SCHOOLS & THE YOUNG

HIGH PITCHED ALARM DESIGNED TO SCARE OFF TEENAGERS NOW USED IN RING
TONES AND DANCE TUNE

BBC - A high-pitched alarm designed to repel youngsters from shops is
being used for the melody of a dance track after the success of a mobile
phone ring tone. Merthyr Tydfil-based Compound Security released the
"Mosquito" ring tone as a way of letting teenagers hear their phones
ringing without adults knowing. It was developed because adults lose the
ability to hear high-pitched sound. But now the sound is being used in a
dance track, Buzzin', with secret melodies only young ears can hear.

Simon Morris from Compound Security said: "Following the success of the
ring tone, a lot of people were asking us to do a bit more. . . "It has
two harmonies - one that everyone can hear and one that only young
people can hear.

Mr Morris is the commercial director of the firm which developed the
Mosquito box. It emits a high-pitched noise that can only be heard by
young people and is claimed to drive gangs away from trouble spots.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/5382324.stm

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PARKING BECOMES STATUS SYMBOL AT SUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOLS

RALPH R. ORTEGA NEWARK STAR-LEDGER - Parking is in such high demand that
students are taking drastic steps to secure elusive spots. Some pay
homeowners for use of their driveways. Some hoof it after parking on the
street or in a commercial lot - in some cases up to three miles from
their school. Still others carpool, though not by choice. There's even
been a claim in one Somerset County district of a black market emerging
for parking permits. The going rate: $375. . .

Securing enough parking spots for students is fast becoming a growing
problem at many suburban schools. One reason is growing enrollment.
Another, students and school officials admit, is that seniors are too
mortified to ride the school bus with underclassmen. "Too old for that,"
said Ridge High School senior Chris Lee, who drives his mom's old
Infinity I30 after years of riding the bus. . . "The older you get,
there's the respect issue. Younger kids look up to seniors," Lee said.

Gover said she parks her Jeep Grand Cherokee at a friend's house near
the high school, and walks the rest of the way -- gasp! -- alongside
younger students. "I don't feel like a senior doing that," she said.
"You have to walk in with the freshmen, sophomores and juniors."

http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1159421962259490.xml&coll=1


BBC - In 1969, 48% of American students (90% of those who lived within a
mile) walked or bicycled to school. In 1999, only 19% of children walked
to or from school and 6% rode bicycles to school.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/health/5386024.stm