081611 newsletter

August 16, 2011 - September 15, 2011
A Positive Attitude Outlook, Inc.
4828 N. First St., Suite 101
Fresno, California 93710
Address Correction Requested
4828 N. First St., Suite 101
Fresno, California 93710
Tel (559) 248-2670
Fax (559) 248-2699
www.paoi.org
Board of Directors
Reggie White, President
Johnniqua Bunch, Vice President
Joshua Sims, Secretary/Treasurer
James Mayes, Member
Judy Logan, Member
Loutheana Sanders, Member
Columbus White, Member
Regana McGee, CEO
Agency Staff
Richard F. Ortez, Asst. Exec. Director
Bobby McGee, Director Administrator
Maria R. Bustamante, Supervisor
Vanessa Verduzco, Social Worker
Krista A. Lack, Social Worker
Douglas Phillips, Social Worker
Irma G. Perez, Social Worker
Kelly L. Kleinhammer, Social Worker
Margaret Rendon, Executive Secretary
Adolfo Resendez, Recruiter
In This Issue
Page 1 Office Supervisor’s
Greeting and Message
Page 2 Upcoming Events
August 16, 2011 - September 15, 2011
M e s s a g e s from Maria
School Bells Will Soon Be
Ringing!
Actually, nowadays, the
sound of extra loud horns,
advise our students it is time
for classes to start! Ask your
children how they feel about
school starting, hopefully
most of our students will be
excited, looking forward to
the new year, but then again,
we have those who may be
scared or anxious. We need
to find out what those fears
are, help them deal with their
issues so that they can have
a less stressful time, and be
more successful in school.
Page 3 Teens 101: Shoplifting
Page 4 Parenting Tip: What Your
Child Needs to Know Before
Starting Pre-school
Page 6 Parenting Education:
Establishing Your Values
Page 6 Monthly Devotion
by Bobby McGee
Page 7 Arts And Crafts:
A Bug’s Life
Page 7 Birthdays
Page 8 Training Hours
8
One of the biggest stressors
for children is being a
target for bullies; if this
was happening to them last
school year, they may fear
being targets again. Find out
from your school if they have
an anti bullying program in
place. If they are at risk, let
the school know, as well as
your APAOI social worker, so
that the child can be helped.
Another stressor can be learning
difficulties, please address this issue
ASAP, early in the school year, instead
of waiting until later.
A child’s poor self esteem is another
issue, try to find out the source. Often
physical appearance can be helped by
a nice new haircut or hair style, and
flattering clothes which can make
them feel that they fit in with the rest
of the school population.
Here are some other important
points: 1. Get to know the principal,
the teacher, and keep in touch.
Remember to list your APAOI social
worker on the school’s emergency
card. 2. Check frequently on your
children’s grades, tardiness and
attendance. 3. Encourage your child
to participate in extra curricular
activities, including sports. 4. All
immunizations should be kept up,
including the D TAP for middle
school students. 5. Your children are
eligible for free lunches, but if they
do not want to be singled out, or feel
ashamed or humiliated, please pack a
lunch from home.
Let’s make this school year the best
ever for our children!
1
Arts And Crafts: A Bug's Life
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/homemade-crafts-for-kids?pnid=385986
Directions
1. Stick a skewer in 1 1/2-inch Styrofoam balls and paint each ball a solid
color using acrylic paint.
Upcoming Events for all APAOI offices
mark your calendar and come join us
ASUN
U G UMON
ST
15
August-September
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
16
17
18
19
20
Bible Study
Reimbursement
FP Training
21
22
2011
2. Place the skewers in a tall cup and
let paint dry.
3. Once dry, hot-glue three of the Styrofoam balls together. Hold in place
for 30 seconds until dry.
4. Hot-glue small buttons or attach
stick-on jewels as the eyes.
23
24
25
26
27
Bible Study
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
SEPTEMBER
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Bible Study
Your preschooler will love making this supersweet caterpillar to
decorate a houseplant.
5. Using scissors, cut 2 inches from a
pipe cleaner. Bend for antennae and
insert into a Styrofoam ball.
6. Stick skewers into plant pots.
Bible Study
11
12
13
14
PFP Visalia
Office
Key
Code
2
Fresno Office
Bakersfied Office
Ontario
All Offices
PFP Fresno
15
Reimbursement
FP Training
Foster Club-the national
network for youth in
foster care.
Free Online Training at:
www.fosterclub.com/
training
Children
Alyissa F.
David C.
Angelina R.
Miguel R.
Rick Lacey
CPR/First Aid Instructor at:
MAXIM
5066 N. Fresno Street, #107
Fresno, CA 93710
(559) 227-2250
Cell: (559) 824-8255
Certification good for 2 years
Cost: $30.00
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE OUTLOOK, INC.
Newsletter
Parents
Laura S.
Glendetta C.
Andy G.
Sofia G.
7
Monthly Devotion
by Bobby McGee
Teens 101: Shoplifting
http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles20.html
problem with stealing. So, while teen
shoplifting can be a sign of a troubled teen, it can also be a problem for
teenagers with few problems beyond
the typical behavior of a growing
teen.
Parenting Education: Establishing Your Values
Generally, you are going to want
your child to have the values you find
important, the ones that have worked
for you throughout your life. Have
you ever taken a good look at what
they are?
Identifying the values you find important is the first step in teaching
your values to your children. Take
some time to list values that are most
important to you. Brainstorm as
many as you can think of and write
them down as they come to you.
The order doesn’t matter. Then after
you’ve run out of ideas, go back and
prioritize the list from most to least
important. Here are a few to start
with:
• Cleanliness: A habit of keeping
clean.
• Compassion: Deep awareness of
the suffering of another coupled with
the wish to relieve it.
6
• Courage: The state of mind that enables one to face danger or fear with
confidence.
• Friendliness: A state of being likeable to another person, enjoyment in
their company.
• Honesty: The quality or state of being truthful.
• Integrity: Moral soundness; honesty;
freedom from corrupting influence.
• Kindness: The quality of being
warm-hearted, considerate, humane,
and sympathetic.
• Perseverance: Steady persistence in
adhering to a course of action or a
purpose.
• Promptness: Being on time, punctual.
• Responsibility: The state, quality, or
fact of being accountable.
When you have a handle on which
values you find most important for
yourself, go back and make another
list of the values you want your child
to have. List the reasons you want
your child to have each value, and
how you feel he will benefit. Once you
have clearly defined what you want
your child to learn from you, it will
be easier to find a course of action in
your day-to-day life.
Read more on FamilyEducation:
http://life.familyeducation.com/
manners-and-values/values/
56032.html#ixzz1U6VutEjE
“In Him all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge are
hidden.” (HCSB Colossians 2:3)
All of our questions, answers or
any solution can only be found
in Christ Jesus, the anointed
one. The word of the living
God says that every good and
perfect gift comes from the
Father. And we know that the
only way to get to the Father
is through the Son. I leave you
with this that God is more than
able to do in our lives far more
we could ever ask or think to
ask.
“Now to Him who is able to
do above and beyond all that
we ask or think - according to
the power that works in you.”
(HCSB Ephesians 3:20)
God is able to do in the lives
of those who put their trust in
Him, far more than our minds
could ever grasp. Remember
there is resurrection power in
Christ the anointed one.
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE OUTLOOK, INC.
Reasons for teen shoplifting
There are several reasons for teen
shoplifting. Some teens do it for
reasons of rebellion, and others do
it for the thrill. Being able to “get
away” with something can be quite
How do you know if your teen
thrilling. Peer pressure is another
is shoplifting? What are the
reason for teenage shoplifting. If
reasons for teen shoplifting?
their friends are doing it, some teens
Are there statistics on shopfeel as though they have to as well,
lifting? How can you help stop
in order to “fit in.” Complex reasons
teen shoplifting? This article
for teen shoplifting include cries for
will review these questions
help. A teenager may be in an abusive
about teen shoplifting, and ofsituation, or feel a great deal of stress
fer tips on dealing with klepor anxiety. Stealing can give them a
tomania.
sense of control over their lives, and
give them a sense of euphoria that
Facts About Shoplifting - In
they do not normally get. Some teenthe United States, shopliftagers steal as a way to draw attention
ers steal about $25 million in
to themselves.
merchandise from stores each
day! That breaks down to an
Another reason for teenage shopliftextra $300 each year that you
ing is a desire for things they cannot
and your family have to pay in
afford. Some teens shoplift brand
higher prices to cover the losses
name items so that they can keep up
caused by shoplifting.
with fads. Others shoplift so that they
can buy drugs or alcohol. In these
Teen shoplifting is one of those
cases, teen shoplifting serves as a sign
things that may be difficult
of a teenage drug or alcohol depento detect. Teenage shoplifting
dency.
is not limited to the troubled
teens with problems. Many
How you can help stop teen
“model” teens who do their
shoplifting
homework and get good
If your teenager is caught stealing,
grades, help out around the
it is important for you to react in a
house and lets parents know
way that shows him or her that there
where they will be have a
Newsletter
are consequences for such behavior
without becoming overly emotional
or upset with your teenager. If engaged in teen shoplifting, bring your
teenager back to the store to return
the item and meet with security personnel. Most stores do not prosecute
the first time it happens, and most
judges (in cases where stores do prosecute) are fairly lenient on first-time
offenders. However, teenagers should
be made aware, by you, the store
and the judge, that the consequences
increase with each offense. There
is little sympathy and tolerance for
repeat teenage shoplifting offenders.
Dealing with kleptomania
It can be difficult for teenagers to
stop shoplifting. Studies show that
one third of teens caught shoplifting
say that it is difficult to quit. This,
however, could be due to a great
deal of factors (including the thrill,
the desire for expensive items, the
need to pay for drugs). One reason,
though rare, is kleptomania. This is
a psychological disorder in which a
person cannot resist the impulse to
steal. This is a very rare disorder, and
teen shoplifters rarely have it. With
kleptomania, the items stolen are
often of little value and discarded
after stealing. There is usually no
underlying reason for teenage shoplifting by someone with kleptomania.
In such cases, professional help is
often needed to help treat the kleptomania. Kleptomania is often accompanied by other personality or eating
disorders.
3
Parenting Tip: What Your Child Needs to
Parenting Tip: What Your Child Needs to Know
Before Starting Pre-school http://preschoolers.about.com/od/learningeducation/a/PreKprelesson.htm
his/her hands when s/he is finished?
Can s/he pull up and button his/her
own pants? To foster a sense of independence and confidence, encourage
your child to complete a bathroom
routine on his/her own, being on
hand in case they need you.
After careful consideration, you’ve
decided your child is ready to start
preschool. You’ve done your research and chosen a school that you
think is best suited for your child.
Now all you have to do is sit back
and wait until back-to-school time
rolls around, right? Not quite. Before starting school, now is the time
to prepare your child for preschool
and make sure that he/she is skilled
in some basic lessons that will help
ensure he/she gets the most from
his/her first school experience.
Personal Hygiene
When checking out prospective
preschools, you need to ask where
they stand on kids in diapers. Most
prefer that children are potty trained,
but some don’t mind if the children
are at the very least on their way to
being trained. In any case, if your
child is already potty trained, it’s
important that she feels confident
in his/her bathroom skills. Can s/he
go to the toilet by him/herself? Does
s/he know how to wash and dry
4
Going to the bathroom while at
school can cause anxiety for many
young children, especially if they
haven’t been away from home a lot or
used a public bathroom frequently.
Children between the ages of 3-5 still
don’t have complete control over
their bladder and still are prone to
having an accident, often because
they get so caught up in whatever
it is they are doing that they ignore
the signals. Although the teacher will
likely ask students if they need to go
to the bathroom at fairly regular intervals, you’ll need to teach your child
to recognize when s/he feels s/he has
to go. Also let him/her know that it is
OK to ask the teacher to use the restroom, either by approaching his/her
or raising his/her hand.
If by some chance your child does
have an accident or is concerned
about having one, tell him/her not to
worry. Explain how these things happen to everyone and that the teacher
is there to help him/her.
How to Get Along Without You
This isn’t really an issue for kids who
have been in daycare or another
organized activity where parents
aren’t too involved, but for kids who
are at home all day, this can definitely be a concern. It will be much
easier for your child to adjust to
preschool if he’s used to being
left with others. Start off easy
-- leave him/her for an hour
with someone s/he is familiar
with -- a grandparent, favorite
relative or friend -- building
up until he/she has spent the
whole morning or afternoon
with someone other than you.
No matter how OK your child
is with spending time away
from you, it’s important to note
that many kids do go through
an adjustment period at preschool when they are being left
with someone they don’t know.
Trust your child’s teacher to
help her/him get through this
time. This is a situation they
handle every year and are quite
skilled in it. If you have concerns before or after the school
year begins, address them right
away with the teacher or administrator.
Eating On His/Her Own
Even if your child won’t be
eating breakfast or lunch at
preschool, chances are she will
be served some kind of snack.
Whether you send the snack
in yourself or if it is provided
by the school, you may want to
practice with your child some
table-time skills such as putting a straw into a juice box,
opening a plastic container or
zippered bag and wiping her
mouth and hands with a napkin while she eats. These prac-
Know Before Starting Pre-school (Continued from page 4)
tice sessions will also let you see
your child in action so you can
pack his/her snacks or lunches
appropriately with items that
she can open on his/her own.
If your child is eating a meal at
school, find out if s/he needs
to know how to use a fork and
knife. You may want to review
some basic table manners as
well. No matter what, make sure
the preschool teachers and staff
members are aware of any food
allergies your little one might
have and make sure s/he is
aware of what foods s/he cannot
have.
Make sure to visit the bus stop before
school starts and do a rundown of
bus safety. Find out if s/he’ll need to
ride a seat belt and talk about what
will happen once s/he gets on the bus
and what s/he needs to do once s/he
gets off. It’s likely that your child’s
teacher will review all of this on the
first day or at an orientation program, but to ease any fears your child
How to Ride the Bus
may be having, it’s a good idea to go
It’s big and yellow and noisy
and it is going to take your child over it before she starts.
away from home. It’s easy to
Basic Social Skills
see why kids might not be so
Aside from preschool itself, it’s likely
found of the school bus, but if
your child needs to ride one to your child has lots of questions about
who will be there with him. And aland from school, you’ll want
though saying “You are going to make
to get him/her used to it now.
so many new friends!” sounds reassuring, a young child may not know
exactly what that means or how they
are going to do it.
Talk to her/him about how everyone
might be a little uncertain the first
day. Relay an instance from your own
life about how you were nervous
about meeting new people and even
try a role playing game where s/he
can practice approaching a new face.
You may also want to brush up on
his/her social skills by inviting other
friends over for playdates or hitting
the local playground to see your child
in action with other kids his age.
(Continue on page 5)
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE OUTLOOK, INC.
Check in with the preschool to see if
they offer practice rides and be sure
to take full advantage of them. If you
have public transportation in your
area, try taking a quick trip on one of
those buses. It might not be exactly
the same as what your child will ride
on, but will certainly offer a close
experience.
Newsletter
Talk about what good friends do like
sharing and cleaning up. Heap on
the praise when your child engages
in good behavior such as not tattling
and not having a temper tantrum
when things don’t always go his/her
way. Explain how this makes you
happy and it will make his/her new
friends and teacher happy when s/he
does that at school.
Recruiter’s Corner
Do you have friends or family who
share the same interests, goals and
values as you? Do they feel that they
can give a child in need a warm and
loving home? Perhaps they would
like to find out more information on
the requirements and regulations to
become a foster parent.....so why not
help them along?
Here’s how...
> Pass out informational flyers
or brochures to the groups or
organizations that you are involved
with.
> Speak to your pastor about hosting
an orientation for your congregation.
5