July 17, 2021 Issue, Page 7 of 8

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July 17, 2021 7 SWOSU Launches Innovative Student Support Program SWOSU Mentor Collective is Through SWOSU Mentor Col- latest research on the posi- an online mentorship program that matches students with peers to help students set lective, students will now have ongoing access to a network of mentors trained to offer tive impacts of personalized, student-centered programs. Mentorship is an effective tool “Relearning elk ciTy to JAil log101” and achieve their goals—both guidance and advice. Students Beckham county Man charged with Firearm Felony drive academic and personal. will be matched with a per- to increase graduation rates and am county Man charged with Firearm Felony Dr. Wendy Yoder, director of the SWOSU Academic Support sonal mentor based on common academic interests, career goals, academic achievement in higher education. Now, as one of our Midwestʼs standing Center, said the vision for the life challenges and experiences. that our weather forecast can be just SWOSU Mentor Collective is program aligns with several Students can also use the plat- initiatives laid out in SWOSU form’s discussion guides and actively enrolling students and Okay, surely she is not the only person who has had this happen. strategic priorities, including goal-setting activities to spark mentors for the 2021-22 school Got up this morning and it was just another day. Not great, not Southwestern Oklahoma student success, engagement meaningful conversations with year. Students who are interest- terrible. Just another ordinary day. Went into the closet and found State University is launch- ing an innovative mentorship and retention. The program aims to help these students their mentors. Topics range from time management and ed in learning more about the be” whatsoever. We were told in effect, something comfortable to wear for her Monday office workday. took it ittobegan. heart. We started saved water, downgathe program should contact Yoder Have a lot to get done and today is set aside for those chores. program designed to provide elk ciTy meet a range of unique chal- work-life balance to networking And then Her thoughts careening the comprehensive support for lenges by providing them with and job-seeking advice. in the Academic Support Center carefully street. prepared What street? MelancholyforParkwayourthat pets, vehicles, is always just slightly incoming students on the personalized support from The launch of SWOSU at (580) 774-6037 or wendy. the to best the left we of her could conscious to The brain. takestreetall thathe precautio she can choose to JAil log co. BeckhAM Weatherford campus. peers with similar experiences. Mentor Collective reflects the [email protected]. take - or she can avoid like the pit of hell itself. She has no idea why she decided to blow past that caution light at Decision Street and simply didnʼt believe inbetter making a lot of Area Businesses Can Connect with turn left onto Melancholy. She knows than to start barreling JAil log down that dilapidated road she has careened down before…way too many times. Potential Employees at SWOSU Job Fair If she continues driving that direction, the view out her window is an avenue lined on each side with trees dying of broken dreams, rusted-out cars from wrecked plans, and department stores of hurt- Are you a Weatherford-area business having a problem Southwestern Oklahoma State University students potential employees. Weather- ford Works is being launched Weatherford Works is a job that ful those memories with states depressed andcouldanxiouspredict, people walking and thruthos the fair scheduled for 3-6 p.m. on doors. Not a very uplifting way to begin the day, and stupid to keep finding workers to fill open return to campus in mid-August this year to help connect stu- states Sound all were definitely not prepared to ha Thursday, August 19, in the going. BeckhAM co. positions? and that means a fresh crop of dents and area employers. too familiar? Probably. Everyone has that same street, Pioneer Cellular Event Center on the SWOSU campus. It is who or thinks a variation toThe-Thoughts-Of-My-Brain-City. of it, in prepare Alaska for And a 115-d sooner being sponsored by The South- orlater or entity every onecouldof us be blamed chooses to turn own forthatthis once-in- pitiful street and JAil log ATTACHMENT E PUBLIC RELEASE – PRICING SCHOOLS western student news site, and slow our vehicle to a crawl, as we ponder the dismal view. It’s like a SWOSU Career Exploration and loose tooth that you can’t leave alone, and you just keeping pushing (Delete any references to the School Breakfast Program and/or the After-School Snack Program if not applicable) Dean of Students offices. at it with your tongue. You know it’s going to hurt like crazy, but Due to regulations, all school food authorities (SFAs) or institutions must submit annually a public release to the informational media, local unemployment offices, any companies contemplating layoffs in that district's area, grassroots organizations, and interested individuals upon request. Interested employers can warnings somehow, you justofkeepwhat was wiggling coming…because it anyway. reserve a table at the Pioneer Why not put on the mental brake and turn around? Why not Date submitted to news media: 07/14/2021 deliberately head back to the intersection and turn down a happier Name(s) of media outlets and companies submitted to: ELK CITY DAILY NEWS Cellular Event Center by lane? A street with possibilities, and plans for the future? ELK CITY contacting Heather Hummel Why not indeed? Good question. (Name of SFA) at heather.hummel@swosu. Childhood training has a lot to do with it. Childhood is a training today announced its policy for free or reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the After-School Snack Program (ASSP). Local SFA officials have adopted the following household size and income criteria for edu or 580-774-3259 by 5 p.m. future. ground The death for adulthood, rate plain and simple. here And if on earth a child is rearedisin 10 an determining eligibility: on Thursday, Aug. 12. Those environment surrounded by depressed people, then that child is ac- participating may bring any Eligibility Scale for Free Meals climated to depression. He is set up to feel that depressed thinking materials to distribute, as well 130 Percent of Poverty Level is a normal way to react to situations. Household Size Income as interview employee pros- elk ciTy Unconscious training to be depressed sticks with you. Very simi- Annual Monthly Twice Per Month Every Two Weeks Weekly pects on the spot. lar to learning to drive. As an adult, you learned to drive a long time 1 2 16,744 22,646 1,396 1,888 698 944 644 871 322 436 elk ciTy JAil log The job fair is open to Custer ago. Now as an adult, a lot of driving is simply autopilot-time for 3 4 28,548 34,450 2,379 2,871 1,190 1,436 1,098 1,325 549 663 JAil log County residents in addition to area college and high school you. Blinkers, braking, turning. Same with your thinking, most of it is autopilot-time. And unless you put a lot of deliberate work into 5 40,352 3,363 1,682 1,552 776 students. changing those trained thinking patterns, you are prone to driving 6 46,254 3,855 1,928 1,779 890 7 52,156 4,347 2,174 2,006 1,003 For more information, the same old street that can lead to depression. 8 58,058 4,839 2,420 2,233 1,117 contact Dr. Loran Lewis at 580- Relearn how to drive that vehicle of yours. Recognize bad streets For each additional family 5,902 492 246 227 114 774-3083 or by email at loran. and avoid them. Control the steering wheel. And apply those brakes member, add: [email protected]. liberally. There are a lot of roads in your city. Choose carefully. BeckhAM co. Eligibility Scale for Reduced-Price Meals 185 Percent of Poverty Level Household Size Annual Monthly Income Twice Per Month Every Two Weeks Weekly BeckhAM co. JAil log 1 2 3 23,828 32,227 40,626 1,986 2,686 3,386 993 1,343 1,693 917 1,240 1,563 459 620 782 Is JAil Roth IRA log better for 4 5 6 49,025 57,424 65,823 4,086 4,786 5,486 2,043 2,393 2,743 1,886 2,209 2,532 943 1,105 1,266 young workers? 7 74,222 6,186 3,093 2,855 1,428 8 82,621 6,886 3,443 3,178 1,589 If you’re in the early stages deferred, with taxes due when before you’re 59½. But with a For each additional family 8,399 700 350 324 162 of your career, you’re prob- you take withdrawals. With a Roth, you’ll face no penalty on member, add: ably not thinking much about Roth IRA, though, your contri- withdrawals from the money retirement. Nonetheless, it’s butions are never tax-deduct- you contributed (not your Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the application and return it to never too soon to start prepar- ible – instead, you contribute earnings), and you’ve already the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will ing for it, as time may be your after-tax dollars. Any earnings paid the taxes, so you could use be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. most valuable asset. So, you growth is tax-free when with- the money for any purpose, may want to consider retire- drawn, provided you’ve had such as making a down pay- ment savings vehicles, one of your account at least five years ment on a home. Nonetheless, which is an IRA. Depending on and you don’t take withdrawals Oklahoma State Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs you may still want to be cau- For SFA officials to determine eligibility, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy your income, you might have until you’re at least 59½. the choice between a tradition- tious about tapping into your Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits must list the children’s names, a SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number; and the signature of an adult household member. All children in households with any household member receiving benefits under assistance So, which IRA should you IRA for your spending needs programs are eligible for free meals. Children in Other Source Categorically Eligible (i.e., children categorized as homeless, migrant, runaway, Head Start, al IRA and a Roth IRA. Which choose? You’ll have to weigh Even Start, and foster children, if known) are also eligible for free meals. IF YOU DO NOT LIST A SNAP, TANF, OR FDPIR CASE NUMBER, then the is better for you? before you retire, since IRAs the respective benefits of both application must have the children’s names, total household members, the amount of income each member received last month, the signature of an adult household member, and the last four digits of the adult’s social security number or the mark the box if he or she does not have one. There’s no one correct an- types. But when you’re young, are designed to provide retire- swer for everyone. But the you may have particularly ment income. Foster children also categorically qualify for free meals/milk, regardless of child’s income. If you have foster children living with you and you wish to apply for such meals or milk for them, please complete the application as instructed. more you know about the two compelling reasons to choose If your income level permits IRAs, the more confident you’ll you to select a Roth or tradi- Under the provision of the policy _____JACY DYSON______ will review applications and determine eligibility. a Roth IRA. Given that you’re (Name of Determining Official) be when choosing one. tional IRA, you may want to at an early point in your ca- First of all, the IRAs share consult with your tax advisor reer, you may be in a lower tax some similarities. You can Parents or guardians wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request, either orally or in writing, for a hearing to appeal the decision to: bracket now than you will be for help in making your choice. fund either one with many MIKE SPARKS during retirement, making the But in any case, try to max types of investments – stocks, tax-deduction of traditional out on your IRA contributions (Name of Hearing Official) 300 N. BOONE AVENUE ELK CITY, OK 73644 bonds, mutual funds and so each year. You could spend two (Address) on. And the contribution limit IRA contributions less benefi- or three decades in retirement The school’s policy statement contains an outline of the hearing procedure. is also the same – you can put cial. So, it may make sense to – and your IRA can be a valu- in up to $6,000 a year. (Those contribute to a Roth IRA now able resource to help you enjoy DIRECT CERTIFICATION: Any member of a household currently certified to receive SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits will be notified of the enrolled older than 50 can put in an ad- and take tax-free withdrawals those years. children’s eligibility and that the enrolled children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the SFA that it chooses to decline benefits. If SNAP, TANF, and FDPIR households are not notified by 08/23/2021 of their eligibility, they will need to submit an application. ditional $1,000.) If you earn when you’re retired. over a certain amount, though, Also, a Roth IRA offers more In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, your ability to contribute to a flexibility. With a traditional This article was written by Ed- and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Roth IRA is reduced. In 2021, IRA, you could face an early ward Jones provided by Robert you can put in the full $6,000 withdrawal penalty, in addition Stephens of Edward Jones Finan- Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech if your modified adjusted gross to taxes, if you take money out cial Advisor. disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. income (MAGI) is less than $125,000 and you’re single, or To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the $198,000 if you’re married and information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: file jointly. The amount you can (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture contribute gradually declines, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and is eventually limited, at Edward Jones, Member SIPC 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; higher income levels. (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. But the two IRAs differ d Jones | 2014 W. 3rd | Elk City, OK 73644 greatly in how they are taxed. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Each school and the office of the Elk City Board of Education has a copy of the policy which may be reviewed by any Traditional IRA contributions are typically tax-deductible Robert Stephens | F (580) 225-3156 | r interested party. (Central Office) (subject to income limitations), ephens |(580) 225-3156 Financial Advisor | [email protected] and any earnings growth is tax-