Help Find the Next
Paint it Forward Winner
Do you know of a deserving family or non-profit in the Greater Los Angeles area that could use up to $10,000 in free painting services? If so, head over to the Paint-It-Forward nomination page http://www.abpainting.com/paint-it-forward/ and fill out the form on the left side. ALLBRIGHT 1-800-PAINTING, the innovators behind the Paint It Forward annual give-back campaign, will be accepting nominations through December 11, 2015. Paint-It-Forward brings painting happiness to all involved - help find the next winner!

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"I visited the Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts (SCSOPA) late last year and decided to enroll both of my boys, Joriyan (12) and Jailen (8), in the school. The school has exceeded my expectations. SCSOPA has excellent teachers and also provides awesome opportunities to meet with reputable agents. Within the first few weeks of enrollment both of my boys were offered representation. My youngest was offered representation by three agencies, including theatrical!
Joriyan and Jailen have learned a variety of skills pertaining to slating, audition technique, voiceover and commercial work thanks to the class offerings at SCSOPA. Since enrolling at the school my oldest son has done some modeling and is really becoming more comfortable with himself and his ability to perform and speak in front of an audience. My youngest, Jailen, landed his very first audition. He has had commercials with Clorox, P&G and is currently a series regular on 'WITs Academy,' which is a television show on Nickelodeon! My children are not only having fun, they are building their future." Lanita McCauley Bates

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SCVi Launches "Maker Space"
SCVi Charter School has brought the "maker movement" to the Santa Clarita Valley with the debut of a dedicated "maker space" that provides students the tools and materials to build, create and apply their imaginations to the real world.
SCVi, the founding campus of iLEAD Schools, has applied the maker movement on a classroom-by-classroom basis since the school opened, with classroom areas bearing names like "creation station."

"We now have realized the dream of a dedicated maker space," said Sara Brown, community outreach coordinator for SCVi. "We have a full makery in our middle school, open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade learners."

In the makery, young people have the tools and materials they need to build, create and put their minds to work, together with their desire to make something that is beautiful, useful and unique.

In addition to the middle school makery, a "maker mountain" has debuted in SCVi's second- and third-grade open classroom space. The maker mountain is a three-sided mountain of a makery where 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds can explore what it's like to solve problems independently while they determine how to make their vision come to life.

SCVi and iLEAD Schools have been long-time supporters of the maker movement, in which people of all ages become independent inventors and designers to apply a "do-it-yourself" approach to constructing things out of existing materials using current technology. Up next, SCVi will be adding new maker space to its transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and first-grade open space classroom, where a "tinkering tree" is under construction.

SCVi offers project-based K-12 curriculum and student-led assessment with global and culturally-diverse influences. The tuition-free charter school emphasizes an inquiry-based, learner-centered approach to education. SCVi's primary goal is to help learners lead a successful and fulfilled life while contributing to the world around them.
www.ileadschools.org

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November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Did you know there are two different types of diabetes? Many people are familiar with Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body loses its ability to respond to insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where your own immune system mistakenly attacks your beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 is not reversible and exercise and healthy eating will not cure it. It is mostly diagnosed in childhood, formerly known as juvenile diabetes. It is very important to recognize the signs of Type 1 Diabetes or it can be fatal. Here are key warning signs: extreme thirst; frequent urination; increased appetite; sudden weight loss; sudden vision changes; fruity odor on breath; nausea or vomiting; drowsiness and lethargy; heavy, labored breathing; stupor and unconsciousness; stomach pains.

Children with Diabetes Type 1 have to be a physician, dietician, mathematician and a fitness expert every day. They have to prick their fingers multiple times a day to check their blood sugar, count all their carbohydrates for everything they eat, and give themselves multiple insulin injections daily. They also have to make sure their blood glucose level does not go too high or too low. Both could ultimately be fatal. This disease has to be managed; it cannot be controlled. Type 1 may not affect you, but Type 1 Diabetics fight every day to stay alive - and all you usually see is a smile. They are truly heroes! Log on to learn more.
www.diabetes.org

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5 Quick & Healthy Lunch Ideas
National Healthy Lunch Day was celebrated on November 17, raising awareness about the need to make healthy choices at lunchtime. "Lunch Right with Every Bite" was the mantra that ignited a dialogue about the importance of healthy eating. In honor of the holiday, here's a few ideas for how to put together good-for-you foods to make a satisfying and healthy lunch. #EatWellAmerica

1. Put a healthy spin on the traditional sandwich. Use two pieces of thin whole grain bread and include two ounces reduced-sodium lean turkey, hummus, spinach, bell pepper slices and mustard. Add some carrot sticks and light ranch dressing on the side.

2. Make a tuna salad with canned light tuna packed in water, light mayo, diced celery, lemon juice and freshly ground pepper. Serve it over greens with an apple and peanut butter on the side.

3. Build a quick yogurt parfait with nonfat plain Greek yogurt, diced no-sugar-added canned pineapple and a sprinkle of pecans to top it off.

4. Fill a whole wheat tortilla wrap with rotisserie chicken, hummus and greens. For more veggie goodness, add roasted or fresh pepper strips.

5. Throw together a salad with romaine lettuce or spinach and any other non-starchy vegetables that you like. Top with some cottage cheese, a sprinkle of chopped nuts and a tablespoon of light salad dressing.
Source: American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org