WHY TELEVISION IS BAD FOR US

This is part 2 of a 3-part series. According to a 30 year research study at the University of Otago in New Zealand, watching too much television as a child causes serious health problems years later. Other reasons it is bad for us include: Exercise: The more time children spend in front of the TV, the less likely they are to take part in physical activity. Smoking: Tobacco images have been common on children's TV, say the study. Children who watch televised sport are more likely to smoke. Diet: Advertising in children's viewing time promotes an unhealthy diet.

Besides the University of Otago study, the Royal Australian College of Physicians issued the results of research into the effects of electronic media on children. It said too much television could interfere with children's growth and development. These findings were drawn from a review of 148 papers written on American, Australian and New Zealand child health. But the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit study has looked specifically at television watching and its effects on health.

The children in this study watched TV for 2 hours 20 minutes a day, exceeding US health guidelines of no more than two hours. Among all 26 year-olds, 17 per cent of those who are overweight, 15 per cent of those with high cholesterol, 17 percent of smokers and 15 percent with poor fitness could be directly attributed to watching more than two hours of TV a day. Only 7 percent of those in the study watched less than one hour a day as children, and they were by far the healthiest. Study head Dr. Bob Hancox said the Dunedin subjects grew up in the 1970s and 80s when New Zealand had only two television channels and most homes had only one TV set.

Today, children have access to scores of satellite channels, games, videos, DVD and the internet. The health effects of television could not be explained by any other factors, such as family habits or socio-economic status. "It's not just that children who were already overweight decided to watch more television," Dr. Hancox said. "Rather, children who watch a lot of television were likely to become overweight. If we really want to do anything about the obesity epidemic, we have to make some hard choices like reducing the amount of TV kids watch."

Restricting junk-food advertising and children's ability to buy it were last year canvassed in submissions on the new Public Health Bill, which the government is due to release soon. D. Hancox said parents could make a difference by turning the TV off more often, but to really address the obesity problem society had to have a change of mindset. "Individual parents have got a big role to play, but I think it's too much to expect parents to do everything themselves. There is a lot of pressure for kids to watch TV from their friends at school, but I think society and parents really need to think about how we can reduce it. We should all be watching less TV."

Part 3 next week on 'Parenting' and 'Children Thrive Without the Box'.

- Merrill Badger, Principal

Happening This Week:

Friday morning for Tea Garden refreshments from 7:45 to 8:30 am.

Wednesday, October 27 is our Parent University presentation by Robert Zieve, M.D. From 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Dr. Zieve will discuss and answer your questions on childhood health, children's vaccinations, and other related topics.

SCHOOL NEWS

String Notes
From Miss Barbara

The Mountain Oak String Orchestra is up and running! 23 string players from the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades have opted to be a part of this new adventure! We’ve only just begun to work in a seated orchestra setting with our new music stands, but it looks and feels great!

Don’t look for us to perform string orchestra style for the November Assembly ‘cause we’ve gotten off to a bit of a late start. We are presently solidifying our last year’s skills and will have some rounds ready for you in November. But we are beginning to read music together and will have some gorgeous string orchestra pieces for you in March!

I’m really thrilled to be working with this particular bunch of students! They are so charming and motivated! However, in order to maintain their status in the orchestra, they must show that they are willing and able to keep up a consistent home practice record, so parents – PLEASE help them to find a special time and place at home to practice the items clearly designated on each week’s practice sheet. And then practice by the task, not the clock!

WHY DO WE PRACTICE? There may be many answers to this question but my favorite is: TO MAKE THINGS EASY! When they are easy, they are fun, and we can refine them to make them even more beautiful.

TUTORING

Beginning Monday, October 25th and Wednesday, October 27th
from 3-4 PM, MOS is featuring special tutoring classes
for students in grades 3-7.

This program is generously underwritten by the MOS School Board of Directors which means there is no cost to parents, other than delivering on the transportation. Class teachers in grades 3-7 have specific recommendations regarding students who will benefit from this after-school service which will take place in the 3-4-7 grade classrooms. Teachers are writing to individual children and families in grades 3-7 whom they feel will particularly benefit from this extra scholastic attention and skills building program. The tutoring classes will also be taught by several MOS educators. This Monday and Wednesday program (3-4 PM) will be a continuous and ongoing course throughout the year. Included in the letter to families will be a reminder, among other things, that those students not picked up by 4 PM from the tutoring classes will be enrolled in AFTER-CARE and responsible for those particular fees. Once again, a huge thank-you is extended to the Board of Directors for recognizing the benefit this will bring to many of our school children and families.

Child Drop-off and Pick-up Courteously

We’ve received feedback from parents that our drop-off/ pick-up traffic needs improving. Parents can forget that when we drop-off/pick-up children it is important to be aware of all other parent drivers who are behind you in line. When you drop-off /pick-up your child:
please ask your child to be ready and to keep a lookout for you at the pick-up gate area;
pull up to the gate and have the gatekeeper signal your child over to your car;
have your child get in the car, buckle up for safety, and then drive away from the gate.
It is that simple! If you have to talk to someone, go find your child, or load the car with items, than please park your car outside the school. This is a matter of courteously and safety for everyone!

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.

PARENT UNIVERSITY

With all the headlines and news media attention lately given to flu vaccine shortages and the like, you definitely do not want to miss the Wednesday, October 27 presentation by Robert Zieve, M.D. Dr. Zieve will discuss childhood health, children's vaccinations, and also address adult health topics of interest . This adult education forum is open to all friends of education and the Prescott community. I know many of our MOS parents and friends are already planning to attend this 7-8:30 PM session.