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Timely information for today’s busy local families
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Kindergarten & Preschool
ROUND UP Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 Kindergarten 4 or 6 pm Preschool Open House 5-6 pm Watertown-Mayer Primary School
High academic standards 1 to 1 iPads Support for all learners
Not getting enough sleep can limit a student’s ability to learn, listen, concentrate, and solve problems, according to the STOCK PHOTO National Sleep Foundation.
Sleepy students
Does school start time affect alertness? BY STARRLA CRAY Associate Editor
To help young people get more sleep, US officials are now recommending start times of 8:30 a.m. or later for middle and high schools. Most districts, however, currently begin their days a bit earlier. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average start time for schools across the country is 8:03 a.m., with some starting as early as 7:30 a.m. “Our start and end times are relatively moderate compared to some of the bigger districts,” Dassel-Cokato Schools Superintendent Jeff Powers noted. Dassel-Cokato’s elementary and middle school classes begin at 8:10 a.m., and high school bells ring at 8:07 a.m. For all grade levels, the day ends between 3:05 and 3:15 p.m. Lester Prairie Schools are a few minutes later, with kindergarten through 12th grade starting at 8:15 a.m.
Time for a time change
In light of recent research, the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose (BHM) School Board unanimously approved later start times for the 2016-17 school year. Elementary will be in session from 7:45 a.m. to 2:25 p.m., while middle and high school will go from 8:50 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. The Wayzata School Board followed, voting to push back its high school start time from 7:20 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. starting next fall. Other districts with two-tiered busing that have later start times for secondary students, and earlier times for elementary kids, include St. Michael-Albertville, Moorhead, Alexandria, Winona, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, South Washington County, and Edina, according to the BHM website. Transportation can become a stumbling block when considering a change, though. In St. Paul, for example, Johnson High School moved its start time back from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., but the St. Paul School Board recently voted not to delay start times of other schools in the district due to busing difficulties. In Minneapolis, schools have 12 start times and 12 dismissal times, but only five sets of buses transport students. The earliest start time is 7:30 a.m. and the latest is 10:15 a.m., according to the district’s website.
Teen sleep patterns
The National Sleep Foundation states that teens have later biological sleep patterns, “meaning it is not natural to be able to fall asleep before 11 p.m.” Lester Prairie resident Gordon Houk, who has decades of teaching and substitute teaching experience at multiple districts, said he has doubts about late school starts helping teens. “My thoughts have centered around teens having to adapt to changes in time due to daylight savings and also traveling from one time zone to another,” he noted. “Teens seem to adjust seamlessly to an hour or more change forward or back with no problem. If they can adjust to clock changes which require changing their circadian clock, then why do we need
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to change school times to fit an elusive theory? I think it is a keeping a consistent sleep and wakeup time – and not varying social construct.” too much on the weekends – is key. “I really appreciate when families stick to a schedule,” JenReasons for lack of rest nissen said, explaining that if a child regularly goes to bed at When Houk is in a classroom, he’ll sometimes ask tired 8:30 p.m., they will know to start winding down at 8 p.m. students why they’re not getting enough sleep. For older children, going to bed early can be a challenge. “Very often in the upper grades it is a work schedule,” he The ideal amount of sleep for ages 14 to 17 is eight to 10 hours said. “Some have jobs that keep them up late. Sometimes, they per night, but the CDC states that two-thirds of high school are up late texting or gaming. Many teens lack self-discipline students fail to get this much. due to incomplete brain development. Parents are often givA ‘wrong view’ of sleep ing them more freedom. Perhaps that contributes.” Sports and other extracurricular activities can also play a The UCLA Sleep Disorders Center notes that teens often role, as students may be getting home late at night. have a “wrong view of sleep,” seeing it as “something that “There are many variables,” said Pam Halverson, a third- keeps them from the things they want to do.” grade teacher at Humphrey Elementary in Waverly, listing Teens may stay out late, or use caffeine or nicotine, which examples such as parents’ schedules, early daycare, family makes it difficult to get quality rest. At the end of the week, stress, and medications. they might sleep late on the weekend to catch up. However, Although much of the recent research has focused on upper the UCLA reports that this throws off their body clocks, makgrade levels, Halverson said she’d be interested to know how ing it harder to wake up early when the school week begins start times affect younger children, as well. again. In third grade, the recommended amount of sleep per night To help teens develop healthy sleep habits, Houk notes that is 9 to 11 hours. If kids aren’t getting enough, they may ex- “communication with teachers and other caregivers is vital.” perience mood swings and have trouble listening and concenHe adds that, “the young person will be more responsible, trating. I think, if they realize that their parent is involved with them “Today they were sleepy,” Halverson said Jan. 4, the Mon- both at home and when they are at school.” day after winter break. “I did a slower pace initially this The UCLA states that parents can watch for the following morning, because I knew they had been used to sleeping in.” signs of sleep deprivation: Humphrey Elementary fourth-grade teacher Lisa Jennissen • trouble waking up most mornings, said it can take a little while for students to get back into the • irritability in the early afternoon, routine of school. • falling asleep easily during the day, “A lot of times it’s a Monday that they’re coming back • a sudden drop in grades, and tired,” she said. “Tuesday is fine.” • sleeping for very long periods on the weekends. At Humphrey, students are generally in the classroom shortly after 8 a.m., and the last bell rings at 8:15 a.m. TIPS FOR BETTER SLEEP “My students would probably be able to handle 10 or 15 minutes earlier,” Jennissen said. At any age, a good night’s sleep can improve health
Sticking to a schedule
No matter what time school starts, research shows that
ARE YOUR KIDS GETTING ENOUGH SHUT-EYE? In general, children need less sleep as they get older. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following hours per night for each age group: • Newborns: 14 to 17 hours • Infants: 12 to 15 hours • Toddlers: 11 to 14 hours • Preschoolers: 10 to 13 hours • School-aged children: 9 to 11 hours • Teenagers: 8 to 10 hours • Young adults: 7 to 9 hours
and quality of life. If you’re having trouble nodding off, try these tips from the Mayo Clinic. • Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays, and days off. • Don’t go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol can also disrupt sleep. • Regular physical activity can promote better sleep. If you exercise close to bedtime and feel too energized to fall asleep, exercise earlier in the day. • Manage stress by getting organized, setting priorities, and delegating tasks. • Do the same things each night to tell your body it’s time to wind down, such as taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to music with the lights dimmed. • Create a room that’s ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. (www.mayoclinic.org)
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Monday, Jan. 11, 2016
Car Seat Safety 101 for Grandparents How to keep the most important little people in your life safe BY LIZ HACKENMUELLER
Used car seat safety checklist
Correspondent
Grandparents may be skilled at spoiling their grandchildren, but many may not be aware of how to keep them safe when riding in the car. Properly choosing and installing a car seat may require a little planning and preparation, but it can save a child’s life. The number-one cause of death and injury to children is car crashes, according to Jean Johnson, McLeod County health promotion coordinator. “The seat belt systems in cars are all intended to protect adultsized bodies,” Johnson said. “They can cause major problems for children under the age of 8.” Car seat safety has changed a lot in the past decade alone, and when today’s grandparents were raising children, there may not have even been any car seat safety laws. Now, Minnesota state law requires that all children from birth to age 8, or 4’9” tall, be in a car seat or booster. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children under the age of 12 still sit in the back seat, because it is safer there. The evolution of car seat safety has made car rides much safer for children, but it can also be confusing, especially for people who may only occasionally transport children. A little planning and a free car seat installation inspection can ensure grandchildren are safe when riding with a grandparent.
Generally, children should use the car seat best suited for them according to age; however, height and weight of the child should also be taken into consideration.
seat; forward-facing car seat; and booster seat. For birth to 1 year, children must be in a rear-facing car seat. These can be infant seats or convertible seats, which can also be made forward-facing when the child is bigger. Buying a convertible car seat may make sense, since the child can use it longer. For 1- to 3-year-olds, it is best to keep the child in a rear-facing car seat until they have outgrown the height and weight restrictions on the car seat. Then, they can be placed in a forwardfacing seat with a harness and a tether. It is important to use the harness and tether as outlined in the manual. Because children do vary in size and physical maturity, height and weight is more important than the child’s age when determining which car seat to use, according to Jill Hylla, Wright County health promotion coordinator. Four- to 7-year-olds can travel in the forward-facing car seat until they reach the height and weight restrictions. Again, it is safest to keep them in a forFinding the right car ward-facing, five-point harness as long as possible. Then, they seat All car seats are certified fed- can be moved to a booster seat, erally. There are three types of still in the back seat of the car. Children age 8, or less than car seat choices: rear-facing car
GRAPHIC FROM WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV
4’9” tall, are still required by Car seat use law to ride in a booster seat. It’s after a crash best to keep children age 8 to 12 NHTSA recommends that years old in a booster seat until car seats be replaced followa seat belt can fit them properly. ing a moderate or severe crash, Seat belts can cause serious in order to ensure a continued injuries to children in an acci- high level of crash protection dent by cutting into their neck for child passengers. Car seats or stomach if they do not fit do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor properly. The seat belt should lie snugly crash. What defines a minor crash? across the child’s upper thighs, not the stomach; and the shoul- A minor crash is one in which der strap should go across the all of the following apply: • the vehicle was able to be chest, and not the neck or face, driven away from the crash according to NHSTA. site; Once a car seat or booster is • the vehicle door nearest chosen, it is important to regis- the car seat was not damaged; ter it online or via mail, Hylla • none of the passengers in said, so parents or caregivers the vehicle sustained any injuare notified if there is a recall or ries in the crash; • if the vehicle has air bags, issue with that seat. the air bags did not deploy Dusting off an old car seat or buying a used one is not recom- during the crash; and • there is no visible damage mended, since car seats have ex- to the car seat. piration dates. Safety standards Never use a car seat that has change and materials degrade, been involved in a moderate making it important to have an to severe crash. Always follow up-to-date car seat and not an manufacturer’s instructions. Information from: http:// expired one. The expiration date should be www.safercar.gov/parents/ posted on the bottom or side of CarSeats/Using-Car-Seat-Afthe car seat. If it’s not, a call to ter-Crash.htm. the manufacturer should yield the expiration date. severe crash, it should not be Typically, car seats expire used again. six to 10 years after they were Installation manufactured. However, if the There is no shortcut to propcar seat was in a moderate or erly installing a car seat. Instal-
If you are considering using a second-hand car seat, use the checklist below. If you can check off each one of these statements, then the second-hand seat may be OK to use. • The seat has never been involved in a moderate to severe crash. • The seat has labels stating date of manufacture and model number. You need this information to find out if there is a recall on the car seat, or if the seat is too old. • The seat has no recalls. If you do find a recall on the car seat, you should contact the manufacturer, as some problems can be fixed. • The seat has all its parts. If the seat is missing a part, contact the manufacturer, as some parts can be ordered. • The seat has its instruction book. You can also order the instruction manual from the manufacturer. Information from http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/ Used-Car-Seat-Safety-Checklist.htm.
lation can vary from one car seat to the next, and from one car to the next. “Nine out of 10 car seats are not used correctly,” Hylla stated. Common mistakes that are made when using a car seat include having the harness in the wrong spot for the size of the child, failing to use the tether for forward-facing seats, and not having either the car seat or the straps fit tight enough, according to Hylla and Johnson. “There should be no more than 1 inch movement in the car seat, side-to-side or front-toback,” Johnson explained. “You should not be able to pinch the strap; it should be snug against the child.” Because such a high percentage of car seats are used incorrectly, parents and caregivers can use local resources to have a certified child passenger safety technician check their car seat and provide important education. These one-on-one appointments can answer all the grandparents’ questions. Especially if grandparents are going to be regularly driving their grandchildren around, an appointment with a car seat
Local car seat checks
• McLeod County Public Health 1805 Ford Ave North Glencoe, MN 55336 Hours: Call to schedule an appointment. Phone: (320) 864-1376 • Wright County Human Services Agency 1004 Commercial Dr Buffalo, MN 55313 Hours: Call to schedule an appointment. Phone: (763) 682-7516 • West Hennepin Public Safety 1918 CR-90 Maple Plain, MN 55359 Hours: Call to schedule an appointment. Phone: (763) 479-0500
technician can make using the car seat much easier, and also ensure it is being used correctly to keep the child safe. Both Wright County and McLeod County offer free car seat checks by appointment, and McLeod County also hosts monthly car seat clinics. During these car seat checks, technicians can also verify if there is a recall on the car seat and explain the type of seat belt system in the car, along with selecting the best spot in the car for the seat.
Learning with LEGOs BY GABE LICHT DHJ Editor
For more than 60 years, children have been playing with LEGOs. Over nearly two decades, LEGOs have become learning tools, not just toys, for millions of children throughout the world. That happened with the inception of FIRST LEGO League, a collaboration between FIRST Founder Dean Kamen and LEGO Group Owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, in 1998. It has grown to teach science and technology in a fun way for its current 233,000 participants with 29,000 robots in 80 different countries. In Minnesota alone, there are 630 FIRST LEGO League teams, according to High Tech Kids, which organizes FIRST LEGO League activities throughout the state. One of those teams is the Draconic Vortex, made up of members of Cub Scout Troop 399 in Winsted. The team competed in a regional competition Dec. 12 in North Branch. Out of 64 teams, Draconic Vortex did not place high enough to advance to sectionals, but the team did take second place in head-to-head competition. Several components make up the competition. “Robotics is about 25 percent,” coach Nathan Moldenhauer said. “ . . . You build a robot. The robot has two and a half minutes to complete different tasks. Every year, the tasks revolve around whatever the theme is.” This year’s theme was Trash Trek, so the robots completed challenges related to handling trash, recycling, and compost. Beyond the robot, the teams worked together on a research project. “Every team had to come up with a problem involving trash and come up with a solution, implement it, and talk about the findings they came up with, how they implemented it, and talk to the judges about what they found,” Moldenhauer said. Draconic Vortex focused on e-waste, such as discarded computers, phones, and tablets. “The boys had been recycling computers and tablets and phones to raise money for the robotics team, so it was a natural choice,” Moldenhauer said. What the team learned is the importance of knowing where those items go. “What we ended up finding out, the deeper we got into the research, is, even when you’re recycling, you don’t know where it ends up going,” Moldenhauer said. “You might take it to a recycling place. They may take out certain things and either throw away the rest or ship it to other countries to be taken care of further, which ends up being thrown in their back yard.” Draconic Vortex’s solution is to find reputable recyclers who handle the materials properly.
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“Being in a small town like Winsted, we would recycle for people,” Moldenhauer said of the local solution. Each team had to present their research project and their robot to the judges. The final component of competition is a teamwork event. “They had to show their teamwork by working together and answering questions,” Moldenhauer said. He was allowed to be with the kids for that portion of the event, but he could not talk. Teams are eligible for awards for robotic design, programming, research project, and core values, which are based on the teamwork portion of the event. Despite not winning any awards in their first go-around, the team had a fun time competing. “They enjoyed making the robot go and cheering in on, even though they had no way to make it go faster,” Moldenhauer said. “Of course the kids enjoy the thrill of the competition,” Fasching added. “The energy level at the event is enormous.” More importantly, the kids learn a lot, too. “They learn a lot about strategy, teamwork, and applying individuals’ strengths in the right areas,” coach Marc Fasching said. “They learn that competition can get intense and that experience matters. They learn that robotics, engineering, and programming are fun and then can immediately apply the knowledge gained in a hands-on way. They also gain experience from the presentation and interview portions of the competition.” Moeller said FIRST LEGO League mottos include “What we learn is more important than what we win,” “We’re a team; we have fun,” and “Coaches don’t have all the answers; we learn together.” On that note, Moeller said, it’s important for kids to do as much hands-on work as possible. High Tech Kids Executive Director Cheryl Moeller said, “We don’t want coaches building robots; we want kids to be building them.” Fasching agreed with Moeller about the role of coaches. “The coaches support the kids’ ideas and provide direction on how to make their goals happen,” Fasching said. Any child aged 9 to 14 can be involved in FIRST LEGO League. “They can be from a school, after-school program, home school, 4-H, Scouts, churches, synagogues, mosques, or just a group of friends that have a team,” Moeller said. Moldenhauer has advice for individuals starting a new team. “It has a really big learning curve,” Moldenhauer said. “I think we learned the most at the competition. Be very flexible and able to accept whatever happens and take notes. You learn so much
Members of the Draconic Vortex compete at a First Lego SUBMITTED PHOTO League event in North Branch. from other teams. Everyone is helping each other out. Nothing is really secret. Just be flexible and ready to move.” For adults who want to be involved, but don’t have kids that are the right age for FIRST LEGO League, there are other opportunities. About 30 volunteers are needed for each event, and High Tech Kids hosts 36 events in just four months. “We have everyone from CEOs to college kids that volunteer with us,” Moeller said. “As it’s grown, a lot of alumni are coming back and volunteering with us. That will probably solve the volunteer problem in the future. In the meantime, we’re looking for folks to help us out.” For more information about FIRST LEGO League in Minnesota, visit www.hightechkids.org or call (612) 781-2203.
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Monday, Jan. 11, 2016
9C
Curing cabin fever
Free Camp Fair at Como
Minnesota Parent magazine will host its 10th annual Camp Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul. This free event brings a wide variety of top-notch camps together in the spacious zoo visitor center. Parents and kids can speak one-on-one with camp representatives, often the same individuals who children will be joining at camp during the summer. Parents and children can browse summer activities in a variety of categories: day or overnight camps; music, art and performance programs; science and academic activities; sports, horseback riding and more. Early spring is the best time to get a start on planning children’s summer camp adventures. (Popular camps can fill up quickly!) Free children’s activities at the Camp Fair include face painting, a craft station and an appearance from a special Como Zoo animal. Minnesota Parent staff will pass out goodie bags and exhibitors will offer door prizes. The Como Zoo will be open from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. the day of the event. Zoo admission is free. Voluntary donations of $2 or $3 are appreciated.
Ideas to keep parents and kids sane during the dregs of winter BY LIZ HACKENMUELLER Correspondent
The frenzy of the holiday season has blown by, and families everywhere are descending into the longest stretch of the year – with no end to winter in sight and no holiday or distraction on the horizon. How can one keep everyone in the family, especially the littlest ones with the most energy, from coming down with a bad case of cabin fever? A quick search on the Internet can yield dizzying results and endless lists of games to play, crafts to make, and clever ways to pass the time. This article is not an attempt to replicate those. This article can offer a few digestible solutions that can be customized to fit anyone’s current time, energy, and talent levels. Most of these suggestions also take little planning or preparation, so they can be implemented easily and without extra work.
Outside activities
First, let’s start off with an obvious cure for cabin fever; leaving the cabin (or house). It may be cold out, but leaving the house and getting fresh air can do wonders for everyone – even if it is cold and the outing lasts only 10 minutes. It can seem daunting, and perhaps unnecessary to spend 15 minutes bundling up children in all their winter gear, only to stay outside for half that time, but studies show that being outside can improve mood, concentration, and even boost creativity. Once outside, the activity can be as structured or simple as the situation and child’s capabilities warrant. Sample activities could include building a snowman or fort in the snow, looking for signs of life in the yard (examples are pinecones, sticks, leaves), going for a walk, ice skating, ice fishing, sledding, or snowboarding. Afterwards, everyone can come inside and warm up with some hot chocolate.
ger paint. • Making homemade playdough. Making it can be an activity in and of itself, followed by the actual playing with it. • Making food together. This could range in complexity, depending on time available and age of the children. It could mean baking banana bread or chocolate chip cookies, or having children help plan, shop for, and make an entire meal. • Having a dance party. Clear furniture out of the way and turn up the tunes. To make it extra fun, bring in costumes; instruments, like maracas or tambourines; and Hula-Hoops. It can be turned into a competition, where the last one dancing gets a prize or special treat. • Creating a scavenger hunt. A parent could hide some prized toys
Inside activities
Ideas for passing the time inside could include: • Setting up an art table. This could be as simple as construction paper and crayons, or watercolors and fin-
Playdough recipe 2 cups boiling water 2 packets Kool-Aid 1/2 cup salt 2 1⁄2 cups flour 3 Tbsp. oil 1 tsp. cream of tartar
around the house and write down clues for where to find them. • Rotating toys. Especially if children have a surplus of toys, perhaps brought on by the recent holiday, storing away a portion of them and then bringing them out in a couple weeks can make old toys seem like new and renew a child’s interest in playing with them. Then, some other toys can take a turn hiding away. • Doing chores. Depending on their ages, children could even help create a chore list or chart. Winter is a great time to start a system for family chores, since there is plenty of time inside to do them. Having chores to complete might help children appreciate their free time and they might enjoy it more, without complaining about being bored.
Out and about
Of course, there are plenty of places to go outside of the home to find fun activities, as well. There are a number of indoor playgrounds, and even some indoor play areas filled with bounce houses or trampolines that can tire out any child. Museums, libraries, or greenhouses are other great recreational activi-
ties, and can be educational, as well. Some libraries also feature reading challenges or programs, and story times. In addition, scheduling play dates with other children close to the same age provides variety and an opportunity for social interaction. A treat for both parents and children is going out to eat. Put a twist on it by having the child lead the event. They can pick the restaurant, the meals, and have the responsibility of paying for it (a parent could give the child $20, and help them decide what everyone can order to stay within the budget). It doesn’t have to be a full meal either. The same activity could be done at a coffee shop with some warm drinks and a couple of muffins. Of course, all the fun doesn’t have to come from parents. Challenging children to come up with their own games to play, or a game for the entire family is another strategy. If they are old enough, children can even do the research on the Internet, and then have the time and energy to finish one of those more complex projects.
NAMI support group offered
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota sponsors a free support group for families who have a relative with a mental illness. The support group takes place the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., at Willmar Public Library, 410 5th Street SW in Willmar. Led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness, the support group helps families develop better coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. For more information, call (320) 444-4860.
Baby monitors come with security concerns BY HEATHER REINHART Correspondent
Child monitors have undergone a lot of changes over the years. In addition to the long-used voice monitors that allow one to hear if the child is making noise in another room, new monitors include a video element allowing parents to see their child without needing to get up and check on him/her. But all have some degree of concern about security. There are two main kinds of video monitors on the market. • A dedicated video monitor comes with a camera that one
installs in the baby’s room, and a receiver with a video screen that can be set up in another room of which to watch the live video feed on. The video is transmitted through a radio signal – just like the old-fashioned voice monitors. Dedicated monitors either need to be plugged into the wall or operate on batteries. The downside is that dedicated monitors will have a limited range, which may be shortened even more if the signal has to carry through several walls inside the home. • Growing in popularity are
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Wi-Fi video monitors, which use a wireless signal to stream live video via the Internet to the parent’s smart phone or tablet. Those with a strong and reliable WI-Fi connection in their home may opt for that style of monitor, as Wi-Fi capability gives nearly unlimited range because the video feed can be seen online from just about anywhere in the world. The downside is that if the Internet connection fails, one could lose coverage – and if it happens overnight, may not be aware it has stopped working. With all monitors, there are some security concerns – particularly with the Wi-Fi units streaming video via the Internet. In April 2015, a family in Rochester had their video monitor hacked and images from the camera were found online. According to CBS Minnesota, the invasion of privacy went unnoticed until the parents heard music playing on the device. They called police and the IP address was later traced to a location overseas. “If you can access it outside the home, it’s definitely possible for someone else to access that camera as well,” John Olson of Miracle Computers told CBS Minnesota. But, while Wi-Fi monitors are the easiest for others to get access to, Olson said that constantly changing the default
password for access to the baby monitor can help prevent similar situations from happening. Radio-frequency monitors (voice or video) have also been found to pick up signals from other nearby monitors and even cordless telephones. In 2008, in Buffalo, the StarTribune reported that a telephone call allegedly involving a Roman Catholic priest was intercepted by a baby monitor. This eventually led to Rev. Thomas Rayar resigning and filing a defamation of character lawsuit against parishioners, who claim that he had an affair. In 2014, the Federal Trade Commission found that TRENDnet, which manufactures security cameras and baby monitors, falsely advertised that it could transmit video on the Internet securely. The FTC ordered the company to establish a “comprehensive information security program designed to address security risks that could let hackers access or use its devices.” Baby monitors that transmit via a radio signal come with similar concern. ABC News reported that the potential problem lies in the open and unlicensed radio frequencies that they use. The device’s signal could be picked up by the receiver of a stranger’s monitor, giving that person a live video feed of a room while the transmitter is
A large variety of styles of baby monitors are available.
UBMITTED PHOTOS
on. With radio-frequency monitors, the threat is very low as the perpetrator would have to be within range of the radio signal to intercept it. In 2014, the security firm Rapid 7 tested some of the most popular Wi-Fi video monitors on the market and found flaws in every one. Researcher Mark Stanislav of Rapid 7 had a baby on the way at the time, and said he’d be using a radio-frequency camera instead of a Wi-Fi camera in his own home. “There’s risk to radio-frequency cameras, but it’s the Internet versus people in my neighborhood,” he said, during an interview with Fusion.net. Rapid 7 updated its initial
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report in September 2015, and found that there continues to be security flaws in Wi-Fi monitors that allow them to be hacked with minimal effort. Among the most common are unencrypted storage and easily-guessed passwords for backdoor/service accounts. Of the six vendors in the 2015 report, only one, Philips N.V., responded with an expected timeline for producing fixes for the issues that were found.
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Monday, Jan. 11, 2016
More moms are staying home
Schools announce kindergarten round-up dates
BY STARRLA CRAY Associate Editor
If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you’re part of a rising trend in America. Today, almost 30 percent of mothers do not work outside the home, a figure that has been growing since a low of 23 percent in 1999. Many factors play into the increase, such as immigration, the economy, and moms’ desire to spend more time with their little ones. “The time when your kids are little is a blink,” commented Lacy Christopherson of Howard Lake, who chose to stay home after her daughter, Lauren, was born in 2014. When Christopherson’s two sons were little (now ages 8 and 10), she worked part-time as an administrative assistant for the athletic director at Howard LakeWaverly-Winsted (HLWW) Schools. But with three children, things changed. “By the time I paid for daycare and stuff, I was working for nothing,” Christopherson recalled. And even though she had a “wonderful” daycare provider, Christopherson wondered if her tiny daughter was getting enough one-on-one attention through the day. “Life is too short, and this is my last baby,” Christopherson said, adding that Lauren is named after Christopherson’s sister, Lauren Nygaard, who died in a sledding accident in 1987 at age 5. Staying home has also been a benefit for Christopherson’s boys – she can chaperone their field trips, volunteer in the classroom, and have cookies ready for them after school.
BY TARA MATHEWS Correspondent
Many area schools are preparing for next year’s students already, so kindergarten registration is just around the corner for many parents. Some area schools have their registration days planned, including Lester Prairie, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (HLWW), and WatertownMayer districts.
Lester Prairie Lacy Christopherson of Howard Lake has been a stay-at-home mom since her daughter, Lauren, was born. The two of them are pictured with Lacy’s husSUBMITTED PHOTO band, Joe, and sons, Liam, 10, and Kade, 8.
photography. Christopherson has a side business taking pictures of weddings, high school seniors, babies, and families, and Heller is considering this possibility, as well. “I’m really fortunate,” Christopherson said, noting that photography is flexible, and she can take Lauren along if needed. “I call her my little best friend,” she said. “We do everything together.” Another stay-at-home mom in the area is Mary Wheatley, who moved to Cokato with her husband, Timothy, four years ago. Their children, ages 2, 6, and 8, are homeschooled, which gives the family more flexibility than a traditional school schedule. “My husband is a pastor [at Cokato Connecting and protecting Evangelical Lutheran Church], so his Shayla Heller of Cokato is also a stayat-home mom, although she wasn’t plan- hours are all over the place,” Wheatley said, adding that Fridays are usually his ning on it at first. The decision came after she held new- day off. born Hallie in her arms 16 months ago. A major transition “I’m crazy protective,” laughed Heller, Before she had children, Wheatley had a 2014 graduate of HLWW High School. been a biology researcher, working at the For her, the best part has been seeing “ev- University of Chicago and later the Uniery major thing that happens in her life, versity of Minnesota. like the first time she crawled, and the “I went from mutating fish to changing first time she walked.” diapers,” she laughed. Heller’s husband, Danny, supports the Although Wheatley considers being family as a welder for AWI Manufactur- able to stay home a blessing, she describes ing in Winsted. the first year as a “huge adjustment.” “We got really lucky,” Heller said, ex“It does take a mind shift,” she said, plaining that Danny graduated from Dun- noting that her family also had to get used woody College of Technology’s fast-track to living on one income. welding program in Winsted, and loves Wheatley added that each family is his job. unique, and what works for one might not be best for another. Flexibility for family time “I think good parenting can be done In addition to caring for their families, whether a mom is working or not,” she Heller and Christopherson both enjoy said.
For mothers who spend the majority of their day with young children, Wheatley stressed that it’s important to get out with adults from time to time. “You need to have a support system, or you will go nuts,” she said. Wheatley’s main source of support has been her homeschool co-op, and she also organized a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group in September. MOPS meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, and gives mothers an opportunity to socialize while their children are entertained with games, snacks, and a story. To learn more, contact Wheatley at (320) 286-6169.
garten round-up Thursday, Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the primary school building, which is located at 313 Angel Ave. in Watertown. Parents can contact Stephanie at (952) 955-0200 for registration materials. The district will also host an open house for Young Royals Preschool Thursday, Jan. 28 from 5 to 6 p.m.
HLWW
Howard Lake-WaverlyWinsted School District will host two kindergarten registration dates, one at Humprhey Elementary in Waverly, and one at Winsted Elementary. Kindergarten registration at Humprhey Elementary will be Saturday, March 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. There will be a festival at the registration with activities for future kindergarten students, as well. Winsted Elementary will host its kindergarten registration Saturday, March 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. It will also include a festival with activities for future kindergarten students. A make-up day, Saturday, April 2, has been scheduled in Watertown-Mayer case weather causes an issue Watertown-Mayer School for either scheduled registraDistrict will host its kindertion day. Lester Prairie School District will host its kindergarten round-up Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in its kindergarten class-rooms on the elementary side of the building. Attendees will still need to enter the building on the high school side, which is located on Hickory St., and follow the signs. Parents will have the ability to get information and meet kindergarten teachers and the principal. There will not be any activities for children, as it is an information session, according to Lester Prairie School Principal Nathaniel Boyer.
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Cokato resident Shayla Heller decided to become a stay-at-home mom after her daughter, Hallie, was born. Her husband, Danny, is employed as a welder at AWI Manufacturing in SUBMITTED PHOTO Winsted.
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