Newsletter for October 19, 2010
Photo from walldesk.net
Halloween Jokes for Kids
Why don't angry witches ride their brooms?
They're afraid of flying off the handle
Who won the skeleton beauty contest?
No body
What do skeletons say before they begin dining?
Bone appetit!
Where do baby ghosts go during the day?
Dayscare centers
Share with each other:
Student Parent Visibility Day
Thank you, all student parents for your participation on Student Parent Visibility Day! We had a
great turnout, beautiful weather, and lots of fun! We could not have put this event together
without all of you and your help. We hope next year is as much a success!
Check out our photos below from the event!
SPHC Facebook Group
The SPHC is on Facebook! Search for "Student Parent HELP Center" to join the SPHC group, or
for a larger group of student parents that includes graduate students and others not registered
with the SPHC, search for "University of Minnesota Student Parents". Being a part of the
“Student Parent HELP Center” group is another great way to stay connected with the SPHC and
other student parents as well as to share tips and resources, ask questions of SPHC staff and
other parents, and stay updated on SPHC events!
Student Parent Success Stories and Announcements
We would like to continue featuring personal success stories and announcements in our biweekly newsletter. If you will be graduating this fall, having a baby, buying a home, getting
married, or are experiencing a related event, please let us know. You can send the
announcements or stories to the SPHC e-mail address (sphc@umn.edu). We are proud of all of
your accomplishments and upcoming events, and would love to share them with others.
Student Parent Pictures
Have any great family photos that you want to share with others? If so, please send them to us
so that we can feature them in the newsletter. Please send us any pictures you want included
in a newsletter to sphc@umn.edu as an e-mail attachment.
PASS Group (Parents as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center PASS Group meets
weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in
Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other
student parents, discuss the challenges and joys
surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a
FREE lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part
by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will
undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for
all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply
come as often as your schedule allows. (Your little ones are welcome!!).
UPCOMING GROUP TOPICS:
Wednesday, 10/20/10 from 12-2PM
We will be having an open discussion this week, topic not yet determined. Join us for food, fun,
and community building time with fellow student parents! We have crockpot enchiladas with all
the fixings on the menu for lunch.
Wednesday, 10/27/10 from 12-2PM
Adam Sumner from University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS) will be joining us this
week to share tips on time management. Join us for a great discussion and a chance to get
some ideas for staying organized through midterms and the rest of fall semester. We will be
serving corn chowder and homemade bread for lunch.
Note: Please know that we do not want student parents to skip class in order to attend
the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered a student parent’s priority at
the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are unable to attend
group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide information to
you afterwards.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Melanie Soland or Kara Fahey at
sphc@umn.edu.
Please remember that the center is closed during group on Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m. for all
other resource use and studying spaces. Please come back in around 2 p.m. and we will re-open
the doors. If you are going to join us for lunch, please stay at least 1/2 hour and join in the
group in order to respect the food budget of the HELP Center.
What Student Parents say about group:
“I feel like I do better because I feel like I am not the only person with these stresses. I
feel it makes my life a little bit better.”
“Group keeps me positive and feel like I’m a part of the U, even though I’m different
because of my parenthood status.”
“A place I can come where other people understand the stress and challenges that come
with being a student parent.”
“I’ve gained confidence as a parent and have friends that are in similar situations.”
“Just a place you can relax—be with other people who can relate to you because they have
to balance school and kids, too.”
“It’s like being able to go home in between classes.”
Scholarships:
Avoid Scholarship Scams!
Scholarships are free, if anyone asks for a bank account or credit card number, do not give out
any personal information. It is free to search, apply for, and receive them. If you have any
questions, talk to your financial aid office. You can report a scholarship scam or find more
information at:
Federal Trade Commission
Ftc.gov/scholarship scams
877-382-4357
Federal Student Aid Scholarship Search
Online search engine to find scholarships for your major or demographics at:
https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/v3browse.asp
Critical Language Scholarships for Summer 2011
Information Session: Wednesday October 20, 3:35-4:30 pm, Blegen Hall 230
Application deadline: November 15, 2010
These U.S. government-sponsored scholarships support intensive summer language study in the
critical need languages; Azerbaijani, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese,
Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, or Urdu, at approved language institutes abroad.
Applicants must be:
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U.S. citizens
Undergraduates at any level freshman through senior, or graduate students
All fields of study are eligible
Some institutes have language prerequisites, but many are open to beginners
All program costs are covered, including travel, room and board, instruction, visa fees, and
entrance fees for program activities. Seven students from the U received these scholarships last
year! Further information and online application available at http://www.clscholarship.org
For more information on this and other nationally competitive scholarships, visit
http://www.honors.umn.edu/scholarships
Parenting Information and Resources:
Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Kids
1. Hem Costumes
 Protect your kid's costume from fire hazards like lit jack-o-lanterns or tripping
while trick or treating by hemming (or just plain cutting) them so they fall about
6 inches above the ground. Assure your little Dracula that he'll totally still be
scary even if his Nike's are showing.
2. No Masks
 A bulky mask at night can impair even Spiderman's laser-sharp vision. Instead
try face paint. Your kid will better be able to detect evil foes....and moving cars,
lit luminaries and sharp curbs while he's out on Halloween night.
3. Contact Info
 What's scarier than Saw 18? Losing sight of your kid in the swarm of costumed little
people! On trick-or-treat night, safety-pin an index card with your name, phone number
and address inside your kid's costume. Now your biggest worry can be your kid eating
an entire pillow case full of candy in one night!
4. Reflective Tape
 Fairy wings and superhero capes are much easier to see when they're all lit up with
reflectors, so trim costumes with reflective tape (the stuff used on bikes.) For little
ones, stick some strips on the stroller, too!
5. Fake Knives
 If your first grade grim reaper or sweet-faced Sweeney Todd is carrying a prop like a
scythe or butcher knife, it should only looks lethal. Make sure the tips of all witchy
weapons are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on…or used in play
with friends.
6. Fake Fires
 If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch or line luminaries up your walk using real lit
candles, set them far enough out of the way of kids' clutziness and costumes. A safe
alternative are flameless candles—battery-operated LED lights that look just like the
real thing!
7. Inspect the Treats
 Here's an oldie but goodie: Don't let your kid eat anything unwrapped or home
made. This rule still rules Halloween treat eating, even in our current pro-organic
and homemade healthy culture. Of course you love your neighbor, but you still
don't know what's in those cookies. Also, be sure to inspect all your kid's candy
before she digs in.
8. Carry Flashlights
 All good ghost stories start out on "dark and stormy nights," and all good mamas make
sure that motorists can see their kids on those dark nights. Make sure your kid is armed
with a flashlight (with working batteries!), glow sticks or has reflective tape on his
costume.
9. Phone Home
 Is this the year that you'll let your big kid or teen go out to experience the Halloween
horrors without you? Then make sure he has a way to call home if the need arises and
regularly check in. If he has a cell, make sure it's charged up so he can't use the dead
battery excuse. If he doesn't have one, give him yours for the night. (Let him know if he
loses it or doesn't check in, the biggest scare of his night will be how long he's
grounded.)
10. Safety 101
 You've been doing a great job of teaching your kids basic everyday safety. Go
you! But before heading out on Halloween, refresh the big concepts with your
kids: not getting into cars or talking to strangers, not entering strange homes,
watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing only when the lights
allow. This brush-up will help make for a night filled with safety, not scares.
All tips from http://www.parentsconnect.com/
MNParentsKnow.info
When Parents Know…Kids Grow
Trusted Parenting Information 24/7
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) hosts an innovative and interactive Website for
parents. The ParentsKnow Website provides resources on child development, parent education,
child care and consumer safety information and includes links to MDE and other trusted
Websites. Features include: A-Z parenting topics, developmental milestones, smart searching
and web guide, find a program (early childhood programs organized by county), everyday
parent to parent bulletin board, and over 75 short videos of Public Service Announcements and
podcasts on child development, learning and health. Visit their website at:
http://parentsknow.state.mn.us/parentsknow/index.html
Community Resources:
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
A Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants, and children. WIC provides
Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education
for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to
infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. Call your local WIC
program at 612-348-6100 or outside Hennepin County at 1-800-WIC-4030 to apply and check
out their website for more information: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
Energy Assistance
Fall is here and winter is not far ahead! Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their
energy bills that will strain their budgets. The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for
individuals in need. Please visit the following link for more information:
http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?subchannel=null&programid=536916219&sc
3=null&sc2=null&id=-536893810&agency=Energy
Or visit www.staywarm.mn.gov/ and you can select “Finding Financial Assistance” and you will
find information about the Energy Assistance Program there among other tips for staying warm
this fall and winter.
For more Community Resources, please check out our website (www.sphc.umn.edu).
If you’re not interested in applying but would like to see their information on nutrition topics (on
anything from dietary supplements to vaccines, it is on their website at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/topics-a-to-z/
Featured Campus Events and Resources:
SMART Commons
On-campus resource to help you succeed!
Learning Services

Find a tutor
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Find group study sessions for select courses
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Prepare for exams

Get research help
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Access on-line learning resources
Media Services
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Use production equipment
o
Reserve equipment
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View hardware and software
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Get help with a media project
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Book videos for classroom use
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Reserve rooms
Three locations for SMART Commons:
Wilson Library
1st Floor
612-626-8262
Walter Library
Room 204 (2nd floor)
612-624-1584
Magrath Library
Outside the library proper
612-624-2125
Hours for each location are available online as well as links to information for each available
service at:
https://wiki.umn.edu/SMART
MCAE Tutoring Services
The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE) addresses issues that affect the
University of Minnesota community, including various types of diversity as well as ethnic and
racial issues. MCAE also helps students explore internship opportunities and campus events, and
provides access to campus resources, scholarship information, mentoring programs, academic
offerings and study abroad opportunities. They offer walk-in tutoring (no appointment
necessary) in Appleby Hall for many subjects. The location depends on the tutor, but the three
rooms used are Appleby Hall Room 141, 149 and 151.
Take a look at their schedule for tutors from different subject areas (times and locations) at:
http://www.mcae.umn.edu/about/staff/tutors.html
(click on TUTOR SCHEDULE in left column of page in blue text for most current schedule)
Main MCAE website:
http://www.mcae.umn.edu/
Diversity Networking Event
November 17th 3:00 pm -5:00 pm
University Ballroom, Radisson University Hotel
FREE and open to ALL U of M Students! Meet and network with employers across the Twin Cities
Metro who are interested in a diverse workforce. Undergraduate students who identify with one
or more of the communities served by the Office for Equity and Diversity (GLBT, students of
color, women, and students with disabilities) are encouraged to attend.
Learn more and register at: http://z.umn.edu/student
Community Events and Activities:
Free Family Theater
October is Free Night of Theater month in Minnesota!
Check out the website below for a list of available performances and request your FREE tickets.
This is a great opportunity to check out some of the local theater productions with your family
and friends!
http://www.mnfreenight.org/
Zoo Boo
On the Como Park Zoo Grounds
Oct. 16th-17th and 22nd-24th from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
(1225 Eastbrook Drive, St. Paul) Parking is free!
Zoo Boo is a non-scary Halloween fundraising festival for families and young children. For this
unique fall fundraiser, the grounds of Como Zoo transform into a world of fairytales and fun!
Over 200 live costumed characters interact and entertain children. This magical event offers
families a safe trick-or-treating alternative plus many Halloween surprises.
BOO BASH
Sunday, October 24th from 1-5pm
SPOOKTACULAR FALL FUN ON GRAND AVENUE!
Location: 734 Grand Ave., St. Paul Walgreens
Visit here to view the Boo Bash 2010 flyer: http://grandave.com/eventDetails.php?eventID=19
Dracula's blood drive 1-5pm
Children's costume contest 2pm
Monster Mash 1-3pm
Petting Zoos 1-4pm
Pony Rides 1-4pm
Inflatable Bounce House 1-4pm
Trick-or-treating 3-5pm (ages 12+up in costume)
Activities at local haunts 1-3pm
Anoka Halloween
All Anoka Events on Saturday, October 23

Halloween Fun At the Library 11:00am at the Rum River Library in Anoka, MN
FREE Stories followed by indoor costume parade for kids of all ages.
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Pumpkin Carving Contest
3:00pm | Aitkin Riverside Park
Sponsored by Berry Hill Farm and Northstar Towing
FREE Open to the first 100 children, 12 and under. Judging at 4:15 pm.

Light Up the Night Parade
7:00pm | Main Street Anoka
Floats light up to entertain us during this event.
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Anoka Halloween Bonfire -- NEW EVENT!!
8:00pm-10:00pm | On 2nd Avenue, just north of City Hall
FREE family fun. Food vendors arrive at 5pm, before the Night Parade and stay
through the bonfire. Mini-donuts, kettle corn, cotton candy, pizza, brats,
beverages and more for sale! The bonfire starts as soon as the parade ends.
Bring the whole family, lawn chairs, and a blanket!
The 17th Annual BareBones Halloween Outdoor Puppet Extravaganza:
“Carnetheria”
FREE, 5$ donation optional.
BareBones is a puppet spectacle that plumbs the deep and darkest depths of a dreamlike
Carnival for all ages. Using larger-than-life puppets, shadow puppets, bike puppets, costumes,
masks, song, dance, stilting, aerialism, fire artistry, and original music by a live orchestra, the
BareBones Halloween Outdoor Puppet Extravaganza promises an unforgettable nighttime
spectacular through the best traditions of community theater, public pageantry, and seasonal
celebration.
Dress for cold weather, bring blankets, straw bale seating limited.
Dates of shows: October 23, 24, 29, 30 & 31 (ALL shows at 7:00 PM)
Location: Hidden Falls Regional Park – North Gate (Maggofin Ave) Entrance, St. Paul
1305 Mississippi River Blvd S, St. Paul, MN 55116
.8 miles south of Ford Parkway
Edinborough Park Halloween Party
Oct. 29 from 6- 9 p.m.
location: 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
Join Edinborough Park for an evening of tricks and treats. Children can run and play in
Adventure Peak and the Great Hall. They will travel through the park to trick-or-treat, enjoy a
comedy show and more. Don’t forget a change of clothes. Costumes are great, but can also hold
back some of the fun!
Friends in the Forest
Oct. 30 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person, children 2 and under free
Location: Baker near Wilderness Settlement in Maple Plain, MN
Children and adults together will follow a walking path lit by jack o’ lanterns through the woods
and be greeted by fun, friendly characters along the way! The Walk is magical and fun-not scary
at all. The activities are suited for children 3-9, but the evening is great fun for all ages.
Costumes welcome. Early childhood age arrive between 5:15-6:30 p.m. and older children after
7 p. m. Walk takes 45 minutes, groups begin every ten minutes.
link: http://www.springhillschool.com/events.html
Ghost Trolley & Trick ‘r Trolley
Ghost Trolley
Oct. 22, 23, 29, and 30 from 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $4 for adults, $3 for children 11 and under
Location: Como-Harriet Streetcar Line 42nd and Queen Ave. S
Alien Invaders theme! A ghost-story ride, family-friendly and not too scary.
Trick ‘r Trolley
Oct. 31 from 1- 2 p.m.
Cost: $5 per passenger
Here's a special Halloween event for younger children and their parents. Come in costume and
go for a streetcar ride. You’ll hear a Halloween story and each child will receive a treat bag full of
goodies.
Tickets are available only at Wild Rumpus Books in Linden Hills.
For more information check their website: www.wildrumpusbooks.com
Howl-O-Ween Party
Oct. 30 from 12:00pm-4:00pm
location: 5463 W Broadway Ave. Forest Lake, MN
Come trick-or-treat among owls, wolves and bears while you learn about some of nature’s most
misunderstood creatures, OH MY! Show off your costumes, sip apple cider while enjoying the
warmth of a campfire, decorate your own trick-or-treat bag and enjoy lots of fabulous treats and
Howl-O-Ween fun.
Pumpkin Night in the Park
Oct. 23 from 6-10 p.m.
Cost: $6 per person, children 2 and under free
Location: Springbrook Nature Center 100 85th Ave. N.W. Fridley, MN 55432
Activities included in Entrance Fee
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Indoor Trail of Spooky Delights
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Pumpkin Patch Dance with DJ
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Enchanted Outdoor Trail
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Hundreds of Carved Pumpkins
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Roadkill Cafe
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Elvis Live!
Additional Activities for Nominal Fee
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Tasty treats at the concession stand
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Kettlecorn
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Spooky Bingo
Easy Family Recipes:
Cranberry Apple Cider
(A slow cooker recipe) Serves 8
Ingredients:
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4½ cups apple juice
1½ cups cranberry juice
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 medium orange, cut in slices
1 cinnamon stick
5 whole cloves
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours, to let the spices
steep.
2. Remove cinnamon stick, cloves and, if desired, fruit with a slotted spoon before serving.
For a sweeter recipe, add a few tablespoons of brown sugar or honey.
*If you don’t have a crock pot, you can mix cranberry juice, apple juice, and a dash of cinnamon
and heat over the stove or in the microwave.
Fall Potato Soup
(Serves 5)
Ingredients:
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1 tbsp butter
½ tbsp self rising flour
½ of a large onion, chopped
1 small bunch celery, finely chopped
3 medium potatoes, diced
4 cups milk
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Melt butter in cooker or large pot.
Add flour.
Cook and stir over low heat until smooth.
Add onion, celery, diced potatoes, milk, salt and pepper.
Place a cover on cooker and simmer 30 minutes.
Do NOT let it boil.
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
(recommended for children 4+, seeds may be a choking hazard)
Continue Halloween fun in the kitchen by toasting pumpkin seeds with your preschooler! They
love sorting through the pulp to dig out seeds.
Supplies:
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Pumpkin
sauce pan
baking sheet
olive oil
seasonings
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut open the pumpkin and use a strong metal spoon
to scoop out the insides. Separate the seeds from the stringy core. Rinse the seeds.
2. In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about 2 cups of water to every half cup
of seeds. Add a tablespoon of salt for every cup of water. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for
10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.
3. Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread the
seeds out over the roasting pan, all in one layer. Bake on the top rack for 20 minutes or
until the seeds begin to brown. When browned to your satisfaction, remove from the
oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating.
Either crack to remove the inner seed (a lot of work and, in my opinion, unnecessary) or
eat whole.
If you have any healthy quick and easy recipes that you and your family enjoy, please
share! E-mail us at sphc@umn.edu, and we will feature your recipe in an upcoming
newsletter.
The SPHC staff welcomes you!
Here’s who’s who at the center:
Susan Warfield, LICSW
HELP Center Program Director
Brief background:
I began my professional career working in group homes with abused, neglected and later
autistic children and adolescents. Upon completing my MSW I worked for 7 years in the Denver
Public Schools, serving inner city schools with highly diverse populations. Prior to entering
higher education I owned my own private practice as a clinical therapist, also in Denver,
Colorado. It was the work I did with college students as a therapist that led me to do a national
search for higher education positions, a search that led me first to North Carolina and eventually
to my position with the SPHC at the U. It is the best job I have ever had!!!!
Melanie Soland, MSW, LGSW
Student Parent Counselor
Brief background
I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augsburg College and my master’s degree in
social work from the University of Minnesota. My professional career began with an internship
with the Campus Kitchens Project at Augsburg College, a program that utilized donated food to
create nutritious meals which volunteers delivered and shared with members of the community.
I’ve also worked with isolated elders through Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly, as an MFIP
job counselor in Ramsey County, and at a K-8 school in North Minneapolis. I was fortunate
enough to join the SPHC team during the 2008-2009 academic year as the graduate social work
intern/graduate teaching assistant, which is when I discovered my love of working with student
parents and working in a higher education setting. I am thrilled to be rejoining the SPHC team!
Tram Tran
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Brief background
I am entering my junior year here at the U, majoring in Psychology. After I earn my bachelor’s
degree, I would like to join the Peace Corps but I have no particular destination in mind;
anywhere I’m needed is where I would go! I do plan on going to graduate school for my MSW
and eventually going back to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I love helping others so I
volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Crisis Connection, American Red Cross as a blood
services volunteer and I do overnight shifts at a homeless shelter! This is my first job in the
social work/psychology field so I am very excited about it and I look forward to meeting all the
student parents!
Kara Fahey
Graduate Social Work Intern
Brief Background
I earned my BA in Religious Studies from Lewis and Clark College. I recently completed a year
of service with AmeriCorps VISTA, where I was a Homework Center Coordinator for the Saint
Paul Public Library. I have worked with a broad range of students, K-Community College,
assisting them with their educational goals, in order to reduce the educational achievement
gap. Currently, I am pursuing an MSW here at the University of Minnesota. My interests are in
working with children and families in educational settings. I am excited to be working with
student-parents to learn more about pertinent issues, resources, and experiences they have
throughout their educational career.
Gwen Dezelske
Graduate Social Work Intern
Brief Background
I earned my Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota
Duluth. Following graduation I worked as a Direct Support Professional in an in-home foster care
program in Duluth. There I worked with adults with severe mental illness. My work experience
previous to that is in research psychology focused on gerontology. Currently I am pursuing a
Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Minnesota and am interested in gerontology
and hospice social work. I am excited to work with a new age group, learn about how to be a
support and resource for families in the SPHC, and consider myself very fortunate to be here
getting to know all the brave student parents who are also excited to learn and pursue a higher
education.