engage with their communities, Aangan Trust has created a strong foundation of trust within the network. These skilled and steadfast women help to protect these children and also inspire hope within their communities.

3.   The conflict between Israel and Iran, a long-standing rivalry since the Islamic Revolution, has been exposed through Tehran's retaliatory drone and missile strikes. Israel accuses Iran of funding terrorist organizations and proxies in the Middle East, and Iran targets Israel through its "Axis of Resistance." The war in Gaza and Israeli strike on Tehran have further escalated tensions.

New Vocabularies found

Scrutiny

Gig

Enshrine

Adage

Hazardous

Helming

Retaliation

Audacious

Imminent

Foes

Thwarted

Regime

Comments

The world develops like humans. These changes need to be responded to wisely because sometimes they occur beyond human common sense. How innovation occurs as a positive transition in each generation and how conflict arises in generating critical attitudes and public decisions. Efforts to handle the above conflicts are certainly not easy. Even though we are far away and not involved, is it possible for our souls to understand knowing that? Boycott and donate, whatever small effort you can make. Also take the time to give your greatest help, with prayer.


Day 3

Thursday

Date : 18 April 2024

Time

10.45 – 10.55 PM 

Title

1. Mt Ruang eruption survivors need mats, blankets, tents: BNPB

2. Ministry devises road map for smart government system in Nusantara

3. Dengue fever deaths in Indonesia up 179 percent

Sources

ANTARA News

https://en.antaranews.com/news/311085/mt-ruang-eruption-survivors-need-mats-blankets-tents-bnpb   

https://en.antaranews.com/news/311091/ministry-devises-road-map-for-smart-government-system-in-nusantara

https://en.antaranews.com/news/310833/dengue-fever-deaths-in-indonesia-up-179-percent

Newsworthy event (Main event)

1. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported on Wednesday that over 800 villagers displaced by the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district, North Sulawesi, need mats, blankets, cleaning materials, and tents. Mount Ruang erupted on Tuesday around 7:19 p.m. local time.


2. Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan RB), Abdullah Azwar Anas, said on Wednesday that the road map for the "smart government" system in the new capital Nusantara (IKN) will run optimally.


3. Dengue fever cases this year also saw a significant increase, reaching 62,001 as of week 15 – a 174.9 percent jump from the 22,551 cases reported during the same period in 2023.


Background event (Elaboration)

1. According to the BNPB, the increase in volcanic activity on the volcano may have been triggered by the tectonic earthquake that jolted Doi Island in North Maluku. Taking note of the increasing volcanic activity, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) raised its alert status to Level III at 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The eruption not only displaced locals but also disrupted the communication network in Laingpatehi village, according to the BNPB. The Sitaro district government has declared an emergency status from April 16 to 29 to assist in disaster mitigation efforts.


2. In general, it has been adjusted to the transfer and placement of civil servants (ASNs) to IKN in the first five years of the transfer, or the 2024–2029 period. The ministry has prepared a recommendation for a plan to transfer ASNs to IKN. The Indonesian government is implementing a five-phase plan to improve government operations and support the president and vice president in Jakarta. The first phase involves moving work units, including Administrative Support Units (ASNs), to digital work patterns and flexible arrangements. The second phase involves implementing an office and service sharing system, with ASNs transferred into the second priority category. The final phase will focus on implementing smart government, with ASNs transferred into the third priority category. The government is also preparing for an agile smart government system.

3. The number of deaths from dengue fever in Indonesia this year has surged by 179.4 percent to 475 as of the 15th week, compared to 170 deaths recorded in the same  period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In the previous week, the ministry recorded that 455 lives were lost to the fever, and 60,296 cases were recorded. Despite the rise in cases, health officials urged the public to remain calm and emphasized the importance of maintaining both personal and environmental cleanliness to prevent the disease.

New Vocabularies found

Vessels

Surged

Comments

Apart from national development, we cannot ignore the disasters and natural conditions that befall us. All of this is a reminder that economic attention must always be accompanied by social attention, psychologically and biologically. May we all always be protected and protected from negative things.


Friday, April 5, 2024

Fable Story: Which Do You Like? [Reading Log]

PRE-READING

No.

Day

Titles

Why I am Interesting to Read

Questions Before I Read

1.

Tuesday

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

It has more comments than the other 5 stories in the page.

How exciting is that?

2.

The Ant and The Grasshopper

Seems interesting to read.

Is the story still same as what I’d known?

3.

Wednesday

The Miser

This is a strange title.

Miser, how it could be a fable story? Who will be the character?

4.

The Lion and The Mouse

First I saw picture of the story, what a cutie to look a lion and a mouse together, it seems like brother and lil sister.

Which story, huh, is this? Will I know the story?

5.

Thursday

The Fox, The Cock, and The Dog

I think it is a story that rarely known by us.

What happen between fox and dog? What about the cock then?

6.

The Milkmaid and Her Pail

I saw picture of the story that the pail was fell and broken.

What the message that contain in the story? Hmm…


READING REPORT

Day 1

Tuesday

Date : 26th March 2024

Time

11:43 - 11:45 AM

Title

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Sources

https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/BoyCri.shtml

Characters

A Shepherd-boy

Villagers

A flock of sheep

Wolf

Main points of the story

A shepherd boy lied to the villagers several times about the existence of the wolf; they just laughed about it. Until finally, when the wolf actually came and attacked a flock of sheep, the villagers no longer believed the boy. He cried upon seeing the wolf, who did not hesitate to tear the flock of sheep to pieces.

New vocabularies found

Shepherd

Flock

Rendered

Lacerated

 (Gembala)

 (Kawanan)

 (Diberikan)

 (Robek)

Comments

What a short story! And apparently I know this story as in Upin Ipin cartoon series. Reminds us to always speak honestly.

What I can get from the stories

Don’t ever be a liar; they won’t be believed after all the lies, even if you tell the truth anymore. 

Time

12:38 – 12:40 PM

Title

The Ant and The Grasshopper

Sources

https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/AntGra.shtml

Characters

A Grasshopper

An Ant

Main points of the story

A grasshopper was chirping and singing happily. Then an ant passed by, carrying some food. The ant claimed he was helping lay up food for the winter and invited him to do the same. However, the grasshopper refused and returned to singing. Sure enough, winter came. The grasshopper was hungry and found no food, while it saw the ants distributing corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.

New vocabularies found

Chirping

Toiling and Moiling

Plenty

 (Kicau)

 (Bekerja keras)

 (Banyak)

Comments

Sometimes, it also happens to me. This reflect most people which too enjoy their life while in easy situation. Well, don't put off work any longer, guys (even me). Don't want to be like the grasshopper, right?

What I can get from the stories

As the grasshopper said: It is best to prepare for days of need.


Day 2

Wednesday

Date : 27th March 2024

Time

08:11 - 08:13 AM

Title

The Lion and The Mouse

Sources

https://www.kids-pages.com/folders/stories/Aesops_Fables_2/page1.htm

Characters

A Lion and a Mouse

Main points of the story

A Mouse who repays a Lion's kindness. It happens when the Lion lets the Mouse go when it has awakened him from his sleep. Then the Mouse rescued the Lion from the hunter's bonds in return.

New vocabularies found

Plight

Gnawed

(keadaan buruk)

(digerogoti)

Comments

See? Doing even the smallest act of kindness will not be in vain. What a cute relationship between these two animals, since in size the two are so different.

What I can get from the stories

Don't hesitate to do a goodness, because your kindness will come back to help you.

Time

08:50 – 08:51 AM

Title

The Fox, The Cock, and The Dog

Sources

https://www.kids-pages.com/folders/stories/Aesops_Fables_2/page5.htm

Characters

The Fox, the Cock, also the Dog

Main points of the story

 

One day a Fox met a Cock and tried to trick him. He said that the king of the jungle declared freedom for all animals. But then the cock saw the dog coming from a distance and intended to convey this to him. When the fox found out about this, he was about to leave because he was afraid. From there, the cock knew that the fox was lying.

 

New vocabularies found

Prowling

Roosting

Truce

Dwell

Tidings

Craned

(Berkeliaran)

(Bertengger)

(Gencatan senjata)

(Tinggal)

(Kabar)

(Bangkit)

Comments

I found it a bit difficult to understand the story, but there are things I can learn. How do you think, guys?

What I can get from the stories

Cunning often outwits itself.

Time

05:45 - 05:47 PM

Title

The Milkmaid and Her Pail

Sources

https://www.kids-pages.com/folders/stories/Aesops_Fables_2/page8.htm

Characters

Patty (Milkmaid) and her Mother

Main points of the story

 

The Milkmaid going to the market while brought milk in her pail on her head. She mentioned all her dreams if the milk was sold. Her dream is that she wants to make her rival, Polly Shaw, jealous. Meanwhile Patty will just stare at her while being tossed to her. While demonstrating this, the pail of the milk on her head fell and broke. Finally he returned home and the dream was dashed.

New vocabularies found

Pail

Fowl

Parson

Dimity frock

Hatched

(Ember)

(Unggas)

(Pendeta)

(Rok keremangan)

(Menetas)

Comments

This story is so attractive. The message is trivial, it often happens.

What I can get from the stories

As Patty’s mother said, “Don’t count your chicken before they are hatched.” This can be mean we don’t have more expectation about something that happens yet.

Day 3

Thursday

Date : 28th March 2024

Time

1:47 - 1:50 PM

Title

The Miser

Sources

https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Mis.shtml

Characters

The Miser

Miser’s workmen

Miser’s neighbor

Main points of the story

 

The miser is known to bury gold in pits. One of his workers observed it and visited the hole. It turns out he found a lump of gold and stole it. The miser is sad and regrets it. A neighbor sees him and learns the cause. He tells the miser to pray and not to be sad. He also advised the miser to keep the stone in the hole and bury it again; at least that would make the miser calm down and forget about the gold. Because it was useless, he didn't make use of the gold.

New vocabularies found

Lump

Digging down

Lamentation

(Gumpalan)

(Menggali ke bawah)

(Ratapan)

Comments

What a loss that person would be. Wealth that should be useful will actually be in vain, unless he gives it up. This is not consist of animal characters like the mostly fable, but the lesson is very meaningful.

What I can get from the stories

In some of the wealth we own, other people have rights in them. Take advantage and be grateful for what you have, now and later.

Time

05:27 – 05:28 PM

Title

The Peacock’s Complaint

Sources

https://www.kids-pages.com/folders/stories/Aesops_Fables_2/page11.htm

Characters

A Peacock and a Fox

Main points of the story

The Peacock was sad because her voice as not beautiful as bird meanwhile she has a gorgeous feathers, fox tried to reassure her. Peacocks keep complaining that it doesn't matter if it has an unpleasant voice. Then the Fox tell her that everyone has their own special gift.

New vocabularies found

Moaned

Dishearted

Eloquent

(Mengerang)

(Kecewa)

(Fasih)

Comments

This great story should known by everyone to reach the big moral.

What I can get from the stories

Don’t be envy for other gift. Take yours and love them most.


News on the Week [Reading Log]

Day 1 Monday Date : 8 April 2024 Time 05.30 – 06.05 AM Title 1. Officials say FAFS...