MVP Parents

http://www.mvparents.com/pdfs/40Assets.pdf

40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents (ages 12-18)
The Search Institute® has identified the following building blocks of healthy development—known as Developmental Assets®— that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

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A Balanced Approach to Youth Sports

At age 20, Major League Baseball player Ryan Jaroncyk retired, saying he had never really enjoyed the game (that he had started at age 5) and had continued to play primarily because his parents wanted him to.
Being involved in a sport is a lot different for most of today’s young people than it was for their parents or grandparents. Kids start younger, train harder, play more often, forego other activities, and, like Jaroncyk, feel more pressure. For some this means the horizons are broader and brighter than ever. Sometimes, however, sports takes over a family’s life as parents shuttle between home and practice or games, spend thousands of dollars on equipment, and drag younger siblings along or leave them at home. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little bit of support and guidance from you, your children can find great fun and healthy ways to include athletics as one part of a well-rounded life.
Try it...
For parents with children ages birth to 5
Introduce babies and young children to lots of different physical activities, such as throwing and catching a ball, bike riding, swimming, and climbing.
Play with them.
Resist the urge to sign your young children up for formal, structured programs. A few children will be ready for this kind of organization, but many will find it confusing or stressful.

For parents with children ages 6 - 9
Offer encouragement and praise for participation rather than achievement. At this age, it’s best to focus on enjoyment of the activity rather than mastery.
Avoid comparing players to one another, making comments (even positive ones) about players’ abilities, or complaining about mistakes or missed opportunities. Instead, emphasize and highlight positive attitudes and experiences.
Volunteer to be a coach or team helper.

For parents with children ages 10 - 15
Encourage your child to try at least one new sport or physical activity each year or two. They may feel like everyone around them has already “picked what they do,” but most likely, that’s not the case.
Help your children think about what they enjoy and don’t enjoy about each of their activities. Make a “pros and cons” list if it helps. Some children will have very strong opinions about which things they want to do, and others will need more parental direction and guidance.
Help your children organize informal sports events such as pick-up basketball, flag football, or a rope-jumping expo. If your physical health allows, join them!

For parents with children ages 16 - 18
Monitor your teens’ health habits, especially if they are seriously involved in sports. Are they eating well, getting enough sleep, doing what they can to avoid injury? Stay connected with your children and their coaches so you know what’s happening with the team and with training.
If you have a teenager who is seriously into a sport (or multiple sports) celebrate that while also promoting balance for the entire family. This could mean taking turns attending events, making sure that there is at least a short “off season” when your teen’s body can rest and recover from intense training, talking about what’s most important to you as a family and as individuals, and being flexible about finding time to just be together when you’re not focusing on a sport.
Regardless of the skill level of your teen, don’t overburden them with the stress of trying to earn scholarships, awards, or professional contracts for their sports involvement. If your child really wants those things and has the skill to achieve them, then encourage and support them in their efforts. If not, though, their time is probably better spent focusing on school and making more reliable plans for the future.


http://mvparents.com/displayMailArchive.php?emailid=16
Healthy Eating Habits
Two big challenges to raising healthy kids today are enormous portion sizes and the fact that there are so many unhealthy but tempting food choices out there. When children and teens fill up on sweets and highly processed foods, they lose their appetites for foods that have the nutrients their bodies need. As they get older they’ll be making more of those choices for themselves, so it’s never too early to start teaching kids how to make healthy, balanced selections.

Try it
For parents with children ages birth to 5
For sweet treats, stick with fresh fruit. (Babies aren’t born wanting ice cream or cookies.) Avoid refined sugar and other sweeteners as long as possible.
Breastfeed for optimal nutrition. When giving a bottle or cup, choose formula mixed as instructed or unsweetened beverages such as plain milk or water.

For parents with children 6 - 9
Serve foods close to their natural state: fresh or unsweetened dried fruit instead of fruit roll-ups; whole wheat bread instead of white; lean cuts of meat like turkey or chicken breast instead of processed meats such as sausage or hotdogs.
Set clear family rules on when it’s acceptable to eat sweets, such as desserts only on the weekends.
Talk with kids about how their bodies get energy and strength from the foods they eat. Point out that healthier choices make for more energy and strength.

For parents with children 10 - 15
Getting enough calcium is tough for kids who drink too much juice, soda, or other beverages that don’t contain it. One way you can help is by limiting the availability of those drinks in your home. You can also keep low-fat flavored milks and calcium-fortified milk alternatives on hand and serve them at meals. Though they have added sugar, it’s not nearly as much as soda, and studies show that for many kids they boost calcium intake.
Teach children to read labels and choose foods with zero trans fats (linked to heart disease), andfoodsthat are low in sodium and overall fat content.
When bringing snacks for events, choose healthy items: fresh or dried fruit; low-fat, low-salt pretzels; raw vegetables; 100% juice boxes or water bottles.

For parents with children 16 - 18
When feeding groups of teens, offer good-for-you choices such as pizza with fresh toppings, whole-wheat pita bread with cheese, fresh vegetables and dip, fresh fruit, and water or milk.
Teenagers, girls especially, are vulnerable to excessive dieting and eating disorders, which rob their bodies of essential nutrients. Keep your home stocked with lots of healthy protein sources (nuts, beans, lean meats, low-fat dairy), calcium (dairy, calcium-fortified products), whole grains (oatmeal, whole-wheat breads, brown rice, whole wheat pasta), and fruits and vegetables. If you are concerned about your children’s eating habits, talk with a doctor who understands eating disorders.

Youth Group Funding for community advocacy project and mentor stipend

Save the Date

The Live Healthy DeKalb Youth Action Group will be hosting it's second annual Youth Advocacy Summit on April 18, 2009 from 10:00 am til 4:00 pm. We are recruiting youth groups that serve middle school aged youth to attend. After the summit groups will be eligible to receive funding for a community advocacy project and mentor stipend.

Contact Eryn Marchiolo at emmarchiolo@dhr.state.ga.us for more information.

Girls Softball, Youth Lacrosse and Youth Soccer!

SIGN-UP NOW FOR DECATUR YOUTH SPORTS!

http://www.decaturga.com/cgs_citysvs_rec_athletics_youth.aspx

Girls Fast PitchSoftball

-Register now at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.

-Ages 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 (age control date is Jan. 1st)

-Practices begin March 7th

-Season begins March 14th

-Registration Fee: $100 City of Decatur residents; $130 non-city residents

COACHES NEEDED!

Volunteer coaches are needed and welcome. If interested, please attend the free workshop at 6:30 pm, Thursday, Feb. 26th at the Decatur Rec. Center.

Youth Lacrosse

(9-10 Boys slots are are full)

-Register now at the Decatur Rec. Center, 231 Sycamore St.
-Ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 (age control date is Jan. 1st)
-Practices begin February 11th
-Season begins March 7th
-Registration Fee: $100 City of Decatur residents; $130 non-city residents

PARENTS MEETING

All parents/guardians are asked to attend the Parents Meeting at 1 pm, Saturday, Feb. 7th at the Decatur Recreation Center.

COACHES NEEDED!
Volunteer coaches are needed and welcome. If interested, please attend the free workshop at 6:30 pm, Thursday, Feb. 19th at the Decatur Rec. Center.

YOUTH SOCCER
-Register now at the Decatur Rec. Center, 231 Sycamore St.

-Ages 4-6, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 (age control date is Sept.. 1st, 2009)

-Practices begin March 9th

-Season begins March 21st

-Registration Fee: $100 City of Decatur residents; $130 non-city residents

PARENTS MEETING
All parents/guardians are asked to attend the Parents Meeting at 1 pm, Saturday, March 7th at the Decatur Recreation Center.

COACHES NEEDED!

Volunteer coaches are needed and welcome. If interested, please attend the free workshop at 6:30 pm, Thursday, Feb. 26th at the Decatur Rec. Center.

For more information on Decatur Youth Sports, please contact Stacy Green, 678-553-6549 or Lindsey Struck, 678-553-6550.

Welcome Spring with Wildflower Walks in Georgia's State Parks

http://www.georgiastateparks.org/
http://www.youtube.com/gastateparks

While dogwoods and daffodils are the traditional trumpeters of spring, a host of wildflowers are arriving in celebration of warmer weather. For a close-up look at these brilliant blooms, join state park rangers on a series of guided wildlflower walks across Georgia. Hikers will look for wood violet, trout lily, wild azalea, spring-beauty, showy orchis, foam flower, trillium, Indian pink, buckeye and many more native blooms. These programs are hosted by several state parks that have a large number of native plants growing in natural settings.

For more information about the guided wildflower hikes, call the parks directly. A $3 to $4 parking fee is charged and some hikes are free. Wildflower hikes are just some of the many events hosted by Georgia’s 63 state parks and historic sites. For a complete calendar of events, visit http://www.georgiastateparks.org/.

Spring Wildflower Day
Saturday, March 28, 1 – 3 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park - Lumpkin
Providence Canyon, known as Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, has diverse environments where a wide variety of wildflowers may be seen. Bring your camera for an awe-inspiring hike where you may discover a new world of wildflowers. $1 plus $3 parking. 229-838-6202 .

Thursday Wildflower Walks at the Hike Inn
March 19, April 16 and April 30, Noon
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Guests of the Len Foote Hike Inn can meet at the “top of falls” trailhead to take a guided wildflower walk. The Hike Inn is Georgia's only backcountry lodge, located at Amicalola Falls State Park. $3 parking. 1-800-581-8032 .

Wild About Wildflowers
Saturdays in April, April 4, 11, 18 and 25, 1 – 3 p.m.
Cloudland Canyon State Park - Rising Fawn
Join the park's naturalist in the picnic area for an easy, guided wildflower hike. The hikes will include flower identification, cultivation tips and good exercise. Bring water and a sack lunch. Limit 40 participants. $3 parking. 706-657-4050 .

Spring Wildflower Fest
April 11 - 12
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Enjoy a wildflower identification hike and learn more about edible and medicinal plants. Join a variety of activities as we celebrate the arrival of spring. The park features a hotel-style lodge with a restaurant that has a stunning mountain view. $3 parking. 706-265-1969 .

Spring Wildflowers Around Unicoi
April 17 - 18
Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen
Friday evening begins with a slide show and lecture. On Saturday, there will be wildflower walks and activities that help both the novice and experienced enthusiast better appreciate the colorful and fascinating world of mountain wildflowers. Spend the night in the park’s lodge, cottages or campground. Register in advance. $3 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Spring Wildflower Walk
April 18, 10 a.m. - Noon
Mistletoe State Park - Appling
Explore the woods as they come alive with dogwood, berry blossoms, trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, rattlesnake plant, variegated clover, violets, wisteria, ruby thistle and more. Don’t forget your camera. $3 parking. 706-541-0321 .

Riverfront Wildflower Hike
April 18, 10 a.m.
Sprewell Bluff State Park - Thomaston
Join a plant biologist on this four-mile hike along the Flint River while several flowers and trees are at their peak of spring color. Meet at the main parking lot by the river and bring a lunch to enjoy at picnic area. $3 plus $3 parking. 706-646-6026 .

Wildflower Walk
April 25, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Vogel State Park - Blairsville
This guided wildflower walk through the Appalachian forest will highlight Jack-in-the pulpits, trilliums, wild azaleas and many other flowering plants. $3 plus $3 parking. 706-745-2628 .

Feb 5 - ING Georgia Marathon Community Meeting

ING GA Marathon Community Meeting Thursday

The City of Decatur and the organizers of the ING GA Marathon will hold a community information meeting on Thursday, February 5th from 6 - 7pm in the commission meeting room of Decatur City Hall. All are welcome.

The back door of city hall will be unlocked for entrance. Parking is available in City Hall parking lot after 5 p.m. Hope to see everyone there!
Cheryl

Please visit our blog: www.thedecaturminute.com
Cheryl A. Burnette
Special Events Coordinator
City of Decatur
678-553-6573
cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com

3rd Annual Bulldog Volleyball Camp - Clarification

Decatur Volleyball Camp Clarification
In an attempt to clarify the announcement concerning the summer volleyball camp, please know that all girls are welcome and encouraged to attend the Decatur Volleyball Camp sponsored by the Decatur Recreation Department. Attendance in the camp, however, is not mandatory nor is it a prerequisite for participating on any of the teams sponsored by the City Schools of Decatur Athletic Department.
Sorry for any confusion,
Carter Wilson, Athletic Director

3rd Annual Bulldog Volleyball Camp
THE CAMP IS COMING! THE CAMP IS COMING!
The Decatur volleyball team had a great season this year. Some stats about varsity team from the last two years:
-Placed 7th in the State Tournament in 2007
-Placed 3rd in the Area Tournament in 2007
-Ranked 9th in the State coaches' poll in 2007
-We have 2 players that made the All-Area team, 3 players that ranked in the top 24 players in the State and 1 player that made the All-Area Senior team in 2007.
-Placed 14th in the State Tournament in 2008-Placed 2nd in the Area Tournament in 2008
-We have 2 players that made the All-Area team, 5 players that ranked in the top 24 players in the State in 2008

The 3nd annual Bulldog volleyball camp is coming this summer. Come to this camp to learn how to pass, set, hit and play defense like a Decatur Bulldog Volleyball player. The camp dates are:
High School Player: July 20th thru July 24th
Middle School Player: July 27th thru July 31st

The camp will be held at the Decatur Recreational Center. We will have coaches from many different Division I, Division II Universities and colleges coming to run and coach at our camp.

The cost of the camp will be $150 for Decatur residents and $150 for non-residents. You will receive 5 days of college coach instruction, camp T-shirts and other surprises.

The camp times will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch break. Please e-mail Coach Fred Earley for more information at: DECATURVOLLEYBALL@YAHOO.COM.

Tuesday Feb 10 - Magical Mornings for Children 2 to 5 yrs old

Magical Mornings for Children Ages 2 to 5 yrs old!

Our next Magical Mornings is right around the corner. Betty Ann Wiley will be entertaining us with stories and fairy tales at 11 am, Tuesday, February 10th at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. The cost for this event is $2.00 per child (teachers and parents admitted free). Come out and join us for a morning great stories and family fun.

Lee M. Williams
Program Supervisor, City of Decatur Active Living
Lee.Williams@decaturga.com
678-553-6551 office