Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/132357
Friday, May 24, 2013 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Daughter shunned by coworkers Concussions not coaches call skills. She can see Dear Annie: My the oldest teacher daughter has a masis the ringleader of ter's degree in edua group of bullies. cation and spent What kind of three years as a example is this for nanny when she was teachers to set for an undergraduate. the children? They She recently began should be mentorher first teaching job with second-grade Annie's ing a new teacher, not ostracizing her. children. Any advice on The principal is terrific. However, by Kathy Mitchell how to deal with there is an older and Marcy Sugar this situation? — Can't Believe teacher who has been at this school for years, Adults Act This Way Dear Can't: Adult buland she is making my daughter's life miserable. lies are often insecure, parThis teacher runs the show. ticularly if they crave power My daughter quit going to and control and think you the teachers lounge, because are a threat. While you can it was a place for gossiping be a source of emotional about other teachers and support, this is your daughparents and speaking nega- ter's battle. She can docutively about the children. ment instances of bullying She was pulled into the prin- and present it to the princicipal's office and informed pal, but that may not be that the other teachers found effective. She can avoid the her ''cold'' and unsociable bullies altogether or try to because she wasn't going to cozy up to the main bully, the teachers lounge. She flattering her and telling her tried again, but her col- how important she is. She leagues shunned her. She can attempt to make friends sometimes would walk into with one other teacher and the lounge and catch them have an ally. And, if necessary, she can apply for a job talking about her. For all other teachers' with another school where birthdays, they would bring they take such behavior desserts and food, but noth- more seriously. Dear Annie: It disaping was done for hers. She brought in snacks on her points me when I see ticketbirthday to share, and not a ed events offer a discount single teacher ate any of for being part of a couple. them. She has tried asking Why is it $50 per couple but other teachers for advice $30 for a single ticket? Why and has inquired about their are single people asked to families, but they act disin- pay more? Shouldn't everyterested and make snide one pay the same amount? Offering a discount to be comments. My daughter is intelli- part of a couple is sending gent and has excellent social the wrong message, espe- Mailbox cially to young people. I see this all the time for proms. Why aren't advisers attuned to this subtle, hurtful discrimination against the student who doesn't have a date? And please don't suggest that two friends go together and get the discount. Why should they have to pair up to fit an antiquated pricing model? — One Price for All Dear One Price: This isn't intended to punish single people. It's intended to sell more tickets. If buying two tickets costs less per ticket, people are more likely to purchase two, even if it means asking your grandmother's next-door neighbor's uncle. And while we agree that school events should not favor couples, friends also buy these discounted tickets and go in a group. We are all in favor of that. Dear Annie: You told ''Begging for Mummy and Daddy'' to avoid the ''culture that contributes to your drug use,'' meaning he should stay away from his pusher and friends who encourage it. That hint is too subtle for a drug user. You should have told him that leaving drugs in the bathroom could get Mummy's house confiscated. You should have told him to go to the library and use one of their computers to turn in his pusher anonymously. That is the only way for him to avoid drugs. — A Very Disillusioned Old Man used to bother him, and may DEAR DOCTOR K: I have a have poor quality sleep. teenage son who plays high All these symptoms can be school football, so I'm interestpretty subtle, and if they ed in the new concussion guideoccur during an exciting lines. Can you tell me what they sporting event, the people say? who are evaluating the person DEAR READER: In March may be distracted. In other of this year, the American words, it can be hard to deterAcademy of Neurology Dr. K mine if a person has really released new guidelines for recby Anthony L. suffered a concussion. ognizing and managing sportKomaroff, M.D. The new guidelines take related concussions. These the guesswork out of the guidelines could help protect the brains of athletes at all levels of equation. They step away from having play, from professional football to coaches or trainers try to diagnose youth soccer. In a phrase, the new concussions on the field or sidelines. concussion guidelines recommend Instead, they recommend that athletes who are suspected of having a concus"when in doubt, sit it out." Concussions occur when something sion should be immediately removed makes the head and brain move quick- from play and evaluated. What's ly back and forth. This can be a jolt to more, the guidelines state that athletes the head, a fall or a blow to the body. who have sustained concussions They cause a short-term disturbance should not return to play until a in brain function. Contact sports such licensed health care provider gives the as football and ice hockey are most green light. Not all concussions are serious. likely to increase the risk of concussions, but concussions can happen in Many young people and athletes recover from a head injury in minutes any sport. Many athletes don't get medical or hours. The danger is that athletes who attention for concussion. That's often because they or their coaches don't have had one concussion are at greater recognize the warning signs or take risk of having another. The first 10 them seriously. Concussions can days after a concussion is a period of cause temporary loss of conscious- special danger. Repeated minor head ness. They also typically cause confu- injuries over a short period greatly sion and problems with recent memo- increase the risk of serious or permary. The confusion may occur immedi- nent brain damage. The next step is to educate coaches ately, or a few minutes after the injury. Other symptoms of a concussion and trainers about the new guidelines. often include dizziness, nausea (with They are the people who have ringside or without vomiting) and headache. seats when concussions happen, and After a concussion, a person may they're making the decisions about seem to have trouble paying attention whether to let the athletes continue to to you, or may seem to be lost in his play. thoughts. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and His speech may be slow or even professor at Harvard Medical School. slurred. send questions, go to A few days later, the person who To has suffered a concussion may seem AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask moody or depressed, may be bothered Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second by amounts of light or noise that never Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Sierra Pacific Foundation awards scholarships The Sierra Pacific Foundation, the philanthropic organization founded by the Emmerson Family, recently marked its 34th year in granting scholarships to dependent children of Sierra Pacific Industries' employees. This year 203 students will collectively receive $518,542 to attend col- leges, universities and trade schools during the 2013-2014 school year. Recipients are eligible for the scholarship for four years and are sometimes granted a 5th year based on their school and degree program. "Our family is very proud of our scholarship program and we view our awards as an investment in the future" said Carolyn Emmerson Dietz, foundation president. "Considering our current challenging economic times, we are especially pleased to help these outstanding young people further their education beyond high school and become tomorrow's leaders" she added. Friends of the Chico State Herbarium workshops Introduction to the Willows of California (Salicaceae), June 22. How often do you meet a willow in field and have to assign "Salix sp." in your surveys? This workshop will focus on the leaf, stem and other growth characteristics that are useful in making identification while also emphasizing the regional distribution of the different species. John Bair is a recognized expert on willow and cottonwood taxonomy. His special interests include the effect of stream flow regulations on the Salicaceae. The workshop will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 129 Holt Hall at CSU, Chico. Cost is $100. Please register in advance. Introduction to Native Bees as Pollinators, June 18. There are many kinds of bees in nature, and even within urban areas in northern California. Rob Schlising and Robert Irwin will showcase native bees for people who like nature in this workshop, and for those who are involved in land management and conservation. The workshop will also promote inviting these pollinating insects to "work" and live in your own gardens. No specific knowledge of bees is needed ahead of time, although a basic understanding of general insect morphology and some familiarity with dichotomous keys would be helpful. The workshop will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 129 Holt Hall at CSU, Chico. Cost is $100. Please register in advance. For more information about registration please contact the CSU, Chico Biology office at (530) 898-5356 or jbraden@csuchico.edu. Detailed workshop descriptions and sign up forms are available on the Chico State Herbarium website: www.csuchico.edu/biol/Herb/Events.html. The Sierra Pacific Foundation was founded in 1979 and to date has donated over $5 million dollars in scholarships. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation contributes to youth activities and other organizations in the communities where Sierra Pacific Industries operates. SPF is also the primary contributor for construction of the Ida Emmerson Hospice House that will be built in Eureka with a total contribution of $500,000.