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- FORSYTH county NEWS - Wednesday, March 31,2004 * PAGE 4A wKB Studies show students’ performance improves with natural lighting By Nancy Smallwood Associate Editor A first-grade teacher at Sawnee Primary says fluores cent lighting distracts students because of the flickering and humming coming from the bulbs. “It causes stress and is very distracting to students," says Tammy Waddell. "It's just not as comfortable and it is very hard on the attention deficit disorder students.” Waddell said the use of lighting in her class room has a calming eff ect on her students. Glare is de creased, behavior is better and students are more com fortable. she There are several stud ies which show that nat ural lighting boosts learning skills. said. While educators realize there are several elements that affect student performance, parents might not be aware that school officials are keep ing up with the latest research on how a student’s environ ment affects their learning. School officials look for different ways to improve per formance such as an alterna tive curriculum and smaller classes but also are taking a closer look at the classroom environment in which the chil dren are learning. Research has shown natu ral lighting or simulated sun light (full spectrum lighting and color) enhances learning. The concept is not a new one, according to Jennifer Caracciolo, school public information officer. "There are several studies which show that natural light ing boosts learning skills,” said Caracciolo. “The most widely known study is by Dr. Catherine Swanson on Brain Based Research." First United Methodist Church Welcomes Fow.' HIV JOHN L. it < ROM AR TIE. JR. -4T SENIOR MINISTER [g 770 C anton Hwy Cumming, GA For more i H information, call I (770) #B7-2900 _ I I 11 J EXPRESS* J ■ Present this coupon . for a full :25% off! I our rack rates I I on all rooms. ■ Exit 14 at GA 400 I 435 Buford Rd. Cumming, GA 30041 | | 770-889-4600 | CaftTM Mmh MM ■ ■aaißiHiaiaiMadi Studies have shown that schools and classrooms where people spend time learning and working under natural lighting experience less stress and anxiety, improved behav ior and attitudes and increased performance and academic achievement. In addition, research in the use of light in schools has shown that cool-white fluores cent bulbs cause stress, anxi ety and hyperactivity which can lead to poor learning per formance, according to a 1999 study by Dr. William Titoff. An architecture firm, Heschong Mahone Group, based a study on the effect of classroom lighting on achieve ment levels. The group found that students who took their lessons in the classrooms with more natural light scored up to 25 percent higher on standard ized tests than other students in the same school district. A T <- „ (I [ J A & L Antiques i, . ™We Offer Real Antiques, At Realistic Prices Wjd J j Full Service Interior Decorating & Antique I’ M Honte Accessories, Fine Crystal, Vintage and , I I Cobalt Glassware yw |a Find The Egg... Find the Savings 11 LN Off Any One Item |« O 770-887-5320 \ Wendy Keenan Cell: 770-317-7479 ’ . Circa Style larry Kohn -JA a I. Dahkincga Hwy • Highway 9 North • Cumming 30040 ' Hpurs: Monday by Appt. Tues-Sat 10:00 - 6:30 www.circastyle.com yk TM ■ igr 1 L Sunday Services April 4 / M God, who Cumming First y always leads us United Methodist Church z/y in triumphant/ // procession. , Rev ’ Jo^n L Cromart * e ' Jr " Senior Minister Nursery is provided for the very young EDUCATION Optimist Oratorical Contest winners More than 2,000 middle and high school students in Forsyth County competed in the Optimist Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Optimist Club March 9. The theme for this year's contest was Thinking, Working, and Expecting the Best." The top winners in the girls competition were Taylor Hartley of Otwell Middle School, coached by Beth Richardson and Julie-Ann Barra, and Ashley Butman, a home-schooled student. Top winners in the boys' division were lyier Grant of South Forsyth Middle School, whose coordinator was Amy Atkins, and Keith Roper of North Forsyth Middle School, whose coordinator was Dave Stephenson. Boys winners were, left photo from left, Jay Michal, Keith Roper and Tyler Grant. Girls winners were, right photo from left, Taylor Hartley, Ashley Butman and Cori Jekot. Photos/Submitted Caracciolo said the school system is aware of the research and has made an effort to see that all class rooms receive natural light. "Our school designs incorpo rate the use of natural lighting in the classrooms," said Caracciolo. However, one parent of a student at Chattahoochee Elementary said she has con cerns about the lighting theo ry. Kim Slep said her daughter had trouble seeing with the fluorescent lights turned off during cloudy days in the classroom. The decision to turn on the fluorescent lights in the classroom was made after Slep contacted the principal. “My daugh ter wears glasses and had trouble seeing using the low level lighting." said Slep. When the problem was brought to the attention of the school Slep said they suggested a desk lamp for her child. “I was worried about the cording of the lamp and the danger it would cause," said Slep. I 1 jdfl 1 olr photo/Audra Perry Students Cassidy Wilson and Heather Morrison practice for a standardized test at Sawnee Primary School under natural lighting. Good Shepherd Catholic Church 3740 Holtiolaw Road. Cumming, GA 770-887 9861 WEBPAGE: www.goodthapliefdcummlng.com Rev Peter J. Rau, Pastor COMf CELEBRATE WITH US Palm Sunday Holy Thursday April 4, 2004 April 8, 2004 Our Liturgy begins outside end each Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:30 PM Celebration of the Eucharist will begin with the Solemn Procession with Palms GOOd FfldaV as we commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry Into Jerusalem. Masses., April 9, 2004 Saturday 5:30 PM 12 00 N °° n ’ SU,,lon * Cro “ Sunday: 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00 AM 7:30 PM ' So,emn L,,u ™ of thß Lord ' Wo// Jfer SehojuheLamcfGdd Holy Saturday Easter Sunday April 10, 2004 April 11, 2004 Our Easter Vigil begins at 9.00 PM SPECIAL MASS SCHEDULE At Good Shepherd Catholic Church Join us as wo welcome our .. candidates and catechumens as fully 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM initiated Catholics as they celebrate At Chattahoochee Elementary School their Baptism. Confirmation and are welcomed to the Table of the JL « 9:00 * 10:30 AM Lord for the first time. |-w J| . .aj* No Sunday Evening Mass a Evhfl ImiKwl L 11 I ijJ| Ik UB J WL I