Category: Community

The start of the holiday season is approaching, and with it brings about a time when people begin to think of spreading joy to others. It is in this holiday spirit that one particular organization is enabling individuals to support U.S. soldiers who are overseas fighting for the country’s freedoms everyday. The Adopt A U.S. Soldier program, started in 2005 by Ann Johnson, connects deployed soldiers with those seeking to show their gratitude.

The U.S. soldiers, stationed overseas miss their homeland and posses an overwhelming feeling of jubilation to hear from the people who appreciate the sacrifices they make for us all. When Ann Johnson’s son Paul was deployed to Iraq, she wrote him a letter once a week and when she sent him a care package, Paul shared it with his unit. The troops were thrilled to receive items from home. Ann’s friends found out and started sending Paul packages too, which he then shared with his platoon. The amount of supporters grew exponentially and today, Adopt A U.S. Soldier, according to the website adoptaussoldier.org, “is active in over 170+ countries/ territories/ independent states with over 1,000,000 active volunteers supporting our troops.”

Kelly Watters, a registered nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Broward Health Medical Center, signed up with the Adopt A U.S. Soldier program about a year and a half ago. She was in love with a soldier 20 years ago who was deployed and all he asked of her was to write him letters while he was away. Unfortunately he was killed in action and never made it back home to see her again.

While researching good causes for the hospital to get involved in as a community outreach program, Kelly stumbled upon The AAUSS program. Sounding very dear to her heart, Kelly knew the program could brighten up the lives of the men and women deployed overseas. With the memory of her fallen loved one whom she lost 20 years earlier, she knew how much enjoyment and excitement a soldier feels when getting a letter from back home.

Kelly brings awareness to the program by speaking to groups and sharing her experiences. She is now on her fifth soldier in the course of a year and a half and finds that the program is beneficial to the soldiers and feels very rewarded to participate.

According to The Adopt A U.S. Soldier organization, “most deployed troops hardly ever receive a thank you, a kind word, or even a card or letter from home, let alone a simple care package to remind them what they’re fighting for.”

This holiday season you can make a difference in someone’s life. By adopting a soldier through the Adopt A U.S. Soldier program you too can have the opportunity to connect with soldiers overseas in order to show them your support. Go to adoptaussoldier.org and make a rewarding difference for you and someone else.

 

 

When you sit at your Thanksgiving tables later this month to celebrate, you’ll likely give thanks for your blessings. But before the holiday arrives, or even on the day, you can participate in one or more giving efforts for those in need. The communities of Parkland, Coral Springs, and the surrounding area offer multiple chances to do a good deed before you enjoy your own Thanksgiving meal.

The City of Coral Springs is holding its 29th annual THANKSforGIVING event, which “relies on community help to donate items for Thanksgiving baskets given to families in need,” according to the city’s website. “Residents and business owners are asked to give to this worthy cause as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.”

The deadline for dropping off non-perishable items is November 3. Food items needed include canned yams, mashed or flaked potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, cookies, canned corn, green beans, canned fruit, cookies, rice, soup/ramen noodles as well as macaroni and cheese. You can drop off donations at the Aquatics Complex – 12441 Royal Palm Blvd.; City Hall – 9551 W. Sample Road; City Hall in the Mall – 9239 W. Atlantic Blvd.; and, the Coral Springs Gymnasium – 2501 Coral Springs Drive.
City staff will place all donated items in baskets, together with a gift certificate for a turkey, ham or main dish. Volunteers at religious institutions will distribute the items to preselected families. For more information, call Mary-Lin at 954-346-1356 or MaRhea at 954-346-1355. The city will also accept monetary donations toward the cause.

Kim Sanecki, volunteer services coordinator for the city, said it “never ceases to amaze me” how generous and involved the community is. “I think it says that we’re so lucky to live and work here, where people want to give back to the community,” she said. “Coral Springs is a great place to live and people want to get involved and give back because of that. Last year, thanks to donations, the city was able to provide 400 food baskets for Coral Springs residents in need,” Sanecki said. She also commended city employees for their willingness to donate. “Our employees are so charitable,” Sanecki said.

Another opportunity to help is through Broward County-based Harvest Drive, Inc. It distributes food items at more than 15 Broward County middle and high schools. While the Harvest Drive takes place year-round, the largest project occurs in November. That is when more than 2,300 families receive a week’s worth of groceries, household items, and other things for an entire Thanksgiving meal and beyond.

Jodi Samson, the Harvest Drive district coordinator and a Broward County School social worker, said each family receives 8 to 10 bags of groceries. Students from more than 180 schools, collect, sort, and pack food items under adult supervision. When families arrive to pick up the groceries, adults volunteer to distribute them.

If any organization wishes to donate food, they should bring it to their nearest distribution site. In the Parkland/Coral Springs, area, the nearest sites are Westglades Middle School, 11000 Holmberg Road in Parkland, JP Taravella High School, 10600 Riverside Drive, and Coconut Creek High School, 1400 NW 44th Ave., Coconut Creek. For information as to when you should donate food items and/or money, contact the schools. The phone number for Westglades Middle School is 754-322-4800, while you can reach JP Taravella High at 754-322-2300 and Coconut Creek High School at 754-322-0350.

“We love our volunteers,” Samson said, adding that part of Harvest Drive’s mission is to teach youngsters to give back to their communities.

“In addition to the business and community donations, children are at the helm of all collections,” according to a Harvest program description. “In addition to helping others, the purpose of the Harvest Drive is to teach children at an early age that their contributions can make a difference in the lives of others.” For more information, visit harvestdriveflorida.com.

Farther north, the 2017 Thanksgiving Box Brigade can use your help. The program is part of Boca Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs. It works like this: People pick up a box from the organization and fill it with the following: (1) 6 oz. Stove Top stuffing mix, (1) 10.5 oz. canned gravy (no glass jars), (1) 1.56 oz. powdered drink mix, (4) 15 oz. canned vegetables, (2) 15 oz. canned fruit or fruit cocktail, (2) 4 oz. instant mashed potatoes mix, (1) 29 oz. canned yams, (1) 14 oz. cranberry sauce, (1) 15 oz. canned pie filling and (1) 9-inch Ready Made Pie Graham Cracker Pie Crust (not refrigerated). Families, who registered in October for a Thanksgiving dinner, will receive a turkey and one of the boxes. Each box will feed a family of four.

If you’re interested in filling boxes, call Suzan Javizian at 561-417-0913 ext. 204 or e-mail her at suzan@bocahelpinghands.org. You must return all boxes by Wednesday, November 1. “We’re very grateful for (volunteers) support, we’re very appreciative,” said Javizian. Those who would rather host a Fall food drive should email her. Javizian said Boca Helping Hands is low on food, largely due to Hurricane Irma. Holding a food drive would “be totally, totally helping us,” she said.

St. Andrew Parish also has volunteer opportunities for its Thanksgiving Day luncheon. The parish serves about 1,800 meals to community residents. “It has become a labor of love for the parish,” said parishioner Alan Nichols, who is president of the Men’s Club. Dinner will be served from 8am to 3pm. For more information about volunteering, send an email to samc@bellsouth.net.

Harvest Drive, Inc. drop off sites

WESTGLADES MIDDLE SCHOOL
754-322-4800
11000 Holmberg Rd., Parkland 33076

COCONUT CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
754-322-0350
1400 NW 44th Ave., Coconut Creek FL 33066

JP TARAVELLA HIGH SCHOOL
754-322-2300
10600 Riverside Dr., Coral Springs 33071

MILLENNIUM 6-12 COLLEGIATE ACADEMY
Main Office: 754-322-3900
5803 NW 94th Ave., Tamarac, FL 33321

POMPANO BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
754-322-2000
600 NE 13th Ave., Pompano Beach

PLANTATION HIGH SCHOOL
754-322-1850
6901 NW 16th St., Plantation 33313

CYPRESS BAY HIGH SCHOOL
754-323-0350
18600 Vista Park Blvd., Weston 33332

STRANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL
754-323-2102
1800 SW 5th Pl., Ft. Lauderdale 33312

WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL
754-323-2400
1200 SW 136th Ave., Davie 33325

 

 

The world is a hungry place.

By most estimates, nearly a billion people sharing the planet with us do not have enough to eat or are malnourished. That’s about one in seven of us. Thousands of people in third-world countries starve to death every day. Many international organizations help to feed these hungry people in various ways. Among them is ECHO, a non-profit Christian-based organization that operates from Fort Myers, Florida.

ECHO is dedicated to reducing hunger and improving life for small-scale farmers. It does that primarily by providing technical support to development groups, teaching more efficient and sustainable agriculture methods to farmers, Peace Corps volunteers, and community groups. Those people, in turn, teach others – what they call the ECHO effect. ECHO reaches these people from operational centers in Asia, West Africa, East Africa, and Central America. In ECHO’s Asian Regional Office Seed Bank in Thailand, for instance, they identify underdeveloped seeds and spread their use throughout the region to help supply nutritional food.

In addition to efficient farming practices, ECHO teaches simple technology methods that are primitive to us but dramatically improve the lives of impoverished people. They call this “appropriate technology,” which they research, demonstrate and build to help provide people with food, water, and shelter.

At its Fort Myers headquarters, ECHO conducts one-hour public tours of its Global Farm to demonstrate efficient farming methods in conditions around the world. The farm serves as a training ground for interns who train 14 months before working with small-scale farmers in developing countries.

On this day, veteran tour guide Vic Estoye explained various farming methods and simple technologies ECHO brings to impoverished regions of the world. “We help them make what they need out of what they have,” he said. “Nothing is universal. It must adapt to the country, culture, and skills.” Walking among tall bamboo stands and exotic plants, we stopped to taste cherries from a Barbados cherry tree. Estoye explained that when these trees are planted along schoolyards in poor areas, the cherries provide children with a rich supply of vitamin C.

By mixing animal waste and water in a barrel, ECHO teaches how to produce methane gas to fuel a simple one-burner stove for cooking, which is especially important in areas with a growing wood shortage because so much has been used. Among other things, ECHO teaches how to make cooking stoves of clay, how to build a motor-free well water pump, and how to filter dirty water, making it safe to drink.

The Global Farm demonstrates the value of unusual plants. Farmers, for instance, can plant a special peanut variety whose roots fertilize the nearby soil for growing other farm products. At the farm, you’ll see demonstration of rice paddies, pools of fish (tilapia) that feed on duckweed, and above ground and rooftop gardening methods that don’t need traditional fertilizer.

The Global Farm offers two tours – one focusing on farming, the other on simple technology. The farm also features a nursery that displays exotic plants, with fruits and vegetables for sale. A gift shop and bookstore offers books and seeds that are helpful to Florida gardeners. The tour fee is $12.50 for adults.

As a non-profit organization, ECHO receives the highest marks from Charity Navigator, which rates substantial charities from financial data. According to the latest report, Echo spends little more than 6 percent of money raised on fundraising, about 10 percent on administration and general expenses, and 84 percent directly on programs and services – a top rating. You can learn more about ECHO from its website, echonet.org.

 

As much as we may deny it, love is an overpowering experience that most of us want to feel. In fact, many of us yearn to be loved. Have you ever sat down and thought, “What does it mean to feel loved by my partner?” In essence, what is your partner doing during these specific times that makes you feel wanted and loved?

Touch: Touching can make people feel wanted but most importantly, feel loved. What kind of touching do you crave from your partner? Have you ever discussed with your partner how you would like to be touched? For example, some people feel loved when their partners spontaneously hold their hands, or rest their feet on each other as they are watching television. These times simply depend on your preferences and comfort levels. It may feel awkward to talk about; however, open communication with your partner will lead you to effectively discuss your needs and desires. In turn, you will feel wanted, sought after, and loved.

Show appreciation: Feeling appreciated can make people feel valued, respected, and loved. When do you feel appreciated by your partner? How do you show your partner that he/she is valued and appreciated? Small gestures like leaving a thoughtful post-it on your bathroom mirror, saying “I love you” before you leave the house, and offer random compliments such as “I really like your outfit” can positively shift a relationship and make each partner feel appreciated and loved.

Be a team: Being a team and helping one another can make both individuals feel recognized, supported, and loved. What part of your daily routine do you wish your partner could be more hands-on with? Are your responsibilities as a couple divided fairly or in a way that works for both of you? Think of yourselves as being on the same team. Teammates look out for one another, pick up the slack when another needs help, and understand that they are all on the same level. Support each other and you will feel loved.

Offer emotional support: Actively listening to each other can make individuals feel recognized, acknowledged, and loved. Do you normally feel as if your partner is not listening to you? People typically repeat themselves when they feel they are not being heard. Make sure to be present for one another, physically and emotionally. Make eye contact when your partner is talking to you and try to sit or stay in one place when communicating. People can feel as if you are not listening to them or fully paying attention if you are walking around or doing things around the house. You may be beyond exhausted sometimes, but your partner still needs you. Discuss what you are able to physically and emotionally give your partner and what you are looking to receive as well.

Compromise: Relationships are all about give and take. Finding a balance can result in both of you feeling mutually respected and loved. Does your partner make you feel like his/her opinion is more important than your opinion? Is it always about what he/she wants to do? This can cause individuals to feel invisible in their relationship. Sometimes people don’t compromise because they really don’t know how. Be upfront with your partner and essentially tell him/her what you would like or need and come to some form of middle ground. This may sound odd or wrong to you, but there is no right way to compromise. Do what works best for your relationship. The whole point is to feel happy, valued, and loved by your partner.

Be patient with one another. It takes time to make positive changes and to alter the way we interact with each other. The goal is to have a strong and solid relationship by doing what works best for you and your partner; something only you as a couple can define.

Celeste Catania-Opris, Ph.D., LMFT, offers therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families. Contact her at 954-655-0718; www.TherapyForModernHousewives.com.

 

~ Is this the first year your child will be coming home to an empty house after school?

~ Is your child starting school for the first time?

~ Is your child walking to school alone this year?

Are you concerned about your child’s safety? You should be! Today, the threat to children from predators is greater than ever before. Predators come in a wide variety. There are those who kidnap kids for ransom. There are perverts who kidnap children for their twisted sexual pleasure. And there are predators who kidnap mostly girls but also some boys for the sex industry. Some are forced into prostitution; others are coerced into posing for nude or sexually explicit videos or photos.

Are you scared yet?

Kidnappings and other bad scenarios occur through a variety of ploys. Sometimes a kidnapper will grab a child and try to force him/her into a car. More often, a lure is used to make the child want to go off with the predator. “My dog just had puppies. Do you want to come see them?” is still a popular ruse, as is, “I’ve lost my dog. Will you come with me to help me find him?” A more recent ruse is, “We’re filming a commercial [or a movie] a few blocks from here. Do you want to be in it? Come with me.” Some predators will watch for a child leaving school and walking alone, and then follow him or her at a distance, so the child doesn’t realize he/she is being followed until he/she is almost home. Then the predator makes his move.

Another ruse occurs when the predator singles out a child who is apparently waiting for a ride. The predator tells the child, “Your mother is busy and couldn’t come get you. She asked me to pick you up and bring you home.” But of course, home is not where he will take the child.

But my use of the pronoun “he” shouldn’t leave you believing it’s only men who are predators. While the majority are men, there are women predators too, especially those recruiting kids for the sex industries.

Teach your child these basic safety rules:

• If a kidnapper tries to carry you away by force, scream loudly, “Let me go! You’re not my father!” so passersby don’t think it’s just a case of a dad disciplining an unruly child.
• Turn around from time to time as you walk and be aware of your surroundings.
• If you think you’re being followed, look for a police officer, or go into a store, or look for a woman who has a child with her, and ask for help.
• If you think you’re being followed and nobody is home, go to a neighbor’s house and ring the bell.
• If you’re home alone and the doorbell rings, ask who’s there without opening the door. Never tell anyone you are home alone. Say “My mom is busy, she can’t come to the door.” If the person says he has a package someone must sign for, or if he says he’s a police officer, don’t believe him. Call a trusted neighbor and ask her or him to come over and find out who’s really at the door.
• If you are really scared, call 9-1-1 and tell them what is going on.

And finally, establish a code word with your child. If you usually pick him/her up from school, band, dance class, Scouts, or wherever, and one day you really do need to send a friend in an emergency, share the code word with the person you’re sending. She (or he) can then say to the child, “Your mother asked me to bring you home. Your secret code word is ‘kangaroo.’” Your child hears the code word and knows it’s safe to go with the person. After you’ve used the code word, change it.

There are definitely “bad guys” out there, but with caution and common sense you can keep your child safe from predators.

 

Medications can be affected by certain foods, caffeine, or alcohol. This is called a food-drug interaction. Some food-drug interactions can alter or prevent some medicines from working the way it should. They can cause side effects from medications to be altered or they can create a new side effect. Some medications can change the way your body uses some foods. Any of these interactions may be harmful so it is important to be aware of them. You should ask your doctor, pharmacist, dietitian, or nurse about any medications you are taking and the potential food-drug interactions. The Food and Drug Administration approves these interactions. These interactions should appear on the label when your medication is dispensed. Always follow the directions on your medications. This is one of the reasons why the pharmacist will always ask you if you have any questions about your medication. Pharmacists are armed with a wealth of valuable information and are there to help you.

Some other things that affect your medication include age, weight, sex, other medical conditions, and any vitamins, herbals, and dietary supplements that you may be taking. Also, whether you should take your medicine on a full or empty stomach is important. Some medications can work faster, slower, better, or worse when you take them properly or improperly. Some medications can cause a lot of stomach upset. If the label does not guide you, your pharmacist can explain to you how to take the medication so you can ease stomach upset.

Be aware of the caffeine content of your food and drinks. Caffeine can also impact how a medication works. Some food and drinks that contain caffeine include coffee, cola, chocolate, tea, some of the high energy drinks, and other soft drinks.

 

Alcohol use can add to the side effects of medications. The way your medication works can be altered when you take medication with alcohol, before, or after drinking alcohol. You should always speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the effects of combining alcohol with the medications that you are taking.

It is important to note that prescription medications can interact with each other and with over the counter medications. The same can be true for over the counter medications interacting with each other.

Here is a quick review for some of the more common medications.

Bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis) – only work on an empty stomach. Take with eight ounces of water in the morning without any other medication or food. Two common examples are alendondrate and cholecalciferol.

Sedatives and hypnotics (for sleep) – Do not take with a meal or right after a meal. No alcohol as it can add to the side effects of the medication. One example is zolpidem.

Antidepressants (for depression, general anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and some eating disorders) – Take on a full or empty stomach. No alcohol as it can add to the side effects such as drowsiness. Examples are fluoxetine and sertraline.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (for GERD) – Follow the directions carefully as different medications have different interactions. Examples are omeprazole and pantoprazole.

Diuretics (remove water and minerals from body) – Some raise or reduce potassium and other minerals so follow the directions carefully. Some require supplementation. One example is hydrochlorothiazide.

Narcotics (for pain) – Alcohol increases the dangerous side effects, such as coma or death. Be aware of addiction. Follow the advice carefully. Examples are morphine, hydrocodone or oxycodone with acetaminophen.

Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about any medication that you start taking and alert them to any herbal supplements, vitamins, or minerals that may impact how the medications are utilized.

 

In the performing arts field, Emily Tarallo is considered a “triple threat,” that is, “a performer who excels at acting, singing and dancing.” The Manhattan-born, auburn-haired young woman who grew up and still lives in Davie, admits she’s part of “a big performing family.” But to say her parents are just entertainers is a minimization.

Her dad, Barry Tarallo, has spent 40 years on stages across the nation. An actor, singer and guitarist, he performed on and off Broadway in Grease and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He toured in Cotton Patch Gospel, a show featuring music and lyrics by Harry Chapin. He’s been in regional shows far away and just up the road, at Arts Garage in Delray Beach, the Maltz in Jupiter, FAU Summer Rep, and the Wick Theatre in Boca Raton among others.

Emily’s mom, Amy London, has also trod dramatic venues as an actor, but often works as an artistic or stage director or a stage manager, most recently at Slow Burn Theatre and the Wick. A voice talent and freelance artist, she has even directed her daughter in dance shows.

But Barry and Emily jointly lament the fact they’ve never appeared in the same show together.

They nearly shattered that bit of theatrical history last month when they performed at two locations in Boca Raton. Emily portrayed Babette in the Wick Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast. And Barry, for the third consecutive year, was one of four Equity actors who joined Master of Fine Arts students at Florida Atlantic University for their two Summer Repertory productions – Sense and Sensibility and Into the Woods.

Emily has learned from her parents’ on-stage skills and pronounces them “my biggest inspiration.”

“My mother is a brilliant director/stage manager and my father is an actor/musician with one of the best voices I’ve ever heard,” she said. “I remember growing up, watching them perform in various theaters. It’s all I’ve ever known. They are amazing. They always give me insight from their own work experience, but they encourage me to create by own voice and craft. They are my biggest fans,” Emily said.

Barry also acknowledges his daughter’s skills. “A few performers have that extra little spark, something innate and natural. I always say that Emily has that.”

“I feel I have that because of my Dad and Mom,” Emily responded.

Though no longer married, Barry and Amy “are still very good friends,” he said. “She has stage-managed me and directed shows that I have been in.  I run a lot of things by her.”

While Emily’s passion is definitely for dance, she has learned the full range of stage performance by observing her parents. Emily smiles with much pride about how she loves walking the rear stairway of the Actors Playhouse in Coral Gables and seeing photos of her father in various stage performances hanging along the wall.

Still in her mid-20s, Emily has performed in Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Peter Pan, West Side Story, Footloose, Hair and other shows throughout the area. A choreographer and dance instructor, she has often served as dance captain in productions. “I’m responsible for conducting brush-up rehearsals, teaching choreography and making sure all the dance numbers look clean and sharp.”

When she completed the run of Beauty and the Beast, Emily moved on to another Disney-inspired show Tarzan, the Musical, which opens in October at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, in conjunction with Slow Burn Theater.

What’s the future hold for the young dancer/actress? “I have always dreamed of being on Broadway,” she said. “And I know that, one day, I will make it there.”

 

There was a time when bullying took place on the playground. Now, it’s done through social media. In its intended form, social media is a tremendous platform of communications. The downside, however, is the ease in which it can be used to cause psychological and emotional distress to others.

It’s well documented that today’s tech savvy generation has posted disturbing messages, videos, and images, and used cell phones to send comments that revealed private or personally embarrassing information. This form of cyber-bullying causes depression, anger, embarrassment, and poor self-esteem—not to mention lack of production in the classroom.

Daphne Young, vice president of Communications and Prevention Education for ChildHelp, said a child’s life can be an open book, and social media puts them at risk to predators and cyber bullies. “Social media can be an insidious disease that leaves unsuspecting parents groping for answers about how to protect their children and who to trust,” she said. “Kids who go online are entering a portal that is a completely different mental and emotional world, one in which they unknowingly could be groomed for abuse and ridicule—or they could be the ones who are perpetuating mean, tough talk. This is a legitimate concern.”

“Speak Up and Be Safe” is an educational program offered by ChildHelp that provides information for both parents and children. “When the mind of a child is forming, it is easy to slip into a fantasy world,” Young said. “It is important to be your child’s parent, not a best friend. Parents need to be a part of their child’s life, and take control to make sure they are out of harm’s way.”

Dr. Mitch Spero, a licensed psychologist and director of Child & Family Psychologists in Sunrise, said the psychological issues associated with abusive messages are anxiety, depression, and vulnerability. “These are harmful, and can have long-lasting effects,” he said.

According to Sgt. Steve Feeley of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, cyber-bullying is a law enforcement issue. “We have had calls about stalking, kids threatening bodily harm, and damaging property,” he said. “There is zero tolerance for such actions, and since it’s a public safety issue, we take each case very seriously.”

There is a fixation among all age groups to use social media to manage and maintain friendships. Unfortunately, it has also been used as a springboard to spew hatred and bitterness.

“When elected officials use social media to talk harshly about others, it is hard for kids to rise above that,” noted Young. “In effect, it’s saying to them this is the accepted norm. Bullying is a byproduct of this collective loss of decorum, and it’s unfortunate that no one puts the brakes on and says, ‘this is not how we react.’”

Understanding the positives and negatives of social media is an important discussion for every family. The medium has many positives, but it can also be hurtful when used improperly. Open communications are vital, and parents who choose to not properly supervise their child may never know the online life that he or she is leading.

 

 

“Good teachers are the reason why ordinary students dream to do extraordinary things.” – Anonymous

It is back to school time, again. Parents are busy preparing their children for the academic year, while holding on to the last days of summer vacation.

It is a time of anxious anticipation and excitement. Parents are busy making sure their children have the supplies and academic preparation they need. Students are wondering: Will they be in classes with their best friends? Will they have a nice teacher?

Everyone is hoping for a good school year, and much of that will depend upon the teachers to which our students will be assigned. Although some parents feel they should not intervene or make special requests in terms of who is the best-fit teacher for their child, in recent times more parents are feeling the need to become involved in the process.

In many of our public schools, parent involvement is welcomed, especially when parents have helpful insight into their child’s learning style. Having a good or bad teacher can greatly impact the success of the student.

According Michelle Rhee, former schools’ superintendent in Washington, D.C., “Students who get two or three strong teachers in a row improve their performance despite their backgrounds, while those stuck with a series of weak teachers may never recover.”

It is no wonder why parents are making it their mission to become involved in their child’s public education. Specifically, parents are considering the experience level and background of their child’s teachers.

“It is important to me that my child’s teachers be well-qualified because teachers have a great deal of influence on their students,” said Paula Hyman, a teacher in South Palm Beach, as well as a mother of a 12-year-old. “What matters more than a teacher’s previous experience, is the teacher’s philosophy on education and their knowledge of the subjects they are teaching.”

Cultivating teacher-student compatibility is an involved process that takes months of collaboration between educators and school administrators. It is important that parents who want to be involved are also educated about their child’s learning style, because a favorite teacher for one student may not be the best match for another.

Overall, what is essential for student success in school is that everyone works together for common goals and is supportive of one another, parents, teachers and students.

“Parent involvement at school and encouragement at home help students feel motivated to learn in the classroom. If the parent, teacher and student are all on the same page, then the student will be able to thrive,” Paula said.

One fact everyone agrees on is that great teachers have a significant impact on a student’s attitude towards school and on his life long success.

 

If Park Trails Elementary School students are ready to help change the world through kindness, they share a goal with the Parkland school’s new principal.

Charles McCanna, who has worked for Broward County Schools for all 32 years of his educational career, plans to implement a spreading kindness theme for the upcoming school year. Kindness is what endeared McCanna to a fifth-grade boy at another school. He recalled the youngsters were walking to class when the boy stared at McCanna. He wasn’t annoyed, but wondered what the boy was thinking.

“Mr. McCanna, why are you so nice?” he recalled the student asking him. “I never expected that answer and it was really great to hear,” McCanna said. “It made me feel like I was doing something right. I really try to lead by example.”

McCanna said he explains to children that being kind to people all the time is hard. “It’s easy to lash back at somebody if he or she was mean to you. But in the end, being nice pays off,” the administrator said. “Being kind to people is really the way to go. It can change the world, actually.”

Since December 2002, McCanna served as principal of Nova Blanche Forman Elementary in Ft. Lauderdale. He said an atmosphere of peacefulness pervades the halls and classrooms. McCanna added he can only recall three or four fights in 15 years.

McCanna has won several accolades during his time at Nova Blanche. He was voted by his peers to represent 139 elementary schools as chairperson of The Elementary Principals’ Organization. Apple Computers honored McCanna with a Distinguished Program Award in 2012 and 2013 for serving on a discussion panel regarding Strategies for iPod Use in Schools.

As principal of that school, he “led one of the most diverse elementary schools in Broward County,” according to his résumé. The ethnic breakdown of the school’s 756 K-5 students is as follows: 23 percent White, 43 percent Black, 24 percent Hispanic, 7 percent Asian and 3 percent Multi-Racial. Among the student body, 7 percent are English language learners, 55 percent are on Free or Reduced Lunch and 10 percent are in an Exceptional Student Education program.

McCanna said having a diverse student body benefits them. “They have the chance to learn about other cultures, and while they may be different from one another, they can not only get along but become friends. A diverse environment offers many opportunities to practice acts of kindness,” he said.

McCanna said he accepted the opening at Park Trails Elementary because he was ready for a new challenge. He will be in a less-diverse, larger environment; Park Trails has 1,300 students. But the soft and pleasant-spoken McCanna didn’t sound fazed during a phone interview. “It’s going to be fine,” he said.

Throughout his career, McCanna has taught for about four years, served as mathematics supervisor for three years, assistant principal for 10 years, and principal for 15 years. He said he has no desire to become a district superintendent.

His decision to enter the education field was cemented in high school in his home state. The teacher handed out dittos and gave the class “busy work.” McCanna thought he could do better as a teacher. He received an elementary education degree for his bachelors and a graduate degree in science education. McCanna said he soon felt his heart belonged in elementary school.

“They’re very honest, usually,” he said, referring to students that age. “Some of them have very few filters. They’ll tell you exactly what they think about things, especially (the) youngest ones. It’s just hilarious. And they just want to make the teacher happy at that age.”