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GEN's Voice
Issue 15
September 2002
In This Issue:
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GENaustin’s
September Programs |
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"How to Help Your Child Make a Successful Transition
to Middle School" Parents often worry about the
academic and social pressures their child will face
in middle school, their greater association with
older teens, dealing with many teachers instead of a
few, etc. This 2-hour presentation for parents is
geared toward answering many of these concerns and
offering practical ways parents can work with their
children to make this transition successful. Three
area middle school counselors will review what they
see as major pitfalls for sixth graders; how parents
can help students avoid them or deal with them, and
school and other resources that support parents.
Specific topics include:
- normal developmental changes related to
adolescence that may affect academics, behavior and
family relationships;
- typical middle school problem areas, such as
organizing studies and negotiating friendship
circles;
- how to access help and support from school staff;
and
- brainstorming "ideas that work" with other
parents.
Presented by Carolyn Brooks, M Ed, counselor Eanes
Independent School District; Christa Thompson, M.
Ed. counselor, and Kathleen Falbo, M.Ed. LPC, Safe
and Drug Free Schools' Coordinator, both with the
Leander Independent School District.
Saturday, September 7, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Board Room, Austin Independent School District
1111 West Sixth Street
(The AISD Complex is between 5th and 6th streets
just west of Lamar. Enter either off 5th or 6th.
Plenty of parking is available. The board room is in
Building B, Room 100, just inside the double glass
doors.)
“How to Get In to the College of Your Choice”
It’s never too early to start thinking about
college—where to go, what to study, and how to make
a successful application. Robyn Ross, an admission
counselor at St. Edward’s University, will explain
what colleges look for and how girls can lay the
foundations for successful college admission before
they even begin high school. Understand course
selection, extracurricular activities, the SAT/ACT
and financial aid, as well as how college is
different from middle school and high school. For
girls and parents.
Thursday, September 12, noon-1 p.m.
Paredes Middle School
10100 S. Mary Moore Searight Dr. (south of Slaughter
near Manchaca)
“Om: Yoga for Girls”
Come get a taste of how yoga can help your mind,
body and spirit. Learn basic yoga moves and how to
incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily
life. Understand your body in a way completely
different from what fashion magazines tell you, and
find out how to let go of stress at home and at
school. Yoga is fun! Wear comfortable clothing. It’s
best to do yoga on an empty stomach; if you need to
eat beforehand, please eat lightly. Anita Stoll,
LMSW-ACP, is a certified hatha yoga instructor, and
Kelly Inselmann, LMSW-ACP, is a certified kundalini
yoga instructor. For girls.
Tuesday, September 17, 6:30-8 p.m.
Chisholm Trail Middle School library
500 Oakridge Dr. (one mile west of I-35 and Hwy 620
at Deepwood)
“Girls as Friends, Girls as Foes”
by Ellen Sanchez, M.Ed, SafePlace Co-Director of
Community Education. “Girl fighting” is often a
hallmark of middle school, and some of the most
painful times in girls’ lives. Young teen girls may
express their aggression through hurtful words,
gossip and other forms of relational violence that
can damage girls emotionally. An experienced
counselor will discuss why this happens and will
help girls and adults explore coping strategies and
solutions. For girls and parents.
Wednesday, September 18, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mendez Middle School library
5106 Village Square (south of Stassney & South
Pleasant Valley)
“Me Behind the Wheel: Finding Your Inner Rock Star
on the Road to Success”
Thinking of following your dreams? Whatever they may
be, the road to success can be a wild ride. Find out
what to bring with you, how to make a road map, even
what to do if you get lost. Best of all, find out
how to start packing your bags now! Austin
songwriter/recording artist Trish Mrphy has been a
Texas favorite since the release of her first record
in 1997. She tours the U.S. and Europe and is
currently working on her fourth album. For girls.
Wednesday, September 25, lunchtime
Fulmore Middle School (Call the GENaustin office at
414-0472 for exact time and location.)
“The Roller Coaster Ride of Middle School Years:
Coping with Stress and Success”
School, friends, hormones, dances, sports, parents,
drugs, popularity, thinness. Yikes! How much
pressure can young teens carry before it begins to
affect their grades, their relationships and their
futures? An Austin therapist will help parents
understand and manage the stresses in their
children’s lives that may not have existed when they
were growing up. For parents.
Thursday, September 26, 6:30-8 p.m.
Dripping Springs Middle School PTA meeting, middle
school cafeteria
(Contact school at 512-858-4902 for directions.)
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We’re currently taking reservations for the
following special events:
“The Best of Friends: Helping Girls Navigate Peer
Relationships”
This professional workshop will teach strategies to
build girls’ resilience and create respectful
environments, while looking at girls’ peer issues in
relation to academic success and emotional health.
Facilitated by Ellen Sanchez, M.Ed., SafePlace
Co-Director of Community Education, and Carolyn
Brooks, M.Ed., middle-school counselor and statewide
presenter on this topic. CEU credit available.
Co-sponsored by SafePlace. Registration is $45.
Reserve your space by Sept. 13 by calling the
GENaustin office at 414-0472 or online credit card
registration at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1019973
For professionals.
Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. – noon.
SafePlace
Mother-daughter Personal Safety Workshop GENaustin
is proud to cosponsor a self-defense and safety
skills workshop with Sun Dragon Martial Arts and
EveryWoman’s Self Defense. Mothers and daughters age
11 – 14 are invited to a fun and empowering
afternoon with nationally certified women
instructors. Learn how to set and maintain personal
boundaries, handle bullies without using violence,
and respond appropriately to adult strangers. Be
prepared to handle situations at the mall, the
movies and school with assertiveness and practical
skills. Mothers and daughters will break into
separate groups for instruction on specific topics.
$50 per mother-daughter couple. Scholarships are
available. Attendance is limited to 30 pairs. Call
the GENaustin office in advance at 414-0472 to
reserve your space and find out details. Sunday,
October 6, 1 – 4 p.m. Sun Dragon Martial Arts 203 E.
Riverside Drive
“Relationships and Healthy Choices”
Parent-daughter Workshop Helping girls age 13-15
think through dating expectations and choices,
relationships and intimacy is the focus of this
workshop led by Ellen Sanchez, SafePlace Co-Director
of Community Education and certified sexuality
educator. Girls and parents will discuss issues
separately and information will be shared through a
facilitator in a non-threatening way. The goal of
the workshop is to keep the doors of communication
open between parents and teens, and to help parents
support their daughters in making healthy, informed
choices. $45 per parent-daughter couple. Call the
GENaustin office at 414-0472 to reserve your space
and find out more information. The wrkshop will be
limited to 12 parent-daughter couples.
Sunday, October 20, 1 - 4 p.m.
St. Edward’s University Mabee Ballroom |
Announcing
Fundraising Wins |
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We’re excited to announce our most recent
fundraising victories.
We were recently awarded a significant three-year
grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
The grant will be used to partially fund GENaustin’s
clubGEN Afterschool Program. The Hogg Foundation was
established by the children of former Texas Governor
James Stephen Hogg who instilled the virtues of
civic responsibility in his children: Will, Mike,
Tom, and Ima. Upon his death in 1930, Will—a UT Law
School alumnus and former member of The University
of Texas Board of Regents— bequeathed a $2.5 million
endowment to his alma mater. Will’s sister, Miss Ima,
dedicated the endowment to promote "mental hygiene"
throughout the state.
GENaustin was also the beneficiary of two brand new
computers which will be used to replace some
“antiques” at the office. The computers were donated
by IBM through a partnership with the United Ways of
the Capital Area, Greater Williamson County and
Georgetown Area. The state-of-the-art computers were
given to charitable agencies in the greater Austin
area that provide services in one or more of the
following areas: youth education opportunities/early
learning programs, community and family services,
support for the disabled/disadvantaged, adult
services (i.e. literacy, job training), and youth
development programs. IBM’s contribution is part of
the company’s annual nation-wide technology donation
program, this year valued at more than $5 million.
“Our old computers were woefully inadequate, so this
generous gift from IBM will increase our
productivity markedly,” said Executive Director
Anita Mennucci.
GENaustin is also expecting a donation of a new
laser computer through IBM’s Fund for Community
Service, a program that grants equipment or small
cash donations to organizations that have
significant IBM employee volunteer involvement. |
Here’s Your Chance
to Help and Have Fun in the Process |
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GENaustin invites you to join us for our upcoming
fundraiser: the Fall Equinox Art Show and Silent
Auction. The event will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on
September 22nd at the Lazy Oak Bed and Breakfast on
211 West Live Oak. The event will feature local arts
and crafts, great food, tarot readings, a silent
auction and more. Ten percent of sales and 100
percent of the silent auction will benefit
GENaustin. For more information contact Renee Buck
at 512/447-8873 or visit www.lazyoakbandb.com.
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Congratulations
to the Southwest Airlines Raffle Winner |
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Drumroll please. And the winner is . . . . Brad
Korell.
Brad won with one of the five tickets that he
purchased. He’ll most likely use the tickets to go
to Vegas. Hopefully his luck will be just as strong
there. When asked to comment on the win, he said, “I
never win anything like this.” Well, there’s always
a first time. Congratulations to Brad and thanks to
all of you who purchased tickets. |
Interview with
our New (Volunteer) Volunteer Coordinator and
Board Member - Jane Chambers |
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GEN’s Voice: How do you feel about your new role?
Jane: I was thrilled to be asked to be the Volunteer
Coordinator for GENaustin. I have always been
interested in women's issues, and recognize that
many of the self images that women carry around with
them for the rest of their lives are formed during
their pre and early teen years. I believe that if we
can do something while girls are still young to help
them develop a healthy self image and help them
realize they have many options and opportunities
open to them, that they will be in a much better
place to start their adult lives.
GEN’s Voice: What are your plans?
Jane: I want to build on the great work that Alexa
Lange did while she was Volunteer Coordinator. Two
of the primary things I would like to work on are
refining some of the volunteer processes as well as
focusing on volunteer recognition and appreciation.
GEN’s Voice: What volunteer opportunities currently
exist?
Jane: There are always opportunities in a lot of
different areas. We encourage volunteers to select a
role that interests them whether it be public
relations, programs, school liaisons, or something
else. Specifically, I would like a few people to
help with the Volunteer Committee. The Committee
will be focusing on volunteer appreciation and
recognition including planning volunteer
appreciation events.
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Volunteer Opportunities with clubGEN |
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…and speaking of volunteers, clubGEN has some great
volunteer opportunities – contact Jane Chambers at
[email protected] to get started:
- Between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., once a week, provide
homework and/or reading assistance to local area
middle school girls, before the start of our weekly
clubGEN after-school program.
- Sign-up to be a “Community Sponsor” for one of our
local after-school clubGEN programs! (The
participation and time commitment varies for each
club, so please inquire.) Participate in the weekly
teen facilitator planning meeting at a local high
school. Attend the once-a-week clubGEN after-school
program for girls a at local area middle school.
Assist local area teachers in the planning and
execution of clubGEN at their school. For example,
make phone calls, help coordinate school schedules,
hang flyers, promote and encourage parent and
teacher support for clubGEN, make photocopies,
distribute and collect parent and school permission
slips for special media events, etc.
- Create unique clubGEN curriculum and activities,
appropriate for girls 10-15, with topics ranging
from friendship and family to dealing with stress,
relational aggression, body image boosters, and
confidence building games, etc.
- Networking opportunities: create partnerships
between GENaustin and local businesses interested in
supporting GENaustin and clubGEN; find and secure
community contacts willing to lead on-going
workshops and/or train teenage volunteers about
social, emotional, and public health issues.
- Assist GENaustin with our clubGEN bibliography.
Write up summaries/reviews on both current and
previous books for parents and adolescents. Relevant
materials include books on self-esteem, peer
relationships among adolescent girls, parenting
girls, body image, female heroes, inspiring success
stories, overcoming obstacles, “how-to” guides for
girls, etc.
- Assist GENaustin expand our video library. Sign up
to record up-coming documentaries on KLRU and KLRU2
aimed at youth and youth culture. (For example,
“School: Making the Grade”, “Teen Immigrants”, and
“9/11: Looking Back…Moving Forward”) Also, write up
a brief summary, including a list of relevant
questions to ask girls, as they watch this video
with their parents or their peers, in an
after-school setting.
- Research how GENaustin might be able to support
the TEKS initiative (Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills) through clubGEN.
- Assist with the planning and coordinating of
special events, throughout the year (clubGEN
trainings, summer workshops, our end-of-the-year
party, etc.).
- One-time opportunity: assist with the construction
of clubGEN facilitator notebooks in September 2002.
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HOSTS Program at
Zavala Elementary has Opportunities for
Reading Tutors |
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The HOSTS program at Zavala Elementary provides
students with reading tutoring. Opportunities are
available to help during this school year.
HOSTS mentoring this fall is slated to begin the
week of September 23rd. There will be a one hour
training on September 18th and 19th at 6:00 p.m. as
well as during the day of the 19th at 10:00 a.m. and
1:00 p.m..
Mentoring sessions are available throughout the day
so you can pick what works best for you:
- 8:30-9:00 3rd Grade
- 9:00-9:30 4th Grade bilingual
- 9:35-10:05 4th Grade
- 10:10-10:40 5th Grade
- 11:30-12:00 3rd Grade
- 12:00-12:30 2nd Grade
- 12:45-1:15 3rd Grade
- 1:20-1:50 2nd Grade
- 1:55-2:25 Kindergarten/Reading Readiness
For more information, contact Brian Beaverstock,
HOSTS Teacher at Zavala, at 841-4930.
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New Report: Idealized Women in TV Ads Make Girls Feel Bad |
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Idealized Women in TV Ads Make Girls Feel Bad
Fri Jul 12, 5:35 p.m. ET
By Alan Mozes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - TV commercials that
depict idealized images of rail-thin feminine beauty
can send young female viewers--particularly those
who place great importance on their appearance--into
an immediate tailspin of increased anger and body
dissatisfaction, Australian researchers say.
"Viewing television commercials containing images of
the unrealistic thin-ideal for women caused
adolescent girls to feel less confident, more angry
and more dissatisfied with their weight and
appearance," said study lead author Duane Hargreaves
of Flinders University in South Australia.
Hargreaves and his team showed a compilation of TV
commercials to a group of over 400 adolescent boys
and girls attending high school in Adelaide, South
Australia. The 40 clothing, food, cosmetic, movie
and car commercials viewed were a one-week sample of
spots airing on Australian networks in June 1999.
Half the students were exposed to between 10 and 11
minutes of commercials that relied heavily on images
of idealized thin and attractive women to make their
pitch. The other half watched spots that were deemed
to be similarly engaging, but whose main focus was
not on female appearance. Both before and after
watching the commercials, the students completed
questionnaires to assess TV-viewing habits, the
level of importance they placed on their appearance
and their state of mind regarding body
dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety and confidence.
In the current issue of the Journal of Social and
Clinical Psychology, the authors report that overall
exposure to TV was high among the students. The
average student watched 2.7 hours of TV each
day--translating into a daily viewing of
approximately 96 television commercials.
The researchers found that girls shown commercials
with a focus on female appearance experienced a
higher subsequent decrease in confidence than those
watching the non-appearance-related spots. And
females who saw ads with idealized female imagery
experienced a higher increase in body
dissatisfaction, negative moods and anger, the
report indicates.
The researchers conclude that watching TV images of
idealized women appeared to have an immediate
negative effect on young female--though not young
male--viewers. They emphasized, however, that this
effect did not occur across the board. Those women
who place greater importance on their appearance,
they note, are more prone to the negative impact of
such commercials than those less concerned with
their looks.
"I think that the results confirm what many of us
understand and observe in our everyday lives--that
is, the media's bombardment of unrealistic images of
attractiveness has a detrimental effect on many
young people," Hargreaves told Reuters Health. "And
it is a great concern to see that exposure to just a
small number of commercials can increase body
dissatisfaction. We can only imagine what the
cumulative effect of a lifetime of exposures must
be," he added.
Hargreaves noted that future research might explore
to what degree men are similarly prone to body
dissatisfaction in the face of the rising visibility
of idealized muscular male imagery in the media.
"The media is not the sole reason for the high level
of body dissatisfaction in our society," said
Hargreaves. "(But) I think the media's message needs
to be challenged on an ongoing basis, starting from
an early age, and continuing throughout the
schooling years. This could include education about
the media's goals and techniques, as well as
encouraging girls to value themselves for reasons
beyond their bodies and appearance."
SOURCE: Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
2002;21:287-308 |
A Big Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors |
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GENaustin's programs are made possible through the generous support of 3M, Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundation Applied Materials, Austin Ventures, Brown McCarroll, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Hogg Foundation, IBM, Milkshake Media, Southwest Airlines and Xopix Productions
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Easy Ways to Help GENaustin |
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When you make a purchase at the following places part of your purchase goes to help fund GENaustin.
Also, mention GENaustin when you shop at Giada, a unique boutique and gift shop just west of downtown, and 2% of your sale will go directly to GENaustin. GENaustin is excited to be a part of Giada's Community Investment Program. Giada is located at 704 West Sixth Street, a block west of Katz' Deli, 457-8881.
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This site was last updated on 04/04/2005.
Copyright © GENaustin, Inc. 2001. All rights reserved.
GEN, GENaustin, and GENaustin logos used and displayed herein are registered and
unregistered trademarks of GENaustin, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks
and logos used herein are the property of their respective owners. Email us at
office@genaustin.org.
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