Increase in OPS Graduates

A big concern in recent years for OPS has been their graduation rates. And the work of the nagging principals and teachers has begun to pay off. OPS is seeing an increase of students graduating and completing all four years of high school. Last year, for example, Benson High School went from 70.5% to 73.1% of students graduating. The graduation push by OPS has been consistent with an attendance increase in the district. According to State Education Commissioner Roger Breed, the new challenge that OPS faces with these improved rates is that graduates are well prepared for their future and that they have been well prepared and educated for college and beyond.
     I am happy that OPS is beginning to see better attendance and graduation rates. In today's economical world, people need a good education to get jobs, and to get good education one must go to school. Like Mr. Breed said, the concern now is whether or not the education provided is good enough to help adequately shape a graduate's future. Overall though, I think that these improved rates will give the incentive to improve the education provided. People will want better educations to get better jobs, and with a better attendance record, more people will see the education rates slipping or rising. And I believe that people will want the better education. So in conclusion, these improved rates are definitely for the best.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130210/NEWS/702109896/1685#ops-sees-increase-in-number-of-graduates

Suicide Bombing In Turkey

     On Friday, in Ankara, Turkey, a man killed himself and a guard at the U.S. Embassy. The White House described the incident as a terrorist attack. The man was identified as a member of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front. The group has been taking part in bombings, terrorism, and assassinations since the 1970s. In the attack, a Turkish journalist and two more guards were injured. The guards were treated on site, but did not any hospital treatment. The rest of the staff at the U.S. Embassy was able to get to a safe shelter inside the compound soon after the explosion. The motive behind the attack has not yet been determined. Americans were warned to not approach any U.S. diplomatic facilities in Turkey and to be cautious in crowds.
     To see our world plagued by such evil things such as terrorism is very saddening to me. I feel happy though that I am blessed enough to be living here in America, where terrorism is kept at a low. When I hear stories like this, my heart goes out to all those who are affected by terrorism and spend their lives in fear. It really makes me realize how great of a life I have compared to them. I think that it would be awesome to make our government see how much we care about topics like this; then, maybe, we will be able to help foreign governments oust terrorist groups and keep terrorism down. I think this will help forge peaceful bonds between other countries. Those affected by terrorism will definitely be in my prayers tonight.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/report-explosion-in-front-of-us-embassy-in-turkish-capital-several-injured/2013/02/01/28790612-6c64-11e2-8f4f-2abd96162ba8_story.html?hpid=z1