During Wellness week, members of the Made In The Shade committee sponsored a sun safety awareness event where Stevenson students were invited to choose clothing and other items from a selection displayed that offered the best protection from damaging UV rays. In this playground activity, they were invited to don the most sun safe items and explain their thinking. The activity gave committee members the opportunity to interact directly with students to discuss their choices. In one case, a student chose flip flops from the accessories, but was quick to clarify that they would apply sunscreen liberally to their exposed skin! “The students made great choices. Overall I was really impressed with the advanced level of sun safety knowledge the students demonstrated,” commented Committee Chairperson Michelle Thornsberry.

Everyone appreciates a good multitasker. It’s that clerk at the store who can help one person into the dressing room, answer a second question all while finding the perfect size for someone else. It’s the fabulous cleaning stick that takes stains out from both the grout and the rug. And there’s a talented multitasker in sun safety that we can appreciate – hats!
Hats play an important part in sun protection and they multitask too.

A wide-brimmed hat is the best kind of hat for sun protection. It protects the scalp, the face, the back of the neck and at the same time provides valuable protection for sensitive eyes. One statistic estimates that hats block 50% of UV rays that would otherwise be damaging exposed skin.

While wide-brimmed hats may not be widely popular on the playground, they really are the best choice for maximum protection. Some believe though that any hat is better than no hat and promote the use of the much-loved baseball cap as an acceptable alternative. Schools once banned hats universally along with other problematic clothing that commonly carried symbols or messages inappropriate for school. But as the concern for sun safety increased, The California Education Code was modified to allow for hats to be used outdoors – with specific rules on use being determined at the school or district level.

So take a few moments to appreciate a great weapon in the battle for kids’ sun protection and embrace the great multi-tasking hat!

Melissa Boag – Made in the Shade Committee

Bang! Did you hear that? We just started the year out with a bang! Just prior to the start of this school year the Made in the Shade Committee received some very exciting news. RL Stevenson Elementary is one of 37 schools nationwide to receive an $8000 grant through the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) through its 2010 Shade Structure Program.

During the last school year, local dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Ashley agreed to sponsor our efforts and we applied for the grant, which required demonstrating an ongoing commitment to sun safety education, a need for playground shade and the funds and ability to complete the project. We were one of just 4 schools/organizations in California to earn the award.

In the coming months, we will work with Principal Ginnetti and Families For Stevenson to solidify building plans. We can’t wait to celebrate the realization of this goal that many have contributed to and worked toward. Special thanks to every parent, teacher, and extended family member who has done their part through signing up for escrip, purchasing gift cards and also – applying sunscreen liberally!

Also, each fall the escrip program requires that you ‘re-up’
your grocery cards into the program. So if you are registered already, please go to the website and with only about 2 clicks, you’ll be set for the year. You can also register your credit cards so that they earn contribution to our school. If you haven’t registered, there has never been a better time. Through Sept. 15, many items that you purchase at the store earn 10% back for Stevenson. For more information click here.

Melissa Boag Made in the Shade Committee Member

Check out this great video from our Made in the Shade team highlighting the importance of their great fundraising work.

You may have noticed those spectacular new shade structures that adorn the kindergarten yard. The older canopies that shaded the tables where the kindergarten classes eat were on their last ‘sunny day’ and through the quick work and streamlined cooperation of Made In The Shade Sun Safety Committee, the Stevenson PTA and also Families For Stevenson they were replaced with these striking and durable shade canopies that were installed at the end of February.

The three organizations agreed that the need for shade was great and immediate and each organization contributed funds in equal amounts to allow for the purchase. Stevenson parent (and member of all 3 groups) Kari Conahan researched the options and then, with the approval of all, drove out to Riverside and brought back four E-Z UP® structures and UP they went!

In a classic case of great timing, Kari, with the help of Monika and Jeremy Gosch, was able to assemble the shade structures just before the final site review of Stevenson for the 2010 Distinguished School Award, not to mention just prior to the rising temperatures of spring and early summer here in the valley.

This great accomplishment reinforces the commitment to sun safety by the parents and booster organizations of Stevenson. As we work to raise the funds needed to install permanent shade structures on the playground, please continue to show your support by participating in eScrip and by purchasing cards from the gift card program. Revenue from those two programs is specifically earmarked for more shade in 2010!

Melissa Boag – Made in the Shade Committee Member