Latest news with #TalkingPoints
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Duvall reflects on first year as OPS superintendent
When Dr. Wendy Duvall was named superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools last spring, she was excited about the opportunity to learn all she could about the school district. But Duvall felt her first priority had to be learning about the culture of the city of Owensboro. 'Anyone new to the city needs to find out what Owensboro is about before you can lead,' she said. 'There is so much here that is offered, not only to students in the school district, but to our families, and that makes it a place people want to come and live. My mission was to meet as many of the (community) leaders in the district as possible, from the sheriff to the mayor to the chamber president to the police chief. 'Owensboro is just fabulous. Not only the district, but the city, the people who live here. Everyone has been so welcoming.' Duvall said her priority with the school district was that the team worked on the true mission of OPS, which is tradition, excellence and innovation. 'It's all about kids and what we offer them,' said Duvall, who noted several achievements for the district. 'Overall, with ACT telling us that our high school is one of 26 schools in the nation that was ranked a school of excellence, making sure we are offering first-generation, really supporting them going to college. And being a recipient of the community grants with Foust and (Owensboro Middle School). The opportunities that we've been able to work with community members there is amazing. 'I'm just amazed from working in previous districts what we can offer kids here. Not only does OPS foster growth in academics, but we also foster growth in kids' passions.' Duvall said the first thing she pushed academically in the district was making sure science is taught in kindergarten through fifth grade. 'By doing that, the supports are there leading to high school, so that our pathways that lead into the science fields of engineering, health science, bio-med, all of those have the foundation they need,' Duvall said. 'That has been wonderful. I also started walkthroughs in three reading — or English if at the high school — math and science classes, and those have gone well, giving feedback to the schools. I am excited about that.' Duvall said she reviewed the district's five-year strategic plan that was adopted in 2022, and 'we have been meeting a lot of those things that were established,' including having a one-system communication platform — TalkingPoints. 'Any messages that we have to send out, parents receive an email and a text,' she said. Duvall said she's thankful for having two mentors as a new superintendent — Dr. Fred Carter, director of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, and Amy Smith, superintendent of Hopkins County Schools. 'They have given me wonderful recommendations, as far as reflecting on what they see that I've done,' she said, 'and they're very pleased.' Duvall said she has also built a good relationship with Charlies Broughton, first-year superintendent of Daviess County Public Schools. 'I want to continue to establish cooperation between Charlie and myself, with both of us being new superintendents,' she said. 'I think that is important. Even though we are two separate school districts, we are still in one land district, and our kids are kids. We have a great cooperation with Charlie and their board.' OPS is not expecting much turnover in staff before next school year. Duvall has only had to hire one new principal for next year. 'I have a very stable leadership (team),' she said. 'Building stability from the top down is huge.' While it doesn't appear to be a significant issue for OPS this summer, Duvall said looking ahead, finding teachers will be one of the bigger challenges OPS — and most school districts — will face. 'I think the biggest challenge is making sure that we still stay competitive for teachers wanting to come here, as far as continuing to offer what we have,' she said. 'We do have a lot. We have a dynamic salary. The biggest challenge is working with our colleges to get qualified teachers. We're pretty good in the teachers that we have, but it's across the commonwealth that you do not have the big pool of young people going into education like we've had before. 'We look for new ways to bring in people who teaching is a second career. But other than that, I don't know that OPS has any other challenges that any other district wouldn't have.' While Duvall said her first year has been marked by several highlights, it's not surprising, given OPS' stature for offering the best in fine arts programs, that she said the OPS Fine Arts Festival 'absolutely wowed me.' 'The things from orchestra to dance; we have music and art for kids from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade, and that's what Owensboro is known for,' Duvall said. 'The engineering program we have here is also amazing. To have two engineers teaching engineering is huge for our kids, because that pathway becomes really real world, hands on. 'And the collaboration with community partners. It's truly a community district, a community city. We're all in it for the kids and all in it for each other.'
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong creator of Carbi the rice ball shares how the soft toy increased her confidence
Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written. With a round, huggable body and an assortment of mischievous expressions, Carbi the rice ball is a soft toy making waves in Hong Kong. Carbi's creator, 26-year-old illustrator Carina Wong, said the toy's name was a playful nod to the word 'carbohydrates'. 'Rice is a staple across Asia and my personal favourite food,' the Hongkonger explained. According to Wong, Carbi's basic rice ball form is a perfect blank canvas for the imagination, and its simplicity invites endless possibilities for what it can represent. 'This allows individuals to connect with Carbi in their own unique way and project their personal ideas and feelings onto the character,' she explained. Seriously cute: psychologist explains Chiikawa's popularity among Hong Kong youth Each Carbi plush tells its own little story through its unique expressions. Wong said her top three favourites are the 'sleepy Carbi', 'smiling Carbi', and 'slightly frustrated Carbi', explaining that since these emotions are 'universally human', they make the character more relatable. Wong, who also has a full-time job as a graphic designer, created the character in 2020. She was inspired by the two loves of her life: rice and her nine-year-old Pomeranian, Muffin. 'The idea behind Carbi actually came from how much happiness Muffin brings me and my family. These cherished memories we create together are the foundation of Carbi's being,' she said. Carbi (right) and his girlfriend, Carbina. Photo: Handout Finding comfort in Carbi Over the past three years, the whimsical character has even become a staple at POP TOY SHOW in Singapore, a major annual event in Southeast Asia for pop culture toys, collectibles and merchandise. Wong recounted how a young girl approached her at the event in August with her own Carbi plushie, saying it helped her feel safe at night and protected her from nightmares. 'I was really touched [to hear that] because I used to be this girl who found comfort in my soft toy when I was scared,' she said. Carbi at the POP TOY SHOW held in Singapore last August. Photo: Handout 'To have this child tell me how Carbi has such a positive impact on her further motivated me to give back to the community, especially in the area of mental health.' She noted that teenagers in Hong Kong face lots of academic pressure while navigating the complexities of adolescence. In such times, characters like Carbi can provide a unique form of support, acting as a silent companion when they need to process their feelings privately. Top 10: The blind box toys readers would create Taking chances Carbi has also made a difference in Wong's personal life, helping her open up. 'A lot of people only know me as the rice ball girl. They did not know how I looked until very recently. I used to do only faceless [Instagram] reels as I am actually quite shy,' she said. Thanks to Carbi fans, she is getting more comfortable being on camera. 'The incredible encouragement and support from the Carbi community gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone,' she said. The illustrator is continuing to push her boundaries with her future creative projects. She is preparing for another toy show in August and already has new ideas for expanding the Carbi universe, which currently also includes Carbina, Carbi's girlfriend. 'I hope that by sharing my own journey, it encourages others to also take chances,' she said. 'It's OK to try and see what happens, regardless of the reaction.' To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
South China Morning Post
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Documentary shows the people and traditional businesses in Kwu Tung, a Hong Kong village
Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written. Since moving to Hong Kong more than a decade ago, artist Daphne Mandel found herself drawn to rural areas near the city's border with Shenzhen. 'Slowly, these areas are being urbanised, and right now we're in that in-between moment where they're [a] little bit of both [rural and urban],' said Mandel, a 49-year-old artist. She hoped to capture this 'mesmerising' point in time, so she teamed up with her friend, Guy Bertrand, to make a film about the village of Kwu Tung. The filmmakers recalled how the people there were 'so enthusiastic about the fact that we were there to ... tell the stories and collect memories'. In December, they showed their short film, Cha Guo, for the first time. The title refers to the sticky rice cake that villagers often gave to Mandel on her visits. Hakka village festival shows Hong Kong's beautiful countryside and heritage Focus on traditions Mandel and Bertrand wanted the film to highlight the stories of Kwu Tung's residents. '[We] decided ... to do portraits, meeting people that were from different walks of life [and] have different backgrounds, some in small industries, some that are just residents,' said Bertrand, a 59-year-old photographer and filmmaker. He added that villagers had 'a classic Hong Kong spirit' – especially in their dedication to traditions. Soy sauce is one of the village's traditional industries. Jack Pong Chung-hang and his sister are third-generation owners of Yuet Wo, which makes soy sauce in Kwu Tung. He is one of the nine people featured in Cha Guo. 'People know too little about villages,' said Pong, who is in his mid-thirties. 'In the old days, this type of village supplied [everything].' Monday through Saturday, Pong works for about nine hours a day to oversee the factory. Mandel explained the long process of making high-quality soy sauce. Beans need to be fermented for six months on a rooftop. 'The soy sauce factory is such an iconic product of Hong Kong, and the fact that they still make it the way they make it is extraordinary,' she said. 'It's all about tradition – about staying close to heritage.' Guy Bertrand (left) and Daphne Mandel are the documentarians behind 'Cha Guo'. Photo: Handout Concerns for the future Kwu Tung has seen many changes over the past century. Cha Guo captures a moment right before the village is set to change once again. The government plans to develop this area in the coming years. The Planning Scheme Area of Kwu Tung North New Development Area will house more than 130,000 people and provide more than 38,000 jobs. However, there are concerns about how these plans will affect Kwu Tung's residents and businesses. For Pong and his factory, this is not their first time dealing with change. Yuet Wo was originally located in Tsuen Wan in the 1930s. But when the area was developed, the factory moved to Kwu Tung in the 1960s. Now, they will have to move again. '[We need] some help from the government, like for the licensing, for the planning, the land use – all that stuff is the most difficult part,' Pong said. Pong uses factory tours to teach people about Yuet Wo and the importance of maintaining this heritage. He believes healthy city development should also include traditional businesses like his. Reflect: Have you ever visited a rural area of Hong Kong or another place? How is it different from city areas? To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
South China Morning Post
30-03-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Food waste is bad for the planet and our wallets, so why are we still wasteful?
Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written. Just before Amina Seyd left home, she noticed half of a loaf of bread on the counter. She took a slice to eat, but knew the rest would likely be in the bin by the time she returned from school. This is a common problem: why do we waste food when we know it is wrong? The issue with food waste Kevin Tam is a social science professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Tam explained there could be many reasons people throw away food that could still be eaten. In some cultures, people are expected to serve guests more food than they need. Parents might want their children to eat well, so they buy and cook more than enough food. But when they cannot finish the food, it gets thrown out. This is what happens in Amina's home. 'Bread tends to expire easily, and since there are four siblings in our household, we sometimes buy more than we can eat. We usually only eat bread for breakfast, so it often goes unused,' the 16-year-old Hongkonger said. In 2022, 11,130 tonnes of municipal solid waste was sent to Hong Kong's landfills every day. Of this, 30 per cent was food waste. Food waste takes up the limited space in landfills. Also, a 2024 UN report found that food waste creates eight to 10 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions every year. The Environmental Protection Department has programmes to reduce waste, such as food recycling bins. But green groups say more needs to be done to change how people think. Social enterprise uses insects to compost food waste in Hong Kong How we get rid of the guilt Tam pointed out that some people do feel bad about throwing food away. 'They might either change their behaviour by reducing food waste or change how they think about it,' he said. They might try to convince themselves that it is OK to throw away the food because it would have gone bad. They might also try to make themselves feel less guilty by doing another good deed. Amina said some of her classmates felt that their individual actions would not make a difference. 'They often underestimate the impact of leaving behind even a small amount of food and think that it isn't a big deal,' she said. According to Tam, this could be because people in wealthy cities like Hong Kong do not experience the consequences of food waste. 'This also highlights why simply telling people to waste less or offering rewards isn't enough. We need to go beyond simply telling them it's bad, and show how their actions are directly connected to their lives,' Tam said. Smart food waste recycling bins have been installed across Hong Kong. Photo: Sun Yeung What we can do to fix this problem Government campaigns can show how wasting food creates greenhouse gases, which are leading to increasingly hot summers in Hong Kong. The government can also push stores to sell food in smaller amounts and tell school canteens to serve less food. 'When only large packages are available, or if smaller packages are too expensive, people tend to buy more food than they actually need,' Tam noted. Schools could also help students track how much money they could save in a year if they wasted less food. Workshops can teach them how to use leftovers in new dishes and how to store food so it stays fresh. 'Achieving lasting change in teenagers' food waste habits and tackling Hong Kong's food waste problem requires a comprehensive approach: motivating them, providing the right environment, and empowering them with the ability to act,' he said. To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
South China Morning Post
23-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Charity tour shows how to support Hong Kong's Muslim community during Ramadan
Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written. The Islamic holy month of Ramadan began on March 2. Since then, Hong Kong's Muslim community has been deep in prayer. More than a dozen people visited the Kowloon Mosque one rainy Saturday afternoon. They were part of a group tour organised by the Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI). The charity looks to combat societal issues and support ethnically diverse communities in Hong Kong. The tour educated the group about Ramadan. It also introduced them to some ethnic minority business owners in Tsim Sha Tsui. 'We FSI, we believe in supporting small businesses,' said Adnan Riaz, who works for the charity and ran the tour. He added that the tours help people 'have a better understanding of the ethnic diversity, ethnic economy in Hong Kong.' Supporting the community Prayer and fasting are major points of Ramadan. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during the holy month. Rustam Khan moved to Hong Kong from Pakistan in 1980. He is the CEO of Chinese Custom Tailor in Mirador Mansion in Tsim Sha Tsui. Khan is a practising Muslim. He told the tour group how Ramadan teaches him to be patient. He said his connection to his culture and faith helped him fast during Ramadan. 'As a Muslim, we have a very strong culture. And with the strong culture, you can adapt [for] a month,' he said. Mohammad Abdul Rehman is an 18-year-old intern at FSI. He chose to intern at the charity because he 'felt a deep connection to their work with ethnic minorities'. Mohammad said the organisation works with many Muslim business owners and that 'Ramadan really affects their business performance.' Many South Asian restaurants have fewer customers during Ramadan because of fasting. That's why one of the tour's goals was to tell people outside the South Asian community about these local businesses. Then, they could support them during Ramadan. What it's like for Muslim students in Hong Kong to fast while studying for the DSE Understanding and tolerance Mohammad was born and raised in Hong Kong. He is a first-year student at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and a practising Muslim. He admitted that staying on top of classes and assignments during Ramadan could be tough. During this time, people wake up early to eat and pray before the sun rises. Then, they begin their fast. 'You have to adapt to waking up at 4am and then sleeping again, just for a couple hours, and then waking up for uni again,' Mohammad said. 'It's really difficult. I've skipped many classes already, unfortunately ... We don't get enough sleep, but it's all about how you manage it.' Riaz said that non-Muslim communities can support Muslims during Ramadan by 'fostering understanding and tolerance'. For instance, Mohammad is grateful that his university has a prayer room for him and his peers to gather during Ramadan. 'All the Muslims gather there at lunchtime. We pray; we connect together,' he said. 'Having the prayer room helps a lot ... it's always more blessed if you pray together.' To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
