NEW COLUMN HAS ADVICE FOR AREA'S YOUNG PEOPLE

Today~~ marks ~the debut of the Southeast Missourian's new column~ "Kids Ask Peggy," found below.

Every Monday, columnist Peggy Hinders will offer young readers help and advice on a broad number of topics, including sibling relations, school, homework, coping with stress, and getting along better with parents and friends. Kids age 6 through 16 are encouraged to submit letters.

All questions submitted will be answered personally by Hinders, although not all questions will appear in print for space reasons.

Hinders currently works for the St. Louis Special School District in the Home Teaching Program, wo~rking with students who cannot attend school due to an injury or illness. She also teaches a course in Math in a program called "College for Kids," at St. Louis Community College at ~Meramec.

Hinders has been involved in education in different capacities for many years, including five years classroom teaching experience.

She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of California at San Diego. Her tea~ching credential is from National University, also in California. Hinders has a life-time teaching certificate in the state of Missouri .

Hinders has been married for 18 years and is the mother of two daughters, ages 14 and 12~.

Submit questions to: K~ids Ask Peggy. P.0. ~Box 6294, ~~Chesterfield, Mo., 63017.~ ~Writers should be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.