20 minute read
AZ Grown
IT’S BEEN 20 YEARS since, on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 2,977 men and women — including 343 firefighters, 8 emergency medical technicians, and 72 law enforcement officers — were killed when terrorists crashed four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, the 911 Memorial Tower Challenge returns to Gila River Arena in Glendale. First responders, military members and the public will honor all those who have died in the global fight against terrorism by climbing 2,071 steps in the stadium, which is home to hockey’s Arizona Coyotes. The World Trade Center’s Twin Towers each consisted of 110 floors and 2,071 steps, and each year thousands of people across Arizona walk, climb and run the stairs to remember, including firefighters in full gear, as well as police, military and bomb squad personnel marching alongside civilians of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Photographs of fallen heroes line the stairs, and participants will pause briefly to read their names in recognition of the sacrifice each made while in the service of others.
Register to participate at 911towerchallengefoundation.org. The first 1,500 to do so will get a T-shirt and a challenge coin. All proceeds will benefit the 100 Club of Arizona — a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to families of first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty — and the Gary Sinise Foundation — honoring defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. A virtual 9/11 Memorial Tower Challenge is also available, along with in-person events in Flagstaff and Tucson. For more information about event sponsorship opportunities, email Lindy Smith at lindy@100Club.org.
PEDIATRICIANS: RSV infections are on the rise
WITH MASK-WEARING and physical distancing for COVID-19, there were fewer cases of respiratory syncytial virus (known as RSV) in 2020. But RSV activity is now on the rise, with corresponding increases in emergency department visits and hospitalizations of infants and children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. But RSV can become serious, especially for infants and older adults. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AAP has published new interim guidance on the treatment of serious lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV in response to an uncharacteristic rise in cases over the spring and summer. These respiratory tract infections typically are seen in fall and winter, peaking in February and occurring in infants younger than 6 months who can develop severe diseases such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
The AAP recommends consideration of the use of palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the fusion protein of RSV, in infants at increased risk of severe disease. The new guidance changes only the timing of administration of the treatment palivizumab, due to the change in seasonality of RSV this year. Cases began rising in some regions of the United States in spring 2021 after some COVID-19 safety protocols, such as masking and physical distancing, were relaxed.
Learn more about RSV at the AAP website HealthyChildren.org or the CDC website at cdc.gov/rsv
New virtual reality Arts Immersion Program
aims to help more students experience the arts
ACT ONE — a local nonprofit that makes the arts accessible to thousands of children and families in Arizona each year through field trips for K-12 students from economically disadvantaged schools — has created a custom virtual reality arts field trip called Arts Immersion.
The first Arts Immersion experience, “Freedom in Expression” takes students on a journey connecting the history of public art to Diego Rivera and the Mexican Mural Movement and on to artists in modern-day Chicago and ground-breaking female mariachis in Tucson.
Act One’s Phoenix and Tucson travel teams of Virtual Reality Specialists are planning to visit Title I schools in the Phoenix and Tucson areas and rural areas in Arizona this fall. VR Field Trips will be in English and have subtitles in English and Spanish. For children with different learning needs, Act One will provide tablets instead of headsets.
“We realized there was a tremendous opportunity to innovate the traditional field trip as a result of the pandemic, but in ways that could change how we deliver the arts to students moving forward for years to come,” said Bernadette Carroll, Act One executive director. “We have the ability now to bring the arts into rural areas and create accessibility to arts experiences like never before.”
For Title I schools, the program will be free, but Act One will develop a fee structure for other organizations that can afford to pay for the experience. This will allow Act One to expand beyond the school day and into other sectors, including non-Title l schools, afterschool and summer programs. For more information, visit .act1az.org.
USING COMMON SENSE Finding the best online tools to
SUPPLEMENT LEARNING
By Ilana Lowery
AS SCHOOL RESUMES, and parents and educators try to address COVID learning losses, app and software developers are feverishly launching new online tools to help bolster the education experience.
But not all digital educational tools are created equal, and parents and teachers may not always know the best resources to use. In 2013, Common Sense Media — an independent nonprofit dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology — launched a ratings and review process for learning media that is unbiased and free. The ratings aren’t influenced by developers or funders, and Common Sense never receives payments or other compensation for its reviews.
The philosophy behind the ratings is to connect educators and parents or caregivers with quality learning experiences that help develop critical thinking skills and build conceptual knowledge. Victoria Saylor, Common Sense Arizona’s family and community engagement manager, encourages parents to choose content that has the most learning potential and that promotes a well-rounded experience. “Online experiences should be fun, engaging and educational,” she says, adding parents should help kids “learn how to choose high-quality content so they make good choices when you’re not right there next to them.”
“First, consider what your child’s interests are, and use our ratings and reviews to find the best EdTech tools and apps to encourage learning,” says Saylor. “This will help your child stay engaged and help make connections to learning. The best apps are those that encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities to extend learning beyond the time they are using it.”
Co-using apps and online games is another good way to learn more about your child and help them develop critical
life skills, such as how to get along, communicate, manage their time and emotions, and how to make decisions, Saylor says. It also gives parents a glimpse into what type of learner their child is and where they excel or might need additional support.
The ratings used by Common Sense are based on a research-backed, 14-point rubric developed specifically to evaluate the learning potential of education media. Over the years, the rubric has been modified based on experiences and shifts in teachers’ needs. Some of the reviews feature in-depth privacy ratings as well. Reviewers are typically leaders in edtech and learning media, scholars in child development and learning, instructional designers, K-12 subject area experts and school technology leaders. They average eight years of classroom experience.
“As always, it’s important to encourage a balanced approach to media and technology use, making sure to balance online and offline activities,” Saylor says.
Common Sense has a Tech Balance program that can help as well. This free text message offering provides families and caregivers of children ages 3-8 ed tech recommendations and other advice for learning. To sign up, text KIDS to 21555 for English or FAMILIA to 21555 for Spanish.
Ilana Lowery is the Arizona director for Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology by empowering parents, teachers and policymakers. She can be reached at ilowery@commonsense.org.
10 quality online learning tools
The Common Sense seal program recognizes outstanding educational media. These Common Sense Selections for Learning selections are best-in-class media resources and tools that facilitate great learning experiences for students and educators. For more on the best learning media for kids, visit https://bit.ly/3k5NJsK
• BrainPopJr.com. This subscription-based educational video, game and activity site for K-3 offers smart, original content with colorful graphics and punchy music.
• w. Even early elementary students can use this tool to produce and publish their own simple books or comics with images, videos and audio. And older students who are ready for more of a challenge won’t feel limited.
• Flipgrid.com. The app and website features an interactive message board where teachers can pose questions and students can post video responses. Guests can be invited, too!
• FraxMath.com. Third- through fifth-graders join a team exploring the galaxy and must use fraction concepts to complete each mission.
• Global Problem Solvers. This free animated series (gpstheseries.com/en-us) brings problem-solving to life. A diverse team of international superheroes work together in each episode to brainstorm solutions to a global issue while modeling empathy, social consciousness and creativity.
• Lalilo.com. In this K-2 literacy program, students journey through different worlds and meet cartoon characters. Along the way, they complete activities, read books and progress on a well-structured learning path.
• Mathnation.com. This math instruction and practice app/website features instructional videos, workbooks, quizzes, tests and support content for algebra and geometry.
• MyHero.com. In this international digital storytelling community of writers, artists, filmmakers and activists, everyone is encouraged to share a story about their hero via essay, short film, poetry, a song and/or visual art.
• ReadtoLead.org. Students take on a leadership role in a small community recently affected by a hurricane. They manage people, solve problems and do a fair amount of reading, writing and decision-making.
• Sutori.com. This tool makes timeline creation and presentations feel fresh and new.
DR. MELISSA ZUKOWSKI, medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, knows a lot about emergency preparedness — and helping families prepare for the worst to help produce better outcomes. She tackled our questions on creating a family preparedness plan just as COVID-19 cases were ramping up at her hospital and around the state.
Here, she explains the importance of family communication, having a home evacuation plan, the contents of a preparedness/disaster “go-bag” and why it’s crucial that very young kids know their full name and address and how to call 911 for all types of emergencies.
What kinds of emergencies should families
prepare for in Arizona? Arizona is a unique place. We are very lucky to not have some of the tornadoes or winter storms that other places in our country face. However, we do need to always be prepared for the common emergencies that we might see in our state that could affect our families: wildfires, monsoon storms leading to flooding or power outages, to name a few. The more we can be prepared ahead of time, the safer we will all be as family units.
Among things families should discuss is what to do when separated from other family members. How can families plan to keep in touch during an emergency?
Making a family communication plan is a critical part of any emergency plan. These days, we are very lucky with many people having cellular phones. However, other means of communication are also important, especially for our children. Teach your child how to call 911. As early as possible, have your child learn his or her full name and address if they need to call for help. Build into your family emergency plan a safe meeting place for your family that is outside your home — maybe that is a neighbor’s home, another family member’s home or somewhere else unique to your family unit. Communication is key when we make a family emergency preparedness plan.
Another step of a family emergency plan is deciding where you would go in the event of a home evacuation. Why is this important?
Having a safe meeting spot — or two — laid out and practiced is important in case of a home evacuation. Having a spot both in your neighborhood (such as a neighbor’s home) and outside your neighborhood (a fire station, a family member’s home) is important depending on what scenario we might find ourselves in. Write those places down and practice them often. Everyone in the home, no matter what age, should know your plan.
If you had to evacuate your home quickly,
what should you have at the ready? Having a family preparedness/disaster go-bag ready will be very important for every family. Each family’s supply kit might look a little different depending on a family’s needs. Every kit should contain supplies like nonperishable food and water for members of the family. Having an emergency first-aid kit will also be important, in addition to a flashlight, extra batteries, and a basic tool kit. Personal care items like clothing and additional blankets are also important. Also consider unique scenarios for your family: Do you need baby supplies? Prescription medications? Anything lifesaving for a person living in your home with a disability?
There’s a tough line between being prepared for an emergency and scaring kids. Should kids be a certain age before you talk through
a family emergency plan? Involving kids in the planning and practice of emergency preparedness is always a good idea. Kids hear and understand much more than we realize. They may see and hear things on TV that can be worrisome to them. Involving our children in the preparation will help them feel more comfortable should an event arise. Just like us, they will be ready and feel less anxious.
Practice makes perfect in all our preparedness. Practice walking to the neighbor’s house. Practice calling 9-1-1. Spell out the numbers each time for your younger children. If the child is older, have them help write down the important pieces of your plan and practice. Kids can
stress significantly during these events; make sure to hear their fears and let them know it is OK to be scared. Having open communication will give everyone a sense of security that you are well prepared.
AzAAP has a Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care certification program that lets parents know what hospitals in Arizona are certified for child emergencies. What’s an example where you’d need the highest level of care in
a pediatric ICU? AzAPP and the Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care certification program (PPEC) is an excellent example of how hospitals in the state are working hard to keep our kids the safest and most cared for. AzAAP’s voluntary certification program recognizes hospitals that meet specific criteria for personnel training and equipment that support optimal care for ill or injured infants, children and teens.
On the AzAAP’s website (azaap. org/ppec), you can find a list of current certified hospitals to add to your preparedness plan. Should your child’s asthma be triggered from a wildfire/ smoke exposure, for instance, you can find what hospital can offer you an Advanced PPEC certification for their Emergency Department, and in their Pediatric ICU, should your child need life-saving treatment. If your child is reliant on a power source for their chronic healthcare needs (a home ventilator, for example), use this resource to know where the closest hospital is that could support your child with a backup power generator, if needed.
One of parents’ biggest fears during this pandemic has to be not being able to be with your child if one of you is hospitalized with COVID-19. How are families and hospitals
Dr. Melissa Zukowski received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in psychology in 2001, then earned her medical degree in addition to her master’s degree in public health with a focus on maternal and child health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She completed the Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics combined residency program in Tucson in 2012 and is board certified in both specialties. Dr. Zukowski worked for Envision at Tucson Medical Center in the Emergency Department from 2012-2017, where she directed the Pediatric Emergency Department for three years. In August 2017, she began directing the Pediatric Emergency Department at Banner UMC—Tucson. In January 2020, she also began directing the Adult Emergency Department. She is an associate professor and enjoys her time working bedside clinically with resident physicians and medical students. Dr. Zukowski is also a co-director of the Banner SAFE-T program dedicated to victims of adult sexual assault and all forms of child abuse. She is passionate about quality improvement and childhood injury prevention — including prevention of drowning and childhood traumatic injuries and abuse. When Dr. Zukowski is not at work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, including her husband Tom and her daughter Sophia, who is 6.
Raising Arizona Kids partners with the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to bring evidence-based childhealth information to our communities.
dealing with this? Preparation during this pandemic is also critical. As we are moving in our state into a third wave, many more people are being hospitalized. Speaking to your child about the importance of masking, good hand hygiene and social distancing will help them be the safest and most supported they can be. Vaccination is also critical for those eligible.
Also, explaining why a parent or loved one might be hospitalized or quarantined is important. Explaining that everyone is trying to keep each other as protected as possible is also key, so that we can all gather back together safely in the future.
What didn’t I ask that you’d like to add?
Planning for the unexpected makes us all uneasy. Talking about plans and practicing them will make us all safer and more prepared. There are many wonderful resources online for examples of supply kit contents, family emergency contact forms and emergency preparedness plan examples. Make your plan; practice, practice, practice and speak to your children about being ready. If an emergency strikes, you will be ready and prepped for success.
RAISING OUTDOOR KIDS Let the DOGS out!
Story by Lisa Van Loo | Photos by Ron Abelar
Every time we adventure out, we’re faced with a decision. Someone asks without fail — whether it’s out loud or subliminal: “Are we taking the dogs?”
I can’t keep track of how often we say “yes” and proceed to formally ask Jessie, our border collie, and Miss Elliott, our blue heeler, if they’d like to come with us, but it’s often. They’re not the type to just go for a ride to the store or the post office like some dogs. We take them when we know there’s a destination they’d appreciate. We firmly believe that they believe they’re human and worthy of adventure, just like us, so we take them with us as frequently as possible. Miss Elliott lays the guilt on thick either way. She actually packed her favorite toy in our camping bins as we prepared to leave
for our last trip, not knowing she was invited when she packed it.
We know we’re not alone in our love of dog companionship. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports nearly 40 percent of Americans own dogs. We thought back about what we’ve learned along the way with these girls as we’ve taken them out boating, hiking, camping, swimming and paddling.
We’ve learned a lot, beginning with the fact that the old adage about old dogs not being able to learn new tricks is just garbage. They do. At 10 years old, Jessie is a testament to it. As anxious as she is friendly, Jessie has learned over the past four years to hike responsibly, paddleboard, swim, camp and find the safest spot on a boat (under the legs of the captain, obviously).
And what have the kids learned from Jessie overcoming her fears? Quite a bit, as they’ve cheered for her to find the courage to jump in the lake or comforted her as she cowered during a hike in the middle of a thunderstorm. Beyond learning empathy and unconditional love, they’ve also earned a sense of responsibility when it comes to packing the gear the dogs will need, stopping to give them water, finding their pace and managing their needs in the midst of whatever adventure we’re on.
We often talk about taking an adventure just for the dogs. We’ve heard of a restaurant in Northern Arizona that has a dog menu in addition to a human one and serves the dog bites on frisbees. We’ve thought about how to plan a trip just for them — which would mean packing copious amounts of bacon!
Whatever adventure is out there for you and your pup — be it a hike to see fall leaves or a campout in the mountains — some of these pointers may be helpful.
Hiking. We’re lucky to live in a place with incredible trails to explore in every quadrant of the Valley and beyond, and even luckier that we’re allowed to bring our dogs on most of them. I say “most,” because there are exceptions to every rule, so be sure to check online if dogs are allowed on a certain trail before packing up and heading out. When you do head out, be sure to bring a leash, a harness (if your pup is extra assertive on the trail), a collapsible water bowl and dog poo bags (preferably compostable) to clean up any messes along the way. We recently bought dog booties, too, after a walk to the mailbox ended prematurely because of the heat. Dogs walk a little funny in the booties at first, lifting their legs super high (which made us all laugh), but they help protect their paws on the trail — from the heat, rough surfaces and cacti.
Camping. Not every dog is outdoorsy. I realize that sounds crazy, but like people, most dogs are used to living indoors, and camping out is a different experience for them. The first time we took ours, we ended up sleeping in hammocks. The dogs had an entire tent to themselves, and it totally worked out for everyone. However the sleeping arrangements go, we’ve found our dogs are happiest if they have dedicated space. It also makes the humans happy to not wake up to a dog leg in the face. During the day, most campgrounds require leashes at all times, but dispersed camping gives the pups a little more freedom. As for meals, we like to have a set meal time for the dogs and close up their food so no other critters are drawn to it.
Watersports. Here’s where we split the ticket. Miss Elliott loves to swim and boat, since she gets to “eat” the waves as they roll by. Jessie does better in a kayak than in a boat and on a paddleboard, although she whines less than Miss Elliott on the board. All of this is to say that dogs are very likely their own canines when it comes to watersports. Photos of cute dogs sitting perfectly on paddleboards may not be your reality, and images of calm pooches as the captain of a kayak may not be, either. But, if you’re willing to try and willing to get wet, it’s a fun adventure, even if it’s not the picture of perfection. We would recommend a dog life vest, though, even if they are good swimmers. Jessie decided recently, after falling off the paddleboard, to make a swim for shore, even though it was far away.
Dogs love every adventure, though, don’t they? Even if it’s just up the road, to the school pick-up line or through the drive-thru to get coffee, they just want to be with their people, even if it means learning a new, adventurous skill.
Lisa Van Loo is a Gilbert freelance journalist. Ron Abelar is an avid outdoorsman and photographer. Together, they are parenting five children. Follow them on Instagram @ RaisingOutdoorKids
