Newsletter for December 30, 2008

 

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer."

Author Unknown

 

HELP Center Announcements

Happy New Year!

From all of us at the SPHC, have a safe and healthy 2009!

 

*CCAMPIS Grant Green Forms Due!!!! *

The deadline for returning the Green Verification of Early Childhood Education Activities Form was December 18, 2008. Any CCAMPIS student who has not turned that form in will not be mailed a spring term CCAMPIS application when the time comes. This is one form we will allow to be faxed in as it has limited personal info and does not impact the initial application outcome. The SPHC fax number is: 612-626-9867. So if you have not gotten this form into the SPHC please do so ASAP or you could be bumped from the grant for spring 2009!!!!!!!

 

Important Email Information

Susan has been encountering many instances lately where it is obvious that students are forwarding the U of M email accounts to another email account. We at the SPHC are begging students to stop doing this.  Though we are aware that the U of M offers this option when you initiate your account, Susan in particular has seen daily examples over many years of this causing significant issues for students.  One of the problems that occurs when students do not keep their U of M account separate is that attachments will not come through. Another thing that occurs for whatever reason is that some email communications are "bounced back" and never get to the student. In one recent email notice Susan sent out, she received 15 bounce backs from the 306 email accts the communication was sent to saying that the U of M email service did not recognize these accounts. Many were private Yahoo accounts. This is very concerning because this means these students are not only missing our critical communications about child care grants, or other SPHC services and information, but if you are one of these students you may also be missing communications from financial aid or your colleges and departments.  There is no way of knowing what you are missing in terms of email communications, as from our experience, some of it gets through and some does not, so you could miss something key and never know it.  Despite what you may be offered when you establish your email accounts, we are begging students to keep your U of M email accounts separate, in other words to do not tie them to another account by setting a forward to some home account and never, ever, ever go more than 48 hours without checking your email.  I cannot stress enough how much I have seen students burned in big ways by this over the years.

 

Save the Dates:

Upcoming Career Fairs

Environmental Internship & Career Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2:00pm-6:00pm
North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center

**Fields/Majors Represented:***
Bio-Products and Biosystems Engineering, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Design, Environmental Education, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Sciences Policy and Management, Fisheries and Wildlife, Forestry, Horticulture, Recreation Resource Management, Soil Science, Water Resources

To see a list of employers attending go to GoldPASS http://goldpass.umn.edu and click on the "Career Events" menu. Start preparing for the career fair by viewing our online Job Fair Success workshop at http://umconnect.umn.edu/jobfairsuccess/

Questions? Contact the St. Paul Campus Career Center at 612-624-2710.

http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/envjobfair/

 

Monday, February 9, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Minneapolis Convention Center

Come to the biggest student career fair in Minnesota! More than 250 organizations will be there recruiting for hundreds of jobs and internships. The Job and Internship Fair is free and open to all U of M undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni. This event was created just for you!  Visit http://www.cclc.umn.edu/umjobfair/index.html for more information.

Check out this website for other upcoming Career Events: http://www.career.umn.edu/campusevents.htm

 

Tentative Date for Student Parent Visibility Day
April 21, 2009

More information to come.

PASS Group (Parenting as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updates on Spring 2009 PASS Group

The Parents as Student Support Group will resume in the spring semester on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. This will give students a week to get settled into their new spring schedules. As always, group will meet in Room 24 (Student Parent HELP Center) and will feature FREE food (yummy crock-pot goodness or ordering out from local restaurants); great conversations; meeting new parents; and discussing parent and student-related topics. We always try to leave a lot of time for discussion and fun between parents, but we also attempt to bring in speakers that are relevant to student parent-related topics. This semester, we will most likely feature: Deb Wilkin from Financial Aid, Child Development Strategies, Effective and Positive Discipline Strategies for kids, stress-relieving mechanisms for student parents, a clothing exchange, and a session on job interviewing strategies/fashion tips. We hope to also invite some former student parents to speak. We look forward to seeing you at the next group! Remember: kids, family members, parents and support people are always welcome to attend.

Please remember that the center is closed during group on Wednesdays from 12-2 for all other computer use and studying spaces. Please come back in around 2 PM and we will re-open the doors. If you are going to join us for lunch, please stay at least 1/2 hour and join in the group in order to respect the food budget of the HELP Center.

We Need You…

The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their web site under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address: warfi002@umn.edu.

We will also have applications available at the HELP Center and you can attend a meeting and sign up then as well. Meetings are held each Friday from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM in the Student Parent HELP Center. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their web site to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/

 

Happy New Year!

New Year's Greetings from Around the World!

China                      "Gung Hay Fat Choy"

Denmark                 "Godt Nytår"

Farsi                      “Aide shoma mobarak”

France                    "Bonne Année"

Gaelic                     “Aith-bhliain Fe Nhaise Dhuit”

Germany                 "Gutes Neues Jahr"

Hawaii                     "Hauoli Makahiki Hou"

Hebrew                   “Shanah tovah”

Hmong                    “Nyob zoo xyoo tshiab”

Indonesian               “elamat Tahun Baru”

Ireland                    "Aith-bhliain fé mhaise dhuit"

Israel                      "Shana Tova"

Italy                       "Buon Capo d'Auno"

Japan                      "Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu"

Netherlands             "Gelukkig Nieuwjaar"

Norway                   "Godt Nytt År"

Phillipines                 "Maligayang Bagong Taon"

Poland                     "Szczesliwego Nowego Roku"

Portugal                  "Feliz Ano Novo"

Romanian                “La Multi Ani”

Russian                   “S Novym Godom”

Spain                     "Feliz Año Nuevo"

Sudanese                “Wilujeng Tahun Baru”

Sweden                   "Gott Nytt År"

Turkey                    "Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun"

United States            “Happy New Year!”

 

How to Celebrate New Year's Eve With Your Children

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1: Help your kids decorate a room in your house. Hang streamers, scatter confetti and set out party hats and noisemakers.

Step 2: Bake a cake.

Step 3: Dress up in party clothes.

Step 4: Prepare the kids' favorite dinner and eat the cake for desert. Put candles on the cake and blow them out in recognition of the birthday of a new year.

Step 5: Teach the kids the words to "Auld Lang Syne," and sing other songs with them as well.

Step 6: Explain the concept of New Year's resolutions to your children. Ask them if there is anything they would like to accomplish in the next year.

Step 7: Lay out blankets or sleeping bags in the living room. Read stories out loud and play board games late into the evening.

Step 8: Toast the New Year at midnight (if your kids are still awake) with sparkling fruit cider.

Have fun!

 

Cookie Tin Time Capsule

Capture your memories in a recycled cookie tin and have hours of fun doing it. Spend New Year's Day together with this family craft.

What you'll need:

Cookie tin (or similar type); washed and dried

Rag

Sandpaper

Spray paint

"Painters" paint markers in assorted colors

Memorabilia

How to make it:

Take lid off the tin.

Lightly sand the cookie tin (lid and bottom) all over on the outside to rough up the paint.

Wipe the cookie tin off with rag.

Spread out newspapers and place cookie tin on it.

Spray paint the cookie tin. Let dry.

Use paint markers to add your message. Some sample messages might be:

Time Capsule: Don't open until New Years Eve 2010

These are a few of my favorite things! (add music notes around the words)

Family members names could go around the exterior of the tin.

Let each member of your family place a few special items in the tin.

Some ideas to place in the tin could be:

Pokemon cards

Report cards

Funny snapshots

Your favorite jokes

A note to each family member telling them how much you appreciate them.

Baseball or other sports cards

Anything that is important to you NOW.

Place the tin some place you will be able to find it in 10 years! You could make the time to open the tin in any year that you wish, maybe less maybe more. You decide.

Check out these other websites for great kid-friendly New Year’s party ideas, games, crafts, and snacks! 

http://holidays.kaboose.com/new-years/

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/new-years-day/

http://kids-holiday-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/celebrate_new_years_eve_with_kids

 

Hot Tip

Scholarships

Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund

In keeping with its long-standing tradition of serving the community, the Talbots Charitable Foundation is proud to offer a unique scholarship program for women pursuing a college degree later in life. Each year, the fund awards $120,000 in scholarships to women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago, and who are now seeking a college degree. Applicants to the Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund must: be women currently residing in the United States or Canada; be women who earned a high school diploma or their GED on or before September 1999; be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full- or part-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school; be attending the full 2009-10 academic year and receiving a degree no earlier than May 2010; and have at least two semesters (24 credit hours or more) remaining to complete an undergraduate degree as of the beginning of the 2009 fall academic term. Students who have previously earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible to apply. Six (6) women will each be awarded $10,000 scholarships, and sixty (60) women will each be awarded $1,000 scholarships. Only applicants seeking a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university are eligible to receive a $10,000 award. Awards are one-time only and not renewable and are for undergraduate study only. For more information visit the website.

https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/talbotswomen/instructions.php   Deadline: January 2, 2009

*The SPHC apologizes for the late notice on this scholarship opportunity. However, the application for the Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund is due at about the same time every year, so if you are interested in applying next year we encourage you to mark your calendars and check on this website in early December 2009.

 

The Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, in association with Ernst & Young LLP, is offering three (3) scholarships, in the amount of $10,000 each, in honor of Fred Rogers, the creator and long-time host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.  The scholarships are intended to support and encourage aspiring undergraduate and graduate students to pursue careers in children’s media and further the values and principles of Fred Rogers’ work. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood continues to air on PBS stations throughout the United States and remains the gold standard of how television can enlighten, educate and increase social consciousness and understanding. In addition to the monetary award, successful applicants are mentored by children’s programming professionals during the academic year. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students (Masters or Ph.D.) of accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment—through coursework or experience—to any combination of at least two of the following fields:

• early childhood education

• child development/child psychology

• film/television production

• music

• animation

Applicant must have the ultimate goal of working in children’s media.

http://www.emmys.org/foundation/rogersscholar.php Deadline: February 27, 2009

 

Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation Scholarship

The Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice was organized in 1988 to honor Reverend Vincent L. Hawkinson, a lifelong advocate for peace. Hawkinson served as pastor of Grace University Lutheran Church for more than 30 years. He vigorously advocated peacemaking and racial equality and stood up for the poor, the oppressed and the powerless. He died in 2001 at age 86. The Foundation was founded on the belief that alternatives to violence and the use of military power must be found for a permanent resolution of interpersonal and global conflict. Seeking new avenues to peace and justice was Pastor Hawkinson's life work. The Foundation keeps his dream alive by granting scholarships to students who have demonstrated a commitment to peace and justice and by honoring those who pursue these beliefs.
Eligibility Requirements:
-Demonstrate a commitment to peace and justice as described in short essay.
-Academic transcript. Three references, one reference letter by 1 of the 3 references.
-Either reside or attend school in IA, MN, ND, SD or WI.
-Must attend personal interview in Minneapolis.
-Must attend award ceremony in November in Minneapolis.
-No religious affiliation requirement. [Not for police or military training.]

http://www.graceattheu.org   Deadline: March 15, 2009

 

Sallie Mae Fund First In My Family Scholarship Program

The Sallie Mae Fund First in My Family Scholarship Program is dedicated to assisting Hispanic-American students who are the first person in their family to attend college. Applicants are first in their family if they are the first of their siblings, parents and grandparents to pursue a bachelor's degree or the first to pursue an associate's degree. Scholarship award amounts vary between $500-$5,000.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be of Hispanic background
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the United States.
• Must be an undergraduate student for the upcoming year who attends school in the United States or Puerto Rico.
• Must be studying full-time in the United States or Puerto Rico
• Must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must be first in family to attend collegefor theupcoming academic year

http://www.salliemaefund.org  Deadline:April 15th, 2009

 

Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant Program

This scholarship program is open to any student who is a member of, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendent of a member of, an American Indian tribe who is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to Indians because of their status as Indians. The student must be accepted for admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education that provides a course of study conferring the Associate of Arts or Bachelor’s degree. The student must also demonstrate financial need as determined by the financial aid officer of the post-secondary institution. The grant application is available from the education office of the Tribe in which you are affiliated or possess membership. As the majority of federally recognized tribes are administering the grant program for their tribal members, call your tribe first.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.oiep.bia.edu/   Deadline: Varies

Opportunities to Share

Student Parent Success Stories

We would like to continue featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu. We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.

Photo Gallery

Sharing photos of our children and families is a great way to get to know each other. If you have a photo of your child(ren) or family and would like to see it featured in one of our upcoming newsletters, send it as an e-mail attachment to sphc@umn.edu.

 

Community Resources

Tubman

Please note that Tubman Family Alliance and Chrysalis, A Center for Women, have merged their operations and are now known as Tubman. The merge unites the complementary strengths of Chrysalis' chemical dependency and mental health programs with Tubman Family Alliance's domestic violence prevention work. If you are interested in more information on the programs available through Tubman, or would like to download any of their program guides, please visit their website at www.tubman.org.

Fare For All

Big savings every month on fresh, high quality, nutritious groceries – that’s what Fare For All is all about!  As food prices continue to rise, more Minnesotans are experiencing significant difficulties affording basic expenses each month. Fare For All is open to anyone who wants to save money on their groceries. Participants have the opportunity to save 40-50% off their monthly food budgets and access fresh fruits and veggies, frozen meats of all kinds, and a variety of non-perishable staple items.

For more information visit www.fareforall.org or call 763-450-3880 or 1-800-582-4291 (outside Metro area).

MinnesotaHelp.info

MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people. http://www.minnesotahelp.org/public/

211, First Call for Help

Looking for information on childcare, food, housing, transportation or senior services? The Minnesota 2-1-1 database lists more than 10,000 organizations and 40,000 services throughout the state. Just dial 2-1-1 (or 651-291-0211). It's free, confidential and available 24/7. Trained information specialists can connect you to more than 40,000 community resources. Multi-lingual lines are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. You can also download a copy of the 2-1-1 application and database (http://www.ctkodm.com/gtcuw/211_app/ ) directly to your computer. By doing this, you will be able to search for resources at any time without needing an Internet connection.

Energy Assistance

Whether we like it or not the cold is coming!  Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their energy bills, sometimes beyond the ability of some to pay.  The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for individuals in need.  Please visit the following link for more information: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536881374&contentid=

Are you looking for specific information for your County?                               
If so, please check out the following links for metro Counties:

• Hennepin
• Ramsey
• Washington
• Anoka
• Scott
• Sherburne
• Dakota

 

Parenting Information

Minnesota Parents Know

Trusted parenting information, resources, and activities to help your children grow, develop, and learn from birth through high school. 

This website features special sections for newborns, children ages 1-2, children ages 3-5, grades K-8, and grades 9-12.  Links to other parenting resources are also available.

http://www.parentsknow.state.mn.us/

Parent Zone

Welcome to the most comprehensive resource for Twin Cities parents. This site proves that the area has far more to offer families than the Mall of America! This over-flowing directory of local resources includes free things to do around town, great classes for kids, the most family-friendly of the 10,000 lakes, and more! Plus, the local events calendar features family fun on both sides of the river. It's Minnesota nice! http://twincities.parentzone.com/

Mom Talk!

Looking for a place to learn from other moms, share resources, recipes and experiences? Visit www.momtalk.com. This is a great online forum with information on health and wellness, upcoming events, pregnancy and just about anything related to being a mom in the Twin Cities.

Dads Today!

Welcome, Dads! Here's a place just for you to get the answers you're looking for, make new friends and be a part of an active community. Visit http://www.dadstoday.com/.  Have fun! 

University of Minnesota Extension Service

The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a host of resources for Minnesota parents. Please bookmark the following website for access to answers and advice regarding a number of common parenting questions. http://www.extension.umn.edu

Learn to Swim

Learn to Swim focuses on providing safety and fun in and around the water. Participants learn a solid base of swimming skills and build upon them throughout the program. The classes are taught following American Red Cross Learn to Swim Guidelines.

Learn to Swim is a program through the University of Minnesota Recreational Sports and classes are offered at St. Paul and Minneapolis. Classes are offered for parents and children (6 months to 5 years old), children lessons (age 4 and older), and for adults.

Rates for University students is: $50 per participant.

For more information visit www.recsports.umn.edu, call 612-625-3794, or email lts@umn.edu

Parent Warmline 612-813-6336

The Parent Warmline is a free consultation service for parents provided by Children’s Hospital. If you have questions or concerns about behavioral or developmental issues such as toilet training, discipline, sleep patterns, temper tantrums, fears, etc., call this free hotline (612-813-6336) and leave your name, telephone number and a brief description of your concern. Within 24 hours a professionally trained volunteer will call you back to offer practical advice, encouragement or community resource referrals. Please note that the Parent Warmline is a non-crisis, non-medical service. This service is free to parents who live in the Twin Cities metro area.

 

Community Events and Activities

Family Friendly Activities in the Twin Cities!

St. Paul Winter Carnival

January 22- February 1, 2009
If we’re all going to freeze, we might as well have fun doing it—that’s essentially the rationale for St. Paul’s annual Winter Carnival. And all the usual highlights are back, including ice sculptures, coronations with Klondike Kate and the Vulcan Krewe, the torchlight parade, the Frozen 5K race, and—many people’s favorite—free ice-skating outside Landmark Center.

http://www.winter-carnival.com/

State Capitol Art Treasures Hunt Saturday at Minnesota State Capitol

You and your children can travel through the Minnesota State Capitol building on this self-guided scavenger hunt to discover 12 beautiful and important decorations located within the historic site.  If your children are successful in their pursuit, they’ll be awarded a gold state seal and become Junior Art Historians. Pick up your scavenger hunt booklet any time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and start searching! Treasure hunt is usually held each Saturday (check online for exceptions).

http://events.mnhs.org/calendar/Results.cfm?EventID= 2358&CFID=6585130&CFTOKEN=70166187

Free Third Sundays at the Minnesota Children’s Museum
Check out this great museum just for kids of all ages, free on the third Sunday of every month!

Saint Paul, MN 651-225-6034 http://www.mcm.org/

Free Thursdays at the Walker Art Center
Admission is free every Thursday at the Walker Art Center.

Minneapolis, MN 612-375-7622 http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac

 Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Ten Sundays each year the MIA hosts Family Days.  These events feature music, art, dance performance and hands-on activities for kids.  January’s event is “The Sun and the Moon” and will feature interactive exhibits on our celestial neighbors! Events include music, story-telling, performances, and art-making activities!  This event is free and takes place on Sunday, January 11th between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.  There is no pre-registration required-simply show up anytime between 11 and 5. 

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is located at 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404.  Visit http://www.artsmia.org/ for more information. 

The Bell Museum of Natural History

The Bell Museum of Natural History located right on our own U of M, East Bank campus, offers two fun family events.  Visit their website for more details: http://www.bellmuseum.org/calendar.html

Nature Play
A drop-in family program from 1-3 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Free with museum admission. For families with kids ages 4 and older.

Nature Tots
A program for toddlers and preschoolers with their parents, held the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Free with museum admission, but registration is required. Call 612-624-9050.

 Science Museum of Minnesota

Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum.  Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:

Exhibits: $1.00

Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00

Please contact the museum with any further questions: 651.221.9444, www.smm.org

Hours:  Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, Thursday-Saturday 9:30 am-9:00 pm, Sunday 9:30 am-5:00 pm CLOSED MONDAY

 

Children’s Theatre Company Upcoming Performances

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

November 11, 2008 - January 3, 2009

An epic family adventure into a wondrous world...
The wondrous world of Narnia comes to life on the CTC stage when Peter, Susan, Lucy, and Edmund embark upon their incredible adventure. Stepping through the wardrobe into the frozen land where the White Witch now reigns, they must find the courage and faith to join Aslan the Lion in a valiant battle to restore beauty and hope – and to earn their places as kings and queens of Narnia. Join the CTC for a spectacular musical adaptation of one of the great classic stories, filled with faith, hope and possibility.

Peter Pan

December 5 - January 3, 2009

Experience this classic adventure as it comes to life in a stunning and surprising way with live performers and brilliant shadow puppets from renowned Italian puppet master Fabrizio Montecchi. From the cozy comfort of a nursery bedtime to the fantastical allure of mermaid lagoons and pirate ships, the story of Peter and Wendy will take flight before your eyes. Peter Pan is a limited engagement of CTC's touring production.

http://www.childrenstheatre.org/2009/lww.html

 

Quick and Easy Recipes

Crockpot Enchiladas

Another group favorite!  A perfect easy and healthy meal on a cold winter’s night.

Ingredients:

• 4 cans whole-kernel corn

• 4 cans black beans

• 3- 19 oz cans enchilada sauce

• 18-pack of tortillas

• 3 bags shredded cheese

• 2 zucchini

• Onion

• Salsa

• Cumin

• Sour cream

Directions:

• Sauté onion, corn, and zucchini.

• Stir in the black beans and cumin.

• Spray large Crockpot with cooking spray and spread some enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pot. Place a layer of tortillas in the pot. Cover with some of the veggie mix. Pour more sauce over top and sprinkle with cheese. Add another tortilla layer and continue layering until pot is full. End with a tortilla and remaining sauce.

• Cook on high for 2 hours. Prior to serving sprinkle extra cheese on top and let melt. Add a little salsa on top. Serve with sour cream, if desired.

 

Dipped Strawberries

Makes: 24 servings

Ingredients:

• 24 strawberries, rinsed and patted dry
• 8 ounces baking chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

Directions:

• Line baking sheet with wax paper.
• Microwave chocolate and shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on High (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.
• Hold strawberry by the stem or with a wooden pick and dip into melted chocolate; shake off excess. Place on prepared baking sheet; refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.

*Pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, pound cake, cookies and/or other bite-sized fresh fruit (rinsed and patted dry), can also be used.

 

Grants Update

*Spring 2009 Child Care Grants*: We will be going over our child care lists on both Post Secondary and CCAMPIS in the next week to determine how many continuing students we will have for spring, how many "leavers" (those who graduated in December, maxed out on or lost eligibility or left the U ) and how many spaces, if any, we may have available for new, wait-listed students on both grants. Once this process is completed we will prep the applications for mailing in time for them to arrive to eligible students via the US mail at least one week before classes start. We are expecting some spaces to open up on both grants for spring 2009, but until we do grad review the week of January 5, 2009 we cannot tell how many new students might be added to each grant.  We do know that as always, any student who got the grant in the fall that continues to meet all eligibility requirements for spring will be in the first, priority tier for spring 2009, as is always true.  As soon as we know how many students we have leaving the grants we will give everyone an update via email prior to the grants being mailed, so that all students know how the application process will go for spring term, particularly in regard to new students who are wait-listed for each grant.  If you are wondering if you are one of those students who has to worry about your continued eligibility for either grant, just go to the grants page of the SPHC website and review all the eligibility criteria. For Post Secondary the grant specific criteria is to have MN State Grant eligibility and for CCAMPIS it is to be Pell eligible AND be using a LICENSED AND ACCREDITED child care center. There are also GPA and minimum credit hour requirements for all grant applicants and all of these are listed on our website under the "grants" link.

 

All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.

 

COOL WEB LINK:

National Geographic Kids

This website features kids' games, animals, photos, stories, and more! Enjoy learning about the world while playing with your kids!

Visit http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

 

 

Featured Books

*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center

• What to Expect The First Year by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N.
• Fathers & Toddlers by Jean Marzollo and Irene Trivas
• The Parent's Book About Bullying: Changing the Course of Your Child's Life by William Voors
• Why Do They Act That Way?: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David Walsh, Ph.D.
• What Should I Tell the Kids?: A Parent's Guide to Real Problems in the Real World by Ava L. Siegler, Ph.D.
• Self-Assertion for Women by Pamela E. Butler
• Echoes for the Eye: Poems to Celebrate Patterns in Nature by Barbara Juster Esbensen
• Beginnings: How Families Come to Be by Virginia Kroll

 

Who’s Who at SPHC

Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW

As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center, managing our child care grants and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having in the past. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk at 612-626-6015. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Clark Wagner (once she returns), Chanee Rudolf or our Graduate Social Work Intern. I am entering my 9th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from on-line staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. Over the summer and beginning of fall term I have had a chance to step back into the direct service world while our Direct Service Coordinatior is on leave; and will be leading group and completing the largest share of the new student intakes for the 2008-2009 year. It has been fun to get a chance to meet and greet our new students and to hang out with our new and on-going students in group once again. Rest assured that whether acting as the stand in group facilitator, or working on grants and other administrative duties for the center, I am always right next door and will always be working hard to bring you the services and funding needed to assure that each and every SPHC student parent has what they need to succeed at the U!

Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW

I am the Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!

Melanie Opay

Hi everyone!  I am the new graduate social work intern this year.  I am a first-year direct practice student in the Master’s of Social Work program and am very excited to be in the program, at the University of Minnesota, and working in the Student Parent HELP Center for the entire year.  I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Augsburg College and since then have been working in St. Paul as an MFIP job counselor.  I’m thrilled to be working with student parents in a different capacity and look forward to getting to know you and your families throughout the school year!

Chanee Rudolph

Hello!! I am the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) here at the Student Parent HELP Center. This is my first year so like many of you I am learning a lot of new and exciting things. My job here is to assist you with anything you need as well as make you feel comfortable and welcomed, so please don't hesitate to ask me for anything if you have questions. I am in my third year here at the University and I am a family and social science major and developing a minor in Family Violence Prevention. So far, I have enjoyed myself more than any of you know and I am looking forward to many more to come!

 

Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Melanie Opay at Sphc@umn.edu.