Month: May 2014

Categories
Family and Community

Season of Reflection

By Roger Perry
Headmaster, Lakehill Preparatory School

As the school year comes to a close, I fondly recall so many wonderful memories of talking with children, meeting with adults, and celebrating successes, both large and small. My wife has reminded me throughout our marriage of forty-plus years that it truly is the small things that count. She has always been right in this regard.

Recently, I was fortunate to observe several senior internship reports, where our newest graduates spoke of their experiences in professions they are considering for the future. Much of what they learned may have been small, but it helped them as they are progressing in their development. The professionals in our community who worked with them described them as confident, compassionate, friendly, articulate, respectful, and hard working. Those impressions of our students brings me great joy, and is something of which we should all be proud.

It also brings a smile to my face when I think about some of the remarkably funny (and often remarkably profound) things that have been said to me during the course of a school day by children. As we enter what I call the Season of Reflection, I encourage you to create opportunities for the little things in your life this summer. Your children, no matter what age, will only have the Summer of 2014 this one time. Cherish the time you have with your children and enjoy the amazing and wonderful things they will say to you. No matter what year this is in your life, consider this the best year and make this summer the best summer ever.

Summertime is for children and all of us – if we look deep enough – have a little bit of child left in us. Enjoy the wonder of summer and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Categories
Family and Community

Bringing the World to My Family

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School

This semester my family had the opportunity to host an international student from China for a few weeks as she was in between housing situations.  We wanted to help out, but we also wanted our children to understand how valuable receiving an education is.  Parents in other countries value the U.S. educational system so much that they are willing to send their children as young as 14 or 15 years old alone to another country to live and study.

We had a great time.  Our student went on family outings with us, learned to decorate sugar cookies, saw her first professional soccer game, and celebrated Easter for the first time ever (she wasn’t so sure about that bunny thing but liked the candy he left behind).  I think my two elementary kids wore her out as she accompanied us to soccer games , dance rehearsals, and end-of-year music performances, but she also enjoyed participating in the life of an American family.

Adding her into the daily activities of my family was really seamless.  Our student, in turn, shared her love of art, music, and food with us and made us think about our own ways of doing things and seeing the world around us.  As Lakehill continues to move forward with an international initiative, more families are needed to host.  If you are flirting with the possibility of hosting,  I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

Categories
Middle School Traditions

The Power of Opportunity

By Kaye Hauschild
Middle School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School

It is right and natural that we reminisce as the end of the school year draws near.  While we have no “graduation” in Lakehill’s Middle School, we are all still keenly aware of the changes in the year to come.  Eighth grade students have begun looking back at pictures on Smug Mug of previous years and sharing stories about their “good old days” with their seventh grade compadres. Advice about “the future” is handed out like Halloween candy. Before my students fly to this future, I asked them to share their thoughts with me about the most memorable moments of the year.  Interestingly, a theme emerged from their recollections.

Opportunity.

They praise the opportunity to participate in special events like the TEDxKids event.  They appreciate the opportunity to travel and experience history with their teachers and their classmates to places like Memphis.  They celebrate the opportunity to play on a team that grew to achieve a championship title. They value the opportunity to develop friendships with classmates who stand by each other through the fun and challenges that Middle Schoolers face. They embrace the opportunity to help people in need by packing food at North Texas Food Bank and serving other local charities.

They recognize and understand the power of having so many opportunities available to them.   And I appreciate the opportunity to share all of this with them!

Categories
Uncategorized

Summer

By Patti Brooks
Lower School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School
SUMMER is such a HAPPY word!  It just makes us all feel good to think about the carefree times, no matter what our age!
Summer days in my childhood meant being told “to go ride my bike and not to come back until dinner.”  I even took a sack lunch (always with a giant dill pickle) to the park and just fooled around with my friends.  No one worried about us and if we saw a stranger, we waved!
Summer for children in 2014 is different than it was in my growing up years.  They have a multitude of wonderful camps (like Lakehill’s Summer camps) to enjoy. Children have many great opportunities for travel to broaden their experiences and enjoy their families away from home. They have computer games and technological devices to entertain them. The children are definitely “kept busy” more than we were in the 1950’s.
One thing remains the same, however, and I think it is the most important thing for children to do in the summer…..that is to READ!!  Summer reading is assigned to many Lakehill students, but reading for pleasure or having parents read to their children is also very valuable. The habit of daily reading that is established during the school year should be continued as much as possible.  This was true in the “old days” just as much as it is now. Regular reading is how children learn new vocabulary, learn about other cultures, learn how to do something, or just enjoy leisure time!
Please, please set up a routine in your home to encourage daily reading if you have school age children.  ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!
Categories
Heath and Wellness

West Nile Virus (WNV)

By Dr. Kelly A. Johnson, MD 

West Nile Virus (WNV)

There have already been some reported cases of WNV in Dallas County this year.

Here are some helpful facts:

1.            More than 80% of people who are infected with the WNV show NO symptoms, and over 25% of the mosquito population in Dallas carry the virus. Which means you and your family may have already been infected without getting sick.

2.            Only 20% of infected people will have mild flu like symptoms that disappear in a few days. Only 1% of these people go on to have severe symptoms requiring medical treatment due to severe neck stiffness, tremors, seizures and loss of consciousness. Most of these people are over 50 years of age and/or have a compromised immune system due to cancer, HIV or organ transplant.

3.            If you believe you or your child has WNV that requires immediate hospitalization due to the above symptoms, contact your PCP or go to nearest emergency room.

Is there treatment?

There is no medication or treatment for WNV. In severe cases, patients receive supportive care of IV fluids, fever reducers, and anti-seizure medications when needed.

How is it spread?

It is only spread through mosquito bites and cannot be spread from person to person.

The 4 Ds of prevention:

1.            DEET containing bug sprays, they need to be washed off once indoors.

2.            Dress with long sleeves and pants when possible.

3.            Dusk to Dawn:  avoid being outside during high mosquito activity.

4.            Drain all standing water around your home, no matter how small the amount.

Pediatric House Calls, doctor’s offices and urgent care clinics do not test for WNV.  It is a very expensive specialized test that takes 3-5 days for results. Call the Dallas County Health department for testing facilities. Go to CDC.gov for more information on WNV.

If you have further questions, need an appointment or want to read previous newsletters, go to my website at www.pedihousecalls.com