Choices – creative writing

Life is full of choices. Kelly, my best friend, made many choices; life altering choices. It sculpted the rest of her entire life. I, Karmen, was standing by her. Whatever happened to her. She was the only girl I had ever known who had the ability to hurt me, make me cry, make me loathe her, but still deep down, let me love her. Of course in this day and age some mocked our friendship; perceived it as something more. However, only we knew what we meant to each other. She was my life; she was like a sister to me. Our friendship undeniably was not the easiest, but whose is? Despite all of this, I loved Kelly Mainers more than anything in my life. Let me start from the beginning. Seven years to the day, I met Kelly. It was a cloudless day, at the beginning of September, it was apparent by the looks on everyone's faces that none of us wanted to be there. The weather was showing no signs of cooling, so it felt like we were attending school in the middle of summer. I noticed this girl waving her parents good bye at the gates of Whitmore Girls. She had a thought provoking face. Long brown hair outlined her heart shaped face, and her vivid bright green eyes were the focus. She caught me staring and smiled, I did the same. We were eleven and young, fresh out of junior school, we just thought of each other as people to talk to. After a while our friendship deepened. We had instantly clicked. Neither of us had brothers or sisters, so we filled that void in each other's lives. We were mocked at school for constantly being together. No one would ever catch us without the other, and when they did, they knew something serious must be happening. The years passed, as we grew older, our friendship grew stronger. However, at around 15, gradually our personalities began to differ. Kelly was into boys, make-up and clothes, whereas I was into music, food and television. We still conversed, but the spark that we had encountered at the beginning of our friendship just was not there anymore. We did not feel the need to be around each other constantly. It was sad, and we both had noticed it, but we did not let it jeopardise the little communication we had left with each other. We both acquired more friends outside our own friendship, which in a way helped me, but not Kelly. Kelly's new friends influenced her in a way that I can only describe as detrimental. I was inclined to call them the â€Å"Shriek† crew, due to their incessant screeching whenever they spotted a member of the opposite sex. They turned Kelly into mini clones of themselves, which I am sure you can guess, was not a good thing. After much deliberation, one Saturday at the beginning of the summer holidays, 15 and free, I gave in and agreed to go out with Kelly. I usually tried to avoid doing this in case one of the â€Å"shriek† crew decided to tag along. After a long time, it was just the two of us. Looking back, it was the last time that Kelly and I had spent some real quality time together. We spent that whole afternoon just talking. We caught up on everything, I felt like I was getting to know her all over again. She had changed a lot, but deep down I knew she was still Kelly. The Kelly I ‘chose' to be my best friend all those years ago. I had had one of the best days of my life, so obviously something had to come and spoil it. Just our luck, it was Karl, Karl Daniels. It was obvious to anyone who laid their eyes on him that he was good looking. Consequently, this boy was classed as Whitmore Boys finest specimen. I can still recall the effect that Karl had on Kelly and me when we first saw him. We were walking and I noticed him first. I stopped dead in my tracks; he literally took my breath away, all clichis aside. He had an utterly captivating face. After this day, Karl became the focus of all our attention. He was the type of boy that girls lusted after and a select few actually got. Some spent their lives throwing themselves at him. I had personally fawned over Karl for quite some time. However, soon his effect on me died down. Kelly, on the other hand, had a completely different take on this. As she grew older, her lust for him grew stronger. It was seven o'clock, and Kelly and I were still out and about on our â€Å"Bonding Session† when Karl called out to us, â€Å"So, you two wana come my way? † I scowled quietly. Kelly, right on cue, giggled and tossed her hair. She had switched into flirting mode. â€Å"Hey Karl, you all right? † Kelly simpered, as a wide slow grin spread over her perfect features. â€Å"Uh-huh, so what you saying? You two guna come? It's this massive party down at my yard, love it if you could be there,† Karl replied. Blatantly he was only asking me to come along out of politeness. This was a regular occurrence: the guys chat Kelly up whilst I sit on the by lines watching, and assume the nickname ‘moody bitch'. Nothing new there. Kelly looked pleadingly at me, and I gave her one of my ‘don't even think of asking me, you know what my answer is, do what the hell you want' looks. She seemed displeased. â€Å"Karl, I'd love to come you know that, but it looks like my friend isn't in the party mood, and would rather I didn't go, sorry,† Kelly stated. My heart went out to her, she had fancied this boy for ages and she was doing this all for me. However, Karl, being a boy, persisted further, â€Å"What? She your mum now? Who says you have to go with her? You can come with me girl. Trust, you'll have fun with me too! † Karl responded winking at her. That small insignificant gesture made Kelly's mind up instantaneously. With a few rushed apologies she sauntered off, arms linked with the â€Å"sex god† of year 11. She had picked Karl over me, a twinge of pain swept through my body. I was aware she fancied him but she could have at least tried to persuade me to accompany her. Little did she know that going to the party would change the course of her whole life; she could do nothing to stop it. It was the first day back to school from the summer holidays. I was late, and was darting around trying to get to my new form room. I had not spoken to Kelly for four weeks since that day she chose Karl over me. Neither of us had bothered to pick up the phone to each other during this time. However, Kelly was the kind of girl I tended to call a sporadic caller, i. e. they only call when they want something! Personally, I thought it should be Kelly's duty to do this especially as she was the one that left me that serene Saturday. Things like this rarely traversed Kelly's mind. My mobile bleeped and said â€Å"four messages received†. All of them were from Kelly begging me to find her in the school toilets. As usual, Kelly called and I ran to her side. I made a slight detour on the way to my form room and found Kelly sitting on a toilet. The door was ajar, and I found Kelly crying hysterically. I was at a complete loss. I did not know what to do; why was she so upset? Kelly's sobbing ceased momentarily, whilst she urged herself to talk, â€Å"Karmen, I have something to tell you and please don't interrupt me for once, I just want to come out with it†¦ I'm pregnant. † I was gaping at her; it was like a bombshell. Kelly looked so vulnerable; I wanted to reach out and hug her. Suddenly something snapped in me; I could not put my finger on it but in a space of a second, everything had changed. Something was stopping me reaching out and touching my best friend. Why? She again burst into full-fledged tears and I just could not bring myself to console her, it was impossible. I tried to reach out and touch her arm but it was as if an invisible string was holding me back, making me keep my distance from her. I am not sure why this piece of news had such an effect on me. I think it was because deep down I wanted Kelly to realise for herself that the people that she hung out with were wrong for her. The old Kelly would not just up and leave and go out with a boy that she hardly knew. â€Å"The eyes are the windows to your soul,† Kelly had said to me five years ago. Until now, I had never understood what she meant, but she was right. When I was staring into her eyes, I could feel every facet of emotion she had in her. I was scared for Kelly. What would her destiny be 15 and expecting? â€Å"Whose baby is it then? † I asked, mentally running through the string of boys that we were acquainted with. Karl's,† she replied with a sniff. I studied her face intent on getting the truth, but Kelly made this task very easy for me – â€Å"Look Karmen, I don't see the point in being in denial, Karl raped me ok? I know what you're going to say ‘I told you, you shouldn't have gone with him in the first place blah blah blah'. I know i t was entirely my fault and I know you think it is to. We were making our way to the party and he was being so nice. Treating me well. Before I was drunk at the party, I didn't really know anyone, so I hung around with him. One thing led to another and was kissing him, nothing more. I went and hung out with some of the â€Å"shriek† crew and that was all right. Then a couple of hours later, Karl came up to me. His breath stank of alcohol and he tried to kiss me. I pushed him away. However, in the end I just could not help it, I liked him so much and I gave in to temptation. I was in his room and we were just talking,† Kelly again broke down into tears, I let her cry it out, but she started to talk again. â€Å"I am an idiot I was kinda drunk; I didn't even know what I was doing, let alone when, where and how. I doubt I even enjoyed it. I mean I liked him yeah, but not enough to do something like that with him. I don't know, I lost my virginity to him and I didn't even want to. He was so rough, and his eyes were evil. It was as if a different Karl had taken over. He wasn't the same sweet, innocent faced boy that I had fancied for so long. I am such a mess, and I am so sorry I didn't ring you. I did not know what to do with myself; I've been a nervous wreck. Seriously Karmen, as a mate, I need to know that you'll be here, right beside me. † What could I say? After hearing all that, the invisible string that was holding me back let go. Apart from anything else, I managed to give her some degree of solace. I doubt I alleviated any of her pain but I did my best. Something that really bugged me was the fact that she did not seem too bothered about Karl raping her. Rape, the dictionary defines it as a) if a man rapes a woman, he violently forces her to have sex with him against her will b) rape is the act or crime of raping a woman. The next day, Kelly talked for two hours straight, and I just listened. Listened to what she had to say and how she felt. It was her time and not mine. I came out of it feeling different. Different as in doubtful but not once did Kelly speak about how she had been violated by Karl. I thought a lot over the next few days. I recalled all the conversations that Kelly and I had had about Karl (which was quite a few). All the evidence pointed to the fact that Kelly wanted this to happen. Not that it was pre-meditated or anything, more that she wasn't bothered about the fact that she had been violated and her virginity had been lost to a terrible crime like rape. It would make sense, I mean she had always fancied him, and I was positive that her feelings for him were more physical than anything else. She was not so much upset about the fact that he raped her, more the fact that she was pregnant. I mean obviously the suspicions that I had were not rock solid, but they felt right. A few months passed, I consciously distanced myself from Kelly. Not that she had noticed, of course. She got a lot of teasing when her bump started to become prominent, but those people soon refrained from this when she began coming out with her version of the ‘truth'. She was basking in the glory of being one of the only girls to lose their virginity in year 11. However, what she called basking, I called bragging. She was bragging that she had had sex with Karl. What was she? Did she not realise what she was saying? I only caught snippets of her conversations but I was quite sure what I had heard was true. Kelly was claiming to the rest of the class that Karl did not rape her, but that she was the consenting party in this. This just consolidated my suspicions. My best friend was a liar. â€Å"Yeah, I know. He looked too buff that night. He was so sweet. I'm glad my first time was with him,† I heard Kelly say. Since when had rapists been sweet? It was not that I was eavesdropping; more determination determined to unveil the truth. â€Å"Seriously! Yeah I heard from someone that you got off with him that night! How was it? You're such a lucky bitch, us lot would all kill to be with Karl! † the unknown gossip hungry girl said. â€Å"Look, I ain't the type of girl who kisses and tells you know! You wana know what went on, you have to ask him,† clearly Kelly was avoiding the question. So, did this mean she was raped? I mean at the beginning of the conversation, it sounded like she had wanted this to happen; am I right? However, towards the end, it was the complete opposite to that. I had concluded that if I was going to get my answers, there were two things that I needed to do and have a) courage and b) confront her. Eventually, I did muster up enough courage to confront her. The thought of Kelly hiding all her pain from people was hurting me. Did she not trust others with her secret? Obviously the paranoid side of me kicked in and I thought that maybe she had not been raped, and it was all a ploy to get attention from me. I mean we had grown apart but lying about something so serious, that was uncalled for. Therefore, the purpose of the conversation was to get the truth, the real truth from what they call the ‘horse's mouth'. In a way, deep down, at that time, I thought I knew the truth, I just needed to hear it for myself. Kelly, did Karl rape you or not? I don't understand, you came to me and told me that he had raped you, and at the very same time you're bragging to all your other friends that Karl had had sex with you. I'm sure you can see how I feel; I am confused and I can't help it you're sending me mixed messages. Were you raped or weren't you? Did you want him to? Is that why you went telling the whole year how you got off with him? You disgust me you know that; to even think that I spent time thinking of you, hoping it would all get better; whilst you're sitting here weaving all your lies. † She was silent. For once in her entire life, Kelly had no comeback for me. She had not taken her eyes off me for five minutes straight. None of us had uttered a word, just exchanged menacing looks. She offered me no explanation, and just before she walked off, she told me â€Å"Maybe if you came with me to the party this wouldn't have happened, you thought about that Karmen? † â€Å"Typical Kelly, can't face up to anything can you, so you shift the blame onto someone else. You've been found out and you can't handle it,† I shouted after her. I watched the back of my ‘best friend' as she walked away and realised we were the complete opposite of that. We had changed so much along the way; I hardly knew who she was anymore. I could not take it. Why should I have to be responsible for all the mistakes that she makes? She had the audacity to say that it was my fault she got pregnant because I didn't go to the party with her. I could not just be there at her disposal all the time, day in and day out. There was a time when I considered Kelly as my one and only best friend. I had moved on. This girl was some kind of alien to me. I was physically disgusted with her. I had considered her my own flesh and blood and now she was having a baby. The old Karmen would have stood by her, but not now, she was on her own. I had decided that I was going to make a stand for myself, see how she could handle her life without me. As evil as I must sound by saying this, it was all-true. My capricious friend had her comeuppance, and to some extent, I was glad. With hindsight, I regretted doing this. I did not realise how much my words had affected her, how much me not being there for her had done to her. A few short months after the confrontation, I had not heard or seen Kelly around. According to gossip, she had had a baby girl. Kelly's mum left countless messages for me on my answering machine everyday, begging me to come and visit her. Her last few messages started to become a bit more desperate and personal. Kelly had postnatal depression; she was rejecting the baby. That was Kelly all right; she could not face up to anything, not even something as serious as this. A few days after Kelly's mum's message about her postnatal depression, I received a letter from Kelly – Dear Karmen, Letters, don't you find they are the best form of communication? Remember when we used to write letters to each other day in and day out. I still have all of them you know, they mean so much to me, please don't ever forget that. This may be the last letter I will ever be writing, to you, or anyone else. Do you remember the first day of Whitmore? I smiled at you, you smiled back. From that moment onwards I knew that we were meant to be friends, we clicked you know? I knew that you were the only one like me in that hellhole. To this day, I stand by that comment. Do you remember the days when we were literally obsessed with Karl, and we spent the whole day looking for his house? Took us ages, but we persevered and found it. Since you have stopped talking to me, my whole world has literally crashed around me. Have you forgotten all the good times that we spent together? I haven't. I sat in bed last night, just thinking about all the times we've spent in each other's company; sitting on the terrace, contemplating on life. Those were some of the best days of my life. I miss that; in fact, I miss you. My life feels like nothing without you by my side. I know people were always commenting about how close we were for just friends, but was and still is true, we are more than friends. I consider you as a sister. I will be the first one to admit, that the â€Å"shriek† crew were some of the people that thought we were more than that. I told them otherwise. I stood up to them Karmen, that was something you always said I couldn't do. I found this in a book†¦ Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow Don't walk behind me, I may not lead Just walk beside me and be my friend When the whole Karl raping me thing happened, I didn't know what the hell to do. I felt so violated by him, but I couldn't tell anyone. Everyone had been at the party and seen what had happened, they all just thought I'd got a bit carried away and slept with him. But, it wasn't like that. You should have seen his face when he did it, it was so indelicate. I cried for days on end after it had happened. To make it worse, the â€Å"shriek† crew all assumed that I had wanted it to happen with him. Yes, I was physically attracted to Karl, but not to the extent that I felt I needed to lose my virginity to him. It stung when you insinuated that I had lied to you, when I had not. You confronted me that day and I blamed you for this happening to me, I realise I shouldn't have. It was your choice not to come with me, and now, looking back, I wished I had not gone either. As usual, I felt I needed someone to blame for my actions, but you weren't the one. All I wanted was for someone to tell me, â€Å"Kelly, it wasn't your fault†, but no one did. I thought I had to put up a front for the â€Å"shriek† crew. I didn't want to be known as the freak that was raped. Besides, I know them better than you do; they were overtly laughing that time when Chrissy got raped by that university guy. How would I tell them this? So, as usual to get out of it, I spun my intricate web of lies to get out of the predicament. I wasn't lying to you; you are the one person in my life I would never dream of deceiving. Karmen, I trust you with my life. Do you know what kept me going that day and night? No? That I could tell you and you could give me the support that I needed. I did not need the â€Å"shriek† crew if you were there by my side. Where were you Karmen? Where were you when I needed you most? I had my baby, where were you then? I called and called you for days on end, why didn't you ring me back? I love you so much, and the one time in my life I needed you, you just were not there. Was this some kind of punishment for the ways I've treated you in the past? I didn't deserve that. I had just been raped by a guy that I had fancied for ages and you were punishing me, I could not comprehend. When I told Karl that I was pregnant with his baby, he literally told me â€Å"Well, that's your fault, leave me alone and stop telling people the baby is mine. † Can you even begin to imagine how I felt? I had been raped by him. Foolishly, assuming that he had an iota of decency in him, he would help me; obviously he didn't. I rang you so you would know what I called my baby – Karmen. Do you know why I called her that? Because when baby Karmen grew up, I wanted her to be just like you. A strong, good person, not like her mother. I rejected baby Karmen, I had postnatal depression, and did you come and see me then? Numerous times my mum left messages on your phone for you to visit me, and did you? Did it cross your mind to talk to the girl that you spent the better part of you life with? I better cut to the chase; I know how you hate long letters. I can't take life anymore Karmen. I just cannot take it. It's such a mess, baby Karmen I did not and still do not want her, and I doubt I ever will. I love her, but I cannot outwardly show my love. How do you think that makes me feel? Every night she sits and cries and I can't go anywhere near her. I'm afraid of what I could potentially do to her. What Karl did to me affected me psychologically in a way I doubt anyone will ever understand. To some extent, not even I understand why I'm feeling this way. I don't think the true effect of the rape really hit me until after I had Karmen. Before that I had comprehended with the fact that I had been raped, I just had not had time to get over it. I'm a weak person Karmen, all this pressure I cannot deal with. Without you, I had no one to offload my worries and problems onto. No one to talk it all out with. Now you're not here for me, I don't see the point in living. I want to die. It's not just one of my phases, I've been feeling suicidal for quite some time. Only now have I built up the courage to do something about my life, and my choice is to end it. This is the last letter you will ever be receiving from me, and the last time you will be hearing from me in general. So, I just want to say – â€Å"You were like a sister to me Karmen, the child that my parents didn't have but always wanted. You are irreplaceable, and I know some other girl will take my place as your best friend. Being the kind hearted person that you are, you will be equally good to them as you were to me. I thank you so much for all you did for me in the time that I have known you. I love you Karmen, and whether I am dead or alive, nothing is going to change that. I am sorry I'm leaving it this way, I wish I didn't have to, but I feel I no longer have any other choice. Goodbye Karmen, I love you with all my heart. † Kelly x P. S. You always said that I have to be the one who the makes choices in my life. This is my choice. I choose not to be alive anymore. I chose to lie about Karl and all that. I control my life now that is what you always told me to do; I've done it Karmen. I have finally taken control of my life; it is all in my hands now. I read the letter; I was just numb and immobilised. My world had been instantly transformed. She had hung herself. As disrespectful as this must sound; I thought that if Kelly ever killed herself, she would take pills. However, she did not, she chose something that would hurt her, she did not take the easy way out for once. I mean hanging yourself is not exactly the most comfortable position. Kelly and I had both made many choices in our lives. Hers, however, were very drastic. It all started when she chose Karl over me. If she had not she probably would not be dead right now. The grief I was undergoing inside of me was overwhelming, all I could think of was â€Å"what if I had just gone with her to that party? † â€Å"What if I had just believed her and not confronted her that day? † â€Å"Returned all her phone calls†. All these questions were literally eating me alive. For the first time in my life, I felt guilty. It was terrible; it was like a wave of heat frequently swept over me. Every time this happened, I felt like being sick, I hated it; I wanted all this grief to go. The recollection of the letter brought tears to my eyes. What must she have been feeling when she wrote it? I was astounded †¦ she was gone, and I could not come to terms with it. The other day the â€Å"shriek† crew decided to confront me, they blamed me for her death. They are truly heartless. I had just lost a best friend and they were lecturing me about how I should not have ignored all her calls etc. What do they know? They were the downfall of Kelly, if she had just realised they were not the right sort of people she should have been hanging around with, she may have been alive at this moment in time. It was the day of her funeral. Kelly's parents were distraught; they could not fathom what made her do this. According to them, Kelly was always such a happy girl, and towards the end, she had shown no signs of feeling suicidal. Evidently, they were not the most observant parents. The last choice that I made concerning Kelly was to give the eulogy at her funeral. It was my last attempt to discern why, why I neglected her in the recent months. Then it came to me – it was my choice to.

Week 1 Business Trends Assignment

Week 1 Business Trends Assignment Tanahya Young XCOM/285 ESSENTIALS OF MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION 3/3/2013 ALISA JACKSON Communicating on the Job The communication involvement daily is a valued part of my process to complete the details of duties outline in my position description. I am required to listen to the spoke and unspoken during interactions with clients. My organization requires that myself and team members have efficient communication with each other and the clients that require our professional assistance.The communication with in the office must stay a flow along with all lines of the process. There is an immediate demand for effective communication from the processing department, to the office and directly to the client themselves. Management with Communication Technology maintains and organizes my daily activities. Technology advancements provide instant communication with the click of a button. I use several computer software databases daily to access much needed inform ation. Moreover, technology makes communications across the globe seem much closer.Instant communication access assists daily with contacting others with in the organization in other locations especially since many are in other locations. Almost all office employees are expected to know how to navigate through the Web and to use word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. Trends in Business Communication Keeping a look out for trends in business in my organization is a way of supplying efficient customer service. When there is a trend identified the communication factor is a must to get the message out.The next line of business once a trend has been identified is to define and map out a plan for resolving the issue. Identifying trends and solving the issue of the trend is a team effort. There is involvement with revealing where the issue evolved from and all of the subject matter that created the issue. Then there is a process of elimination with every team member’s input on their take of the trend where email, Same Time communications and direct letters to clientele for notification.

Challenging behavior Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Challenging behavior - Literature review Example A child may develop different behaviors at different ages but the challenging behavior is most vital since it needs to be controlled as early as possible. Most people believe that the success of a child will depend on his ability to respond to prevention of challenging behaviors. Children who Challenging behavior is an abnormal behavior whose frequency, occurrence and duration greatly jeopardize the physical safety of the victim and that of other around him. This behavior in most cases denies the person access to ordinary social and communal facilities .Challenging behavior could be demonstrated by any person, but is mostly experienced in people with developmental disabilities, dementia, and psychosis and most often by children (Kaiser, 2007, p.13) Types of challenging behaviors Challenging behavior can manifest itself in different ways depending on the nature of the child. Calm children will react very different from violent children even under the same circumstances. The most impor tant thing is that the children will react negatively to those people who cause their problems. A common characteristic is self injuring behavior especially when a child is angry. This involves engaging in behaviors that cause physical harm or injuries to oneself. Most children will do this immediately they are offended in order to seek for attention. For example hitting oneself, biting oneself or even head butting. Most children develop aggressive behavior towards those people who influence them to develop a challenging behavior. This involves all behavior that harms others physically. They include hitting others, biting others, spitting on others, screaming, punching and kicking others among others (Emerson, 1995, p.24) Some children engage in early sexual behavior to express their feelings about some things. This includes all acts of abnormal behavior involving sexual acts. For example public masturbation, rape, and watching pornographic materials. Property directed behavior theo ry. In this theory, the behavior of the child is believed to cause destruction to property around the person. The reaction of the child is linked to the It includes throwing of objects, physical destruction and even stealing (Emerson, 2011, p.32) Theories of challenging behaviors Challenging behavior has various causes, most of which are beyond the control of the individual exhibiting the behavior. These could be social, biological, environmental or psychological among others. Social cause theory: this theory holds that the behavior of a child is attributed by the society in which he is brought up. These are the social interactions with other people, friends and relatives. This is based on the theory that behaviors are enhanced and influenced by observation on others actions and behaviors. Boredom, social interaction and social norms could trigger certain type of behaviors in people. Peer groups could also influence one to develop certain abnormal behaviors. The children will adopt the behaviors that are common in a certain society. A society that does not condemn a challenging behavior will encourage the children to be unruly. (David, 1974, p.53) Biological causes theory. This theory is based on the theory that behavior results from biological and biochemical processes. Conditions such as pain and certain medication may cause challenging behaviors. Certain inherited characteristics from parents also influence behavior. The child learns most of the behaviors from their parents. The parents should avoid acting in a manner that predisposes the children to a challenging beh

The Role of the Student in Higher Education Essay

The Role of the Student in Higher Education - Essay Example The Gibbs reflection model seeks to understand the feelings that were experienced, and also allows for the evaluation of an incident in terms of what was bad or good about it (Wilding 2008). The Gibbs model also includes an analysis of the critical nursing situation and then the suggestion of an action plan that will deal with the issue if it should arise again (Curzon 2003). According to (Hinchiff 2004), reflection is particularly important for student nurses because they work in environments in which they have to perform numerous tasks almost without thinking about them previously. Being compelled to work swiftly among emotionally and physically wounded people can affect the student nurses. Engaging in reflective practices allow for the student nurses to be able to deal with the reality of being exposed to human anxieties and needs on a daily basis (Watson 2008). This is important because nurses will not be able to function well if they are stressed from being forced to deal with p eople when they are most vulnerable. Reflection allows for student nurses to be able to develop self-awareness among other interpersonal skills that make them more effective in their nursing duties (NMC 2011). Reflection also helps student nurses to be able to understand ways in which they can better improve their services to their patients (Stuart 2007). For student nurses, reflection thus changes a situation which previously may have been filled with doubt, anxiety, and conflict into being one which is manageable (Price 2004). Description: In considering the situation that he or she is in, the student nurse is able to consider the ways in which she can approach her patients or even plan on studying patterns. Feelings: The student nurse is able to reflect on positive or negative feelings that he or she may be experiencing in regards to the studying practices that he or she has adopted or even regards to patients assigned. The student nurse can then make decisions based on that asse ssment in order to rectify the situation or at least make it manageable (Johns and Freshwater 2005). Evaluation: once the student nurse understands the feelings that he or she has in regards to definite situations, he or she will be in a better position to make decisions on how to solve or amend the situation so that it is more manageable. Analysis: After making an evaluation and deciding about the best way in which to progress, the student nurse is then able to make the decision about the existing situation(s). Different student nurses use Gibb’s reflective model in different ways to ease their studies as well as responsibilities within medical facilities (Johns and Freshwater 2005). Many student nurses make use of journals in which they make entries detailing the situations they are working with and how they feel and plan to manage them. This also helps the student nurses in their learning experiences. For example, if a student nurse comes across a new medical procedure or fairly rare disease, she can record her own feelings about the first time that she saw it and her gut reactions about what caused it. She will then, after writing about her own first feelings about it, can add what she discovered about it on consulting a textbook.

A Case Study Of A Small Business And A Reflection On A Program Of Essay

A Case Study Of A Small Business And A Reflection On A Program Of Reading I Have Implemented For The Course - Essay Example Simpson et al. (2011) noted that the use of internet technology is a fairly recent development in small business. They said further that in recent years, more and more small businesses are using internet technology. I tried to find a small business firm that appear to have acquired a wide global reach and yet continued to be a small business. I am interested to find out how a small business firm can do it and yet remain in the category of being a small business. For me such a case is important: the case can provide lessons on how one can have a global reach despite being small or despite being initially small. Towards the end of this work, I will be saying that being small is actually a business strategy for Marketii. Being small is a business decision and strategy that will allow her the greatest chances for survival and resilience in the competitive business world. This realization is an eye-opener that created in me a strong belief that the study of small business firms must reall y include the study of firms like Marketii: SMALL but the decision to be small is actually the result of a business strategy that will allow the firm to acquire the greatest profitability, chances of survival, resilience, and success. There are several ways of defining a small business. However, the way Marketii is being operated defies the expectations suggested from the definitions of Simpson et al. (2011) and D’Amboise & Muldowney (1988).... irms must really include the study of firms like Marketii: SMALL but the decision to be small is actually the result of a business strategy that will allow the firm to acquire the greatest profitability, chances of survival, resilience, and success. There are several ways of defining a small business. However, the way Marketii is being operated defies the expectations suggested from the definitions of Simpson et al. (2011) and D’Amboise & Muldowney (1988). Marketti’s small business structure may be a way of implementing downsizing as a business strategy (Appelbaum et al. 1999). 2. Study Method Because my means and resources are limited and also because I anticipated that business firms like Marketii would be strongly protecting its business secrets, I decided to employ a study method that would allow me to get a large amount of details on a firm by using records and data that are widely accessible to the public. In particular, I maximized the use of the internet for get ting data on Marketti. On hindsight, I believe I have not been wrong on my decision because the data that I have acquired on Marketii allowed me to have a very good and in-depth idea of how Marketii is being managed and on how firms like Marketii, small and yet conducting international operations, are being operated. The study method that I have employed is not inferior because in the process of studying Marketii by using data that are available to the public, I have obtained this important insight for small business: some of the small businesses that we actually see operating in the world of business are small not primarily because the business owners have capital constraints but they are small primarily because it is the business owner’s decision to keep their business small so it would be

Strategic Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Strategic Marketing - Essay Example This is where marketing models like market segmentation, differentiation, positioning, come into play to ensure success when other rivals have failed to capture and maintain niche markets. â€Å"Marketing practitioners often find themselves so preoccupied with the hard work of running marketing programs, supervising staff and sales force, and attending to the day-to-day grind that they lose sight of the Big Picture. However, it is essential every once in a while to step back, gain a little perspective, and engage in some serious strategizing.† (The Strategic Marketing Plan 2000). The success story of Coca Cola is primarily due to the excellent marketing strategizing and market positioning undertaken by it over the last 120 years of gainful existence. Its resilience and innate fighting qualities in surmounting business challenges, both external and internal, and the saga of Coca Cola’s victory in the international arena, could be the subject matter for a Case Study. It is proposed to analyse of the brand position of Coca Cola, a popular brand of non-alcoholic beverage, which has an international branding network in nearly 200 countries across the globe â€Å"The Coca-Cola Company is the worlds largest non-alcoholic beverage company. Along with the Coca-Cola ® trademark, recognized as the worlds most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the worlds top five nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke ®, Fanta ® and Sprite ® beverages, and a wide range of other non-alcoholic beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the worlds largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Companys beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day.† (News Release: The Coca-Cola Company Releases: 2006). Pepsi lays claims to be a major business rival

Music and Meaning - Tupac Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Music and Meaning - Tupac - Essay Example Then, I will explain why and how the following four songs had a strong impact on my personal life: â€Å"Life Goes On†, â€Å"Keep Ya head Up†, â€Å"California Love† and â€Å"Changes†. A good friend of mine introduced me to the works of Tupac Shakur many years ago and although Tupac has been dead for 15 years, his music is still very important to me. From the beginning I could feel that his songs were authentic. Tupac seemed to turn his personal thoughts and experiences into music, which is the very reason why his songs do not only sound authentic, but truly are authentic as well.Moreover, I was and still am impressed by the variety of topics that are addressed in his various songs. This is another reason why Tupac was and still is very important to me; depending on my mood or my situation there are certain songs that fit my situation. I listen to different songs when I am happy compared to when I am sad or angry and Tupac seems to have the right song for me in every situation. Moreover, Tupac touched on a variety of topics, including racism, tolerance, social and racial equality, violence, conflicts with the law, life in the ghettos, criticism of the â€Å"Americ an Dream† and the love for his Mom, which is another reason why his versatile lyrics are captivating. â€Å"Life Goes On† is one of Tupac’s songs that hit my emotional nerve, more than that, it helped me through a sad period of my life. It is a song about losing loved ones, but while remembering them, life goes on and one has to continue with life, even though it might be hard to do so.

Sustainability in Armenia as an Ethnographic Problem Case Study

Sustainability in Armenia as an Ethnographic Problem - Case Study Example Cultures and the lifestyles that people in a location practice leads to sustainability issues. For instance, a normal environmentally conscious citizen of the United Kingdom leaves a carbon foot print of over 6 tons of CO2 and an ecological footprint of 3.4 global hectares. This is the case with most of the western countries. The US for instance has a higher footprint on an average. This indicates the usage of more fossil and non-renewable energy sources causing more of environmental problems (WWF 2004). Sustainability is not only scientific or engineering related; it is also related to the cultural and ethical values of the community. Any community that does not have a tendency to protect its own environment and is interested more in commercialization of its own resources would end up denuding the environment faster; reducing sustainability. Sustainability reflects in many of the performance indexes of the country. While the gross domestic product (GDP) of a country could indicate the amount of money the country has spend or has earned over the period in consideration, other indexes take into consideration various parameters including the overall development of the country. Demographic and ethnographic factors hurt the performance of the country as a voter for sustained development. In the case of Armenia, it is ranked at 83rd position in 2005 with a Human Development Index of 0.775. This has increased from 0.701 in 1995, according to UNDP (UNDP 2008). At the same time, the percentage of people living below the national poverty line is well over 50%. This indicates that the wealth is not distributed uniformly across the population resulting in increased poverty at one end and extremely rich people at the other. This is one of the factors that will affect sustainable development in the Armenian Society. The Happy Planet Index is a measure of the long and happy lives people lead in that country or place. In the case of Armenia, it was found to be 36.1 out of 100 and the country was ranked at 130 out of 178 countries. This is a measure of the long lives people live and indicates how happy people are (nef 2006). As Aristotle says, the purpose of social living is to be happy. The same is supported by the US constitution when it says that every individual has the right to pursue his own happiness. This indicates that Armenia has a long way to go before it can turn into a happier place to lead human life. The Environmental Sustainability Index is produced out of 25 different factors in six policy categories. Multiple happenings in a country, including large corporate and social projects, affect the performance of a country when this index is measured. The index is a measure of the environmental health, air and water pollution levels, Productive natural resources, Biodiversity and habitat and finally, climate change contribution by the country. Environmental sustainability is an important criterion while looking for sustainable development. In case of Armenia, the ESI released in 2005 ranked it at 44 (CIESIN 2005). With the changes made in the factors estimated, the Environmental Performance Index was produced in 2008 where Armenia was ranked at 62 a substantial loss of position. There had been a number of factors that affect the

Team Working Essay Example for Free

Team Working Essay Outcome 6. The importance of accurate record keeping. Accurate record keeping is very important for few reasons. First of all, different health professions are involved in patient care delivery and clinical process. All these professional have to communicate about patients and records is one of the best ways of doing it. Secondly, records reflect all procedures and manipulations with a patient in a chronological way so that members of staff know exactly the situation with patients to provide 24 hours care for patients. . Thirdly, accurate record keeping is important for investigating complaints and claims. The best care provided will not be counted if it was not recorded in patient’s notes (McGeehan 2007). Records should be written briefly but informative at the same time. It should be focused on the patient, factual, measurable and realistic. It also should be written strait away after an event. The nurse should put date, time of the note and write her name. Handwriting should be easy to understand. The language should be appropriate without abbreviations or jargon. Poor note taking can be regarded as negligence (McGeehan 2007). As every patient has different reasons for admission and different pathway on a ward, it is important to work out care pathways. It includes clinical risk assessment and outlining the care that this patient should be given recording to conditions. All members of the staff must sign when they use a pathway for a patient (McGeehan 2007). . Trusts can be assessed by The Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) by the way records were kept. As there are many complains and claims, every nurse should follow high standard record keeping so that records can be used as an evidence of care provided in a court (McGeehan 2007). References: McGeehah R (2007) Best practice in record keeping. Nursing Standard 21(17), 51-58 Outcome 7. Informed Consent. The concept of informed consent has been broadly discussed in medical literature. Indeed, gaining consent is very important for all health professions, including health care assistants, nurses and doctors. Medical process includes few documents where a patient signs his consent. However, in some cases the patient signs the forms without appropriate explanations. Or, explanations can be poorly understood by patient due to a difficult language (Erlen 2010). Consent should be valid which means that the patient should be over 18, have the capacity and give consent voluntarily (Department of Health 2004). Any form of consent is valid, but only a written consent can be an evidence of the fact that consent was gained. Also, consent can be verbal and non-verbal, when for example, a patient holds out an arm for blood pressure to be taken (Department of Health 2004). In English law no one has any right to touch another person without consent. As nurses deal with many patients daily, it is vitally to gain consent for every intervention. Additionally, a nurse should inform a patient about any procedure In some cases patients give implied consent. For instance, the same injection is given few times a day. However, it is important to gain verbal consent before every injection (Edwards 2010). References: Department of Health (2004) Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment. Erlen J (2010) Informed Consent. Orthopaedic Nursing. 29 (4), 276-279) Edwards M (2010) An introduction to consent. Practice Nurse 39(6), 13-15) Confidentiality. Confidentiality is a core subject in health care. It is easy to lose patient’s trust by ignoring patient’s right to confidentiality. Confidentiality preserves personal dignity, prevents information disuse and protects autonomy of patient. All professionals in health care have to communicate about patients and it is difficult to avoid information disclosure as at any times there can be unwanted listeners. For instance, when a nurse tries to make an appointment for her patient on the phone, she has to provide some information such as the name, age, address and a condition. There could be people near her at this point who will use the information. Outcome 12. Signs and circumstances associated with aggression and violence. Nurses they are reported to be at a high risk of dealing with patient aggression. Over 76 per cent of newly qualified nurses in South Wales for instance experienced patients’ aggression within first three months of employment. In most of cases the aggression was in a form of verbal abuse. Other forms of patients’ aggression are verbal or physical threats or intimidation and physical violence. As a result, nurses are at an increased risk of emotional suffering and depression (Hills 2008). The research shows that female nurses experience aggression and abuse from patients more often than male nurses. It was suggested that nurses experience aggression and violence more frequently because they deal with patients more often than other health care professionals Mullan 2007) What is more, some nurses have to take days off or sick time off after episodes of patients’ violence and aggression (Hills 2008). The study shows that aggression management training programs for nurses could be an effective way to decrease incidents of violence in clinical area (Hills 2008). Most of nurses who experienced violence or any form of aggression from patients reported that they were powerless avoid that and felt having lack of confidence (Mullan 2007). References: Mullan B Badger F (2007) Aggression and violence towards staff working with older patients. Nursing Standard 14(21) 35-39 Hills D (2008) Relationship between aggression management training, perceived self-efficacy and rural general hospital nurses’ experiences of patient aggression. Contemporary Nurse 31(1), 20-31

The Effects of Global Warming Will Be Beneficial Essay Example for Free

The Effects of Global Warming Will Be Beneficial Essay Even if the consensus is the Earth’s temperature is warming, it is not barren of some advantages and benefits. The first benefit is warm weather is always preferred than cold weather as there are numerous proofs to it. The fact that people from the North flock to regions that are warmer whenever they get the opportunity could attest to that. It is not only that more than 50 percent of retirees would prefer to move to warmer regions when they retire. Warmer weather is also good for the health, not to mention it brings down some of cold related deaths in some regions, although excessive heat also had proven to be deadly since many people could die from it. There is enough finding that people remain healthy in the warmer seasons, whereby in the US alone the medical cost could come down by as much as $20 billion every year if the temperature gets warmer. In the US alone there are close to 40,000 deaths related to cold weather, whereas in Britain that number is between 20,000 and 40,000. According to some findings, that number could rise by 8,000 for every 1 degree Celsius the temperature goes down. On the other hand, the number of causalities could only rise by 2000 since humans can better adapt to heat and could rely on cooling systems. When it comes to the economy there is a strongly held belief that global warming could affect it adversely, although Fred Singer in his book ‘The Impact of Climate Change† had shown that a moderate warming could have a positive impact on agriculture and forestry. The obvious reason for that is plants use carbon dioxide to help them capture and store energy, which means more carbon dioxide in the atmospheres is good for plants. It could also serve as a fertilizer as the amount in the atmosphere rises, the reason why those who are running greenhouses pump carbon dioxide in the closed environment and the result had been much higher food production. Another economic boost cited is the coming into existence of trade routes will be possible when the warm temperature melts the ice in regions such as Alaska. The Bering Strait was an example cited and compared it to Suez Canal in transforming the area inhabitants by introducing tax revenue and a boost on tourism. It will also cut down travel time between the major continents by at least one-third. Another area that might get a boost is the population of kalamari that might see a 20 percent increase. Whatever the outcome will be there is evidence that the creatures react positively to warmer weather where not only their quantity but also their size could grow. Other areas that will be benefited if the temperature rises are regions where there is snow in the winter and if the warm temperature brings down the amount of snow that falls down the roads will be much safer to drive as there are many accidents reported on a yearly basis that are related to heavy snow fall. Snow shoveling itself has a serious side effect for those who have heart condition and less snow and warmer weather would mean fewer heart attacks. Heating bills could also come down unless cooling bills replace them, which is unlikely. People spend a lot of money on winter gears and some of that money could find other use. One area that will be benefited from warmer weather is public transportation where air, road, and rail transportation would be benefited from a warmer weather and according to Department of Energy it might possible to save as much as $12 billion each year. Another benefit is if the warmer weather really comes to stay it would automatically mean more land for farming especially at the polar regions since there are large tracks of lands located in the region that are inhospitable for people because of the ice and the harsh weather. It is possible to go further and mention that croplands have a more cooling capacity when compared to the dark green leaves of the forest that absorb more heat and do not evaporate cooling moisture into the atmosphere. This by itself would have a positive effect on global warming since it brings it down. Another benefit is there is enough proof that the Earth has become more greener since the global warming took effect simply because carbon dioxide is good for plants since they can use it as a fertilizer too. It is not only that, when the weather is warmer it will extend the growing season, diminishes frosts, and there will be more precipitation. The benefit could still go much further by availing advantage to the forestry and recreation, as the weather would become more accommodating. There is also a proof that extracting natural resources in a warm weather is much easier. All this would lead to an economic growth of any country, especially for countries such as the US that could realize growth on their GDP. Overall, a considerable amount of benefit is derivable from global warming or from a warmer temperature (7). Global Warming Is not a Threat to the Polar Ice It is possible to surmise that global warming is not a threat to polar ice simply because except for observation made by the so-called prominent scientists whose number could reach 300 and are from various countries, there is no hard evidence that shows that the polar ice is affected by the current temperature change. The current temperature change itself for the most part is the outcome of observation and computer simulation. It is not complete or not yet scientifically proven. However, those who are in a position of decision-making are under pressure from various sources to look into the matter so that any kind of future disaster could be avertable. What the recent finding indicates is there is a possibility that the Polar Regions are warming faster than the other regions on Earth and this has led to the belief that the ice covering the region is thinning. The estimate is if there is no measure taken, it could disappear as 2100 approaches. Nevertheless, there had been recorded proofs that the Polar Regions had been much warmer than today and these hot temperatures occurred between 1937 and 1938 years that were early for the greenhouse gases, whose elevated use started after the Second World War. There are records showing the Polar Regions were warmer as much as twice as they are today between 1917 and 1937 revealing that even in the absence of an elevated use of greenhouse gases these regions were getting warmer than they were in the last 20 years. The records show some kind of cooling took place after the 1940s and it was around the late 1970s there was a sudden warming in the Polar Regions, especially in the Arctic region, but additional warming did not occur ever since. Accordingly, what could be causing the shift in temperature could be factors other than the global warming caused by greenhouse gases. One suspected cause is a shift in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) at around the end of 1970s. PDO is â€Å"a long-lived El Nino-like pattern of Pacific climate variability†. There are other identified oscillations that have similar effect on the weather of the North Pole, one of them is the Arctic Oscillation, and the other one is the North Atlantic Oscillation. These oscillations are spinning ring of air occurring in the Polar Regions believed to be responsible for the warmer air. This assumption leads to the fact that it is such naturally occurring winds that are causing the warm air instead of the greenhouse gas effect; the target to be responsible for causing the warm temperature that is responsible for melting the ice caps of the Polar Regions (8). The other interesting point is the time it takes to melt the polar ice, which would take centuries even if the climate get much warmer than it is now showing that it is not an immediate worry. At the same time since it is difficult to predict what will take place in the climate changing pattern in the future it is not possible to say that the currently reported global warming will cause a considerable damage to the polar caps. Because if the ice cap in Greenland area alone completely melts it is possible that the sea level could rise by seven meters and the resulting flood could claim many regions. Another interesting aspect is the temperature around regions such Greenland had been falling by 2. 2 degrees Celsius since 1987. That significant decline will whittle any worry that the current global warming whose existence not yet fully proven could pose a threat. The global warming still lacks scientific proof except in computer simulation and some observations. By doing so, scientists were able to observe some ice sheets falling into the sea raising the alarm that such incidents could take place in a large scale, but till now that had not been the case. Hence, if there is concern it is that the rate of such calamities could rise unless there is some measure in the meantime, the reason why the Koyto Protocol had come into existence. When it comes to the Antarctic, the findings are not clear even if it is possible to say that the temperature might have risen by 2. 5 degree Celsius in the last 50 years. One good measurement used was the population of Antarctic kramalli where there is a conflicting report where there are sources claiming that the population had declined by up to 90 percent. If that is not the case it would be an indication that the reported temperature rise is not real simply because the karamalli population thrives in a warmer temperature, hence the 2. 5 degree Celsius rise might not be substantiated. The reality might have been that there had been an increase in the winter sea ice starting around 1979. However, since the existing area is not equal to the amount of land covered before the declining years before 1970s, the reality is there was a decline in the ice sea that started much earlier than the current global warming, ascertaining that what is termed as global warming is not affecting the ice in the Polar Regions. What this leads to is the computer simulations the scientists are dependant upon are not correct except that they can draw some kind of pictures relying on the kind of information they are fed, which could be correct or wrong. That has led climatologist from MIT to conclude that from what everyone is getting from the simulation, there is no indication that shows the Polar Regions are warming. Some researchers had indicated in their findings that the Arctic region could be warming at 0. 39 degrees Celsius rate per decade, whereas the Antarctic is getting cold by 0. 12 degree Celsius revealing that the polar caps are not threatened by the declared current global warming, except that those who are doing the observations were alarmed when they saw a few sizeable ice sheets washing into the ocean. Others have explained such incidents as phenomenon that had been around for centuries where the edges on the ice accumulation could get thin in the summer and they will thicken back in the winter months blotting any worry of a polar cap meltdown.

Impact of the Appreciation of the New Zealand Dollar on SMEs

Impact of the Appreciation of the New Zealand Dollar on SMEs APPRECIATION OF NZ$: ITS IMPACT ON SME’s New Zealand has been considered as a distinguished economy. It is primarily because the economy faced the challenges of international economic depression and was victorious in the same. According to a report by Forbes in the year 2014, the country holds a strong rank among the safe-haven economies in the world. New Zealand’s economy has been a dynamic one (Colombo, 2014). It has experienced appreciation and depreciation of its dollar on a consequent basis. Even in the 1990s and early 2000s New Zealand’s economy acknowledged higher appreciation of its dollar due to higher interest rates which fascinated large number of capital investors (Brash, 2000; Fallow, 2013). But since 2009, the economy is emerged very strongly but this has resulted in rising level of concerns among varied sectors and industries in New Zealand (Fallow, 2013). SME which implies â€Å"Small and Medium Enterprises† play a very crucial role in the economic development of any economy across the globe (Fink and Kraus, 2009). New Zealand is no different as its economy to a large extent is supported by performance of SMEs. But defining SME is a critical job because there is not universally accepted definition. Each economy has a different definition of a SME (Abdullah and Bakar, 2000). SMEs in New Zealand are defined by the New Zealand governing bodies as those organizational set ups which operate with 20 or less number of workers / employee (Ministry of Economic Development, 2011). Most of these units are generally controlled and handled by their owners themselves. One third of New Zealand’s GDP (gross domestic product) comprises of inputs from this sector (Waikato Times, 2014). This sector has also aided in provision of employment which is evident from the fact that one third of New Zealand’s entire population is absorbed f or varied jobs (Waikato Times, 2014). Another startling fact about SME in New Zealand is that it comprises of approximately 97 % of trade and commerce through 460,000 SME set ups (Ministry of Economic Development, 2011; Waikato Times, 2014). SMEs in New Zealand have resorted to extensive internationalization. These organizations are not supported by subsidies from New Zealand’s government. But yet they have undertaken this route to overcome competitive pressures created due to presence of cheap Chinese products in domestic markets (Jaeger, 2007). Thus to gain long term sustainability these organizations have internationalized their operations. Most of the SMEs who have opted to internationalize have resorted to a unique business strategy and model of their own. This is primarily because these SMEs aim to gain competitive advantage through internalization by optimally using various available and accessible opportunities (Jaeger, 2007). These SMEs mainly focus on geographic diversity of markets and effectively of distribution channels. The markets of chosen not on basis of any technical analysis but based on SME entrepreneur’s individual choices and their understanding of market feasibility. The internationa lization adopted by SMEs in New Zealand is termed as Bricolage model. The model is depicted in diagram below. Figure 1 The Bricolage Model Source: Jaeger, 2007 USD that is United States Dollar is considered as a point of reference in the world economy (Bloomberg, 2013). No governing body or international organization has declared USD as a ruling currency (Amadeo, 2014). But yet the appreciation and depreciation of currency across world is measured against this dollar primarily because it is considered as a governing intercontinental currency in. As a matter of fact in many countries even outside America, USD is used as their formal currency. Further approximately 85 % of foreign exchange trading entail use of dollars (Amadeo, 2014). Currency depreciation against USD implies a stronger dollar which makes imports expensive for local organizations (Gwartney et al, 2014). This is mainly because dollar becomes more costly. This in turn implies more money draining out of a nation and thus negatively affecting domestic economy. Currency appreciation is a more favourable option for economies but only in the long run. Currency appreciation means det eriorating USD in comparison to domestic currency. It is mainly because domestic currency appreciation implies a stronger economy and making imports cheaper. But it also implies increased prices of exports which makes domestic economy’s products expensive in international markets. Alternatively, with cheaper imports, domestic products within local markets face stiff price competition. Though a strong appreciation of currency indicates a stable and strong economy but its pitfalls cannot be negated. In 2011-12, New Zealand’s economy experienced an augmentation of 7 % in NZ $ on a Trade Weighted Index (TWI) Basis (Tarrant, 2012). One of the major reasons behind this is economy’s potential to overcome financial spur created by varied banks across the globe (Tarrant, 2012). Some of the other reasons this currency appreciation are depreciation of US dollars, strong and optimistic credit ratings for New Zealand’s economy by international organizations, stability in international monetary markets, benevolent economic conditions, accelerating interest rates and a centre of attention for capital investments (PwC, 2014; Headey and Fan, 2008). Another reason put forward for this is slackening of economic and monetary policies by various economies (Bernanke, 2010). In this most of the central banks provide for quantitative leverage of either float newly produced currency which results in increased risk exposure at international forum (Tarrant, 2012). The appreciation of NZ $ has benefitted the economy by helping the same to control its inflationary rates and trend thus enhancing economy’s stability. New Zealand with its far sighted strategic planning has been able to overcome negative impacts of such financial spur. But this too have had its side effects in form of raising medium term interest rates (International Monetary Fund, 2010). These rising rates have made it costly for SMEs to procure bank investments and thus discoursing entrepreneurs to a large extent. Out of all the negative impacts, the worst affected due to New Zealand’s money appreciation are trade sectors, exports business and import-competing manufacturers (Tarrant, 2012). One of the major impacts of appreciation of NZ $ was evident from restricted export activities. Price responsive markets strongly reacted to such currency appreciation which was apparent in form of declining New Zealand exports (Deakins et al, 2013). As a result of this export earnings decline, many companies were forced to withdraw from international markets. This depicted a negative impact on New Zealand’s economy and SMEs. But interestingly companies having strategic approach which catered at developing strong associations with banks and providing adequate time and resources were seemed to be successful. Another impact of appreciation of NZ $ was visible in form of declining product prices which affected manufacturers and traders to a large extent. Considering the case of dairy in New Zealand, the prices of dairy products fell steeply. Dairy farmers were affected to a large extent mainly because such a price decline meant lower income (Shanghai Daily, 2014). But the situation got managed due to high export demands of New Zealand’s dairy products in China, primarily at higher prices owing to its categorization as a lavish product (Teague, 2014). With imports becoming cheap, the import-competing organizations are having a tough time in sustaining market pressures. A major chunk of New Zealand’s import is from China. Thus with currency appreciation, Chinese products which are as it is lower priced are easily spreading their tentacles within the economy. Domestic manufacturers are failing to perform primarily because people in New Zealand are offered with large number of cheaper substitutes. This has resulted in a change in disbursements pattern of its population. (Tarrant, 2012) There has been a dearth of research related to appreciation of NZ $ and its impact on SMEs. In such a scenario it is essential to study such relationships between the two to understand the dynamics of New Zealand’s markets both at national and international frontier. Therefore this study will be interesting along with being useful. This study will provide with an insight to the various SME organizations with regards to sound strategic planning so that they can benefit from such NZ $ appreciation. References Abdullah,M. and Bakar, M. (2000). Small and Medium Enterprises in Asian Pacific Countries: Roles and issues. New York: Nova Publishers Amadeo, K. (2014). World Currency: Why Dollar is the World Currency?. Available at http://useconomy.about.com/od/glossary/g/global_currency.htm [Accessed Sept 24, 2014] Bernanke, B. (2010). The economic outlook and monetary policy. In Speech at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Economic Symposium, Jackson Hole, (Vol. 27), Wyoming. Bloomberg (2013). Bloomberg Indexes Unveils Dynamic U.S. Dollar Benchmark. Bloomberg Finance LP Brash, (2000). The fall of the New Zealand dollar: why has it happened, and what does it mean? Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletien, Vol. 63, No. 4, pp. 22-27 Colombo, J. (2014). 12 Reasons Why New Zealands Economic Bubble Will End InDisaster. Available at http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessecolombo/2014/04/17/12-reasons-hy-new-zealands-economic-bubble-will-end-in-disaster/ [Accessed Sept 18, 2014] Deakins, D., Battisti, M., Perry, M. and Crick, D. (2013).Understanding Internationalisation Behaviour. New Zealand Centre for Small and Medium Enterprise Research. New Zealand Fallow, B. (2013). Strong NZ dollar only part of the story. New Zealand Herald. Dated 7th Feb, Auckland. Fink and Kraus, S. (2009). The Management ofSmall and Medium Enterprises. USA: Routledge Gwartney, J., Stroup, R., Sobel, R. and Macpherson, D. (2014). Economics: Private And Public Choice. USA: Cengage Learning Headey, D. and Fan, S. (2008). Anatomy of a crisis: the causes and consequences of surging food prices.Agricultural Economics,Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 375-391. International Monetary Fund (2010). New Zealand: 2010 Article IV Consultation Staff Report; and Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion. International Monetary Fund Jaeger, S. (2007). How SMEs engage in the global economy – cases from New Zealand. In Oxford Business Economics Conference, UK: Oxford University. Ministry of Economic Development (2011). SMEs in New Zealand: Structure and Dynamics. New Zealand Government, New Zealand. PwC (2014). The rise and rise of the NZ dollar exchange rate – implications for the New Zealand economy. Available at http://www.pwc.co.nz/news-releases/the-rise-and-rise-of-the-nz-dollar-exchange-rate/ [Accessed Sept 18, 2014] Shanghai Daily (2014). Dairy prices, currency appreciation trouble New Zealand producers. Shanghai Daily, dated !9th Aug, Shanghai Tarrant, A. (2012). High NZ$ keeping inflation in check, but detrimental to NZ economy, as global central banks print, RBNZ says; ‘Global easing may continue’. JDJL Limited, dated 8th Mar, Auckland. Teague, S. (2014). New Zealand dollar caught between safe-haven and EM status. EuroMoney, dated 3rd Sept, UK. Waikato Times (2014). SMEs still backbone of NZ business. Available at http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/10198006/SMEs-still-backbone-of-NZ-business [Accessed Sept 25, 2014]

Drug Use in Sports Essay -- Steroids Baseball Athletes

Substance Use in Sports Illegal substance use in sports is something that is a very new, recent, and controversial. In the last couple years many football players of all ages and other athletes have died due to use of certain substances, mainly ephedrine. Another issue that arises from this topic is the use of steroids in the major league baseball association. Players in the MLBA may not all admit to using steroids but since the league doesn’t test for any substances many players use the drug. These players also use many other supplements that are not looked upon as illegal but do alter and help how they play. This brings upon the question of how the MLBA should deal with their stance on drug testing. Many recent articles have also shown how players in sports that do test for drugs are able to get a steroid or muscle enhancement that doesn’t show up on steroid tests. This then raises the question to if technology is surpassing these drug tests then should they even be given. Steroids a nd other supplements are ruining the game of baseball. When looking at the issue more in depth one is able to find that these players are almost required to take these supplements to fit in to their lifestyles. An expectation from fans, coaches, and other players almost puts a demand to perform at the same level of everyone else. Once a majority of players begin gaining an edge then others feel obligated to attempt to keep up. Throughout this article I will further ones education on how these drugs have ruined the game of baseball and its past, what these drugs are and how they are used, and also how it is all tied together and expected in these player’s lifestyles. In May of 2002 a very controversial edition of Sports Illustrate... ... teams with more money to basically purchase all the good players. Once someone rich enough comes along they will be able to buy all the biggest and best players and cut the competition to a minimum. Whereas an end to steroids would allow for a more diversion of very good players opposed to the same players (steroid users) being on top all the time. This would bring about more fans, more excitement to the game of baseball, and a whole new look for the sport that true baseball fans would love to see. Being able to go to the ballpark again and watch down to the wire games between any teams is something that every fan wants to see. Baseball is America’s Sport and needs to be rekindled with the spirit of America as a whole, this is simply done by eliminating steroids that allow for players and the sport as a whole to misrepresent its true skill and meaning.

Price Discrimination Essay -- Economics Economy Profit Finances Essays

Price Discrimination Prices are based upon the price elasticity of demand in each given market. In other terms, this means that during ladies night at the local bar, it costs more for men to have a beer than women simply because these bars find it o.k. to charge females less, as a way to draw more females to the business on a specific night. Price discrimination is part of the commercial and business world. Movie theaters, magazines, computer software companies, and thousands of other businesses have discounted prices for students, children, or the elderly. One important note though, is that price discrimination is only present when the exact same product is sold to different people for different prices. First class vs. coach in an airline (though sometimes just differing in how many free drinks you can get) is not an example of price discrimination because the two tickets, though comparable, are not identical. Price discrimination is based upon the economic thoughts and practice of marginal analysis. This process deals specifically with the differences in revenue and costs as choices and/or decisions are made. Profit maximization is achieved not when the number of products sold is the highest, nor when the price is the highest. Profitability price discrimination is only profitable if and when the given target groups price elasticity of demand differs to the point where the separate prices yield to profit maximization for each given group in question (where marginal revenue equals marginal cost). Groups that are more sensitive to prices, (students and senior citizens for example), have a lower price elasticity of demand and are the ones that are often charged the lower prices for the identical goods or services. The key to price discrimination and using it to fully compliment other economic practices, ultimately achieving the total profit maximization, is the ability to effectively and efficiently collect, analyze, and act upon data gathered about the different groups. First of all, the groups must be accurately identified and the differences between groups must be thought of ahead of time. Children, genders, and senior citizens are easily singled-out by appearance, while military personnel, college students, and other groups must carry some sort of identification. Firms typically will quote the highest prices in advertisements,... ...portunity cost. Price discrimination is a significant and influential practice on the market in the modern economic world. It aids in a firm's profit maximization scheme, it allows certain consumers with more scarce resources the opportunity to purchase goods or services that would otherwise be usable, and it aids firms in balancing what is and what is not sold. Price discrimination is an effective means by which a firm can sell a higher quantity of goods, make a higher profit margin on the goods it sells, and builds a broader consumer base due to differing price elasticity of demand for given goods and services. Price discrimination ultimately equalizes price and value for both the consumer and the firm, creating a more ideal situation for both entities in terms of preference and opportunity cost. Bibliography http://www.wired.com/news/story/18656.html infousa.com/toolkit/home/text/po3_5230.htm www.researchinfo.com/wwwboard/messages/7633.html www.mhht.com/economics/frank4/student/appendixes/appendix4.html agriculture.house.gov/glossary/price_elasticity_of_demand.htm www.nets.kz/ilia.nets.kz/p_text.html www.nd.edu/keating/textbook/chap2/chap2.html

The Administrative Agencies in the United States and their Implications

Administrative agencies are apart from the other branches of the government, the executive, judicial and the legislative, but are able to exercise the functions of the three. These agencies are authorized and supported by the legislative orders, and are capable of implementing and creating regulations, enforcing and adjudicating. They say that courts do not possess these capabilities.The continuous prevalence of this kind of system has increased the popularity of administrative laws in the Supreme Court. It came to the point that almost 1/3 of the decisions to be made by the court is about the administrative actions.Take note that administrative agencies function on the most sensitive areas of the society, and thus were called the fourth branch of the government. The agencies have a comparable scope of authority and perimeter to the three above-mentioned branches, and thus their impact is very much anticipated (Barry and Whitcomb, 2005, p. 25).One of the disadvantages with this kind of system is that the administrative office takes itself apart from the people under their functions. Because of this, the decisions they make are lacking in sympathetic flavor and thus are prone to the erosion of public interest.The executive part may decide on the basis of a single person, and because of this there might be narrowness in the judgment of that person, which makes the decision not applicable to many, thus is susceptible to initiating conflict (Zwart and Verhey, 2003, p. 58).The United States has become an increasingly administrative form. In line with this, implications were identified and patterned before the American character (democracy, justice, quality of life). Aside from the implication mentioned above, there are other troubling implications which are even historical but still this kid of system has prevailed.The democratic options made this kind of order, and still are renewable as dictated upon by the many. To stick with this kind of thinking, the decision m akers in the administrative office must be free from interpersonal influences, and be strong-willed also in order to come up with the necessary actions.When the customary administration has come into abuse or distortion, this is a possible threat to the American governance (Salyer,1995, p 246). Interest groups are everywhere, and they may greatly influence the administrative actions (policy implementation) and even the legislation (policy adoption), or take control of them.It is of high tendency that government policies may be formulated in the absence of law, and the law be just allowed to be made by this fourth branch (Williams and Torrens, 2001, p, 357).ReferencesBarry, D. D., & Whitcomb, H. R. (2005). The Legal Foundations of Public Administration. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from http://books.google.com/books?id=MQkiiTv5yg4CSalyer, L. E. (1995). Laws Harsh as Tigers: Chinese Immigrants and the Shaping of Modern Immigration Law. Retrieved July 9, 2008, from http://books.google.com/b ooks?id=2WWkzfYnsrMCWilliams, S. J., & Torrens, P. R. (2001). Introduction to Health Services. Retrieved July 8, 2008, from http://books.google.com/books?id=95q7ZvXPd8wCZwart, T. L., & Verhey, F. M. (2003). Agencies in European and comparative perspective. Retrieved July 9, 2008, from http://books.google.com/books?id=KWaAh5jMiB0C

Teachers’ Knowledge of Legal Issues Surrounding Students’ Rights

Even though lawsuits against teachers have multiplied over the last decade, teacher preparation institutions and educational leaders across our nation have yet to recognize teachers' knowledge of school law as an area that should be at the top of the priority list for improvement in teacher training. Although this new, legally influenced educational environment has not developed overnight, it has quickly become an area that demands attention among teachers, administrators, and other constituencies. The overabundance of litigation in the United States of America illustrates the legal complexity of the nation and the litigious nature of its citizenry. Accordingly, individuals entering the teaching profession should be equipped with the legal knowledge necessary to protect themselves and the students with whom they have contact. The purpose of this study is to explore some of the underlying legislation and literature that depicts the legal issues surrounding students' rights and how these issues are interrelated to teachers’ knowledge of school law. Through the information provided in this paper, it is evident that insight into knowledge of school law among teachers is an issue that is increasingly important to educators and educational leaders in United States. Introduction In 1989, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) surveyed principals and school attorneys to determine the impact of legal issues on the educational setting. The study revealed that 58% of the participants noted changes in school-related programs due to liability concerns and nine percent of respondents reported having been involved in lawsuits or settlements (Sherman, 2000). Only a decade later, the ATRA conducted a similar investigation in which 64% of the respondents reported a difference in school-related programs as a result of liability concerns and 31% of participants reported being involved in lawsuits or settlements (Sherman, 2000). In 1999 ATRA reported that nearly one-third of all high school principals have been involved in a lawsuit in the last two years, compared to only nine percent, 10 years ago. (Sherman, 2000). Further, Affinity Insurance Services (2003) reported that, â€Å"the number of lawsuits filed against teachers and other education professionals has increased at an alarming rate -over 270% in the last ten years† (p. 2). These findings clearly illustrate the severity of the issue under investigation and highlight the need for corrective and preventative measures aimed at reducing the regularity of litigation within the educational environment. Although this research speaks for itself, public sentiment toward filing suits against educators is at the crux of the issue. Stern (2001) reported that for some students and parents, a good lawyer is as important as good grades. Furthermore, Sorokin (2002) stated that society has become increasingly litigious and the law is used only for personal benefit, especially in the educational setting. Recently, the National Center for Policy Analysis (2003) reported that the rising tide of lawsuits against educators over the last decade has made school discipline difficult, reduced opportunities for students, and consumed many educational resources. Fischer, Schimmel, and Kelly (2003) state that â€Å"today's schools function in a complex legal environment, and a wide range of legal issues influence the lives of teachers, students, parents, and administrators† (p. vii). Currently, the No Child Left Behind legislation asserts that teachers are protected from most lawsuits if they act within their responsibilities. However, the problem arises in the issue of whether teachers have adequate legal knowledge upon which to define their responsibilities, and subsequently base their decisions for action or behavior. Additionally, educators operate in environments that are open-systems that are subject to the influence of countless extraneous variables. This makes educational policy and daily procedures more difficult to define; thus, complicating teachers' responsibilities (McCarthy et al. , 2004). For these reasons, it would seem that knowledge of legal responsibilities and legal rights would be at the forefront of professional preparation for preservice educators or professional development for inservice educators. Legal issues surrounding students' rights Knowledge of students' rights is at the forefront of lawfulness as an educator. Although rights of students are very important to educators, maintaining orderliness and authority by teachers and other school officials is also a top priority for educational systems. Thus, educators are granted broad powers to establish rules and regulations governing student conduct in the educational setting (Essex, 1999). This power of authority is not absolute; rather it must be exercised with reasonableness and the focus must stay on maintaining order and peace. However, because students continue to test the limits of their personal freedoms in public schools, frequent collisions arise as educators strive to maintain educational environments that are highly conducive to learning (McCarthy et al. , 2004). In dealing with these issues, the courts have generally considered the reasonableness clause as a basis for case decisions. In 1969, the United States Supreme Court handed down a historic decision that challenged the reasonableness consideration, in Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), the court ruled that neither teachers nor students lose their constitutional rights to freedom of expression when they enter the public schools. The First Amendment guarantees that the federal government cannot abridge personal freedoms. Thus, the Supreme Court ruled that through the Fourteenth Amendment state governments, including Boards of Education, cannot abridge citizens of such freedoms. Consequently, educators have been faced with the increased challenge of maintaining effective educational environments while ensuring personal freedoms (Essex, 1999). Freedom of speech and expression is granted by the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution that states, in part, that â€Å"Congress shall make no law †¦ abridging the freedom of speech, or of press or of the rights of peoples to peacefully assemble. † The court has stated that First Amendment rights must receive protection in the educational setting â€Å"if we are not to strangle the free mind at its source and teach youth to discount important principals of our government as mere platitudes† (West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 1943). A multitude of additional court cases has set precedence in the area of students' rights. However, the court has recognized that â€Å"the constitutional rights of students in public school are not automatically coextensive with the rights of adults in other settings† (Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 1986). Thus, freedom of speech and expression is open to limitation by policies that are reasonabl y designed based on the conditions of the educational setting (Fischer, Schimmel, and Kelly, 2003). Taking this legislation into consideration, educators should be knowledgeable of situations in which constitutional freedoms do not prevail. â€Å"Defamatory, obscene, vulgar, and inflammatory expression are not protected in the public school context† (McCarthy et al. 2004, p. 115). As a result of Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), school authorities can limit students' freedom of expression in school publications and other school-related activities as long as the limits are based on legitimate educational concerns. In commenting on the utilization of this judicial decision, Rosen (2002) states that â€Å"administrators with a militaristic bent have no better weapon in their arsenal†¦ † In general, however, courts have endorsed the notion that educators should limit students' freedoms of expression and press only when their actions cause disruption to the educational environment (Essex, 1999). Student-initiated clubs have become very common in the educational setting. Lee (2002) asserts that joining a group that is unified in vision and in action can soothe the difficulties that many alienated students may experience. But, because the nature of some clubs has caused controversy, litigation has ensued. Although freedom of association is not specifically protected under the First Amendment, the Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of association is â€Å"implicit in the freedoms of speech, assembly, and petition† (Healy v. James, 1972). The issue, however, arises in the nature of the association that is taken by the students. Public school students have sought legal espousal for secret societies or closed-membership clubs through the assertion that these associations are supported by First Amendment freedoms. However, the courts have upheld rulings by school officials prohibiting student membership in secret societies (Burkitt v. School District No. 1 Multnomah County, 1952). Conversely, student-initiated organizations with open membership are receptive to support under the First Amendment. Accordingly, courts have held that if a public high school allows student associations to meet during noninstructional time, the access policy for such meetings by other groups must be neutral in relation to association content (Dixon v. Beresh, 1973). Due to the legislation resulting from such issues, Congress enacted the Equal Access Act (EAA) in 1984, that confirmed that if a federally assisted secondary school creates an open forum for noncurricular student groups to meet during noninstractional time, it must not deny access to specific groups based on religious, political, or other content of the groups' meeting (Fischer, Schimmel, and Kelly, 2003). School officials may only limit meetings that th reaten to disrupt the educational environment. As mentioned earlier in this literature review, the establishment of an open forum has been challenged by the Establishment clause when association is of a religious nature (Board of Education of the Westside Community Schools v. Mergens, 1990). Reflection on this legislation raises the issue of whether or not the creation of an open forum is in the best interest of the school. Fortunately, under the EAA, school districts do retain the option of restricting access to only curriculum related association, rather than creating a limited open forum for student-initiated association. Regardless of the choice, teachers must be aware of the school district's decision and the underlying obligations of this decision in order to avoid instances of controversy when dealing with student-initiated clubs (Imber & Van Geel, 2000). Freedom of appearance on behalf of students has led to regular litigation in the past. Appearance is of great importance to most students. However, when fads and fashion lead to disruptions in the learning environment, controversy usually follows. Although freedom of appearance has been considered an extension of symbolic expression, which is protected under the First Amendment, the courts have reached contradictory conclusions over this issue (Essex, 1999). In 1982, the court determined that restrictions on student appearance constitute â€Å"a reasonable means of furthering the school board's undeniable interest in teaching hygiene, instilling discipline, asserting authority, and compelling uniformity† (Domico v. Rapides Parish School Board, 1982). Although students have asserted that attire is a means of expression protected under the First Amendment, courts have held that attire can be regulated if it is deemed â€Å"immodest, disruptive, or unsanitary† (Richards v. Thurston, 1970). More stringent restrictions on attire, in the form of uniform policies, have been established in some school systems in order to eliminate gang-related attire, reduce violence, and improve school climate by removing the emphasis placed on attire, thereby enhancing the emphasis on academics (Del Stover, 1996). However, courts have reached contradictory conclusions concerning the constitutionality of mandated school uniform policies. Thus, in order to avoid potential litigation, educators must ensure that a legitimate educational justification is underlying any regulation related to students' appearance and teachers must enforce uniform policies based solely upon these established justifications in order to avoid litigation (McCarthy et al. , 2004). Extracurricular activities are integral components of the majority of public school across the nation. In 1975, Goss v. Lopez established that once a state provides public education, students cannot be denied access to this education without due process of law. Although courts have historically held that extracurricular activities are fundamental in the educational system, the current view stipulates that conditions may be attached to participation in such activities. However, litigation has been contradictory because, â€Å"courts have not agreed regarding procedural protections that must be provided when students face suspension or expulsion from extracurricular activities† (McCarthy et al. 2004, p. 135). Due to these insubstantial rulings, school authorities may not be required to provide formal due process procedures prior to the suspension of a student from extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, if the school district has a policy for suspending students from extracurricular activities, school authorities must abide by this policy, in such instances, an informal hearing and documentation of the underlying rationale for the action is advisable. Suspension based on academic standing, age, conduct, extracurricular participation fees, individual skill, school attendance, residence, and a number of other conditions have been left to the discretion of school district authorities (Imber & Van Geel, 2000). Policies concerning these considerations should be clearly written, they should be communicated to students, teachers, and parents, they should be based on sound educational rationale, and they should be enforced in an indiscriminating manner. Educators should ensure that suspension or denial of participation in extracurricular activities is based on established policy in order to avoid litigation in this area. Conclusion In this litigious society, to protect themselves and the students they teach, teachers should have ample knowledge of school law. Determining the level of knowledge of school law and the importance that teachers place on this knowledge is important so that college officials, school administrators, and teachers can make decisions focused on improving knowledge in deficient areas, such as legal issues pertaining to students' rights. Educating particular groups to increase law knowledge will remain a great challenge for universities officials, school administrators, and teachers because no one person or group of people is like that of another and because no one person or group shares the same educational or practical experiences. Knowledge of the law pertaining to students' rights is of extreme importance to educators because â€Å"by their very nature schools are places where students often wish to express their ideas through speech and other means† (Imber & Van Geel, 2000, p. 37). Thus, teachers should be prepared to lawfully allow students to exercise their constitutional rights while maintaining the structure and integrity of the educational system. In doing so, students will experience an enriched educational environment based upon diversity of ideals, respect for self and others, and, most importantly, the liberties granted by the U. S. Constitution that have defined our nation and its citizenry.