E-Briefing July 28, 2000 The school bell will be ringing again in August, and parents are stocking up on back-to-school clothes and school supplies. This week's University of Cincinnati e-briefing explores educational issues and concerns that range from a child's very first day at school to the latest trends in school violence prevention. Table of contents 1. School safety A. School security or school prison? B. Earlier intervention C. Kids and confrontations D. Reaching out for peace E. What parents can do 2. The drug wars A. Warning signs and help for parents B. Age of temptation 3. The growing threat of obesity among kids A. A national epidemic B. Developing healthy habits C. Family fitness D. School health programs 4. Health check A. Back-to-school checklist B. Developing a routine C. Head lice: a common complaint D. Avoiding backpack trouble E. An ounce of prevention 5. Student success in the classroom A. The war on boys B. Backlash on girls? C. Moving beyond the classroom 6. The new child at school A. First day jitters (for mom and dad) B. Early preparation 7. School fashions from kindergarten to college A. What's "in" for fall B. What's "out" C. Advice for parents of younger children 1. SCHOOL SAFETY A. SCHOOL SECURITY OR SCHOOL PRISON? Metal detectors and other security measures may be reassuring to parents, but Bonnie Hedrick, director of the University of Cincinnati Ohio Prevention and Education Resource Center/Safe Schools Center, says findings from interviews with schoolchildren around the Buckeye state reflect research on the national level. "The more we tighten security measures, the more unsafe and insecure children feel. As the school begins to look more and more like a prison, children feel their safety is jeopardized and that interferes with their learning." The OPERC/Safe Schools Center provides training and technical assistance for schools across Ohio. Hedrick says the key to diminishing violence is to employ both good-sense security measures like lighted hallways and visitor procedures and good people-focused prevention programs that seek to connect students and their families with the school in positive ways. The center also helps schools develop crisis management plans and identify factors which might put the schools at higher risk of violence. contact: 513-556-3752 B. EARLIER INTERVENTION As efforts continue to prevent violence from erupting in our schools, Keith King, assistant professor of health promotion, says there's a new nationwide push to reach "at-risk" children at a much younger age. "When the field of prevention first began exploring how to modify negative health behaviors, it started out focusing on adults, then moved to college students, and now more recently, has shifted to adolescents. Nevertheless, we're finding even at that age, it's often too late. Their health attitudes are largely formed by the time they get to high school." Health professionals are focusing new research on children in middle and elementary schools. King is reporting very successful preliminary results from a study of 10-year-olds at a Cincinnati school, who were recruited into a mentoring program that he developed. The study found a sizeable percentage of children at the fourth grade level had already tried alcohol, tobacco and in some cases, inhalants. Others exhibited violent behavior. "Our post-test data indicates it was a little program that packed a big punch," said King. Preliminary results show significant gains in confidence and connectedness to the school, as well as a significant decrease in negative behaviors. King is adding a peer mentoring component to the program this fall as the children, now fifth graders, become mentors to a new group of fourth graders. Details can be found at: http://www.uc.edu/info-services/kingedu.htm contact: 513-556-3859 C. KIDS AND CONFRONTATIONS Fran Schmidt has a 30-year background in teaching and designing peace education/conflict resolution programs. She's the founder of Peace Education International, which markets curriculum guides to teach children how to become more caring and cooperative and how to constructively resolve conflict. More than 25,000 schools worldwide have used the books she has authored. "Conflict is natural. It's going to happen, but it can happen less, so I focus on prevention and understanding as well as conflict resolution." Schmidt has these suggestions for parents should their child encounter name-calling or insults from a classmate: "First, teach them a few ways to handle hurting comments, such as the 'I' statement. 'I don't like it when you call me a name.' If they call the child stupid, he or she can say, 'Yeah, we all do stupid things sometimes.' Another child told me he says 'Ouch!' because everyone knows the meaning of the word without an explanation. Another idea is to focus on the other person. When someone calls them a name, they could ask, 'Why are you so angry today?'" Schmidt's PeaceMaker Series for grades 1-7 puts students in the role of Peace Ranger, Peace Sleuth or Peace Reporter and takes a team approach to solving conflicts. The team-building enhances the student's connections with the school and with other classmates. "Kids join gangs because they want to belong, so why not give them an opportunity to join a peace team." contact: 888-667-3223 D. REACHING OUT FOR PEACE UC Educational Foundations Professor Marvin Berlowitz directs the College of Education's Urban Center for Peace Research, Implementation, Development and Education (UC PRIDE), where students can pursue courses of study and research leading to certificates in urban education and/or peace education. The work can also be incorporated into graduate degree programs. Berlowitz says the center will expand outreach efforts this fall and provide workshops for area schools and other community organizations. "Our courses on peacekeeping cover general mediation, peer mediation and other conflict resolution strategies and techniques. Our courses on peacemaking deal with cooperative discipline, bias awareness, multicultural education, structural violence and other topics which contribute to strategies to prevent conflicts from escalating. Our urban education courses assist teachers and other service providers in meeting the needs of urban underclass youth." Nontraditional students will also be able to take part through workshops and flexibly scheduled courses right in the workplace. contact: 502-732-0839 E. WHAT PARENTS CAN DO Billie Dziech, UC language arts professor and expert on gender studies and sexual harassment, says if we want to find answers to the problems affecting today s young people, adults must be willing to take a good, hard look at themselves. "We want solutions without taking responsibility for what kids are today. We want a simple answer for violence in the schools, so we say the violence is caused by guns, but that's not the only answer. Today s adolescents have been immersed in sex and violence on TV and film and in song. I have difficulty understanding why some parents haven't exercised more supervision over what their children see and hear. We don't want to accept responsibility as a generation to say, 'It's inappropriate for you to buy this record, or to go to this movie at a young age.' We are now reaping the whirlwind. We have contributed to it." contact: 513-556-1707 2. THE DRUG WARS A. WARNING SIGNS AND HELP FOR PARENTS Violence in schools has a direct link with substance abuse, according to Roland Heyne, adjunct professor of the UC College of Evening and Continuing Education's Addiction Studies program. In order to prevent children from being lured into alcohol, drugs and violence, Heyne says parents must make it their top priority to become role models for their children, not only by avoiding substance abuse themselves, but also by avoiding violent behaviors in words and actions. Studies show that even during their teen years, children are still strongly influenced by the behavior of their parents. Heyne recommends that parents give their children the facts about alcohol, drugs and tobacco in a clear, non-threatening way. Heyne said moodiness does not necessarily signal the start of a substance problem. Warning signs include plunging grades, switching friends to associate with other troubled teens, excessive outbursts and unexplained absences from the home. Physical signs include slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and alack of coordination. Heyne recommends that parents consult a professional if they suspect their child has a problem. Alcohol and tobacco remain the most popular choices for teen substance abusers, followed by marijuana, according to Heyne. contact: 513-662-1278 B. AGE OF TEMPTATION Donald Wagner, professor of health promotion, is executive director of UC's Ohio Prevention and Education Resource Center/Safe Schools Center, which provides training and program assistance for more than 700 safe and drug-free school programs across Ohio. Wagner says students making the transition from grade school to middle school are at a heightened risk of experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, sex and drug activity. Wagner says it's imperative for parents to have a heart-to-heart talk when kids reach this age. "Parents need to be very clear about their expectations concerning drugs, alcohol, tobacco and early sexual behavior. In an honest and respectful manner, they need to establish clear boundaries and expectations." Wagner says parental monitoring can mean checking children's drawers if they become suspicious. "They need to be conscious of any changes and intervene immediately, utilizing the resources of the school and the community." Wagner adds parents also need to be aware of the new friends their children are making at this age, checking for positive and healthy relationships. contact: 513-556-3857 3. THE GROWING THREAT OF OBESITY AMONG KIDS A. A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC Dr. Christine Williams, M.D., director of Columbia University Children's Cardiovascular Health Center and professor of clinical pediatrics, says today's schoolchildren are more likely to be overweight than those of 30 years ago. "We are in the middle of an epidemic of obesity with children and adults. Childhood obesity has doubled in the past 30 years. This points to powerful environmental influences, because genes don t change that fast. Right now, 5.3 million American children aged 6-17 are overweight. That's 12.5 percent." Excess weight has even more serious consequences for children, according to Dr. Williams, pointing to a 1996 study of 1,000 children aged up to 19 years old. That study found that in 1982, only four percent of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in this age group were Type II, or the "adult onset" type often associated with obesity. By 1994, that figure was up to 16 percent, a four-fold increase. The study also found that two-thirds of overweight children or teens with type II diabetes had an adult relative with Type II diabetes. Williams blames a "super-size" culture that has made extra large drinks, bagels, muffins, etc. appear to be normal-sized portions to many youngsters. contact: 212- 305-7815 or 914-997-4028 B. DEVELOPING HEALTHY HABITS A family gathering at the dinner table can be a rare event indeed in today's busy society, and school activities only add to frantic family schedules. In this age of convenience foods, keep in mind that healthy habits need to start early, and with the right approach, parents can encourage children to eat their vegetables. "In our studies, we've found that children will not like certain foods if they're pressured to eat them," says Grace Falciglia, director of the graduate nutrition program in UC's College of Allied Health Sciences. Part of the problem is that most children tend to eat the same kinds of foods, such as chips and fries, repeatedly. If a food doesn't look familiar, children will say they don't like it. Falciglia suggests offering healthy foods several times in a positive manner. The child should not feel forced to eat something he or she does not want. Parents can help their children get a variety of healthy foods simply by having a wider selection of these foods on hand. "We would like children to be more creative and include vegetables, grains and fruits in their diet. Bananas, plums and peaches are healthy, convenient foods, and carrots and celery make wonderful snacks," says Falciglia. "Vegetables, fruits and grains offer more nutrients and fewer calories. We need to work harder at making these foods a part of our everyday life." contact: 513-556-3845 C. FAMILY FITNESS Dr. Christine Williams M.D., director of Columbia University Children's Cardiovascular Health Center and professor of clinical pediatrics, says parents need to take the initiative in helping their children control their weight: "Parental obesity is a big indicator for childhood obesity. Parents need to be good role models. It's unfortunate if parents have the attitude toward a child on a medically supervised diet, 'This is your diet, not mine.' A good way to start your family off towards a healthier diet is to increase fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals, breads and crackers, and use low-fat or fat-free dairy products to reduce intake of saturated fat. Then, plan some physical activity you can do together as a family a few minutes a day, like a 30-minute walk after dinner. Walking or hiking together also gives you a chance to talk with your children. So, the bottom line is that parents need to make a real commitment to a healthy lifestyle for the whole family. It's a great investment and in the long run, it should pay off. Good health in childhood should last a lifetime." contact: 212-305-7815 or 914-997-4028 D. SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS Dr. Christine Williams, M.D., director of Columbia University Children's Cardiovascular Health Center and professor of clinical pediatrics, says many schools provide some health education, but efforts are inconsistent. "The dose makes the difference," she said. "Health education needs to be consistent throughout kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, junior high and high school. Six months of health education in the third grade won't make much difference by the sixth grade. The younger you start and continue, the greater the chance of benefit," added Dr. Williams, whose research focuses on weight-related health and education of children 2-5 years old who are enrolled in Head Start programs. Programs providing extensive nutrition alterations and education for children, parents and staff, resulted in lower saturated fat and lower "bad" cholesterol among the children. She also found that overweight preschool children had higher blood pressure and lower levels of "good" cholesterol, compared with normal-weight preschoolers. Details can be found at: http://www.healthy-start.com On a hopeful note, Williams said more schools are offering extra sports and physical activity programs before and after school as well as on weekends. She says this will help to offset the societal trends that are adding to America's weight problem. contact: 212-305-7815 or 914-997-4028 4. HEALTH CHECK A. BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKLIST Donald Wagner, UC professor of health promotion, has a checklist for parents as they gear up for the new school year. "Make sure immunization records are up-to-date and that physical examinations are complete, especially for children participating in sports activities." "If the child is taking medication and it needs to be distributed during the school day, parents need to have discussions with administrators on how they will be distributed, and they should provide the medications in original clearly marked containers." contact: 513-556-3857 B. DEVELOPING A ROUTINE Parents should keep in mind three key routines as they track their children s health over the school year, says Randall Cottrell, a UC professor of health promotion and education. In addition to physical activity, children need a good night's sleep and a proper breakfast before they head to school. Cottrell, who has evaluated school health programs for the Ohio Department of Health, says the school year can cause children to decrease their physical activity in order to increase their study time. "All children need to maintain some level of physical activity when they go back to school. The mind works best when it's physically stimulated." Cottrell says that activity could be as simple as playing an hour of hoops with the neighborhood kids after school, rather than an hour of Nintendo. When it gets too cold to play outdoors, recreational leagues can offer activities that range from basketball to swimming and wrestling. "When the snow falls, children can go sledding as they continue to stay physically active through the school year." A proper diet will lower the risk of childhood obesity and increase the likelihood of academic success. Cottrell says it all begins with a proper breakfast. Without it, the blood sugar level falls, making children fatigued and less able to concentrate. "All children should have breakfast. If they don't like cereal, they can have yogurt and toast, but they must have those calories. Studies have shown breakfast benefits learning." Cottrell also suggests sending children to school with healthy snacks, and if they pack a lunch, keep it healthy -- avoiding high fat, high salt foods. An earlier bedtime is often a source of conflict between kids and parents, but Cottrell says proper rest impacts learning. "Students should get a minimum of eight hours of sleep and it's better if they can get between nine and 10 hours," says Cottrell. Because their bodies are still growing, he says children need more rest than the average adult. That can be a challenge for teens who wish they could "sleep in." Studies have shown teenagers have a harder time waking up because of their changing biological clocks. contact: 513-556-3861 C. HEAD LICE: A COMMON COMPLAINT Dr. Jennifer Margolis, M.D., a pediatrician for UC Family Practice, reminds parents that head lice are not the result of a hygiene problem. Lice are commonly spread among young children and are often hard to prevent and treat. There are a number of products available over the counter, such as Nix and Rid, which are safe to use and are usually effective at killing the lice if used properly. "However, those products are less effective at killing the eggs, or nits, which usually have to be removed one by one, using a special fine-toothed comb. This can be a real challenge if the child has long, thick hair," says Dr. Margolis. "There are some products available to make nit removal easier by dissolving the adhesive that holds the nits onto the hair. I will sometimes recommend changing to a short hairstyle if it's hard to clear up the infestation." Home remedies are not the answer, such as "suffocating" the lice by covering the scalp with oil, Vaseline or mayonnaise. "These products do not kill the eggs and may be hard to wash out. The old remedy of kerosene may kill the lice, but obviously it's very flammable and should NEVER be used." Dr. Margolis recommends washing all hairbrushes and combs in hot, soapy water, regularly laundering bedding and bath linens and laundering any clothing which might have come into contact with infested hair. "If hats are not washable, they should be stored in an airtight bag for 7-10 days. Head lice cannot live long when they re not on the human head. They'll die if they do not have the chance to feed on a scalp for a few days." Children should not share hats, including baseball batting helmets (a common summer activity), or hair care items. Long hair should be tied in back or braided so it s less likely to come in contact with another child's hair. contact through UC Medical Center, 513-558-4561 D. AVOIDING BACKPACK TROUBLE Product designer Brad Hammond, UC associate professor of industrial design, explained that if he were to design a better backpack for students, it would be supported just above hip level on both sides of the body, with compartments on each side with room to carry two heavy textbooks. This would encourage the user to carry the weight evenly distributed on both sides of the body. "It's like carrying buckets of water. It may be perceived as being easier to carry two buckets, each with 20 pounds of water, than to carry one bucket of 20 pounds of water on one side. With two, you can be balanced." When using today's traditional backpack, Hammond recommends that students use both straps and wear the pack as high up on the back as possible. Or, use a military pack that has a lower support strut that distributes weight more evenly at the top of the hips. The hips, located near a human's center of gravity, are the best place to distribute weight. "When wearing backpacks on their back, they (students) may be forced to bend forward at the waist to compensate for a rearward shift in their center of gravity. That's not good, because the human body was not designed for that. Also, slinging a pack over one shoulder puts a person off their center of gravity, both laterally and front to back." He noted, however, that most students are only carrying five or six pounds in their bags, not enough weight to cause serious or permanent damage in most cases. contact: 513- 556-0250 E. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION Here's one thing parents would rather not have their children share with others: the germs that bring on colds, stomach viruses and other maladies that seem to spread quickly among children in the close quarters of school. Donald Wagner, UC professor of health promotion, says reminding children of their good habits is a good prevention strategy. "Hand washing is number one. Remind them to cover their faces with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and dispose of tissues properly...don't leave them lying on a counter. If the child is really ill, he or she should stay home and get some rest, instead of exposing other kids to the illness." contact: 513-556-3857 5. STUDENT SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM A. THE WAR ON BOYS "The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism is Harming Our Young Men," by social scientist Christina Hoff Sommers, suggests extreme sensitivity to the plight of girls in schools is resulting in a crisis for boys. "The book doesn't fit the politically correct model that girls are more endangered, but the truth is there are enormous problems confronting both male and female adolescents," says Billie Dziech, UC language arts professor and gender studies expert. "Boys are as severely endangered. I've written about it, and other people have written about it. They commit more crimes, have a higher suicide rate, are doing more poorly in school and are less likely to attend college." Dziech believes girls are more affected by pressures related to sex and drugs while boys can be overcome by demands to excel in everything they do. "Isn't it possible for rational, concerned adults to sit down and say maybe both genders are endangered, both groups have problems..." contact: 513-556-1707 B. BACKLASH ON GIRLS? Chris Bobel, director of UC Women's Center, is concerned that the trend to focus on boys will come at the expense of girls. "It suggests to me a sort of backlash. We can't fixate on female lives too long without people asking the question, 'What about men?'" "We know from the data that 90 percent of females will either be the victim of sexual assault, domestic violence or sexual harassment so severe they'll have to quit their job,' Bobel continues. "We know a girl's self esteem plummets around the fourth grade, and that's not a coincidence in a patriarchal culture. True enough, patriarchy does hurt boys because it's a system of values that champions masculinity, competitiveness, shutting down feelings and putting self first at the expense of others. But clearly, patriarchy hurts women and girls in more profound and more painful ways." "We do have a higher enrollment of women at the nation's colleges, but there's a slightly higher number of women worldwide. If there were slightly higher numbers of men at college institutions, I don't think the New York Times would publish an article. The glass ceiling still exists and if women are getting a little more education, they need it. A man with a just a high school diploma still earns more than a woman with a college degree." contact: 513-556-3279 C. MOVING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM A University of Cincinnati study examining an education/child care initiative in Ohio urban areas found positive results that went beyond the classroom. The study, conducted by the UC College of Education's Evaluation Services Center, focused on the Urban School Initiative School Age Care Project, involving 125 centers in 17 Ohio school districts. The centers expanded educational opportunities beyond the typical school day, providing educational activities; academic enrichment with a special emphasis on reading, math and computer usage; daily tutoring and homework assistance; and a snack or meal. Funding came from local, state and federal sources and a parental co-pay plan. Upon examining proficiency test scores from the 1998-1999 school year, the UC study revealed test scores for fourth and sixth graders in the program exceeded statewide percentages of children meeting proficient standards. "There also were reductions in school absences and tardiness, fewer suspensions and expulsions and a higher incidence of completed homework," said College of Education Dean Lawrence J. Johnson. Furthermore, the study found more parents were moving into full-time jobs. They were able to work additional hours because of the expanded educational day for children. contact: 513-556-2337 6. THE NEW CHILD AT SCHOOL A. FIRST DAY JITTERS (for mom and dad) The first day of kindergarten may be tougher for parents than for their children, according to Ellen Lynch, coordinator of the Early Childhood Care and Education program at UC's University College. Lynch says parents need to prepare themselves for their child's first day of school, so they won't pass their anxiety to their child. Lynch has some tips about how to make the transition easier for children and parents. Before summer ends, take your child and some friends on a walk to school. Play on the playground and have a small picnic together on school grounds. Lynch recommends more than one visit. "Parents may be able to meet with the teacher before the start of school, and they should try to arrange a one-on-one meeting," adds Lynch. "They should try to get information about the class schedule and also ask for a list of who will be in class with their child. This will allow parents to talk about who the child will be meeting when he or she goes to school." Plan a trip to the library. Lynch says there are many books that help ease a child's fears about going to kindergarten. However, parents should not be alarmed if their child is grumpy during the first few weeks of school. "Kindergarten is more intense than preschool," says Lynch. "The classes are more structured and typically the classrooms are larger, which can be overstimulating and can cause the child to feel tired." Once the child arrives home, Lynch recommends that parents give the child undivided attention, inviting a talk about his or her day at school. contact: 513-556-1621 B. EARLY PREPARATION "I think parents should talk positively about school, but not about how it's going to be fun all the time, because that's unrealistic," says Anne Dorsey, UC professor of early childhood education. "Start by asking the child what he or she thinks of kindergarten. They may have misconceptions about what they'll learn in kindergarten because of what they've heard from older children. Explain that the teacher will be there to help them and that all of the children will be new to kindergarten." Often the teacher will invite children and parents to stop in right before school starts. As the beginning of the school year draws closer, parents also can stop by the office and ask if their child can see the classroom. "Remember, two or three days of waiting is an eternity for a five-year-old," continues Dorsey. Parents may also want to point out the locations of the bathrooms and cafeteria. "Find out what they need to bring to school and get started on that list. Also, I would recommend the child not wear an entirely new set of clothes to school on the first day, because the child won't feel like himself or herself." Dorsey suggests starting with an earlier bedtime at least one week before school. Children also should establish a routine before bedtime that includes selecting what they want to wear the next day and getting their money and book bag ready for school. Finally, don't be surprised if a child isn't very talkative shortly after school begins. "Some children may not say very much the first few days. If they don't want to talk about it, that's okay. It doesn't mean they hate it." contact: 513-556-3808 7. SCHOOL FASHIONS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO COLLEGE A. WHAT'S "IN" FOR FALL Margaret Voelker-Ferrier, chair of UC's fashion design program, worked with a class of pre-junior design students in her current design studio to sketch how students could look hip and hot this fall, "like anything BUT a freshman," she laughed. HERE'S WHAT'S IN: V-neck sweaters Afros are for everyone, not only African Americans. Shag haircuts Fake fur Flat shows and flip-flops A tasteful combination of prints and plaids are must-haves for fall Polka-dots Paisley Stripes Chunky, hand-knit sweaters Bellybutton piercing Body glitter "Python, crocodile and leather anything" Safety pins to decorate clothes Ruffles Crop tops Trench coats Gold jewelry The traditional two-strap book bags are out. The new trend: body bags, worn diagonally across the torso and held in place with velcro straps. B. WHAT'S "OUT" Silver jewelry and accessories The "Rachel" haircut (formerly worn by Jennifer Anniston on the NBC sitcom, Friends) is "way passe." Mullet haricuts...cuts where the hair is short on top and long in back. See the worst of such cuts at http://www.mullethead.com Bellbottoms Big, baggy dropped-waist pants need to be "dropped." Frosted makeup "Twins" dressing (matching outfits with a friend) Super-short skirts Khaki with plaid Platform shoes Jeans with holes in them Boy-band T-shirts emblazoned with the names of groups as NSync Pantyhose A final word of advice from UC's students to this year's crop of college freshmen: Once you're off to college, your parents no longer buy your clothes. Thrift shops are good. contact: 513-556-5041 C. ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN Margaret Voelker-Ferrier, chair, UC's fashion design program, warns parents of younger children that kids can have two or three growth spurts in a year, leading to new shoes in a new size. Parents may want to hold off buying those high-priced shoes and sneakers which may not fit for very long. She advises that parents look for quality in stitching and fabric and for easy care on the labels. "You want something that you can simply launder when it comes to kids." contact: 513 556-5041 Click here to view previous UC e-briefings. E-mail reillymb@email.uc.edu if you would like to become a regular recipient of UC's e-briefings. Please provide your name, media affiliation, snail-mail address, e-mail address, phone and fax number.