Q.

My 10-year-old
son has to go back
to school soon. Hes
already talking about
how much he hates
it. Last year, he com-
plained of being sick
all of the time, and
missed several days.
He was barely promot-
ed to the next grade.
What can I do to make
this school year bet-
ter?
A. According to the
website kidshealth.org,
it is not uncommon
for many boys to dis-
like school. In a recent
survey, 30 percent of
boys reported that they
disliked school a lot.
Conversely, only 14 per-
cent of girls fell into the
disliked school a lot
category.
Hopefully, admin-
istrators are study-
ing these statistics and
attempting to create a
better school environ-
ment for boys.
Since your son report-
ed being sick several
times last year, have him
examined thoroughly by
his pediatrician. Accord-
ing to Vincent Iannelli,
M.D., vague complaints
such as stomachaches,
headaches, chest pain,
nausea and joint pain
are typical symptoms of
children who are avoid-
ing school. If a child
suddenly gets better as
the day progresses, and
seems eager to play by
afternoon, the problems
are likely school related.
If your son is physi-
cally healthy, he is
probably having diffi-
culty with the academic
or social pressures of
school. Be certain that
you meet with his teach-
er and school counsel-
or to find out if he is
being bullied, has dif-
ficulty making friends
or suffers from exces-
sive anxiety. If there
is a bullying problem,
report it to the proper
authorities immediately.
If he has difficulty mak-
ing friends, try to per-
suade him to join a club
or after-school activity.
If he displays signs of
anxiety such as a rap-
id heartbeat, excessive
sweating or an exagger-
ated startle response,
arrange for him to meet
with a mental health
professional.
Without getting help,
children are unlikely
to resolve difficulties.
Boys are least likely to
seek help on their own
because they report that
they dont want to talk
to a stranger (such as
a counselor or psycho-
therapist); they think
no one can help; or
they dont want others
to know that they have
problems.
Be certain that your
son understands the
importance of an educa-
tion. Do not allow him
to take a day off unless
he is truly ill. The more
school he misses, the
more difficult it is for
him to return.
If he has trouble aca-
demically, arrange a
tutor for him. If money is
an issue, you can often
find free tutors through
after-school or church
programs. The more
his grades improve, the
more likely he is to enjoy
school.
For more information
on ways you can help
your son, check on the
Pediatrics section on
the website, About.com.
It will also provide you
with other resources
that you may find help-
ful.
Nancy Ryburn holds a
doctorate degree in psychol-
ogy from Yeshiva University
in New York City. She cur-
rently teaches psychology at
Southeast Arkansas College
in Pine Bluff, Ark. If you have
questions, e-mail them to
drnryburn@gmail.com. They
will not be answered person-
ally but could appear in a
future column. There will be
no identifying information and
all emails remain confidential.
No contract
|
No bundle
|
No data plans
*

|
No overage fees
|
Reliable
|
24/7 support
Cable ONE High-Speed Internet gives you the speed you need for the
best streaming, instant downloads and 50% faster upload speeds.
1-855-CABLE-ONE
cableone.net
*No data plans with overage fees. Offer expires on September 30, 2014. Restrictions apply. Call Cable ONE for details.
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
Monday,September 8,*6:30-8:30 p.m.
Bartlesville Community Center
NW Corner of Cherokee & Adams Blvd.
Featuring Internationally Renowned Presenter
Dr. David Jobes
Refreshments & Door Prizes!
Everyone is Invited!
Call Today
to
Help Save
Lives!
918-338-9737
P.O. Box 2055, Bartlesville, OK 74005
www.washingtoncountysuicideprevention.com
He us explore why
suicide in Washing-
ton County is nearly
double the national
rate and one of the
leading killers of our
youth. Join together
with city leaders, frst
responders, parents,
school administrators, and young people as we
engage in a dynamic public forum. Learn what
you, the average citizen, can do to help prevent
this tragedy. Seating may be limited, so email
suicidepreventionsummit@gmail.com
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
LI VI NG
Examiner-Enterprise C3
and one lady writes every single day.
The popular site, which has attracted views
from Chicago, New York City and even outside
the U.S., was created late last year by Brady.
I thought it was kind of weird, but finally
last December I started a page for him. My idea
was that when he hits 10,000 fans, I would
start trying to get people to donate things to
the shelter, said Brady. I was trying to find a
way to reach outside the community and bring
donations in.
Her target number has just climbed over
12,000, and she said her expectations have
been surpassed by the amount of donations
that have streamed into the Washington Coun-
ty SPCA on a daily basis.
Many of the gifts fill the charity organiza-
tions Amazon Wish List and include much-
needed items such as various cat toys, liter
boxes, a goodly amount of kitten food and latex
gloves.
Just recently, Brady recorded a video of
shelter kittens frolicking on a busy box and
immediately posted it on the celebrity felines
Facebook page.
The FedEx guy was here soon after that. I
got a message from one of Opies followers that
he had bought a bunch of things, and I figured
that would be it. His donation was sizable, but
then we started getting other things, too, she
said. The stuff filled the back seat of my car.
Brady said shes amazed by the generous
amount of donations and hopes the contribu-
tions will continue. She also plans to add more
videos to Opies YouTube channel.
I didnt think it would take off like this.
Little kids do fundraisers and stuff for us all
the time, but this is the first time an animal has
done a fundraiser for us. I have a photographer
coming to take pictures of him and the loot that
he got, she said, hoping that the photos will
soon result in additional donations.
To see the latest postings on the local SPCAs
most famous cat, go to the Opie The Master
of Disaster Facebook page.
OPIE:
CONTINUED FROM C1
Back-to-school Wee-Cycle sale
slated Friday, Saturday in Dewey
Back-to-school events are
often a fun part of the new
school year and Wee-Cycle
Bartlesville is joining in the
excitement around the com-
munity. Wee-Cycles Fall Back
to School consignment event
takes place on Friday and Sat-
urday at the Washington Coun-
ty Fairgrounds.
Local families can find just
about everything one might
need for kiddos and the upcom-
ing season. Wee-Cycle offers
childrens clothing (infant to
juniors size 16), accessories,
baby and toddler bedding,
maternity wear, car seats,
dance and sports equipment,
home decor and furniture. This
weekends sale has an emphasis
on fall/winter seasonal items
including long sleeves, jackets
and coats as well as Halloween
costumes and Christmas out-
fits.
According to coordinator Sara
Freeman, the crew at Wee-Cycle
is looking forward to being part
of the back-to-school fun this
time of year.
The back-to-school season
is always an exciting time of
year for kids and their families,
and we wanted to join the party
by hosting our community con-
signment event in August, said
Freeman.
Now that kids are back in
school, parents can see how
many clothes they really go
through in a week, and what
they still may need for the
school year. It is a perfect time
to supplement those closets
with some gently used items
for fall.
Event organizers Freeman
and Heather Lutke assure
shoppers that Wee-Cycles con-
signment sale offers only the
best gently used items to the
community. In addition to the
wide variety of consignment
items, Wee-Cycle will host 22
local vendors at the fall sale
this weekend featuring family-
friendly items plus food and live
entertainment for shoppers. The
first 250 shoppers will receive
goody bags featuring coupons
and fliers from local organiza-
tions and businesses.
Main sale hours are from 8
a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. Saturday and discount
shopping from 4-8 p.m. Sat-
urday evening. Shoppers are
encouraged to shop early for best
selection. Information on Wee-
cycle Bartlesville at the Wash-
ington County Fairgrounds can
be found by logging onto www.
wee-cyclebartlesville.com or on
the Wee-Cycle Facebook page.
Event organizers Freeman and Heather Lutke assure shoppers that Wee-
Cycles consignment sale this weekend will offer only the best gently used
items to the community.
Son who hates school may be having difficulty
Nancy Ryburn
STEPHENS MEDIA COLUMNIST
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
New food service,
meal options at
Copan schools
COPAN A new food service provider will be
bringing smiles to the faces of those eating in the
cafeteria by offering up fresh and healthy meal
options at Copan Public Schools for the 2014-
15 school year, thanks to the newly announced
partnership between the school district and Key-
stone Foodservice.
Keystone Foodservice focuses on providing
freshly prepared breakfast and lunch options
for the students it serves. The company, which
will serve approximately 18,000 students daily
during the 2014-2015 school year, was recently
selected as the cafeteria vendor for Copan Public
Schools.
We believe our students, faculty and staff are
going to be really excited about what Keystone
is bringing to our schools in terms of provid-
ing nutritious meals that everyone will want,
Rick Ruckman, superintendent of Copan Public
Schools, said. Keystone prepares fresh meals
based on the tastes of the students. Food items
such as burgers and chicken are seasoned by
hand and cooked on a grill. We expect our stu-
dents are going to really look forward to eating
the meals provided by Keystone Foodservice.
Keystone began serving breakfast and lunch
to the students at Copan Public Schools when
classes started on Aug. 6. Lunch includes a full
salad bar, stocked daily with fresh fruits and
vegetables. Free and reduced prices are avail-
able for students who qualify.
Our goal is to provide healthy meals that
kids will actually eat, said Brett Feeback, presi-
dent of child nutrition for Keystone Foodservice.
We do that by listening to the kids and by con-
tinually introducing new foods. When it comes
to a healthy diet, kids and adults have this in
common: variety is key.