Savvy Kids by Arkansas Times

GC 2

guide to college Getting ready for the next step

+ GETSCHOOLED OUR EDUCATION ISSUE TEACHES YOU HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS LEARN

and...

Gift Guide HOLIDAY SWEETS THE SANTA CONNECTION OCCUPYING HOLIDAY HANDS TRY IT OUT

December 2011 www.savvykidsofarkansas.com december 2011 savvy kids

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thAnK You!

SponSorS And SupporterS of the 40th YeAr GrAnd finAle fundrAiSer our expeCtAtions were exCeeded! • sAve the dAte For spring 2013

On BehAlf Of The PAThfinder BOArd Of direcTOrS: ChAirperson JoAn ZuMwAlt • viCe ChAir bob Ferguson SecreTAry bobby bAMburg • BOArd MeMBerS John burkhAlter, rAndy lAnn, rAy sMith, t.p. white, Alton Johnson, rev. wendell dorMAn And kAtie druMMond direcTOr Of OPerATiOnS Mike MCCreight stAFF, Clients And students Adult trAining progrAMs • developMentAl therApy • MentAl heAlth serviCes eMployMent ContrACts • residentiAl serviCes • wAiver serviCes • trAnsportAtion

Preschool Services BEST SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICE Currently ACCepting AppliCAtions! grAdes 6th • 7th • 8th • CAll 501.982.0528 For More inForMAtion AppliCAtions AvAilAble online: www.pAthFinderinC.org • www.FACebook.CoM/pAthFinderinC

Pathfinder is a private, non-profit, community based organization which provides an array of services for the disabled. Services are provided for those citizens, of Arkansas, with developmental disabilities. Our goal is for each participant to become a self-supporting, productive member of society. 2520 W. Main Street • Jacksonville • 501.982.0528 Certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities Since 2003 www.pathfinderinc.org december 2011 savvy kids

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

publisher Heather Baker,

can’t believe the holiday season is here already! In this issue you will find many holiday features including our gift guide, things to do with your family during the holiday break, sweet treats, and a number of ways to contact Santa. You will also find our education section filled with information for parents on ways to help your child succeed during all stages of their early academic career. Starting on page 41, your junior high and high school students will find the information they need to continue their education after graduation—a must read for sure! As always, be sure to sign up for the Savvy Kids Club by visiting our website: savvykidsofarkansas.com. Club members receive e-newsletters filled with upcoming events, the latest Savvy news, and, of course, the discounts and promotions from tons of central Arkansas retailers!

heatherbaker@arktimes.com editor Emily Griffin, emily@arktimes.com editorial assistant Paige Hunter Parham, paige@arktimes.com editorial art directors Patrick Jones, Bryan Moats account executives Emily Withem, emilyw@arktimes.com Tonya Fleming, tonya@arktimes.com Michelle Miller, michelle@arktimescom Tamara Adkins, tamara@arktimes.com advertising sales assistant Kelly Lyles, kellylyles@arktimes.com production manager Weldon Wilson advertising coordinators Roland Gladden, roland@arktimes.com Kelly Schlachter, kellys@arktimes.com Tracy Whitaker, tracy@arktimes.com graphic artists

(Clockwise from top left: Kelly Lyles, Emily Withem, Tamara Adkins, Michelle Miller, Tonya Fleming, Paige Hunter Parham, Heather Baker, Emily Griffin. Photo by brian chilson

While you’re on our site, be sure to submit your kids’ upcoming events. Whether there is a birthday party in the near future, a team gathering, or school fundraiser, we want to hear about it! Fill out the event form on our site and your kid’s event could be featured in the next issue of Savvy Kids! Happy Holidays!

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Whether you’re looking for a great homemade gift idea or just want to cure your holiday sweet tooth, these recipes are sure to please! Even the smallest of hands can help with these quick confections!

cereal trees What you will need: 1 Bag of Marshmallows 6 tbsp Butter 6 Cups of Cereal (we used Cheerio’s) Green Food Coloring Small Candy for decoration Wax Paper Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Directions: In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Once the butter is melted, add the bag of marshmallows and allow to melt completely. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Add drops of the green food coloring until you reach your desired shade of green. Remove from heat and add your cereal. Stir until the cereal is evenly coated with marshmallow. Spray non-stick cooking spray on your hands and place handfuls of the cereal mixture onto the wax paper. Gently form each pile into cone shaped trees. Add small candy like Mini M&Ms or Red Hots to your tree for decoration.

cake cookies What you will need: 1 Box of Chocolate Cake Mix 1/2 Cup of Oil 2 Eggs 1/2 Bag of Peanut Butter Chips (if desired)

hot chocolate swizzle sticks

What you will need: 1 Bag of Large Marshmallows 1 Package of Milk Chocolate Chips or Candy Coating Wooden Skewers (with ends cut) or popsicle sticks Sprinkles Wax Paper Directions: First, put the marshmallows on the skewers and lay them evenly on the wax paper. Be sure to cut the sharp end to prevent injury. Next, melt the chocolate in the microwave or double boiler. If you are microwaving the chocolate, microwave for one minute. Remove the chocolate and stir. If necessary, microwave again in 15 second intervals. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, dip the marshmallows in the chocolate and place then back on the wax paper. Finally, add sprinkles for a finishing touch and allow to cool. Editor’s Note: By slowly spinning the marshmallow after dipping it in the chocolate the excess will drip off and will make for a much neater finished product.

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photographers Brian Chilson, Patrick Jones, Jay White, Cynthia Rankin controller Weldon Wilson accounts payable Angie Fambrough it director Robert Curfman circulation director Anitra Hickman

savvykidsofarkansas.com

By Emily Griffin

Patrick Jones, Mike Spain, Sandy Sarlo

billing/collections Linda Phillips

Publisher hbaker@arktimes.com

holidaysweets

Kai Caddy, Rafael Mendez, Bryan Moats,

with Candy Cane Frosting 1 Stick of Butter (softened) 8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened) 4 Cups of Confectioners Sugar Smashed Candy Canes

Directions: Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cake mix, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Once the mixture is completely combined, add the peanut butter chips and stir until they are distributed throughout. Next, place the mixture by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Transfer the cookies onto a cooling rack. While the cookies are cooling, mix the butter and cream cheese together using a hand-held mixer. Then add the sugar. Note: Do not add all of the sugar at once! Add in 1/2 or 1 cup measurements and mix until incorporated. You could stop hear (this frosting is delicious!) or add smashed candy canes to the frosting for some holiday flair! Editor’s Note: Instead of Peanut Butter Chips, try white chocolate chips or candy canes—the possibilities are endless.

peppermint bark What you will need: 1 Bag of Milk Chocolate Chips or Candy Coating 1 Bag of White Chocolate Chips or Candy Coating 1 Box of Candy Canes (unwrapped and smashed into small pieces) Wax Paper Directions: Line a 9” cake pan with wax paper and smooth out any wrinkles. Melt the Milk Chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler. If you are microwaving the chocolate, microwave for one minute. Remove the chocolate and stir. If necessary, microwave again in 15 second intervals. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, pour it into your cake pan. If necessary, use the back of a spoon to spread the chocolate evenly. Next, melt the white chocolate. Once the milk chocolate is set (but not hardened), drizzle the white chocolate on top until the milk chocolate is completely covered. Next, add your smashed candy canes evenly across the top. Allow to cool completely before eating. december 2011 savvy kids

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CONTENTS Savvy Family 6 Little Hero 8 12 Parent Power Educationally APPropriate 14 Preschool Milestones 18 Staying on Track 20 Middle School 24 Homework Help 26 Guide to Private Schools 30 ADHD 34 Homeschool 38 41 Guide to College 65 Contacting Santa Holiday Sweets 68 Holiday Gift Guide 72 Kids Eat Free 78 Calendar of Events 80 Savvy Project 102

ALL MATERIALS ARE HANDLED WITH DUE CARE; HOWEVER, THE PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARE AND SAFE RETURN OF UNSOLICITED MATERIALS. ALL LETTERS AND PICTURES SENT TO SAVVYKIDS™ WILL BE TREATED AS INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO SAVVYKIDS'™ UNRESTRICTED RIGHT TO EDIT OR TO COMMENT EDITORIALLY. 201 E. MARKHAM ST. SUITE 200, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985. ALL CONTENTS ©2011 SAVVY KIDS™

ON THE COVER: Tess McCrary on location at SOHO Modern Photo by Studio 1 Photography

Family owned and operated since 1959

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Service and savings december 2011 savvy kids

SAVVY FAMILY

Photography by Patrick Jones

Mark and Jenny Henry By Emily Griffin

Dad: Mark Henry, Teaching Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock Mom: Jenny Henry, Homemaker and Part-time Ideal Protein Consultant, Ideal For You Clinic Kids: Hunter, 16; Hayden, 12; Hudson, 10; and Hope, 7

Current Projects: We both lead and serve in numerous ministries at our church and speak on a regular basis around the city and state. Also, we help lead a monthly ministry called Student Venture for Pulaski Academy students. Parenting Style: Our family life stays very busy! Our kids are involved in many extracurricular activities and the whole family is active in our church community, so we are always on the go. However, even with this busy schedule we look for regular moments to spend time together. Every week we take one of our kids out to lunch so that we can spend one-on-one time with them and make them feel special. Life lesson learned from parenthood: Be willing to give and ask for forgiveness, often. Keeping it organized: There is so much stuff that comes in the house 6 | savvy kids december 2011

when you have four kids, and every thing has to have a place. We have systems for everything. For instance, when paperwork comes home, we have a filing system for each child. Every week on Sunday we go through those files and make sure nothing is forgotten. Keeping it together: As a family, it’s important to take regular trips together. Going some place where you can get away and enjoy each other is essential. Likewise, we try to have a date night every week as a couple and use this time to discuss our kids and our relationship together. We find this weekly habit keeps us alive and healthy as parents. Favorites Book The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning (Mark), Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (Jenny) Music: Christian and R & B Place to shop for you: Academy Sports (Mark), TJ Maxx (Jenny) Place to shop for kids: TJ Maxx, Justice, and Gap Family Activity: We love to rent Redbox movies and watch them together. Restaurant: The Red Door Guilty Pleasure: Peanut M&Ms Place to go for date night: A nice romantic dinner. Vacation destination: The beach Won’t leave home without: Our cell phones

AwARded fOR

excellence! Only Children’s Hospital for Behavioral Services In Arkansas To Be Honored By This Award We Are Very Proud Of This Honor And Thank Our Staff For Providing A level Of Quality That Is Unmatched

2007 Residential facility Of The Year for Outstanding Service

Arkansas Psychological Association

Acute, Residential, and School-based services. Arkansas’ largest behavioral hospital for ages 5-17. Only Tricare-certified residential program in Arkansas.

2008 facility Of The Year Arkansas Therapeutic Recreation Society

2009 President’s Award for Outstanding Juvenile Programs

1.800.880.3322 11501 financial Centre Pkwy. Little Rock, AR 72211 |7 www.pinnaclepointehospital.com december 2011 savvy kids

little hero

HERO

Big Heart The story of how one preschooler is working to “kick out” cancer. By Emily Griffin

Trinity Mitchner may only be four years old, but when this preschooler gets her mind set on something she gets it done! In September Trinity was eating lunch with her family at Chili’s in Pine Bluff. The restaurant gave Trinity a coloring book from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as part of a fundraising effort. She had fun coloring and drawing in the book and turned the page to the next activity—a word search puzzle. Her aunt was helping her find the words when they came to the word “cure.” Not understanding what the word meant, Trinity’s aunt tried to explain it to her and what the whole book was about — raising money for cancer research. After explaining the complicated subject to Trinity, her mother, Tonya, asked her if she understood. Trinity nodded and said, “cancer is bad cells in your body that can kill you.” “She didn’t like hearing about kids dying from cancer,” Tonya recalled. “It was heartbreaking for her.”

Photo by Brian Chilson

Trinity thought about things for a minute and then announced to everyone at the table that, “we need to kick that cancer out of kids!” Her mom asked, “like a karate kick?” Trinity nodded. She then asked the server for another plastic cup. The server obliged and asked what the cup was for. Trinity explained that she was going to fill the cup with money and give it to the hospital.

Trinity Mitchner has set out to “kick cancer out of kids” by collecting donations in her Chili’s cup.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made there have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today’s most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay. If you are inspired by Trinity’s effort to “kick cancer out of kids” and want to help, please visit stjude.org to make a donation.

After hearing of Trinity’s goal, the restaurant manager came to the table and handed Trinity some coupons to Chili’s and told her that in a few weeks they would be having a special night where proceeds from the sales would be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and invited her to give the coupons to her friends and bring back the donations she was going to collect in her cup.

Trinity did just that. Over the next few days she collected money from family and friends in her little Chili’s cup. She had set a goal to collect $100. On the night of the fundraiser, Trinity and her “team” of friends and family ate dinner together at the restaurant. Dressed as a ninja, Trinity turned in her cup filled with $94, just a few dollars shy of her $100 goal. One of her friends donated $5 that night to help her accomplish the goal she set out to achieve. Trinity understands that her donation won’t actually kick cancer out of kids, but it sure is a good start!

8 | savvy kids DECEMBER 2011

Set up a 529 plan designed to make you look smarter. 529 plans are an intelligent way for your clients to save for college, and as Arkansas taxpayers, your clients can deduct up to $5,000 of their contribution.* iShares took an evolved approach and created the ﬁrst-ever 529 plan built with portfolios that invest in ETFs. With an average asset-based fee of 62 bps, the iShares 529 Plan portfolios have the lowest average cost among advisor-sold 529 college savings plans.** And because each iShares ETF contains a basket of holdings that are posted online daily, both you and your client will know exactly what they own. Choose from year-of-enrollment, asset allocation, custom individual-fund or savings portfolios. To learn more, visit iShares529.com or call 888-529-9552.

Call 1-888-529-9552 or visit www.iShares529.com to obtain a Program Description and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing or sending money. Upromise Investments, Inc., Co-Distributor and Underwriter; BlackRock Fund Distribution Company (“BFDC”), Co-Distributor. If you are not an Arkansas taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. The iShares 529 Plan is a college tuition savings program sponsored by the State of Arkansas and is administered by

The Arkansas 529 Plan Review Committee (“Committee”). Upromise Investments, Inc. (“UII”) and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC (“UIA”), serve as the Program Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including marketing and co-distribution of the iShares 529 Plan. BFDC also has responsibility for co-distribution of the iShares 529 Plan. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), serves as Investment Manager of the iShares 529 Plan except for the Savings Portfolio, which is managed by Sallie Mae Bank. The iShares 529 Plan’s Portfolios invest in either (i) exchange traded funds; or (ii) a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)-insured omnibus savings account held in trust by the Committee at Sallie Mae Bank. Upromise, Inc., UII, UIA, and Sallie Mae Bank are affiliates. Units of the Portfolios are municipal securities and the value of units will vary with market conditions. Investment returns will vary depending on the performance of the Portfolios you choose. Except to the extent of FDIC insurance available for the Savings Portfolio, you could lose all or a portion of your money by investing in the iShares 529 Plan, depending on market conditions. Account Owners assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. BTC and BFDC are subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc., none of which is affiliated with Upromise. ©2011 BTC. iShares® is a registered trademark of BTC. 529-0190-0811. *An individual can deduct up to $5,000 (or up to $10,000 for married couples) of their iShares 529 Plan Contributions from Arkansas adjusted gross income. Contributions to the iShares 529 Plan in a tax year are deductible from Arkansas state income tax, subject to recapture in subsequent years in which non-qualified withdrawals or a rollover out to another state’s 529 Plan is made. Neither BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., and its affiliates nor Upromise and its affiliates provide tax advice. Please note that (i) any discussion of U.S. tax matters contained in this communication cannot be used by you for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties; (ii) this communication was written to support the promotion or marketing of the matters addressed herein; and (iii) you should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. **Source: FRC, 529 College Savings Quarterly Data Update, 03/31/11. • Not FDIC Insured (except for the Savings Portfolio) • No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee • May Lose Value

december 2011 savvy kids

Fall Openings!

Accepting Children With & Without Disabilities Ages 6 wks to 5 yrs • Teaching Basic Kindergarten Readiness Skills • Low Teacher To Child Ratio • Certified Educational Staff • Occupational, Physical & Speech Therapy Services • Transportation Available

CHILDCARE 6124 Northmoor Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204 (Near Park Plaza Mall)

501-614-7200 • info@integrityinc.org www.integrityinc.org

Cabot’s Gymnastics at its BEST We offer recreational gymnastics, tumbling, and competitive team gymnastics through all levels. Karolyi’s Gymnastics Camp 2011

Visit our web site for times or call Aimee (501) 605-2051 or LeAnn (501) 425-5087 12 Douglas Road off HWY 89 N Cabot www.cabotgymnasticsacademy.com

Elementary Open House January 18, 8:30 a.m., Pleasant Valley Campus Make your reservations today for this exciting and informative preview of grades 1 through 6. Call 501-227-7070 ext. 355 or email jragsdill@abhs.org

Junior High and High School Shadow Day Call and schedule on your time. Take a closer look at Arkansas Baptist with a personalized Shadow Day. Call 501-868-5121 ext. 221 or email drogers@abhs.org

Guided Tours Monogrammed Pet Gifts For All Your Furry Friends!

Call 501-227-7077 ext. 368 or email rbennett@abhs.org

113 Nickels St. • Hot Springs (located behind Cafe 1217) 501.623.9000 • joyce@backporchmonogram.com • www.backporchmonogram.com

Visit our website for a special new student preview. Park Place Baptist Church 22208 Interstate 30, Bryant 10 | savvy kids december 2011

ArkansasBaptistSchoolSystem.com

2011 savvyKiDS EDUCATION ISSUE

SCHOOLED Get By Emily Griffin

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela Parents know education is important for a child’s success in life, and from the moment a child is born the lessons begin. In this “education guide” you will find information on ways to help your children succeed both in and out of the classroom. The guide contains stories based on different age groups. Ensuring your child receives the best education is in part the responsibility of the parent. Making education a priority in your home, and making a commitment to continue doing so will ensure a lifelong love of learning. december 2011 savvy kids

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Parent Power: Build the Bridge to Success

To parents, we can’t tell our kids to do well in school and then fail to support them when they get home. You can’t just contract out parenting. For our kids to excel, we have to accept our responsibility to help them learn. That means putting away the Xbox and putting our kids to bed at a reasonable hour. It means attending those parent-teacher conferences and reading to our children and helping them with their homework. —President Barack Obama, July 17, 2009 President Obama has a cradle-to-career plan to reform our nation’s schools. He also is calling on parents to take responsibility for their child’s success. His vision includes the belief that all children can and will succeed, and that parents are the bridge to this success. You as the parent, guardian or caregiver can help your child by connecting with his or her school to find out what’s needed to ensure success and how you can help reach that goal. Studies of successful schools report that parent involvement is a major factor in their outcomes, including closing the achievement gap between various groups of students. With his vision, the president is asking that you make education a priority and a legacy for your family. How can you accomplish this? By adopting the following principles and taking the steps indicated for each age group, you will be able to help your child learn at each step of the way and ensure success in school and in life. 12 | savvy kids december 2011

Be responsible. Accept your role as the parent and make education a priority in your home. Be committed. Once you have begun to work with your child, continue doing so throughout the year. Be positive. Praise goes a long way with children, especially with those who struggle in school. Provide positive feedback. Be patient. Show your child that you care through your commitment and encouragement. Be attentive. Stop your child immediately when bad behavior appears. Show him or her what to do and provide an opportunity to do it correctly. Discipline should be appropriate and consistent. Be precise. Provide clear and direct instructions. Be mindful of mistakes. Record your child’s performance. Look over all

the work your child brings home from school and keep it in a folder. Help him or her correct any errors. Be results-oriented. Gather information on how your child is performing in school. Keep notes of conferences with teachers, request progress reports and carefully read report cards and achievement test results. Ask questions about these results. Be diligent. Work from the beginning to the end of the year with your child and the teacher. Be innovative. Keep learning lively and dynamic. BE THERE. Just be there for your child–to answer questions, to listen, to give advice, to encourage and to speak positively about his or her life. Be there to support your child whenever needed. Source: U.S. Department of Education

NOw eNrOlliNg! ageS 6 weekS – 6 YearS 501.791.3331

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• Sensory Integration • Handwriting without Tears • Neuro-Developmental Treatment • Therapeutic Listening • Kaufman Apraxia Program • Beckman Oral Motor Program • Reading & Vision Program • STAR Program 4901 Northshore Drive North Little Rock 501.791.3331 www.HelpingHandcc.com

+K4 - 12th Grades +Accredited by Arkansas Non-Public School Accrediting Association +Member of Association of Christian Schools International +Small class sizes +Full Day and Half day K4 & K5 Programs +Before and After School Care On Site +Safe and Friendly Environment +Concurrent college/high school courses

+AP English and AP Calculus +Art, Band, Choir, P.E., Computer +Daily Bible Class +Weekly Worship Service +Member of Arkansas Activities Association +Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Golf, Track, and Cross Country

Call for a Tour 501-835-3120 www.abundantlifeschool.org

FIND YOUR

PA S S I O N

We provide rigorous academic programs to teach each student strong skills of analysis and expression; instilling knowledge in the arts, sciences, and humanities; fostering critical, creative, and independent thinking; and inspiring intellectual curiosity and passion for learning.

Jackson T. Stephens Campus | 1701 Cantrell Rd | Little Rock, Arkansas | 501.372.1194 | Pre-K3 through 12 Episcopal Collegiate School welcomes students of any race, color, religion and national or ethnic origin. For more information, visit us online at EpiscopalCollegiate.org.

Every Day is an Open House

december 2011 savvy kids

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Educationally ropriate APP

Apps for more than just fun. By Emily Griffin

Have you ever noticed that your children absolutely LOVE playing games on your phone? You’re not alone; I’ve yet to meet a kid who could turn away Angry Birds. However, there are thousands of apps developed specifically for children which promote learning. One of the great things about apps for kids is that they can go with you anywhere.

Reading

Waiting in the check-out line at the grocery store? Take a few moments to read a book together or work on your multiplication tables. Because each app is animated and fun, your kids won’t even notice they are learning while they play. On these pages you will find some educational apps which help kids of all ages. From spelling to geography, your kids will find something they enjoy!

Bob Books #1-Reading Magic • $1.99

Bob Books #1 - Reading Magic is an excellent introduction to phonics for young children. Since you can either control the difficulty level or set it to Automatic, this app will grow with your learning child, and keep their interest as they read and re-read the sentences on each page. Bob Books #1 - Reading Magic is an educational experience that will gently teach young children early phonics by teaching the sounds that letters make and how to combine them to make short words. Your children will drag the letters for the given word to the proper place below the picture, while the app sounds out the letters and reads the word aloud. Children’s efforts will be rewarded when the black and white screen transforms to color and the drawings become animated. There are twelve pages and each one has four levels. This app is appropriate for kids ages 4 and up.

iLibrary + Audio • $0.99

iLibrary is one of the Top 5 paid app in books. More than 200 users rated it 5 stars. Users can browse more than 230 books in this app which integrates classic books with a powerful audio player/download-manager with a bedtime story controller. Books include classics like Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm and Jane Eyre by Carlotte Bronte. This app is appropriate for anyone who wants to enjoy a good story.

Spelling

SpellBoard • $1.99

SpellBoard for iPad is a tremendously useful self-study aid, as long as students enter the words and phrases correctly. Update the app each week to prepare for your upcoming spelling quiz. You can even record a clue phrase to be spoken back during the app’s spelling test! Kids can also upload a photo and look up the definition on the app, as well as share the spelling list with other SpellBoard users. There’s a study mode to practice before taking the test and a white board with colored markers to finger write the words before typing them into the quiz. Parents can even track their kids’ studying, too: Time studied, number of questions answered correctly, and a complete list of all quizzes saved. This app is appropriate for kids ages 7-10. 14 | savvy kids december 2011

Math

Math Drills Lite • Free

The graphically rich and fun environment allows a single student to learn basic math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Explore solutions to problems using number lines, wooden blocks, facts and hints. Solve nine-times problems using your fingers! Math Drills has the ability to customize, allowing specification for types of equations, variety, help, sounds, colors and much, more, but the game also does a great job of teaching math. Math Drills Lite has both review and practice modes, with the bulk of the teaching coming in review mode. And the questions that are missed are brought back up, so kids have the chance to understand what they got wrong and get another shot at the correct answer. Math Drills Lite is available at no cost, however there is also a full version for $1.99 that tracks up to 10 different users’ progress, emphasizes problems that history has shown a child struggles with and offers even more customization. Appropriate for ages 7 and up.

PocketCas Lite • Free

The developers of this app promise that with its help, “you will be able to solve almost every mathematical problem you can imagine.” . This award-winning app offers you the fastest way to input formulas you have ever experienced. Essentially, the app turns your device into a sophisticated graphing calculator. You can solve complex equations using the embedded functions from calculus, algebra, linear algebra and applied mathematics. PocketCas Lite Free is available for iPhone and iPad. This app is appropriate for ages 13 and up.

History

Manual for the United States of America • $4.99

Whether you need to cram for a History final or just got a new job leading a world superpower, having America’s founding documents close at hand is essential. Manual for the United State of America offers copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence along with several other important references into one easy to use iPad/ iPhone/iPod Touch application. Kids can learn about and read the Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, biographies of Supreme Court justices, and a lot more. Appropriate for any student studying the history of the United States of America.

is your child struggling?

At LearningRx, we test your child and help you understand the challenges he or she faces to learn efficiently and effectively. Our Programs will increase your child’s confidence and performance. Contact us to schedule an assessment.

Geography

Kids World Map • Free

Explore the far reaches of civilization with Kid’s World Map! Learn cool info on countries all over the world from their national anthems and populations to fun facts on people, culture and more! Users can test their knowledge on the earth’s geography to earn tokens. Spend them on plane tickets to unlock more interesting areas and to fill up your passport with all the great locations which you’ve already explored. This app is appropriate for ages 5 and up.

www.learningrx.com/little-rock 501.223.9500

december 2011 savvy kids

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THe PediaTriC CliniC, P.a. of north little rock

New Technology. Endless Potential.

Over 50 Years Of Caring fOr Children Of Central arkansas n Accepting new pAtients n Birth through Adolescence n Most insurAnce Accepted

With so much new educational technology available at the Anthony School, there’s no limit to the learning possibilities for our students. Anthony offers many technological resources that enhance and accelerate learning, including: • Two computer labs • WiFi access throughout the school • Two mobile labs of 25 MacBook Pro • SMART Boards in every classroom laptops each • A new collaborative website with • A mobile cart with 30 new iPads Web 2.0 tools and virtual classrooms • A computer-automated virtual library

Lourie Battles, Md • Robert Choate, Md • Kim Clinton, Md Matthew Hadley, ApN, phd • Kim Hurlbut, Md Stephen Fiedorek, Md • Eric Fraser, Md • Gary Fowler, ApN Bishawn Morris, Md • JoAnne Wilson, ApN 3401 springhill drive, ste. 245 North Little Rock, AR • 501.758.1530 CliniC Hours: MoNdAy-FRidAy 8AM – 6pM Walk in siCk CliniC: SAtuRdAy 8AM 203 B plaza Boulevard Cabot, AR • 501.843.0068 CliniC Hours: MoNdAy-FRidAy 8AM-5pM

We invite you to call 225-6629 to set up a personal tour and see our amazing technology for yourself.

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Strong Tradition.

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Preschool Milestones By Lynley Baker Phillips

When an individual becomes a first-time parent they also, somehow, become a skilled statistician. With ease they can discuss such math details as head circumference, percentile ranges for height and weight and at what precise day, hour and minute of newborn life a baby will smile. New parents live for those precious developmental milestones of a newborn. They administer high-fives to the nurse when the baby gains an ounce and scour the Internet for answers when baby slips into a percentile range of development they deem too low. By the time that little newborn has advanced into his preschool years, mom and dad are seasoned. The developmental milestones, which are now spaced out, are no longer points of victory or defeat. No one really cares if the preschooler gained an ounce on a particular day. Everyone is simply grateful he is happy, healthy and was able to accompany mom to the grocery store without throwing a tantrum in the bread aisle. Once a child hits the preschool years, life is no longer measured by the milestones of the newborn stage of development. Although the preschool years (ages 3-5) are not filled with the anxious watching of growth like in those first few months of life, they are a very important time of emotional and physical development for a child. As the child is transitioning from the toddler stage and preparing for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;big kidâ&#x20AC;? stage, there are some important milestones to consider, especially when it comes to being prepared for his upcoming entrance to formal schooling. Such milestones are also important to consider while a child is experimenting with his first educational experience via preschool. Milestones that are important in the social, 18 | savvy kids december 2011

cognitive and physical development of a child include some of the following:

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Motor Skills

Runs, jumps, climbs with ease Put together 4-12 piece puzzle Starts copying letters and numbers Dress and undress without assistance Draw simple shapes, including a person with at least four body parts Shows interest in using scissors and be able to handle them well Feed self with minimal spills Build complex structures with blocks

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Language and Cognitive Development

Display a large vocabulary (approximately 6,000 words) Knows age and hometown Familiar with shapes, numbers and colors Can sort items Displays an interest in numbers, the alphabet and writings Can have control of voice when reminded Ability to retell a three to four step sequence of events Begin to recognize meaningful words Can make up simple rhymes (cat/bat) Enjoys being read to

Social and Emotional Development Can share and take turns Participate in group pretend play Shows some sex differentiation in play Enjoy a variety of group experiences Desire opportunities to express independence

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Milestones are simply guidelines to allow parents a general understanding of what children most likely will achieve at a particular stage in life. They are not definite, requiring parents to become alarmed in their absence or delay. Although there are various developmental guidelines available to parents, they must remember that all children grow and develop at various rates. However, if a milestone delay does raise a red flag in a parent’s mind, it is always advised to seek the council of one’s pediatrician. Many parents question as to how they can help enrich these areas of development in their children. Parents can have a significant influence in the growth and development of their child, especially when it comes to ways to enrich the child’s learning during the preschool years.

Enriching learning during the preschool years Read aloud to the child for at least thirty minutes a day. Provide the child with choices frequently. Be consistent with boundaries and discipline. Encourage writing of any kind (includes coloring). Point out math in everyday life. Help children label their emotions.

Gone are the days for most parents of preschool children of being a skilled statistician who can rattle off percentile growth charts at a dinner party. Embrace the preschool years for their potential to show great growth in the development of a child, keeping in mind that milestones are simply guidelines to how that growth should be progressing. december 2011 savvy kids

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Staying on Track:

By Emily Griffin

E l e m e n t a r y With each year of school, your child faces new challenges that require him to continually acquire new sets of cognitive, physical and socialemotional skills. Here, you will find a breakdown of the developmental milestones your child should reach during the elementary school years.

Kindergarten Deciding whether or not your child is ready for kindergarten can sometimes be a big decision, one that should be based on how he is performing on all of his developmental milestones, not just his social skills. His physical and cognitive skills are expanding as quickly as his social skills and ability to regulate emotion. Socially, your child should be able to start taking turns and sharing, separate from you without undue anxiety and to communicate his needs to the adults around him. Physical developmental milestones include the abilities to run, skip, jump and climb stairs, while his cognitive skills should now include the ability to use complete sentences, re-tell a story and count objects.

First Grade After negotiating the highly social oriented environment of kindergarten, your child will enter the more academically challenging first grade classroom. The social developmental milestones that will help her successfully negotiate this atmosphere include being able to start seeing others’ points of view and relating well to praise. Cognitively, your child should be able to see 20 | savvy kids december 2011

S c h o o l

patterns in words, numbers and, to some degree, the world around her. She will also begin to answer basis questions with more detail. Physical milestones this year are both gross and fine motor-related; having the stamina to keep going with a physical activity for 5 to 15 minutes and developing the muscles that allow for better pencil grip and neater handwriting.

suggests doing so.

But how will you know what’s normal development and what you should be concerned about? Below is a guide to typical development for 6- and 7-year old children.

Second Grade

Intellectual Development In first grade, your child’s learning curve is really ramping up! Here are some of the skills you can expect to see during his first grade year. Your child: • Learns mainly by creating things, talking about events, and listening to stories. • Learns more by listening than by reading. • Is becoming a good listener in class. • Enjoys talking about the books he reads or listens to and shares many details of a story or experience but has trouble summarizing it. • Recognizes many words by sight. • Learns phonics, the sounds of all letters and letter combinations. He uses this knowledge to “decode” new words. • He still reads “word by word” rather than fluently • Begins to use visual imagery to reinforce his memory, especially if his teacher or parent

• Writes in less detail than he speaks. • Organizes physical objects as a way to remember them. • Wants “everything” and has trouble making choices.

In second grade, your child will be asked to think a little more in-depth and a little less concretely. Cognitive milestones that support this learning include the ability to understand the concepts of money and time and the ability to do mental math. The social milestones that will help in navigating second grade are those which help your child be more independent. He should gain a better ability to judge his strengths and weaknesses, have a little more self-control and be a little more willing to speak up when his opinion differs from that of his friends. This independence is echoed in his physical milestones, as he begins to have a greater control over his movements, knowing when his body needs a break and and increased ability for repetitive physical actions as they apply to games. Intellectual Development In second grade, your child may be quite eager to learn. Here are some of the skills you can expect to see. Your child: • Has a longer attention span.

• Is serious and reflective in her thinking. • Can use logic to solve more complex problems.

FULBRIGHT

• Lives more in reality and less in a fantasy world.

E L E M E N TA RY

• Enjoys being challenged, working hard, and completing a task well. • Listens for longer periods of time, absorbing new information. • Expands her vocabulary by listening to others. • Learns by listening and taking part in class discussions • Still uses decoding skills to sound out new words. • Is becoming a more fluent, efficient reader.

1st day of school

• Has reading skills are well above or below that of her peers. “Normal” reading ability varies widely in this group!

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• Still enjoys (and learns from) someone else reading aloud.

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• Becomes more comfortable with writing. • By writing about what she reads, she connects concepts to her own experience. • Understands that writing involves many steps. • Can tell and understand jokes, puns, and sarcasm.

Third Grade For many students, third grade marks a growth spurt, physically, emotionally and cognitively. Your child is making the move from black and white thinking to seeing more of the grays. In terms of cognitive milestones, this means that she is able to ask questions until she has all the information she needs to draw a conclusion about something she is learning. It also means she can create and solve concrete math problems from word problems.

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From a physical milestone perspective, it means she might be beginning to see the connection between well-planned physical activity and her health and well-being. Her social skills may reflect this shift in thinking in the way she is able to understand that other people are a part of her experiences, not simply an observer to what’s going on with her. Intellectual Development In third grade, your child starts to master basic academic skills and feels more confident in his cognitive abilities. For example, as the school year progresses, he learns to mentally juggle and make sense of multiple variables in learning. Your child may also: • Want to know the “why” and “how” behind facts. • Be full of ideas. • Overestimate his ability and expect too much of himself. • Work quickly and with a short attention span. He’s industrious but impatient. • Become a much more fluent reader. • Learn different strategies for reading works of fiction and nonfiction. • Be at a much higher or lower reading level than his classmates; this range is normal for third graders. • Know the correct spelling of many words. • Understand (and use) the stages of the writing process. He’ll get better at editing and revising his writing.

• The lessons we teach kids last a lifetime. We must make sure those lessons are positive. • Giving troubled kids positive opportunities reduces juvenile crime. A message from the Arkansas Division of Youth Services Sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services through a grant from the Public Welfare Foundation. If you are interested in getting involved or need additional information, please contact Paul Kelly, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families-Senior Policy Analyst at 501-371-9678 or pkelly@aradvocates.org

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| 21

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Santa at the Center December 3, 10 and 17

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The Center will host holiday activities including fun art projects, special holiday entertainment with a guest appearance by Santa and tasty treats to celebrate the season. Santa at the Center is free to all ages, but regular admission fees apply to tour the Library.

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| 23

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Be There for Your Child in the Formative Years

Transitioning The middle school years are a time of transition: emotional, physical, social and academic. Your support and involvement are essential at this stage of your child’s growth. Research shows that pre-teens do better in school when their parents are involved in their lives. Help your child transition from elementary to middle school. Discuss the concerns he or she may have before starting middle school, such as learning from many teachers, getting to class on time, finding his or her locker, getting on the right bus, knowing where the cafeteria is, navigating crowded hallways and doing more homework. Talk to your child about the physical and social changes and the social pressures that often occur in the middle school years. Communicate often with your child, the teachers, and the principal,

vice principal or both. You may want to ask the following questions of your child’s teachers: -Is there a transition program for students leaving elementary school and entering middle or junior high school? -Are counselors available who can help your child transition to middle school? -Are teachers and principals accessible to parents? -When are the parents’ nights, sports and art events, and other times when parents are invited to visit the school? -When can parents volunteer at the school?

Help your child organize a schedule. -Help your child set goals with a time limit for completing particular tasks. -Listen to what your child tells you and is really saying between the lines. Be sensitive to any fears your child might have. Sometimes it is helpful to

reserve comments and actions until you have facts about a situation and know how your child thinks and feels about it. -Discuss peer pressure. -Communication is the key to being helpful to your child in the pre-teen years. -Welcome and get to know your child’s friends. -Become aware of physical and emotional changes in your child.

Reading in the middle school years Reading is an important part of the middle school years. Many of the subjects your child studies in middle school involve much more reading than in elementary school. Check with your child’s school counselor to see what your child’s reading level is. If your child reads below grade level, check with the school to see what additional reading programs are available to help improve your child’s skills. Source: U.S. Department of Education

Cyberbullying: Understand and Prevent Cyberbullying, instead of happening face-to-face, happens through the use of technology such as computers, cell phones and other electronic devices and can occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cyberbullying peaks around the end of middle school and the beginning of high school. 24 | savvy kids december 2011

Examples of cyberbullying include: Sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages to others, spreading rumors or lies about others by e-mail or on social networks, or creating websites, videos or social media profiles that embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of others.

What You Can Do Always think about what you post or say. Do not share secrets, photos or anything that might be embarrassing to you or others. Set privacy settings on your accounts. Make sure that you are only sharing information with people you know and trust.

Make Cyberbullying Stop • Talk with someone you trust • Do not respond to cyberbullying • Keep evidence of cyberbullying • Block the person who is cyberbullying you • Report the incident to your school

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How to Make Homework Less Work Do algebra problems 15 through 25. Conjugate the verbs on page 50 of your French workbook. Read pages 12 through 20 of the Shakespeare play, and when you’re finished with that, don’t forget to fill in the missing chemical symbols on the Periodic Table of Elements worksheet. Sound like a roster of your homework for the next few nights — or maybe even just for tonight? Homework is a major part of going to school: It’s your teachers’ way of evaluating how much you understand of what’s going on in class, and it helps reinforce important concepts.

Create a Homework Plan

Luckily, you can do a few things to make homework less work. First, be sure you understand the assignment. Write it down in your notebook or day planner if you need to, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about what’s expected. It’s much easier to take a minute to ask the teacher during or after class than to struggle to remember later that night! If you want, you can also ask how long the particular homework assignment should take to complete so

26 | savvy kids december 2011

you can budget your time.

Second, use any extra time you have in school to work on your homework. Many schools have study halls that are specifically designed to allow students to study or get homework done. It’s tempting to hang out with friends during study periods or unstructured time, but the more work you can get done in school, the less you’ll have to do that night. Third, pace yourself. If you don’t finish your homework during school, think about how much you have left and what else is going on that day, and then budget your time. Most highschool students have between 1 and 3 hours of homework a night. If it’s a heavy homework day and it seems like you’ve got an assignment in every subject but gym and lunch, you’ll need to devote more time to homework. It’s a good idea to come up with some kind of homework schedule, especially if you are involved in sports or activities or have an after-school job.

Watch Where You Work

When you settle down to do homework or to

study, where do you do it? Parked in front of the TV? In the kitchen, with the sound of dishes being cleared and your brothers and sisters fighting? These places may have worked when you were younger and your assignments didn’t require as much skill and concentration. But now that you’re older, a bedroom, study, or any other room where you can get away from noise and distractions is the best place to get homework done. But don’t study on your comfy bed — opt for a desk or table that you can set your computer on and is comfortable to work at. It doesn’t need to be large, just big enough to spread out your stuff.

Get to Work

When you start your homework, tackle the hardest assignments first. It’s tempting to start with the easy stuff to get it out of the way, but you’ll have the most energy and focus when you begin, so it’s best to use this mental power on the subjects that are most challenging. Later, when you’re more tired, you can focus on the simpler things. If you get stuck on a problem, try to figure it out

as best you can — but don’t obsess and spend too much time on it because this can mess up your homework schedule for the rest of the night. If you need to, ask an adult or older sibling for help or call or email a classmate for advice. But don’t pick someone you’ll be up all night chatting with or you’ll never get it done!

Take a Break

Most people’s attention spans aren’t very long, so take some breaks while doing your homework. Sitting for too long without stretching or relaxing will make you less productive than if you stop every so often. Taking a 15-minute break every hour is a good idea for most people. (But if you’re really concentrating, wait until it’s a good time to stop.) Once your homework is done, you can check over it if you have extra time. Be sure to put it safely away in your backpack — there’s nothing worse than having a completed assignment that you can’t find the next morning or that gets ruined by a careless brother or sister. (And no teacher still believes that “chewed by the dog” line — even when it’s true!) Now you’re free to hang out.

Get Help When You Need It

Sometimes even though you’re paying attention in class, studying for tests, and doing your homework, certain classes seem too hard. Although you may hope that things will get easier or that the explanation to the geometry theorems will magically appear in your dreams, most of the time this doesn’t happen. What does happen for many people is that they work harder and harder as they fall further and further behind. Naturally, this makes them hate a class and everything to do with it. If you need extra help, the most important thing to know is that there’s nothing weird or embarrassing about it. No one is expected to understand everything, and people have very different learning styles. The first place to turn for help is your teacher. He or she may be able to work with you before or after school and explain things more clearly. But what if you don’t feel comfortable with your teacher? If you’re in a big enough school, there may be other teachers who teach the same subject. Speak to a guidance counselor or to the other teacher directly and you may be in luck. Sometimes it just helps to have someone new explain something in a different way. You might also be able to get some help from another student. If there’s someone you like who’s a good student, think about asking that person if you can study together. This might help because you’ll be hearing the information from the perspective of one of your peers. However, keep in mind that this might not get you the results you need. Lots of people understand something perfectly without being able to explain it. Another option for extra help is a tutor, either after school, on weekends, or in the evening. You’ll need to talk to an adult about this because it costs money to hire a tutor. Tutors sometimes come to your home, but there are also tutoring centers across the country. A tutor may have broad knowledge of many things or may be trained in just one subject. Tutors work with you one on one, helping review and further explain things taught in the classroom. The advantage of having a tutor is that it gives you the opportunity to ask questions directly and work at your own pace. If you’re interested in a tutor, check the internet or the yellow pages of your phone book, or get a referral from a teacher, a friend, or classmate who has a tutor. And if you live in or near a town with a college or university, you may find tutors there. Often college students will tutor high school students in their areas of study to help cover the costs of school.

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Christ Lutheran School Where Faith and Learning Grow!

erving the Little Rock community for more than 140 years, Christ Lutheran School is grounded in a tradition of academic excellence, Christian character development and education for the whole child.

CLS is dedicated to providing a quality, Christian education with high academic standards and advanced curriculum for children from preschool 3 through eighth grade. Our preschool program is designed to nurture an excitement for learning and provide a strong foundation for spiritual, academic, social, emotional and physical development. Our well-rounded elementary program challenges students in a supportive atmosphere, while our junior high program prepares students for the rigors of secondary education.

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december 2011 savvy kids

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G U I D E

T O

PRIVATE SCHOOLS By Paige Hunter Parham

One of the most crucial decisions that parents make is what type of schools their children will attend. Private schools offer a number of advantages to public education. Private schools receive the majority of their funding through students' tuition, which allows them to provide more funding for extracurricular programs such as sports and music. They can also afford the latest in learning technology in classrooms, libraries and student resource labs. Private schools generally have smaller class sizes, which allow teachers to give individual attention to students and focus on the areas in which they may need special help or even to move at a faster pace than their peers. Private schools have lower drop-out rates and less violent crime than public schools. If you are thinking about private education for your family, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together this list of some of the best private schools in the central Arkansas area.

Abundant Life School

9200 Highway 107 Sherwood, AR 72120 (501) 835-3120 www.abundantlife.com

ACCESS School

10618 Breckenridge Dr. Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 (501) 217-8600 www.accessgroup.org 30 | savvy kids december 2011

Abundant Life School, which is a mission of the Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church in Sherwood, is committed to assisting parents to train their children to become Godly young men and women by educating them spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. The academic program is challenging and will prepare students to succeed in college and beyond as life long learners and achievers. Abundant Life School is a place where structure and order go hand in hand with love and close relationships between teachers and students. ACCESS School, located in Little Rock, serves preschool through high school students with developmental delays and disabilities, as well as typical children who would benefit from a multi-sensory educational environment. ACCESS offers comprehensive therapeutic services in addition to their schoolbased services, making it the ideal school for children with issues such as autism, ADHD, apraxia, Down Syndrome, and hearing disorders. The cornerstone of the ACCESS curriculum is literature, which sets the stage for the study of math, science, social studies and history. These subjects are enriched by study of the arts. The strong focus on social skills training sets ACCESS apart from other private schools in the area. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Anthony School

7700 Ohio Street Little Rock, AR 72227 (501) 225-6629 www.anthonyschool.org

Arkansas Baptist Schools

Elementary Campus First Baptist Church 62 Pleasant Valley Drive Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 227-7707 High School Campus 8400 Ranch Boulevard Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 868-5121 www.arkansasbaptistschoolsystem.com

Christ Lutheran School

315 South Hughes Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 663-5212 www.clutheranschool.org

Christ the King Catholic School

4002 Rodney Parham Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 225-7883 www.ctklr.com

The Anthony School is a private school for children aged 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eighth grade, which strives to educate children in a challenging, loving environment which empowers them to become efficient, independent, excited learners. Emphasis is placed not just on academic development, but also on physical, social and emotional development. The Anthony School consistently produces students with a strong foundation of academic and social skills, high ethical standards, and a positive attitude toward school. The Arkansas Baptist School System is a ministry of the First Baptist Church. Their mission is to glorify God by assisting families in the Christcentered, biblically-directed education of their children. The curriculum at ABSS uses the A-Beka advanced Christian curriculum, enhanced with additional learning supplements. Extracurricular activities available in this system include football, golf, cheerleading, chess club, National Honor Society, band, FBLA, soccer and much more. In addition, Arkansas Baptist High School has partnered with John Brown University to offer concurrent credit, where students can earn college credit for courses while in high school. Christ Lutheran School serves students from Pre-K through eighth grade on its gorgeous midtown campus. The school features a diverse curriculum emphasizing a whole-child approach to education. In addition to the traditional academic subjects, CLS offers an array of art, music, athletic and technology courses to develop interests across a spectrum. There are also Gifted and Talented and Reach Out classes for those students with learning differences. The core values of Christ Lutheran School, which are emphasized in its curriculum and approach to daily academic life, are Academic Excellence, Individual Achievement, and Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love. The mission of Christ the King Catholic School is to teach and live the Catholic values and doctrines and to provide a quality academic program through a loving, Catholic atmosphere. The school is dedicated to guiding and promoting unity, love, respect and understanding with the development of a positive attitude towards lifelong education regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic background. Christ the King accommodates students from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade and includes studies in religion, technology, music, and art as well as the traditional curriculum. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

december 2011 savvy kids

| 31

Episcopal Collegiate

1701 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 372-1194 www.episcopalcollegiate.org

Little Rock Christian Academy

19010 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 868-9822 www.littlerockchristian.com

Our Lady of the Holy Souls

1001 North Tyler Street Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 663-4513 www.holysoulsschool.org

Pinnacle Classical Academy

11011 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 240-9080 www.pinnacleclassical.com 32 | savvy kids december 2011

Episcopal Collegiate school provides a cohesive Pre-K through 12th grade program for students on one breathtaking campus, which is located in downtown Little Rock. The school boasts a 9:1 student/teacher ratio, and a full 100% of graduating seniors are admitted to four-year colleges. The college-preparatory curriculum features an hands-on, inquiry based approach towards academics in a challenging yet nurturing environment. Students at every level are encouraged to give back to the community; students in the 6th-12th grades logged over charitable 10,000 hours in the 2010-2011 school year. Little Rock Christian Academy is a private Christian school founded on the philosophy that a strong education balances the artistic, athletic and academic pursuits to the glory of God and liberates all to serve others wholeheartedly. LRCA admits students from age 3 through 12th grade. They are committed to providing a quality education for every child, by challenging them in the classroom as well as encouraging their individual giftedness and talent. Little Rock Christian pledges to foster the image of God in the body, mind and soul of all of their students. Since its beginnings as a mission church in 1927, Our Lady of the Holy Souls has grown from an initial class of forty students taught in a divided church room to a full campus featuring a library, gymnasium, music room, computer lab and science lab. For more than 80 years, Holy Souls Catholic School has been educating young people and providing them with a strong spiritual and academic foundation to build on. Students are instructed to strive for academic excellence and self-discipline. Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic School is dedicated to providing an education that is built on the Gospel message. Pinnacle Classical Academy is Little Rock’s first Classical Christian School. The school serves students from Pre-K to Eighth Grade at its West Little Rock campus. Pinnacle Classical Academy merges Christian education with humanitiesbased classical educational philosophies. Now in its second year of operation, this school has brought a new type of learning environment into Central Arkansas. Pinnacle Classical Academy seeks to graduate students instilled with a lifelong love of learning, equipped for service in love to God and man. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Lisa’s son Jack had always been a handful. Even as a preschooler, he would tear through the house like a tornado, shouting, roughhousing, and climbing the furniture. No toy or activity ever held his interest for more than a few minutes and he would often dart off without warning, seemingly unaware of the dangers of a busy street or a crowded mall.

It was exhausting to parent Jack, but Lisa hadn’t been too concerned back then. Boys will be boys, she figured. But at age 8, he was no easier to handle. It was a struggle to get Jack to settle down long enough to complete even the simplest tasks, from chores to homework. When his teacher’s comments about his inattention and disruptive behavior in class became too frequent to ignore, Lisa took Jack to the doctor, who recommended an evaluation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it’s not yet understood why. Kids with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They may understand what’s expected of them but have trouble following through because they can’t sit still, pay attention, or attend to details. Of course, all kids (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they’re anxious or excited. But the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time and occur in different settings. They impair a child’s ability to function socially, academically, and at home. The good news is that with proper treatment, kids with ADHD can learn to successfully live with and manage their symptoms.

ADHD? WHAT IS

34 | savvy kids december 2011

A hoice e N w FCor Rock Littlmeilies Fa

Distinctly Christian

Distinctly Classical

• Small Classes & Challenging Curriculum • Offering K4-7th Grade

• Teaching All Subjects as an Integrated Whole, United and Centered in Jesus Christ • Developing Lifelong Learners, Equipped for Service in Love to God and Man “Since the first day of school we have had a tremendous peace about what God is doing in our son’s life at PCA.”

501.240.9080 • 11001 Kanis Road • Little Rock PinnacLecLassicaL.com

PINNACLE CLASSICAL ACADEMY

december 2011 savvy kids

| 35

ADHD

cont.

Symptoms

ADHD used to be known as attention deficit disorder, or ADD. In 1994, it was renamed ADHD and broken down into three subtypes, each with its own pattern of behaviors: 1. an inattentive type, with signs that include: inability to pay attention to details or a tendency to make careless errors in schoolwork or other activities, difficulty with sustained attention in tasks or play activities apparent listening problems, difficulty following instructions, problems with organization, avoidance or dislike of tasks that require mental effort, tendency to lose things like toys, notebooks, or homework, distractibility, and forgetfulness in daily activities. 2. a hyperactive-impulsive type, with signs that include: fidgeting or squirming, difficulty remaining seated, excessive running or climbing, difficulty playing quietly, always seeming to be “on the go”, excessive talking, blurting out answers before hearing the full question, difficulty waiting for a turn or in line, and problems with interrupting or intruding. 3. a combined type, which involves a combination of the other two types and is the most common Although it can be challenging to raise kids with ADHD, it’s important to remember they aren’t “bad,” “acting out,” or being difficult on purpose. And they have difficulty controlling their behavior without medication or behavioral therapy.

Diagnosis

Because there’s no test that can determine the presence of ADHD, a diagnosis depends on a complete evaluation. Many children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD are evaluated and treated by primary care doctors including pediatricians and family practitioners, but your child may also be referred to one of several different specialists (psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists) especially when the diagnosis is in doubt, or if there are other concerns, such as Tourette syndrome, a learning disability, anxiety, or depression. To be considered for a diagnosis of ADHD: a child must display behaviors from one of the three subtypes before age 7, these behaviors must be more severe than in other kids the same age, the behaviors must last for at least 6 months, the behaviors must occur in and negatively affect at 36 | savvy kids december 2011

Because there’s no test that can determine the presence of ADHD, a diagnosis depends on a complete evaluation. least two areas of a child’s life (such as school, home, day-care settings, or friendships), The behaviors must also not only be linked to stress at home. Kids who have experienced a divorce, a move, an illness, a change in school, or other significant life event may suddenly begin to act out or become forgetful. To avoid a misdiagnosis, it’s important to consider whether these factors played a role in the onset of symptoms. First, your child’s doctor will take a medical history by performing a physical examination and asking you about any concerns and symptoms, your child’s past health, your family’s health, any medications your child is taking, any allergies your child may have, and other issues. The doctor may also check hearing and vision so other medical conditions can be ruled out. Because some emotional conditions, such as extreme stress, depression, and anxiety, can also look like ADHD, you’ll fill out questionnaires to help rule them out. You’ll be asked many questions about your child’s development and behaviors at home, school, and among friends. Other adults who see your child regularly (like teachers, who are often the first to notice ADHD symptoms) probably will be consulted, too. An educational evaluation, which usually includes a school psychologist, may also be done. It’s important for everyone involved to be as honest and thorough as possible about your child’s

strengths and weaknesses.

ADHD in the Classroom

As your child’s most important advocate, you should become familiar with your child’s medical, legal, and educational rights. Kids with ADHD are eligible for special services or accommodations at school under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and an anti-discrimination law known as Section 504. Keep in touch with teachers and school officials to monitor your child’s progress. In addition to using routines and a clear system of rewards, here are some other tips to share with teachers for classroom success: Reduce seating distractions. Lessening distractions might be as simple as seating your child near the teacher instead of near the window. Use a homework folder for parent-teacher communications. The teacher can include assignments and progress notes, and you can check to make sure all work is completed on time. Break down assignments. Keep instructions clear and brief, breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Give positive reinforcement. Always be on the lookout for positive behaviors. Ask the teacher to offer praise when your child stays seated, doesn’t call out, or waits his or her turn instead of criticizing when he or she doesn’t. Teach good study skills. Underlining, note taking, and reading out loud can help your child stay focused and retain information. Supervise. Check that your child goes and comes from school with the correct books and materials. Sometimes kids are paired with a buddy to can help them stay on track. Be sensitive to self-esteem issues. Ask the teacher to provide feedback to your child in private, and avoid asking your child to perform a task in public that might be too difficult. Involve the school counselor or psychologist. He or she can help design behavioral programs to address specific problems in the classroom.

Helping Your Child

You’re a stronger advocate for your child when you foster good partnerships with everyone involved in your child’s treatment — that includes teachers, doctors, therapists, and even other family members. Take advantage of all the support and education that’s available, and you’ll help your child navigate toward success. © 1995-2011 . The Nemours Foundation/ KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.

L ITTLE R OCK C HRISTIAN A CADEMY

Merry Christmas!

From the Faculty and Staff at Little Rock Christian Academy

For more information call 501.868.9822

www.littlerockchristian.com

FOR SCHEDULES, EVENTS AND INFORMATION VISIT HOLIDAYSINLITTLEROCK.COM OR CALL (501) 376-4781 december 2011 savvy kids

| 37

home isA glimpse where the school is into the world of homeschooling By Lynley Baker Phillips My family of four recently moved. After one moves to a new home and finally unpacks those last few boxes that linger in the recesses of the garage, the polite thing to do is invite over close friends and family for the grand tour of the new home. Although we still have a few pictures to hang and a peach-colored bathroom to transform, we have opened the doors to our home and welcomed in those dear to us. Our home tour is a bit different than those on television design shows. There is no television that magically appears for what seems to be an ordinary piece of furniture nor are there any crazy paint colors (with the exception of that peach bathroom). Ours is a typical home in a typical suburban neighborhood. The tour of our home is relatively standard as well. One can travel from the living room, make a turn at the kitchen and then step through our school room. Yes, our new home has a school room because we are 38 | savvy kids december 2011

a homeschooling family. Homeschooling is on the rise in the United States. Despite being a relatively young movement that first gained steam in the late 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, schooling at home has become the education choice for over two million American children. Homeschooling is no longer a choice just made by the stout religious or rural family, but rather it is a choice made by thousands of families across the nation for a variety of reasons.

History behind Homeschooling Before 1850, most children were being educated in private schools or at home by tutors or parents. It was not until 1870 that all states offered free public education in the form of elementary schools. Fastforward to 1964, when public education has found its place in American culture. During this time, the book How Children Fail was published, supposing

the idea that public education is failing American children rather than benefiting them. Many consider this book to be the initial propellant behind the homeschool movement. During this time, parents begin to fight for the right to school at home. By 1980, the homeschooling movement gained steam despite the fact that it was illegal in thirty states to educate oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child at home. Various states prosecuted families for educating at home. It was not until the mid 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that homeschooling would be made legal in all fifty states. As of last year, there were reportedly 2.5 million children being educated at home, with that number steadily on the rise.

Reasons for Homeschooling Homeschooling is not merely for one subgroup of individuals, but rather a choice being made by a diverse group of people for various reasons. Some

prefer keeping the family at home together, some live in areas where alternative educational opportunities are sub-par while others choose to stay home in order to take a non-conventional approach to educating their children. The most common reasons people decide to school at home include the desire to provide a specific religious or moral instruction, a concern over the traditional school environment and a sense of dissatisfaction with the education choices (both public and private) available.

Benefits to Educating at Home All parents, regardless of their approach to schooling, would agree that they desire for their child’s education to be beneficial and purposeful. No one desires for their child to simply breeze through his schooling without really grasping a concept or learning something of value. There are many benefits to schooling at home, one of those being the ability to tailor one’s education to his or her specific learning style, strengths and weaknesses. When the teacher to student ratio is 1:1, in-depth, personal learning can occur. Other benefits of homeschooling include being able to make the world one’s classroom by taking learning outside the walls of a school and finding educational opportunities in real-life settings. Strengthening the family unit (traditional or nontraditional) is also a benefit of homeschooling. Many families consider it a great blessing to be able to be together during the day, sharing in learning and in familial activities. A notable benefit to homeschooling centers on college. Many children who are homeschooled enter college earlier than their peers. They also are considered to be better prepared for college life because they have had previous experience with self-directed learning.

Accomplishing school at home Many people wonder how school can possibly be accomplished at home. What does homeschooling look like? How is the day structured? Are the kids simply watching TV all day while doing a workbook page on occasion? Just like in every public or private school, no two homeschool “classrooms” are the same. Some people homeschool in a traditional manner with a set schedule while other families approach schooling in a relaxed style, fitting in academics alongside their daily life. When schooling at home, one can choose from curriculum that is entirely religious based, that takes a classical approach to education or that is computer-centered. Although no two families are likely accomplishing homeschool in a set way, they are keeping records as required by their state of residence and ensuring that their children are meeting education goals and milestones. Because of the rise in popularity of homeschooling, homeschool networks, co-ops and learning communities are in abundance. The homeschooling family is rarely alone in their pursuit of education, but rather have ways to plug into their community that helps them meet educational goals.

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As for my family, we homeschool because we wanted our children to be educated in a particular manner that challenged their abilities and that allowed them to grow in the presence of both adult and child company. We are part of a wonderful learning community as well as an enrichment co-op. Our homeschooling days vary, but we generally get school accomplished between the hours of 8:00am and noon, leaving the afternoon open for extracurricular activities and extension projects. Our school room is quaint, filled with books, desks and a white board. Is this the path we will continue to take with the remainder of our children’s education? We are not sure. Right now, we simply make home and school one. Lynley Baker Phillips is a freelance writer and speaker. Her works have been featured in various publications, as well as on Fox Good Day Dallas. Phillips speaks on and writes about various parenting issues, home organization tips, household management and homeschooling. Her blog can be found at www.savethephillipsfamily.com. december 2011 savvy kids

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Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just one month away from an amazing Discovery.

grand re-opening

january 14, 2012

Donald W. Reynolds Science Center at the Museum of Discovery 500 President Clinton Ave, Ste 150 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-396-7050 www.museumofdiscovery.org 40 | savvy kids december 2011

GC 2

2 0 1 2 guide to college

www.savvykidsofarkansas.com

Countdown to College: Timeline of what to do and when Navigating Financial Aid Tips for taking the ACT and SAT Create at Stand-Out Application

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Over 30 Locations Statewide! Let us help you find money for college at College Goal Sunday. SM

What is College Goal Sunday? A FREE one-day event to help students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Arkansas Universal Scholarship Application (YOUniversal). Why should I attend? If you are even thinking about education beyond high school, you will most likely need financial help. College Goal Sunday is the perfect place to get the help you will need to complete your financial aid application.

What should I bring? • The PIN you receive by going to www.pin.ed.gov at least one week before College Goal Sunday. A PIN is needed for both the student and at least one parent. • Your latest tax information (2011 Tax Returns) for both you and your parents. If you don’t have your 2011 tax forms yet…come to College Goal Sunday anyway. • 2011 W-2 Forms • Social Security Numbers

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The College Goal Sunday program was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education. 2|

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2012CGS_SavvyKidsAd.indd 1

11/22/11 11:05 AM

05 AM

GEAR UP R FO

GO!

February th th 13 - 17 , 2012 Get to know Say Go College. Log on to SayGoCollege.com, where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made grants, scholarships and loans easy. This message is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Education and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

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publisher Heather Baker,

look back on my time at the University of Arkansas fondly. I can still remember the butterflies in my stomach on the first day of my freshman year. I had nothing to be worried about, really. I had taken time to study my class schedule closely and I even walked the campus the day before to find all my class locations so I would know where I was going. I went to bed at a decent hour (for an 17-year-old anyway), and I set my alarm extra early so I wouldn’t be late. The butterflies quickly faded away. I made new friends in all my classes, got involved in school activities and started planning my future.

Heather Baker, freshman year at U of A. Follow us on Twitter

Making the decision to attend an institution of higher education after graduating high school, for some is an easy decision to make. The decision, however, should not be made lightly. In this special issue of Savvy Kids, Guide to College, you will find information to help you make a decision on what to do after graduation. Be sure to look over the chart on page 12 to help compare colleges and universities in the state.

editor Emily Griffin, emily@arktimes.com editorial assistant Paige Hunter Parham, paige@arktimes.com editorial art directors Patrick Jones, Bryan Moats account executives Emily Withem, emilyw@arktimes.com Kelly Daniel, kellyd@arktimes.com Michelle Miller, michelle@arktimescom Tamara Adkins, tamara@arktimes.com advertising sales assistant Kelly Lyles, kellylyles@arktimes.com production manager Weldon Wilson advertising coordinators Roland Gladden, roland@arktimes.com Kelly Schlachter, kellys@arktimes.com

Whatever school you choose to attend, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. After all, these are best years of your life! Congratulations and good luck!

Become A Facebook Fan

heatherbaker@arktimes.com

Tracy Whitaker, tracy@arktimes.com graphic artists Kai Caddy, Rafael Mendez, Bryan Moats, Patrick Jones, Mike Spain, Sandy Sarlo photographers Brian Chilson, Patrick Jones, Jay White, Brooke Paul, Kirby Tidwell, Naomi Hasenauer, Cynthia Rankin

Heather Baker Publisher hbaker@arktimes.com

controller Weldon Wilson accounts payable Angie Fambrough it director Robert Curfman billing/collections Linda Phillips circulation director Anitra Hickman

MakinG a

good impression College admissions officers talk about what makes an application stand out By Janie Ginocchio

High school has whizzed by, and now you face one of the most difficult aspects of getting into college: the admissions application. Depending on where you apply, you could be in competition with hundreds or even thousands of other hopefuls wanting to land a spot in the next freshman class. There are only so many hours in a day, and college admissions staff has to review every application, so how do you make your application be the one that catches their eye? The admissions staffs from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (UA) and John Brown University (JBU) give some inside tips on making a standout application. “Putting together a successful college application takes time -- starting early helps,” Suzanne McCray, UA dean of admissions, said. “An outstanding application shows a strong academic record, a history of school or community involvement, and (in some cases) enthusiastic support from letter writers.” 6|

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Beyond grades

A strong academic record is about more than just grades. Students who take AP, IB, or concurrent enrollment classes show they are willing to embrace a challenge, and good performances in these classes indicate that a student is likely to be successful in college.

don’t just join – Be involved

Students who are actively involved in their schools or communities usually transfer that engagement to college. But a simple listing of clubs is not enough -- the involvement should be meaningful and at least in some cases extensive. Students who have jobs should be sure to share that information as well.

Make sure your story is told

Some applications require letters of recommendation. Select letter writers carefully; choose people who know the student well and will write about more than just scores and grades. Reviewers love to read interesting stories about applicants.

show theM who you are

“Grades and test scores are obviously the easiest ways a university can compare you

to other applicants,” Hannah Bradford, an admissions counselor at JBU, said. “But surprisingly, that is not the place JBU admissions lingers as they read applications. The sections of the application where the applicant shares who they are through short answers and essays communicates much more about a student than impressive grades or test scores. Taking time to carefully craft your answers will pay dividends in the future when you catch a counselor’s eye with your application.”

Meet the adMissions counselor

“Visiting campus to meet your admissions counselor will also help your application to be memorable,” Bradford said. “Counselors read through hundreds of applications, and a face-to-face meeting with them will help your application transition from a name on paper to a real person with hopes and dreams. “And remember, private schools like JBU want students who fit with our mission and culture and it’s the admissions office’s responsibility

to find that type of student. Get to know your counselor and more importantly, let them get to know you! Answer the phone when they call or send them a thank you card for their help. They will be your biggest advocate for acceptance and can greatly aid in your transition to college.”

Breakdown oF schools school

degrees offered

Features

technical or career college

certificate diploma associate degree

smaller class sizes evening and weekend classes Focus on skills necessary for a specific career

community college

certificate diploma associate degree

smaller class sizes evening and weekend classes can often transfer to a 4-year college or university often smaller schools found in local communities

4-year college or university

Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree doctorate degree Professional degrees

Most people attend full-time can take many different classes usually have dorms on campus

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CONTENTS Timeline Making a Good Impression College Q&A College Chart College Preparation Tests Navigating Financial Aid The Scoop

6 8 10 12 14 16 18

There’s never been a

better time

to go to college or an easier

way

to apply for financial aid

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education reviews and approves academic programs for the state’s 11 public universities and 22 public two-year colleges. In addition, the agency is responsible for distributing approximately $170 million annually from state revenues and lottery funds in the form of financial aid. More than 20 grant and loan repayment programs are available to students, with eligibility requirements ranging from academic status and financial need to specific fields of study. Some are listed below: Academic Challenge Scholarship I Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program I Arkansas Health Education Grant Program (ARHEG) Higher Education Opportunities Grant (GO! Opportunities Grant) I Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependents Scholarship Program Military Dependents Scholarship Program I Nursing Student Loan Repayment The Guard Tuition Incentive Program (GTIP) Second Effort Scholarship I State Teacher Education (STEP) Program I Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program Teacher Opportunity Program I Washington Center Scholarship I Workforce Improvement Grant For complete information about a particular program, visit www.adhe.edu to review program rules and regulations. The eligibility requirements and rules governing the programs administered by ADHE are subject to legislative and regulatory amendments. Please e-mail the Financial Aid Division at finaid@adhe.edu for additional information.

• Application period is from January 1 to June 1 for upcoming academic year • Must complete FAFSA as well as YOUniversal scholarship application • Download free YOUniversal app for any smart phone

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COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE JANUARY

MARCH

A TIMELINE OF WHAT TO DO, WHEN

AUGUST

DECEMBER

By Janie Ginocchio

In 7th & 8th Grade:  Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.  Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.  Practice setting and reaching goals.  Volunteer in your community.  Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.  Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you.  Create a tentative high school class plan.  Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

In 9th & 10th Grade:  Sharpen your organizational skills by developing a system to keep track of assignments, tests, events, appointments, and other things. These skills are key to succeeding in college.  Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers.  Spend time volunteering and get involved with clubs that develop leadership skills.  Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.  Keep a log of your activities, awards, and accomplishments. You’ll want to have this in6|

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formation in one place when it’s time to start filling out college applications. tart talking with your  S parents about financing your college tuition and create a financial plan together. Also, start researching what scholarships and grants are out there that are realistic for you.  I n 10th grade, register for the PLAN, a pre-ACT test, which will help identify areas for improvement.

In 11th Grade:  Attend college and financial aid events.  Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.  In October, take the PSAT/NMSQT. This is good practice and could help lead to scholarships.  Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.  Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.  Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.  Participate in extracurricular activities.  Request admissions and financial aid forms.  Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.  Find out which tests the universities you’re interested in require, and then in the spring semester take the SAT, ACT with the writing

component, or both.  Keep looking for scholarships and grants for which you may qualify.  Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.  Enroll in a summer enrichment program.  Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.  Research private scholarship options.

In 12th Grade:

    



 

September - November Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you. It’s okay to go more than once. Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT in the fall. Meet with your school counselor to review your high school class plan. Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of deadlines for each school. Create a resume of your academic, athletic and work activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you’re interested in the arts. Ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors and others who can comment on your abilities and talents. Attend a financial aid event. Review a copy of Paying for College. Check if there is still time to sign up for spring classes that will earn college

credit through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools. December - February  Apply to four or more colleges that interest you. Some may have earlier or later deadlines. (Make copies of each application.)  Attend a financial aid event if you haven’t already done so. Review a copy of Paying for College.  Apply for scholarships offered by the colleges to which you have applied.  Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. You and your parents will need the previous year’s income tax information to complete the application.  Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. March - May  Have your final high school transcript sent to the colleges to which you’ve applied.  Choose a college and notify in writing those you don’t plan to attend.  Send in any required forms or deposits. Summer  Get a job to earn money for college.  Review orientation materials from the college you selected.  If living on campus, check with the college for a list of what’s provided by the school and what the school expects the student to provide.  Contact your roommate.

Sources: University of Michigan and getreadyforcollege.org

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Making a

good impression College admissions officers talk about what makes an application stand out By Janie Ginocchio

GC 2

Beyond grades

Don’t just join – be involved

Make sure your story is told

Show them who you are

“Grades and test scores are obviously the easiest ways a university can compare you

Meet the admissions counselor

BREAKDOWN OF SCHOOLS School Degrees offered

Features

Technical or Certificate Smaller class sizes Career College Diploma Evening and weekend classes Associate degree Focus on skills necessary for a specific career Community Certificate Smaller class sizes College Diploma Evening and weekend classes Associate degree Can often transfer to a 4-year college or university Often smaller schools found in local communities 4-year College or University

Bachelor’s degree Most people attend full-time Master’s degree Can take many different classes Doctorate degree Usually have dorms on campus Professional degrees

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QA &

C O L L E G E

L I F E

Five Arkansas college students discuss what helped them decide to enroll in their current school. By Janie Ginnochio

With so many great universities around, narrowing your decision to just one school is no easy task! A lot of consideration must be taken to decide which school offers what you are looking for during your college experience.

We interviewed current students at a number of colleges and universities across the state to find out what helped them make the decision to enroll

Job Corps Robert Dick, 22 Hometown: Othello, Washington Year: Senior Major: Culinary Arts

10 |

at these schools and what they have enjoyed the most about their time there. Read on to see what they had to say.

Also, turn the page and browse the chart. The chart lists each two-year and four-year college or university in the state of Arkansas. Compare tuition costs, demographic information, fees, and find deadline and contact information to help you

Q Why did your choose to attend Job Corps? A While attending college, my Grandmother took ill. I became her primary care giver. I could not maintain my studies and give the attention needed to my Grandmother. Consequently, I failed the semester and lost financial aid qualification. I really wanted an education. I looked into free educational institutions and found Job Corps, a great opportunity. After my Grandmother passed, I moved to Little Rock to attend Job Corps. I am now Serve-Safe Certified, Trade Complete and headed to Woodland, Maryland to attend a culinary advanced training program.

narrow down the choices. Be sure to contact these schools to learn more about the degree programs offered, specific tuition and enrollment questions, housing options, and more. Each school is unique in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own wayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; enrolling in a school best suited for your future plans will make your college experience go from good to life-changing!

Q What has been the most memorable/enriching class or activity you have participated in at Job Corps? A One day I was approached about joining the Outreach Team. We began by going twice a week to the Arkansas Food Bank. At the Food Bank we sorted donations and stocked shelves. I really liked how the employees of the Food Bank, bragged on how hard we worked and how much we accomplished in our time there. Recently, we went to the Little Rock Compassion Center. Our culinary class cooked for the shelter and our Student Leadership served and cleaned. It was a moving experience. I would have to say learning to serve and give back to the community, has left a lasting impres-

sion on me. Q What have you learned about yourself since you started your post-high school education? A It takes determination and effort to accomplish such a structured program. It is also a very diverse, cultural experience. I have met and worked with different and interesting kinds of people. I think that has helped prepare me for a future in culinary. Q What advice would you give to current high school students thinking about their future after graduation? A Do not just stop at high school, continue with your education. Get as much and go as far as you possibly can.

John Brown University Karis Butler, 21 Hometown: Little Rock Year: Senior Major: Journalism

Q Why did you choose to attend John Brown University? A “I chose to attend JBU because of its community and its growth. When I visited the campus, I immediately felt welcomed and a sense of belonging. As I’ve attended classes over the past four years, professors have consistently been willing and able to help me in my academic, spiritual and overall achievement as a student. I can tell they truly care about their students.” Q What has been the most memorable/ enriching class or activity you have partic-

ipated in at John Brown University? A “Being a part of the Chicago Immersion Trip my sophomore year. The goal of the trip was to experience differing cultures by exploring Hispanic and African-American cultures as well as social issues. The trip was not necessarily a chance to change the world, but instead to become more aware of issues in our own country.” Q What have you learned about yourself since you started your posthigh school education? A “I’ve discovered my passion for

empowering others and cultivating dignity among them. I hope that wherever I end up after graduation, I am in some way incorporating these passions.” Q What advice would you give to current high school students thinking about their future after graduation? A “I would say find a place where you feel like you belong and are challenged as an individual. It’s important to choose a college where you know you will be pushed to excel and have a blast at the same time.”

Arkansas State University Haley Johnson, 22 Hometown: Paragould, Ark. Year: Senior Major: Journalism, with an emphasis in Public Relations

Q Why did you choose to attend Arkansas State University? A “I grew up always knowing I wanted to attend Arkansas State. I wanted a college that was small enough to allow me to really invest into people’s lives, yet large enough to show me the time of my life while still giving me the opportunity to succeed in the world. I believe ASU has always encompassed that unique balance.” A What has been the most memorable/ enriching class or activity you have participated in at ASU?

”My first semester as a PR major was the most enriching. My professors pushed creativity and challenged me to think outside of the box. They encouraged my confidence, and made me believe that I can truly accomplish anything.” Q What have you learned about yourself since you started your post-high school education? A “The cool thing about ASU is that it not only allows you to further your education in the classroom, but it also allows you to grow as a person. I am more independent, open-minded,

compassionate and inspired than I have ever been, and I know the accomplishments I’ve made and the dreams I have are because of that. Q What advice would you give to current high school students thinking about their future after graduation? A ”I encourage every high school student to research their options! Don’t go into college assuming that you will be the typical teacher, doctor, banker, etc. ASU has so many diverse majors that can be applied to literally an unlimited amount of careers.”

Henderson State University Hannah Rowsey, 19 Hometown: Smithville, Ark. Year: Sophomore Major: Psychology

Q Why did you choose to attend Henderson State University? “I am from a very small town and when I began my college search, I wanted to choose a school where I would feel comfortable. The faculty and staff are all very friendly and actually make a real effort to get to know each student. The campus is beautiful and rich in history. At Henderson, I feel like I belong.” Q What has been the most memorable/enriching class or activity you have participated in at Henderson State?

“A very memorable and enriching activity at Henderson State is Reddie to Serve Day. It is very inspiring to see hundreds of students come together to support the community they live in by serving its members. This day brings the community together and integrates the college into the town, making Arkadelphia much more like home. Q What have you learned about yourself since you started your posthigh school education? “I am very self-motivated. If I decide that I want something, I will find a way

to make it happen. I have organized my schedule to where I can participate in multiple organizations, including a sorority, while still keeping my main focus on my grades.” Q What advice would you give to current high school students thinking about their future after graduation? ”Plan ahead. Realize that college is a wonderful experience and required in many different fields of work. Don’t be afraid to branch out and go somewhere away from home, even if you have to go alone.”

Arkansas State UniversityBeebe Elizabeth Ann Ulsperger, 20 Home Town: Beebe, Ark. Year: Sophomore Major: Theater

Q Why did you choose to attend college? A “For me, college was the next chapter in my life. I wasn’t sure where my life was going and very unsure about a career choice. It was a clean slate for me to start fresh and be the person I knew I could be.” Q What has been the most memorable/ enriching class or activity you have participated in at school? A “The most memorable moment so far has been my performance in

“Titus Andronicus” in spring 2011. The character I portrayed was so different from my own personality. The experience was challenging, but I enjoyed every minute. I had no idea I could act, and because of my performance, I’ve acquired a sense of confidence I’ve never had before. Since the show, I have had opportunities that would not have been possible if I hadn’t tried out.” Q What have you learned about yourself since you started your posthigh school education?

A “I’ve learned I have a lot more potential than I could have ever imagined. College has given me more than education in subjects and my studies. I have turned into a very educated young woman.” Q What advice would you give to current high school students thinking about their future after graduation? A “Make decisions for yourself. Don’t follow the crowd when it comes to your future and your career, and don’t lose yourself.”

GC 2

| 11

School

Phone

YEARS/PRIVATE/PUBLIC

ENROLLMENT PER SEMESTER

FEMALE

MALE

TUITION PER SEMESTER

HOUSING PER SEMESTER

Arkansas Baptist College… Little Rock

501-370-4000

4-year Private

1119

36%

64%

$3,900

$3,975 (double occupancy: 19 Meals/week)

Arkansas State University • Jonesboro

870-972-2100/800-382-3030 (instate only)

4-year Public

13,415

61%

39%

$2,121.60 (in-state)

$3,460.00

Arkansas Tech University • Russellville

479-968-0343/ 1-800-582-6953

4-year Public

9,800

54%

46%

$3,129.00

starting at $2,298 (includes meals)

Central Baptist College • Conway

501-329-6872/1-800-205-6872

4-year Private

742

45%

55%

$4,200.00

$3,000.00

Crowley’s Ridge College • Paragould

870-236-6901

4-year Private

200

51%

49%

$4,400.00

$2,990 (includes meal plan)

Harding University • Searcy

800-477-4407

4-year Private

7,000

53%

47%

$7,080.00

$3,015.00

Henderson State University • Arkadelphia

870-230-5028/1-800-228-7333

4-year Public

3,709

56%

44%

$2,244.00

$2,450 (including room & board)

Hendrix College • Conway

800-277-9017/ 501-450-1362

4-year Private

1,468

56%

44%

$17,115 (including fees)

$4,857 (including meals)

John Brown University • Siloam Springs

877-528-4636/ 479-524-7157

4-year Private

2,130

56%

44%

$9,917.00

$3,781.00

Lyon College • Batesville

1-800-423-2542/ 870-698-4242

4-year Private

651

56%

44%

$11,341.00

$3,670.00

Ouachita Baptist University • Arkadelphia

1-800-DIAL-OBU/ 870-245-5110

4-year Private

1,500

54%

46%

$10,315 (including fees)

$3,020 (room and board)

Philander Smith College • Little Rock

501-370-5221

4-year Private

700

66%

34%

$5,675.00

$2,400.00

Southern Arkansas University • Magnolia

870-235-4040

4-year Public

3,233

60%

40%

$2,790.00

$2,350.00

University of Arkansas at Little Rock • Little Rock

1-800-482-8892

4-year Public

13,000

64%

36%

$183/hr

$1,728 - $2,2678

University of Arkansas at Monticello • Monticello

870-460-1026/800-844-1826

4-year Public

3,630

60%

40%

$126/credit hour

$840-$1,060

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff • Pine Bluff

870-575-8000

4-year Public

3,428

56%

44%

$1,987.50

$3,355 (20 meals)

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville

479-575-5346/1-800-377-8632

4-year Public

21,405

49%

51%

$3,587 (including fees)

$4,102.00

University of Central Arkansas • Conway

501-450-5000

4-year Public

12,974

59%

41%

$3,591.00

$2,590.00

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith • Fort Smith

1-479-788-7120/ 1-888-512-LION

4-year Public

7,716

58%

42%

$169.50/credit hr- $91 registration fee per semester

$449-$867 monthly

University of the Ozarks • Clarksville

479-979-1227/ 1-800-264-8636

4-year Private

650

55%

45%

$10,725.00

$3,250.00

Williams Baptist College • Walnut Ridge

1-800-722-4434/ 870-759-4120

4-year Private

650

55%

45%

$5,900.00

$2,900.00

Arkansas Northeastern College • Blytheville

870-762-1020

2-year Public

1,800

70%

30%

$55/hr

N/A

Arkansas State University • Beebe

501-882-3600/ 1-800-632-9985

2-year Public

4,600

58%

42%

$83/hr

double room $2310, single room $2710

Arkansas State University at Newport • Newport

1-800-976-1676

2-year Public

2,100

60%

40%

$83/hr

N/A

Arkansas State University at Mountain Home • Mountain Home

870-508-6100

2-year Public

1,583

63%

37%

$84/hr

N/A

Arkansas State University • Searcy (a technical campus of ASU-Beebe)

501-207-6200

2-year Public

350

45%

55%

$83/hr

double room $2310, single room $2710 - Beebe campus

Baptist Health Schools Little Rock • Little Rock

501-202-6200/800-345-3046

Private since 1921

900

85%

15%

Varies By Program

No Campus Housing

Black River Technical College • Pocahontas

870-248-4000

2-year Public

2,500

61%

39%

$70/hr **

N/A

College of the Ouachitas • Malvern

1-800-337-0266/ 501-337-5000

2-year Public

1,600

60%

40%

$744

N/A

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas • De Queen

870-584-4471/ 1-800-844-4471

2-year Public

1,600

70%

30%

$54/hr **

N/A

East Arkansas Community College • Forrest City

870-633-4480

2-year Public

1,505

60%

40%

$780 (in county) $876 (out of county)

N/A

ITT Technical Institute • Little Rock

501-565-5550

2-year, 4-year Private

Continual

N/A

$493/ hr

N/A

Mid-South Community College • West Memphis

870-733-6722/ 866-733-6722

2-year Public

2,127

66%

34%

$75/hr (in county)$92/hr (out of state)

N/A

National Park Community College • Hot Springs

501-760-4222

2-year Public

3,850

66%

34%

$73/hr $1,314 max

N/A

North Arkansas College • Harrison

870-743-3000

2-year Public

2,421

60%

40%

$792 (in county) $1,080 (out of county)

N/A

North West Arkansas Community College • Bentonville

479-636-9222/ 1-800-995-6922

2-year Public

8,000

58%

42%

$840 in district/ $1,320 out of district

N/A

Ozarka College • Melbourne

870-368-7371

2-year Public

1,500

71%

29%

$75/hr

N/A

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas • Helena

870-338-6474

2-year Public

2,158

67%

33%

$60/hr

N/A

Pulaski Technical College • North Little Rock

501-812-2200

2-year Public

11,466

66%

34%

$84/credit hr

N/A

Remington College … Little Rock

501-312-0007

2-year Private

370

80%

20%

Contact Campus

N/A

Rich Mountain Community College • Mena

479-394-7622

2-year Public

1,000

71%

29%

$900

N/A

South Arkansas Community College • El Dorado

870-864-7142

2-year Public

1,774

70%

30%

$1,110/$1,260/$2,280

N/A

Southeast Arkansas College • Pine Bluff

870-850-8605/888-SEARKTC

2-year Public

2,300

70%

30%

$80/hr

N/A

Southern Arkansas University Tech • Camden

870-574-4500

2-year Public

2,351

51%

49%

$93/hr in state $137/hr out of state

$1100/semester double; $1650/semester single

University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville • Batesville

870-612-2000

2-year Public

1,705

69%

31%

$60/hr in district $72/hr out of district

N/A

University of Arkansas Community College at Hope • Hope

870-777-5722

2-year Public

1,300

69%

31%

$59 per credit hour

N/A

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton • Morrilton

1-800-264-1094

2-year Public

2,460

61%

39%

$76/hr** $83/hr In-State

N/A

G U I DE TO COLLEG ES AN D U N IVE RSITI ES

FOUR- YEAR COLLEGES

12 |

TWO -YEAR COLLEGES

INFORMATION CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 2011. **IN COUNTY. ***OUT OF COUNTY. †IN-DISTRICT. ††OUT OF DISTRICT. †††OUT OF STATE. To compile this, forms were sent to every qualified college and university with instructions to return by a specified deadline. Those schools not meeting the deadline were repeated from last year. Every attempt is made to gather and verify the information.

TOTAL SEMESTER COST

AID DEADLINE

% on AID

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE

REQUIRED EXAMS

APPLICATION DEADLINE/ FEE

HOME PAGE ADDRESS

$7,875 (Tuition + room and board)

Open

87%

None

ACT/SAT/COMPASS

None

http://arkansasbaptist.edu/

$6,240.00

July 1st

74%

Feb. 1st

ACT/ASSET/SAT

1st day of classes/ $15-Undergraduate; $30-Graduate/Masters Specialist; $40 International Students; $50 Doctoral

www.astate.edu

$5,427 (not including books)

Open

83%

Feb. 15th Priority

ACT/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.atu.edu

$8,805.00

June 30th

89%

Dec. 10th First Priority

ACT or SAT

Aug. 19th/ $25

www.cbc.edu

$8,145 for boarding students

Open

80%

Aug. 24th

ACT/ASSET

Aug. 24th

www.crc.edu

$10,320.00

August 1st

96%

August 1st

ACT/SAT

Open/ $40

www.harding.edu

with fees approx $5,394

April 15th Priority

89%

Feb. 1st Priority

ACT/SAT

None

www.hsu.edu

$21,972.00

Feb. 15 Priority

100%

Nov. 15 Priority

ACT or SAT

May 1 Preferred/ $40- waived before Dec. 1

www.hendrix.edu

$13,698.00

March 1 Priority

88%

March 1st Priority

ACT/SAT

Rolling/ $25

www.jbu.edu

$15,123.00

Rolling but priority consideration by Feb. 1st

100%

Rolling but priority consideration by March 1st

ACT/SAT

Rolling/ $25

www.lyon.edu

$13,335.00

June 1st

98%

Jan. 15th Priority

ACT/SAT

Open/ No Application Fee

www.obu.edu

$8,075.00

March 1st

98%

Rolling Deadline

ACT/SAT

Open/$25

$5,140.00

March 1st Priority

85%

February 15th Priority

ACT or SAT

Open/No Fee

www.saumag.edu

$3,372.00

March 1 Priority

70%

Feb. 1st

ACT or SAT

Entering Freshman - 1 week prior to first day of classes. All others 1st day of classes/$40 Application Fee

www.ualr.edu.

$7,535 including campus room and board

Rolling

83%

March 1st Priority

ACT/ASSET/SAT/COMPASS (for placement)

Rolling/No Fee - Except for international applicants

www.uamont.edu

$6,020.00

April 15th Priority

90%

March 1st/ April 1st

ACT/SAT

Open

www.uapb.edu

$7,689.00

March 15th

73%

Feb. 1st (Freshman) April 1st (transfers)

ACT/SAT

Aug. 15

www.uark.edu

$6,181.00

Open

50%

Jan. 8th

ACT/SAT

None

www.uca.edu

Varies

June 15th

70%

Varies

ACT/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.uafortsmith.edu

$13,975 (not including books)

Feb. 15 Priority

94%

April 1st Priority

ACT/SAT/IB

May 1st Priority

www.ozarks.edu

$8,800.00

May 1st

97%

None

ACT/SAT

Open/$20

www.williamsbaptistcollege.com

$935 (15hrs) plus fees

Open

67%

April 1st Priority

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open

www.anc.edu

Varies

Open

Over 50%

June 1st

ACT/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.asub.edu

$1,250 (plus books and fees)

Open

72%

April 1st

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.asun.edu

$1,008 plus books and fees

Open

80%

June 15th

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.asumh.edu

Varies

Open

N/A

June 1st

COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.asub.edu

Varies By Program

May 1 / Oct 1

70%

May 1st

ACT/SAT

Varies By Program / No Fee

www.bhslr.edu

Varies

Open

70%

April 15th

ACT/ASSET/SAT/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.blackrivertech.org

$744 plus books and fees

Open

60%

May 1st/ Dec 1st

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.coto.edu

$705-$791

Fall-May 1, Spring-Nov. 1, Sum.-April 15

64%

May 1st

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.cccua.edu

N/A

July 1st

75%

April 15th

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.eacc.edu

Varies

N/A

Open

ACT/SAT/WONDERLIC

Open

www.ITT-Tech.edu

Varies

Open

82%

Open

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/Free - $25 for international students

www.midsouthcc.edu

Varies

Open

70%

Open

ACT/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.npcc.edu

N/A

Varies

60%

June 15th

ACT/COMPASS

Open

www.northark.edu

$1,555 in-dist, $2,035 out-dist (tuition/fees/books)

April 2nd Priority

60%

April 2nd

ACT/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ $10

www.nwacc.edu

Varies

Open

75%

March 1st

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.ozarka.edu

$1,530.00

Call 870-338-6474

60%

Call 870-338-6474

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.pccua.edu

$1,490 - If taking 15hrs fees included

Fall-May 15, Spring-Oct. 15, Sum-Mar. 15

80%

Varies

ACT/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.pulaskitech.edu.

Contact Campus

1st day of classes

www.remingtoncollege.edu

$900 plus fees & books

March 1st

70%

April 1st

ACT/SAT/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.rmcc.edu

Varies

July 1st

60%

March 1st Priority

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.southark.edu

Varies

May 1 priority

46%

April 30th

ACT/SAT/COMPASS

Open

www.seark.edu.

Varies

June 1st Priority

60%

April 15th

ACT/ASSET/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.sautech.edu

Varies

Open

Varies

Contact Financial Aid

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS/SAT

Open/ No Fee

www.uaccb.edu

Varies

April 1st

47%

April 1st

ACT/COMPASS/ASSET

Open/ No Fee

www.uacch.edu

1,365 Plus books

June 30 Priority

68%

Nov. 1st/ April 1st

ACT/ASSET/COMPASS

Open/ No Fee

www.uaccm.edu

GC 2

| 13

College Preparation Tests PLAN: Measures academic development in preparation for the ACT and explores career options. PSAT: Measures academic development in preparation for the SAT and may qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. College Admissions Tests Most four-year colleges and universities require admissions tests scores from applicants and accept the ACT or SAT. You must register and pay for these tests in advance. Some tests have the option to waive the registration fee. These tests are taken outside of the regular school day, usually on a Saturday. ACT English -- 75 questions, 45 minutes Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills. Mathematics -- 60 questions, 60 minutes Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12. Reading -- 40 questions, 35 minutes Measures reading comprehension. Science -- 40 questions, 35 minutes Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problemsolving skills required in the natural sciences. Optional Writing Test -- 1 prompt, 30 minutes Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses. Test date Registration deadline Late fee required Dec. 10, 2011 Nov. 4, 2011 Nov. 5 – 18, 2011 Feb. 11, 2012 Jan. 13, 2012 Jan. 14 – 20, 2012 April 14, 2012 March 9, 2012 March 10 – 23, 2012 June 9, 2012 May 4, 2012 May 5 – 18, 2012 Fees Without writing portion -- $34 With writing portion -- $49.50 Late fee -- add $21 SAT Reading – 48 passage-based questions, 19 sentence completion, 70 minutes Tests comprehension of what is stated in or implied by a reading passage and vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure. Math – 44 multiple choice, 10 student-produced answers, 70 minutes

14 |

By Janie Ginnochio

The mathematics section includes questions on arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability. Writing -- 50 questions (including 1 essay), 60 minutes The writing section includes a short essay and multiple-choice questions on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage. Test date Registration deadline Late registration Jan. 28 Dec. 30 Jan. 13 March 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 24 May 5 April 6 April 20 June 2 May 8 May 22 Fees Registration fee -- $49 Late registration -- $75 English as a Second Language If English is not your student’s first language, he or she may be required to take the TOEFL (www.toefl.org),which tests the ability of non-native speakers of English to understand and use North American English. Test taking tips • Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet. • Read the directions for each test carefully. • Read each question carefully. • Pace yourself—don’t spend too much time on a single passage or question. • Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test. • Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser. Do not use a mechanical pencil or ink pen; if you do, your answer document cannot be scored accurately. • Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones if you have time remaining on that test. • On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining. • Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing. • If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test. • Mark your answers properly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging. • Do not mark or alter any ovals on a test or continue writing the essay after time has been called. If you do, you will be dismissed and your answer document will not be scored.

Make the most of the best four years of your life â&#x20AC;&#x201D; leave college with a highly marketable degree.

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N a v i g a t i ng

financial aid W

Information from the U.S. Department of Education

You’ve got the grades, the test scores and the activities. You’ve chosen your schools and filled out the applications. Now what? It’s time to figure out how you’re going to pay for that college education. With rising tuition costs, along with hefty price tags for books, room and board, college may seem out of reach – but you have to look at it as an investment in your future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those with college degrees earn nearly double that of workers with only a high school diploma. And there are plenty of resources available for those who need financial assistance for college. The U.S. Department of Education should be your first source to access financial aid. They award about $150 billion a year in grants, work-study assistance and low-interest loans. The first thing to do is talk to your school counselor, who can guide you through the financial aid application process and provide resources to help identify scholarships. Then, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The aid you qualify for depends on your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC is a number that schools use to determine how much federal aid you would receive if you attended that school. When you apply for federal student aid, you will be asked to provide information about your or your family’s finances, such as income, assets and family size. After you submit the application, you will receive an EFC based on this information. Your contribution may come from a combination of savings, current income and loans. One of the best ways to learn about all the available federal loans, grants and work-study opportunities is in Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, which is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov. Financial aid can come in a variety of forms, from

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grants to loans to work-study awards. Grants Most often, grant aid comes from federal and state governments and individual colleges. Available federal grants include: • Pell Grant. These are federal grants awarded to undergraduate students. • ACG. The Academic Competitiveness Grant is for college freshmen and sophomores who are eligible for Pell Grants and who took “rigorous” classes in high school. • F SEOG. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. • National SMART Grant. The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant is awarded to college juniors and seniors who are eligible for Pell Grants and are majoring in mathematics, technology, engineering, a foreign language critical to national security or physical, life or computer sciences. Students must also have grade point averages of at least 3.0 in their majors to be eligible. • T EACH Grant. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant is for students who plan to teach in schools that serve low-income students. Loans There are several types of student loans available, depending on your financial need. In the case of most federal student loans, you do not need to begin repaying them until several months after you leave college or are no longer enrolled at least half-time. Every year, more than $70 billion in federal student aid is given out in the form of low-interest loans.

By Janie Ginnochio These are delivered through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program). Some banks and financial institutions offer private student loans. These loans often have variable interest rates, require a credit check and may not provide the benefits of federal student loans. Work-study The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides part-time jobs for students with financial need to help them pay for their education. The program is administered by participating schools. It’s designed to put you to work in the community, or in a job related to your studies, whenever possible. Tools and Tips: Find and Save Money A little homework can earn you a lot of cash for college. A little common sense can help you use your money wisely. Here are a few tips to get started: • Use the financial aid and scholarship wizards on the Federal Student Aid Web site. You can search for scholarships based on talents, interests, background and more. • Check the colleges you’re considering for meritor non-need-based scholarships to academically talented students. • Check with your state education agency to find out if you’re eligible for state assistance based on merit. • See if you are eligible for an athletic scholarship, if you are athletically inclined. • Stick close to home. Most state colleges and universities offer lower tuition to in-state residents. • Go to a lower-cost community college for one or two years, then transfer to a four-year school. • Live at home. You could save thousands of dollars. Source: www.college.gov

Financial aid programs through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education

We’re just the right fit.

Academic Challenge Scholarship

The Academic Challenge Program provides scholarships to Arkansas residents pursuing a higher education. Funded in large part by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, the Academic Challenge Scholarship is available to students regardless of their academic status, whether just graduating from high school, currently enrolled in college, enrolling in college for the first time, or re-enrolling after a period of time out of college. The application deadline is June 1. Arkansas Health Education Grant (ARHEG) Provides financial assistance to students seeking professional training in chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine to allow them to attend out-of-state institutions. Ellen Carpenter HBCU Scholarship

The Ellen Carpenter HBCU Scholarship Program is named for Ms. Ellen Carpenter, a graduate of Philander Smith and a long-time education and community activist and is available for students attending one of the following participating Arkansas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith College or the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The award amounts vary from $1000 to $5000 per year. Governor’s Scholars Program

Up to $4000 annually for graduating high school seniors based on academic achievement, test score and leadership. The Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship for those scoring 32 on the ACT or 1410 on the SAT, and a 3.50 academic grade point average, or are named National Merit Finalists or National Achievement Scholar pays tuition, mandatory fees, room and board up to $10,000 per year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required. Higher Education Opportunities Grant (GO! Opportunities Grant)

Provides $1000 grants to full-time and $500 grants to part-time students based on financial need. Students must be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months prior to applying for the grant. Students also must meet the financial need criteria established for the GO! Grant and attend an approved Arkansas institution. Applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the GO! Opportunities Grant application.

Wherever you are in life, wherever you are in Central Arkansas, we’re just the right fit for you. Visit us at www.pulaskitech.edu to find classes that fit your busy schedule. 3000 West Scenic Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 812-2200 www.pulaskitech.edu

Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependents Scholarship Program

Waiver of tuition, fees, and room at any public college, university, or technical institute in Arkansas for dependents and spouses of Arkansas law enforcement officers, some Highway and Transportation Department employees, and other public employees, who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Military Dependents Scholarship Program Waiver of tuition, fees, room and board at any public college, university, or technical institute in Arkansas for dependents and spouses of Arkansans who were killed or missing in action or who were prisoners of war or who are totally and permanently disabled. For more information on these and other programs, visit www.adhe.edu.

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Current college students give tips on surviving the first year By Janie Ginnochio

Jocelyn Murphy is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship. She’s active on campus and works as a resident assistant in the First-Year Experience wing of Pomfret Honors Quarters. She’s co-host of Razorback Reels on UATV. Her advice to new students is: “Really the most important thing I could say to incoming freshmen, or to anyone, is to get to know your professors. You need to talk to them and get your face in their head, especially if you’re in a large lecture class. If you’re bold enough to talk to a teacher, they will remember you and they appreciate seeing you put in effort. Talking to a professor just a few times after class or at office hours can make all the difference in your grade, especially if you’re borderline at the end of the semester. The next most important thing is to be involved. Be a part of something other than your classes and the people you live with. It’s been my experience that the students who love their school the most and get the most out of it are the ones who are involved. There are more opportunities and ways to get involved than you could ever imagine before you get to college. There are clubs, conversation groups, activity committees, student government, Greek life, and social organizations relevant to almost every major. It’s good to be involved because it provides a deeper connection to the school and to student life.” Jasper Lavoi is a freshman at the University of Central Arkansas and a graduate of Harrison High School. “Here is what I have learned that can help anyone survive their freshman year:

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Going to your classes is the easiest way to increase your chances of succeeding in college. However, going to class and actively participating increases your chances even more. On the first day of class go up to the instructor and introduce yourself, ask questions and start a conversation. Yes, some might say you are brownnosing, but if it starts you off on the right foot, go for it. If the professor knows you are interested, they will be more likely give the extra help you need in order to succeed! Unfortunately, we don’t graduate high school knowing everything! Don’t be afraid to ask questions – professors are there to help. Get plugged into college and have fun; all work and no play will make you sick and burn you out. College is not just about classes. Meeting new people and networking will help you in the future and can help to find the best professors to take for future classes. Finally, leave time for a workout—no one wants to gain that freshman 15! Working out relieves

stress and makes a more energetic you.” A group of first year students at Arkansas State University were asked what advice they would give to incoming college students. The students provided some very practical information on what they would do again or differently if they were starting over. College is not always what new students expect. This class of first year students was evenly divided into two camps. One group thought college was much easier than expected and the other group thought it was harder. Regardless of your incoming views of college, the class consistently stated, “do not believe all the hype you may hear. College is what you make it out to be.” The first message the students decided upon was - go to class. “Your alarm clock is made for a reason.” Class time is one of the most important aspects of college life that sometimes students take for granted. “It makes more sense to go to class then to try to learn the material on your own.” If students miss class or do not understand course material, the students suggested

- ask for help. “Professors are not actually out to get you!” These ASU students believe new college students should get to know their professions to help ease their transition into college learning. “Dr. Dale Thomas (Instructor in the Political Science Department) is an excellent professor. His lectures assure that students get the information needed to excel as critical thinkers,” stated Alex Forte, Jonesboro native. “I love his class.” Another suggestion is for new students to enroll in a First Year Experience class if their college offers one. These courses are designed specifically to help new students assimilate into college life. Katy Johnson, from Gosnell, AR, stated, “Making Connections (ASU’s First Year Experience Course) is a great class. I’ve learned a lot about policies and procedures used at ASU. Before this class, all I knew about ASU was that this is where I was going to live and learn – end of story.” Students interviewed are enrolled in a Making Connections course at Arkansas State University taught by Jill Simons.

+ Off-to-College Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your first year at college. These are just suggestions; you should adapt this list to suit your own situation. To save packing or shipping, it might make sense to buy some of these items after you arrive.

Clothing: 14 sets of underwear 14 pairs of socks (more if you play sports) 5 pairs of pants/jeans 14 shirts/blouses 2 sets of sweats Pajamas Slippers and/or flip-flops 2 sweaters Light/heavy jackets Gloves/scarf/hat 1 pair of boots 2 pairs of sneakers or comfortable/walking shoes 1 set of business-casual clothes 1 pair of dress shoes 1 swimsuit Room/Storage: Bedside lamp Alarm clock/clock radio Wastepaper basket Storage bins Under-the-bed storage trays Desk lamp Fan Drying rack for laundry

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Bulletin board and pushpins Dry-erase wall calendar/ board Toolkit Picture hangers Electronics: Computer and printer Phone cord/Ethernet cord for computer Surge protector Extension cords 3-2 prong adapters Portable music player Headphones Camera Cell phone Linens/Laundry Supplies: Sheets and pillowcases (2 sets. Check with college for size needed — some college twin beds are extra long.) Towels (3 each of bath, hand and face) Pillows (2) Mattress pad (Check with college for size needed.) Blankets (2) Comforter/bedspread

Clothes hangers Laundry bag/basket Laundry detergent, fabric softener and stain remover Roll(s) of quarters Lint brush Sewing kit

moisturizer Cotton swabs

Toiletries: Antacid Aspirin or other pain relievers Vitamins Antidiarrheal medicine Adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment Cough drops Shower tote Shampoo and conditioner Hairstyling products Bath and face soap Travel soap container(s) Toothpaste and toothbrush Dental floss Comb/brush Tweezers Nail clippers Hair dryer Razor and shaving cream Lotion and/or facial

Office/Desk Supplies: Electronic storage media such as CDs/DVDs, memory cards and USB flash drives Stapler and staples Printer paper Pens and pencils Pencil holder and sharpener Notebooks Folder with pockets Labels of various sizes 3 x 5 cards Sticky notes Paper clips and binder clips Rubber bands Scissors Highlighter pens (multiple colors) Ruler Stackable desk trays (at least 4)

Miscellaneous: Umbrella Backpack Sports equipment

Hanging files or folders Dictionary and Thesaurus Stamps and envelopes Shared Items (check with roommate): Audio equipment TV and VCR/DVD player Coffeemaker/hot pot Microwave/toaster oven/hot plate, if allowed Small refrigerator Area rug Posters/art Household and Kitchen Items: Paper towels Trash bags Lightbulbs All-purpose cleaner Plastic storage bags Food-storage containers Dish soap Wet wipes Tissues Bowl, plate and cup Coffee mug Silverware Can/bottle opener Source: Collegeboard.com

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ASUB AFA Theater Graduates Megan King (as Tamora) and Keith Hudson (as Aaron) in the spring 2011 production of Titus Andronicus.

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Insurance, discounts and savings subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Discount and availability varies by state and product line. Life insurance issued by Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL, Lincoln Benefit Life Co., Lincoln, NE and American Heritage Life Insurance Co., Jacksonville, FL. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Company

A top-quality education for some of the lowest tuition rates in the state ... Choose ASU - Beebe for your early college years!

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my academics at JBU: outstanding faculty

With degrees from Stanford to Princeton to Oxford, summer research in France to archaeological excavation in Jordan, professors at JBU are excellent in their f ields.

exceptional opportunities In Spring 2011, JBU business students swept the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, and were one of 36 teams to participate in NASA’s Lunabotics Mining Competition.

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Our 14:1 student-professor ratio means smaller classes and one-on-one learning opportunities. Faculty at JBU interact with students both in and outside the classroom.

U.S. News and World Report listed JBU as having the “Highest Graduation Rate” among Baccalaureate Colleges in the Southern Region, in 2010. Our mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares students to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Learn more at www.jbu.edu

Ranked 1st among America’s Best Colleges in the South by U.S. News* * Regional Colleges, 2012

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Knowledge

is power

Staying safe on and off campus

While colleges and universities have their own campus security officers, living on campus doesn’t mean you’re completely insulated from the outside world. It is ultimately your responsibility to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Campus security officials from John Brown University, Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas at Fayette offer these tips to protect yourself and your stuff, whether you live on or off campus: Protect Your Room or Apartment Report suspicious persons or activity to the university

Hit the books Finding the best price for textbooks There’s no small amount of sticker shock when it comes to buying college textbooks. Depending on the classes you take (science courses tend to have the most expensive books), you could be shelling out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the cost of college textbooks has increased at twice the rate of inflation. Fortunately, today’s college student has a variety of options for finding textbooks: Campus bookstore If you’re looking for convenience, then look no further. The campus bookstore is guaranteed to have all of the books you need for class, and it’s just a few steps away from your dorm. While most of the books will be new, you may have an opportunity to pick up a few used books. Unfortunately, that convenience has a price: the campus bookstore is the most expensive option, hands down.

22 |

police department. Lock your door, even if you are only going to the bathroom or room next door. A surprising number of thefts from room to room happen while the resident is on the same floor, but has just stepped out for “a minute.” Lock your door when you are asleep. Limit the amount of money and valuables you keep in your room. Keep those items out of sight. Do not make an opportunity for theft. Challenge anyone who is trying to get into your hall. Suspicious people and others who cannot satisfactorily explain their presence should be asked to leave and should be reported immediately to Campus Safety and the RA on duty. Provide an accurate description of the person(s) and his or her whereabouts. When moving in or out of your room, do not leave suitcases and other belongings unattended. Lock your room door, car door and trunk as you make trips back and forth. Never loan your keys to anyone -- not even a friend. They may not be as careful with them as you are, and may lose or misplace them just long enough for the wrong person to gain possession. Do not prop open doors that are meant to lock when closed. Protect Yourself ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. Learn how to avoid becoming a victim of assault. Find out if your school offers Rape Prevention Education, Personal Safety, and Safety and Self-Defense classes. Be aware -- sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances more often than strangers. Avoid walking alone at night. If you feel uncomfortable, most campuses have security officers or volunteers

available to escort you to your destination. Always check around your vehicle before entering. In social situations and when walking or driving alone, avoid risky situations. Stay in control, and don’t hesitate to leave a situation or request assistance if you feel uneasy. Trust should be earned over time. Don’t take things for granted. Explore your surroundings. What should you do if there is a fire? How do you get out? Is there more than one way out? Heat and smoke rise, so move quickly in a crouching position or crawl to get outside. Feel the doors before opening. If the door is hot, do not open the door. Find another exit. What do you do if there is a tornado? Get inside, away from windows and large rooms where things can blow about and hit you. Avoid being underneath heavier objects such as lights, wall hangings and other items that may fall. Discuss these situations with residence hall staff, landlords and roommates. A little forethought and preparation goes a long way in an emergency. Be familiar with your school’s notification system. If there is an emergency on campus, text messages, email messages and telephone calls can alert you and provide information to help you protect yourself. Protect Your Valuables Never leave backpacks, purses, books, or other valuables unattended in classrooms or library. Mark valuable items with an engraving instrument (some university police departments do this for free.) Secure bicycles with a secure U-style lock. After parking your vehicles, keep them locked and all valuables out of sight.

Off-campus bookstores Off-campus bookstores will deal mostly in used books, and will therefore be cheaper than the campus bookstore. The downside is that since they’re off campus, you may need a car or other type of transportation to get there. Also, the off-campus store may not have the edition you need. Online retailers A Google search will offer up a wealth of online textbook sellers, both for new or used books. Comparison shopping all of the different sites can be a pain, but sites like CampusBooks and BigWords will let you search several sites at a time. Some online retailers also offer digital versions of the textbooks, which are cheaper than print versions. Renting Renting is the latest option for college students, with even some campus bookstores offering the option. If you were planning on selling your books back at the end of the semester, renting may be a more cost-effective option. If your school doesn’t rent textbooks, there are several online retailers available and some off-campus book stores may rent, as well.

On the web Buying books

Book rentals

Amazon.com Half.com eCampus.com textbooks.com

Chegg.com Textbook.com Bookrenter.com Textbookstop.com

Comparison shopping sites

Campusbooks.com Bigwords.com

Arkansas Job Corps

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Arkansas State University-BEEBE and Centennial Bank Present the 2011 - 2012 Cultural Season Melody, Mystery, Magic and Mirth. Join us for a marvelously good time all year long! The ASUB Speaker Series

The Vespers Improv Little Rock Charley Sandage and Harmony ASUB Theater Ballet Arkansas The Bari Koral Family Rock Band ASUB Music The Rockefeller Quartet Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Young Soul The ASUB Distinguished Speaker Series

In the Owen Center Theater on the ASU Beebe Campus

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(Find us under Concert-Lecture)

24 |

Contacting

Santa There is more than one way to reach Ole Saint Nick these days.

By Paige Hunter Parham

Where to write to Santa Claus According to the United States Postal Service, there are a number of ways to send letters to ole Saint Nick. Letters should be addressed (with a stamp) to:

Santa Claus, Local City, State ZIP Code Place the letter in your outgoing mail, or drop them off in any public mail box. The letter will be answered by Santa and his helpers at the post office. For more information about writing to Santa via “snail mail,” visit usps.com.

Santa on the web: Today’s kids are probably as familiar with old-fashioned letter writing as they are with cassette tapes. Luckily, Santa is technologically savvy, as well, and there are numerous ways to contact him which don’t require a postage stamp. portablenorthpole.tv – This website allows you to enter some information about your child (such as name, age and what they want for Christmas) and soon they will receive a personalized video message from Santa Claus himself! This year, they also have an app for iPhone, iPad and iPods, which can be downloaded from the app store. Kids will love seeing Santa speak directly to them, and will want to watch their video again and again. emailsanta.com – Your all-in-one internet destination for all things Santa, this site has all kinds of North Pole related goodies. Kids can follow Santa on Twitter, see Rudolph on his exclusive webcam, email Santa and get a speedy reply, and even view a virtual “Naughty or Nice” list! In addition to all of these features, you can also find coloring pages, Christmas jokes, holiday songs, and lots more! noradsanta.org – This is the official website using the NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) satellites to track Santa’s exact location all through Christmas. Every Christmas Eve, thousands of volunteers staff telephones and computers to answer calls and e-mails from children and adults from around the world. Live updates are provided through the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site (in seven languages), over telephone lines, and by e-mail to keep curious children and their families informed about Santa’s whereabouts and if it’s time to get to bed. This year, children and the young-at-heart are able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and TroopTube. tv. To follow Santa on any of these Web sites, type in @ noradsanta into the search engine and start tracking. * Savvy Kids strongly encourages children to get their parent’s permission before using these or any other websites.

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To purchase the 2012 Conservation License Plate visit an Arkansas Revenue Office after January 1, 2012, or call 1-800-364-GAME to purchase a gift certificate now. Of your $35 purchase, $25 benefits the scholarship program and other educational efforts. agfc.com december 2011 savvy kids

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holidaysweets By Emily Griffin

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a great homemade gift idea or just want to cure your holiday sweet tooth, these recipes are sure to please! Even the smallest of hands can help with these quick confections!

hot chocolate swizzle sticks

What you will need: 1 Bag of Large Marshmallows 1 Package of Milk Chocolate Chips or Candy Coating Wooden Skewers (with ends cut) or popsicle sticks Sprinkles Wax Paper Directions: First, put the marshmallows on the skewers and lay them evenly on the wax paper. Be sure to cut the sharp end to prevent injury. Next, melt the chocolate in the microwave or double boiler. If you are microwaving the chocolate, microwave for one minute. Remove the chocolate and stir. If necessary, microwave again in 15 second intervals. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, dip the marshmallows in the chocolate and place then back on the wax paper. Finally, add sprinkles for a finishing touch and allow to cool. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: By slowly spinning the marshmallow after dipping it in the chocolate the excess will drip off and will make for a much neater finished product.

68 | savvy kids december 2011

cereal trees What you will need: 1 Bag of Marshmallows 6 tbsp Butter 6 Cups of Cereal (we used Cheerio’s) Green Food Coloring Small Candy for decoration Wax Paper Non-Stick Cooking Spray

cake cookies What you will need: 1 Box of Chocolate Cake Mix 1/2 Cup of Oil 2 Eggs 1/2 Bag of Peanut Butter Chips (if desired)

with Candy Cane Frosting 1 Stick of Butter (softened) 8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened) 4 Cups of Confectioners Sugar Smashed Candy Canes

Directions: Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cake mix, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Once the mixture is completely combined, add the peanut butter chips and stir until they are distributed throughout. Next, place the mixture by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Transfer the cookies onto a cooling rack. While the cookies are cooling, mix the butter and cream cheese together using a hand-held mixer. Then add the sugar. Note: Do not add all of the sugar at once! Add in 1/2 or 1 cup measurements and mix until incorporated. You could stop here (this frosting is delicious!) or add smashed candy canes to the frosting for some holiday flair! Editor’s Note: Instead of Peanut Butter Chips, try white chocolate chips or candy canes—the possibilities are endless.

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the

bigbreak By Paige Hunter Parham

Maybe you need a few days of peace and quiet – or shopping time? The Little Rock and North Little Rock Athletic Clubs are pleased to offer an all-day Holiday Camp! Each day includes swimming, sports, fieldtrips, games, lunch, snacks, and more! Camp dates are December 19-23, 27-30 and January 2-3. Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. for ages 3 – 5, and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for ages 6 - 12. Pricing varies by age and is just $34 per day for kids’ club members aged 3-5 and $38 for kids’ club members aged 6-12, $37 per day for LRAC members aged 3-5 and $41 per day for LRAC members aged 6-12, and $41 for non-member children aged 3-5 and $45 per day for non-member kids aged 6-12. For more information or to register, please call 225-3601 extension 335 for Little Rock or 812-5555 for the North Little Rock location. The Little Rock Athletic Club is located at 4610 Sam Peck Road, Little Rock and the North Little Rock Athletic Club is located at 3804 McCain Park Drive in North Little Rock.

Skating rink hours are Nov. 19th – Dec. 16th, Monday – Friday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Dec., 17th – January 8th, Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Christmas Day – 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., New Year’s Eve – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., New Year’s Day – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Starting on November 26, “Shop at the Market” vendors will be open for business every Saturday for your local and handmade gift buying needs.

Want to squeeze in a little opportunity for learning? The Historic Arkansas Museum should be your first stop! They currently have an exhibit which will hold kids’ interests and tie in well to the holiday season. Playing at War: Children’s Civil War Era Toys from the Collection of Greg McMahon, showcases the private collection of Greg McMahon’s colonial toys. His extensive collection includes small muskets, pistols, swords and drums. While you’re there, stop by the Trinity Gallery to have a peek at “Tesseract Dancing” – an exhibit featuring whimsical works for Arkansas artists Brett Anderson and Emily Galusha. The Historic Arkansas Museum is located downtown at 200 E. Third Street, Little Rock. Please visit www.historicarkansas.org or call 324-9351 for more information.

Take a drive to see some beautiful holiday light displays! Some local favorites are Sherwood Forest’s Festival of Lights – which runs through December 30th. From 6:00 – 9:30 p.m., drive through this free light display featuring Robin Hood, forest animals, Santa and much more! Donations accepted. Sherwood Forest is located at 1111 W. Maryland, Sherwood. Call 835-8909 for more information. The 8th annual Holiday Lights in Burns Park display will be open from November 29 – December 30th. For $5 per car, families can drive through the entire park, beginning at the Softball Complex and ending at Military Drive. Display hours are 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. For more information, please call Travis at 753-7307.

The River Market Ice Skating Rink is open daily through January 8. At just $9 per person, including skate rental and tax, you can’t get a better deal on good old-fashioned winter fun. Children under age 4 skate for free with paid adult admission. 70 | savvy kids december 2011

Christmas break – when kids are out of school for up to three weeks, and moms scramble for activities to keep everyone busy. We’ve gathered some of our favorite ways to pass the time on cold-but-not-snowy days, and you’re sure to find better ways to fill your hours than sitting in front of the television.

No Christmas break is complete without a visit to see Santa and a photo to prove it! You can catch St. Nick at both McCain Mall and Park Plaza from now through Christmas. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudy the Reindeer will be at the River Market Ice Rink on December 11 from 1 – 4 p.m. Cookies and free photos are available, so stop by and have your kids share their wish lists!

How about taking in a holiday play with the whole family? The Children’s Theater at the Arkansas Arts Center is showing “A Year With Frog and Toad,” based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. December 2 – 18th. Call 372-4000 for ticket information.

Grab a blanket and bundle up – it’s time for a winter hayride at Pinnacle Mountain State Park! On December 10, bring the whole family for cocoa and marshmallows a fun-filled hayride adventure at Pinnacle Mountain. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Advance payment is required – please call 868-5806 to register. Catch some festive holiday tunes as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents “Happy Holidays” on December 16 – 18. Performance times are Friday, December 17 and Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m. This concert features traditional music as well as a few surprises! Tickets range from $20 – $65. Please visit www.arkansassymphony.org/concerts/ happy-holidays to purchase tickets. While you’re out shopping, head over to Apricot Girls in Sherwood for a special pampering session for mother and daughter. Apricot Girls will give your little princess a new hairdo, paint her nails, and do makeup – all for just $25! Mom can step next door for some incredible deals on sophisticated fashions and accessories from Apricot Boutique. Please call 833-1000 to make an appointment today. Maximum 3 girls per session. Christmas at the Creek – The Church at Rock Creek’s heartwarming holiday celebration – will be held on Sunday, December 11th from 5 – 8 p.m. This free activity features a live nativity, hayrides, inflatables, indoor games, face painting and a whole lot more! Please visit www.churchatrockcreek.com or call Wayne Slay at 225-8684 for more information. If you haven’t taken your family to see The Art of the Brick at the Clinton Presidential Center yet, you’ll definitely want to make the trip downtown. Artist Nathan Sawaya has created dozens of intricate sculptures using only Lego bricks – you have to see them to believe them! This exhibit will only be around through February 12, 2012 – so don’t wait any longer. Call 374-4242 or visit www. clintonpresidentialcenter.org to find out more.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Get dad what he really wants this year—a tricked out truck! Find tons of truck accessories, bedliners, and more at Goodsell Truck Accessories, 401 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville.

parents

With plug-in Scentsational warmers, you still get amazing fragrance in event the smallest spaces! Find Scentsational products at Carolyn’s Keyboard Corner, 11121 Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock.

The Active Deadsea Mineral found in the AHAVA skin products will relieve, repair and restore your skin with every use. Find AHAVA at Smith-Caldwell, 414 N. Main St., Benton.

Santa won’t be the only one reaching for cookies from this colorful reindeer cookie jar! Find this and many other holiday pieces at June’s Hallmark, 11525 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock.

Deck your halls this holiday season with décor and more from Haus Werk, 2923 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock.

Looking for the latest styles and trends this winter? Look no further than The Painted Butterfly, 5407 Hwy. 5 North, Bryant.

There’s always another must-have pair of shoes at Solemates Shoe Boutique, 11525 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock. Find tons of name-brand designers and styles perfect for every girly-girl’s taste!

72 | savvy kids december 2011

Make a statement with these personalizeable totes! Find these and many other styles at Kiddos, 801 W. Main St., Cabot.

She will shine in jewelry from Kyle-Rochelle Jewelers, 523 S. Louisiana St., Little Rock. Customers will not only find stylish, quality pieces, but also one-of-a-kind designs.

teens

She will love the Colore Science line of mineral makeup available at Renaissance Medical Spa, 140 John Hardin Dr., Jacksonville.

Featuring the latest fashions in shoes, purses and accessories, Solemates Shoe Boutique, 11525 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock, top items for every taste and style.

Treat your princess to something sparkly this holiday! Your teen will love jewelry from Kyle-Rochelle Jewelers, 523 S. Louisiana St., Little Rock.

Bring the spa home with the Bliss collection available at Smith-Caldwell, 414 N. Main St., Benton.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Every girl needs a great pair of boots! Find these and many more stylish accessories at The Painted Butterfly, 5407 Hwy. 5 North, Bryant.

Express yourself with an ornament from Juneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hallmark, 11525 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock.

Stay trendy and warm at the same time with these flannel-lined leggings, available at E Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, www. eleighs.com.

From purses and bags to accessories and school supplies, your teen is sure to love the Vera Bradley collection at The Bimini Butterfly, 2540 W. Main St., Cabot.

Your young fashionista will love the fashions at Apricot Boutique, 9871 Brockington Rd., Sherwood.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

kids

Mix your own unique flavors of gum while learning the science behind the candy with the Bubble Gum Factory kit, available at The Knowledge Tree, 825 N. University Ave., Little Rock.

If your kids love playing the Angry Birds game, they will love cuddling with an Angry Bird plush toy, available at The Knowledge Tree, 825 N. University Ave., Little Rock.

Stay warm and cozy with this knitted hat and mittens set by Sozo, available at Smith-Caldwell, 414 N. Main St., Benton.

Santa will love cookies baked with this kids’ play cook set an apron by Stephen Joseph, available at The Sassy Stitch, 103 W. Market, Searcy.

Do you have a Lego fan in your family? Find a huge selection of Lego building sets and accessories at The Knowledge Tree, 825 N. University Ave., Little Rock. Keep their little noggins warm this year with handmade knitted hats, like this reindeer, available at Solemates, 11525 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock.

Have fun reenacting The Princess and the Pea with this book and matching doll set, available at Haus Werk, 2923 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock.

Carry the fun with you in this Zip Bin dollhouse and doll backpack, available at Kiddo’s, 801 W. Main St., Cabot. 74 | savvy kids december 2011

Take your stuffed animal with you to grandmother’s house this year with this rolling suitcase available at Krumphet Buttons, 5024 Club Rd., Little Rock.

7 stuffers

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Groovy Girls. Enough said. Find this ballet princess and many more Groovy Girls dolls and accessories at Kiddos, 801 W. Main St., Cabot.

The Razorback lover in your family would love to add this to the tree! Find this and many other ornaments in varying styles at Carolyn’s Keyboard Corner, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock.

Practical and stylish—these ballet flats by Yoshi Samra are oh-so comfy and available in a variety of colors! Find these and more at E Leigh’s, www.eleighs.com.

And Away We Glow! Make an entrance with a stunningly radiant look from Bare Minerals, available at The Bimini Butterfly, 2540 W. Main St., Cabot. Party City, 11218 N. Rodney Parham, Little Rock; 4822 N. Hills Blvd., North Little Rock, has all sorts of great toys and trinkets to fill your stockings!

Add a little pizzazz to your tree this year with an eclectic ornament from Fairytale Floral, 3321 John F Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock.

Colore Science has been touted as a top product by national magazines and many celebrities. Find out why by visiting Renaissance Medical Spa, 140 John Hardin Dr., Jacksonville. december 2011 savvy kids

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Operation Rooftop! Guide Santa To YOUR House! Pleasant Shopping. Pleasant Dining. Pleasant Ridge.

Airing Dec. 5th on ABC

June’s Hallmark

501.907.8025  11525 Cantrell rd.  little roCk Find Us on FaCebook

Shop Local This Holiday www.facebook.com/pleasantridgetowncenter AT & T • Bar Louie • Belk • Beyond Cotton • Bonefish Grill • Cheeburger Cheeburger Chick-Fil-A • Chipotle • Cobblestone & Vine • Coming Home Interiors Cupcakes On The Ridge • Easy Runner • Embellish • Faux Paus • Forsythe’s The Fresh Market • Glo Limited • Hallmark • Huntington Learning Center Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant • Jeante • Kitchen Co • Kristen Todd Learning Express Toys • M2 Gallery • Match Point • Merle Norman • Moda Orange Leaf Yogurt • Panera Bread • Pigtails & Crewcuts • Pinky Punky Powder & Smoke • Roberson’s Fine Jewelry • Rose Spa • Scarlet • Solemates Thread City Wear • The Toggery • Tuck & Cover • Unique Threading Vesta’s Vivid Designs • Warren’s • Broadway Performance • Carino’s Farmers Insurance • Far East • J.Duke • Oasis Tanning • Salon Frisor Mina Studio XS Salon • Schickel’s Cleaners • The Ridge Wine & Spirits • Vanness

11525 Cantrell road • little roCk 501.225.7807 76 | savvy kids december 2011

Margie’s Corner

Custom Holiday Shirts • Embroidery Childrens Shoes • Custom Hair Bows

Gifts For Mommy, Too! in

20% OCHFILDFREN’S

ONE

ITEM

Located Within 11525 Cantrell Road • Pleasant Ridge Town Center 501.716.2960

Acting, Dance, Modeling, Voice Lessons

Broadway Performance Productions 501.804.3722 Tabatha:

“I’m @ Broadway Performance and I am loving it! Bright Lights … Camera … Action… See you Soon!”

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KIDS EAT FREE

Kids Eat FREE! EVERY DAY

CICI’S PIZZA Ages 3 and under eat free at buffet. • Conway: 1250 Old Morrilton Hwy, 764-0600 • Hot Springs: 3321 Central Avenue, 321-2400 • Jacksonville: 120 John Harden Dr, Jacksonville, 241-2224 • North Little Rock: 2815 Lakewood Village Dr, 753-1182

MONDAY

Cheeburger Cheeburger Free half Best of Both Basket with purchase of two adult entrees. Little Rock: 11525 Cantrell Road, 490-2433 CHICK-FIL-A First and third Monday of each month. • North Little Rock: 3929 McCain Blvd, 758-8497 SHORTY SMALL’S Up to two kids meals free per paying adult. • Conway: 1475 Hogan Ln, 764-0604 • Little Rock: 1110 N. Rodney Parham, 224-3344 • North Little Rock: 4317 Warden Rd, 753-8111 TA MOLLY’S 5-9 p.m. • Bryant: 206 W. Commerce St., 653-2600 78 | savvy kids december 2011

BEEF O BRADY’S 4 p.m.-close. • Maumelle:115 Audubon Dr., 803-3500

Western Sizzlin One child east Free with the purchase of an adult meal. • Benton: 1916 Congo Rd., 778-9656

PIZZA HUT 5-8 p.m.. Dine in only. • Little Rock: 11410 W. Markham St., 228-7000 JIM’S Razorback Pizza Kids 12 and under receive a FREE six inch pizza with the purchase of an adult entree (Dine-in only). • Little Rock: 16101 Cantrell Rd. • Maumelle: 20608 Hwy 365 North • Hot Springs: 4330 Central Ave.

GOLDEN CORRAL Ages 3 and under eat free at buffet. Discounted prices for kids on Tuesday. • North Little Rock: 5001 Warden Road, 771-4605

ZAXBY’S 5 p.m.-close, dine-in only. • Jacksonville: 209 Marshall Rd., 241-0546 • Maumelle: 104 Carnahan Dr., 851-9777 • Sherwood: 208 Brookswood Rd., 833-9777

Whole Foods Market Free kids meal with purchase of $5.99 adult entree (child must be present). • Little Rock; 10700 N. Rodney Parham, 221-2331

LONESTAR STEAKHOUSE 4 p.m.-close. • Little Rock:10901 Rodney Parham, 227-8898

DENNY’S RESTAURANT 4-10 p.m. Ages 10 and under. • Benton: 16732 Interstate 30, 315-9367 • Conway: I-402 Hwy 64 E, 329-6638 • Little Rock: 4300 S University, 562-5651; 310 S Shackelford Rd., 224-8264

San Francisco Bread Co. One FREE Kid’s Meal with the purchase of Adult Meal, after 5 p.m. • Hot Springs: 261 Cornerstone Blvd., 525-7322

TUESDAY

Arkansas Burger Company One free kid’s meal per adult meal. Dine-in only, 5:30-9 p.m. • Little Rock: 7410 Cantrell Road

JJ’s Grill Free kid’s meal with the purchase of adult meal for kids 12 and under (all day). Conway: 1010 Main Street

LARRY’S PIZZA Ages 4 and under. • Bryant: 4500 Hwy. 5 North, 847-5003 • Conway: 1068 Markham, 329-3131 • Little Rock: 12th & Center St., 372-6004; 12911 Cantrell Rd., 224-8804

Below is a listing of locations and days in which kids, 12 and under, can eat free with a paid adult (unless otherwise noted).

Stromboli’s One FREE Kid’s Meal (12 or under) per adult meal purchased at regular price. Kids may choose from the Kid’s Menu or Pizza By-the-Slice with up to two toppings. Dine-in only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. • Conway: 605 Salem Rd., 327-3700

THE VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT • Little Rock: 1211 West Markham, 219-2244 TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Kids 12 years of age or younger eat free with purchase of a Paradise Combo (dine-in only). • Conway: 705 Club Lane, 764-4800 and 790 Elsinger Blvd, 764-1500 • Jacksonville: 140 John Harden Dr, 241-2233 • Little Rock: 11900 Kanis Rd., 221-6773; 12911 Cantrell Rd., 224-1113 • North Little Rock: 12007 Maumelle Blvd, 851-9555

WEDNESDAY

FAMOUS DAVE’S 4 p.m.-close. • Little Rock: 225 North Shackleford Road, 221-3283 FIREHOUSE SUBS • Bryant: 3108 Horizon St., 653-3700 • Little Rock: 12312 Chenal Pkwy., 228-5553; 10300 Rodney Parham, 225-2001 • Maumelle: 11617 Maumelle Blvd., 753-9898 • North Little Rock: 2811 Lakewood Village Dr., 812-5002

THURSDAY CAPTAIN D’s • Benton: 1419 Military Rd, 778-7909 • Hot Springs: 1906 Central St., 321-4288 • Jacksonville: 1109 West Main St., 982-3330 • Little Rock: 6301 Colonel Glen Rd., 568-6244 • North Little Rock: 5320 JFK Blvd., 758-5144 Mexico Chiquito One FREE kid's meal per adult entree for kids 12 and under (Dine-in only). • Conway: 1135 Skyline Dr., 205-1985 • Jacksonville: 1524 W. Main St., 982-0533 • Little Rock: 13924 Cantrell, 217-0700; 102 S. Rodney Parham, 224-8600; 4511 Camp Robinson, 771-1604; 11406 W. Markham, 217-0647 MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL 4 p.m.-close. One free kids meal with paid adult meal. • Bryant: 7409 Alcoa Rd., 778-3111 • Conway: 625 Salem Rd., 336-6500 • Little Rock: 12312 Chenal Pkwy., 223-3378 • North Little Rock: 4834 North Hills Blvd., 812-5577

SATURDAY BOSTON’S GOURMET PIZZA RESTAURANT • Little Rock: 3201 Bankhead Dr., 235-2000 LUBY’S CAFETERIA • Little Rock: 12501 West Markham, 219-1567

SUNDAY BOSTON’S GOURMET PIZZA RESTAURANT • Little Rock: 3201 Bankhead Dr., 235-2000 CORKY’S 4 p.m.-close. • Little Rock: 12005 Westhaven Dr., 954-7427

LARRY’S PIZZA 4-8 p.m. With purchase of one adult meal, up to two kids get a small one topping pizza, drink, and $1 in tokens. • Cabot: 2798 South Second Street, 843-7992

EL PORTON • North Little Rock: 5021 Warden Rd., 753-4630

JIM’S Razorback Pizza Kids 12 and under receive a FREE six inch pizza with the purchase of an adult entree (Dine-in only). • Little Rock: 16101 Cantrell Rd. • Maumelle: 20608 Hwy 365 North • Hot Springs: 4330 Central Ave.

If you would like to add your Kids Eat Free information to this list, contact us at 501-375-2985.

DID YOU KNOW

About Snow

By KTHV-TV Chief Meteorologist, Ed Buckner

As the temperatures drop, one thing comes to mind: Snow! A few of our Savvy readers had a few questions they wanted answered about this topic. Read on to learn more! How does snow get so frozen? –Kenzie, 5 Kenzie, when the temperature is below 32 degrees from the cloud all the way down to the ground, the raindrops freeze into ice crystals like ice cubes do in your freezer. Lots of ice crystals stick together to form the snowflakes we see fall to the ground. When do you think the first snowfall will happen? –Hannah, 11 Hannah, I can’t scientifically say for sure so you are really just asking me to guess—it’s a fun game to play! Based on averages, our first snow usually happens in early to mid January; so my guess this winter will be January 8th. (I hope I’m close!) How come only some snow is good for making snowballs, while other snow just crumbles in your hand? –Bryan, 9 This has to do with how much water the snowflake contains. The more wet the snow the easier it is to compact into shapes. Drier snow is more powdery and best for sledding and skiing.

Book of the Month Recommended by the Central Arkansas Library System

Tumtum and Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall Written by Emily Bearn Illustrated by Nick Price Bringing to mind classics like Wind in the Willows, this title is full of old fashion charm. Tumtum and Nutmeg live in Rose Cottage behind a broom closet door in a 36-room mouse mansion. The lovely mouse couple supply much needed help to the absent minded Mr. Mildew and his motherless children. But when the children’s Aunt Ivy spies the mice a full scale mouse attack begins. With the help of friends, Tumtum and Nutmeg remain in their charming home. This book holds three adventures for the mouse couple and children will be enthralled with the twists and turns of excitement and the lovely details that round out these charming tales. december 2011 savvy kids

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DECEMBER 2011 SAVVY CALENDAR

DECEMBER CRIME SOLVERS: WHO STOLE FROSTY’S MAGIC HAT? December 1 thru 3: Use forensic science to crack the case. Museum of Discovery crime solvers have received an anonymous tip. Frosty needs your help to get his magic hat back. Come see the magic in the “old silk hat” unfold during the holiday season. Event place Darragh Center Main Library in Little Rock. For more information call 501-918-3030. GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS – LIGHTS ON THE LANDSCAPE December 1 thru December 31: More than 1.7 million holiday lights will illuminate Garvan Woodland Gardens daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening, transforming the woodland landscape into a winter wonderland of delight. The display is one of Arkansas’ most impressive holiday events. Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12 years old and children 5 and under get in FREE. For more information call 501-262-9300 or visit www.hotsprings.org. THE ART OF THE BRICK December 1 thru February 12, 2012: See amazing sculptures out of LEGO bricks. Presented by 3M. This display of art can be viewed at the Clinton Presidential Center. For more information call 501374-4242 or visit www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org. SANTA COMES EARLY TO LIGHT THE HILLCREST CHRISTMAS TREE December 2: At 5:30 p.m. school choirs sing carols while friends and neighbors enjoy hot cocoa, cider and homemade cookies, courtesy of the Hillcrest Merchants Association. Santa arrives to light the tree at 6 p.m. then announces the lucky Christmas basket winners. Mrs. Claus and Santa linger to listen to all the Christmas wishes of good girls and boys. Event Place: Allsopp Park Promenade. For more information call 501-663-7757. ACCESS CERAMICS AND GARDENS HOLIDAY SALE December 2: Set your alarm and rise early to get the best of ACCESS Ceramics! Platters, vases, ornaments, mugs, coasters and more colorful pieces created by ACCESS students are available at this once-a-year sale. The following lines are available: Bohemian, Multicolor, Holiday, and Razorbacks. Also available are 4, 6, and 8 inch potted poinsettias. Give your foyer, buffet or mantle a holiday boost with fresh greenery! Planning a holiday party? Pre-order your poinsettias by calling 501-217-8600 before Tuesday, November 15. Proceeds benefit programs 80 | savvy kids december 2011

for children and youths with learning differences. Event will take place at ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Campus starting at 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or whenever we sell out— whichever comes first!

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

“A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD” December 2 thru 18: How about taking in a holiday play with the whole family? The Children’s Theater at the Arkansas Arts Center is showing “A Year With Frog and Toad,” based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Call 501-372-4000 for ticket information. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA December 3: Hot fresh healthy breakfast, picture with Santa Claus, healthy eating activities, live entertainment, arts & crafts, and toy give away. This year Breakfast with Santa will incorporate a healthy eating initiative to teach kids and their parents healthy eating habits to help decrease childhood obesity in the AfricanAmerican community. Breakfast with Santa started in 2004 as an opportunity to provide a fun family-friendly event in the African-American community while raising money for local charities and the Jack and Jill Foundation. Founded nationally in 1938, Jack and Jill of America is an African-American organization of mothers who nurture future leaders by strengthening children ages 2-19 through chapter programming, community service, legislative advocacy and philanthropic giving. There are over 225 chapters nationwide. The Greater Little Rock chapter was established in 2000 and today, there are 31 active members. Cassandra Green serves as chapter President. For more information call 501-779-1196 or visit www.national. jackandjillonline.org. IT’S A HOLIDAY TREE TRIMMING PARTY December 3: William F. Laman Public Library is hosting a party in the Children’s Department from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 501-758-1720 or visit www.lamanlibrary.org. A CELEBRATION OF LIVING GIFTS December 3: Come to Heifer International’s Celebration of Living Gifts and learn how animals can provide food and income for hungry families. You can purchase an animal for a family in need, take pictures with goats, llamas, lambs, and other animals and join in fun, free activities for the whole family. Explore

Shop@Heifer, featuring unique and fair-trade items from across the globe. Bring your family for a day filled with the spirit of giving to others. Event time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 501-907-2697 or visit www.heifer.org/ heifervillage/familyevents. COME SEE SANTA AT MARY’S PLACE December 3: Mary’s is having a Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll find fresh cut Christmas trees (blue spruce, scotch pine, Frasier fir, Noble fur, grand fir, and Douglas fir), garland Christmas yard art, Juanita’s Peanut Brittle, and a gift shop. For more information call 501-8473900 or visit www.marysplaceinbryant. com. LITTLE ROCK WIND SYMPHONY PRESENTS “CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA” December 4: Come join us at Second Presbyterian Church (600 Pleasant Valley Dr.) to celebrate the season, Little Rock Wind Symphony provides an extravaganza of your favorite Christmas carols performed by the orchestra, stunning soloists, a children’s choir, our beautiful woodwind ensemble, and the joyous brass choir! Don’t miss your chance to sing-along with the LRWS! Karen Fannin conducts. Sponsored by Richard Butler. Admission: $10, $8 Seniors, and Students are FREE. For more information call 501666-0777 or visit www.lrwindsymphony. org. 44th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FROLIC AND OPEN HOUSE December 4: Featuring debut of Blacksmith Shop, hot cider & ginger cake, dancing in the Grog shop, living history performances pioneer games and more. Music from Arkansas Country dance band, Lark in the morning, roaming fiddlers, carolers, and more. Admission is FREE. So, come join us at the Historic Arkansas Museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 501-324-9351 or visit www.historicarkansas.org. CLAY RICE SILHOUETTES AT KNOWLEDGE TREE December 9: Clay Rice travels throughout the United States doing silhouette cutting and booksigning events. Clay Rice is a polished storyteller and tunesmith from his days as a Nashville songwriter, Clay’s eloquent musical portraits of his boyhood in the South Carolina Low Country captivate audiences young and old alike.

When Clay sings “The Lonely Shadow”, The children can’t help but sing along. For years Clay Rice has been a popular speaker-performer for groups that visit South Carolina, particularly in Charleston and the low country areas. Children are completely enthralled by Clay’s stories which are so heart-felt that some don’t realize that throughout the performance they are being taught valuable life-lessons about perseverance, importance of family and working hard, using your imagination and realizing that it’s ok to be different. Event time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call 501-663-2877. TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA December 9: Celebrate Christmas with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra! As one of the top-selling acts in the world, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has established itself as an annual Holiday tradition not to be missed. Trans-Siberian Orchestra mesmerizes their audience with a show that is as visually exciting as their music; their unique display includes lights, sound, fire, and lasers that will keep the whole family intrigued from start to finish. Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s music is a blend of rock and classical merging together as “Symphonic Rock” that blends seamlessly with intertwined Christmas stories. Do not miss this wonderful show as Trans-Siberian Orchestra transforms the spirit of Christmas into a musical experience that has captivated audiences everywhere! Two performances, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Verizon Arena. Ticket prices: $31, $43, $53 and $63 (includes $1 to charity). 8 ticket limit for entire period of sale. Tickets available at the Verizon Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. SONA: CHRISTMAS POPS December 10: All patrons entering the house, including babes-in-arms, need to have a ticket. Please note that these performances are recommended for children under 5 years. Children ages 5 thru 17 can get a $5 ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. Please call the box office to purchase child tickets. Student discounts are available for any college or university student with a valid student I.D. Please use promo code “student” and click “apply” to receive discount. Event place: Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center. Event time: 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.waltonartscenter. org. HAYRIDE ADVENTURE AT PINNACLE MOUNTAIN December 10: Grab a blanket and bundle up – it’s time for a winter hayride

RIVER MARKET ICE RINK

November 19 thru January 8: The ice rink will be in the River Market Pavilions again this year. For dates of operation and times, visit www.littlerock.com . Tickets $9 per person (which includes taxes) for 60 minutes and includes skates. Children (4) four and under are FREE. Ticket sales will cease one hour prior to the closing time. Group discount of $1 per ticket for groups of 15 or more.

at Pinnacle Mountain State Park! Bring the whole family for a fun-filled hayride adventure at Pinnacle Mountain. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Advance payment is required, please call 501-868-5806 to register. COOKIES WITH SANTA December 10: Please join us on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 .m. for Cookies with Santa at the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Open to all families of children ages 0 thru Kindergarten with visual impairments and their siblings! There will be music, treats, fun and pictures. Please RSVP to Shelli Moore at 501-3515473 or via e-mail shelli.moore@asb. k12.ar.us. CHRISTMAS IN THE WILD December 10 and 17: Come see Santa and enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, crispy treats, arts & crafts and join Santa as he presents gifts to the animals! Admission: members $10 and non-members $15. Reservations are a must! Event time: 9:30 a.m. Tickets are available at the Zoo members’ entrance or by calling 501661-7218. CHRISTMAS AT THE CREEK…A FAMILY TRADITION December 11: The Church at Rock Creek is staying with tradition and will be having their live nativity, hayrides, inflatables, indoor games, face painting, and marshmallow roasting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event is FREE. For more information contact Wayne Stay at 501225-8684 or visit www.churchatrockcreek.com.

HOLIDAY MASTERS IN THIS HALL December 14: This holiday program will feature the awe-inspiring masterwork Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity” and the premiere of a charming new work by the Scottish composer Cecilia McDowell. To enhance the warmth of the celebration the singers will present a new medley of familiar carols of the season. Event place: Trinity Presbyterian Church. Event time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $18 Adults, $12 Seniors/ Students at the door. For more information call 501-377-1121. ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ACXIOM POPS LIVE! “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” December 16 thru 18: Celebrate the holiday season with your ASO! This concert will take place at the Robinson Center Music Hall featuring traditional Christmas tunes as well as a few surprises that are sure to warm your heart. Perfect to get your whole family in the holiday spirit. For tickets and additional information call 501-666-1761 or visit www.arkansassymphony.org. WINTER IN THE PARK December 17: Everyone camping in Lake Catherine State Park is encouraged to decorate and show their holiday spirit. Prizes will be given to those with the best decorated RV/tent site. We will have interpretive programs such as making tree cookies ornaments and homemade hot chocolate, and other programs focused on nature and winter in the park. Contact the park for a detailed schedule at 501-844-4176 or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com.

CAROLING IN THE FOREST December 17: We’ll meet at the Kingfisher Trail inside Pinnacle Mountain State Park to stroll into the forest, and sing your favorite holiday carols along a paved trail. Bring a flashlight and your best singing voice. Visit with everybody afterwards as we serve hot chocolate around a campfire at the Pinnacle Pavilion. This fun family activity has quickly become a tradition! Event time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call 501-686-5806 or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com. HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS (LR) December 17: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a Hunter Education Class at Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Headquarters in Little Rock, AR. Event time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is required so, call 501-223-6351 or e-mail your name and phone number to arswaim@agfc.state.ar.us. There is no fee for this program thanks to your support of the 1/8 cent conservation sales tax. For more information visit www.agfc.com. JACKSONVILLE GUN SHOW December 17 and 18: This event will take place at the former Wal-Mart building in Jacksonville, AR. Number of tables 800. Private sales are allowed. Ammo sales are allowed. Powder sales are allowed. Event time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 18. For more information call 563-927-8176 or e-mail kehrli8@n-connect.net or visit www. rkshows.com. CHRISTMAS BREAK CAMP December 19 thru January 3: North Little Rock Athletic Club is offering a day camp during Christmas break for kids ages 2 -12 years. For more information contact Diane Collie at 501-812-5555 or via email dcollie@nlrac.com.

SAVVY CALENDAR

FLAME ON 2012 YOUTH MOVEMENT STUDENT SLAM December 29 thru January 1, 2012: High impact student conference especially for CMA Youth Movement students age 12-18, filled with uplifting praise and worship, vital ministry training, loads of crazy fun and most importantly, plenty of moments for teens to connect with Christ. Registration opens summer of 2011, so if you haven’t already registered, do so. Event place: Iron Mountain (in Hatfield, AR). Hosted by CMA (Christian Motorcycles Association). For more information call 870-389-6196 or visit www. cmausa.org. MIDNIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN December 31 thru January 1, 2012: Join us for the end of the holiday season and to help ring in 2012 as we celebrate our annual New Year’s Eve event here at Mount Magazine State Park! Start your new year off with views of the river valley and Blue Mountain Lake. Our party includes a live disc jockey, hors d’ oeurves, party favors, and more. Tickets are limited; fee includes a prime rib buffet-style dinner the night of the party, the party itself, and breakfast the next morning for two. Overnight lodging is not included in the ticket price, but there are lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites on the mountain. They are likely to fill quickly, so make reservations early! Dinner begins at 7 p.m. in the Skycrest Restaurant, and the party begins at 9 p.m. in the Banquet Hall. Contact the park for more details, tickets, and to make reservations at 479-963-8502 or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com. HALL OF INDUSTRY GUN SHOW December 31 thru January 1, 2012: This event will take place at the State Fairgrounds, Hall of Industry building. Number of tables 400. Private sales are allowed. Ammo sales are allowed. Powder sales are allowed. Event time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 31 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 1. For more information call 563-927-8176 or email kehrli8@n-connect.net or visit www. rkshows.com.

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SAVVY EVENTS

arvest River market on ice Photos by Brian chilson

Once again, the Arvest River Market on Ice is now open in the River Market Pavilions. Throw on your jacket and scarf and get ready to have fun! Sponsored by Arvest Bank, Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission (LRCVB), Downtown Little Rock Partnership, and Little Rock Parks and Recreation, the ice rink overlooks Riverfront Park and the Arkansas River. Tickets are $9 per person, and kids ages four and under are admitted free with paid adult admission. Through December 16, hours are Monday-Friday from 4-9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday noon-8 p.m. From December 17-January 8, hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday noon-8 p.m. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information, visit holidaysinlittlerock.com.

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Jay white

Try It Out Little Rock Jams Little Rock Jams offers music lessons for all ages and skill levels for piano, voice, guitar, bass, banjo and drums, as well as regular jam sessions and workshops, Little Rock Jams is THE premier private music school in Central Arkansas! Their focus is on helping the students set and obtain their musical goals and to become confident musicians that are comfortable with their instrument. Stylistic diversity and creative growth are both supported and encouraged. Here’s what Kate, age 12, had to say about voice lessons with Sally Howell. Why are you interested in this class? I love to sing, and want to sing to the best of my ability. This class can help me do that. Also, I am an aspiring actor and dancer, so I am auditioning for musicals and things a lot. This class helps me to prepare for upcoming auditions.

Jay white

What was your first reaction when the class started? I was nervous before I went in because I don't like singing in front of one person, (especially one that I don't really know) but as soon as I got in there, Sally and I really had a good time. I thought, "This is really fun!" We started with warm-ups. We do scales, ear training,

Chi Rho Sports & Fitness

runs, and stretch my range. Then, we sing! We work on whatever song I want to do, or we work on songs for upcoming auditions. I love everything about it! Did you like the instructor? Yes! Sally is the perfect kind of crazy! She has a pet monkey! Would you encourage others to take this class? If so, what would you tell them about the class to make them want to sign up? Yes! I would say that Miss Sally is really nice and that you have a blast while actually learning something. Also, I would say that you can do any genre of singing you want. I have done pop, opera, scatting, blues, musical theatre, country, yodeling, and 80s music. A few words from Kate’s dad: Listening in on the lesson, it sounds like they are having a barrel of fun while working on enhancing Kate’s range. I enjoy hearing Kate and Sally having such a good time during the lessons, and having Kate sing new and diverse pieces during our drive home. The range and types of songs and styles they work on is wonderful. Would we approve of the class and suggest to other? Most definitely! Little Rock Jams is in a great location, the instructors are wonderful and responsive to whatever immediate needs Kate might have. Best of all, Kate loves it!

Chi Rho Sports & Fitness offers fitness training sessions for children and adults of all ages, male and female, in North Little Rock and Maumelle, and sports training/fitness bootcamps for children and young athletes throughout the summer months. Moms, dads, and children age 15 and up are welcome to attend our fitness bootcamps! Here’s what one mom had to say. What was your first reaction when the class started? This is intense but not so much I couldn't do it. Everything is at your own pace and even though you will be sore the first week, you start to feel better right away. Did you like the instructor? Yes, he is very knowledgeable and really wants to help people reach their goals! What was your favorite thing/ activity? My favorite thing is the variety of exercises over the course of five weeks. Doing something different everyday keeps the workouts from being boring and the change up makes sure your muscles don't get use to the workouts.

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How was the class broken down? We started with a warm-up and then running and a full body workout using our bodyweight or bands for resistance. Each week the workouts get tougher and rests get fewer. By week five you are running more and working out harder than you thought your body was capable of. What did the instructors do to help track your progress? At the beginning and end you time a mile run and pushups and sit-ups to see how you improved. I could only do four pushups when I started but by the end I could do 21! Would you encourage others to take this class? Yes! If you are looking for something or somebody to give you the push to get back in shape or just drop a few pounds, Chi Rho fitness bootcamp is it! What did you enjoy most about the class? The results! I have lost inches, lost pounds and have gained so much more energy! Is there any sort of payment plan or discounts that you should be aware of when signing up? Each 5 week class is $200, but you can get $50 cash back with perfect attendance. There are eight full bootcamps and one half Holiday bootcamp per year ($1700) and you can join annually for $100 a month or $850 paid in full. Justin B. Pickens, Owner Chi-Rho Sports & Fitness 501.551.6222 - chi-rhosports.com December 2011

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Parker Mollette turns one!

SAVVY EVENTS

Photos by Cynthia rankin

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Parker Mollette celebrated his first birthday with family and friends at Motley’s Farm in Little Rock. The birthday boy and his guests enjoyed a beautiful fall day at the farm, where they were treated to a hayride, a visit to the farm’s animals, and even got their own pumpkin to take home! Parker’s “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” cake was created by Sugar Cubed bakery in Sheridan. 1. Tyus Diaz 2. Cake by Sugar Cubed in Sheridan 3. Tyus Diaz and Parker Mollette 4. Parker and Party Guests 5. Preston Mollette & Natalie Morales 6. Preston Mollette

Abundant Life at the zoo! Photos by jay white

The Abundant Life School in Sherwood recently took a field trip to the Little Rock Zoo. Students were excited to see the zoo’s new penguin exhibit, which features African Blackfoot Penguins. The penguins’ habitat allows visitors to view them up close and underwater, which was thrilling for the kids to get to experience. The students also spent time observing chimpanzees in their sprawling outdoor enclosure. The zoo is one of the state’s most popular field trip destinations for students of all ages. 6

84 | savvy kids DECEMBER 2011

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Allee Bittle turns two!

SAVVY EVENTS

Photos by Jay White

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Carter & Allee Bittle Allison Grace Allee Bittle Macy Bennett Kenzie Stephens Cake by Stacey's Sweets and Treets of Maumelle 7. Avery Freeman 8. Leighton Freeman 9. Avery Goad 10. Princess Chloe & Allee Bittle 11. Bella Spenot

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Allee Marie Bittle invited her friends to attend her 2nd birthday bash at Tommie’s Dance Academy in Little Rock. Allee and her guests wore their finest tutus and climbed, danced and played. They even got to meet a real princess! Allee’s pink ruffled cake, by Stacey’s Sweets and Treats of Maumelle, was the centerpiece for a beautiful table of her favorite goodies.

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Madison Harper turns five! Photos by Emily griffin

Madison Harper celebrated her 5th birthday with her friends at Skate World in Jacksonville. The party had a “Hog Wild” theme and all the kids dressed in their favorite Arkansas Razorback attire. Madison and her friends had a blast roller skating and playing video games! Next, everyone gathered to eat birthday cake and open presents. Madison’s Hog Wild birthday cake was created by Nicole Collins. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Madison Harper Jolea Harris Bryce Lawson Nicholas Tyler Jackyra Harris & Kaley Woodruff Cake by Nicole Collins Playing Games! Tyra Abston Madison and Party Guests

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Scottie hightower Turns seven!

SAVVY EVENTS

Photos Patrick jones

Scottie Hightower celebrated his 7th birthday with his friends and family at Straightright Boxing and Fitness in West Little Rock. Scottie and his guests learned some boxing moves and even got to watch a demo from the pros! His golden glove cake was created by Tamra Patterson.

1. Madison Tucker 2. Creighton Ward & Ainsley Iden 3. Judah Johnson 4. Scottie Hightower 5. Cameron Wells 6. Elliott Thomas 7. Joshua Leggett 8. Keith McGee 9. Hudson Hightower 10. Ethan Davenport & Christian Wells 11. Hunter Atkins & Terrance Porter 12. Scottie & Party Guests

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Brantyn Barnes Turns nine!

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Photos submitted

Brantyn Barnes recently celebrated his 9th birthday party at Party Central in Benton. Brantyn and his party guests were treated to inflatables and games in Party Centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13,000 square foot facility. They then feasted on a delicious cake featuring Spongebob Squarepants. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

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Brantyn Barnes Jasmine Elijah Brantyn Barnes Brantyn & Party Guests Garret Spongebob Cake

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Brody Patterson Turns Three!

SAVVY EVENTS

Photos by PATRICK JONES

Brody Patterson celebrated his 3rd birthday with a backyard camping themed party at his home in Little Rock. Brody and his friends were entertained by a magician who showed them some fun tricks. His adorable cake, decorated with kids camping in a tent and fishing, was custom made by The Little Cakery in Little Rock.

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1. Caden Bryant 2. Ava Harrod 3. Max Harrod 4. Izzy Bailey 5. Briggs Brolo 6. Brody Patterson 7. Ally Miller 8. Braelyn Patterson 9. Cake by The LIttle Cakery 10. Grayson Johnston 11. Sarah Cooper 12. Sophie Wall 13. Magic Show

Second Annual Rocktober Jam Photos by Jay White

The Second Annual Rocktober Jam on Nov. 5 was very successful! Hosted by Carolyn's Keyboard Corner, it was a chance for students to rock out and play along with their instructors. There was something for everyone, with songs ranging from newer pop artists like Adele, to some fiery blues, classic folk and country. There were approximately 250 parents, friends and shopping center patrons enjoying the festivities.

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Gabriel Ippolito Caelon Colbert Joe Courturir & Ben Organos Sarah Ramey The group Brandon Johnson Newton McNew Niroshi Wijewardane Gracie Warner

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Kennedi Harris turns six!

SAVVY EVENTS

Photos by jay white

Kennedi Harris celebrated her 6th birthday at a carnival-themed party with her friends and family. Mommy Magic performed a magic show and made balloon animals, and Valinda the clown did face painting. Guests enjoyed games like Goldfish Toss, Lucky Duck Game, Bucket Toss and a fishing game. Kids won tickets by playing games, which they later exchanged for fun prizes! Cupcakes and cookies were provided by Knights Bakery.

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Time for clown makeup! Aim careful! Fishing for Ducks Savanna Jefferson & Xian Hall Jase Hendrix Kennedi Harris Treats! Kneila Watson Kneila Watson, Nyla Jonathan, & Jase Hendrix

Will Kemp turns four! Photos by Cynthia Rankin

Will Kemp celebrated his 4th birthday with a superhero party at Jump Zone in Maumelle. Will and his guests enjoyed bouncing around on the many inflatables at Jump Zone and pretending to fly like Superman! These caped crusaders were treated to “mini superhero sandwiches on a stick” and “super fruits on a stick.” Will’s stellar cupcakes came from Wal-Mart in Sherwood and were decorated with edible star embellishments made by Will’s Nana.

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Will Kemp Yum! Addie Hilliard Cupcakes by Wal-Mart in Sherwood Will Kemp & Hayden Johnson Ricky Halbert Colson Burkett Kennedy Burkett

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www.Eleighs.com Find us on Facebook & Twitter! december 2011 savvy kids

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Kids 4 the Cure Photos by jay white

SAVVY EVENTS

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On October 16, hundreds of children gathered on the State Capitol grounds to participate in the 2011 Kids for the Cure race to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. They received Kids for the Cure t-shirts and numbers, and took part in a special short walk just for youngsters. Games and entertainment were provided along with tables of crafts to get kids in the spirit of the race. Boys and girls alike dressed in pink to show their support for breast cancer research. The Susan G. Komen Foundation raises more money for breast cancer research and awareness than any other charity in the United States. To get involved, visit komenarkansas.org 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Running for the Cure! Kali Harding Kaylen Smith & Jordan Branch Lauren Stewart Alex Cauley, Luke & Jackson Rice Kairstyn and Kyleigh Davis, & Talon Carter 7. Rylan & Keirstin Hammett 8. Amari Clay

Amire Edgarson turns three! Photos by jay white

Amire Edgarson recently celebrated her 3rd birthday with a fairy tale tea party at Apricot Girls Party Studio in Sherwood. Amire and her friends were treated to makeovers, face paint, new hairdos, and manicures. Then, they had a fashion show on Apricot Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; runway. Guests were able to make their own lotion to take home, as well as a keepsake picture frame. Cupcakes featuring Hello Kitty were provided by Apricot Girls. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Amire Edgarson Amire during the makeover Jhade Moore Samerica Fields Amire Edgerson MaKenzie Williams

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94 | savvy kids DECEMBER 2011

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Boo at the zoo Photos by jay white

SAVVY EVENTS

This year’s was the 20th anniversary celebration of Boo at the Zoo, the Little Rock Zoo’s annual Halloween extravaganza. This year, the festivities were a spooktacular success! Little princesses and pirates trick-or-treated at booths and tables throughout the zoo, rode the Haunted Train, and even got to ride some carnival rides! There was a hay maze, a magic show, Ghost Roast s’mores and lots more. Boo at the Zoo is the state’s largest Halloween festival, and is the perfect event to bring your kids for some safe yet spooky fun.

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Lindsey McLemore & Lexi Phelps Olivia Ault Zombie Dance! Jasime Crawford, Dalen & Ashlyn Woods Lawson, Hudson & Jackson Duke Emmeline Miller Keshaun Peele Jessanna White

Food Truck Festival Photos by Patrick Jones

On September 30, Main Street in Little Rock was closed from Third Street to Seventh Street for the Main Street Food Festival. Vendors from all over Arkansas, including local favorites like Hot Dog Mike and Dream Eats Café were lined up along the street offering a wide variety of foods. There were also arts and crafts, contests, games, and even two large-screen TVs showing the Hogs game! Musical performances from Crooked Roots, Fire & Brimstone and more provided a festive backdrop for this festival which will hopefully become an annual event.

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1 1. Hot Dog Mike 2. Molly Wallace 3. Lauren, Jack & Lilly Melton 4. Sagan Kinetic 5. Darrell & N'Dia Bell 6. Beau & Jackson White 7. Beatrice Frasier 8. Breonna Hearon 9. Chloe Smith 10. Delaney Jackson & Grace Clark 96 | savvy kids DECEMBER 2011

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Allen tatum turns one!

SAVVY EVENTS

Photos by JAY WHITE

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Christopher Allen Tatum celebrated his 1st birthday with a farm themed party in Little Rock. Allen and his guests enjoyed lots of games in the sunshine, including a cow piĂąata, pony rides, and several rounds of find-the-ducks! Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barnyard cake was created by the Kroger Marketplace bakery and was served alongside a special smash cake just for the birthday boy. The highlight of the party was the unveiling of a brand new car, which was a gift from his Mom and Dad. 1. Allen Tatum rides the pony. 2. DeNiya Jackson 3. Allen Tatum & Grandmother Helen Tatum 4. Maliik Hooker 5. "Happy Birthday!" 6. MaKaela Jackson 7. Carlese Johnson 8. Feeding the pony. 9. Bryson Taylor riding the pony. 10. Gabrielle Curtis on the pony. 11. Party favors. 12. Cake by Kroger Marketplace Bakery 13. Allen loves his car!

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SAVVY EVENTS

Photos by Cynthia Rankin

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Pinnacle Classical Academy’s Fall Recitation Night 2011 Photos by Cynthia rankin

Pinnacle Classical Academy recently held their Fall Recitation Night at the Rose Hill Church adjoining the school’s campus. Students showed off for friends and family by performing songs and reciting lessons learned so far this year. Coffee and light snacks were provided and a tour of the school offered a glimpse into what classical Christian education is all about. To learn more about Pinnacle Classical Academy, please visit www. pinnacleclassical.com or call (501) 2409080 to schedule a visit.

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On October 15, families from all over Arkansas gathered at the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club to raise funds for the Baptist Health Medical Center – Little Rock’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In addition to a full day of racing, participants were treated to a breakfast by Chik-fil-A, games, inflatables, and more! The money raised went towards the purchase of a Giraffe OmniBed for Baptist’s NICU. This special bed provides a womb-like environment for premature babies. 1. Out on the water 2. Chase Cozart 3. Paige, Presley, Piper & Peyton Webb 4. William & John Sperry 5. Kaitlin Scaife 6. Tyler Scaife 7. Making crafts. 8. Ready to set sail! 9. Peyton Webb

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SAVVY PROJECT

Christmas Tree Advent Forest By Paige Hunter Parham

“How many more days ‘til Christmas?” We’ve all heard it. Why not turn those questions into a clever advent project, to keep track of the countdown to the big day? This clever project can adapt to your décor: trees can be grouped in windowsills or spread across a mantle. Children will be delighted to lift a tree each day to find a little treat, and trees stack easily for storage to ensure years of enjoyment!

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What you will need: Green cardstock or sturdy craft paper Printed paper White paper (with pre-printed numerals, if desired) Double-stick tape Glue Scissors Template for cones (can be found at savvykidsofarkansas.com) Directions: Go to our website (savvykidsofarkansas.com) and print the template for the trees. Trace 24 cone shapes onto solid green paper and cut them out. If you want, you can scale the image up or down before printing the template to vary the sizes of the trees. Fold the cones and use your double-stick tape or glue to keep their shape. Next, trace 24 1 ½” circles onto your printed paper and cut them out. I like the look of varied patterns, but use your imagination! If you’ve printed your numbers, cut those out by tracing around the numbers in a circle, as well. You can also use a marker to write the numbers on paper, if you don’t have access to a printer or want a homemade look. Glue the numerals onto the patterned circles, and use a tiny dot of glue to stick these numbers to the front of your trees. It’s tradition for advent calendars to have something special for Christmas Eve, so I used a glittery pipe cleaner to fashion a star for the top of that tree. You can also have your kids decorate the trees with sequins, pom-poms, or paint, if you wish! When all glue is dry, arrange your forest with either a piece of candy, small ornament, or other treat underneath each tree. Be sure to save a special keepsake for Christmas Eve!

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