I wish all of you a blessed Christmas holiday! Enjoy time with your family members and friends during the holiday break. I hope every student and teacher will come back to school after the holidays feeling rested and motivated to make the most of the second semester. Also please be safe during your holiday traveling and playing. We want everyone back in good shape on January 5th!
The second nine weeks grade reports will be sent out on January 5. If parents or guardians have any questions or concerns over their child's grades, they should call the school office at (205)280-2820 to set up an appointment with the teacher.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas, and is produced when
burning any fuel, such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood or
charcoal. It can be a silent killer, which causes illness, and possibly
death, by decreasing the amount of oxygen present in the body.
Last year, a family of six in Baldwin County were treated and released
for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and two women in the Silver
Hill area were killed in their home from exposure to this lethal gas.
Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of carbon
monoxide because of their smaller bodies. Children process carbon
monoxide differently than adults, according to experts at Children's
Hospital, and may be more severely affected by it, and may show symptoms
sooner. And while Carbon Monoxide poisoning is more common during the
winter, it is not only limited to cold weather months, but can happen
any time of the year.
"Carbon Monoxide, the leading cause of poisoning deaths, is not just a
winter time hazard; it is a year round hazard," said Ann Slattery,
Supervisor of the Regional Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital.
"No matter the season of the year, when I hear complaints of headache,
nausea and vomiting, I think carbon monoxide."
You won't know that you have a carbon monoxide leak, Slattery says,
without a working detector. If you burn any fuels for heat or cooking,
be sure that you have a working carbon monoxide detector and deter this
silent killer.
Experts from Children's hospital offer these simple safety tips to help
protect your family:
* Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include
headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and confusion. In severe cases, the
person may lose consciousness or die. CO poisoning can often be mistaken
for other illnesses, such as the flu and usually more than one person in
the household will suffer symptoms at the same time.
* Install a CO alarm outside every sleeping area and on every
level of your home.
* Place CO alarms at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning
appliance to reduce the number of nuisance alarms.
* Test alarms every month and replace them every five years.
* Make sure alarms can be heard when you test them and practice
an escape plan with your entire family.
* Have all gas, oil or coal burning appliances inspected by a
technician every year to ensure they are working correctly and are
properly ventilated.
* Never use a stove for heating.
* Do not use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your
home, garage or near a window. Never leave a car, SUV, or motorcycle
engine running inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
If your CO alarm goes off, follow these steps:
* Get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible into
fresh air. Then call for help from a neighbor's home or a cell phone
outside of your home.
* If someone is experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, call 911 for
medical attention.
* If no one is experiencing symptoms, call the fire department.
They will let you know when it is safe to re-enter your home.
For more information on this and other children's health and safety
issues, visit our web site at www.chsys.org
burning any fuel, such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood or
charcoal. It can be a silent killer, which causes illness, and possibly
death, by decreasing the amount of oxygen present in the body.
Last year, a family of six in Baldwin County were treated and released
for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and two women in the Silver
Hill area were killed in their home from exposure to this lethal gas.
Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of carbon
monoxide because of their smaller bodies. Children process carbon
monoxide differently than adults, according to experts at Children's
Hospital, and may be more severely affected by it, and may show symptoms
sooner. And while Carbon Monoxide poisoning is more common during the
winter, it is not only limited to cold weather months, but can happen
any time of the year.
"Carbon Monoxide, the leading cause of poisoning deaths, is not just a
winter time hazard; it is a year round hazard," said Ann Slattery,
Supervisor of the Regional Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital.
"No matter the season of the year, when I hear complaints of headache,
nausea and vomiting, I think carbon monoxide."
You won't know that you have a carbon monoxide leak, Slattery says,
without a working detector. If you burn any fuels for heat or cooking,
be sure that you have a working carbon monoxide detector and deter this
silent killer.
Experts from Children's hospital offer these simple safety tips to help
protect your family:
* Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include
headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and confusion. In severe cases, the
person may lose consciousness or die. CO poisoning can often be mistaken
for other illnesses, such as the flu and usually more than one person in
the household will suffer symptoms at the same time.
* Install a CO alarm outside every sleeping area and on every
level of your home.
* Place CO alarms at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning
appliance to reduce the number of nuisance alarms.
* Test alarms every month and replace them every five years.
* Make sure alarms can be heard when you test them and practice
an escape plan with your entire family.
* Have all gas, oil or coal burning appliances inspected by a
technician every year to ensure they are working correctly and are
properly ventilated.
* Never use a stove for heating.
* Do not use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your
home, garage or near a window. Never leave a car, SUV, or motorcycle
engine running inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
If your CO alarm goes off, follow these steps:
* Get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible into
fresh air. Then call for help from a neighbor's home or a cell phone
outside of your home.
* If someone is experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, call 911 for
medical attention.
* If no one is experiencing symptoms, call the fire department.
They will let you know when it is safe to re-enter your home.
For more information on this and other children's health and safety
issues, visit our web site at www.chsys.org
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Congratulations to our 2010-2011 VHS Spelling Bee Champ!
On December 3, 2010, Verbena High School held its school spelling bee. Thirteen students from grades 4-8 took part in the spelling bee. The winner of the spelling bee was Alana Delariva from Mrs. Hauswirth's fourth grade. First runner-up was Blake Nelson from Mrs. Smith's fifth grade. Other participants included Jared McKinnon-4th grade, Brandon Wells-4th grade, Desha Sanders-4th grade, Kelsey Crumpton-5th grade, Jonathan Tomas-5th grade, Garrett Wells-5th grade, Josie Adams-6th grade, Brittany Ann Kyles-6th grade, Jacob Cleckler-7th grade, Dillon Walker-7th grade, and Karla Santos-8th grade. All of the students did a great job, but Alana came out on top! She won with the word "serenely". Congratulations to Alana and runner-up Blake Nelson!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Bullyproof Your Child - 4 Surprising Ways to Keep the Epidemic of Nastiness from Hurting Your Child
Everyone has mean kids on the brain, and no wonder - recent data show that one in four children reports being a victim of bullying. Home used to be a safe haven, but thanks to technology, a barbed text or tweet can reach a child anywhere, anytime. So what can you do? A lot, says Sela Gaglia, director of the organization Challenge Day, which helps kids deal with social pressures (it was the focus of MTV's recent antibullying reality series, If You Really Knew Me). What she's learned from experience:
* One of the best things to do? Play 20 questions.
Check in with your kids often and you'll be far more likely to spot a bullying problem early. And don't overreact. "When kids know you'll respond calmly, they'll share the scary things," says Gaglia, who regularly asks her 11-year-old son these questions: What's happening on the playground? Do you need support on anything? How can I be a better mom? If you do notice a problem, intervene as soon as it looks like a pattern and not an isolated event, she advises. But talk to your child's teacher or the principal, not the bully's parents. "There's no accountability - and you don't know how they'll react. And remember, your intention is to create a safe environment, not to prove that your kid is right."
* Bullies back away from confident kids.
"Bullies typically avoid a self-assured child because they won't get the scared reaction they want," Gaglia says. Your kid won't be fun to pick on if you encourage him to ignore - or even laugh at - a bully's intimidation tactics. And urge him to ask a teacher for support. "The bully will quickly realize that this kid is too much trouble to bother with."
* Bullies do change.
Challenge Day runs more than 1,000 antibullying programs a year, and 99 percent of the time, Gaglia sees the bullies apologize. Frequently, they also turn into student leaders. "I've watched kids become peer counselors or spearhead programs to help new students transition at school," she says. "Bullies don't realize they can use their power for good until someone wakes them up to it." A great wake-up call? Suggest that a bully be assigned a position of responsibility, like bus monitor or teacher's helper.
* You can keep your child from bullying others.
One of the most common causes of bullying behavior is turmoil at home, says Gaglia - especially divorce. During or after a divorce, "kids often stop talking to their parents about how they're feeling," she explains, "because they're afraid to upset them even more. Instead, they lash out at other kids." You can't prevent tough times from happening, of course, but by making sure your child gets all his emotions out in the open, you can help him from becoming a Draco Malfoy at school.
-Erin Zammett Ruddy
* One of the best things to do? Play 20 questions.
Check in with your kids often and you'll be far more likely to spot a bullying problem early. And don't overreact. "When kids know you'll respond calmly, they'll share the scary things," says Gaglia, who regularly asks her 11-year-old son these questions: What's happening on the playground? Do you need support on anything? How can I be a better mom? If you do notice a problem, intervene as soon as it looks like a pattern and not an isolated event, she advises. But talk to your child's teacher or the principal, not the bully's parents. "There's no accountability - and you don't know how they'll react. And remember, your intention is to create a safe environment, not to prove that your kid is right."
* Bullies back away from confident kids.
"Bullies typically avoid a self-assured child because they won't get the scared reaction they want," Gaglia says. Your kid won't be fun to pick on if you encourage him to ignore - or even laugh at - a bully's intimidation tactics. And urge him to ask a teacher for support. "The bully will quickly realize that this kid is too much trouble to bother with."
* Bullies do change.
Challenge Day runs more than 1,000 antibullying programs a year, and 99 percent of the time, Gaglia sees the bullies apologize. Frequently, they also turn into student leaders. "I've watched kids become peer counselors or spearhead programs to help new students transition at school," she says. "Bullies don't realize they can use their power for good until someone wakes them up to it." A great wake-up call? Suggest that a bully be assigned a position of responsibility, like bus monitor or teacher's helper.
* You can keep your child from bullying others.
One of the most common causes of bullying behavior is turmoil at home, says Gaglia - especially divorce. During or after a divorce, "kids often stop talking to their parents about how they're feeling," she explains, "because they're afraid to upset them even more. Instead, they lash out at other kids." You can't prevent tough times from happening, of course, but by making sure your child gets all his emotions out in the open, you can help him from becoming a Draco Malfoy at school.
-Erin Zammett Ruddy
Friday, November 19, 2010
Josie Adams is 6th Grade Spelling Bee Champion
Congratulations to Josie Adams in Mrs. Childress's homeroom for winning the sixth grade spelling bee. Josie will be representing the sixth grade in the Verbena High School Spelling Bee on December 3, 2010. The winner of the school bee will go to the Chilton County Spelling Bee on February 10, 2011, to compete with the winners from each school in Chilton County. Good luck, Josie!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tips for Buying Toys
With so many choices, holiday toy shopping can be an overwhelming (and expensive) task. Finding the right age-appropriate toy for babies, toddlers and preschoolers not only creates a holiday hero (you!), it also can enhance a child's development and foster his learning experience- without the child even realizing it.
"It's not just play," says Jane Duer, Manager of the Early Intervention Program at Children's Hospital of Alabama. "For children play is their work and their school. They learn through every encounter with you, their toys and their surroundings [intentional and unintentional]. Because play is so important and because there are so many toys on the market, research is helpful prior to making purchases for that little one. Parents should not only consider the safety of the toys they choose, but also the skills that will be developed during playtime."
The experts at Children's Hospital have provided the following guide to help parents choose the toys that will be most helpful to increasing motor skills; enhancing cognitive development and building upon what many children are capable of doing at each age and developmental stage.
Use these tips to help pick the perfect gift for the child in your life this season:
* Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. The more functions the toys have the more likely the child will play with them for more than the day they are opened. Examples include blocks, interlocking blocks, nesting blocks or cups and water toys.
* Toys to grow with your child. If you buy small plastic animals (small but not a choking hazard) the young toddler might put them in and take them out of a dump truck and then when older may engage in pretend play with them. Other examples may include stuffed animals and dolls, trucks and cars.
* Give toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Stuffed animals are a popular gift for toddlers and many of these end up as life-long buddies for the young child, but a toddler needs other toys too that provide an opportunity for skill building, exploration and problem solving. Examples include simple 4-5 piece wooden puzzles and shape sorters for the young toddler, cause and effect toys, nesting cups and blocks.
* Don't forget the items around the house. Some toddlers enjoy having a drawer or cabinet in the kitchen with stuff they can play with. Items such as plastic bowls and lids, wooden and measuring spoons, small pots are often a big hit. Mommy's old dresses and high heels, dad's hat and suit jacket can also spur a young child to creativity in play. Giving your toddler or preschooler the items you no longer wear or use is a great way to "recycle" and to help him develop important skills.
* Books are always a great choice. Even when your child is a baby, read to them from simple books. When they are able to focus on pictures, read from books with bright, vivid pictures. Real pictures are best for babies and young toddlers. Save the more complex books for older toddlers (closer to three years of age).
* Young infants need toys too. Young babies explore and learn about their world through their senses. Toys for this age should provide appropriate sensory stimulation (not too much or the he may try to avoid the toy by crying or looking away). Toys may provide visual stimulation (lights, bright colors, contrasting colors, simple pictures), auditory stimulation (music, voices) and tactile stimulation (nubby balls, soft fluffy stuffed animals). Babies often explore by mouthing objects. This is perfectly normal and can be expected. Just make sure the objects are clean and safe for the baby to mouth.
For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, please visit our website at www.chsys.org
"It's not just play," says Jane Duer, Manager of the Early Intervention Program at Children's Hospital of Alabama. "For children play is their work and their school. They learn through every encounter with you, their toys and their surroundings [intentional and unintentional]. Because play is so important and because there are so many toys on the market, research is helpful prior to making purchases for that little one. Parents should not only consider the safety of the toys they choose, but also the skills that will be developed during playtime."
The experts at Children's Hospital have provided the following guide to help parents choose the toys that will be most helpful to increasing motor skills; enhancing cognitive development and building upon what many children are capable of doing at each age and developmental stage.
Use these tips to help pick the perfect gift for the child in your life this season:
* Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. The more functions the toys have the more likely the child will play with them for more than the day they are opened. Examples include blocks, interlocking blocks, nesting blocks or cups and water toys.
* Toys to grow with your child. If you buy small plastic animals (small but not a choking hazard) the young toddler might put them in and take them out of a dump truck and then when older may engage in pretend play with them. Other examples may include stuffed animals and dolls, trucks and cars.
* Give toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Stuffed animals are a popular gift for toddlers and many of these end up as life-long buddies for the young child, but a toddler needs other toys too that provide an opportunity for skill building, exploration and problem solving. Examples include simple 4-5 piece wooden puzzles and shape sorters for the young toddler, cause and effect toys, nesting cups and blocks.
* Don't forget the items around the house. Some toddlers enjoy having a drawer or cabinet in the kitchen with stuff they can play with. Items such as plastic bowls and lids, wooden and measuring spoons, small pots are often a big hit. Mommy's old dresses and high heels, dad's hat and suit jacket can also spur a young child to creativity in play. Giving your toddler or preschooler the items you no longer wear or use is a great way to "recycle" and to help him develop important skills.
* Books are always a great choice. Even when your child is a baby, read to them from simple books. When they are able to focus on pictures, read from books with bright, vivid pictures. Real pictures are best for babies and young toddlers. Save the more complex books for older toddlers (closer to three years of age).
* Young infants need toys too. Young babies explore and learn about their world through their senses. Toys for this age should provide appropriate sensory stimulation (not too much or the he may try to avoid the toy by crying or looking away). Toys may provide visual stimulation (lights, bright colors, contrasting colors, simple pictures), auditory stimulation (music, voices) and tactile stimulation (nubby balls, soft fluffy stuffed animals). Babies often explore by mouthing objects. This is perfectly normal and can be expected. Just make sure the objects are clean and safe for the baby to mouth.
For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, please visit our website at www.chsys.org
Monday, November 8, 2010
2nd Nine Weeks Progress Reports
Students will be coming home with their second nine weeks progress reports on Monday, November 15. If parents have any questions or concerns, they should call the school office at (205)280-2820 to schedule an appointment with their child's teachers.
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