Newsletter for November 16, 2010
Photo by ewallpapers
“If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.”
~E. Joseph Cossman
Announcement
Student Parent Study Groups
Interested in forming a study group for a difficult subject? Physics, Language, Biology,
Psychology, you name it and we will gather e-mails and names of other student parents
interested so you can form a study group. Please e-mail Gwen at hell0238@umn.edu if you are
interested. In the e-mail, please name the subject, that you are ok with your name and e-mail
being released to other student parents interested in the same subject, and title the e-mail
“Student Parent Study Group.” The next newsletter will ask for more people to join certain study
groups depending on the areas of interest you all come up with. If needed, SPHC staff can also
help with setting up a Google calendar for each group member in order to share access between
calendars and find open times for the groups to meet.
Share with each other
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, 11/17/10 from 12-2PM
This week we will be having an open discussion on building positive support networks and
nurturing healthy relationships. Kara Fahey, our graduate social work intern and group cofacilitator, will be leading our activities and discussion for the day. Lunch will be taco soup with
all the fixings.
Wednesday, 11/24/10 from 12-2PM
No group this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does 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
Free 4-U
A national data base of scholarships. Browse for a category that applies to you:
http://www.free-4u.com/newpage28.htm
University of Minnesota Multicultural Scholarships
http://onestop.umn.edu/finances/financial_aid/scholarships/umtc_scholarships/multicultural.ht
ml
U of M Departmental Scholarships
http://onestop.umn.edu/finances/financial_aid/scholarships/umtc_scholarships/index.html
Internships
Want to find an internship? Here are a few different ways to find them.
GoldPASS
Try searching for listings on GoldPASS (http://goldpass.umn.edu/), the U of M's job and
internship database. It lists thousands of opportunities just for U of M students.
Search Engines
You can also search for internships at the 8 different links on this U of M webpage:
http://www.clacareer.umn.edu/links/jobs.html
In the College of Science and Engineering
Most students have an internship between junior and senior year. Some have an internship as
early as the summer after freshman year.
The Career Center for Science and Engineering (50 Lind Hall) has complete resources for finding
an internship and making it work for you.
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Internship postings
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Alumni and employer contacts
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Career fairs
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Employer information
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Advice on how to conduct your search
In the College of Liberal Arts
Stop by the CLA Career Services office. They can steer you to books, internship-search sites,
and other ways to find internships. After you find an internship you want to apply for, they can
also help you write a resume or prepare for a possible interview.
Career Services Department
If an online search does not lead you to the internship you are looking for, try stopping by the
career services office in your department. They will have the resources available to help you
search for an internship in your major.
Questions about internships and how to plan for them?
Visit http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/internships.html
Parenting Information and Resources
Managing Stress with a Family
The phrase “quality time” has become trite with over-use, but it is quality time spent together
that reduces daily family stress and builds strong families that can weather both small storms
and large crises. Here are some tips for managing stress with your family:
1. Working at household chores together. Completing simple household chores as a family
has several advantages. Doing dishes, raking the yard, spring cleaning, or holding a
garage sale offers the family time to communicate, lightens the load for individual family
members, and lets individuals build skills and self-esteem.
2. Share a meal. Share at least one meal each day. Albeit, dinner time these days is often
hectic with individuals having conflicting work and activity schedules. If this is true in
your family, start having family breakfasts. Mealtime is a great time to tune into
individual schedules and plan family activities. If you can’t do it every day, schedule it as
a regular family “event”.
3. The family “event”. A special activity can be as complex as a family vacation or as simple
as, a trip to the local park or just a family movie night. Plan the activity as a family and
make the activity an “event” where each member contributes to making it a successful
and enjoyable occasion. (Simple Example- Family Movie Night - Make a list of movies
that you all want to see. Then, choose one of them scheduling a specific night and time
for the event. That night, Mom washes the dishes, Jimmy wipes, Suzy pops the popcorn,
and Dad goes to pick up the movie.)
When managing individual stressors that affect the family, keep a few tips in mind:
1. Don’t avoid discussion. If it’s a problem for you or a problem that you notice is causing
stress in another family member, chances are it’s a stressor for the entire family as well.
Talk it out and work towards finding a solution.
2. Don’t trivialize. Whether the problem is as significant as a spouse losing a job or as
unimportant to you as the death of your daughter’s pet frog, the problem is a stressor for
the individual that can ultimately cause stress for the family. Let the individual talk it out,
be a good listener, and show them that solving the problem is important to the family.
3. Don’t lay blame. When there’s a problem it really doesn’t matter who’s at fault. Define
the problem and work towards a solution.
4. Respect privacy. If a family member brings a problem to you in confidence, respect it.
Don’t air it for discussion without their agreement. If you are unable to agree to keep the
confidence, be honest in your refusal. For instance, often parents reach decisions about
children together. If a child says, “But, don’t tell Dad,” your response might be, “I’m
sorry, but Dad and I don’t keep secrets. He needs to know about this. Would you like us
to tell him together or would you rather not be there when I tell him?”
In summary, building a strong family unit that effectively manages day-to-day stressors not only
makes your home a place for each member to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate but also builds
the skills necessary for the family to come together in a crisis and effectively manage family
stress.
Tips from: http://stressmanagementtips.com/family.htm
Featured Book
The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley (available in the SPHC library)
Gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night.
Are you suffering through sleepless nights and having to fend off a barrage of heartless advice
about letting your baby “cry it out”? The No-Cry Sleep Solution will show you how it is entirely
possible and within your grasp to help your baby fall asleep peacefully-and stay asleep all night
long.
Homemade Baby Food
Pureeing homemade baby food is very simple. Making your baby homemade food takes less time than
you imagine - about 1 hour per week!
Key points to remember when making homemade baby food & introducing solid foods:
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ALWAYS consult your pediatrician prior to beginning any new food for your infant.
Discuss making homemade baby food with your pediatrician and visit the Baby Solid
Food Charts (http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solids.htm) for information regarding
what foods to introduce to baby and when. You may also wish to visit the World Health
Organization to learn more about baby food and infant feeding.
ALWAYS follow the 4 day wait rule when introducing a new food to baby - offer your
baby the same new food for 4 days to test for allergies to that food. This applies even
when you are making homemade baby food. Never introduce more than 1 new food at a
time.
ALWAYS use clean hands, clean cooking utensils, preparation surface(s), pots/pans etc
when making and preparing homemade baby food. Cleanliness and Food Safety is a
MUST when making homemade baby food.
And Finally All babies are different and will not like/tolerate the same foods or food textures. Do
Not Despair. You should be willing to experiment with baby solid food for your baby. Offer your
baby different foods, use different ways of preparing those baby foods and be willing to have a
huge store of patience.
Recipes, information on pureeing and storing, baby food facts, and more at:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/
Homemade Applesauce Baby Food
Ingredients:
(Use Gala, Braeburn, Rome or Macs)
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium
This recipe is written so that you may use any amount of apples you wish. We recommend Fuji,
Gala, Braeburn or Macintosh
Directions:
1. Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
2. Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir, that’s it. Easy peas.
3. Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If
your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps below:
4.
5.
6.
to
Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree - add cereal (if desired)
thicken. Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes.
Community Resources
Twin Cities Free Market
The Twin Cities Free Market SM is an innovative reuse program created by the zero-waste organization
Eureka Recycling to divert usable and repairable items from the waste stream. The Free Market
program was the first web based residential exchange program that specifically targeted the exchange
of reusable and durable household goods. As of 2010, the Free Market has grown to include over
150,000 participants since it began in 1998, and has facilitated more than 100,000 exchanges. Over
11.4 million pounds of reusable goods have been saved from landfills and incinerators!
Examples of things that can be exchanged:
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Appliances (air conditioners, microwaves, washers/dryers)
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Children’s Items (bunk beds, furniture, toys)
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Electronics (cameras, computers, TVs, VCRs)
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Furniture (chairs, couches, desks, tables)
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Home Decor (carpets, lamps, rugs)
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Home Renovation (cabinets, lumber, shingles, sinks)
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Lawn & Garden (dirt, lawn mowers, patio bricks)
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Marine Equipment (boats, sailboats, motors)
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Musical Instruments (band & orchestra equipment)
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Pet Equipment (aquariums, cages, dog houses, food bowls)
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Recreation & Exercise (bicycles, camping gear, exercise & sports equipment)
Website: http://www.twincitiesfreemarket.org/index.cfm
Online Help with Spanish
Free online help for Spanish pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and verb drills for beginner,
intermediate, or advanced Spanish.
http://studyspanish.com/
What's your goal?
For most people, their Spanish goal can be summed up by one of the following statements:

I want to speak Spanish conversationally.
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I want to get a better grade in my Spanish class.
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I just want to learn a little Spanish.
Visit this link and click on which statement describes you and you can get started!
http://studyspanish.com/help/gettingstarted.htm
Know Your Tenant Rights
Questions about entering the agreement with your landlord, during the tenancy, or ending the
tenancy? Certain rights and duties apply to landlords and tenants everywhere in Minnesota. Find
answers for questions about discrimination, rent, subleasing, regulated utilities, repair problems,
and others at:
http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Minnesota/handhead.html
Your County’s Resources
Find local libraries, drop-off sites for hazardous waste and recycling, crisis services for children
and adults, child care licensing information, cash assistance, food support, and healthcare, state
parks, and more at:
Hennepin: http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/
Ramsey: http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/home/index.htm
Washington: http://www.co.washington.mn.us/
Anoka: http://www.co.anoka.mn.us/
Scott: http://www.co.scott.mn.us/Pages/home.aspx
Sherburne: http://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/
Dakota: http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/default.htm
Featured Campus Events and Resources
Subject Librarians and Department Liaisons:
Need help researching a topic for a class project or paper? Ask a subject librarian at the U! The staff of
the University of Minnesota Libraries includes librarians and other subject specialists who provide
important research and instructional services for the University community. There is a list of subject
areas and staff members with their contact information and library location available online at:
https://www.lib.umn.edu/about/selectors
Boynton Health Services
General information line (612) 625-3222
Services include medical, dental, eye, mental health, primary and urgent care, pregnancy testing,
emergency contraception, massage, and financial counseling.
The Graduate Record Exam
Thinking about going to grad school? Some colleges require you to take the GRE before admission. The
GRE is for graduate schools in general, however, some programs may require the GRE subject test for
admission, which is a more specific test for the individual program which you are applying to. It is
designed for students who have majored in or have extensive background in a specific area. The Subject
Test areas are: biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology, biology, chemistry, literature in English, math,
physics, and psychology and while it is not required, it is recommended for PhD computer science
applicants. To learn more about these subject tests, visit:
http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about
The prep course available on campus at the University of Minnesota's schedule can be found:
http://www.cce.umn.edu/courses/PREP-0610.html
The schedule for the online course is available:
http://www.cce.umn.edu/courses/PREP-0620.html
The tuition for the on campus course is $580, which includes three text books, vocabulary flash cards, a
CD-ROM (for PC) that stimulates test environment and scoring and supplemental handouts.
The tuition for the online course is also $580, which includes a pre and post-test with scored
assessments (and an assessment of your essays); access to additional Web-based materials to help you
master test content, a CD-ROM (PC), and a book of official tests by the test publisher.
Featured Website of the Week
The Savvy Source
http://www.savvysource.com/
A website powered by parents, for parents. A resource geared mainly toward parents of
preschoolers, this website has many great articles on parenting, book lists, city guides,
preschool lists and ratings, quizzes, and an online parenting community.
Community Events and Activities
Visit the State Capitol
Treasure Hunt at the State Capitol:
Go on a self-guided scavenger hunt to discover 12 beautiful and important decorations in the
State Capitol building. Each self-guided booklet includes a set of 12 gold stars that are placed
next to the corresponding photographs when the item is discovered. At the end of the hunt,
visitors are awarded a gold state seal, get Capitol architect Cass Gilbert's signature and become
Junior Art Historians. The booklet is available at the Capitol's Information Desk.
Dates: Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 26
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Fee: $2 per booklet.
Walker Art Center
Attend Arty Pants at the Walker Art Center: Your Tuesday Play date, featuring activities for adults and
youngsters ages 3–5. Join us each month on the second and fourth Tuesdays for art projects, films,
gallery activities, and story time. Free with gallery admission; Walker members and kids ages 12 and
under are always free.
November and December
Let your imagination soar as you and your tot(s) venture into the exhibition Yves Klein: With the Void,
Full Powers. Discover spaces created with air and explore natural elements as you make art, watch a
short film about the sea, listen to stories, and play games in French hosted by Alliance Française de
Minneapolis/St. Paul.
More information online at: http://calendar.walkerart.org/event.wac?id=4874
Bell Museum of Natural History
Minnesota Ornithologists Union Annual Paper Session
Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. $4 in advance; $5 at the door
This year's conference features a presentation by Charles Wolcott, professor of neurobiology and
behavior and former director of Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology, on new discoveries in
loon behavior. These lively presentations will delight amateur bird enthusiasts and serious scholars
alike. For registration and event details, visit: http://moumn.org/
Fun Crafts for Kids
Paper Scrapers
(For ages 3-6)
Supplies
White paper, crayon with the paper peeled off, paintbrush
Activity Detail
Next time you and your child visit a new city, try this fun technique when out in the streets. You
need paper, a paintbrush and a crayon, with paper removed. Have child select a texture he'd like
to capture, such as a manhole cover or a plaque by a statue. Use the paintbrush to gently brush
away any dirt and then have your child place the paper over the object. Hold the paper firmly in
place while your child rubs the peeled crayon back and forth over the paper, capturing the
texture underneath. Have your child sign and date his/her paper when done.
Quick and Easy Family Recipes
Corn Dog Muffins:
(Makes 18 muffins)
Ingredients
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2
1
2
1
1
9
(8.5 ounce) packages cornbread mix
½ tablespoons brown sugar
eggs
1/2 cups milk
cup grated Cheddar cheese
hot dogs, cut in half
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.
2. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and
milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until
moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add 1 hot dog half to each
muffin.
3. Bake in a preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Baked Lemon Chicken
(Makes 5 servings)
Ingredients
3 1/2 pounds chicken - skinned and cut into 10 pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 thinly sliced cloves of garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
4 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 tsp dried thyme
3 cups thinly sliced onions
1 1/2 cups chicken stock or water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 lemon sliced into 10 slices, seeds removed
Instructions:
1. Combine salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme.
2. Lay chicken pieces into an 11x13 baking pan. Sprinkle seasonings over chicken.
3. Combine onions, stock, and lemon juice in a sauce pan. Heat to a boil.
4. Pour hot lemon mixture around chicken. Top each chicken piece with a lemon slice.
5. Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees until golden brown and juices are clear colored.
Ham, Potato and Corn Chowder
Ingredients:
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½ pound deli ham, cubed
1 (16-ounce) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 (16-ounce) package frozen corn kernels
1 (14-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 cup frozen chopped onion
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
1. In the bottom of a 3 ½-quart or larger slow-cooker, place all the ingredients in order, stirring well to
mix.
2. Cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. (If you don’t have a slow cooker, steam the corn, potatoes,
and fry the onions in butter before adding all ingredients together. Heat until bubbly, stir and serve.
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.
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.