Experience the Magic of Bowie's Holiday Concerts
The High School Holiday Concert
On Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., the high school gym will come alive with the sounds of the jazz band, Mighty Marching Maroon, and the high school choir. These talented musicians will perform a series of enchanting melodies that are sure to fill the air with holiday cheer. The concert is a free event, making it accessible to all, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the magic of music during the festive season.
The high school choir's harmonious voices will blend seamlessly with the lively rhythms of the marching band, creating a truly immersive musical experience. The jazz band will add a touch of sophistication with their improvisational skills, taking the audience on a journey through different musical styles. It's an evening that no one should miss.
The Junior High Holiday Concert
On Dec. 17 at 6 p.m., the junior high band will take the stage. This concert will feature the sixth grade white and maroon bands, as well as the junior high choir. The young musicians will showcase their progress and talent, performing a variety of holiday-themed pieces that are sure to delight. The junior high concert is another great opportunity for the community to support and enjoy the musical endeavors of the Bowie schools.
The junior high choir's sweet voices will add a touch of innocence to the concert, while the bands will demonstrate their precision and energy. It's a wonderful way to introduce younger students to the world of music and the holiday spirit. The junior high concert is a must-see for those who love to see the next generation of musicians in action.
Travel Size Toiletries Collection
In addition to the holiday concerts, the Bowie bands and choirs are collecting travel size toiletries to be distributed to residents of Advanced Rehab and Independence Hall facilities. This is a meaningful initiative that shows the caring and community spirit of the school. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, unscented lotions, shampoos, and conditioners are all needed items.
Donations can be made from all four campuses and at the Christmas concerts. The decorated box on each campus and in the band halls of the junior and high school provides a convenient way for students, parents, and community members to contribute. By donating these items, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need during the holiday season.
The Annual Christmas Shoppe
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, the Bowie Band Boosters will host the annual Christmas Shoppe in the high school cafeteria. This is a great opportunity to shop for friends and family, with items ranging from 25 cents to $15. The Christmas Shoppe offers a wide variety of gifts, from small trinkets to more substantial items, making it a one-stop shop for all your holiday shopping needs.
Whether you're looking for a stocking stuffer or a special gift, the Christmas Shoppe has something for everyone. It's a fun and festive event that brings the community together and supports the Bowie bands and choirs. So come and browse the aisles, find the perfect gifts, and support local talent.
Uncover the Hidden Insights of Yelp on Public Health
How Yelp Ratings Reflect Public Health Trends
The online review platform Yelp serves as an exceptional tool to gauge how restaurants and local businesses are rated. But now, it emerges as a source of valuable information about essential public health services. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed a decade's worth of Yelp reviews from 2014 to 2023 for essential healthcare organizations across the US. These include urgent care centers, doctor's offices, diagnostic facilities, and hospitals covered by the Affordable Care Act. A total of 1,445,706 online reviews from 151,307 facilities nationwide were sorted by zip code. The findings were published in the journal JAMA.In general, a significant drop in positive online reviews (from 54.3% to 47.9%) was observed, coinciding with the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rural areas and those with a larger Black population were disproportionately affected. In Q1 2020, urban areas had around 51.62% positive ratings, while rural areas had around 46.52%. Both areas reached a record low in Q4 2021, with approximately 43.32% and 32.71% respectively. During the same period, facilities in areas with the lowest proportion of Black residents saw positive ratings fall from 56.23% to 48.97%, and those in areas with the highest proportion saw ratings drop from 43.14% to 33.29%."Before March 2020...over 50% of reviews were four or five stars," said Neil Sehgal, a doctoral student in the department of computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science and the lead author of the study. "It does look like [the positive review rate] going back up, but it's still not to where it was before Covid."Navigating the Healthcare Industry through Yelp
Healthcare Brew focuses on pharmaceutical developments, health startups, the latest tech, and its impact on hospitals and providers to keep administrators and providers informed. Seghal and his colleagues also examined the content of the reviews to identify problems associated with the drop in patient satisfaction. The findings suggest that insurance and billing issues have increased significantly in predominantly Black neighborhoods. When analyzing the number of times keywords were mentioned in negative reviews, "insurance and billing issues" had the largest regression coefficient, around 0.13, indicating a notable increase over time. In contrast, issues like "customer service and staff behavior" had a regression coefficient of 0.05.Yelp reviews can capture data and insights around the qualitative aspects of patient experience that might be overlooked by traditional reporting metrics of healthcare systems or government agencies. For example, researchers from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Pennsylvania previously used Yelp data to understand experiences of racism at hospitals, highlighting where it occurs and who it affects."What's unique about online reviews is that they capture this raw, unfiltered feedback that traditional surveys might miss, like personal stories or frustrations. And so they hopefully give us a broader picture," Sehgal said. "They definitely don't replace traditional surveys—they just complement them."