The Valley Times - June 13, 2018

Curanderismo: Community Medicine In The Modern Age

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TPCC Youth Group Helping To Keep McAllen Beautiful

VOL. I, NO. 47

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STC Offers Aviation Camps, Sparking Enthusiasm In Future Pilots

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

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Pharr Presents Check for $500,000 to UTRGV School of Medicine

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SOCCER

ALL MISSION CISD CAMPUSES EARN HEART SAFE DISTINCTION PG.7

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PSJA Southwest ECHS graduate Antonio Martinez, center, was one of the five Joel “Joey” Presidential Scholarship recipients.

Each scholarship is worth $16,000 over a four-year period. Pictured with Martinez are members of the PSJA Educational Foundation.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2018

BY KENNETH R. HARNEY WASHINGTON -- What if Congress passed a massive tax bill with scary cutbacks in deductions for homeowners -- prompting dire predictions of mass property-value declines -- but nothing much happened?

What if home prices in the market segments expected to be hurt the most by the tax changes actually rose significantly and showed no hints of decreasing? Six months after the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, where are we?

The law slashed the maximum mortgage amount qualified for interest deductions to $750,000 from $1 million; capped write-offs for state and local taxes at $10,000, (previously there was no limit); and clamped new restrictions on home-equity loans and credit lines, stripping the section on “home equity” from the federal tax code altogether.

The net effects of the changes, which were designed to raise billions of dollars in new federal revenues, were widely predicted to be negative for owners, especially in high-cost, high-tax areas of the country. These include metropolitan areas along the West and East coasts, along with dozens of pockets of high-cost neighborhoods in the Midwest, South and Rocky Mountain states. Late last year, some independent economists and real estate industry advocates predicted declines in home values nationwide averaging 10 percent, with potentially much higher reductions in high-price, high-tax markets. One group forecast devaluations of up to 17 percent.

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Doomsday Predictions Over Tax Cuts Have Not Come True -- Yet

Back to the original question: Where are we now? Here’s a quick update.

-- The latest data from the National Association of Realtors on existing home sales in the high-cost brackets -- the most vulnerable to the federal tax hatchet -- suggest that demand is actually up: Sales between $500,000 and $750,000 rose by 11.9 percent in April, compared with a year ago. Sales of $750,000 to $1 million homes jumped by 16.8 percent, and those above $1 million increased by 26.7 percent. That’s frothy.

-- New research by analytics and data company CoreLogic found that overall demand for homes is stable or up slightly in the 500 highest cost, highest-tax ZIP codes compared with all other ZIP codes. During the first three months of 2018, loan-application demand in high-cost, high-tax areas actually exceeded levels of the previous four years.

-- The dollar amounts of home equity line of credit (HELOC) authorizations by lenders during the first three months of 2018 are “running at the same pace” as 2017, according to Frank Nothaft, CoreLogic’s chief economist. This is despite the tax law’s elimination of interest write-offs on new home-equity borrowings that are not used to renovate, buy or build a house, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

-- Home-equity growth and prices overall are soaring. Homeowners saw their equity holdings surge by $1.01 trillion from the first quarter of 2017 to the same period this year. Owners nationwide gained an average $16,300 in equity for the year and presumably far more in expensive, fast-appreciating neighborhoods. Zillow’s Real Estate Market Report issued in May found that median home values nationwide are up 8.7 percent for the year -- the fastest pace in 12 years. In Seattle, values are up 13.6 percent; in Las Vegas, 16.5 percent; and in San Jose, 26 percent.

Realty agents in some of the high-

est-cost areas say the tax bill is a non-subject among affluent buyers and sellers. Jeff Dowler of Solutions Real Estate in Carlsbad, California, told me “I haven’t heard anything from clients or potential buyers. The market is actually very strong and demand hasn’t changed” since the tax law’s enactment. Anthony Lamacchia, broker-owner of Lamacchia Realty Inc. in the Boston area, agrees. His “gut” sense is there’s been “no difference” post-tax law. But Alexis Eldorrado of Eldorrado Chicago Real Estate LLC, believes the new law could be contributing to an increase of inventory in the upper brackets. Exceptionally high property and income taxes, capped as deductions at just $10,000 a year, are prompting owners to want

to sell in rising numbers.

What to make of all this? It’s still early in the process to be definitive about the long-term impacts of the tax law. Other, possibly short-term macroeconomic factors may be overwhelming the real estate tax changes -- record low unemployment, rising incomes, and record low inventories of homes for sale that are driving prices higher.

But next year, who knows? Meanwhile it’s safe to say the calamitous plunges in home values so boldly forecast by economists last December are nowhere in sight -- not yet anyway.

Ken Harney’s email address is Harneycolumn@gmail.com. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group

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Curanderismo: Community Medicine In The Modern Age Local curandera to present the culture of curanderismo June 17 Have you ever brewed oregano tea for a stomach ache, touched other people’s things to ward off “mal de ojo,” or been soothed by a parent with a healing: “Sana. Sana. Colita de rana.

Si no sana hoy, sana mañana.”? Tell your story during the Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “Curanderismo: Past, Present, Future. A Community Medicine in the Modern Age,” featuring Danielle López on Sunday, June 17, at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History.

This presentation, or rather, plática, will be set to encourage an interactive dialogue between López and the museum visitor. “My goal is to create

Danielle López

a new dialogue of what constitutes accepted modalities of knowledge production through the lens of Gloria Anzaldúa’s conocimiento occurring here, in my native U.S-Mexico Borderlands,” explains López, a border-

land native. The focus of López studies is on healing through traditional curanderismo in interdisciplinary spaces which include regional and internationally inspired holistic healing practices.

To complement the presentation, a selection of items from the museum’s collection pertaining to traditional healing, or curanderismo, will feature items referencing Don Pedrito Jaramillo. Jaramillo was a traditional healer who practiced in and around Falfurrias from to the late 1800s until his passing in 1907.

López earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Mexican-American Literature, Medical Anthropology and Latin Art History at the University of Texas

– Pan American (now, UTRGV). Her work as a cultural theory educator, a practicing curandera, a chicana spiritual activist, and a performance artist in the Río Grande Valley continues to guide her ongoing passion to preserve the culture, medicine and art of her transcultural borderland heritage.

The Museum of South Texas History is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square.

Hours of operation are from 1 p.m.– 5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tuesday–Saturday. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, find on Google+ or call (956) 383-6911.

PSJA Education Foundation Surpasses $1 Million Awarded To Students, Teachers

The PSJA Education Foundation reached a major milestone this year, awarding over $1 million collectively its first five years of existence to PSJA students and faculty through scholarships, grants and district-level literacy programs.

First founded in 2013, the PSJA Education Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has helped enhance educational opportunities for the youth and families of the tri-city area thanks to sponsorships and donations from PSJA Alumni, local businesses and PSJA ISD staff members through payroll deduction.

Honored to continue helping students fulfill their educational goals and fund innovative classroom projects, the PSJA Education Foundation President Jesse Vela, Jr. emphasized that their efforts would not be possible without the endless support from the PSJA community.

“A big thank you to everyone for their continued support,” said Vela. “To those that give to the PSJA Education Foundation, know that every penny goes back to our students and staff for the betterment of our PSJA community.”

The Foundation broke its own record this year, awarding $375,000 through its efforts. A total of 145 scholarships were awarded to PSJA ISD graduating seniors, totaling $320,000 and $40,000 were distributed to teachers through

The five Joel “Joey” Gonzalez Presidential Scholarship recipients pictured with members of the PSJA Education Foundation.

26 mini grants.

Reaching this goal was always part of former President Joel “Joey” Gonzalez’s mission, though he passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. Serving as President of the Foundation since its inception in 2013 and as a long-time member of the Tri-City Business/Education Coalition, he worked tirelessly to provide funding to graduating seniors so they could continue their education.

Throughout his 30-year banking career, the last couple of years as Vice President at Texas Regional Bank, he made an impact in the Rio Grande Valley and the PSJA community he loved.

The PSJA High School’s 1984 Valedictorian dedicated his life to giving back to his community as a volunteer coach, and a board member in numerous oth-

er boards including Nuestra Clinica del Valle, Kiwanis, Pharr Chamber of Commerce and the Pharr Rotary. He also served as President and Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Pharr.

As a special way to pay tribute to him, this spring the PSJA Education Foundation awarded the first fouryear Joel “Joey” Gonzalez Presidential Scholarships totaling to $16,000 each, to five PSJA ISD graduating seniors.

The inaugural Presidential Scholarship was created to commemorate his memory and was funded in part by the efforts of his former colleagues at Texas Regional Bank through the Joel “Joey” Gonzalez Presidential Scholarship Inaugural Golf Tournament held May 5 at the Tierra del Sol Golf Course in Pharr.

Over $50,000 were fundraised that day,

helping fund the largest scholarship available through the Foundation.

“We lost a great leader in Joey,” shared PSJA Education Foundation Vice President Ronnie Cantu during a scholarship ceremony at PSJA Early College High School May 8. “We are honored to continue his legacy. He believed so much in the power of education and giving back.”

For one of the Presidential Scholarships recipients, PSJA Southwest Early College High School Graduate Antonio Martinez, receiving this award was a true blessing.

“I almost cried when I found out,” said Martinez. “I am so thankful for the scholarship because I am the first one in my family to graduate from high school and will be the first one to go to college.”

After learning about the legacy of the great man behind his scholarship, Martinez now feels inspired to seek ways to make an impact in his community.

“Once I complete my education I plan to come back to the Rio Grande Valley,” said the graduate who will be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Pre-Med at Texas A&M University with the goal of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. “Every penny we’ve been given has been an investment in our education and I hope to one day make a difference by helping students like me go to college.”

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Wednesday, June 13, 2018

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McAllen Approves Parking Restrictions, Strengthens Staff Ethics Requirements

BY DAVIS RANKIN Ethics and the parking of wide vehicles on city streets were two topics that McAllen city commissioners dealt with at their regular meeting Monday night.

First, parking. Commissioners voted unanimously to restrict “wide vehicles” like tractor-trailer rigs (18-wheelers) on city streets in commercial areas. They are restricted from overnight parking on residential streets now, but what commissioners did Monday night was to apply those same restrictions to commercial neighborhoods. Industrial areas remain as they are now, said City Engineer Yvette Barrera.

Barrera told commissioners that “for example, we are having an issue along Primrose (next to Target on Ware Road) with some large tractor-trailers parking along the roadway overnight and for extended periods of time. By modifying the ordinance (which they did), it would prohibit these large vehicles from parking there but would still allow passenger vehicles to park there. For example, the soccer fields (at De Leon Elementary) are nearby and so it would still allow parents to park in these areas.”

As for the ethics issue, they passed without comment an ordinance forbid-

ding city employees from accepting large gifts intended to sway their allegiance.

The new language reads: “A City Employee shall not solicit, accept, or agree to accept any gift or benefit that reasonably tends to influence official conduct or the employee knows is intended to influence the discharge of official duties. (d) The prohibition of the acceptance of gifts described in subsection (c) above does not apply to: (1) Token Gifts. It is not improper to accept items of nominal or minor value that are clearly tokens of respect or friendship. A token gift has a monetary value of less than fifty dollars.

(2) Meals in an individual expense of fifty dollars ($50.00) or less at any occurrence, and no more than a cumulative value of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) from a single source in a single calendar year and no more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) total in a single calendar year.

City Attorney Kevin Pagan admitted “that under any ethics ordinance, it’s difficult to get ‘em all, but this is as close as we could come.” The ordinance is designed to prevent “conflicts of interest,” it reads.

The city’s Ordinance Review Committee recommended it.

TPCC Youth Group Helping To Keep McAllen Beautiful It’s been six months since McAllen’s updated smoke-free ordinance went into effect. As part of ongoing efforts to be a community resource and to help increase public awareness of the ordinance, the Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition youth group are conducting a cigarette butt cleanup in downtown McAllen tomorrow, Thursday, June 14th, from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

Along the way, the Coalition will assist businesses with ‘No Smoking’ signage and help interested businesses implement smoke-free policies if they are currently lacking one.

“The primary purpose of this activity is to show the city and businesses that we’re here to help,” says Yolanda Guzman, the coalition’s volunteer specialist. “Some people are still unclear on the specifics of McAllen’s smoke-free ordinance, or may not even be aware of it, and by picking up littered cigarettes we’re highlighting one reason why the ordinance was needed, as well as helping to give back to the city a little bit.”

The TPCC’s goals are to prevent tobacco use among young people, promote compliance and support adequate enforcement of federal, state and local tobacco laws, increase cessation among young people and adults, eliminate exposure to secondhand

The TPCC youth group cleaning up littered cigarettes at UTRGV for World No Tobacco Day.

smoke, reduce tobacco use among populations with the highest burden of tobacco-related health disparities, develop and maintain statewide capacity for comprehensive tobacco prevention and control.

If you would like to learn more about the Coalition and its activities, please contact Yolanda Guzman at 956-787-0004, ext. 19 or email yguzman@bhsst.org.

Follow/Like the TPCC on Facebook (facebook.com/unidadtpcc) and Twitter/Instagram (@unidad_tpcc) for the most current news on Coalition events and activities, as well as local, state, national, and worldwide trends on tobacco enforcement and surveillance.

Three S. Texas Congressmen At Center Of Immigration Debate

by Abby Livingston and Julián Aguilar, TEXAS TRIBUNE Three Texas Democrats are nearly all that stand in the way of the U.S. House taking up a series of immigration bills on the chamber floor.

U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo, Filemon Vela of Brownsville and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen are withholding their support for a “discharge petition” that would bypass the committee process and force Congress to address the legal status of “Dreamers” — young undocumented residents who came to the country as minors and have been granted a reprieve from deportation and a twoyear work permit under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

The Texans’ concern is that a discussion of possible immigration measures on the House floor might lead to funding for a border wall, The Washington Post reported. All three men represent border districts.

“Representatives Vela, Gonzalez and I are saying ‘no’ to signing the petition,” Cuellar said in a statement. “As I’ve said in the past, I cannot support a border wall which is a 14th-Century solution to a 21st-Century problem. There are better ways at finding solutions to DACA, and I will continue to work in a bipartisan way in Congress to properly address these issues.”

A group of House Republicans, spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd of Helotes, has since earlier this month been attempting to defy their chamber’s leadership and force the House to deal with the current stalemate over the legal sta-

tus of Dreamers. So far, they’ve gotten 23 Republicans and 190 Democrats to sign onto the discharge petition — five short of the majority of members needed to bring the discussion to the House floor.

DACA has benefited about 800,000 recipients, including about 120,000 Texans, since its inception in 2012, according to government statistics — people who are now living in limbo after President Donald Trump announced in September he would end the program.

DACA’s fate is currently tied up in the federal judicial system. Separate courts have ruled the Trump administration must continue receiving both DACA renewals and new applications, but the administration has vowed to challenge those rulings and has said the issue is up to Congress to fix.

While Cuellar, Vela and Gonzalez say they’re wary of the possibility of the

House voting to fund a border wall, some argue it would be worse to have no debate at all.

Ali Noorani, the executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said the point of the discharge petition is to take the first step toward the House finally addressing the issue.

“I think the last thing that members should be doing, Democrats or Republicans, is stopping short of a legislative debate. We’re long overdue in the House,” he said. “I don’t want to question the congressmen’s motives or their representation of their constituents — that’s what they’re elected to do. But we do think that the process should move forward.”

It is possible that Hurd and his cohort will continue to accrue more Republican signatures, meaning the support of the three Texas Democrats may not be needed.

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McAllen ISD Board Calls For ‘No Tax Rate Increase” Election McAllen ISD residents will be going to the polls again September 8th as school trustees ask them to approve a change in the way local taxes are structured but that will not result in any additional taxes.

The board of trustees at McAllen school district voted Monday afternoon to move forward with a special Tax Ratification Election on Sept. 8 that will keep the tax rate at $1.155 per $100 valuation. The TRE would essentially shift taxes collected for debt repayment into daily operations. This “penny swap” would then allow the district to claim an additional estimated $7 million annually in state revenue from the Texas Education Agency — funds that would otherwise go to other districts or back to the state coffers.

According to district statements, if the TRE is approved by voters, the additional state revenue generated would be invested into making district wide facility security upgrades and police department security upgrades, hiring a police officer for each elementary school, making intercom upgrades in four schools, and installing 134 defibrillators in facilities across the district.

The additional state funds would also be used to create new state of the art science labs for each of our three comprehensive high schools and for Lamar Academy, along

with a Staff Compensation Plan designed to retain highly qualified staff.

Early voting will be August 22 - Sept. 4 (with no early voting on Monday, Sept. 3, due to the Labor Day holiday). Election Day will be Saturday, September 8.

McAllen ISD’s total tax rate is the lowest school tax in Hidalgo County at $1.155 per $100 of property valuation. The McAllen ISD Board of Trustees has not raised this total tax rate in nine years and in fact, reduced it in 2016.

In May, the district collected input on the matter from the public through various faceto-face meetings with the community, parents and district staff, plus an online forum called Thought Exchange. More that 1,800 students, parents, employees, and other members of the community participated.

At the end of the day, taxpayers would not see an increase in the total tax rate and it would allow the district to qualify for the additional state funding if the measure is approved. The move would leave the overall total tax rate at $1.155 per $100 of property valuation.

School district tax rates are made up of a Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate used for daily operations and an Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate that can only be utilized for repayment of bond debt. The district would continue to meet its bond obligations through surpluses from maintenance and operations funds.

This is the time of year when many children get involved in summer activities.

However, the neighborhood around McAllen ISD’s Fields Elementary had a unique problem that was solved through a partnership between the school and the First Presbyterian Church of McAllen.

“This partnership was an idea that came up at our Site-Based Decision-Making Committee meeting three years ago from our business and parent representatives,” Fields Principal Rosey Solis-Guerra said. “Because we do not have a library (branch) or Boys & Girls Club in the Fields area, we started brainstorming ideas for a summer reading program within our school zone.”

That’s what led to their SOS (Securing Our Success) Club. This is the third year

for the Summer Reading Program at Fields.

About 55 students are participating.

The program now has a music teacher (drums), art teacher, reader’s theater and literacy intervention. In fact, every child gets a free book each day as part of the Molina Foundation.

The Molina Foundation is a national non-profit organization which works with community-based organizations in vulnerable communities and serves low-income and at-risk families.

Children also receive breakfast and lunch through the district’s Summer Feeding Program. The sessions are Monday-Thursday each week in June. The students participate from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fields is located at 500 W. Dallas Ave. in McAllen.

‘Penny Swap’ could provide estimated $7M in additional annual funding

Summer Reading Program Serves Neighborhood Need

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Public School Student STAAR Test Results Available To Parents Online Starting June 13 The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will be making student STAAR test scores available to parents online, beginning June 13. This can be a great tool for parents who don’t want to wait until confidential student reports are mailed out.

Parents can log in to the Texas Assessment Management System to view their child’s state test scores.

Go to, https://www.texasassessment. com/ and then click on “Log in to Student Portal.” You will get a pop up warning that reads, “You are now leaving texasassessment.com.” Click OK. In the next step, parents will need to use the state-assigned, Unique Access Code (UAC) to log into the portal to view their child’s STAAR results as well as other resources available to them through the TEA. The UAC is included in the most recent STAAR Report Card for the student. If that is not available, click the “Find My Ac-

cess Code” link. The system will ask for the child’s first name, the Social Security Number or S-Number, and the date of birth. Then click “Go.” The Access Code Lookup should appear. Then just click “Go” again.

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STC Offers Aviation Camps, Sparking Enthusiasm In Future Pilots

Pharr Presents Check for $500,000 to UTRGV School of Medicine – Pharr city officials presented a check for $500,000

to the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine, reaffirming the city’s commitment to supporting the school. Attendees at the check presentation included Pharr city officials, UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey, Dr. John H. Krouse, dean of UTRGV School of Medicine, and Veronica Gonzales, UTRGV VicePresident for Governmental and Community Relations. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the UTRGV School of Medicine,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “It will have a long-lasting positive impact in our region and change our citizens’ access to healthcare and education, while impacting our workforce as the need for medical and healthcare-related careers grows,” he continued. “Our support is crucial as the school builds its foundation and prepares for continued growth.”

With a prominent pilot shortage in the U.S., South Texas College’s Continuing Professional Workforce Education Department will be hosting a Summer Aviation Camp to spark an interest in flying for future pilots.

The four-day camps will take place at the STC Technology Campus in McAllen and is intended for elementary, junior high, and high school students.

The camp will touch on the subjects of remotely piloted vehicles (drones) and flying fundamentals.

Junior high and high school participants will take a field trip to the McAllen Airport for a “Hanger Hangout.” The hangout will give participants an opportunity to meet with a Federal Aviation Association (FAA) certified instructor.

Hector Zuniga, owner of McAllen’s Flight Academy says this camp is crucial to begin sparking curiosity about a career in piloting.

“The demand for pilots has never been as high as it is today,” said Zuniga. “The camps are going to be a great opportunity and even more beneficial for the high school level.

Those are the ones that will be able

As part of the South Texas College Aviation Camps, junior high and high school participants will take a field trip to the McAllen Airport for a “Hanger Hangout.” The hangout will give participants an opportunity to meet with a Federal Aviation Association (FAA) certified instructor.

to go into a two-year program and take advantage of the demand for pilots that is only growing.”

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate and a pilot wing lapel. The cost of the aviation camps is $150 for the 16-hour course.

Program Developer and Coordinator at South Texas College, Jose Raul Ruiz says summer camps are beneficial for children of all ages.

“Summer camps allow kids to become more independent and

self-confident,” said Ruiz. “We believe camps are very important for children as it offers learning opportunities to grow in different areas.”

Elementary aviation camp begins June 18, junior high aviation camp begins June 25, and the high school aviation camp starts July 9. Those interested should register by June 18.

To register for the aviation camp and other classes please call 956872-3585.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

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The Health Benefits of Soccer

Got soccer fever? Find out how playing “footy’” can improve your health

The experts agree, if you want to stick to your fitness plan, you need to find something you love to do. For more and more people, that plan involves teammates, some wide-open space and a black and white ball.

According to Sean Hayes, the official kinesiologist for the Canadian National Australian Rules Football team and the owner of Tuf Personal Fitness in Vancouver, B.C., soccer is a fantastic cross-training opportunity that has some mental benefits, too.

Improve your cardio If logging miles on the treadmill bores you to tears, hit the soccer field instead to work on your cardio. Hayes explains that soccer players can travel a distance of eight to 12 kilometers each game. ‘The aerobic fitness demands of soccer increase the ability of the heart to pump blood to the muscles and helps clear the build-up of plaque inside the arteries, which is a sign of cardiovascular disease,’ he says. The benefits? You’ll enjoy a slower resting heart rate, a decrease in systolic blood pressure and a healthier working heart, Hayes says. Added bonus, you won’t get winded running up a couple flights of stairs.

Increase muscle tone and bone strength Check out the gams on professional soccer players, not too shabby. And the rest of their bodies are pretty sculpted, too. “The very nature of soccer as a game of constant movement keeps the muscles engaged over long periods of time, which is great for overall muscle tone,” says Hayes. Another benefit might not be as easy to admire in the mirror, but is just as important. “As [people] get older, bone density becomes more of an issue. The repeated weight-bearing loads on the body during a soccer match are an excellent way to increase the strength of our skeletal frame.”

Increase endurance As soccer increases your cardio capacity, it also improves your endurance. “An increase in aerobic capacity allows soccer players to run farther for a longer period of time,” explains Hayes. Because soccer requires you to execute a variety of motions, it’s more beneficial than just parking yourself on the cross-trainer at the gym. “Soccer involves running, walking, sprinting and jumping.

These movements require a great deal of endurance for an athlete to be able to play a full 90 minutes.”

Improve coordination Whether you want to be able to beat your kids at Wii Golf or just stop bumping into

things, soccer can help. “Hand-eye coordination is improved when players either kick the ball or receive a pass from someone,” says Hayes. “Body coordination is improved because of complex movements like dribbling, turning and passing, which are performed at varying rates of speed and direction.” And better coordination means better results on the field. “A soccer player’s ability to react to her external environment is a valuable tool in the game.”

you learn on the field into the rest of your life. “The ability to work with others to reach a common goal is powerful when related to everyday life,” explains Hayes. “For soccer players, personal goals are sometimes pushed aside by team goals, which can teach people to think in broader terms when relating these situations to work and home.” That means you never have to feel selfish for taking that time out for yourself again.

Teamwork While you may think of your fitness goal as the one thing in your life that’s all about you, consider the idea that you can share that goal with others and take the lessons

Getting involved It you’d like to strap on some cleats and try soccer out for yourself, Hayes suggests contacting a local soccer association for information on leagues in your area.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2018

All Mission CISD Campuses Earn Heart Safe Distinction

Mission, Texas- Through the diligent efforts of school nurses in Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), all the district schools have earned the distinction of being named a Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators In Adam’s Memory) Heart Safe School. Mission CISD is one of only three in the entire Rio Grande Valley to have all its campuses earn this honor.

Mission CISD was among the first districts in the area to have Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and

trained staff at every school and district facility. To earn the Heart Safe School label, the campuses have to take several additional steps that include raising awareness of the AED’s and where they are located, train staff on the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest, and perform drills associated with cardiac arrests.

Project ADAM is a national non-profit program intended to help schools in all communities build CPR-AED or public access defibrillator programs.

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