Parents, Kids & Community Seasons 2023 - Edition Nine

WATCH MEAGHAN’S #MYWOODLOCHSTORY scan here with your phone

For 65 years we have been changing the lives of our guests through experiential satisfaction, wholesome homegrown activities, and family-focused traditions. One of our greatest strengths lies in the ability to help guests foster a healthier holistic mindset. We’ve seen it, day after day, as guests check in and then check out, their demeanor is uplifted, their spirits brighter, and their hugs with their kids are a little bit tighter.

“What I discovered at Woodloch is what I want for my own family, and why we keep coming back, it’s that magic of together.”

- Meaghan MurphyAuthor, Editor, Woodloch Ambassador

How Parents Can Pitch In At Their Children’s Schools

Givingback to one’s community can take many forms. Some may give back by supporting the legislature to make communities more inclusive, while others may volunteer with their local fire departments. Parents of school-aged youngsters can typically find many opportunities to give back through their children’s schools. Parents who volunteer at their children’s schools often get a unique glimpse into their children’s life at school. Such parents may see how their children interact with educators and classmates and gain greater insight into the school community where kids spend so much of their time. Volunteering at school also can benefit kids, who may recognize the importance of education more readily if mom and/or dad are spending their free time on campus. That recognition can leave to improved performance in the classroom.

Parent-teacher associations can be great resources for parents who want to volunteer with their children’s schools. Each year, students graduate and move on to new schools or colleges, meaning schools are in new need of parent volunteers each school year. Though each school has its own unique needs, the following are some roles parent volunteers may be able to play at their children’s schools.

• Tutor

• Mentor

• IT support: Parents with significant experience in tech or information technology can offer to lend a hand or provide advice or insight in support of a school’s IT staff

• Organizer: Schools host many functions in a typical school year, and officials typically ask parents to pitch in so such events can be successful. For example, parents can help organize school fundraisers, dances, and holiday bazaars.

• Chaperone on field trips

• Assistant coach: Many schools pay

Kids Can Get Their Game On

Modernchildren have somewhat different ideas of what constitutes entertainment, especially when compared to youngsters from a generation or two ago. While it was once commonplace for kids to be out and about with their friends riding bikes and spending time in each other’s backyards — only returning home when the streetlights came on — modern youths spend lots of time at home and indoors on their devices.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids between the ages of eight and 18 now spend an average of 7.5 hours in front of a screen each day. That figure only accounts for recreational time and doesn’t include the hours kids spend on computers or tablets for educational purposes. In addition, social media is a large part of kids’ days. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicates 90 percent of teens between the ages of 13, and 17 have used social media, and 51 percent report visiting a social media site at least daily. Younger children also use social media, with a recent poll from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital saying 32 percent of parents of kids between the ages of seven and nine reported their children use social media apps.

A classic children’s game night might be just what the doctor ordered to draw kids away from screens and provide a healthy respite from the barrage of information coming their way through the internet. With these tips, a game night can be a successful way to help children engage socially in person.

Pick A Theme

Unite all elements of the game night by selecting a theme. For example, if you will be pulling out the classic game OperationTM, pre-purchase inexpensive lab coats or doctors’ scrubs for participants to wear. Serve foods shaped like various body parts (borrow from some Halloween ideas) and invite guests with

stipends to the head coaches of their athletic teams, but parents can serve as unpaid assistants or support staff during the season. For example, parents can volunteer to work as gameday staff, taking tickets at the gate or directing ticket holders where to park.

• Club official: Extracurricular clubs also can benefit from parents willing to work as volunteers. Parents can help students who want to start new clubs or serve as moderators or helpers in existing clubs.

• Speaker: High schools may host periodic career days throughout the school year to help students on the cusp of applying to college uncover potential career paths. Parents with significant professional experience in a given field can offer to speak to students on career days, sharing information about their careers and industries and answering any questions students may have.

• Administrative support: Parents can also pitch to help with behind-the-scenes administrative duties like letter-writing, grant proposals, and other projects that are vital in securing funding for school programs and other services.

an invitation that serves as a “Prescription for Fun.”

Choose A Good Time

Even though “game night” implies the gathering takes place in the evening, choose a time that works best for most. Perhaps meeting directly after school for snacks and play before dinner aligns better with everyone’s schedule. Parents can take turns hosting to give children something to look forward to once a week.

Shop Together

Bring the kids along to the store to select board games and other activities that appeal to them. Explain that the majority of game nights will be dedicated to non-electronic games. Parents can organize game night how they see fit, but working one video game night into the rotation each month can up the fun factor for kids.

Take It Outside

“Games” encompass a wide array of activities. Organize a pick-up whiffle ball game in the cul-de-sac or an after-dark manhunt game with flashlights (age permitting). Families with pools can rotate having kids over for pool games, which can include volleyball, diving games, or Marco Polo.

How Do You Feel About Heading Back To School?

Heading back to school after a fun summer vacation can be a challenge for many kids and adults alike. Some kids are excited to see their friends and welcome a new grade, while some are not so good at embracing change. Some teachers are ready to welcome their new kids and a whole new year, while others are dreading the idea. We are all different and approach life differently.

Wishing students, parents and sta a blessed school year!

I want to share a couple poems from my books, with the hope of helping kids and adults alike embrace the changes and challenges the new school year will bring. As you encounter these challenges, may you continue to be inspired by the beautiful experiences this school year has in store.

The poem Hero from A Collection of Poems: A Journey Through Life enables one to find the hero inside of them and discover the stronger, braver person within.

Hero

“When life’s problems seem bigger And tougher than you Your attitude will determine If you will get through

When obstacles consume And intimidate you Your commitment is needed To get you through

When you are terrified, bewildered and discouraged with life Don’t ever give up

Keep your eyes on the prize

Whatever curveball

Life throws at you

Keep pressing forward

Find the hero in you”

Here is snippet of the poem “Change” from A lesson A Day: A Child’s Way

“The caterpillar spins and spins Working tirelessly all day Never ever settling On staying the same way…

He knows that change brings beauty Though at times it’s hard to see Without change there will be no butterflies And he’ll never ever learn to fly”

As a former school nurse, I know how stressful adjusting to a new school year can be. Adults are no exception to the many obstacles and challenges that accompany change, yet change is required to achieve greatness.

Cheryl Williams Local Author

Considerations For Seniors Looking To Go Back To School

The picture of a traditional college student is one in his or her late teens or early 20s. However, a deeper look may reveal that college student demographics are more diverse than one might imagine. In fact, senior citizens can rest assured that if they plan to return to the classroom, they’re likely to find students around their age. According to the senior citizen resource Elder Guru, just over 0.3 percent of university students are over 65. Even though that is a low number in the grand scheme of things, it is an indication that seniors have a presence on college campuses. And that number is expected to rise. Universities are increasing efforts to include seniors as important parts of their student bodies. Here are some things seniors considering going back to school may want to know.

• Incentives are available. Many schools are looking to expand their elder student body populations by making it easier for them to go to school. That means seniors may be able to attend for little to no cost through tuition waivers and discounts. Speak

with an admissions officer about your options.

• Lay the foundation for a new career. A survey from the Rand Corporation found that 39 percent of workers age 65 and older who were currently employed had previously retired at some point. Going back to school may provide a foundation for new skills that can make it easier to advance in a second career. Heading back to classes also can help people stay competitive in their current job.

• Engage and socialize. Going back to school provides seniors with an opportunity to engage with their peers and younger students. Returning to school may expose older adults to new experiences, technologies, and customs they may otherwise never have enjoyed.

• Embrace the excitement of a new environment and its challenges. Heading back to college can be challenging, which is something seniors looking for mental stimulation may enjoy. Senior Finance Advisor reports that heading back to school and lifelong

Age Is No Deterrent When It Comes

To Academics

Studentsoften experience some jitters on the first day of school, but the prospect of such nervousness doesn’t appear to be too great a deterrent for students 60 and older. Officials at Toronto’s York University estimated they had around 430 students aged 60 and older in the undergraduate and graduate programs in 2021. Increased enrollment among people at or near what is often considered retirement age could be a reflection of what the AARP notes have been an increase in continuing education courses at many colleges and universities. Such courses may be offered to individuals of a certain age at reduced tuition. They also can help workers over 50 learn new skills that can benefit them in an ever-adapting professional landscape that increasingly relies on technologies that may not have been around when older professionals attended college and began their careers. In addition, the AARP reports that individuals interested in going back to school for personal enrichment, as opposed to achieving an advanced degree, may be able to audit classes for free. In such instances, older adults often do not receive academic credit but still get to benefit from taking the class.

learning has been linked to better health, improved financial situations, and even a reduced risk of dementia.

• Staying informed. Going back to school can enable seniors to stay technologically informed and learn about movements and other factors that are helping to shape the modern world. Seniors have many reasons to return to the college classroom, and such a pursuit can pay numerous dividends.

Town of Babylon Cares Coalition Updates!

From grieving families to first responders, the impacts of overdose are far reaching and do not discriminate.

Join in on International Overdose Awareness Day August 31, 2023 from 4-7 PM by bringing your unused, unwanted and expired medications to The Lindenhurst Moose Lodge located at 883 South Broadway.

Seniors, bring ID to receive your free ID Card issued by the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department.

All participants will be registered to win a $50.00 gift card, drawing on 8/31 you need not be present to win. Let's work together!

Communities in action teaming up for health, wellness and connection to resources. Scan QR code for prevention in action.

TOWN OF BABYLON CARES COALITION UPDATES!

Since 2013, The Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition has actively worked to create awareness and reduce the misuse of drugs and alcohol by youth. In July, founding members from the Concerned Citizens of Wyandanch, Lindenhurst Community Cares, parents, and students from North Babylon and Lindy worked together to learn from and share successes with like-minded leaders worldwide. There's nothing a group of dedicated citizens can't achieve by teaming up to study the science of prevention and bring best practices to our neighborhoods, campaigns, and events.