EAST NORRITON
BULLDOG BULLETIN WINTER 2016 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 1
Keeping your teeth in tip-top shape
However, your gums also play a big role in mak-
ing sure that your smile is healthy, says KidsHealth.
Gums help hold teeth in place.
If you don't take care of your teeth, you can de-
velop gingivitis, KidsHealth says. Gingivitis is a gum
disease that can turn gums red and make them sore.
It's the mildest form of gum disease.
According to KidsHealth, more than 50 percent of
teenagers suffer from gum disease, whether in a mild
form or in a more severe case.
You want a good-looking smile, right? Then you
need to develop good habits to take care of your teeth.
The KidsHealth.org website says that taking care
of your teeth can prevent problems such as tooth de-
cay and gum disease.
The well-regarded website says you should "brush
at least twice a day, after breakfast and before you go
to sleep." You should make sure to brush for about
two to three minutes each time.
Think of somebody you know with a healthy,
shiny smile. You probably recall that their teeth
made their smile special.
Illustration by Andrea Ritter
Seven East Norriton reporters interviewed a lead-
ing doctor in the Philadelphia area for a new book
about people who are making communities healthier
and safer.
Dr. Alberto Esquenazi recently visited East Nor-
riton Middle School to discuss his life and work as a
physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. In his
medical specialty, Dr. Esquenazi helps patients fac-
ing different problems, including strokes, paralysis,
and the loss of an arm or leg.
Dr. Esquenazi experienced a major injury many
years ago when he was a medical student in Mexico.
He was in a lab accident that resulted in the loss of
part of his arm. He had wanted to become a surgeon,
but that was no longer possible. "I was in a situation
in which I had to make a decision," he said. "Is this
Students to feature
renowned physician
in upcoming book
(Please see Doctor on Page 2)
Read about 3 inspiring health leaders. See Page 4.
(Please see Keep on Page 3)
PAGE 2 WINTER 2016 EAST NORRITON BULLDOG BULLETIN
Many young people end up wear-
ing braces to help fix their teeth.
The website KidsHealth.org says
braces fix teeth that are crooked,
have gaps, or are not in the right
place in the jaw. Braces can also be
used to fix overbites and underbites.
Ms. Palmer, a sixth grade math
and science teacher, said she started
wearing braces when she was 13 years old. She said
she did not like them at first because they made her
feel embarrassed.
Ms. Palmer said her braces sometimes made her
mouth sore and caused minor headaches when the
orthodontist tightened them. She couldn’t eat every-
thing she wanted. Despite the drawbacks, she said
the braces were worth it.
Ms. Lee, a student teacher, said she had braces
for two years. "They were uncomfortable at first, but
then they grew on me," she said.
People must watch what they eat while wearing
braces because, according to KidsHealth, sticky food
can break the bracket of the braces. The bracket is
the part of the braces glued to your teeth that holds
the rubber bands in place. Examples of food you
Braces are worth it in the long run
available in the East Norriton
school library.
The Bulldog Bulletin report-
ers asked Dr. Esquenazi many
questions about his job. "Each
part of my job has challenges," he
said. He said his job requires him
to be a physician, a teacher, and
an administrator.
He also helped develop a de-
vice called ReWalk. ReWalk is an
"exoskeleton" that is worn outside
the body. Dr. Esquenazi said he
wanted to help people who could
not walk or stand anymore to be
able to do that again. About 150
people in the world now use Re-
Walk, he said.
Dr. Esquenazi said technology
makes it possible to improve the
lives of others. "There's always
hope for the future," he said.
Doctor helps patients in many ways
should not eat are hard
candy, sticky candy, and
popcorn, according to
KidsHealth.
Ms. Lee said she missed
eating corn on the cob and
whole apples.
Madeline, a sixth grader
with braces, said she
misses eating caramel apples, Halloween candy, and
saltwater taffy.
"When I first got my braces on I was really ex-
cited, but then after a week or two I wanted them
off," she said.
Madeline said she knows she will be glad that
she had braces. "Just because braces change your
smile, it doesn't change who you are," she said.
Ms. Palmer’s advice to students was to clean your
teeth and braces as much as you can, which is brush-
ing after every meal.
Ms. Lee had similar advice. "Children should em-
brace their braces because they will give you a great
smile," she said.
—By Kayla Sparks, Lia Kenny,
Ashley Carmona, and Kayla Schwartz
the time to go after medicine with
what I had already learned, or opt
for a different career?"
He was encouraged by his doc-
tor to pursue rehabilitation medi-
cine. He continued his studies at
Temple University School of Medi-
cine. Today, he is chairman of
Einstein Healthcare Network’s
Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation and chief
medical officer for MossRehab.
Dr. Esquenazi will be featured
in "Leading Healthy Change In
Our Communities 2016." The book
is the fifth in a series produced by
student journalists in the Healthy
NewsWorks student media pro-
gram. East Norriton students
have contributed to the earlier
editions and classroom sets are
The East Norriton authors
who interviewed Dr. Esquenazi
include Dean Millard, Valerie No-
gueda, Gabrielle Piccirilli, Andrea
Ritter, Sam Rodriguez, Kayla
Schwartz, and Kayla Sparks.
"It felt very empowering for
me," Gabrielle said. "I got to talk
to a man who overcame adversity
and was able to do such great
things. It showed me that making
change isn't so out of reach. An
ordinary person5 who simply had
the desire to help others did so."
The new book will be avail-
able in May 2016. For more infor-
mation, please visit:
www.HealthyNewsWorks.org.
—By Kayla Schwartz
and Andrea Ritter
Illustration by Alondra Vega
(Continued from Page 1)
Keep your smile
looking its best
PAGE 3 WITNER 2016 EAST NORRITON BULLDOG BULLETIN
three months.
* When you brush, you only need a small amount
of toothpaste. The amount is the size of a pea.
* Remember to floss daily.
* Visit your dentist every six months.
In interviews, several East Norriton teachers
said they try to keep their smiles looking good by car-
ing daily for their teeth and gums.
Mrs. Young, a fifth grade math and science
teacher, said she keeps her smile sparkling by brush-
ing, flossing, and going to the dentist. She said smil-
ing is powerful. When you smile, it can encourage
others to smile, too, she said.
Mrs. Brown, a seventh grade reading teacher,
agreed. "Smiling is infectious," she said.
Mrs. Young said she smiles when she plays with
her kids and sees them laughing. She said it makes
her happy and she feels good inside. —By Andrea
Ritter, Darian White, and Janiyah Scott
* * *
The KidsHealth.org website offers these tips for
taking care of your teeth:
* Brush your teeth at least twice a day, after you
eat breakfast and before you go to bed.
* Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
* Brush your teeth for two to three minutes every
time you brush.
* Brush all your teeth.
* Replace your toothbrush with a new one every
(Continued from Page 1)
When people ring in the New Year, they also of-
ten ring in new good habits.
Every year, many people make New Year’s reso-
lutions. A resolution is a promise to try to make your-
self a better person in some way.
Music teacher Mrs. Laskey said her plan for her
New Year’s resolution is to keep a food journal. Mrs.
Laskey said that keeping track of what she eats will
help her be a healthy person.
Mrs. Haggerty, a seventh grade math teacher,
also hopes to be a healthier person in 2016. When
asked how she plans to do that, she responded, "by
getting on the treadmill at least four days a week."
Mrs. Devlin, a seventh grade reading teacher
wants to make sure she’s staying positive in 2016. "I
plan to make schedules, go to the gym, and read
books with positive messages," she said. —By Samuel
Rodriguez, Gabrielle Piccirilli, and Dean Millard
Teachers set 2016 goals Bulldog Bulletin
A publication of the East Norriton Middle School in Nor-
ristown Area School District in Pennsylvania. Student staff mem-
bers include Elizabeth Barragan, Ashley Carmona, Kimberly
Carrillo, Ashly Juarez, Lia Kenny, Dean Millard, Valerie Nogueda,
Isabella Pastella, Sienna Pendleton, Gabrielle Piccirilli, Brielle
Ramminger, Andrea Ritter, Samuel Rodriguez, Kayla Schwartz,
Janiyah Scott, Kayla Sparks, Alondra Vega, and Darian White.
The faculty advisors for the Bulldog Bulletin are Mrs. Strick-
land and Mrs. McGarry.
* * *
A Healthy NewsWorks® project
www.HealthyNewsWorks.org
Healthy NewsWorks is overseeing pro-
grams in 14 schools in the Philadelphia area
during 2015-16. The Bulldog Bulletin is
marking its seventh year of publication.
Healthy NewsWorks is a member of New
Beginnings Nonprofit Incubator at Resources
for Human Development. Healthy News-
Works receives its funds from individuals,
corporations, foundations, and direct services.
Funders include Claneil Foundation, and
First Hospital Foundation.
This document is protected by applicable law. All rights reserved.
Illustration by Jocelin Lai
WINTER 2016 EAST NORRITON BULLDOG BULLETIN PAGE 4
These leaders inspire us! Editor's note: These letters are written to health
leaders who are featured in the Healthy NewsWorks
book, "Leading Healthy Change In Our Communities
2015." These letters appear online at:
www.HealthyNewsWorks.org
Jeffrey Brown
President and Chief Executive Officer
Brown's Super Stores, Inc.
Dear Mr. Brown,
I read your story in the "Leading Healthy Change In
Our Communities 2015." I was surprised that there
were places that do not have fresh fruit and vegeta-
bles. I am very fortunate that I have a ShopRite near
me in Norristown.
It must be horrible to live in a
food desert. I know that when
my mother and I go to the super-
market sometimes fruits are
very expensive, but we still try
to get at least one or two differ-
ent kinds. As I read in your
story, this is also very important
to you. I haven't been able to make my dinner plate
50 percent fruits and vegetables but I am working on
that.
Not only do you manage every day to try to help
someone but you
manage to make a
profit to be able to
open more stores and
help more people.
Now you are looking
for more creative
ways to make the
shopping experience
more pleasant. If you
want a vote, I think
music will brighten up things up more. People seem
to be happy with music.
I love your work. I think it is very important to the
community that we eat healthy foods. ... I hope when
I grow up I can make a difference somewhere like
you. I hope I can meet you one day.
Sincerely,
Samuel Rodriguez
Steve Bandura
Recreation Leader
Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation
Dear Mr. Bandura,
You do great things for kids in Philadelphia. As you
know, baseball is not the biggest in Philadelphia. It is
not very popular and some people say that it is bor-
ing. You have motivated kids to stay active. A few
years ago, I watched the Taney Dragons' Little
League World Series run. Congratulations.
During the season, I could see that your players had a
great time and learned a lot from you. I understand
that coaching is not easy, especially when you have to
travel but you have put a lot of time and commitment
into your players. You have taught them sportsman-
ship and how to stay healthy while having fun. You
have inspired a lot of people. You are a true role
model. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dean Millard
***
Lily Yeh
Founder
Barefoot Artists
Dear Ms. Yeh,
I think you are a very good role model. You go around
sharing art to help heal broken communities. I find
that very inspiring. You go out of your way just to
help people and I look up to you for that.
I love your caring and understanding personality.
I really wish I can grow up to be someone as great as
you and help others in the way that you do.
Sincerely,
Kayla Sparks
ATTENTION TEACHERS: Your students can also write a letter to a leader and it could be printed in the Bulldog Bul-letin. East Norriton has classroom sets of all four leaders' books published between 2012 and 2015. Teachers can ask Mrs. Strickland or Mrs. McGarry for copies of the books.
Lessons linked to the book and Bulldog Bulletin news-paper are available at: www.HealthyNewsWorks.org. Click on the Teacher Resource tab at the top of the home page.
Illustration by Kayla Sparks
Illustration by Gabrielle
Piccirilli and Darian White