KIDS OFF TO COLLEGE? KEEP ON TALKING -- To smooth the transition as their freshman son or daughter leaves for college, psychologist Michael Silverstein of Temple's Counseling Services advises parents to negotiate certain potential sticking points up front, such as how, and how often, they'll communicate--by phone? E mail? Twice a day? Every Sunday? When they feel like it? When they run out of money? Clarifying finances and who pays for what can help avoid future strife as well. Parents and students should also share their respective academic expectations, Silverstein suggests. Instead of demanding the dean's list, parents might ask their offspring, "How well do you want to do?" What's important, he says, is to "keep the dialogue open, to listen and be supportive. Parents still play an important role in the life of their college-age child." Reach Dr. Silverstein through the News Bureau at (215) 204-7476.
IN SCHOOLS, FIGHTING ALIENATION WITH COUNSELING, NOT COPS -- Increased security measures will likely greet children nationwide as they head back to school next month. And while more armed guards and metal detectors might ease some fears about school shootings, Temple school psychologist Irwin Hyman says the real challenge is for districts to create an atmosphere that doesn't promote alienation, abuse or violence. Hyman, co-author of the newly released book Dangerous Schools, says that while school shootings are tragic and unsettling, kids in school are more likely to experience physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their teachers or others in authority positions. "And in some cases, teachers let kids pick on each other," says Hyman. "All of the students who have committed school shootings have one thing in common: they were alienated from others. Schools have to adjust and create a climate where this doesn't occur." Hyman developed the "My Worst School Experience Scale," a
BROWN THUMBS -- Recent showers notwithstanding, this summer's punishing drought has had--and will continue to have--wildly varying effects on grass, plants, and trees, according to plant pathologist Lisa Blum, of Temple's landscape architecture and horticulture department. While the damage to grass has been the most visible, it is probably the least permanent: turf has short roots and requires only small amounts of water to revive itself. And with cooler temperatures on the way, moisture will evaporate more slowly. Of far greater concern is the effect on trees, whose deeper roots are in grave danger of dying because the minimal amounts of rainfall have been insufficient to reach them. Trees are shedding water starved leaves now in an attempt to survive, but it may be too late, especially if there is a paucity of rainfall again next year. "It may take six months to a year to see anything obviously wrong with trees," Blum notes. "Over the fall, and next spring and summer, we'll see
This Week at Temple...
Friday, Aug. 27, beginning at 9 a.m.: STUDENTS MOVE IN -- Temple's new students (the class of 2003 and transferring students) arrive on campus and move into their residence halls throughout the day, then attend a picnic (4:30-6:30 p.m.) for students and their parents at the New Student Pavilion. Returning students move in Saturday and Sunday. (Call the News Bureau for specific locations.)
Saturday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: CLOSING CEREMONY -- Temple's Institute on Disabilities will pay tribute to 17 people who have completed a full year of service through the ADD Corps/AmeriCorps program during a special ceremony attended by state dignitaries, ADD Corps alumni, and leaders in the disability community. ADD Corps members, who provided personal assistance services to people with disabilities, will be recognized for doing 1,700 hours of national service. (Great Court, Mitten Hall, Broad St. and Berks Mall)
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