May 18, 2009

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

STRATFORD: - Meets Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at Forsyth Country Club
May 21: Mayor Allen Joines will speak on his new role as Chairman of the NC Economic Development Board.
May 28: Spring Social Dinner meeting at FCC starts at 6:30 PM, Dinner at 7:30. Come honor Margaret’s 18 years of service and celebrate her Retirement.

WINSTON-SALEM ROTARY: - Meets Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. at Benton Convention Center
May 19: Lyons Gray, His experience with Washington and the EPA.
May 26: The Rev. David Hodges, the new Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
“The Future of St. Paul’s”

REYNOLDA ROTARY: - Meets Fridays at 12:30 p.m. Assembly Room of the LJV Coliseum
May 22: Classification talks from Debra Marshall and Perry Hudspeth.
May 29: Jenna Ferris will talk about her experiences as part of the GSE Team that went to India.

CLEMMONS: - Meets Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m. at the Village Inn – Clemmons
May 20: Classification "Vana Bris Bois"
May 27: Major Charles Bris Bois "Combat Rescue"

WESTERN FORSYTH: - Meets Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. at Big Shotz Tavern in Clemmons

DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 28 – Spring Social

CONGRATULATIONS:

ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS & INFORMATION………………

The Board met and approved a new member. Please check your mailed or emailed bulletin for details.

Propose a NEW Member:
Get all the information you need by going to the following link:
www.stratfordrotary.org/members/index.html

Sergeant-at-Arms for May: Don Pocock

Invocation Schedule:

May 07- Loy McGill
May 14- Shari Covitz
May 21- Buford Edwards
May 28- Sue Carson(Spring Social Evening)

PROGRAMS

May 7, 2009

Dr. Dan Fried Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, spoke to us about prostate cancer, the leading cancer among men. Dr. Fried earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, his post graduate degree from the University of North Carolina Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Medicine, did his residency at the University of North Carolina and is board certified through the American Board of Radiology. He is 100% Tarheel, has 4 young boys and enjoys racing bicycles.

The grim statistics:

1 in 6 die from prostate cancer, 30,000 per year
Age increases your risk
African American males are at greater risk
Most common symptoms are NO symptoms

The Good News:
Since the mid 90’s there has been a decrease in the number of deaths
20-27% reduction in deaths with screening

The American Urological Association recommends a baseline exam at 40 years of age. Treatment options should you get diagnosed with prostate cancer include:
Watchful waiting- slow growing cancer
Radiation-external beam, Brachytherapy- permanent “seeds”
IMRT- Intense Modulated Radiation Therapy- no permanent seeds, catheter delivery spares other important parts from side effects
Hormone Therapy
Surgery- removes the prostate and seminal vesicles

There are many survivors of prostate cancer, among them, Rudi Giuliani and Nelson Mandela. The best chance of detection and survival include getting an annual PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test and digital rectal exam. Remember, there are usually NO SYMPTOMS so being proactive is the best prevention.


May 14, 2009

Dr. Don Martin, Superintendent of Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, brought along Dr. Marty Ward, Director of Research and Evaluation of WSFCS to speak about how budget cuts affect class size and its effects on students and learning.

Studies show in early grades, K-3, class size matters in reading and mathematics. Benefits continue as students move into larger classrooms. However, it is difficult to isolate effects in a classroom context. Results vary across studies. Important variables include grade in school, socioeconomics and teacher quality.

Small class size (17-19) has the most impact for low income, minority and inner-city students. Teachers change due to improved morale, management of the classroom improves, more direct instruction occurs with more feedback and interaction. Students improve because participation increases, there is more pressure to perform and their sense of community increases. Adding more adults to the classroom does not have the same effect. Class size is not the same as student: teacher ratio.

More teachers and more schools would be needed to keep class sizes small. This would come at a great cost to school systems. Adjustments to facilities take time to do correctly; converted closets do not make good classrooms. Teacher quality is the key to getting good results.

The best results come from starting early, K-1 grade, keeping students in small classes for two or more years, focusing on low income students and making sure the teaching staff continues to develop their skills.