Convert to JPG

Scientific or graphing calculator? What tools should students buy?

As your kids get older their school supply lists will likely get shorter, but it's still not guaranteed to be less expensive.

One thing that could cause sticker shock for parents of middle and high school students is a specialized calculator. Schools generally prefer that students are equipped with a handheld scientific calculator. For the most advanced math courses, such as Advanced Calculus A graphing calculator may be required.

What's the difference? Scientific calculators perform functions beyond addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. A scientific calculator typically has special buttons for parentheses, trigonometric functions, exponents, pi, and inverses -- in addition to other functions.

A graphing calculator does even more. It'll come with a larger screen that allows you to enter a number of functions, after which you can see a graph for it.

Best Purchase's Geek Squad agent Derek Meister states that scientific calculatorscan run anywhere between $10 and $60. The graphing calculators usually cost more, somewhere between $100 and $150.Should back-to-school students purchase technological or graphing calculators? (KOMO News)

But, Best Buy says you aren't required to purchase a device and recommends talking to your school first.

Harmony Weinberg, Edmonds School District's public relations and media supervisor Harmony Weinberg, Edmonds School District's media and public relations supervisor, tell KOMO News each individual school decides on its own rules.

"For higher level classes, like AP Calculus, it is often expected that students have a handheld graphing calculator, such as TI-83, TI-84 or TI-89."

These calculators are perfect for AP testing. Weinberg further states that schools have a process in place for students to check out calculators, similar to textbooks if they don't have or do not want to purchase their own.

The Edmonds Schools district the calculators are handled in the same way as textbooks in terms of damage or loss, however they do not have a fee to use.

Another option could be on their school-issued laptop. Weinberg states that the district of Edmonds "all students have access to scientific and graphing calculators through their district-issued Chromebook." The district is also encouraging teachers to use Desmos online calculators, since they are utilized in state-wide assessments also.

Best tip: Ask before you buy. You may find a solution that doesn't drain your back to school budget.MORE TO EXPLOREOfficer comforts 1-year-old after parents overdose on heroin in carPolice: Woman burned alive by ex-boyfriend, with 10-year-old granddaughter in the room'I hit a girl this morning and left;' text messages from hit-and-run suspect by Taboola SPONSORED CONTENTClassy everyday wear with 30 day try-on guaranteeDaMENSCH|SPONSORED Celebrate with everyoneDell|SPONSORED The cost of hearing aids in Bhopal might surprise youHear.com|SPONSORED

West Seattle family says school policies on quarantine are biased against those who have not been vaccinated

from Joel Moreno, KOMO News reporterSaturday, September 18th 2021

src="https://komonews.com/resources/media2/16x9/full/1015/center/80/8521f8f9-6f3e-4b85-96b3-57a43d8bc7cf-large16x9_thumb_59632.png"/>https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.485.1_en.html#goog_1206168445Volume 90% Denny International Middle School.

SEATTLE A family from West Seattle say their young son was told to stay home following an incident when they came in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19, prompting family members to claim that he was targeted and treated differently by the school district's officials due to the fact that the child was not vaccinated..

Last week, the 12-year-old student attending Denny International Middle School was exposed to a classmate who was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Officials from his school advised him to stay at home for two weeks as they did not believe he was vaccinated.

His family members have discovered that, had he received a vaccination, the 7th grade student wouldn't be compelled to miss class as in the event that he was not showing indications of the infection.

"My kid has no symptoms," stated Jeremy Gollyhorn, the boy's father. "He's totally healthy. Why can't he just get an unfavorable COVID test and return to school?"

Gollyhorn said his son is being kept to a higher standard that students who've had their shots. Even if he showed a negative COVID-19 test, the boy would not be allowed to return to school until the two-week quarantine period is complete.

However, those close to them who have been fully vaccinated and show no signs of illness do not have to go through quarantine and may return to school. However, they are advised to be checked three to five days later in order to be sure.

Gollyhorn claimed that it does not make sense.

"Vaccinated people can still spread COVID too so what's the difference there?" he stated.

A spokesperson stated that Seattle Public Schools is following public health guidelines set through the federal government.

Gollyhorn has said that the policy deprives people of their freedom of choice. He also said that his family doesn't trust the vaccinations, and instances like this are what make him want push back.

In the year since Seattle Public Schools started the school year on September. 1st, the district has confirmed 117 positive cases of COVID-19 and Denny International Middle School has confirmed four cases of COVID-19 in the same time.

It's not clear how many staff or students have been instructed to be in quarantine due to exposures. However, absences from school are considered excused.