by orionontv | Oct 2, 2024 | ChatGPT
**The Crucial Role of Media Literacy in the Digital Era**
Authored by “AI” with a little help from a human!
As the digital landscape continues to expand, media literacy has emerged as an essential skill for individuals of all ages. In an era where information is abundant and accessible at the touch of a button, being able to critically evaluate media content is more important than ever. Media literacy equips individuals with the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information from a wide variety of sources, including social media, news outlets, blogs, advertisements, and entertainment platforms. This skill set is essential for navigating today’s complex media environment and avoiding the pitfalls of misinformation.
One of the most significant benefits of media literacy is its capacity to foster critical thinking. People who are media literate don’t just passively consume information; they actively engage with it, asking important questions such as: Who created this content? What is the purpose of the message? Is the information biased or slanted? Is the source credible? This critical engagement is vital in a world where fake news, sensationalized headlines, and deepfakes can easily sway public opinion. Media literacy empowers individuals to discern truth from deception, helping them make more informed decisions about the content they consume and share.
In addition to enhancing critical thinking, media literacy plays a pivotal role in promoting informed citizenship. With so much political discourse and social debate occurring on digital platforms, citizens need to be able to navigate these spaces responsibly. Media-literate individuals are better equipped to evaluate news stories, spot manipulative narratives, and understand the broader context of events. As a result, they are more likely to participate in meaningful discussions and contribute to a well-informed public. This is particularly important in democratic societies, where an informed electorate is essential for healthy political engagement.
Furthermore, media literacy helps individuals understand the powerful influence media has on shaping culture, beliefs, and behaviors. Advertisements, for example, often employ subtle strategies to influence consumer behavior, from emotional appeals to targeted messaging. Understanding these tactics enables people to resist manipulation and make conscious, informed choices, whether they are buying a product, forming an opinion, or supporting a cause.
In today’s information-rich world, media literacy is not just a valuable skill but a necessity. By teaching individuals how to navigate, evaluate, and critically analyze the vast amount of content they encounter daily, we can foster a more informed, engaged, and thoughtful society. The importance of media literacy education cannot be overstated—it is essential for empowering individuals to thrive in the digital age and contribute positively to the world around them.
Authored by ONTV staff with AI Chatgpt.
by orionontv | Oct 1, 2024 | Health and Wellness
Happy October!We have a busy month ahead of us here at the NOCC, with plenty of opportunities below for you to get involved! In this newsletter, we cover:
- The Oxford Parent Education Fair
- Take Back Day locations
- Our Smart Students campaign
- The New In The Loop parent group
- Youth Action Board
Have a great month! |
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Oxford High School announces the first annual Parent Education Fair! The fair will be a conference-style event for parents and caregivers of the Oxford Schools community. The Parent Education fair will be held on Saturday, November 2nd from 8:15am to 12:30pm at Oxford Middle School. The NOCC is thrilled to sponsor this year’s keynote presentation by Nikki O’Donnell.
In addition to the keynote, there will be breakout session opportunities and community resource tables so parents/caregivers can connect with local community resources, including such topics as coping skills, special education, caregiver trauma and resilience, and more, as well as two breakout sessions hosted by the NOCC about Vaping and a QPR Suicide Prevention training.
Registration for this event is free and required. Childcare will be available for infants to children age 12, but must be noted when filling out your registration form. To learn more about the event, visit the Oxford Community Schools event page here. To register for this event, click here.
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| Take Back Day is October 26th, from 10am-2pm. We’ll be out at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Orion Substation and the Village of Oxford Police Department to help dispose of any old or unused medications.
Wondering what you can drop off? Currently, we cannot accept any liquid medications, inhalers, or needles. Pills, including liquid gel capsules, are allowed, and must be popped out of any blister packs or removed from their prescription bottles and put into plastic sandwich bags. |
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| With Homecoming quickly approaching at both Lake Orion and Oxford High Schools, the NOCC will be visiting both schools to talk about the importance of staying safe and sober! On October 11th, we will be visiting Lake Orion High School to kick off our annual Smart Dragons Don’t Drink campaign, and will visit Oxford High School on October 14th to start Wise Wildcats Don’t Drink campaign! If you have students at either of these schools, make sure to ask them about what they learned during these lunch visits. |
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In The Loop is a group for Lake Orion and Oxford Parents that provides information about trending social issues that may affect your children. You will have access to:
If you would like to be In The Loop, please visit our “In The Loop” website page, and follow the instructions to sign up for our In The Loop newsletter!
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| Both our Lake Orion and Oxford Youth Action Boards met for the first time this past month, and we were so excited to see both some new and returning faces! Throughout the school year, our Youth Action Boards will work to help create and provide input to our campaigns, such as No Vape November, our anti-drinking campaigns, and more. If you have a student at Lake Orion or Oxford High Schoolers who would like to get involved, the best way to learn about meetings is to follow our YAB Instagram pages! To follow our Lake Orion YAB, click here. To follow our Oxford YAB, click here. |
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by orionontv | Oct 1, 2024 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Sends Tributes to 12 Michigan Schools Honored for National Blue Ribbon Recognition
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent tributes to 12 Michigan schools for being named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. This prestigious recognition is awarded annually to schools that demonstrate exceptional academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among student groups.
“I’m proud of our work to build a strong public education system that gives every Michigan student a real opportunity to succeed,” said Governor Whitmer. “These twelve schools represent the best of what’s possible when we invest in our kids, teachers, and communities. Their achievements show that every child can thrive academically and have a bright future with the right support. We will continue working together to ensure all of our schools have the resources they need to empower our students, close achievement gaps, and help families continue to make it here in Michigan.”
“Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of every Michigan student,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “These National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate what happens when we prioritize student success and close achievements gaps across our state. By investing in our schools and ensuring that every child has access to the best educational opportunities, we’re empowering future leaders and innovators. We are grateful to the educators, students, and communities that made this achievement possible. Together, we will continue building a Michigan where every child can thrive, and every family can stand tall.”
12 Michigan Schools Honored for National Blue Ribbon Recognition:
- Chandler Woods Charter Academy (high performing), located in Belmont.
- Hill Elementary School (high performing), Davison Community Schools.
- Dearborn STEM Middle School (high performing), Dearborn Public Schools.
- Pembroke Academy (achievement gap closing), located in Detroit.
- Lake Hills Elementary School (high performing), Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
- Rosy Mound Elementary School (high performing), Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
- Hughes Elementary School (achievement gap closing), Marshall Public Schools.
- Moraine Elementary School (high performing), Northville Public Schools.
- Pellston Elementary School (achievement gap closing), Pellston Public Schools.
- Meadow Ridge Elementary (high performing) School, Rockford Public Schools.
- Handley Elementary School (high performing), Saginaw Public Schools.
- Hamilton Elementary School (high performing), Troy School District.
Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.
“I am immensely proud of the students, teachers, and staff of Moraine Elementary for being recognized as one of the top performing schools in the state,” said Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield). “This is a significant accomplishment and testament to the hard work and dedication they show in the classroom every day. I want to offer my sincere congratulations — it is truly an honor to serve you and all of our District 13 schools at the Capitol, where I am working alongside colleagues to ensure our future leaders are set up for success. Keep up the good work.”
“Handley Elementary School is always leading the way for best education practices and raising the bar for student growth and success. This recognition as a National Blue-Ribbon School Program is a point of pride for our entire community,” said Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). “I am proud to extend my congratulations and to join them in celebrating this achievement.”
“Winning this award is a remarkable achievement for the staff, administration, and students of Pembroke Academy, and it reflects the school’s dedication to academic excellence,” said Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). “Congratulations to everyone involved — from parents to teachers, it truly takes a community effort.”
“Congratulations to the students and teachers of Dearborn STEM Academy. Your dedication to both learning and teaching has led to this well-deserved award,” said state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit). “This achievement reflects your daily efforts, and it’s exciting to see your hard work be honored on a national scale.”
“This is an exciting day for Dearborn STEM Middle School,” said state Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn). “Our middle school and its students are being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for being a high-performing school. I would like to congratulate all the students, teachers and staff who have worked so hard to get this recognition. I am very proud of you all.”
“I would like to congratulate Hamilton Elementary School for being recognized as a high-performing school by the U.S. Department of Education,” said state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy). “This is an incredible achievement that the students, teachers, staff, and families all deserve. They all worked so hard to achieve this recognition, and I am very proud of them. Congratulations, Hamilton Elementary school — you’ve earned it!”
“I’m proud of my community, our people and our successes,” said state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). “I congratulate Handley Elementary School on this wonderful achievement, as a high-performing school, right here in Saginaw. What an accomplishment to be celebrated — shout out to Principal Julie Miller for all the hard work and to the teachers and staff who have dedicated their time and knowledge to our kids.”
“This recognition is a testament to the teachers, staff and parents at Moraine Elementary and their bright-minded students,” said state Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). “Their hard work and care for every child’s education journey is evident in their students’ achievement and love for learning. Congratulations to Moraine Elementary for this well-deserved recognition as a high-performing school!”
“Congratulations to the teachers, staff, and students at Pembroke Academy for receiving this title from the U.S. Department of Education for their incredible work to close the achievement gap for their students,” said state Rep. Natalie Price (D-Berkley). “This is proof that our kids thrive when teachers and parents work together to help students develop the critical skills they need to grow into future leaders of our communities. I want to thank the dedicated staff at Pembroke Academy for putting their students first.”
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by orionontv | Oct 1, 2024 | Health and Wellness
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 1, 2024
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDHHS reminds Michigan residents about
available COVID-19 testing options
Residents urged to stay home if sick to prevent spread of respiratory diseases
LANSING, Mich. – As fall begins, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages Michiganders to get free COVID-19 at-home tests through the federal government’s COVID-19 tests website and reminds residents about additional Michigan-specific testing resources.
“We encourage Michigan families to take advantage of the free COVID tests being provided to reduce the risk of spreading the virus,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “And although it is important to test for COVID, families should also consider other respiratory diseases including RSV and influenza as we head into fall and winter when these diseases are most commonly spread. Please stay home if you are sick, even if you have a negative COVID test.”
All U.S. residents can go to COVIDTests.gov to sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.
Additional testing options in Michigan include:
MDHHS encourages Michigan families to have a COVID plan that works for them. This may include:
- Keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home.
- Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- Speaking to a health care provider about eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease for those who test positive.
- Staying home if sick and learning more about Respiratory Virus Protection Strategies.
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by orionontv | Sep 30, 2024 | Recreation
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DNR News
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Sept. 30, 2024
Contact: Cory Kovacs, 906-287-0816 or Marcee Wardell, 517-855-1604
Fishing Lake Superior this fall? Report marked splake to the DNR
 The fall fishing season for splake is coming soon! Splake fishing in the fall on Lake Superior is an experience unmatched anywhere else in the state. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to change, the splake bite picks up as the fish move nearshore.
Splake — a hybrid cross between lake trout and brook trout — have been stocked in Lake Superior most years since 1971, with annual stocking since 1990.
Marked splake have been stocked in Lake Superior since 2021 as part of an evaluation study. At the Marquette State Fish Hatchery, staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Lake Superior and Northern Lake Michigan management units, as well as staff from the Tribal Coordination Unit, put in long hours carefully marking the splake by hand. Splake are given a unique mark by clipping (and removing) part of either one or two fins. The fish are anesthetized during this process. |
These fish are then stocked in the spring at three Lake Superior ports: Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Bay and Munising Bay. The goal is to create nearshore fishing opportunities in the smaller bays of Lake Superior, where some fisheries are available year-round.
The evaluation study will be conducted through 2030. It is designed to help fisheries managers understand the percentage of stocked fish caught by anglers, the home range of splake, and metrics such as harvest rates and size at harvest by year and location.
“Early reporting from anglers has shown that splake remain relatively close to their stocking location and provide a fishery nearshore that is easily accessible with small boats or shore casting during open water periods on Lake Superior,” said Cory Kovacs, a DNR fisheries biologist for the Lake Superior Management Unit. “Splake are also readily available through the ice during winter fishing months.”
Identifying marked fish
 Because they’re genetically tied to both lake trout and brook trout, splake look like either of the parent species, making them difficult to distinguish. Fisheries managers have also learned that identifying the correct fin clip on splake can be difficult to do while fishing, which poses a challenge for collecting data for the evaluation study.
If you catch a splake, inspect it for missing fins or a clipped jawbone, indicating that the fish has been “marked.” Some clipped fins can be misshapen or missing, or appear abnormal. When looking for clipped fins on your fish, pay particular attention to the right and left pectoral fins, the right and left ventral (pelvic) fins, and the adipose fin — the small, fleshy fin found to the rear of the dorsal fin but in front of the caudal (tail) fin and found on only a few fish, including trout, salmon and catfish. |
Reporting marked fish
Report marked fish through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app to provide information such as species, length, weight, sex, and date and location caught, or by contacting a local DNR fisheries office.
Anglers also can report marked splake to DNR creel staff stationed at various ports along the Lake Superior shoreline through the end of October. Creel staff can help to correctly identify the fish, distinguish clipped fins on fish and record angler trip data.
Other natural resources agencies mark a variety of fish species for different evaluation purposes. For information on fish marking in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/TaggedFish.
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
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