Professor Owl’s February 2012 Newsletter
February 7th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
February is here and this month Professor Owl has plenty to share with you including our Heroes of the Month, an interesting article on the heart, what to do if you are being bullied, a new contest, as well as our usual Professor Owl’s book recommendations, puzzles, recipes and crafts!
Also, take Professor Owl’s reading challenge – write and let us know what books you are enjoying and win prizes. **Remember though you must let your parents know that you are writing to us…**
“Hope” is the thing with feathers~
That perches in the soul~
And sings the tune without the words~
And never stops~at all~
And sweetest~in the Gale~is heard~
And sore must be the storm~
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm~
I’ve heard it in the chillest land~
And on the strangest Sea~
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb~of Me.
~Emily Dickinson
February is Heart Awareness Month (CAN & US)
By Sylvia W. McGrath
Stroke in children (Paediatric stroke)
When we think of Heart and Stroke awareness we think of older people, however, the incidence of strokes in children although low; about six cases in a 100,000 children per year – and in most cases one-third are newborns.
Even though it seems unthinkable, children can have strokes, also! Adult strokes are often caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a history of smoking, too much alcohol and obesity. Children’s strokes, on the other hand, are often caused by birth defects, infections (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis), trauma, and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.
A stroke can happen at any point in a person’s lifetime, from infancy and childhood to adulthood. A stroke is caused by the interruption of the normal flow of blood to the brain, due to either a blockage or a rupture in the blood vessels. This happen when a part of the brain does not receive its regular flow of blood that carries the essential nutrients and oxygen to the brain causing the brain cells to die, this leads to a loss of brain function.
The age of the child at the time of stroke makes a difference in how doctors identify and treat the problem. A stroke can occur in these three different age groups:
- The prenatal phase, or in the womb
- The first 28 days of life, or newborn phase
- The infant years up to 18 years of age
Strokes are relatively more common in the first two age groups, occurring in up to one in every 4,000 live births. In the third age group, stroke is rarer, only affecting about five out of every 100,000 children each year in Canada.
The location in the brain where the stroke takes place will determine the extent of the damage and if any the after-effects,
Children may experience two types of stroke: hemorrhagic stroke (which is the rupturing of blood vessels), or ischemic stroke (a blockage caused by a blood clot).
The causes of stroke in children
The reasons why stroke occurs in children are varied and include malformations of the blood vessels and rare diseases. Below we show the most common causes:-
Children’s Stroke Facts:
- Over 9 million children between the ages 6 -19 are overweight.
- Approximately 2,000 children under the age of 18 start smoking every day.
- Only 30% of males and 26% of females in grades 9 -12 attend physical education classes on a daily basis. Lack of physical activity can also contribute to becoming overweight and developing high blood pressure or diabetes.
- On average, it takes 12-24 hours for adults to get to the hospital after the first signs, when a child has a stroke that time increases to 48-72 hours!
- Stroke is one of the top ten causes of death in children at an alarming rate of 12%.
There is good news however! Although strokes in children can be shocking, children have a better ability to heal than an adult does. A child’s brain is still developing and may have a greater ability to repair itself. With the help of physical and speech therapy, the majority of childhood stroke survivors recover the use of their arms, legs and speech. Most, hospitals these days have an expert team of therapists to help a child recover as much function as possible.
What can you do to help to help control your child’s risk factors for stroke?
You cannot control certain risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as age, sex, race and family medical history but there are other risk factors you can control, treat or prevent:
Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 25 years in most areas of Canada and the United States and 29.1 per cent of children are considered overweight or obese. At the same time, children are less active. According to Active Healthy Kids Canada, only 15 per cent of children meet recommended levels for physical activity. In addition, smoking rates among youths are significantly higher, even among children as young as grade six.
Heart Healthy Children & Youth will focus on supporting individuals, groups and organizations, which are planning, or already at work in areas related to healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco reduction.
The program’s Community Action Coordinators will offer tools, information, and expertise; and will help provide linkages, so that community-level groups can learn and share from each other. By connecting communities, a small program can be part of a much bigger movement towards improving health.
Healthy eating
- Find recipes, tools and tips to help kids eat healthy.
Healthy activity
- Physical activity is important for heart health. Use these tools to get kids active everyday
Healthy at school
- Use these resources to encourage kids to learn about heart health.
Healthy in your community
- Get involved and support your community’s efforts for healthy active living
Visit the following websites for more information and resources on Heart and Strokes in children:
http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3479025/k.802B/Healthy_Kids.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
http://www.itsmyheart.org/resources/hospitals/
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/Healthier-Kids_UCM_304156_SubH
www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG
Bullying
It happens more than you think and it’s not just you! It can happen anywhere, to anyone and it is wrong. Approximately 1 out of 5 children live with the fear of being beat up, embarrassed or tormented by bullies. What is a bully? A bully is someone who finds power and self-worth by belittling or intimidating others. Bullies usually learn from usually being the victim of another bully. If you are being bullied the best thing you can do is tell someone. It’s not tattling, you are not telling to get someone in trouble, you are telling to protect yourself. Another thing to do is, if possible walk away or stay near an adult if you feel threatened. Remember being the victim of a bully is not YOUR fault.
What if you are not being bullied but see someone else being bullied? Don’t join in, encourage or give the bully an audience, if possible try to get help or find an adult. Whatever you do, don’t try to fight the bully.
If you are being bullied, there are people and organizations that can help:
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 is Canada’s only toll-free, bilingual, 24/7, anonymous phone/online counselling, referral and information service for children and youth, ages 5 to 20. Kids Help Phone is staffed by caring professional counsellors who can offer advice to you on a variety of issues. They also have a great website where you can post questions and get information http://www.kidshelpphone.ca. Please be aware that your call is anonymous which means they don’t ask your name and don’t have caller ID, anything you tell them stays confidential. Need Help, call today!
Bullying.org is a website dedicated to preventing bullying through education and awareness. It offers educational programs and resources to individuals, families, schools and organizations. They offer excellent resources in order to help people deal effectively and positively with the act of bullying and its long-lasting negative consequences. http://www.bullying.org/
Kidpower.org is a website which focuses on bully prevention, child abuse prevention, stranger awareness, and personal safety for children, teens, and adults, including those with special needs. http://www.kidpower.org
Puzzle Corner
Click here to play online: http://www.grababullybythehorns.com/kids-corner/bully-word-searches/
Courtesy of http://www.grababullybythehorns.com
Professor Owl’s Book Corner
Professor Owl’s Reading Challenge
Welcome, my name is Professor Owl.
On my face, there is never a scowl,
For you see I am a happy bird,
I can make a difference word by word.
I will teach you how to love to read,
And for today that’s my good deed.
In my corner, you will find,
Books and news of every kind.
I challenge you to read five pages a day,
And then you can go out play.
By Sylvia McGrath
Book of the Month
The Monster’s Ring: A Magic Shop Book [Paperback]
Bruce Coville (Author), Katherine Coville (Illustrator)
Eddie is bullying Russell Crannaker at school, and Russell feels bullied by his parents when he cannot seem to get a word in at home.
One afternoon When Russell is running away from Eddie, he stumbles upon a strange shop: Mr. Elives Magic Shop. It is in that store he finds the monster’s ring.
The ring Russell has just purchased is more than a ring – it can transform Russell into a monster. Russell loves monsters, so he enjoys becoming one with the turn of his ring. In addition, Halloween is coming up and transforming himself into a monster would be the best costume ever.
However, being a monster is dangerous, and when Russell dares to turn the ring and transform into a monster repeatedly, he gets much more than fur and horns!
This book is the first in the MAGIC SHOP books and is the perfect treat for a funny, spooky read. This story was short, but it had just the right amount of humor and mystery. At the end, the book included a note from the author in which he mentioned he wrote THE MONSTER’S RING so he would have a great Halloween read. via amazon.ca
Price: CDN$ 7.95
Will You Be Mine? By Tildes Phyllis (Paperback – Jan 1 2011)
Price $9.99
The Valentine Baby Mystery [Library Binding] By David A. Adler (Author), Susanna Natti (Illustrator)
PriceCDN$ 17.90
Hank Zipzer #14 Life Of Me [Hardcover] By Henry Winkler (Author), Jesse Watson (Illustrator)
Price CND$14.99
CONTEST
To get your very own copy of our Book-Of-The-Month
What is Happening to Grandpa
By Maria Shriver and Sandra Speidel
Write to us about your grandparents, or an older relative who is important to you!
If writing isn’t your thing draw us a picture. Contest deadline is March 1st, 2012
Hero of the Month
Teghyn Gurney – Synchro – 11 yrs old
An amazing, dedicated, talented and kind young lady, she is moving into her 2nd year of National Level. Teghyn competes in all four events (solo, duet, team and combo). She trains five days a week for a total of 18 hours and loves to be in the pool with her team practicing. She also loves wearing her sparkly synchro costumes too!
Variety Village needs your votes to win $50,000 from The MLSE Team Up Foundation. MLSE Team Up Foundation is launching a new grant program this year – the Team Up Foundation Fund (TUFF) with a total of $200,000 available across four charitable grants to support youth sports and recreational programming that are in need of refurbishing. You can vote every day from all of your email addresses~it’s easy to vote. Variety Village is currently in 23rd spot. Please Vote! http://www.mlseteamupfoundation.org/giving/Team-UP-Foundation-Fund
Dear Make-A-Wish®,
On August 4, 2006 our beautiful, five year old, baby boy Matthew was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. That night, while looking out the window, he asked, “Mama, will I ever get to see a space ship take off?” After the day that we had, not really comprehending what was to come, but with fierce resolve I replied, “Yes,” thinking to myself if I had to build a rocket and set it off from the school yard he would see one take off.
1164 Days in treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
1468 Doses of Chemotherapy
468 Doses of Steroids
104 Needle Pokes
29 Spinal Taps w/ chemotherapy injection
4 Bone Marrow Aspirates
2 Surgeries
1 Make-A-Wish® Trip
1377 days from the day Matthew wished to see a space shuttle take off, his wish came true. On May 14, 2010, Matthew saw the Atlantis Space Shuttle STS132 take off from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. It was a very emotional moment for all of us. I asked Matthew why he was crying he said, “It’s OK Mama, I’m happy sad”.
That night while tucking Matthew into bed at our beautiful sanctuary at Give Kids the World, he snuggled in with a very peaceful smile on his face and whispered, “Mama, dreams really do come true.”
How can we properly thank all of you for giving us this profound gift? All I can do is to have you try and imagine the pure peace, joy and contentment we feel and know that you gave us this gift.
Thank you.
Sincerely, with all of our hearts,
Laura, Don, Nicole and Matthew
Rock for Dimes
Taking place in six cities across Canada (Vancouver, Calgary, London, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax), Rock for Dimes is an annual battle-of-the-bands featuring local musicians performing live to raise funds for March of Dimes Canada programs and services. Featuring celebrity judges, food, drink and live music, it’s an exciting way to rock out for charity in your community.
Rock for Dimes Calgary
www.rockfordimes.ca/calgary
Date: February 4, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m.
Location: Flames Central, 219-8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Rock for Dimes Vancouver
www.rockfordimes.ca/vancouver
Date: February 23, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m.
Location: The RedRoom Ultra Bar, 398 Richards Street, Vancouver
Rock for Dimes London
www.rockfordimes.ca/london
Date: March 29, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m.
Location: Smokin’ Bones, 855 Wellington Road, London
Rock for Dimes Toronto
www.rockfordimes.ca/toronto
Date: Coming May 2012
Time: 7:00p.m.
Location: TBA
Rock for Dimes Halifax
www.rockfordimes.ca/halifax
Date: Coming November 2012
Time: 7:00p.m.
Location: TBA
Rock for Dimes Montreal
www.rockfordimes.ca/montreal
Date: Coming October 2012
Time: 7:00p.m.
Location: TBA
http://www.marchofdimes.ca/EN/events/special/Pages/RockforDimes.aspx
To find out more, please contact them at:
March of Dimes Canada
10 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto , Ontario
M4H 1A4
Telephone: 416-425-3463
Fax: 416-425-1920
Toll Free: 1-800-263-3463
E-mail: ce@marchofdimes.ca
Colouring Page
Click here to download a full size, high quality pdf version:small_valentine_colouring_cards_1
Courtesy of http://www.activityvillage.co.uk
Craft Corner
The Heart Man
You will need:
Craft foam hearts
Pipe cleaner (chenille stem)
Wiggle eyes
Fabric paint
Glue
Instructions:
Use a large craft foam heart as the face/body. Glue on wiggle eyes and a small heart as a nose. Use fabric paint to add a mouth.
Cut the pipe cleaner into two and glue the two halves onto the centre to the back of the face/body so one half forms the arms and the other the legs. Glue small hearts to the ends of the chenille stems as the hands and feet.
Leave your man to dry.
Why not glue him to your pencil, or add a magnet or even make a hole in the top and make him into a key ring?
Courtesy of http://www.activityvillage.co.uk
Professor Owl’s Kitchen
Valentine’s Day Hearts
These delicious heart-shaped treats are a cross between a fairy cake and a biscuit (cookie) and will disappear very quickly from the plate! They are based on a traditional recipe from Devon for “flats”
Makes 24
Hearts
8 oz self-raising flour (cake flour)
4 oz caster sugar (fine grained sugar)
3 ½ fl oz double cream (heavy cream)
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
Approximately 1 tablespoon of milk
Glaze
4 oz icing sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
Water
A few drops pink food colouring
Sprinkles, if you like!
Heat gas oven to 190 °C
Line 2 baking sheets
Mix the flour and sugar together. Stir in the cream, egg and enough milk to make a stiff dough. If the dough feels at all sticky, cover and place in the refrigerator to firm up.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until about 0.75 cm (one-third inch) thick, then cut into heart shapes using a small cutter.
Bake for 5-8 minutes until a light golden brown. Carefully transfer to wire racks to cool.
Make a simple glaze by mixing the icing sugar with a few teaspoons of water (add a very little at a time!) and a drop or two of pink food colouring. Drizzle a teaspoon of glaze over each heart and spread out with the back of a spoon.
Store in an airtight container.
Courtesy of http://www.activityvillage.co.uk
