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MORE Summer Camps & Programs – Part 3! See pages 8-11.
Mascara, Old Friends & Other Superheroes: The Final Chapter Happy Mother’s Day on Your Terms Ask Dr. Kate Q&A: Does My Son Have a Gaming Obsession? Education Feature: Shore Country Day School Preventing Heart Disease – Part 1 Aaron’s Presents: Spotlight on Not a Simple Piece of Rope Enter To Win! See page 3.
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MAY 2015
2 North Shore Children & Families
Family & Friends
Mascara, Old Friends & Other Superheroes:
The Final Chapter – Going Home by Suzanne Provencher, Publisher/Editor/BFF It happened so fast… We brought her home from Spaulding on March 26 and took her to Kaplan Hospice the evening of March 27. The game plan was to get her pain managed, and then we’d bring her back home. But this was not to be. Our last two weeks were filled with fear and joy and hope and despair. With every word and every kiss, we cherished the good moments. But the sadness was always there. With each day, we lost a little more of her and ourselves. Her daughter and I stayed with her the last two nights. On the last morning, we could feel her leaving us.
At 1pm on April 14, 2015, her breathing changed. Her daughter Lenyx, her sister-in-law Kathy, her friend Julie (who had brought us lunch at the perfect time) and I surrounded
her. We touched her and played beautiful music. We softly spoke to her and told her that it was OK to go – that everything would be all right – that her pain and suffering would soon be over – that we would be there for Lenyx. We urged her to let go, but not before telling her how proud we were of her bravery – and how much we loved her. At 1:10pm, she was gone. Just like that…she was gone… We sat outside in the sunshine for a moment before packing up our things. We were filled with joy that we were there at her final moment. We kept our promise and walked her to the gate. We were honored to be there for her. We didn’t know what to do with ourselves next. We didn’t want to leave – and we couldn’t wait to leave. The next few days went by in a blur as
I finished her eulogy and made the vessel for her funeral flowers. Tyla was a figure skater for most of her life. She loved monograms, gold and bling. The tops of each skate featured “fur” trim with feathers dipped in silver for angel wings. I added a personal message, in gold, to the bottom of each skate. As I lovingly added each rhinestone and her initials, in gold, I was comforted that I was still doing something for her. I laced her up one more time. We were running on fumes as our auto pilot got us through arrangements and details to give Tyla the send off she deserved. When I first saw her at the wake, I was comforted by how lovely she looked. My heart broke and filled with joy when I saw that she was wearing the jewelry set that I gave her for her birthday last year. And then I saw her wrist, where she wore her rhinestone cross bracelet, which matched the one that I wore during our cancer battle. This was our Superhero cancer warrior bracelet, which we always wore this past year. Not visible, she was also wearing the ruby slippers that her sister in law, Kathy, gave her – because there’s no place like home. So many family members and friends – old and new – were there to support her and us. Photographs adorned the halls and walls as we remembered better days. My cousin, Judi, lovingly sang “Wind Beneath My Wings”, which brought tears to our eyes and touched our very souls. Her send off was simply lovely and worthy of the girl that she was and the fine woman she became. After the funeral, we headed to Marblehead for a reception. On the way, it was sunny yet raining, and the sky revealed a rainbow. As we passed the Warwick
to read my column to her, this column, like I always did before it went to print. Somehow, I know she knows.
Cinema, I noticed the marquee read: “Woman in Gold” and “Home”. I was reassured that she approved of all that we had done this past year and her final homecoming. As I wake today, I want to call her and tell her about the skates I made for her. I want to tell her what a wonderful job Lenyx did with the arrangements and with her words. I want to thank her for decorating my life for over 46 years. I want to remember the many wonderful memories that we share. And I want
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Let the healing begin. As I redefine my purpose and role in this world, as I mourn the loss of my best friend – I encourage you to call your best friend today, and tell them how much you love them. Make a date to spend time with them. Don’t put it off another minute. I love you, Tyla. Sisters at heart – best friends forever. On May 17, I will celebrate your birthday – with cousins Jo-an, Shayna and daughter Lenyx, knowing that you are getting some satisfaction that I will now finally be older than you. And doesn’t she just love that. Until next time ~ Suzanne
I have been writing about Tyla’s cancer battle and our friendship since last May, so I have posted her eulogy online at www.northshorefamilies.com/TylaEulogy if you would like to read it. Thank you for sharing our journey.
See our Community Calendar online this month!
North Shore Children & Families North Shore Children & Families INVITES YOU TO www.northshorefamilies.com P.O. Box 150 Nahant, MA 01908-0150 781.584.4569
A publication of North Shore Ink, LLC © 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction in full or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.
Suzanne M. Provencher Publisher/Editor suzanne@northshorefamilies.com Designed by Group One Graphics Printed by Seacoast Media Group Please see our online Calendar for our upcoming deadlines.
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4 North Shore Children & Families
Celebrating North Shore Moms
Happy Mother’s Day on Your Terms by Dr. Kate Roberts Mother’s Day was started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by Mothers. In 1914, Anna’s hard work paid off when President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday. Over time, Mother’s Day has evolved into a celebration for Moms everywhere in recognition of the person who works very hard and makes ongoing sacrifices for her family and often earns the least recognition for it. Many would argue that a Mother plays the most central role in the life of a child and she is the person a child often relies on most. A Mother represents stability, nurturance, integrity and home – and having a day dedicated to her is an honor. And yet sometimes I wonder what we are really celebrating on Mother’s Day. In the current culture, Mother’s Day has become as much of a business enterprise as much as it is a celebration for Mothers. Advertising and pop culture dictate much of what we value today and Mother’s Day is no exception. The flowers, the buffet brunches, the movie like descriptions of what Mother’s Day will look like fill our heads with hopes and expectations and may lead to disappointments. We’ve seen the television commercials where Mother’s Day is depicted in true Hollywoodesque style, with a beautifully prepared breakfast in bed, a spotless
house, people actually picking up after themselves (a true miracle), a conflictfree day of pampering and a new car in the driveway that the kids saved up for. Mothers who expect that version of the day may be disappointed. What is true is that kids learn early that on Mother’s Day, they are supposed to do whatever Mom says. And I think most kids try to do this. But realistically, most can’t do things perfectly, even on Mother’s Day or maybe more so on Mother’s Day, if they are being judged for their performance. With the push to recreate what we see on television, some families may attempt to create the perfectly orchestrated Mother’s Day. These efforts remind me of a school project where the best ones come back looking like they should be in Good Housekeeping magazine and everyone knows that the whole family except the child worked on it. For the Moms that yearn for that ideal Mother’s Day, please don’t spoil it, and instead consider changing that picture. Imagine a less than Hallmark occasion in recognition of all your hard work – one that’s real and authentic and is directed and owned more by you and your kids and less by advertisers and unrealistic expectations. And please have a sense of humor about it. A disastrous attempt by children to demonstrate their love can be the most memorable and hysterical moments of a Mom’s family life; the breakfast in bed that ends up on her head, for example. It’s best to roll with whatever comes your way, and remember: it’s the effort that counts here. Continued on page 8
North Shore Children & Families
Ask Dr. Kate
Q&A for North Shore Parents My 9 Year Old Son May Have a Gaming Obsession Question: Dr. Kate, my nine year old son is becoming obsessed with gaming and Minecraft. Is this okay or should I be concerned? Answer: Many parents consider Minecraft to be one of the least graphic games when it comes to gaming, and some would even promote Minecraft as an “educational” game. That being said, it’s never good for a child to be obsessed with technology. I remember when my 10 year old son asked me if he could download Minecraft. I asked him what it was and he answered, “The online version of Legos.” I laugh now thinking about it, because Minecraft is more complicated than Legos. Here’s some of what parents need to know: Minecraft (2009) is likened to Legos in that it’s a game that emphasizes building and thinking creatively. You can play Minecraft on a mobile device or computer – or play interactively online. Minecraft fan communities are growing. Team building occurs online when players share creations and discuss (through chat sessions) how to build together or take down other people’s creations. They “team up” to overcome or steal from other players, thus positive and negative interactions can occur. But when played online, Minecraft allows players to interact with strangers, some of whom are adults. Using a “chat” feature, they interact with their friends, yet may also gang up with strangers to fight off “monsters”. Players can set up their own place (server) that is “invite-only” using a private server, a task only an IT person can achieve.
Minecraft isn’t known for its scary graphics and gory violence. Still, there are monster images and sounds that could frighten younger children who don’t know about the game or haven’t seen images like these before. This is why it is not recommended for children under age 13 to play online unless it is in the presence of a supervising adult. It may be appropriate for children ages 7 to 9 to play offline, in a downloaded version, if parents disable the monsters and set the difficulty level to PEACEFUL in the options menu. And as with any gaming system, I have concerns that it can be addictive. It’s best for parents to access resources such as CommonsenseMedia.com to learn more about Minecraft, and how to best manage the time spent online or on the computer. It’s always a good parenting practice to know about Minecraft and other games before your child begins to use them. Allow your children to play online only when you can supervise, and know who’s on their server. Limit the number of hours they play. Most pediatricians and child clinicians recommend 2-3 hours of total technology time a day. That seems like a small amount considering television time, time spent on school work and educational purposes and then the time kids spend gaming, texting and using social media. It’s important that parents recognize that like any addictive internet or video game, too much Minecraft can create an increasingly negative attitude and behavior in your child. So set limits and ask for help early if you are having difficulty doing so.
If you have a question for Dr. Kate, please email her at kate@drkateroberts.com. We may publish your question, anonymously, in a future issue – along with Dr. Kate’s response. This feature is brought to you, courtesy of Dr. Kate and North Shore Children & Families.
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6 North Shore Children & Families
Education Feature
Shore Country Day School With its emphasis on conceptual, integrated, and creative learning within a strong liberal arts tradition, Shore Country Day School, located on a 17-acre campus in Beverly, MA, serves 440 Pre-K through Grade 9 students from 40 communities across the North Shore. Families seek out Shore’s programs and state-of-the-art facilities for academic challenge, innovative teaching, and a balance of scholastic, artistic, physical, and personal growth. Openings for new applicants are still available. To schedule your tour and learn more, inquire today at www.shoreschool.org/admissions. and music through hands-on work with professional equipment and materials ranging from wood and metal to carbon fiber and circuit boards. The Innovation Lab is where Koval’s students constructed their working human joints.
Shore Center for Creativity Energizes Learning, Community
The Lawrence A. Griffin Center for Creativity
Inside Shore Country Day School’s new 30,000square-foot Lawrence A. Griffin Center for Creativity, there’s no shortage of inspiration for students, faculty, parents, and guests of this Beverly institution. From brilliant mixed-media assemblages by Pre-K Picassos, to university-quality stage productions featuring middle and Upper School impresarios, Shore’s ambitious arts center is the energy epicenter of campus.
Grade 7 students with their human joint model
“Creative education takes creative space,” asserts Shore’s Griffin, “and that’s what we’ve built here: a place Shore’s state-of-the-art Theatre where Upper and Lower School students, faculty, parents, and visitors “It’s almost indescribable–the way the faculty have can explore and discover new inspiration and ideas adopted this, and leaped at the opportunity to that cross all academic boundaries. It’s really what incorporate the Center into their teaching, no this school is all about.” matter what the subject,” says Upper School Science Department Chair Robin Koval. In exploring the structure of human joints with her seventh graders, for example, Koval added a new creative element this year: students designing and building their own knee, elbow, or shoulder joints using techniques and materials of their choosing. “The impact on learning has been undeniable,” she states. Named after Larry Griffin, Shore’s long-time Head of School and the driving force behind its planning and construction, the Center for Creativity houses a state-of-the-art 375-seat Theatre that rivals many university and professional facilities; two expansive, light-filled studio spaces fully equipped for a full range of visual and ceramic arts; Upper and Lower School music rooms outfitted with traditional Zimbabwean marimbas and Orff and electronic instruments; a digital audio production studio; private music practice rooms; the grand Kiva gathering space and gallery; and the extraordinary Innovation Lab, where students from every grade explore subject areas as diverse as science, history,
Students and teachers in the Kiva during Morning Meeting
That spirit of creativity and invention is on full display throughout the facility–especially in the atrium-like Kiva, where students assemble for “Morning Meeting,” where parents and visitors mingle before productions in the Theatre, and where artist and Lower School art instructor Shay Cajolet regularly highlights the work of her young creators through constantly changing wall displays. Recently, the Kiva was protected by “Guardians of
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Shore students in The Music Man Art on display in the Center for Creativity
Nature,” imaginary creatures that encourage all to help preserve the environment. “A project like ‘Guardians,’” asserts Cajolet, “brings together themes in art, science, history, and ethics, and asks students to think creatively and collaboratively in addressing challenges. This, in turn, helps encourage many typically unmeasured aspects of student development, such as teamwork, resilience, and curiosity.” Those character skills, says Head of Upper School Ben Kennedy, Teamwork are foundational to Shore’s approach to education. States Creativity Kennedy, “We are one of only a handful of Massachusetts Ethics independent schools to implement what’s known as the Resilience Mission Skills Assessment, a research-based suite of tools to Curiosity measure how our curriculum instills in learners specific critical Time Management skills–such as creativity, ethics, and time management–that have been proven to correlate with real life outcomes.” Character is also the reason Shore requires drama as part of every student’s career at the school, reveals Theatre Arts Chair Sarah Carlin. “Whether performing on stage, operating the sound or light boards, or supporting from behind the scenes,” she says, “working with peers in the Theatre nurtures confidence and inspires boldness and bravery– hallmarks of a Shore education.” The stunning Theatre gives Shore students endless
opportunities to shine. Professional-quality staging of musicals such as this year’s The Music Man; a highly regarded choral program including male and female a cappella groups; and a full slate of concerts and assemblies nearly every week of the year mean that performers from Pre-K to Grade 9 can have their moment in the spotlight. Students of all ages, too, crave time in Shore’s unique Innovation Lab, a dedicated “makerspace” where academics and the arts come to life through hands-on discovery and invention. Music instructor Jenny Lienhard’s fourth graders recently spent time in the Lab exploring the science of sound.
learning at Shore. In addition to becoming fluent writers and speakers, our children learn expression through building and creating, composing and performing. Nowhere will you find a better stage for creative expression than at Shore.” Emphasizes Co-Director of Admissions Lee Carey, “I am still pinching myself each time I walk in the door of this remarkable place–it is truly the ultimate setting for sharing the passions and talents we seek to stretch and cultivate in our children.”
“We started with an oscilloscope app on the students’ iPads,” relates Lienhard. “They used the app to measure the frequencies of traditional mbiras–often called thumb pianos. Then, with help from Innovation Lab Manager Cam McNall, the students constructed and fine-tuned their own mbiras using custom tools and recycled materials.” Meanwhile, says McNall, 8th grader and competitive skier Charlotte Marks was busy building her own skis as part of an Independent Study project. “She led the entire process,” shares McNall, “from researching epoxies with Grade Three teacher and epoxy expert Sam Hamlin, to designing and constructing skis out of a sophisticated layered material.” “Nearly 60% of Shore students complete this kind of project,” adds independent study program manager Jill Atkinson. “It’s a unique opportunity for middle school students to delve deeply into a topic of their choice.” Indeed, reflects Head of School Larry Griffin, “The Center for Creativity is the cornerstone for
Students outside Shore’s Innovation Lab The information contained in this education feature was submitted by Shore Country Day School, www.shoreschool.org, and published in partnership with North Shore Children & Families; www.northshorefamilies.com.
8 North Shore Children & Families Happy Mother’s Day Continued from page 4
Let’s face it, if the kids are thoughtful enough to attempt to pull off a perfect Mother’s Day, it will be with a cluelessness that’s precious. Moms may find their thoughts wandering to “Why can’t my kids figure out how to put their dishes away, even on Mother’s Day, when they run circles around me every time they want to download their favorite app?” The answer is all about development. Kids’ natural development includes thinking about themselves first, last and in between first and last. That’s not to say they can’t learn to be sensitive and thoughtful to others, even their Mom, within reason of course. Expecting unnatural maturity on Mother’s Day is unreasonable. What Moms can hope for on Mother’s Day is less hassle when they ask for some help or for some “me” time. So whether a Mom decides to spend the day with the family or at their kids’ sports games, or flying solo at the spa, they should enjoy it and see it for what it is – a holiday that honors Mom with great hopes and good results, from well-meaning, loving children. Children’s appreciation of their Mothers cannot be staged and May 10th is no exception. Kids are at their best when they are permitted to be kids; spontaneous, loving, appreciative, grateful on their terms and when they feel it most, not when we adults, Mothers included, request it. Happy Mother’s Day, however you choose to spend it! Dr. Kate Roberts is a licensed child and school psychologist and family therapist with offices in Salem and Hamilton. She welcomes newcomers to her private practice. She specializes in cognitive-behavior therapy, family therapy, ADHD, anxiety and learning disabilities. She can be reached at kate@drkateroberts.com and www.drkateroberts.com.
Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 3 of 4
Series concludes in our 2-month Summer (June/July) issue.
Aztec Summer Program OPTIONS FOR: – BOYS & GIRLS – AGES 6 - 14 & HIGH SCHOOL – HALF-DAY, DAY
Full details & Registration Online at www.aztecsoccer.com
Does Your Camp or Summer Program Still Have Slots to Fill? Join us in our final Camp Showcase for this season in our House Summer ad 2-month issue, which covers June and July! Contact suzanne@northshorefamilies.com by noon, Wed., May 13, to secure your space – and your summer!
We’ve Got the North Shore Covered – Since 2007!
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Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 3 of 4
Series concludes in our 2-month Summer (June/July) issue.
BOSTON SOCCER ACADEMY 2015 • All of our clinics are COED with a goalkeeper program. • The day clinics have programs for grades 1-9. Please visit our website to see our full list of 2015 day clinics & overnight camp. 2015 NORTH SHORE LOCATIONS: APRIL 21-24 JUNE 29-JULY 2 JULY 6-9 JULY 13-16 JULY 20-23 JULY 27-30 AUG. 2-6 AUG. 3-6 AUG. 10-13 AUG. 17-20
Fairhaven Park, HAMILTON & Swampscott Middle School, SWAMPSCOTT Phillips Park, SWAMPSCOTT & Greater Lawrence Tech, ANDOVER Tufts University, MEDFORD Hill’s Hill Field, ARLINGTON Shore Country Day School, BEVERLY Concord Academy, CONCORD & Brookwood School, MANCHESTER Governor’s Academy, BYFIELD (grades 9-12) Shore Country Day School, BEVERLY Pingree School, SO. HAMILTON Tower School, MARBLEHEAD
Online registration: www.bostonsocceracademy.com Questions: admin@bostonsocceracademy.com • 617.797.6619
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North Shore Children & Families
Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 3 of 4
Series concludes in our 2-month Summer (June/July) issue.
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11
Summer Camps & Programs Showcase Series Part 3 of 4
Series concludes in our 2-month Summer (June/July) issue.
BROOKS SCHOOL NORTH ANDOVER, MA
Ages 4-13 – Two-Week Sessions Red Cross Swim Lessons, Outdoor Adventures, Crafts
Grades 7-10 – One-Week Sessions Adventure, Performing and Creative Arts, Field Trips
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION Grades 3-8 – One-Week Sessions Movie Making, Game Design, Robotics, Swimming
Tel: 978-725-6253 – daycamp@brooksschool.org http://summer.brooksschool.org
12 North Shore Children & Families
Your Family’s Health
Preventing Heart Disease from Childhood: Part 1 of 2 by Mary Higgins How many TV advertisements do you see nightly for the use of aspirin for a heart attack? How many blood pressure medicines and cholesterol lowering drugs do you see being hawked in between the news segments? Scary, isn’t it? Heart Disease is the leading cause of death; in America, someone dies every 37 seconds from cardio-vascular disease. But heart disease and high blood pressure medicines are not an inevitable part of your future or your children’s future. There are definite steps we can take to prevent it with lifestyle choices – during their childhood. First, let’s look at the risk factors for Heart Disease and high blood pressure. When your health care provider uses a blood pressure cuff on your or your child’s arm, she is measuring the degree of resistance the heart needs to work against in order to get the blood moving throughout the tubes it flows through, known as blood vessels. High blood pressure means there is greater resistance of the blood moving through the vessels. This is one risk factor for heart disease. Other risk factors include high cholesterol, smoking, which often begins during childhood, elevated triglycerides, obesity and lack of exercise. More Potassium, Less Sodium At least two minerals play a significant role in that all important blood pressure number, with which all adults should be familiar. Sodium raises blood pressure and is found in salty, processed foods. It also hides under such fancy terms such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and sodium metabisulfite to name three. As a family activity, conduct a sleuthing session where you and the family hunt down packages in your kitchen cabinets and freezer to find these listed on the ingredient labels. See which family member has the longest tally sheet on sodium.
Sodium is often found in crackers, chips, soups, sauces and condiments, such as salad dressings and even ketchup. But you can also find it in some foods such as dried fruit or lemon juice, where it is used to prevent food from changing color. You will find some children’s cereals are loaded with sodium, but increasingly more manufacturers are processing cereals with less salt. Sodium’s action on blood vessels is to constrict them, narrowing the opening through which the blood flows. This makes it harder for the heart to get blood circulating throughout the body. Potassium, with its opposite function, allows the blood vessels to dilate and expand so blood moves more freely. Tiny muscles control the opening of the tubes which become narrowed from a diet high in saturated fat or even from stress. Do your hands turn into ice cubes when you are faced with giving a speech? That’s adrenaline causing the constriction of the tiny capillaries in the fingers. Fortunately, this is just a temporary situation. Potassium, the other mineral, tends to lower blood pressure. It is found abundantly in fruits and vegetables with barely any sodium, along with varying amounts of water. Think of how much water there is in a melon, compared to a dried fruit such as a fig. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat, with the exception of the avocado,
bursting with heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. Some vegetables, green leafy ones in particular, offer other minerals such as calcium and magnesium that assist in keeping blood pressure in the healthy range. If you have been following this column for a while, you recognize that fruits and veggies boast important antioxidants that keep free radicals from damaging the body, as well as providing vitamins. At the supermarket or the farmer’s market, choose bright orange carrots, tender baby greens and lettuce, such as Romaine, Boston (Bibb) and curly green and red. Introduce your children to Swiss chard, rich in magnesium. If you have the time, start a vegetable garden. It’s a great way for children to learn where their produce comes from. Maybe you only have room for an herb garden, which you can use to season the produce you buy. Last month, I described some simple ways to move your family towards a healthier lifestyle. This month, while we enjoy the gorgeous days and comfortable nights of May, it is the perfect time to embrace those fresh fruits and vegetables that are abundantly in-season for your whole family to enjoy as you discuss ways to prevent heart disease in your family. Risk Factors and Research on Children Research on children proves that the risk factors for heart disease in children correlate with atherosclerosis later in life (American Heart Assoc. Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic CVD in Childhood). Several studies have been cited in the U.S. and Finland with observational research on children finding an early correlation between obese children and two risk factors for heart disease: those of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. One study in rural Iowa followed school age children into their adult years, concluding that the children with high blood pressure and high cholesterol had parents with the same conditions, indicating genetic involvement. In Finland in 1980, in addition to measuring blood pressure and cholesterol levels, ultrasounds of children’s hearts and neck arteries were performed that showed a thickness developing in the carotid arteries of the neck, predicting heart attacks in the future. As part of the Framingham Heart Study of 1985, the value of healthy eating and the
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effects of exercise were studied and those children who ate more fruit and vegetables (defined in this study as 4 or more servings per day) had lower blood pressure measurements than those who ate fewer servings. As part of this study, body fat was also measured and the more active children had less body fat as adolescents. Sitting in front of TV screens and Nintendo games has a definite downside. Those children whose parents reported them watching more TV grew up to be heavier adults. Obesity itself is a separate risk factor for Heart Disease and in the U.S., the percentage of children ages 6 to 17 that are overweight has increased an alarming 22%. Obesity is also associated with abnormally high blood pressure and high cholesterol. As a parent, what can you do to prevent your child from becoming obese? There are several steps you can take: Make your child’s lunch from home or scrutinize what s/he is eating when away from home. As part of the Dietary Intervention Study in Children Trial, keeping children with high cholesterol on a low fat diet, along with smoking prevention, met with great success. Children need a variety of foods and the right type of fat. A balanced approach to eating is important not only in preventing Heart Disease and strokes, but encourages a healthy brain and nervous system, as well as development in general so it can proceed as it should. Watch for Part 2 next month in the Summer issue! Mary Higgins, M.Ed., is a nutrition educator who writes about food for several websites. She has a Bachelor’s degree in both Nutrition and Education. She studied exercise science and received her M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has worked as a Sports Nutritionist and personal trainer at YMCAs in the greater Boston area and is certified by both the American Council on Exercise and the American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists. She is also the author of a delightful children’s picture book, Daddy Trains for the Marathon (2011), a family-friendly story specifically written about Daddy’s experiences while training for and running in the Boston Marathon, as seen through the eyes of his young son.
See our Community Calendar online this month!
14 North Shore Children & Families
Raising Compassionate Children
Teaching Kids to Give Brings Happiness, Healing and Purpose Spotlight on Grant Recipient: Nathan; 7th grader from Chelmsford Project: Not a Simple Piece of Rope by Leah Okimoto Nathan learned about Aaron’s Presents this past fall from a flyer that a friend had picked up for him at a community event. His mom told me that he was immediately interested in applying to do a project and spent the evening reading our website and brainstorming. His family had participated in projects to benefit soldiers, organized by Operation
Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com), so Nathan started looking on their website for some ideas. Posted on the site was the need for bracelets made out of paracord, as soldiers use this material for many purposes, some life-saving. This project felt like the perfect choice to Nathan, and he then set about researching how to make the bracelets and the cost of the materials needed.
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He calculated that he could make 400 bracelets with the money from the grant. It was an ambitious goal, but he was determined to make it happen! He first enlisted his family members to help over winter break, and then organized a voluntary event at his synagogue to
bring members together to spend an afternoon making more bracelets.
Our next issue is our 2-month Summer issue, which covers June AND July! Contact Suzanne by May 13 if you need to advertise in June and/or July!
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Not only did he learn how to make paracord bracelets, but he also learned how to teach others how to make them. Just about 3 months after he had applied, he had surpassed his goal and started packing up his 440 bracelets to ship to Operation Gratitude! In his post-project survey, Nathan wrote that he learned that “People can do a lot when they come together, and I want to help others more.” In a thank you letter to his supporters, he expressed his appreciation for all the help his family and volunteers had given him and then added, “Thank you everyone. You have inspired me to work harder to make a difference in this world.”
Because of his initiative and leadership, Nathan directly impacted the lives of hundreds of soldiers as well as his family and community members. Thank YOU for your awesome efforts, Nathan! This project received a total grant of $470.65, which was funded by The Dr. Alan Metwally Presents Fund, established by Dr. Metwally’s loved ones in his memory. 100% of Presents Funds contributions are used solely for project expenses. Please visit www.aaronspresents.org to learn more about how a child you know can apply for a grant or to support our work in some way. We hope that this story will inspire other kids to think of how they might give of themselves!
Leah Okimoto is the Founder and Executive Director of Aaron’s Presents, a grants program designed to empower children in 8th grade and below to dream up and carry out positive projects that benefit others. She is also a North Shore mother who lives with her husband and 6-year-old and infant daughters. Her son, Aaron, lives on in her heart and through her work with the amazing Aaron’s Presents grant recipients who bring her and others joy and inspiration every day.
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