HMAT 07 2021

JULY 29, 2021

HEALTH MATTERS

Back to school Summer is winding down, and the pandemic is surging once again. Here’s how to keep your kids safe — and healthy.

VACCINATION DEBATE

Editor Brian McMillan shares a family perspective on vaccinations PAGE 2B

VINCENT’S CLUBHOUSE

A summer camp for kids with autism PAGES 4B-5B

Q+A: FOOD BRINGS HOPE

Q+A with Judi Winch, Food Brings Hope’s executive director PAGE 6B

HEALTHY LUNCHES

The ideal lunch menu PAGE 7B

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HEALTH MATTERS

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PalmCoastObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

FOREWORD

Why get vaccinated? For yourself, your children, your community If your friends aren’t vaccinated, find a way to be social outdoors.

Be kind and honest with them. Stay positive.

BRIAN MCMILLAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

With school going back in session soon, how can you protect your child from getting COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best thing you can do is to get vaccinated yourself.

For me, the choice was easy. My wife, my two teenage sons and I have been fully vaccinated, and that has helped erase our fears of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 — including the delta variant. AdventHealth has reported a frightening surge of hospitalizations, and I don’t want my family to become one of their statistics.

But I also have three children who are under 12, and while I am unlikely to infect them, they are at risk around other people who are unvaccinated. The CDC recommends that if your child is 2

or older, the child should wear a mask in public. “To set an example, you also might choose to wear a mask,” the CDC advises parents.

CHOICES

I hope we can all respect each other’s choices and not assume we know people’s motivations for wearing or not wearing masks in public.

Masks will likely not be required in Florida schools; Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes any mandate.

I know many who have declined to be vaccinated for various reasons, and I have come to accept that our community’s vaccination numbers will be somewhat of a patchwork, and, therefore, we will be living with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. That means we will need to remain vigilant; our personal choices are the determining factor in how well our community weathers this storm.

If your friends aren’t vaccinated, find a way to be social outdoors. Be kind and honest with them.

ARE THE VACCINES SAFE?

The Centers for Disease Control are definitive on this question: Yes, COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

A handful of adverse effects have been documented, but they are extremely rare and are still being studied to determine whether there is truly any connection to the vaccines themselves.

According to the CDC, of the

IF YOUR CHILD DEVELOPS COVID SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL ...

One of the most frustrating scenarios as a parent is when you suspect that your child is feigning sick. Unfortunately, I can’t solve that problem for you, but during the pandemic, even if my child is mildly sick, I keep it simple, and I keep her home.

What happens if you get a phone call from the school saying that your child is showing symptoms of COVID-19? No need to panic. But the child will need to be taken home.

Here’s how to go about it, according to the Centers for Disease Control: 1. PICK UP YOUR CHILD If possible, pick up your child alone.

If possible, wait in the car for your child.

Everyone in the car should wear a mask except for children under 2 years old.

Open the car windows for ventilation.

If possible, wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting your car, as that allows more

339 million doses of vaccines administered between Dec. 14, 2020, and July 19, 2021, there were as many as 6,207 deaths (or 0.0018% of total vaccine doses) that might have been related to the vaccine, although that is still

time for the amount of virus in the air of your car to die off.

If unable to pick up your child, work with your school to identify the best way to safely transport your child.

Arrange to pick up any of your child’s medical supplies (if applicable).

2. KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME AND MONITOR THEIR SYMPTOMS Call your child’s health care provider to discuss whether your child needs to be evaluated and to determine options for getting tested for COVID-19.

If possible, have the sick child (and anyone else who has symptoms) keep away from others and use a separate bathroom for 10 days. When not able to keep away from others, a mask should be worn by all members of the household.

After being in contact with someone with COVID-19, it can take up to 14 days to know if you are sick. All members of the household should stay home

unclear.

Meanwhile, 18,000 people died of COVID-19 in the United States in just one of those months — May 2021 — and 99% were unvaccinated, according to an Associated Press analysis.

and avoid contact with others outside of your home. An exception would be going to your doctor if advised.

Encourage everyone in the household to wash their hands often and avoid sharing personal household items with others (e.g., dishes, cups, towels, bedding).

Use an effective household disinfectant to clean “hightouch” surfaces and everyday items such as door handles, countertops, and faucets.

3. IF YOUR CHILD TESTS POSITIVE FOR OR IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19 If your child tests positive for COVID-19, notify the school.

Your child can return to inperson school only after: It has been at least 10 days since symptoms started and Overall symptoms have improved and Your child has had no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medication).

In other words, you have a much greater chance of dying from COVID-19, if you’re unvaccinated, than you do of dying from a vaccine.

Join the club. All the cool kids are getting vaccinated.

I missed Open Enrollment

You may still qualify for 2021 coverage.

CALL TODAY (386)-888-9599

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HEALTH MATTERS

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THURSDAY,JULY 29, 2021

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PalmCoastObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

Abby Holmes, paraprofessional for Flagler Schools and volunteer, with her son, Ethan Holmes, 6, camper.

JAKE MONTGOMERY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

V

Including

you

Vincent's Clubhouse hosts camp for kids with autism

Aimee Corbett, 10, camper.

HOW THE CLUBHOUSE WAS FOUNDED The following was originally published on the vincentsclubhouse.org:

Hyden Noyes, 5, camper.

Picture a beautiful, sunny, Florida summer morning.

I was standing in the kitchen when my son, Vincent, asked

Radically good care awaits you.

me if he could go to summer camp with his cousins. I looked into his big, brown eyes, and I told him a lie. I told him the summer camp his cousins attended was filled up, and no more kids could go. The truth is he, couldn’t go because Vincent has autism.

The traditional summer camp was not equipped to meet the needs of children with autism. It was then that the idea of Vincent’s Clubhouse came about.

Vincent’s Clubhouse, a nonprofit orginization, was founded with a mission to establish summer camps that are engaging, fun, safe

If you or a loved one are in need of Rehabilitation after a Hospital Stay, we know your goal is to get Home as soon as possible.

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incent's Clubhouse celebrated its fifth year with its fourth summer camp, for children with autism.

Founded by Erica Flores, the organization's mission is "to serve children with autism and other special needs through collaboration with communities and schools by creating engaging and inclusive social opportunities, summer camps, support groups and advocacy programs."

This year's camp included a visit from a K-9 unit from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, an ice cream truck, a visit from the Palm Coast Fire Department, and a yoga class from Hot Yoga Studio in Palm Coast.

One parent, Heather Dorries, said: "Noah has the best time, and we're so grateful to have found a camp not only willing to take him,

Our Friendly and Professional Nursing and Rehab staff will get you or a loved one healthy with all the necessary skills you will need to return home.

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HEALTH MATTERS

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THURSDAY,JULY 29, 2021

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Vincent Cona, 13, camper.

Haley Olson, 15, camper.

but one that was thrilled to have him. They were phenomenal with checking in about Latex allergies and making every activity inclusive. He already can't wait until next summer. Thank you, Vincent's Clubhouse, for caring and loving our sweet boy this week."

The organization hosts monthly social events that are announced via Facebook and a mailing list.

At 6 p.m. every third Wednesday during the school year, Vincent's Clubhouse hosts a support groups with Flagler Schools at the Government Services Building.

To be added to the mailing list, email erica@vincentsclubhouse. org.

Noah Dorries, 7, with Kayla Ingram, registered nurse, volunteer.

ABOUT AUTISM  In 2020, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to 2016 data.  1 in 34 boys identified with autism  1 in 144 girls identified with autism  Most children were still being diag-

Photos by Jake Montgomery

nosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.  Research indicates that genetics are involved in the vast majority of cases.  Studies have shown that among identical twins, if one child has autism, the other will be affected about 36 to 95 percent of the time. In non-identical twins, if one child has autism, then the other is affected about 31 percent of

the time.  Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism.

Source: www.autismspeaks.org

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PalmCoastObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

Q +A JUDI WINCH, FOOD BRINGS HOPE’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

‘No child should go hungry’ JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

F

ood plays a critical role in a child’s learning.

And one local nonprofit has been working to address that need in Volusia and Flagler County for over a decade: Food Brings Hope.

“Our mission is nurturing the body, mind and spirit of children so that they reach their full potential, and I just know even a child— if they’re hungry — they can’t learn,” said Judi Winch, executive director for Food Brings Hope. “Research shows that, but I learned that firsthand in the classroom.”

Back when she was an administrator at Westside Elementary in Daytona Beach, she recalls one Monday when she spotted a pair of brothers, one in kindergarten and one in first grade, running up the sidewalk on campus. She told them to slow down, and the older boy explained to her that they just wanted to get to the cafeteria because they were so hungry. Neither could remember when they had their last meal.

The Ormond Beach Observer spoke with Winch on Monday, July 26, and this is what she had to say about her organization’s mission, and its impact in the community.

You were preparing for retirement as a principal in 2015 when you took on your role with Food Brings Hope.

What drove you to make this decision?

Because of my passion and love for children.

I was an administrator for 16 years, four as an assistant principal. I was at Westside Elementary where 95% of the children were living in poverty. I had been there for so long and, as I was walking through the classes and just dealing with children and parents every day and loving my job, I realized the importance of being fed and good nutrition making a difference in the academic success of a child. We ended up doing lots of nutrition classes and bringing in special speakers, but I also got involved with Food Brings Hope at that time, too.

In 2007, Ms. Hosseini started Food Brings Hope at one school, at Hinson, and then the next year she added Westside to it, so that’s how I really became involved with it, because we had the KidZone after school program at Westside until the time I retired. In fact, it’s still there.

I wasn’t ready to retire by any means, but I was in the [Volu-

sia County Schools Deferred Retirement Option] program, and it came up very quickly. Ms. Hosseini offered me the position knowing I didn’t want to leave the passion I had for children and making sure they’re successful and giving them the help they need.

In the past six years, what is the greatest way Food Brings Hope make an impact on local children?

The food that we send home, the food that we put in the bags that we give out in the food drives to all families — it’s always healthy and nutritious. We get fresh produce for the bags that we give out at the Mainland food drives.

It’s important — like in Pierson, we always are giving out fresh produce at the pantries.

I think the impact that we’ve made is not just on the children, but on the families. The more that we help the children, the more they can share with their families.

Food is primary, but along with that comes learning about the nutrition as well, and going on the field trips to learn what to choose at a grocery store, or when they go visit a Publix and learn about that too, and how

FOOD BRINGS HOPE PROGRAMS Weekend Feed-aFamily program: In partnership with Halifax Urban Ministries, FBH provides families with 40-pounds of groceries to help sustain them over the weekend.

Currently, they distribute between 350 and 375 bags a week.

KidZone and TeenZone programs: FBH’s after school programs that provide academic guidance, as well as tutoring, meals, snacks, field trips and special events.

The programs are administered at 27 Volusia County schools and two Flagler County schools.

FBHonors: The Farshad Babazadeh Honors Program aims to help FBH’s highest achieving students with additional STEM studies and opportunities.

Pierson Family Literacy program: In partnership with Daytona State College, FBH helps adults students prepare for the college’s GED

important it is to pick out the fresh produce when shopping, and not the canned or something that is easy. We make sure that they are exposed to that also.

The academics can’t happen with a child that’s hungry, so I would say that, but also exposing them to the world and to what’s going on around them — making sure that they’re active and getting to go to an Embry-Riddle basketball game and getting to see Coach Ridder and having him talk to them and motivate them. Or at the Peabody when they went to the Nutcracker, and to see the cultural events.

A well-rounded child is what we’re trying to reach.

What are some of your goals for Food Brings Hope mission for the 2021-2022 school year?

One of the things that we always want to do is add more schools so that we can add more children, so we look for the schools that are wanting to have our program.

My philosophy, and the board seems to go along with it, is that it’s not the quantity of schools that we have, but it’s the quality of programs that we’re offering to the children.

In 2019, we added one program and one school. This year, I have six to present that are really, really interested. According to our budget, you can only do so much. I don’t know how many will

Judi Winch

be chosen, but it’s a great overview of our whole county as far as the schools that have reached out to me. They know about us — Superintendent Fritz is extremely, extremely supportive of Food Brings Hope and wants to see how many schools [we can serve.]

We want to increase the food bags. We want to increase VCAN so that we’re helping additional students. We’re always looking for ways.

This year, we started a THT helpline— it was tutoring, homework help and test prep, and it was four days a week for fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders in schools in the Ormond and Daytona Beach area. They could call in and get help, and we want to expand on that.

We see what the need is and we move to answer that need.

What is one thing you want the community to know about Food Brings Hope?

I believe it’s that Food Brings Hope has the passion, enthusiasm and initiative to be a driving force in the community, as far as helping and aiding children and families in all areas of our county, and not just one specific area.

Our immediate goal is to feed as many children as we can at this moment in time. Our long-term goal is to eradicate hunger in children in Volusia County.

I know we can do that to the families that are in need and are requiring our assistance. No child should go hungry.

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THURSDAY,JULY 29, 2021

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BACK TO SCHOOL

KEEP KIDS HEALTHY Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits are all smart choices.

Look for sales and buy some of each to last until your next shopping trip. Every school lunch includes fruits as well as vegetables. Only ½ of the fruits offered may be 100% juice, since whole and cutup fruits have more fiber.

From packing healthy lunches to getting enough exercise, let’s give our kids what they need to be successful this school year.

Fruits

Dairy

Grains Low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk.

Children and teens need the calcium, protein, and vitamin D found in milk for strong bones, teeth and muscles.

Vegetables Choose frozen vegetables that do not have added fat, salt or sugars. A variety of vegetables helps kids get the nutrients and fiber they need for good health.

Proteins Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, peas, eggs, nuts and seeds provide many nutrients including protein and iron. Portion sizes are based upon the nutrition needs of children in various grade groups. School meals also allow cheese, tofu, and yogurt to count as the meat/meat alternate in the school lunch.

Serve whole-grain versions of cereal, bread or pancakes at breakfast.

Whole grains with more fiber will help your kids feel fuller longer so they stay alert in school.

Choose foods with “100% whole wheat” or “100% whole grains” on the label. Or check the ingredient list to see if the word “whole” is before the first ingredient listed (for example, whole-wheat flour). If it is, it’s whole grain.

Whole grains give kids B vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help them feel fuller longer so they stay alert to concentrate at school.

Source: www.myplate.gov

GET MOVING Kids need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day MAKE FAMILY TIME ACTIVE TIME!  Take a family walk after dinner.  Go on a bike ride.  Play together — toss a ball, shoot some hoops, jump rope, play tag.  Weed the garden.  Walk to school with your kids.  Play on a playground or hike at a local park.

FUN WAYS TO GET MOVING INDOORS ...  Play some music and have a family dance party.  Blow up balloons and play indoor volleyball.  Go bowling or indoor skating.  Have a treasure hunt.

See how fast everyone can find clues scattered around your home.

FLAGLER SCHOOL MEALS Flagler Schools Food and Nutrition Services has been rebranded as Café EDU. Café EDU transcends the nostalgic perceptions of school food service, while consistently exceeding the expectations of our stakeholders and industry partners.

Café EDU staff members prepare and serve nutritious meals to the students and faculty, each and every school day, and at a number of sites throughout the summer months. All meals served must meet guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

All meals are currently free for all students. Thanks to a waiver extension from the USDA, we are able to continue last year’s free school lunches, in addition to the existing free School Breakfast Program.

School begins Monday, Aug. 10, and ends June 1, 2022.

Source: https://flaglerschools.com

Volusia County school meals The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the meal program that allows children enrolled in Volusia County Schools to eat for free for the upcoming 20212022 school year.

VCS School Way Café will serve meals (breakfast and lunch) to all students attending inperson classes in Volusia County Schools at no charge to families. The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 16, and the school year will go through June 3, 2022.

Students attending Ivy Hawn, Richard Milburn Academy West, Richard Milburn Academy East, and AMI Kids will also receive meals for free.

HEALTH MATTERS

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PalmCoastObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

A healthy workforce is a happy workforce.

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