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ACLAMO Family Centers Newsletter
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Providing our community with the services and skills for success
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March 20121
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Forget the mini-fridge, 5 year old Patricio wants the box!
From The Executive Director:
Dear Friends,
Spring is in the air, and with it new possibilities. We are happy to introduce five new members to the ACLAMO family. This month Margarita Contreras and Kelly Rominiecki began as our new home site visitors, Darek F. Raguza joined us as our development specialist, Monica McGuire started as the assistant teacher for our After School Program, and Ada Camacho began as our new social worker. Each brings with them special gifts and talents which will help us grow and better our program.
This month we were also pleased to partner with Montgomery County in their Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and Car Seat initiative. Both programs provide health and safety opportunities to our community.
Thanks to the generosity of the Philadelphia Zoo, our pre-kindergarteners and their moms enjoyed a sunny day learning about different animals.
And lastly, we want to offer an insight into the courage and determination of some of the families we serve through our profile this month. Inez shares her story of survival and redemption.
Despite all the good news, ACLAMO is facing a tough future of cutbacks. Please remember us through your tax-deductible gift . Thank you!
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Zoo on Wheels Comes to ACLAMO
Sam Navarro demonstrates the keen verbal abilities of Linny, the African Grey
parrot to the wonderment of the After School children
On February 28th, the students in the after school program were treated with a visit from Sydney the blue-tongued lizard, Daisy the skunk, Linny the African Grey parrot, and Sam Navarino, the Elmwood Park Zoo's Animal Educator. Daisy the skunk naturally elicited the strongest reaction from the children, with Linny's ability to say chicken a close second!
The program came to ACLAMO as part of the Zoo's traveling education program, Zoo on Wheels. This program follows ACLAMO's emphasis on teaching STEM curriculum, (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The zoo visit aligned with the science theme for the month: mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Ms. Navarro, highlighted in her discussion the attributes of each of the animals that place it into its animal kingdom class. For instance, the children learned that African Grey parrots can live to be 80 years old. They also learned the parrot's keen ability to mimic sounds originated in the wild where they imitated the sound of large predators to keep other such predators away!
"Although our classes encourage students to talk about animal characteristics, look at pictures and even watch videos, there is nothing like seeing a real animal make the information literally come alive", remarked Trevor, one of the tutors in the program.
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The Silent Sickness 
Public Health Nurse, Pat DeHorsey prepares 5 year old, Romaro for his lead test while his mother, Marisol looks on. "Children who have it don't act sick. When kids eat it, it actually tastes sweet!". So warned Public Health Nurse, Betty Weiss. What nurse Weiss is referring to is lead poisoning caused by old chipping paint, a condition so rampant in our community that out of 500 children tested last year by the County's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 87 came back with positive results. In response to this, ACLAMO has partnered with the Montgomery County Health Department by holding yearly free Lead Poisoning testing. On March 14th, Tonya Sims, a graduate nursing student, Pat DeHorsey and Betty Weiss, both Public Health nurses came to ACLAMO to administer the tests. Seventeen children, ages 3 to 5 received the blood tests. Despite their children's tears, the mothers were happy to have them tested. "I want to make sure my Romaro is healthy" said Marisol, "I'm glad I can come to ACLAMO and have this done". "The problem with lead poison is that it can affect children's education," said Pat DeHorsey, also a Public Health nurse. "The good news", DeHorsey added, "is that once detected, it can be treated". When possible, treatment for lead poisoning begins with removing the sources of lead. Balanced nutrition may also help. These measures are usually sufficient to limit exposure to lead and reduce lead levels in the body. Paint chips and dirt are the most common sources of lead in the home. Most houses built before 1978 had been coated with lead-based paint. There have also been incidences of lead-containing paint on toys and furniture manufactured overseas. In addition to testing children 6 months to 6 years of age, the Montgomery County Health Department recommends lead poisoning prevention tips, such as providing your child with a nutritious diet, cleaning the house with a damp mop (to minimize dust), encouraging frequent hand washing, and discouraging your child from ingesting nonfood substances. For those with positive lead poisoning results, children should be retested and if such testing remains high, then your local health department will probably conduct a home visit to try and find the source of lead contamination. For more information, please call 1 800 424-LEAD, or contact the Montgomery County Health Department, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) at 610 970-5040. |
A Gift of Safety
 Francesca Melle demonstrates proper installation of a car seat
"Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of accidental death for children age four through 15?" This startling fact was presented by Francesca Melle and Kelsy Stenger from the Montgomery County Health Department's Health Promotion Office on the importance of using car seats.
Thanks to a partnership and grant from the Montgomery County Health Department, ACLAMO moms were able to receive a free new car seat and shown the proper way to install them. The mothers were advised that unless one knows its history of use, that it's never a good idea to buy used car seats. Ms. Stenger explained, "Often used seats that are old or have been involved in an accident are no longer effective in protecting your young children". "We are grateful to the MONTCO Health Department for their practical outreach to the community. Such presentations may very well save lives," Said Helene Durlad, ACLAMO's Assistant Teacher. |
Wonders of the Animal Kingdom Abound By Linda Maldonado
On this cool spring day, eighteen of ACLAMO's Even Start families were treated to a special field trip. It is a favorite of mine to observe the children -and sometimes their mothers look on in wonder at the many species of the animal kingdom. Among those they saw were polar bears, tigers, gorillas, zebras, elephants, crocodiles and of course, for the kids, the snakes! It gets to the heart of why I like working with preschoolers; their unlimited curiosity and delight at the natural world. It is a joy to hear the children mention how big the Galapagos turtles are! They marveled at the tigers and bears. Some asked, "What is that?" as an otter swam by. The children were then treated to petting its soft wet pelt. The trip culminated with a visit to the petting area where the children delighted in petting sheep and goats. These experiences provide a life time of memories and a hands on educational knowledge. |
Personal Profile: Inéz Hernandez
Twelve years ago, an event occurred that changed the life of Inés Hernandez. Born and raised in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, Inés lived there with her children, working on and off whenever she could to help her family survive. On a hot day walking with her children past carts of vibrant, delicious fresh fruit, her hungry daughter turned and asked if she could buy her a piece of watermelon. Though it cost only a few cents, Inés did not have the money and had to say no. Having struggled all her young life to provide even the little she could for her family, she realized that day that she had to make a change.
A short time later, Inés found her way to Norristown and began working in entry level jobs while her parents took care of her children. "It was the hardest part, to leave my children behind". Inés shared with great sadness, "But I knew I had opportunity here for my children". After living in the United States for a few years, she was able to bring her children to live with her. In 2006, Inés heard about ACLAMO from a former employee. She didn't know much about what ACLAMO offered, but hoped that it could help her and her children succeed in their new life.
A year later, while her 4-year-old son, Jeiffer started in the preschool Even Start program with Linda Maldonado at ACLAMO, Inés herself began the corresponding adult literacy ESL (English as a Second Language) classes with Marla Benssey. In addition to learning English and computer skills, she immediately found a home in ACLAMO. Her youngest daughter began preschool a year later and both children excelled. Inés even noted that her son received such a good education at ACLAMO that upon entering kindergarten, he did not even need to enroll in ESL classes.
"The ACLAMO services, the staff members, and the teachers were incredible", Inés commented, "I am eternally grateful for me and my children". She credits her children's continued success in school to the education received here. Currently, both children are in elementary school, earning the highest grades, and are even on their school's honor roll.
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ACLAMO celebrates its 35th year of providing economic, educational, health and cultural opportunities for low-income residents of Norristown and Pottstown, especially those of Spanish-language heritage. ACLAMO stands for Accíon Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County, or the Latin American Action Committee of Montgomery County. ACLAMO is derived from the Spanish word "aclamar," which means "to acclaim." ACLAMO Family Centers ACLAMO Family Centers 512 W. Marshall Street 515 Walnut Street Norristown, PA 19401 Pottstown, PA 19464 610-277-2570 610-970-2134 
aclamo.org |
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