Back to School A Publication of
July 2019
Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
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5 ways to have a Happy School Year
(BPT) - For kids, the start of a new school year is like New Year’s Eve: a chance to start fresh and set intentions for the year ahead. It’s a time to reboot, make new friends, get new clothes and gear, and find new opportunities to fuel their passions. As parents, you can help your children have a Happy School Year by encouraging them to set and accomplish their goals - or school year’s resolutions. Whether they want to join math club, improve their finger-painting skills, or just make the bus on time every day, Amazon has the resources and tips to help kids achieve their goals this year.
1) Record school year’s resolutions. Take the time to sit down and chat with your children about what they hope to accomplish in the new year and how they envision getting there. This is a great way for you to learn more about your kids’ dreams the answer may surprise you! Plus, it’s even a great time for you to make school year’s resolutions. A new school year represents a fresh start for parents too. By setting goals with your child, you can lead by example and bond over the journey of seeing your goals through. 2) Celebrate school year’s eve. Help your child avoid a case of the “Sunday
scaries” before the first day of school by hosting a School Year’s Eve Party! Make the new school year something that is fun and celebrated, not feared and dreaded. Include festive decorations and party props, a Happy School Year playlist on Amazon Music, and your kid’s favorite foods and treats. There are a lot of sweet school-themed snacks you can make too. Grab some fun cookie cutters or check out Pinterest for tips on how to use what you already have in your kitchen to make fun treats. 3) Get organized. New school year, new schedule. Develop a system to keep yourself and your family organized, ensuring resolutions don’t fall by the wayside. Use an Amazon Wish List to keep track of supplies needed for the year, a personalized planner to track projects and activities, and sticky notes to keep everyone posted (literally) on family whereabouts. To help your family track progress, you can even create and decorate a family “Happy School Year” cork board. 4) Stock up for success. Every new school year comes with classroom supply lists and new wardrobe needs. A one-stop shop retailer like Amazon lets you complete your shopping on your own schedule and have items shipped to you, allowing more
time to soak up those last bits of summer as a family. You can also sign up for a Prime membership to get deals and free shipping to save on the essentials. Plus, the incredible selection makes it easy to find everything from the classroom musthaves to those special items your kids need to achieve their school year’s resolutions - whether that’s art supplies to become a better artist or rainbow socks to be more colorful every day. Radio personality and co-founder of Lil’ Libros Patty Rodriguez likes to browse in Spanish on the storefront, which she says gives parents the convenience of shopping at any time in their language with just the click of a button. 5) Ease into the year. To give your children the best chance of having a Happy School Year, try easing into the school year by adjusting your routine a week or more in advance. For example, if your child’s resolution is to make it to school on time, Patty Rodriguez suggests setting the morning alarm a full week before the first day of school.
Find school yea mazon.com/happyschoolyear.
5 simple breakfast hacks for a hassle-free morning
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BACK TO SCHOOL| Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
2019 ADN graduate Kyndra Swope of Mendota
They Say ... You have to go away to college to become a nurse. (BPT) - Weekday mornings can be rough, trying to get yourself and your family up and dressed, fed, then out the door in time for school and work. It’s tough to make sure everyone gets something healthy to eat before dashing out to start the day. What if there were a few simple things you could do to make your morning routine run more smoothly, all while making delicious breakfast choices? Try these breakfast hacks to help simplify your morning and nourish everyone at the same time. Prep for the morning before going to bed. Have everyone choose and set out their next-day outfits the night before, to avoid last-minute closet and laundry room scrambles. Then program your coffee maker. It sounds simple, but how many of us actually do this? Most coffee makers can be preset to start at a certain time in the morning. Even the most basic coffee maker can be fitted with a filter and prefilled with grounds and water, ready to go when you wake up. This way at least the adults in the household will be fully awake. Make a blender smoothie the night before. Want to be sure the kids drink some milk and get a little fruit in their breakfast? The night before, blend milk and/or yogurt with the kids’ favorite fruits or fruit juice. Include some ripe berries or bananas and add a little honey or agave for sweetness, if needed. Store in the fridge and give it a quick mix in the morning to be sure it’s blended before serving. Provide fresh fruit daily. Set out a fruit bowl with apples, bananas and tangerines - then if kids don’t choose one for breakfast, grab a couple to put in lunch boxes to give them another opportunity to eat fresh fruit. Luckily, these fruits come in their own packaging! Continued on page 4
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Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
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Continued from page 3 Make a hearty breakfast ahead. Bake a hot breakfast the day before that you can heat up in the morning. Try this delicious recipe that your kids will love. One bowl and one pan are all you need. Cheesy Potatoes 20 minutes prep time, 80 minutes total time. Makes 8 servings. Ingredients 1 package Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 can cream of potato soup 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup sliced green onion 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a twoquart casserole dish with nonstick cooking
spray. In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir to mix well. Spread in prepared pan. Bake uncovered 55-60 minutes or until potatoes are tender and center is heated through. (An 11 x 7-inch rectangular or 8-inch square baking dish can also be used.) Make a breakfast to go. The day before, bake a delicious, portable breakfast that can be eaten on the drive to school. These Mini Hash Brown Casseroles can be baked in muffin cups so that kids - or you can take them along when you’re pressed for time. Mini Hash Brown Casseroles 10 minutes prep time, 30 minutes total time. Makes 24 servings. Ingredients 1 package Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns 1 pound Bob Evans Original Roll Sausage
4 large eggs 1/2 cup milk 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup ham, cubed 1 cup red pepper, diced 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet, cook sausage according to package directions. Lightly grease two 12-cup muffin tins or use muffin cups. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake for 27-30 minutes. With a little planning ahead, plus making sure your kitchen is stocked with good ingredients for breakfast, your mornings can go much more smoothly. Preparing hearty, delicious breakfasts ahead of time will save a lot of hassle and hurry - and everyone will love it.
Need a Sports Physical? Schedule Your School Physical! Missi Armstrong, APN, FNP-BC
IVCH Sports Physicals – Only $20! The next school year will start before you know it. If your son or daughter needs a physical to participate in sports, don’t wait to schedule it. IVCH has four clinics this summer to help you check off that box on the back-to-school list at an affordable price.
Call (815) 379-2161 to schedule your appointment today!
Thursday, July 25, 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. IVCH Center for Physical Rehabilitation and Aquatics (next to the Illinois Valley YMCA, 310 Walnut St., Peru)
Tuesday, July 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oglesby Elementary School (755 Bennett Ave.)
Thursday, August 1, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Putnam County High School, Granville
Tuesday, August 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm Closed for lunch: Noon-1:30pm
Parkside School (1800 Church St., Peru)
No appointment needed. For more information, call 815.780.3509.
131 Jackson St, Walnut, IL 61376 SM-PR1681786
(815) 379-2161
www.cghmc.com
www.IVCH.org
310 Walnut St., Peru
Parents and educators can sometimes underestimate children’s anxiety over the dawn of a new school year. Many students feel nervous when wondering if their teachers will be nice or if they will make new friends. These worries may be compounded by the return to routine and the end of an enjoyable period of rest and relaxation. In 2015, CNN polled campers at a summer day camp outside New York City. The campers were elementary school students who were asked about what they were most nervous about for the return to school. Homework, tests, competition, greater expectations, grades, and making new friends topped the list of fears. To help students transition to the classroom with fewer worries, teachers and parents may want to initiate ice breakers and other stress-reducing interactions. Here are some ideas.
Buddy up Many schools will give out classroom assignments a few days before the first day of school. Parents can investigate who is in their child’s homeroom and initiate contact with the parents of one or more of those students. Collectively, parents can make a buddy plan for students to arrive to school together and enter the classroom as a team. Coordinate clothing colors or have students wear another unifying symbol. This may allay fears and make the first day of school more fun.
If this was your child’s room, could you recognize the signs of substance abuse or depression?
CPASA presents
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Join us for:
• Free interactive live display • Discussion about local trends • Learn signs of substance abuse and depression that could be found in your child’s room
For information about bringing Hidden in Plain Sight or any of CPASA’s substance abuse programs in your community contact CPASA at: SM-PR1681951
815-872-5091 or info@cpasa.org
BACK TO SCHOOL| Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
Back-to-school ice breakers to ease first day fears
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School selfie Students can craft “school selfies” on a piece of paper using a smartphone image template. This selfie illustration will give the class key facts about each student and present an interesting, creative and enjoyable way for students to get to know one another.
Student word search Word searches are entertaining and educational tools that can be put to use in the classroom. Parents or teachers can create word searches featuring the first names of all the students in the class. Children often enjoy searching for their own names, and then they can help others, opening up lines of communication. Word searches also can be customized for any subject. Therefore, if student names aren’t desired, the theme can be classroom items or school terms.
Personal introductions Students may worry about teachers mispronouncing their names or using a full name instead of a nickname. Rather than a traditional roll call, teachers can encourage students to introduce themselves to classmates, using their preferential name and including a brief synopsis of their interests and what makes them unique. Teachers also can initiate other ice-breakers by giving students a sheet with various questions, which students then have to complete by asking around among the other students. For example, “Who has a pet fish?” or “Find someone who has blue eyes.” The first day of school can be difficult for some children. Fun activities and some extra effort from parents and teachers can make the return to the classroom less stressful.
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Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
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The average high school football player experiences 592 head impacts in one season, says the CDC. Participation in scholastic sports can be great for students, making a positive impact on their school careers both on the field and in the classroom. Sports can keep athletes physically fit, help develop confidence and assist students with making friends. However, as with all physical activities, safety must be made a priority by athletes, their parents and their coaches. Brainline, an organization offering information about brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, estimates that as many as 3.8 million concussions occur during competitive sports and recreational activities each year in the United States. Experts suggest that around 50 percent of concussions may go unreported. Although sports injuries rarely lead to fatalities, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons says the leading cause of death from sports-related injuries is traumatic brain injuries among children and adolescents. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head
injury that disrupts normal function of the brain, offers AANS. A concussion is a type of TBI in which the head and brain move back and forth from a blow, bump or jump. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that children and teens make up 70 percent of all sports-related concussions treated in emergency rooms. Concussions can occur in any sports, but are prevalent in cycling, football, hockey, rugby, soccer, and basketball, according to data published in 2013 in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. Concussions also can occur in the sport of cheerleading, which has changed dramatically in the last 20 years as participants perform increasingly difficult acrobatic stunts. Preventing traumatic brain injuries involves diligence on the part of parents, student athletes and coaches. • The AANS says helmets reduce the risk of head injury by at least 45 percent and brain injury by 33 percent. Wearing safety gear while participating in sports is essential.
• Sports teams can focus on safety through hard work and dedication rather than a “win at all costs” mentality that may entice players to take risks that lead to injury. • Rules should be enforced, especially those for fair play and safety. Striking other athletes in the head or using their head or helmet to contact another athlete, or other illegal contacts, should result in reprimands. • Students should recognize their skill sets and not try dangerous moves that can put their health at risk. • Athletes can consult with coaches to learn maneuvers and strategies that can reduce risk for injury, such as safe tackling techniques and using spotters when strength training. Should a head injury occur, athletes should not return to play until they have been evaluated and cleared by a health professional. It is better to be out one game than risk permanent injury.
BACK TO SCHOOL| Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
Avoid head injuries during sports play
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Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 20, 2019
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St. Margaret’s
2019
Sports Physicals Public Sports Physicals MON
Jul 22
JFK Elementary
3:30-6:30pm
TUE
Jul 23
Lacon Elementary
1-4pm
THU
Jul 25
Henry-Senachwine Grade School
9am-2pm
THU
Aug 1
Putnam Co. High School
4-7pm
FRI
Aug 2
Hall High School
9-11am
THU
Aug 8
Depue
10am-2pm
Cost $25.00 No Appointment Necessary
9am - 5pm MON
July 22 Center for Family Health | Princeton
TUE
July 23 Family Health Center | Spring Valley
THU
July 25 Family Health Center | Spring Valley
WED
Aug 7
WED
Aug 14 Center for Family Health | Princeton
Midtown Health Center | Peru
St. Margaret’s participates in three Medicaid plans: traditional Medicaid, Blue Cross & Meridian Medicaid Managed Care. We do not accept IlliniCare or Molina Medicaid Managed Care, so cash is required at time of service for patients in these two plans.
School/Sports Physicals provided. Accept cash or checks made out to St. Margaret’s Health. FORMS should be completed before coming to the physical. FORMS must be signed by parents if under 18. Please go to aboutsmh.org/school-physicals to download appropriate form prior to examination. Please call (815) 664-1440 for more information.
aboutsmh.org
Limited school physicals available. NO KINDERGARTEN PHYSICALS. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CALL THEIR FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Immunization records are required for school physicals.