Is your school good for the environment?

    Being green wasn't easy for Kermit the Frog(a famous cartoon character)—but it is for a growing number of schools around the country.A "green" school is an environmentally friendly building that uses less energy by depending on earth's natural resources for heat,light,and power.Green schools have clean air,a lot of natural light,and renewable power sources.

    New studies show that green schools are not only good for the environment,but good for you too!Kids in classrooms with a lot of daylight scored 25 percent higher on reading and math tests than students who studied in rooms with less natural light.Students in schools with more natural light took three to four fewer sick days than students exposed to artificial classroom lighting.The further study found that those students had less dental decay（龋齿）because they were exposed to more of the vitamin D produced by the sun.

The Willow School in N.J. is a school that was built as a green building in 2002.Parts of the building are made wholly from recycled materials.To help trap heat,for example,building workers filled the walls with material from old blue jeans instead of the traditional insulation（绝缘物）made of chemicals.Every classroom has skylights to allow most sunlight,and solar panels（太阳能电池板）line the south end of the building.It uses about 70 percent less energy than a non-green school.This helps the school cut down on high energy costs.

    Kate Burke Walsh,head of the Willow School,says,"Sunlight has an impact—you're happier."The clean,natural surroundings help both students and teachers "handle stress and stay relaxed and focused…it's a very calming atmosphere."

    “He is the best choice for goodwill ambassador.” Indian movie fans in China say.

    Indian actor Aamir Khan has got his major celebrity status in China. Aamir Khan was in China last week to promote his latest Hindi film Secret Superstar. During his weeklong stay, first in Shanghai and then in Beijing, the Indian actor also found out that he has become a major celebrity in a country where Hollywood's reach has been traditionally limited.

    Some local analysts compare his star status in China to that of Hollywood actors Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio. Others wonder if Khan is an activist actor. Still others describe him as a feminist（女权主义者）. The Chinese media seem to have called him Mishu, or Uncle Aamir. The surprising rise in popularity of the 52-year-old Bollywood star is owing to his striking movies. At more than 1 million, Khan has the most followers as an Indian on Sina Weibo, the country's Twitter-like platform.

    Secret Superstar had made more than 400 million yuan（$63 million）earlier this week. The story of a teenage Muslim girl's fight against ugly patriarchy（父权制）to realize her dreams was released in China on Jan 19.

    Last year, his film Dangal, inspired by the real journey of an Indian wrestler through a conservative landscape to turn his daughters into world-class athletes, had made nearly 1.3 billion yuan.

    In 2011, Khan's work first got major attention from Chinese moviegoers with Three Idiots, which was released in India much earlier. A statement on India's orthodox education system, similar to that of China, the Hindi film went along with the local audience. Film critics and fans alike recommended it to their friends.

    Some film critics say the education systems, gender discrimination（性别歧视）and domestic violence（家庭暴力）that Secret Superstar shows are among similarities of social issues in India and China. A series of “masterpieces” have made Khan an effective brand in China, in addition to his movie marketing and film devotion.

    Throughout my educational years, despite the kind teachers I had met, I never felt interest in writing until I met her, Mrs Kelley. At first, I believed that writing would still be my worst class. Gradually, my fondness increased. She taught the lesson in such a lively way and her word choice impressed me. But that was not what made her my favorite. Unlike other teachers, after instructions, she gave an enormous amount of freedom in what we wrote, allowing us to create our own stories using our imagination. And that mattered most.

    There was one really revolutionary event: the historical fiction unit. We were to invent out own stories using the period we were given. World War II was mine. At that point, I was just looking for a good grade. Rather than creating a mundane (平淡的) story, I wanted to make a story that I felt was meaningful. As I progressed, I was pulled further and further into the reality that I had made. Grammar no longer existed, as my hands gained acceleration. When I typed the final word, my hands trembled with excitement. Briefly, I read it over and then submitted the draft.

    In the midst of anxiousness, Mrs Kelley responded. She pointed out some mistakes and gave some suggestions. Sadly, there were no comments of recognition. I fixed the errors and moved on. But when waiting for the final grade, I erased all the unrealistic thoughts that wandered in my mind.

    In the next class, surprisingly, after handing back my paper, Mrs Kelley mentioned that my story was very good. I looked at her in confusion. Soon excitement stirred inside me. I found a “+5” attached to the score. She had given an extra point in "Plot", adding an "Excellent!" No other teacher had done this. On that day, I felt what it means to be a writer. Mrs Kelley introduced me to the beauty of literature and made writing so enjoyable.

    It seems as if Christmas and their birthday aren't enough. Kids have another day which revolves (围绕) around them. There are a lot of funny activities in Shanghai especially for families as Children's Day falls on 1^st June.

    ①Indoor activities at Big E

    Big E is a great place for kids. All kinds of ball games can be found here. This Sunday, there are some other interesting activities: free movies and a magic show with three sessions (场) between 9 a. m. and 6 p. m.

    ②The Wizard of Oz at Kerry Hotel

    If eating and relaxing is what your family are interested in, Kerry Hotel should be your favourite place. The COOK and The MEAT both offer excellent brunch (早午餐) every weekend. Besides, The BREW will organize The Wizard of Oz for children in a repeat of its special Easter performance.

    ③Brunch at City Bistro

    If you're looking for a restaurant with a more relaxing atmosphere and lower price than either The COOK or The MEAT, then go to City Bistro. A special discount on its brunch this Sunday has never happened before. While parents are enjoying the food, their children can play in the kids' corner and let parents catch their breath.

    ④Children's exhibition at Gallery G1

    If going out for brunch is too regular, families can try something a little more cultural at Gallery G1. There is an exhibition of children's artwork named My Sky, which will be displayed this weekend. There are also a number of artistic (艺术的) activities for kids to try.

    ⑤Get creative at Petit Chameleon

    Petit Chameleon at the Daycare centre is organizing a new activity named Art from the Start to show kids' creative ability. The event is about ancient Greece. On Sunday, you will see kids make their own armors (盔甲).

New Books Just Waiting for You!

    Saving nia

    Author: G. B. Jones

    Hardback: $34. 99

    Paperback: $23. 99

    E-book at www.authorhouse.com $3.99

    This book is based on a girl's true story. Separated from her nappy home and placed with drug-addicted relatives, Nia sinks into a depression and attempts to set herself on fire. The love of another child lights up her darkness and brings her out!

    An Insider's History of the Swingin' Medallions

    Author: Carrol Blessoe

    Hardback: $29.99

    Paperback: $21.99

    E-book at www. xlibris.com: $3.99

    This book records the story of eight young guys, the Swingin' Medallions, born in a small town in America, who become a national sense in the music world.

    Road to Freedom- My Life and Journey from a 3rd World Country

    Author: Edward A. Nieto

    Hardback: $27. 99

    Paperback: $19. 99

    E-book at www. xlibris.com: $3.99

    This book details Edward A. Nieto's life and journey. It also includes his struggles with violence, corruption and the politics of living in a third world count.

    The Mister

    Author: E. L. James

    Hardback: $51. 99

    Paperback: $41. 99

    E-book at www.xlibris.com: $3.99

    This is a new romantic story. Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. But all that changes when he meets an unexpected, young woman who's recently arrived in England. After some awkward moments and dramatic incidents, he finally wins the lady's heart.

New Jersey Botanical Garden Membership

    It's easy to join New Jersey Botanical Garden (NJBG) Membership online, by phone or by mail. Your membership dollars help to improve the Garden, and provide educational and entertaining activities for the general public. Thank you for your support!

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    If you prefer to join by phone or mail, call the NJBG office at (973) 962-9534 or download and send in our membership brochure (Adobe Acrobat PDF file).

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    The Botanical Garden started life as Skylands, a large area in the grand manner. It is famous for a 44-room Tudor Revival granite mansion(公馆)designed John Russel Pope. Skylands has 96 acres of formal and naturalized gardens and is surrounded by over 1,000 acres of meadows(草坪) and woodlands. Purchased by the State in 1966 and officially named as the New Jersey Botanical Garden in 1984, the gardens contain approximately 5,000 species and varieties of trees and flowers.

    For you, the NJBG is an exciting and beautiful place to visit where you may enjoy each season's best. Members enjoy special events, festivals, lectures and rewarding educational opportunities for both city and gardeners.

    Your NJBG membership offers you discounts at participating nurseries, garden centers and other fine businesses. Simply present your NJBG membership card when beginning your purchase.