Craig Scott

Craig Scott
Mike Vitelli and Craig Scott

Monday, September 29, 2008

Cold and Flu Season

Your Guide to the Cold and Flu!

So you aren’t feeling well and you want to know if it’s just the common cold (not as bad) or if you have the flu (more serious). Here are the signs and symptoms of the flu.

Source: www.flufacts.com

Symptoms
Fever Aches (usually very severe)
Chills (very common)
Tiredness (severe)
Sudden Symptoms (can appear very quickly, 3-6 hours)
Coughing (dry, unproductive cough)
Headache
Chest Discomfort

Flu Prevention Information Question:

What is the best way to prevent getting the flu?
Answer: Get the flu vaccine and wash your hands regularly.
Question: What are the peak flu months?
Answer: January and February.
Question: Is the flu vaccine 100% effective in preventing the flu?
Answer: No, it’s 70%-90% effective. It depends on the strains of flu that is in the vaccine compared to the strain that is spreading during flu season.
Question: Besides the vaccine, what are other effective ways of preventing the flu?
Answer: Hand washing regularly, coughing into your shoulder not your hands or forearm, limiting the amount you touch your face, as this is one way of getting the virus.
Question: How many flu viruses are in the vaccine?
Answer: Three.
Question: Who should be vaccinated? A
nswer: The elderly, children, those with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and those living in close living environments (college students).
Question: Who shouldn’t get vaccinated?
Answer: If you have a severe allergy to chicken or eggs, have had a severe reaction to the shot in the past, children under 6 months, of if you have a fever.
Question: How does the flu spread?
Answer: The flu spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. The person becomes infected through inhalation, or my touching something with the virus on it then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. What to do if you get the flu? Get rest, drink plenty of fluids, take some over the counter medications to relieve they symptoms and stay home to prevent spreading the virus. See a doctor if symptoms worsen or if you have a high fever that doesn’t break after a day.

Prevention of the flu: (Source: www.cdc.gov) Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent other from catching your illness. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or turn into your shoulder when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his/her eyes, nose or mouth. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.

Friday, September 19, 2008

FOX 25

Click here to vote for the Norton vs. Dover-Sherborn football game to be covered by FOX 25!!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

SNACK ATTACK??? How to Snack Healthy!

You may find yourself wanting to snack more after Wellness class. This is totally normal, AND...it's a good thing! Between our agility workouts, fitness walks, and resistance training you are effectively raising your resting metabolic rate which burns more calories and can leaving you craving a healthy snack. However, fight the urge to grab a twinkie or cupcake and instead go for something healthier. You'll find that the more healthy you get, the more healthy your body wants you to eat. Here are some snack facts and also some snacks that are tasty and healthy. Enjoy!!

Snacking
Why is snacking good for you?
Healthy snacks are good for you!
They give you vitamins and nutrients that your body needs.
Give you energy and improves concentration.
Keeps you from overeating at meals or splurging on unhealthy foods.
Helps control weight and may keep blood cholesterol down.
Snacking Tips
“Plan ahead. Bring fruit, veggies or other healthy snacks with you.”
“Snack consciously. Pay attention to what you’re eating so you won’t over eat. Try snacking without doing anything else.”
“Choose nutrient rich foods (fruit, vegetables and whole grains).”
“Watch for fat and calories. Read food labels and make sure you’re not eating more fat/calories per serving then you think.”
Space meals and snacks 3-4 hours apart to keep the body fueled.
Control your portions and monitor the serving size.
If you’re hungry late at night don’t ignore it, choose low-fat low calorie foods, and eat small portions.
Healthy Snack Choices
Toast with Jelly or peanut butter
Crackers and low fat cheese
Crackers with peanut butter
Yogurt (plain or add extra fruit or granola)
Fruit: Fresh, canned, frozen – eaten plain
Fruit with cheese
Cereal, Pretzels
Raisins or other dried fruits
Peanut butter and apple slices
Raw veggies and low fat dip
Pudding made with low fat milk
Micro-waved low fat popcorn
Half a bagel with hummus and a slice of tomato
Sunflower or pumpkin seeds, mixed nuts and dried fruit (watch portions)
A glass of Milk or a Yogurt smoothie
Homemade fruit pops
Frozen “chips”: Sliced banana, frozen
Homemade baked tortilla chips
Pita bread with cheese, hummus, or bean dip
Mini pizzas on English muffins or a mini pita (just add sauce and some cheese)
Ants on a log: Celery with peanut butter and raisins
Rice cake with peanut butter and jelly

Friday, September 12, 2008

New Look Wellness

I've begun to get some feedback on our new look wellness program and most of it has been very positive. I'd like to thank those of you in the wellness class who have done such an amazing job of participating. I have a hunch that even those of you who were a little reluctant to do some of the agility work are actually, dare I say it, enjoying it. Those of you who are slow to warm up to the notion of the new format, please understand that THIS is how wellness programs are run around the country. The days of people just sitting on the sidelines and bouncing a ball are over. Being active is HEALTHY and being healthy is being FIT FOR LIFE! Please share your comments about the new program. Also keep in mind that we really want to take advantage of our outdoor time since the cold weather months are fast approaching.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Exciting News!

Think about something that REALLY gets you excited. It may be a video game, items of clothing, weekends, restaurants, etc. I wanted to preface this blog entry with that so maybe you can understand better why what I'm about to share excites me. It has to do with CPR and saving lives!! THAT is the kind of thing that excites Wellness teachers. It may be boring to you (as video games are to me) but what I'm about to share is something as a Wellness department that we are stoked about.Through the cooperation of Wheaton College and the Norton Fire Dept. each student is going to get an opportunity to learn some basics about CPR AND to take home an inflatable "Annie" doll that comes with a life saving DVD and get the opportunity to share their knew found knowledge with others in their life. If someone dropped in front of you and was in cardiac arrest, would you be able to do anything to help keep that person alive long enough for medical personal to arrive? Anyone can call 911, but can you keep the heart pumping and keep oxygen going to that person's brain long enough? What if that person were a neighbor, a teacher, a friend or worse a familly member?? Even if you didn't have the courage to perform the task, you might be able to walk someone through it that could. This presentation along with the take home "practice" doll might be the difference between someone you love living or dying. This is a one of a kind program right now and we at NHS are very fortunate to have been selected to take part in this program. I am excited that we all get an opportunity to learn some valuable "life saving" skills and also get a chance to pass it along. If you're not excited about this or you can't embrace it the way we as a department will, then we ask you to pass it along to your family members so that they can appreciate the importance of this opportunity. We really feel like this ties into our "new look" Wellness program and really puts the emphasis on a healthier living style. Fit for now, FIT FOR LIFE!

One Day, One Cause, One Cure


Did you know that one in every eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? That’s one every three minutes. There’s something you can do to fight back against this disease, and we asking for your help.
Lee National Denim Day® is one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer. On October 3rd, millions of people nationwide will slip into their favorite jeans and make a $5 donation to support the Women’s Cancer Programs of EIF, who are bringing together world-class scientists to develop an early detection blood test and working in Lee Labs nationwide to find less toxic, more effective treatments for breast cancer patients. Stonehill College is proud to support this event and the fight against breast cancer. Just send in your donation by cash or check to my attention with one of the attached tribute cards if you would like and your name & department. We will let your supervisor know that you support Breast Cancer Research and can wear jeans to work on 10/3!
Once we have received all of our donations we will publish the names we pay tribute to unless you choose that they remain anonymous. Please indicate on your tribute card if you would prefer it to be anonymous.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Mr. Vitelli, Mr. Currle, Ms. DeSorcy

Wednesday, September 10, 2008