(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA) - By Carrie Goux For NewsUSA, With the final bell of the 2021-2022 school year fast approaching, now is the time for families to reflect upon their child's year. Whether it be the formation of new friendships, celebrating academic breakthroughs, or navigating the emotions of another pandemic year, no two families' experiences are the same.

That's why GreatSchools.org, the nation's leading provider of school information for K-12 families, wants to make sure your experience is captured -- in your own words. In only a few minutes, parents can leave an anonymous review on their school's GreatSchools profile to share their thoughts on family engagement, teachers, learning, physical and emotional safety, and more!

We know that parents wear many hats, and finding even just a few extra moments in the day can be challenging. But sharing your school experience matters, and can really make a difference for others in your community. Here's why:

1. Helps fellow parents

When you write a review of your child's school, you're offering other parents something that numbers alone can't provide: your personal experience as a member of a community. When Ronnie Hines, a Black mother in Los Angeles, was searching for a middle school for her daughter in a community where few others looked like her, she wanted to find a school climate that would be welcoming. Reading reviews from parents of shared identities helped Ronnie visualize what peer-to-peer and parent-to-staff interactions might be like at different schools, and whether those environments would help her daughter succeed.

2. Elevates your voice

Your experience can be powerful -- if given the right opportunity to share it. Leaving a review provides a platform to share your thoughts with the K-12 schools, K-12, in a respectful way. Does the school's curriculum affirm your child's culture and identity? Are your child's special education needs being met? Are you a military family that has attended many different schools across the country? Your unique story could be the catalyst for improvements that will benefit other students for years to come.

3. Fosters trust between home and school

Principals and administrators use their GreatSchools.org profiles to share details about their school culture, programs, and policies. The reviews section is an important part of the overall story of the school, offering a safe, trusted way for parents to anonymously share feedback with the school. Whether it's highlighting an experience with caring, hard-working teachers or providing honest feedback that will help make the school better for all children, reviews foster a deeper home-school connection as leaders can incorporate key learnings into their school celebrations and improvement plans.

According to the National PTA and Learning Heroes, 67 percent of parents feel more connected to their child's day-to-day education than ever before. Now is the perfect time to leverage that connection and share your experience with others in your community. We've compiled some of our best tips to support you in writing a review that is honest, transparent, and thorough. Make your voice heard today!

Carrie Goux is the Executive Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs at GreatSchools.org.

(NewsUSA) - Although COVID-19 continues to grab the health headlines, women in particular should not lose sight of a chronic problem -- heart disease.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, but many women, whether they are wives, mothers, CEOs, or all of the above, tend to put others' health and well-being ahead of their own, and may ignore symptoms. Symptoms of this disease are often different for women than men, so women may not know what to look for.

According to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely than men to report heart attack symptoms that are not related to chest pain, including shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, pain in one or both arms, unusual tiredness, and indigestion. These symptoms are easily missed, as most people associate heart attacks with crushing chest pain.

Younger women may be surprised to learn that they are at risk as well.

Women younger than 65 years, need to know the risk factors, too, especially those with a family history of heart disease, according to Dr. Neschochi Okeke, MD, a practicing physician in New York City and an expert in women's health.

"Being aware of their unique heart disease symptoms is the first step towards prevention," says Dr. Okeke. Once women know the risks, they can continue to reduce them by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and taking medications as prescribed.

Women also may benefit from supplements designed to support heart health, especially the ingredient citrus bergamot, which has been shown in 17 clinical trials to support heart health. Not all bergamot is the same, so women should be sure they are getting the highest quality bergamot -- citrus bergamot -- in health products.

Grown only in a small valley in Italy, citrus bergamot is different from the bergamot that many people associate with licorice candy or Earl Grey tea. In fact, citrus bergamot can help promote and maintain healthy arteries and healthy cholesterol levels, both of which can reduce a woman's risk of heart disease.

"Complementary support is critical these days as part of any woman's journey to overall health and well-being, especially as people recognize the importance of a strong immune system, " says Dr. James Rouse, a naturopathic family doctor and consultant to BergametNA, a producer of natural supplements featuring citrus bergamot.

The HerHeart supplement product for women from BergametNA contains Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™, a unique high-quality citrus bergamot with a 47% BPF (bergamot polyphenol fraction) concentration (the highest available in North America and exclusive to BergametNA), along with other ingredients, damiana and MACA (also known as Peruvian Gold) that have been shown to help support overall health. HerHeart also supports women's health by promoting balanced hormones, which can help ease a range of menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, irregular metabolism, and low energy.

Visit tryherheart.com for more information about the supplement, and visit Bergametna.com or call 1-855-556-2131 for more details about other Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™ products for better health. The BergametNA stock symbol is HYEX.

(NewsUSA) - As we celebrate Women's History Month, we take time to reflect on the important contributions women of different backgrounds have made to our country and on the importance of diversity and inclusion in our communities and economy.

We should also celebrate the women serving their communities as financial planners and emphasize that gender diversity and inclusion in the financial planning profession is very good for business.

Attracting and retaining an inclusive, gender-diverse financial planner workforce that better reflects the United States population's shifting demographics has been a central, profession-wide focus in recent years, particularly following the 2015 launch of the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning. The Center is driven to create a more diverse and sustainable financial planning profession, working to provide financial planning advice to all Americans who need it -- regardless of their background or personal financial situation.

Here are some reasons why women benefit from financial planning and why more women need to become financial planners:

• Financial planning helps women achieve their financial goals. Talking to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional is a smart investment for women at any stage of life. If you are just beginning your career, a financial planner can help with paying your bills, managing debt and saving for your future. As you get older and your financial life becomes more complicated, a financial planner can help you determine your financial priorities and juggle competing needs. Whether buying a house, navigating a career transition, saving for your kids' education, or enjoying a fulfilling retirement, a sound financial plan grows with you and can be adjusted as your needs and goals change.
• Financial planning gives women confidence. All women should have access to a competent, ethical financial planner who can provide guidance for making complicated financial decisions, so you can have less stress, more confidence and more time to focus on other things. No matter who you are, financial planning can provide financial security for you and your family.
• Financial planning should reflect women's increased buying power. Women are an increasingly important demographic for the financial services industry. They compose 51 percent of the U.S. population, and not only outnumber men in graduating from college, but also represent the majority of the workforce. Women now have increased buying power and make most consumer purchasing decisions for their families. Additionally, the economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of competent, ethical financial planning.

Women today recognize the need for financial advice and the benefits of working with a CFP® professional. This need will go unmet unless the population of CFP® professionals more closely reflects the demographics of the public they serve.

We are making progress. By the end of 2020, the number of female CFP® professionals increased to an all-time high of 20,633 - 23.3 percent of all CFP® professionals -- reflecting growth of 3.1 percent since 2019. It's a significant milestone, but we will continue to work hard to achieve gender diversity and inclusion in the financial planning profession.

To find a CFP® professional near you, visit letsmakeaplan.org today to get started.

Jocelyn D. Wright, CFP® is special advisor for gender diversity for the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning.

­­­­(NU) 

“The Beirut Protocol ”
by Joel C. Rosenberg

Trapped behind enemy lines. Brutally tortured and threatened with death. And the worst is yet to come. Special agent Marcus Ryker has spent his whole life protecting others, but this time his own life is in danger.

When a routine advance trip along the Israeli-Lebanese border goes wrong, American operatives are ambushed and captured by a rogue Hezbollah special forces team. If Marcus and his colleagues are tortured and executed on live television, the president will have to enter another war he likely can't win.

Marcus faces a life-or-death battle, and the odds of survival are narrowing. Escape seems impossible. Rescue is a fading hope. This is the CIA’s most valuable operative as you have never seen him before. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35Po5Ci.

“First Dog on Earth”
by  Irv Weinberg

“Heartwarming story about relationships among people and dogs.”

At the dawn of civilization, a wolf dog befriends an old hunter and revives his alpha powers among his human tribe. Together with the animal’s pack, they discover a new way of life -- a shared odyssey of survival and trust that grows into the most successful partnership the Earth has ever known, changing dogs and humans forever.

This is the poetic story of how civilization progresses all because of the abilities the dogs bring the tribe. How does the greatest love story in history begin? With a leap into the unknown. “Like no other book you've read!” Purchase at http://amzn.to/38pfW8j.

“How to Train Your Hooman: A Field Guide”
by  Gwen Romack

This is the lighthearted and funny read we so desperately need in these not-so-light-hearted times – and the perfect Mother’s Day gift for those dog-loving moms. 

Follow this unique story told by an extraordinary dog, Finn. He’s irreverent, funny, and full of sass. Based on his real life, join Finn as he issues weekly reports back to K9 Rescue Headquarters on the strange behaviors and rituals of his rescue-“hoomans.”

With sarcastic wit, he observes the curious world around him, heroically saves his unwitting hoomans from dangers (see also: evil electric toothbrush), and shares his musings about the often-lackluster level of service he feels he receives. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3bzqKDV.

“Waxing Pathetic ”
by M. B. Clark

Waxing Pathetic is a sardonic, often hilarious, raging stream of consciousness from one mad American woman. From the pathetic to the political, the lunatic to the poetic, Clark's memoir is a masterwork of dry wit and piercing observation. 

From Been Down This Road, where she relates her high school dating history, to This is Real...and Surreal, where she takes down some pathetic politics, Clark merges real events with dream-state fiction that evokes deeper truths hidden in memories. Waxing Pathetic will leave you breathless as you are taken down roads not taken by most American women. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3aTrCT3.

NOTE:BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Warm up with Lifetime's winter slate of hot stories featuring several of pop culture's most iconic women: Salt-N-Pepa, Wendy Williams, and Whitney Houston.

The programming kicks off on January 23 at 8 pm ET/PT with "Salt-N-Pepa," a three-hour Lifetime original movie about the groundbreaking hip-hop duo, starting with their days as students at Queensborough Community College and their first recording experiences.

The story details the duo's unprecedented success as the first female rap group to go platinum, and features several of the duo's hits, including "Let's Talk About Sex," "What a Man," "Shoop," and "Push It."

The movie also explores Salt-N-Pepa's impact on hip-hop culture, with their frank lyrics about men and sex that paved the way for future female rappers. The movie stars GG Townson as Cheryl "Salt" James and Laila Odom as Sandra "Pepa" Denton.

Following the movie, the Emmy® and NAACP award-winning Loni Love hosts a documentary, "Let's Talk About Salt-N-Pepa," featuring exclusive interviews with Salt and Pepa about what makes their partnership work, and their ongoing influence on the music world.

Next up, on January 30, "Wendy Williams: The Movie" airs as the first biopic about Wendy Williams, outspoken television host and self-proclaimed "Queen of all Media."

Executive produced by Wendy Williams, the movie tells the story of her career path from her early days as an urban radio host and how she overcame obstacles both personal and professional to achieve her goal of having her own syndicated talk show. Despite all the naysayers and obstacles Wendy encountered throughout her life, her strength and determination have allowed her to thrive. Ciera Payton plays Wendy Williams, joined by Morocco Omari as Wendy's ex-husband, Kevin Hunter.

The film is followed by the documentar "Wendy Williams: What a Mess!" in which Ms. Williams gives a raw and emotional interview.

Finally, "Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn't We Almost Have it All," a two-hour documentary scheduled for February 6, explores the emotional story of Whitney Houston and her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and their parallel stories, including the pressures of life in the spotlight and struggles with drugs and alcohol.

The program includes conversations with friends and family for a candid look at the ups and downs of the lives of this famous mother and daughter.

Visit mylifetime.com for more about Lifetime's winter programming and other events.

(NU) 

“The Beirut Protocol ”
by Joel C. Rosenberg

  Trapped behind enemy lines. Brutally tortured and threatened with death. And the worst is yet to come. Special agent Marcus Ryker has spent his whole life protecting others, but this time his own life is in danger.

  When a routine advance trip along the Israeli-Lebanese border goes wrong, American operatives are ambushed and captured by a rogue Hezbollah special forces team. If Marcus and his colleagues are tortured and executed on live television, the president will have to enter another war he likely can't win.

Marcus faces a life-or-death battle, and the odds of survival are narrowing. Escape seems impossible. Rescue is a fading hope. This is the CIA’s most valuable operative as you have never seen him before. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35Po5Ci.

“First Dog on Earth”
by  Irv Weinberg

  “Heartwarming story about relationships among people and dogs.”

  At the dawn of civilization, a wolf dog befriends an old hunter and revives his alpha powers among his human tribe. Together with the animal’s pack, they discover a new way of life -- a shared odyssey of survival and trust that grows into the most successful partnership the Earth has ever known, changing dogs and humans forever.

  This is the poetic story of how civilization progresses all because of the abilities the dogs bring the tribe. How does the greatest love story in history begin? With a leap into the unknown. “Like no other book you've read!” Purchase at http://amzn.to/38pfW8j.

“How to Train Your Hooman: A Field Guide”
by  Gwen Romack

   This is the lighthearted and funny read we so desperately need in these not-so-light-hearted times – and the perfect Mother’s Day gift for those dog-loving moms. 

  Follow this unique story told by an extraordinary dog, Finn. He’s irreverent, funny, and full of sass. Based on his real life, join Finn as he issues weekly reports back to K9 Rescue Headquarters on the strange behaviors and rituals of his rescue-“hoomans.”

  With sarcastic wit, he observes the curious world around him, heroically saves his unwitting hoomans from dangers (see also: evil electric toothbrush), and shares his musings about the often-lackluster level of service he feels he receives. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3bzqKDV.

“Waxing Pathetic ”
by M. B. Clark

  Waxing Pathetic is a sardonic, often hilarious, raging stream of consciousness from one mad American woman. From the pathetic to the political, the lunatic to the poetic, Clark's memoir is a masterwork of dry wit and piercing observation. 

  From Been Down This Road, where she relates her high school dating history, to This is Real...and Surreal, where she takes down some pathetic politics, Clark merges real events with dream-state fiction that evokes deeper truths hidden in memories. Waxing Pathetic will leave you breathless as you are taken down roads not taken by most American women. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3aTrCT3.

NOTE:BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to keep many children out of preschool nationwide, due to school closures or to parents' concerns about sending their children to the in-person learning options that are available.

These children, who are not attending preschool, will enter kindergarten next year without the benefits of a formal education experience and lacking the foundational skills that promote success in school. In Texas, for example, data show that pre-kindergarten enrollment is down by 8 to 12 percent, according to an October 5, 2020, article in the Dallas Morning News. It's a trend in many school districts around the country. An Education Week Research Center survey of nearly 500 district leaders and principals found more than half are seeing a decline in kindergarten enrollment.

The changing school environment has led to a re-assessment of how to provide essential early childhood education.

Learning Without Tears, an EdTech company that has provided pre-K writing and educational materials to parents and teachers for more than 30 years, has developed "Get Set for School" (GSS), an award-winning complete pre-kindergarten curriculum, to meet the needs of preschoolers in home-based, hybrid, and in-school learning environments.

The dual language English-Spanish program is designed to help preschool-aged children reach their important early learning milestones, while keeping them engaged and having fun. The program combines purposeful play, multimodal-multisensory activities, and digital apps and teaching tools.

"Pre-K should be fun and joyful while full of learning that results in children feeling confident about themselves and their abilities," says Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt, an early childhood expert at the center of GSS.

Get Set for School stands out from other preschool programs in part because it is truly age-appropriate, says Dr. DeWitt. "GSS is unique because we go beyond other Pre-K curricula with our research-based focus on the fine motor development of young children," she explains.

"The children build and form letters based on the development of writing strokes and use a different manipulative daily while learning each letter as they progress from building to writing before they are expected or asked to write on paper." Readiness & Writing, an element of GSS, addresses any weakness in writing letters and numbers, alphabet knowledge, as well as connecting printed numbers to quantities.

In addition, the program's interactive Sound Around Letters app allows children to identify, match, and say capital and lowercase letters and receive instant feedback to promote progress and boost confidence. Multi-modality resources allow children with different learning styles to use an engaging animated touch screen to learn number and letter formations.

"We are more committed than ever to ensuring that children are learning whether they are in the classroom or at home," Dr. DeWitt emphasizes. "To equip and support parents and teachers, we have added more videos and distance learning resources to assist with using our unique and exclusive materials in any setting.

Visit LWTears.com for more information about Get Set for School and Readiness & Writing.

(NewsUSA) - Now more than ever, we worry about maintaining our good health, and we are especially concerned about having a strong immune system that can take on all types of infections.

TheraBreath, the world's leading dentist-founded oral health care brand, feels the same way. With their brand-new product, TheraBreath Immunity Support Oral Spray, they are doing their part to provide a quick and easy way for everyone-young and old -- to keep their immune systems working at their best.

TheraBreath Immunity Support Oral Spray is especially powerful because it helps boost your immunity in several ways. It contains extracts from acerola (a form of cherry) and also elderberry. Both of these fruits have strong antioxidant properties and are often used in immunity-boosting products. Elderberry in particular has a long history of use in health and healing going back to ancient Greek times.

"Our TheraBreath Immunity Support Oral Spray Supplement is an easy and tasty way to get the benefits of a multi-vitamin supplement and boost your immune system against the cold, the flu, and other airborne infections," says CEO and founder, Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist with an additional degree in bacteriology.

The spray also contains vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper. This combination of infection-fighters lines up to help muster your body's best natural defenses against illness. The spray contains no artificial colors or dyes, and it is certified vegan and gluten-free, as well as NSF certified, with a cherry lemonade flavor that appeals to all ages.

Use TheraBreath Immunity Support Oral Spray as needed throughout the day. The small bottle is easy to tuck into a purse, pocket, or backpack, so it is easy to stay healthy on the go as you resume activities.

Everyone has come to appreciate just how important it is to have a healthy immune system, not only in the winter months, but all year round, whether you are going to work, going to school, or just going to the grocery store. Airborne infections are always with us, but keeping a science-based, immune-strengthening product in your personal health toolkit can help keep you and your family safe and well.

Visit TheraBreath.com for more information about TheraBreath Immunity Support Oral Spray and other products in the TheraBreath family of oral health care. All TheraBreath products come with a money-back guarantee.

(NewsUSA) - The COVID-19 pandemic and historically low mortgage interest rates have caused a flurry of home buying across the United States. Families are searching for more flexible work or learning spaces, larger homes and spacious yards for cooped up kids.

For those just getting started, an Arizona-based real estate rewards and referral network company, RBN (Real Buyer Network), offers homebuyers added value to their purchase through its relationship with American Express.

Here's how it works: Homebuyers use an RBN participating agent for their home purchase and they can earn American Express Membership Rewards® points up to the purchase price of the home.

Larry and Myra of North Carolina recently earned more than 500,000 reward points with RBN. "We enrolled with RBN and were put in touch with Thomas Wohl, Broker, Realtor and it's probably the best decision we ever made. Thomas was not just interested in us buying a house, but rather we bought the RIGHT house for us." The home purchase itself follows the traditional real estate process of cash or mortgage financing.

Founder Kipp Lassetter says, before prospective homebuyers get started, before touring any homes, before interviewing any other agents or doing anything in the home buying process, they need to visit RBN's site.

"Choose from the most qualified participating agents, buy their home through the traditional real estate process and earn rewards. Using an RBN participating agent is a no-brainer."

Lassetter was inspired to found RBN after his own home buying experience, in which he struggled to find a real estate agent with expertise in local neighborhoods and a willingness to go the extra mile on service and support.

RBN fills this niche by partnering with the best local agents and rewarding homebuyers for selecting these agents.

"Each participating agent endures a rigorous vetting process that includes a one-on-one interview and review of sales performance," Lassetter says.

Home purchasers have already earned millions of rewards points using RBN participating real estate agents. If you don't have an existing American Express account, don't worry. The RBN virtual wallet tracks and maintains your points until you connect to an eligible account.

Visit joinrbn.com for more information and to connect with an RBN participating real estate agent in your area.

(NewsUSA) -Students and educators alike have been facing increased hardship this school year, navigating hybrid and remote learning environments while balancing schoolwork and other priorities. While individuals of all ages struggle with stress, research shows that teenagers are experiencing more anxiety than other age groups due to the pandemic.

Even before COVID-19, many teens experienced difficulty coping with academic stress, which is now compounded by missing a year of critical developmental socialization. As a result, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 63% of young adults have reported feelings of anxiety and depression in the wake of COVID-19.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year the social-emotional wellness of America's youth has taken on even more importance. Hoping to reach those searching for guidance and needing a place to start, people across the country are sharing resources promoting self-care and wellness tips. In our classrooms, many educators are looking to provide support to their students as children and teens urgently seek resources to better cope with and understand their emotions.

Fortunately, there are proven programs and resources available to improve lifelong social and emotional well-being. One noteworthy nationwide initiative called "Life's Good: Experience Happiness" promotes social-emotional wellness and mental health education in youth. This science-based program is built on six teachable skills that can help individuals overcome adversity and build emotional resilience, according to John I. Taylor, senior vice president at LG USA, the lead sponsor of Experience Happiness.

Developed by researchers at The University of California, Berkeley, the skills are: mindfulness, human connection, positive outlook, purpose, generosity and gratitude. "To help bring these life-changing skills to America's youth, we worked with leading non-profits and educators," says Taylor. "And we're pleased to see positive results. Whether they experience social-emotional learning at school or at home, students who practice happiness skills are better able to cope with stress and demonstrate better behavior towards their work, their peers and their teachers."

The Experience Happiness program is available through digital, downloadable resources that help individuals develop tools for better lifelong wellness. Its social impact partners -- Be Strong, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), Discovery Education, Inner Explorer, and The Greater Good Science Center -- and LG recognize the importance and urgency of delivering these resources. In fact, thanks to outstanding educators championing social-emotional learning, more than 4 million students across the country have already been taught these lifelong skills.

"In this unprecedented school year, it's essential to connect communities to resources that support all students in learning and practicing the necessary skills to build happiness in any learning environment," says Beth Meyer, Vice President of Corporate & Community Partnerships at Discovery Education. "Helping students cultivate self-confidence, manage stress and maintain their well-being so they can thrive has never been more critical."

On the front lines in today's youth mental health crisis are educators who embrace social-emotional learning as a vital part of their curriculum. In honor of their unparalleled impact in providing mental health tools to students, 50 "Superhero Teachers" across the United States were recognized this spring for their dedication to teaching the six sustainable happiness skills and going above and beyond to support their students especially during these challenging times.

"Teachers across the country are championing the use of practices such as mindfulness in the classroom, which remains instrumental in supporting students' ongoing mental health and wellbeing," adds Laura Bakosh, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Inner Explorer. "The LG Experience Happiness program will continue to be pivotal in helping reach more youth and educators with these skills."

Looking ahead, these students will have the tools to manage and improve their emotions as they grow into responsible, motivated, self-aware and (of course) happier adults. For more information, visit lgexperiencehappiness.com.