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.
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.
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Dear Friends,
The summer is deep upon us, and we hope that you are enjoying some joyful time with your family and friends.
At this point in the summer you may be looking for entertaining activities for your children -
perhaps an activity that might keep them out of
the hot sun. As we know, reading is
entertaining and informative, and it has the added benefit of setting the stage for back-to-school.
It is not too late to join the Montclair Public Library's Summer Reading Club. There are two more weeks left in the program. Or take a walk with your child to Watchung Booksellers or the Montclair Book Center and browse in air-conditioned splendor in their children's sections. While you are there, find a good read for yourself.
Enjoy the rest of the summer. We will be back with our next issue in the Fall when we will share the Partnership's plans for the coming year.
Yours in good health,
Joanne Aidala,
Director
montclairhealthandwellness.org
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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READING FOR SUMMER FUN
by Deivis Garcia,
Montclair Public Library staff member
Looking for an entertaining, no-cost, and reliable way to ensure that
your children enjoy a rewarding summer? Supplement your trips to the pool or beach by taking part in the annual Summer Reading Club at the Montclair Public Library.
The Summer Reading Club is a nation-wide reading incentive for children and teens with over 40 participating states. The idea is simple: each participating teen or adult - you are invited to lead by example - sets a reading goal for the summer and simply reads his or her way towards the finish line. Kids can establish any reasonable reading goal and receive incentive prizes upon their first book read, their "halfway to goal" mark, and a free book prize for completing their goals.
Thousands of participating libraries across the nation celebrate a different theme each year an support it with programs, crafts, storytimes, raffles, and games. This year's theme,"One World, Many Stories," is a fun way for kids to cultivate an interest in the vast cultures and marvels around them which constitute our world.
The Summer Reading Club is also a highly beneficial program for your child because, as many studies have indicated, the practice of reading between school years helps avert "summer learning loss" and is a surefire way for kids to maintain their reading skills as they meet the upcoming school year.
HELPING YOUR KIDS TO ENJOY READING:
- Keep books in the car for your children to read on short trips or longer travel.
- Pack books as well as an ipod for days at the beach or pool.
- Let your child choose his or her own books at the library. It's okay if he wants to put down an unfinished book and start another. That's how adults read.
- Does your child attend summer athletic events with downtime? Get the team members to bring books and read.
- Older students can read aloud to younger siblings.
- It doesn't matter what your child reads - a special interest magazine (fashion, sports, music) may interest a teen who is reluctant to pick up a book. The Sunday comics are reading material. The internet has educational websites.
- Leave books and magazine around the house. Maybe your child will pick one up to read.
- Make reading part of family life. Read stories, articles, headlines, recipes out loud. Read along with your kids. The whole family can set aside time to read, or log reading hours.
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RECENT EVENTS...
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School Nurses (left to right) Susan Marro, R.N. (Pre-K), Eva McGorry, R.N. (Mt. Hebron), Barbara Good, R.N. (Northeast), Kathryn Dunn, R.N. (Nishuane), Margie McShane, R.N. (Watchung), and Nancy Otskey, R.N. (Edgemont) were honored for their contributions on June 2 at the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Health and Wellness Partnership. The celebration took place during the annual networking breakfast meeting at the Board of Education. The nurses received floral plants cultivated by Montclair High School students in the "Skills for Life Class." The class project was accomplished in cooperation with Van Vleck House and Gardens, and was partially funded by Montclair Fund for Academic Excellence (MFEE). The "Skills for Life Class" is part of the MHS Work Study Program, which prepares its students to actively and positively participate in the world of work through engaging in structured, supported, and transitional work experiences.
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