Month: October 2013

Categories
Environmental Education

Spectacular Science

By Jeremy Holman
Upper School Science Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School

We’re off to a great start in the science program this year. Sweet peas are growing like crazy in the gardens we built last year, and we have the ability to grow large cultures of algae for biodiesel production in the AP Environmental Science class.  The catfish we stocked in the ESC pond last year seem to be doing well—a handful of fish pellets will bring dozens of two- to four-pound fish splashing to the surface.

In AP Biology, students performed experiments to determine evolutionary relationships between different fishes based on a small profile of their proteins, which they extracted and separated on gels themselves.  They will soon be investigating how well different mushroom species are able to decompose plant matter by quantifying the activity of an enzyme that is essential for breaking down cellulose.  But even cooler still, they will be growing bacteria and inserting a gene from a jellyfish that glows bright green under ultraviolet light.  They can actually control the expression of the gene and extract and purify it with a process called protein chromatography. This would not have been possible without the gift of special equipment and training over the summer from Dr. Michael Rosen and Dr. Yuh-Min Chook from UT Southwestern’s Biophysics department.

Stay tuned for more details of the exciting things happening in Lakehill’s Science department.

Catfish at the ESC have grown to two to four pounds over the past year.
Catfish at the ESC have grown to two to four pounds over the past year.
Categories
Community

Hot Meals, Warm Hearts

By Kristen Munoz
Middle School Science and Social Students Teacher, Sixth Grade Class Sponsor, Lakehill Preparatory School

The sixth grade class at Lakehill Preparatory School is committed to providing service to both Lakehill and the surrounding East Dallas community. Recently, the class began volunteering for Lakehill’s Meals on Wheels route.  Every other week, students travel with Ms. Hauschild, Ms. Ekstrom, and Ms. Stretcher to deliver meals to people in need. I have heard such amazing feedback from our kids about their experiences with the program. Claire Maxell told me after her delivery day that “seeing someone smile as I handed over a meal made my heart feel warm.” Watching my students get so excited to help others warms my heart as well.

Sixth graders also participated in our recent canned food drive. Middle School students donated more than 800 cans to benefit the Vickery Meadows food pantry. This food pantry serves residents in the East Dallas area who have come to the area as refugees. These brave people have come to the United States from terrible situations, leaving everything they know behind. They come to Dallas, unfamiliar with our language and customs, yet they must find work, enroll their children in school, and navigate the city. They use the food pantry as a way to supplement to their home pantry once a month. Our sixth graders expressed such compassion when talking about how brave these people are.

As our sixth grade students continue to feed those in need in our community, they also feed the heart of Lakehill with love and kindness.

Sixth graders prepare for their Meals on Wheels Route.
Sixth graders prepare for their Meals on Wheels Route.
Categories
Community

Speaking Her Own Truth

By Victoria John
Middle School Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School

At Lakehill we teach exceptional young people. I love teaching middle school, because when these students speak their truth, others listen.

Following the recent Cyber Safety Assembly, my eighth grade students expressed sadness about a bullied Cincinnati teenager who lost hope and took her own life almost ten years ago. Her classmates repeatedly humiliated and shamed her after her boyfriend sent an inappropriate picture of her in a text message to everyone in the school. This tragic case triggered the current legislation and inspired the programs designed to teach children about the consequences of bullying and protect them from dangerous online predators.

One of my eighth grade students, Lyric Menges, shared a personal heartbreak regarding this “permanent solution to a temporary problem.”

“Two years ago my best friend in Houston committed suicide, as a result of being bullied by her peers. I became very interested in why and how this whole thing worked.  I got involved with suicide prevention and become an emergency contact through social media. Since then, I have helped 18 people and have only lost one.  A few months ago I received an e-mail from one of the people I helped, a high school senior from the Midwest. When I read his words of gratitude, I realized that I had made an impact that big and was so glad I do this.”

He wrote, “I just wanted you to know that you are the reason I am still alive.  I worked hard the last bit of my senior year and got a scholarship for art like I wanted. I wanted you to realize the impact you had on my life and how much my parents, friends and I appreciate everything you do for us.  You are truly amazing. I am forever grateful.”

Lyric’s experience reminds me that young people care about others and take the time to make the world a better place. Because of Lyric’s dedication and willingness to listen, there are 17 more people who are alive today. I feel truly grateful that I teach at Lakehill Preparatory School and have the privilege to interact with a student like Lyric Menges, who has the courage to speak her own truth.

Categories
College Readiness

The College Essay

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School

The college essay is one of the most feared items in college applications, but it really shouldn’t be.  This is a chance for students to tell their story.  It is an opportunity for them to elaborate on something that they love to do, share a memory they are fond of, describe rituals that they take part in on a regular basis, or reflect on a person who has made a difference in their lives.   Of course, there are more pointed questions that colleges may want to know such as Why College X or Why do you want to study Major Y but students should use every opportunity available to provide more than grades, test scores, and activities lists and be proud of what they have to say.  I often say, “write about what you know, YOU.”

As a college counselor, I read many essays each year.  My students have interesting stories to tell, from babysitting sagas, to favorite English teachers, to a quest for the perfect iced tea.  All share insights into their unique personalities and backgrounds.  Each year, Lakehill juniors have the opportunity to review and discuss sample essays from a college admissions officer.  After reading these, they feel much more at ease and confidently begin telling their stories.

If you are reading this blog and are faced with the task of writing an essay, relax.  Take your time, gather your thoughts, and tell your story.  You’ll be glad that you did.

For sample college essays visit http://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/essay-questions/past-essays/ and http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/essays-that-worked/ .

 

Categories
Heath and Wellness

Fever Phobia: When Do I Worry?

By Kelly Johnson, MD, the founder and owner of Pediatric House Calls.

Fever is a normal part of childhood.

Since the weather will turn cooler soon, that means cough and cold season is right around the corner.  One of the most common pediatric complaints during the cooler months is fever.  For the 13 years I’ve been practicing pediatrics, nothing is more surrounded by myth and misunderstanding than the concept of fever.   Let’s start with the definition of fever: it is a body temperature above 100.4 F or 38 C. Even if your child normally runs “low”, they may have an elevated body temperature, but they do not have a fever unless they are above 100.4. Body temperature elevates daily around 2-3:00pm, so if your child feels warm after school, that is normal.

Fever can be the only symptom of illness, or it can occur with other symptoms like cough, congestion, fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea.  Over 90% of the time, these are viral illnesses and your child’s fever will improve in 2-3 days.  They do not necessarily need to see a doctor and only need fever reducing medication, rest, good hydration and time. There are a few exceptions to this rule:  1) Fever lasting for more than 5 days with no improvement.  2) Fever that develops after your child has been sick for 3-4 days already without fever. 3) Fever and burning with urination in a girl.  4) You suspect strep throat, seasonal flu or ear infection. 5) Fever with severe headache and rash.

You may have noticed that I did not mention anything about how high the fever can get before you need to worry. Viral illness usually cause fevers as high as 104-105, but respond well to medications like ibuprofen. The fever usually returns when the medication wears off. The fever will cycle up and down for 3-4 days and then resolve.  Bacterial illnesses usually have lower fevers of 102 and below, but don’t respond as well to fever reducers. It takes a fever of 108 to cause brain injury, so treating fevers is more about the comfort of the child.  Anything over 102 causes irritability, physical discomfort and increased risk for dehydration.  For a fever under 102, you do not have to treat unless your child is uncomfortable. There are exceptions to this, children under 5 years old with febrile seizures or infants less than 6 months old.

I hope this has been informative, and it helps you feel more comfortable with the idea that fevers are a normal part of childhood and can be managed. Reminding your child to cover their cough and wash their hands can prevent many illnesses.

For questions call me at 214-558-0037 or email me at keajohns@hotmail.com  or info@pedihousecalls.com. For more information, visit http://pedihousecalls.wordpress.com/.