January 2013

JAN. 2013

baystateparent FREE

IGLOO FUN In Your Own Backyard

DOGSLEDDING A Mush-Do Camp For Kids KNOCKED OFF YOUR FEET: Coping With A Concussion

Knowledge & Tech Know How How HOW TECH-SAVVY IS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL? HOMEWORK HELP

FOR PARENTS APPS LOCAL MOMS CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 , 2010 and 2012

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

2 JANUARY2013

Cornerstone Academy Educating all learners in grades K-6 An elementary preparatory school that celebrates the individual.

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Sky’s the limit.

Opening a MEFA® U.Fund® College Investing Plan account can help put dreams within reach.

As the official college savings plan of Massachusetts, MEFA’s U.Fund offers many benefits other types of accounts don’t: U

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Backed by MEFA’s college financing expertise and Fidelity’s investment guidance, a U.Fund account can be one of the smartest and simplest ways to save for your child’s future.

To learn more, visit Fidelity.com/ufund or call 800.544.2776.

Managed by:

Please carefully consider the Plan’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing.

Contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit, or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest.

MEFA is a not-for-profit self-financing state authority that works to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students and families in Massachusetts through community education programs, college savings plans, and low-cost financing options. ®

The U.Fund College Investing Plan is offered by MEFA and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a Massachusetts resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary’s home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other benefits.

Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.

Guidance provided by Fidelity is educational in nature, is not individualized, and is not intended to serve as the primary or sole basis for your investment or tax-planning decisions.

The Fidelity Investments and Pyramid design logo, Turn here and the Navigational Line and Directional design are service marks of FMR LLC. © 2012 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 605339.5.0

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Blossom Station Child Care Center of Acton “Daily Discoveries, Endless Possibilities”

"If you are planning for a year, sow rice; If you are planning for a decade, plant trees; If you are planning for a lifetime, educate children."

Chinese Proverb

Now Enrolling 222 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720

978-266-2779 www.BlossomStation.com

Start Your Child Off On the Right Track!

BAYSTATEPARENT 5

our special guest Linnea, age 4 1/2 Captured by Stephanie Piscitelli of bellinipics.com

table

26

DOG SLEDDING FUN

This one is for more than just the dogs. Your kids will love this local summer camp.

37

MAKING THE GRADE

One Worcester school gets the top math MCAS scores in the state and focuses on more than just education.

43

OUT IN THE COLD

Grab a tube and head downhill at these snow tubing hills from around the area.

the of the home

JANUARY 2013 • VOLUME 17 • NUMBER 9

in every issue 8 9 9 10 15 15 15 16 31

knowledge & tech know how

WELCOME

31

NOT EVERY CHILD IS A ROCKET SCIENTIST

GUESTBOOK

32

SCHOOLS & TECHNOLOGY: Struggling to Keep Up

DIRTY LAUNDRY: With Kerri Louise

34

APPS LOCAL MOMS CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

JUNK DRAWERS FINALLY FOREVER CIRCLE OF FRIENDS OCTOBER’S CHILD OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO JUST AROUND THE CORNER

43 LET’S ROLL: Snow Tubing Around Massachusetts 48 CAPTURED: Snow Days

37 SCORING BIG ON MCAS 39

TECH SAVVY HIGH SCHOOLS

40

HOMEWORK HELP FOR PARENTS

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5 EDUCATION FACTS AND FIGURES

As Featured on “Chronicle” Up Sign ! w No

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Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012

Wishing You a Healthy and Happy New Year from all of us at

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Welcome As parents, we hope our kids will be safe at school, but our worst nightmare was realized after the elementary school shooting. We all heard the shocking tragedy that the school community endured, and we were left not knowing how to react and not understanding why something like this could happen.

We may never know what happened that frightful morning. As the day went on, I began to hear from friends and family who were sad and afraid that something like this could happen to their children, and they didn’t know how to talk to their kids about it.

After I picked up my kids from school, I made sure to hug them tightly, but I also questioned whether to talk about the tragedy. My gut reaction was not to say anything and just keep them home forever.

But then I realized that they would hear about it, even after I made sure to turn the television off when they were in the room.

I decided to face this head on, so I told them that something bad happened at a school. I said that a bad person came to the school and hurt children and teachers. I told

them they were safe and that their teachers would keep them safe, and then I asked if they had any questions. My boys didn’t have any questions, but some children will hear about the tragedy and be afraid to go to school or to sleep at night and may have questions.

Superintendents and principals from around the state sent out messages to help families deal with this and gave suggestions on how to talk about this with them.

Shrewsbury Superintendent of Schools Joseph Sawyer sent a message home saying how saddened he was and how the district would handle talking about the tragedy.

“At the preschool through elementary levels, teachers will not directly raise the topic of shootings; however, it is very likely that some students may ask questions about it. If this is the case, teachers will answer questions in matter of fact, age-appropriate ways that do not give details and provide reassurance that the school is a safe place,” Dr. Sawyer wrote in an email to families. “At the middle and high school levels, teachers will make a brief statement about the event during homeroom time and provide a limited opportunity for an appropriate discussion based on the age of students.

Administrators may also reference the topic during morning announcements. Again, reassuring students about their safety is key.”

He also assured parents about the safety measures in place at schools and offered help to those students and families who may feel anxious or concerned about the tragedy.

Other school districts sent out similar messages, saying the teachers will not bring up the topic of the school tragedy, but will address the topic individually and focus on getting the kids back into a regular routine at school.

But as parents, we may not know how to deal with this and how to shield our children from the fear that this could happen in their school.

“Kids know what their parent’s emotional state is and they are sensitive and intuitive,” says John Welshons, a grief counselor for more than 40 years. “Telling too much of the truth can be hard for a child.”

Welshons also says that if you feel

frightened as a parent, your kids will feel frightened as well. “If they feel frightened, then ask them what they have heard and let them lead the way to feel better,” he says. “Let it come from the kids.”

Also, you can ask them what you can do to make them feel safer. “The most important thing is to make sure they feel loved and that they are surrounded by those who care,” he says. “A tragedy like this invites us to pay more attention to our children, to listen more and be more affectionate to them. You need to tell them that you all love each other in the family and you will do whatever we can do to keep them as safe as possible.”

A national tragedy like this also brings people together in their grief – kids need to know they are not alone in their fear, loss and grief. “Everyone’s heart was broken when we heard about this tragedy,” Welshons says. “It makes us all try to be more present in our lives and the lives of everyone we love. Leave nothing unsaid and don’t part ways in anger.”

And as we heal as a nation, some parents have stepped up to offer ways for children and families to donate to the Newtown Community. Metro Moms Boston, a local parenting group, asked for donations of stuffed animals in December to be given to the students who will be returning to school in Newtown Connecticut.

The Kraft Family, the owners of the New England Patriots, also donated $25,000 to the victims of the tragedy.

As we move forward, we must work together as a nation to help those affected and make strides to ensure this doesn’t happen again. And my prayers are with those who lost loved ones.

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families

baystateparent publisher KIRK DAVIS editor JENNIFER LUCARELLI 508-749-3166 x 251 editor@baystateparent.com

creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-749-3166 x 351 baystateparent@holdenlandmark.com

promotions JENNIFER ANTKOWIAK 508-269-1728 jemsa2@charter.net

graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-749-3166 x 351 srenaud@holdenlandmark.com

sales & business development manager STEPHANIE PEARL 774-364-0296 stephaniep@baystateparent.com account executive EMILY LAVOIE 774-364-4178 emilyr@baystateparent.com account executive NELLIE LIMA 774-229-6272 nellie@baystateparent.com

contributing writers KATHERINE JACANTE KERRI LOUISE MANDY MULLIEZ KATHLEN QUINN AMANDA ROBERGE BONNIE TOOMEY CARRIE WATTU

ING COM ON SO bout

and A • Out Kids h wit er Camp m • Sum tdown 6 Coun .316

49 tes 08.7 g Ra Call 5Advertisin For

copy editor BRYAN ETHIER photographers STEVEN KING STEPHANIE PISCITELLI

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS

baystateparent 101 Water St., Worcester, MA 01604

Jennifer Lucarelli, editor

508-749-3166

www.baystateparent.com campguide.baystateparent.com www.massfieldtrips.com baystateparent Inc. is published monthly with a main office at 101 Water Street, Worcester, MA 01604 508-749-3166 Fax 508-749-3165 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts. www.baystateparent.com • info@baystateparent.com

MEET THE COVER MODEL

Distribution Agency: Insight Distribution Management 978-728-7785/603-661-8370 • Insightdm@yahoo.com

Linnea AGE 4 ½

What is your favorite winter activity and why? Making snowmen and snow angles. I love being creative and play with my brother and mom and dad in the snow.

What was the photo shoot like - was it fun and where was it taken? It was fun. I liked Stephanie’s “toy” and I really liked her hat.

8 JANUARY2013

Massachusetts' premier magazine for families has earned more than 160 national and regional awards since 2004, including 34 in 2011:

Who is the first person you’ll show your January cover of baystateparent to? My mom and my cousins.

18 Parenting Media Awards

What is your favorite part of school and why? Playing with my friends.

16 New England Newspaper Press Association Awards

bellinipics.com

Including Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012

GUESTBOOK The following readers won more than a dozen Disney games and Hobbit books as well as a museum membership.

Robyn Stewart of Southborough Ann-Marie Bairos of Burlington Melissa Boucher of Paxton

They are:

Hobbit books: Heidi Grady of Sterling Gina Cranford of Berlin Colleen Coulombe of Medfield Patty Minton of Shrewsbury

Epic Mickey 2 Wii Games: Kathryn Carr of Rutland JoAnn Fitts of Upton Toy Story Mania xBox 360 Games: Diana Antul of Templeton Gretchen Moody of Millbury Alexis King of Gardner Denise Moreshead of West Roxbury Carol Marino Disney Princess Wii Games: Jessica Flaherty of Millbury Jenn Sagotsky of Somerville

Finding Nemo DS Game: Jennifer Landers of Holbrook Heart and Stone Jewelry of Shrewsbury: Linda from Ashland A museum membership to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown: Carol Geary of Shrewsbury

This month, we’ll be giving away free ice skating tickets to North Star Youth Forum in Westborough and tickets to Swan Lake at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester and Black Watch/Scots Guards at Mechanic Hall in Worcester. For ticket information, visit thehanovertheatre.org or musicworcester.org.

Check out baystateparent.com/giveaways for more giveaways. Winners were chosen at random. Special thanks to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute of Williamstown for donating the museum membership and gift. For more information about the museum, visit clarkart.edu.

Editor’s Note: Submitted letters to the editor should include your name, email address, phone number and town. Please email letters to editor@baystateparent.com by Jan. 5.

The Knowledge H WSHJL MVY TPUK L_WHUKPUN HJ[P]P[PLZ

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w ithkerri with kerrilouise louise DIRTYLAUNDRY

”time out” MOMMY NEEDS A

That’s right!

Mommy needs a “time out”!

I wish someone would tell me to sit in the corner and be quiet for five minute while I drink my sippy cup filled with rum punch.

That’s what mommy needs, some “Mommy Juice.”

Don’t judge, a little “Mommy Juice” isn’t going to hurt anybody. It’s just going to save some lives. Mommies never get time outs, and we’re the ones who need them most. When children have a time out, they whine. When mommies have a time out, they drink wine.

“You’re driving me to drink!” is what my mom used to say. Now, I know what she means. The other day, I got so fed up with my kids’ attitude and the talking back that I screamed out loud, “SHUT UP!” Then I started fighting with my inner voice.

“Oh My God, did I just say that?”

“What the hell are you saying?”

“We’re not even aloud to say ‘Shut up’ in this house.”

“You’re breaking your own rule in front of your kids.”

“Well, I’ll make up another rule that mommies don’t have to follow the rules.”

“OK, yeah, that’s setting a good example for the children.”

“You’re right!”

“God, I’m such a bad mommy.”

“I should be more creative than that;” I should be re-directing them onto something that will stimulate them intellectually as well as emotionally.”

“Why can’t I be a perfect mother” “Am I getting my period?”

“I think I am.”

“I could be getting my period.”

“Well, I was bloated yesterday, and I didn’t fit into my jeans.”

“Oh, Shut up.”

“Ok, now I’m telling my inner voice to shut up.”

“I hope I’m getting my period. That will explain why I’m acting like a mad woman and yelling at my kids for no apparent reason.”

“I’m mad. I don’t know why I’m mad, which makes me even more mad!”

“I’m going out of my mind, I’m going insane, and I just want these kids to SHUT UP!” Now, don’t worry about me I’m not really going insane, it’s not like I’m going to take one of my kids and throw them out the window or anything like that (although that thought has cross my mind for a quick second). I’m just a normal mother who’s screaming at her kids like a lunatic. I did however, this one time, have to explain to my husband why our children were tied up.

We were playing cops-n-robbers.

I always wonder who these perfect mothers are who say, “Oh it’s so rewarding being a mom.” It’s not rewarding. I haven’t received a reward yet! You know when I’m going to get my rewards? When they’re changing my diapers for once!

I never get a second to myself, I can’t hear myself think, I’m always one step behind and my kids are 20 steps ahead. There’s nothing rewarding in that. Sometimes I reward myself with a bottle of wine called Mommy’s Time Out. I’m not kidding. It’s actually called that and it’s good wine too.

However, if you’re a wine connoisseur you must know that this is coming from a person whose wine of choice is the white trash white zinfandel. I wish I thought of that Mommy Time Out Wine – now they’re making millions.

Meanwhile, I can’t afford to get my hair colored at a top notch hair salon. You know, the really expensive ones. The ones that give you a complementary glass of wine. Now, that’s the mommy time out I dream of. I always color my hair myself, and I always forget I have the dye on my head. The phone rings, baby wakes up, the kids come home from school, and then one thing leads to another until finally, I scare the crap out of myself by accidentally looking in the mirror.

Yes, I got the gray out of my hair, but the sections that didn’t fall out are now jet-black – not the look I was going for.

Finally my kids are quiet. OK they’re asleep.

Is it wrong that I love this time of day? I think my inner voice would say it’s wrong, but I really do love to see my kids all snuggled, in their beds. I love looking at them when they’re so sweet and innocent, like little angels from heaven. It always makes me smile.

Wow, motherhood really is rewarding.

Ok, some of that was the wine talking, but still!

Dirty Laundry columnist Kerri Louise is a comedienne and mother of three boys.

Her recent credit includes: Nick Mom on Nickelodeon, Stand Up in Stilettos for the TV Guide channel. Kerri was a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing on NBC and she has a monthly webisode called Mommy Minute at www.mymommyminute.com.

This monthly humor column is about day-to-day life raising kids. Basically it’s about not being afraid to air out the “dirty laundry” and say it like it is, making the rest of us not feel so alone.

To book comedienne Kerri Louise, contact Dawn Christensen at Loretta LaRoche Productions: Dawn@lorettalarocheproductions.com or 508-746-3998, x 15.

BAYSTATEPARENT 9

JUNK DRAWERS A LITTLE LIT OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT

RECYCLED AND REPURPOSED almost exclusively with recycled materials found in attics, yard sales, thrift shops and antique stores. Each piece is thoughtfully designed and handcrafted in an old brick mill building turned studio in Worcester.

While their pieces are largely inspired by the found objects themselves, they welcome commissioned projects, and will work with you to create your own bespoke hundred acre piece. For more information visit hundredacredesign.com.

TWISTED MASHED POTATOES Ingredients: 4 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and chopped 1 lb. parsnips, peeled and cut smaller than potatoes 1 lb. celery root, peeled and cut smaller than the potatoes 1 cup sour cream 5 Tbs. butter 1 ½ tsp. horseradish, grated 2 Tbs. chives, chopped Salt & pepper Add potatoes, parsnips and celery roote in a large pot.

Cover with water. Add 1 tsp. of salt and bring to a boil.

Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender. Drain. Transfer to a bowl and mash.

Add sour cream, butter and horseradish. Mash together.

Add chives and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.

Serves 4 to 6.

Courtesy of Wilson Farm, Lexington. wilsonfarm.com

CUSTOMDESIGNED CARDS A handwritten note on handcrafted stationery never goes out of style nor does it go unnoticed. Inkling started from a love of putting ink on paper using an antique letterpress, and has expanded to offer more high-tech and budget-friendly, methods of printing and designing. Great attention is given to the details of all Inkling greetings, with each step of the printing and finishing process being done by hand! Inkling has several general greeting collections and also does custom design for wedding invitation suites, announcements, special occasions, business and personal stationery, and any imaginable general paper greeting. For more information about Inkling, visit inkling-print.com or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Inkling/185737501447615.

Q&A

With over 20 combined years of experience in design and construction, two artists came together to finally build something that they really loved. It began with a dining table made from a slab of pine, an old farmhouse door and the legs of a 1950s drafting table, and has steadily become the realization of a shared vision. hundred acre creates custom-made, one-of-a-kind furniture and functional art from salvaged materials. They build

What are some tips for keeping kids safe when sledding?

Encourage riders to lie on their backs and go feet first down the slope. Alternatively, they can sit face forward on the sled.

Either approach will greatly reduce the risk of head injuries.

Check the terrain. Many young sledders think that trees, rocks, bare patches, creeks, and other obstacles are just part of sledding. They don’t realize how quickly one of these hazards could put an end to the fun.

Make sure the slope is gentle, clear from top to bottom, and doesn’t end near a road or freeway.

Keep your child away from makeshift snow ramps. While it may be tempting to go sailing through the air like Evel Knievel, ramps are hazardous and can even be deadly.

Bundle kids up. Younger children are more susceptible to hypothermia. Be sure to check youngsters often and bring them in right away if they get wet -- water and wind can reduce body temperature quickly.

Consider buying your child a helmet, especially for kids under 12.

Tell your kids to come inside for regular water breaks.

Sweating under heavy winter clothing and breathing hard from exertion can cause dehydration.

- George Morrice, Norwood Fire Department Spokesman

PREQUEL TO THE BOXCAR CHILDREN SERIES The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm is a prequel from the Newbery medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan, a Massachusetts author. The series has been a publishing phenomenon from generation to generation. When Gertrude Chandler Warner wrote The Boxcar Children more than 70 years ago, she had no idea that she was launching a series that would span more than 150 titles with over 50 million copies in print. Young readers and families have followed the adventures of the Alden children, who are the characters in the book.

Junkdrawers strives to highlight the products, people and places of Massachusetts. Have an idea? Email editor@baystateparent.com.

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KNOCKED OFF YOUR FEET Recovering from a Concussion BY

It

mandy mulliez

felt as if the bottom had dropped out of our lives.

Suddenly and inexplicably, our 9 year-old son was struggling in school, anxious over every part of his day, and unable to focus or concentrate on things that in the past had been effortless. He was stricken with sudden headaches and it took him hours to fall asleep at night.

Our child was suffering and there seemed to be no explanation for the dramatic change. We certainly didn’t connect it to a hit on the head he had received on the playground after school a few weeks prior.

It was a fluke incident – and seemingly minor – that changed our lives drastically as we became aware of the reality of living with a child who had suffered a head injury.

Concussions have become front-andcenter in many of our lives, as a once silent epidemic is taking center stage in the media and, particularly, the sports world. Although they can - and do - happen from falling off a bike, slipping on the ice or running into a door, concussions from contact sports is the subject that has a firm grasp on the nation’s attention.

A concussion happens when the brain is shaken violently, inside the skull, either through a direct blow to the head or a hard shake of the body, causing the brain to come into contact with the skull. Dr. Robert Cantu is the chief of neurosurgery, chairman of the Department of Surgery, and director of the Service of Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, as well as the clinical professor of neurosurgery and co-director of Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. One of the nation’s foremost authorities on head injuries, his new book, Concussions and Our 12 JANUARY2013

Kids, provides an in-depth look at the concussion crisis in youth sports today, including prevention and treatment.

Dr. Cantu says that symptoms from concussions fall into four major categories. A person may experience symptoms from only one category or several from each: Somatic: Headaches, nausea, vomiting, balance and/or visual problems, dizzy spells, and issues such as sensitivity to light and noise.

Emotional: Sadness to the point of depression (even suicide), nervousness, and irritability.

Sleep disturbance: Sleeping more or less than usual and trouble falling asleep.

Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, trouble with memory, feeling mentally slow or as if in a fog that will not lift.

The reality of living in the aftermath of a concussion is that it can quickly dominate everything in a family’s life. From the initial trauma, communication and planning with teachers and the school, to doctors appointments, and long standing effects as an adult, it can be all-encompassing.

One aspect that can be most distressing is not knowing when relief will come. It

is often entirely unclear how fast or slow healing will occur, or how long before a semblance of normalcy will return.

The treatment protocol, as Dr. Cantu explains, is physical and cognitive rest. The reality of this for a child can be devastating, as school, sports, and social time is scaled back. Even things as simple as a page of math homework or hanging out with friends can be enough to trigger anxiety, headaches or exhaustion. Education for parents and children alike is a key tool, as is being proactive in seeking help from doctors who specifically have concussion management training.

Madeline Uretsky is a high school student in North Redding who suffered a concussion last year. Before the fall of 2011 she played four sports competitively, won multiple academic awards and was involved in other school activities.

Then, during soccer practice, she fell and hit her forehead hard on the ground.

Her neck snapped back and brought her head crashing down for a second impact.

She knew she had been badly shaken up, but had no immediate symptoms. Three hours later, she began to show signs of a head injury and after a CT scan in the

emergency room that evening; she was diagnosed with a severe concussion.

The next three months were mostly spent in her dark bedroom sleeping. She was put on complete “brain rest,” during which she could not go to school, do homework, watch TV, text on her phone, use the computer or read. Something as basic as the sound and sensation of the shower brought extreme discomfort and disorientation.

Life as an active, healthy, vibrant teenager had changed in a few short seconds and narrowed to near complete isolation as she struggled to recover.

More than a year later, Madeline is - for all outward appearances - back to her old self, although she will never be allowed to play contact sports again. A girl that used to run three hours every day can’t walk for more than one minute at a time on a treadmill without getting dizzy.

“When her accident first happened, I didn’t know very much about concussions,” her mother, Jami admits.

“Our life changed immediately - she couldn’t do anything. I am sensitive now to the things she is: the tiny sound the store cash register makes or the fact that the produce section is first in the grocery store - the bright colors of the apples are very disturbing because she is still so sensitive to visual stimulation. We have to consider things you would never think of, like the fact that the grocery store has a linoleum floor versus the carpeted floor at Staples that helps muffle sound.

Small things like that make a huge difference.”

“People at school know I’ve had this injury and everyone has been so supportive. But what they don’t know is that I always have a headache. I have a hard time concentrating, and I am exhausted nearly all the time,” Madeline says. Her grades have not suffered, but she says that it takes two extra hours to do work she was able to complete quickly before the concussion. Madeline and her mom are hopeful that one day she will be symptom free, but they are also realistic.

There is still so much that is unknown about how the brain heals.

Madeline’s story is shockingly common. Although the discussion about concussions and how best to protect young athletes is escalating, and rightly so, but the reality of those suffering in the aftermath is slower to be brought to light.

Still, the long-term effects of a hit to the

“People at school know I’ve had this injury and everyone has been so supportive. But what they don’t know is that I always have a headache. I have a hard time concentrating, and I am exhausted nearly all the time,” Madeline says.

head are being examined more closely.

Megan Lucier of Wayland, MA is an adult who took a hit to the head as a child during a neighborhood baseball game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the sixties, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know about concussions,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the concern that there is today.

I had a huge goose egg over my eye. The doctor told my parents to wake me up that night and ask if I could remember a code word we had set up. If I could remember it, I was fine. They did wake me up, I remembered the word, and life went on.â&#x20AC;?

Out of the blue in her 20s, Megan began to suffer debilitating migraines that lasted for several days every month.

The migraines always originated from the exact spot in which she was hit by the baseball. Desperate for relief, Megan tried medication, biofeedback, acupuncture and cortisone injections. Doctors told her there was no connection between her childhood hit to the head and her current suffering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But there was a connection,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Lydia Knutson, founder and director of The Lydian Center for Innovative Medicine in Cambridge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition to a concussion, Megan suffered biomechanical injury to her neck. She never really recovered from this injury and eventually developed migraines as a result. Once we treated her neck injury her migraines basically went away.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Knutson, a chiropractor, who has treated both adults and children with head injuries, says that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most concussion sufferers I see have been cleared by the emergency room and told to rest. But most concussion injuries also cause instability in the muscles and joints of the neck. This instability can not only cause headaches, but more profoundly, it also places stress on the whole nervous system.â&#x20AC;?

Knutson has developed a new non-force chiropractic method that stabilizes the core of the body. Her treatment increases biomechanical efficiency, which relieves stress on the brain. If the neck is unstable it sends incoherent data to the brain, which can slow down the synchronicity and timing of other brain functions.

This can interfere with obvious things like balance and coordination, but also many other functions we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t associate with biomechanical injury, like emotional regulation, brain fog and sleep patterns. Failing to correct these injuries in childhood can have a long legacy.â&#x20AC;?

As doctors and scientists race to unlock more of the mystery surrounding the brain and how it functions, particularly after an injury, parents play a critical role in acting as their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocate in preventing injuries and supporting proper healing when one has occurred.

Parents also need to be in a position to advocate for their children during the diagnosis of a concussion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to empower and encourage parents to take an active role in becoming aware of whether their child may have suffered a concussion,â&#x20AC;? Dr. Cantu says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They should try to connect the symptoms to the head injury. Parents are in a unique situation - they know their children the best and can detect

subtle changes more easily.â&#x20AC;?

According to Cantu, the biggest red flag, more than other symptoms, is a change in personality. He also suggests looking for variations in sleep or energy patterns. There can be other reasons for the changes, but they may very well be attributed to a head injury. For example, Madelineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother describes her daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personality as simply going â&#x20AC;&#x153;flatâ&#x20AC;? for several months after her concussion.

Education about concussions, their

symptoms, and treatment could have saved our family months of agony.

What surprises us now is that even many of the doctors and professionals we consulted were uneducated about the reality of concussions. As a result, they failed to connect the symptoms we were seeing in our son to a head injury.

Concussions happen in an instant and no parent should consider their child to be exempt, whether they play a sport known for head injuries or simply play on the playground with other children

after school. Awareness is the key to prevention and effective treatment.

Mandy Mulliez is a Needham mother of two: son, Louis, age 9, through birth, and daughter, Anna, age 7, adopted from Vietnam in 2006. Mandyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for adoption came with the arrival of her sister, who was domestically adopted into her family 30 years ago.

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THIS TIME IT’S DIFFERENT 3 keys to reaching your weight-loss and fitness goals.

BY

melissa shaw

January is only a page away and you’re determined to make 2013 the year you lose the weight, once and for all.

But, like many of us, you’ve been here before, gazing hopefully into the distance, thinking, “This is the year...right?”

Here are three steps you can take to ensure this time is your last time.

Focus on behavior modification, not the scale “People will say, ‘OK, my New Year’s Resolution is to lose 20 pounds,’ but I think a better approach is to focus on a behavioral goal,” says Dr. Sherry Pagoto, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. “People will set weight loss goals, they last a few weeks,

and then they peter out.”

Instead of focusing on a number on the scale, Pagoto advocates setting a behavioral goal tied to a series of structured, preplanned milestones throughout the year that prevent a person from tapering off.

Whether it’s planning to run or walk a 5K in June or committing to write down your diet for six weeks, behavior modification provides people with specific, measurable and incremental goals.

“Weight loss tends to be a very frustrating goal because you can be making some great behavior changes and not see any change in your weight,” Pagoto says. “Weight loss is not always something you can guarantee.”

Even the most efficient and dedicated dieters will have weeks in which they do not lose weight - or even gain weight - she says.

Focusing on a goal you can 100 percent accomplish by your own efforts, such as a specific workout schedule (“I will go to the gym three times a week for 45 minutes”), training plan or keeping a food journal is a solid defense against demoralization when the scale doesn’t move.

“If you focus more on behaviors it won’t kill your motivation as you’re not focusing on the scale every time,” says Pagoto, an expert in the areas of health, nutrition, fitness, weight management and Type 2 Diabetes.

“Someone who schedules a 5k race for June and says, ‘I will do the Couch to 5k’ (beginning runner plan), they’re focusing more on the behavior rather than a weightloss goal. They have a plan and a milestone several months away that they’re working toward. Saying, ‘I want to lose 20 pounds in 3 months,’ it’s not exactly clear how to go about doing that, it doesn’t have the same structure.”

But, have no fear: If you are successful with the behavior modification goal you set, Pagoto says the weight loss you want will come with it: “If you’re doing all those things, you will lose weight. Just focus on behavior, and you’ll get there.”

Be realistic in your weight-loss expectations A second key to reaching your weight-loss goals is expecting a realistic rate of weight loss: 1 to 2 pounds per week.

“The fad diet industry has sold us on the idea we can lose weight fast, and historically none of the quick weight-loss diets work in the long haul,” she says. “It’s a great marketing pitch, ‘Lose 10 lbs in 10 days!’

that has sold us on the idea that it’s possible, but it’s a terrible way to do it.”

For most seeking weight loss, that rate is not only impossible, but also unsustainable.

“We all want a quick fix. People are always too ambitious with weight-loss goals in the amount of time they give themselves,” Pagoto adds. “I almost never encounter someone who sets a realistic weight-loss goal.

“Just focus on behavior and you’ll get there,” she says. “You’ll also get a more realistic idea of how long it will take.

Starting off very ambitious and then seeing progress that is never going to meet up to that standard is a recipe for feeling very demoralized.”

Practice the two keys of successful ‘losers’ “The people I’ve known who have been very successful, they are patient and they are persistent,” notes Pagoto, who has highlighted the success stories of more than a dozen “Real Life Biggest Losers” on her website, fudiet.com. “If you’re impatient and you can’t persist in the face of frustration, it’s not going to go well for you.”

“While you’re attempting to lose weight, you’re going to have several weeks in which you don’t lose weight,” she says. “Your ability to tolerate those blips in your weightloss trajectory has a lot to do with your success.”

Melissa Shaw is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three in Central Mass. She blogs about weight loss, maintenance and fitness at alifetimeloser.blogspot.com.

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FINALLYFOREVER

ADOPTION: A Triple Blessing After dating for 14 years, my husband and I decided that we would like to start a family as we were not getting any younger. We planned our wedding and were married two years later on June 28, 2003.

We had decided beforehand that as soon as we were married, we would attempt to get pregnant. After all, we felt we knew each other quite well at that point! Unfortunately, we were unable to get pregnant.

We fell into the “unexplained” category.

We were devastated, but decided that what was important to us was to be a parent.

We didn’t have to have a biological child to parent. Years earlier, when I was 12, I decided that when I grew up, I was going to adopt a little girl from China.

Regardless if I had my own children, I was determined to adopt a little girl from China.

Little did I know at that time that you could not adopt from China. I had always been fascinated with adoption since I was a young girl. I was an only child and desperately wanted siblings. Unfortunately, it took my parents 12 years to have me. So having a sibling wasn’t easy. My parents toyed with adoption but for whatever reasons, decided not to pursue adopting a child.

We were devastated that we were unable to have our own biological child as I wanted to be able to experience being pregnant, and we wanted to see what our child would look like and what traits they would acquire from us.

However, since it wasn’t happening, I

turned to my husband and said, “I have always wanted to adopt from China as you know, and I would love to start that process.” He said, “Let’s do it.” That is when we began our journey to Shayla Yu Ping. The light of our lives.

Our journey was very difficult. We started with Wide Horizons in Waltham. After meeting with them, filling out the initial paperwork and paying a fee, they said we could not afford to adopt. They wanted us to meet with a financial planner. After doing so and doing a lot of research, I pulled out of Wide Horizons and signed with Great Wall in Texas.

We had a lot of setbacks along the way.

We even had to have our application put on hold for a full year because China had many rumors flying around that people who were too “heavy” could not adopt.

After the hold, we got started again on all of the paperwork. We were in the thick of things when China changed all of its rules and also the amount of time it took from start to finish. When we started it was 13 months or so before you would receive your child. In 2012, it is now nearly 7 years!

Three years after we started this journey we received a call. While I was sitting in the hospital with my mother, I got a call from our agency asking if we would consider a special needs little girl who had just turned 2. She had a repaired cleft palate that had been fixed in China. I told them that we would be delighted to consider her. I raced

Shayla Nicholson, left, Yamira Nicholson and Manuel Nicholson of West Boylston.

home that evening and opened my email to a picture of our daughter. That was in September 2007.

In February of 2008, we traveled to China to meet her and to bring her home. It was a tough journey, but one I will never forget.

Once home, I really wanted to begin researching to adopt again. I knew we could not adopt from China due to their heavy rules, so I turned to DCF in Worcester.

While we were waiting on our daughter from China, we attended MAPP classes inWorcester and had a home study done.

We figured we would adopt from Massachusetts while waiting for our daughter from China since the wait was going to be years. Little did we know we would get a call because she had a special need. So we temporarily closed our case

CIRCLEOFFRIENDS Highlights of January Adoption-Related Events:

Adoption Information Meeting. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6 to 8 p.m.

Child and Family Services of Merrimack Valley, 429 South Union St., Lawrence. Registration not required. For questions, contact Melissa O’Meara at 978-687-5854.

Boston Adoption Informational Meetings-DCF. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 4 to 6 p.m. DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Ave., Dorchester.

Learn how you can change the future of a child in need by becoming a foster or adoptive parent with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. No registration required.

Contact Marsha Donovan, LCSW, 617-989-9209.

MAPP Training at Cambridge Family and Children’s Service. January 5, 12 and 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cambridge Family and Children’s Service, 60 Gore St., Cambridge. This training will be held on Saturdays. For more information, contact Sarah Medrano-Palmer, clinical coordinator for family services at 617-876-4210, ext. 160.

JANUARY’SCHILD

Christian

Fourteen-month-old Christian was born with a rare genetic disease called nemaline myopathy, which includes having low to no muscle tone. Currently, he is on a heart monitor, ventilator and feeding tube. Christian is smart and has a fully intact mind. He is able to respond to facial expressions such as smiling, opening his mouth and sticking his tongue out.

Christian’s foster family loves this little charmer where he has resided since May. Christian is currently in a foster home with a foster mom who has a nursing background. She is willing to provide

when we got the call about our little one in China. When we returned home, I was told I had to wait a full year before adopting again. A year to that day, we reopened our file and began to search for our future child. It took well over a year before we were matched. We were matched with a brother and sister pair. The little boy was 2 and the little girl was 3.

We had never been considered for a sibling pair because our social worker at the time didn’t think we should adopt more than one since we already had one adopted child at home. We intensely disagreed.

In May of 2010, we received a call from a social worker in Worcester asking us if we would consider a sibling pair. We immediately said yes. We brought them into our lives on June 9, 2010. They were very different from our first daughter. Our first daughter was very sweet and helpful and loving. These other two had been through a lot and were very upset and angry at how their lives had been turned upside down.

The first two weeks were awful.

My husband and I went back and forth on whether it was wise to try to parent them or not. At the end of two weeks, I said to my husband “We can do this.”

As of March 3, 2011, they have been adopted into our family. Now we are a very happy family of five. The two youngest do have contact with their biological dad, but not their mom. We embrace that relationship as there is never too much love that can be given.

Our children are siblings like any other siblings. They love each other and will rub each other’s back and kiss each other if one is sad, but they will also run over that sibling if they are angry with them. It doesn’t matter if they are biological or adopted, they are loved. We are parents now, and there is nothing greater in this world than to parent these three.

Jill Cummings is Mom to Shayla, Yamira and Manuel Nicholson

MAPP Training at Bright Futures Adoption Center. January 7, 14, 19 and 28, Mondays 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bright Futures Adoption Center, RFK Children’s Action Corp.

Children’s Hospital, Waltham. For more information, call Karen Cheyney at 978-263-5400.

Please submit February’s adoption-related events by Saturday, Jan. 5 to be included in the February edition of baystateparent.

Events submitted after the 5th of the month will be included in our online calendar only. To submit an event, visit baystateparent.com and click “Calendar” and “Submit an Event.”

respite care for Christian’s new family.

With modern technology, Christian’s life-sustaining hospital equipment can now be in a conventional home.

Christian is able to play with his baby toys by moving his fingers and toes. He requires 24-hour supervision and care, but the hospital staff will provide hands on, extensive training for any and all of Christian’s care takers. Eighty-plus hours of VNA Nursing Care also are provided for Christian. Christian resided in a hospital for the first nine months of his life.

Now legally free for adoption,

Christian’s social worker is anxious to move him into a two-parent home where he can receive the love and support he deserves to reach his full potential.

For more information on Christian, please contact Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoption Supervisor Karen Greaney at (508) 929-1000. DCF holds monthly informational meetings for people wishing to learn more about the adoption process. The next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Please call (508) 929-2143 for specific information.

BAYSTATEPARENT 15

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!

- dr. seuss

photo courtesy of the hanover theatre

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

GO LEARN: Old Sturbridge Village has indoor activities like candle making happening throughout the winter for kids to learn and experience at 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge.

16 JANUARY2013

GO PUPPETS: Hansel and Gretel is playing at the American Repertory Theater on Thursday, Jan. 3, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge.

photo courtesy of the fruitlands museum

photo courtesy of old sturbridge village

photo courtesy of the american repertory theater

GO SESAME: Sesame Street Live! is playing at the Hanover Theatre on Friday, Jan. 18, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

GO SLEDDING: Bring your sleds, snowshoes and cross-country skis for fun at the Fruitlands Museum’s hills and trails during its Winter Fest Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 12, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard.

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the minivan, please confirm your destination. Although we’ve done our best to assure accuracy at press time, things can and do change…

A Adult C Child Y Youth M Member NM Non-Member PP Per Person

1TUESDAY

The Polar Express. Edaville, 5 Pine St., Carver.

Take a magical ride to the North Pole where Santa will board the train, greet the children and hand each their own first gift of Christmas. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served by costumed staff while pajama-clad guests enjoy a live reading and carols.

After you have experienced the magic of the North Pole come and see the exciting new additions to the park, including a marshmallow roasting station for s’mores and a brand new Christmas Village! The Christmas village is filled with holiday shops, Santa’s new home and beautiful animations! Adults and children tickets are $30; children under the age of two are free. Includes a 40-minute Steam train ride, all 12 of the park’s amusements rides and the beauty of over 7 million holiday lights. Ongoing through Jan. 13, 4 to 9 p.m. edaville.com.

time, the Brothers Grimm tale of two brave and hungry siblings who set off on an adventure to the gingerbread house of their dreams. Along the way they find a friendly duck, deceptive birds, and a funny but dangerous witch who lives with her sugary candy kids. Hansel and Gretel must work together to make it through the woods, overcome the sweet traps of the witch, and discover what it takes to create a home. Admission is $15. Ongoing through Jan. 6. americanrepertorytheater.org.

ONGOING. Mom and Tot Skate Lessons.

Worcester Common, behind City Hall, 455 Main St., Worcester. This mom and tot morning class is geared toward ages 3 to 6 year olds. It is a 10-week program. Caregivers who skate are welcome to join the class during the second half of the class. Tots and young children learn to skate using a variety

Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature. The Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. A love of books and reading is a lifelong treasure passed from adult to child, from generation to generation. The 17th annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature at the Concord Museum in historic Concord, Massachusetts gives Concord’s renowned literary tradition a creative twist. The Museum’s galleries are filled with 36 fanciful trees of all shapes and sizes, decorated with original ornaments inspired by acclaimed children’s storybooks and contemporary picture book favorites.

Free with museum admission. Admission is $15 A, $6 C, seniors $10 and children under 4 are free. concordmuseum.org.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, returns to Worcester by popular demand.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Tickets start at $39. 1 and 6:30 p.m. performances. thehanovertheatre.org.

photo courtesy of the hanover theatre

7MONDAY

Disney’s Beauty & the Beast is playing at the Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester, on Sunday, Jan. 6. Tickets start at $39.

Happy New Year. Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St., Providence, RI. Families have a playful start to the new year as they investigate the awesome power of air, discover a wet and wild playscape, and explore other colorful hands-on exhibits. Children also delve into hands-on activities in the Discovery Studio, an open-ended art and science exploration space, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. childrensmuseum.org.

December School Vacation Week Camps.

Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. Keep the kids busy and engaged during December school vacation at Old Sturbridge Village with a range of crafts, entertainment and outdoor activities for all ages. The popular Discovery Adventure Program is back this year with the theme of Winter Warmth. Space is limited and registration is open. Ongoing through Jan. 5. osv.org.

2WEDNESDAY

Art Discovery Center. George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Edwards Street, Springfield. The Art Discovery Center is painted in bold colors and intricate designs inspired by the Asian collections of the museum. Visitors to trace their own Chinese horoscope, try on costumes and armor, play games and more. Stop in and see what creative ideas are unfolding. Noon to 3:45 p.m. Free with museum admission. springfieldmuseums.org.

Our Town. Huntington Theatre Company, Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston.

Visionary director and MacArthur “Genius” David Cromer brings his groundbreaking and critically acclaimed new version of the beloved, Pulitzer Prize-winning OUR TOWN to the Huntington. In 1901 Grover’s Corners, George and Emily fall in love, marry, and live out their lives as one New England town becomes a microcosm of everyday life. An Off Broadway smash playing for more than 600 performances, this wonderfully intimate staging marks the Huntington’s first production in the Roberts Studio Theatre, Ongoing through Jan. 13. huntingtontheatre.org.

Family Science Adventures. Springfield Science Museum, Edwards Street, Springfield. Discover the wonders of science! The Roving Scientist presents interactive demonstrations for the whole family in the museum galleries. Free with museum admission. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. springfieldmuseums.org.

6SUNDAY

Christmas Festival of Lights. Edaville USA, 5 Pine St., Carver. Ride comfortably in warm and dry coaches while viewing a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa. 4 to 9 p.m. daily. edaville.com.

Enchanted Village 2012. Cape Codder Resort and Spa, 1225 Lyannough Rd., Hyannis. The Cape Cod Enchanted Village features a magnificent display of more than 100,000 lights, a Santa’s Village, animated reindeer stall, snowmen and a bonfire (weather permitting) every night through January 2.

Lights on display through January 2. Please bring a gift card or a new, unwrapped gift for a teenage to place under the Giving Tree.

museum shop, and round off the tour with hot chocolate, tea or wine and Boston Cream Pie at the Omni Parker House Hotel. Starting at the Bostix Booth at Faneuil Hall, costumed tour guides in 19th century Dickensian garb will lead visitors along the historic Freedom Trail. Revisit the days when Boston hosted the triumphant American premiere of holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Hear the story of how Christmas and holiday traditions evolved in Boston and the highlights of the American Revolution as it happened just 75 years earlier. Ongoing through Jan. 31. Tickets are $29 A, $19 C. thefreedomtrail.org.

3THURSDAY Hansel and Gretel. American Repertory Theater, Loeb Experimental Theater, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. In the tradition of last season’s sold-out holiday hit The Snow Queen, the A.R.T. brings another classic children’s story to life — this

of games and toys such as bubbles, beanie babies and more! Instruction taught by the professionals from Colonial Figure Skating Club. Skate rentals are available for $3 if needed. Helmets are required. worcestercommonoval.com.

4FRIDAY Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston.

Travel back to a time when humans shared the stage with woolly giants! Examine full-scale replicas of massive Ice Age mammals, including Lyuba, a 40,000-year-old baby mammoth discovered by a Siberian reindeer herder in 2007. The exhibit also features some of the oldest art in existence, huge skulls and tusks, weird and wonderful mammoth relatives, and mastodon bones collected by William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) for President Thomas Jefferson’s own collection. Free with museum admission. Ongoing through Jan. 13. mos.org.

5SATURDAY

Historic Holiday Stroll. Freedom Trail Foundation, Faneuil Hall, Boston. Walk with a costumed guide, take advantage of discounts at a Freedom Trail

Pippin. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. A bold new staging of the dark and existential musical you thought you knew. Pippin, on a death-defying journey to find his “corner of the sky,” must choose between a life that’s ordinary or a flash of singular glory. Stephen Schwartz’s beloved coming-of-age musical features bold new staging by Diane Paulus and choreography by Gypsy Snider of Montreal’s ultra-hip circus troupe Les 7 doigts de la main. Recommended Grades 9 and up. Tickets start at $25. Ongoing through Jan. 20. americanrepertorytheater.org.

8TUESDAY Game On. Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester. Experience a new way to learn about history in the fun and interactive exhibition Game On. Exploring the history of toys and games in America, Game On is designed like a board game encouraging children and adults to explore the gallery and artifacts - like LEGOs, the first paper dolls manufactured in America, toy soldiers, puzzles, Barbies, and more - while answering trivia, playing games and having fun. Game On surveys the development of “play” and the toy industry, looking at New England based giants like Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and Hasbro, smaller companies like Worcester You Company and Ralpho Co., the marketing of toys and the development of franchises.

Audiences, young and old, will be able to connect to the fond memories of childhood and the connection those toys and games create with future generations.

Ongoing through March 2. Free with museum admission. worcesterhistory.org.

9WEDNESDAY Frog Pond Skating. The Boston Common, Boston.

The Skating Club of Boston has sponsored another BAYSTATEPARENT 17

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO season of fun on the ice at the Frog Pond. Ongoing through March 16. bostonfrogpond.com.

10THURSDAY

Robots and Beyond: Exploring Artificial Intelligence at MIT. MIT Museum Building N51, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. A multimedia excursion into the world of artificial intelligence, Robots and Beyond throws open the doors of MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, where scientists have been probing the mysteries of A.I. for five decades. Tickets are $7.50A, $3 for non-MIT students, seniors and children 5-18. Free for MIT students and children under 5. Free on Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon. web.mit.edu.

doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Tickets start at $12. opendoortheater.org/current.

Boar’s Head Festival. Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Summer Ave., Springfield. The Boar’s Head Festival, a medieval celebration of

265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Forty of the Museum’s finest full-hull ship models depict 1,000 years of ship building, from a 15th century iron-clad warship to the swiftest clipper ships. Also included is an extraordinary model of N.G. Herreshoff’s Reliance – winner of the 1903 America’s Cup. web.mit.edu.

Book Group. Tower Hill Botanical Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston. Join in as the book group scours the globe uncovering native flora and visiting unusual and legendary gardens with an array of plant hunters

Backyard Astronomy. Tower Hill Botanical Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston. Learn about your place in the universe during this two-session workshop. You will discover how to find and identify objects in the night sky from your own backyard. Through indoor presentations and outdoor observing (weather permitting, with telescopes and binoculars provided), learn to identify major constellations, discover night sky lore, understand basic astronomical concepts and hear about the latest research and space exploration.

6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Jan. 10 & Jan. 17. towerhillbg.org.

11FRIDAY Annie. Open Door Theater at RJ Grey Junior High School Auditorium, 16 Charter Rd., Acton. The production of Annie will run Jan. 11 through Jan. 20 depending on snow delays. One performance will feature a live ASL interpretation (Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m.), and one performance will be an autismfriendly show for adults and children with autism spectrum disorders and their families or caregivers (Saturday, Jan. 19 at 12 p.m.). “Annie” is the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the

photo courtesy of the city of worcester

Plymouth Winter-into-Spring Local Food & Gift Market. Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth. Plymouth Farmers’ Market - Held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, 2:30-6:30pm indoors at Plimoth Plantation November through May. Each Market will feature special guests and activities and is free and open to the public. Today’s theme is “True to Our Roots”. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wampanoag Indigenous Program at Plimoth Plantation. Discover the roots of the Native and regional foodways and enjoy the humble root crops brought out of cold storage for local winter meals.

2:30 p.m. plymouthfarmersmarket.org.

Visit the outdoor skating rink on the Worcester Common, behind City Hall, 455 Main St., Worcester.

Skate rentals are available if needed. the epiphany, will be presented at Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday, Jan. 11, Saturday, Jan. 12 and Sunday, Jan. 13. Complete with period costumes, live animals, and the glorious music of the Christmas season, the Boar’s Head Festival celebrates the birth of Christ, the coming of the three kings.

Tickets $15 C, $24A. trinityspringfield.org.

12SATURDAY Ship Models: The Evolution of Ship Design.

MIT Office of the Arts, MIT Museum Building N51,

North Star Ice Arena

who managed to redistribute what they found. They’ll begin with Andrea Wulf’s The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire, and the Birth of an Obsession on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Tower Hill Library. Please contact Kathy Bell (kbell@ towerhillbg.org or 508-869-6111, ext. 116) if you have any questions. The Tower Hill Book Group is free to members or included with the price of admission. towerhillbg.org.

Winter Fest Weekends. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. Bring your sleds, snowshoes and x-country skis for fun on Fruitlands’ hills and trails. The Harvard Lion’s Club will be

selling food and the fire pit will be blazing to keep you warm. Noon to 5 p.m. fruitlands.org.

13SUNDAY Mapparium. The Mary Baker Eddy Library, 200 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. Visit the Mapparium and venture to the Boston landmark. It is a world-famous, three-story, stained-glass globe that has been visited by over 10 million people since it was constructed in 1935. Step inside this three-dimensional globe for a 20-minute tour. Learn about its construction, history, and the significance of this magnificent architectural and artistic achievement. From the bridge of the giant sphere, visitors explore the Earth at its center, surrounded by continents and oceans. Brilliant colors track global shifts over the past century as a rich orchestration of words, inspiring quotes from thinkers (such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Eleanor Roosevelt), music, and LED lights illustrate how ideas have traversed time and geography and changed the world. marybakereddylibrary.org/ exhibits/mapparium.

Splendors of the Night Sky. Springfield Science Museum, Edwards Street, Springfield. What is that in the sky at night? With the planetarium stars as the backdrop, find out how to locate and identify celestial objects and constellations as the seasons change. The Springfield Science Museum is home to the Seymour Planetarium, the oldest planetarium in the United States. The star ball in the Seymour Planetarium can project more than 7,000 stars which vary in brightness. Tickets are not included in the museum admission. They are $3A, $2C and free for museum members. springfieldmuseums.org.

In the Zendala Zone. Tower Hill Botanical Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston. This special advanced Zentangle class focuses on meditation using the Zentangle methodology with the Zendala format.

Participants who have attended an introductory or beyond the basics Zentangle class will find this instruction, emphasizing focused breathing and centering while tangling, an easy and quick way to enter their creativity zone. All materials included. $40M, $45NM. towerhillbg.org.

14MONDAY Norman Rockwell: Home for the Holidays.

Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Rd., Route 183, Stockbridge. A special seasonal presentation of Rockwell’s enduring holiday images, including original drawings for Hallmark cards, paintings inspired by Charles Dickens’ story A Christmas Carol, and costume and props featured in Rockwell’s artwork. Weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends

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OH,THEPLACESYOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LLGO new music teacher, arrives on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. Jennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Muppet friends quickly come to the rescue and discover â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;instrumentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; they never knew existedâ&#x20AC;Ś rubber duckies, trash can lids and even cookie jars.

Elmo and friends teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together. Tickets start at $14. thehanovertheatre.org.

15TUESDAY Land Science: Ecology in Action - A Virtual Urban Planning Internship for Homeschooling Teens. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. This program gives older homeschoolers the opportunity to learn and practice the skills of professional field scientists and planners. You will join a regional planning firm as a virtual intern, do some fieldwork, and gather information from stakeholder groups as you design a land-use plan for a local, urban community. As part of the planning and design process, you will go on two site visits (â&#x20AC;&#x153;field tripsâ&#x20AC;?) to locations in central Massachusetts (transportation not provided). All of the field visits will help you weigh the trade-offs of different land use decisions in the city and elsewhere.

Back at the â&#x20AC;&#x153;office,â&#x20AC;? you will use what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned to test your best ideas and use iPlan, a customdesigned Geographic Information System, to develop a land-use plan for your urban area. $70C/M, $95NM. Contact Lisa Carlin for more information.

Registration is required either online or by calling 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

Nursery School Naturalists. Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 10 Juniper Rd., Belmont. The Nursery School Naturalist program is a weekly drop-off enrichment program for 3 to 4 year olds (by September 2012). The program begins indoors, but they go outside every week for about half the session, whatever the weather. It is our belief that children can better form a positive relationship with nature by experiencing it first-hand rather than getting information from television shows or even from objects brought out of nature. The program celebrated its 18th year in 2012. Mass Audubon membership is required for participation. Child must have turned 4 by September 1, 2012. Registration is required. Ongoing through May. Call 617-489-5050 or email habitat@massaudubon.org to register. massaudubon.org.

Moo Babies. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. Celebrate all things COW! Meet our bovine beauties and do some milking, feeding and other cow related chores. Meet the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mooâ&#x20AC;? babies as well. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll then mooo-ve on over to the kitchen and make a dairy delight. All ages welcome, up to three children per adult. Fees apply to all participants, both adults and children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Backpack babiesâ&#x20AC;? (under 12 months and carried in a backpack or sling) are welcome free of charge, though please mention these participants when registering. $11 A/M, $13 A/NM, $11 C/M, $13 C/NM. 1 to 2:30 p.m.

photo courtesy of the museum of science

19SATURDAY

Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age are featured at the Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston.

Registration is required. Call 781-259-2200 or email drumlinfarm@massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

16WEDNESDAY Hello Snow! Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. If you are between the ages of 3 and 5 bring your favorite adult for a thematic hour of a story, an activity and a naturalist-led walk. 10 to 11 a.m. $5A/M, $7 A/NM, $2C/M, $3 C/NM. Choose from the third Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday of each month. Registration is required. Call 508-753-6087 or email bmbrook@ massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

17THURSDAY Spalding Hoophall Classic. Springfield College Blake Arena, 263 Alden St., Springfield. This event has quickly become the most elite High School basketball event in the country. With the top teams and top individual players from all 50 states, this event produces top Division One talent and is filled

with future NBA Stars! The Hoophall Classic has a list of alumni that include Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, Anthony Davis, and More! Tickets are available to the public. Ongoing games begin at 10 a.m. daily through Jan. 21. thehoopclassic.com.

Imagine, Sing, & Learn 1A: Paws & Claws in the Snow. Joppa Flats Education Center, P.O. Box 1558, Newburyport. This parent/child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler. Each 90-minute session offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science and a thematic snack. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll receive coloring pages, song lyrics, vocabulary, a fun fact sheet and a suggested reading list in an electronic goody bag. Ongoing.

10 to 11:30 a.m. Adults free, $11 C/M, $15 C/NM. Registration is required. Call 978-462-9998 or email joppaflats@massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

18FRIDAY Sesame Street Live. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Jenny, an enthusiastic

Hansel and Gretel. National Marionette Theatre, The Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St., Natick.

The story of Hansel and Gretel has captured the imagination of audiences for generations. In NMTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adaptation of this classic tale, two master puppeteers bring the most famous of the Grimm Brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories to life. Features exquisitely crafted marionettes, scrolling scenery and the beautiful music of Engelbert Humperdinck. In its 40-year history, NMT won puppetryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest award, the UNIMA, and tours in the US and worldwide. nmtshow.com.

Garden Thyme. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. Led by Village horticultural and agricultural staff, these programs and workshops are held at various sites and deal with a variety of plant-related themes and topics. Garden Thyme programs are held on the third Saturday of each month and are free for members of Old Sturbridge Village. Participants gather at the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. each month and are led to the appropriate site or setting. osv.org.

Indoor Seed-Starting: A Focus on Heirloom Perennials. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. Learn about specialized treatments that aid in the germination of heirloom perennial seeds. Stratification and scarification are easy techniques that yield great results if done properly. The importance of light and warmth in indoor seed starting will also be discussed, as will the management of tiny seeds. osv.org.

What is Beekeeping All About? Tower Hill Botanical Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston. Do you like apples, cranberries, pumpkins, and squash?

This talk will focus on the very critical role that honeybees play in our ecosystem, including your vegetable garden, and will show the management of honeybee colonies through the seasons in Central Massachusetts. Learn what you can do to help to protect the honeybee, including becoming a beekeeper! 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Included with admission to the garden. Towerhillbg.org.

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20SUNDAY Winter Skate at Patriot Place. 2 Patriot Place, Foxborough. Winter Skate at Patriot Place, offering day and evening public skating, is the perfect antidote to cabin fever this winter. A fun and affordable activity for parents with children, Winter Skate is also an ideal lunch break getaway and a romantic addition to a dinner date at Patriot Place. Ongoing through Feb. 28. Patriot-place.com.

24THURSDAY

26SATURDAY

Registration is required. Call 413-584-3009 or email arcadia@massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

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Fire & Ice Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. Old Sturbridge Village embraces the joys of an old fashioned winter with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fire and Iceâ&#x20AC;? celebration, complete with ice skating, sledding on vintage 1830s sleds, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Visitors can watch the Mill Pond ice harvested with vintage ice-cutting tools and learn how early New Englanders cut blocks of ice and

FREE Superbowl of Birding Free-for-All: Post-game Show. Joppa Flats Education Center, P.O. Box 1558 Newburyport. Our birding teams spotted and counted just about every bird species that can be found locally at this time of year. How did they find so many different species of birds?

And what are the secrets to spotting the ones that are really rare? Bird fans of all ages are invited to share in the teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; successes, learn about birding techniques and strategies, and have fun with a variety of bird-themed science activities. Visitors will enjoy interactive family presentations, games, guided challenges and take-home art projects. Come to Joppa Flats for this Superbowl of Birding wrap-up; maybe youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a competitor next year. This is a rainor-shine event. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Suggested donation: $2 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is not required. joppaflats@ massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

25FRIDAY Oliver! Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston. Adapted from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Oliver, a young boy with

21MONDAY Junior Naturalist - Animal Tracking. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road Worcester. Each Junior Naturalist session will feature specific topic that we will focus on. You will play games, explore the sanctuary and journal about our experiences that day. Children will need to have a medical form on file (not the camp version) before they can attend without a parent. 10 a.m. to noon. $8 C, $12 NM. Registration is required. Call 508753-6087 or email bmbrook@massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

photo courtesy of the old sturbridge village

28MONDAY

22TUESDAY

Sister Act. 539 Washington St., Boston. SisterAct is Broadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feel-amazing musical comedy smash.

Featuring original music by 8-time OscarÂŽ winner ALAN MENKEN (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), Sister Act tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to lookâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. broadway.com/shows-act-baa.

23WEDNESDAY

Afterschool at Joppa: Getting Ready for Winter! Joppa Flats Education Center, P.O. Box 1558, Newburyport. The afternoon starts off with selfguided activities, challenges, or puzzles that lead to the topic for the day. As a group, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll observe, investigate, and compare wildlife, their adaptations, and the changes that they undergo each season.

Participants may play the role of a zoologist, a naturalist, or even an Arctic explorer throughout this series. 3:30 to 5 p.m. $11C/M, $15 C/NM. Suitable for ages 6 to 8. Registration is required. Call 978462-9998 or email joppaflats@massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

Come to the Fire & Ice Days at Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday, Jan. 26, and enjoy an old fashioned winter celebration, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. no apparent family, learns quickly how unwelcome children can be in a world rampant with poverty and hunger. Lionel Bart captures perfectly the boisterous, comic, and tragic characters of Oliver Twist, infusing this classic tale with a feast of memorable songs. Lighter in mood than the original novel, the musicalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s themes remain the same: the search for love, the triumph of right over wrong, and the hope for a better world. Tickets start at $20. wheelockfamilytheatre.org.

Fun with Watercolors. Tower Hill Botanical Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston. This class will be an adventure in working with a simplified color palette to make beautiful and harmonious paintings.

Experience with various techniques will include wet in wet painting and the use of color theory. Images to work from will be provided. 2 to 5 p.m. $30 M, $35 NM. towerhillbg.org.

shipped them around the world before the invention of electrical refrigeration (weather permitting).

Afterwards, guests can warm up with hot cider, stories, songs and fireside tales at the Bullard Tavern.

9:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27. osv.org.

27SUNDAY Snowshoe Stroll at Tamarack Hollow. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, 127 Combs Rd., Easthampton.

Enjoy a morning snowshoe in a boreal forest of Windsor, Massachusetts. You will look for animal tracks including those unique to the higher elevations, such as snowshoe hare and ruffed grouse.

You will also see trees which thrive in the colder climate, such as spruce and balsam fir. 10 a.m. to noon. $10 A/M, $15 A/NM, $10 C/M, $15 C/NM.

Discovering Nature as a Preschooler. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. This six-week series of nature classes is designed for young children ages 4 to 5 unaccompanied by a parent. Each week brings a new focus, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll always begin indoors with games, activities, or crafts, and then explore the great outdoors on Broad Meadow Brookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clearly marked trails. This is a wonderful opportunity for young children to learn about nature and meet other children, in a safe, caring environment. Ongoing through Feb. 11. $100 C/M, $125 C/NM. Registration is required. Call 508-753-6087 or email bmbrook@ massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

Wolf Moon. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. Come for a winter evening of storytelling in honor of the sanctuaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wild canine friends. Listen to tales about wolves and share some of your own stories. Make a story bead to take home and take a short moonlit hike up the drumlin to listen for the songs of coyotes. What will be hiding in the moon shadows? Maximum of three children per adult. Please no strollers or backpack babies. Per person fee applies to each participant, both children and adults. 7 to 8:30 p.m. $12 A/M, $15 A/NM, $12 C/M, $15 C/NM. Registration is required. Call 781259-2200 or email drumlinfarm@massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

29TUESDAY ONGOING Homeschool Naturalists. Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 10 Juniper

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Rd., Belmont. Winter and spring offer wonderful seasonal events to experience for children 8 to 9 years old. $352 C/M, $440 C/NM. Registration is required. Call 617-489-5050 or email habitat@ massaudubon.org. massaudubon.org.

30WEDNESDAY

FOODFORTHOUGHT

ONGOING Afterschool at Joppa: Super Birds! Joppa Flats Education Center, P.O. Box 1558, Newburyport. The afternoon starts off with self-guided activities, challenges or puzzles that lead us to our topic for the day. As a group, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll observe, investigate, and compare wildlife, their adaptations and the changes that they undergo each season. Participants may play the role of a zoologist, a naturalist, or even an Arctic explorer throughout this series. Each experience will leave your young scientist eager for the next session.

This program is open to children in grades 1 to 4. Ongoing through April 10. 3:30 to 5 p.m. $11 C/M, $15 C/NM. Registration is required. Call 978462-9998 or email joppaflats@massaudubon. org. massaudubon.org.

31THURSDAY Early Explorers. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan. Young naturalists will move, learn and create every Thursday at the BNC. We will investigate the science and beauty of winter through explorations, games and art.

Every program will include time outside to dig through the snow, observe wintering birds or find the many animal tracks dotting the sanctuary.

Afterward theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll warm up inside while reading stories, doing craft projects, and other fun indoor nature activities. Each program offers a new nature theme to explore and discover through hands-on/minds-on experiences. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. Call 617-983-8500 or email bnc@massaudubon.org.

Submit an Event Fill out our form at baystateparent.com

By Jan. 5.

Egg Collecting

Cow Milking

Cooking with Kids at Wegmans BY

jennifer lucarelli

Some may think supermarkets are only for shopping, but since Wegmans opened its first store in Massachusetts, many have found itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so much more than just a place to buy groceries.

Not only do they have prepared meals and a kids play area to enjoy before and after you shop, but they now offer kids cooking classes, which can be fun for the whole family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We love the cooking experience and they generally do healthy options,â&#x20AC;? says Claire Sullivan who brought her daughter, Charlotte, 8, to the holiday cooking class in December. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come before and the kids really enjoyed making a cannoli the last time we came.â&#x20AC;?

Once every other month, the staff at Wegmans closes off a room in the seating area of its Northborough store and opens it up to children of all ages to come and learn to cook. In December, about two dozen kids made â&#x20AC;&#x153;Holly Day Soup,â&#x20AC;? made out of barley and Wegmansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; super pasta and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snowman Soupâ&#x20AC;? or hot cocoa mix.

The kids started by decorating their recipe labels and packaging and then table by table, they went up to fill their containers of soups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing this for the last year,â&#x20AC;? said Amanda Allen, floral department manager at Wegmans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids really enjoy it and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really a fun way to get the

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whole family together cooking.â&#x20AC;?

During the hour-long cooking class, kids enjoyed cutting, decorating and making the holiday treats that were going to be given to someone special. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a great way to learn cooking and the staff is great,â&#x20AC;? said Maria Lenti. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They get to know the staff, too and they usually say hi when we see them around the store.â&#x20AC;?

Lentiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s twin daughters, Sophia and Olivia, age 6, have loved coming to the kids cooking classes at Wegmans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really liked the corn salsa they made one time when they came with their dad, and the Italian Day was great â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the cannoli was really good, too,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Jenn DeVeaugh says her daughter loves coming to the cooking classes, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She loves to cook and it only costs $5,â&#x20AC;? she says smiling as she helps her daughter put together the snowman soup mix.

Brittany Burns, 5, of Hudson really enjoyed the cooking class as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cannoli was my favorite,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is really fun to learn to cook.â&#x20AC;?

After the cooking class, kids enjoyed hot chocolate with their families after making their soups.

Wegmans also has guest chefs and authors come to the Northborough store.

Ming Tsai, a world-renowned East meets West chef visited the store to promote his latest cookbook. He owns Blue Ginger,

which opened in 1998 in Wellesley and received 3 stars from the Boston Globe and was named Best New Restaurant by Boston Magazine.

The Wegmansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; staff will have more kids cooking classes and events in the upcoming year. For more information, visit wegmans.com and click stores and store events/classes. Pre-registration is preferred and each kids cooking class costs $5. The recipes for the cooking class were provided to the students.

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Boating

BAYSTATEPARENT 21

COOL igloo ig loo

FUN BY

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fter the holiday flurry settles down and the snow piles up, bundling up and building an igloo with the kids is a fun way to spend time outside. Fresh air and sunshine especially during the doldrums of the midwinter season helps kids and parents to boost physical activity and work up healthy appetites.

The sense of teamwork and accomplishment is priceless, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if making an igloo together becomes an annual holiday tradition.

Dr. Norbert E. Yankielun, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Iceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on four extended expeditions, calls it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;making friends with winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and every February he shares his Arctic expertise at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT with hundreds of people who want to learn how to build their own igloo.

For three generations, Dr. Yankielun has been showing families how to pack the snow into a giant frozen cake with a shovel and carve it into rectangular

bonnie j. toomey

blocks with a handsaw to form the structure synonymous with the North Pole.

But you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to visit the land of reindeer and elves to make your own igloo or even travel as far as the Green Mountains. You can build one right in your own backyard after it snows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I put in 15 years of igloo building and Arctic experience,â&#x20AC;? said Yankielun about a survival skill, which has long been used as a real lifesaver for extreme cold weather conditions. Here in New England Dr. Yankielunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s igloo knowledge has taken off as a fun and challenging winter activity for the whole family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the thing that Edmund Hillary of Mount Everest and Shackleton of the Arctic were doing to survive,â&#x20AC;? says Yankielun, a fellow of the Explorers Club, an entity which also approved his book, How to Build an Igloo: And Other Snow Shelters, which can found on Amazon in paperback and available on Kindle.

With a little ingenuity and a sense of

snowy adventure, families can build a structure strong enough to hold the weight of a polar bear. And although we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have polar bears in these parts, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reassuring to know an igloo is safe and sturdy for people and pets, plus itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practically free. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In these economic times it costs absolutely nothing to build one, your biggest expenditure is an old carpenter saw,â&#x20AC;? adds Dr. Yankielun.

We suggest having a thermos of hot cocoa at the ready like we did for our igloo builders and when our wintry dome was complete, we enjoyed hot chocolate inside of it, which fit four of us snugly with room enough for our golden retriever, Molly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A pint of water overnight will get absorbed into the walls and cure them to an icy finish,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Yankielun, who became interested in snow shelters when he worked alongside a bush pilot doctor in Alaska.

The day after we built our igloo our 6-year-old twin nieces were delighted to

crawl inside and stand up in the arching edifice, a replica of what was typically erected as a temporary hunting home of the Inuit people of Northern Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snow has a wonderful effect of absorbing sound, let your kids go in and scream their lungs out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; snow hushes,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Yankielun, who chuckles when kids call it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;igloo glue.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The best part about building an igloo, the Inuit word for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;snow houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is that there is a job for everyone young and old to do, from patting and smoothing, to making the snow angel for the igloo footprint, to shoveling, packing, sawing and stacking. The experience is something Yankielun calls, â&#x20AC;&#x153;organic and mystical.â&#x20AC;?

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thrilling to see the excitement growing in your kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces as the igloo begins to take shape.

Our family built one such snow dwelling in Lunenburg after a heavy snowstorm back in 2007. By late afternoon, we had a life-size igloo sitting in our snow-covered backyard. Once you step inside youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll

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notice a mesmerizing hue of sea foam blue all around. And there is something very comforting and satisfying about gathering inside the igloo after itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complete.

The snow fort test: if you can make a mitten full of snow into a snowball, then you can make a sturdy snow shelter.

Always keep safety in mind while building and caring for your igloo. Wear non-cotton warm clothing to prevent frostbite, have no open flames on the inside, and tear your snow lodge down if you are going away for an extended period.

But most of all: have fun and make a wonderful winter memory with your kids.

TIPS FOR COOL FUN â&#x20AC;˘ Prepare: Talk with the kids about creating an igloo and read about snow forts together before the snow hits.

When that first snowflake falls youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be ready to go into action.

mood and your energy. Turn off the TV and trade in the couch for a cool igloo, some snow angels and a jolly snowman.

3. Using a carpenterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s saw, cut blocks of roughly 20 inches long, by 10 inches thick, by 15 inches tall.

â&#x20AC;˘ Charge Up: Remember to keep everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy up while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re building and playing with lean protein and complex carbohydrates and healthy snacks. Fuel up with steamy cocoa and hot cider.

4. Place blocks in a circle around your snow angel. Trim them so they fit snugly; be sure they are on a solid base to prevent shifting under the weight of blocks as you build.

5. After the first ring is complete, form a circular ramp by cutting away some of the blocks, starting at a joint, discarding the top portion of each block as you go.

â&#x20AC;˘ Positive Thinking: Empower each other and turn a cold day of winter into a fun day of sport, ingenuity and communion with the family. â&#x20AC;˘ Build Strong Bonds: Working together with the family creates love, warmth and mental and physical stimulation.

Remember to take lots of pictures.

IGLOO INSTRUCTIONS

â&#x20AC;˘ Get Outside: Getting exposure to sunlight can be a powerful way to boost you and your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attitude.

In fact, on a sunny day, the brightness outdoors is many times greater than the light emitted from a high-intensity light fixture.

1. Wait for a snowfall of 6 inches or more.

Shovel snow into a pile in an area of 10 feet square, close to where you will build your igloo. Pack the snow down making a uniform block of snow, called a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sheet cakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; about 14 to 18 inches high. We used our deck. Wait at least two hours for the snow to firm up before cutting the snow blocks.

â&#x20AC;˘ Take Action: Outdoor exercise in the winter can provide a powerful lift to your

2. Make a snow angel on the spot your igloo will go.

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6. Starting at the low end of the ramp, place blocks on the base. Stagger the seams between the blocks like a brick wall, and place blocks, one after another, shaving them so that they fit tightly.

Shave the top surface of the blocks angling them slightly inward toward the center of the igloo. Use a small stick at the center of the igloo. Look for a straight line of sight when eyeing along the top of an angled block, inward toward the base of the stick.

7. Have someone stand inside to help with construction as the structure grows.

They should have a saw handy to shape blocks and to assist from the inside until the igloo entry is cut away.

Continue stacking and shaping in an upward, inward, circular spiral until a hole roughly the size of your blocks is left at the top of the igloo. Cut a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;king blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, like a cork, to plug the hole, supporting the inward leaning walls of the dome. Select a block that is slightly

larger than the remaining opening in the igloo. Taper it to fit. Place it in position being careful to not lean against the igloo walls.

8. Now create an entrance. Choose a spot so that the arch of the igloo opening will be centered beneath a solid snow block, and not centered beneath a joint. Saw an arch-shaped opening large enough for a person to crawl through, about 2 feet by 2 feet. You may add a snow block tunnel as a windbreak. Have a vent hole near the top of your structure to create constant fresh air.

Give yourself two to three hours to build your igloo from the time you start sawing blocks. Check out Dr. Yankielunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book for other fun snow shelters for the family to build.

Robert E. Yankielun, formerly a researcher with the US Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Laboratory in New Hampshire, is a consulting electrical engineer in private practice. You can visit his website at doctorwhy.com.

Bonnie J. Toomey is a columnist and freelance writer living in New England with her husband. She writes for newspaper, magazine, and online publications.

Visit Parent Forward at www.parentforward.blogspot.com to learn more

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BAYSTATEPARENT 23

7

tips on an easy approach to consigning 1

Consigning the first time may seem overwhelming…what are the rules? What can you bring in?

How do you bring it in? When do you bring it in? All these are easy questions to answer, and once you do it for the first time, you will see how easy it is.

Clean (determine what you are ready to let go) Sort (determine what season, and if it is good enough to resell) Prepare (freshly laundered and hung or toy bundled with all parts) And bring it in… Consignments accepted daily between 10am3pm, 7 days per week. Bring in up to 2 laundry baskets worth of kids clothes, toys, or ladies items. Once you bring in your items, you will see how easy it is to turn your Closet into Cash.

Because kids grow like weeds

Johnny Appleseed Plaza 1021 Central St., Leominster 978-534-6604 everythingcutie.com Mon. - Sat., 9-7, Thurs. 9-8, Sun. 10-6 24 JANUARY2013

ADVERTORIAL

by cassandra abramson, owner cutie patuties consignment

2

Clean - The best way to really clean a closet or dresser is to take EVERYTHING out at once, and it doesn’t go back into the closet until it has been tried on, and determined if your child will wear it again. Just because it fits, doesn’t mean they will wear it again.

If they aren’t going to wear it, it doesn’t go back into the closet! (This applies to shoes, socks, yes, EVERYTHING!) Make it fun…turn it into a fashion show and be prepared for the next season!

3 6

Prepare - Preparation is easy…give your items a fresh wash and hang up at home to make them a breeze to drop off. You can always come ahead of time and pick up plastic hangers to use or use the extra hangers you have at home.

Items should be consigned on a hanger to help them look their best. The better your items look (and smell) the better they will sell.

4

Ongoing Consignment is not meant to only be twice a year when you change the seasons of your clothing. Keep an extra plastic storage tub or box in the bottom of your hall closet, in the garage or laundry room.

Add items to this box as you come across them.

Remember to bring these items with you the next time you come and keep cashing in.

Sort - All items that don’t fit your family’s needs are to be sorted.

Easiest approach is with 2 plastic storage totes by your side. Can they be resold and used again? This means no missing buttons, or stains on the items.

If yes, then determine if Fall/Winter or Spring/Summer season. Fill each tote with just one season to make it easy to bring in. If they are not able to be resold, put in plastic bag for donation.

Toy Box - Don’t forget the toy box or bookshelf. This may be a bit trickier, but easily something you can do a little at a time while the kids are in school, or take just a couple toys out of the toy box at a time, they probably won’t notice.

Bundle toys with multiple pieces into a bag together so they can be sold in the configuration you originally purchased them.

7

5

Check - for recalls.

Go to CPSC.gov and check by manufacturer the status of toys, and nursery gear for any current recalls. If your item is affected, contact the manufacturer to receive the corrected part for your item.

Bring it - Consignments are accepted between 10am -3pm, 7 days per week (YES EVEN on Weekends – No Appointment Needed). Clothing is accepted in-season fill up to 2 laundry baskets every day. Consigning is not just for your closet but your entire home.

Keep it simple with our consignment math….Clean + Current + Cutie = Cash

summer

camp COUNTDOWN From January to June, baystateparent Magazine will highlight one camp or camping experience that will peak your interest and give you something new for your kids to experience this summer. From sleep away camps to day camps and everything in between, we’ll highlight camps from around the area in our special camp issue in March.

Worcester Area Think Tank

2013 SUMMER WORKSHOPS Hot Set! Film Production (ages 10-17)

JCC Summer Camps Kickoff Preschool through 10th Grade One Day Only… in Worcester Sunday, February 10th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Worcester JCC

OR

Save up to 15%* One Day Only

MORE WEEKS, MORE SAVINGS! Register for: 1-3 weeks - SAVE 5%* 4-6 weeks - SAVE 10%* 7 + weeks - SAVE 15%* You can combine the weeks for all children in one family to reach the maximum savings.

No price increase on most camp fees this year! *off total fee (includes electives, extended day and transportation).

One Day Only…in Westboro Sunday, February 3rd, 8:00 -11:00 a.m. at B’Nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westboro

SUMMER DAY CAMPS:

How are movies made? How does an idea transform into a moving picture with a cast and crew? In this week long workshop students will discover what it takes to make a short film by exploring ideas, writing scenes, experimenting with props and costumes, learning about cinematography and filming techniques, acting, directing, and the important process of post production and editing with iMovie.

This workshop will run Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.

July or August dates to be determined.

Sabra Summer Program Ages 2-5 yrs.

Camp Habonim Gr. 1-10

Ancient Art of Flute Crafting (ages 13-adult)

Camp Keshet – Specialty Camp Gr.3-6

Learn to create your own flute with simple tools and the local plant known as Japanese knotwood. Students of this workshop will learn how to harvest, shape, and design a stalk of knotwood to produce a functioning flute that will either be transverse (side-blown) or endblown. Flute making is an ancient multicultural tradition. One of the goals of the workshop will be preserve the simplicity and meditative aspect to the art.

Camp a-la- cart Gr. 1-6 June 10 -21 and Aug 19-Aug 23 Teen Travel Camp Gr.7-10 Sports Specialty Camps Gr.1-10 Details in our camp brochure available online.

Worcester JCC 633 Salisbury Street • Worcester, MA 01609 For more information and free brochure call 508 756-7109 • www.worcesterjcc.org

This workshop will run Thu-Fri, 4pm-7pm.

July or August dates to be determined.

For further info on these workshops or other Think Tank classes visit WorcesterThinkTank.com or call 508-757-TANK (8265)

The JCC is open to all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or economic condition. The Center is handicapped accessible. Scholarships available.

BAYSTATEPARENT 25

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

DOG DAYS

of Summer Camp A MUSH-DO Dogsledding Program BY

carrie wattu, steven king photography

Your child can learn about dogsledding in the heart of happen to be in the Vitello’s care. They also make crafts Central Massachusetts thanks to Massachusetts’ very own such as nature mobiles and rocks baked in melted crayons. mushers, Eileen and Gregg Vitello.

Camper Kara Wattu, 8, says this camp is for the child who Dogsledding is a way of life for the Vitellos and their is responsible with animals. “You get to handle chickens three boys Michael, 19, J.P., 16, and Bailey, 15—even in the and ferrets and give dogs baths,” she says. summer as dogs need to be conditioned year round. The Guiding the children in their responsibilities is the family owns and operates Northern Exposure Outfitters, ever-patient and down-to-earth camp staff which includes a dogsledding company which offers sled rides, tours, Eileen and Gregg as well as the dog trainer and intern, customized excursions, training, instruction, clothing and Gabby Pecore, J.P. Vitello, and award-winning musher, equipment. Part of their mission is to share their love of Bailey. Bailey is impressive for a boy his age—articulate, dogsledding and educate others—particularly children— polite, kind and super-talented—a great role model for about this remarkable kids. His accomplishments sport, so Eileen and are extensive, ranging from Gregg offer educational earning 5th place—against programs, school visits adults—as the youngest musher “My favorite part of camp and summer camps. to compete in the Can-Am is Apollo, Memphis, Liukin, The family opens their Crown 30 at age 12 to coming home for several weeks in 7th place in the Jr. Iditarod Monster, Heme, Isis, H2, each summer for hands150-mile race in Alaska last Lynx, Sprite, Coke, Hercules, on day camps that appeal year—again, against adults.

Bear, Moose, Tank, Fishfood, to the child who loves In Alaska, Bailey was the dogs, adventure and the fastest musher to the half-way Ra, Chub Chub, Summit, outdoors. And because checkpoint. Keep in mind, Ziggy…” the camp attracts children Bailey was just 14 when he from all over the country, managed a team of 6-12 sled last summer the Vitellos dogs by himself for 150 miles - Mary Wattu, age 8 began hosting overnight through an Alaskan terrain. camp. Campers sleep in These accomplishments a quaint environmentallytranslate into a confidence friendly cabin complete with an outdoor, solar-heated and expertise to which children gravitate. shower. The Vitellos built the cabin themselves as a family “When I first met the Vitellos, I felt like I knew them for project in 2012. No need to bring teddy from home— a long time,” says Margot. In fact, it doesn’t take long for campers can choose a friendly sled dog to cuddle in their visitors to feel like honorary Vitellos. bunks at night.

Just beyond the immediate backyard area is “dog central” The Vitello home, a welcoming contemporary cottage, where 32 affectionate—and strong—sled dogs play by their is set on 6 acres in Brookfield and is surrounded by state own dog houses, many built and decorated by campers forest reserves. according to the theme of each dog’s name. “I made a “At first it didn’t look like a dogsledding camp with 32 dog house for Summit,” says Mary Wattu, age 8. “We got dogs, 3 cats, 2 ferrets, 3 goats, 6 chickens and 6 yaks,” says to paint a design on a side of the house. We stuck to a 12-year-old camper Margot Wattu. However, after heading mountain theme, so I painted trees and a moose drinking to the backyard to make her camp T-shirt, Margot says that out of a lake. “wow” is the only word to describe what she saw.

Camper Kara Wattu, 8, loved visiting the dogs especially Liukin. “I just liked sitting next to him and rubbing his stomach,” she says.

But hold your harnesses. It’s not all belly rubs here.

Should the dogs get just a glimpse of a harness, the whole For the outdoorsy kid, the Vitello’s backyard is it: grassy pack howls with anticipation. These pups love to run. And and wooded complete with a stone waterfall, gardens, hot since there is no snow in the summer, the dogs pull notub, swing set and barn with the above-mentioned animals. snow sleds up and down the path, treating campers to a Kids play here with Snow and Thumper, the camp’s two canine-powered thrill ride as the finale of their camp week. ferrets, baby chicks and whatever other animal friends

The bow - “wow” factor

26 JANUARY2013

Next to the dogs’ area is the cozy Vitello-made cabin and fire pit where many s’mores and stories are shared. And beyond all this is a dirt road leading to trails, a waterfall, fishing holes and more. Whether by sled or on wagon, an ATV or bicycle, or even on a bungee cord attached to your waist, there is always a dog to lead the way.

Love at first mush The Vitellos love for sled dogs all started with a golden retriever named Bear. In 1997, their beloved dog was hit by a car and suffered through a slow recovery filled with bed rest and countless medications.

“We decided this was no life for him or our family,” says Eileen. “We were outdoor adventurers and couldn’t leave Bear behind.”

Eileen and Gregg decided that the best medicine for Bear was another dog, one who was young and could remind him about what being a dog is all about.

In their search for Bear’s companion, the family found Meeko, a classic sled dog, a pure-bred A.K.C. registered Alaskan Malamute. With Meeko by his side, Bear made an amazing recovery and was able to live out his days adventuring with his family. And as the family began to learn more about their sled dog, they tried something they had never done before: dogsledding.

As mushing became a way of life for the Vitellos, and their two dogs multiplied into a kennel of 32, the family decided to sell their Upton home and move from Metro West to the heart of Central Massachusetts. Gregg gave up his job as manager of a Honda dealership as the couple

pursued their dream of offering dog sledding products and services to the world and supporting their son Bailey who travels the world as a competitive musher. They are the essence of do-what-you-love, and this spirit transfers infectiously to their campers.

Do what you love at camp At Northern Exposure Outfitters, the dog days of summer puts free time on the camp schedule, which the Wattu girls loved. “We could spend it with the dogs, goats, ferrets or go in the hot tub,” says Kara.

Of course, the kids are on an exciting schedule of regular camp activities for most of the day which include: Grooming and conditioning of the dogs: Grooming and conditioning are two big parts of how well a dog performs, so the camp teaches children how to check the dogs for potential performance-inhibiting problems. “We brushed and bathed the dogs and watched Bailey give the dogs their shots. We even got to see the vet pick porcupine needles out of H2,” says Mary.

Leader training: Campers pick a canine running partner and learn how to properly fit the dog as well as themselves with the correct equipment. Called “canicrossing,” kids run while tethered to a dog with a bungee cord. This trains a dog to pull while a child improves his or her running speed. “You need to drink lots of water before,” says Kara.

“It’s exciting to see what it’s like to run like a sled dog.”

Kennel care: Kids learn how to keep a clean and orderly kennel, and why it is so important. They also learn how to feed the dogs as proper feeding is essential to keeping the kennel clean.

Barn care: “We got assigned cleaning the chicken coop,” says Margot. “Mary took a rake, Kara took a broom and I took a shovel. In a few minutes the coop was as clean as new. Afterwards, we played with the chickens. This was good for us because we learned how to care for chickens and were able to convince our parents to get chickens of our own.”

Mushing education: “When it rained, we watched mushing movies and ate bowls of popcorn. After the movie we talked about the commands and took notes and drew,” says Margot. Eileen has a collection of mushing movies and encourages children to determine which mushing portrayals are accurate and which are inaccurate.

No-snow sledding: The finale of camp ends with the children getting a thrill ride through wooded trails on a no-snow sled powered by a team of dogs.

Lake day trip: Kids visit the town lake for sandcastle building, kayaking and swimming with dogs.

River fun: The campers spend a day walking to the river to explore the water, kayak and fish.

Arts & crafts: The campers create crafts out of dog hair, make lines for the sled dogs with a process called fidding and build and decorate doghouses. They also create T-shirts, dream catchers, nature mobiles, rocks embellished with melted crayons and other assorted projects.

Nature walk: Campers—along with mushers—take a few furry friends on a long nature walk to a cool water fall in the middle of the woods. Campers get good and messy while exploring and examining the trail that the dogs train year round.

Relaxation: Whether it’s enjoying a snack or lunch by the campfire, soaking in the hot tub or playing with ferrets and barn animals, the Vitellos provide ways for every camper to unwind.

“By the end of the week, you become so familiar with all of the dogs and their personalities,” says Mary. “I miss them!”

For more information about the 2013 camp schedule or about visiting the camp for the day, booking a school program or scheduling a once-in-a-lifetime thrill ride on a dogsled, call 508-867-4396 or visit neoutfitters.com.

Carrie Wattu is a Central Mass freelance writer. After her girls spent their summer days at Northern Exposures Outfitters, they transformed their outdoor playhouse into a chicken coop and made a homemade canicross harness for their Boston Terrier, Spanky.

BAYSTATEPARENT 27

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

Open Houses: Jan 13, Feb 9, Mar 24 from 1-3pm

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BAYSTATEPARENT 29

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

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KNOWLEDGE & Tech Know How

31

NOT EVERY CHILD IS A ROCKET SCIENTIST

32

SCHOOLS & TECHNOLOGY: Struggling to Keep Up

34

APPS: Moms Can’t Live Without

37

SCORING BIG ON MCAS

39

TECH-SAVVY HIGH SCHOOLS: How Virtual Learning is Moving Kids to the Head of the Class

40

HOMEWORK HELP FOR PARENTS

41

5 EDUCATION FACTS AND FIGURES FROM AROUND THE STATE

Are you looking for the right preschool for your child?

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W

ho’s afraid of a little sibling rivalry? It’s healthy, right?

It’s what brothers and sisters do, they see who can run faster or finish that Harry Potter book first.

They turn miniature golf from a fun family outing into nasty piece of competitive business. Those battles are easily decided, the sibling who finishes first or has the better score wins.

What about the less objective contests?

Who’s prettier?

Who’s funnier?

Who sings better?

And what about that granddaddy of sibling comparisons—who is smarter?

From the time our children were very young, my husband and I spent a lot of time telling them that different people are good at different things, that they shouldn’t compare how they are doing with how someone else is doing.

We made a point of saying that getting a better grade doesn’t make you better than other kids, you just got a better grade. I have to admit, that was a tough sell. Especially since my son Josh* was “invited” to attend Saturday school in the second grade.

At first, my daughter Mackenzie thought she was missing out on something special, but one of the kids on the playground (a real charmer to this day) set her straight.

He said Saturday school was punishment for dummies. Both of my children heard it, Mackenzie defended her brother’s intelligence, but she asked me as soon as she got home if Josh was stupid. We had some very interesting dinner conversation that night. And many more times around the kitchen table over the years.

How do you define smart? Are grades the only measure of a “smart” person? If you get all As, but you fail to recognize that your classmates don’t like to hear you brag incessantly about your success and they shun you, is that smart? What about the friend in sixth grade who never does his homework, gets mediocre grades, but can build an amazing Legos robot without any help and knows everything there is to know about the stars and the solar system?

Is he smart? The corollary questions—why is there so much emphasis on being smart?

And how does this emphasis on academic achievement affect a child’s self-esteem?

Don’t people know that not everyone is a rocket scientist?

While children are well aware of how they are perceived by others almost from the start of first grade, this self-consciousness seems to come to a head during that dreadful morass of middle school. The desire to fit in can be overwhelming.

One of my friends has a daughter, Karen, who received math support for years, but announced in seventh grade she wouldn’t be going for help anymore because getting pulled out of class for those sessions was the same as telling everyone she is a dummy. Ouch.

I spoke with a number of guidance

KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW counselors, middle and high school principals, and a child psychologist in my never-ending quest to hear what these experts recommend. I came away with a several points of agreement.

First, the conversations start young and need to be consistent. Kathy Greenwood, executive director of the Abby Kelly Foster Charter School (AKFCS) in Worcester, sees the race for good grades starting very young (since 2008, the National

needed without singling out one particular child. In addition, the school recognizes that self esteem issues are not solely related to academic issues. AKFCS conducts workshops for parents on self esteem as part of their partnership with parents in the education of their children.

Sometimes, if parents notice issues of self esteem worsening in middle school, they look for an environment that better suits their child for high school. Parents looking

JUSTAROUND THECORNER

Not Every Child is a Rocket Scientist BY

katherine jacante

Elementary Honor Society has been recognizing achievement in elementary schools, though is it not strictly based on academic milestones). While her school embraces academic rigor, Greenwood says there is a balance parents and educators should keep in mind with an equal or greater focus on effort.

If, beginning with their first report card, you impress on your children through words and deeds that grades are important, but that your family values conduct and effort as well, you are letting them know what your expectations are.

As to the seventh grader who doesn’t want to be taken out of class for fear of being labeled, Greenwood says that her school and others provide inclusion services in the classroom, where a learning specialist is in the classroom helping all the students as

for a fresh start or a change of focus actually have a number of options to consider.

There are charter schools, private schools, school choice options, technical schools and schools whose focus is on special needs. Parents can start with the guidance department of their current school to voice their concerns and get some help identifying options to investigate. Be an active participant in the process and look at the big picture. Some of these options come with a price tag, but some are available at no cost.

Sheila Harrity is the principal of the Worcester Technical High School which serves nearly 1,400 students. The school’s mission is to properly prepare students both academically and technically with the skills to be successful in career and college.

While there are many academically gifted

students who choose a technical high school, Harrity has also seen students who previously struggled in school blossom in the technical program setting.

“As students develop their technical and problem solving skills, they begin to see the relevance of their education,” Harrity says. “The learning comes alive and as they advance in their technical programs, they become more competent, their academic performance improves and their self-esteem improves as well.”

While that is not always the case, Harrity points out that finding a program that matches your student’s interest and abilities goes a long way in supporting their success.

Both Harrity and Greenwood agreed that finding the best place for your child takes a bit of detective work. Parents and their child should attend open houses, tour the facilities, take advantage of a day of shadowing where your child attends classes with a student to get a real feel of what the school is like. Check out websites to see how the school presents itself, what values are reflected in the materials you find there. Ask the schools specifically about their mission statement and what it actually means, how do they put the words of their mission statement into action. Speak with other parents and students and ask what their experience has been.

Each of the experts I spoke with also pointed out that success is not measured only in the classroom. Students who are engaged in their schools, participating in activities, playing sports, giving back to the community, are successful – all these elements contribute to raising a wellrounded person.

Your child may not see these attributes as triumphs, but you know better. Parents are in the best position to impress upon their children what their family values most and how they define success.

My children are teenagers now. My son attended Saturday school for two years and worked with a reading specialist, a patient exceptional woman who helped Josh develop a great love of reading. Today, he is a very strong student, but that difference in academic achievement between brother and sister continues to surface occasionally, usually in the heat of argument, as a lingering source of sibling needling (trust me, Josh has his own below the belt comments he makes to his sister).

For more information about the options available to your child, please check out these websites. www.doe.mass.edu/FamComm/f_alted.html massachusetts.educationbug.org www.masscharterschools.org www.masshome.com/votech.html www.localschooldirectory.com *The names of the subjects in this series of articles have been changed to protect their privacy.

Katherine Jacante is a writer and mother of two teenagers living in Central Massachusetts. She uses a pseudonym to protect her relationship with her children and other families who may recognize themselves in these articles.

BAYSTATEPARENT 31

&

KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

SCHOOLS TECHNOLOGY: BY

Each spring, students at Northwest Elementary School in Leominster burst through the gymnasium doors and file onto the baseball diamond, where volunteering moms wait with clipboards, water bottles and Freeze Pops.

The students, who are thrilled with the fresh air and freedom, complete laps of running, walking and skipping, in quick succession keeping count of how many they accomplish in a predetermined time frame. Thanks to pledges from friends and neighbors, they go home and collect envelopes of loose change and small bills when the deed is done, and deliver it back to school where the money will be tallied and quickly spent.

The event is the school’s annual Techno Trot, sponsored by the PTO, and it’s just one of the creative concepts that struggling school districts use in order to keep up with their more affluent counterparts. The money will help to fund more “Learning Labs” at the small school – where a majority of students qualify for free or reduced school lunches, the most accurate way of determining a school’s economic status and level of need.

About 15 miles east of Leominster, The Center School students in Stow enjoy a different reality. With the K-5 school having only opened this year, the budget – which was generously approved by taxpayers – allows for much more bounty in the classrooms. Each of the kindergarten to second grade classrooms has four iPads, and a handful of Google Chrome Books were purchased for the third to fifth grade classrooms.

“Like many schools, we are trying to utilize technology and technological tools to support and further our students’ education,” said Center School Principal Kevin LaCoste, who added that the town has been generous and supportive with its funds in order to get the school set up for the future. He is grateful to not have to fight for it – at least for now.

It is no longer such a subject of debate among educators, he added, as far as whether technology is useful in an educational capacity. But with that finally settled, now it’s a question of implementation and of course, staying on top of the constant updating, upgrading and uploading.

Though many schools are headed toward securing iPads for each student, others 32 JANUARY2013

amanda roberge

are cutting that corner by adopting the Learning Lab model – a less expensive solution to what has become an increasingly costly problem. The mobile carts, which can be “checked out” by teachers, contain enough iPads so that each student can have one to use for that lesson, that class or that day. The labs were once at least partially funded by Title I grant money that filtered into schools, but administrators are finding they have to dig deeper to get what they need.

So what happens when the desire is there but the money is not? As it turns out, the answer to that question is simple: Do whatever you can.

According to Bob Walton, Information Technology Officer for the Worcester Public School System, the economic downturn has had a severe effect on the school budget in general, and technology is often one of the first line items to get reduced. Where state grants and assistance were once available, the state has been hit just as hard and now it’s up to individual districts to figure out how to make ends meet.

One of the biggest sources of financial assistance, for Worcester and other schools who face serious economic challenges, has been the E-rate funding program, which is a national initiative that has – in Fiscal Year 2012 alone – supplied $2.74 billion to school nationwide to help with technology.

The fund relies on citizens being “charged” a dollar or two per billing cycle on their utility bills and E-rate collects and redistributes the money to school all over the country based on their level of need.

According to Walton, the fact that the amount your school receives is commensurate with your percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch does not make the process a slam dunk – even in Worcester. While the program was at one time a well-kept secret, the high demand for E-rate monies has meant sharing the wealth for those that once enjoyed hearty support.

In fact, according to figures released earlier this year by the Federal Communications Commission, the demand for funds was projected to be close to twice the amount available.

“There is so much that we would not be able to have if it weren’t for the E-rate program,” he said. “But of course the problem is that those funds are starting

Struggling

To Keep Up

to dry up. I wish I could say there is a fountain of money somewhere, but there isn’t.”

But even for affluent communities, making decisions about how to proceed with acquiring new technologies can be difficult. One of the most harrowing factors is the cyclical nature of technology and realizing that the things you purchase this year will need to be upgraded or replaced in the not-so-distant future.

“We find that we have to be creative with our funding in a small district like ours,” said Hopedale Public Schools Superintendent Dennis Breen, who added that his district has the benefit of enough incoming school choice funding to cover the technology budget. “And we have accepted that some years, we lose ground and hope to make it up later.”

Breen is looking forward to a day when each student will be responsible for their own iPad – much like the Trapper Keepers and binders of days gone by – whether through renting, buying one’s own or

using one that belongs to the school.

Many schools, he said, are quickly headed in that direction.

And while iPads are sure to become commonplace in the future as a traditional school supply, some students currently have a more pressing need.

According to Leominster mom Stacy Maillet, who started the Nicholas James Foundation in honor of her preschoolaged son, children with autism find that an iPad allows them to be understood and to communicate with teachers. This is a fact of his life, she said, that cannot wait for funding.

So far, she has supplied a handful of preschool classrooms in her district with iPads and with no fountain of money in sight, she figures she will be fundraising for classroom iPads throughout his public school career.

“To be fair, I didn’t ask the school to get them or make any kind of demand,” she said. “I just knew that it needed to be me.

So that’s what I do.”

KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

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KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

LOCAL MOMS CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT....

BY

W

hen I got the first Google phone ever made (the G1 for all the tech savvy people), there was barely one app available.

My husband who loves the latest gadget bought us matching phones with the latest technology.

That was about four years ago, before the iPhone took off and before I knew anything about Angry Birds and apps.

What was great about the G1 was that I was able to check my email on the fly and respond quickly. I was in heaven – I didn’t need anything more.

Then came Angry Birds which is still one of the most popular apps and one of my biggest frustrations in life. I am not good with angles and math, so I can never get enough stars on those levels, though my husband and kids are whizzes at the game.

But since then, the landscape of apps for users, especially moms like me, have changed so much. It’s become the rage for kids and parents alike. Almost any store, website and social media platform has a mobile application that helps us stay connected with each other.

We put a call out to our baystateparent readers and asked what their favorite apps are, and not only are they tech savvy, but they love the latest and greatest apps. Here’s what we heard: 34 JANUARY2013

“My favorite is pageonce. It organizes all your accounts and I pay my bills directly through it. I never have to look up account numbers and it can be done very quickly. I’ve paid bills while standing in line or sitting in a waiting room for an appointment. Very convenient and FREE. Another great one is gas buddy for looking up the best gas prices. CVS also has an app, which is great for refills.”

- Missy Doyle, of Worcester “Groupon and coupon app…and definitely my mobile app for banking!”

- Teresa Kelly Farley, of Middleboro “Artkive allows you to take pictures of your children’s special school work and projects, store them online, share them and create photo books so you can save it forever without having bins and bins of these things around the house.”

- Christine Curtis White, of Rutland “Shutterfly, I’ve used this site for years, but I can now upload my photos from my iPhone and it’s super helpful.”

- Robin Smith Kirkorian, of Oakham “Shop Kick! Isn’t a productive app, but a mom’s ‘bonus’!! Get points towards gift cards of your choice by just shopping at your regular stores!”

- Bryanna Bellacqua, of Uxbridge

jennifer lucarelli

keep joint shopping lists, and reminds us of appointments! Love this app!!!!! Also, Zuilily – but that app just makes you poor because there are so many ridiculously cute things on sale for you and the kids!”

- Sarah Phillips of Webster

timer and then stop it when done. It’s even got my back for those times that I forget to turn it off if I’m at the computer! It’ll let me know that I had the timer running but wasn’t working and can chop off the those extra hours when I forgot to stop the clock.

“I was caught in the blackout Cambridge had last month and was very thankful for the ‘flashlight’ app on my phone. It was perfect for checking on sleeping babies, etc.”

- Meredith Piscitelli, of Boston

Daily Feats is a fun great app. I use it to remind me to hydrate and take my allergy pills. It’s also perfect for moms because we don’t always give ourselves the credit we deserve. Daily Feats lets you track your accomplishments big or small and you get points and rewards (think Starbucks card and more!) for it!”

- Leah Klein, of Cambridge

“I’m hoping that soon someone invents an app that will clean my bathroom!

Seriously, overdrive allows me to borrow ebooks from my library.”

- Jennifer Forrest Ricciarelli, of Braintree “I use Gesture Search (android). When I open the app it allows me to write on the screen, and it searches my phone for contacts, apps, media, etc. It’s very handy if I’m driving and need to make a quick call because I don’t have to look at the phone to find my contact.”

- Robin Allard Brodeur

“Cozi. Calendar and family organizer.”

- Tamara Griffin Fay, of West Boylston

“I use yelp because I have mommy brain and I often forget what grocery store, takeout restaurant, or craft shop might be near where I am. I also use it as a phone book because its faster for me to just type in the name of the place and then I get phone number, directions, and usually the hours of business all at once in one place.

“Shop Savvy lets you compare prices all over town by scanning the bar code of any product.”

- Melissa Reed Ritchey, of Londonderry, NH.

I love Instagram because I can update my facebook and twitter with photos of the kids or a store sale that my mom friends might like to know about, or I’ll snap a poster of an upcoming event in the neighborhood.

“Cozi, Cozi, Cozi! The app is really just called Cozi. I just said it three times to emphasize how AWESOME this app is!

Keeps my busy family organized, helps us

Because I do freelance work, I love the Paymo app. It’s a timer and tracks my hours for each client. Whether I’m on a call or in a meeting, I choose the client turn on the

“The ones I use most often are: Shazam – for identifying those songs I hear on the radio or playing in stores or at the gyms so I can find them later, the Weight Watchers app – for tracking points, PicFrame – allows me to post several photos in one “frame” to my Facebook wall, thus not clogging up my friends’s feeds, Fuzzle – is my favorite mindless game for passing the time while waiting in line and Cardstar – the app I use for my rewards cards.”

- Rebecca Bell from Berlin “Key Ring – it allows you to scan in all your shopping rewards cards and offers coupons and deals for each stores as well.

Best way to organize all those membership cards without carrying them with you all the time.”

-- Heather Plotkin, Groton “I use Grocery IQ, Cardstar and my Fitness Pal.” - Elise Tobin, Hudson

It’s clear that apps have come a long way from the early days and for the busy mom, there are definitely apps out there that help them be more productive and have some fun.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m bored!â&#x20AC;?

Cure their boredom with baystateparentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s February vacation week special section with listings from around the area.

To advertise, contact Stephanie Pearl at stephaniep@baystateparent.com or call 774-364-0296.

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KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

Scoring BIG on MCAS BY

jennifer lucarelli

It may look like any other elementary school from the outside, but whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in the classrooms at the Worcester Arts Magnet School in Worcester are really helping kids perform on more than just the MCAS test.

In 2012, the third graders achieved the highest math scores on the MCAS test in the state and were ranked 13 in the state for their English scores.

As you walk the halls, some students are practicing for an upcoming production, some are taking art where they are learning about Picasso and using complementary and analog colors as they are surrounded by small posters of his artwork, and others are taking a drama class where they are learning about the local culture of Worcester and will partake in a living museum throughout the school where they become parts of the city and share the history.

What may be the most surprising about the Worcester Arts Magnet School, which is now in its 20th year, is that no one is taking all the credit for the high scores. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a team effort,â&#x20AC;? says Worcester Arts Magnet School Principal Susan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have amazing teachers and staff who make learning fun,

Early Education and Care Since 1913

www.guildofstagnes.org

so the students want to come to class and the parents are so supportive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we have a great parent-teacher group.â&#x20AC;?

And when the teachers and parents talk of Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil, they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say enough good things. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She knows every students name and she is always here whether it is nights or weekends for events,â&#x20AC;? says Sue Poppinchalk, who has a second and fourth grader at the school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She never says no to anything â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a parent may make a suggestion or want to do an event and she just says yes.â&#x20AC;?

In the last few years, the school has held events like an astronomy night where students could come to the school at night and view the night sky. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It a great event and the kids learned something new,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have after school activities like Zumba, Hip Hop, and musical instruments like drums and keyboard. We have no grant for after school programs because we are a Level One School, according to the state, so parents and staff usually jump in and help out with after school activities.â&#x20AC;?

There is also a full-size dance studio with mirrored walls so students can learn ballet and dance for school productions as well as

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after school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have always had a commitment to the arts since we started, but we also focus on the MCAS frameworks,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything can be a learning opportunity and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let our kids opt out of anything.â&#x20AC;?

One of the most interesting approaches is how they teach math. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some students understand the traditional math approach while others learn the new math principals and others may need a different approach to learn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we teach them to learn from their mistakes and keep trying,â&#x20AC;? said Amy Benoit, a third grade teacher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We understand how children learn better than we did in the past, and we believe that all children can get smart,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That has been the commitment since the school opened and it continues to be every day.â&#x20AC;?

Gone are the days of a teacher standing in front of the class and talking at the students all day. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of talking, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s both ways â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the students do a lot of the talking and interacting and they are enthusiastic about learning.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We definitely focus on art because we want them to understand it, but we use arts as a tool for learning,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And it makes learning fun for the kids.â&#x20AC;?

The Worcester Arts Magnet School is a public elementary school that has a preschool and grades kindergarten through sixth grade. There is a lottery to get into the preschool and kindergarten program.

Once a child is accepted into the preschool, they get the preference of attending the kindergarten and elementary school.

Siblings of current students are given preference to attend the school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our kids have opportunities like a private school â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very difficult to get into, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful for the families who are here,â&#x20AC;? says Ismenia Gardner, who has a sixth grader at the school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am also a preschool assistant because when I heard about the school I asked Dr. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil how I could get my daughter to come to the school â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I would have done anything â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I even offered to wash floors.â&#x20AC;?

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KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

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KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

TECH-SAVVY HIGH SCHOOLS: How virtual learning is moving kids to the head of the class BY

T

hanks to the latest technology, some high school students don’t have to go to class to learn, the classroom comes to them.

Computers that were once relegated to recreational time, a quick Google search or a skills class in computer lab, are now becoming a portal for students to take classes offered at other schools and colleges.

Virtual High School (VHS) is a Maynardbased collaborative which opened its virtual doors for business in 1994. What began as a federally-funded grant project for students in Massachusetts has become one of the largest online programs, including over 700 public, private, charter, and home-based schools across the country and around the world. The school offers over 400 courses per semester, and students have the chance to interact with others from places like Brazil, Switzerland and Italy.

What makes it a collaborative is the fact that each member school contributes a teacher to facilitate a particular class, and students are free to choose any courses.

Membership to VHS starts at $3,450 annually and additional seats are earned when schools provide teachers to teach courses. Smaller schools can form consortiums with other area schools, or purchase individual seats from VHS. But VHS isn’t the only virtual program being used by Massachusetts schools.

Franklin High School implements PLATO Virtual Academy, which partners with the National Rural Education Association and the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. While PLATO offers curriculum beginning at the kindergarten level, Franklin uses this web-

donna morin

based program in its high school for support in math, Language Arts, social studies, and science. During the summer, certified teachers can use the program as a tool for MCAS support, test prep, and remediation.

Pandora Carlucci, Executive Director of the Lifelong Learning Department in Franklin, says the program offers a number of advantages, including courses aligned with the state’s curriculum frameworks, courses that can be accessed through school or at home, and exemptive pretests that allow teachers to identify student strengths and needs so classes are better customized to each student. “What’s more,” she adds, “this program assists all types of students because it can be used in a variety of settings.”

Beginning spring of 2013, Franklin will offer 10 electives through the virtual academy, including archeology, criminology, gothic literature, and veterinary science.

The classes will be taught through faculty members of the academy, and offered outside school hours.

Most school budgets limit course selection, so a class desired by a student may not be offered, or may be offered at a time that conflicts with a students’ academic schedule.

For Kim Myers, a senior at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, the virtual psychology course she’s registered for in the spring is a godsend. “I’d exhausted all my possible combinations and nothing would fit right,” she says. The course will help her fulfill requirements for National Honor Society and prepare her for next year’s college studies.

Thomas Cerier, sophomore at Franklin

High School, benefitted from an online geometry class offered through Johns Hopkins. With aspirations to be an engineer in the future, Cerier needed to fill his high school schedule with advanced math courses. “I wouldn’t have been able to satisfy math requirements if I hadn’t taken that online course before my freshman year,” says Cerier.

In addition to its wide array of curriculum options, a virtual school helps to fill gaps that slashed school budgets leave behind.

“Most schools today don’t have the resources to offer all the advanced placement classes and electives that students need and want,” said Carol Arnold, spokesperson for VHS. In a world that requires our students to be more informed about a variety of topics, the selections of a virtual school fit the bill.

Virtual schools also serve as an equalizer by making graduation requirements easier to satisfy for students with behavioral issues or special needs.

Another benefit touted by schools is the independence this type of learning encourages. Valerie Nunes-Danca, a senior at King Philip High School, says she loves the freedom of choice that virtual learning provides. “I was able to work on assignments when it was convenient for me during the week.”

But this type of learning comes with a curve.

For Thomas Cerier, the independence factor wasn’t easy. “It took me longer than I anticipated because I found it hard to fit the work into my schedule.” Without guidance that a classroom teacher provides to break projects down into deadlines, students quite often need an adjustment

period. Even Nunes-Danca admits it was a challenge to stay on track. “I have a tendency to procrastinate a bit, so while the independence was nice, there were a few times I found myself submitting assignments at 11:59 P.M. the day before they were due.”

Whatever a student’s learning style may be, virtual courses seem to offer enough customization that most will benefit.

Are they a replacement for traditional classrooms? Carol Arnold says no. “Our model empowers, rather than replaces schools.” All classes are taught by school teachers and in many programs, teachers serve as one-to-one tutors.

But virtual classrooms are clearly here to stay. Participation in the VHS program alone has increased by 30% in just the past four years. And just imagine the possibilities that come with a world-wide classroom. Virtual criminology, psychology, and geometry are likely just drops in the fizzy math bucket.

Some Schools That Offer Virtual Online Courses Virtual High School http://thevhscollaborative.org edmentum PLATO Learning http://www.plato.com Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth http://cty.jhu.edu

BAYSTATEPARENT 39

KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

Homework HELP for PARENTS BY

jennifer lucarelli

I always hoped my kids would be smarter than me, but I never thought I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to help them with their homework in elementary school.

My oldest son, now in third grade, brought home some math homework last year, and my husband and I debated the answer, both disagreeing. My son was left baffled as to who was being helpful. In the end, I just felt frustrated and concerned that I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to help him complete his nightly homework assignments.

My husband, by the way, is a computer engineer, so a wiser mother would have left it up to him to help with the math homework, but I thought I should be able to do second grade math even though I struggled with math since elementary school.

Thankfully, the teacher sends home a Family Letter that has the answers to the math homework, so I can at least double check his answers.

Thanks to the Internet, there are now some websites that help parents and children learn more complicated aspects of math and science. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Khanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy (khanacademy.org) is an awesome online resource for free academic help, especially all levels of math,â&#x20AC;? says Amanda Sullivan Torrey of Blackstone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The instructor breaks things down in a simple, understandable way. Kids can watch videos and then do practice problems if needed.â&#x20AC;?

The U.S. Department of Education gives the following tips for helping your child succeed in doing their homework. Here they are: â&#x20AC;˘ Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as

people coming and going. â&#x20AC;˘ Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance. â&#x20AC;˘ Help your child with time management.

Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates. â&#x20AC;˘ Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires. â&#x20AC;˘ When your child does homework, you do homework. Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, read a book. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook. â&#x20AC;˘ When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when they going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her. â&#x20AC;˘ When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it. Cooperate with the teacher.

It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher. â&#x20AC;˘ If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away. Too much parent involvement

can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills. â&#x20AC;˘ Stay informed. Talk to your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teacher.

Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class rules are. â&#x20AC;˘ Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework. Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.

Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration. Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment. â&#x20AC;˘ Reward progress in homework. If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (for example pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.

The U.S. Department of Education also suggests parents let their children do their homework and encourage, but not complete assignments for them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research shows that if a child is having difficulty with homework, parents should become involved by paying close attention,â&#x20AC;? according to the website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They should expect more requests from teachers for their homework help. Parents should avoid interfering in the independent completion of assignments.â&#x20AC;?

If your child is struggling with homework assignments, contact his or her teacher for helpful tips as well. You can also visit ed.gov for more helpful tips on homework help.

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FROM AROUND THE STATE BY

jennifer lucarelli

1. Massachusetts Students Among the Smartest in the World: The results of the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study exams were released in December, and Massachusetts 8th grade students ranked 2nd in the world in science and 6th in the world in mathematics. Massachusetts not only performed at the highest levels, it significantly outperformed the U.S. as a whole and all other states that took part in the study independently, while also improving significantly since the last time the test was given.

Sixty-three countries including Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Chinese Taipei took part in the international exam.

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2. Nashoba Regional High School’s Perfect Season: A Super Bowl win is sweet, but to win it is definitely sweeter after a perfect season. Nashoba Regional High School’s Chieftains went into the Super Bowl, held at Gillette Stadium in December, with a record of 13-0 and left with a 20-6 win over Shepherd Hill Regional High School.

3. Mid-year Budget Cuts Could Mean Trouble for Local Schools: Governor Deval Patrick announced a mid-year budget gap of $540 million, which could mean cutting local aid to cities and towns. State Sen. Will Brownsberger, D-Belmont, reported that Patrick plans to cut special education circuit breaker funds by 4.8 percent, which are used to reimburse towns for special education costs incurred in the previous year. If you are concerned about these cuts, call or email your local legislators. To find their contact information, visit malegislature.gov.

4. Chess Masters at a Young Age: Chess clubs are popping up in elementary schools around the state. Successful chess players demonstrate an ability to think critically, analyze situations, train their memory, and make decisions under pressure, according to the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association. Some towns that have chess clubs as activities include Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Hadley, Millbury and Shrewsbury.

5. Schools and Technology: Kindergarten students in Ashburnham are among the first in the state to be using iPads in the classroom, but districts around the state are starting to implement more and more technology as a learning tool in the classroom. To read more about how some districts are able to afford the latest technology for students, read the feature School & Technology: Struggling to Keep Up on page 32.

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KNOWLEDGE & TECH KNOW HOW

5

EDUCATION FACTS AND FIGURES

TONING DOWN the Lights and Sound,

An Autism-Friendly Production of Annie BY

When you have a child with autism, you know there are many places you can’t go.

Amusement parks, fairs, concerts, movie theaters, Disney World – many of the same places that parents of neuro-typical children take for granted and don’t think twice about going.

The lights, sounds and crowds can all overstimulate and overwhelm a child – these activities can be literally painful for some children with autism or other sensory disorders. Noises are louder, lights are brighter, and the crowds can disorient kids with autism.

Families often feel isolated when they miss out on activities that their friends and neighbors attend, and parents desperately want to provide their children with enriching, fun and seemingly normal activities.

The Open Door Theater of Acton is helping parents and families to meet this goal. On Saturday, Jan. 19, the theater will be presenting an autism-friendly, live theatrical performance of the musical “Annie” at the Dragonfly Theater in Acton. The Open Door Theater was founded in 1980, and ever since they have been providing families of children with special needs a place to enjoy and participate in quality community theater.

Open Door Theater was conceived by two mothers who had children with special 42 JANUARY2013

kathleen quinn

needs. Their mission has been to provide families with a fun and safe environment, for both children with cognitive and physical disabilities.

Not only does the theater provide families with a place to see quality theater with accommodations for disabilities, but families and their children also are provided with the rare opportunity to participate in the performances themselves.

Every child with a disability who auditions is automatically cast. Open Door’s philosophy is that by offering a positive theater experience, with a mix of people, the participants learn a lot about themselves and how to get along with each other.

“The theater encourages people to come as a family – a dad who is a good singer gets a part, and the daughter is in the chorus,” says Rachel Lucas, the public relations director for the Open Door Theater. “Many parents come and make friends – and then they stay! Some parents volunteer, work backstage or even join the board. Many parents continue to come even though their children may not – including one mom whose son is in college. Not every family involved has a child with special needs – some are just theater lovers.”

Open Door’s autism friendly performance in January is a pilot program for the

theater. They worked with Autism Alliance of MetroWest to educate the cast and crew about autism.

They learned about autism, how children are affected and what a typical performance may feel like to a child with autism. They worked with the Alliance on making appropriate accommodations like keeping the lights up and the sound level down.

The cast members will be onstage and out of character before the performance to help children differentiate between the performance and reality.

Children will be given a manipulative toy to play with during the performance (a squishy ball) and a social story will be available to families in advance. A social story is a printed picture book learning tool that is used to familiarize children with the situation before encountering it.

A chill zone will also be provided outside the theater so that children have a place to go if overwhelmed.

In addition, the audience will be allowed to move around and vocalize during the performance in a non-judgmental environment.

Rick Woods of Lunenburg will be playing Daddy Warbucks on stage, and he is well aware of the struggles a parent of a child with autism faces because his son, Lee, has autism.

Rick says that his family attempted to see

a live performance of Pocahontas once with Lee when he was younger, but “when the fight scene occurred and the guns were fired, it was loud, and Lee ran out of the theater.”

Lee will also be appearing onstage with his father during Annie, and this will be their third theater performance together.

“Lee is excited because Open Door is having their first autism-friendly show performance,” Rick says. “Many of his friends and families from school will be able to enjoy the performance with the specific accommodations.”

Open Door Theater will be providing the autism-friendly performance of “Annie” on Saturday, Jan. 19, with at reduced rate of $8 a ticket for families with members on the autism spectrum, and the full run of the show is January 11-20 for all audiences. In addition, the theater offers ASL-interpreted performances during the run of each production as well.

For more information about the theater see their website at opendoortheater.org, and for more information about autism and the Autism Alliance of Metrowest please visit autismalliance.org.

Kathleen Quinn is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and a freelance writer from Holden. She is also a mother of two children, Owen, 3, and Bridget, 6.

LETSROLL

WINTER FUN for the Whole Family BY

jennifer lucarelli

For those who don’t ski or snowboard, snow tubing offers great winter fun for the whole family.

“Everyone is at an equal level on a snow tube,” said Chris Kitchin, general manager of Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford.

“All ages can enjoy snow tubing together as a family.”

In Central and Eastern Massachusetts, there are three snow tubing parks that offer hundreds of tubes and multiple lanes that take the downhill experience to new heights. And the best part is you don’t need any costly equipment – the tubes are provided and thanks to modern technology, some tubing offer lifts for you and the tube.

The Amesbury Sports Park, Amesbury The Amesbury Sports Park is a place like no other. The park boasts the steepest and fastest snow tubing hill in New England and offers up to 12 lanes for snow tubing.

There are currently nearly 1,000 tubes that can be operated when the park is at full capacity. Two lifts service the hill – a conveyor belt lift that guests stand on and an old fashioned handle tow lift that allows riders to sit in their tube as they are pulled up to the top of the hill. Once at the top of the hill, guests are permitted to link up in groups and slide down together or ride solo.

There is also a pond skimming competition where snow tubers compete for distance and bragging rights as they skim over the icy pond. A three-hour ticket costs $24.

For more information, visit their website at amesburysportspark.net.

Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford Cruise the slopes of Nashoba Valley’s Snow Tubing Park seven days and seven nights. Bring the family and enjoy one of the fastest-growing winter recreational activities at the largest tubing park in New England.

Eighteen lanes are serviced by four lifts and maintained, and they are expecting to open 18 more lanes for snow tubing in February for a total of 36. The tubing park also has an on-site lodge where you can sit, relax and enjoy all the amenities of a snack bar including a TV. Minimum requirements are 6 years or 42 inches to participate.

Nashoba Valley offers the most lanes for snow tubing in New England with currently 18 lanes for snow tubing and 650 tubes. In February, they are planning on opening 18 more lanes for a total of 36 lanes for this winter season. A two-hour ticket costs $28 per person.

For more information, visit their website at ski nashoba.com.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two-hour tickets during the week are $21 and on the weekend/ holiday weeks, they are $23. Group rates and birthday party packages are available for 10 or more people. You must be at least 6 years old AND 42” tall to tube. A two-hour

ticket costs $22 per person during the week and $24 on weekends, holidays and school vacation weeks.

For more information, visit their website at skiward.com.

Ski Ward, Shrewsbury The tubing park at Ski Ward has eight lanes serviced by two lifts. The season started on Dec. 15 and is open 4 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and holiday weeks from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from

BAYSTATEPARENT 43

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To advertise call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com BAYSTATEPARENT 47

Snow Days

SLEDDING FUN: William and Patrick Oberacker, of Holden, (2 and 6 months) enjoy being pulled by a sled as their dog follows behind.

OUT IN THE SNOW WITH GRAMPY: Jacob Brosnihan, 2, of Douglas, makes his ďŹ rst snowman with his grandfather.

SNOWY DAY: Jamie and Delaney Kirkorian (9 and 7), of Oakham, get out and have fun in the snow.

WINTER WEATHER: Asha Seemungal, of Marlborough, enjoys a snow day.

DOWN HILL FUN: Nicholas Whitelaw, of Barre, enjoys heading down a hill sledding this winter.

SNOW BUNNY: Brianna Rotondo, 7, of Rutland, hits the slopes.

ALL SMILES: Nicole Sarmiento, 8, of Worcester, enjoys playing in the snow.

48 JANUARY2013

photo courtesy of pure style photography

sgrahamphotography.com

CAPTURED

TWICE THE FUN: Twins Caleb and Sofia Smith, 4, of Northbridge,

enjoy making twin snowman during a snowstorm.

ROSY CHEEKS: Christian Mead,

SKATING FUN: Nicky Tonna, 4,

3, of Burlington, loves playing in the snow.

of Worcester, learns how to ice skate at a local pond.

GRAB HOLD: Ava Duclos, 1 ½,

FROSTY: Emily Schneider, 11,

and her dad Scott, of Douglas, enjoy the winter weather by sledding.

of Sutton, is proud of making her snowman.

bsp is looking for photos of February vacation for our February issue.

Email photos to editor@baystateparent.com by Jan. 5. Don’t forget to include your child’s name, age, town and where the photo was taken.

BAYSTATEPARENT 49

INDEX Donna Kelleher, President of NGCC (pictured left) with Kathleen DelPrete, COO, and Walter Kelleher, CFO, with their FBA award.

Next Generation Children’s Centers wins Family Business Association Award. Next Generation Children’s Centers recently won the Massachusetts Family Business Association Award in the category of First Generation Business of the Year. The FBA Awards recognize the accomplishments of family businesses and their contributions to their communities, local economy as well as employment opportunities. Next Generation Children’s Centers is proud to be celebrating their 20th school year in Early Childhood Education!

Next Generation Children’s Centers 866-711-6422 NGCCenters.com

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Educating college-bound students Pre-K through Grade 12 Bancroft students discover themselves as leaders, learners, and global citizens, developing the skills to succeed in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top colleges and beyond.

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