Newsletter for October 14, 2008
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance."
Franklin P. Jones
HELP Center Announcements
Save the Dates:
On Friday, October 25th at 7 PM the Gopher Women's Soccer team will be hosting a Mascot Trick or Treat during their Friday night game. Students and children will be able to attend the game for free. Children will be able to trick or treat on the field at half time. There is no need to RSVP ahead of the game, the team will just allow all children in for free and students are already free, but you must bring your student ID. Come one, come all and have a Mascot ball!!!!
Non-Traditional Student Week
November 3-6, 2008
Coffman Tabling and Social Event that Friday, Nov. 7 (Monday the 3rd is the Student Parent tabling event and we may need volunteers)
Tentative Date for Student Parent Visibility Day
April 21, 2009
More information to come.
PASS Group (
Parents as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 in Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other student parents, discuss the challenges and joys surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a FREE lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply come as often as your schedule allows. (Your little ones are welcome!!). See below for upcoming group topics.
October 15th, 2008: We will be having a presentation and discussion on Sexual Health and Family Planning by Lindsey Hoskins, Community Education Coordinator, Family Tree Clinic. Students who attend are encouraged to write their questions down ahead of time to make the most of the discussion. We have asked the presenter to gear the discussion toward both men and women. We will be serving Tomato Vegetable soup for lunch today.
For more information on Family Tree Clinic and their services visit: http://www.familytreeclinic.org/
October 22nd, 2008: Jan Merrill, teacher and Parent Educator from the University Child Care Center will be facilitating a discussion on a wide range of child development topics, including how children process divorce and separation according to their developmental age. Jan comes to group every year and is always one of our most popular speakers. Again, if students come in with questions prepared ahead of time, we will make the most of Jan's time and expertise. We will be ordering in sandwiches for lunch this day.
November 5, 2008: We will hold our annual clothing exchange of kids clothing, maternity clothes and toys. Each year the Como Community Child Care Center holds a drive to furnish the SPHC with second hand clothing for this event and students are welcome to bring their own items in to exchange as well. The exchange will be held during group, but the clothes will be available throughout the rest of that week for students who cannot make it to group. If you want to provide items for this event, you can bring them in ahead of time or the day of the exchange.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does not want student parents to skip class in order to attend the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered student parents' priority at the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are unable to attend group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide information to you after the group meets.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Susan Warfield
at sphc@umn.edu.
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 website 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 website to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
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.
Parenting Information and Resources
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.
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.
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
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!
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:
Community Events and Activities
Kid-Friendly Halloween Activities
Science Museum of Minnesota: On Saturday, October 25 from 1 to 4 p.m., the Science Museum will host Boo-ology, a Halloween event for visitors of all ages. Kids in costume will receive free admission to the permanent exhibit galleries, and they'll have the chance to join in on a variety of spooky hands-on science activities with a Halloween spin! This year's activities include a magician, live theater, and a costume contest.
Boo Bash: On Saturday, October 25, 2008, Boo Bash showcases Grand Avenue and all its wonderful celebrations for the fall season. Participating businesses will offer trick-or-treating, fall food samples, costume contests, pumpkin patch, sidewalk sales and more. For more information check out: http://www.grandave.com/events.php
Mall of America World's Largest Trick or Treat: Kids are invited to trick-or-treat on Friday, October 31st, at the mall's 200 stores -- now that's a lot of candy! There's also a costume contest at 5:30 in the rotunda. For more information, call 952-883-8800.
Zoo Boo: This event is held at the Como Zoo in St. Paul. The zoo is transformed into a non-scary world of fairy tales. Children are encouraged to come in costurme. Admission is $6. For more information, call 651-487-8229.
Anoka Halloween: Since 1920, Anoka has been hosting an extensive Halloween festival and claims to be the "Halloween capital of the world." This year's festival will be held from Octobere 12 through October 28 and features everything from pumpkin carving to a preschool costume contest to a "Spooktacular carnival." For more information, call 763-421-7130 or visit: http://www.anokahalloween.com/
Fun Fall Events
It’s officially fall again, and what could be better than taking a family trip to an apple orchard! For more information and to find an orchard in your area, check out this website: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/minnesotagrown/qlist-apples.htm
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. November’s event is “Art Masala ” and will feature the art, dance, and music of India! Participants are invited to exlore the MIA's collection of Indian sculpture, jewelry, and paintings as well as watch a live demonstration of rangoli, a traditional sand painting art . Kids will also be able to create their own Indian artwork to bring home, listen to music, watch live Indian dance performances and more! This event is free and takes place on Sunday, November 9th 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
Hot Tip
Scholarships
Millennium Woman (MW): This program awards educational scholarships to single parent women across the country. In order to be eligible for an MW scholarship, applicants must be a single parent woman, have a financial need, submit a personal essay, and complete the MW scholarship application (available for download at http://www.themw.org/downloads/mw_scholar_app.pdf). There are over 140 scholarships awarded nationwide and the average scholarship is $500. http://www.themw.org/scholarships.htm Deadline: Applications are only accepted between January to June
Jeannette Rankin Foundation (JRF) Scholarship Program: Since 1978, the Jeannette Rankin Foundation has awarded scholarships to help over 500 women attend college. An applicant for a JRF scholarship must be: a woman, age 35 or older, a U.S. citizen, currently enrolled in, or accepted to, an accredited school, pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate's degree, or a first bachelor's degree, and low-income according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Lower Living Standard. http://www.rankinfoundation.org/apply/default.php Applications for the 2009 school year will be available starting November 1, 2008.
College of Liberal Arts Scholarship for Continuing Students: Scholarships for continuing students are awarded each year to academically talented students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts. Students must be pursuing a liberal arts major with a liberal arts degree and enroll in 30 semester credits over the supported scholarship year (Fall and Spring semesters only). Students do not need to be enrolled in Honors to apply. All scholarships are restricted to students who intend to receive their Bachelor's degree from CLA; those who plan to complete their undergraduate program in a different college (e.g., the Carlson School of Management, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development, etc.) are not eligible for these awards. Continuing Student Scholarships include departmental awards for English, Psychology, and Scientific and Technical Writing majors, as well as Jewish Studies majors or minors. To apply online, complete the 2009-2010 College of Liberal Arts Scholarship Application for Continuing Students at https://mycla.umn.edu/scholarship.php or apply by mail using the printable version of the scholarship application. Deadline: February 15, 2009
Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund: Scholarships available to students from across the United States who are of Greek descent and between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five as of May 2009. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of necessity and merit. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited College or University for the academic year 2008-09. Applicants may be graduate or undergraduate students. http://www.htsfund.org/guidelines.html Deadline: February 19, 2009
University of Minnesota Undergraduate Scholarship Search: For current undergraduate students, this new scholarship search matches University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, scholarships with your student profile to give you an individualized list of scholarships for which you may be able to apply, brief scholarship descriptions, and links to where you can learn more. Check it out at University of MN Undergraduate Scholarship Search.
Career Infonet Scholarship Search Engine: Search more than 5,000 scholarships, fellowships, loans, and other financial aid opportunities by either a category or keyword search. See Scholarship Search Help at the website below for additional information about the scholarship process and tips for using this tool. http://www.careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/ScholarshipCategor
Quick and Easy Recipes
*For one or two people you can probably cut both of these recipes in half
Susan's Dump Chili Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cans Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 or 2 cans whole kernel corn (depending on preference), drained
1 large jar of salsa, heat level of your choice. ( I use Chico's Chunky Fiesta Style as it makes for a thicker sauce, but any salsa will do)
Directions:
Dump everything in a pan and heat on the stove top until heated through, usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.
I sometimes add a pinch or two of cumin to make it more authentically Mexican, and you can also add ground beef for a thicker chili if you eat meat.
Can be served with warm tortillas, guacamole or avocado chunks, shredded cheese and sour cream.
This is a great recipe for a cold fall or winter night. I always keep the canned goods on hand in the cupboard for those nights when I do not really want to cook....(which means I make this a lot!!!)
Can also be made in a crock pot but if you leave it all day, keep it on low or it will get mushy. This is also a great, easy, healthy and cheap dish to take to a pot luck or prepare for a party.
Dump Corn Chowder
Ingredients:
4 cans whole kernel corn, drained
4 cans cream style corn
2 cups onion
2 cups chopped celery
3 cans vegetable broth ( for vegetarian...or chicken broth if you prefer)
2 cans of sliced, canned cooked potatoes
half and half or milk to thicken
Directions:
- Dump all the corn and broth into a pot
- Saute the onions and celery in butter or olive oil until translucent, but still a bit firm
- Add the sauteed veggies to the canned goods in the pot
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat through and cook until corn would be tender, approximately 30 minutes on med heat
- During the last 10 minutes lower heat, make sure that it is not boiling and then add the half and half or whole milk slowly, stirring as you pour, until desired thickness has been reached.
- Simmer on low, until heated through making sure that the milk does not curdle (boiling or overheating will curdle the milk)
*Non-vegetarians can also add cooked bacon, cooked chicken or both and you can spice it up by adding red pepper flakes.
This can also be cooked in a crock pot on low while you are in class for the day...BUT do not add the milk or half and half until the last half hour or it will curdle and you will still have to saute the onions and celery before they go in the crock pot or they will most likely not cook through.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.
COOL WEB LINK:
Dr. Seuss's Seussville University, where children can learn basic reading, math, science, and reasoning skills through online games and activities.
Visit http://www.seussville.com//university/
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby by Tracy Hogg, with Melinda Blau
- Courage After Fire: Coping Strategies for Troops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families By Keith Armstrong, L.C.S.W., Suzanne Best, Ph.D., and Paula Domenici, Ph.D.
- From Chaos to Calm: Effective Parenting of Challenging Children with ADHD and Other Behavioral Problems by Janet E. Heininger, Ph.D., and Sharon K. Weiss, M.Ed.
- Choosing Happiness: The Art of Living Unconditionally by Veronica Ray
- Strategies for College Success, 2nd Ed. by Mary C. Starke
- Night Light: A Story for Children Afraid of the Dark by Jack Dutro, Ph.D.
- The Story Dance by Barbara Satterfield
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.