Saturday Under the Sun

This is from Edith's family.

In Evergreen...in the mountains above Golden, Colorado (this is about 20 miles from Denver)

Sunday evening, 5PM, I was in the kitchen cleaning a crock pot. Turning to grab a towel, I noticed movement under a bird feeder in the backyard. What? Could it be? My first sighting of a mountain lion outside of a zoo/animal park? Wait.....there is another one.....and another one......and another one. A mom with three yearling cubs. They came right up on my porch. The mom and one cub almost immediately crossed in front of the sunroom and went under the deck (one level down). The remaining two cubs stayed on the porch for 5-10 minutes. I sat on the other side of the sliding glass door, shooting pictures of them. What an unbelievable experience!

Friday's Tattler

It was our last day at Scales Lake for the summer. It's been a nice place to go. The children were really having fun yesterday, partially because it was not so hot, and partially because they have more or less learned to swim well enough to really enjoy the lake.

Savannah is really doing a nice job and so is Edan. Phoenix went down the slide with Miss Leigh, and his face said, "Oh! Oh! Oh!" as if a great curtain of life had been lifted and he suddenly understood what the whole world was about. I think he's going to experience that again later in life. What a great little boy. Jack H flew down the slide as well as Sam and Jake. So proud, so proud!

We had a nice lunch and we brought the left over fruit from the luau the day before, and then when everyone had had their fill, we gave the rest to the animals at the petting zoo. It was great fun.

Then we went to investigate a new site of play. It's a sprinkler park in Boonville, so for the next little while we all put our heads together and decided on a plan. TBA

We got back to school at 4:00 and had a cheese and cracker snack and then settled into the business of going home for the weekend. Truly a nice day.

Thursday's Thought

When summer vacation begins to get old, what kids are missing is an intellectual life -- no kidding.

Learning is what kids do best, so learning should always be part of a child’s day. Make it a big part -- a parent-provider initiated time that really sweeps them off their feet.

Leave boring and mind deadening “reader to workbook” copy approaches in the dust. Do a summer hands on, go and do, think and write project instead. This is the way parents and providers can help children form ideas and keep them. That’s the whole point to learning.

Let’s invent a method: Let’s use three admirable figures parents can teach kids to relate to: Tom (To) Sawyer, Stephen (Step) Hawking, and John Updike (Up). These people are models for thinking and doing, and we could call this the “To Step Up” mode of learning.

To Step Up and away from a passive leaden lead copying to an active and productive learning leadership.

To Step Up means lots of doing, and no one better signifies doing to kids than Tom Sawyer. He’s a tough, durable figure both girls and boys can relate to.

Doing means risk taking and lots of trials and efforts, with any project. Stephen Hawking is a tireless and heroic researcher and experimenter. He is an idea man children should “step up” to know about and emulate. He makes dreams come true and so can they. Small dreams for young people grow into whole worlds of thought.

And John Updike’s expressive and creative writing about ordinary life causes the everyday world in his wonderful hands to become quite extraordinary. Children should learn to express themselves well about their own work.

To Step Up activities might involve making an in-depth study and collection of stamps, rocks, shells or wild flowers. Growing crystals or a vegetable garden requires research and doing too. So does hatching birds, butterflies or pollywogs. Putting a salt water aquarium together also requires research and thought. Even putting together a 1000 piece puzzle takes a kind of stick to it skill that requires sophistication of mind and will. There is also the play to learn and perform.

Our To Step Up method translates well into the arts. Helping to direct a play takes a lot of enthusiasm, and drama is fun or kids, but it takes research, and trial and effort. Watching and studying plays, reading and working out a play takes experimenting and practice -- just like Stephen Hawking’s science. When the play is worked out. It’s time to perform it using the Tom Sawyer part. A gutsy, get in there and have fun approach which never fails.

Finally, no matter what you do, the UP part means writing about experiences so the memory is kept forever. Writing about something means you really understand what you did. It should be clear and concise. Children should keep a summer journal no matter what they do across the summer.

The main focus on summer vacation for children should be learning to really read for information, doing something real and worthwhile, and learning to write well about their experiences. Even doing one major project every summer from age three through fifteen means twelve great learning treks. By sixteen kids have car keys and they are more interested in other projects like finding the cutest girl or boy.

Wonderful Wednesday

I thought these were wonderful.

Tuesday's Teacher

Here are some articles on school uniforms that have been published by Education Week in the past.

This is not a popular subject with the Department of Education. It's not a comfort zone with many parents.

My personal opinion revolves around the idea that school life should be comfortable, simple, and functional. Tight, droopy, revealing, expensive, and ridiculous are not comfortable, simple, and functional.

Having begun four schools in my life, I can only say, a uniform is a tool. I use uniforms as a safety element in keeping track of children when going on field trips. I use uniform swim suits at our public pool; uniform shirts on sojourns out of town and to populated places; and a general uniform combination for hot summer days. Shirts must have sleeves, shorts must be knee length or shorter.

Long baggy bloomers on boys prevent play. Boys can't climb a slide when the crotch of the pants is below the knee. Party dresses on girls prevent play as well. Heavy jeans on boys or girls prevent the possibilities of swimming at the spur of the moment. Sun sleeves incur sunburns. string tops cause "peeking." Sandals with buckles means the pea gravel hurts.

Translate all this into the teen world, and you have the clothes wearing the child. I always told my children that when the first thing people saw was what they were wearing and not their smiling face, it was a shame.

To many ridiculous parents, the clothes make the child. We had a teacher once who was a label reader and a snob. Snobbery comes from ignorance and stupidity. Her children were the most unhappy children I have ever met. Many people who have truly "made it" actually cut the tags out of their clothes.

A uniform can be simple: Whole jeans and crews that cover. Done.

Uniform Effects?

Despite conventional wisdom and anecdotal tales touting the benefits of student uniforms, researchers see little evidence of their effectiveness. January 11, 2005 – Education Week

Dress Codes Target Risqué Styles

Many schools across the country are tightening their dress codes, with the skin-is-in female fashions inspired by teen idols like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez attracting special attention. September 12, 2001 – Education Week

Chirac Proposal on Religious Garb Stirs Debate

A recent call by French President Jacques Chirac for a law prohibiting French public school children from wearing conspicuous religious symbols has placed the issue of public schools and religious expression on an international stage. January 7, 2004 – Education Week

U.S. Appeals Court Backs District’s Rules on School Uniforms

Ruling upholds Las Vegas district's policy of letting each school decide whether it will require students to wear uniforms. Updated: May 8, 2010 – Education Week

Commentary

Dress Codes and Social Chaos

When it comes to student dress, writes John Northrop, schools need to set some limits on individualism. January 16, 2002 – Education Week

Interview: Clothes-Minded

Researcher David Brunsma gives the public school uniform craze a dressing down. April 15, 2005 – Teacher Magazine

Monday's Tattler

Good Morning! A simple week! We are going to look at the Hawaiian luau. We will learn the hula and a couple of hula songs. We will do some Hawaiian crafts and then on Thursday, we will have a luau at school. The kids should love this. Anyone know where I can get local poi?

On Tuesday and Wednesday we will be swimming at Newburgh Pool. Hope it doesn't rain us out!

On Friday, we will be going to Scales Lake.

Both days a picnic.

The children are really swimming well now. It's a pleasure to watch them.

Have a great week!

Sunday's Plate

Fresh Fruit Bars

With all the wonderful fresh fruit out, it's always hard to decide what to do with it. We make jam, jelly, add it to muffins, cake, pancakes, waffles, and melt it down for sauces and creams.

One of the things we forget is the bar cookie. Bar cookies are easy to make and last a good week. They can be very nutritious and are delicious.

The recipe is easy:

In a food processor, put 2 sticks of butter; 1/3 cup sugar; 2 egg yolks; 2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour; 1 cup coconut; chopped nuts if desired.

Spin this until crumbly. Take 2/3rds of this crumble mixture and put it in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Add a layer of fresh fruit. Combos are nice. Peaches, blueberries, blackberries, apricots, even melon makes a nice bar.

Sprinkle the rest of the mix on top of the fresh fruit and bake at 350 degrees until your crumble is golden brown. Cool, cut into bars and enjoy.

Saturday's Something New

I love this house. It's a dream palace. You can see the whole thing at HERE

Just a little dreamscape to think about when the day gets long.

Friday's Tattler

We had a coooooooool day on Friday. Played a lot of games and did some painting and clay, and then we had "store bought pizza" for lunch with a big salad and lots of watermelon. It was scrumptious. We ate and ate and ate.

Then we played some games and finally, about 2:00, we went to the movies and watched "How to Train Your Dragon."

This is a wonderful little movie about a boy who is sure he doesn't want to kill dragons. He is thrown into a situation to befriend one, and he has the time of his life. But his family is shaken when he befriends the beasts they have battled with for so long. One thing leads to another, and there is a huge battle, and out little boy, Hiccup, is able to be the hero and keep his dragon as a friend and pet.

Lots of fun and lots of laughs without that obnoxious adult humor taking over the film.

We came back to school for a delicious snack of bar cookies.

A great day!

Thursday's Thought

Busy childcare providers hear this all the time. Parents are often horrified to see their child just plain dirty. Child’s play is dirty, and if a child isn’t ready for a bath when he comes home from what should be playing, he’s been a bystander and not a doer.

A full day of kid play includes mess. Paper mache, paint, glue or clay are activities children love. Most kids love to get fully involved in “hands on” and that means “wipe ons” too. Art projects transcend the safety of a zip lock bag. If schools use aprons, you can bet they use them twice a year when they do art.

Any substantial childcare should include outdoor play through the day. One great activity causing parent cringe is the sand box. A sandbox can’t be fun if a child has to position himself from the outside. A respectable sandbox is a place where kids can build and climb and make inventing fun. It also produces dirty clothes, sand in shoes and engineers.

A great lunch is an “I can feed myself lunch” program that includes helping themselves to ketchup and dishing out their own fruit and vegetables. No matter how much the adult watches over a table, there are spills when young children help themselves because their arms are short and they can’t reach past their laps.

When lunch amounts to two of this and three of that all served on a plate the size of something from the family play station, it’s not lunch, it’s rations.

A good afternoon means spending time running, playing in the sand, having the freedom to tumble safely from the teeter-totter, sliding, jumping, climbing, and pushing cars and trucks through the dirt. It’s dirtier than napping or TV watching and it should be. Afternoons filled with doing can’t be accomplished from an unconscious position on a cot or chair.

Popsicles and ice cream don’t help clothes. Kids love Popsicles and ice cream, and they cheer the bowl of iced treats when they see them. Popsicles and ice cream are inexpensive ways to give kids a reward for just being alive.

By pick up time, kids should be exhausted and dirty. They’ve had a real day being kids and they nearly always want to return for another day just like it.

Kids need to play outdoors; kids need to play indoors; kids need to play. If childcare schedules offer children only a short few minutes to run, of course the kids will be clean, and the building will be clean as well. But by nature, children are outdoor creatures and that’s where everyone finds the dirt.

Programs that limit outside activities usually do because out of shape adults hate being outside. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter - duh.

On the other hand, teachers in good physical shape with active bodies love doing things, and going out doors to play and to move, just like the kids. These people bond with kids well because they are on the same wavelength; they have the same energy.

“Yes, he is dirty. He played outdoors three hours today, and he’s also exhausted.”

“But I can’t put him in my car.”

“We could have him delivered, or he could come home with me.”

Dirty clothes wash. So do children. God made children washable for a reason.

Wild and Wonderful Wednesday

This was apparently written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well?

[ ... And he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen ! ... ] I can say that; it's my home state.


EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'


'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'


'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'


'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'


'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'


'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!


Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'


'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'


'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases...


And...that's why I believe in God.'

Monday's Tattler

Good Morning! Another steamy week at the GS. Today is a class day. All teachers present and accounted for! We will try to do recess if it is not too hot. Kids are wearing out in this heat, and we want to save their energy for swim days.

We will have two pool days this week on Tuesday and on Wednesday. There are lots of swimmers now, and we are sooooo proud of them!

Our Divers are: Addie, Ely, Kamden, Alex Schmitt, Jasmine, Cierra, Lily, Emily, Jake, Austin, and Alexis!

Our Deep Water swimmers are: Julie, Isaac, Sam, Jayce, Jill, Alex M, Phoenix and Jack H.

Our next targets are Reese and Colby...

The field trip to the track has not yet been finalized. Still waiting on the weather. We will post this as soon as possible.

Today we will try to b-b-q steak. This will go with oven fries and lots of fresh fruit.

Have a great week!

Sunday's Plate

Someone called me at 6:45 a.m. one Friday, and they said they were surprised I was there. I reminded the caller that I had to make lunch for 35 kids and 15 adults - to go. Normally, I get the opposite comment: I don't see how you do it..."

Like anything else, a picnic lunch needs certain things: viability; taste; and ease. I never do anything hard. It's time consuming but do able for anyone who is organized and can see the bigger picture.

First things first: viability. Will it stay at restaurant chill till lunch? We use a good rolling insulated soft sided cooler. It's tall and deep. We use freeze blocks. I have a whole box separated in the rungs of the freezer at school. Food stays refrigerator cool for hours and hours.

I fill a two gallon thermos with milk and another with water and another with bottled water and a couple of cans of soda in case... probably 4 minutes.

I use Schnuck's re-usable grocery bags as carry alongs. I fill one with two cutting boards, twelve loaves of whole wheat hoagy type bread; bread for teachers (I love pumpernickle, Leigh changes her mind but generally Leigh and Dayna like glue pods, and Amy will eat nearly anything) 50 cups; two cans of Pringles; a water melon and 8 washable reusable baskets. Done! another four minutes.

I gather utensils: a sharp knife; three ice cream scoops; a bread knife; a peanut butter paddle and a wash cloth in a baggie. Done! 1 minute.

Second things second: Will the children AND the adults want to eat this? Variety is the name of the game, and make on the spot rather than pre-made-sog is the ticket. So every picnic morning, and there are three a week, we boil ten eggs; we make four cans of tuna; we fill the American cheese box; we fill the meat box with sliced turkey and sliced ham which I buy at Wesselman's because it's higher quality. I take along a jar of peanut butter and a bear filled with honey. I sometimes include spicy cheese and salami. So those are the sandwich makings.

I use real mayonnaise. It has a much cleaner taste than salad dressing or Miracle Whip. I grind ten eggs in the food processor, pop, pop, pop, done - and mix enough mayo into it to make it stick to bread. DONE! I do the same thing with the tuna, and each is put into perspective air tight containers and put into the cooler side by side on top of a freeze block. NEXT! Five minutes if the eggs are already boiled and pealed. By not putting a bunch of things into the tuna and egg, the result is that children eat it. Hint, hint!

I get out the meat box and put enough turkey and ham for sandwiches, and close tightly and put on a freeze block in the hamper. One minute tops.

I make carrot dip and place in a small screw on plastic pot; fill the pickle container till it's filled; wash enough apples that will fit in a zip lock bag - 4 minutes.

Using the freeze bricks, I stagger the cold among the other take a longs, and lunch is packed.

Sometimes I make a chicken salad which is a snap if you do most of the work in advance. You bake six chicken breasts that are loaded with taco seasoning. When they are cool, you cut them up into chunks and into that goes real mayo, walnuts, grapes and anything that sounds good at the moment. Mix and store.

When we get to the picnic spot, we unfold the plastic picnic tablecloth, pull out the sandwich makings on one side of the table and the other picnic things on the other. On one cutting board, we cut one whole wheat hoagy bun at a time, fill, cut into six pieces and place into one of the baskets. We make two peanut butter and honey loaves, two meat and cheese, two egg, and two tuna. Normally, we throw very little away.

The children form a line and take a cup of milk and a sandwich - no plate. No plate means they need to eat it before they can put it down. It makes lunch a snap. They can have as much as they want. When most of the sandwiches are gone, it's time to open carrots, pickles, apples or other fruit, watermelon and lastly chips. Chips are a prize for getting to the lunch finish line.

After we've had a very long field trip - on the way home - we offer the children half a soda and a whole grain cookie. The soda keeps them from the potty, and the cookie refreshes them.

OK, now tell me what is hard about any of that. Takes about 35 minutes to make and it's easy to carry, and it tastes good, and it's nutritious and fun. Clean up is nominal.

Saturday's Under the Sun

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life.

In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in. 1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! 2.. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION! 3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives. 4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their chequebook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU G ET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it . As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location. 5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor , and in the back seat. B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side... If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS B ET TER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.) 6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!) 7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern! 8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim. 9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird.. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door..' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. 10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full ball so that you will go out to investigate and then attack. Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbours! Please pass this information on

Friday's Tattler

Our annual trip to Garden of the Gods was a good one despite the temperatures and the fact that one little one stepped on a yellow jacket nest and several children were stung. They were very grown up and responded well, and luckily no one went into shock. Within minutes they had shaken off the stings and were swimming at Pounds Hollow.

This is the kind of "natural downer" that there is when you hike in the woods, or do anything that amounts to being in nature.

We were delighted with as many children as there were who were able to swim a "fer piece" into the lake. They have learned so much this summer.

We had a nice lunch and then swam another hour and then headed home in wet clothes. We never bring swim suits on this trip because of the hike at Garden of the Gods.

It was very very hot on Friday, and the children handled that well too. We offered Gator Aide several times, and this helped keep the kids feeling good.

Mr. Denny joined us this trip, and we were glad to see him as involved with the kids as he was. It's always nice to see a teacher really play with the kids. We are hoping he joins our family.

We arrived back to school about 4:00 and had a nice snack of Miss Amy's chocolate chip cookies and milk. Good day.

Wonderful Wednesday

Waimea
Bay shore-break surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, Clark
Little has gained nationwide recognition for his photography with



appearances on Good Morning America Inside Edition and many local news stations across the U.S.



Clark Little on Good Morning America (2009):



It all started in 2007 when Clark 's wife wanted a nice piece of art to
decorate a wall.Voluntarily, Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the water, and starting snapping away capturing the beauty and power of monstrous Hawaiian waves from the inside out. "Clark 's view" is a unique view of the ocean that most will only be able to experience safely on land while studying one of Clark'Sphotos.
Now with a camera upgrade and an itch to get that better shot, Clark has
taken this on full time and has moved his office from land, to the inside of a barrel.




The recent stir of Clark'S work, his images have been run on the Today Show, ABC World News Now, Nature's Best Photography, Paris Match (France), La Vie (France),Hana Hou (Hawaiian Airlines) magazine, Surfer magazine, Surfer's Journal as well as multiple publishers and newspapers in the U.S. and overseas.



These incredible images of waves in the Hawaiian Islands were taken by
Clark Little, the number one photographer of surf. He is dedicated to photographing the waves and has published a selection of his best images.He
captures magical moments inside the tube as surfers say.

Tuesday's Teacher

CDC finds 90% of Americans consume too much sodium from Food Navigator

Comment: This is really scary when you think about all the "quick" and easy foods we have come to take for granted. Salt is an aging element, and it is quite capable of destroying our body. Read on McDuff!

By Caroline Scott-Thomas, 25-Jun-2010

Related topics: Sodium reduction, Financial & Industry, Flavors and colors, Preservatives and acidulants

Ninety percent of Americans consume more that the recommended daily amount of sodium, according to new figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC estimates that 77 percent of sodium in the American diet comes from processed foods – with most of it in foods that may not taste salty. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a daily intake of less than 2,300mg of sodium. But specific groups, comprising nearly 70 percent of the US population, should not surpass 1,500mg of sodium a day according to the guidelines, including those with high blood pressure, blacks, and anyone middle-aged or older.

The CDC’s new research found that an average of 9.6 percent of the total population consumed sodium within the recommended limits, including only 5.5 percent of those advised to consume 1,500mg or less, and 18.8 percent of those advised to consume a maximum of 2,300mg.

Call for industry action

Public health analyst with CDC's division for heart disease and stroke prevention and lead author of the report Janelle Peralez Gunn said: "Sodium has become so pervasive in our food supply that it's difficult for the vast majority of Americans to stay within recommended limits. Public health professionals, together with food manufacturers, retailers and health care providers, must take action now to help support people's efforts to reduce their sodium consumption."

Grains, including refined grain products such as pizza and cookies, were found to contribute the most sodium to the American diet, at 36.9 percent of the total, followed by dishes containing meat, poultry and fish, at 27.9 percent. Meat and grain-based products were found to account for nearly two-thirds of Americans’ daily sodium intake, the CDC said.

Food industry pledges

Industry has been making strides toward slashing the sodium content of its products, and many major manufacturers have made fresh sodium reduction commitments over the past year, including General Mills, Kraft, ConAgra and Unilever.

Most recently, The Campbell Soup Company said this month that it would start distribution of a further 21 varieties of its condensed soups reformulated with reduced sodium content.

The CDC’s latest sodium research was based on findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-6 and the US Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database.

The findings are published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Monday's Tattler

Good morning!

Another week begins!

This week we will be swimming at Newburgh probably twice, on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm thinking Scales is a no go this week because of transportation.

On Friday we will be going to Garden of the Gods. This is an exciting trip the kids really love. The views are fantastic, the rock formations are interesting, and the climb is just perfect for kids.

Parents who want to attend must sign the sign up sheet on the front door so we know how many we need to feed. Great trip!

It should be hot on Friday, and when we have finished lunch, we will take a dip in the lake at Pounds Hollow. Such fun.

We need sun screen!

Some parents have not paid for swim suits. I'm sending out cards today. If there is a mistake, please let me know.

Today we will have an assortment of classes and for lunch we will have lasagna, salad and fresh fruit.

Have a great week.

Saturday's Under the Sun...

HIGH SCHOOL--1957 vs. 2010

Scenario 1:

Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's back window gun rack.

1957 -Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2010 -School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1957 -Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2010 -Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:

Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.

1957 -Jeffrey sent to the Principals office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2010 -Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 -Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.

2010 -Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school..

1957- Mark shares his aspirin with a school buddy that has a headache also.

2010 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:

Pedro fails high school English.

1957- Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2010- Pedro's cause is taken up by state Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.

1957 -Ants die.

2010 -ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents -- and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957 -In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2010 -Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.