PNO April 2023 newsletter

Phi Nu Omega Chapter

January

Volume 13, Issue 4 April 2023

Chartered

29, 2000

2023 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Past Basilei

v Sharon Worthy

v Kimberly Armstrong

v Michelle Thomas

v Lona Gordon

v Kimberly Walker

v Yvonne Jones

v Theresta Lanier

Kirstin Riddick President LaToya Kearns Vice President

Minyon Palmer Vice Secretary Sydney Hannah-Holliday Secretary Essence Mitchell Financial Secretary Michele Swain Hostess Danielle Bridgeforth Chaplain Lisa Heath Correspondence Secretary Dawn Marcelle Member-At-Large Aliya Robinson Historian Saunji Fyffe Sergeant-At-Arms Deirdre Miles Ivy Leaf Reporter Courtney Walker Treasurer Karen Davis Miller Parliamentarian

2023 Phi Nu Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc

Looking for the Beauty

Soror Danielle Bridgeforth

I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 (NIV)

I love beautiful things! I mean everything from flowers to dresses, to shoes (really like shoes), to art. I like beautiful music, beautiful people – which is all of us when we smile – and you already know how I feel about words. Beautiful words really add meaning to life. It is so nice when we can see the beauty that surrounds us.

Admittedly however, it’s not always easy to recognize the beauty in some things and people on the surface. In those times, we must commit ourselves to looking for the beauty. When we take time to seek out beauty and goodness we get doubly blessed. We are blessed when we finally see it and we are blessed as we journey to find it. We overlook opportunities to show goodness and to extend grace to ourselves and others each day simply because we do not look for beauty. We sometimes mismanage our chance to be Christ’s hands, feet, and mouthpieces, not because we cannot do it, but because we are not focused upon the right things.

Today, look for the beauty. God has promised that there is beauty to be found in every season of our lives. It may be on the surface, or it may be just beyond it, but either way, it will be worth it when you find it.

April is Autism Awareness Month

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in every 44 individuals .

It can impact how those individuals on the spectrum interact with and experience the world around them .

These children may have difficulties with speaking and learning the meanings of words, making and keeping friends, and dealing with changes outside of their routines .

With April being Autism Awareness Month and April 2 being World Autism Day, we wanted to go over what parents should be looking for, when to discuss further with their pediatrician, and what support for those diagnosed can look like.

By definition, Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors .

If as a parent you have concerns about how your child communicates, plays, learns or acts, this should be shared with your child's physician as soon as possible .

Delays in speech milestones or variation in social interaction compared to other children in the same age group may indicate a potential concern for Autism .

Staying up to date on wellness visits with your pediatrician where milestones are assessed is one of the most important ways to monitor for not only Autism, but a host of other conditions.

Pediatricians perform many different screens during these visits, including an Autism screen called the "MCHAT" (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) where parents are asked to answer questions about their children's behaviors .

Based on the responses, it may indicate need for further discussion or an evaluation by a psychologist, developmental/behavioral pediatrician or other developmental specialist. If a diagnosis of Autism is made, support should be tailored to the individual child .

Most important is getting the child involved in early intervention services to help them progress in their developmental milestones .

Your pediatrician may refer out to either Early Steps or direct you to their local school system for evaluation depending on their age.

Your child may also be referred for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy.

This consists of focused techniques with a trained therapist to address the unique needs of each child .

It can involve teaching important life skills, working on decreasing problematic behaviors and improving communication and language skills .

Any concerns about how your child is behaving or progressing should be discussed with your pediatrician to ensure the proper treatment plan. What Autism Spectrum Disorder looks like can vary from child to child .

A diagnosis does not mean your child will not be successful. Rather, it means what their journey looks like to move forward may be different from what is expected. But it will be a wonderful and exciting journey regardless.

This Earth Day Sorors spent the day raising awareness, advocating for change around the issues that impact our planet, and celebrating the beauty of the earth.

Here are somethings you can do to make everyday Earth Day:

1. Reduce & Reuse & Recycle

2. Volunteer for clean ups in your community

3. Value natural resources

4. Conserve water

5. Choose sustainable

6. Shop wisely with reusable shopping bags

7. Use long-lasting & energy efficient light bulbs

8. Plant a tree

9. Choose non-toxic chemicals

10. Bike more, drive less

Elevating Chapter Operations

The Leadership Development Committee would like to thank all sorors who attended the Parliamentary Procedures workshop on April 1st. The workshop was facilitated by Soror Mona

Calhoun

Registration is now closed

Phi Nu Omega Sorors were well represented and enjoyed their time at the 70th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Raleigh, NC

Sorors are always ready for a little fun participating in a sisterly one mile walk along the Potomac River

The ALIVE Food Drive was held on Saturday April 29, 2023

Fun & Fit with Soror Crystal!

JUMP ROPE

It’s cardio time! Cardio is necessary for strengthening your heart and efficiently pumping blood through your body. Try to get 20 minutes daily of cardio exercise and change your health!

Benefits :

1. It is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories in a short time

2. It builds muscle

3. It improves coordination

*Bonus benefit: It can improve your mood by giving yourself a little “me” time!

For a modification try doing high knee lifts in place while still moving your arms in a “jumping rope” motion. There are weighted ropeless jump ropes available that will assist you with this motion and build muscles!

Recovery:

STRETCH : Upper body

• For the upper body, try stretching your arms by bringing them across your body and holding for 60 seconds.

STRETCH: lower body

• For the lower body, any leg stretches will do. Make sure to focus on the hamstrings, calves and don’t forget about your ankles!

FOOD: What are you eating? Continue to take advantage of the bounty of the season with fresh fruit and vegetables! Visit your local fresh food markets and farms and discover new food to incorporate into your diet.

HYDRATE!

Another reminder about drinking WATER and LOTS of it!

Benefits:

• Relieves fatigue . Did you know that your blood volume level drops if you have an inadequate amount of water in your body? This may be the reason for any fatigue you may feel throughout the day.

• Helps with headaches and migraines. Many headaches and migraines are due to dehydration.

• Encourages weight loss. Sometimes you’re not really hungry…you’re thirsty. Try drinking a glass (or 2!) of water before a meal.

• Flushes toxins. Flushing out the toxins is healthy for your internal organs. Bonus: healthier, younger looking skin!

Continue to challenge yourselves, Sorors! I see you and you are AWESOME! Don’t forget to use the stretches from last month to reduce soreness and injury.

LET’S GO! YOU GOT THIS!

Reach out and send me an email at ceswhite@gmail.com about your progress and tell me what you’re jamming to while you workout!

“Even when you don’t feel like doing it, do it anyway!”

– me (Soror Crystal)

The Legacy continues

Congratulations and welcome to the sisterhood…

Carole Miller #23 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc

04/23/2023

Theta Kappa chapter at the University of Virginia

Sorors Carole (2023 Theta Kappa), Carole (1959 Beta), and Karen (1983 Delta Zeta)

Sorors Out & About

Soror Deirdre enjoyed seeing MJ The Musical in New York City. She also bought $60 worth of pink & green M&Ms at the M&M World store.

Soror Karen recently spent 6 days in Saint Lucia with her husband, and many others, including 5 of her line sisters, celebrating the 60th Birthday of her Dean of Pledges (yes, we had those in 1983 :)), Soror Kim Jaggers Smith .