ZeeBlog

Test link from GE

2009-10-19T13:54:00.002-06:00

Click this link to see my latest GE tour!

20091019124643-4adcc223a0ba51.10803408.kmz

Join the vanzeehpe text alert group

2009-09-28T10:47:00.004-06:00

Getting Fit and Keeping Found

2008-09-18T09:53:00.005-06:00

In health class, the students learned about how a GPS handheld unit works and got to practice finding a landmark around the football field. Today was a day for Mr. Van Zee's students to put to use their GPS skills. Each group was given a numbered waypoint and a dot-colored stick. They were to locate the other colored stick using a handheld Garmin E-Trex Legend GPS unit. If sucessful, they would return to the starting point with all thier members AND the new stick.

Should Athletes Diet?

2008-02-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

Teen athletes have very unique nutritional needs. Because athletes workout various times a day for a good period of time, they generally need to eat extra calories to fuel both their performance and their growth. Depending on how active they are, they can ingest anywhere from 2,000 - 5,000 calories. If an athletes does not eat enough calories in a day, they are less likely to reach their peak performance and may break down their muscle mass instead of building them up.

QUESTION: Since athletes require more calories to reach their peak performance, is it a good idea for athletes to diet?

Do you binge eat?

2008-01-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever asked ourself, "Did I really eat that much?". Due to the holidays and being surrounded by family and friends, we often loose track of exactly what we put in our mouth. The answer is usually a resounding YES. While most people occasionally overeat, others go on regular "binges", consuming large amounts of food in a short time.
People who binge often do so because of emotional trama rather than the basic need for food. Obviously, this behavior can lead to weight gain and more serious health problems.

QUESTION: What advice do you have for someone who may be a binge eater?

Exercise Myths...Exposed

2007-09-11T08:13:00.000-06:00

With school beginning, we find ourselves with less time for working out and our daily lives bombarded with tight schedules and stress. We often hear from our friends that don't workout much at all the following three myths about exercise:

No pain : No gain

It makes you tired

It requires a lot of time

QUESTION:

How would you respond to someone who gave you one of these three excuses as to why they don't workout?

Living with HIV+ Status

2007-04-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

Being HIV+ in the early 1980's had certain social stigmas attached to it that were often hard to break to even loved ones of the infected person. When it came to the workplace or school setting things got even harder.
In the year 2007, with the advancement in HIV medication and treatment options as well as a better understanding of the disease itself, you would assume that things would be different.
There are laws that prevent people with HIV from being fired or refused a job, but unfortunately, these laws don't protect all HIV-positive people every time. Here's why there's no simple answer: Anti-discrimination laws protect people who are disabled from job discrimination. It is up to courts to decide whether a person qualifies as disabled, and therefore entitled to protection from job discrimination. While courts have often ruled that HIV is a disability, they have not ruled this way in all cases.

QUESTION: Put yourself in the workplace/school of someone who finds out one of their coworkers/friends is HIV+.

Do you consider being HIV+ a 'disability'?

How would things change for you as the coworker/friend of the infected person?

How would things change for them?

Access to Alcohol

2007-02-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

More than 40% of teens who admitted drinking said they drink when they are upset; 31% said they drink alone; 25% said they drink when they are bored; and 25% said they drink to "get high." (U.S. Surgeon General, 1991)
Each year, students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol, more than they spend on soft drinks, tea, milk, juice, coffee or books combined. On a typical campus, per capita students spending for alcohol--$446 per student--far exceeds the per capita budget of the college library. (Eigen, 1991 in the 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). Source

If these numbers are correct and alcohol is supposed to be illegal for those under 21, where are they getting this alcohol?
How easily available is alcohol to teens these days?

Overscheduled Children

2007-02-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

From even the youngest of ages, it seems that children today have a full calendar every day of the week. For families with two or more children and parents who work outside the home, it can get pretty hectic to get everyone to the right place at the right time. Its hectic for the parents, but what about the kids?
“Children who are overscheduled have a higher incidence of anxiety, especially performance anxiety and wondering how they’re doing in a certain activity, or striving for protection”, says University of Michigan child psychologist Michelle Kees.
As a parent of three children myself, it is often hard to limit their activities because we see how much fun they are having. They also are learning great life lessons from both school and non-school activities.

Do you think you are “overscheduled”?
Do your parents “push” you into certain activities?
Do you feel pressure to be more involved knowing that employers and college applications want more and more?

Suicide Prevention

2006-11-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

FACTS:

Every day in the U.S., 1000 kids age 15-24 make a suicide attempt.

1/3 of all teens with have considered suicide before their senior year of high school.

1/2 of all teens will have at least one friend who talks to you about ending their lives.

In kids ages 15-24, 10% of boys and 20% of girls will make a suicide attempt.

Every day, 14 kids age 15-24 complete suicide. This means that every 100 minutes someone dies of suicide.

The Suicide rate has tripled in the past few years among adolescence.

How effective are the suicide prevention progams in BPS?

Abstinence Education

2006-11-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Sexual abstinence is defined as: the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. 'Abstinence only' is the prefered curricular direction that most schools take as they are funded by federal funds that require certain guidelines. Acording to a study in 2004, the numbers are encouraging. “There is much good news in these results,” said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “More teenagers are avoiding or postponing sexual activity, which can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy or emotional and societal responsibilities for which they are not prepared.”
Recently, our freshman were exposed to a program titled Stop and Think from Care Net of Billings on the topic of sexual abstinence. Their message was that obstaining from sex until you are maried is the only 100% and safest way to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STD's. It was delivered by two young people who had real life experiences to share while providing credible information.

If you were present for one of these sessions, was this an effective way to spread the word about sexual abstinence?
If you were not present, but have had exposure to this topic in the past did the information you were given change they way you dealt with relationships?
Do you have other ideas/opionions on this type of education and its place in school?

Dealing with Divorce

2006-11-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

For many people, the divorce of their parents marks a turning point in their lives, whether the divorce happened many years ago or is taking place right now. 50%marriages in the United States today end in divorce, so children of divorce are certainly not alone. It may seem hard, but it is possible to cope with divorce - and have a happy family life in spite of some changes divorce may bring. After all, couples divorce one another, not their kids.
There's no doubt that your parents' divorce will affect your daily life. Depending on your particular situation, you may have to adjust to many changes. These could include things like moving and changing schools, spending time with both parents separately, and dealing with some parents' unpleasant feelings toward one another.
There are over 1 million children in the U.S. that have been affected by divorce. There will be ups and downs in the process, but teens can cope successfully with their parents' divorce and the changes it brings. You may even discover some unexpected positives. Many teens find their parents are actually happier after the divorce or they may develop new and better ways of relating to both parents when they have separate time with each one.

The Give-and-Take of Criticism

2006-10-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

One of your friends asks you to come over and listen to a new song they have written for his band. They are obviously excited and want to get your opinion. You read it and think it is absolutely awful. You don't want to hurt your friends feelings, but you don't want to lie to them either. You don't know what to say...
Giving and taking criticism isn't easy. Even though it can be helpful, criticism is hard to take when it is negative. Giving it isn't much better. It is often difficult to walk the fine line between honesty and white lies. But handling criticism is a skill. All it takes is ome knowledge and some practice.

QUESTION: How do you handle situations like this, especially when friends are involved?

Tech Head

2006-10-24T11:56:00.000-06:00

Are you headed for technology burnout?

Teens now opperate in an 'on demand' society. With cell phones, MP3 players, laptops and hand held games, the world is literally at their finger tips. Last year, a Seventeen magazine survey revealed that nearly all teens admitted to multitasking. I offer the new term megatasking. They can easily handle doing three things at once (one of which to educators shagrin is their homework!)

Technology is supossed to ease the load on our daily life, however, it may be the time teens spend using these high-tech gadgets that increases their stress. Teens also admit to freaking out when they do not have access to phones or email for even a few days. It is estimated that 70% of children have difficulty getting a good night of sleep. Sleep is closely linked to learning and memory ability, which can both affect school performance. Too much of a good thing can have some real adverse effects; increase risk of obesity, memory loss, mood swings and poor grades.

QUESTION: Is technology taking over your life?

Just Say NO To Drugs

2006-10-23T13:32:00.000-06:00

October 23 - 27 is designated as Red Ribbon Week in many schools. It is a time to re-visit the emphasis on refusal skills when you are approached to use drugs. The well know phrase "Just Say NO" is the foundation. Throughout the Health Enhancement curriculum, you have been exposed to many different ways to handle this uncomfortable situation such as:

Making posters in support of staying drug free
Developing public service announcments to be shown to your classmates
Creating advertisments for staying off drugs
Roll playing (skits that involve using refusal skills)
Classroom discussions
Scare tactics (like the Meth commercials)
Wearing Reb Ribbons to raise awareness

We want to know what you think. You are 'in the trenches" and can share your experiences the best. Not being limited to the options above, in your opinion, what is the most effective way to prepare young peopl with the skills to handle being in a situation where drugs are being used or offered?