Karen’s Kolumn is written by Karen Dolley, R.N. and Grange Friend… we appreciate her knowledge and her willingness to share! This month’s column is a “Guest Column” provided by “Mr. Boomsma.”

Back to School Tips

When it comes to getting ready for back to school, the one area we get a lot of help with is shopping! Not only are the displays overwhelming, there are often school supply lists available that will help you decide what items your child needs to have in his or backpack. But there’s a lot more to getting ready for school than pencils and rulers. You can help your child prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally as well.

Time was when a trip to the doctor was part of the annual ritual and, while no longer an absolute necessity, a review of any health concerns just makes sense. Annual checkups for children are recommended—making it part of the back to school plan will serve as a reminder. You’ll also want to inform the school of any required medications and allergies.

Re-establish routines and schedules—the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are almost over. Don’t wait until the day before school starts to establish bedtimes and other routines—the recommendation is that families should start forming these new habits at least a week before school starts. If reading hasn’t been a regular activity, you might consider established a pre-bedtime routing of reading. Routines can include establishing places to keep backpacks and lunch bags.

Talk with your child—formally and informally. During the summer one of my standard questions for the kids I meet is “Are you ready to go back to school?” Since this usually evokes only a yes or no answer, if time permits I’ll ask “why?” Obviously the conversation varies depending on age. I recently met a young lady who is excited because this will be her first year in high school. But she also admitted she’s scared. When I asked about her fears, she explained she’s had issues with one older boy while riding the bus and now they are going to be in the same school. We discussed a couple of her options and, while I’m not naïve enough to think the problem is solved, I think we both feel a little better.

These conversations become even more important when school starts. The bullying issue is an important one but the answer is not simply “tell the teacher.” It’s also important not to over-react. We need to allow children to share their concerns and try to teach them coping skills. Younger children especially need support during the transition back to school. Be quick to ask them about their day, take an interest in their work, and understand their nervous. Remember your first day on that new job?!

Partner with the school and teacher. The first weeks of school are busy and unsettled for teachers and staff too. A little patience will go a long way, but teachers do want parents involved. If concerns develop, do not hesitate to contact the teacher and let him or her know of your interest and concern. Take full advantage of things like open houses when parents are encouraged to visit school with their children.

The internet offers a wealth of resource information—a search for “back to school tips” may actually be a great project to start with your child. If there’s a trick, that’s it—to make getting ready for school a family effort with everyone contributing to making this the best year yet!

Karen’s Kolumn is written by Karen Dolley, R.N. and Grange Friend… we appreciate her knowledge and her willingness to share! 

Now that school is out for the summer motorists will see many more bicycles on the roads. About 85 million adults and children ride their bicycles for recreation and fitness every year. Unfortunately, adults and children can be injured or killed in bicycling accidents. More than 600 children die in bicycle accidents every year. It is important to follow bicycle safety rules.

Maine bicycling laws can be found at www.maine.gov/mdot/bikeped/safety/laws. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators. They may use public roads, designated bike paths, and bike lanes. Bicycles are not required to be on shoulders or in bike lanes/paths in Maine. Sidewalk riding is not prohibited by state law but may be prohibited by local ordinances. Bicyclists must stop at red lights and stop signs. They must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Bicyclists must ride with traffic and obey lane markings. Almost one-fourth of all bicycle-car crashes result from bicyclists riding against traffic.

Cyclists under the age of 16 must wear bike helmets. All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bike helmets every time they ride. A helmet is the most effective way to prevent a potential head injury. Football helmets can’t be substituted for bike helmets. The majority of bike crashes happen near home, in driveways, or in designated bike paths. So wear a bike helmet all the time, not just when  bicycling on streets. Help your child to develop “the helmet habit”! Replace bike helmets every five years. Always replace a bike helmet if it has had an impact.

Hand signals should be taught to children before they are allowed to ride in the street. Always signal your intent to turn and to stop.

It is never safe for a child to ride a bicycle at night. Adult bicyclists must have and use headlights, rear reflectors and pedal reflectors at night. Wear bright reflective clothing.

All bikes must have brakes that work.

For more information visit www.healthychildren.org., the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, or the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.

Karen’s Kolumn is written by Karen Dolley, R.N. and Grange Friend… we appreciate her knowledge and her willingness to share! 

School is almost out for the summer. Many parents are planning various summer activities for their children. One of these activities might be a summer camp. Parents should research prospective camps for their children and then talk with and meet with camp officials and staff. Make sure adequate supervision will be provided. Find out how you will be notified if your child is ill. Find out how the camp will care for your child if he or she is ill.

To help prevent injuries pack protective gear like helmets and life jackets if the camp does not provide these items. Pack insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to protect against mosquitoes, ticks and the sun. A check list of things to pack is helpful and should include things like sleeping bags and bedding, extra blankets, hats and sunglasses, healthy snacks and water, hand sanitizer, and any needed medical information.

Teach kids to avoid wild animals that can carry diseases that are harmful to people. Teach kids to avoid hair to hair contact, to avoid sharing combs and brushes, and to avoid sharing hats to prevent head lice.

Campers may get sick during their time away because of the close living conditions at camps. Make sure your kids vaccinations are up to date. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to keep your child and other campers healthy at camp. Teach kids to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and to use a hand sanitizer. Tell children to notify camp staff if they become sick or if they notice that another camper is not feeling well. Keep your child home if he/she is sick.

Homesickness is very common. Try to involve your child in choosing a camp and in preparations for camp. Be positive about the camp experience but also be honest about homesickness. If your child has not had many sleep-overs, do practice sleep-overs with friends and family before your child goes to camp.

For more information visit www.healthychildren.org, www.cdc.gov/family/camping, or www.vaccines.gov.

Karen’s Kolumn is written by Karen Dolley, R.N. and Grange Friend… we appreciate her knowledge and her willingness to share!  This month’s column is provided by Vic Morin of the JD Foundation.

The JD Foundation created the Connecting with Spirit program to give people the opportunity to come together, form community bonds, exercise their bodies, and to take advantage of the natural healing effect that nature has on the mind, body and soul.

Think of what has happened to us as a society over the past few centuries  the movement from a rural lifestyle to one where most of us live and work indoors with little or no contact with nature. Studies indicate that the lack of exposure to sunshine, fresh air and hands-on contact with the outdoors negatively impact those suffering from depression. A sunny day may do more than just boost your mood  it will also increase your levels of Vitamin D and adequate levels of Vitamin D have been linked to less depression symptoms, as well as a reduced incidence of osteoporosis and several types of cancer. Having suffered from depression off and on throughout my life, I know first-hand how important sunshine, exercise and contact with nature are to mental health.

The JD Foundation is located on an interval between the Piscataquis River and the Kingsbury Stream, providing a beautiful location for some of our walks. Standing under a 200-year-old oak tree along the shores of the stream, gazing upward through its outstretched branches, allows the mind to wander, and wonder, at what that tree has seen during all those years. We walk those same shores in the spring as the wildflowers make their first appearance and in late summer when the mushrooms explode from their underground homes on warm, rainy days.

Each fall, we hike to Little Wilson Falls after a heavy rain to experience the rushing water tumbling 45 feet into a gorge lined with towering walls of moss-covered slate. Each winter we do a walk to Houston Brook Falls, frozen solid in the below-zero temperatures. This allows us to walk to the outlet stream and stand touching the frozen falls while rushing water is visible beneath the clear blue-tinted ice. Experiences like this help put day-to-day troubles into perspective and restore our sense of awe. In conducting these walks, we are sharing the gifts that I and other volunteers have experienced over the past 50 years spent in the Maine woods.

Since our initial snowshoe walk on New Years Day three years ago, we have been able to see what a great affect these outings are having on those who participate. We have witnessed introverted people become more outgoing through sharing these experiences with others; seen those who knew nothing of the flora and fauna in our area now yearning to learn the names of wildflowers and birds; and most importantly; we have seen the amazement of young people after spending time in the woods  some for the first time in their lives.

To date we have conducted 55 walks averaging 10-12 persons per walk, accomplished through volunteer efforts, and donations from people who believe in what we are doing. As a leader on these walks, I feel that this effort shows our dedication to making a difference for those who suffer from depression, and for those who now have a safe, healthy alternative to remaining cooped up indoors all winter, which could lead to depression.

Our walks have included two men in their 80s, children as young as 2, and everyone in between. Everyone benefits from these walks, and we will always include all ages groups, but we do want to do more walks specifically for school-aged children. We feel that there are many benefits to working with this age group beyond just the mental health aspects, such as exercise to combat Maines rising obesity epidemic, and establishing that vital spiritual connection to all living things in the young people who will grow up to be the stewards of our forests.

The JD Foundation
107 Main Road
Abbot, Maine 04406
207-876-2295
207-343-1732