28
Youth
Dec. 5 - Dec. 18, 2015
Coaches encouraged to monitor social media posts of athletes BY NICOLE CHOKSI
Most high school students don’t believe their social media accounts are being monitored, nor do they think they will get in trouble for what they post. That is not the case for Hamilton High School football and volleyball players. School administrators encourage the coaches to punish players for negative posts. “I believe social media needs to monitored not only for the protection of my volleyball program but also protection of my athletes,” Hamilton boys volleyball coach Jeff Bader said. Bader is not the only coach who wants to ensure appropriate social media conduct. Varsity football coach Steve Belles knows the affect that social media can have on athletes in high school as beyond. “If a kid is being recruited, one of the things I know they look at now is their social media,” Belles said. Belles and Bader encourage their athletes to post positive messages only and stress that negative ones will have repercussions. “We enlighten our athletes about the positive and negative aspects of social media,” Bader said. “We make an attempt to help them become knowledgeable about social media.” Bader laid down team rules regarding social media. If he sees anything that is unacceptable, he will deal with it unless it
is a serious offense, and at that point he would notify an administrator. His rules have made a point: He has yet to need to pursue any punishment. He hopes that open conversation and continued monitoring of the players will keep things positive. “We have a talk about social media to our kids before the start of the season,” Belles said. “We tell them that every circumstance could be different to punishment or whatever action happens within the media.” For the smaller teams at Hamilton, social media does not become an issue. Jeff Kain, girls golf coach, only has seven girls and social media has not been an issue for his team. “It is really just protecting them in the future,” Belles said. “And that the thing that I think most of them get that once they post something that it is going to be out there forever.”
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Free SAT, ACT practice tests at Tutor House High school juniors and seniors are invited to take a free SAT or ACT practice test on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Tutor House Tutoring Services, 1256 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite F, Chandler. Testing is from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a welcome and registration from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Students should bring a calculator to the session. Taking the practice test is a way for students to find strengths and weaknesses in a low-pressure environment. Participants will become familiar with the test format, question types, timing and content tested on these college entrance exams. Test results and analysis are given by email. Separately scheduled conferences are available. This free practice test is offered in addition to Tutor House’s regular SAT and ACT prep programs. Tutor House is
a family-owned and -operated learning center helping students reach their full potential by providing an individualized approach to education. The tutoring process begins with a skills assessment that will identify students’ academic strengths and weaknesses; test results are then reviewed with parents, and a program is designed to address the student’s individual needs. A wide range of one-on-one and small group tutoring for students in grades kindergarten through 12 is available, including tutoring in reading, math, writing, study skills, algebra, geometry, calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, SAT/ ACT prep and more. Sign up at www.TutorHouseAZ.com on the homepage to reserve a seat. For more information, call (480) 857-1222 or email tutoring@tutorhouseaz.com.
Breakfast with Santa set for December Kartwheels for Kids is hosting a Breakfast with Santa and a Donation Drive Event from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Noah’s Event Venue, 2100 E. Yeager Dr., Chandler. The event will feature Santa, Diamondbacks pitcher and Chandler resident Daniel Hudson, ASU men’s gymnasts and food trucks. There will be “Kartwheel clinics” for children with balance beams, bars and tumbling instruction. Clean out the closet and garages for
the Stuff the Truck Drive. Small or large items are wanted—the heavier the better— because the nonprofit Kartwheels is paid by the pound. All the funds raised will go toward scholarships for children to attend gymnastics programs. For more information, visit www. kartwheelsforkids.org, or email info@ kartwheelsforkids.org.
Child have Buck Teeth? New Research Points to Higher Risks of Trauma
From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop
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arents who have a child with an overjet, or what is commonly referred to by people as “buck teeth,” know some of the problems that may arise as a result. While they realize that their child may be at a higher risk for being teased or even have more Dr. Thomas Chamberlain difficulty biting into certain foods, they may not be aware that it actually puts their child at a higher risk for dental trauma. Research in the “Journal of Dental Traumatology” reports that children who have an overjet are at a higher risk for experiencing dental trauma at some point. With the teeth protruding out more, it puts them in a vulnerable position that may lead to traumatic experiences that include chipped teeth or fractures, dislodged teeth, knocked-out teeth, and root fractures. The study also indicates
that males are at a higher risk for the trauma than females are, and that those children who have an overjet that is greater than 6 mm have four times the risk of dental trauma. Overjet can occur for a variety of reasons, including heredity, improper alignment, thumb sucking, overuse of pacifiers, and overcrowding of teeth. Left untreated, it can also impact speech, leading to impediments. As most children who have an overjet can attest, it is also an aesthetic issue that may attract unwanted attention to those who have it. The good news is that overjet can successfully be corrected by working with an orthodontist. Today, there are several treatment options available to help correct an overjet, thus reducing the risks of dental trauma and other related issues. Options range from braces and dental appliances to surgery for extreme overjet situations. The im-
portant issue for parents to remember is that it is a treatment that should not be ignored. Getting a proper treatment timeline may save the child years of problems and help them to avoid dental traumas. Parents who have a child with overjet will want to make an appointment with an orthodontist. During that visit, the severity of the condition can be assessed, and treatment options and timing can also be discussed. This is just one more step toward helping their child to avoid further injury, and move closer to having optimal oral health! Journal of Dental Traumatology 2013; 29 (April): 110-114. Title: “Prevalence of Traumatic Injuries to Permanent Dentition and its Association with Overjet in a Swiss Child Population.” Authors: Scholtz J-P, Hakeberg M., et al.
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