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HAMPTONS TEEN

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Hamptons Teen: CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED, but I’m Just a DAD
I have become increasingly aware and worried about the relaxed attitude of illicit drug use among teens in the Hamptons and beyond. But what are our teenagers to think? They see a more relaxed and accepting attitude regarding the use of marijuana due to the reduction of legal penalties and the sale of marijuana for recreational use in multiple states. This is in the news and has become a part of their realities.Happy Group Of People
What our teenagers do not realize is the increased documentation about the effects of marijuana on the teenage brain. We know that the development of the brain is very fluid until or between the ages of 21-25 years old. The way in which the brain is wired is open to impact by this and other drugs. I am not a prude nor am I unaware of the opportunities, interest, curiosity and pressure to smoke weed. A lot of us did it when we were young. But this isn’t our father’s (and mother’s) weed no more. Things like the juicy fruit strain are a lot different to what was being smoked back in the day. The THC (active ingredient that produces the high) content is many times more concentrated in today’s marijuana than in the weed our generation smoked. Many ‘brands’ of weed are genetically improved to the form of designer status. I’ve also recently heard that there are different ways that you can smoke weed these days, like through a helix pipe for example. Apparently it’s a cool thing to do. Consenting adults should have the option of doing whatever they want to do but it is imperative to fully inform our teenagers of the risks inherent in smoking pot. If you want to know more on marijuana from a dispensary with the opportunity to see their deals as well, you can Get info here from Rocky Mountain Blaze, who list all their pricing for you to get an idea of. I’m not saying weed is a completely bad thing. As I said, a lot of us used to smoke weed as teens and obviously there are many reported health benefits of smoking weed if it’s done responsibly. It is also doing good things for the economy; there are many new cannabis jobs saturating the employment market and it is raising millions of dollars in tax.
I have the same concerns about smoking cigarettes and underage drinking that I have towards smoking weed and I feel to some extent, these are a more insidious and risky behavior that is impacting our teenagers. I cannot tell you what is the percentage of teenagers smoking and drinking but I feel it is over 50% of the population. Maybe I’m old-fashioned but if you were to ask both of my daughters (18 and 25), I still harp on the need to show restraint and to use some forward thinking concerning their future plans and how use and abuse can derail their goals. Believe me, they get tired of ‘the talk’ but I continue just the same. Am I being successful… I don’t know but I hope so. They lead their own lives, much of the time out of my view but I do what I do anyways because I must! I have no illusions, I can’t protect them all the time, nor should I or will I try. I will tell them the real deal, give them the tools to make good decisions and pray for the best.
EVERYONE has my permission to warn me if they think my child’s behavior is a risk to them and I do not care if they don’t like it. If your kids have come to my house, they may have heard some rendition of ‘the talk’ as a natural inclination of mine to be protective and proactive towards the friends of my children. My kids have probably warned them to expect it sometimes. AGAIN, I don’t care. I will not preach or teach but this is a part of the way we conduct business in our home. I will not stop!
Now don’t get me wrong, I remember being a teenager and doing LOTS OF STUFF. I will not be a hypocrite and tell them to ‘do as I say and not as I do’. But the risks of life long impacts secondary to social media and ‘selfies’ of illicit behavior that can follow them FOREVER…there are no do-overs anymore. Society can be very unforgiving. We did not have to face these risks. Remember, the definition of a teenager is filled with doing DUMB THINGS. But it is this risk taking and feelings of invincibility that makes them so powerful and dynamic. It will be hard to convince them of the dangers because they LIKE danger!
One more trend that I am seeing; the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs (PED’s). The use of Human Growth Hormone and steroids among teenage athletes has increased exponentially. Kids want to look better and perform better and they are getting access to and using these drugs more and more. The lifelong effects of these PED’s and the health impacts are so pronounced and damaging that it is imperative that parents and adults of teenage athletes inform them of the risks. Encourage your school teams to educate their athletes of the dangers and make it part of their athletic curriculum.
From me to you….JUST BEING A DAD

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Hamptons Teen :The Future is bright for the Lady Whalers Field Hockey Team
The Pierson-Bridgehampton Lady Whalers were defeated on Saturday, November 14, 2015 by the Cazenovia Lakers. The 2-1 score was indicative of the tightly contested game; only finally settled in the second half. Cazenovia scored their first goal after a penalty stroke was awarded to the Lakers due to an infraction of the rules by a Lady Whaler. The penalty shot just escaped the outstretched leg of the goalie, Freshman Charlotte Johnson and the goal was scored by Cazenovia player, Zoe Shephard. 1-0, Cazenovia.

Penalty stroke goal defended by Whaler goalie Charlotte Johnson #89
Penalty stroke goal defended by Whaler goalie Charlotte Johnson #89

The Whalers came back to tie the score 1-1 at 23:50, at the beginning of the second half on a goal by Sophomore, Claudia Patterson. This was Patterson’s first career goal and it couldn’t have come at a better time. There was a very physical scrum in the goal area but Patterson successfully scored.
Pierson-Bridghampton score goal by Claudia Patterson #13 (1st career goal)
Pierson-Bridghampton score goal by Claudia Patterson #13 (1st career goal)

Cazenovia showed their championship pedigree by forcing the Whalers into multiple corner penalties in the first half. The Whalers successfully defended these corners and some credit must be given to Junior, Allura Leggard for disrupting the corner offensive sets of the Lakers by flying out with impressive speed. The Whalers played excellent team defense preventing goal after goal as the Lakers applied constant offensive pressure.
Pierson/BH Team
Pierson/BH Team

The Whaler’s however, have a championship pedigree too and Junior, Ana Sherwood was incredible, showing her grit, determination and skill by moving the ball up the field against a determined Cazenovia defense. Sherwood attempted some shots on goal but the Cazenovia defenders were determined to prevent any uncontested shots. Sherwood and Leggard are Captains and they lead their team by example. Not to be outdone, Senior, Kerrie Vila, the third Whaler Captain was fantastic in defense from the sweeper position. She incredibly defended a shot headed toward the goal that was shot from the right side at a difficult angle. This kept the second half score tied going into the final 7 minutes of the game. Vila was a very active defender in what would turn out to be her final game as a Whaler.
Annabelle Schroeder #23, Hollie Schleicher #7, Kerrie Vila #3
Annabelle Schroeder #23, Hollie Schleicher #7, Kerrie Vila #3

Goalie, Charlotte Johnson was at it again, giving her body up defending the goal. She showed no hesitation to dive at shots making save after save. Unfortunately the Whaler’s season would be determined by a goal by Cazenovia Laker, Zoe Shephard with 7:10 seconds left in the second half. The whalers appeared stunned for a moment but they quickly regrouped and for the remainder of the game, applied constant pressure on Cazenovia setting up some shots on goal by Freshman, Hollie Schleicher, Sherwood and Junior Calista Cafiero until the final second.
Allura Leggard #6, on defense
Allura Leggard #6, on defense

The Whalers were emotional but proud in defeat. This is a very young team with only one Senior starter graduating; so the future is bright. First year, Head coach, Bethany Semlear is looking forward to next year’s championship campaign.
Ana Sherwood #14, on offense
Ana Sherwood #14, on offense

- NYSPHSAA Field Hockey Class “C” Semi-FINALIST Plaque.   Bethany Semlear, Head Coach,  CAPTAINS(3)  Kerrie Vila #3, Ana Sherwood #14, Allura Leggard #6, Kayla Yardley, Assistant Coach
– NYSPHSAA Field Hockey Class “C” Semi-FINALIST Plaque.
Bethany Semlear, Head Coach, CAPTAINS(3) Kerrie Vila #3, Ana Sherwood #14, Allura Leggard #6, Kayla Yardley, Assistant Coach

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WEBSITE LINK:
https://www.photographybykurt.net/Sports/Field-Hockey/NYSPHSAA-Championship-Semi/

National Suicide Prevention Week September 7th-13th
This week marks the 41st Annual National Suicide Prevention Week

Suicide Prevention Is Everyone’s Business!
Here are a few ways to get started for the week:
FBprofile2015.1Post the 2015 Suicide Prevention Week graphic as your profile picture
Share this message on your Facebook Page and Follow us on Twitter @AASuicidology
Learn the Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Suicide
Make a donation
Host a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Event
Are you a clinician? Take a training!
Are you a school professional? Get Certified!
Contact AAS Central Office with your own creative ideas!
http://www.suicidology.org/about-aas/national-suicide-prevention-week

photo credit: www.veteransresources.org
photo credit: www.veteransresources.org

Know the Warning Signs of Suicide Information by:
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY
How do you remember the Warning Signs of Suicide?
Here’s an easy-to-remember mnemonic:
IS PATH WARM?

I   Ideation
S   Substance Abuse

P   Purposelessness
A   Anxiety
T   Trapped
H   Hopelessness

W   Withdrawal
A   Anger
R   Recklessness
M   Mood Changes


A person in acute risk for suicidal behavior most often will show:

Warning Signs of Acute Risk:
Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and or,
Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or,
Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

These might be remembered as expressed or communicated ideation. If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral.

Expanded Warning Signs:
Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use
No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all of the time
Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
Hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends, family and society
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Dramatic mood changes
If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral.

Student Athletes Heat and Wind Chill NYSPHSAA Policy
HEAT ALERT POLICY

I am posting this information for both students and parents because my objective always is to help student athletes prevent avoidable injuries and keep them safe. My daughter is an athlete that participates in 3 sports throughout the school year and is often faced with EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. PARENTS it is VERY IMPORTANT that athletes say hydrated in extreme hot weather, the coaches will constantly reinforce this message, but it is advisable that this message start at home.

The information below is listed on the NYSPHSAA website.

  1. Modified Heat Alert – When the heat index reaches 88 (equivalent to T.H.I. of 73), practice sessions or contests in all sports must include:
    a. Forced, frequent water breaks (every 10-15 minutes).
    b. Loose clothing, light colored shorts and tee shirts (mesh recommended) for practice sessions.
    c. Frequent rest breaks in shaded areas.
    d. For football and lacrosse, mandatory water breaks every 15 minutes during which all players must remove helmets. Those players not participating in contact activities during practice, games or scrimmages shall not wear helmets. Players looking to get the latest equipment for their next match may want to check out things like lacrosse sticks available online from sites like String King.

NOTE: During all contests, the rules are to be modified to permit additional time outs for rest and forced water breaks.

  1. Full Heat Alert – When the heat index reaches 95 (equivalent to T.H.I. of 78), no physical activity in any sport is permitted. Team meetings are permitted.HEAT POLICY

for more information on New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Heat and wind chill policies click on links below:
HEAT INDEX PROCEDURES
WIND CHILL PROCEDURESWIND CHILL

Remember it takes a village to raise a child….Parents lets work together to keep our kids injury free and safe.
In addition you can check Accuweather.com for your local temperature and “REAL FEEL” temperature.

Hamptons Teen: Hamptons Got Talent Auditions 2015

Friday, March 13th-Thursday, March 19 2015

The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau is holding open auditions for their Second Annual Hamptons Got Talent Competition on Friday, March 13th from 4pm – 7:30pm at the Flanders Community Center located at 655 Flanders Road, Flanders. A second audition will take place on Thursday, March 19th from 4pm – 7:30pm at Southampton Town Hall. Any student in grades 5-12, residing in the Township of Southampton is eligible to enter the audition to showcase any of the following talents: singing, dancing, instruments, comedy, magic, or poetry. Contestants must bring to the audition any music they plan to perform to without vocals. Finalists selected will perform in the Hamptons Got Talent Competition on Saturday, April 25th from 7pm-10pm, location TBA. For additional audition information and application, please call the Youth Bureau at (631) 702-2432.hamptons_got_talent_picture_web_calendars_0