Across America, police departments actively engage with young people through various programs designed to foster mutual respect, understanding, and trust between law enforcement officers and their communities. These initiatives not only aim to educate youth about the roles and responsibilities of police officers but also strive to empower the next generation through mentorship and positive interactions. Here are some notable efforts:

Explorer and Cadet Programs
These programs are pivotal in introducing the youth to the intricacies of law enforcement. Young participants engage in hands-on activities under the guidance of experienced officers, gaining a firsthand look at what the life of a police officer entails. More than just learning about the job, these programs are about cultivating leadership skills and understanding the importance of civic responsibility.

Police Athletic Leagues (PALs)
PALs are crucial in bridging the gap between police officers and young people through sports and educational activities. These programs provide a safe and supportive environment where youth can interact with officers outside the traditional law enforcement setting. Activities range from basketball and soccer to tutoring sessions designed to encourage teamwork and personal development.

Summer Job Programs
With an emphasis on professional growth and skill development, summer job programs sponsored by police departments offer young people a chance to earn while they learn. These opportunities are about making money and understanding the value of hard work, commitment, and community service, with police officers often serving as mentors and role models.

School Resource Officers (SROs)
SROs are more than just security personnel in schools; they are counselors and mentors who significantly shape the educational environment. Their presence in schools ensures safety and fosters a nurturing setting where students can focus on learning and growth. By interacting daily with students, SROs help demystify the role of law enforcement and promote a culture of safety and respect within the school community.

National Police Week
National Police Week, observed from May 12 to 18, is an opportune time to engage with these initiatives. Many police departments host open houses, workshops, and meet-and-greets this week, providing families and youth an insider’s view into the positive impact of these community-oriented programs.

The proactive efforts of law enforcement to connect with youth underscore a commitment to positive community relations and the nurturing of the next generation. Participating in these programs gives young people valuable insights and experiences that can profoundly influence their personal and professional development. As these relationships strengthen, communities grow safer and more cohesive, illustrating the profound impact of collaboration and mutual respect between police officers and the youth they serve.

Edna “Jean” Troxell Reil, 82, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away at her home on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Edna “Jean” Troxell Reil

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Panorama Memorial Gardens, 4917 Strasburg Road, Waterlick, with Sammy Campbell officiating.

Mrs. Reil was born to the late James and Edna Pryor Troxell on June 18, 1941, in Woodstock, Virginia.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Reil; two brothers, Jackie Troxell and Jimmy Troxell; and three sisters, Helen Mitchell, Linda Drummonds, and Shirley Giles.  She was Seventh Day Adventist by faith.

Survivors include her two sons, William “Billy” Davis (Angie) and Bradley Reil (Tiffany); daughter, Elizabeth “Troy” Darr (Joe); two brothers, Jerry Troxell and Boyd “Peanut” Troxell; five grandchildren, Logan Davis (Kaitlyn), Nicholas Davis (Kimora), Joseph Darr (Vikki), Jared Darr (Jordan) and Aurora “Little Bit” Reil and great-grandson, Jared Darr II.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maddox Funeral Home or the family to assist with funeral expenses.

Most citizens are unaware of the additional division costs that come on top of the salary expense for every full-time teacher.  Things like FICA (7.65%), VRS retirement (16.62%), retiree health credit (1.21%), group life (1.34%), and workers comp (.20%) add an extra 27.02% per teacher to the salary cost.  On top of that, add health insurance benefit costs to the division, which for the upcoming year will increase by $600k.

When classes are covered by long term subs (who are not full-time division employees) there is no added 27% expense, nor is there a cost for health insurance to the division.  The same is true when existing teachers sacrifice their planning periods or lunch breaks to cover for these vacant positions; the division has already paid that teacher’s benefit costs, so there is a significant savings when a teacher does double duty.

But what is the true cost of the monetary savings created by overworking our teachers?

Burnout.  44% of K-12 teachers report feeling burnout.  30% of K-12 teachers are choosing early retirement.  Up to 30% of new teachers are quitting within their first 5 years of teaching.  (https://www.thinkimpact.com/teacher-burnout-statistics/)  While there are many contributing factors, being over worked to cover vacancies is a cause of burnout.

Learning Loss.  Reduced instructional effectiveness is the result of teacher vacancies.  Lower test scores and increased disciplinary issues are two known outcomes when classes must be covered in whatever manner possible due to an unfilled position.

The issue currently being raised by county supervisors is that full funding has already been allocated for positions to be filled by full-time employees with benefits; but the school division is not filling them as planned.  This leaves a significant amount of money unaccounted for.

The board of supervisors has asked questions about vacancy numbers this budget season.  Their concern is money appropriated for teaching positions is not being spent in the manner in which it was intended.  By keeping positions vacant (or filling them in non-traditional ways), the division is able to realize significant cost savings, and in turn spend that money elsewhere—and the supervisors are questioning where exactly it is being spent.  The BOS wants accurate and adequate tracking of these vacancies, the amount of cost savings from unfilled positions, and where specifically that money was spent.  They want to ensure tax dollars are making it into the classrooms as intended, and not being used as a slush fund to cover areas of overspending (such as legal fees).

Accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility are what the supervisors are requesting from the school division this budget season.  Their aim being to protect the teachers and students by ensuring the dollars make it to where they were intended to be used.

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Intuition, often called a “sixth sense” or a hunch, is a powerful mental tool that can guide us through decisions when logic alone isn’t enough. Psychologists from York University in Toronto have explored the origins of these intuitive insights and suggest practical ways to harness them effectively.

Understanding Intuition

Intuition operates as an ability to understand something immediately without needing conscious reasoning. It allows us to make decisions quickly, especially when we have limited information but a wealth of relevant experience. This sixth sense can often seem like it comes from nowhere, yet it’s deeply rooted in our past experiences and knowledge.

Enhancing Your Intuitive Abilities

1. Expand Your Knowledge Base: Intuition is stronger in fields where you have more expertise. Invest time learning and expanding your knowledge to improve your intuitive abilities, especially outside your current areas of expertise. This broader understanding sets the stage for more frequent and accurate insights.
2. Take a Step Back: To cultivate intuition, engage deeply with your questions and potential answers, then take a deliberate break. Activities that fully relax and occupy your mind can refresh your cognitive processes and lead to breakthroughs when you revisit the problem.
3. Trust Your Gut: Experience fuels intuition. Trust your gut feelings, especially in areas where you have deep knowledge. While intuition sometimes contradicts logical reasoning, it often points toward innovative solutions that logic might miss.
4. Verify Your Insights: While intuition can lead to rapid conclusions, validating these insights with facts and data is crucial. Before acting on a gut feeling, cross-check it with reality to ensure it stands up to scrutiny. This process confirms the validity of your intuitive leaps and can prevent potential mistakes.

Intuition as a Problem-Solving Tool

Intuition isn’t about making random guesses. It’s an advanced form of cognitive processing that blends past experiences with present awareness. By fostering your intuition through learning, relaxation, trust, and verification, you can enhance your decision-making skills in both personal and professional realms.

Remember, while facts and data are crucial, there comes a point in decision-making where you must rely on intuition’s less tangible yet profoundly insightful power. Embrace it as a complementary tool that, when used wisely, can lead to more holistic and effective problem-solving.