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14 | February 7, 2019 | The tinley junction school tinleyjunction.com Student Column The effects of winter weather in Tinley Park Olivia Lehnert Student Columnist In Tinley Park, and the midwest as a whole, this winter has hit harder than even most natives can remember. With record breaking low temperatures debilitating Tinley Park, among others, the effect on the community is vast. From business closures to plumbing and electrical damage, the winter is taking a toll on communities like ours which already consider themselves well adjusted to the colder months. An often overlooked resultant of this sudden and sharp cold, however, is its affect on individuals who are forced to live through it. Different demographics come with different sets of problems, and it may be surprising that a heavily affected group is students and adolescents. While this may come as a surprise when considering the high physical health and relatively lesser financial responsibilities of high school students and other young people, the cold weather often puts this group at a significant social and emotional disadvantage. During teen and preteen years, adolescents are already in a period of turbulence when it comes to their emotions, due to hormonal and chemical changes going on in their brains. In the winter months, the lack of sunlight adds another imbalance to the mix. Lesser daylight hours and colder weather keeps adolescents inside for the few after school hours each day they might usually get to spend in the sun, and this leads to influx of melatonin and a decrease of serotonin in teen brains. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this particular imbalance leads to increased fatigue and difficulty concentrating, two behaviors which have strong correlations with poor academic performance and social outreach. This is not to say that these specific chemical changes do not occur within other age demographics, but with students and adolescents already being at a difficult hormonal stage in their lives, and adding on social pressures and academic challenges, this cold weather hits them particularly hard. This past week even, schools in the area were closed for a minimum of two days, and Andrew High School was forced to initiate late starts on two of the three remaining days, cutting out early morning classes and shortening remaining class lengths. This uneven schedule leads to atypical assignment planning, resulting in high work loads for students to compensate for lost time. From this we see a general domino effect: a higher workload results in more time focusing on school and less time getting necessary social stimulation, which lowers mood, then adding further emotional stress. This cycle does come annually with the changing of the seasons, and even with this winter being an outlier in terms of extreme cold and weather, there are still ways for students and adolescents to combat this physiologically induced stress. While getting outside is often unachievable, being able to work in a comfortable, yet community space, like a local library, can allow for a change of ace that gets students out of an exhausted mindset while still allowing them to work. Enforcing a regular sleep schedule and maintaining a sense of personal health, whether that be through basic skin care or simple hygiene, aids physical wellness, as well as chemical balance, which is absolutely essential in these turbulent winter months. As we progress through what we all know to be a long winter in Tinley Park, it’s important to take note of how these winter temperatures are affecting different citizen demographics. While teens and adolescents are already in a place of vulnerability, everyone should pay close attention to their own physical and emotional state as the cold months drag on. We can hope for spring though, and power through the weather as we always have here in Tinley Park, until then. Tinley park’s Standout Student Varun Paluri, Morgan Park Academy, fifth-grader Who is your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher is Mrs. [Elizabeth] Raser, who was my first-grade teacher. I like her because she always challenged me to learn as much as I could. She was my first teacher at Morgan Park Academy and helped me get familiar and comfortable with the school. What’s your favorite class and why? My favorite class is science. I really like doing science experiments and learning about the earth. One of my favorite experiments was making oobleck, a gooey substance that helps us learn about solids and liquids. What’s one thing that stands out about your school? One thing that is special about Morgan Park Academy are the overnight trips. This year, my grade went to Camp Duncan. It was fun hanging out with friends and we learned about water ecology and wilderness survival. What’s your best memory from school? My best memory from school is when I was Principal For a Day in fourth grade. I liked coming up with the activities for the day and having special privileges for the day. What do you like to do when not in school or studying? I like to play sports like baseball and basketball. I also like to draw. I like to relax by watching TV. What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a doctor. I want to be an orthopedic doctor because I want to figure out a way to for bones to heal quickly. What is one thing people don’t know about you? I speak two languages, English and an photo submitted Indian language called Telugu. At school, I am learning a third language, Spanish. Whom do you look up to and why? I look up to my parents because they work hard and make enough time for my brother and me even though they are busy. What is one essential you must have when studying? The one essential I must have while studying is water. What are some of the most played songs on your iPod? My most played songs are: “Demons” by Imagine Dragons and “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots. What’s your morning routine? I wake up at 6:45 a.m., brush my teeth, eat breakfast, and get ready for school. Then I am off to school. What’s your favorite thing to eat in the cafeteria? My favorite food in the school cafeteria is the nachos. They are very flavorful and not too cheesy.
tinleyjunction.com tinley park the tinley junction | February 7, 2019 | 15 Visit us and ask about our Move in Specials! Great Time to Select the Perfect Apartment!! Show Your Heart Some Love Feb. 9! VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY FEATURING ENTERTAINMENT BY THE SWEET REMINDERS How healthy isyour heart? For just $45, you can find out at Silver Cross Hospital’s Love Your Heart screening Saturday, Feb. 9, from 7to11a.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center! You’ll receiveabaseline cardiacrisk assessment that includes measurements of: þ Total cholesterol including HDL and LDL levels þ Blood glucose level þ Triglyceride level SPEAKERS þ Blood pressure þ Body fat and þ 12-lead EKG. HeartDisease Risk Factors and Prevention - 8a.m. with Dr.Thomas Kason,boardcertified cardiologist Join us for a Cheese Cake Bar, Appetizers and Love Punch Thursday February 14, 2019 2:00PM - 4:00PM RSVP by Friday, February 8 HearttoHeart-10 a.m. Exercise and NutritionTips with exercise physiologist Charles Murray, CHWC Plus aheart-healthy breakfast, important health information, giveaways and more! It allhappens Saturday,Feb.9,from7to11a.m. Seating is limited so register early at silvercross.org or by calling 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). A12-hour fast is required. Don’t Miss the Fun, Reserve your spot early! 16851 Harlem Avenue | Tinley Park, IL 60477 | HanoverPlace@Greystar.com 708-633-1700 | www.HanoverPlaceIL.com
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