OTAGO UNIVERSITY RESEARCH from NEW ZEALAND

In the last several editions of 'The Neighborhood', we have mentioned the latest results from research at the University of Waterloo in Canada. We have also raised the issue of looking at research devoted to studying children who are succeeding in school. Especially from the perspective of brain functioning and its correlation with eating healthy food, watching less TV and getting more sleep. During my travels in New Zealand this past summer, I was intrigued by research data which had just been released from the University of Otago-New Zealand's oldest university-and the front page headline news of the July 18th Sunday Herald which read as follows:

'Damaged For Life by Too Much TV' Health: A study of 100 New Zealanders produces some startling results. Watching too much television as a child causes serious health problems years later, and raises the risk of heart disease, a New Zealand study of 1000 children has found. And researchers say the health problems will be far greater fro the next generation, as children now have access to far more TV and other electronic media than they did when the research began. The Otago University researchers want the Government to consider banning advertising-particularly for fast food-during the hours children are more likely to be watching.

The study is the first of its kind in the world and was published this summer in the international medical journal The Lancet. It links the amount of time spent in front of the box as a child with obesity, high cholesterol, poor fitness and smoking. The researchers followed about 1000 children born in Dunedin in 1972 and 1973. Every two years between the ages of 5 and 15, they were asked how much television they watched. Those who watched most also had the most health problems as young adults.
In next week's edition, the conclusion to this fascinating research.

- Merrill Badger, Principal

Happening This Week:

Wednesday., October 6th is a half day early release at 12:30 pm.. Lunch is available for $3.00.

Thursday, October 7th is picture retakes, please see Beni if you are interested.

Friday October 8th is also a half-day early release at 12:30pm.

Fall Break begins this weekend NO SCHOOL next week. Have a great vacation, see you on Monday Oct., 18th!

CPR and First Aid Classes

SCHOOL NEWS

String Notes
From Miss Barbara

For the students who are no longer taking Strings class:

Please bring your violins to the office no later than Tuesday, October 6th. Milano Music will be coming to pick them up.
If you have any questions please call Paul Maneely 636-5563 Or Beni 541-7700

Many thanks to everyone...

...who made the Festival of Strength & Courage such a great success. MOS enrollment is now at 157 students! Welcome new families! The after-school tutoring program has been approved. The faculty has agreed on a Monday/Wednesday time frame from 3 to 4PM, 22 to 25 students in grades 3–7 will be recommended for services. The focus is on math skills, with some language arts skills being addressed. A letter will be coming from Mr. Badger to prospective families, explaining the program. The program will begin on Monday, October 18th when we return from our fall break. We have discussed possible new sites and financing and we are looking for new Board members. We are also looking for someone who can take the minutes at the meetings. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 18 at 5:30PM.

DeeAnn Morgan

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU….

To Martha Jensen & her crew of Grounds Committee Volunteers for redesigning our parking spaces which now fit 5 cars instead of 4, and especially for creating a safe path for children located in front of parked cars instead of behind them.

Do you want to decide where some of your
Arizona State Tax money goes?

You can. The AZ Tax Credit program allows you to take as much as $250. per year and give it to Mountain Oak INSTEAD of paying it to the State with your regular state taxes. This is not a donation, it is a tax credit which will reduce your tax obligation to the state. Please see Beni in the office for Tax credit forms, or feel free to contact Albert at 443-7712.

TEACHER TRAINING

The Arizona Red Rock Teacher Education Center is hosting another session at MOS from October 8-11. Student candidates and faculty will be looking for housing accommodations. Please see the attachment to this issue of the 'TUESDAY' if you are interested and return to DeeAnn Morgan.

VOTER REGISISTRATION

A voter registration booth will be set up in front of the school campus next week and catered by MOS parents to assist community members with registration forms for the upcoming
November election.

Missing...

3 white plastic 5 gallon buckets from the Festival of Strength and courage. Please call Shellece Swafford at 445-4775 if you have them or have seen them.

Thanks, Shellece

“Waldorf in the Home”

9th Annual Conference October 23-24th at Shinning Mountain Waldorf School in Boulder, CO. Visit the parent resource room to get the details on this upcoming Waldorf education opportunity for parents.