Transition to PHS

Want to know more about PHS?  

Hear from some PHS Juniors to get answers to your questions, 

and get excited about what is ahead of you in the next chapter of learning!

by Marissa L., Shelby C., and Eden L. with PHS Students (posted by Mrs. Plach)

Gotcha Day

Marima N. talked to the social studies class on her past and her home country in honor of her “Gotcha Day”. 

"May 5th is the day my family celebrates when I arrived in America and joined the Nangle family. I was born in Harper, Africa. There was a twelve-year civil war around the place I was born. It was a Civil War between Native Africans (like myself) and those who were brought to Africa from slavery in other countries. This Civil War set many places in the west part of Africa back 100 years in the time of only twelve years! When I was two years old, the war finally ended. When I was five, I was flown out of my home in a United Nation helicopter all the way to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Monrovia looked horrible when I was staying there because it was a big target for the war during that time. I just really love being able to share a little about my past and country." (posted by Mrs. Giese)

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month

What do soccer players Tim Howard and David Beckham, musical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and actor Dan Aykroyd have in common?  All were diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome.

May 15 - June 15 is Tourettes Awareness Month. According to WebMD, Tourettes is "a brain condition that starts in childhood. Children with Tourettes make sounds or movements, such as coughing or twitching, that they can't control. These are called tics. Tics usually start at about age 2, may be at their worst by age 12, and tend to decrease during teenage years. They can continue into adulthood but occur less often and are less severe."

What Tourette Syndrome (TS) is and is not can be as confusing for both those who live with it as those who do not.  Here are a few myths surrounding TS:

1. Swearing: It is a common myth that those with TS swear often and uncontrollably.  In reality, only a small percentage of those with Tourette’s Syndrome have obscenity specific outbursts. In fact, there is a special name for it: coprolalia.
2. They are mentally challenged: Tourette Syndrome is not like Down’s Syndrome or cerebral palsy.  It is a neurological disorder that is characterized by involuntary movement and speech tics.
3. It is extremely rare: It is estimated that every 1 in 100 children suffers from Tourette Syndrome, a higher number than those with autism.  Most of them go undiagnosed and misunderstood.
4. TS is debilitating: Most people with Tourette Syndrome can go on to lead rich, fulfilling lives and take part in just about any activity as anyone else, especially if they are cared for properly.
5. Those with TS can’t do jobs with fine motor functions" Another false truth, famous Canadian surgeon Dr. Matt Doran was able to do complex procedures even though he had Tourette Syndrome.

More information regarding Tourette Syndrome can be accessed by visiting http://tourette.org/Medical/whatists_cov.html
*Sources: http://www.njcts.org/tsparents/top-10-tourette-syndrome-myths, http://www.webmd.com/brain/tourettes-syndrome

(posted by Mr. Pizzo)