Learning to read labels basics...

Common Ingredients
     At present, the cosmetic industry selects from more than 5,000 different
ingredients. It's no wonder consumers can be perplexed when they see the list.
Here are some common cosmetic ingredients and their usual functions (active
drug ingredients are not included):

Moisturizers function as a moisture barrier or to attract moisture from the
environment:
*    cetyl alcohol (fatty alcohol)--keeps oil and water from separating, also
a foam booster
*    dimethicone--silicone skin conditioner and anti-foam ingredient
*    isopropyl lanolate, myristate, and palmitate
*    lanolin and lanolin alcohols and oil (used in skin and hair
conditioners)
*    octyl dodecanol--skin conditioner
*    oleic acid (olive oil)
*    panthenol (vitamin B-complex derivative)--hair conditioner
*    stearic acid and stearyl alcohol

Preservatives and antioxidants (including vitamins) to prevent product
deterioration:
*    trisodium and tetrasodium edetate (EDTA)
*    tocopherol (vitamin E)

Antimicrobials to fight bacteria:
*    butyl, propyl, ethyl, and methyl parabens
*    DMDM hydantoin
*    methylisothiazolinone
*    phenoxyethanol (also rose ether fragrance component)
*    quaternium-15

Thickeners and waxes used in stick products such as lipsticks and blushers:
*    candelilla, carnauba, and microcrystalline waxes
*    carbomer and polyethylene--thickeners

Solvents to dilute:
*    butylene glycol and propylene glycol
*    cyclomethicone (volatile silicone)
*    ethanol (alcohol)
*    glycerin

Emulsifiers to break up and refine:
*    glyceryl monostearate (also pearlescent agent)
*    lauramide DEA (also foam booster)
*    polysorbates

Color additives--synthetic organic colors derived from coal and petroleum
sources (not permitted for use around the eye):
*    D&C Red No. 7 Calcium Lake (lakes are dyes that do not dissolve in
water)

Inorganic pigments--approved for general use in cosmetics, including  for the
area of the eye:
*    iron oxides
*    mica (iridescent)

Hair dyes--phenol derivatives used in combination with other chemicals in
permanent (two-step) hair dyes:
*    aminophenols

pH adjusters to stabilize or adjust acids and bases:
*    ammonium hydroxide--in skin peels and hair waving and straightening
*    citric acid--adjusts pH
*    triethanolamine--pH adjuster used mostly in transparent soap

Others:
*    magnesium aluminum silicate--absorbent, anti-caking agent
*    silica (silicon dioxide)--absorbent, anti-caking, abrasive
*    sodium lauryl sulfate--detergent
*    stearic acid--cleansing, emulsifier
*    talc (powdered magnesium silicate)--absorbent, anti-caking
*    zinc stearate--used in powder to improve texture, lubricates.

Judith E. Foulke is a staff writer for FDA Consumer.


I hope this helps out for those who curious about some of the functions 
on basic ingredients in cosmetics.


                                                                           Danielle Ferreira

Choosing a Private School in Florida

http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/Private_Schools/choosing_a_private_school.asp

I can't believe this,I was extremely surprised by encountering this by Florida Department of Education.I think finding a good school this coming school year will be extremely difficult.

Choosing a Private School in Florida

You have the right and the responsibility to select the appropriate school to meet your child’s learning needs. No one knows your child's special traits, needs, strengths and weaknesses better than you. If you are considering a private school for your child, it is important for you to know some of the fundamental differences between private and public school in Florida.

• Private elementary and secondary schools are not licensed, approved, accredited or regulated by the Department of Education.
• Florida's private schools issue independent school diplomas that do not require approval from the state of Florida.
• Florida private schools establish their own system of school accountability, grading, reporting, and evaluating and are not included in the state's measurement of public schools.
• Private elementary and secondary schools are structured as private corporations, churches or private businesses that only report directory information and the enrollment of compulsory attendance aged students to the Department of Education.
• Private schools are not subject to school definitions and requirements specified in education statutes and they are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.

The School's Philosophy Each private school has a stated purpose and philosophy unique to that school. Some place an emphasis on college preparation. Some are vocational, while others seek to meet the needs of children with particular learning styles. When considering a private school, parents are encouraged to ask to see the school's statement of purpose and philosophy to determine if the stated direction of the school is suitable to the needs of their child.

The Faculty and Administration Certification of private school teachers and administrators is not required in Florida. Therefore, parents are encouraged to ask the following questions about the faculty and administration:

• Do all of the teachers hold four-year college or university degrees?
• Does the school provide continuing education programs for its teachers?
• Are the teachers known in the community as a faculty that is dedicated to children and their needs? A sign of a well run school is a good working relationship between teachers and administrators and with parents
.
• Is there evidence of strong leadership in the school as reflected in the general cleanliness of the school, the appearance and attitudes of the students, and the ready availability of answers to your questions?
• How long has the principal or school head been at the school?
• What is his or her administrative qualification and background? Although private schools are not required to do background checks of all teachers, state law does require background checks of all school chief administrators, all early childhood faculty and staff, and authorizes a background check of all teachers and school employees who have contact with students. Certified teachers are automatically part of the background check process.
• If a school does not require state certification for its faculty and administrators, are other measures taken to verify moral and ethical suitability to engage children in the educational process?

The Academic Program Since the academic program offered at a private school is not part of the state system of K-20 education defined in educational statutes, parents may want to ask the following questions:

• What is the school's authorization to issue report cards, diplomas and transcripts?
• What is the school’s evidence of the successful placement of their graduates in the next level of schooling?
• What testing programs are used, and how do the student results of recent testing at this school compare with other schools and with national and statewide norms?
• What is the success rate of students leaving this school at the next schooling level?
• What accreditations or guarantees does this school offer that the next level of schooling will accept their diplomas, transcripts, report cards and transfer credits?
• Good private schools commonly advertise or otherwise assert that their program meets or exceeds state standards. What proof is offered that those assertions are true?

Diplomas and Transcripts

Most postsecondary training programs, colleges and prospective employers require that the applicant's high school diploma and transcript be from an accredited school. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the regional accrediting agency for the twelve southeastern states and the only accrediting agency for Florida's public and state university system schools. Many private schools in Florida are also SACS accredited.

For private schools, accreditation is not required and is achieved by the school's adopting and maintaining the academic standards prescribed by an independent accrediting association, usually affiliated with the school's religion or educational philosophy. There are many accrediting organizations for private schools and many private schools that are not accredited at all.

It is wise to check with the college, university, or prospective employers to determine whether or not they accept diplomas and transcripts from a specific private school. Requests for information about the acceptance of credits from a specific private school for postsecondary education admittance should be directed to the local community college or university admissions office.

Accreditations and Affiliations

There is no state law requiring private schools to be accredited, and there is no state regulation of private school accrediting agencies. Some private schools choose to become accredited.

Accrediting organizations will verify individual school status relative to the organization's standards and requirements. Please understand that any contract or tuition payment agreement a parent signs is a matter of contract and business law not education. Therefore, parents may want to ask the following questions:

• To what extent does the accrediting organization stand behind the schools affiliated with them?
• Do they offer mediation services or any kind of parent representation should their child's experiences at that school not meet their expectations?

Governance

Private schools are governed in a variety of ways. Some by a school board elected by the parents, some by specific churches or religious bodies, some by boards or trustees and some are proprietary schools. Parents are encouraged to ask the following questions:

• What form of governance is used in the school?
• What are the expectations for student conduct?
• What are the expectations for parent involvement?
• What are the processes for communication between home and school?

I am stunned by these news...Wow!!Finding a school just got a lot harder!!

Defeated...

I tried and tried to move Kevin to a different class,but it is nearly impossible,the principal herself just wont do it.
So I cant take Kevin out of his school just yet,he is finishing the Gifted testing this weekend and I don't want him to lose the opportunity at hand,so I have to wait until it is set and done.
It breaks my heart he goes to a class where the teacher is mean,abusive and harass not only him but other children.Complain after complaint and has gotten me nowhere.
So now,once testing is over,I will withdraw him from school and home school him for the remainder of the school year.
So as of right now,I can start searching for also a new school for next school year,a private school most likely,where this type of abuse can be corrected and not just ignored over and over,because in his public school they are completely ignoring a situation and it is unbelievable that this type of attitude is tolerated.