Atlanta Parent October 2020

AtlantaParent

October 2020 / atlantaparent.com

Have a Happy Halloween AT HOME Outdoor Art Around Town

+

Focus on Dyslexia

Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

Your Private School Search Starts Here!

WESLEYANSCHOOL.ORG

770-448-7640

highmeadows.org 770-993-2940

woodward.edu 404-765-4001

McGinnisWoods.org 770-664-7764

GRACEPOINTSchool.org 678-709-6634

gallowayschool.org

westminster.net

404-252-8389

404-355-8673

aischool.org

atlantaspeechschool.org

404-841-3840

404-233-5332

TheWalkerSchool.org 770-427-2689

PaceAcademy.org

mountvernonschool.org

athensacademy.org

MtBethelChristian.org

TrinityATL.org

AtlantaAcademy.com 678-461-6102

404-262-1345

404-252-3448

706-549-9225

770-971-0245

theswiftschool.org 678-205-4988

DavisAcademy.org

SageSchool.net

IntownSchool.org

678-318-3588

404-633-8081

mtparanschool.com

TheSpanishAcademy.com

CCSSmyrna.org

whitefieldacademy.com 678-305-3000

770-671-0085

404-231-8100

North Cobb Christian School

ncchristian.org

landmarkchristianschool.org

stmga.org

770-975-0252

770-692-6742

404-373-8456

Springmont.com

HolySpiritPrep.org

hies.org

404-252-3910

678-761-7992

404-255-4026

770-578-0182

770-435-1596

Private School Admission and School Tour information on page 31

770-751-3646

WHITE RHINO

CHARGEs INTO ATLANTA. Mumbles, a southern white rhinoceros, has arrived at Zoo Atlanta’s

All-New African Savanna, now open! Come see how he is adjusting to his new home and learn how the species that roam the Savanna are connected to our everyday lives. Reserve your tickets now!

#ONLYZOOATL

ESNG's Trick Or Treat Trot Goes Virtual

Join The Fun!

Walk. Run. Roll. Stroll

Virtual Family Festival & 5K

October 19 - October 25

Join Us Live on Facebook October 24th!

WWW.TRICKORTREAT.COM

SAVE THE DATE

4 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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Inside 37 October

YEARS OF ATLANTA PARENT

Publisher’s Note / 8

Good Stuff / 10

For the Fridge / 50

14

Raising Politically-Aware Kids

22

Dyslexia: Unraveling the Mysteries

No matter which political candidate parents support kids will absorb a lot from this year’s election. Use our tips to help kids better understand the election process.

If your child has trouble spelling, writing or reading, he may have dyslexia. Learn how to put your child on a path to success.

So Much Fun – It’s Still Halloween! n Halloween at Home: plan a spook-tacular holiday with these kid-friendly ideas. Page 18. n Out and About: Celebrate Halloween (and still social distance!) with these frighteningly fun festivals, events and attractions. Page 44. n Get Lost in a Corn Maze: Plan a visit to one of these farms and enjoy fall activities, games and more. Page 47.

Family Fun Guide: Outdoor Art, Exhibits and More / Page 39 Mask up for Prizes!

Enter Our Photo Contest / Page 7 Private School Admissions and Tour Information / Page 31 Like us on Facebook; facebook.com/ AtlantaParentMagazine atlantaparent.com

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 5

TIRED OF ASTHMA? Consider joining a clinical research study to prevent future asthma attacks.

Eligible children age 1-17 years will receive, at no cost:  Allergy testing

PUBLISHER Liz White

lwhite@atlantaparent.com

 Health exams

 Asthma medications

 Breathing tests Participants will receive compensation for time and travel.

ASSOCIATE Laura Powell PUBLISHER lpowell@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT Carolyn Haushalter EXECUTIVE chaushalter@atlantaparent.com

Morgan Nicholls 404.785.2958 morgan.nicholls@choa.org

ACCOUNT Melinda McGuire EXECUTIVE mmcguire@atlantaparent.com

STAFF Emily Webb WRITER ewebb@atlantaparent.com

COPY Mary Williams

EDITOR EDITORIAL Sheri Taylor-Emery

ART DIRECTOR creative@atlantaparent.com

PRODUCTION Robin Mintz

ADMINISTRATIVE Amelia Ramirez

ASSISTANT

MARKETING Felicia Barman MOM

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Atlanta Parent, Inc., 2346 Perimeter Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. Telephone 770-454-7599, Fax 770-454-7699.

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© Atlanta Parent, Inc. 2020

6 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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MASK UP FOR PRIZES

PHOTO CONTEST presented by

Submit pics of your cute kids wearing their masks and win prizes.

Our grand prize winner will win a two-night Holiday Getaway to Gaylord Opryland. Package includes a day at SoundWaves waterpark and Holiday events.

The top vote getters will be entered to win the prizes below: n The new “Meet Courtney” American Girl Doll (circa 1986) n A photography session with Images by N’neka n A family four-pack to Children’s Museum of Atlanta Everyone who enters has a chance to win a family four-pack to Zoo Atlanta

Enter at AtlantaParent.com/mask. Online voting starts October 15.

Atlanta Parent’s

Must-Read Online Stories Bringing our readers the resources and information they need during the coronavirus pandemic.  Virtual Learning Support for Families  Fun Things to Do This Week  Classes, Sports and Afterschool Programs for your Kids  20+ Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches  Best Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Petting Zoos Around Atlanta  10 Subscription Boxes for Babies and New Parents  Best Baby and Toddler Activities in Atlanta  Best Family Movies and Shows Streaming Now  25 Ways to Make Math Fun

Publisher’s Note

P

arenting – it’s the toughest job you’ll ever have. That’s true now more than ever. Through it all, Atlanta Parent continues to be your trusted parenting partner. This month, Atlanta Parent celebrates its 37th birthday. Over the years, in addition to our print magazine, we’ve expanded to become a resource parents can engage with 24/7 via our website, social media outlets and e-newsletters. You can depend on us to be a source for parenting information on topics from the serious to the lighthearted, whether it’s dealing with COVID-19, talking to your kids about race, pediatric telemedicine, finding a private school, planning a fun birthday party or where to find the best playgrounds in Atlanta.

Halloween may look different this year, but it hasn’t been canceled!

Whether you’ll be celebrating from home or doing some alternative trick-or-treating, visiting a pumpkin patch or exploring a corn maze, there’s something for every parent’s comfort level. Reimagine your Halloween this year. If haunted houses have always been your family’s thing, and you’re not sure it’s safe this year, create your own at home.

Bonus: it can be a project to keep the kids busy for days! If you’ve always had a big bash on October 31, scale it down to a small outdoor gathering with social distancing and masks.

Wearing masks is the new normal, so embrace it! Get creative and snap a photo of your kids in their masks, whether silly, serious or somewhere in between, and enter it in our Mask Up for Prizes Contest.

We’re excited to team up with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life for this contest. There’ll be fun prizes! Submit your pictures to atlantaparent.com/masks. Even if you don’t send a photo, make sure to check out the cute faces on our website and vote for your favorite.

Life goes on: stay healthy, wear a mask, social distance, and don’t forget to get your flu shot this year. Experts say it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated. I’m convinced things will get better, but for now, take every precaution you can to keep your family safe.

 Fun Treats for Fall  Our Guide to Kid’s Birthday Parties  8 Ways to Connect with Grandparents During COVID-19

How to Reach us: Telephone 770.454.7599

Email lwhite@atlantaparent.com

Fax 770.454.7699

Website www.atlantaparent.com

Snail Mail 2346 Perimeter Park Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30341

We welcome your views and comments. Letters that appear in the magazine may be edited for content and space.

8 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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by Emily Webb

Good StUff

THINGS WE LIKE

Cute Characters

Find cute bags that represent your child with EPIC EVERYDAY. Their Happy Hues collection features characters of color proudly displaying their skin, hair and style on backpacks, fanny packs and lunch bags. Each bag comes in four different bright and bold colors, and backpacks come in classic, junior and mini sizes. You can also find apparel and items for your home. Available at shopepiceveryday.com from $25.99-$69.99.

Tooth-fully Fantastic

If you’re worried about the impact of Halloween sweets on your kid’s teeth, check out the 1-2-3 Grin Kids Oral Care Set from Grin. This kit turns brushing into a game with a challenge chart and stickers and includes environmentally friendly flossers, natural toothpaste and a toothbrush.

Choose from BerryLicious, Strawberry or Orange. Available at grinnatural.com for $24.96.

Magical Recipes

Cauldrons will bubble with “The Unofficial Hogwarts for the Holidays Cookbook” from Ulysses Press. Iconic moments from the “Harry Potter” series happened in the dining hall, and you and your family can work together to create delicious dishes. The cookbook is organized by season, then by holiday feast, covering all the important holidays during the year. Available on Oct. 6 at ulyssespress.com for $19.95.

Bring History to Life

Looking for a supplement to your at-home learning?

“Honest History” is an independent children’s magazine with fascinating tales about history, research, interviews, crafts, activities and more, such as solving a puzzle using Morse Code or learning the language of espionage.

Themes delve into a topic not typically covered in textbooks for an exciting way to learn.

For ages 6-12. Available at honesthistorymag.com for $17.95 an issue or $69.99 for a subscription.

10 Atlanta Parent October 2020

Baking Good Vibes

Enjoy a sweet success in the kitchen with the Positivity Cookie Kit Project. The kit includes pre-measured ingredients, a recipe book, a shopping list and cookie cutters to make eight candy flower cookies. This limited release box from Baketivity encourages conversations about diversity with kids and includes meaningful kid-friendly activities. With every kit purchased, a donation goes to the National Urban League.

Available at baketivity.com for $24.99.

atlantaparent.com

Uniform Update

Girl Scouts will be looking different soon. New uniform options were designed by three young Fashion Institute of Technology students with 18 new pieces, which include a utility vest, leggings, a denim jacket, joggers and more to update their look.

Items range from $10$49 and are available in sizes up to 3XL. This is the first uniform update in nearly 20 years.

Get Reading G.R.E.A.T. (Gwinnett Reading Exchange & Art Transforms) Little Minds is a public art and awareness campaign.

This summer, 38 G.R.E.A.T. Little Minds Book Exchanges were installed in the community, and 20 more are scheduled. This year, they have distributed more than 20,000 books. If you’re interested in participating, they are collecting books for children ages 0-8, new or gently used books and donations. Learn more at gwinnettcoalition. org/great-little-minds

Farmer Todd Fansler River Bridge Farm | Farm ID: TODD

Our farmers truly love what they do, humanely raising organic chicken that’s traceable to the family farms they call home.

Enter the Farm ID on your package at farmerfocus.com to see the family farm where your chicken was raised.

Please join us next year on

Oct. 2, 2021 Oct. 3, 2020 event is cancelled.

More than 50 Family-Friendly Activities!

Famed Fun

Twelve toys have been announced as finalists for 2020 induction into The Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame. They are: Baby Nancy; Bingo; Breyer Horses; Jenga; Lite-Brite; Masters of the Universe Toys; My Little Pony; Risk; sidewalk chalk; Sorry!; Tamagotchi; and Yahtzee. Only three will be inducted into the hall. Winners will be announced on November 5.

atlantaparent.com

atlantaparent.com/ familyfestival October 2020 Atlanta Parent 11

SPOTLIGHT ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS Create Your Path With renowned college-preparatory academics and a diverse community, Woodward Academy is Atlanta at its best.

From pre-K through 12th grade, the 2,500 students span two campuses and 133-acres. Yet, with a student-teacher ratio of just 7:1, Woodward has the intimacy and attention of home. A commitment to character all while offering individualized paths, Woodward challenges students to reach their fullest potential.

With 26 AP classes, a renowned Transition Program for students with mild learning differences, 86 student clubs, 75 yearly arts performances, 18 varsity sports, and innovative STEAM programs starting in kindergarten. A typical graduating class attends more than 100 different colleges and universities, devotes 5,000 hours to community service, and earns more than $15 million in scholarship awards. Find out how more about Woodward Academy and the vast options available for students to create their own path. For more information, call 404-7654001 or visit woodward.edu.

CREATE YOUR PATH

VIRTUAL TOURS MAIN CAMPUS

Pre-K to 12 College Park

WOODWARD NORTH

Pre-K to 6 Johns Creek

Visit woodward.edu/gettingstarted to learn more

SPOTLIGHT ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS Your Child’s Future Starts Here Annunciation Day School (ADS) serves a diverse community of students in preschool through 8th grade.

Their mission is to provide an education grounded in respect, compassion and academic excellence within an Orthodox Christian environment. Teachers are highly trained; 70% percent of the faculty hold a master’s degree or higher and participate in professional development throughout the year.

The core curriculum is supplemented with enrichment classes in art, music, P.E., Greek, Spanish, and religion. Morning and after school activities include robotics, ballet/dance, tennis, golf and competitive sports through the MAAC league. The 16:1 student to teacher ratio offers one-on-one learning time and provides opportunities for students to become confident and successful learners. ADS is conveniently located to Emory and the CDC. Visit and become part of their school family centered in Christ, children and community.

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SPOTLIGHT ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS NCCS is home to 5 Magnet Programs Upper school students at North Cobb Christian School can apply or audition for one of five Academies, which are akin to magnet programs -- guiding students along a rigorous path of courses in a particular area of study. The NCCS Academies include The STEM Academy; The Business Academy; The Academy of the Arts; The Academy of Exercise and Sports Science; and The Academy of Counseling, Ministry and Education. Students in these Academies participate in unique courses, internships, and capstone projects, giving them a customizable high school experience.

This is just one of the many programs at NCCS designed to help students discover and develop their own “unique genius.”

When children are fully challenged, loved and known, amazing things happen. Namely, they become who they were created by God to be.

DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUE GENIUS

Authentic Christ-Centered Education Top Academics | Award-Winning Arts Championship Athletics

SPOTLIGHT ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ncchristian.org | K3-12th grade | 770.975.0252 | 4500 Eagle Dr., Kennesaw

A World-Class Education Atlanta International School offers all three International Baccalaureate programs from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Rigorous academics are enriched by a world-class language acquisition program, which begins with a full immersion preschool program in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish and continues with partial and dual immersion programs from 5K to Grade 5. AIS offers STEM and STEAM endorsed and bilingual diplomas in addition to the prestigious IB diploma, which open doors to top colleges and universities in the US and abroad.

Beyond the classroom, AIS students participate in awardwinning performing and fine arts opportunities, competitive athletics, and global experiential learning in a welcoming community with local roots and global reach. AIS is also accredited by the following academic programs: AdvanceED, Agency of French Teaching Abroad (aefe), Council for International Schools (CIS), European Council for International Schools (ECIS), and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION Virtual General Information Session October 25

Virtual Open House December 5

To register, please visit aischool.org/admissions

K3-12th grade 2890 North Fulton Drive, Atlanta

Photos taken before March 2020

www.aischool.org | 404-841-3840 atlantaparent.com

2020_AISAd_ATLParent_3.5x3.5_OCT.indd 1

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 9/23/20 13 11:01 AM

Raising Politically-Savvy

by Denise Morrison Yearian

E

lection year presents the perfect opportunity to teach children about political affairs and influence the next generation of voters. Even though the presidential election is front and center right now, it is also an opportunity to help children understand that government also works on the local level. Start a grassroots effort in your home to foster political awareness in your children. Here are 10 tips to help.

14 Atlanta Parent October 2020

n Be Age Appropriate Introduce concepts that can be built upon over time. Discuss what responsibility is and what they may be learning in history class. Talk about leaders and authority figures in your home and community. Show your child pictures of those in the political spotlight and discuss what form of leadership they hold or are campaigning for. If you see political ads on TV, discuss them.

Vote on what you’re going to serve for dinner.

n Start Local Talk about how government affects your child’s life right now through everyday things – regulations on items they use or money needed for places they frequent such as parks and libraries.

n Work for Change Show your child he has the ability to affect change. Help identify a neighborhood problem, such as a littered park, and talk about what he can do to bring improvement. Encourage him to write a letter to a local, state or national politician about the issue of concern. Children often receive a letter in return, particularly from local and state officials, and this will encourage them to continue their efforts. atlantaparent.com

Kids H

H H

n Read About Politics Use books such as biographies and historical and fiction works as a springboard for discussions and to hone their understanding of governmental affairs (see sidebar list).

Kid-friendly political and civic-oriented websites, such as Scholastic Kid Press (KPCnotebook.scholastic.com), have information and activities to teach children about government and current affairs.

n Watch the Presidential Debates Watch the news and political debates, and then turn the television off to have your own conversations before listening to commentaries. Read the newspaper aloud then discuss it together. Explain political cartoons and encourage your child to create his own cartoons based on issues important to him.

n Go Volunteer Participate as a family in community volunteer opportunities throughout the year and during campaign time.

This may be a tough year to do active volunteering. You can put signs up in your yard, or even better, have the kids make political signs.

n Raise a Young Leader Encourage your child to run for school or class office. This will give him a jump start on leadership roles and is a tangible way to teach him about the campaigning process. Suggest school and extracurricular groups hold mini debates to introduce political concepts.

n See Government in Action Take trips to state and national historical and governmental sites. If possible, make prior arrangements to meet with representatives. Have your child make a list of questions to ask officials before leaving home. Of course, you can always head to D.C. to see national landmarks, but check out the Georgia Capitol, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and the Atlanta History Center for fun and educational trips that are closer to home.

n Be a Role Model Let your child see you reading the newspaper, watching the news, being active in civic volunteering and voting. Take him with you to vote and familiarize him with voting processes.

This year, he may end up watching you fill out your absentee ballot and mailing it or dropping it off. Let him know the processes as you do them.

n Wear Political Garb Whether you’re supporting a party, a candidate or just the voting process, show your support for democracy with political attire. Get unique designs on T-shirts, buttons, masks, kids’ shirts and more on Etsy, Redbubble, TeePublic or CafePress. atlantaparent.com

Tips on Talking to Your Kids ABOUT ELECTION SEASON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Prepare them for the stories that will come out of the news, as candidates are going to say and do things to get attention and grab headlines.

When they ask you about the latest political crisis, take the opportunity to share your take, or say, “I don’t have the answer for that right now, but let’s go online and explore this together later.”

Kids are going to hear opinions from teachers, broadcast news and friends. If your kids are on social media or YouTube, they may be exposed to memes, influencers’ rants, extremist videos, trolls, digital advertising and more.

Discuss how a political ad is like a regular commercial for a product, who paid for the ad, and if political ads actually influence the outcome of an election.

Candidates are trained to stay “on message.” They stick to their talking points, avoid direct questions and hedge when they don’t want to be pinned down. Point this out to your kids.

You may have to explain to your kids certain terms and situations you never thought you’d have to at this age.

Explain how candidates may bring up some things as a distraction or to get attention. Ask your kids to identify two specific positions for each candidate to keep them focused on the real issues.

Draw a link between your kids’ experience of student body elections at school and those on the state and national levels.

– Adapted from Common Sense Media

Continued on next page

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 15

SEVEN CHILDREN’S BOOKS on Politics and Government Help your kids navigate the complicated world of politics with books meant specifically for them.

n The Constitution for Babies

by DK Children This fun board book for little ones introduces the Founding Fathers and their mission to create a new nation. Little readers are guided through the nation’s founding in 1776 to the creation of the Constitution and its amendments, explaining how the government works and why. For ages 1-3. At dk.com for $7.99. n V is for Voting by Kate Farrell and illustrated by Caitlin Kuhwald This ABC book goes in alphabetical order for an engaging introduction to the tenets of democracy for young readers. Explaining concepts like voting, social justice, civil rights and activism, this rhyming book is also entertaining. For ages 3-6.

At us.macmillan.com for $18.99.

n A Vote Is a Powerful Thing

by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Courtney Dawson Callie know there’s a presidential election coming up, but her class is also having an election regarding the class field trip. She – and young readers – witness what a difference a vote can make and learn more about the election process and the historical fight to vote. For ages 4-8. At albertwhitman.com for $16.99. n Everyone Gets a Say

by Jill Twiss and illustrated by EG Keller Pudding the snail and his friends, Jitterbug the chipmunk, Geezer the goose, Toast the butterfly and Duffles and Nudge the otters, can never seem to agree on anything. The friends have to figure out a way to pick a leader, while showing the importance of speaking up, in this picture book. For ages 4-8. At harpercollins.com for $15.19.

Bring the joy of music into your home.

The Music Class now offers fun, developmental music classes right at home.

Online, interactive classes led by inspiring music teachers will sweep you and your child into playful singing and dancing, together with other participating classmates, in a virtual studio. Unleash the music potential of your young child while keeping them engaged at home.

Call for class times or visit our website.

770-645-5578

themusicclass.com/atl-at-home-info

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n The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation by Katie Kennedy and illustrated by Ben Kirchner Kids can become more informed citizens with this book that details the ideas, concepts and rules that make America by going through the Constitution word by word. Filled with historical content and figures, vocabulary, anecdotes and trivia, this book may even teach you a thing or two! For ages 10-14.

At workman.com for $16.95. n Guardians of Liberty: Freedom of the Press and the Nature of News

by Linda Barrett Osborne This book describes the ideal of the freedom of press as stated in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Featuring examples from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Movement to recent presidencies, this book discusses how the freedoms of press and speech work together. For ages 10-14.

At abramsbooks.com for $18.99. n True or False: A CIA Analyst’s Guide to Spotting Fake News

by Cindy L. Otis From the ancient Egyptians to the French Revolution to the Founding Fathers, fake news is not a new concept. As a former CIA analyst, Otis takes readers through the history and impact of misinformation, tips on how to spot fake news and how to understand our own information biases. For ages 13-18. At us.macmillan.com for $19.99.

– Emily Webb

ESNG'S TRICK OR TREAT TROT GOES VIRTUAL! Join us on our Facebook page October 24th starting at 10am for: SCAVENGER HUNT– PRIZES – DANCE OFF – CHALK CHALLENGE – FUN AT HOME ACTIVITIES – MEET AND GREETS – MORE OCT

OCT

2020

2020

19 – 25

VIRTUAL RUN

REGISTER NOW

What You Need To Know

www.TrickOrTreatTrot.Com atlantaparent.com

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 17

Say Boo to COVID! You Can Still Have a

Spook-tacular Halloween!

by Emily Webb

Monster Mouths

Dandies Mini Marshmallows 1 sliced apple Nut butter Take two apple slices and spread nut butter on one side of each. Stick several mini marshmallows into the nut butter of one of the slices. Top with the other slice.

Repeat with the rest of the apple. dandies.com

Virtual Viewing

Set up a costume contest on a Facebook page with your friends and family for a fun way to make sure your kids can show off their cute looks. The picture with the most likes gets a fun prize.

Halloween may look different this year, but it can still be a terrifyingly fantastic time! Check out our ideas on how to celebrate in quarantine that are sure to excite every boo and ghoul!

Ghostly Guests

Light the way in your home with Mason Jar Ghost Luminaries. Cut out a piece of lace to wrap around your mason jar. Secure the lace to the jar with a piece of clear tape. Cut out round pieces from black duct tape for the eyes and mouth. Stick the tape to the mason jar. Place a battery operated tea light or votive candle in each jar. thisfairytalelife.com 18 Atlanta Parent    October 2020

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Candy Graveyard

Create a safe socially distant space for a candy hunt with Oriental Trading. Decorate your yard with tombstones, ghosts, skeletons and more. Place candy and toys for kids of all ages to find as they walk through the creepy scenery.

No-Bake Halloween Cheesecake Parfaits

14 Oreo cookies 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened ½ c. powdered sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 8 oz. container Cool Whip, thawed and divided Orange gel coloring Toppings: Ghost gummies or lollipops, Halloween sprinkles, candy pumpkins Oriental Trading Company

Carving Contest

Have each household pick a Halloween character: vampire, bat, zombie, witch or monster. Each family carves and displays their pumpkins prior to Halloween so that the street can vote on the best one.

You could also hold a contest for best decorated house.

Crush seven Oreo cookies and divide crumbs evenly into 7 5-oz. cups. Beat the cream cheese, sugar and extract until creamy. Add 2 cups Cool Whip and fold in gently. Divide the cheesecake mixture evenly into two bowls. Tint one batch of cheesecake orange. Spoon white cheesecake evenly onto the crumbs in the cups. Crush the remaining seven cookies and divide the crumbs evenly into the cups. Spoon layer of orange cheesecake next. Add a dollop of Cool Whip on top of the parfaits and decorate with ghost gummies or lollipops, sprinkles and candies right before serving. insidebrucrewlife.com

Spirited Parade

Don’t let old costumes go to waste! Dress up as your favorite characters, decorate your bikes or car with spooky decorations, and schedule a parade with your neighbors for a festive walk down the street. Designate someone as a DJ to play classics like “Monster Mash” and “Thriller” as you make your way through the neighborhood. Throw candy from your “float” to the kids who gather and watch. atlantaparent.com

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 19

Spook-tacular Halloween!

Distressingly Good Decorations

Ding Dong Ditch the Ghost

Spread the festive spirit to those in your house and in your neighborhood with decorations. Turn your house into its own haunted house with tombstones and a cemetery in the yard, ghosts on the porch, bloody handprints in the window, spider webs in the entryway and halls and skulls on tabletops.

Mad Scientist in the Lab

Use screw top jars and fill with water dyed with green or red food coloring. Deposit plastic spiders, snakes, rats and eyeballs for a creepy feel. Make slime with glue, saline solution, water and baking soda. Add Halloween glitter, plastic spiders or bats, eyeballs, confetti and other small, decorative items for a festive feel.

Make goodie bags with Halloween-themed fun and treats for neighbors, but don’t label them. Drop the bags at the door with instructions to hang a ghost in their window once they discover their gift, so others know they have already been ghosted. Then, instruct them to pass it on by sharing the fun with another family to continue the chain of Halloween excitement. hgtv.com

Cute Pumpkins

Decorate your porch with these emoji pumpkins from HGTV. Draw different sets of emoji-inspired eyes, mouths and other details on construction paper. Cover the stem on each pumpkin with painter’s tape; then spray paint the pumpkins yellow.

Let dry completely. Attach one adhesive magnet to each piece of paper and three magnets to each of the pumpkins where eyes and a mouth would go to create the specific emoji.

Crescent Mummy Dogs 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls 2 ½ slices American cheese, quartered 10 hot dogs Mustard or ketchup

foodnetwork.com

Haunted Houses

Take what you love about decorating gingerbread houses for Christmas and make them Halloween-themed. Get inspired with Food Network.

20 Atlanta Parent October 2020

Heat oven to 375°. Unroll dough; separate at perforations, creating four rectangles. With knife or kitchen scissors, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough. Slice cheese slices into quarters.

Wrap four pieces of dough around each hot dog and ¼ slice of cheese to look like “bandages.” Place wrapped hot dogs cheese side down on a cookie sheet; spray dough lightly with cooking spray.

Bake 13-17 minutes or until dough it light golden brown and hot dogs are hot. With mustard or ketchup, draw features on for the face. pillsbury.com atlantaparent.com

Halloween Face Masks

Get into the spirit with a new themed face mask. Find characters from DC, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, Peanuts, Hello Kitty and Harry Potter at maskclub.com. Redbubble.com has sharks, whales, dogs, pandas, ghosts and more patterned masks for kids.

Shopdisney.com has character masks including Mulan, Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, Marvel and more. Zazzle.com has ghosts, witches, skulls, monsters and more, and they have decorative face shields if your child wants a themed one to match her costume.

redbubble.com

Sensory-Friendly Halloween Fun

Build the Best Scarecrow on the Block

A silly or scary scarecrow would be a great addition to your yard. Use old materials to create the scarecrow’s body, and decorate with permanent markers, acrylic paint or cut out felt shapes and glue on using a hot glue gun. Visit your local thrift store or look in the back of your closet for plaid shirts, jeans, overalls, gloves, boots, hats and bandanas. Or use an old Halloween costume for a festive spin.

Create a family portrait using scarecrows.

Have each person in your family decorate a scarecrow to represent themselves with their old clothes, Halloween costumes or decorative items. Stage them like you would a family photo, or have each scarecrow posing with their favorite hobby.

Create a sensory bin for your toddler with purple, green, black and orange items. Try pom-poms, candy corn, snakes, eyeballs, spiders, bats, dyed rice, candy pumpkins, skeletons and beads.

A Spooky Candy Hunt with a Twist

Reuse Easter eggs to create a fun candy scavenger hunt for Halloween.

Trunk-or-Treat

Decorate your ride for a neighborhood trunk-ortreat with ideas from Party City. Use characters and scenes from your kid’s favorite movies, such as “Frozen” or “Spider-Man,” or keep it spooky with ghosts, spiders or witches.

Ghastly Games

Divide into teams to see who can wrap their teammate the fastest in toilet paper to become a mummy.

Put on “Monster Mash” to play freeze dance. Instead of pinning the tail on the donkey, pin the stem on the pumpkin or the hat on a witch. Face your fears by guessing what creepy or gross item is in the box by touch alone.

partycity.com

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October 2020 Atlanta Parent 21

UNRAVELING the Mysteries of

DYSLEXIA

by Emily Webb

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Dyslexia is a neurobiological learning disability characterized by difficulties with word recognition, spelling and reading. If your child has difficulty with spelling, writing and reading, they may have dyslexia. As these skills are necessary for schooling, this can be challenging for children to overcome.

Here’s what you need to know about this unique learning disability and how you can help your dyslexic child remediate and work on their writing, reading and spelling abilities.

700

Number of people worldwide in millions who experience dyslexia.

43.5

Number of Americans in millions who have dyslexia.

15-20

Percent of the U.S. school population who have some symptoms of dyslexia.

3.5

Percent of children (more than 2 million students) who receive special education services for a reading disorder.

Source: LD OnLine, CACHE and International Dyslexia Association

22 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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GETTING ANSWERS: Q&A with Brenda Fitzgerald Brenda Fitzgerald is the executive director at Georgia Educational Training Agency, where she is also a curriculum and instruction specialist. The Georgia ETA empowers pre-K to twelfth grade public and private school administrators and teachers with skills courses based on scientific research.

They also equip parents and families with skills to help their children succeed in and out of the classroom.

Q: What is dyslexia?

It’s a neurobiological learning disability affecting reading, writing and spelling. They have great difficulty learning the phonological model. It’s the child’s inability to process the phonemes of the language. The beautiful thing about dyslexia is it doesn’t affect the thinking and reasoning of a child.

Students are extremely bright and gifted in other areas.

Q: What is the diagnosis process like?

This process is different in public schools and private schools.

At a public school, as part of the Response to Intervention process, the student will test with a psychologist, who is part of the school system.

At a private school, they will collect data observation, do informal assessments and present that information, along with a team of people to the parent. A private school usually does not have a psychologist on campus, so evaluations will usually come from a private practice.

Q: How will Senate Bill 48 change that process?

This law requires all children to have an evaluation for early identification of dyslexia, creating guidance for local school systems on universal screeners, dyslexia and other disorders, reading difficulties and special education services. By the 2024-2025 school year, school systems will screen all kindergarten students.

Q:

How is the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual learning affecting those with dyslexia?

The best way to remediate is always face-to-face, and this has forced teachers and students to learn in an alternative manner. There were evidence-based studies on the negative effects of screen time pre-COVID. Online learning makes it more difficult because dyslexic students need ongoing feedback, they fatigue easier around the written language, and they have difficulty with sustaining attention for a long time.

There are things parents can do to support online learning: make sure there’s a set time for instruction; take brain breaks; ask the teacher to provide lessons that need more reinforcement for parent to help with; and get students outside.

Q: What is the Georgia ETA doing during this time?

We’re still holding face-to-face classes. We’ve being very responsible – wearing masks, social distancing, following guidelines. Teachers really appreciate being back in the classroom to learn themselves, and we’re having conversations about virtual learning. I’m observing teachers through Zoom. I was on Zoom for about five hours observing a teacher with her dyslexic students, both the students at home learning and the students in front of her. It’s interesting to watch how a teacher manages that.

Q: What changes in teaching methods have you seen during your career?

What’s needed more than anything is really good teacher training in phonological awareness, encoding and decoding, vocabulary and grammar.

I’ve trained thousands of teachers over the last 30 years, and more teachers are being very explicit and systematic in their training, and teachers need layered training. When you layer your training, your teacher performs better.

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The first component of layered training would be the Complete Reading Series, which trains teachers to understand the components of reading, writing and spelling and learning disabilities. The second layer would be training and certification in the Orton-Gillingham approach.

Q: What happens if a student has no or limited remediation for dyslexia?

If we don’t remediate early enough, in third or fourth grade, anxiety will present itself, which will be a secondary issue. From the time students walk into school by the time they leave, they must be able to read, write and spell accurately and quickly. As you move from grade to grade, the pace of the curriculum gets faster, and content and concepts get harder. Students know they’re smart, but they just can’t keep up with their peers. We need to identify early and remediate correctly, and for that, we need good teacher training.

Q: What has changed about dyslexia during your career?

There has been a major leap in understanding dyslexia in the last 20 years. We know it’s neurobiological. We know it can be found in multiple chromosomes. It’s a trait; it runs in families. Scientists know where it is on the brain, and they’ve pinpointed it to the phonological model of the brain.

Q: What is your advice for parents with a new diagnosis of dyslexia?

The number one thing that a parent needs to do is educate themselves.

Get Dr. Sally Shaywitz’s book “Overcoming Dyslexia.” Find our course “Understanding Dyslexia.” Talk to the child’s teacher and resource teacher about what remediation will look like in your school. Find a tutor for your child.

It’s equally as important to find and develop your child’s gift. Develop their strengths, which can be a lifesaver for that child as they get proper remediation. I go to lunches with young adults who are engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs. They had parents or grandparents who found their gift and developed it, which helped them be as successful as they are today.

Q: What options are there for families who can’t afford private education?

If you can, go to a public school that’s had layered training. Find free parenting workshops. If possible, get a full psychological evaluation. If your school is not remediating correctly, find a trained tutor.

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October 2020 Atlanta Parent 23

READ All About It When he was 9 years old, Kyler Smith wrote “I Define Me,” an autobiographical novel about his life with dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.

The book is for children and gives them the opportunity to understand what it’s like to have these learning differences.

“I didn’t want kids to be ashamed if they had a learning disability,” says Kyler. He was also inspired when Henry Winkler came as a guest to The Howard School. “I heard that he didn’t learn how to read until he was an adult, and now he’s a famous actor. It inspired me that all kids can do anything.”

At school, Kyler knew he was different, because he was not learning like he should have been. His mother, Ericka, shares that he was in a traditional private school, and as an auditory learner, he understood science, but on spelling tests, he’d put the correct letters in the wrong order. “He wasn’t on par as an average 6-year-old,” she says. “He would write backwards or write completely across the page. He’d memorized books, so he didn’t know how to read a new book. I spoke with the teacher, who said, ‘He’s so bright, but it’s something.’”

After doing her own research, Ericka found out about psychological evaluations, and Kyler was diagnosed with dysgraphia, dyspraxia and dyslexia, which are neurobiological learning disabilities. He began attending The Howard School,

which educates students with language-based learning disabilities and learning differences. He has been at the school for four years.

Ericka found videos of Kyler doing pep talks on her phone, which was the start of his book. They put the videos together, translating them into text and working with an illustrator to create the accompanying pictures. “I Define Me” was published in September 2019 and is available on Amazon.

Kyler has been an advocate for dyslexia awareness, and he talked to legislators about dyslexia and early intervention for Senate Bill 48, which has been signed into law. He’s been a featured author at The Howard School, and he’s done readings and book signings. With the pandemic, he’s been featured on children’s channels and virtual events for bedtime stories and Q&A videos to help inspire children.

“Children in school settings are beaten down by not being able to read, and children usually have a lot of questions about dyslexia,” says Ericka. “We hope the book helps them understand when they see a child that’s struggling or stuttering, not to make fun of them, but to be understanding.”

Kyler plans to write another book someday, and he hopes his autobiographical book is helpful to children with learning differences and those who don’t have learning differences. “It’s OK to have dyslexia, and you can do anything. Even if you have trouble reading, put your mind to it.”

“It’s okay to have dyslexia, and you can do anything.”

24 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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Approaches to REMEDIATING DYSLEXIA The Schenck School, found in 1959, pioneered education for struggling readers.

Now, Atlanta is fortunate to have many schools throughout the metro area to educate children with dyslexia. Some common approaches area schools use are Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, Fast ForWord and specialized individual instruction.

The Schenck School helps educate students with dyslexia using the OrtonGillingham approach, which provides intensive instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness and improves language skills. “A dyslexic learner can learn to read with a more thoughtful, practiced approach,” says Head of School Josh Clark. “The Orton-Gillingham approach teaches the rules of the English language, spelling patterns, vowel teams, ways that letters come together to perform certain sounds. Students have multiple avenues to internalize rules and become more automatic at these associations.” Students attend the school for a few years before they transition to a traditional schooling program with the help of Schenck’s Outplacement Program.

The Schenck School

The Cottage School helps students with a specialized and incentivized work-based program. This helps address executive function skills and anxiety, while catering to students who need assistance. “It helps address challenges in reading, writing and math, but it’s really about being able to

find your voice,” says Head of School Steve Palmer. “The goal is to address challenges as they go and teach them to advocate for themselves. It gives them the confidence they need to say, ‘I am smart, and I can do this.’”

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School, Disrupted.

Solution?

The Clinic at Atlanta Speech School

Specialists work with parents and teachers to determine each child’s needs and strengths, so they can be confident and academically successful wherever they learn.

Preschool-High School • 404-233-5332 atlantaspeechschool.org

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GRACEPOINT’s instructional program is accredited by The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.

A private Christian school dedicated to equipping Dyslexic Students with the skills needed to become independent, confident learners.

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 25

Approaches to REMEDIATING DYSLEXIA Brookwood Christian School utilizes the Wilson Reading System and Fast ForWord programs. “Wilson is a step-by-step program that starts with the smallest unit of sound and teaches the structure of the English language,” says Principal Kim Wigington. “Fast ForWord is an online computer program for students with an auditory processing disorder.” Students with dyslexia often have trouble reading a math book, so the school also uses Teaching Textbooks, a computer-based math program that reads the text to them.

Students with dyslexia are taught unique ways to learn and understand the English language. “People with dyslexia have to sound out words every time they read them,” Wigington says. “New neural pathways can be formed to make decoding happen more quickly, but that particular part of the brain is never automatic.”

“Some of the brightest people in the world, from inventors to entrepreneurs to actors, have dyslexia,” says Palmer. “Their brains learn differently, and reading doesn’t come as naturally. They must work harder at it. The secret is to teach differently. The best approach for any learning difference is multisensory.”

Palmer suggests teaching children letters by drawing them out with shaving cream or tracing them in sand, so they can touch them,

Brookwood Christian School

or using manipulatives, such as candy, to demonstrate addition and subtraction when teaching math.

Along with dyslexia, students can also have dyscalculia, dyspraxia or dysgraphia, other neurobiological learning differences.

It is difficult for students with dyscalculia to have a concrete understanding of math, and they need visual aids, according to Wigington. With dysgraphia, there is a

processing disconnect between the eyes, brain and hands, but students usually do not have trouble expressing themselves verbally, while students with dyspraxia will always need speech therapy, Wigington says.

After discovering your child has dyslexia, you must view learning differently, advises Palmer. “Look up alternative ways to teach.

Start multisensory practices at home,” he says. “If they have been screened with

We’re All About Learning!

Success with dyslexia starts here Students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences thrive at Swift School, where teachers utilize Orton-Gillingham, WoodinMath, and other educational approaches tailored to their unique learning styles.

Contact Swift to empower your child for success in school and beyond.

Call 678-205-4988 to schedule an appointment.

300 Grimes Bridge Road l Roswell, GA theswiftschool.org 26 Atlanta Parent October 2020

Parents Want to Learn About You NOVEMBER: Why Parents Love Your School JANUARY: A+ Education Guide CALL NOW 770-454-7599 to advertise your school or EMAIL chaushalter@atlantaparent.com

serving students with dyslexia in grades 1-8 atlantaparent.com

Specialized Education IN METRO ATLANTA Full Immersion Dyslexia Schools: n Atlanta Speech School’s Wardlaw School n GRACEPOINT School n Sage School n The Swift School n The Schenck School n Brookwood Christian School Schools Specializing in Learning Differences, Including Dyslexia: n The Bedford School n The Cottage School n Mill Springs Academy n The Howard School “Schools Within a School” – Schools with Dyslexia Support Programs: n Mt. Paran Christian School n The Walker School n St. Martin’s Episcopal School

professionals, come up with a curriculum that will be the best route for them. Look for experts. Find someone who has been certified and trained to get advice on curriculum.”

Clark suggests determining what difficulty is the hardest for your child to overcome. “Once you understand the nature of their difficulties, you can find the best path for moving forward for intervention and support,” he says. “Talk to their teacher to see how they perform in the classroom.

Intervention may include tutoring, a program like Schenck or discovering what the options are at your public school.”

Wigington recommends finding a school near you specializing in dyslexia. “Students really need to have their whole day structured around the way they learn,” she says. “If you cannot afford a private school, find a private tutor who specializes in Orton-Gillingham methods. If you homeschool or can work with your child after school, Barton Reading is a good curriculum to use. Dyslexia is the easiest learning disability to overcome, but it must be addressed from all angles as early as possible.”

– Emily Webb

The Cottage School

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October 2020 Atlanta Parent 27

UNRAVELING the Mysteries of DYSLEXIA Myths versus FACTS MYTH: Dyslexics are not intelligent.

FACT: Dyslexics are usually of average to gifted intelligence.

MYTH: Dyslexia is a visual problem – dyslexics see letters backwards.

FACT: Dyslexia is a neurobiological

language-based learning disability.

Dyslexics have problems identifying the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning the letters that represent those sounds.

MYTH: Dyslexia can be cured.

FACT: Dyslexia is a life-long challenge,

but with the proper remediation, dyslexics can have academic success.

MYTH: More boys than girls have dyslexia.

FACT: According to Understood.org, dyslexia affects both genders in equal numbers.

MYTH: Dyslexics just need to try harder.

FACT: Practicing more the wrong way

can frustrate dyslexics. They usually need intensive, highly structured instruction.

Learn the LINGO n Dyslexia: A specific, neurobiological learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor encoding (spelling) and decoding (reading) abilities. n Dysgraphia: The condition of impaired letter writing by hand. Impaired handwriting can interfere with learning to spell words in writing and speed of writing text. Children with dysgraphia may have only impaired handwriting, only impaired spelling or both.

28 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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n Dyspraxia: Refers to trouble with movement, including fine motor skills, gross motor skills, motor planning and coordination. n Dyscalculia: A condition that makes understanding numbers, performing calculations, counting, and basic arithmetic skills difficult. n Neurobiology: The study of cells of the nervous system and the organization of these cells into functional circuits that process information and mediate behavior. n Phoneme: Identifies the smallest unit of sound, such as “b,” “t” or “tch.” n Phonemic Awareness: The ability to manipulate phonemes. Dyslexic students usually lack phonemic awareness and may be unable to identify phonemes within words. n Grapheme: Individual letters and groups of letters that represent single phonemes. n Orton-Gillingham Approach: OrtonGillingham was the first teaching approach designed to help struggling readers by explicitly teaching the connections between letters and sounds, and it was created in the 1930s by neurologist Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator and psychologist Anna Gillingham.

The approach combines multi-sensory teaching strategies with systematic, sequential lessons focused on phonics. n Wilson Reading System: A structured literacy program based on phonological-coding research and OrtonGillingham principles that directly and systematically teaches the structure of the English language. Students learn fluent decoding and encoding skills.

“If a student can’t learn the way we teach...we should teach the way a student can learn.”

- Tweetie L. Moore Founder

n Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes: Programs to develop the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading and comprehension. n Fast ForWord: An adaptive reading and language program channeling neuroscience to provide results for struggling learners. n Barton Reading & Spelling System: A tutoring system for those who struggle with spelling, reading and writing due to dyslexia.

Adapted from understood.org, disabledworld.com, ldonline.org, dyscalculia.org, dyslexiaresource.org, sciencedaily.com, sess. ie, readingdoctor.com, orton-gillingham.com, wilsonlanguage.com, lindamoodbell.com, bartonreading.com and dyslexiaida.org

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Mill Springs Academy meets students where they are in order to help them grow, providing academic rigor, support, and community online and in the classroom.

millsprings.org/visit

Serving students in grades K-12 with learning differences 13660 New Providence Road • Alpharetta, GA 30004 • 770-360-1336

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 29

Confidence

By Building Character

During this time of uncertainty, we are even more committed to empowering students as they design a better world.

Schedule a virtual visit or call today. mountvernonschool.org/admissions

Photo Taken Fall 2019

Be challenged, be engaged, be known. You belong here.

“You let a girl like me dream and watch everyone of her dreams come true, and for that I could never thank you. Walker is truly the place where wonders await.”

— Class of 2020 Pre-K(3)-12 30 Atlanta Parent October 2020

thewalkerschool.org

770.427.2689 atlantaparent.com

2020-21 Guide to Private School Admissions and Tours School tours and open houses look a little different this year. Many schools are scheduling virtual tours and parent meetings; be sure to check the school’s website or register for the most up-to-date information.

n The Davis Academy davisacademy.org 770-671-0085 8105 Roberts Dr., Atlanta 30350 PreK-Grade 8 Parent Information Session: Nov. 10, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Register online. Call to schedule a tour.

n Annunciation Day School annunciationdayschool.org 404-565-2850 2500 Clairmont Rd., Atlanta 30329 Preschool-Grade 8 Open House: Nov. 8, 2-4 p.m.

Register online or call to schedule a tour.

n Galloway School gallowayschool.org 404-252-8389 215 Chastain Park Ave. NW, Atlanta 30342 PK3-Grade 12 Register online. Call to schedule a tour.

n Landmark Christian School tourlandmark.org 770-692-6742 Fairburn Campus (K4-Grade 12) 50 SE Broad St., Fairburn 30213 PTC Campus (K4-Grade 4) 400 Windgate Rd., Peachtree City 30269 Call to schedule an in-person or virtual tour.

n GRACEPOINT gracepointschool.org 678-756-8897 570 Piedmont Rd., Marietta 30066 Grades 1-8 Call to schedule a tour.

n McGinnis Woods Country Day School mcginniswoods.org 770-664-7764 5380 Faircroft Dr., Alpharetta 30005 PK3-Grade 8 Register online for a virtual tour.

n High Meadows School highmeadows.org 770-993-2940 1055 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075 PreK-Grade 8 Virtual Admission Coffees: select Mondays, 9 a.m.

Individual Family Campus Tours: select weekdays, 3:45 p.m.

Register online.

n Mill Springs Academy millsprings.org 13660 New Providence Rd., Alpharetta 30004 770-360-1336 K-Grade 12 Open House: Oct. 7, Nov. 12.

Register online.

n Athens Academy athensacademy.org 706-549-9225 1281 Spartan Ln., Athens 30606 K3-Grade 12 Call to schedule a tour or virtual visit. n Atlanta Academy atlantaacademy.com 678-461-6102 2000 Holcomb Woods Pkwy., Roswell 30076 PreK-Grade 8 Register online to schedule a tour. n Atlanta International School aischool.org 404-841-3840 2890 North Fulton Dr., Atlanta 30305 K3-Grade 12 Register online for a virtual tour. n Atlanta Speech School atlantaspeechschool.org 404-233-5332 3160 Northside Pkwy. NW, Atlanta 30327 Preschool-Grade 6 Call or register online to schedule a tour. n Covenant Christian School ccssmyrna.org 770-435-1596 3130 Atlanta Rd., Smyrna 30080 K4-Grade 8 Touring Tuesdays: Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 10 and 17; Dec. 1, 8, 15; between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Open House: Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m.

RSVP for an Open House or School Tour.

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n Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School hies.org 404-255-4026 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NW, Atlanta 30327 PreK-Grade 12 Register online for a virtual information session. n Holy Spirit Preparatory School holyspiritprep.org 678-761-7992 Tours: Preschool (6 mos.-3yrs): Fridays, 9 a.m.; 4465 Northside Dr., Atlanta 30327 PreK4-Grade 7: Wednesdays, 9 a.m.; 4820 Long Island Dr., Atlanta 30342 Grades 8-12: Thursdays, 9 a.m.; 4449 Northside Dr., Atlanta 30327 Register online.

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n Intown Community School intownschool.org 404-633-8081 2059 Lavista Rd., Atlanta 30329 K-Grade 8 Call to schedule a tour.

n Montessori School at Emory montessorischoolatemory.com 404-634-5777 3021 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur 30033 15 months-Grade 8 Register online. n Mount Paran Christian School mtparanschool.com 678-359-6104 1275 Stanley Road NW, Kennesaw 30152 PreK3-Grade 12 Weekly Wednesday Tours, 10 a.m.

Register online for an in-person or virtual tour. n The Mount Vernon School mountvernonschool.org 404-252-3448 PreK-Grade 5 471 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NE, Atlanta 30328 Grades 6-12 510 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NE, Atlanta 30328 Register online to schedule a virtual tour.

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October 2020 Atlanta Parent 31

2020-21 Guide to Private School Admissions and Tours n Mt. Bethel Christian Academy mtbethelchristian.org 770-971-0245 Junior K-Grade 8 4385 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta 30068 Grades 9-12 2509 Post Oak Tritt Rd., Marietta 30062 Register online to schedule a tour. n North Cobb Christian School ncchristian.org 770-975-0252 4500 Eagle Dr., Kennesaw 30144 K3-Grade 12 Preview Day: Nov. 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Call to register or to schedule a tour. n Pace Academy paceacademy.org 404-262-1345 966 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta 30327 PreK-Grade 12 Virtual Campus Tours: Oct.-Feb. Register online. n Sage School sageschool.net 678-318-3588 800 Satellite Blvd. NE, Suwanee 30024 K-Grade 6 Register online to schedule a tour. n Saint Thomas More Catholic School stmga.org 404-373-8456 630 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur 30030 K-Grade 8 Virtual Open House: Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m.

Virtual Kindergarten Q&A: Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.

Tours available beginning Nov. 19.

Register online.

Many private and independent schools utilize Ravenna, a website that helps simplify the application process. Setting up an account gives parents access to information, forms and event registration for multiple schools. Visit ravenna-hub.com/login to create an account.

Ask Questions!

Asking questions is the best way to learn the “ins and outs” of any school. Here are some questions to get you started:

n Springmont School 404-252-3910 5750 Long Island Dr. NW, Atlanta 30327 18 months-Grade 8 Call or register online to schedule a virtual tour. n St. Martin’s Episcopal School stmartinschool.org 404-228-0709 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta 30319 Infant-Grade 8 On-Campus Preview: Nov. 8 Register online to schedule a tour. n Swift School theswiftschool.org 678-205-4988 300 Grimes Bridge Rd., Roswell 30076 Grades 1-8 Register online to schedule a tour.

n The Schenck School schenck.org 404-252-2591 282 Mt. Paran Rd., Atlanta 30327 K-Grade 6 Call to schedule a tour.

n Trinity School trinityatl.org 404-231-8118 4301 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta 30327 3 Years-Grade 6 Open House: Oct. 20, Nov. 14, Dec. 3; 9:30-11 a.m.

Register online.

n The Spanish Academy thespanishacademy.com 770-751-3646 Four metro Atlanta locations PreK-K Register online to schedule a tour.

n The Walker School thewalkerschool.org 770-427-2689 700 Cobb Pkwy. North, Marietta 30062 PreK3-Grade 12 Register online to schedule a tour.

32 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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1 2 3 4 5 6

How does the school integrate technology into the classroom and the curriculum?

What is the school’s class sizes and student-teacher ratios?

Does the school offer a specialized curriculum?

Does the school provide tutoring support?

What kinds of extracurricular activities does the school offer?

Does the school have community-building events for both students and families?

n Wesleyan School wesleyanschool.org 770-448-7640 5405 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners 30092 Grades K-12 Register online for a tour or Parent Preview Day. n Westminster westminster.net 404-355-8673 1424 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta 30327 Pre-First-Grade 12 Register online. n Whitefield Academy whitefieldacademy.com 678-305-3000 1 Whitefield Dr., Smyrna 30126 PreK-Grade 12 Virtual and in-person tours available weekly Oct.-Dec. Register online. n Woodward Academy woodward.edu 404-765-4000 PreK-Grade 12 1662 Rugby Ave., College Park 30337 PreK-Grade 6 6565 Boles Rd., Johns Creek 30097 Register online to schedule a virtual tour.

Visit atlantaparent.com for more admission information and tour dates.

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Where authentic Christian mission and academic excellence aren’t mutually exclusive

EXPLORE WESLEYAN AT WWW.WESLEYANSCHOOL.ORG/ADMISSIONS atlantaparent.com

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 33

ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES

by Emily Webb

ACADEMICS

During this time, things might be crazy at home, and your kids are adjusting to online schooling.

Here are some fun resources to help keep them entertained and learning. Many of these sites are free or may be offering temporary free access.

n ABCya offers educational games for pre-K through grades 6+, with the help of Fuzz Bugs, Adventure Man and more. abcya.com n With National Geographic Kids, explore topics like the U.S., plastic, books, science, space and more. kids.nationalgeographic.com n Funbrain offers games, books, comics and videos developing skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy for grades pre-K through 8. funbrain.com n e-Learning for Kids offers more than 550 lessons in math, science, health, language arts, life skills and more. e-learningforkids.org n The Smithsonian Learning Lab covers a variety of topics, including social studies, language arts, science, arts and more. learninglab.si.edu n Khan Academy has grade-level courses, distance learning resources and lessons for grades K-12. khanacademy.org

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS n Stay Home with Candlewick Press offers activities, discussion guides, educational materials, videos and more from favorite book characters and authors, plus a free guide for young readers about coronavirus. stayhome. candlewick.com n Starfall helps teach children in pre-K through third to read with phonics, games and music. starfall.com n Storyline Online streams videos of children’s books, such as “A Bad Case of Stripes” and “Stellaluna,” read by celebrities and depicted with creative illustrations. storylineonline.net n Fun Fonix has worksheets and printable phonics workbooks for the alphabet, letters, consonants, vowels. funfonix.com n Build reading skills and comprehension with Squiggle Park for ages 3-8 or with Dreamscape for ages 8-15+. squigglepark.com

SCIENCE n NASA Kids’ Club for children pre-K through grade 4 offers games for STEM development, an image gallery and information about NASA. nasa. gov/kidsclub n Experiment with Steve Spangler Science to learn about air, chemistry, magnetism, weather and more. stevespanglerscience.com

Bringing Learning to Life • Private non-parochial education for infants through 8th grade

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34 Atlanta Parent October 2020

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n Get a free trial of Mystery Science for videos and lessons sorted by age groups or grades. mysteryscience.com n Exploring Nature has 6,000 pages of printable science content, diagrams, activities, worksheets and more covering life science, earth science and physical science for grades K-12. exploringnature.org n Try Generation Genius for free for online science videos, lessons, games and activities for grades K-5. generationgenius.com

HISTORY n Explore history in an interactive way with Mission US, where you can see what it was like to live in 1770, 1848, 1866, 1907, 1929 or 1941. mission-us.org n Help Jack and Annie of the “Magic Tree House” series solve missions as they travel through time. magictreehouse.com/mission-game n History for Kids has articles, worksheets, quizzes and games to help make history relevant to kids. historyforkids.net n Learn about the text, history and meaning of the U.S. Constitution at Constitution Center. constitutioncenter.org n Check out Big History Project for social studies curriculum for middle and high school students. oerproject.com/big-history

MATH n Cool Math offers pre-algebra, algebra and pre-calculus lessons, as well as fun games to help you practice. coolmath.com n Get a free account on Prodigy to help your first to eighth grader learn and practice math. prodigygame.com n Math Playground has learning games for grades 1-6. mathplayground. com n SplashLearn offers a math learning program personalized for your child in grades K-5 with interactive games and rewards. splashlearn.com

n Start a free trial of Mathletics for an engaging online mathematics program for early learners to teens. mathletics.com

THE ARTS n For a 360-degree look at famous artworks and sites, including the Uffizi Galleries, Carnegie Hall, Richmond Castle to name a few, explorations in color and more, check out Google’s Arts and Culture page. artsandculture.google.com n Explore art and art history with computer-based activities and virtual exhibitions at the National Gallery of Art. nga.gov n Artsology has arts games and investigations to explain artistic concepts. artsology.com n Try SmartMusic for free for 30 days for music education tools and assignments. smartmusic.com n The Kennedy Center features new releases, special series, original stories, lessons, performances and more. kennedy-center.org

ANIMALS n Check out Zoo Atlanta’s live PandaCam. zooatlanta.org n The Georgia Aquarium has live views of the fishes, jellyfishes, sea lions, sea otters, penguins and more. georgiaaquarium.org n Aquarium of the Pacific has live webcams, an online learning center, videos with guest speakers, “The Pacific Pals Show” and more. aquariumofthepacific.org n The New England Aquarium has virtual visits and webcams of the aquarium. neaq.org n The Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute has live videos of ferrets, cheetah cubs, naked mole-rats, lions, giant pandas and elephants, along with a downloadable activity packet and at-home activities. nationalzoo.si.edu

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Award-Winning Live Interactive, Curriculum-Based Workshops 404.873.3391 | PUPPET.ORG October 2020 Atlanta Parent 35

A Family Ski Vacation

to ALTA, UTAH

As ski-loving Atlanta families begin planning their winter vacations, Alta Ski Area is the perfect choice.

Plenty of snow, great ski trails and a gorgeous setting make Alta an annual destination for many families.

36 Atlanta Parent October 2020

by Laura Powell

A

lta Ski Area, a short drive from Salt Lake City, is a classic family retreat with picturesque scenery, skiing and fun. With plenty of shuttle options from the Salt Lake airport, you don’t need a car. Everything you need is at the resort or on the mountain.

People come to Alta for its snow. With the highest annual snowfall of Utah-area ski resorts, you can plan your trip early or late in the season and still ski. There are five lodges in the area, each with its own unique personality. Plenty of long green trails with scenic views are ideal for beginners, while the blue trails jump into intermediate. Alta is also known for its steep and exciting trails for experienced skiers.

At the Alta Ski Area, only skiing is allowed – no snowboarders will come swooshing by while you’re enjoying your descent. Private lessons from the Alf Engen Ski School helped our kids gain confidence on the ski trails. The school has many reasonably priced options, from two-hour private lessons to an all-day kids’ adventure. atlantaparent.com

After a fun day of skiing, relaxing at Alta Lodge is a must. Alta Lodge caters to families with rooms to spread out in – both of our kids even had their own bed. Spend the day skiing together, or take advantage of the Kids’ Club, with shuttle service to ski school and special supervised activities, so you can have some time to yourself. Afternoon tea is served in the cozy deck room where you can play cards, read a book, or hang out by the fire. Our kids loved the indoor hot pool facing the mountains of Alta.

Food is easy at Alta Lodge, since breakfast and dinner are included with your stay. Kids can sign up for their own dinner, while parents can enjoy a fourcourse meal in the elegant dining room.

Our five- and seven-year-old looked forward to choosing their kid-friendly dinner each morning, and loved playing and crafting at the Kids’ Club after dinner.

The food is delicious, and it’s wonderful to not have to decide where to go for dinner after a day of skiing. After dinner, head to the Sitzmark Club, enjoy a drink, and say “cheers” to a memorable ski vacation.

The Details Alta Ski Area Alta, Utah. alta.com. This familyfriendly ski retreat is a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport.

Where to Stay: Alta Lodge, 800-707-2582. altalodge.com.

With a traditional lodge atmosphere, accommodations range from mountain-view corner rooms to smaller dorm rooms.

Take a Drive to Moab About four hours south of Alta, visit a completely different climate and vibe at Arches National Park and Canyonlands in the Moab area. To get there, our family took the shuttle back to Salt Lake City airport and picked up a rental car. Moab is a cute, touristy town with a walkable downtown strip. The nearby Homewood Suites in Moab fit the bill with an indoor pool, kitchenette and bunk beds for the kids.

Arches National Park is a 10-minute drive from Moab. Explore hiking trails and visit the famous arches, including Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. Being close by means you can wake up early and visit when the park is less busy – it’s worth it! Canyonlands National Park is about 30 minutes from Moab and also is worth exploring.

Our favorite hike was Whale Rock, a fun trail that follows a unique sandstone formation. Dead Horse Point State Park, a few minutes from Canyonlands National Park, also has amazing hikes and views. atlantaparent.com

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 37

OCTOBER:

Things to do this month

Top Events atlantaparent.com

Out and About for Halloween l Georgia State Parks Visit an Exhibit l Public Sculptures and Art l

Family Fun Guide

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 39

OCTOBER TOP EVENTS

Events may be cancelled or changed before our deadline. Please check before visiting to confirm. Full calendar online at atlantaparent.com

An Evening with Shakespeare & Friends

Wills Park Grand Pavilion / Oct. 2-3, 9-10. 7:30 p.m.

Presented by ACT1 Theater, this Shakespeare in the Park performance entertains with some of Shakespeare’s most famous speeches, showcasing the power of a monologue in an era when COVID-19 has limited theatre’s ability to rehearse in large groups. In case of rain, will be held in the black box theater in the Alpharetta Art Center. 11925 Wills Rd., Alpharetta.

770-663-8989. Free. act1theater.com

Repticon

Gwinnett County Fairground / Oct. 10-11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

See animals from around the world, and learn more about reptiles and exotic animals. Advance ticket purchase required for a specific timed block. 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Lawrenceville.

863-268-4273. $10; ages 5-12, $5; ages 4 and younger, free. repticon.com

Second Sunday

High Museum of Art / Oct. 11, noon-5 p.m.

Enjoy free admission to view exhibits and permanent collections. Reservation required. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta.

404-733-4400. Free. high.org

Second Sunday

Virtual: Sit-In

Alliance Theatre / Oct. 22-Nov. 30 This animated short celebrates the power of youth to change history by showing the sit-ins of the Civil Rights era, inspired by the book “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down” by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Activity pack included. 404-733-4650. $10-$50. alliancetheatre.org

Comedy of Errors

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village / Oct. 23-25, 7 p.m.

This Shakespeare play follows estranged twin sisters and estranged twin servants separated at birth in a mistaken identity plot. Doors open at 6 p.m. 111 Elm St., Woodstock. 678-494-4251. $5. elmstreetarts.org

Repticon

Virtual: Long Ago & Only Once

Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Presented by Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, this digital production has been reimagined from a live performance to a dance film to represent the idea of waiting for something. 470-733-8274. $35-$50. terminusserenbe.com

Roswell Family Movie Series

Riverside Park / Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Watch “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” under the stars. 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell. 770-594-6158. Free admission. roswellgov.com Sit-In at Alliance Theatre

40 Atlanta Parent October 2020

Family Fun Guide

atlantaparent.com

Wings Over North Georgia Air Show

Wings Over North Georgia Air Show Russell Regional Airport Oct. 24-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

See top military and civilian aviation performances at this drive-in event, which includes the Golden Knights Parachute Team and the USAF Thunderbirds Jet Team. Advance ticket purchase required. 304 Russell Field Rd. NE, Rome. 706-291-0030. $150 per car. wingsovernorthgeorgia.com

Dino Glow Experience

Virtual: In My Granny’s Garden

Dino Glow Experience

Alliance Theatre Through Oct. 31 Watch a tiny seed become a field of corn, green beans, collard greens and tomatoes with incredible artwork.

For ages 0-5. 404-733-4650. $10$50. alliancetheatre.org

Stone Mountain Park Through Nov. 1. Fri.-Sun. 2-9 p.m.

Take a stroll through the Dinosaur Explore exhibit to see these Jurassic creatures in a whole new light. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. $26.95-$29.95; ages 3-11, $24.95; ages 2 and younger, free. stonemountainpark.com

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Family Fun Guide

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 41

Photo courtesy of visitathensga.com

IT’S A FLOWER, IT’S A BEAR,

IT’S PUBLIC ART

Take a drive with your family. Find these intriguing sculptures and artworks in areas around metro Atlanta and beyond.

Hungry for Knowledge

Milton In front of Milton Library, spot “Milty’s Realm” and “Door of Knowledge.”

Milty is a four-and-a-half foot tall bronze statue of a pony being fed an apple by a young boy. The “Door of Knowledge” honors Milton’s history and the importance of books. fultoncountyga.gov

Who Let the Dawgs Out?

Athens Find all 38 of the decorative, four-feet-tall bulldog statues around Athens with the “We Let the Dawgs Out” sculptures. Each dawg is painted differently and represents the town’s commitment to the University of Georgia. visitathensga.com

Peace on Earth

Sandy Springs Stop by the colorful “Groovy Peace Sign” to take your own photo of your hip kids.

Nine different sculptures are now on display through May 2021 around the City Green. citysprings.com/art

Jack Was Optimistic

Playable Art

Around Roswell At the Roswell Area Park, see the towering 16foot tall “Jack Was Optimistic” and enjoy nature and art with the “Oak Leaf Triptych.” Check out the bright orange and blue “Lunar Eclipse” in Don White Park. In Big Creek Park, see “Cloud 9 Under Scrutiny.” See other sculptures throughout the city with ArtAround Roswell, and the app Otocast has a guided tour to listen to stories from the artists. roswellartsfund.org

42 Atlanta Parent October 2020

Strong Arm

Toccoa Listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records,” Toccoa native Paul Anderson set a record of 436 points in the clean and jerk. Created in his memory, the Paul Anderson Memorial Park features a fountain and a life-sized statue of the 1956 Olympics Gold Medalist and World Record holder. stephenscountyga.com

Family Fun Guide

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Sit with Rosa Parks

Photo by Rob Felt / Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech Designed by Atlanta artist Martin Dawe, “Continuing the Conversation” represents Rosa Parks in two different stages of the civil rights icon’s life: when she was 42 and inspired the bus boycott and when she died at the age of 92. gatech.edu

Be a Friend

Blue Cube

Bright Art to Inspire

Decatur The bright welded steel “Coral Stardust,” the geometric “Blue Cube” and the orange “Dreamsicle” are part of the outdoor Decatur Artway Sculpture Gallery. Download the free Otocast app to get narration about the works from the artists. decaturartsalliance.org

Alpharetta Under the elm tree, have your kids join the circle in “The Friendship Ring” for a cute photo.

The bronze cast of 21 children has openings for kids to join in.

Other works on view through summer 2021, include “The Lion and The Mouse,” the interactive and music-making “Idiophone,” “Bremen Town Musicians” and more. artsalpharetta.org

Ocmulgee Bear

Beary Good Time

Artfully Done

Macon Find the five decorative bears around Macon: “Mississippian Bear,” a mosaic wonder; “Ocmulgee Bear,” features a vibrant night sky; “Stamp Bear” is covered in painted stamps; “Symphony Bear” celebrates The Macon Symphony Orchestra and The Grand Opera House; and “Tattnall Park Bear” was inspired by the skyline of Mercer University. maconartsalliance.org

Suwanee The Suwanee SculpTour features a variety of sculptures on a rotating basis, including the “Kinetic Flower Sculpture,” and the bright red “Metaphysica.”

Pose with the huge “Love, Suwanee” for a sweet photo.

The I Arted in My Car campaign allows you to see art from the safety of your vehicle. Download the Suwanee SculpTour Passport to mark off each sculpture. suwanee.com/engage/public-art

Metaphysica

atlantaparent.com

Family Fun Guide

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 43

OUT AND ABOUT FOR HALLOWEEN

Head to these events in metro Atlanta and beyond for spirited celebrations.

There is still plenty to do to celebrate Halloween this year. To stay safe from the scare of the coronavirus, observe safety measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, reserving your spot in advance and more.

Boo at the Zoo Zoo Atlanta Oct. 17-18, 24-25 and 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wear your costume to sample treats, visit the whimsical Zoo Boo Town, and see more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Registration required. 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-9453. $24.99-$27.99; ages 3-11, $18.99-$19.99; ages 2 and younger, free. zooatlanta.org

Pumpkin Festival Stone Mountain Park / Through Nov. 1. Fri.-Sun. 2-9 p.m.

By day, enjoy the attractions, and at night, see the glowing carved pumpkin displays, including Jack’s GIANT Glowing Pumpkin Tree and the Dino Glow Experience.

Reservation required. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. $26.95; ages 3-11, $24.95; ages 2 and younger, free. stonemountainpark.com

Halloween Hikes Chattahoochee Nature Center Oct. 23-24 and 30, 6-10 p.m.

Go on a hike to meet costumed nature characters and learn about their lives in the wild. Reservation required. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. $12; ages 2 and younger, free. chattnaturecenter.org

44 Atlanta Parent October 2020

Family Fun Guide

atlantaparent.com

Ghastly Ghost Tours l Covington Ghost Tours Covington / Through Oct. 30. Fri.-Sat. 6:30 p.m.

Visit a multitude of haunted sites and filming locations for television shows. Not recommended for kids younger than 12 years old. 1105 Washington St., Covington. 404-455-1594. $25. covingtonghosttours.com l Lawrenceville Ghost Tours Aurora Theatre / Through Oct. 31. Fri.-Sun. See website for times.

Professional storytellers will detail local legends and paranormal stories that will send chills down your spine. Virtual self-guided tours also available. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $20; ages 12 and younger, $15. scarystroll.com l Haunted Walking Tour Ghosts of Marietta Fri.-Sun. through Dec. 27. See website for times.

Walk the streets of Marietta by lantern light with a storytelling guide to see the most documented places for ghost sightings.

N. Marietta Pkwy. and Polk St. 770-425-5755. $17; ages 12 and younger, $12. ghostsofmarietta.com

Woodland Spirits Fernbank Museum of Natural History Through Nov. 8. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Oct. 17 and 24, 6:30-10 p.m.

Encounter ghostly visitors, inspired by literature’s countless dark forests, in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest. Reservation required. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. $20; ages 3-12, $18; ages 2 and younger, free. fernbankmuseum.org

Lawrenceville Ghost Tours

Exciting Trick-or-Treats l Fall-O-Ween Fest and Outdoor Movie Swift-Cantrell Park / Oct. 17, 4-9 p.m.

All ghouls, ninjas, superheroes and princesses are invited to “Spook-Central Park” for Miss Gail’s Music Dance Party for toddlers, a witch hunt scavenger hunt, costume contests, trick-or treating and more. After sundown, watch “Halloweentown” on the giant inflatable screen. Registration required. 3140 Old 41 Hwy., Kennesaw. 770-422-9714. Free admission. kennesaw-ga.gov

HALLOWFEST Six Flags Over Georgia / Through Nov. 1. Fri.-Sun. 1-9 p.m.

By day, enjoy family-friendly activities, including trick-or-treat packages, spooky magic shows, Fair Zones with witches, scarecrows, pirates and clowns, kids’ games and activities and more. After 6 p.m., dark creatures of the night will emerge, and you may find yourself in five scare zones.

Reservation required. 275 Riverside Pkwy. SW, Austell. 770-739-3400. $34.99-$69.99. sixflags.com/overgeorgia

l Train or Treat Southeastern Railway Museum / Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Trick-or-treat at decorated stations, enjoy wagon rides, and eat fallthemed snacks. Registration required. 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth.

770-476-2013. $18; ages 2-12, $12; ages 1 and younger, free. train-museum.org l Goblins in the Garden Atlanta Botanical Garden / Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Show off Halloween costumes for a day of treats and activities.

Registration required. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $21.95; ages 3-12, $18.95; ages 2 and younger, free. atlantabg.org Cont’d on next page

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Family Fun Guide

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 45

Scarecrows to Make You Smile l Scarecrows on Main Kennesaw / Oct. 1-31 See the scarecrow display created by residents, families, organizations, businesses, schools and more. Vote for your favorite on Facebook. Main St., Kennesaw. 770-424-8274. Free. kennesaw-ga.gov l Scarecrows Return to the Square McDonough Square / Oct. 1-31 Take a walk through the square to glimpse local businesses’ scarecrow displays. 5 Griffin St., McDonough. 770-898-3196.

Free. visitmcdonoughga.com l Scarecrows In The Square Glover Park / Oct. 1-31 Stroll through the park to view the amazing scarecrow displays from local organizations, businesses and schools in this annual contest. 50 N. Park Sq. NE, Marietta. 770-794-4456. Free. mariettaga.gov l Scarecrow Harvest Downtown Alpharetta / Oct. 5-Nov. 1 See more than 100 scarecrows decorating the streets of Alpharetta. 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. 678-297-6019. Free. alpharetta.ga.us

Scarecrows in the Garden

Horrifying Haunted Houses

Spirited Sights Beyond Atlanta

l 13 Stories Haunted House Newnan Through Nov. 1. Fri.-Sun. 7-10 p.m.

This extreme haunted house boasts a terrifying experience. New this year, Clown Haus is a horror themed carnival-esque attraction featuring evil clowns. Advance purchase ticket required. 320 Temple Ave., Newnan. 770-251-9911. Pricing varies by date: $13-$50. 13storieshauntedhouse.com

l Haunted Village Hard Labor Creek State Park Oct. 24, 1-6 p.m.

Walk through spooky Camp Daniel Morgan for a frightening tour featuring your favorite Halloween scarers. Registration required. Not recommended for ages 5 and younger. 5 Hard Labor Creek Rd., Rutledge. 706-557-3001. $10; parking, $5. explore.gastateparks.org

l Folklore Haunted House Acworth Through Nov. 7. See website for full schedule.

Two haunted experiences include The Manor and Asylum ’67. Plus, test your skills in the horror-themed carnival games at Midway of Mayhem. 5389 N. Main St., Acworth. Single attraction: $14; general admission, $17-$25. folklorehauntedhouse.com

l Boo at the Zoo North Georgia Wildlife Park Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Receive a free feed cup if you’re dressed in costume, participate in a scavenger hunt, dig for treasures, learn about creepy crawlies and more. 2912 Paradise Valley Rd., Cleveland.

706-348-7279. $24.99; ages 2-11, $22.99; ages 1 and younger, free. northgeorgiazoo.com

l Containment Haunted House Lithia Springs Oct. 9-Nov. 7. See website for full schedule.

The veil that protects the living from the dead is torn, meaning the dead are free to wreak havoc and try to drag the living to the other side in “Spirits.” 1320 Blairs Bridge Rd., Lithia Springs. 770-765-5334. $22. containmenthauntedhouse.com

46 Atlanta Parent October 2020

l Fall Festival Vogel State Park / Oct. 31, noon-8 p.m.

Celebrate autumn with food, hayrides, a cake walk and a campsite decorating contest. 405 Vogel State Park Rd., Blairsville.

706-745-2628. Parking, $5. explore. gastateparks.org

Family Fun Guide

Credit © 2020 Gaylord Opryland

l Hartwell Scarecrow Bash Hartwell / Oct. 1-31 Wander through downtown to see these decorative scarecrows.

Main St., Hartwell. 706-376-8590. Free. hart-chamber.org

Atlanta Botanical Garden and Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville Oct. 1-Nov. 1; Gainesville: Oct. 1-Nov. 3 Discover your favorite scarecrow, created by local artists, families, schools and more, in this decorative garden. Advance ticket purchase required.

Atlanta: 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $21.95; ages 3-12, $18.95; ages 2 and younger, free. Gainesville: 1911 Sweetbay Dr., Gainesville.

404-888-4760. $8; ages 3-12, $5; ages 2 and younger, free. atlantabg.org

l Halloween Haunted Trail Richard B. Russell State Park Oct. 31, 7-9 p.m.

Stroll the haunted trail and enjoy the trunk-ortreat at the group shelter. 2650 Russell State Park Dr., Elberton. 706-213-2045. Parking, $5. explore.gastateparks.org l Goblins & Giggles Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center / Through Oct. 31 Enjoy fall and Halloween-themed activities, including spooky animal encounters, scavenger hunts, Spookley the Square Pumpkin, trick-or-treating, the Jack-o’lantern Walk and more. 2800 Opryland Dr., Nashville. 615-889-1000. Packages start at $245 per room. marriott.com

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Pumpkin Patches l Berry Patch Farms. Oct. 3-30. Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 786 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock. 770-926-0561. Parking, $4. berrypatchfarms.net l Burt’s Pumpkin Farm. Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 5 Burts Pumpkin Farm Rd., Dawsonville. 800-600-2878. Free admission; hayride, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. shopburtsfarm.com l Kinsey Family Farm. Through Oct. 31. Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 7170 Jot-em Down Rd., Gainesville. 770-887-6028. Hayride, $3; ages 2 and younger, free. kinseyfamilyfarm.com l Still Family Farm. Through Nov. 1. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-dusk.

5630 Macland Rd., Powder Springs. 678-283-6951. $15; ages 4 and younger, free. stillfamilyfarm.com l Fitzgerald Fruit Farms. Through Nov. 25. Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 12:30-6 p.m. 3355 Imlac Rd., Woodbury.

706-553-2795. Free admission. fitzgeraldfruitfarms.com

Corn Mazes l Big Springs Farms. Through Oct. 31. Fri. noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2100 Sugar Pike Rd., Woodstock. 678-899-3900. Free admission; hayrides, $4; corn maze, $4. bigspringsfarms.com l Buford Corn Maze. Through Nov. 15. Hours vary. 4470 Bennett Rd., Buford. Corn maze, $15; haunted forest, $15; combo ticket, $25; ages 3 and younger, free. bufordcornmaze.com

l Jaemor Farms. Through Nov. 8. Hours vary.

5340 Cornelia Hwy. 365, Alto. 770-869-3999. $14; ages 2 and younger, free. jaemorfarms.com l Mitcham Farm. Through Nov. 8. Fri. 5:3010 p.m. Sat. noon-10 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m. 797 Macedonia Church Rd., Oxford. 770-855-1530. $12; ages 3 and younger, free; extras available. mitchamfarm.com l Pettit Creek Farms. Through Oct. 31.

Tue.-Fri. 2-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 337 Cassville Rd., Cartersville. 770-386-8688. $15; ages 1-12, $12; ages 11 months and younger, free. pettitcreekfarms.com

l Sleepy Hollow Farm. Through Nov. 1.

Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Open Oct. 20 and 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 628 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Powder Springs. 770-880-8846. $12; ages 2 and younger, free. sleepyhollowtrees.com l Southern Belle Farm. Through Nov. 9. Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. 1-7 p.m. 1658 Turner Church Rd., McDonough. 770-288-2582. $15.95; ages 2 and younger, free. southernbellefarm.com l Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch. Through Nov. 15. Hours vary. 125 Bannister Rd., Dawsonville. 770-772-6223. Corn maze, $15; haunted trail, $20; combo, $25; ages 4 and younger, free. uncleshucks.com l Warbington Farms. Through Nov. 7.

Fri.-Sun. Hours vary. 5555 Crow Rd., Cumming.

770-889-1515. $13; ages 2 and younger, free. warbingtonfarms.com l Yahoo Farm. Through Oct. 31. Hours vary.

4729 Waleska Hwy. 108, Jasper. 770-735-3638.

Free admission; activities, $3-$18; pass, $25. yahoofarm.com l Copper Creek Farm. Through Nov. 7. Hours vary. 1514 Reeves Station Rd. SW, Calhoun.

706-280-5592. $16.83; ages 2 and younger, free. coppercreekfarm.com l Washington Farms. Through Nov. 8. Fri. 4-11 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. 1-6 p.m. 5671 Hog Mountain Rd., Bogart. 706-769-0627. $15.95; ages 2 and younger, free; paintball and corn cannon, extra. washingtonfarms.net

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Family Fun Guide

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 47

GET OUT TO AN EXHIBIT!

Head outdoors to enjoy cooler weather and beautiful structures at these outdoor exhibits, and take education to a whole new level at these indoor experiences.

Amazing Animals: Built to Survive Fernbank Museum of Natural History Oct. 3-Jan. 3 Discover the innovations of animals’ evolutions with interactive, hands-on and fun activities that bring the science of biomechanics to life. Reservation required. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. $20; ages 3-12, $18; ages 2 and younger free. fernbankmuseum.org

Alice’s Wonderland Reimagined

Atlanta Botanical Garden Through Nov. 1 See a 16-foot Red Queen, a 14-foot Alice and more from the fantastical tale of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Reservation required. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $21.95; ages 3-12, $18.95; ages 2 and younger, free. atlantabg.org

Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books

High Museum of Art Through Nov. 8 See historic moments and figures from the Civil Rights Movement as depicted in picture books meant for children. Reservation required. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400. $14.50; ages 5 and younger, free. high.org

Murmuration

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Naturally Artistic

Woodruff Art Center’s Sifly Piazza Through Nov. 29 This soaring art installation reflects Atlanta’s relationship with the natural world as a “city in a forest.” 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400.

Free. high.org

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Chattahoochee Nature Center Through Nov. 30 Reflect on art and nature with exhibit stations filled with drawings, music and poetry, all inspired by the sights.

Reservation required. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. $10; ages 13-18, $7; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. chattnaturecenter.org

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Machines in Motion

Tellus Science Museum Through Jan. 10 Experience the genius of Leonardo da Vinci’s visionary designs with this exhibit based on his machines. Reservation required. 100 Tellus Dr., Cartersville.

770-606-5700. $15.95; ages 3-17, $11.95; ages 2 and younger, free. tellusmuseum.org

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EXPLORE GEORGIA STATE PARKS FOR FALL COLORS AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY It’s fall in Georgia, which means it’s a beautiful time of year. Our state parks are great destinations for a weekend away, a hike, or just to see autumn leaves. This year, fall color should be at its peak in late October in North Georgia. Head to these less visited Georgia State Parks to save yourself from worrying about crowds.

Enjoy Georgia’s Newest State Park, Don Carter State Park

Don Carter is on 38,000-acre Lake Lanier.

Paved hiking trails include the 0.5-mile Parallel Trail, the Overlook Trail and the 1.5-mile Woodland Loop. You can also hike longer trails, go on a paddling trail, or go on a horseback riding trail. 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd., Gainesville. 678-450-7726.

Parking, $5. gastateparks.org/DonCarter

See a Life-Size Presidential Sculpture at F.D. Roosevelt State Park

This state park is Georgia’s largest at 9,049 acres, so there’s plenty of room to spread out, including the 40 miles of trails featuring hardwoods, pines, creeks and small waterfalls. Hike part of the popular 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, and see the life-size sculpture of FDR on the overlook.

2970 Georgia Hwy. 190, Pine Mountain.

706-663-4858. Parking, $5. gastateparks.org/ FDRoosevelt

Victoria Bryant State Park

Feed Ducks at James H. Floyd State Park

Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest, this park has fishing, hiking, pedal boats and more. Hike along three miles of lake loop trails, or if you’re looking for a challenge, the moderate Marble Mine Trail follows the old road to Marble Mine and connects to the 330-mile National Scenic Pinhoti Trail. If rainfall has been good, you’ll see a small 35-foot waterfall. 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Rd., Summerville. 706-857-0826. Parking, $5. gastateparks.org/JamesHFloyd

Experience a Mountain Retreat at Smithgall Woods State Park

Hike trails to see birds, wildflowers and streams.

The easy Wetland Loop Trail passes a beaver pond and wetland area, and the moderate Cathy Ellis Trail leads to a beautiful waterfall. Go trout fishing on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October to May in the Dukes Creek Watershed.

61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. 706-878-3087. Parking, $5. gastateparks.org/SmithgallWoods

Play Miniature Golf at Tugaloo State Park

Don Carter State Park

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With four miles of trails, see spectacular views of the 55,590-acre Lake Hartwell, and wind through oak, walnut, mulberry and cherry trees.

The site also has a sand beach, tennis court, volleyball court, mini golf and fishing. 1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd., Lavonia. 706-356-4362.

Parking, $5. gastateparks.org/Tugaloo

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife at Victoria Bryant State Park

A beautiful stream flows through this park in North Georgia, and two ponds are available for fishing. Follow the short nature trail for an easy hike, or take on the longer perimeter trail traveling through hardwoods and passing creeks. 1105 Bryant Park Rd., Royston. 706245-6270. Parking, $5. gastateparks.org/ VictoriaBryant – Emily Webb

Check out these popular state parks for fall family fun. n Amicalola Falls n Black Rock Mountain n Chattahoochee Bend n Cloudland Canyon n Fort Mountain n Fort Yargo n Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site n Providence Canyon n Sweetwater Creek n Tallulah Gorge n Unicoi State Park & Lodge

October 2020 Atlanta Parent 49

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Dr. Regina Robbins

Wellstar Pediatrician

SAFEHEALTHY KIDCARE

As a Wellstar pediatrician, I live to help children thrive. I tell my little patients not to feel scared of my personal protective equipment. Just like their favorite superheroes, I also wear a costume and mask when saving lives and keeping the community safe. And children age 2 and older get to be superheroes too, by wearing masks and fighting crime (aka keeping infection at bay).

Our 70 pediatric providers in our 26 pediatric ambulatory locations, six pediatric emergency departments and dedicated pediatric center care for children all over Atlanta. At Wellstar, we manage well checks and emergencies safely, with separate areas for COVID-19 patients.

We are keeping kids healthy amid COVID-19, and we are here to care for yours. wellstar.org/safecare

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