501 Kids Winter 2020

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EDITOR'S NOTE

STAFF OWNERS Donna Spears, Sonja J. Keith EDITOR Sonja J. Keith ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

More than 500 students have participated in the Dribblers program at St. Joseph Elementary School in Conway. St. Joseph Dribbler Tyler Lynch does “rabbit punches” as fast as he can. (Mike Kemp photo)

Donna Spears

Getting the ball rolling

Jennifer Godwin

With the mission of 501 Kids celebrating youth in Central Arkansas, it’s very fitting that this edition’s cover story would feature the wonderful Lil Dribblers program at St. Joseph Elementary School.

What a treat to attend a St. Joseph High School basketball game and get to see the Lil Dribblers in action. It is a great program. Hats off to Laura Hiegel-Williams, who started the program and continues to lead it.

This month’s edition also contains some helpful information for parents and other caregivers. Sarah Money (Pages 10-11) has some great tips on encouraging young people to eat fruits and vegetables. Meagan Lowry has suggestions for traveling with toddlers (Page 12), and Kellie Bishop reminds readers about winter

safety (Page 13). Brittany Gilbert shares how she uses charts to encourage her children to do chores as well as develop healthy habits (Page 14).

SEND US PHOTOS As we begin a new year, now is a great time to remind readers that 501 Kids welcomes “Loving 501 Kids” photos showing young people involved in sports teams, school groups, birthday parties and other events holding a copy of the magazine. Send photos along with caption information to info@501lifemag.com.

Until our spring edition, here’s to “Loving 501 Kids.” We wish you all the best as we celebrate a “Happy New Year” in the 501!

4 Event The Main Stage EdUCAtion series at UCA will host a performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank” in February.

10 Nutrition Fruits and vegetables can be a battle at the dinner table for many families, but it doesn’t have to be.

12 Parenting For more than 10 years, students have been having a ball learning the basics of basketball thanks to the St. Joseph Dribblers program founded by Laura Hiegel-Williams (back): Mary Katelyn Wilhite (front, from left), Jackson Strack, Isiah Stobaugh, Grady Strack; Xavier Stobaugh (middle row), JB Failla, Janet Williams and Cross Bryant. (Mike Kemp photo)

Nick Walker ASSOCIATE EDITOR Levi Gilbert PHOTO DIRECTOR Mike Kemp DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tom Keith

CONTRIBUTORS Brittany Gilbert Kellie Bishop

features&columns On the cover

ART DIRECTOR

Tips listed for traveling with toddlers

13 Parenting It is important to know proper safety measures for kids in winter conditions.

Meagan Lowry

501 KIDS EDITORIAL BOARD Dr. Angie Betancourt Leslie Burrows Dr. Sher Craig Stephanie Crockett Brittany Gilbert

Gloria Massey Nicole Rappold Lanette Rogers Amy Routt Stephanie Worthey

501 Kids is published five times a year by 501 Advertising and Publishing (701 Chestnut St., Conway, Ark. 72032, 501.327.1501). The contents of 501 Kids are copyrighted and materials presented may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publishers.

Articles should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by 501 Kids.

501 Kids is produced on recycled paper.

EVENT

UCA’s Main Stage to present Anne Frank program, exhibit

“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be presented to area schoolchildren on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the University of Central Arkansas Reynolds Performance Hall. In addition, a traveling exhibit titled “ANNE FRANK: A HISTORY FOR TODAY” will be available for viewing in the Reynolds lobby during this event and to the public throughout February.

The Main Stage EdUCAtion series at the University of Central Arkansas will host a performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank” in February.

“It’s important for our students to learn about the life of Anne Frank through her own words,” said Amanda Horton, director of UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall and Main Stage. “With this performance, they will also get to see this poignantly told story come to life on the Reynolds stage. The students who will be watching the performance will be around the same age as Anne while she was in hiding and living through this heartbreaking time in history.

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“We are also thrilled to add an additional component to the show with the Anne Frank pictorial exhibit. This exhibit will further stress the significance of Anne’s diary and the essence of the human spirit.”

Two shows are planned on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for area schoolchildren. The first performance is sold out but some seats remain for the noon performance.

The 90-minute program features the famous story of Anne Frank, whose family went into hiding from the Nazis in 1941 in Amsterdam. For the next two years, she never left the attic where her family was concealed. With fear of discovery

ever present, Anne found solace writing in her diary, capturing the daily lives of the secret annex’s inhabitants – from the horrors of war to the excitement of first love – with wit, determination and idealism.

With a multicultural cast, National Players brings the true story of this incredibly insightful young girl to a new generation.

A study guide on Anne Frank is available for educators to use in their classroom.

The traveling exhibit, titled “ANNE FRANK: A HISTORY FOR TODAY,” will be available for viewing in the lobby of UCA’s Reynolds Perfor-

The Main Stage EdUCAtion series will present “The Magic School Bus” on Friday, March 13, at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall.

“Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks” will be presented Tuesday, Jan. 28, at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall.

Other upcoming Main Stage programs include: ‘Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks’ “Catapult – The Amazing Magic of Dancing Shadows” is scheduled Thursday, Feb. 27, at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall. mance Hall during this event. The exhibit presents the history of the Holocaust through the perspective of Anne Frank and her family with the use of story panels and photographs.

The exhibit will be open to the public: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Feb 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 and 21.

10am-7pm – Feb. 12, 13, 19 and 20.

1 to 4 p.m. – Feb. 16.

The Main Stage EdUCAtion series, aimed at Arkansas school districts, debuted in 2015-16 to increase access to the arts for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Last season, more than 12,000 people attended the educational programs, with schools from all corners of the state attending, including Batesville, Dover, Stuttgart, Fox, Hot Springs and Little Rock.

10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. The tremors of an earthquake were rumbling across America.

A new kind of music was making its first appearance on the radio and parents were outraged. While the rhythms of rock and roll were shaking the social fabric of the country, deep down an even more important transformation was about to take place. In Montgomery, Ala., a determined activist named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus.

The resulting uproar launched the Civil Rights movement and changed the country forever. This program weaves together music and drama to tell the story of Rosa Parks, from her childhood in rural Alabama to her famous decision to “sit down and be counted.”

‘Catapult – The Amazing Magic of Dancing Shadows’ 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

An American’s Got Talent finalist from Season 8, CATAPULT is a magical production that features incredible dancers who work behind a screen to create

shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us. Those attending will be amazed as they watch their bodies transform into a mountain, an elephant, a dragon and even a helicopter. You’ll never figure out how they do it, and you won’t know what they will create next – you’ll be surprised and delighted again and again. Packed with hundreds of shape transformations, the show is full of humor, emotion and engaging stories.

‘The Magic School Bus’ 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 13.

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip. But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, the young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system. Hop on the Magic School Bus for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic.

Main Stage student tickets are $5 per ticket and schools may apply for a limited number of ticket vouchers for low-income students. School groups receive one free adult chaperone ticket per 10 student tickets purchased. Additional adult tickets may be purchased through the school’s order for only $10.

To make a reservation for a school group, educators should download and complete the form at uca. edu/publicappearances/mainstage and email it to Reynolds@uca.edu or fax it to 501.852.0280.

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COVER STORY

Getting the ball rolling St. Joseph students enjoy Dribblers

The St. Joseph Dribblers demonstrate some of the skills they have learned as they perform during a recent high school basketball game.

by Sonja J. Keith Mike Kemp photos

For more than 10 years, St. Joseph Elementary School students have been having a ball learning the basics of basketball.

Laura Hiegel-Williams, director of the St. Joseph After School Program, created the St. Joseph Dribblers and continues to oversee it today. She has led the after-school program for seven years, but worked with her mom since she was 15 and later while she was attending the University of Central Arkansas.

“I cannot say enough kind words about Ms. Laura,” St. Joseph Elementary School Principal Courtney Pope said, adding that the Dribblers “pack the house” when they perform. “Laura is a true example of service and love to our school and parish community. She is always looking for ways to better serve our families and give back to the school.”

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A 1995 graduate of St. Joseph, Laura is all too familiar with the basketball tradition at her alma mater. In 1994, she was the AAU state MVP and an all-state player in 1995. She went on to play at UCA and was a starter every year. Laura still holds school records for free throws and blocked shots.

“I played high school basketball under the direction of the great Chris Kordsmeier. He instilled school pride, doing things the right way, team, love of basketball and most importantly life skills,” she said “I will always be so grateful to him, he is like a second father to me, my siblings and many teammates.”

Laura was inspired to start the Dribblers program at St. Joseph after she saw similar programs popping up in the area. “My oldest son, Triple, who is now 20, was in the first grade. He was already showing a passion for the game, and I thought, ‘It’s hard to find school athletic activities for the younger grades.’

“I knew this was something I could do at St. Joseph while giving back to my high school coach.

I could also bring my kids with me, volunteer for a school I love, make money for our booster club and include more kids at an early age with the love of basketball by getting a ball in their hands. It’s totally a win!”

The program, which draws between 45 and 55 students each year, is open to grades kindergarten through sixth. “We will work with anyone willing to put themselves out there. Everyone can do something!”

Since its inception, Laura estimates that the Dribbler participants have numbered more than 500.

The program goals are simple, according to Laura. “To put a basketball in their hands, learn basic basketball skills, become a good team member on and off the court and let them dream big!”

St. Joseph Dribblers JB Failla (from left), Xavier Stobaugh, Isiah Stobaugh, Cameron Gooch and Aubrey Hum. Winter 2020 501lifemag.com

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COVER STORY

Sixth-grader Xavier Stobaugh is more advanced and takes on the challenge of dribbling two balls at once.Â

Kristen Lynch enjoys performing with the St. Joseph Dribblers.

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While very rewarding, the program can also be challenging. “It’s like wrangling cats or an octopus,” Laura said with a smile. “We are a large group, and they have to ‘hold the ball’ while myself and assistant coaches teach them the next skill. These kids want to dribble all the time and have tons of fun energy.

“It’s amazing to see them the first practice and then compare them to their final performance. They learn a lot in a short amount of time — dribbling stance, King’s drills, spacing, listening skills and basketball terminology — while getting to feel a part of their school in an extra special way.”

There are four one-hour practice sessions in October and November for participants to learn a routine, which is new every year. Four performances are held in November and December during St. Joseph High School basketball games. A few performances have also been held during games at UCA. “We learn the routine on the first day and hit the ground running,” Laura said. “We break up into two groups, one ball handling and the other is shooting and basic skills, then we switch. We practice from 5 to 6 p.m. so parents can let their child participate during After School Program hours and save them from running around.”

On the night of a performance, the stands in the

St. Joseph gym are full. “We are huge! We pack the stands with extra parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles that don’t normally come to the games. They love to see their little one’s big debut. Then those same people end up coming to more games to follow up on how our Bulldog team season is going and how they are playing,” she said, adding that she reminds those in the concession stand to make sure it is fully stocked. “We sell out of almost everything on Dribbler nights! This helps out our booster club with many expenses such as gas for the buses, uniforms and referees.”

The Dribblers registration fee is $40, which includes a ball, shirt and team picture. “The booster club does make a small amount off of registration after balls and shirts are paid for, and then profit off of the gate and concession stand.”

The name and logo for the team sponsor — Hiegel Building Solutions — appears on the back of the Dribblers shirts along with a scripture: “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Romans 8:31. Hiegel Building Solutions is a full-service, licensed general contractor that specializes in commercial services for Central Arkansas.

“This is my younger brother, Greg Hiegel. He was always in the stands supporting me when I played at St. Joseph and UCA. Many times he was

the camera man in the stands. He knows how much I love kids, basketball and St. Joe,” said Laura. “Greg and his wife, Rachel, have three kids that will all be going to St. Joe, and he already wants to give back and is doing so by being our team sponsor.”

Laura said the Dribbler program is helping to continue the basketball tradition at St. Joseph. “We are instilling that love of the game early, that ‘be a part’ attitude and school pride,” she said. “We get to cheer for our high school teams while we wait for our turn to hit the floor at halftime. We put our hands up and make a tunnel for when the teams run out onto the court for warm-ups, and then it’s time for our halftime performance show!”

Laura is appreciative of others who have helped make the program possible. “I could never do it without the huge support of Jody, my husband for 21 years. He lets me dream and do what I want for St. Joe. He has always aired up 45-plus basketballs each year, which is a time-consuming task, and is always a wonderful helper.

“Thank you also to the many assistant coaches over the years for their patience and knowledge of basketball for these kids. It wouldn’t be possible without them and without God, for putting me in the best Catholic school in the state for me and my kids.”

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Winter 2020 501lifemag.com

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NUTRITION

Healthy eating

Hands-on activities can improve mealtime

by Sarah Money

Fruits and vegetables can be a battle at the dinner table for many families, but it doesn’t have to be.

Research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics revealed that the majority of children in the U.S. don’t meet the daily recommended intake of 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 11/2 cups of fruit.

So many children don’t get the exposure because parents don’t think their child will try it and it will be wasted OR the child is a “picky eater” and refuses to try something new. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that picky eaters tend to avoid vegetables.

Food can become a hands-on activity; everyday tasks can get kids involved in food, which can help promote healthful eating. I’ve listed a few ways to get kids more hands-on with produce.

When grocery shopping, let your child pick out the produce that you’ll buy. Allow them to bag the apples, pick the bananas, sort through the carrots for the best ones, etc. Allowing children to have a say in what produce is picked can be helpful in encouraging them to eat it once you are home.

As you walk the store aisles, encourage children to name the fruits and vegetables that they know, talk about the colors and explain the textures. An example would be this red apple is crunchy and sweet or these green grapes are juicy and tart. This creates a newfound interest in the produce and makes it more than something they are supposed to eat.

Take advantage of food samples when you are at the store to taste-test new foods.

Discuss how they would like it prepared. Ask them questions like are we going to mash the potatoes or turn them into French fries? Are we going to shred the carrots and add them to our spaghetti or should we eat them in sticks with a ranch dip?

Younger children can bag up the produce, and older children can weigh it and calculate the cost, sharpening their math skills at the same time.

Challenge them to put one item of each color in the cart: white cauliflower, blue blueberries, orange carrots, green spinach, etc.

Also, try growing your own produce. Growing your own foods from seeds in your garden can be a rewarding experience for both parents and children. Perhaps start the seeds in paper cups on your windowsill. Many foods can be fully grown in flower pots – especially different forms of greens like spinach or lettuce. Kids enjoy eating foods they grow 10

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A warm bowl of vegetable soup hits the spot during the winter months.

themselves and it is teaching them valuable lessons that they can take into adulthood.

Your child can help at home too! Kids are more likely to try a food that they have a hand in choosing and preparing. Children love to help! Depending on their age and skill level, children can participate in various meal preparation tasks such as: • Washing vegetables • Rinsing berries • Tearing lettuce • Slicing fruits and vegetables (kid safe knives are available on Amazon).

• Enjoy trying new produce with your children and seeing what they decide they like/dislike!

EASY VEGETABLE SOUP Vegetable soup is hearty and savory, full of nourishing veggies like tomatoes, corn, green beans, celery and potatoes. It is ready in under 45 minutes!

1/4 cup olive oil 1 yellow onion diced 2 stalks celery diced 2 cloves garlic minced 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

the ingredients and bringing to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.

Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Source: https://dinnerthendessert.com/vegetablesoup/

1 large potato, peeled and diced 2 carrots, sliced 1 cup corn 1 cup peas 1 cup green beans, chopped 2 vine tomatoes, diced 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups V-8 juice In a large stock pot, add the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onions, celery and garlic for 4-5 minutes until translucent before adding the rest of

Sarah Money is a registered and licensed dietitian in Arkansas. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dietetics, along with completing a 1,200-hour supervised internship at the University of Central Arkansas. She works as the wellness coordinator at Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center, where she leads a variety of nutrition education programs, from 1:1 consults to meal planning and leading a weekly weight management support group.

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PARENTING

On the go

Tips listed for traveling with toddlers

by Meagan Lowry

There have been times when traveling to the grocery store with my toddler was too overwhelming a task to take on. All you mamas who are in the trenches of toddlerhood with me are probably shouting a big amen right about now because you know how moody and unpredictable our kids can be at this age.

We are a family that loves to travel. From September to January you’ll find us gone more often than home because we love to explore! But that can come with its fair share of difficulties.

When we were expecting our daughter, we decided early on that she would have to learn to go with us, and we would adapt her schedule as needed. That one decision has been a total game changer for us and has in turn produced a kid that is pretty flexible (at least as flexible as a 3-year-old can be).

In the past few years, I’d like to believe that I’ve come up with some pretty good tips for traveling with a toddler, and I’d love to share those.

Wherever the new year takes you, I hope it takes you with ease.

1. Try to schedule travel time during nap time.

2. Buy ALL the snacks, and when you think you’ve bought too many go ahead and grab a few more.

3. Check out all the travel items for toddlers on Amazon. My favorites include car seat trays, neck pillows and magnetic drawing boards.

4. Don’t shy away from educational electronic devices. We’ve loved ours and it goes on every trip with us.

5. Plan out stops. This will allow everyone to have a much needed break.

Even if it’s only a 5-10 minute stop, it can make a big difference.

6. Pack extra clothes that are easily accessible. Even with a potty-trained child, accidents on the road are bound to happen.

7. If you’re flying, make your child their own carry-on bag. This allows them to have all their favorite items at their disposal.

My biggest tip would be to exercise as much patience as possible. You will never make it to your destination in record time when there’s a child traveling with you. Instead of allowing that fact to stress you out, embrace those chances for extra stops and exploring places you may have never considered stopping at before.

This has been one of the hardest things to come to terms with. I like to get in the car, have a plan and then execute that plan as best as I can; but the moment my daughter started to join us on our adventures, I had to learn that plans Meagan Lowry is a Texas have to be as flexible as native who has lived in I’m expecting Lennox the Natural State since to be. Traveling with 2009. She’s been married toddlers can be a really to her 501 born and bred enjoyable experience if husband, Zak, since 2012. you are willing to have Meagan owns her own a more go with the flow business and works from attitude. In three short home as a social media years, we’ve learned consultant for multiple what works as a family companies.

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Zak and Meagan Lowry enjoy a walk on the beach with their daughter, Lennox. who is constantly on the go, and what doesn’t work for us at all.

Just remember to enjoy yourselves wherever your travel plans take you. It’s not about the things, it’s about the memories, and I can promise you they are well worth the extra frustration. Happy travels!

ACTIVITIES

Baby, it’s cold outside The importance of winter safety

Winter is a season that people seem to love or hate. Kids tend to love the winter months, hoping for snow, and bundling up to go outside and play in it. While we are accustomed to colder weather during the winter months, our region usually does not experience much winter weather. However, we have occasional winters with substantial snow and ice so it is important to know proper safety measures for kids in winter conditions.

Dressing in layers is one of the most important safety measures when taking your kids into the cold.

Not only do multiple layers allow for more heat retention, but if the outer layer gets wet then you can simply take that layer off and there are still multiple others to provide warmth. Aim for a shirt, a sweater or sweatshirt, a warm jacket, warm pants, gloves or mittens, socks, warm shoes or boots, and a hat.

A good rule of thumb is to go inside when your child appears to be or vocalizes being uncomfortable in the cold.

There is a difference between frostnip and frostbite. Frostnip turns the area red and it may become numb or tingly. This is a sign that you should get your child indoors, remove all wet clothing and

soak affected areas in warm water until sensation is normal again. This is an early sign that frostbite may occur if your child does not get warmed back up.

Frostbite typically occurs on the nose, fingers, toes, ears and cheeks. The area will appear yellow, white or grey. If this occurs, it is an emergency and you should take your child to the closest emergency room as soon as possible.

If your child will be sledding down large or extra steep hills, ensure they are wearing a helmet and they have proper cold weather attire on. Head injuries are among the most common sledding injuries. Simply wearing a helmet can prevent turning a fun day of sledding into a tragedy. Also, it is important to avoid hills with trees or large rocks as those may cause injury.

If you want to take your child ice skating, it is best to stick to indoor or outdoor rinks. Ponds and lakes are not good options for this activity because you often cannot tell how thick the ice is and your child could fall through the ice.

Whether your family is going outside for a walk or hike in the cold air or you are getting out in the snow to build a snowman or igloo, it is important

to follow proper safety measures. Hopefully we will get enough snow this year for everyone to enjoy the winter weather as much as you would like to.

As long as you take these simple steps to make sure your child is warm and prepared, your outdoor winter activities should remain fun and accident-free!

Kellie Bishop is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Central Arkansas pediatrics in Conway. She lives in Plumerville with her husband, Greg, their son and two dogs. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Central Arkansas and her master’s and doctorate degrees in pediatric primary care at UAMS. Winter 2020 501lifemag.com

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PARENTING

Managing chores with charts

The Gilberts made a “Daily Rhythm” chart that hangs near the dining table to help the children learn the ebb and flow of a normal day.

Brittany established morning routine charts for each child so they know what is on the schedule each school day. The children can use a dry erase marker to check each thing off throughout the morning.

In the children’s bathroom, a simple chart with stickers and Velcro helps the kids remember all the things they need to do to get ready in the morning and for bed at night.

by Brittany Gilbert

off a list. If your child is old enough to understand and can create a check mark, they can probably keep up with this kind of list. You can even work with your child and let them write out their own list every day. After a while, they will know what needs to be done, and it can help them feel independent and in control of their day.

seen some tremendous successes in our children by giving them checklists. For one, they know what to expect. Before, when they would come to me and ask if they could play a video game or watch a show, it would take me a moment to consider, and eventually I would ask if certain responsibilities were completed. They would get frustrated when I would tell them they can’t do screen time or games until their jobs were done. Now, if I have to say anything, it’s usually to direct them to their chart. They enjoy checking things off of their charts and then telling me what they have done.

Here’s to helping your children better manage their chores and responsibilities in 2020!

I don’t know about you, but my kids are still young (oldest is 8), and they are not great managers of their time. They always want screen time or the newest video game but lack the maturity to organize the many things that need to be done. I’m also discovering that our kids actually need lists and charts that they can check off and see the things that they need to do and what they’ve already accomplished.

There are several ways you can help your kids to better manage their responsibilities.

Visual chart

These have been around forever and for good reason. Kids love stickers. I think adults even love sticker charts.

Turn your sticker chart into a fun design where at the end of the chart, they get a prize. You can even put spots along the way to reward them for their progress.

Instead of a table or graph, you can arrange pictures on a paper so your child can see what they need to do. This is really helpful for our 3-year-old to see what she needs to do every morning. I’ve also created one for my older kids as well. It seems more fun and less mundane than a blank chart. This can be elaborate or super simple.

In our kids’ bathroom, I attached Velcro in two columns and printed and laminated pictures of their morning and bedtime routine (brush teeth and change clothes). When they complete it, they move the picture from one side to the next.

Check off

Stay consistent

Sticker charts

Even adults love the feeling of checking things 14

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It will take several days — maybe weeks — for your child to get in a habit of checking a list. I’ve

Brittany Gilbert is a former FACS teacher at Maumelle High School. She and her husband, Levi, have three children and live in Conway.

Brittany can be reached at b.gilbert37@gmail.com.