Mysteriousrash spreadingin schools by LeannePantone assistant a&e editor
The cause of the mysterious rash that has been breaking out in various schools throughout the nation still remains unsolved. The rash, which is red in appearance and itchy, bumpy and even burning on the skin, has shown up in seven states, including: New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and West Virginia. Schools in Montgomery and Bucks counties have seen the rash develop and spread. Because of the mystery surrounding the rash and the rapid spread of it, many of these schools, such as Spring Ford Middle School and Quakertown and Richland Elementary Schools, have closed for a short period of time during the breakouts. Once the schools have closed and students are no longer in the building, the rash disappears quickly after, sometimes in only a few hours. However, precautions have been put into effect to prevent schools in the surrounding areas from being infected and having to shut down. "Nurses have been keeping
photo by Loren Burton
Studentsin elementaryand middle schools scattered across the country have contractedmysteriousrashes that disappearsometimesjust hours after leaving school.
vigilant about any rashes," Terry Quinlan, Lower Merion School District coordinator of health services, said. "We have seen nothing concerning so far." As one part of the precaution-
ary measures taken by Lower Merion, the parents are being kept informed. "We sent a letter home to all elementary and middle school parents. Included in that Jetter was a letter from the Pa.
Department of Health about rashes," Quinlan said. see SCHOOL RASHES on 2.
Job marketprovesto be jumpable-hurdle by SharyonUrbannavage assistant perspectives editor
The pending obstacle of searching for employment is approaching for the seniors who will graduate in May. Repercussions of the Sept. 11 terrorists' attacks have catapulted soon-to-be graduates into a shaky economy. However, the job mar-. ket is not as bleak as many may assume. "Employers have been calling us to recruit seniors," Nancy Hutchison, director of cooperative education and career services, said. "If they upload their resumes to the Career Connections website, it will be put into the resume database and remain in our web resume book." Prospects for the upcoming job search for Cabrini graduates cannot be determined until after commencement. According to Hutchinson, job scarcity is not something to be worried about this year. "We are still getting lots of co-op and career opportunities coming in."
Although there has been a noticed decrease in the number of employers recruiting at local job fairs, seniors should not be discouraged about the availability of opportunities. "Bigger organizations are not intending to do as m u c h _______________ recruiting but there are still plenty of opportun i tj e s ," Hutchinson said.
organizations will be anywhere from fair to poor. However, govemment/nonprofit organizations project a 20.5 percent increase in college hiring. Georgie Rushworth, senior English/communication major, has begun her
"Employers have been calling us to recruit
Seniors." ,~ • •
Nancy Hutchison, director of cooperative
Hiring cuts are ---------------. biggest among employers who hired large numbers of new college graduates last year. Employers expect to hire 20 percent fewer new graduates in the 2001-02 school year than in 200001, according to the annual Job Outlook survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Communications companies, automotive and mechaJticalequipment manufacturers, and financial services firms feel hiring for their
job search on Mosster.com and through the co-op office. "Right now, it's more about the· peo-
pie you know and getting references through your friends," ·Rushworth said. "I think. that the economy would have still been bad even if not for Sept 11." Each year, the cooperative and career services office sends a survey to the graduates to compile information on the number of graduates who have attained employment or have gone onto graduate school. Of the 84 percent of May 2000 graduates who responded to the survey, 98 percent were employed
or in school. As of Monday, Feb. 18, 90 graduates from the class of 2001 have responded to the survey and all of them have jobs or went on to graduate school. The responses returned to date are from the initial mailing of the forms. Two more mailings will follow and those who still have not responded will receive a phone call from the co-op and career services office. "Hopefully we'll get more back next week," Sue Farrell, secretary of the cooperative and career services office, said. This form is also available on the co-op web page of Cabrini's website. "It takes about three minutes to fill out," Farrell said. Seniors who have yet to start searching for future employment are encouraged to attend upcoming career fairs and visit the co-op and career services office. Starting early will be beneficial to the recruiting process. Making the job hunt a priority will assist in securing a position in the workforce.
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