Mosaic Family Magazine

Dental Tips

Proper Hydration

KULTURAL KORNER

Mentoring Boys

The Mosaic Family Book Club

FAMILY EDUCATION COMMUNITY

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From the EDITOR

Time Flies! Summer has come and now it is on its way out. The heat is still in the air, but back to school advertisements are everywhere. Besides the school supplies and new uniforms the family schedules will be stretched to no end.

How will you work to become more involved in your child’s school year? Volunteer in the class room? Attend the scheduled parent/teacher conference? Attend extra curricular activities? Let us know how you spend time enhancing the educational experience for your child.

We are all ears. As a resource guide, we are working to provide you with up to the minute information for your family. Each day we are building our databases to provide you timesaving tips, recipe ideas, what to do for FREE and more.

Log on to www.mosaicfamilymagazine.com and Like us on Facebook. Each Friday we give away a family four pack of tickets to the Children’s Museum of Houston.

Take the time to write a quick note of encouragement and place it in your child’s lunchbox!

Happy back to school shopping! Tracey Hawthorne WashPUBLISHER

PublisherTracey Hawthorne Wash

Assistant to the PublisherTonya Cooksey

Project/EditorialCoordinatorVicki S. Wilson

Editor/ProofreaderMaia Shelby

SalesEugene HawthorneMichael Berkely

DesignAxiom 28

1919 Decatur Street • Houston, Texas 77007 • 713-678-0311Mosaic Family Magazine is published by FD&L Group Inc. Mosaic Family Magazine is a free publication. Mosaic Family Magazine is © 2012

by FD&L Group Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written express permission is prohibited.

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3 From the Editor

Mentoring Boys

DR. DR.

The Mosaic Family Book Club

Proper Hydration

2012

find us on the webmosaicfamilymagazine.com

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MENTORINGBOYS changes lives page

SUMMER

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Pearland Area

Cost: $150.00 per personParticipants must bring a sack lunch.

Snacks will be provided.

Evening Spanish classes available for ages 5 and up

For more information call 832.594.9439or email us at

[email protected]

Reading, Writing & A-Rythym-atic

Four Days of Fun with Music

and Movement

1st Session: June 11-142nd Session: July 23-26

3rd Session: August 13-16

9AM - 4PM Grades 3-6

years, and we’ve seen boys overcome incredible odds to become loving fathers and husbands.”

Started in San Diego in 1996, Boys to Men has expanded to 27 cities and 4 countries. Their newest strategy for reaching young men is a site-based mentoring program that focuses on middle and high school boys who have been identified by schools as at-risk.

You Can Make a DifferenceThe National Mentoring Partnership says that successful mentors:• Sincerely want to be involved with young people• Respect young people• Are active listeners• Have empathy for others• See opportunities and solutions“We’ve had the privilege of hearing

young men share their moving stories and have walked alongside them as they’ve journeyed into manhood,” said McClain.

And as for Willie? He’s ready to give back to others. “Boys to Men was the catalyst for a change in my life so dramatic that my whole being was altered. I can look a kid in the eyes who is hurting and in need of some love, and I can offer him my love, experience and wisdom. I can say ‘I know you’re hurting, but you don’t have to be strong anymore because I’m here for you.’”

To learn more about the Boys to Men mentoring program visit www.boystomen.org, or email [email protected]. It’s an easy way to find out how you can help change a life.

At age eleven, Willie was headed for disaster; his home life was full of violence and abuse. “I

felt no one loved me,” he says. “So at twelve, I started digging my own grave in the canyon behind my house.” But then something happened. Some caring mentors changed his life. As he puts it, “They saw what I could not — my true potential.”

Boys at RiskWillie was considered an at-risk youth. The National At-Risk Education Network defines at-risk in two ways:• At-risk of dropping out of school• At-risk of not succeeding in life due to being raised in unfavorable circumstances

The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network at Clemson University reviewed 25 years of research and found that dropping out of school is related to individual, family, school and community factors. It’s described as a long process of disengagement that adds up over time.

Being raised “in unfavorable circumstances” includes factors such as poverty, limited access to opportunities, and the lack of positive adult influences in their lives. “Boys naturally look toward men for guidance, but too many young men don’t have solid male role models to look up to,” said Craig McClain, cofounder of Boys to Men MentoringNetwork, a nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding boys through their passage to manhood. “Growing up without positive male role models has a devastating effect on young men, and ultimately our society.”

Mentoring Tomorrow’s MenThe National Mentoring Partnership (www.mentoring.org) says that formal mentoring relationships help reduce delinquency, substance abuse and academic failure. They also promote “positive outcomes, such as self-esteem, social skills and knowledge of career opportunities.”

How It WorksThe Boys to Men mentoring program has three components: an experiential mentor training for carefully screened mentors, a Rites of Passage weekend and ongoing group mentoring.

“We’ve seen some major changes in these boys’ lives,” said McClain. “Over 5,300 men and boys have been through the program over the

FOR THE BOYS Mentoring boyschanges lives

“Growing up without positive male role models has a devastating effect on young men, and

ultimately our society.”

We are ready for YOU at Northchase Learning Center!

Hours of Operation: 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Owned and Operated by Texas Certified Teachers14400 W. Sylvanfield Drive

Houston, Texas 77014281-440-4916

Reserve your spot today!

Infants and Toddlers

6 weeks to 3 years old

Preschool and After-school4 years old to 12 years old

After School Programs Available

(Karate, Music, Tumble & Art)

Area School Transportation

Supports Area School District

Curriculum

Free Tutoring & STAAR Prep

Classes(evening

snack included)

“Your Baby Can Read” Program

Interactive PlayFine and Gross Motor

Exercises

The Mosaic Family Book Club

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DR. DR.

Daily Dental Care TipsWhile regular visits to the dentist’s office for routine

cleanings are important for dentalhealth, taking care of your teeth and gums each day is paramount to keeping your mouth healthy. Here are some brushing-and-beyond tips to help prevent oral health problemsdown the road.

Preventative care is imperative. Basic hygiene practices can help maintain the health ofyour mouth. Remember to:

• Regularly brush with toothpaste, floss and visit your dentist. Brush at least twice a day.

• Purchase a brush with soft bristles and make sure to use light pressure while brushing so you don’t wear away tooth enamel. A great option is a batterypowered toothbrush.• Pay attention to your toothbrush. Does it need to be replaced? A good rule is to purchase a new toothbrush every three to four months.• Speak with your dentist about best brushing and flossing practices, as well as the recommended number

of visits to the dentist’s office each year. The number ofnecessary visits may vary depending on specific patient needs.Preventing enamel loss. Consuming too many acidic foods or soft drinks, and a long listof other factors, can weaken enamel. Enamel loss can lead to cavities, tooth sensitivity,discoloration and other oral health problems. To help maintain your tooth enamel, try toavoid drinks such as soda and fruit juices, and foods such as those high in citric acid orsugar content whenever possible.When to call the dentist. Between dental visits, patients may experience symptoms oforal health problems. Make sure you call a doctor if you notice:• Tooth pain• Tooth decay or cavities• Receding gum lines• Bleeding of the gums• Increased tooth sensitivity• Discoloration of teeth• Lumps on the lip or in the mouth or throat

Daily Dental CARE TIPS

Tanya Michelle has dreamed of writing children’s books ever since she was a little girl. Her journey

to writing began while constantly being surrounded by children’s books in her current profession as an elementary school teacher. Although teaching is her passion, she believes that writing is her true calling. She draws inspiration from real life situations and real world events. Her desire is to address issues that children face while instilling purpose, hope, and inspiration. “The President Looks Like Me” is a story that chronicles the 2008 presidential race from the perspective of a young boy. Even he and his family have some reservations about believing that an African-American man could actually be the President of The United States. Through the election process, he learns that with hard work, dedication, and possessing a sense of hope, anything is possible. Although the story addresses some political issues, it mostly focuses on the boy’s desire to dream big and truly believe in himself. “The President Looks Like Me” is the first book by up and coming author, Tanya Michelle. Please be on the lookout for her next book that is sure to inspire both children and adults alike.

Tanya Michelle can be contacted at [email protected] or check out her website at www.authortanyamichelle.com. Also, please like her on Facebook under Author Tanya Michelle.

The PresidentLooks Like Me

Start a family book club!

Proper Hydration in Youth Sports

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If you live in Texas, and your child is involved in sports, particularly outdoors, proper hydration is essential

to good performance and wellness. If the body is already dehydrated, losing 1% of its body weight in fluid can cause a decrease in performance by about 2%. Loosing 2% or more can cause the body to work harder, causing an increase in heart rate, breathing, a feeling of fatigue, and an elevation of body temperature to unhealthy ranges. You may be asking what can I do to ensure that my young athlete is adequately hydrated? A general rule of thumb to maintain adequate hydration is to drink 50% of the body weight in ounces of fluids throughout the day. JENNY—120 lbs = 60 ounces of fluids JOSHUA—200 lbs = 100 ounces of fluids The fluids should be ingested consistently in small frequent amounts consistently prior to, during and after the activity. Ideally hydration for a particular activity should begin days prior to the event. Moreover, drinking fluids, particularly water, should be a part of one’s daily routine. Fluids should be brought in on the day of the event at a rate of about every 10-20 minutes. Usually, water is a sufficient form of hydration except for activities

lasting longer than 60 minutes or when an excessive amount of fluids are being lost (i.e. profuse sweating). During these intense activities, consume a drink containing carbohydrates and electrolytes such as coconut water (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/27/coconut-water-ultimate-rehydrator.aspxthat) contains everything you need including electrolytes. Gatorade and other sports drinks can be used although there are a plethora of other higher quality sports drinks available on the market, online, and at your local health food store. Avoid syrupy Kool-Aid type drinks for hydration as it can lead to a crash in overall energy level later and a continued feeling of thirst. It is important to note for both you and your athlete, to consume fluid regularly particularly in warm weather regardless of thirst. Usually by the time one is thirsty, they are already dehydrated. So you say you can’t get your young athlete to drink water? Here’s a tip… Make it a game! Get a water bottle for each member of your family, determine how much water you need daily for each person and finally race to see who gets there first. For a change, mix it up with flavored waters or a carafe of water in the fridge containing mint, lemons, oranges or other fresh fruit to keep it interesting. As school begins enhance your young athlete’s performance and wellness with these small changes. Drink Up!

By Dr. Ursula Funderburk