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Artemis II Launch Slips to March After Fueling Test Issues

                         NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket on the pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first planned crewed journey around the Moon in more than fifty years, has been pushed to March after engineers identified problems during a critical fueling rehearsal. The team detected hydrogen leaks in the Space Launch System’s fueling hardware, prompting the agency to delay the mission while technicians investigate and implement fixes. Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a ten‑day lunar flyby, marking a major milestone in NASA’s long‑term plan to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustained presence there. Although the delay is disappointing for mission planners and spaceflight enthusiasts, NASA emphasized that ensuring crew safety takes precedence over schedule pressure. With additional testing now underway, March stands as the earliest realistic opport...

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Ontario Introduces Comprehensive Plan to Limit Cellphone Use and Ban Vaping in Schools

 

In a groundbreaking move, the Ontario government has unveiled an ambitious plan to reduce distractions in classrooms and enhance student well-being. The plan, which aims to standardize and strengthen provincewide measures, addresses the rising concerns related to cellphone usage and vaping among students.

Key Measures:

  1. Cellphone Restrictions:

    • Students in kindergarten through Grade 6 will be required to keep their phones on silent and out of sight for the entire school day, unless explicitly permitted by an educator.
    • For students in Grades 7 to 12, cellphones will not be allowed during class time unless explicitly directed by the educator.
    • The policy emphasizes “out of sight and out of mind,” restoring focus, safety, and common sense in Ontario schools.
  2. Social Media Removal:

    • Social media websites will be removed from all school networks and devices. This step aims to minimize distractions and promote a more focused learning environment.
  3. Vaping Ban:

    • Vaping will be banned in all Ontario schools.
    • Students caught using or carrying vaping devices will be required to surrender them, with parents immediately notified of the situation.
    • The government has allocated $30 million in the 2024 budget to install vape detectors and enhance security in schools.
  4. Supports for Mental Health and Parent Engagement:

    • The government will invest $17.5 million in new wrap-around supports for student mental health and parent engagement.
    • Initiatives include providing support for students at risk of addictive behaviors and developing webinars and resources for parents and students to address the adverse effects of vaping and excessive cellphone usage.

This comprehensive plan reflects Ontario’s commitment to prioritizing student learning, safety, and well-being. By addressing distractions head-on, the province aims to create a more conducive environment for education and growth. 

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