Teen Community Service Fair at the Chestnut Hill Mall Sun., Feb. 13

bsp received this press release about teen volunteering opportunities. The Community Service Fair is coming this weekend, Sunday, Feb. 13th, at the  Chestnut Hill Farm. 

baystateparent

TeenLife Media to Host Fourth Annual Community Service Fair for Teens

February 13^th Event Will Feature More than 40 Boston Area Non-Profits Willing to Engage Teen Volunteers

Cambridge, Mass. – January 10, 2011 – From increased self-esteem to acquiring valuable job skills, teens today are experiencing the benefits of volunteerism.  Many middle and high school students in Greater Boston are required or strongly encouraged to spend a certain number of hours outside of school volunteering for non-profits. However, many students do not know where or how to find meaningful opportunities that match with their needs and interests, and most parents and educators do not have the time or the resources to keep up with all of the interesting options.

On February 13, 2011, TeenLife Media will bring together more than 40 local non-profit organizations willing to engage teen volunteers for the 4^th Annual TeenLife Community Service Fair.

The annual event will take place at the Mall at Chestnut Hill from 12 noon to 4 pm.  This free event will bring together more than 1000 students, parents and teachers from more than 150 public and private schools across Greater Boston with non-profit organizations, sponsors and supporting exhibitors.

“By engaging in volunteer work, teens have an opportunity to learn experientially.  They discover where their passions lie while undertaking meaningful work,” said Marie Schwartz, president and founder of TeenLife.  “This allows them to make more informed choices about college courses and career options as they continue on in life.” 

TeenLife is a unique resource that helps families and schools to connect students to all sorts of meaningful educational and experiential learning opportunities. The first TeenLife Community Service Fair, modeled after similar events held by colleges for incoming students, was held in the winter of 2008 to help families and educators find volunteer opportunities for teens. It has quickly established itself as a “go-to” event in the area, attracting hundreds of students, parents, and educators annually from a wide variety of private, public, and parochial middle and high schools.

Exhibiting non-profits at the 2011 fair will include The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, Boston Cares, Challenge Unlimited, Combined Jewish Philanthropies,           Cradles to Crayons, DoSomething.org, The Food Project, Hale Reservation, Horizons for Homeless Children, New England Aquarium, People Making a Difference,                       Roots & Shoots, Tenacity, United Way, and many others.

“In the past two years, our presence at the TeenLife Community Service Fair has resulted in numerous school group visits, new staff and volunteers for our summer programs and a host of inquiries from individuals who want to know how they can help,” said Jay Walsh, environmental resource manager at Hale Reservation.  “We are looking forward to being part of this year’s event and continuing the groundswell of results.”

As part of the event, Bristol Recording & Voice Studios will host a high school a cappella Sing Off at the Fair. Pitch Slapped, a coed a cappella group representing the Berklee College of Music on NBC's hit show The Sing Off, will also make a special guest appearance. Participating high schools include: Wayland High School, Milton Academy, Nobles and Greenough, Brookline High School, and Winchester High School.

Sponsors of the 2011 Community Service Fair include American Camp Association, Bristol Recording & Voice Studios, Internship Connection, Maine Arts Camp, Middlebury Monterey Language Academy, Princeton Review, REI, United Planet, Veritas Tutors, and Visions Service Adventures.  High School Quiz Show on WGBH-TV and WickedLocal.com are the media sponsors and the Mall at Chestnut Hill is the venue sponsor.

“We look forward to hosting the fourth annual Community Service Fair again this year at the Mall at Chestnut Hill,” said Laurel Sibert, regional vice president of marketing, Simon Malls in New England. “The event provides a wonderful forum for young teens to engage with non-profit organizations, and we are thrilled to be able to provide a venue to support this volunteerism,” she added.

The 2011 TeenLife Guide to Community Service, generously sponsored by global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, will be distributed for free to all attendees at the Community Service Fair as well as to middle and high school students attending public and private schools in the Greater Boston area. This year’s guide, published in conjunction with the non-profit People Making a Difference, showcases more than 200 non-profit organizations that are willing to engage teens in a variety of volunteer activities.  To request copies, contact info@teenlife.com.

Parents, students, and educators are encouraged to pre-register for this free event in order to expedite check-in and receive important pre- and post-event information. To register for the fair, visit www.teenlife.com/CSFair2011.

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About TeenLife Media, LLC

TeenLife Media helps families and schools to connect middle and high school students with all sorts of meaningful opportunities, such as summer programs, community service, after school and weekend activities, and gap year programs. We also list extensive resources on how to find a job or internship and gain admission to college. Our goal is to become the "go to” online destination for students, parents and educators nationwide who are seeking programs, products and services geared to college-bound teens, aged 13-19. For more information on TeenLife Media, please email info@teenlife.com, call 617-868-5848, or visit www.teenlife.com.

Teen Community Service Fair

Boston Area Community Service Fair Offers

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens

What: More than 1000 people are expected to attend the Third Annual TeenLife Boston Community Service Fair, designed to connect teens in grades 7-12 with more than 40 non-profit organizations that actively engage teen volunteers.

When: Sunday, February 7, 2010 from 12 noon – 4 p.m.

Where: Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Why: Most Greater Boston middle and high school students are required or encouraged to spend time outside of school volunteering for non-profits. The benefits of volunteerism include increased self-esteem, a feeling of being valued, the opportunity to meet new people, the acquisition of valuable new skills, and a lifetime of wonderful memories and experiences.

Exhibitors:

More than 40 non-profits organizations and 35 sponsors and supporting exhibitors that make the event possible. Exhibiting non-profits include The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, ArtsBoston, Big Brother Big Sister Foundation, Boston Cares, City Year, Cradles to Crayons, DoSomething.org, The Food Project, Museum of Science, Roots & Shoots, Tenacity, and others.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon by area high school a cappella groups, including performers from Norwood High School, BC High School, Nobles and Greenough, Roxbury Latin School, Belmont Hill School, Boston Latin School, Wayland High School, Brookline High School

Registration:

Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, visit www.teenlife.com.

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STUDY: Positive Parenting Associated With Less Aggression in Early-Maturing Teen Girls

Adolescent girls who go through puberty early and have parents who do not nurture them, communicate with them, or have knowledge of their activities appear more likely to display aggressive behavior, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Early puberty in girls is related to conduct problems, delinquency and substance use, according to background information in the article. Many of these problems persist through adolescence and into early adulthood.
“As adults, early-maturing girls demonstrate lower academic and occupational achievement and report lower relationship quality and life satisfaction,” the authors write. “It is thus important to identify protective factors that may mitigate negative effects of early maturation on girls’ adjustment.”
Sylvie Mrug, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues interviewed 330 fifth-grade girls (average age 11) and their parents from three metropolitan areas.
The girls reported how often they engaged in aggressive behavior, such as hitting, teasing and spreading rumors to hurt others; whether they displayed delinquency (fighting at school, getting injured in a fight or inflicting injuries); how often their mother was affectionate and how often they did things together; whether their parents had talked to them about violence, tobacco and sex; and whether and when they had started their periods. Parents responded to seven items measuring the extent to which they knew their child’s friends and how he or she spent her free time.
One-fourth of the girls had matured early, defined as beginning their period one year before the average age for females of their racial and ethnic group. Those who did were more likely to be delinquent, but not aggressive. However, those who matured early and also had low levels of parental nurturance, communication and knowledge were more likely to be aggressive. “Also, early maturation only predicted physical aggression when combined with low maternal nurturance,” the authors write.
Early-maturing girls may be at higher risk of aggression or delinquency because they are more likely to be accepted by and form relationships with older boys, who are more likely than younger children to engage in undesirable behaviors, the authors note.
“Parental nurturance may decrease girls’ susceptibility to negative peer influence,” they write. “Also, parental nurturance may help girls cope with challenges associated with early puberty. By listening to their daughters’ difficulties and providing support and encouragement, nurturing parents can help them develop better coping skills and diffuse negative emotions that might otherwise manifest as aggression.”
Parental communication and knowledge may also protect girls from aggressive behavior, they continue. “By discussing difficult peer situations (e.g., provocation, peer pressure) and ways of dealing with them, parents may help their daughters develop a repertoire of adaptive responses that will minimize the need for inappropriate (i.e., aggressive) behavior,” they write. “In addition, knowing how their daughters spend free time may help parents identify and prevent negative peer and other influences.”
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STUDY: Less Time Spent in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Associated With Being Overweight Among Children & Teens

Children and teens who get less sleep, especially those who spend less time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, may be more likely to be overweight, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
The obesity rate has more than tripled among children aged 6 to 11 years in the past 30 years, and approximately 17 percent of U.S. adolescents are now overweight or obese, according to background information in the article. Obesity results from an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure from physical activity, but little is known about other factors that can alter this balance. A number of studies have documented an association between fewer hours of sleep and higher body mass index (BMI) in both adults and children.
Xianchen Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, and colleagues studied 335 children and adolescents age 7 to 17 years (average age 10.8). For three consecutive nights, participants’ sleep was monitored through polysomnography, which assesses total sleep time, time spent in REM, the time it takes to fall asleep and other variables. Weight and height were measured to calculate BMI.
A total of 49 participants (14.6 percent) were at risk for becoming overweight and 45 (13.4 percent) were overweight. Compared with children at a normal weight, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night and had lower sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed that an individual is asleep), shorter REM sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep and a longer wait before the first REM period.
After adjusting for other related factors, one hour less of total sleep was associated with two-fold increased odds of being overweight and one hour less of REM sleep was associated with three-fold increased odds.
“Although the precise mechanisms are currently under investigation, the association between short sleep duration and overweight may be attributed to the interaction of behavioral and biological changes as a result of sleep deprivation,” the authors write. Sleep loss causes changes in hormone levels that may affect hunger, and also provides an individual with more waking hours in which to eat. In addition, sleep loss contributes to fatigue the following day, which may decrease physical activity and calorie expenditure.
“Given the fact that the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents continues to increase and chronic sleep insufficiency becomes more prevalent in modern society, family- and school-based sleep interventions that aim to enhance sleep hygiene and increase sleep duration may have important public health implications for the prevention and intervention of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children,” the authors conclude. “
Furthermore, our results demonstrate an important relationship between REM sleep and high BMI and obesity, suggesting that the short sleep–obesity association may be attributed to reduced REM sleep time and decreased activity during REM sleep.”

North Shore Music Theatre Holding Auditions for Teen and Other Performers

Award-winning North Shore Music Theatre is holding auditions for its production of 42nd STREET which will be presented at the theater October 28 through November 23, 2008. All auditions will be held in the Theatre Arts & Education Building behind the theatre at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly. For specific directions, please visit our website at http://www.nsmt.org/.
Adult Auditions at North Shore Music Theatre - Friday, August 1: Male and female adults 19 and older can audition for ensemble and principal parts of 42nd STREET by appointment only. AEA and non-AEA auditions will be held starting at 11:30 am on Friday, August 1. Principal and ensemble actors should bring appropriate dancewear and tap shoes, and should be prepared to sing 16 bars of an up tempo song. Actors will need to bring their own sheet music marked with the starting point and stopping point; an accompanist will be provided. Adult auditioners should email Assistant to the Producers Mark Jacobsen at mjacobsen@nsmt.org to schedule an audition appointment.
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Teen Auditions at North Shore Music Theatre - Friday, August 1: Male and female teens between the ages of 12 and 18 who are excellent tap dancers are encouraged to attend an open chorus call for the opening number of 42nd STREET on Friday, August 1 at 2 pm. Auditioners should bring appropriate dancewear and tap shoes (singing is not required).
Rehearsals for the teen ensemble are October 9 – 27, and will not conflict with regular school hours. The exact day and time commitment is to be announced, but participants must be available for the entire rehearsal process, no exceptions. Performances of 42nd STREET are October 28 through November 23, 2008.
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Auditions for 42nd STREET will be run by North Shore Music Theatre Artistic Director and Executive Producer Barry Ivan and Choreographer Michael Lichtefeld.
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Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 350,000 patrons annually. NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. NSMT has received numerous industry awards. With its celebrated Theatre for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region’s leading providers of theater arts and education.

40 Massachusetts Teen Volunters Recognized by Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarshp Program

This month, Kohl’s Department Stores honored nearly 2,000 kids nationwide (40 in Massachusetts) for the thousands of good deeds they performed in their communities through volunteerism.
Through the eighth annual Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program, 40 youth from Massachusetts will receive $50 gift cards and recognition certificates from Kohl’s. This month's winners could go on to receive a $1,000 regional scholarship that Kohl’s will award in July. “Young people are transforming our communities through volunteerism and service activities that benefit others,” said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Kohl’s. “Every year we are inspired by the good deeds these kids have accomplished and are proud to recognize them through the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program.”
Massachusetts winners are:
Joshua Andreasen, 17, North Billerica
Lily Baron, 17, North Easton
Alycia Beatrice, 18, Sutton
Brittany Bergquist, 17, Norwell
Jared Bishop, 17, Needham
Nicholas Bozovic, 11, Medford
Katie Bragdon, 11, Brewster
Matthew Cappucci, 10 , Plymouth
David Carvalho, 17, Fall River
Monica Chickering, 17, Franklin
Brian Conneely, 10, Tewksbury
Haley Diamond, 18, Becket
Bethany Durden, 17, Winchester
Kaitlyn Flenke, 17, East Longmeadow
Sarah Foss, 17, Marblehead
Zoe Gates, 11, Andover
Kiana Hawley, 7 , Marblehead
Julia Hostage, 6, Sturbridge
Noah Kelly, 8, Boston
Shawniece Higginbottom, 17, West Roxbury
Katie Kroll, 11, Mansfield
Sarah Lafontaine, 10, Ashland
Louisa Mardirossian, 18, Belmont
Colton McGrath, 11, Abington
Stacey Melone, 16, Green Harbor
Dawn-Marie Nee, 17, Plymouth
Brian Nickley, 12, Abington
Erin O'Neill, 13, Abington
Christopher Powers, 17, Haverhill
Laurinda Ralph, 12, Webster
Rebecca Reese, 12, North Chelmsford
Alex Rosenberg, 17, Newton
Anthony Serrano, 18, North Andover
Dominique Seward, 11, Springfield
Audrey Sorensen, 17, Scituate
Kassidy Sullivan, 11, Saugus
Sarah Sykes, 10, Holliston
Tonya Taylor, 17, East Taunton
Molly Trowbridge, 11, Mansfield
Lise Wagnac, 16, Lynn


The Kids Who Care Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares for Kids, a program focused on improving the lives of children. Kohl’s Cares for Kids benefits children’s health and education opportunities nationwide through its merchandise program, fundraising gift cards and A-Team associate volunteer program. For more information or a list of past Kids Who Care winners, visit http://www.kohlskidswhocare.com/.

Kohl’s Department Stores Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s operates 957 stores in 47 states and has raised more than $102 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids® philanthropic program. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

CONTEST: Win the Soundtrack to Disney Channel's New Movie Camp Rock

Parents, brace yourselves.... if you have tween and teen girls in the house, you may lose the television this weekend to them. The DisneyChannel, you know the people who created the High School Musical phenomenon, is back this weekend with its newest creation -- CAMP ROCK, starring the latest tween and teen sensation the JONAS Brothers.
Camp Rock, which premiere's tonight on the Disney Channel, will premiere on network TV Saturday night on ABC, and have an encore presentation again on Sunday night on cable.
Just like the High School Musical franchise uses songs to tell much of its story, so does Camp Rock, with themes of believe in yourself, express yourself, and be proud of who you are.
Starring platinum-certified Hollywood Records' recording artists the Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, & Nick), and singer-songwriter-actress Demi Lobato, Camp Rock is the story of a talented yet unsure teen who yearns to share her songs with the world and of a tempestuous young superstar who's lost his passion for music and is sent packing by his band mates. Together, at a camp for aspiring young music artists, they learn to believe in themselves and to value the freedom to be who they really want to be.
The movie's soundtrack was released Tuesday on Buena Vista Records.

CONTEST DETAILS: Bay State Parent magazine is giving away 1 copy of the CD to one of its readers (Girls, that means your parents! I'm sure if you keep your room clean, they will give it to you, if they win)
To enter, fill out the magazine survey form at: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
Please, select OTHER in the pull down bar and in "Additional Comments" Write CAMP ROCK
The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
One winner will receive a copy of the CD (which was given to Bay State Parent magazine for review purposes.)
The CD will be mailed to the winner. The winner's name and hometown will be posted here.
Contest is open to residents of Massachusetts ONLY.
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Parents, feel free to post reviews of the Camp Rock movie here under comments:

Invest in Your Child's Future With the Student Leadership Training Program

The Student Leadership Training Program is an interactive leadership opportunity for students entering grades 8-12.
The program's purpose is to teach students about leadership, making a difference, and the crucial life skills that are not part of a formal education: goal setting, proactive problem solving, time management, communication, listening, and respect. Each year, the program is home to a variety of secondary school students with a wide range of interests and activities. Students connect with peers from around New England and other states, and have a lot of fun while they are at it! The students routinely praise the program as one of the best experiences they've had, and often keep in touch with friends they make through the program years later.
the program retains a 3:1 student to staff ratio, with a staff composed of highly trained student and adult volunteers.
Established in 1990, the Program has over 6,000 alumni. The program is recognized by colleges and universities throughout the US, and its alumni have gone on to make positive significant differences at several of the country's top institutions.
The Program is operating four sessions of its Leadership Training Conferences this summer:
Session 1: July 8-12
Session 2: July 15-19
Session 3: July 22-26
Session 4: July 29-Aug 2.
Tuition to each is $370, and includes overnight housing, all meals, and all materials costs. The camp is held on the campus of Nichols College in Dudley (just south of Worcester).
The Program is able to maintain its relatively low price because the program is operated entirely by volunteers: all tuition money is used directly and solely to support the program.
Weeks tend to fill up and the program is in demand, so if you are planning on registering, consider doing so quickly to ensure you get the week you want.
For more information, visit http://www.sltp.info/ or call 1-800-600-PACE or e-mail info@sltp.info
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STUDY: Disinfecting School Classrooms Keep Kids in School

As schools are closing up for the summer, here is an interesting, although obvious study to most moms, reported in the June issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics ...


"Regular disinfection of elementary school classrooms can reduce the number of kids who stay home sick, according to the study, “Reducing Absenteeism From Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Illness in Elementary School Students: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Infection-Control Intervention.”
Researchers equipped elementary school teachers in Ohio with disinfecting wipes to clean the students’ desks every day after lunch, and students were instructed to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times a day.
In these classrooms, 16 percent of students stayed home with a gastrointestinal illness during the study period, compared to 24 percent of students in classrooms who did not receive the extra sanitation. There was no difference between the two groups in absenteeism due to respiratory illness.
Researchers also detected less norovirus on computer mice, desks and drinking fountains in the intervention classrooms compared to the control group."
Source: Pediatrics
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Thus another reason to pack anti-bacterial spray in your child's backpack Or suggest your tween or teen to keep one in their lockers during the school year...

STUDY: St. John's Wort Does Not Appear To Have an Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD in Children or Teens

From the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institutes of Health comes a study on St John's wort and the treatment of children with ADHD...

"According to the National Institute of Mental Health at NIH, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States and it is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. NIMH states that children with ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings, including home, school, and in relationships with peers. Children with chronic conditions like ADHD are reported to have higher rates of complementary and alternative medicine use and may turn to dietary and herbal supplements such as St. John's wort. However, according to authors of a new NCCAM-funded study, St. John's wort does not appear to have an impact on the symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents.
Researchers at Bastyr University conducted an 8-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of St. John's wort among a volunteer sample of 54 children aged 6 to17 years with ADHD. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin—an active ingredient in St. John's wort—or placebo 3 times daily for 8 weeks. The participants were evaluated for changes in inattentiveness and hyperactivity from baseline at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8.
While symptom improvement was noted in both the treatment and the placebo groups, the data suggest that St. John's wort had no additional benefit beyond that of placebo for treating symptoms of ADHD.
This study used a preparation of St. John's wort with a standardized hypericin content. However the researchers note that studies involving St. John's wort also standardized to hyperforin—another active ingredient in St. John's wort—could be beneficial. Hyperforin is believed to inhibit reuptake of key brain chemicals—serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. The authors note that hyperforin is highly unstable and can become inactive quickly. The researchers believe that if a St. John's wort product with a higher and more stable hyperforin content became available, it would be worthy of further investigation in ADHD.
References: Weber W, Vander Stoep A, McCarty RL, et al. Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents. JAMA. 2008;299(22):2633–2641.

Pediatrics: Children Consume Too Many Calories From Sugar-Sweetened Drinks and Fruit Juices

From the June issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics ... comes a warning about the number of calories children take in from sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit juices.


"As of 2004, children ages 2 to 19 were consuming 10 percent to 15 percent of their total calories from sugar-sweetened beverages and 100 percent fruit juices.
The study “Increasing Caloric Contribution From Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and 100% Fruit Juices Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 1988-2004,” compared data from two time periods: 1988 to 1994, and 1999 to 2004.
In the more recent time period, children ages 6 to 11 consumed approximately 20 percent more calories from these beverages than in the earlier years. From 1999 to 2004, 3 percent fewer children age 2-5 drank milk on a given day, and children in this age group consumed 30 calories more on a daily basis from sweetened beverages and juice.
Most consumption of these beverages across all ages occurred at home, with 7 percent to 15 percent of consumption occurring in schools.
Experts recommend no more than 8 to 12 ounces of these beverages per day for children ages 7 to 18, and only 4 to 6 ounces for younger children. During the time period from 1999 to 2004, children’s average consumption was 25 ounces per day. Mounting evidence supports limiting intake of calories from these beverages to promote optimal energy balance. "
Source: Pediatrics.
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How much sweetened drinks and juice does you child consume?
Post and let us know.
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Study: Do Parents Help or Hurt Their Overweight Children?

From the June issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics ... comes a study about the effect of parents on their overweight children.

Read the study summary below and post what you think!
"Obesity among children is a growing public health concern, given the physical and psychological consequences associated with excess body weight. The study, “Accurate Parental Classification of Overweight Adolescents’ Weight Status: Does It Matter?” determined that parents need to talk less and do more when it comes to weight-related matters.

Parents who recognized that their teenage children were overweight did not do “healthy things” at home to help their children with healthy weight management such as having more fruits and vegetables available. Rather, the only behavior that they did more frequently was to encourage their children to diet, which was not helpful to weight management over a five-year period, in fact it predicted poorer weight outcomes (i.e., increased weight gain), particularly in girls.
The study authors suggest placing less emphasis on getting parents of overweight children to correctly classify their children as overweight and more emphasis on helping all parents provide a healthy home environment, which is supportive of healthy eating and physical activity, for their children."
Source: Pediatrics.
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American Academy of Pediatrics: Bunk Bed Injuries Send Thousands to Emergency Rooms

From the June issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics ... comes a warning about bunk beds and injuries.

"Every year, an average of 35,790 children suffer non-fatal injuries related to bunk beds, according to an examination of 16 years of injury surveillance data. The study, “Bunk Bed-Related Injuries Among Children and Adolescents Treated in Emergency Departments in the United States, 1990-2005,” found a total of 572,580 children and adolescents 21 years and younger were treated in emergency rooms for bunk bed-related injuries.
Children younger than 6 suffered the majority of injuries, with significant injury rates also seen among college-aged students. Roughly 60 percent of the injuries occurred in males.
Lacerations were the most common type of injury (29.6 percent) followed by contusions and abrasions (24 percent) and fractures (19.9 percent).
Roughly 72 percent of the injuries were caused by falls.
Over a quarter of the injuries were to the head and neck.
In an estimated 2.9 percent of cases, the patient was hospitalized, transferred to another hospital or held for additional observation.
The authors suggest increased efforts are needed to prevent bunk-bed injuries among children, adolescents and young adults."
Source: Pediatrics
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From Real to Reel: Young Filmmakers Screen Their Work at Peabody Essex Museum Saturday, June 14

Young filmmakers from the award-winning Real to Reel Digital Film School at RAW Art Works in Lynn, have an opportunity to showcase their latest work at Peabody Essex Museum. Audiences will view documentaries and fanciful shorts that evoke emotion while revealing the future through the eyes of the youth. Students in the Real to Reel program use film as an outlet to expose their identities, challenge stereotypes and showcase their vision and talent. The program also teaches students how to creatively approach the art of visual storytelling. The students take full responsibility for preparing, shooting and finishing a film, a process that gives the youth a fuller understanding of the role media plays in their lives.
Founded in 1988, RAW is a nonprofit youth arts organization that provides modern ways for kids to engage in art and allow it to transform their lives. Through modern methods, RAW gives children and teens tools for success in art and beyond.

Saturday, June 14, Film Screening of RAW Art Works Real 2 Reel Film School at 7 p.m. in the Morse Auditorium followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.

NOTE: Some films may not be suitable for young children.
This special event is free with museum admission.
The deadline for reservations is June 12.
Reservations can be made by calling 978-745-9500, ext. 3011.

The RAW Art Works Real 2 Reel program is made possible by New Trade Winds/ECHO.

About the Museum: Peabody Essex Museum presents outstanding works of artistic and cultural creativity from New England and around the world. The museum's collections are among the finest of their kind, showcasing an unrivaled spectrum of American art and architecture (including four National Historic Landmark buildings), American decorative art, Maritime art and culture, and Native American art, as well as Asian, Asian Export, African, Oceanic, photography and contemporary art collections. In addition to its vast collections, the museum develops a vibrant schedule of special exhibitions, and partners with the world's finest museums to bring traveling exhibitions to audiences in the Greater Boston Area and beyond. The museum campus features numerous parks and gardens, and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture outside of China. The Peabody Essex Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. General museum admission: Adults $15; seniors $13; students $11. Additional admission to Yin Yu Tang: $4. Members, youth 16 and under, and residents of Salem enjoy free general admission.

North Shore Music Theatre Announces 3rd Annual SpotLight Award Winners

The best and brightest stars of high school musicals were announced last night at the star-studded 3rd annual North Shore Music Theatre Spotlight Awards. Hosted by David Nathan Perlow and Addi McDaniel, best known to NSMT audiences as ‘Troy’ and ‘Gabriella’ from the 2007 production of Disney’s High School Musical, 24 high schools and over 1,000 students vied for top honors at the Tony® Award style program which is designed to honor the accomplishments of high school students and teachers as well as encourage them to achieve the highest levels of excellence in musical theater.
Optical crystal star trophies were presented in 15 categories, including the coveted “Best Overall Musical.” And the winners are …

Best Leading Actress - Ariana Conte, Marblehead High, for her role of ‘Sally Bowles’ in Cabaret

Best Leading Actor - Owen Grover, Salem High, for his role of ‘Bobby Childs’ in Crazy for You

Best Supporting Actress - Yanna Lantz, Tyngsborough High, for her role of ‘Annas’ in Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Supporting Actor - Kevin Dubuc, Dracut High, for his role of ‘Thernadier’ in Les Miserables School Edition

Best Featured Performer - Christian Bowers, Tyngsborough High, for his role of ‘Caiaphas’ in Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Costume Design - Karen Clougher, Tyngsborough High - Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Choreography - Lara Finn, Salem High - Crazy for You

Best Music Direction - Michelle Ladew, Tyngsborough High - Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Direction - Donna Wresinski, Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Ensemble/Chorus - Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Orchestra - Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Technical Crew/Execution - Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Lighting Designer - Jared Sell & Sean O’Leary, Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Scenic Design - Steve McGonagle, Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Overall Musical - Framingham High School - Once on this Island

Also, in a surprise announcement, winners of auditions held earlier in the day for two parts in NSMT’s upcoming regional premier of Disney High School Musical 2, December 18 through January 11, 2009, were announced. The winners are Lana Herzig and Kerri Rachal both from Dracut High .

“Spotlight Awards have become a wonderful and exciting tradition at NSMT and a perfect way to celebrate and showcase the immense talent and commitment of all the students, teachers and parents,” said Barry Ivan, NSMT’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer. “These students are our future and as theater educators and enthusiasts, it is our privilege to honor them and encourage their growth.”

Adding to the excitement of the evening, Mitchel Musso, co-star of the popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, presented the award to the Best Leading Actor and Actress.

Winners in this category, as well as Best Supporting Actor and Actress and Best Technical Crew, received $1,000 awards to support their future education in the performing arts.

Other honored presenters included NSMT’s Artistic Director Emeritus Jon Kimbell, State Representative Mary Grant, Beverly Mayor William Scanlon, Arts and Entertainment Reporter Joyce Kulhawik, Boston Globe theater critic Terry Byrne, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Anita Walker, Massachusetts Film Office Executive Director Nick Paleologos, cast members from NSMT’s production of Contact, and others.
In addition to the presentation of 15 awards, the ceremony included a grand opening number featuring two students from each of the participating schools directed by NSMT Academy of Music Theater’s Director of Dance Myvonwynn Hopton.

Additionally, musical numbers from each of the 10 productions nominated for Best Musical were performed throughout the ceremony.

Comcast, in addition to providing technical support for the event, donated 10 show tickets to each of the 10 schools nominated for Best Musical.

Other sponsors of the 3rd Annual Spotlight Awards are Target and Boston Acoustics.

PHOTO: Owen Grover receives the award for Best Leading Actor for his role of Bobby Child in Salem High School’s production of CRAZY FOR YOU, presented by Mitchel Musso (Center) who stars as Oliver in ‘Hannah Montana.’ Photo by Paul Lyden.

North Shore Music Theatre’s award-winning theatre arts and education programs and youth performances annually reach over 100,000 students. The Theatre’s Youth Performance Academy attracts thousands of students from 4 – 18 years old who are interested in exploring the world of music, theatre and dance and honing their craft. In 2005, NSMT’s Youth Performance Academy received the Junior Theater Festival’s Outstanding Achievement in Musical Performance Award and the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Award for its performance of Disney’s Cinderella Kids. With partnerships with Music Theatre International (MTI) and Disney Theatricals, NSMT has become the model for schools and organizations around the country and is one of the region’s leading providers of theatre arts and education programs.

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STUDY: Parental Involvement Strongly Impacts Student Achievement

New research from the University of New Hampshire shows that students do much better in school when their parents are actively involved in their education.
Researchers Karen Smith Conway, professor of economics at the University of New Hampshire, and her colleague Andrew Houtenville, senior research associate at New Editions Consulting, found that parental involvement has a strong, positive effect on student achievement.
The research is reported in "Parental Effort, School Resources, and Student Achievement," which appears in the spring 2008 issue of the Journal of Human Resources.
"Parental effort is consistently associated with higher levels of achievement, and the magnitude of the effect of parental effort is substantial. We found that schools would need to increase per-pupil spending by more than $1,000 in order to achieve the same results that are gained with parental involvement," Conway said.
Parents seemed particularly interested in the academic achievements of their daughters. The researchers found parents spent more time talking to their daughters about their school work during dinnertime discussions.
"There are a number of theories about why girls seem to garner more attention from their parents than boys. One possibility is that girls are more communicative with their parents so these conversations about academics are easier for parents to have with their daughters," Conway said.
The researchers also found that parents may reduce their efforts when school resources increase, thus diminishing the effects of improved school resources.
"As an economist, I look for reactions to a specific action so it is not surprising to me that parents may scale back their involvement with their child's education when a school adds resources. As a result, increasing school resources may not be as effective as we expect since they may diminish parental involvement," Conway said.
The researchers used national data from more than 10,000 eighth-grade students in public and private schools, their parents, teachers, and school administrators. The researchers were particularly interested in how frequently parents discussed activities or events of particular interest to the child, discussed things the child studied in class, discussed selecting courses or programs at school, attended a school meeting, and volunteered at the child's school.
To evaluate school resources, the researchers looked at per-pupil expenditures on instructional salaries and a set of five school characteristics: student-teacher ratio, lowest salary received by a teacher, percentage of teachers with a master's or a doctoral degree, percentage of the student body not in the school's subsidized lunch program,and percentage of nonminority students in the student body.
The full study is available at http://www.unh.edu/news/docs/Conway_May08.pdf.
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May 30th is Deadline to Apply to Governor's Youth Council

The deadline for young people to apply to join the Statewide Youth Council is Friday, May 30. Governor Deval Patrick established the council last month as part of his administration’s effort to engage and involve citizens of all ages and create opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth.
The goal of the Council is to encourage the Commonwealth’s young people to become involved in their communities and to participate in planning and problem solving by taking on leadership roles.
The Youth Council will focus on issues important to youth as well as the Governor’s priorities of education, economic development, and civic engagement. The Youth Council will act as an advisory body to the Governor and his Administration.
The Statewide Youth Council will be comprised of 28 young people ages 14 to 20 representing the 14 counties in the Commonwealth, with two representatives per county. Participants will come from various walks of life and will represent the diversity of the Commonwealth.
Each youth member, together with his or her adult sponsor, will also be responsible for organizing meetings in their local communities to assess which issues should be brought to the statewide council.
These “local councils” will provide more access opportunities for youth to become involved beyond the 28 official representatives, and in this manner will better serve all of the youth of Massachusetts.
Selection of the council will be by application, which is available at www.mass.gov/governor/youthcouncil. Applications are due by May 30.
A selection committee will review the applications and select the 28 members, who will then be notified via mail.
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Worcester Teen Crowned Miss Massachusetts Junior Teen

Jazmin Hampton of Worcester, has been crowned Miss Massachusetts Junior Teen United States and will go onto compete in the Miss Junior Teen United States 2008 Pageant in July. The pageant will be held in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel where state delegates from around the country will come to compete for the coveted title and prize package.

The Delegates will compete in three segments: interview, swimsuit and evening gown and the over-all winner will be crowned Miss Junior Teen United States 2008.

As a Titleholder, Miss Hampton must also embrace a personal charity of her choice, as well as The American Heart Association ‘s Go Red for Women Campaign, the Pageant’s official charity platform. She will also be competing for the Supermodel Award which is separate from the pageant. The winner will be featured in the nationally renowned Supermodel magazine.

In addition to excelling in school and keeping active in the community, Jazmin is a student at Abby Kelley Foster School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the cheerleading squad. She is an accomplished singer and pianist.

As Miss Massachusetts Junior Teen, Jazmin is committed to being an excellent role model and spokesperson for all young girls everywhere.

The Miss Junior Teen United States Pageant is the sister pageant to Mrs. United States Pageant. Jazmin was sponsored by Chickee’s Dance World and friends.

The Truth About Violent Video Games & Children

Massachusetts General Hospital researchers dispel myth about why children play violent video games, which children are at risk, and offer practical advice for parents
BOSTON – With last night's release of Grand Theft Auto IV, millions of parents are deciding whether to give in to children’s pleas to buy the game, and are worried about how to set limits.
A new book by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do (Simon & Schuster), may be just what parents are looking for.
The book’s common-sense advice is based on a two-year, $1.5 million research program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as a review of relevant studies from around the world. Authors Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D. and Cheryl K. Olson, Sc.D., are a husband-and-wife research team at MGH’s Center for Mental Health and Media, which is part of the psychiatry department. They are also the parents of a teenage boy who plays video games.
Using extensive surveys and focus groups with 7th and 8th grade children and their parents, Olson and Kutner studied how and why children play video games, and looked for patterns of play linked to greater risk of school or behavior problems. A survey of over 1,200 children showed that - although most of children’s top 10 games were rated Teen (for ages 13+) or below - Grand Theft Auto was by far the most popular game series among boys.
In fact, 44% of them reported playing at least one game in the series “a lot in the past six months.” (Similarly, a 2005 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that over 3/4 of boys in grades 7 to 12 had ever played a GTA game.) Surprisingly, Grand Theft Auto was the second most popular series among girls, after The Sims.
“Parents told us they were concerned about violent games, but frustrated by their lack of knowledge and their limited control,” says Kutner.
As one parent lamented in a focus group, “I know that my son does not play Grand Theft Auto in my house. But he seems to know all the characters and what they say, so he must be playing it someplace.” Another noted, “He may bring a Mario game to his buddy’s house and bring back a Grand Theft Auto when I’m not aware of it.”
If you are the parent of a young teen, there’s a good chance that your child will play Grand Theft Auto IV - if not at home, then at a friend’s house. Here are some points to keep in mind, drawn from the book Grand Theft Childhood:
What attracts children to Grand Theft Auto games?
Grand Theft Auto IV is rated Mature (for ages 17 and older), with six content descriptors including “intense violence,” “blood,” and “strong language.”
“Boys’ comments suggest that the open environment, rather than the violence, may be the key to the series’ appeal,” says Olson. “Boys told us they liked the freedom either to carry out missions and win the game, or to explore the wide variety of places, vehicles, weapons and characters.”
One boy in their study explained, “If you happen to get a police car, or a tank, or a fire truck, or ambulance or whatever … you press a button, and all of a sudden, you’re working for them. You can catch criminals, or drive people places, or put out fires. It's more creative than just walking around, than shooting people, and doing a mission when you feel like it.” Another boy added, “And you can be a good guy and a bad guy at the same time!”
Parents may worry that if their child enjoys playing a thug in Grand Theft Auto IV, it might inspire similar behavior in the real world. “In focus groups, boys told us repeatedly that they liked the ‘unreality’ of games such as GTA,” says Kutner. “As one said, ‘You get to see something that, hopefully, will never happen to you. So you want to experience it a little bit without actually being there.’”


What can parents do to monitor game play and minimize problems?
* Get familiar with the content of the game. Parents can find plot details, screenshots, videos and reviews at WhatTheyPlay.com and CommonSenseMedia.org, or at web sites aimed at game players such as Gamespot.com.
* Talk with your child about aspects of the game you like (such as humor), and aspects that offend you or go against your values.
* Keep video game consoles in common areas, such as the living room. Game consoles in bedrooms are associated with more M-rated game play. This also allows parents to monitor game content over time; objectionable behavior or language may not appear until higher levels of the game.
* Ask older children and adult relatives to keep an eye on their games. M-rated game play is more common among children who often play with older siblings.
Because GTA games are so flexible, watching how children choose to play may give insights into their thoughts and feelings. “Our research found that many children play Grand Theft Auto to deal with stress or get out anger; others enjoy competing with friends,” says Olson. If your child seems more angry or stressed after playing a violent game, consider locking the game away until he or she is older.
For more information for parents, see <http://www.grandtheftchildhood.com/>.

About the Massachusetts General Hospital Founded in 1811, the MGH is the third oldest general hospital in the United States and the oldest and largest in New England. The 900-bed medical center offers sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. Each year the MGH admits more than 46,000 inpatients and handles nearly 1.5 million outpatient visits at its main campus and health centers. Its Emergency Department records nearly 80,000 visits annually. The surgical staff performs more than 35,000 operations and the MGH Vincent Obstetrics Service delivers more than 3,500 babies each year. The MGH conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the country, with an annual research budget of more than $500 million. It is the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, where nearly all MGH staff physicians serve on the faculty. The MGH is consistently ranked among the nation’s top hospitals by US News and World Report

Warm2Kids Program To Premiere in Worcester Tomorrow

Tomorrow, March 28 at 3:30 p.m. a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the Boroughs Family Branch of the YMCA, opening the second installation of a WARM2Kids Technology and Learning Center in the Metrowest area.
The new learning center is sponsored by human resources company, Workscape, Inc. of Marlborough and will be open to all YMCA members. “The Workscape, Inc. Learning Center” has been generously donated in honor of the “dedicated and talented employees” of the company. WARM2Kids Learning Centers, are a community reinvestment project spear-headed by WARM2Kids President and CEO, M.L. Carr. The organization, in conjunction with local sponsors, donates computers and technology centers to youth organizations nationwide. The new center will provide top of the line equipment, advanced technology, expert approved resources dealing with 300(+) issues facing teens and families, celebrity role model interviews and social/emotional development programs to YMCA members through the WARM2Kids Web site http://www.warm2kids.com/.


About YMCA of Central Massachusetts: http://www.ymcaofcm.org/
Founded in 1864, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts is a non-profit, community-based service organization committed to the healthy development of children, teens, adults, seniors and families. The purpose of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts is to develop the spirit, mind and body of all people, regardless of age, race and income, through programs and activities guided by and based upon Judeo-Christian principles. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts strengthens our community while serving, more than 27,000 men, women, boys and girls in 41 Central Massachusetts towns through three branches: the Central Community Branch in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, the Greendale Family Branch in north Worcester, and the Boroughs Family Branch in Westborough, and through many off-site camps and program centers.

About WARM2Kids: http://www.warm2kids.com/
We’re All Role Models 2 Kids (WARM2Kids) is an online information resource and role model community. The goal of the organization is to eliminate “silent suffering” by providing teens and young adults with safe, reliable information about the issues that concern them. The WARM2Kids Learning Center Program provides free computer access to teens and the community. The program connects socially responsible companies and individuals with community and youth organizations to impact the social and emotional development of today’s youth through the use of the WARM2Kids website.