Neighborhood Open Gyms   

            Kids in Boise elementary school and junior high are invited to join the fun of supervised open gym time at neighborhood schools.  Drop in for 20 minutes or longer—it’s  up to you!  Open Gym runs from November 1, 2009 through March 2009 (except for Christmas Break).  All gyms will be closed on holidays.  Open Gym is a free service courtesy of a partnership of the Boise Independent School District and Boise Parks and Recreation.  Locations and hours may be subject to change, contact 384-4256. 

Grades K–6

•    Hawthorne Elementary School, 2401 W. Targee, 10am–2pm, Saturdays

•    Liberty Elementary School, 1740 E. Bergeson, 10am–2pm on Saturdays & 1–4pm on Sundays

•    Koelsch Elementary School, 2015 N. Curtis, 10am–2pm on Saturdays & Sundays

•    Valley View Elementary School, 3555 N. Milwaukee, 10am–2pm on Saturdays & 1–4pm on Sundays

Grades 7–12

•    Les Bois Junior High, 4150 E. Grand Forest Drive, 9am–noon on Saturdays & 1–4pm on Sundays

•    Hillside Junior High, 3536 W. Hill Road. 8–11am on Saturdays & 1–4pm on Sundays

•    South Junior High, 3101 Cassia, 9am–noon on Saturdays

•    West Junior High, 8371 W. Salt Creek Crt., 9am–noon on Saturdays

Prevent the Spread of Germs   

            Many people are worried about H1N1 flu (swine flu), but there is no need to panic.  Families, schools, health care providers, and government agencies are working together to limit the spread of the virus and protect anyone who is at risk of serious illness from the flu.

            Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, aap.org, on how to prevent the spread of germs:

            The flu (influenza) is spread by coughing, sneezing, and unclean hands.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages everyone to prevent the spread of germs by doing the following:

•    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

•    If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

•    Put your tissues in the trash.

•    Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.  Wash with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.

•    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

•    If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.  People should stay home at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

            For local information contact the Central District Health Department, cdhd.idaho.gov, or H1N1 Hotline at 321-2222.  For other expert advice, visit U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/flu or American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org.

Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences   

                “A good attitude and a spirit of cooperation are the keys to successful parent-teacher conferences,” says Donna Henderson, professor of counseling at Wake Forest University.  Henderson offers the following tips for parents of students from elementary to high school on how they can make the most of their conference.

•    Start off on the right foot by asking teachers what excites them about teaching a particular age group or subject.  Providing an opportunity for teachers to share some of their enthusiasm for what they do sets a positive tone for the discussion.

•    Parents should keep their children involved by asking them what they would like discussed with a teacher and then providing feedback after the conference.  Ultimately, the child must assume responsibility for learning, while adults assume the responsibility for creating and enhancing those opportunities.

•    Parents should listen carefully to the teacher’s concerns to clearly understand them.  A good teacher will talk about the child’s strengths and weaknesses and suggest ways to meet learning goals.

•    Ask the teacher, “What are some of the things I can do with my child that would make this subject come alive?”  This can lead to some concrete examples of activities like planting a garden or visiting a museum that may reinforce classroom lessons.

•    Clarify what the teacher expects from the child and from you before concluding the conference.  If there needs to be continuing contact beyond the initial meeting, parents and teachers should establish a clear plan for doing that.

•    The parent-teacher conference is only one way to connect with teachers.  Look for other opportunities during the school year to build a good relationship.

•    Most importantly, give teachers an opportunity to share their knowledge about how to help children learn.

“Research has consistently shown that parent involvement contributes to school success,” says Henderson, co-author of The Handbook of School Counseling.  “Two people working together who have the best interest of the child in mind lead to better outcomes for students.”

Idaho Is Wild About Reading    

        Something wild is happening at Idaho public libraries and schools!  They are creating fun activities to connect families through reading and the great outdoors.  Grab your sneakers and sense of adventure and walk, run, or ride over to your local library for a week of fun as the State of Idaho celebrates Idaho Family Reading Week, November 15–21.  This year’s theme is “Idaho Is Wild About Reading.”

            State Librarian Ann Joslin says, “Idaho is home to beautiful wild places that provide abundant recreation for families—from  backyards to mountaintops.  And libraries can guide parents to resources about nature they can share with their kids.  Whether it is finding a great book to read aloud about animal tracks or attending a program about your favorite outdoor activity, we want parents to see what libraries throughout the state can offer them.”

            “Libraries have a long tradition of providing information, but there is more to discover at your library.  Many librarians have early literacy expertise, can offer kids great recommendations for reading, and can help parents find resources to help with improving their child’s math, science, and reading skills,” says Joslin. 

            Idaho Family Reading Week is sponsored by the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ Read to Me Program and libraries throughout the state.  For a listing of Treasure Valley area libraries, click here.

Origami On-the-Go   

            The perfect antidote to “Are we there yet?”  Once kids get their hands on the travel-inspired projects in Origami On-the-Go, the hours will fly by.  Origami itself is such an absorbing activity; add to it the pleasures of using vibrant custom papers to create unexpected animals and planes and cultural treasures, and the combination is a lifesaver for parents, entertainment for kids, and a great learning experience for both.

            Author Margaret Van Sicklen, who is known for her clear, easy-to-follow instructions and clever designs, creates 40 projects with a globe-trotting theme—Stunt  Plane, Rainforest Turtle, Samurai Helmet, Chopstick Rest, and Nantucket Swordfish, to name a few.  The folds are geared to children as young as 8, and range from the playful (Pig Finger Puppet) to the practical (Souvenir Wallet).  Paper for the projects is included in the back of the book: 100 colorful, custom-designed origami pages, each tied in to the projects. 

            Along the way kids learn much about the world, making that long road trip or extended airplane flight seem just a bit quicker!

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle   

            As stewards of the environment, we are responsible for preserving and protecting our resources for ourselves and for future generations. Celebrate America Recycles Day on November 15, 2009.
 

            Allied Waste shares some top Reasons to Recycle!

            •    We use enough plastic wrap to wrap all of Idaho every year.

            •    Across the country, Allied Waste’s recycling efforts result in an estimated saving of 20 million trees, five billion kilowatt hours of energy, and 8.5 billion gallons of water each year.  From its 53 recycling centers across the nation, nearly two million tons of recyclables are removed from the waste system.

            •    Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a 200-watt bulb burning for almost four hours, or to operate a television for three hours.

            •    Every year enough paper is thrown away to make a 12-foot wall from New York to California.

            •    Recycling decreases the burning of fossil fuels and lessens the carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons emitted into the atmosphere.  In addition, recycling slows the harvest of trees, maintaining the carbon dioxide conversion benefit of forests.

            •    Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.  Recycling old paper rather than using new timber to produce paper saves 60 percent of the energy usually required.

            •    Every person in the U.S. generates almost five pounds of solid waste every day.

            For more information visit americarecycles day.org or for local information visit www.bfiidaho/recycling.htm.

Music for All Ages 

            Grammy Award winners Dan Zanes and Friends have released a new live concert DVD, The Fine Friends Are Here!  This collection of 13 Dan Zanes and Friends favorites includes three new music videos and comes with a bonus audio disc of four new unreleased solo Zanes songs.

            The DVD showcases what the band’s trademark rollicking concerts are all about and allows kids and fans alike to participate in the wildly popular and regularly sold-out experience. 

            Zanes began his career by distributing a homemade cassette at a neighborhood park in New York City’s West Village and has since released several Parents Choice Award-winning, bestselling albums, including the acclaimed  The Welcome Table.  Catch That Train!   won the 2007 Grammy for “Best Musical Album for Children.” 

Donation to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital

            On September 24, St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital received a $50,420 grant from Kohl’s Cares for Kids’ program.  The donation provides the needed funding to continue the

St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s “Healthy Habits for Life” program.  The program focuses on four key messages to keep children healthy, including:

•    Making sure parents set a good example by buckling up and always using a booster or car seat for children during every ride.

•    Emphasizing the importance of hand washing because it is the best way to prevent germs from spreading.

•    Focusing on good nutrition as a critical tool in the battle against childhood obesity. 

•    Stressing the importance of wearing a properly fitted helmet for all human power wheeled sports, like bicycling and skateboarding.

                        “Children today face a multitude of risks, everything from preventable injuries to this year’s H1N1 flu virus,” said Dr. Jerry Hirschfeld, administrator of St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital.  “The generous support from Kohl’s goes a long way toward providing resources and education required to ensure the health and well-being of our children.”