SAVE THE DATE ...
THURSDAY OCT. 79:30am at 22 Valley Road
Please join us for our first meeting of the 2010-11 school year. We are celebrating the beginning of our 10th year as The Montclair Public Schools Health and Wellness Partnership.
|
 |
UPCOMING EVENTS: SATURDAY SEPT. 25
10:00am - 1:00pm
1 Bay Ave. Montclair
MOUNTAINSIDE
HOSPITAL FAMILY
HEALTH & WELLNESS DAY
Bring the whole family for free health screenings, activities for kids, raffles, snacks, giveaways, and
flu vaccines ($20 per person or free for Medicare Part B participants).
Click here to register or call
1-888-973-4MSH
SUNDAY SEPT. 26
11:00am - 1:00pm
(raindate October 3)
Montclair High School
Football Field - Essex Ave.
MFEE YOGATHON
Yoga for adults and teens.
All levels, no experience necessary. $20 per adult, $15 per teen.
Click here to register.
Major
funding and support for the Montclair Public Schools Health and
Wellness Parthership come from the Montclair Public Schools, the NJ
Department of Health & Senior Services, Child & Adolescent
Health Program and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network. Other past
and present funders include The Healthcare Foundation of NJ Junior
League of Montclair-Newark, Montclair Community Intervention Alliance,
Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, Mountainside Health
Foundation, Mountainside Hospital Community Benefits, Rutgers
University (grant from NJ Department of Education), United Way of North
Essex, and from private donors.
This newsletter was
made possible in part by grants from the Montclair Community
Intervention Alliance, and the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction.
|
|
|
|
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Welcome to our Back to School issue of HEALTHWISE. 
You are receiving this free E-newsletter in response to your interest, involvement and support of our programs in the Montclair public schools.
Although this past spring was a
very challenging one for our future, I am delighted to tell you that the
Partnership is alive and well. Late this
summer, the NJ Department of Health & Senior Services awarded us a modified
grant that supports our work in the middle schools, and that will keep the
Partnership going through this year - which marks our 10th anniversary.
The DHSS values our work as it is integral to their mission of providing health
for all youth. In fact, the DHSS has asked us to advise two Newark schools on
Coordinated School Health beginning this month.
In order to continue our work in
our seven elementary schools, we are submitting a grant application this month to the Merck
Foundation. In the meantime, we will continue to support all the individual
schools' Health and Wellness committees and their dedicated liaisons. They, in
turn, will be carefully listening to students, staff and other
parent/caregivers to enhance the structure of their committees, providing
additional support for each school's health initiatives.
Meanwhile, it's "Back to School"
and we share your enthusiasm and excitement. This issue features some thoughts
and suggestions on how to ease and enjoy this time of transition for our
students and families. Although there is still warmth in the air, the approach
of fall brings us back to the classroom and to a routine that nourishes our
children.
Enjoy! |
|
| FEATURE ARTICLE |
"TRANSITIONS"
How
You Can Help Your Child Adapt to Middle School
by Karen Straim, Associate Director
Montclair Public Schools Health and Wellness
Partnership
Change is a
fact of life. Just as summer gives way
to fall, our lives contain numerous opportunities for
change. How children
learn to handle change can impact their health and success in life. For many young
people, the change to middle school can be a challenging time. Understanding its
complexity can help us support them in making a successful transition to middle
school.
When moving
to a new school with an unfamiliar environment, different teachers, and new
friends, the change can be both exciting and a bit scary at the same time. Middle
school students used to a single classroom may worry about changing classrooms,
finding their way around crowded halls, and finding lockers, bathrooms, and
classes in time. Classes might be harder,
homework may increase, and students must become organized in order to manage
their time and varied assignments.
In addition to these external changes, pre-teens are
adjusting to the physical and emotional changes of puberty. They may feel more
self-conscious or sensitive, and may experience intense emotions and mood
swings. Social changes are also inevitable. As peer pressure increases,
middle-schoolers become acutely aware
of what their friends think and where they stand on the social ladder. Cliques,
bullies and the pressure to conform can leave a child feeling confused, angry,
or experiencing self-doubt. As they approach their teen years and assert their
independence, parents may think that middle-schoolers need them less. The
opposite is true - our children need us to stay involved in their lives and
support them through this exciting period of growth and exploration. So, how
can parents help?
|
HEALTH NOTES
| 
Bicycle Safety
Wheels are
turning again. As our children return to
school, more cars, school buses, and bicycles are on the roads. In particular,
safety is a concern for those who bike to and from school. Below are some basic tips from The League of American Bicyclists, courtesy of Bike & Walk Montclair, to help your
children learn to be confident and safe cylists:
1. Always
wear a proper helmet that fits well with the chinstrap snug to
the neck.
2. Be sure the bike is in sound working
condition. Perform the ABC
check before each ride: Air in the tires (inflated to rated psi pressure
marked on sidewall of tire), Brakes working properly, hand brakes
thumb
distance between brake lever and handlebar), Chains/
Cassettes (not gunky, gears
change easily)
3. Be extremely cautious when approaching any
intersection - road,
alley, driveway, parking lot,
etc. Stop and check for oncoming traffic
in all directions and SCAN TWICE BEFORE PROCEEDING.
4. Bicycle ride in the direction of traffic - whether on a street, shoulder
or
sidewalk. Ride in a straight line, not in and out between cars.
5. Stop for all stop signs, and obey all other
traffic signals,signs, and
lane markings.
6. Keep both hands on the handlebar at all
times, except when
signaling lane changes or stops.
7. A heavy backpack filled with books and other
items can dangerously
affect a rider's balance. Use a properly installed bike basket instead
when possible. Otherwise,
be sure backpacks are tight to the
shoulders and back, with the waist strap
(if it has one) connected and
snug. Ride slower when carrying a backpack of any
kind.
8. Wear brightly colored clothing when biking -
even during the day.
9. Avoid riding at night or in the dark.
As drivers,
it is also important to be aware of cyclists who are more vulnerable amidst the
traffic of larger cars, trucks and buses.
Click here to read more safety tips
For more information about bike safety and special cycling events in Montclair, visit bikewalkmontclair.org |
|
|
|
|
