Volume 4, Issue 5
January, 2011
SCOPE FOR PARAS, CUSTODIAL, PLANT OPS., BUS DRIVERS AND OTHER EDU. EMPLOYEES
Umm, Umm! Good School Lunches!
Obama signs anti-hunger, anti-obesity school lunch bill
President Barack Obama on Monday, December 13, 2010 signed into law a bill that will fight childhood hunger and bolster his wife's project to roll back obesity in kids by making school meals healthier.
Law allows USDA to set standards for all food served in schools, and gives the first funding increase in 30 years.
The new law would help reverse the worrying trend of doctors diagnosing what used to be considered adult conditions -- high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
The rate of childhood obesity tripled between 1980-1999 in the United States, with experts blaming it on lack of exercise and a diet heavy in fat and sugar.
Mrs. Obama sees school lunchs as a learning opportunity — a way to instill lifelong healthy habits in American children and American families.
An educational school lunch would raise a generation of children with lifelonghealthy eating habits — habits that will reach not just them, but their families too.
The Legislative Sessions returns January 11, 2011
Join us as we tell our Legislative Representatives to Do What’s Right.
More information coming soon!
Fast Facts about New Year's Resolutions
· 63% of people say they are keeping their resolutions after two months
· 67% of people make three or more resolutions
· Top four resolutions:
1. Increase exercise
2. Be more conscientious about work or school
Develop better 1. eating habits
2. Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine)
· People make more resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old one.
If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a "New Year's resolution" any time of year.
Benefits
If you have questions about any benefits please contact Barbara Lightheart, Texas AFT Benefits Director, 1-800-222-3827 or belightheart@texasaft.org
Discounted Mortgage Service
AFT+ and Chase Bank have teamed up to offer a variety of mortgage services at discounted rates.
AFT+ and Chase Bank have teamed up to offer a variety of mortgage services at discounted rates.
Call your local Chase Bank and ask about the AFT/Union Plus program
PCI—CLINIC
For all Employees and Dependents on the McAllen ISD Health plan
Located:
500 S. Bicentennial Blvd.
McAllen, TX 78501
Phone: 956-971-0077
$5.00 Co-pay
Get Involved in your Union:
Become an AFT e-Activist
Log on to:http://www.aft.org/getinvolved/enews.cfm
Making a Difference
We would love to hear from you if you have a story of someone making a difference at your school. Please email (mcallenaft2@yahoo.com) or call us at 682-1143 with your story for our next Scope newsletter.
Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Chips
Ingredients:
· 1-3/4 cups of flour
· 2 tsp. baking soda
· 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
· 4 Tbsp. butter, softened
· 1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
· 2 large eggs
· 1/3 cup plain yogurt
· 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
· 1/2 cup cinnamon chips
Directions:
· Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees, and spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
· Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. Add the baking soda and the pumpkin pie spice. Mix well.
· Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl, and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
· Add the brown sugar and beat well.
· Add the eggs, the yogurt and mix well. Then add the pumpkin puree. Mix until all of the wet ingredients are combined. Gradually add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture in batches.
· Stir in the cinnamon chips. Pour the pumpkin bread batter into the prepared pan.
· Bake the pumpkin bread 50 to 60 minutes. When a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, the bread is done.
Quote:
Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase. ~Martin Luther King Jr.