GOTWALS

HEALTHY PRESS SUMMER 2014 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 2

Getting ready to make

leap to middle school

This illustration is one of three winning entries in the Healthy NewsWorks'

Healthy-Heart poster contest. See the other two illustrations on Page 3.

(Please see Preparing on Page 2)

cover new interests, and join ac-

tivities and clubs.

Mrs. Mangan, a fourth grade

teacher, said she is excited for the

fourth graders to make new

friends and expand their knowl-

edge.

Malachi Culbreath, a fourth

grader, said he feels confident

about attending East Norriton

Middle School because he knows

some of the teachers.

Middle school is a big change

from elementary school. Fourth

graders may be feeling stressed,

excited, nervous, or scared.

In interviews with the Got-

wals Healthy Press, students said

they are nervous about meeting

new children and taking classes

with new teachers. They are also

sad about leaving their friends

and a place that they know.

Some students said they are

also eager to switch classes, dis-

Illustration by Naila Echevarria

PLYMOUTH MEETING—

When Ms. Sortino’s third graders

walked into Whole Foods Market

here, they saw colorful fruits and

vegetables stacked on shelves and

in large bins. They then passed a

display of square-shaped soaps

that smelled of watermelon,

lemon, and lavender.

The store also had a large sec-

tion with many varieties of beans

and grains that customers can put

in plastic bags themselves. Fish,

meat, bread, and cheese each has

a special spot in the large store.

Ms. Geneveive Greco, the

store nutritionist, said Whole

Foods Market tries to offer the

healthiest choices it can.

“Our production standards

focus on fresh ingredients," ac-

cording to Whole Foods' website.

Many products are organic.

Organic means that food is not

treated or processed by using

chemicals, Ms. Greco said.

Agricultural chemicals can

harm the environment, the Whole

Foods website says.

Ms. Greco gave the students

a mid-morning snack of granola,

yogurt, fruit, and fresh juices.

Reporters

learn tips

to choose

healthy food

(Please see Students on Page 4)

PAGE 2 SUMMER 2014 GOTWALS HEALTHY PRESS

Andrew Bailon, who will be going to Eisenhower

Science and Technology Leadership Academy, said he

feels like middle school will be a brand new start. He

is excited to be growing up. However, he also said

that he will miss the teachers at Gotwals.

It’s quite normal for some students to be anxious

about leaving elementary school, according to

PBS.org and KidsHealth.org. They can feel over-

whelmed by the many changes such as new lockers,

deadlines, earlier start times, and no recess.

“Teachers in middle school view their students as

young adults,” according to PBSkids.org. “This means

that their assignments and tests will be more chal-

lenging.”

Naila Echevarria , a fourth grader, said she is

worried about how to open her locker and whether

Preparing for middle school

called RAP, which is short for Rapping About Preven-

tion.

He brings with him dancers who show that danc-

ing is great exercise. Three tall young men danced to

hip hop and students enjoyed it.

Monzerrat, a second grader, said that the assem-

bly inspired her to go home and dance. She learned

that she should exercise

more often. She said

that it was really cool to

see the young men

dancing. Her favorite

part was when all the students got up and started

dancing.

Alex, a second grader, said his favorite part was

when the one dancer spun another dancer on his

head. He did it without hands. Alex learned that he

needs to stay healthy by staying active.

Mr. Barr taught the students steps to several

dances that they can do when they hear music on the

radio. He performed a healthy rap song involving the

students in the audience. Mr. Barr also told students

to drink water and eat more fruits and vegetables.

Adan, a third grader, said he has to play sports

more. He said he loved the part when the students

got up and danced. Glori, a fourth grader, said she

will keep eat good food and exercise. “I was so excited

at the assembly,” she said.

—By Healthy Press staff

Performer brings a healthy message

she will have mean teachers. She expects to study

algebra, geometry, and science.

Freddy Guzman, who also will attend East Norri-

ton, said he is nervous about going to middle school

because of the workload.

Felipe Hernandez said he will miss playing soccer

with his friends at recess. On a positive note, Felipe

is looking forward to meeting new friends.

Mrs. Mangan also said that children need to be-

have well. Those who don’t won’t be allowed to par-

ticipate in fun activities such as field trips, dances,

and movie days, she said.

Ms. J, a fourth grade teacher, said that students

should remember to work hard. Ms. Koch, a fourth

grade teacher, added that students should make good

choices and remember what they learned in elemen-

tary school. —By Healthy Press staff

(Continued from Page 1)

Gotwals Healthy Press

A publication of the Gotwals Elementary School in the Norris-

town Area School District in Pennsylvania.

Student staff members include Anai Anaya-Aguilar, Maria

Avila Colin, Lee Beach, Aniayh Black, Tommy Brown, Dominick

Godoy, Fiorela Gonzales, Carina Gonzalez, Tamar Hatcher, Amy

Hernandez, Linda Hernandez-Perez, Jennifer Hernandez-Ramirez,

Christian Orozco, Laysha Ramirez, Yerania Reyes-Serrano, Ajae

Richardson-Diggs, Steven Rubio, Nyla Skinner, Ciana Thomas-

Ware Alex Toscano-Lugo, Isis Williams, Christasia Wilson, Leo-

nardo Zavaleta-Gomez, Betzaida Zayagos-Zeferino, Naila Echevar-

ria, and Dalia Brown The faculty advisor for the Healthy News is

Ms. Katie Sortino.

* * *

A Healthy NewsWorks® project

www.HealthyNewsWorks.org

Healthy NewsWorks is a member of New Beginnings Non-

profit Incubator at Resources for Human Development. Funders

include Claneil Foundation and First Hospital Foundation.

Special thanks to The Edna G. Kynett Memorial Foundation

and the Elsie Lee Garthwaite Memorial Foundation for support of

Healthy NewsWorks' Healthy-Heart Project.

This document is protected by applicable law. All rights reserved.

At recent Gotwals assembly, "No Puff Daddy"

used dance and rap to energize students to lead

healthy lives.

“I will eat more fruits and vegetables, because I

know I should," No Puff Daddy told the students. He

also said “exercise is wise.”

No Puff Daddy, whose real name is Stephen Barr,

is a health educator who visits schools to teach chil-

dren about fun, food, and fitness. His company is "Exercise is wise"

—No Puff Daddy

Limit time on screens

to stay healthy and fit

PAGE 3 SUMMER 2014 GOTWALS HEALTHY PRESS

Winning posters

Congratulations, Dalia Brown! The fourth grader

won first place in the Healthy NewsWorks' Healthy-

Heart Poster Contest at Gotwals for her illustration

above. For her effort, Dalia won a $25 gift card.

Maria Avila, a third grader, took second place

with her picture that is featured on this page. She

earned a copy of the Heart Smart Kids Cookbook by

the Detroit Free Press and the Henry Ford Health

System. Naila Echevvaria, a fourth grader, and Fio-

rella Gonzalez, a third grader, took the honorable

mention spots. Naila's illustration appears on Page 1.

All four posters are part of a traveling art show

this spring and summer. For more information,

please visit www.HealthyNewsWorks.org.

Screens are everywhere—on computers, TV, and

phones.

They have pluses and minuses for people's health

according to KidsHealth.org. On the plus side, "video

games may improve hand-eye coordination, problem-

solving skills, and the mind's ability to process infor-

mation."

On the minus side, health experts say spending

too much time with electronics can lead to such prob-

lems as overweight and sleep disorders.

Mrs. Carmargo, a first grade teacher, said she

works on her computer up to 90 minutes a day. She

also watches TV about 40 minutes a night. She said

she gets tired when she watches TV because she is

not moving.

She has two suggestions for reducing screen time.

People can use a timer to limit their screen use. She

also advised watching one favorite TV show instead of

several.

Health experts suggest that children spend no

more than two hours a day in front of screens.

Yesenia, a third grader, said she would like to

reduce the amount of time she spends in front of

screens because they bother her eyes.

Ms. Ruggiano, school counselor, said she would

like to spend less time in front of a screen for several

reasons. She would have more time with students,

and she finds it tiring. Her solution is to take more

breaks from using her computer and cell phone. She

said it is a good habit.

Jocelyn, a fourth grader, said reading a book or

going outside are two alternatives to screen time.

Fourth grader Tajh said he likes to play outside more

than watch TV. While he acknowledges he enjoys TV,

Tajh also said it makes him feel sleepy and bored.

He said people spend too much time texting and

with new technology. He said people should go out-

side more often, ride their bicycles, play with friends,

and go to the park. —By Healthy Press staff

Have a healthy and safe summer The staff of the Healthy Press wishes you a won-

derful summer break. Exercise, eat nutritious food,

and get enough rest. When you are outside, use sun-

screen and remember to be safe when you are cross-

ing streets and playing outside. At the pool or shore,

always be sure that an adult is with you and a life-

guard is on duty.

We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Illustration by Maria Avila

Illustration by Dalia Brown

SUMMER 2014 GOTWALS HEALTHY PRESS PAGE 4

A number of Gotwals students recently explored

life in a stream and a pond at Riverbend Environ-

mental Center.

The students, who were primarily third graders,

found that many animals called macroinvertebrates

live in the water. Macroinvertebrates are animals

without backbones. They are large enough to be seen

without a microscope. Some examples of macroinver-

tebrates are salamanders, crayfish, and caddisflies.

The students learned that if you find these ani-

mals living in water you can determine how clean the

water is. Some animals can only live in clean waters,

while others can survive in dirty, polluted water.

"For example, caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies

cannot live in polluted water," says the Utah State

University Extension office. "If these bugs are found

in a stream, the water quality there is probably

good." —By Healthy Press staff

Keeping water clean

for all kinds of animals

Healthy Press reporters interviewed Dr. Patricia

DeRusso who is the director of the Healthy Weight

Program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The reporters' story appears in the book "Leading

Healthy Change In Our Communities 2014." The

book focuses on leaders who are making the lives of

children and families healthier.

The reporters are fourth graders Malachi Cul-

breath, Alyssa Kirkland, and Lynette Flores.

In addition, Dalia Brown, a fourth grader, drew

the illustration above for the book. It illustrates a

story about how a facility dog helps people with brain

injuries.

The book is written and illustrated by students in

the Healthy NewsWorks program. For more informa-

tion, visit: www.HealthyNewsWorks.org.

Reviews: Two books to consider Pedro's Hungry Ride

Written by Gloria Barone Rosario; Illustrated by Jim Rosario

I think children should read this book. It's about

a boy named Pedro. He wanted to eat fruits and vege-

tables for a snack. So he got on his bike to find

healthy food. He soon realized that he had a problem.

He went to the school cafeteria, but didn't find

any fruits or vegetables. He visited the mayor, but he

couldn't help Pedro. Even the corner grocer did not

sell fruits or vegetables. Pedro visited another part of

the city. That's when Pedro got an idea.

I like this story because he had a problem and

found a solution to it by the end of the story. The il-

lustrations described Pedro’s feelings well throughout

the story. I think my friends who do not have fresh

fruits and vegetables near them should read this book

Congratulations! Illustration by Dalia Brown

She took the students on a tour of the store. They

saw different departments such as seafood, meat,

dairy, snacks, bakery, and prepared foods.

She offered this suggestion when shopping: Shop

around the perimeter or outside aisles of the any su-

permarket. It's usually where the freshest products

are located. —By Healthy Press staff

(Continued from Page 1)

Students sample healthy food

and maybe they will discover how to help themselves

and their community. —By Ajae Richardson-Diggs

* * * Heart Smart Kids Cookbook

By Detroit Free Press and Henry Ford Health System

If you are tired of cooking the same thing over

and over, this book gives you many new heart-healthy

recipes you can make at home.

The recipes are divided into 12 months. Each

month is like a chapter in a book. Each recipe gives

the reader the nutrients that the meal includes. For

example, a fun recipe in January is called Super Bowl

Subs. It includes tomatoes, onions, and green pep-

pers. I would recommend this book to my mom and

her friends to help them cook different meals for their

families. —By Isis Williams