Laser Tag!

"Are you up for a challenge," our friends at Fern Hollow ask

JOIN FERN HOLLOW NATURE CENTER FOR THE 1ST ANNUAL AMAZING PARKS RACE ON JUNE 2, 2012

Fern Hollow Nature Center (FHNC) is kicking off summer with an event to showcase all the wonderful parks in our community.

FHNC’s Amazing Parks Race will take place on June 2nd from 3:00-6:00PM. Our race will imitate the Amazing Race on TV and will highlight eight of the beautiful parks in the Quaker Valley area.

Form a team with friends or family – we think it will be a fun event for all ages! Each team (car load) will be given clues to direct them to a local park. Once there they will have to complete a challenge (like build a little bridge or imitate a bee) to earn the clue for the next location. There will also be bonus challenges and a few other twists. The team with the best overall time wins but there will be plenty of other awards too!

The Race ends at FHNC for an awards ceremony and ice cream provided by Sewickley Confectionary. Teams are invited to bring their own picnic dinner and linger on the grounds of FHNC for the best sunset in the Valley.

The cost to participate is $25 per team for FHNC members and $35 per team for non-members. Teams can consist of children and adults and as many people as they can fit in one car. To register your team please call 412-741-6136 or email fhnc@verizon.net

This fundraiser will directly support the education programs at Fern Hollow Nature Center. The Center offers over 50 hands-on inquiry based science programs for local schools each year that focus on Pennsylvania wildlife and habitat, geology, local watersheds, and much more. Last year over 2,500 students from ten schools participated in those programs.

LET'S TALK: An Informal Discussion for Parents about Teens & Drinking

On Wednesday, May 30, Youth Connect will host an informal discussion that continues the group’s on-going conversation about the dangers, ramifications, and consequences of underage drinking.

Entitled “Let’s Talk,” the event will be moderated by Youth Connect’s leaders, Joan Murdoch and Susan Kaminski. Murdoch and Kaminski founded Youth Connect, a group of concerned adults and students from schools and organizations in the Sewickley area, working to provide the information, resources, and support young people need to avoid risky behaviors. The group has been active in the community for over five years, offering a full slate of events each school year that help educate parents, professionals, and students.

At “Let’s Talk” on May 30th, the pair will discuss the latest facts about the effects of alcohol on the brains of adolescents, current realities of drinking in the teen years, and research proven practical parenting ideas for preventing risky behaviors. The event runs from 10 am till noon at the Sewickley Valley Y Community Center, located near the Paddle Tennis courts off Blackburn Road. There is no cost, and the presentation is open to the public.

For more information on this important upcoming event, or to find out more about Youth Connect, email youthconnect@hotmail.com.

Youth Connect to present on "letting go" in September

Transitions can be difficult, especially ones as major as leaving home to enter college. Coming in September: a book discussion led by local experts centered on Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger. The book covers topics such as admissions, orientation, finances, eating disorders, homosexuality, date rape, choosing a major, parent visits, sophomore slump, communication, and graduation. Collegeparents.org reviewed the book, saying the authors

focus on the experience of traditional-age college students who go to school away from home, but much of the information included is equally relevant to parents of college students who are living at home as well... Letting Go provides reassurance by discussing the normal development and challenges of college students. It is filled with stories, anecdotes, and comments by college students.

Letting Go is available for purchase at the Penguin Bookshop. Here is an excerpt of an article from Youth Connect member Lynn Sanborne, MSW, a school counselor at Sewickley Academy:

The Last Passage
April marks the month when most college bound seniors finalize their choice for where they will be heading next year. Not coincidently, this is also the time when most seniors begin—if they haven’t already—to pull away from their family. It’s natural and normal for even the most even tempered and upbeat child to express some surliness, criticize family life, and become more private, even secretive. This natural and understandable attempt on the young person’s part to individuate can cause immense pain and confusion for the family members who are about to be “left behind”. Nevertheless, these last, precious few months of family time together can also be a time of laughter, remembrance and reconnection . As a former family therapist and a parent who has launched two of my three kids, here are some heartfelt tips which might make for smoother sailing.

Even when your child seems to be shouting, “I can’t wait to get out of here,” try to find lots of opportunities to express your unwavering love. Acknowledge special attributes and qualities, which can provide a much needed ego boost. For instance: “Your roommate is so lucky because you are so friendly and welcoming.” “ I am going to miss your wicked sense of humor.” “ How is your little sister going to finish her math homework without your patient help?”

While there may be no overt signs of fear, uncertainty, or confusion about this life passage, you can be sure that your child is experiencing those feelings in some measure. Continue to talk with enthusiasm and optimism about the many exciting opportunities which lie ahead, but also find those quiet moments to discuss some of the inevitable fears of the unknown and model that it is okay to be vulnerable. Share some personal memories when you personally struggled with new experiences and challenges. I’ve told my own kids about how I was so homesick my first few months of freshman year, that I would climb into the bushes in front of my dorm in order to cry privately.

Particularly if your child is the youngest or an only, be careful that he or she doesn’t sense that the “empty nest” is going to be a miserable, meaningless place for the parent(s) left behind. This can saddle your child with an undue burden of guilt, and in extreme cases can contribute to the phenomenon of “flunking out to save mom.”

Model some of the life skills you hope your child will deploy as they go off to university. Have you made a new friend lately? How about attending a talk or lecture on a topic of interest? Discuss a world or national issue at the dinner table.

Technology makes it easy to learn about the daily life your child will soon experience. Read some issues of the college newspaper online which will give you a sense of burning issues on campus and special events and opportunities. Information gleaned from the college’s website can lead to some great conversation starters: the study abroad opportunities in Latin America look phenomenal: is that something you might consider? The outdoors club looks as if they take some really cool trips. There are so many alternative spring break opportunities: I know you’ve wanted to do service work in Appalachia, etc.

Many colleges post on-campus jobs which are available. Invite your child to look at these: this is a good time to discuss your expectations about a part-time job to cover personal expenses and/or contribute to tuition. Again, share your own experiences. I’ve told my own kids about the many on- campus jobs I had, including the grossest: cleaning toilets because it paid the best and I was saving to go to Europe.

Familiarize yourself with the services of the student counseling center and encourage your child to seek out its services for any behavioral or emotional struggles (including drug and alcohol abuse) just as the infirmary is the place to go for physical ailments. Reports indicate that record numbers of college students are experiencing anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. Some experts cite the lack of resilience of today’s young adults who have been sheltered from adversity and constantly praised by “helicopter parents”. Others blame the high pressure “race to nowhere” academic treadmill which characterizes contemporary high school culture. Whatever the case, you child can only benefit from hearing from you that asking for help is positive and proactive.

Putting together a photo scrapbook can be as meaningful for the child as it is for the parent. Perhaps a photo for every year of your child’s life, or photos or mementoes of meaningful events, with comments or reflections . My late husband, inspired by a conversation he’d had with a NYC taxi driver where he found himself extolling his love for his daughter, turned this experience into a beautiful and moving poem which is cherished by that very beloved child almost two decades later. I know she turned to it many times during her college years for comfort and reassurance.

Whenever possible, find moments to laugh with your child about this challenging time—and seek comfort and consolation from friends and relatives who know what you are going through. It does get better!

One last suggestion, which can bring reassurance now and in the years ahead, is to develop a personal prayer or mantra which you say to yourself several times a day , such as “I wish for my child: expanded knowledge, new skills, and meaningful connections with others.” After all, isn’t that what parents really want for their almost adult child?

Even if your child doesn’t show signs of fear, uncertainty, or confusion about so this massive change, you can be sure that those feelings exist in some measure. Continue to talk with enthusiasm and optimism about the many exciting opportunities which lie ahead, but also find those quiet opportunities to discuss somef fears of the unknown and model that it is okay to be vulnerable. Share some personal memories when you yourself have struggled with new experiences and challenges. I’ve told my own kids about how I was so homesick my first few months of freshman year that I would climb into the bushes in front of my dorm in order to cry privately.
Particularly if your child is the youngest or an only, be careful that he or she doesn’t sense that the “empty nest” is going to be a miserable, meaningless place for the parent(s) left behind. This can saddle your child with an undue burden of guilt, and in extreme cases can contribute to the phenomenon of flunking out to save mom.

Interest drives additional screenings of "Race to Nowhere"

LIBRARY TO SCREEN AWARD-WINNING FILM THAT HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT STRESS

Due to continued interest from the community, the Sewickley Public Library is pleased to announce two additional showings of Race to Nowhere, an award-winning documentary that addresses the realities of today’s obsession with achievement, and how that obsession is directly impacting our children.

The library, located on Thorn Street at Broad, will show the documentary on Thursday, May 10th at 11:30 am and 6:30 pm pm. The approximately one-hour-long film will be followed by brief discussion.

According to the documentary’s director, Vicki Abeles, the film features

the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids. Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.


This event is free and open to the public. Sewickley Public Library thanks Quaker Valley Middle School and Youth Connect for their support in purchasing the license to the documentary.

From our friends at Cornell School District

Why stay home on Friday evening when you can attend the
“CORNELL NIGHT AT THE RACES”!

Coraopolis Moose
Friday, April 20th at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)

$15.00 per person
Includes dinner (catered by Gino’s), beer, pop, snacks and plenty of racing fun!

Races are $2.00 per bet (10 races). The evening will also include a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

For even more fun, buy a horse and name it for $15.00! As the owner, you and your horse will be listed in the program. If your horse wins, you will win a $30.00 Owner’s fee! (Winner need not be present.)

Come enjoy an evening out with family and friends!!!


For information and/or tickets please call or see: Beverly Benson, Central Office
(412) 264-5010 extension 100 or bbenson@cornell.k12.pa.us
Can’t make it? Buy a horse!

All proceeds will go to the Cornell School District Track Renovation Project
And Blue and Gold Club

In Memory of our Honorary Chairperson, Foge Fazio

For those of you who attended last week's mini-summit on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, and for those of you who weren't able to but want information, here are links to some of the resources our panel of experts talked about. For even more in-depth information, contact Douglas Florey at Laughlin Children's Center, d.florey@laughlincenter.org.


General Support Resources for families

www.pafamiliesinc.com - SAMHSA sponsored statewide family network - lists county by county resources for parents that may have a child with behavioral, medical, emotional and intellectual challenges. Excellent resource for support groups, trainings, research studies and the like. The local contact is Dianna Brocious - 800-947-4941.

www.nami.org - National Association for Mental Illness - support groups, and resource materials pamphlets for individuals, families and friends, across the lifespan, who may be impacted by mental health issues. Many college campuses are working to establish NAMI chapters on site. The local southwestern PA chapter is www.namiswpa.org


Depression and Youth Suicide Specific Resources -

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org - 1-800-273-TALK - in addition to crisis support you can order prevention materials such as magnets, help cards, posters and such. The national # will route individuals to their local county crisis #.

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ - Online support for GLBTQ youth and those who promote acceptance.

http://wellawaresp.org/ - Suicide prevention focusing on school administrators and providing free webinars on current trends and topics related to youth suicide prevention.

http://www.wellawaresp.org/audio/flash/GenerationWired.html - The following webinar addresses social networking and suicide prevention.

www.payspi.org - PA Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative - clearinghouse of state and national information regarding research, trainings and resources.


Mental Health Educational Materials (free) -

www.store.samhsa.gov - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Handouts and curriculums on a variety of mental health subjects. Parenting guide --

www.nimh.gov - National Institute of Mental Health.

www.aacap.org - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – view Facts for Families on specific youth mental health issues.