11/23/11 1:55 PM Page 1 Ask About Our E-mail Distribution! You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2637 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Ear Infections And After-School Programs Raise Student Achievement (NAPSA)—Before- and afterschool programs help motivate students to do their best during school hours. That was the result of a recent survey of elementary and middle school superintendents. The survey underscored the importance and benefits that out-of-school time programs can provide students. Conducted by extended learning provider Champions and the National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the survey explored before- and after-school educational and enrichment programs and superintendents’ beliefs in their effectiveness. “The data from our recent survey shows the high value superintendents place on after-school programs and why they are critical in improving the overall education of students today,” said Dr. Paul Young, president and CEO, NAA. A vast majority—82 percent— of surveyed school superintendents agreed that educational programs beyond the traditional school day are not only important, but they improve learning and social interaction and are highly successful at supplementing inclass curriculum. “The benefits of out-of-schooltime programs are extremely clear, and we see this demonstrated daily through the Champions Extended Learning™ offerings we provide to more than 400 school sites across the country,” said Shelley Lambert, vice president of operations, Champions. Key findings from the survey revealed the many reasons superintendents feel these programs are important: Improved Performance Surveyed school superintendents were in near unanimous Hearing Loss (NAPSA)—Childhood ear infections can impact hearing and speech development. When a child has a middle-ear infection, fluid accumulates in the middle ear, which is the space behind the eardrum. Participating in after-school programs can improve a student’s in-school performance. agreement on the benefits students receive from attending outof-school-time programs: •Improving in-classroom academic performance (93 percent) •Improving in-classroom engagement (92 percent) •Increasing social interaction skills (92 percent) •Improving study skills (87 percent) •Improving test scores (86 percent) Skill Building The majority of superintendents said out-of-school-time programs can improve student achievement in important disciplines, including math and reading: •Math (95 percent) •Reading (94 percent) For More Information C h a m p i o n s ( w w w. d i s c o v e r champions.com) is a leading out-ofschool-time provider of extended learning and education programs for school-age children. Programs are offered at more than 400 sites in 19 states. The National AfterSchool Association (www.naaweb.org) is the leading voice of the after-school profession dedicated to the development, education and care of children and youth during their out-ofschool hours. A majority of ear infections occur in children under 3 years of age. This fluid can remain for several weeks and may cause temporary reduction or loss of hearing, which can have a negative impact on speech and language skills development. According to a recent study in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, nearly one in five children with a cold or other common respiratory virus develop a middle-ear infection during the first week of infection. A majority of middle-ear infections occur in children under 3 years of age, which is a critical time for language learning and speech development. The EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor is an FDA-cleared, homeuse device that can help parents quickly and accurately detect the presence of middle-ear fluid, a key sign of ear infection. EarCheck is available at www.earcheck.com and at participating Walgreens locations. Today’s Turkey Trend: Deep-Fried And Delicious (NAPSA)—Want to impress your friends and family with a juicy and deliciously tender turkey this holiday season? Deep-frying your turkey will do just that! Authentic turkey deep-frying starts with 100 percent peanut oil. With a high smoke point and a pleasing flavor, 100 percent peanut oil seals the juices inside the crispy, golden skin, which keeps the meat especially tender. In addition to great taste, peanut oil is trans fat–free and research shows that peanut oil can actually improve cholesterol levels. It also helps prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. In terms of fat and calorie content, deep-fried turkey is very similar to a roasted turkey. You may care to try this recipe during the holidays, at a tailgate party or any family gathering: Crispy and Juicy Deep-Fried Turkey 1 1 1 1 2 whole turkey tablespoon of salt teaspoon of black pepper teaspoon of garlic powder tablespoons of your favorite dry rub 3 to 5 gallons of 100 percent peanut oil (just enough to cover the turkey) Directions: Wash bird inside and out and allow to drain. Rub turkey with the salt, pepper, garlic and dry rub. Allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until completely thawed and dry. Preheat peanut oil outdoors in a turkey fryer or a very large stockpot to 350˚ F. Make sure Peanut oil makes deep-fried turkey crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. there is no moisture on the skin and carefully lower turkey into hot oil either in the fryer basket or using a sturdy tool inserted into the chest cavity. Submerge the turkey completely. Fry turkey for 3 minutes per pound plus 5 minutes per bird. Internal temperature should reach 165˚ F. Remove turkey from the oil. Let sit 20 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings Frying your turkey in peanut oil cuts cooking time in half, leaving you free for other things. After frying, you can reuse your 100 percent peanut fry oil to deep-fry the side dishes such as sweet potato fries, hush puppies or fried vegetables. Note that deep-frying should always be done outdoors unless you have a fryer certified for indoor use. Learn More For more information, including other recipes and tips, go to www.turkeyfrying.net or www. peanut-institute.org.