$10K Haircut, Online Easter Eggs, Parent Coaches, and More (School Life)

Besides being a nearly universal experience, schools are also a fascinating reflection on contemporary society.

This week, for example, we learn that recess has become rare in many places -- When is it time for recess? (Miami Herald) -- and that someone paid $10k for a haircut: School pays $10,000 for boy's haircut (Boston.com). Really? I want to see that haircut.

Parental anxieties remain high despite the "slacker mom" movement, and so it makes sense that stressed parents who aren't lucky enough to get on the TV show SuperNanny go out and hire a coach: With Mayhem at Home, They Call a Parent Coach (NYT).

Or, in some homes and classrooms, they get out the belt: To paddle or not to paddle? It's still not clear in US schools (CSM), Board approves revised corporal punishment ban (Wilkes Barre Times-Leader).

Why so stressed? They have to be perfect: Parents' perfect attendance required (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) Maybe their children have a disorder: The Gift Of ADHD? (MSNBC).

Concerns about teenage drinking are everywhere: Drinking Game Can Be a Deadly Rite of Passage (NYT), A Feverish Reaction to Teenage Drinking (Washington Post). Meanwhile, MIT admission costs defy gravity, top $41G (Boston Herald).

Technology helps, and holds us back: High-tech Easter eggs (NYT), Next Up: $100 Laptops (eSchool News), High school girl arm wrestles a robot--and wins hands-down (LAT)
Where a Puff of Marijuana Is the Ultimate Power-Up (New York Times).

The Best of the Rest:

Off court, schools lacking color Indianapolis Star
S.D. Unified considers artificial turf subsidies for 9 high schools SDUT
Spelling bees: the most popular competition in school CNN.com
Debate: Is retention better than social promotion? NEA