BBQ Master and Catering Expert, Eddie Deen, partners with Forney ISD

There is no doubt that good food can be linked to unique experiences. For Eddie Deen, the moments when he and his catering company have served thousands of people at once have created unforgettable experiences driven by massive  amounts of planning and flawless execution. Those experiences, combined with his passion for community, have built a barbecue legend.

Forney ISD is proud to announce that Eddie Deen & Company has signed on to bring their catering and barbeque expertise to help guide and teach students in The Opportunity Central (The OC), a Forney Independent School District initiative. Slated to open in the fall of 2023, their eatery will feature barbeque and Mary Sue’s Chicken in honor of Eddie Deen’s mother’s famous recipe.

The OC is a career, college and community center to feature select business partners who are dedicated to student career education and providing experiences for real-world skills training and career development.

"We will be setting the stage for Forney ISD students to believe they have the power to create the outcome they want. There are laws that govern these outcomes including how to feed 15,500 people in 38 minutes at a gubernatorial inaugural, 32,000 people during a presidential inauguration or feed 13,000 people with only a 7 hour notice for evacuees at the Dallas Convention Center during Hurricane Katrina,” said Deen.

“There are equal laws that govern successful businesses and entrepreneurs such as courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reason, love, joy and peace of mind,” Deen continued. “We look forward to helping make The Opportunity Central a place of entertainment, a place of enlightenment and to shine a light on the education of the future."

While Deen is well-known for mastering the art of barbecue, his passion is for community outreach. He has been instrumental in helping students and others towards the path of success through mentorship as well as work and training opportunities. Through his partnership with FISD, Deen strives to provide students with an educational experience unlike any other.

“Eddie Deen is a barbecue legend with a servant’s heart. His approach to cooking BBQ includes time-tested cooking methods along with applied science, chemistry and engineering,” said Forney ISD Superintendent Dr. Justin Terry. “Our students will have the opportunity to learn and engage in real-world experiences from a legendary chef and business professional.”

The OC includes 350,000 sq ft of space and is three stories tall. The first floor of the facility will feature a mall-like setting where students earn class credit by participating in real-world practicums led by business leaders. The community will have access to the first floor to patronize the shops, eateries and other services offered by partner businesses. The second and third floors of The OC have secured entries for student classroom instruction and labs during the school day.

The OC will offer a variety of multipurpose spaces for events and continuing education. The facility will be open extended hours, seven days a week. Dallas College and Texas Tech University will also provide higher education classes available to the public in the evenings and weekends. Other spaces include an early childhood academy, fine arts theater, automotive workshop, construction lab, cosmetology suite, esports lab, and several other exciting learning spaces.

For more information, visit www.theOC.net.

How students can better manage their time

Many people have a lot of demands on their time. There are only so many hours in a day, which means that the sooner a person can develop strategies for managing his or her time efficiently and effectively, the more successful that person can be.

It can be especially important for students to explore ways to improve their time management skills early in their academic careers. Time management involves planning, and that includes allotting time for specific tasks. The following strategies can be useful for anyone looking to manage their time more effectively.
Establish a daily schedule

Staying the course may require a guideline detailing how you will spend your time. A good part of the day may be taken up by classes and assignments, but focusing on the other parts of the day also is key. Set up a plan for how you will treat each day. Block off specific times for exercise, meals, school, study, and any other responsibilities you have. Time blocking is a format by which you go through the moments of the day. You can block out by the hour or any amount of time you need.

Figure out where you're losing time
You need to know how you're currently spending your time before you can improve on time management strategies. Spend a few days jotting down a time log. This will help you determine if you're working efficiently or where you are losing time.

Make time for breaks
Burnout can occur when you work yourself too hard. That makes breaks an important part of time management. Breaks allow for time to call loved ones, text with friends, meditate, or engage in other activities unrelated to school. According to sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman, people's minds naturally crave breaks after 90 minutes of intense work. You may need breaks at different intervals. Learn to read your body's cues.

Break projects down
Many students avoid projects they feel are huge tasks. Breaking down the larger job into smaller ones can help students stay focused and reward progress. For example, if you need to write a 50-page research paper, make the first task finding source material, the next citing quotes and studies, and then resolve to write a set number of pages per day.

Schedule classes wisely
Some people are night owls while others thrive in the morning. Set up schedules so you're in class when you are at your most productive; otherwise, you could lag and waste time. This may not be possible for high school students, but colleges allow for more flexibility in scheduling.

Time management is an important skill for students to develop. It will help in the classroom and later on when entering the workforce. 

Start early when planning grad parties

Graduation is an accomplishment so significant that many families commemorate grads' hard work with a party. Whether students are graduating from elementary school, middle school, high school, or college, the decision to fete that feat with a party is pretty popular.

That so many families choose to celebrate graduation with a party underscores the need to plan ahead. The following are some early planning pointers families can consider as students draw closer to the day when they will don their caps and gowns.

* Pick a date and let it be known. The dates of commencement ceremonies are typically announced months in advance. That affords party planners ample time to pick a date for the celebration. The earlier planners can pick a date, the greater the likelihood that they'll get to pick a date of their choosing. The longer planners wait, the more likely it is that many dates will be snatched up by the families of fellow grads. Once a date has been chosen, send out save-the-dates so others can avoid scheduling a party on the same day.

* Speak with fellow parents. Parents typically plan graduation parties, so one easy way to avoid scheduling conflicts is to work with fellow moms and dads. A joint party might make the most sense if families are planning summer travel or have limited flexibility regarding when they can host.

* Book reservations early. Though many graduation parties are held at private homes, some families prefer large family dinners at local restaurants or gatherings at other public venues. Families who aren't hosting at home should study venue locations well in advance and book reservations as soon as possible. It's especially important to book reservations early, as graduation season typically coincides with the dawn of wedding season, which means there could be steep competition for venues or limited availability.

* Remain flexible and open to new ideas. Even early birds may find it hard to book vendors and venues, and planners may not want to settle for second or third options when celebrating an occasion as momentous as graduation. If preferred venues and vendors aren't available during peak graduation season, or if scheduling conflicts are making it hard to pick a date, remain flexible and open to new ideas. One alternative is to schedule a graduation party in mid-summer. This can serve as a sendoff to high school graduates about to leave for college or provide a great way for college grads to get back together with friends before the end of summer. Another option could be to finance a trip for grads and their friends to a nearby amusement park.

Graduation parties are great ways to commemorate all the hard work students did en route to donning their caps and gowns. Planning early can ensure such parties are just what parents and students are hoping for. 

Answering questions about dyslexia

Learning disabilities affect millions of people across the globe each year. Though learning disabilities are often discussed in ways that highlight how they affect students' performance in the classroom, the International Dyslexia Association® notes that the effects of a learning disability like dyslexia can reach well beyond the classroom.

According to the nonprofit organization LD Resources Foundation, Inc., which is dedicated to helping individuals affected by learning disabilities, dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Answering some common questions about dyslexia can help people affected by it, including adults, get the help they need to overcome it.

What is dyslexia?
The IDA defines dyslexia as a language-based learning disability that causes people to have difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia may experience difficulties with oral and written language skills, including the writing and pronunciation of words.
What causes dyslexia?

The IDA reports that studies of brain images as well as the anatomy of the brain have indicated that there is a difference in the way the brain of a person with dyslexia develops and functions.

What are some symptoms of dyslexia?
The LDRF indicates that individuals with dyslexia may find it difficult and overwhelming to read, write and speak. The Mayo Clinic notes that signs of dyslexia may be difficult to recognize before a child enters school, and symptoms vary depending on the age of the individual affected.

Young children affected by dyslexia may learn new words slowly; experience difficulty forming words correctly; have problems remembering or naming letters, numbers and colors; or find it hard to learn nursery rhymes or play rhyming games.
Signs of dyslexia may become more apparent once children enter school. At this point, kids with dyslexia may read well below the expected level for their age; have problems processing or understanding what they hear; find it difficult to find the right word or form answers to questions; have trouble seeing similarities and differences in letters and words; and have difficulty spelling, among other symptoms.

Difficulty reading; problems spelling; avoiding activities that involve reading; requiring an unusually long time to complete tasks that involved reading or writing; and mispronouncing names or words are some of the symptoms of dyslexia in teens and adults.

Can dyslexia be cured?
The Mayo Clinic notes that there is no known way to correct the underlying brain abnormality that causes dyslexia. However, various techniques have made it easier for individuals with dyslexia to do well in school and in the professional arena.
Learning disabilities like dyslexia can affect individuals throughout their lives. But early detection and treatment can help students and adults overcome the challenges of dyslexia and other learning disabilities. 

College application facts and figures

The college application process involves several steps, many of which begin well before an applicant is ready to sign on the dotted line. These facts and figures can help applicants and their families gain a better understanding of what goes into the college admissions process.

* College admissions teams view a potential applicant as more seriously interested in the school if they know he or she has visited. Interested parties can go above and beyond taking the Open House tour by auditing a class or even spending a night in a dorm.

* Due in large part to COVID-19 disrupting SAT and ACT testing schedules and potentially setting an uneven playing field for those who tested and those who could not, many colleges are now test-optional schools. Despite that, guidance counselors may urge students to test and submit strong scores to test-optional schools because those scores can help unlock merit-based aid.

* The College Board indicates the average financial aid award per student is $15,000. And the National Association for College Admission Counseling says 43 percent of all institutional aid funds are merit-based.

* The Common App is one tool used to apply to colleges in today's digital age. The same application can be used to apply to more than 400 schools. However, some schools may still supplement the application with essays or questions as part of their individual admissions processes.

* The Huffington Post reports that students who have a first-choice college should apply to it early decision, as early decision has been shown to increase an applicant's chance of admission by up to 25 percent over regular decision admission rates.

* Applicants should seek recommendations from people who know them best and can provide detailed reasons as to why they are the right fit for a school.

* The Princeton Review says the top admissions factor at schools is a student's GPA, underscoring the importance of getting good grades.

* College applicants feeling the stress of the waiting game can rest assured. According to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program at the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, more than three-quarters of college applicants get into their first-choice schools

7 gift ideas for soon-to-be graduates

It would be an understatement to say that it has been an interesting few years for the Class of 2022. Due to the pandemic, many soon-to-be grads spent a significant portion of their school years adapting to a changing landscape, both at school and at home. While it is an accomplishment to reach graduation in a "normal" situation, students who have succeeded and thrived in the face of pandemic-related adversity are worthy of extra celebration.

Graduation gifts are a great way to show grads how proud you are that they stayed the course in the face of significant challenges. Here are seven gift ideas for graduates.

1. Journal: Graduates are about to start new chapters in their lives. Either a blank journal or one with writing prompts can help grads get their thoughts on paper to document both the many moments that will shape the next few years.

2. Mascot- or school-themed offerings: If a high school graduate will be going on to higher education, then visit the college or university's spirit shop to purchase anything from sweatshirts to blankets to coffee mugs featuring a school logo or mascot. On the first day of classes, the new student will already feel part of the team.

3. New wardrobe: Graduating means forging new paths, whether in a career or through additional schooling. Grads can look the part with several items from a favorite retailer. Those who are unsure of the graduate's style can purchase a gift card and let the grad go on a spending spree.

4. Framed school photo or map: A piece of artwork can evoke strong emotions of time spent on campus. Frame a black-and-white or sepia-tone print of the aerial view of campus, or opt for an official school tour map, which indicates buildings and other points of interest. This could become a cherished keepsake.

5. Bedside organizational pouch: Dorm life requires maximizing a small amount of space. An organizational pouch or pocket can keep essentials such as a tablet, book, reading glasses, and remote control close by and organized without taking up a lot of room. Some are designed to rest over a couch cushion or slide between a mattress and bed frame.

6. Automotive essentials: Graduates will be facing all sorts of new expenses, so easing any sort of financial burden can help them in a big way. Vehicles tend to be major financial drains for teens and young adults. Prepaid cash cards, gas station gift cards, vouchers for car washes, and even gift cards to an automotive supply store can help graduates direct their funds elsewhere.

7. Personal coffeemaker: Many people feel coffee is essential to make it through the day. Graduates who will soon be studying for college exams or those waking up early for their first forays into the workforce may appreciate an on-demand pick-me-up. Coffeemakers are much more streamlined these days, and there are pots designed to use loose grounds or special pods to produce cups quickly.

Shoppers can explore many interesting options to commemorate the accomplishments of the class of 2022.