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Lights On Afterschool
It’s a party! Kids are invited to join a celebration of Lights On Afterschool at a free event from 3:30–5pm Thursday, October 22 at the community centers at Morley Nelson, Grace Jordan, and Whitney elementary schools in the Boise School District. Lights On activities are open to ALL children in grades K–6. The event features fun games, prizes, and a healthy snack.
Lights On Afterschool is presented by Boise Parks & Recreation in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Lights On Afterschool program, coordinated by the Afterschool Alliance (afterschoolalliance.org) an advocacy organization focused on providing safe, healthy afterschool activities for children. According to a survey commissioned by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, 14.3 million U.S. children take care of themselves after the school day ends.
The Community Centers are located at these elementary schools:
•Grace Jordan, 6411 W. Fairfield Ave. (off Overland north of the sky bridge on the Bench)
•Morley Nelson, 7701 W. Northview St. (between Cole and Milwaukee)
•Whitney, 1609 S. Owyhee St. (between Overland and Nez Perce)
For more information, contact the Morley Nelson Community Center, 854-4917, www.cityofboise.org/parks.
Encouraging Reading
Each year the Pacific Northwest Library Association nominates several titles to be considered for the Young Reader’s Choice Award Medal. The books are selected on the basis of popularity in school and public libraries throughout the Pacific Northwest. Young readers are encouraged to read at least two of the titles, and to vote for their favorite. Voting takes place in the spring. Ballots may be set up at schools, or students may vote in any public library locations.
The Junior Division nominees for grades 4–6 are The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull; Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney; Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis; Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke; Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick; Marley: A Dog Like No Other by John Grogan; Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart; and No Talking by Andrew Clements.
The Intermediate Division nominees for grades 7–9 are Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott; Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale; Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick; Peak by Roland Smith; The Plain Janes by Cecil Castelucci; Schooled by Gordon Korman; The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex; and Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landry.
For a list of the Senior Division (grades 10–12) titles, visit treasurevalleyteen.com. For general information about the Young Reader’s Choice Award, visit pnla.org/yrca.
Halloween Safety Tips
Hazards can be avoided on Halloween by taking the followingprecautions:
Adults or older children should accompany young ghosts and goblins on their hauntings.
Light-reflecting costumes or orange reflecting tape will ensure no one is mistaken for the invisible man. Flashlights can also brighten the path.
Look both ways before crossing the street and obey all traffic safety rules. Walk, don’t run, to avoid fractures to little skeletons.
October can be cold and damp; find a flame-retardant costume that provides protection from the weather.
Work your own neighborhood. There will be fewer tricks among the treats from people you know.
Eyes work best when not blocked by masks. Paint and makeup can create great effects.
Every piece of candy should be checked by a parent for tampering. Throw away all unpackaged goodies including cookies and apples.
Never go trick-or-treating alone, and always say thank you!
Tips provided by Pamela Kleibrink Thompson of Meridian.
A Musical Field Trip
Recess Monkey, a Seattle band composed of three elementary-school teachers, recently released a new CD, Field Trip. The album puts a wacky, fantastical edge on the “everyday lives of kids.” Band member Jack Forman notes, “All of the songs on Field Trip were inspired by field trips we’ve taken with our classes. The album is part Magical Mystery Tour, part Mr. Rogers, and part Muppet Show, but it’s all based on the kids that we teach and our memories of being young. We recorded the songs during weekends and holiday vacations from school in the music room.”
With songs like Marshmallow Farm, Sack Lunch, Knocktopus, Hot Chocolate, Ice Pack, and Little Insects Crawling Everywhere (L.I.C.E.), Field Trip will be a fun addition to your CD collection.
Where the Wild Things
Maurice Sendak’s classic book Where the Wild Things Are is coming to the big screen on October 16. It will be an adventure for the whole family to enjoy. Here in the Treasure Valley, the movie and timeless book will be celebrated on Saturday, October 17 — join in on the fun!
The Rediscovered Bookshop, rdbooks.org, is planning fun for the family beginning at 10:30am that day, in conjunction with the Bookshop’s 3rd anniversary and “Rumpus Party” celebrations.
• Children can make their own “wild things” sock puppet at a craft table.
• Local children’s author and Treasure Valley Family Magazine’s Children’s Book Nook contributor, Stan Steiner will read Where the Wild Things Are.
• Refreshments will be provided.
• Visit with the “Wild Things” character.
The celebration continues at Boise Edwards 22 from 1-5pm with the film’s release. Check their website regalcinemas.com, and the theatre for up-to-date movie times and event details.
• Bring your “wild things” sock puppet from Rediscovered Bookshop for a special prize.
• Bounce houses and games will be available in front of the theatre.
• Treasure Valley Family Magazine will be there too with more “Wild Things” fun!
• There will also be a separate book drive, collecting new books at the theatre, sponsored by Stevens-Henager College and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.
H1N1 Flu Q & A
What’s the big deal with H1N1? How is it different from seasonal flu? Seasonal flu occurs yearly. The viruses change somewhat each year, but many people have some immunity to seasonal flu viruses. Flu vaccine also helps reduce the number of cases. But H1N1 is a new virus and one to which most people have little or no immunity. This virus could cause more infections than are seen with seasonal flu.
The H1N1 flu appears to be as contagious as the seasonal flu, and it can spread quickly. The severity ranges from very mild symptoms to severe illness that can result in death. Most people who contract the virus experience the milder disease and recover without antiviral treatment or medical care. More than half of all people hospitalized with the flu have underlying health conditions or weak immune systems.
When will an H1N1 vaccine be ready? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the H1N1 flu vaccine and expects it to be ready for distribution beginning in October. Clinical data has shown that the vaccine produces a good immune response within 8 to 10 days. The most common side effect of the H1N1 shot is soreness at the injection site. Other side effects may include mild fever, body aches and fatigue. Anyone who has severe or life-threatening allergies to chicken eggs should not be vaccinated, according to the FDA.
Who should get the H1N1 vaccine? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended the H1N1 vaccination for five key groups: Pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
For local information, contact the Central District Health Department (cdhd.idaho.gov) or the H1N1 Hotline at 321-2222. For other expert advice, visit U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/flu or the American Academy of Pediatrics at aap.org.
Information provided by Kathy Sena, writer/editor specializing in consumer, parenting, social media, health, and women’s issues. Visit her blog at parenttalktoday.com.
School Bus Safety
October 19–23 is National School Bus Safety Week. Here are a few tips from www.yellowbuses.org:
• The bus driver and others cannot see you if you are standing closer than ten feet from the bus. Stay out of the danger zone!
• If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver. Never try to pick it up yourself.
• While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
• When you get on or off the bus, look for the bus safety lights and make sure they are flashing.
• Be alert to traffic. When you get on or off the bus, look left, right, left before you enter or cross the street.
• When the driver says it is safe to cross the street, remember to cross in front of the bus.
• Stay in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted.
• Some school buses now have seat belts. If you have seat belts on your school bus, be sure to learn to use them correctly.
Fun Cookbook for Kids
Handstand Kids cookbooks are the perfect recipe for kids to learn how to cook while discovering the people, places, and language of a new country. The third Handstand Kids Cookbook in the series travels to China to make delicious and nutritious Chinese recipes. Each book comes with a pair of chopsticks, packaged in a takeout box.
The Chinese cookbook offers recipes like The Great Wall of Chicken Lettuce Wraps while teaching about the Great Wall of China; King Pow! (King Pao Tofu), showing the characters doing karate; and Chow Mein Long Life Noodles. All the utensils and ingredients are translated into Mandarin so you can speak the language of China as you cook! The recipes are leveled from one to four chopsticks so you will know the age-appropriate level for your little chef.
Other countries explored in the Handstand Kids cookbooks include Mexico and Italy. This holiday season, the publisher is offering 20 percent off to all customers who order directly through handstandkids.com and use the discount code “HSK20.”
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