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ANTON MEDIA GROUP • SEPTEMBER 23 - 29, 2015
CAMPS SCHOOLS AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
SEPTEMBER 23 29, 2015
&
New Courses For The New PSAT, ACT
Concussions: How To Prevent Them BY JOE SCOTCHIE
JSCOTCHIE@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
Football season is in full swing and a downside to all of the great action is the threat of concussions being suffered by the young athletes. Sports fans are aware of concussions sustained by NFL stars and the likelihood that it shortens or ends a promising career. However, concussions can happen on any level—and not just in football. Physicians estimate that up to 300,000 concussions happen every year. Most of them come from football, but they also occur in other contact sports, namely ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer. All of these sports are popular among Long Island athletes. Physicians and former athletes spend a great deal of time studying concussions and how to both recover from them and more importantly, how they may be prevented. All of the above sports, except for soccer, also come with protective head gear. Such helmets remain the first line of defense. According to Alvin Grier, a former player and current director of Midwest operations at Elite Sports Agency, certain brands rate among others. Grier cited a Virginia Tech study that found that the Riddell Revolution
Speed helmet was tops in protective head gear. Other helmets that rated high in proper protection include the Xenith X1, the Schutt DNA Pro+, the Schutt ION 4D and the Riddell Revolution IQ. Once the helmet is on, the games begin. Here, sportsmanship and plain common sense matter. Coaches instill sportsmanship in their athletes, but there are also proper methods of playing the game, especially football, where most concussions occur. All levels of football activity have long banned spearing tackling, where the defensive player uses his helmet as a battering ram. So when tackling, defensive players, according to Grier, need to tackle with their shoulders. Grier admits that “sometimes helmet-to-helmet contact is downright unavoidable.” Still, in all instances, lead with the shoulder. Furthermore, players should make sure that the chin snap is used at all times, especially during practices, a place where many concussions occur. Other preventive measures include making sure that the goalposts are padded and that the playing field is free of holes or choppy turf areas. Hockey players always lead with their shoulders. Such athletes can prevent concussions by always skating with their heads up, especially
when they are positioning themselves for a board check. Preventive measures are not confined to the playing field. A healthy, nutritious diet can both assist the body in fighting off brain injuries and help speed up the recovery process in case one does occur. All prospective athletes take extensive physical exams. In addition, baseline testing for cognitive skill levels has proven to be helpful. Such testing allows physicians to proceed with accurate diagnosis and treatment. In case a concussion occurs, athletes are advised to take a day-byday approach, including light bouts of walking or swimming, exercise and participation in non-contact drills before moving onto full contact practice. Recurring concussions spell big trouble and usually mean the end of contact sports altogether. Athletes should eat and train properly, while equipping themselves with the safest headgear possible and avoiding deliberate head-to-head contact. Athletes also need to be on guard at all times. Practices are just as important as the games themselves. Players need to stay on their toes to prevent concussions from taking place during seemingly light practice sessions. —Submitted by Elite Sports Agency and PreventConcussion.com
Dr. Ira Wolf has rewritten the Barron’s SAT and PSAT books to reflect the new version of both tests. He has also revised the curriculum for PowerPrep’s courses for the PSAT and SAT. All of the fall PSAT courses are for sophomores and juniors who will be taking the new PSAT that is being given for the first time this October. The old format of the SAT will still be given through January. Consequently, PowerPrep’s SAT courses this fall are for that version of the test, which will be taken by all seniors who are retaking the SAT, as well as by some juniors. Courses for the new SAT, which will be given for the first time in March 2016, will begin in January. In the meantime, any junior who wants to get a head start on preparing for the new SAT should take one of the courses for the new PSAT—the types of questions on the PSAT and SAT are exactly the same. There are also some changes to the ACT—much less drastic than those for the SAT—and, of course, PowerPrep’s ACT courses reflect those changes. Juniors who are unsure as to whether to take the ACT or SAT should take an ACT course before taking an actual ACT and, of course, take the
see COURSES on page 18A
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CAMPS & SCHOOLS • SEPTEMBER 23 - 29, 2015
At Saint Mary’s, God is the Center of Everything We Do OPEN HOUSE FOR ADMISSIONS
Sunday, October 18 2:00-4:30 PM CALL TO SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR OR EMAIL ADMISSIONS@STMARY.WS
Academics, Service,Values & Athletics
The Schools of Saint Mary
1300 Northern Boulevard Manhasset, NY 11030 516.627.0385 www.stmary.ws SOSM Open House Ad 2015 Anton Media.indd 1
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SAINT MARY’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL N-8 SAINT MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL 9-12
9/21/15 11:44 AM
CAMPS & SCHOOLS • SEPTEMBER 23 - 29, 2015
7/10/15 10:36 AM Page 4
Schloss Named Usdan Executive Director
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16A HT Open House Anton 1-2 pg vertical:Layout 1
BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
Lauren Brandt Schloss has been named executive director for the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts. Schloss joined the staff following her tenure as executive vice president at New York’s Studio in a School. She will succeed Dale Lewis who, following 36 years at Usdan, will be leaving in September to direct the new Arts Reach Fund at Long Island Community Foundation. Schloss has worked in arts education for 20 years. At Studio in a School, she oversaw the fundraising, marketing, public relations, finance, human resources and information technology for programs annually serving more than 30,000 children at more than 200 sites. In her previous position, as director of education at the Queens Museum, she created the largest education program in the country for adult immigrants, serving communities in more than 10 languages, as well as designing, managing and assessing programs in museums as well as libraries and schools for K-12
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.
DDI Chosen As School Of Excellence The Smithtown-based Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), was selected as a 2015-16 National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) School of Excellence for the second year in a row. DDI’s children’s day program was selected for this honor. “DDI could not contribute to improving the lives of the students we serve with autism and other developmental disabilities without our dedicated teachers and other staff members of our children’s day program,” said John Lessard, DDI’s
executive director. “This award is a testament of their ability to provide superior educational programs that fully engross our students.” Selection as a school of excellence is the highest level of recognition a private special education school can achieve through the NASET professional association. This honor is presented to private special education schools that meet professional criteria and have demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education.
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You’re going to spend four years in high school. You need a place that will allow you—or better yet, encourage you—to be yourself. Your best self. A place like Holy Trinity. Our aim is to educate the whole person: mind, heart, soul and body. So we give you opportunity to devote yourself not only to academic excellence, but to the pursuit of truth. We think that’s how high school should be. How about you? Come see for yourself at our Open House. Sunday, September 27, 12:00-2:30 pm.
98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801 516.433.2900 • howhighschoolshouldbe.com
schoolchildren, educators, youth, families, seniors and people with special needs. Schloss lives in Manhattan with her husband, architect Jonathan Schloss, and their daughter, 11, and son, 8. “I am honored to have been chosen to cultivate innovation and creativity with over 1,500 artistic youth and 300 creative adults on a 200-acre wooded playground for the arts,” Schloss said. “Dale Lewis has established an uncommon level of artistic excellence and a culture of warmth and kindness at Usdan, which I am dedicated to preserving in the years ahead.” Visit www.usdan.com or call 631-643-7900 for more information.
DDI staff
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CAMPS & SCHOOLS • SEPTEMBER 23 - 29, 2015
Peer Pressure And Substance Abuse BY JEREMY SKOW
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
Jeremy Skow These researchers went on to conclude that: • Teens with friends who do drugs and drink alcohol are more likely to do the same. • Teens who do drugs and drink alcohol are more likely to convince their friends to do it too. • Teens who do drugs and drink alcohol are more likely to seek out other teens who do the same.
see SKOW on page 18A
Saturday, October 3, 2015 Presentations at 11:15 • 12:15 • 1:15
Sacred Heart is rooted in a mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and the Gospel of Jesus. Our dedicated teachers and administrators have made Sacred Heart Academy an outstanding Catholic College Preparatory School for young women on Long Island. We invite you to learn more about our school and how we foster courage, compassion and commitment in our students and motivate them to Lead With HeartTM.
516.483.7383 | sacredheartacademyhempstead.org 47 Cathedral Avenue, Hempstead, New York 11550 /Sacred Heart Academy Hempstead, NY
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Sacred Heart Academy is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood.
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Would a teen really jump off the Brooklyn Bridge if all his friends were doing it? Hopefully not. We can try to tell our teenage son or daughter that they are falling off that bridge a little bit at a time every time they use drugs. They might listen or they might think that we are reciting the same hackneyed rhetoric that parents, who are no longer in touch with what it’s like to be a teenager, tell their children. The fact is school-aged children spend most of their time surrounded by their peers. Classmates and teammates far outnumber the adults in a teenager’s life. As our children begin to branch out socially, peer pressure can become a formidable influence. The Canadian Lung Association found that 70 percent of teens who smoke have friends who smoke or they started smoking because of peer pressure. The Monitoring the Future Survey showed that 28 percent of teenagers felt that giving in to peer pressure improved their social standing.
@SHAHempsteadNY
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CAMPS & SCHOOLS • SEPTEMBER 23 - 29, 2015
COURSES from page 15A PSAT. That will give them a feel for both exams, which will help them make their decision. Because of all the changes to these exams, PowerPrep is offering more sections of its courses this year than last. The most important thing is for students to prepare conscientiously for whichever tests they are going to take and not to worry that the new tests are going to be harder than the old ones—they will be different, not harder, and all students are in exactly the same boat. The entire PowerPrep program is supervised by Wolf, the founder of PowerPrep and a nationally-known
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SKOW from page 17A The truth is kids get involved with drugs for a variety of reasons. Some teenagers use substances as a way to fit in. The entrance requirements for most drug cliques are easy. Just use and buy drugs and presto, you have a group to hang with. For kids who are lonely or feeling they lack what it takes to fit in with others, this is very seductive. Some kids use drugs to self-medicate for depression, anxiety or low self-esteem. They may feel more comfortable meeting people and socializing if they use substances to either relieve their worries or provide them with artificial courage. Some kids may use substances to get attention from their parents. She might feel that if she were the perfect child she wouldn’t she get anywhere near the same amount of attention from you. As parents, we want to be vigilant about potential warning signs. Your child may have a sudden or extreme change in friends, eating or sleeping pattern, physical appearance or school performance. She may have suddenly lost interest in previously enjoyed hobbies or family activities. He may present with a more hostile or uncooperative attitude. She may be more secretive about actions or possessions. He might start stealing money from you or have an unexplained need for cash. You may find medicine containers, despite a lack of illness, in your teen’s room. It is important for us to be our child’s parents, not their friends, because there is a significant difference. Friends think it’s alright if another kid does drugs, puts himself in danger, and lies about it. Parents love their children and are willing to set limits and boundaries to keep them safe, no matter much strife it causes in the household. Your daughter may feel she is ready to be on her own, but you try to hold on. This may cause frustration and resentment but you do not have to argue with your adolescent when it comes to peer pressure. You
expert in the field of test preparation. Wolf is the author of more than 10 books on test preparation, including Barron’s best-selling SAT and PSAT books, as well as a book for the SAT subject test in Math Level 1. He has been helping students to achieve their maximum PSAT and SAT potential for over 40 years. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students use Wolf’s books to prepare for the SAT, but only students here on Long Island can actually take the PowerPrep courses that he personally designed. For more information on PowerPrep’s courses for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests, call 516-484-4468. can help your child through this tough time by: • Knowing your child’s friends and their parents. • Knowing your child’s activities and paying attention to their whereabouts. • Trusting your instincts. If your gut is telling you that something is off, there has got to be a reason. Make it as easy as possible for your teen to talk to you. Ask what is going on. Talk about specific things you see and concerns you have, and then be ready to listen. • Educating yourself about physical signs of substance use (bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, etc.). • Offering support and advice without judgment. A strong bond between you and your teen might help prevent your teen from abusing drugs. • Establishing rules and consequences. Make it clear that you won’t tolerate drug abuse. Agree on the consequences of breaking the rules ahead of time—and enforce them consistently. • Keeping an eye on prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Overthe-counter cough medicines contain dextromethorphan, an ingredient teens can drink in excess to get high. Parents sometimes have to do the opposite of what they considered good parenting when their child is engaged in abusive behavior. Instead of protecting your child and taking care of his needs, you have to put the responsibility on him. Don’t let your emotions take over and try to fix everything. Take a step back and analyze what is going on. Like many parents, you may have been dealing with symptoms like hair, dress, curfews and contraband. The actual problem may stem from issues like feelings, peer pressures, family dynamics and addiction. Jeremy Skow, LMHC, CASAC, MBA, maintains a private practice in Great Neck. Visit www. mentalhealthcounselingny.com or call 516-322-9133 for more information.