Experts Provide Vital Information to Parents About Vaping
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- Written by Wendy MacMillan
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Information about vaping related illnesses and vaping related deaths has been all over the news in recent months. Much of this information is scary and sometimes overwhelming to try to decipher. As parents we are often left wondering what we can do to help our children make the right choices in the face of such information.
Fortunately, on Tuesday November 12 the Scarsdale PTC, SHS PTA and SMS PTA presented an informative program titled Teen Vaping: Perceptions, Realities and Prevention aimed at informing and empowering parents in Scarsdale. The program headliners included two experts; Dr. Richard Stumacher Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at Northern Westchester Hospital and Dr. Paul Donahue, a clinical psychologist and director of Child Development Associates in Scarsdale. The presentations by these two doctors were followed by a moderated Q and A session with a panel which included representatives from SHS, Assistant Principal Chris Griffin, from SMS health teacher Michelle Gould, and SFCS counselor and board member of the Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Emily Vallario.
Dr. Stumacher began with a presentation focused on the basic facts of vaping in addition to how vaping nicotine can affect our bodies. Below are some of the facts highlighted by Dr. Stumacher:
-An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette/Juul) is a device that heats a nicotine solution to create an aerosol for inhalation. Unlike a cigarette that uses combustion to burn the tobacco and turn it into smoke, e-cigarettes heat up liquid/wax/leaf and turn it into vapor.
-Misinformation helped make vaping mainstream and as popular as it is today. A British study was published stating that e-cigarettes are around 95% safer than smoked tobacco and they can help smokers quit. While e-cigarettes may be “safer” than traditional cigarettes, Dr. Stumacher argues that “safe” is a relative word and that e-cigs can still be harmful. And while e-cigarettes can help some people who are already addicted, to quit smoking, “among youth- who use e-cigarettes at higher rates than adults do- there is evidence that e-cigarettes increase the risk of transitioning to smoking conventional cigarettes.”
-The long-term effects of vaping are not yet clear.
-While e-cigarettes may contain fewer numbers and lower levels of toxic substances than traditional cigarettes, there are 42 chemicals identified in electronic cigarettes including Formaldehyde, Lead, and Phenol.
-The flavorants in e-cigs such as Diacetyl are deemed “Safe for Food Consumption” but do we know if they are safe for inhaling into our lungs?
-E-cigarettes also contain nicotine. Juul products contain double the amount of nicotine than other e-cigarettes. Juul is getting kids addicted so they will have life-long consumers of their products.
-Nicotine is highly addictive, even more addictive than heroin or cocaine. 80% of young people who try 2 cigarettes or more go on to battle a life-time addiction.
-Nicotine is so addictive because it reaches the brain in only a few seconds and starts a series of reactions that cause the release of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that gives the feeling of calm and pleasure. If you haven’t smoked for a while your dopamine levels start to lessen and can cause you to start to feel agitated and grumpy, which in turn causes your brain to crave more dopamine.
-Nicotine has adverse effects on a developing brain. Nicotine can disrupt the growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction. Nicotine use while the brain is developing can also lead to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment and attention deficit.
-Youth vaping has soared over the last two years. Nearly 1 in 3 12th graders reported using an e-cigarette.
-Research is linking vaping related illnesses to one bad batch involving THC, but there are still too many unknowns. Dr. Stumacher recommends to stop vaping THC immediately.
- Dr. Stumacher just treated his 10th patient with a vaping related illness at his small Northern Westchester Hospital on Mt. Kisco. Patients ages ranged from 16-28. This is happening in our area.
-As of November 5, 2019, there have been 39 vaping related deaths in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Among the 1,378 patients being treated for vaping related illness, 70% are male.
During the next segment of the program we heard from Dr. Paul Donahue who focused on the reasons teens might be attracted to vaping and what parents can do to prevent teens from vaping. In his lecture, Dr, Donahue explained that there are three main reasons teens find vaping appealing; to fit in socially, relieve stress, and for the thrill of keeping secrets/risk taking.
Socially kids want to fit in and are anxious to belong to a group. If seen as “cool” vaping can seem like an easy way to feel included.
With the chemical release of dopamine, vaping provides a momentary relief from stress, a momentary escape.
As Dr. Donahue explains, the teenage brain is built to be impulsive and to take risks and since there is a perception that vaping is less damaging than traditional smoking, it can seem like a safer risk to take.
There is also a thrill in using vaping products right under the noses of parents and adults. Since there is little odor or other overt signs, teens can vape in their rooms, in the basement, and in the bathrooms at school. They can hide their small vaping devices in their socks, in their pockets, in shirt sleeves and more.
Dr. Donahue then went on to describe several ways in which parents can talk to their kids about vaping.
-Dr. Donahue suggests having open discussions and communication about vaping and how dangerous it can be. No age is too young to talk about making healthy choices and to admonish vaping as unhealthy, but discussions should be tailored to your child’s age and readiness to learn about the subject. Older kids should learn about all the harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes and how nicotine affects your brain and body. Try to avoid lecturing and instead keep the discussion short and sweet, maybe only a couple of minutes long.
-Respect your children and listen to them. Hear what questions they might have and what they might say about vaping without judgement.
-Set and communicate clear limits and expectations about vaping. Especially with young teens it is important to communicate that vaping is not safe and will not be tolerated. Let them know that you will be making “checks.” With older teens, try not to double down on them but rather trust that they will make good choices. If you find your child is vaping, try to approach them with empathy and compassion. Support your child as a family and seek counseling/treatment as a family.
-Find other ways to socialize. Joining team sports or clubs such as drama or debate helps kids socialize in healthy ways and keeps them active and busy.
-Help kids manage stress. Let kids play and have fun. Laugh together as a family and find ways to spend quality time together.
-Isolation is a strong cause of depression which can lead to vaping. Ask kids to spend less time in their rooms and more time in shared spaces. Take an interest in what they are interested in (even if you find it uninteresting!). Ask them about their interests over meals together.
The informative evening was concluded with a Q and A. A few of the questions really stood out:
First, one parent asked, “What are our schools doing about vaping?”
SHS Assistant Principal Chris Griffen responded first and went on to explain that they take a multi-pronged approach including punitive actions for violating the school’s code of conduct. However these actions are usually limited, after negotiations with parents, to one day of suspension and counseling with one of the counselors at school. Mr. Griffen stressed that the objective is to help the student quit vaping and to support them through that process. In conjunction with the idea of supporting the student, Mr. Griffen described a vaping cessation program that is being piloted at the highschool. Mr. Griffen also espoused the preventative actions they take at the high school including educational programming delivered in health classes and in gym.
Ms. Gould a health teacher at SMS also stressed the preventative measures taken at the middle school which include a series of speakers (including Dr. Stumacher), education in health classes, and work on and role playing with “refusal skills”.
Another asked, “What behavioral signals can parents and educators look for?”
Emily Vallario, counselor at SFCS encouraged parents to trust your gut, if you think something is wrong it is likely that it is. She also encourages parents to watch for changes in behavior, noticing if your kids become more secretive or more concerned with discovery. Furthermore, parents should take heed of their kids excusing themselves to go to the bathroom or private spaces more often. Lastly, Ms. Vallario explained that teens get crafty with how they purchase vaping products and will often use gift cards to buy items online and have them delivered directly to the house. Ms. Vallario recommends that parents check any packages addressed to your children and to not be afraid of unexpectedly “checking in on your child” when they are in their rooms.
For more information from Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Services and The Drug and Alcohol Task Force (DATF) please click here.
The vaping infographic below was supplied by White Plains Hospital:
Greenacres Community Members Visit Elementary School
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Renovated classroom at Greenacres.Members of the Greenacres community were invited to tour the elementary school and receive an update on the ongoing construction on 10/30. Representatives from Park East, the construction managers, said that though it looks like the workers are just “playing in the dirt,” 60% of the footings and foundation are in and steel supports will soon be going up for the addition to the school.
Principal Sharon Hill reported that the construction has not been disruptive to the kids inside the school, and credited Park East with being very communicative about any potential issues. She said, “Inside the school we are pretty much unaware of the construction.” She reported that arrival and dismissal at the two school entrances on Sage Terrace and Putnam Road has been smooth.
The district is performing daily air and noise monitoring and the results of these tests are posted on the district website. The daily reports can be found here: They are also changing the filters on the air conditioners as needed.
Asked whether more of the field will be used for staging, residents were told, “there will be an increase in the size of the staging area next summer when some of the basketball court will be used for furniture storage until the old furnishings can be put out to bid.”
Asked whether there were any surprises during construction, the construction managers revealed that they had to reroute the sanitary sewer line and that ground water was found underneath the old parking lot next to the art room. According to Matty, "The water table was a little bit higher than anticipated underneath the parking lot. This was quickly resolved with pumps and then retention basins which were installed in that location." Moisture in the basement had been reported prior to the renovation. These two changes will not increase the budget as a 5% contingency fund was built into the $34 million budget.
Walltalkers are featured in each classroom instead of blackboards or bulletin boards.
This past summer some of the existing classrooms were renovated. The rooms received new flooring, paint and ceilings and the casework was removed. These renovated rooms now have large white boards, called wall talkers, on the walls and dimmable lights. Window air conditioning units have been installed in all rooms.
The visitors were taken to tour one of these renovated classrooms.
Next summer all remaining spaces and the hallways will be renovated and twelve skylights will be installed in the gym where the large windows have been covered up due to the addition. The new air ventilation equipment will also be installed in the classrooms next summer.
The windows of the gym have been covered up due to the addition.
Rice, Soy, Oat, Almond, Coconut, Hemp, Kefir and Good Ol’ Cow’s Milk: Which Milk is Best?
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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It’s a conundrum – on the one hand children need to drink milk – but on the other, what kind of milk should they be drinking? The questioning begins at birth. Pediatricians warn new mothers to be sure babies get enough milk after they’re weaned from breast milk or formula. Yet too much milk could interfere with the absorption of other minerals. If the baby is cranky, is lactose the problem? If you substitute soy milk will the estrogens in the milk harm baby girls? How about coconut milk? Everyone seems to be drinking that but what about the saturated fat? And almond milk is also popular with kids but does it contain Vitamin D? What about oat milk or even hemp milk? And should we heed the advice of the FDA commissioner who said these “milks” shouldn’t even be called milk because the nutritional makeup is different and “an almond doesn’t lactate.”
The sale of non-dairy milk increased 61% between 2012 and 2017 while dairy milk sales have been steadily decreasing. The information overload can be overwhelming, so here is what our research showed on the data about dairy alternatives. Is there any reason to even look beyond milk from cows for ourselves and our children?
Soy milk was one of the first non-dairy milk alternatives to become commercially available. Soy milk is shelf-stable until it’s opened and contains about the same amount of complex proteins as milk but with less carbohydrates and saturated fats as compared to whole milk. Soy milk has fiber and has a better overall nutritional make up than almond, rice or coconut milk. It is higher in fat than low-fat milk options and also lower in calcium as compared to dairy milk. Soy milk contains phytoestrogens which research shows may be a hormone disrupter. For a person who can’t consume dairy for health reasons, from a nutritional standpoint Soy milk has the most similar make up to cow’s milk
Almond milk comes in sweetened and unsweetened flavors, like vanilla. Almond milk is very low in calories, has 0 grams of carbohydrates and sugars and provides even more calcium per serving than cow’s milk. Almond milk has no cholesterol or lactose, so this is a good milk alternative for people who are lactose intolerant. It is low in sodium and has magnesium, selenium and vitamin E, all which benefit the body. On the other hand, almond milk is very low in protein compared to soy milk or cow’s milk. It is readily available at most markets and coffee shops, usually for an upcharge.
Oat milk originated in Sweden and is quickly gaining in popularity at coffee shops across the U.S. It can be made at home easily with oats and water but will not be fortified with vitamins A, D, B12 and calcium like manufactured oat milk. Oat milk comes flavored or unflavored. It is high in fiber and beta-glucans which can help boost the immune system but is low in protein and minerals. Oat milk is a good option for people with dairy, nut or soy allergies but is relatively very expensive.
Coconut milk is not actually sold as the milk inside of the coconut. The meat of a coconut is shredded and simmered in water. The fat-rich cream layer is then combined with coconut water to make creamy tasting coconut milk. Although coconut milk is low in calories, it is high in saturated fat and has no protein. Taste-wise, coconut milk easily replaces cow’s milk in recipes.
Rice milk is the most hypoallergenic of the milk options but is also the sweetest and therefore higher in carbohydrates and calories. It is low in fat and contains high levels of magnesium but doesn’t contain as much calcium or protein as dairy. Rice milk is readily available at most markets and coffee shops as a dairy alternative at a higher cost.
Hemp milk is a creamier tasting milk alternative. Made from hemp seeds, hemp milk is filled with omega-3 fatty acids which benefits people who have cholesterol or high blood pressure concerns. Hemp milk has a higher fat content than other milk alternatives. Hemp anything is a very trendy nutritional additive right now.
Cow's milk is high in protein and complete proteins which means it has all the essential amino acids the body needs to synthesize protein. It is loaded with calcium (so is good for the bones) as well as vitamin B12 and is fortified with Vitamin D. Dairy has been shown to help prevent tooth decay, particularly in children. Whole milk has saturated fat, but lower fat milks are readily available. Milk is relatively inexpensive and even organic milk tends to be priced lower than milk alternatives. The American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends cow’s milk for growing children.
There is a lot of misinformation about milk online and as the non-dairy milk industry grows, so does the marketing against the dairy industry. So, is drinking and eating dairy contributing to better health or is it putting our health at risk? Vasanti Malik, a nutrition research scientist with the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health says, “Dairy isn’t necessary in the diet for optimal health, but for many people, it is the easiest way to get the calcium, vitamin D, and protein they need to keep their heart, muscles, and bones healthy and functioning properly.”
There is a lot of information out there on the health risks of dairy from websites or groups that do not base their findings on published, peer-reviewed research. Research shows that unless a person has a sensitivity to cow’s milk, the proven health benefits outweigh the risks that have yet to be proven.
Getting a Good Night's Sleep - Without Medication
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- Written by Wendy MacMillan
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While most of us are aware of the importance of the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night, there are many reasons we Scarsdalians have struggled, at one time or another, to meet that quota. Maybe your daily worries have you tossing and turning all night, or perhaps you are so tightly wound from all of life’s stresses that you find it hard to relax and fall asleep, or possibly you just find it difficult to unplug and go to bed at an hour that will provide you with adequate rest. Whatever has prevented you from getting a good night's sleep, Dr. Shelby PsyD, CBSM just might be able to help. Dr. Shelby is a licensed psychologist with a practice in White Plains as well as a Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinical Associate Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. What's more, Dr. Shelby recently published a book titled, “The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep without Relying on Medication” (July 2019, Norton Books).
Last week, C.H.I.L.D. (a committee of the Scarsdale PT Council), treated Scarsdale parents to a program featuring Dr. Shelby as the keynote speaker. For those not able to attend the informative event, I had the pleasure of following up with Dr. Shelby whom graciously shared some important highlights about sleep.
W.M: What are a few key reasons why a healthy sleep routine is so important?
Dr. Shelby: Keeping a healthy sleep routine helps to signal to your body and brain that sleep is coming. Sleep isn’t an on/off switch, and we need to wind down gradually to put an end to the day without use of electronics and stress. Following the same routine nightly helps your body know when sleep is about to come and helps keep your body’s circadian time clock in check.
WM: How does lack of sleep impact the body? Mind?
Dr. Shelby: Lack of sleep has been associated with so many things… some include: poorer attention, concentration, memory, slowed reaction time and motor functioning, increased depression, reduced quality of life, more school and work absences, higher engagement in risky behaviors (drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco) in teens, weight gain, heart disease, stroke, diabetes.
WM: Do you think later school start times make sense for adolescents?
Dr. Shelby: I’m a huge fan of later start times for adolescents. Research suggests that a minimum start time of 8:30am shows benefit for adolescents, and ideally even a tad later would be great though I know it isn’t usually feasible. We are asking so much of our teens in the early morning hours when their natural biological rhythms want them to still be asleep. We’re frequently testing children who are half asleep!
WM: How do sleep patterns change as we age?
Dr. Shelby: As we get older our sleep becomes more broken and more shallow overall, but it is a misnomer that we get significantly less sleep as we age. Instead, we get around the same amount of sleep - it is just lighter and broken, but also supplemented with naps during the day in older adults to account for somewhat less sleep at night for some.
WM: How does Day Light Savings Time affect sleep?
Dr. Shelby: I think the change in the spring is more of an adjustment for adults given the sleep loss that happens (there’s documented negative health outcomes in the first few days after the spring ahead!). In the fall, adults usually love the extra sleep, but the ones who dread it the most are adults with little children at home. It is best to try and adjust kids to the change gradually and know that it takes time to adjust. Our body clocks aren’t meant to abruptly change like this and I’m really not a fan of changing the clocks from a biological sleep-doc perspective.
WM: Can you recommend a few techniques to establish a healthy sleep routine?
Dr. Shelby: First and foremost - get the electronics out of the bedroom. Parents need to establish this as a family rule and set an example for their children. Put a family charging station for all electronics in an area of the house such as the kitchen. Make sure to find at least 30 minutes, ideally 60 minutes to wind down before bed. We need to wind down, slow our bodies and brains down without electronics. We are overscheduling ourselves and our children to the point of missing out on precious sleep time and wind down time - in the hopes that we can fake biology. The reality is that children need sleep to grow, learn, and develop cognitively and emotionally. Without sufficient sleep, we’re doing them a disservice. Keep a consistent bed and wake time as often as possible, 7 days a week - with sufficient sleep every night whenever possible.
WM: When should someone seek more help?
Dr. Shelby: If following basic sleep hygiene hasn’t helped, or you find you (or your child) is snoring or excessively sleepy and/or struggling to awaken during the day, consider getting help from a sleep doctor. A sleep study isn’t always indicated, and if you are asked to get a sleep study, it doesn’t always mean that you’ll have to sleep in the sleep lab - there’s many in-home sleep tests that are really easy to take that you bring home and return the next day.
Dr. Shelby is a wealth of knowledge and as someone who has spent too many sleepless nights counting sheep, I wish we could dive even deeper into this topic. For more information on sleep, or if you or someone you know could use Dr Shelby's help, please check out her website here.
New Program Will Help Elementary School Children Develop Social Skills
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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When you think about Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service what comes to mind? Parent support groups? Youth outreach at the Middle School? Peer leadership groups at the high school? Now SFCS is offering a program targeted to the younger members of the family – to help elementary school students develop their social skills.
The new program is called S-O-C-I-A-L and will use an evidence-based curriculum called Second Step to help younger children navigate successful relationships. Using a variety of games, videos and interactive lessons children will learn to:
-Make friends
-Regulate difficult emotions
-Be empathetic
-Resolve conflict
Why is this program needed? According to SFCS Executive Director James Genova, “Young children don’t have the language capabilities to put into words what they’re feeling -- and because of their development their ability to self-regulate emotions is limited. When you see children acting out – some might call it misbehaving. We don’t see it this way. We interpret it as a child expressing his or her distress. Behavior becomes a language. They are trying to communicate with adults is that something is not working.”
Who would benefit from the program? Genova says, “All children --will experience normal social conflict and most will resolve it on their own. But if kids are consistently having social conflicts and as a result are more isolated or not able to make friends, that might be an indicator that the child is struggling with their social skills.”
We asked Genova for an example of a group activity that might be utilized. He said, “The lessons are diverse. Kids will learn through games and videos that make learning fun. We might show a video of a vignette of a situation -- perhaps a conflict in the lunchroom -- followed by a discussion of the incident. Kids will be asked, “What might that person be feeling? Do they look sad? What cues are there?” In this way they will learn how to recognize the cues and associated words that go with emotional expression and help children understand how their behaviors might impact someone else.”
The groups will be organized by grade with groups for K-1, 2-3 and 4-5. While the same lessons will be taught in each of these groups, the deliver
y may be different depending on the age of the children.
Genova explained that the philosophy of the agency is rooted in family systems. He said, “We are always dealing with how the individual affects the family and the family affects the individual. This defines what we do. It doesn’t mean that every family member comes to every session. But all of our programs have a family component.”
As a result, this program will include three parent workshops to help the parents of the kids enrolled to understand what they are working on in the groups so they can reinforce it at home. These workshops will give parents a place to express challenges and frustrations and will also help parents to develop a nice network with each other. Genova noted that sometimes parents of children with difficulties feel isolated. These groups will give them an opportunity to interact with other parents.
The groups will be facilitated by Susan Panarella who is a licensed master of social work and has 14 years of experience working with elementary-aged children in both schools and outpatient settings. She is also a mindfulness educator.
The weekly sessions will be held in the SFCS offices in the Harwood Building from 4:30 – 5:30 from October 15 to December 10. Interested? Call Executive Director James Genova to enroll at 914-723-3281.
