SNACKTIME: why children should stay away from energy drinks

Seeking to gain a competitive edge in sports, 6^th through 12^th grade students are attracted to heavily marketed sports and energy drinks.  Unfortunately, there is confusion about the difference between the two products, which can lead to potential health risks, especially to children. Before diving into this dilemma, understand that water is the most effective means to replace a body’s lost fluids.

Sports drinks that are high in carbohydrates help replenish the body's depleted stores after prolonged exercise (60 minutes or more). Sports drinks help maintain the body's electrolyte balance and provide carbohydrates for additional energy. On the other hand, energy drinks contain stimulants in various combinations, such as caffeine and guarana (an herb containing caffeine). Labels can be confusing to read, and a single bottle may contain two to three servings of the drink with total caffeine content exceeding 400 to 500 milligrams per can or bottle.  This substantial amount of caffeine is too much for anybody, particularly a child.

By comparison, the average cup of coffee contains about 150 milligrams of caffeine while a cup of cocoa contains about 15 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup. Adverse effects associated with caffeine consumption in amounts of 400 milligrams or more include nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), decreased bone levels, and upset stomach. The caffeine contributed by energy drinks can cause a number of harmful health effects in children, including effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, poison centers received 2,810 reports of exposures to energy drinks in 2014. More than 1,600 were children age 18 and younger. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adolescents do not consume energy drinks. Also, the American Medical Association supports banning the marketing of energy drinks to children under 18.

Want a competitive edge? Eat healthy, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. The bottom line is to avoid energy drinks as they pose potential health risks for children and teenagers.

See Sports drinks: Better than water?  A tip from the Mayo Clinic

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Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company
Image by Mother Nature Network

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT anaheim hills features musician allison to

How many kids can say they've played at Carnegie Hall?  Not many.  However, Fairmont’s Anaheim Hills campus is home to one such talented student.  Fourth grader, Allison To, is an accomplished pianist and skilled violinist. Allison has won multiple awards in numerous competitions such as: SYMF (Southwestern Youth Music Festival), MTAC (Music Teachers' Association of California), and the Long Beach Mozart Festival. She was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2010 International Young Musician's Competition. In the same year, Allison gave her debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York.  She currently studies piano under the direction of Ariel Yang at Opus119, the school of music's prestigious Conservatory Program.  She shares her musical talents with others by performing in local senior centers and giving concerts to fund-raise for World Vision.  Her favorite subject is math and she also enjoys shopping, drawing, and playing with her best friend Suma, her Maltese dog. Allison remembers a time her mom took her to a concert given by a Korean doctor. He is not only a famous surgeon, but a musician and believes that music is very therapeutic.  This has inspired Allison to pursue a career as a doctor and use both her academic skills and her musical talents to make a difference in the lives of others.

Contributed by Danyelle, Marketing

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood features natalie k. and ryan g.

Natalie Kim, Jr. Kindergarten

 

Natalie, is currently in Miss Kliss' Junior Kindergarten and is 5 years-old. Some of Natalie's favorite things are: the color pink, eating rice, the song “More Than a Song”, and the movie, “Lemonade Mouth”.  Speaking of songs, Natalie also takes voice lessons and loves to sing and dance whenever Room 102 has a dance party. She also takes swim lessons with another classmate, Daniel Shim. We enjoy Natalie and her amazing personality!

Ryan Gumlia, 1st Grader

Ryan Gumlia, an Edgewood first grader, takes his passion for ice hockey beyond the local rinks. He recently returned with a bronze medal from the Alberta Championship Cup in Canada, a large youth hockey tournament covering most of western Canada.  He scored three goals in five games.  More than 250 Canadian teams participated in the tournament. Ryan’s team, the Cougars Selects, is headquartered out of Edmonton with branch teams in the United States. Since returning from Alberta, Ryan has been invited to return to play in a tournament in Calgary at the end of the month.

Congratulations, Ryan!

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood recognizes sahar khashayar

Fifth grade honor roll student Sahar Khashayar has been a Fairmont student since second grade.  Her sister, Parisa, also attends Edgewood in Mrs. Brown’s first grade class.  Sahar’s favorite subjects are math and science but she also enjoys English—especially literature and writing.  In fact, she hopes to one day become both a published author and an astrophysicist!  In addition to maintaining Director’s Honor Roll-worthy grades and contributing to her school community through ASB, she enjoys playing the piano and violin, playing soccer, and participating on a swim team.  “As her teacher, I can attest to her drive, her ambition, and her academic talent. Sahar is a wonderful student, one that I am proud to teach. Observing her these past several months I can attest to the fact that when she has her mind set on a goal she will achieve it,” says Mr. Williamson.

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT mable's tiffany k wins poster contest

Mable campus fifth grader Tiffany K. was honored this past weekend in San Diego for her original artwork created for the California School Bus poster contest. Tiffany’s drawing took top honors in her division. She received a $150 savings bond and $100 for a class party in her honor. Tiffany and her family also received hotel accommodations for her trip to San Diego and a framed copy of her artwork. Tiffany will also be honored in May during a ceremony held in Santa Ana. Ryan C., another Mable student, took first place in his division and won a $100 savings bond.
 
Contributed by Karen, Mable campus

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT anaheim hills features megan mettler

Honor Roll student Megan Mettler has a heart for volunteerism and concern for her community that is truly remarkable. The seventh grader at Fairmont’s Anaheim Hills campus is involved in a number of charitable organizations including Adopt-a-Soldier, where she corresponds and sends care packages to a US solider overseas, and Sunday Nights Together, a program that provides a Sunday evening meal to hundreds of homeless in our community each week.  Megan has also started an organization to promote literacy called Kids READ!  She has collected over 13,000 books which she has distributed all over the county to individuals and organizations.  Megan’s involvement in community service is very hands-on.  She helps prepare the meals, set-up and clean-up for Sunday Nights Together.  She stays connected to her adopted soldier by corresponding frequently and sending a monthly care package.  Megan saves one-third of her weekly allowance, which her parent’s match, then donates the money to the charity of her choice.  For fun, the selfless teen, enjoys reading, going to musicals and attending UCLA games with her family.

 

Contributed by Vicky, Anaheim Hills

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood spotlights singing sensation brandon donovan

Fairmont students are usually well-rounded, intelligent, and unique and seventh grader Brandon Donovan is no exception to that rule.  Those of us who know Brandon are well aware of his good sense of humor and quick wit.  We also know he's smart, curious and talkative; always willing to share a story or ask about your day.  But what he may not share very often is his talent for singing.

Brandon is dedicated to the All American Boys Chorus, a choral ensemble that is composed of boys from around Southern California. This is Brandon's 6th year as a member of the group, a tenure that is one of the longest amongst the boys in the chorus.  He sings second tenor, the highest voice in the boys' choir, although he doesn't know if he will be able to keep this seat for much longer.

Brandon’s singing talents have opened up a world of new experiences.  Last year, Brandon and the choir travelled to Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Canada.  This year, the choir is planning a major US tour.  He has also had the opportunity to meet and sing with many talented vocalists over the years, including Josh Groban.

Brandon practices with the chorus at least 6 hours a week, but sometimes as much as 9 hours a week.  Practices are held both on weeknights and weekends, so there isn't much time for many other activities in Brandon's life, although he did find time to play on Edgewood’s soccer team last year.

If you hear Brandon talk about his experiences, you'll know that he's extremely proud of his singing, his school, and his family.  His mom, cat, and parrot are all supportive of the time and effort Brandon puts into his singing and schoolwork.  He says he couldn't do it without them. 

They aren't the only ones proud of Brandon, so are we, his school.  His teachers and his friends are proud of all of his accomplishments, both academic and vocal.  Brandon is a unique and special kid, who fits in perfectly at Fairmont.

Contribed by Jonna, Edgewood campus