[Weekly EdNews Round Up] Pencils, Notebooks — and Flu Shots? Why Some Schools are Making the Flu Vaccine a Back-to-School Must

No one knows better than educators about the importance of staying up-to-date. In Edmentum’s Weekly News Round Up, you’ll find the latest and most interesting education news, all in one place.

When it comes to school children, flu shots are important. They help prevent children from getting sick, spreading the virus, and missing class. But after last year’s severe flu season, many schools are taking steps to keep their students and faculty safe by bringing the flu shot to the classroom. Read all about this story and more in this week’s EdNews Round Up!

Pencils, Notebooks — and Flu Shots? After Last Year’s Deadly Flu Outbreak, Many Schools Are Building the Flu Vaccine Into Their Back-to-Class Routine
The 74
After last year’s severe flu season, school districts around the country are taking steps to guard against the virus before it arrives in their classrooms.

5 Big Tech Trends Worth Watching This School Year
EdWeek
Beyond new apps and gadgets, worries around cybersecurity, media literacy, and school safety will drive the technology conversation this school year.

Detroit's Public School District Shuts Off Drinking Water, Citing Lead, Copper Risk
npr
Two-thirds of the district's buildings in an early test had problematic levels of lead or copper. The supplier says the water isn't the problem — it's the schools' old plumbing.

Hacking the Education Narrative with Dungeons & Dragons
MindShift
Teachers who are using tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons at school are discovering the social-emotional and academic benefits of this kind of play.

Coloring Books And Worksheets: What's The Value Of 'Staying In The Lines'?
npr
Many kids (and grown-ups) love coloring books. But what's the educational value of staying in the lines?

New National Data Shows Higher Chronic Student Absenteeism Rates
Education Drive
The proportion of schools in which at least 20% of students were chronically absent increased from 11% to 13% between the 2013-14 and 2015-16 school years, according to a new report.

Bending to the Law of Supply and Demand, Some Colleges are Dropping Their Prices
The Hechinger Report
Cuts to advertised tuition come in the face of an enrollment drop and consumer backlash.