January 2012

601 South Street, Galion, Oh 44833. 419-468-7581 www.childcarechoices.org

The pink coloring of flamingos depends on the food they eat. In the wild, they filter shrimps and algae from water. In captivity, they are often fed on carrot juice to prevent their feathers fading to dull grey.

Crawford Little Stars OHCAC Galion Head Start Sara Beegle Wee Care Marion OHCAC Marie English Head Start

All the pet hamsters in the world are descended from the same mother. This was a female wild hamster found with a litter of 12 babies in 1930 in Syria.

Morrow OHCAC Cardington Head Start OHCAC Whetstone Mt. Gilead Head Start Richland Assembly of God

An Ape hates grape cakes Fred fed Ted bread and Ted fed Fred bread

OHCAC Clear Fork Head Start Lexington Child Development Center Little Blessings N More NCSC/OSU-M CDC OHCAC Grace St. Head Start

7 of our 9 area Head Starts Centers recently achieved 2 Star status in Step Up to Quality. Step Up to Quality is Ohio's voluntary quality rating system. OHCAC Galion Head Start was presented with their 2 Star banner on December 9th at the first annual OHCAC Christmas Luncheon

Congratulations! Paige C. was the winner of our December Giveaway. Paige posted a Winter/Christmas craft on our fb page.

January Giveaway
Use our Dye-Cut machine to make shapes for bulletin boards or projects out of construction paper or foam.

Watch for trainings coming in March and April. Register at www.opdn.org

A few months ago CCC ask providers and class participants to fill out a survey about CCC services and facility. Many requested lighting in our parking lot; Studer Electric has installed new lights in the rear of the building. Let us know what you think and thank you for participating in our survey.

During winter months stay tuned to www.WMFD.com for inclement weather cancelations

SAVE THE DATE...Great opportunity to promote a healthier lifestyle among your family! Adult and Childrens races! Join us May 19, 2012

F.amilies E.njoying E.xercize T.ogether 5K

Cold and Flu Season
All parents worry about their children's exposure to germs during cold and flu season, but a recent survey by the Global Hygiene Council found that only 23 percent of Americans were concerned about their children coming into contact with potentially harmful germs at home. During cold and flu season alone, 59 percent of surfaces in the home can be contaminated with the flu virus, which can survive for more than 48 hours. Dr. Jim Sears, renowned pediatrician and co-host of the new TV show "The Doctors," has a few simple tips for parents to help them keep their families and homes cold- and flu-free this year. Healthy Habits Produce Healthy Kids. The best flu prevention strategy is simple regular exercise, sufficient sleep and good nutrition. Help your family maintain a healthy diet, packed with vitamins and nutrients including immune-boosting foods such as fish, citrus fruits and leafy vegetables, to help prevent the onset of illness. Wash Hands Often and Properly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing is the most effective way to stay healthy. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently to help kill the viruses and bacteria they may have collected. Have them use regular soap and warm water to scrub their hands including the back of their hands, in between fingers and under nails for 20 seconds. Use an alcohol based gel if soap and water are not available. Remind your child to sneeze and cough into the crux of their elbow and to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth. Disinfect to Protect. Kids can touch and retouch more than 300 surfaces in just 30 minutes. You can help protect family members from picking up and spreading germs with their hands by spraying commonly touched surfaces and objects with a disinfectant such as Lysol Disinfectant Spray after cleaning. Regular disinfection will help kill cold- and flu-causing viruses and bacteria before anyone in your family gets sick. Be Prepared to Fight the Flu. Stock up on items such as tissues, vitamin C, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray. Keep them in one handy place to make illness prevention even easier. Consult Your Doctor. Chat with your doctor before cold and flu season begins to determine whether you or your children are candidates for a flu shot. He or she can also recommend appropriate over-the-counter medicines or alternative remedies. For more helpful cold- and flu fighting tips, visit www.lysol.com or www.cdc.gov/ ounceofprevention. Reference http://www.askdrsears.com/

Professional Development & Community Events Calendar

January 2012
Sun 1 Happy New Year Mon 2 CCC Closed Tue 3 Wed 4 Thu 5 Fri 6 Sat 7

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ALL TRAININGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK WWW.OPDN.ORG

FOR MORE CLASSES, TIMES, AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION