Category: Spotlight

Local companies highlighted in Newton, MA.

FC Boston Loses Breakers Academy

Merger between FC Bolts and Boston Breakers Academy/Scorpions was to combine two clubs that had an academy program for boys and girls. Less than six months after the merger, Breakers Academy announced that they are dropping the Scorpions and replacing them with NEFC.

Why did Boston Breakers drop the Scorpions?

Today, the Boston Breakers announce the dissolving of the youth club partnership between Scorpions Soccer Club (now FC Boston) and Boston Breakers Academy.

“It is unfortunate that the partnership is being dissolved,” Boston Breakers general manager Lee Billiard said. “We had high hopes, but the merger of Scorpions and FC Bolts and their creation of FC Boston set them on a different path.”

The partnership was originally formed in December 2013 with a purpose to expand the previous club’s footprint and ultimately led to the insertion of new coaches and additional players.

The partnership will be terminated by the end of 2015. All current Boston Breakers Academy teams under the Scorpions/FC Boston umbrella will transition out of using the Boston Breakers name and logo by the end of the year as well. The Boston Breakers will continue to operate its own college academy and reserve teams as part of the development pathway to the pros.

This is what the Boston Breakers relationship gave the Scorpions:

In the first year of the partnership, Boston Breakers General Manager Lee Billiard will coach the Boston Breakers Academy U17 ECNL team, while Boston Breakers Academy Director Jack Abelson will coach the U15 ECNL team, and Breakers Senior Team Coordinator Stephanie Schafer (Curry College and Wagner College) will take the U17 NPL team. Boston Breakers Head Coach Lisa Cole will play a vital role for the Boston Breakers Academy as Technical Director. The role of Technical Director will be to provide coach and player education for the program, along with helping to build curriculum content, a sound developmental pathway for players, coaches and also holding some guest sessions across the season.

As the partnership grows, Boston Breakers players will also be a part of the staff, coaching teams at all levels. During the first year of transition, the Boston Breakers professional players will take part in club trainings and camps. Six Boston Breakers professional players will serve as age group mentors to the girls teams. The role will be to see every team and have direct contact with players in the specific age group they are mentoring. Additionally, the Breakers players will attend tryouts to help the staff evaluate players, and over the course of the season, host educational classes with Breakers Academy players in regards to being a student athlete, nutrition, fitness, becoming a pro player, and to give advice on the college recruitment process.

The Scorpions Soccer Club front office staff will remain intact and will work closely with Boston Breakers front office staff to provide families an even greater level of communication and players a very structured development pathway, which starts at U9 and leads though Under 18, to Breakers College Academy, Reserve Team, and ending at the Senior professional team.

It appears that the merger that was supposed to combine both a girls and boys academy program was the reason for Boston Breakers dropping the Scorpions for NEFC. Or it could be the Boston Breakers relationship with Fred Marks?

Breakers Partnership with NEFC

Why are NEFC and the Boston Breakers creating this partnership?

The Boston Breakers are a member of the NWSL, a ten team professional women’s soccer league supported by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). As with most professional soccer clubs in the US, a priority for the Boston Breakers is to have a competitive youth academy structure that supports the college, reserve and professional teams. NEFC has a proven developmental model and a competitive team structure that competes on the national stage. The synergies created by this partnership provide a nationally competitive youth academy under the Breakers organization which also supports NEFC’s mission statement of ‘Developing Players for the Next Level in an Elite Soccer Environment’. This partnership will provide players with the best environment to take advantage of future opportunities as the youth soccer landscape continues to evolve.

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Dear FC Boston Families:

Last summer, FC Greater Boston Bolts and the Boston Breakers Academy/Scorpions agreed to join forces to create the only youth soccer club in the Northeast with both the Development Academy on the boy’s side and the ECNL on the girl’s side. Our long-term goal is to create a super club that can take a player from junior academy (age 8) and develop them all the way until college. We offer programs spanning from junior academy, NEP, NPL and Academy/ECNL levels. The goal is to be the most complete club in the Northeast with the best coaching staff.

Whenever two clubs merge together, there are bound to be growing pains as joining two synergies takes time to blend into one. One hurdle we faced was what to call our new super club which has now been decided. The overall club will be known as FC Boston with the boys being FC Boston Bolts and the girls being FC Boston Scorpions. The Bolts is one of the most recognized brands of youth soccer in the US under the direction of Brian Ainscough. Similarly, Scorpions was the original name of the club that Fred Marks built from the ground up. Over the years it was one of the most recognized names in girls soccer, which is why the board chose to resurrect the name and restore it to its rightful place in girls soccer. We have a new logo and we will debut our new uniforms in early summer.

Our focus will now be on merging and improving our operations as well as using the combined forces of the two clubs to secure and improve our facilities. It is a top priority to secure and retain the best coaches for our players and ensure the best path for development in youth soccer in this area.

On the operations side, we are working to create an organization that is highly proficient and seamlessly delivers good communications to our families. We value our players and their families and will strive to create a great experience for all.

We appreciate your patience and loyalty while we work through this process and look forward to great things in the future for FC Boston!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Price

President

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Jonathan Price fails to address that the ECNL league is likely to be moved to a lower division.

US Soccer Federation to launch a girls’ equivalent of Development Academy. ECNL likely pushed to 2nd tier.

What will be the result of FC Scorpions losing Breakers Academy and ECNL pushed to 2nd tier? Rumor has it that top players are looking to switch clubs. A division 1 women’s college soccer coach summed it up: “It’s the end of an era. The Scorpions are done!”

February 11, 2016
Our Principal’s Wife’s Life Lesson from Their Son

From Janet Chitty, wife of Mark Chitty, principal of Peirce Elementary School in Newton pens an article on life lesson learned from her son. This is from Boston Parents Paper.

February 10, 2016
New Valeo’s Girls Director!

Valeo Families,

Kia McNeill the girls director at Valeo FC was recently offered the women’s head coaching position at Brown University. It was a difficult decision for Kia to make, but in order to pursue an amazing opportunity, Kia has decided to step down from her position.

Kia made a positive impact on the lives of many young athletes during her time here at Valeo.

We are excited for Kia’s new opportunity at Brown University and want to wish her all the best.

She will still have a reduced role here at Valeo and continue to be a part of the Valeo family.

Here at Valeo, our mission is focused on developing competitive athletes, outstanding citizens and strong leaders. We provide a challenging and rewarding environment that teaches the virtues of teamwork, discipline, hard work, commitment, respect and leadership.

After significant consideration, we would like to announce the promotion of Brian Leighton as Valeo’s girls director. Brian has been part of the Valeo family for two seasons coaching the

GU10, GU11, GU12 and GU15 teams. Brian brings an abundance of experience both from a managerial and soccer standpoint.

Brian spent his college career as the starting goalkeeper for the Mount Ida Mustangs. He also played in the NPSL Division 1 for the Maine Sting. Brian has coached at various clubs throughout Greater Boston and is currently the men’s assistant coach at MIT.

Brian has a Master’s of Science in Management degree and is an avid entrepreneur. Brian is excited to carry on the Valeo tradition that focuses on player development in his role as the new girls director.

Please join us in welcoming Brian as the new girls director! Feel free to contact Brian at

Brian@valeofc.com with any questions or comments.

February 8, 2016
The Dos and Don’ts of Coats and Car Seats

The Dos and Don’ts of Coats and Car Seats
Tips by: Allana Pinkerton, Global Safety Advocate for Diono

BIG DON’T: Never place a child in a car seat with a thick, bulky winter coat because the harness might not be snug enough to perform as it should during a crash.

WHY? If they are wearing a thick coat, the padding in the coat will not allow you to snug up the harness correctly and the harness will actually be loose on the child. The padding in the coat will compress during a crash until it gets to the body which doesn’t allow the child to ride the crash down appropriately.

Important to note: Car seat manufacturers cannot determine if it is safe to use a thick winter coat because they do not crash test with coats on the test dummies. They do test for misuse and they can determine if a loose harness causes injury.

DO: Follow the car seat manual for proper harness fit, installation and use. The manuals are written based on crash test data.

DO: Use an appropriate car seat no matter what the weather conditions are outside.

DO: If there are no safety issues in doing so, heat up the car ahead of time.

DO: Put a thin fleece jacket on your baby, toddler or older child.

DO: Put a toboggan hat and gloves on your child. This definitely helps retain some internal warmth.

DO: For a newborn baby, many infant carrier car seats come with a “warming boot” to put over the baby. If not, one may be purchased from the manufacturer of the car seat or they may have approved the use of one manufactured by another company.

DO: Throw a blanket around your child when carrying them out to the car to keep them warm. (If you are super nice, you might have even warmed it up in the dryer first.)

DO: Place them in the harness and snug it up. Then you can place the blanket over them so it doesn’t interfere with the harness and tuck it in around the child’s sides. To avoid the possibility of suffocation do not put the blanket near their head.

January 30, 2016
Safety Issue on Washington Street

Dear Mr. McGonagle,

Over the years, I have noticed the City several times about the blockage of the public sidewalk in front of 1900 Washington Street. This becomes more of an issue during the snow season as the sidewalk plow goes around the blockage by plowing into the street then re-entering past the blockage. This forces pedestrians onto Route 16 and into East bound traffic. The City’s last response, several years ago, was that the owner had been sent a letter. The pictures below identify the problem. I believe that such behavior violates a City ordinance. Additionally, as their property appears to jut out beyond their abutting property, in the foreground, Perhaps a matter for zoning. I wonder if they have intruded into City property.

The last two pictures identify a problem that has existed since the sidewalk was redone years ago. The sidewalk plow cannot pass the pole in the middle of the walkway. That also forces the predestinations onto Route 16.

Finally, I hope that the City has acquired a better sidewalk plow as for years the blade never gotten near the ground and the snow is only compacted by the plow’s tracks. That results in an icy condition after it has been walked upon and then freezes. Footprints are frozen in the walkway creating a hazardous condition.

Thank you for your attention to this matter,

Concerned Citizen

January 26, 2016
Parenting children with ADD/ADHD by Cybill Goldberg

I met Cybill when my son was in preschool. She’s a very together person and when I learned that she is now a practicing therapist, I asked her to guest blog for me.

If you want to reach her, her contact information is:

Cybill S. Goldberg, LICSW

CG@CGmentalhealthservices.com

617-331-0959

634 Commonwealth Ave

Ste 205

Newton, MA 02459

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Parenting children with ADD/ADHD

By Cybill S. Goldberg, LICSW

“Don’t let yourself become so concerned with raising a good kid that you forget you already have one”

-Glennon Melton

Every parent wants the best for their child. Parenting a child with challenging behaviors can make that quest seem impossible at times. It is exhausting mentally, physically and emotionally, often leaving one feeling hopeless, as if they are failing as a parent. The painful cycle of self-blame beings and it doesn’t help to feel others may be blaming you too. This blame can grow into shame and isolation at a time when parents need support, validation and compassion.

As do their kids.

Assuming your child is PURPOSEFULLY acting out is going to get you no where fast. Blaming the child gets in the way of progressing to a healthier relationship. Many feel their child is being lazy, manipulative, attention-seeking, self-centered, and pushing the limits, when in fact they simply do not have the skill set to do otherwise. Once a parent is able to accept the fact that “children do well if they can”, it is much easier to diffuse their frustration when their child is struggling. Simply changing your parenting perspective can yield amazing change. Shifting your mind set from assuming the child’s behavior as “acting out” to the belief that the child is feeling challenged and is desperately grasping for a solution, will lead to a more positive outcome.

When the parent is able to successfully accept this point-of-view there is understanding and acceptance of why a reward/punishment system does not work with these children. I often make the analogy that if a child with dyslexia was struggling to read, a parent would not punish them with a time-out. Instead, they would compassionately support and offer guidance in developing the skills necessary to read successfully. It is the same with ADD/ADHD. We need to act compassionately and offer guideline to help these children succeed emotionally and relationally.

As a therapist who works with parents of ADD/ADHD children, we work together to identify the specific skills the child is lacking and move to include the child in problem solving each conflict or issue. To simplify, the presenting conflict may be the child refuses to brush his teeth. The parent has tried reward charts without success and even attempted to take away screen time if the child does not brush. The parent is exhausted and starts to think the child is purposefully being defiant, lazy and controlling.

The more productive intervention is to investigate with the child WHY he isn’t brushing and WHAT he proposes the solution to be. Surprisingly the child may say it it the taste of the toothpaste or the bristles on the brush that bother him. He may say he doesn’t like to brush at that specific time. This conversation is guiding the child to learn to identify and own the issue and reduce a reactive response.

The teeth-brushing story is overly simple but does help understand how to partner up with our children in a way that allows for less explosions and more connection. I believe this collaboration between parent and child is the core base to a happy healthy relationship and allows the child to develop sophisticated skills that will forever serve them.

January 25, 2016
Norovirus in the News

Norovirus in the News: Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up. Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick.

Also, you can have norovirus illness many times in your life. Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults. Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes 19-21 million illnesses and contributes to 56,000-71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths. Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States. The best way to help prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.

A person infected with norovirus usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days. If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill and throw up or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Norovirus can spread quickly in closed places like daycare centers, nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships.

Most norovirus outbreaks happen from November to April in the United States.For more information about norovirus, including tips on what to do if you get norovirus illness, talk to the school nurse or visit www.cdc.gov/norovirus.

Article adapted from www.cdc.gov/norovirus

January 24, 2016
6 Food Myths That Are Making Kids Fat

According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity rates in children are twice what they were 30 years ago. Many parents are unsure why their child is seemingly unable to stop gaining weight. Dr. Dyan Hes, Medical Director of Gramercy Pediatrics, explains some of the common food myths that are making kids fat.

“There is a lot of confusion surrounding healthy food choices,” says Dr. Hes. “A stroll down almost any supermarket isle in the country, and customers will find products that advertise healthy ingredients, when in reality they can lead to weight gain in children. It can be confusing for parents to decipher what the healthiest food options truly are.”

Dr. Hes advises parents to look out for these hazardous eating myths when trying to make healthier choices for their children:

Myth 1: Foods Labeled ‘Diet,’ ‘Gluten Free,’ and ‘Organic’ are Healthy Choices

Food trends and product labels can mislead people into believing they are eating a healthy diet. “When deciding what to feed growing children, it’s important to look at foods as a whole,” says Dr. Hes. “Look at things like sodium, artificial sweetener, nutritional value, and calories. All of these play a role in determining if a food item is healthy or not.”

Dr. Hes goes on to explain that sodium can lead to high blood pressure, even in children. Lowering sodium is especially important for children who are overweight in order to lower their risk for heart disease in the future. Parents should also look out for artificial sweeteners, which can make children want to eat more food, consequently consuming more calories than they otherwise would. Additionally, growing children need certain nutrients from their food. A slightly higher calorie meal might be a healthier option if it’s providing significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and/or calcium.

Myth 2: Juice is A Healthy Drink for Kids

Many parents believe that since fruit is healthy, fruit juice is great for their children. However, this high-calorie sugary beverage could be contributing to weight gain. Some argue that the drinks have great nutritional value because they can be rich in vitamins, but Dr. Hes says that parents are better off giving their child fresh fruit to eat, which also contains fiber that is lost in the juicing process. The excess calories from juice also fill a child up so that they do not want to eat the solid foods that have fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Myth 3: Cereal is a Great Way for Children to Start the Day

Cereal is an easy and tasty breakfast option for kids rushing to make the school bus. Beware, most child marketed cereal options contain more sugar than the standard dessert. Cereal can be tricky, misleading labels often advertise healthy ingredients, vitamins, and whole grains. These boasted benefits can be outweighed by the sugar quantity. The excessive glucose can lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar as well as an increase in calorie consumption. Dr. Hes recommends reading food labels carefully to replace sugary cereals with healthier options. She points out that parents need to keep a sharp eye out for sneaky sugar terms may appear on boxes such as organic molasses, bee honey, and organic sugar cane, which fool parents into believing that they are health cereals In addition, breakfast options like fruit, low-fat yogurt, eggs, and oatmeal give kids the energy they need without packing on the pounds.

Myth 4: Whole Wheat Bread is Healthy Bread

“There are fewer differences between white bread and whole wheat bread than most people believe,” Dr. Hes says. “They both have high levels of glucose that are broken down into the bloodstream the same way. This not only causes weight gain but can lead to a more serious health problem such as diabetes.”

If a package is labeled as whole wheat, it does not mean it contains the healthy grains children need. Processed whole wheat bread is almost entirely stripped of fiber. Be careful when reading bread labels and look for packages that read 100% whole grains. These healthier alternatives have been shown to allow for more balanced glucose level in children.

Myth 5: Frozen Yogurt is a Healthy Dessert Option

Frozen yogurt can be a healthier alternative to most ice creams, but that does not mean that it is the best option. Although most frozen yogurt is low-fat, it still contains more calories than most people imagine. A large cup of standard frozen yogurt is around 380 calories with 76g grams of sugar, not including toppings. Most kids prefer their flavored frozen yogurt with sugary toppings which can be just as fattening as ice cream. Adding sprinkles, candy, and artificial syrups leads to potentially harmful levels of sugar. Dr. Hes recommends serving plain low-fat frozen yogurt with fruit. The fruit will sweeten up the yogurt without adding unnecessary and harmful sugars. Also, make sure to keep the portion sizes small to lessen the buildup of calories.

Myth 6: Veggie Chips are a Healthy Alternative to Potato Chips

This sneaky snack often contains the same number of calories as potato chips, and can have the same weight gaining effects too. The small serving of vegetables found in veggie chips are countered by the high amounts of potato and corn flour. The vital nutrients that vegetables contain are lost in the process when veggie chips are manufactured. Dr. Hes recommends cutting out the processed potato altogether and making healthy vegetable snacks at home. Kale baked with a small amount of olive oil and salt is crispy like a potato chip, without having the same unhealthy ingredients that can compromise children’s health and weight.

January 22, 2016
Science Competition for Kids Grades 5-8

DISCOVERY EDUCATION AND 3M SEARCH FOR AMERICA’S 2016 TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST

— Next Generation of STEM Leaders Invited to Solve the Challenges of Tomorrow and Compete for $25,000 in the Annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge —

— Through One-of-a-Kind Summer Mentorship, 3M Scientists Will Provide Guidance and Support to Student Finalists as They Develop an Innovative Solution that Improves Lives —

Discovery Education and 3M are proud to announce the opening of the annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier science competition for students in grades 5-8. Through the program, young inventors have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work closely with a 3M Scientist Mentor, compete for $25,000, and earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

The Challenge rewards students who use their science acumen and innovative thinking to create new ways to solve the issues we face every day. Hannah Herbst, who won last year for her energy probe prototype that seeks to offer a stable power source to developing countries, entered the contest because she wanted to help her 9-year-old pen pal living in Ethiopia who lacks a reliable source of power and electricity.

Any student in grades 5-8 can enter the contest by creating a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind a new innovation or solution that could solve or impact an everyday problem.

Video entries will be evaluated based on their creativity, scientific knowledge, persuasiveness and overall presentation. Ten finalists will then be chosen to participate in an exclusive mentorship program where they will work closely with a 3M scientist. During the program, finalists will be challenged to develop an innovation that positively impacts them, their family, their community or the global population. The students will meet virtually with their mentors and will receive additional resources and support from 3M and Discovery Education. Each finalist will also receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn., to compete at the final event in October 2016.

All video entries must be submitted online at www.youngscientistchallenge.com no later than April 20, 2016. Videos will not be judged on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or basic digital cameras.

“Turning ideas into reality is what 3M scientists do every day,” said Jon Lindekugel, senior vice president of business development and marketing-sales at 3M. “The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to inspire the next generation of science leaders by enabling them to see the practical applications of science and how their inventions can be used to improve lives.”

Since its inception, the Young Scientist Challenge has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships and prizes, paired students with world-renowned scientists to give them real-world insights and delivered much-needed science resources to millions of students, teachers and families across the country. Previous winners have met the President of the United States, addressed members of Congress, worked with the nation’s top scientists and been featured in Forbes magazine’s annual “30 Under 30” list.

“The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge allows our nation’s next generation of innovators to interact and be mentored by world-renowned scientists, and inspires interest in the wonders of science,” said Nancy Addison, Director of PreK-12 STEM Education, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. “This unique partnership between Discovery Education and 3M encourages scientific exploration among America’s youth and helps cultivate important skills to help students succeed in college, career and life.”

For more information on the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, including submission guidelines, tips from previous winners and complete rules, please visit: www.youngscientistchallenge.com.

January 17, 2016
The Cut Class at Equinox

Equinox, the high performance lifestyle leader, introduces The Cut, a total body, boxing and kickboxing group fitness class to the Boston region this January 2016. The 45-minute cardio-forward workout is a fitness journey, designed to introduce newcomers to boxing and martial arts while guaranteeing the ultimate workout for all fitness levels. Incinerating calories while building full body strength, speed and coordination, this class is designed to get members into knockout shape.

Stripping down to the basics with no bags, no wraps and no ring, The Cut utilizes every plane of motion using only the body and light hand weights. Created by Miami based Equinox group fitness instructor and Equinox’s boxing expert, Christa DiPaulo, the class is broken down into five rounds simulating different aspects of a real boxing match.

To start off the session participants will learn how to mentally and physically prepare before a fight before moving into basic punching and kicking techniques. In the third “Mastery” round they’ll break down super charged fight combinations, mastering their footwork and reaction time before moving into high intensity “Knockout” round designed to challenge the cardiovascular system and mind to help finish the fight. The “Final Bell” concludes the class with mobility exercises to help improve movement, increase flexibility and recover the body and mind.

Set to an epic playlist of deep house, trap and remixed top 40s, The Cut unleashes powerful, primal instincts while keeping the discipline of form, focus and technique. Between the non-stop cardio, hard hitting conditioning and the ultimate exercise high, each class member will leave Equinox ready to fight another day.

The Cut will be offered at all four Boston club locations beginning January 2016. For more information or to browse class schedules visit www.equinox.com.

January 14, 2016