On behalf of the Administrative Department, (2009)

Isleta Pueblo News

Volume 4 Issue 12

Governor’s Report

On behalf of the Administrative Department,

we wish each and everyone a belated Happy

Thanksgiving...and to everyone a Very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Lt. Governors and I have been extremely

busy this month meeting with various

state and federal representatives regarding

funding. NM State Capitol Outlay Funds

have been on the chopping block as

Governor Richardson continues to look for

money to cover the state’s budget deficit.

Tribal council, treasurer’s office, the tribal

attorney, and administration have met at

various times in order to save capitol outlay

monies used for projects that have been

started. We have also met with legislators,

Governor Richardson and New Mexico

Department Directors regarding capitol

outlay monies that have been awarded

to Isleta by the state. On November

24, Councilman Seferino Lente, Tribal

Treasurer Andrew Teller, Tribal Attorney,

Pablo Padilla and I met with Alvin Warren,

New Mexico Department Secretary of

Indian Affairs to consider projects Isleta

has started, with the hope that we would be

allowed to keep our already allotted capital

outlay funds. All we can do at this point is

to lobby our legislators and the Governor to

consider our proposals.

Lieutenant Lujan and I attended the Tribal

Nations Conference in Washington, DC

November 2 - 6, 2009. Tribal leaders from

throughout the country met with President

Barack Obama and representatives from his

Administration. The conference consisted

of four interactive discussions in the area

of economic development and natural

resources; public safety and housing; and

education, health and labor. Tribal leaders

met from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. Prior to

the daily scheduled meetings, we met with

the President and his Administration in

preparation for the conference, and selected

tribal officials speaking on behalf of their

respective regions. Out of five governors

selected to speak for the Southern Plains

Region, Governor Mark Mitchell of Tesuque

and I were selected to speak on behalf of

our region. Governor Mitchell addressed

Isleta Police Department

Greetings from the Traffic Division of the

Isleta Police Department! This division has

been in operation since April, 2008 and is

dedicated in making the roadways in the Pueblo of Isleta safe

through traffic enforcement and education.

The division is currently staffed by two officers, Curtis Lucero

and Sharon Mitarnura. These officers are sponsored on a

grant through Indian Highway Safety Program and are tasked

with not only enforcement of traffic laws, investigating traffic

crashes but also are active in child carseat safety clinics as both

are technicians. They are also tasked with providing education

to the public in the schools and the community.

The monthly articles will be focused on providing information

to the community regarding traffic safety issues and Motor

Vehicle Laws. The Traffic Division invites questions and

comments as we are dedicated to making the roadways safe

for all who travel upon them.

Questions have arisen regarding the application of traffic laws

on the pueblo and the Traffic Division invites you to refer to

Resolution No. 87-35 which is the "Adoption of the New Mexico

Motor Vehicle Laws" which was duly adopted by the Pueblo

of Isleta Council September 14, 1987, and have been in effect

since.

With the upcoming Christmas holidays and school break,

the Traffic Division asks that you be aware of the increased

holiday traffic, travelers/visitors, and the children who will be

out and about during this time. Increased specialized patrols

and functions will be in effect, so please drive safely.

We wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

December 2009

education while I was selected to speak on

law enforcement. President Obama promised

increases in funding for the areas mentioned

above. The President also promised more

Government to Government consultation

sessions with tribal leaders. The President

was overwhelmingly received by tribal

leaders for keeping his promises to Native

Americans made during his campaign for

President, for the appointment of Larry

Echohawk as Secretary on Indian Affairs,

and for holding the first historical Tribal

Nations Conference, which was another

campaign promise.

I have to admit I was impressed, as were

all tribal leaders, with President Obama's

receptiveness and kindness towards Native

Americans. Very rarely do you experience

this kind of leadership.

Information on the conference will be

forwarded to tribal leaders regarding

funding on the above areas I've described

and will made available for your information

in the next issue of the Tribal Newsletter.

H1N1 FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE

The supply of H1N1 vaccine has increased enough for the Isleta

Health Center to make the vaccine available to more individuals.

Established Health Center patients aged 6 months through 64 years

are now eligible to receive the vaccine, as well as anyone who is a

primary caretaker of an infant less than 6 months old. Those wanting

to be vaccinated should come to the Health Center from 10-11:30am

or 2-3:30pm daily. Individuals 65 and older are considered at less

risk of contracting this strain of influenza and consequently are not

currently eligible for vaccination.

Ham Distribution

DATES:

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

WHERE: Isleta Elderly Center

Kiva Room

TIME:

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

FOR:

Tribal members (1/2 enrollment) living in Isleta

Pueblo, Los Lunas, Belen, Bosque Farms, and

Albuquerque ONLY!!

Individuals must provide proof of tribal membership.

Only one ham per household. Your cooperation will

be appreciated.

Thank you!

Robert Benavides, Governor

Merry Christmas

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

Parks and Recreation

December 2009

The month of November saw a number of diverse activities taking place at the New Rec Center. Activities not only included several

special events on early release Wednesdays for our Elementary School children, but we finally had a couple of our elementary classrooms

utilizing the swimming pool as part of their physical education classes brought in by their respective teachers. Also, a National

Certification Class for Spinning took place over a weekend for Spin Instructors. We also hosted the Health Plan Enrollment seminar

for Tribal employees over a 3-day period, along with hosting the Annual Arts/Crafts Fair for the Elderly Center, which was very well

attended. Last but not least, the hosting of the Per Capita distribution over a 2-day period. All of this, plus the continuation of building

the batting cage, building Mousetown Park and the extension of the water line over 3/4 miles to bring water to the baseball field over

at the Chical Baseball field. All of this is keeping our staff extremely busy. This is inclusive of the normal everyday activities that take

place 7 days a week.

Arts/Crafts

Just about every month

we have something

great to say about the

Arts/Crafts program

and the pictures are

simply expressing that.

The first picture is of

our 3 Nanas, Marie,

Gloria, and Abenita,

getting a jump on the

sewing classes for

adults, which they have

twice a week. Below

them are some of the

traditional dresses that

are for sale, which are

a product of the classes.

If anyone is interested

in purchasing any of

their dresses, please

call the Nanas at 8698557 after 1:00 pm.

To the right are two

pictures of pottery that

the children design

and help paint as part

of the after-school

program. Great Job.

Chical Baseball Field

Although the baseball

field over at the Chical

Neighborhood has been

utilized as a dirt field, we

have now begun the process

to bring water to the field so

we can install an automatic

irrigation system, plant

grass and beautify the

area. The water that will

be used for this park will

be from an old dilapidated

well named "Hell's Canyon

Well" that has been out

of service for a number of

years because of the high

nitrate levels, unsuitable

for drinking, but great for

growing grass. For you

semi-pro players who have

been utilizing this field,

please bear with us, but it

is our intent to have this field ready to have a tournament for the 4th

of July weekend. All of the grass and field will be designed like the

Isotopes playing field. Also, we will be presenting to Tribal Council

a bill that will have lights installed at Chical. This would allow us

to have night games and probably more tournaments. Let's keep our

fingers crossed, because lights are expensive to install and that is

something my crew cannot do. Pictured is the Park Management

staff busy doing the groundwork in building the water line that will

eventually bring water to the baseball field.

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2009

Page 3

Park Management

As mentioned earlier, the Park Management division has been busy

with the installation of the new batting cage, which is located on

the northwest corner of Governor's Little League Complex directly

across the street from New Rec. If any of you have noticed a pyramid

netting structure, that is it. We are about 60 percent complete, with

the sloping of the structure, electricity hook-up and installation of the

machines coming shortly thereafter. They will be complete and ready

to utilize prior to the start of 2010 Little League season, which is

only about 3 1/2 months away. The batting cage will house 3 separate

units that will accommodate slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball

and baseball, as well. Pictured right is a picture of that structure.

We ask that everyone please respect the facility and report anyone

whose intent is to vandalize the netting or the machines once they are

installed. Note: Like all of our facilities anyone caught vandalizing or

doing graffiti will be prosecuted to the fullest.

Mousetown Park

Pictured below the batting structure is the Mousetown Park, which

is about 90 percent complete. This park will feature a beautiful new

play structure a climbing rock, two shade structures, two barbecue

pits, a ponding area for flood control and grass that will be seeded

in early spring. The park will remain closed until the grass is fully

grown which should be by Memorial Weekend, in mid spring.

American Legion

Post 209

American Legion Post 209 will have its monthly meeting

on Saturday 19 December 2009 at 10:00 AM. If you are

an honorably discharged veteran, or a spouse or child of a

veteran, drop in and find out what we are all about.

We will have donuts and coffee!!!

ISLETA TRIBAL COURT

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Article summitted by Tribal Courts,

Verna Teller, Chief Tribal Judge

The following individuals have been fined with community service as a result of a conviction in the Isleta Tribal Court. If your name

appears on this list, you must contact Dana Jiron, Court Clerk at 869-6510 to arrange to complete your community service hours.

Failure to contact the court by December 20, 2009 to schedule community service shall result in further court action.

Cruz Abeita

Edward A. Abeita

Joseph G. Abeita

Jonathan Aragon

Lavenia Abeita

Timothy S. Abeita

Ben Aragon

Gabriel Calabaza

Pedro Carpio

Joseph Correa

Aaron David

Vivian Etsitty

Jack Garcia, Jr.

Darrell Jaramillo

Joseph D. Jiron, Jr.

Charles B. Jojola

Darlene Jojola

Derrick Jojola

Jason P. Jojola

Joseph R. Jojola,Jr.

Luanne Jojola

Raymond B. Jojola

Joann Teller Lente

Anthony F. Lucero

Daniel Lucero

Renee Lucero

Bethany Lujan

Michael B. Lujan

Brian Miller

Mark A. Montoya

Amanda Moquino

Daniel Olguin

Joseph W. Olguin

Michael Parton

Robert Pizzaro

Isabel Romero

Dennis C. Abeita

Jerome Abeita

John C. Abeita

Josh Abeita

Richard Abeita, Jr.

Valerie Abeita

Francisco Benavidez,Jr.

Mary Ann Carpio

Dominic Cherino

Cheyenne Crane

Nathan Dewahe

Alvaro Garcia, Jr.

Bernie Jaramillo

Patrick Jiron, Jr.

Anthony P. Jojola

Daniel L. Jojola

Derek Jojola

Eileen Jojola

Joseph R. Jojola

Luther Jojola

Michael F. Jojola

Joseph Lente

Louis Lente

Christine R. Lucero

Joseph L. Lucero

Sara Lucero

Kevin Lujan

Kenneth Martinez

Jason Miller

Robert D. Montoya

Ronald Moquino, Jr.

Jonathan Olguin

Jose Orozco

Amanda Peralta

Anna Marie Romero

Allison D. Sanchez

Ian Sanchez

Brian S. Trujillo

Louis Valdez

Janelle Waseta

Thomas Zuni

Augustine Tewaheftewa

Raymond Trujillo

Kazuko Walker

Gilbert J. Zuni

Joshua D. Zuni

Page 4

Isleta Pueblo News

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

December 2009

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

CULTURAL AFFAIRS

BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT

FOR ELIGIBLE

POI AND IPHA EMPLOYEES & DEPENDENTS

P.O.BOX 1270, ISLETA, NM 87022

THE MONTH OF DECEMBER IS BENEFIT OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR POI

AND IPHA EMPLOYEES. THE PURPOSE OF AN OPEN ENROLLMENT

PERIOD IS TO MAKE CHANGES OR ADD YOURSELF OR YOUR ELIGIBLE

DEPENDENTS TO MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, OR SUPPLEMENTAL

LIFE INSURANCES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A QUALIFYING LIFE

EVENT. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE TO

OUR CURRENT BENEFIT PLANS FOR 2010, ESPECIALLY FOR MEDICAL

COVERAGE.

OUR CURRENT DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE CARRIERS ARE:

DELTA DENTAL- DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

VISION SERVICE PLAN (VSP) - EYEGLASSES & EYEWEAR

SERVICES

OUR CURRENT LIFE INSURANCE CARRIER IS:

FT. DEARBORN LIFE- SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE & DEPENDENT LIFE

COVERAGE

OUR NEW MEDICAL INSURANCE PROVIDER IS:

LOVELACE HEALTH SYSTEM- MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION

SERVICES

THE OPEN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE TO CHANGE OR ADD MEDICAL

PLANS FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS TO MEDICAL,

DENTAL,VISION,OR LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS,OR ADD SUPPLEMENTAL

LIFE INSURANCE FOR YOURSELF IS 4:30 PM ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18,

2009. THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR COVERAGE WILL BE JANUARY 1 , 2010.

IF YOU WANT A MEDICAL CARD BEFORE JANUARY 1 , YOU MUST TURN

IN YOUR PAPER¬WORK BY DECEMBER 9, 2009.

IF YOU DO NOT ADD YOUR ELIGIBLE DEPENDENT(S) NOW, YOU

WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER 2010 FOR THE NEXT OPEN

ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

THERE WAS A DECREASE OF THE EMPLOYEE PAID INSURANCE

PREMIUMS FOR MEDICAL ANDVISION PREMIUMSWITH NO SIGNIFICANT

CHANGES IN BENEFITS. DELTA DENTAL EMPLOYEE PAID PREMIUMS

DID INCREASE FOR MONTHLY DEDUCTION AMOUNTS RANGING FROM

$.68 FOR SINGLE COVERAGE TO $9.52 FOR FAMILY COVERAGE. THERE

WERE NO CHANGES TO LIFE INSURANCE COSTS FOR EMPLOYEES.

FOR A CHART OF EMPLOYEE PAID PREMIUM COSTS, PLEASE CONTACT

HUMAN RESOURCES OR VIEW THE CHART UNDER THE POI INTRA-NET

SYSTEM UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION CATEGORY, AND THEN REVIEW

UNDER THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT AT (505) 766-6622 OR 766-6631.

THANK YOU!

Isleta Pueblo Exhibit of Rare 19th Century

Photos to be featured at Albuquerque Museum

ISLETA PUEBLO, NM (November 30, 2009) - When

American soldiers and explorers arrived in New Mexico in

the mid 1800's the world of the Pueblo people began to

change dramatically. Time Exposures: A Photographic

History of Isleta Pueblo, tells the story of life on the

Isleta Indian Reservation in the 19th century and its

lasting effects on life today.

"The landscape, the faces of the people and other elements

found in these photographs truly tell the story of what life

was like for our ancestors," said Isleta Pueblo Governor

Robert Benavides. "When you see the exhibit you can't

help but feel like you've been transported back in time."

The traveling exhibit of more than 150 historic photographs

and artifacts will be featured at the Albuquerque Museum

of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Road NW from December

20, 2009 to April 25, 2010. It portrays the lives of the Isleta

people before the arrival of westward exploring Americans,

the changes imposed over the next decades, and the ways

in which the people worked to preserve their way of life.

Time Exposures will be presented in three parts that

depict the life of the Isleta people in a calendar year.

Traditionally, tribal members' lives are organized by

seasons - farming, hunting and gathering and a regular

sequence of ceremonies and rituals. Modern lifestyles have

brought much change, but the cycles described here still

define the contours of a parallel life that tribal members

live today.

After its five month stay in Albuquerque, the exhibit

will travel to the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, the

Arizona State University Museum of Anthropology in

Phoenix, as well as internationally.

Albuquerque Museum of Art & History —

Special Opening Day Programming for Time Exposures —

Isleta Dance, Food, Storytelling and Hands on Activities

9am — 5pm, Tuesday — Sunday, Closed Mondays and

City holidays

Adult, $4.00, ($1 discount for Adult NM Resident with

valid ID) - Senior (65+), $2; Children ages 4-12, Free.

Admission is free every Sunday from 9am to 1pm and all

day first Wednesday of every month

For more information about Time Exposures or Isleta

Pueblo, please contact Stephanie Zuni at (505) 766-6657.

MADD Has a New Program for Parents

MADD is launching a new program to help parents of high

school students prevent underage drinking in their homes and

communities called The Power of Parents, It's Your influence.

Sponsored by MADD and Nationwide Insurance, there are

two parts to the program: a website that provides parents

with proven techniques and helpful tips to prevent underage

drinking and workshops about the most effective solutions to

use in the home.

View the website at: www.thepowerofparents.org or www.

madd.org/parents.

Drunken Driving Penalties May Change

Governor Bill Richardson is requesting that the legislature raise

drunken driving fines in New Mexico in the upcoming session.

His proposal of a mandatory $2,500 fine for first offenders may

seem steep to some drunk drivers, but it's only a drop in the

bucket compared to what they charge in Norway, where the

courts set drunk driving fines based on monthly income and

wealth.

Earlier this year, a wealthy 49 year old was jailed for three

weeks with hard labor and ordered to pay a 700,000 kroner

($109,000) fine after driving his car while drunk. Tests show he

had a blood alcohol content of .188 percent. His license was also

revoked for two years and three months.

If he is convicted of a second drunk driving offense within five

years, his license will be revoked for life.

(Reprinted from "The Traffic SafetyNews". New Mexico Department of

Transportation, Autumn 2009)

December 2009

Isleta Pueblo News

Weight Loss Solution has come to Isleta!

NEED A JOB?

The U.S. Census is currently testing in Isleta Pueblo!

•

Starting Pay: $12.75 Per Hour

•

Paid Training

•

Mileage Reimbursement, .55 cents per mile

•

Get Paid Weekly

•

Work Within Your Community

Inspired in other states by TV's "The Biggest Loser"

Two local area residents have teamed up to launch a 12 week

non-profit course that offers tips on nutrition and exercise, along

with the flair of competition, which is popular today.

Both Pascha & Jamaine are personal wellness coaches, each

heading their own wellness teams, "Isleta WLC". The program

gives us a chance to advertise and help fight the battle of obesity

by educating people about a better overall lifestyle. The goal is

for people to "feel good and look great" and maintain a healthier

lifestyle. The cost to join is $29.00 for the 12 week program and

all money will be paid out in cash and prizes to the winners.

Specific rules will be in place to keep everyone consistent. Fail

to weigh-in? Pay a $5 fee, as well as a $1 fee per pound gained.

These fees will be added to the cash pay out.

All participants can use any weight-loss program they'd like,

whether it be Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers or a customized

plan. We will work with each person to find what works best for

them. "Isleta WLC" also sells herbal weight loss and targeted

nutritional products.

Page 5

Positions Testing For:

Census Takers (Enumerators)

Office positions in Albuquerque

Testing Session Being Conducted On:

Date: Every Monday

Time: 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Location: Isleta Recreation Center, Game Room

Required ID (2 forms): Valid Photo ID (issued by state, tribal

or federal govt.) and Social Security Card, Birth Certificate or

Tribal CIB. Copy of DD-214 if claiming veteran's preference.

PLEASE ALLOW 2 HRS AT THE TESTING SESSION

(Application process and a 30-minute basic

skills test to be administered.)

All participants will weigh in and be measured each week, and

the three with the highest percentage of weight loss at the end

of the program will split the monies collected.

Our Goal is to encourage people to lose weight and inches by

eating a healthy level of protein and calories each day and

teaches the benefits of good nutrition and exercise. Seating is

limited, so Call! Come! Join!

Practice test booklets are available prior to

attending the Census testing session.

Call toll-free at 1-866-861-2010.

www.2010censusjobs.gov

The Isleta Area Weight Loss Challenge begins:

Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm

For Information or Pre-Registration Call:

Pascha Madrid @ 505-866-1524

Do something good for YOUR community...

It's in YOUR HANDS!

Be a part of the 2010 Census team!

JOBS ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ISLETA TRIBAL CENSUS

The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) PROGRAM

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

The National Ironworkers Training

Program for American Indians!

Workforce Investment Act

Pueblo of Isleta

JOB READINESS SKILLS

Provides Pre-Apprenticeship Training

APPRENTICES RECEIVE:

Direct entry into a Union Ironworker Apprenticeship Program

Above Average Wages

Job Security

Insurance and Pension

A Great Career

A way to provide for you and your family's future

Skills necessary to carry out the trade

Apprentice starting wages range from $14 to $18 per hour with

raises approximately every six months.

It takes 3 to 4 years to reach Journeyman Status with wages

ranging between $24 to $39 per hour.

For more information on the National Ironworkers

Training Program, please contact

Mary Abeita at the WIA Program, 766-6652.

RESUMES!

JOB SEARCH!

If you need assistance with your

Resumes or Job Search,

please stop by the WIA Program.

Please bring a copy of your resume

or your work history.

For more information please contact

Mary Abeita, WIA Prog,ram, at 766-6652.

Page 6

Isleta Elementary School

Isleta Pueblo News

Greetings from the Isleta Elementary School! After three months

of school, our students continue every day to make progress

in all subject areas. Our students come from great families

and we have a dedicated staff that has high expectations for

our students. We realize our students and staff are working

very hard in order to enhance your child's skills. We need to

enrich their education in a new and different way. We have

implemented a block schedule to maximize our learning time

which consists of a 90-minute uninterrupted reading and math

period. Increasing our expectations alone will not help your

child become a better student. To be truly successful we need

cooperation. It is critical that our students attend school every

day, on-time and stay for the entire day to focus on all skills.

We would like to thank the entire community for supporting

our annual food drive to help the Roadrunner Food Bank. Our

students collected over 1200 items of food within two weeks!

Thank you for teaching our students how important it is to help

people in need.

We would like to congratulate our

2009-2010 Student Council Officers:

President -

Cody Morris

Vice President Shawna Esquibel

Secretary -

Mariah Lente

Historian -

Keanna Lucero

Parliamentarian - Maddy Montoya/David Roybal

Two representatives are also selected from each classroom to

represent their fellow peers. Student Council helps organize

various student activities throughout the year.

Isleta Elementary School is sponsoring a Christmas Open House

on December 17th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to

come in and visit classrooms. Every class will have a Christmas

activity for family and friends. Please join us!

Los Lunas Title VII

"Serving Native American Students at

Los Lunas and Valencia High Schools"

On Tuesday, December 8th, Valencia High School will be

holding a Junior and Senior Parent Night. Information

concerning ACT & SAT testing dates, credit recovery options,

and other information will be provided.

Counselors will be present to answer any questions and

concerns that parents and students may have. The meeting

will begin at 5:00 PM and will be followed by the "Annual

Taste of Valencia".

For more information, please call Ms. Rivera or Mr. Schriver

at 565-8755.

For any questions or concerns on your child, please call Ben

Analla, Title VII Native American Liaison at 865-4646 ext.

272.

The Native American Students and Title VII Wish You

All a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

December 2009

Summer Jones on Presidential Honor Roll

Hello everyone, and Happy

Holidays, my name is Helen

Baca, my husband James

and I, along with Rodney

Jones and his fiancée Anna

Marquez and the rest of the

family, would like to take

a moment and share with

everyone that our wonderful

daughter, Summer Jones

has made the Presidential

Honor Roll. Yes, we are

very proud of this academic

achievement. Summer has

always been a great student

and works very hard.

Since enrolling her at

Menaul in the middle of

her eighth grade year, she

has made phenomenal

strides and has been on the

honor roll since starting

school there. Now as a junior, even with pressure mounting,

she continues to do well; things get better with each year that

passes. I am very proud to say that enrolling her at Menaul was

one of the best choices we could have made, the students as well

as the faculty and teachers have been great, and never miss an

opportunity to let us know what a great student and person we

have in Summer, so with that I wanted to share with everyone

this great achievement, and let Summer know we are all very

proud of her and wish her the best as she prepares for her senior

year, and then her journey into college.

Thank you sincerely, Helen and James Baca

December 2009

Decorate for Diabetes November Diabetes Awareness Activity

November was National Diabetes Awareness and

Prevention Month. To advocate for diabetes awareness

the Diabetes Prevention Programs sponsored a Decorate

for Diabetes Activity. Departments on the pueblo were

notified and encouraged to participate. Prizes will be given

to departments that were most creative in their decorating

themes. Incentives were also given to all departments

members that participated.

We would like to congratulate Janette, Carolyn, Darlene,

Janelle, Becky, Cara, Mary and Heidi with the Isleta WIC

program on a job will done. These ladies put a lot of thought

and work into their theme "The Wizard of Oz". They have

been awarded 1st place in the Decorate for Diabetes 2009.

The WIC staff would also like to invite you to stop by their

program to see their decorations and to get healthy ideas

on how to follow the yellow brick road to success through a

healthy lifestyle.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

Page 8

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2009

Public Works Department

Ma Gu Wam,

We hope you had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. As hard as

it is to believe, the year is almost over and Christmas is upon us.

November was a busy month and the Public Works Department

made great strides in improving the quality of its employees.

grader and 2nd place in backhoe. Erwin brought back the 2nd

place win in the motor grader, and Michael Lente placed 3rd in

the motor grader completion. Isleta took the 3 top finishes in the

grader completion. Good Job!

Water line breaks are commonplace during the winter months.

Please let us know if you see any lines that could need attention.

We will attempt to inform you if shut offs are necessary, but on

occasions, it is necessary to shut off the water quickly to repair the

line. We apologize for any inconvenience we may cause, but many

times it is unavoidable.

The maintenance department is moving up in maintaining our own

facilities. Auggie Lucero has been attending training with Daniel

Lujan and they are now doing in house repairs and saving the

tribe lots of time and money by not having to hire outside sources

to fix our buildings.

TR 2 road project has had numerous road closures and will most

likely remain closed into January. The contractor will open the

road for the Christmas weekend to ensure traffic can flow while

you visit your families. Please obey all road signs and keep speeds

down. There is a lot of action on that project and we want everyone

to be safe.

Public works would like to congratulate 6 of our employees for

receiving training and are now certified backhoe operators,

they are; Pat Jojola, James Weldon, Lyndon Thomason, Marcus

Montoya, Daniel Lujan, and Frank Benavidez. Well done!

The roads department also attended training in Phoenix. They too

brought back certifications for CPR, grading, and safety. Our Road

team did well in the heavy equipment rodeo and we would like to

give them a hand also. Jacob Garcia took 1st place in motor

The Solid Waste Department has two new certified Transfer

Station attendants. Joseph Lucero and Richard Lente both

attended training in Moriarty. These new certificates help the

Tribe with funding opportunities along with ensuring that the

transfer station meets and operates per EPA regulation.

Raymond Abeita is no longer driving the septic pumper truck. He

had to transfer to the One Stop because of new stringent health

requirements for commercial drivers. We will miss him, but we

can all see him when we go for gas. Have fun, Raymond. We miss

you!

From the entire Public Works Department Have a Merry Christmas

December 2009

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH HEALTHIER MEALS

Holidays usually involve enjoying food and beverages with family and friends. Read on for shopping, cooking and baking tips that can

help keep you on track for healthy eating habits this season and into the new year.

low fat.

SMART SHOPPING:

► Plan ahead! Prepare and freeze some of your holiday dishes

in advance to limit last minute shopping and impulse buying. SMART BAKING:

► Replace fat in recipes (butter, oil, shortening) with fruit

Make your shopping list and stick to it!

puree or unsweetened applesauce. Try replacing 1/2-3/4 of the

► Eat a healthy meal or snack before shopping. You'll be less

fat for a more acceptable texture.

tempted to buy treats.

► If you add nuts, toast them to enhance flavor & use less.

► Stock up on festive foods such as deep, bright colored veggies

Add healthy whole grains with subbing 1/2 of the white flour

and fruits.

with whole wheat.

► Look at labels and compare which products are lower fat

► For pies, leave off the top crust or try an oat crisp topping

and sodium, yet higher in fiber.

and use less butter than the recipe calls for; crumb crusts made

of graham, vanilla or chocolate wafers or gingersnap cookie

SMART COOKING:

crumbs can have less fat than a pastry crust.

► Fry less; drain fat off when cooking; try fat-free cooking

► Try less sugar and use powered skim milk to make up the

sprays.

required dry ingredients; could sub half the sugar with artificial

► Baste meat with fruit juice or broth instead of fat.

sweetener.

► Chill the meat drippings to skim fat off when making

► Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves or vanilla can enhance sweetness

gravy.

so less sugar is needed.

► Sides: try these tips to cut the fat and use less butter...

cook the stuffing outside the turkey and add diced veggies or

Purchasing and preparing healthy foods that are low in fat, sugar,

fruits; make mashed potatoes with fat-free or low-fat milk/

sodium and high in fiber is your gift to family and friends, as well

buttermilk/sour cream or low sodium broth; dress up sweet

as to yourself. Eat slowly so you have time to feel full before dishing

potatoes with small amounts of pineapple, raisins, apple juice

up that second serving, and enjoy your company! Make physical

or other fruits.

activity part of the celebration. Indoor activities like charades and

► Use sharp flavored cheese and use less, or try low fat (2%

dancing or outdoor activities, even a walk after eating, can liven

milk) cheese.

up a party and add to the health benefit. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

► Try using mashed beans or chickpeas to make dips with

Terri P. Elisberg, RD, LD, CDE

Nutritionist, Diabetes Prevention Programs at Pueblo of Isleta

For questions: call 869-4093 or email: telisberg@islclinic.net

(Capital Health, Edmonton, Canada: Preparing Healthy Holiday Food)

Behavioral Health Addition

The Isleta Behavioral Health

Program just added on to the

Isleta Health Center. They have

over 4,000 square feet of space,

including 10 offices, a reception

area and a conference room. They

are located on the west side of the

Health Center. There is either

access through the main clinic

area or direct access through the

new entrance on the west side of

the Health Center. There are 17

additional parking spaces in the

side and back area. The total cost

of the project was $1.3 million.

No POI funds were used for this

project; the funds came from

approximately $1/2 million of state

funds that were acquired and the

balance was funded by third party

revenue collected by the Health

Center.

Special thanks to our patients

who carry insurance including

Medicare,

Medicaid

and

commercial insurance. This is

visible evidence to the contribution

of their use of insurance to the

improvement of health care for

the whole community.

NOTICE FOR ISLETA

HEALTH CENTER PATIENTS:

The Isleta Health Center Pharmacy

department is requesting your insurance,

Medicaid, or Medicare information so we

can bill your insurance company. This

will help us serve you better and help us

provide the best medicines.

You will not be responsible for any co-pays

and you will not be billed for any balances

that the insurance company does not pay

for.

PLEASE GIVE YOUR INSURANCE,

MEDICAID OR MEDICARE CARD

TO THE ISLETA PHARMACY

DEPARTMENT!

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 10

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

Hello, we hope everyone had a wonderful

and Happy Thanksgiving with your dear

ones, near and far. (And of course, Yeah

Cowboys)!! It’s hard to believe that November

is already gone. We had a very busy month

here at the library with a different program

going on each week. We enjoyed our 2nd

Parents Night Out Program, we had lots

of fun making Autumn Wreaths & Turkey

Center Pieces, and we even had a Precious

Baby Night Program which turned out to

be so sweet. We took the kids (who earned

their reading points – of course) to their

choice of the new and popular movie New

Moon or Planet 51. We also had a very nice

little Thanksgiving Dinner for our kids and

parents to enjoy. So, thank you for all of

you who joined us.

News:

A new Winter Break schedule has been set

up the week of December 21 – January 1.

Our hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. So please keep that in mind. Don’t

forget the drop box is always open for your

convenience.

Recap:

Our 2nd Parents Night Out Program was

a great success. I think the kids enjoyed

our camp out theme just as much as our

parents enjoyed their night out. We had so

much fun, first we started off with a great

story. We then had our choice of making

either a teepee or an “ojo” as one of our

projects. We had some good hamburgers

and fries for dinner and for dessert we had

fun making s’mores. Thanks to Ta-ta Adam

Edaakie for making us marshmallow sticks

and lending us his fire pit to make our

roasted marshmallows (they were so good).

We read more scary campfire stories in our

tent. Thanks to Mike and Melanie Lente

for lending us their camping tent (we had

so much fun). We also had some great door

prizes, such as flashlights and compasses.

Harmony Johnson won the grand prize

which was full of fun camping gear. Way to

go, Harmony.

Also, the library will be closed from 10:30

a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December

22, 2009, for our library staff meeting. We

will be closing at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday,

December 24, and we will be closed on

Friday, December 25. We will also be closed

on January 1, 2010. We will return to our

regular business hours on Monday, January

4, 2010.

Granddaughter and Grandmother

working on Fall Wreath.

Hope and daughter enjoying the Play Time

during Precious Babies Program.

Group of Kids in Tent during

Parents Night Out.

Upcoming Programs:

We are currently busy with lots of fun

activities for this month. First of all, we are

setting up a new sewing program this week

November 30 to December 4, 2009. Some of

the projects include sewing an apron (which

will be a great gift to give to mom, maybe

grandma, your aunt, sister or maybe even

yourself - it’s always nice to be mom’s little

helper). We will also be sewing pillows,

Christmas stockings, and Santa hats.

Make sure you join us, as these gifts can be

made for someone special made especially

by you.

Next, we really enjoyed making our holiday

autumn wreaths for the Thanksgiving holiday

(they really look nice hanging on your front

doors at home). Everyone is welcome, so we

had moms, dads, grandmothers and aunts

all help out. We really had a great turnout.

Thanks for everyone who participated. We

also made some cute turkey center pieces

made especially by your child’s hand print,

which made it even more special for the

holiday dinner. Nice job kids.

We wrote to Santa Claus and told him

just how great our kids have been here

at the library, so he set some time aside

on his very busy schedule to join us on

Wednesday, December 9, 2009. So make

plans on coming to the library to have your

picture taken with Santa. You can take an

individual picture or a family picture. Two

copies will be given so you can keep one and

give one to someone special. Make sure and

be good, because Santa Claus is coming to

town.

One of many groups during Turkey

Center Piece Program.

On Wednesday, December 30, 2009, the Teen

Library Board will be hosting a tournament

called Game Day Tournament (Call of Duty

Modern War Fare 1 and 2). Snacks will be

provided, and prizes will be given to the top

three winners. So start practicing to win

the big prize.

December 2009

Our Precious Baby Night Program was a

great success, as well. This was the first

time we planned an event like this. It was

so sweet watching the new moms and their

precious new babies as Mary Jane read two

baby stories to them. We had a wonderful

keepsake project for our new parents to take

home and cherish. The babies put a hand

print on a ceramic plate with their name,

date of birth, height and weight. They

came out very nice, once Ta-ta Adam took

them home to have the ceramic plates fired.

Thanks Ta-Ta Adam, we really appreciate

your talent. We had Janelle Esquibel from

WIC provide some good information about

health and wellness, and a baby spoon

was given to each of the babies. Great

information WIC, Thank you very much. We

also had information about the importance

of immunizations and info on NAPPR

(Native American Professional Parenting

Resources). Thank you to the community

health nurse for all the helpful pamphlets

she provided. We handed out baby books

to all our participants, and drawings were

held throughout the night. The grand

prize was a beautiful wicker basket full

of very nice gifts, such as towels, laundry

detergent, a high chair cover, baby food,

apple juice, baby wipes and baby utensils.

Thank You to all the wonderful new moms

who bought in their very precious babies in

that night. Congratulations to all the new

moms for a healthy new baby and a safe

delivery. Babies really are a very special

gift sent from above.

The great excitement we were all looking

forward to came and went. Everyone

worked so hard to earn their points to go see

the new movie NEW MOON or PLANET 51.

We only had room for the first 20 kids, but,

because of the high demand of participants,

we decided to take 25 instead, so everyone

strived to do their best. Good reading kids.

We have a bunch of good students here in

Isleta Pueblo who are very bright and

December 2009

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

intelligent. We as parents, grandparents,

aunts and uncles, need to continue guiding

our kids in the right direction to keep them

in the right path. They will be our future

leaders (I know). I wish all our students

much success in life. If we take good care of

our children now, they will take good care of

us. Let’s always keep that in mind. Read on

kids, read on! Keep up the good work! I’m

proud of you. Thanks to Rick Giron at the

Isleta Pueblo Recreation Center for lending us

two of their vans and Thanks to Department

of Education for lending us their van. We all

enjoyed the evening.

Janelle and Brittany working on a Keepsake during Precious Babies Program.

After a fun night at the movies, we all enjoyed

a delicious dinner at Furr’s Fresh Buffet.

The kids really deserved it for all their hard

work.

Our Thanksgiving Dinner at the library was

so delicious, thank you Mary Jane. We had

delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy,

corn on the cob, red Chile, and of course oven

bread and pumpkin pie and whipped cream.

Thank you Natasha, for making the mashed

potatoes. Thank you Tiffany’s Chee-ee Mary

for the delicious gravy. Thank you WIC for

letting us use your oven. We had a lot to be

thankful for. Thank you to all our patrons

who joined us.

Another great big Thank You to Tiffany Jiron

and Crystal Lente for all their great help and

patience while they worked with us. Thank

You girls, you were a great help to us during

our very busy times here at the library.

Six of seven Mothers and Babies whom attended Precious Babies Program.

It is always a great pleasure having you and

your children join us for our many exciting

programs and events. Our door is always

open for all your library needs (such as

homework, tutoring, and research). If you

ever need help, please do not hesitate to ask.

We will always be here for you.

Don’t forget we have a great selection of

holiday movies, music and books, of course.

With that, I hope everyone has a safe and

wonderful holiday season. Please do not drink

and drive. I pray that our Great Spirit will

keep you and your family in good health, give

us the strength to make the right decisions,

and to always protect us from harm.

Pueblo 51 Group photo of students who earned points

for after School Homework Program Movie Nights.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE

ISLETA PUEBLO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Isleta Pueblo Public Library

Contact Information:

Phone Number: (505)869-8119

Fax Number: (505)869-7690

E-Mail: poi_library@hotmail.com

Web Address:

www.myspace.com/isleta_pueblo_library

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 12

December 2009

Second Hand Smoke and Your New Baby

Health Educator: Stephanie Barela, 869-4479

People (especially babies) who are exposed to second hand smoke

are more likely to get sick. Give yourself and your family a better

chance for a healthy life, by following some of these tips from the

Journeyworks Publishing Brochure.

Protect your baby from smoke during pregnancy.

◊ A baby could have serious health problems if their mom

smokes or regularly is around smoke (second hand smoke).

◊ Moms to be who smoke or breath secondhand smoke are

more likely to have a miscarriage.

◊ If the mom-to-be smokes, the baby could be born too soon or

weigh little.

When your baby is born, keep him or her safe from

smoke.

◊ Secondhand smoke can cause people, especially babies, to

have more colds, ear infections and asthma attacks.

◊ Babies are twice as likely to die from Sudden Infant Death

Syndrome (SIDS) if they are exposed to smoke.

◊ Secondhand smoke causes 300,000 cases of bronchitis and

pneumonia in children under 18 months every year.

◊ Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes get into breast

milk of mothers who smoke or breathe secondhand smoke.

If you smoke, Quit!!

◊ Cigarette smoke is very dangerous to your child's health.

Your child is a good reason to be smoke free.

◊ If your partner or other family member smokes, ask them to

quit.

◊ SIGN UP FOR FREEDOM FROM SMOKING!! 869-4479

The clinic offers a helpful quit smoking group that can assist

you in stopping smoking. If you are a clinic patient and attend

each weekly session, you can receive Nicotine Replacement

Therapy.

Say "NO" to secondhand smoke

◊ Post "No Smoking" signs in your home.

◊ Through away cigarettes, matches, lighters and ashtrays.

◊ Have gum and mints handy as alternatives.

◊ Choose family activities where your baby will not be exposed

to commercial cigarette smoke.

◊ Don't allow smoking in your car or your home.

Secondhand smoke affects everyone

◊ 3,000 nonsmokers die each year from lung cancer caused by

secondhand smoke.

◊ Secondhand smoke causes 35,000 heart attacks each year in

nonsmokers.

Protect your baby and yourself from SECONDHAND SMOKE!!

H1N1 & Seasonal

Flu

Clinical trials conducted have shown that the new H1N1 Vaccine is both

SAFE and EFFECTIVE!!

• Flu activity this year is much higher and almost all the flu viruses

are 2009 H1N1.

• Scientists and doctors recommend H1N1 vaccination even if flu activity slows,

as it could resume later in the season.

GET YOUR SEASONAL

and H1N1 FLU SHOT TODAY!!

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor: Ulysses Abeita

Asst. Editor:

Beverly Piro

Published By:

Valencia Express

December 2009

Isleta Pueblo News

NEW FACES AT THE CLINIC

Seatbelt Surveys

Are you wearing your seatbelt?

Health Educator: Stephanie Barela, 869-4479

Page 13

Health Beat

Health Educator: Stephanie Barela, 869-4479

Aleta Myer Alexander is a new face for the Behavioral

Health Program at the Health Center. She is the new

Clinical Therapist. Aleta recently moved from Los Cruces,

where she worked at the Mesilla Valley Hospital. Aleta

has 2 dogs and enjoys painting glass and landscapes. Aleta

grew up in the Navajo Reservation, where her dad worked

for BIA. Aleta is excited to work for this community and

is looking forward to meeting new people.

The Isleta Elementary 4th

graders have been keeping

an eye on you; have you been

wearing your seatbelt? Dr.

Shutiva’s and Mrs. Gonzales's

4th graders have been learning

about injury prevention with

Stephanie Barela. They have

learned the importance of

wearing their seatbelt and

promoted it by doing seatbelt

surveys. Each class did their

own observational survey.

The data they collected is

below:

2009 Seatbelt Surveys with

4th Graders

Gonzales October 23, 2009

1:50-2:15

83% of the drivers were

wearing their seatbelts

58% of the passengers were

wearing their seatbelts

67% of the children were in

car seats

Dr. Shutiva November 10, 2009 1:45-2:15

82% of the drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

75% of the passengers were wearing their seatbelts.

0% of the children were in car seats.

Santana Titla is not exactly a new face at our clinic, she

has worked here as a contractor, but recently became a

full time employee with Behavioral Health. She is the

Mental Health Addictions Counselor and as been working

in this field for 10 years. Santana is 1/2 Acoma and 1/2

San Carlos Apache.

If you combine the data from both classes, 87% of the drivers were wearing

their seatbelt, 65% of the passengers were wearing their seatbelt and only

33% of the children were in car seats. This showed the students that the

majority of the driver's wore their seatbelts, but what about the passengers

and children? If you are a driver, you should Always make sure

everyone in your car is BUCKLED UP!!! Never PULL OUT until

every BELT is SNAPPED IN!!!

The majority of the drivers were smart enough to buckle up, but they

didn't seem to care about the passengers. It is VERY IMPORTANT that

EVERYONE in the vehicle wears their seatbelt!!

The Isleta Police Department also knows the importance of wearing your

seatbelt. Officer Sharon Mitamura and Officer Robert Abeita assisted with

both Seatbelt Surveys. THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT!!

PLEASE BE A THOUGHTFUL DRIVER

and

MAKE SURE EVERYONE (especially little ones) IS BUCKLED UP

Peggy Singer is the new Nurse at the clinic. She

previously worked at Concentra GE doing Occupational

Health. Before that she was at SED Lovelace doing

pre-employment Health, and before that she worked at

Socorro Good Samaritan. She is married and has 4 grown

children. She has lived in New Mexico for 10 years and in

her spare time enjoys being a seamstress.

Page 14

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2009

Take Flight 2009

The 2009 Take Flight program was a great success this year. We had various teams who took part in the 8 week program. Some of

the challenges the participants faced were food eliminations, food substitutions, stress management, and bonus exercises every week.

Participants turned in weekly log sheets keeping track of their activity. Weekly incentives were given out to the participants who had

turned in their logs which were due every Monday.

We wrapped up the 8 week challenge with a

celebration night at the health center! Shown

here is the first place team. Our 2nd Place

team was Stacie, Marvin, Quentin, Issaiah,

Shannon, and Travis. Way to go guys.

Listed are the names of the participants in the Take Flight Family program.

Hope Campos

Marsey Hawley

Janai Campos

Miyawni Curtis

Stacie Abeita

Marvin Abeita

Quentin Mullins

Issaiah Abeita

Shannon Abeita

Travis Kasey-Abeita

Marie Jiron

Daniel Olguin

Heather Jojola

James Jojola

Isaiah Jojola

Taylor Jojola

Jared Jojola

Maggie Lucero

Thom Lucero

Rose Lente

Andrea Padilla

Ruben Lucero

Aurelia Martinez

Marie Lente

Felicia Papuyo

Theresa Papuyo

Jennifer Lente

Joe Lente

Marlene Lente

Jessica Price

Rita Price

Michael Price

Santiago Price

Denise Lucero

Lupita Lucero

Corey Lucero

Angela Morris-Gasper

Virgil Lucero

Daisy Zuni

Carmen Lucero

Eliza Morrow

Gina Dale

Christina Harvey

Christopher Padilla

Trina Padilla

Rae Padilla

Connie Orozco

Annabella Orozco

Andrea Orozco

Estevan Orozco

Ahily Orozco

Patrick Jojola

Joanna Jojola

Natalie Jojola

Denise Jojola

Celestino Jojola

Farah Lujan

Adell Lujan

Darren Lucero

Elthia Stapleton

Tanya Cornfield

Aaliyah Holguin

Jeannette Abeita

Nanette Lujan

Randy Lujan

Robert Lujan

Lisa Trujillo

Loretta Orozco

December 2009

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 15

WIC NOTES—

The WIC Staff would like to thank the

Tribal Council, Governor Benavidez, Lt.

Zuni, and Lt. Lujan for the turkeys for our

Thanksgiving Day meal.

Questions on H1N1 Flu

The following information is taken from the

American Academy of Pediatrics website:

Here are answers to common questions

about treating H1N1 swine flu in your

children and advice on when you need to

seek medical attention.

What if your child gets sick? What are

symptoms of swine flu in children?

Influenza (flu) is very different from the

common cold. With the flu, children have

sudden onset of significant fever with

respiratory symptoms and chills. Older

children will complain of headache, scratchy

throat and muscle aches. Children will

develop a nasal congestion and cough.

What should parents do if their child

has flu-like symptoms?

This flu season, it’s more important than

ever to keep sick children at home until

at least 24 hours after their symptoms go

away.

If a child has mild illness, or something

that looks like the flu, with fever and chills,

headache, body ache, coughing, sore throat,

they should definitely stay home from school

or day care. They should continue taking

Tylenol and Motrin for fever. Parents should

be sure child does not get dehydrated.

If your child is 5 years old or older and is

otherwise healthy, consult your doctor as

needed. Parents should make sure the child

drinks enough fluids and gets a lot of rest.

If your child is younger than 5, or if your

child of any age has a medical condition

such as asthma, diabetes, or a neurologic

problem, call your doctor or get medical

attention. Younger kids and kids with

longstanding medical conditions are at risk

of serious disease if they get either seasonal

or H1N1 flu.

Are there signs parents

should watch for?

Parents should monitor closely for any signs

that children are getting worse, if they have

any difficulty breathing, if they are not able

to drink, or are not urinating well, if they

are very irritable even after their fever goes

down, if they have any sort of rash, or if

the fever goes down and flu symptoms get

better, then get worse again.

Call a doctor or seek immediate medical

attention if your child:

• Has bluish or gray skin color

• Is not drinking enough fluids or taking

feeding well

• Has trouble breathing

• Has severe or persistent vomiting

• Is not waking up or not interacting

• Is so irritable that the child does not

want to be held

• Has flu-like symptoms improve but

then return with fever and worse cough

• Has other conditions such as heart or

lung disease, diabetes, or asthma and

develops flu symptoms including fever

and cough

Eight Medications You Should

Never Give To Your Baby

Babies are much more likely to have adverse

reactions to drugs than adults. Over-thecounter (OTC), prescription, or herbal

medicines can cause serious problems.

Until your baby is 6 months old, consult a

doctor before giving her any medication

at all.

1. Aspirin

Never give your baby aspirin or any

medication containing aspirin. Aspirin can

make a child susceptible to Reye's syndrome

--a rare but potentially fatal illness. Don't

assume that the children's medicines found

in drugstores will be aspirin-free. Aspirin

is sometimes referred to as "salicylate" or

"acetylsalicylic acid." Read labels carefully,

and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you're

not sure whether a product is aspirin-free.

For fever and other discomfort, ask your

doctor about giving your baby acetaminophen

or ibuprofen.

2. Over-the-counter cough and

cold medicines

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

advises against giving OTC cough and cold

medicines to babies. Studies show that they

don't actually help to soothe symptoms of

kids this age. And they can be harmful,

especially when a child mistakenly gets

more than the recommended dose.

In addition to side effects like drowsiness or

sleeplessness, upset stomach, and a rash or

hives, a child can suffer serious effects such

as rapid heart rate, convulsions, and even

death.

3. Anti-nausea medications

Don't give your baby an anti-nausea

medication (prescription or OTC) unless

her doctor specifically recommends it. Most

bouts of vomiting are pretty short-lived,

and babies and children usually handle

them just fine without any medication.

In addition, anti-nausea medications

have risks and possible complications. If

your baby is vomiting and begins to get

dehydrated, contact her doctor for advice

on what to do.

4. Adult medications

Giving your baby a smaller dose of medicine

meant for an adult is dangerous. If the label

doesn't indicate an appropriate dose for a

baby her size, don't give that medication to

your baby.

5. Any medication prescribed

for someone else or for another

condition

Prescription drugs intended for other people

(like a sibling) or to treat other illnesses

may be ineffective or even dangerous

when given to your baby. Give her only

medicine prescribed for her and her specific

condition.

6. Anything expired

Toss out medicines, prescription and OTC

alike, as soon as they expire. Also get rid of

discolored or crumbly medicines — basically

anything that doesn't look the way it did

when you first bought it.

After the use-by date, medications may no

longer be effective and can even be harmful.

Don't flush old drugs down the toilet, as

they can contaminate groundwater and end

up in the drinking water supply. It's best to

be sure medication is in a tightly secured

bottle and throw it away in an outside trash

can where children/pets cannot get to it.

7. Extra acetaminophen

Some medicines contain acetaminophen to

help ease fever and pain, so be careful not to

give your baby an additional separate dose

of acetaminophen. If you're not sure what's

in a particular medicine, don't give her

acetaminophen or ibuprofen until you've

first gotten the okay from your doctor or

pharmacist.

8. Herbal Products

Many herbal remedies are gentle and safe,

but just because something is natural, or

comes from a plant, doesn't mean it's safe

for your child. Herbal products can cause

allergic reactions, liver damage, and high

blood pressure. In certain doses or when

combined with the wrong medications, they

can be fatal.

Check with your doctor before giving your

child any herbal products. And always let

the doctor know about any herbal remedies

your child is taking before she prescribes a

medication.

(Adapted from babycenter bulletin 10/08)

If you would like to suggest a topic for WIC

NOTES, please contact our office at 9243180. We would enjoy hearing from you.

Heidi Lanes

WIC Nutrition Coordinator

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 16

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ISLETA PUEBLO NEWSLETTER

P.O. Box 1270

Isleta, New Mexico 87022

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

ISLETA, NM 87022

PERMIT NO. 2

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