Thanks to Ms. Jolie for her NY Times Op-Ed about her Genetic Screening.   Celebrity has value beyond what is shown on the screen for entertainment value.  Carolyn Taylor, Global Focus on Cancer:  http://www.globalfocusoncancer.org/  has been doing for years exactly what Ms. Jolie succeeded so effectively in doing in one op-ed article:  educate the broader community about the importance of knowing family medical history, and being proactive about individual health and well-being.

 As we focus on Women’s Health Month 2013, OneWorld Progressive Institute: http://www.oneworldpi.org/health/health_videos.html encourages women to strive to be proactive about our health and well-being.  Knowledge is only POWERFUL if it is applied effectively; therefore, attention and application are equally important.

  An important point to be noted is that Ms. Jolie is fully aware of her genetic history and has consulted with experts to assist her in arriving at the decision that was best for her. This is where the power of knowledge, effectively applied, comes in.  We derive no benefits from hiding, from not wanting to know; not knowing does not change the realities with which we are confronted.  Information, knowledge, is only powerful if it is applied. 

At OneWorld Progressive Institute we strive to bring the community good, reliable information; it is up to the recipients to use it effectively. As we focus on Women’s Health Month, let us all try to be proactive about our health and well-being. 

Our community education programs air on public access channels in southern CT: We are on AT&T Uverse statewide on the channel 99 (dropdown menu), listed alphabetically by towns.  You can find OneWorld presents: “21st Century Conversations”, The Education Agenda, and Civic Engagement programs on Charter Communications Chan. 21 – Mondays at 7pm and Fridays at 4pm.  We are also on Cox  Channel 15 and on Comcast Channels 10, 15, 18, 26 and 34 at various times.  Viewers may also call their PEG carrier to request OneWorld education programs.  All of our programs are also available on high quality DVDs from OneWorld, Inc.  Viewers may also place orders through our web site store at: http://oneworldpi.org/store/  To find clips from our most recent programs visit us on YouTube at:  http://www.youtube.com/oneworldpi

In this OneWorld Progressive Institute’s education program: http://youtu.be/rOUNA9OhCoA you will meet Carolyn Taylor; she was diagnosed with Ovarian and Endometrial/ Uterine Cancers at age 43.   Because she was vigilant, she was diagnosed at stage one for both cancers. Carolyn is a 3^rd generation cancer survivor. It is important to know one’s family medical history and be vigilant in one’s own care.  That is what has been demonstrated by Carolyn Taylor and Angelina Jolie. Carolyn’s mother and grandmother both had cancer at very young ages.  Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 24! She had radical surgery; she has survived 60 years and is alive today in 2013 at the age of 84! She is a staunch advocate for education.  She has also donated reconstructed bras to women in Africa who have had radical breast surgery.

 According to the NY Times article linked below, “Dr. Isabelle Bedrosian, a surgical oncologist at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, has been a vocal critic of the trend toward double mastectomy among women who are not at high genetic risk. However, she hopes the decision by Ms. Jolie will focus women on the value of genetic counseling and making informed decisions.

“I think there is an important upside to the story, and that is that women will hopefully be more curious about their family history,” Dr. Bedrosian said. “We need to be careful that one message does not apply to all. Angelina’s situation is very unique. People should not be quick to say ‘I should do like she did,’ because you may not be like her.”

We encourage women to take the time to learn about their individual situations and their family medical history.  Although Carolyn Taylor does not have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, she was told she has the equivalent.  What does that mean, and how does that account for the fact that her grandmother, mother and now Carolyn have all had the same types of cancers? This is why it is so important to learn all that we can so that if and when we are confronted with these types of decisions, we are empowered with good information.  There are many other genes that might account for cancer running in families.  Learn all that you can.  Be truly informed and EMPOWERED!  Above all, take care of yourself; exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/health/angelina-jolies-disclosure-highlights-a-breast-cancer-dilemma.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Angelina Jolie’s Case of BRCA1

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?hp Jolie’s article

The media is abuzz now with information about three women who have been reportedly held captives in a house in Cleveland, Ohio for several years since 2003.  How could this have happened in America in this the 21^st Century?  How could these women have been held captives in this house and no one noticed anything?  The police reportedly visited the house twice, but one has to ask – how carefully did they pay attention?  The accuser had been reported to the police numerous times for abusing his wife; she got two broken noses; yet, he was out walking around and kidnapping other women!  In CT a poor African American woman was jailed for sending her son to school in the “wrong” school district.  She was locked up for stealing an education for her child.  Yet, a man who had been reported several times as having physically abused his wife and kidnapped his daughter was walking around freely.

 According to documented reports, 1.3 million women are victims of Domestic Violence (DV) in America every year. It is safe to assume that more than double that number of DV cases go unreported annually. One would think that in these “enlightened days” women would get the protection they need and that they would not be afraid to report violence against them.  The matter is far more complex than meets the eyes of those who have never had to deal with the issue.  It is more complicated than the understanding of those who do not know how our police systems work in various geographic locations right here in first-world USA.  One just has to listen to the response Mr. Ramsey, the man who tried to free one of the women, got when he called 9-1-1.  Also listen to the dispatcher on the phone with one of the victims.  This dispatcher displays no real concern or urgency in either of the exchanges.  One can understand why some people tend not to get involved in helping others or are afraid to seek help.   

There is still no uniform response by police departments across the country or across the state when it comes to dealing effectively with this scourge in our society.  Domestic Violence complaints are still dealt with largely according to the local customs. Yes, in major areas such as inner-cities (New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New London, Hartford, Norwalk, Danbury, Bloomfield, and a few other areas) there tend to be standard guidelines, and women police officers exist in most such areas; therefore women stand a better chance of getting the help they need.  But even under these more enlightened circumstances, women still cannot fully rely on being safer after reporting incidents of Domestic Violence to the police; therefore, they err on the side of silence/caution and –in their perspective – safety.  Much also depends on how well trained are the dispatchers who take such calls when women call for help.  There is still more work to be done in educating dispatchers, citizens, employers and all levels of the police and the judiciary in how to deal most effectively with reports of Domestic Violence, or the suspicion of domestic abuse.

We have a long way to go to get men to step up to other men in terms of ending Domestic Violence.  We also have a long way to go to be more fully informed about recognizing when things around us are “odd.” In a two-part community education television program OneWorld produced a few years ago, three men gave us some very sound advice and strategies about dealing effectively with DV.  Today, the information is just as timely and appropriate as it was the day we recorded the programs.  Tony Porter (A Call to Men), Josiah Brown (Domestic Violence Services of greater New Haven), and Waldemar Gracia (Institute for the Hispanic Family) delivered some sound advice we should all keep in mind when it comes to addressing and preventing Domestic Violence in our midst.  Domestic Violence is about Sexism, Domination, Power, Control and Patriarchy; it has nothing to do with love, stress, fear or caring. We invite you to watch the video clips linked below.  Learn more about how you can help to prevent or STOP Domestic Violence in your area of influence.  Please check out all the links below.

http://youtu.be/AhpjpJKvlY0  10 mins OneWorld Domestic Violence video.

http://youtu.be/_1QjqODOkcY Learn 10 Effective Strategies to END Domestic Violence

The National Hotline for Domestic Violence is: 1 -800-799- 7233 (1-800- 799 SAFE)

National Domestic Violence Hotline - www.thehotline.org/‎

www.acalltomen.org/news/ted-talk-tony-porter ‎    

Timeline of the Cleveland kidnappings: How three women went missing

Timeline of the Cleveland kidnappings: How three women went missing: Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight all went missing years ago — many people assumed they were dead. But one neighbor found them after all this time.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/timeline-cleveland-kidnappings-found-article-1.1336980#ixzz2SlIv5ITU 

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm - Signs of Abusive Relationships

Health Screenings – Women – age 18 – 39: MedlinePlus Medical – At this web site you will find details of all the screenings women between the ages of 18 and 39 should have.

All adults should visit their health care provider from time to time, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to: Screen for diseases; assess risk of future medical problems; encourage a healthy lifestyle; update vaccinations, and maintain a relationship with a doctor or nurse in case of an illness. Visit the web linked below to learn a great deal more: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007462.htm‎  

Health Checklist For Women Over 40 – WebMD:  This link is for women over the age of 40.  At the site you will find a checklist of the various tests and procedures you need after the age of 40.  Print out the list and take it with you to your next doctor’s appointment.  www.webmd.com/menopause/health-checklist-for-women-over-40 ‎  

 Remember that a healthy diet and regular exercise are integral parts of good health. http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/?gclid=CMmXs56D_rYCFeF9OgodO3UAZg

OVARIAN CANCER EDUCATION: Although Ovarian Cancer is most often found in women over the age of 40, Germ Cell Tumors occur in 5 percent of all Ovarian Cancers and are usually found in young women before the age of 30.  This is important for women to know.  In this OneWorld program gynecologic oncologist, Thomas Rutherford, MD, Ph.D., Yale School of Medicine, provides crucial information and graphic images to explain what happens in these cases.  Please share this information with others.

http://youtu.be/eAZIHBaYzac Short education video about Ovarian Cancer http://www.oneworldpi.org/womens_resources/womens_resources3.html Women’s Health Resources Center

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) Appendectomy without external sutures or Laparoscopic surgery.

With Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) younger women can have their appendix removed without external incisions.  Learn how at this video link:

http://youtu.be/Ig0k3B6cxy0  Segment of NOTES video http://www.cdc.gov/women/images/banner-d.gif  Home for Women’s Health at the CDC.

The WISEWOMAN Program is administered through CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP). The WISEWOMAN program provides low-income, under-insured or uninsured women with chronic disease risk factor screening, lifestyle intervention, and referral services in an effort to prevent cardiovascular disease. The priority age group is women aged 40–64 years.

WISEWOMAN programs also offer testing for diabetes. Women are not just tested and referred, but can also take advantage of lifestyle programs that target poor nutrition and physical inactivity, such as healthy cooking classes, walking clubs, or lifestyle counseling. Women who smoke are encouraged to quit and are referred to proactive quit lines or quit-smoking classes. The interventions vary from program to program, but all are designed to promote lasting, healthy lifestyle changes.

For more information about Connecticut’s WiseWoman Programs, contact:

Phyllis F. Dower, MPH
WISEWOMAN Program Coordinator
CT Dept. of Public Health
860-509-7506
E-mail:  phyllis.dower@ct.gov

OneWorld Progressive Institute provides informative community education television programs focusing on women’s health and well-being.  Please visit one such program linked below: http://youtu.be/STP7nep_zPA  Women: Stay Healthy! Learn How – A OneWorld Forum

Link to WiseWoman CT Programs: http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/locations/connecticut.htm

May is also American Stroke Prevention Month – Here is an article about OneWorld’s Community Education Program about Preventing Strokes; it was done at Christian Tabernacle Church:  Different Strokes – A “21^st Century Conversations” education forum in Newhallville -                                                      http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/different_strokes_for_different_fol  ks/       

At OneWorld we encourage you to learn all you can about Preventing Strokes and Maintaining Health.

We have wonderfully informative education videos that provide excellent information.  Starting today we will link a video or an article for you daily during the month of May:

• Women’s Cardiovascular Health in the 21^st Century w/ Yale physicians. 

• http://youtu.be/EDviuNG-cek = 10:13 (A critically informative program) Short video

This now common practice of making exaggerated claims of across-the-board academic success about charters versus in district public schools are detrimental on many levels. It is dividing the community; it is confusing parents; it is trying to hog limited resources rather than share them fairly.  Most importantly – it is FALSE!  There are some excellent charter schools; there are some excellent district public schools.

Not all public charter schools in CT are high performing schools.  This goes to the fact that for schools– that have a disproportionately high number of students from disenfranchised households– to be successful, it takes time, adequate resources, and highly skilled and committed teachers and topnotch administrators. 

The statement listed below by ConnCAN seems to imply that all public charter schools in CT are higher performing than the district public schools.  That is not true.  In fact, in New Haven and in Bridgeport where we have an abundance of problems, there are also many schools where a significant number of students are doing well and are out-performing some of the charter schools.  We invite you to review the 7^th & 8^th Grade 2011-2012 statewide ranking of 266 CT schools linked below.  The highest ranking 7^th & 8^th grade scores in New Haven Public Schools were attained at Worthington Hooker School, ranked #22. 

 7th, 8th Grades Combined CMT Mathematics & CMT Reading – 2011-2012 Ranking in Connecticut http://www.schooldigger.com/go/CT/schoolrank.aspx?level=2

There are excellent charter schools in which there are students who are not thriving academically.  That is a reality.  Public schools do not have the luxury of shipping out poor performers. Many public schools are dealing with a higher percentage of students who need a broader range of social and psychological services than are found in and provided by some of the charter schools. Of course, more needs to be done to help all students to succeed. There is no honor in exploiting a situation in which we, as citizens of CT, are all invested. There is no honor in pitting parents against each other or in exploiting insecurities. The scores of all public schools should be included in the figures reported for public schools be they charter or district schools.

• Growing high-performing public schools of choice: Public charter schools in Connecticut are high-performing and in high-demand from parents and kids alike. The Education Committee approved HB 6622 on March 23. This bill extends a program that gives districts the ability to partner with charter schools by providing facilities and other services in exchange for including student performance data in their accountability reports. 

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=6622&which_year=2013&SUBMIT1.x=-688&SUBMIT1.y=0&SUBMIT1=Normal  (Details of HB 6622 can be found here)  Why is this a good thing for the public district schools to do? While all public schools should do whatever it takes to provide the greatest and most beneficial resources for students, the manner in which this HB6622 is written, it seems as if the district public schools will benefit.  Exactly from what and in what ways? How many public schools are there versus how many charter schools? There seems to be something wrong with the calculations, and maybe with the motivation.

CT Elementary Rankings found here http://www.schooldigger.com/go/CT/schoolrank.aspx

Below are links to articles from other states and sources about charter school students performance in other states. Below

• http://credo.stanford.edu/pdfs/MI_report_2012_FINAL_1_11_2013_no_watermark.pdf 

• http://www.edreform.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/StateOfCharterSchools_CER_Dec2011-Web-1.pdf

FACT-CHECKING CHARTER SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT - Why some are saying only 1 in 5 charter schools perform, and why it’s wrong – http://www.edreform.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/No_More_Waiting_Charter_Schools1.pdf

• http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/newsroom/releases/2010/Charterschool_6_10.asp

This Blog is written because of, and based upon, an excellent article in the New Haven Independent  linked here: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/gary_holder_winfield_education/ 

These days those running for public office are more likely to walk a timid line without commitment to anything specific; by so doing they avoid being held accountable.  There are also those who maintain their current media popularity by catering to their immediate audience.  They lob softball answers that make some people feel good but contribute nothing to advance the cause of effective education reform. Serious education reform needs more than pat comments.  People who are serious about education reform are courageous, determined and insightful.

Positive parental involvement and effective partnerships between home and school are essential to children’s academic success.  These two ingredients need to be integrated into education reform along with more rigorous academics, critical-thinking activities, and a curriculum that is broader than what is covered on standardized tests.  Holder-Winfield’s comments in this NHI article are worthy of careful consideration.  It is a disservice to our children and to America’s future to pander to any special interest groups, investors, advertisers and for personal rewards.  There is reliable evidence that positive parental involvement  and high expectations of students work to increase academic success. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf  and here:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3020099/

There are also very successful parent-teacher collaborative models that have proven to be very successful in helping students succeed.  OneWorld’s Education Agenda program titled  “Parents and Teachers Team-Building Benefits Students”  http://youtu.be/b_vjtSflhe0 has generated many positive comments from education districts in many areas outside of CT.

 “We should be cautious” in celebrating too early, he said. While the district is heading in the right direction, he said, “let’s not become overjoyed.” When you do so, “you stop thinking about what we’ve done and you stop analyzing it.”  “We need to make sure we are applauding for actual success,” Holder-Winfield said, “not just potential for success.”

It is important that parents have choice within their school district.  Important questions: What constitutes choice, and at whose and at what expense? What needs to be done to make our public schools better? Are some students doing better in charter schools than those same students did in public schools?  If so, what accounts for the difference?  We need more than anecdotal evidence.  While the per pupil funding is not the main issue because the money goes with the child at the start of the school year, there are enormous start-up costs for new schools.  There are also significant additional management costs when a private company comes in to run a failing public school. What are the opportunity costs to the school district for these additional expenses? 

How could these funds be used to improve the public schools within the district? A responsible group of people from within and outside of the system, need to undertake these tasks and come up with solid recommendations for effective solutions.  Importantly, as Holder-Winfield says, we need to ensure there is actual success.

Whether there is or not, the persistent perception that there is a cartel of cronyism and patronage within most public school districts (and certainly within the NHPS) is one that leads to so many parents wanting their children out of the regular public schools and into charters. That issue needs to be objectively addressed.  That can only be done by skilled professionals from outside of the system.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/gary_holder_winfield_education/  The Benefits of Parent Involvement: What Research Has to Say … www.education.com › Parenting and Families › Parenting 

Parental Involvement Strongly Impacts Student Achievement – http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527123852.htm

Parental Involvement in Urban Charter Schools - http://www.vanderbilt.edu/schoolchoice/conference/papers/Smith%20-Wohlstetter_COMPLETE.pdf