Thank goodness

Giving thanks

No excuses! You have some time off from school this week to think about reasons to be thankful. Tell us why, even in this gloomy economic time, you are grateful for something.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

In the know. In the Times.

Is it all about the Benjamins?

Foreclosure, tuition hikes, stocks plunging, unemployment rising ... OH MY!

Although the price per gallon of gasoline has dropped in the last few weeks, the cost of the basics - food, shelter and clothing - is still on the rise. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, there was an article in the Times about the financial struggles of Lazydays RV SuperCenter in Seffner, the world's largest single-site RV dealer.

The front page of today's St. Petersburg Times has it all. You can read about "Foreclosure stalks BayWalk," "Lines drawn on tuition," "Wall Street fright returns; jobless claims soar" and "'A piece of humble pie.'"  Check out Annie Lesso's (pictured in chair) story written by Leonora Lapeter Anton. What are your thoughts about Ms. Lesso's struggles? Do you think the issues she faces will affect you, if you are looking for an afterschool, winter break or summer job?

How is the economic crisis in the country affecting you and your family?  Share your thoughts here.

Ready to Gobble Fame

The Greater St. Petersburg Area Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band is heading for the legendary Thanksgiving Macys Parade in New York City next week. Here is a short preview of the band's dress rehearsal and a few of the band members' comments. Stay tuned for more video highlights as the Rounders prepare to rock the Big Apple!

Read more about the Rounders at tampabay.com.

Time to quit

Great American Smokeout

-- from the pages of Parade magazine and Parade Classroom.

On Thursday, November 20, thousands of smokers across the country will take part in the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout, by attempting to go the entire day without lighting a cigarette. Each year, smoking is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 45 million adults smoke—about 21 percent of the U.S. population.

Do any of your friends or family members smoke? Do you think these people are addicted to smoking? Have they ever tried to quit? Have you ever tried to help someone quit smoking? What’s the best way to convince a young smoker to quit? What’s the best way to convince teens who don’t smoke never to try? Do you think images of people smoking, in the movies and on TV, help lead kids to smoke? Are more images in the media pro- or anti-smoking? What messages about smoking do you see in the newspaper. Share your thoughts here.

Be sure to check out the St. Petersburg Times this week to look for articles about the Great American Smokeout.

In the Know. In the Times.

"What is ‘careless’ versus homicide?"

In today's column, Howard Troxler writes, "How can a man with 21 previous traffic citations in Pinel­las County drive onto a side­walk in St. Pete Beach, kill a 33-year-old mother of three and be cited for nothing more than careless driving?"

Read this article and share your thoughts here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

Let's get physical

Physical activity = physical fitness

The best way to get healthy and fit is to eat healthful foods and exercise. It seems like a no brainer, right? However, each year more and more teens are becoming obese and suffering from obesity-related health issues. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity contribute to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, some forms of cancer and obesity. Many Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, get enough regular exercise or maintain a normal weight despite the proven health benefits of these behaviors.

So, what's the problem? If young people know that the best way to stay fit is to exercise, then why are so many young people inactive? Why is it a challenge to be physically fit? What issues do young people face? What kind of helpful advice and tips can you offer others who do not want to be physically active?

Look for articles and advertisements in the St. Petersburg Times that suggest ways to be more physically active. What information can you find on the pages on the Times? Are there costs associated with these methods of recreation? What physical activities are of interest to you?

Substance abuse

Deadly addictions

Drug abuse, especially prescription drug abuse, has been in appearing in the news more and more.
Read the special report on "Deadly Combinations" on tampabay.com and look through the St. Petersburg Times for stories about prescription or other illegal drug use and abuse. How did this drug affect the quality of life for its user? What kind of future does the user have? Has the use of the drug affected others? Can things be turned around for the better?

Have you had any personal experiences with drug abuse? Do you know people who abuse prescription drugs, or go to pharm parties? What are your thoughts about this topic? What are the dangers of abusing drugs? What message would you send to young people to warn them about the dangers? What actions can adults and teens take to stop the abuse of drugs?

If you have questions or comments for Christopher Tisch, author of the multi-part series, blog here.

Teen pregnancy

Babies raising babies

Teen motherhood was in the spotlight during the election campaign because Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin's unmarried 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant. According to new reports, Bristol Palin plans to marry Alaska schoolmate Levi Johnston, 18, and raise their child. Teen pregnancy is a very real issue in society. Not only does teen pregnancy affect the life of the mother and father, it also affects parents and siblings.

There are lots of things to consider regarding the issue of teen pregnancy. What issues come to mind when you think of this topic? What would you do in this situation? Do you think a teenage (13-19) girl and boy are equipped to raising a child? How can schools and the media help promote abstinence, without seeming "lame" or "out of touch" with teens? Share your thoughts here.

Using articles in the St. Petersburg Times as models, interview someone of an older generation (teachers, principals, parents, coaches) about how attitudes, behaviors and options surrounding teen pregnancy and parenting have changed over time. Share the information you learn here.

Emancipation of minors

Free to be an adult

According to the Juvenile Law Center, "Emancipation is a legal process by which minors can attain legal adulthood before reaching the age at which they would normally be considered adults (this is called the “age of majority”). The rights granted to legally emancipated minors might include the ability to sign legally binding contracts, own property and keep one’s own earnings." In Florida, the age of majority is 18. If a child is emancipated from his or her parents, the parents are no longer required, by law, to provide food, clothing or shelter for that child.

This issue of emancipation for minors is a controversial issue. To prepare for this discussion, look for an article on a controversial issue in the St. Petersburg Times.  As you read the article, take notes on both sides of the argument presented. Share your thoughts about the issue you have found. Do you agree with the issue? Why or why not?

Now that you have analyzed the pros and cons of an article in the Times, let's go back to the issue of emancipation of juveniles. What are the pros and cons of this issue? What would the benefits of being emancipated be? What would the negatives of being emancipated be? Should minors be allowed to become emancipated from their parents? Why or why not?

Teen suicide

Depression and Teens

-- from the pages of Parade magazine and Parade Classroom

Teen-suicide rates are on the rise. According to Parade magazine, from 1990 to 2003, the suicide rate among Americans aged 10 to 24 dropped by 28 percent, but in 2004, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the rate rose 8 percent —the largest one-year increase in 15 years! According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 10 - 24 year olds. The No. 1 cause of teen suicide is depression.

Have you read articles in the St. Petersburg Times about teen depression, suicide rates or the risks of
antidepressants?  Were there interviews in the articles with or advice from experts on dealing with depression among teens or adults? If so, do you agree with the advice?

How serious an issue is depression among teens? Have you known teens in your community or family who have suffered from depression? What’s the right thing to do when you suspect a friend may be
depressed? Does your school offer support to students who might suffer from depression? Do you think the potential risks of antidepressants for teens outweigh the good the drugs can do? Share your thoughts here.