Enriching Lives Through Education

Youth Development Opportunities & Education

4-H & Youth Development Programs & Services

Ø The school year session of the ZAP 4-H Program continued throughout the month of October at the Zearing Child Enrichment Center. 35 youth, ages 5-12, participate in 4-H activities once per week after school as part of the program, which will continue throughout the school year. The 4-H project theme for the month of October was "Agriculture Adventures". Students learned about different agricultural products and how agriculture is important for everyday life.

Ø Extension staff attended a regional 4-H Contacts Training on October 1 in Rock Falls. The training included information on the research base supporting the 4-H program, the new state directives for organizing and managing the 4-H program, and information on regional and state programs available for local youth.

Ø National 4-H Week was held October 4-10. The Extension office hosted a "Celebrate 4-H" open house on October 6. Current and prospective 4-H families enjoyed a variety of activities from the new 4-H projects for this year and learned more about the 4-H program. Extension staff also appeared on WZOE's "Open Line" radio show to promote National 4-H Week.

Ø Extension staff assisted with a 4-H promotional assembly at Neponset Grade School on October 9. Staff , volunteer leaders, and members of the Neponset New Beginnings 4-H Club spoke to all students in grades 3-8 about the opportunities available in 4-H and how to join a club in their community.

Ø A 4-H Fair Review Committee meeting was held on October 26 at the Extension office. Five people attended the meeting to discuss comments and concerns related to the 2009 Bureau County 4-H Fair, and to prepare a list of changes for next year that will be presented to Extension's Unit Council in November.

Ø The Bureau County 4-H Cloverbuds group began meeting on October 27. Seven youth and their parents attended the first meeting. Cloverbuds is for youth ages 5-7 and not yet in third grade. The group meets once per month, October-April, at the Bureau County Farm Bureau in Princeton. The theme for the October meeting was "Spiders are Special." The next meeting will be held November 17, with the theme Performing Arts.

Ø The Malden Model-After School program started 4-H Club activities on October 28. The group will meet once per month as a 4-H club and learn about different project areas, beginning with Scrapbooking. 20 children are currently enrolled in the program.

Ø A new blog, "Bureau County 4-H Updates" was posted on Extension's website. Those interested in the latest news about Bureau County 4-H events and opportunities can view the blog at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/bureau/blogs/eb202/index.html

Ø Extension staff are collaborating with Youth Development Educators to coordinate new project clubs. Project clubs will focus on one project area that youth will work on in-depth with an adult volunteer who has expertise in that area. A variety of ideas are being discussed.

Ø The Ladd, Princeton, Walnut and Malden Model After-School Youth Programs are underway. Extension provides program support, nutrition education and healthy snacks at each site. Healthy lifestyles are a focus of the program, with daily emphasis and education on nutrition and fitness.

Nutrition & Wellness Education & Services

Family Nutrition Program (FNP) Grant Services & Education

Ø Monthly FNP lessons entitled "Wash Germs Away" were provided to the WIC clients at the Bureau County Health Department on October 7, 14, 21, and 28. Handwashing techniques and the importance of handwashing were discussed. The new WIC food packages were discussed. Good nutrition and the food guidance system were also discussed, and My Pyramid educational handouts and calendars were distributed. A total of 30 persons were reached.

Ø Every Monday - Friday from 10 am - 12 pm FNP staff provide programming to support the school's Wellness goals at Leepertown School. This month, nutrition lessons were on Grains and Fiber, Fruits, Vegetables, and Milk. We talked about the different vitamins and nutrients we get from each food group and why eating a variety of foods from each food group is necessary for good health. Following our nutrition lesson, we move into physical activity time. This month's activities included: Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball, and Hockey. Our daily average attendance is 55 youth.

Ø The Ladd, Princeton, Malden and Walnut After-School programs are in session. Extension FNP staff provide daily nutrition education and healthy snacks at each site. Healthy lifestyles are a focus of the program, with daily emphasis and education on nutrition and fitness. Ongoing training sessions are held for the nutrition staff. All FNP staff hold a Food Service Sanitation Certificate. All after-school sites are licensed by the Bureau County Health Department for food service.

Ø At the Princeton Model After-School Program, FNP has spent the month talking about Grains and Fiber, Fruits and Vegetables, and the Milk groups. We've spent time talking about the importance of each group and why a variety of foods from each group are necessary for our daily diets. Each day, the youth are served a healthy snack. Our snacks this month included: cereal, granola pars, pasta salad, English muffin pizzas, veggies and dip, salad, broccoli, fruit kabobs, dried fruit, cottage cheese with peaches, and mini bagels with cream cheese. During our 45 minutes of physical activity time, we played a variety of games to keep the kids moving and successfully keep their heart rates up! Our average daily attendance is 26 youth.

Ø FNP Cooking School continues in Princeton High School's Adaptive PE class. Basic cooking skills with nutrition education is presented bi-weekly to the 22 students in the class. On October 13, the students made whole wheat pancakes. Fresh fruit was also served. The nutrition lesson was on grains and fiber. On October 27, the students made vegetable soup, and the nutrition lesson was on vegetables and vitamins.

Ø FNP Cooking School continues at the Bureau County BEST and Alternative Education Schools. Basic cooking skills with nutrition education are presented bi-weekly to the students. The cooking schools will continue through the school year bi-monthly. On October 6 and 8 the students made a healthy snack that included all of the food groups. The nutrition lesson was on the food guide pyramid. On October 20 and 22 the students made a healthy lunch of paninis and fresh vegetables. The nutrition lesson was on whole grains and fiber. On October 29, the students made vegetable soup using canned, frozen and fresh vegetables. The lesson was on vegetables and vitamins.

In-School Nutrition Education Programs:

Spring Valley, Lincoln School:

Ø 10-01-09; 23 students, Mrs. Patterman, Kindergarten. Today we spent time talking about My Pyramid and working on learning the food groups. A book was read called "How are you Peeling" and a snack of carrots was served in class. Handouts were sent home to parents.

Ø 10-13-09; 23 students, Mrs. Perra & Ms. Twidell, Kindergarten. Our basic handwashing class was taught. Stickers were given after each child washed their hands and looked through our Glowgerm machine. Handouts were sent home to parents.

Ø 10-20-09, 50 students, Mrs. Perra & Ms. Twidell, Kindergarten. Grains, "Eat half your Grains Whole" was today's class. Examples of whole grain foods were taken to class and explained along with eating lots of foods high in fiber. Popcorn was made in class and served. Handouts were sent home for parents.

Ø 10-27-09, 50 students, Mrs. Perra & Ms. Twidell, Kindergarten. "More Matters" was our class today and students read a book and learned about Fruits and Vegetables. We ate bananas for a snack. Handouts were sent home to parents.

DePue, DePue School:

Ø 10-01-09; 43 students, Mrs. Keegan & Mrs. Pettis, Kindergarten. Our final class was today and we read a book about eating well. Students got to take my "My Pyramid" quiz and we ate a snack of cheese sticks. Handouts were sent home to parents.

Ø 10-08-09; 59 students, Ms. Harmon, Mrs. Wooden & Mrs. Dobrich, First Grade, Grains, "Eat half your Grains Whole" was today's class. Examples of whole grain foods were taken to class and explained along with eating lots of foods high in fiber. Popcorn was made in class and served. Handouts were sent home for parents.

Wyanet, Bureau Valley Elementary:

Ø 10-02-09; 48 students, Kindergarten. Our final class was today and we read a book about eating well. Students got to take my "My Pyramid" quiz and we ate a snack of cheese sticks. Handouts were sent home to parents.

Ø 10-09-09; 47 students, First Grade Mrs. Pease and Mrs. Stabler. Today was the first time visiting First Grade. Our basic handwashing class was taught. Stickers were given after each child washed their hands and looked through our Glowgerm machine. Handouts were sent home to parents.

Ø 10-26-09; 47 students. First Grade Mrs. Pease and Mrs. Stabler. Grains, "Eat half your Grains Whole" was today's class. Examples of whole grain foods were taken to class and explained along with eating lots of foods high in fiber. Popcorn was made in class and served. Handouts were sent home for parents.

Buda, Bureau Valley Middle School:

Ø 10-07-09; 132 students, today we played Food Safety Bingo and learned about various food safety necessities. Handouts were given to send home for parents. A snack of cucumber water was served.

Ø 10-14-09; 132 students, Food Guide Pyramid Overview was presented today. We learned what each food group does for your body. Students were encouraged to eat more vegetables and said they would try to eat more veggies at dinnertime. Handouts were sent home.

Ø 10-28-09; 132 students, Water, today we talked about keeping your body Hydrated. A snack of cucumber water was prepared and served in class. Students really liked it and many thought they would not. Handouts were sent home.

Neponset, Neponset Grade School:

Ø 10-02-09; 12 students, Mrs. Currier, Kindergarten Class. "More Matters" was our class today and students read a book and learned about Fruits and Vegetables. We ate bananas for a snack. Handouts were sent home to parents.

Ø 10-09-09; 12 students, Mrs. Currier, Kindergarten Class. Our class was on "Water", today we talked about keeping your body Hydrated. A snack of cucumber water was prepared and served in class. Students really liked it and many thought they would not. Handouts were sent home.

Grow N Go, Preschool Education

Ø A class was prepared for Grow N Go Preschool at Douglas School on: An activity was planned along with a 10 minute educational lesson. Snacks were served from our Healthy Snack ideas.

10-14-09; 5 persons

10-28-09; 2 persons

FCRC, Princeton Office

Ø 10-05-09; 7 persons attended the TANF class. Materials from Wellness Ways, Handwashing education information, was provided to participants.

Agriculture & Natural Resources Education & Services

Ø Educational/service publications were provided to community residents requesting them such as: commercial pesticide study manuals & workbooks, cash rent/lease forms, & farm record books.

Ø Private Pesticide Education Program registration information was mailed on Nov. 4 to those needing to be re-certified. The training and testing day for Bureau County will be February 25, 2010 at Wiseguys. A joint training and testing with LaSalle County will be held on December 4. There will be a test only session on March 11 at the Extension office.

Ø An Equine Series in cooperation with Extension Offices and Farm Bureau Offices in Bureau, Knox, and Henry-Stark Counties will be held at Blackhawk College on November 5, 12, and 19^th.

Ø Extension is working with U. of I. campus specialists to conduct a focus group study on bio-fuels. The local study will be held on December 16 with area ag producers.

Ø Tim Goodrum, Bureau County, graduated from the Master Naturalist Program held in LaSalle County. Congratulations Tim!

Family Life Education & Services

Ø Extension staff attended the Bureau County Home and Community Education's International Night on October 5. The program included cuisine and information on the country of Argentina. The Extension Lesson for Living, "All About Pasta," was also distributed to the members, who will discuss the lesson at their local unit meetings.

Ø The Board of the Bureau County Home and Community Education Association (HCE) held a meeting at the Extension Office on October 27. The nine board members present discussed their upcoming Cookie Walk fundraiser at the Festival of Trees.

Ø Parent education newsletters and materials are available at the Extension Office.

Ø The updated Bureau County Resource Directory is available on Extension's website and can be printed at no cost for personal use. Go to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/bureau/downloads/4394.doc.

Please contact the Extension office to add or update information.

Bureau County Youth Development Coalition Services & Education

(BCYDC)

Ø The BCYDC has a Power Point Presentation about the Coalition and its various collaborative programs available for presentations to local clubs, businesses and groups. The program, with time for questions, runs about 20 minutes. Contact the Extension office to arrange for a local program on BCYDC.

Ø The BCYDC issue teams continue to work on various projects. Focus areas being addressed includes: model after-school programs; family education & resources; youth-centered activities;

and prevention/alternate activities for our youth. The Coalition emerged as a result of Extension's in-depth youth development needs assessment process and had its first meeting May 1, 2001. Extension facilitates the Coalition, which has set goals to put new youth services in place.

Ø The BCYDC held a Board meeting at 1:00 p.m. on October 14 at the Extension Office to review operating programs and discuss new ideas.

Ø The Model After-school Team held a meeting of Site Coordinators which was hosted at the Ladd Model After-school Program on October 20. Staff shared information and program and fund raising ideas. The upcoming training to be held at the Extension Office was also discussed and ideas for topics were gathered.

Ø The next Board meeting of the BCYDC is November 11 at 3:15 p.m. at the Extension Office. Consider joining the Coalition in planning and delivering its efforts in your community; call

815-875-2878 to learn more.

Community Leadership & Economic Development

Ø The Bureau County CED Partnership group is working on the website portal updates and plans for participation in the Fall Festivus which will provide exposure to site selectors. The Festivus was held on October 22; brochures marketing Bureau County CED opportunities were distributed to site selectors. The new website portal also went live in October. Partners include the Bureau County Board, City of Princeton, City of Spring Valley and University of Illinois Extension - Bureau County.

Ø The Tele-Institute, "Energy Conservation - It's All in the Details" was provided on October 22.

Ø Extension hosted the 13^th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council viewing of educational materials in the Extension Video-conference meeting room on October 7.

Ø Extension staff is working with the DePue and Leepertown Schools to get the 21^st Century Grant programming underway in their schools and communities. Extension will be providing multiple programs on an ongoing basis for youth and parents in cooperation with the schools' administration and 21^st Century Grant coordinators.

The mission of University of Illinois Extension - Bureau County is to deliver quality, relevant educational information in a fiscally responsible manner. The goal is to help people develop skills; solve important problems; and improve their families, farms, businesses, and communities. In short, our mission is to help Bureau County residents put knowledge to work.

*******************************