NEWS:

MEADA Upcoming Events:

• BUFFALO LIONS CLUB 4TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
  DATE: Monday, June 23rd, 2008
  
  LOCATION:
  Fox Hollow Golf Course
  4780 Palmgren Lane
  St. Michael, MN 55376
  763-428-4468
  
  TIME:
  11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – check in
  1:00 PM sharp - shotgun start, scramble
  
  COST: $85.00 per person (includes 18 holes, cart, and dinner)
  Prizes will be awarded and a silent auction will be held
  
  CONTACTS:
  Co-Chairman Lion Mike Pulvermacher 763-682-5714
  Co-Chairman Lion Clay O’Flanagan – 763-682-2389
  
  To REGISTER:
  
  Download the form. The deadline to register is June 1st.
  
  Other News:
• What: MEADA Presentation, presented by Clay O'Flanagan
  When: February 12th, 2008 @ 7 pm.
  Where: Wright County Heritage Center, Buffalo
  
  
  
• The MEADA Message: November 29th, 2007
  

  How To Build A Resilient Child, Part II

  Commentary by, Mark Story, Teacher at Turning Point Alternative Learning Program

         The most important factor in building resilience in a child is a strong relationship with a positive, caring adult. Ideally, this is a parent. But we live in a changing world and the nuclear family isn’t always what it used to be. You should certainly be the caring adult in your own child’s life, but you may also be able to be that adult for some other child. And just what is meant by a strong relationship? A strong relationship is one that has clear boundaries, high expectations, and consistency. It is better to be a parent to your child than it is to be a friend. Parent-child friendships are better saved for the adult years. What children need is someone to be honest with them, set clear behavioral expectations, and consistently hold them accountable for their choices. And what is a positive, caring adult? An adult with pro-social values who is willing to give both quality and quantity time to a child, and who is able to be totally present with a child. The idea of ‘quality time’ is a popular myth. All time with kids should be quality time. And the more of it, the better!       
        There are 4 other important considerations to building resiliency skills in a child. First of which is social competencies, which are the simple things – like how to meet someone and shake hands.  Next is a sense of autonomy, which teaches a child the sense of independence. A sense of purpose and future is extremely important because it teaches a child that he or she matters. Finally good problem-solving skills teach children what they can and can not control.
  Next month will conclude the series on building a resilient child, with more in-depth information on these 4 important resilient skills.

• The MEADA Message: October 19, 2007
  

  How To Build A Resilient Child, Part 1

  Commentary by, Mark Story, Teacher at Turning Point Alternative Learning Program

        Life is tough. This is an obvious truth and it is perhaps just as obvious that it seems to be getting tougher and tougher. Especially, it seems to me, for our kids. Some childhood and adolescent issues don’t seem to change much from generation to generation. Developmental issues like self-awareness, self-esteem, body changes, hormones, and learning to deal with feelings are pretty much universal and timeless. But there are differences in the world that make these issues harder to deal with for kids today and most of those differences have to do with the choices available to young people today.
        I grew up in New York City in the 1960s. In my early teen years I did not know anyone who smoked, who drank alcohol, or who did any drugs. According to the 2004 Minnesota Student Survey, Wright County results tell us that about 25% of our ninth graders had at least tried smoking (47% of our seniors), 56% of high school students had at least tried drinking alcohol and over 20% had tried marijuana. The availability of and easy access to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs is one choice young people today have to face that many of us didn’t have to face at all or at least didn’t have to face until we were older and at least a little wiser.
        So how is it that most of our kids do OK? And what can we do for those kids who continue to struggle? Research shows that resilience is the key. What is resilience? It’s the capacity to spring back, to rebound, to successfully adapt in the face of adversity and develop social competence despite exposure to severe stressors. Some kids are born with an innate resiliency, but all kids need it. The good news is that those born with it can develop more, and those who struggle with it can learn it.

  Look for next month’s article where we will continue this important discussion and provide some great tips on helping our children with resiliency.

  
  
• New Study Shows that Teens
  are at High Risk of Exposure to Methamphetamine
  PALO ALTO, Calif.—September 18, 2007—The Meth Project today released the results of the first-ever national survey examining the attitudes and behaviors that American teens have toward methamphetamine. The survey, gathered from a representative group of junior and senior high school students from throughout the United States, found that nearly a quarter of teens believe Meth is easy to obtain, and one in 10 have been offered the drug. More than half said they had never discussed the subject of Meth with their parents.
  
  Read more... (PDF)