The iPhone, the iPad: each of Apple's products sounds cool and has become a fad(一时的风尚). Apple has cleverly taken advantage of the power of the letter “i” --and many other brands are following suit. The BBC's iPlayer--which allows Web users to watch TV programs on the Internet--used the title in 2008. A lovely bear--popular in the US and UK--that plays music and video is called “iTeddy”. A slimmed-down version(简装本) of London's Independent newspaper was started last week under the name “i”.

    In general, single-letter prefixes(前缀) have been popular since the 1990s, when terms such as e-mail and e-commerce(电子商务) first came into use.

    Most “I” products are targeted at(针对) young people and considering the major readers of Independent's “I”, it's no surprise that they've selected this fashionable name.

    But it's hard to see what's so special about the letter “i”. Why not use “a”, “b”, or “c” instead? According to Tony Thorne, head of the Language Center at King's College, London, “i” works because its meaning has become ambiguous. When Apple uses “i”, no one knows whether it means Internet, information, individual or interactive, Thorne told BBC Magazines. “Even when Apple created the iPod, it seems it didn't have one clear definition(定义),” he says.

    “However, thanks to Apple, the term is now connected with portability (轻便).” adds Thorne.

    Clearly the letter “i” also agrees with the idea that the Western World is centered on the individual. Each person believes they have their own needs, and we love personalized products for this reason.

    Along with “Google” and “blog”, readers of BBC Magazines voted “I” as one of the top 20 words that have come to define the last decade(十年).

    But as history shows, people grow tired of fads. From the 1900s to 1990s, products with “2000” in their names became fashionable as the year was connected with all things advanced and modern. However, as we entered the new century, the fashion disappeared.

B

    In the 1760s, Mathurin Roze opened a series of shops that boasted(享有）a special meat soup called consomme. Although the main attraction was the soup, Roze's chain shops also set a new standard for dining out, which helped to establish Roze as the inventor of the modern restaurant.

    Today, scholars have generated large amounts of instructive research about restaurants. Take visual hints that influence what we eat: diners served themselves about 20 percent more pasta(意大利面食）when their plates matched their food.  When a dark-colored cake was served on a black plate rather than a white one, customers recognized it as sweeter and more tasty.

    Lighting matters, too. When Berlin restaurant customers ate in darkness, they couldn't tell how much they'd had: those given extra-large shares ate more than everyone else, but were none the wiser—they didn't feel fuller, and they were just as ready for dessert.

    Time is money, but that principle means different things for different types of restaurants. Unlike fast-food places, fine dining shops prefer customers to stay longer and spend. One way to encourage customers to stay and order that extra round: put on some Mozart(莫扎特）.When classical, rather than pop, music was playing, diners spent more. Fast music hurried diners out. Particular scents also have an effect: diners who got the scent of lavender(薰衣草）stayed longer and spent more than those who smelled lemon, or no scent.

    Meanwhile, things that you might expect to discourage spending—"bad" tables, crowding, high prices — don't necessarily. Diners at bad tables — next to the kitchen door, say — spent nearly as much as others but soon fled. It can be concluded that restaurant keepers need not "be overly concerned about 'bad' tables," given that they're profitable. As for crowds, a Hong Kong study found that they increased a restaurant's reputation, suggesting great food at fair prices. And doubling a buffet's price led customers to say that its pizza was 11 percent tastier.

    In today's working world, the high school diploma program has become the initial footstep in achieving a successful career. A high school diploma is a formal document issued to certify a candidate's successful completion of a prescribed (规定的) secondary school program of studies.

    It takes four years to complete the high school diploma program. The eligibility (合格) requirements for the high school diploma vary from state to state. A high school diploma is the minimum qualification for higher education and government jobs in the United States. The opportunities for a better job are extremely limited for one who has not earned a high school diploma. To be more specific, the high school diploma can qualify one for fruitful careers in science, education, health care, the travel industry, and the legal profession.

    In some states, high school diplomas are differentiated by type such as a general diploma, an academic diploma, or a vocational diploma. A high school diploma is regarded as the minimum admission requirement for post-secondary education programs. When people apply for a green card or a US visa, a high school diploma is a valuable asset for immigrants into the United States.

    There are several ways to achieve a high school diploma. One can get the diploma through traditional classroom study. It is best suited for individuals who enjoy face-to-face interaction with their teachers and classmates. In the United States, opportunities are provided for getting high school diplomas without attending classes at school. One can earn a high school diploma at home through a combination of online and correspondence classes.

    Generally, the high school diploma programs do not have minimum age requirements. In order to get the high school diploma, the students must complete the coursework dictated by their school district. Curriculum (课程) varies from district to district. Before enrollment, a student counseling (咨询) service is recommended to most students.

    Morning Environmental Education Program

    A fun environmental based activity program for kids will be held in the mornings at Camp Hawk. Curriculum(课程) is designed to be interactive(互动的). Fees are $60 and includes lunch.

    Camp Hawk is open to children of abilities; however, daily participation(参加) requires that a child be able to stay with the group while outside on adventures, as well as to listen to and follow directions from the counselors(辅导员).

    Topics Include:

    Tuesday: Kids will build a space station with legos(儿童积木), and build their solar system with bottle caps.

    Wednesday: Kids will learn about the importance of the mangroves(红树) to the Florida Keys and other areas of the world. They'll take a field trip to explore life in the mangroves, and make their own mangrove poem.

    Thursday: Campers will learn about the bottle nosed dolphin and the types of sharks that live in the keys. This session will also take them out of the classroom to the Dolphin Connection observation area.

    Friday: This day is all about reptiles(爬行动物). Kids will learn about "The mixed up Chameleon" activities and art project, Reptile "hunt" fieldtrip, and making lizard bracelets.

    Saturday: Campers will learn about all of the creatures of Florida by taking a fieldtrip to observe dolphins, fish, birds, reptiles, sharks, and insects. Create their own animal, make their own aquarium and feed the tarpon at the harbor.

    It's school time again! You're probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad for the vacation is over. Some kids feel nervous on the first day of school because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. Luckily, these "new" worries only stick around for a little while. Let's find out more about going back to school.

    Most teachers kick off the school year by introducing themselves and talking about what you'll be doing that year. Some teachers give students a chance to tell something about themselves to the rest of the class.

    When teachers do the talking on the first day, they often go over classroom rules so you'll know what's allowed and what's not. Pay close attention so you'll know if you need to raise your hand to ask a question and what the rules are about visiting the restroom.

    You might already know a lot of people in your class on the first day. But it's a great day to make new friends, so try to say "hello" to the kids you know and new ones that you don't. Make the first move and you'll be glad about what you did and so will your new friends!

    Most teachers let you pick your own seat on the first day, but by the second or third morning, they'll have mapped out a seating plan. It's a good idea to write down where your seat is in your notebook so you don't forget.

    Here are a few final tips for a fantastic(奇异的) first day: Get enough sleep. Have a healthy breakfast. Try your best. Develop good work habits, like writing down your assignments(作业) and handing in your homework on time. Take your time with schoolwork. If you don't understand something, ask the teacher.

All students are expected to read and learn the School Rules. These rules aim to make each student aware of the value of self-control, orderliness and the need to develop a sense of responsibility for their own behavior and for the larger community of which they are a part.

Dress Regulations

The School expects its students to wear their full school uniform correctly and with pride. It is our expectation that uniform and shoes will be clean and in good repair. Boys' hair should be combed and of an acceptable length (not over the collar, ears or eyes), with no artificial coloring. Girls' hair should be of a natural color. Shoulder-length hair must be tied back.

Absence, Illness and Punctuality

All students must be at school on time. If late, the student must sign in the late book in the General Office. Parents are asked to inform the school if their child is absent by 8:30 am on the day of absence. A written note from a parent explaining the absence MUST be provided to the General Office the day after return.

Should a student be ill during school hours he is to go straight to the School Medical Center. The sister will then take appropriate action.

Safety

◆ Proper behavior is expected within and around buildings and on the sporting field at all times.

◆ Students are not to enter laboratories, language rooms, the Technics and music rooms until invited to do so by teachers.

◆ The riding of bicycles or skateboards is prohibited along the front drive. Students riding bicycles must wear an approved bicycle helmet.

◆ No knives, explosives or dangerous materials may be brought into the school or boarding houses.

◆ Students are forbidden to interfere with fire safety equipment. An automatic fine will be imposed if this occurs.