Teaching Children Bully-Proof

Survival Tips By Jerry Chenault, Urban Regional Extension Agent

On cold winter days, parents bundle their children up warmly and send them off to school. But while parents can provide some protection from the elements, how can they ensure their child’s safety from bully attacks when they are not around? People are usually bullied because of appearance and social status.

Bullies pick on people they think don’t “fit in.” Those who are shy and withdrawn are at a much higher risk for being bullied. Other factors for bullying are situational like being a new stu-dent at a school or not having a friend.

Psychological Bullying Statistically, more children are physically hurt accidentally than hurt intentionally. However, bullying is not only physical, but psychological and verbal as well. An example of psychological bullying would be a “popular” group or clique bullying others by excluding and/or gossiping about them. If they taunt and tease their victim it becomes verbal bullying.

One of the most painful aspects of bullying is that it is relent-less. Most children, or even adults, can withstand a bit of name-calling, taunting, exclusion, or insults. But if these episodes continue day after day, bullying can lead to mental health problems such as low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Psychological Bullying Statistically, more children are physically hurt accidentally than hurt intentionally. However, bullying is not only physical, but psychological and verbal as well. An example of psychological bullying would be a “popular” group or clique bullying others by excluding and/or gossiping about them. If they taunt and tease their victim it becomes verbal bullying. One of the most painful aspects of bullying is that it is relent-less. Most children, or even adults, can withstand a bit of name-calling, taunting, exclusion, or insults. But if these episodes continue day after day, bullying can lead to mental health problems such as low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

(continued on page 3)

The Risk of Contracting Salmonella

from a Pet Reptile By Dr. Julio Correa, Associate Professor & Extension Animal Scientist

Reptiles such as turtles, lizards, and snakes are often kept as pets by many families. Reptiles frequently carry a group of bacteria called Salmonella that can cause serious illness in humans. Most healthy humans come in contact with Salmonella regularly by handling reptiles and coming in contact with their environment.

Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including reptiles. Because most reptiles shed these bacteria in their feces, humans

often place their hands in their mouths after touching reptiles or objects contaminated with reptile feces and become infected with Salmonella.

Humans who become infected with the Salmonella bacterium usually develop diarrhea, fever, and/or abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without antibiotic treatment. However, the infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other body sites, leading to fatal illness. Generally, it is children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems that are most likely to suffer severely from salmonellosis.

Since Salmonella bacteria cannot be eliminated from the intestinal tract of reptiles, good common hygiene practices can greatly re-duce the risk of contracting salmonellosis. The spread of Salmo-nella bacteria from captive reptiles to humans can be easily pre-vented by using the following routine precautions:

Keep pet reptiles out of homes with children younger than

five-years-of-age or people with weakened immune systems.

Do not allow children younger than five-years-of-age to

handle reptiles or touch anything in their environments, including water from containers or aquariums.

Pet reptiles should not be kept in child care centers, nursery

schools, or other facilities with children younger than five years old.

Do not allow pet reptiles to have access to the kitchen, dining

room, pantries, or any other area in which food or drink is prepared, served, or stored.

Do not allow reptiles to have access to bathroom sinks and

tubs or to any area where infants are bathed.

(continued on page 3)

January-March 2011

Volume 10, No. 2

Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs

Metro News ...Making Extension Connections

Upcoming Extension Health Activities By Wendi A. Williams, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Extension) has a long history of providing quality health programs

to individuals, families, and communities in Alabama. Here are a few human and small ruminant health-related

activities that are being delivered by staff at Extension’s Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs Unit.

Urban Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program The Urban Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program serves Hispanic pregnant and young mothers with children 0-5 years-of-age that are eligible for WIC or food stamps. It also targets Hispanic youth 6-14 years-of-age from low-income families. The goals of the program are to provide basic nutrition, to promote healthy eating habits, and to encourage families to adopt healthy lifestyles. Please contact Extension Health Specialist Dr. Donnie Cook at (256) 372-4983 or dcook@aces.edu for more information on how to attend or host a youth or adult session in your area.

Relay for Life – Metro Knights Relay for Life is a major fundraiser of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Relay teams from around the world come together to socialize, to walk or run laps, and to raise funds at schools, fairgrounds, or parks. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on a track at all times. Relay for Life began in May 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, decided to raise funds in honor of his patients. During the night and with help from his friends, Klatt walked 83 miles and raised $27K to fight cancer. Today, Relay for Life is conducted in as many as 21 countries and in-volves more than four million people.

Metro Knights is the Urban Affairs’ Relay for Life Team that has been in existence for more than five years. This year the Metro Knights team plans to raise more than $5K. Contact Adriane Langham, 2011 Metro Knights chair, to learn more or to make a donation at (256) 372-8083. Spring Goat Symposium The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will hold its Fifth Annual Small Ruminant Spring Symposium “Strategic Planning for Sustainability” on Saturday, March 12, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will be held at Alabama A&M University’s Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station located at 372 Walker Lane in Hazel Green, Alabama.

In recent decades the poultry, pork, and beef industry have developed strategic herd management practices, including herd health strategies, and marketing plans to carry these industries forward at a fast pace. While goat and sheep production are relatively young in this country, they still require producers to develop a “game plan” on where they want to go, how they plan to get there, what they can expect along the way, which includes keeping herds healthy, and how they plan to sustain their farming operations.

The Small Ruminant Symposium is open to the public and registration is $10.00 a person, which includes a lunch with fresh lamb or goat meat. To pre-register and for general information, please call Eddie Wheeler at (256) 582-2009 or Robert Spencer at (256) 766-6223. Early registration is expected in order to determine lunch count. Green Living Expo 2011 The Green Living Expo returns to Alabama A&M University’s Louis Crews Football Stadium on Thursday, April 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you missed the event last year, here’s your opportunity to talk to local environmental experts or to pick up valuable information on how to be an eco-friendly consumer. This event will also focus on developing urban gardens.

Participates will also enjoy a free lunch, door prizes, and entertainment, and participate in live gardening demonstrations. Exhibitors will have a chance to showcase their green-living programs, products, and services. This event is free and the public is encouraged to bring paper and plastic items such as magazines, newspapers, cardboard, phonebooks, loose-leaf papers, soda bottles, and milk jugs to recycle!

“As America continues to develop strategies on sustaining its natural resources, Extension and com-munity partners will remain at the forefront of educating consumers about green living alternatives,” says Dr. Karnita Garner, urban environmental specialist and co-chair of Green Living Expo 2011.

Sponsorship packages are available from $100 to $50. Every sponsor will receive a complimentary booth upon request. For more information, please visit www.aces.edu/urban or contact Roger Richardson at (256) 372-4966, Garner at (256) 372-8331, or Robert Spencer, at (256) 766-6223.

This year the

Metro Knights team

plans to raise more

than $5K.

Page 2 Metro News . . .Making Extension Connections Volume 10, No. 2

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has a long history of providing quality

health programs to individuals, families, and communities in Alabama.

Teaching Children Bully-Proof Survival Tips (continued from page 1)

Physical Attacks Physical bully attacks can involve anything from shoving, tripping, kicking, pushing, slapping, hitting, or even sexual assault. Another avenue of attack is “cyber bullying.” Bullying occurs in cyberspace when a victim is sent crude e-mail messages or texts, or they are subjected to insults that are posted on a publicly-viewed site.

Children of every age are vulnerable to the risk of bullies, and research tells us that as many as 1 in 2 children (sometimes more) will be bullied at school, on the walk home, on the bus, or at a park or other outing. More than 160,000 children in the United States miss class daily due to fear of physical harm.

It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to “coach” children on how to handle bullies just as you would instruct them on eating correctly or swimming to prevent drowning. Here are some helpful bully survival tips you can share with your children.

Bully Survival Tips 1. Educate your children about bullying behavior such as

verbal harassment, threats, racial slurs, stalking, being singled out, pushing, or striking, so they can recognize bullying and ask for help. Each child should be trained to talk to a parent, teacher, or a trusted adult to find a safer solution and environment.

2. Conduct role play scenarios with your children that include

potential outcomes or solutions. Keep the atmosphere relaxed and reinforce the fact that family care and safety is why we discuss these matters. Possible scenarios include:

◘ What to do if a friend shows them a weapon such

as a gun or knife.

◘ What to do if you are bullied on a playground or

on your way to or from school.

Bully Survival Tips 3. When dealing with a bully in person, you might tell a child to:

◘ Ignore them and walk away. Be confident. Walk

tall and defuse the bully by not giving them the reaction they seek.

◘ Practice confidence even if you have to fake it.

Hide your anger and don’t let the bully have con-trol over your emotions.

◘ Avoid physical altercations. Try not to resort to

kicking, hitting, or pushing the bully. Violence usually begets violence. However, if your life is in danger you may not want to defend yourself.

◘ Talk to someone who can give you support

such as a parent, guardian, teacher, coun-selor, or friend. Let someone know you are being bullied.

◘ Find a friend. Bullies pick on those who seem

isolated and weak. A true friend(s) will help ease feelings of isolation, hurt, and fear. Make sure a friend knows that what the bully says is untrue by telling them the truth in private.

◘ Be true to yourself by coming up with strategies to

help you feel your best so that bullies will not tar-get you as a victim. Exercise, for example, makes you feel and look stronger. Martial arts classes are well known for their strengthening of confidence, bodies, and the ability to defend oneself physically as well. These classes are also a great place to make new friends.

The Risk of Contracting Salmonella from a Pet Reptile (continued from page 1)

◘ Pet reptiles should not be allowed to roam

freely throughout the home or living area.

◘ Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling

reptiles, habitats, and their contents.

◘ Do not kiss reptiles or share food or drink

with them.

◘ Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap

and warm water after handling reptiles and touching anything in their environments.

◘ Adults should always supervise children when

they are handling reptiles to ensure that they do not place their hands in their mouths.

◘ Adults should always supervise hand washing

for young children.

◘ Reptile environments should be carefully cleaned

outside the home. Use disposable gloves when cleaning and do not dispose of water in sinks used for food preparation, for obtaining drinking water, or for bathing infants.

Page 3 Metro News . . .Making Extension Connections Volume 10, No. 2

Physical Exams are Good Preventive Medicine By Wendi Williams, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist

Most people don’t enjoy doctor visits let alone physical exams. Many times a “physical” is just downright uncomfortable. But a routine physical examination is a doctor’s way of checking his or her patients for disease. It’s also a good time to catch up on vaccinations, to let your doctor know if you haven’t been feeling well, and to be screened for certain diseases that may exist in your family’s medical history.

Schools generally require students to get physical exams before entering school or participating in sports. Most health centers or exercise instructors encourage consumers to obtain consent from their doctor before engaging in a physical fitness program. Either way it goes, physical examinations are an important part of maintaining good mental and physical health.

What’s involved? Most physical exams involve checking vital signs such as blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate, as well as height and weight. Some doctors may even ask about your mental state. Other physical screenings may depend on your age and medical history. For example, health screening information provided by MedlinePlus, a website maintained by the United States National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, recommends a complete breast examination every three years for women 20-40 years, and then once a year for women over 40. In addition, most men are encouraged to begin prostrate exams at 50 or at age 45 if you’re African American. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also encourages doctors to screen for HIV during physical exams, which is a growing epidemic in the Southeast.

Other tests include:

Full body computerized tomography (CT) or CAT scan that x-rays internal organs and soft tissue,

Electrocardiograph (EKG) that captures the electrical activity of the heart;

Urinalysis that detects metabolic or kidney disorders;

Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) that identifies abnormal cells in the cervix;

Mammography (mammogram) to identify abnormalities in breast tissue; and a

Rectal or prostate screening to examine the prostate gland.

Of course there are other examinations your doctor may order depending on age, sex, ethnicity, and medical history.

So, while you are busy making plans to continue or to start improving your health, why not make an appointment to see your doctor for a physical exam. Early diagnosis of any disease could improve your chances of recovery and even prolong your life. To put it simply, physical exams are just good preventive medicine!

Contributors Jerry Chenault, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Lawrence County

Julio Correa, Associate Professor & Extension Animal Scientist, Alabama A&M University

Wendi Williams, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist, Alabama A&M University

Metro News Editorial Team - Alabama A&M University Jannie Carter, PhD, Extension Assistant Director, Urban Affairs

Julio Correa, PhD, Associate Professor & Extension Animal Scientist

Jean Dwyer, MS, Extension Communications Specialist (Website Design)

Catherine Sabota, PhD, Professor & Extension Horticulturalist

Wendi Williams, MS, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist (Newsletter Design)

Please visit us online at www.aces.edu/urban/metronews. The online HTML version of this publication contains a complete listing of article references. For inquiries, please contact the editor at 256-372-4953 or williw1@aces.edu.