Teachers go above and beyond to fill their classrooms with the necessary items to help their students. Now, it’s time for us to help them. Teachers Cabinet is a program developed by many local businesses with the help of Council Members Tom Waniewski and Mike Collins. It aims to cut personal expenses for teachers by collecting cash donations or supply donations from area businesses and community members to stock.

This idea originated from a Cincinnati based program that has a full time store in operation where teachers can fill up a basket of supplies for the classroom for free. Starting in early 2010, Toledo’s Teachers Cabinet will set up a temporary free shop for TPS, Private and Charter schools for their classroom shopping. Darlene Fisher, Toledo Board of Education member, says “even if we can only get the funds to do this one time, we can still show our community support for these teachers.”

You can find out more about the program and how to donate at www.teacherscabinet.org.    

The state of Ohio is ensuring that all children have a safer ride with its recent change in the child passenger safety law. The new law requires that children younger than 8 use a booster seat, unless they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. This is combined with existing laws which requires that children younger than 4 years and less than 40 pounds use a safety seat; and children 8 to 15 use a safety seat or seat belt. “Seat belts were designed for adults — not children,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. Law enforcement will issue warnings through April 7, 2010; then, full enforcement will be pursued, with fines ranging from $25 to $75 per violation. “Don’t wait for a warning or a ticket,” Jackson said. “Help protect your children today by buying a booster seat.”

When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm is starting early — and thinking big! This year, they are joining with Operation Evergreen to help collect ornaments, garland and Christmas trees to be shipped overseas to United States military bases. Items can be dropped off at the Tree Farm on Saturday, November 7 for sorting and packing, starting at 9 a.m. that day.
The Tree Farm is also participating with Trees for Troops Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 6 by donating 100 trees to be shipped to military bases throughout the country. The community will have an opportunity to purchase additional trees for $50 per tree. $5 from each tree purchase will go to the Christmas Tree Spirit Foundation.

For more information, visit www.whitehousetreefarm.com. 11500 Obee Rd., Whitehouse. 419-877-2733.edu/news.

According to a recent study done by University of New Hampshire professor Murray Straus, children who are spanked have lower IQs. The research results were presented in September at the 14th International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma in San Diego, California. The study found that children in the US who were spanked had lower IQs four years later than those who were not spanked. “Even small amounts of spanking made a difference,” said Straus. The reason for this? Straus suggests that corporal punishment causes chronic stress for children and increases post-traumatic stress symptoms which are associated with lower IQ. “It is time for pscyhologists to recognize the need to help parents end the use of corporal punishment,” said Straus.

For more information about the study, visit www.unh.edu/news.

The Toledo Zoo is proud to announce the latest member of the Nature’s Neighborhood family, the Leafcutter Ant. These amazing creatures, native to Central and South America, use their enormous jaws to cut off pieces of leaves to take back to a compost that grows the fungus that the ants use to feed. The Toledo Zoo has incorporated these insects into an exhibit that recreates this phenomenon that is both interactive and engaging. Children can watch the leafcutter ants in person and on a special “ant-cam.” Come experience all that nature has to offer in this one-of-a-kind exhibit.

2700 Broadway St. 419-385-5721. www.toledozoo.org.