48 The Queens Courier • kids & education • september 24, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com P.S./I.S. 78 in LIC finally welcomes new playground BY ANGELA MATUA amatua@queenscourier.com/@AngelaMatua Students, faculty and elected officials gathered in front of the early childhood center at P.S./I.S. 78 in Long Island City on Sept. 18 to celebrate the opening of a new playground for pre-K, kindergarten and firstgrade s kids & education students. The playground, which took five and a half years to make a reality, will act as an alternative site to Gantry Plaza State Park. Students were previously escorted to the state park across the street, but some parents were concerned about their children crossing Center Boulevard. Residents have continuously rallied for crosswalks and stop signs along the boulevard to curb the increasing number of cars and pedestrians traversing the area. “Someone asked me why it was so important to have this space when there’s a park right across the street,” said Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. “It’s true that we have a park right across the street, but that street is one of the most dangerous streets that we have and why should the children, 4- and 5-year-olds from this school, have to cross this street to get to a playground? They shouldn’t have to.” Van Bramer secured $350,000 for the construction of the playground and, with the help of Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan and School Construction Authority President and CEO Lorraine Grillo, was able to resolve a dispute over who owned the property. Citylights is the official property owner. Students from the middle school were invited to explore the new playground and quickly gravitated toward the many features after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Acadia Helfand, 10, knows that the playground is Students, faculty and elected officials welcomed the addition of a new playground at P.S./I.S. 78 in Long Island City. for younger children but is hopeful that fifth-graders will get a chance to enjoy the park as well. “I hope that on some days we can come in and just hang out and play around like we are right now,” Helfand said. “I really like the spinning circle thing.” Christie Alexander, a mother of a 4-year-old kindergartner THE COURIER/Photo by Angela Matua at the school said she is glad that her daughter will not have to cross Center Boulevard to get her exercise. “I think it’s fantastic,” Alexander said. “I know the teachers are really careful about crossing the street but it was still really nerve-wracking.” Don’t let germs hitch a ride home from school As a new school year gets into full swing, parents know that along with library books, art projects and worksheets, their kids often bring home a ton of germs. As students travel on the school bus, sit in the cafeteria, and participate in classroom studies, they can pick up viruses and bacteria. By simply touching their desks and lunch tables and swapping school supplies with classmates, kids are likely to bring home germs from school, and then spread them to family members. “Visiting Nurse Associations provide critical support in flu prevention through immunization clinics and providing educational resources to families, caregivers, schools and community centers,” says Tracey Moorhead, president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA). “With school back in session and flu season looming, it is important for parents to be aware of germs that can pass from school to home, and everywhere in between. VNAA and its members are proud to partner with The Clorox Company and Say ‘Boo!’ to the Flu to create healthier communities this cold and flu season.” Seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s why it’s important for parents to start taking preventative steps to stop the spread of germs that can cause cold and flu now, so they are prepared for flu season when it is at its worst. To keep kids healthier at school and prevent them from bringing viruses and bacteria home, follow these GERMfighting tips and say no to G-E-R-M-S: G ... Get vaccinated The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year to protect against the flu virus. Get vaccinated before flu season peaks by locating a clinic that offers flu vaccines in October or November, like VNAA and Clorox’s annual Say “Boo!” to the Flu vaccination events. E ... (Do the) Elbow cough Teach kids to cough into elbows, not hands, since hands are more likely to spread bacteria and viruses through touch. R ... Reach for disinfecting wipes Who knows what germs kids bring home on their backpacks or lunchboxes and spread onto surfaces in your home? The CDC recommends disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu. It is important for parents to wipe germ hot spots around the house that are touched most frequently - like doorknobs, light switches, faucets, high chairs or plastic toys - with a household disinfectant, like Clorox(R) Disinfecting Wipes, which kills 99.9 percent of germs that can live on hard non-porous surfaces for up to 48 hours. M ... Make hand hygiene fun Make sure kids wash their hands the right way. They should wash frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). S ... Stay home when sick Schools can be petri dishes of learning. If possible, keep kids home from school when they are sick to help prevent teachers and classmates from catching their illness. For more information on how to prevent the spread of germs, visit www. Clorox.com/GermsStick. Courtesy BPT
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