Seattle’s Great Strides fund-raising walk was held on Sunday, May 17th – an absolutely gorgeous day. Villa Academy first graders in Melanie McFarland’s class chose, entirely independently, to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as the charity for their tooth drive.

The support for this charity was by extension support for their classmate, Sydney Pytte.  Sydney was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was about 2 months old as a result of her inability to gain weight due to an obstructed pancreas.

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The body produces unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

This was the Pytte family’s 8th walk and this year Sydney’s Superstars team was the largest every.  Her team had 70 walkers in all, including a large Villa contingent made up of Sydney’s teachers, classmates and their families.

The walk is about 3 miles long and goes from the Seattle Center, through downtown, along the waterfront, and back to the Seattle Center for a barbecue lunch.

As a team they raised over $10,000 with the entire Seattle walk raising over $400,000.  These funds will go a long way in helping Sydney and all others with Cystic Fibrosis.

For more information on cystic fibrosis, visit the CF Foundations website at www.cff.org.

Thank you to everyone from Villa For supporting Sydney and CF!

If the economic downturn has left you feeling financially foolish, raising a money-smart kid might seem overwhelming.  The parents of Mrs. Karen Jones’ fifth grade students can rest assured that their kids have been introduced to the principles of financial responsibility.

It won’t likely replace a lost nest egg, but it might save these parents the expense and frustration of a future bailout – the unexpected financial burden that so many parents face when their teen or twenty-something learns a money-lesson the hard way.

Mrs. Jones has been the branch manager of Discovery Bank for more than 15 years.  Her bank doesn’t tout easy lending and low mortgages payments, but she does offer free savings accounts to all her fifth grade students.

Students initially earn a paycheck of 10 Discovery Bucks for being good students – for instance, completing their work on time and following classroom protocol.

Paychecks are distributed weekly and incremental raises are awarded at the beginning of each new trimester.  Bonus Bucks can be earned for freelance gigs, such as being the first to follow directions or going above and beyond the ordinary behavioral expectations.

Students deposit Discovery Bucks into a personal account, and can use their earnings to buy an extra recess, a free-dress day, a pizza lunch, or the opportunity to be teacher for a day.  But saving isn’t always easy. Unexpected expenses arise that can set back a student’s saving progress.

Ellie, an account holder at Discovery Bank and fifth grade student, explains that while fines and fees are avoidable they are also common. “For example, if someone leaves a mess or something on the floor overnight, they receive a maid service slip and have to write a check.”  A similar fine is assessed, “if a person is being loud when the class is supposed to be quiet” says Ellie.

This week Mrs. Jones reminded students of the price for teacher-for-the-day and requested an early hand count of those with intentions to buy before the end of the school year. After the price was announced, Nat, another account holder, jestingly remarked, “Well, that leaves me totally out!”

Nat made a budgeting choice earlier in the year.  He opted for a free-dress day and gambled that he would be able to earn enough for a second free-dress day before the school year was out.

When asked about his decision Nat affirms that he is happy with his choice, “two free-dress days is better for me,” says Nat,  “than teaching class.”

Nat went on to explain that until a few years ago all his real money went towards toys, and it wasn’t until third grade that he decided to contribute to his college fund – a choice that he feels is consistent with what he is currently learning about budgeting.

Whether a student’s first introduction to financial responsibility is at home or in the classroom, there is no question that Mrs. Jones and Discovery Bank are helping to reinforce the principles of saving and prioritizing.

Jamie, another fifth grade student, summed up budgeting simply in saying, “If you want one thing, you have to decide and go for that, you can’t choose it all” – a good reality check for the millions of overextended adults.

From: Public Health Seattle & Kind County

H1N1 virus (swine flu) – Frequently Asked Questions

What is H1N1 virus?
H1N1 virus, also known as “swine flu” and “swine Influenza A” is a virus that can spread from people  who are infected to others through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs  through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch. H1N1 virus is not transmitted from pigs to  humans or from eating pork products.

What should I do to keep from getting the H1N1 virus?
First and most important: wash your hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 virus?
The symptoms of H1N1 virus in people are similar to seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,  headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Are there medicines for H1N1 virus?
Yes, there are antiviral medicines to help treat the H1N1 virus. These prescription medicines work best if  started within 2 days of flu symptoms. A health care provider must determine whether someone is sick enough to need the medication. There is currently no vaccine to prevent H1N1 virus.

What should I do if I am sick?
• Stay home from work or school and don’t travel. Get better and keep others from getting sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your inner elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

How should I decide if I should seek medical care?
People should make decisions about when to seek medical care as they would under normal circumstances. Consult with a health care provider or seek medical care for the following:
• fever, along with any of the following symptoms
• rapidly worsening illness
• person is unresponsive and unable to get out of bed
• bad sore throat or severe cough
• chest pain

If you need medical care and don’t have a medical provider or health insurance, call the Community Health Access Program at 800-756-5437. You will not be asked to provide proof of immigration status.

For more information and on-going updates:
Public Health – Seattle & King County, www.kingcounty.gov/health/h1n1
Flu Hotline, 877-903-5464, recorded information about H1N1 flu, 24 hours/day. Also in Spanish.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
Washington State Department of Health, www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu

Villa Academy strives to protect students from life-threatening allergies, as well as the feeling of isolation that can accompany special food restrictions. In recognition of these efforts, the Food Allergy Initiative, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for food allergies and anaphylaxis, has chosen Villa Academy as the 2009 recipient of their Northwest’s Nathan Walters Leadership Award. This honor was presented to Villa Academy at the FAI Northwest’s 3rd Annual Benefit Dinner on May 1, 2009.