0817bsp by baystateparent magazine

baystateparent FREE

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

AUGUST 2017

SIMPLE WAYS TO PICK A SAFE BACKPACK

NEW SCHOOL? NO PROBLEM: MANAGE TRANSITION LIKE A PRO 5 EASY BACK TO SCHOOL BUDGETING TIPS HOW TO EASE MOM’S KINDERGARTEN JITTERS

READY, SET...

School!

Let the art touch you! REUSABLE UNIVERSES:

Shih Chieh Huang Through November 12 Sponsored by:

Media partners:

Lisa Kirby Gibbs, Robin Kirby, and Diana (Kirby) Glimm

Free admission all month long!

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM / worcesterart.org 2 AUGUST2017

That moment in the ER when you realize you could

AT HOME

We understand that waiting in the ER is no fun. That’s why we’re offering an online check-in service at www.stvincenthospital.com to reserve your time online and comfortably wait at home. It’s quick, easy and you’ll be seen by a healthcare professional within 15 minutes of your scheduled time.

ER CHECK-IN ONLINE www.stvincenthospital.com If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Client ID: SVH InQuicker Project Number: SVH030617

Component: Space Ad Colors: cmyk

Flat Size: 9.25x11 Finished Size: 9.25x11

BAYSTATEPARENT 3

4 AUGUST2017

baystateparent

COVER MODEL TALENT SEARCH!

Coming to KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain on Sept. 23 & 24! Sign your future cover model up at

baystateparent.com/covercontest

10 Finalists will be chosen for a chance to be a bsp Cover Model! Online entry fee in advance (By Sept. 17): $20, includes 1 free child’s admission to KidsFest ($10 Value) Day-of entry fee at event: $25. Entrants will have their photo taken by a professional photographer during their pre-scheduled time. Search is open to Massachusetts children ages 6 months (must be able to sit up unassisted) to 14 as of June 1. Photography by Karen Moriarty, Kelsey Haley Media and Paula Swift baystateparent Magazine Cover Model Search Official Rules Sponsored by baystateparent Magazine,a publication of Holden Landmark Corporation (“Sponsor”), 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527. 1. Eligibility: The baystateparent Magazine Cover Model Search (“Cover Model Search”) is open only to children who, as of the date of the Event, are Massachusestts residents between the ages of 6 months (who can sit up by themselves) and 14 years. Each such child (the “Entrant”) must be accompanied at the Event by his or her parent or legal guardian (“Parent”), who must be a resident of Massachusetts and at least 18 years of age. Employees and other representatives of Sponsor, and their immediate family and household members, are not eligible to enter. By participating in the Cover Model Search, Entrants and

Parents agree to these Official Rules. 2. How to Enter: Each Entrant and Parent must attend the KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain (the “Event”) on September 23 or 24, 2017 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to be photographed by Sponsor’s photographer (“Photographer”). • Entrants may either (a) pre-register by submitting an entry form and $20 entry fee, between August 1 and September 14, 2017, to www.baystateparent.com/covercontest, after which an Event ticket will be mailed to Entrant; or (b) register at the Event by submitting an entry form and $25 entry fee. Before Entrant is photographed, Parent must sign a photo release. Entrants who register in advance will be able to select a day and time to be photographed.

Registration fees are nonrefundable. Sponsor is not obligated to accommodate, reschedule, or refund an Entrant who misses his or her time slot. • Entrant’s registration and photo release, along with the photograph taken at the Event, will constitute entry into the Cover Model Search (“Entry”). Entries that Sponsor deems fraudulent or that violate these Official Rules will not be accepted, and the Entrant will be disqualified. • By entering, Entrants and Parents (a) consent to receiving email correspondence from Sponsor and Photographer and (b) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions regarding the Cover Model Search.

• At any time and for any reason, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, suspend the Cover Model Search or extend the Entry Period. 3. Finalist and Winner Selection: Sponsor and Photographer (“Judges”) will select 10 finalists (“Finalists”). Sponsor will invite Finalists to a second photo shoot at Sponsor’s office. Judges will select one Finalist as the winner (“Winner”). Judging will be based on Judges’ determination of the most photogenic Entries, based on criteria including but not limited to Entrant’s poise, appearance, and personality. The Judges’ decisions are final, non-reviewable, and at the Judges’ sole discretion. To see complete list of rules please turn to page 61 or go to baystateparent.com/coversearchrules

BAYSTATEPARENT 5

Thank you for recognizing us as the Best of baystateparent special care givers in 2016! We continue to strive for excellence in care for our current and future patients. We now provide transition planning and adult care.

The Child Development Network is pleased to announce the founding of the Adult Development Network. We dedicate the same commitment to providing excellent diagnostic assessments and consultation for adolescents, young adults, and adults with developmental, attention, and learning concerns.

The ADN & CDN network of doctors provides expert clinical care

Adult Development Network

Child Development Network, Inc.

Lexington, MA â&#x20AC;˘ 781-861-6655 â&#x20AC;˘ www.CDNKids.com 6 AUGUST2017

table of contents AUGUST 2017 VOLUME 22

TAKE 8: WWE Superstar Bayley

in every issue 8

ADD TO CART: Our favorite August product picks

Composting 101: How Your Family Can Get Started

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: August Calendar Of Family Events

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE: Inside the Attainable Savings Plan for Persons with Disabilities

ASK THE EXPERT: Should I Worry My Daughter Hasn’t Had Her First Period?

58 58 62

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: August Area Adoption Events AUGUST’S CHILD: Meet Robert TAKE 8: WWE Superstar Bayley

meet team president and publisher KIRK DAVIS

associate publisher KATHY REAL 508-749-3166 ext. 331 kreal@baystateparent.com

NUMBER 4

How to Find Your Child’s Organizational Style

Four Ways to Teach Children Emotional Maturity

Ready, Set…School! 25 26 28

Maya age 9 Photography by Shawna Shenette Hair and Makeup by Rob Roy Hair Salons

Fresh, Fun School Supplies How Parents Can Navigate the First Day of Kindergarten

features

New Town, New School: How to Help Your Child Transition

Let’s go! Hidden Gems of the South Shore

Five Easy Tips for Back-to-School Budgeting

32 35

Fun Ways to Sharpen Kids’ Skills Before They Head Back to School

Sweet Meets Spicy! Cool New Ways to Enjoy Watermelon

How to Find Your Child’s Organizational Style

Books That Teach Tolerance for Older Readers

Now Hiring: Who Will Be the Next Head of Massachusetts Public Schools?

10 Quick Tips For A Healthier Home

38 40 44

How to Prevent Heavy Backpack Injuries and Strains in Children

50 54

Four Ways to Teach Children Emotional Maturity

Take a Healthy Approach To Sending Your Kids Back to School

How to Prevent Dry Drowning

Study: Middle School Years Hardest to Parent

creative

advertising

editor in chief MELISSA SHAW 508-865-7070 ext. 201 editor@baystateparent.com

director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com

account executive KAYLEE LAVALLEE 508-865-7070 ext. 213 kaylee@baystateparent.com

creative director and events coordinator PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com

account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 kathy@baystateparent.com

account executive CHEYRL ROBINSON 508-865-7070 ext. 336 crobinson@holdenlandmark.com

senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com

account executive MICHELLE SHINDLE 508-865-7070 ext. 212 michelle@baystateparent.com

baystateparent is published monthly 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527 508-865-7070 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

BAYSTATEPARENT 7

add to CART The coolest stuff we found online this month

Send the kids back to school on a mission of kindness with this “Wonder” tote and pouch from Out of Print. Based on the smash middle-grade novel by R.J. Palacio, the 15”x17” tote features the main character, Auggie, a 10-year-old born with a facial deformity, on one side and the call, “Choose Kind,” on the other. The 9”x6” zip pouch sports Auggie on one side and his dog, Daisy, on the other. Get ahead of the “Wonder” wave — the movie adaptation will be released in theatres this November — and snap up these two, reinforcing an important message. $18 (tote), $12 (pouch). outofprintclothing.com.

What’s better than storage boxes? Cute, vibrant, foldable boxes from meori. The company’s range of foldable carrying boxes can be used throughout a household for organizing and storage in any room, to your car for trunk tidiness, to on-the-go outdoors (beach, camping, and even the grocery store). Made with tear-proof, dirt-resistant polyester and sturdy handles, even the small box holds up to 65 lbs. Available in a range of colors, patterns, and styles. $10 and up. us.meori.com.

Taking the kids swimming? Great! Coming home with a bunch of wet suits, towels and gear? Not so much. Enter Matador’s Droplet XL Dry Bag, a 100% waterproof, ultralight bag that’s large enough to hold 20 liters’ worth of gear, yet small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Amazingly, the 24”x14” bag rolls up to fit in a small teardrop-shaped silicone storage case that you can clip to your bag or stash in the car. And this is not just a summertime staple; this is an everyday purse or diaper bag tool thanks to kids’ ability to get wet, damp, and dirty year-round. $39.99. matadorup.com. If you’ve got a bug-catcher on your hands, the GeoSafari Jr. Bug Vac ‘n’ View will be his or her new favorite toy. This all-in-one bug vac is packed with all the tools little explorers need to collect bugs in their natural habitat and view the insects up close. Features include an easy-carry handle, two critter collection chambers with air holes and magnifiers, and a bug booklet for more fun discoveries. $21.99. educationalinsights.com. There are lunch bags, and then there are lifestyle bags, like the new superhero-themed PerfectPrep Bags from PerfectShaker, crafted by Fitmark. Each bag comes with three themed 32-oz seal-tight meal containers, a themed vitamin and protein mix dispenser, two ice packs, and enough storage space to keep an entire days’ worth of food (and more) in one cool place allowing you to meet your health and fitness goals. Styles include Captain America or The Punisher. $99.99. perfectshaker.com.

8 AUGUST2017

Let’s Go! Hidden Gems of the South Shore BY ALYSON YOUNG GREGORY

Whether it’s a day trip to escape the city swelter or an “on the way” trip to your long-awaited sojourn to the Cape, these hidden gems of the South Shore are worth taking your foot off the gas and pulling over for some old-fashioned family fun. Roll down your windows, head south to where the locals go, and check out these favorite summertime picks!

Paragon Carousel, Hull: paragoncarousel.com

Visit the barnyard

Go on a quest

Questing is a fun activity for the whole family that turns a walk into an educational treasure hunt. Each quest is an outdoor trail filled with fun facts about the area wildlife and history, where you can discover ponds, rivers, and forests throughout the South Shore. Kids will love using the clue-directed maps using fairies, elves, and trolls to uncover letters that assemble the last clue — a treasure box filled with a guest book and a rubber stamp where questers can leave their mark. This nature-based activity started in Devon, England, in the 1800s, where these pursuits are called Letterboxes. The hobby was brought to New England in 1993 as a way to increase community appreciation. South Shore Quests: southshorequests.org

Speaking of local picks What better place to start a tradition of your own than at a fourgenerations-old family farm where you can pick your own blueberries right off the bush? Scituate’s TreeBerry Farm is known for its highquality crops and old-fashioned fun. They will even outfit you with a tin coffee can to hang around your waist for hands-free picking

(and tasting). Once you’re back home, you can submit your favorite blueberry recipe to their online cookbook, which is still being compiled for publication. And not that anyone is thinking about winter, but file it away because you can go back in December to cut your own Christmas tree Griswold-style or take your annual holiday family photo. Cash and checks only. Call (781) 5457750 for peak picking times. Tree-Berry Farm, Scituate: treeberryfarm.com

From cow to cone It’s pure, it’s wholesome, it’s handcrafted from the milking barn and scooped at the Dairy Bar. Hornstra Dairy Farm in Norwell is the place to belly up for ice cream from one of the last working dairy farms on the South Shore. Visitors are welcome to see the young calves in the calf barn and will no doubt spot the milking cows grazing in the nearby pasture. A farm store open daily to the pub-

lic offers the same farm-fresh products and seasonal specialties that still roll off the refrigerated home delivery trucks every week. Hornstra Dairy Farm, Norwell: hornstrafarms.com

Merry-go-round by the sea Step back in time and take a nostalgic spin on a beautifully carved flying horse or Roman chariot on this historic seaside carousel in Hull. Complete with old-time organ music and a boardwalk stretching along the shores of Nantasket Beach, this 1920s relic from beloved, long-gone amusement park, Paragon Park, will be sure to delight riders of any age. Stop into the boardwalk arcade to lighten your pockets, then stretch your legs and take in the panoramic ocean views as you head down a wide-open, five-mile stretch of Nantasket Beach. Got small children? Check the tide tables and have a pail and shovel at the ready for them to dig for sea creatures in the acres of shallow tide pools.

Have you ever heard a real heehaw? You just might at Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset. Get up close and personal with the barnyard animals seemingly sprung to life from the pages of Charlotte’s Web, and meet the gang’s newest member, Benji, a Sicilian miniature donkey. When your family is done making new friends, grab a map and hit the farm’s 140 acres of extensive walking trails, open dawn until dusk. Skip rocks across a pond, eye-spy toads in the wetlands, and slip native wildflowers behind your ear. Farm stand hours Saturday and Sunday feature local organic harvests of greens, herbs, and flowers, as well as goodies from farm partners. Insider travel tip: Head for the back roads and wind your way around Jerusalem Road for one of New England’s most scenic coastal drives on your way to or from the farm. Holly Hill Farm, Cohasset: hollyhillfarm.org Alyson Young Gregory is a writer, mother, and holistic health counselor specializing in Ayurveda. She has a passion for maximizing vitality through nutrition for all ages, and opened the first juice bar on the South Shore, where she now resides. In her next life, she hopes to be a midwife!

BAYSTATEPARENT 9

SWEET meets SPICY

Nachos with Watermelon Avocado Salsa Makes: 8 servings

here’s no better way to spice up a party than by using unexpected ingredients in fun, flavorful dishes and drinks. For your next fiesta, celebrate a star of the party with sweet and juicy watermelon. Not only does versatile watermelon lend a unique taste to your menu, it’s a healthy ingredient that provides natural hydration with 92% water content, along with the antioxidant lycopene and the amino acid citrulline. These recipes show how, with a little creative carving, you can use the whole melon, including flesh, juice and rind, for big value and zero waste.

Watermelon Margarita on the Rocks Makes: 2 margaritas Watermelon Simple Syrup 2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed 1 cup sugar Watermelon Juice 2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed 1/2 cup water

Margarita Lime wedges Coarse salt Ice 4 ounces silver tequila 4 ounces watermelon juice 2 ounces lime juice 1 ounce watermelon simple syrup

• To make watermelon simple syrup: In small saucepan over medium heat, combine watermelon and sugar. Use potato masher to mash watermelon and sugar together, pushing out liquid and dissolving sugar. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour mixture through fine mesh sieve set over bowl or jar, pressing watermelon to extract all liquid. Set aside to cool completely. • To make watermelon juice: In blender, combine watermelon and water. Blend until smooth, then pour through fine mesh sieve set over bowl or jar. • To assemble margaritas: Use lime wedge to line rims of two glasses with juice. Dip glasses in coarse salt and carefully fill glasses with ice. • Combine tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, about 30 seconds, and pour into prepared glasses. Garnish with lime wedges. 10 AUGUST2017

1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped 2 teaspoons lime juice 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1 minced garlic clove 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies, drained 2 tablespoons diced red onion 1 1/2 cups diced watermelon 16 ounces fat-free refried beans 11 ounces corn tortilla chips 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1/3 cup fat-free sour cream • Heat oven to 350 F. • To make salsa: In medium bowl, combine avocado, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, chilies and red onion; toss to thoroughly mix. Add watermelon and toss gently. • Set aside. • Over medium heat, heat beans until hot. Mash if preferred. • Place chips on flat, oven-proof plate or cookie sheet and top with beans and cheese. Repeat layers as desired. Heat in oven 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted and chips are hot. • Top with salsa mixture and sour cream. Tip: Reserve some salsa to place in bowl for dipping.

Blended Watermelon Margarita Makes: 2 margaritas 2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed and frozen 1/2 cup water

3 ounces silver tequila 1 1/2 ounces lime juice 1 ounce elderflower liqueur Pinch of salt Lime slices, for garnish

• In blender, combine watermelon, water, tequila, lime juice, elderflower liqueur, and salt. Blend until smooth. • Pour into two chilled margarita glasses and garnish with lime slices.

Fresh ideas for a fun fiesta menu

520 Northwest Main Street, Douglas, MA 01516

Since 1953

BreezySummer.com

ALL DAY FAMILY FUN…NEARBY!

Cactus Carving Medium-large oval or oblong watermelon (seeded or seedless) Cutting board Paring knife Dry erase marker Kitchen knife Scoop Cactus cookie cutter Small flower cookie cutters Toothpicks Fire and Ice Salsa (recipe below) • Wash watermelon under cool, running water and pat dry. • On cutting board, place watermelon on its side and cut off 1/4 inch-1/2 inch from stem end; this will provide a sturdy base. Reserve end piece to make into small cactus. • Stand watermelon upright on base. Use dry erase marker to draw simple outline of cactus shape. • One-third up from bottom of watermelon, draw straight line around back, being careful not to go through cactus outline; this will create a serving bowl for watermelon salsa. • Use kitchen knife to cut around outline, leaving just bowl with cactus attached. Scoop out base to form bowl. • From pieces of watermelon that were cut away, use cookie cutters to make cactus pieces and flower pieces to decorate with, and chop remaining watermelon to make watermelon salsa and watermelon margaritas, or juice. • Attach toothpicks randomly around cactus to make thorns and decorate with watermelon flowers. Decorate bottom rind scrap with toothpicks to resemble short, round cactus. • Fill bowl with Fire and Ice Salsa and serve with tortilla chips.

Open now thru Labor Day (weather permitting)

• (3) 300’ Waterslides • 500’ lakefront swimming with sandy areas • Certified Lifeguards • Clean Restrooms & Changing Facilities • Concession Stand • Free Parking • Great Spot for a Playdate!

Opening Weekend

Sholan Farms

Good Old Fashioned Fun! August 26 & 27, 2017 10 am-5:00 pm Fire and Ice Salsa Makes: 3 cups 3 cups seeded and finely chopped watermelon 1/2 cup finely diced green peppers 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 1 tablespoon finely sliced green onion 1-2 tablespoons finely diced jalapeno peppers

• Combine ingredients; mix well and cover. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Entertainment • Apple Picking Free Wagon Rides • Hiking U-Pick Raspberries, Blueberries and Seasonal Produce Check facebook, webpage or call for hours.

Sholan Farms

1125 Pleasant St. Leominster 978-840-3276 • www.sholanfarms.com Like us on facebook BAYSTATEPARENT 11

COMPOSTING 101: How Your Family Can Get Started

BY MICHELE BENNETT DECOTEAU

tarting a compost pile is a great way to go green and involve your kids in gardening. Not only is compost great for gardens and the

environment, but it is also amazing for your child’s brain, too! Decomposition, the process of breaking down banana peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells into

micronutrients that can be used by plants to grow, is part of the new Massachusetts science curriculum from kindergarten all the way up into middle school.

“Kids love composting and recycling, and can really appreciate composting when they watch the material in a worm compost bin transforming day by day,” says Amy Donovan, program director of Franklin County Solid Waste Management District in Greenfield. “They get to see decomposition before their very eyes. And with the new state science standards that kids are studying in school, hands-on composting can reinforce that lesson.” Gardens love compost as an alternative to chemical fertilizer, kids learn science lessons, and it can help a family’s financial bottom line. What’s not to love about composting? It is easy to get started and even easier to keep your compost pile happy. You want to start your compost in a somewhat shady location in your yard. You can either keep your compost in a purchased bin or build one yourself. You can start a compost bin with a simple ring of wire fence or get fancy and make a three-bin system from wooden pallets. “Pallets are the perfect material for recycling,” says Emma Sabella, program specialist for the Center for EcoTechnology in Northampton. “It is easy to get kids involved in composting. They love messy projects. It is harder to get parents involved. But they will see benefits, too, and not

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25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA • 508.753.8183 ext. 301 12 AUGUST2017

just for the environment. Composting reduces the waste and can help save money on trash hauling. I don’t have to buy as many stickers for my trash with composting.” Many communities charge for trash bags, stickers, or number of trash bins, and composting food waste helps reduce household waste. Most purchased compost bins have a lid on one side and a way to scoop out the compost on the other, or they are rotatable with a handle you turn on one side. Many communities in Massachusetts have a compost bin distribution program in which residents can get sturdy, easy-to-use bins at low cost. Check out the list from the Department of Environmental Protection: mass.gov/ eea/agencies/massdep/recycle/reduce/get-a-low-cost-rodent-resistantcompost-bin.html. Whether you DIY or purchase a bin, make the bottom layer consist of materials that will be sturdy and let in air, such as stalks from dead garden flowers, corn husks, or even straw and leaves. This will get your pile breathing because, like most things, decomposers need oxygen to do their work. Add layers of alternating brown and green material. Brown material consists of items like saw dust, wood chips, and fall leaves. Green materials are things like food waste, grass clippings, and manure or poop from horse, chickens, rabbits, and cows. Don’t add cat or dog waste, as these can contain bacteria harmful to your compost. “Once you have your layers ready, add some finished compost, garden soil, or even woodland soil,” Donovan says. This will inoculate the soil, bringing in the microbes and worms to begin breaking down the waste. Next comes the fun! “In Franklin County, most schools have a composting program,” Donovan says. “Two schools compost on site and have school gardens, but the others compost off-site. Schools compost about 75% to 85% of school lunch waste, including paper napkins, paper soup bowls, and all the food. This material goes to a compost farm.” For a home gardener, just continue adding food waste, garden waste, and leaves or newspaper. If the pile looks a bit dry, add water. This is especially important if it hasn’t rained. Compost needs to be moist, but not soaking wet, to work well. To keep the decomposition of your compost pile working, turn it over every so often — this depends on the kind of container you have. Even tipping it over, or opening it up and grabbing a shovel, will get you started. Move what is on top to the bottom and then replace it in the bin. This is a great time to scoop out the black compost and use it in the garden. If you prefer, you can screen the compost through a piece of large-

holed screen or fence. Don’t worry if you live in an apartment or don’t have space in your yard for a compost pile. Consider worm composting! “This is a good way to compost in the winter, too,” Sabella says. “You can keep a bin in the basement or on the porch, really anywhere where it isn’t snowy or icy.” Worm composting happens in a tote or bin. “Use red wrigglers, they are decomposers,” Donovan notes. “Worms are great for indoor composting. They need to be between 55 and 77 degrees Farenheit. They eat raw fruits and veggies, coffee and the filter, tea, and they need egg shells for calcium.” “Composting is good for family bonding,” Sabella says. “It is a good lesson to teach kids about reducing waste.” Composting provides a great activity in which generations can learn from each other and have fun. “When kids start early, they are more likely to continue composting the rest of their lives and influence their parents and siblings,” Donovan adds. Michele Bennett Decoteau, is a writer and mom to a tween and a teen in central New England. In addition to writing on science, nature, and parenting topics, she is a hiker and beekeeper. You can find her at MicheleDecoteau.com or @MBDecoteau.

NOW ENROLLING PRESCHOOL! F O R

INFANT & TODDLER OPENINGS ALSO AVAILABLE

• Worcester and Westborough locations • Developmental curriculum w/ individualized instruction Central Massachusetts • Full or partial week registration, convenient hours • Certified educators • Language arts, math and science Schedule a tour today! • Red Cross swim lessons (Worcester) Worcester: (508)767-2505, x3031 • Weekly gym sessions Westborough: (508)-366-5777 • Quality outdoor play space • Affordable rates ywcacm.org • NAEYC accredited organization

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Composting Fun Nat Geo Composting Game: What can be recycled, composted and trashed? kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/ action/recycle-roundup-new

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Composting is Easy! Poster from the Green Team thegreenteam.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Composting-is-Easy. pdf

Books Compost! Growing Gardens from your Garbage by Linda Glaser Composting: Nature’s Recyclers (Amazing Science) by Robin Koontz Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad: A Book about Decomposition by Joanna Cole

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BAYSTATEPARENT 13

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

Courtesy of The Discovery Museums

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

Boston Comic Con. Aug. 11-13. Boston Convention and Expo Center. 14 AUGUST2017

Out of the Park. Aug. 12. Boston Common.

Courtesy of Hudson Elks Club

Courtesy of Boston Comic Con

Courtesy of Highland Street Foundation

Dirtopia. Aug. 29-31. The Discovery Museums, Acton.

Hudson Elks Hot Air Balloons & Blues Festival. Aug. 19-20.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination. Although we’ve done our best to ensure accuracy at press time, things can and do change.

1 Tuesday

1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Trunk Magic with Professor Knows A. Lot. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fun for all ages, this show sports a little magic, a little juggling, and a few surprises. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Wump Mucket Puppets. Nevins Library, 305 Broadway, Methuen. 10 a.m. A fun-loving cast of puppet characters, from bees, to sea serpents, to the sasquatch, perform silly and song-filled shorts set to delight the entire family. Recommended for ages 3 to 10. Free. wumpmucketpuppets.com.

Crazy Concoctions. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Dress for a mess and get ready to make a variety of crazy concoctions like gak, slime, and ooblek. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Happy Birthday, Boston Children’s Museum. The Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Help the Museum celebrate its 104th birthday as we write a message on a birthday card, help decorate our pretend cake, make a birthday crown or hat, and join in the festivities and fun. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Under the Sea. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn about the fish that inhabit ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans from the mouth of the Connecticut to Long Island Sound. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Movies at the Museum: The Little Mermaid. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 1 p.m. Escape the heat and join us for some fairy tale fun as we watch this beguiling animated romp following a rebellious mermaid fascinated with life on land. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Backyard and Beyond: Journey Sticks. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 3 p.m. Journey through the Great Hill Conservation land, collect nature treasures, and then add them to your journey stick to tell a story of your adventure. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Summertime at The Street. The Street, 33 Bolyston St., Chestnut Hill. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Get Creative with The Paint Bar. Free. thestreetchestnuthill.com.

Courtesy of Worcester Art Museum

Tinker Tuesday: Open Studio. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11a.m. Explore the possibilities of reusing what we usually throw away during this exploration of STEAM concepts. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Families @ WAM Make Art. Aug. 5. Worcester Art Museum.

2 Wednesday Music and Merriment. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Come for a day of fun as we bring in our favorite magician, Awesome Robb, at 11 a.m. From 1 p.m.-3 p.m., don’t miss a beat during a continuous heart-pounding performance by master drummer Tony Fonseca. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston. org. Wump Mucket Puppets. Boston Public Library: Brighton Branch, 40 Academy Hill Rd., Brighton. 10:30 a.m. A fun-loving cast of puppet characters, from bees, to sea serpents, to the sasquatch, perform silly and song-filled shorts set to delight the entire family. Recommended for ages 3 to 10. Free. wumpmucketpuppets.com. WAM Stroller Tours. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. ! This tour is designed for children birth-3 years old, their siblings, and their parents/grandparents/guardians. Each week a museum docent will guide families around to look at art, followed by an age-appropriate story. Stay for light refreshments after your tour. Meet in the Museum’s Lancaster Welcome Center; use the Tuckerman Street entrance for stroller access. Wednesdays. Free admission throughout August. worcesterart.org. Old Mother Hubbard and Her Dog. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline.

10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Mother Hubbard’s dog imagines himself as a crooning rock star, a Wild West cowboy, and more during this hilarious and memorable performance on what happens when an owner leaves her pets. Through Saturday. $12. puppetshowplace.org. Moana. Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Pl., Foxboro. 6 p.m. Enjoy entertainment on the plaza and bring a lawn chair or blankets as we wait for dusk and the start of this animated movie following a tenacious teenager who sets out on a daring mission to save her people. Free. patriot-place.com. GIFs & Pizza. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Create new GIFs, learn great tricks to make them the best on the internet, and eat pizza. For grades 7 to 12. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

3 Thursday Make an Impression like Monet. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Paint al fresco like impressionist artist Claude Monet, and view printed examples of Monet’s famous paintings. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Dinosaur Day. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dig for fossils, create your own, and make some cool dino crafts, with a special live animal program from New England Reptile and Raptor at 11 a.m. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under

The Toe Jam Puppet Band. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 12 p.m.12:45 p.m. Enjoy interactive songs, stories, and puppets including a barn dance, flying laundry, and a car wash song where the kids get sprayed with water. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Everyday Engineering: SailMobile. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Engage in everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed recycled materials, and design a way to harness the power of wind to create something that’s part-car, part-sailboat. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. 3rd Annual Summer Gospel Fest. Institute Park, Highland St., Worcester. 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy food, merchandise, vendors, activities, giveaways, and plenty of gospel music during this afternoon festival. Free. spirituallyfabulous.com. STEM Challenge: Wiggle Bots. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Learn how to make your own wiggling drawing robot, as we teach you the basics and help you make your own custom bot. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org. Storywalk. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. We read The Kissing Hand outside near Winnie-the-Pooh and friends. For ages 5 to 6. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Best Beast Forever Pajama Party. Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union St., Clinton. 6 p.m.8 p.m. Put on your pajamas, bring along your favorite stuffed beast, and enjoy some games, Russian animal cartoons, a scavenger hunt, and animal-themed snacks. Recommended for ages 4 to 8. Free. musuemofrussianicons.org.

4 Friday Cold As Ice: A 300lb Block of Ice. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Get ready for a cold day in August as we experiment with different types of salt and explore the unique characteristics of this solid state of water. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. BAYSTATEPARENT 15

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Make a Mess: Icy Artworks. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in and explore the properties of different types of frozen paint cubes and create an original artwork as they melt. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

cover together in a safe and nurturing environment during times that are less overwhelming for children on the autism spectrum. Register ahead. Free. childrensmuseumineaston.org.

Make Your Own Marble Run. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Create your own giant marble run using pool noodles and blocks during this creative and playful STEM program. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org. Beauty and the Beast. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 3:30 p.m. Disney’s live-action retelling of the animated classic in which Belle befriends a castle’s enchanted inhabitants. Free. mywpl.org. #popscope. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Come outside and look up, as we join the folks from #popscope and use a telescope to look for stars, planets, and other features of the night sky. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

5 Saturday Families @ WAM Tour. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore the Worcester Art Museum galleries with your family on a docentguided discovery tour. Hear fun facts, stories, and enjoy sharing observations and time together. Tours last approximately 30 minutes. Free admission throughout August. worcesterart.org.

Courtesy of Puppet Showplace Theatre

Tanglewood Marionettes: An Arabian Adventure. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 1 p.m. Enjoy a swashbuckling tale set in exotic lands and featuring our signature storybook backdrop, telling the story of a Persian prince who is thrown into a dungeon because of his love for a beautiful princess. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Tall Tales! Stories from Old New England. Aug. 16. Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline.

Families @ WAM Make Art. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11 a.m.11:30 a.m. Drop in for fun, intergenerational time in the galleries. Get inspired by our art and try making something uniquely yours. Materials will be provided. Free admission throughout August. worcesterart.org. Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn all about different kinds of arms and armor used by knights and soldiers, including Roman soldiers, Medieval knights and beyond in this fun, interactive presentation. Saturdays and Sundays. Events held in the Museum Conference Room. Free admission throughout August. worcesterart.org. Onset Blues Festival. Lillian Gregerman Bandshell, Prospect Park, 191 Onset Ave., Onset Village. 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy one of the best concerts around, featuring the best blues talent, plenty of food, and tons of fun. Adults $25, children $12.50. onsetbluesfestival.com.

Beauty and the Beast. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Watch this liveadaptation of the classic Disney tale following a bookworm, a beast who keeps her captive, and his living furnishings. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Antz. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. A worker ant switches places with his soldier ant friend and hopes to see the princess. Recommended for ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org. Roaring Twenties Lawn Party. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy a weekend of jazz, swing dance, antique automobiles, vintage clothes, house tours, and lawn games. Dance, listen to the best New Orleans jazz bands across two stages, and enjoy fantastic food. Through Sunday. Members $32, nonmembers $40, children 10 and under free. thetrustees.org. Family Autism Event. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Explore, imagine, wonder, and dis-

Especially for Me! Free Evening for Families with Deaf or Heard of Hearing Children. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Explore, wonder, experiment, and imagine during this special free evening event when we are closed to the general public. ASL interpreters will be available and dinner provided. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org. Moana. South Garden Lawn, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Dusk. Join Magic 106.7 with your blanket and enjoy a live showing outside of this Disney film following a tenacious teenager as she sets out on a journey across the sea to save her people. Free. magic1067.com.

6 Sunday Nature and Nurture with Miss Bernadette. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Come and explore the great outdoors, as we sing songs, take a nature walk, read a story, or make a craft with one of our favorite teachers. Designed for ages 2 to 4. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Teddy Bear Picnic. Stevens-Coolidge Place, 92-128 Andover St., North Andover. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Come on down to the garden today with your teddy bear for crafts, sing-a-longs, a bear hunt and picnic. Register ahead. Member children $5, nonmember children $10, adults free. thetrustees.org. Special Art Studio: Susan Schwake. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Join artist, art educator, and author Susan Schwake for an afternoon of art-making during which guests will create their own cityscapes using a variety of tissue and newspaper, inspired by Schwake’s book “Art Camp”. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center Down Syndrome Program One visit for comprehensive care. Audiology • Cardiology • Child Life • Dermatology Development/Behavioral Pediatrics Endocrinology • ENT • Gastroenterology • Genetics Hematology/Oncology • Nutrition • Orthopedics Psychiatry • Pulmonology • Social Work • Urology

Appointments: 774-443-UMDS (8637) To find a physician, call 855-UMASS-MD.

16 AUGUST2017

10AM -Arts/Snacks 11AM - Stage Show 12PM - Trolley Rides

7 Monday Blast Off! Fun with Rockets. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn to power rockets with air, water, gas, and more. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. MFA Playdates: Making Your Mark. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making. Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $25, youths ages 7 to 17 $10, children 6 and under free. mfa.org. Upbeat Music. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Enjoy this exciting, rhythmic, music and movement class as we practice rhythm by learning multicultural drumming patterns, playing a variety of instruments, and exploring movement and dance while singing songs. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Teen Crafterhours: Spa Day. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. Join us as we make sugar scrubs, bath

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! bombs, and bath salts, and relax over brownies. Fairyborough. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Drop in and enjoy a Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. little city with a big future, as we design, build, and explore a mysterious forest environment of fairy My Neighbor Totoro. Coolidge Corner houses, gnome homes, and sprite skyscrapers, Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 7 p.m. constructed completely out of natural materials and Enjoy what is often regarded as one of the best creativity. Through Saturday. Free with admischildren’s films ever created, during this exhilasion. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children rating adventure and nuanced portrait of youth, under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. innocence, and growth. Adults $12.25, children $10.25. coolidge.org. Movies at the Museum: Frozen. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 1 p.m. Escape the heat and join us for some fairy tale fun during this comedy-adventure following Family Sing Along. Newton Free Library, Anna, a fearless optimist, as she teams with an 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. extreme mountaineer to find her sister, Elsa, the Join some of our children’s librarians for songs Snow Queen. Free with admission. Adults $25, and movement. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Animation. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.Past Finders: Archie and the Gang. 11 a.m. Try your hand at creating stop-motion Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill. animation scenes with the help of Easton 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Explore the world of Archie & the Community Access Television. Free with admisGang by playing popular 1940s games, drawing sion. Members free, nonmembers $9, children your own comics, and looking at some of the under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. “Archies” in the Museums collection, inspired by Bob Montana’s time at Haverhill High. Designed Arctic Animals. Springfield Museums, for ages 6 to 12. Members $10, nonmembers 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cool $15. buttonwoods.org. off and explore the coldest areas of our planets and learn more about their icy inhabitants. Free with Garden to Kitchen Kids Cooking Class. admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, 37 Wheeler Rd., North Grafton. 2:30 p.m.4:30 p.m. See what is ripe in the learning children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

8 Tuesday

garden, pick fresh produce, learn why it is good for us, and then cook with it. Each child will participate in tasting and cooking the fresh produce and bring home recipes. For children entering grades 4-7. $20 per child per class. communityharvest.org/education. Summertime at The Street. The Street, 33 Bolyston St., Chestnut Hill. 3 p.m.5 p.m. Rockin’ Railroad with Kidville. Free. thestreetchestnuthill.com. Animals Around the World with Live Animals. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Take a trip around the world with Creature Teachers and find out where our live animals come from, as we explore the diverse habitats of our planet and the animals that live within them. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. King Kong. Parcel 16, Wharf District Parks, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Milk St. & Atlantic Ave., Boston. 7 p.m. Experience this cinema classic, following a renowned adventure filmmaker and a beautiful actress as they journey to an uncharted island and encounter a savage but tenderhearted colossal gorilla. Rain date Wednesday, Aug 9. Free. coolidge.org.

9 Wednesday Play in the Park. deCordova Sculpture Park

THE 135

BOLTON FAIR 2017

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See Website for schedule of events, entertainment, prices & hours

www.boltonfair.org

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Collaborate to construct large-scale temporary structures in response to deCordova’s art and landscape. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Aesop’s Fables by Red Herring Puppets. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. See Aesop’s Fables brought to life with outlandish animals, rhyming verse, large-scale puppets, and original music. Through Saturday. $12. puppetshowplace.org. Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Join the Joanne Langoine Dance Center as it presents a music and movement class for toddlers and preschoolers. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Rosalita’s Puppets: Pirate Tales. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Let pirate Rachel Skullcap visit with a selection of piratethemed puppet stories. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Masters of Minecraft. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Play on the library’s very own Minecraft server, and learn plenty of tips and tricks around the Minecraft adventure. For ages 8 to 12. Free. mywpl.org. The Little Mermaid. Patriot Place, 2 Patriot Pl., Foxboro. 6 p.m. Come join us for entertainment before waiting for dusk with lawn chairs and blankets for the start of this modern Disney classic following a tenacious mermaid seeking out a life on the land. Free. patriot-place.com.

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10 Thursday Tie Die. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Get groovy and create a kaleidoscope of color that’s wearable, during this day when you can bring your own T-shirt or buy one from us. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Circle of Songs with Hugh Hanley. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Join Hugh Hanley as he leads the circle in a variety of songs, fingerplays, and music activities, bringing in 35 years of work as a childhood educator. Recommended for ages 2 to 7. Free. mywpl.org. The Nields. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 12 p.m. For 20 years, The Nields have traveled the country singing sibling harmonies, classic folk and pop songs, and hilarious banter for all ages. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Castles and Catapults. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Build a catapult, color your own 3D castles, and learn all about medieval architecture. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org. The Sun, the Moon, and the Eclipse. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Join us for folktales, songs, and explanations of solar happenings as we await the solar eclipse. For children ages 5 to 7. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Wump Mucket Puppets. Soule Homestead Education Center, 46 Soule St, Middleborough. 6 p.m. A fun-loving cast of puppet characters from bees, to sea serpents, to the sasquatch perform silly and song-filled shorts set to delight the entire family. Recommended for ages 3 to 10. $5. soulehomestead.com. PJ Storytime. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 6:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Get comfy in your favorite pajamas, grab your favorite bedtime toy, and come listen to some bedtime stories with your friends. Free. mywpl.org. 3D Printing for Tweens. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Learn how 3D printing works by designing your own three-dimensional creation. For grades 5 to 7. Register ahead. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Summer Concert Series: Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Gather on the lawn for our annual Summer Concert Series, as we invite Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards as they bring together Americana, old country, and harmonious tunes to close out the season. Member cars $10, nonmember cars $15. fruitlands.org. Good Night Hiking. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 Washington St., Canton. 7:30 p.m.9 p.m. Bring a headlamp or flashlight as we walk the trails that Mrs. Bradley enjoyed. Then head in for s’mores and hot cocoa. Register ahead. Members $5, nonmembers $10. thetrustees.org.

11 Friday Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing, as we move, make music, listen, learn, and get a multi-sensory workout with our favorite Kindermusik educator. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity determined by the weather and explore the world

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! around us. Designed for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. 135th Bolton Fair. The Fairgrounds at Lancaster, 318 Seven Bridge Rd., Lancaster. Noon-10 p.m. Enjoy the midway, food, entertainment, animal shows, kids entertainment and games, monster trucks, and more. Through Sunday. Adults $15, seniors $6, children ages 5-12 $5, children 4 and under free. boltonfair.org. Tanglewood Marionettes: The Fairy Circus. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Watch over 20 beautifully hand-crafted marionettes dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths ages 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Escape Room Kids: Archaeological Escape. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Test your sleuthing mettle with these dramatic games, as you have 45 minutes to follow the clues and find the final key while locked in an escape room. For ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org. Kids Craft: Bird Feeder. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Help the fine feathered friends in your backyard by making a beautiful bird feeder you can hang outside. Recommended for ages 3 to 12. Free. mywpl.org. Boston Comic Con. Boston Convention and Expo Center, 415 Summer St., Boston. 4 p.m.9 p.m. Meet your favorite actors, celebrities, artists, and cosplayers, and much more. Adult tickets $35 and up, children 6-12 $10 with purchase of adult ticket. Family passes (2 adults and up to 4 children ages 6-12) $69 and up. Also Saturday and Sunday. bostoncomiccon.com. Clam-O-Rama. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Wander to Fox Creek to find out firsthand where our food comes from, dig for a variety of clams, and then hike to Pine Grove to cook and eat what we’ve gathered. Register ahead. Members $28, nonmembers $35. thetrustees.org.

12 Saturday Hay Bale Hangout. Appleton Farms, 299 County Rd., Ipswich. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a fantastic farmyard meet and great, with on-hands activities from meeting our goats to making a wool bracelet, to cuddling a calf, and more. Member children $5, nonmember children $10, adults free. thetrustees.org. 10th Annual Barbara J. Walker Butterfly Festival. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd.,

Worcester. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy educational fun for all ages where butterflies fly free in their natural habitats, through naturalist-led walks and workshops, performances, live caterpillars, art, face painting, children’s activities, food, and more. Members $4, nonmembers $5, children under 2 free. massaudubon.org. CactusHead Puppets Present: Little Red Riding Hood. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 11 a.m. Enjoy this modern adaptation of this classic story, told with hand and shadow puppets. Members $4.50, nonmembers $5. carlemuseum.org. Maker Weekend: Make it Work! Project FUNway. The Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Kick off maker season as we upcycle ordinary materials into fancy, fun, fearless wearable works of art, and dive into team challenges to discover new ways to wear old stuff. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Guys and Dolls Jr. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. A family-friendly and fun adaptation of Damon Runyon’s musical following a gambler, his nightclub performing girlfriend, and a missionary. $12. thehanovertheatre.org. Out of the Park. Boston Common, Boston. 2:30 p.m. The excitement of Fenway Park comes to Boston Common thanks to the Highland Street Foundation. Bring a blanket to watch the Red Sox take on the Yankees starting at 4 p.m., as well as Fenway franks and snacks, games, face painting, giveaways, and more. Free. highlandstreet.org. The Prince of Egypt. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m. Enjoy this animated film following Egyptian Prince Moses as he embarks on a quest to free his people. Recommended for families with children ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org. The Little Mermaid. South Garden Lawn, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Dusk. Join Magic 106.7 with your blanket and enjoy a live showing outside of this Disney film following a mermaid princess longing to have a life on land. Free. magic1067.com.

13 Sunday MAKEmobile. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Take your imagination for a spin with activities that explore artistic and material processes through amusing prompts and challenges. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Special Storytime: Lesléa Newman. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West BAYSTATEPARENT 19

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Enjoy as “Sparkle Boy” is read by its author, following Casey and his older sister Jessie with plenty of shimmery, glittery, sparkly things. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Courtesy of the Boston Childrens Museum; photo by Bill Gallery

children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

WWE Live SummerSlam Heatwave Tour. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 7 p.m. WWE Live comes to the DCU Center, featuring your favorite superstars in action, including Seth Rollins, the Hardy Boyz, Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, and many more. $15 and up. dcucenter.com.

14 Monday Morningstar Access. The Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 8 a.m.10 a.m. Enjoy this opportunity for children with special needs to visit the Museum at a time with fewer children. Register ahead. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Fun with Legos. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.12 p.m. Embrace your inner architect as you build Lego creations based on a fun theme. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Puppet Pals. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Join us for songs, stories, and lots of puppet friends, with a craft to follow this puppet-filled storytime. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

15 Tuesday Make a Mess: A Variety of Vegetables. The Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in as we experiment with a variety of foods found in our summer gardens to compare and contrast, look at their insides and outsides, and create a work of art almost good enough to eat. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Play-Dough. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Use a variety of tools to sculpt, mold, and design beautiful playdough creations. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. City Skyline. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Be the architect when you design your own city skyline, and choose from soaring skyscrapers to stately brownstones, to anything in between. For ages 5 to 8. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

16 Wednesday Bubble Music Man. The Children’s Museum in 20 AUGUST2017

KidsJam. Aug. 25. Boston Children’s Museum.

Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.3 p.m. Dance along with DJ Rob Peter, aka the Bubble Music Man, and learn how to make crazy bubbles and cool bubble blowers, with the official show beginning at 1:30 p.m. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Tall Tales! Stories from Old New England. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Come along on this whirlwind tour of New England’s tallest tales, where you will make Thomas Jefferson’s world largest wheel of cheese, sail the ocean with a giant sailor, meet a fashionable bear named Jenny Jenkins, and more. Through Saturday. $12. puppetshowplace.org. Make a Mess: Build a Bubble Wand. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop in and see if a bubble is always round as you try your hand at building a bubble wand that’s a cube or a pyramid, and discover some fascinating bubbles. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Eclipse Happenings. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Join us for hands-on activities and crafts to further explore what a solar eclipse is all about. For ages 5 to 8. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Roots: A Night of Live Storytelling. Berkeley Community Garden, 500 Tremont St., South End. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Join PRX Podcast Garage and the Trustees for a night of live storytelling. Free. thetrustees.org.

Building Bridges Among Us. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Enjoy stories and songs in different languages followed by a beautiful cultural craft. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org. Astronomy Night. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Join our local astronomer for a star party, as we see and learn about stars, planets, and moon. Members $5, nonmembers $10, children free. fruitlands.org.

17 Thursday Doggy Days: Taking Care of Abby. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in as our favorite certified Therapy Dog, Abby, and her owner demonstrate some of the things she does to take care of her furry friend, and learn about the big responsibility of owning a dog. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Nature Day. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tap into your natural potential as we discover all the wonderful things we can create with nature materials. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Take Aparts. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Drop by and grab a screwdriver to discover resistors, capacitors, and circuit boards as you uncover the inner workings of everyday electronics. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50,

Past Finders: Very Victorian. Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill. 1 p.m.4 p.m. Enjoy Victorian crafts, dress in costume, have a proper tea party, and explore some of the Museum’s collections from the late 19th century. Designed for ages 6 to 12. Members $10, nonmembers $15. buttonwoods.org. Build a Better Me: Healthy Eating Expo. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Join us for a tasting of healthy and yummy foods from all around the world. For ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org. Picnic for Public Art and Gardens. Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens, 777 Shawmut Ave., New Bedford. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy this special community gathering in support of public art and gardens, as we enjoy fresh baked goods, listen to local bluegrass band, and play with lawn games. Registration suggested. $20. thetrustees.org. Irish, Scottish, and English Folk Music. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Join Colleen White and Sean Smith as they perform vocal and instrumental music from the Irish, Scottish, and English folk traditions. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

18 Friday 46th Festival of the Arts. Chase Park, Cross St., Chatham. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy two gourmet food trucks, a children’s tent with crafts and face painting, and 120 artisans exhibiting their works from clothing to woodworking, to metal work to glass art. Through Sunday. Free. capecodcreativearts.org. All About Bees. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Drop in and join researcher Rachael Bonoan from Tufts University as she shares her work studying honeybees, and get up close to our bee friends. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. TerrifiCon. Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. 1 p.m.- 8 p.m. Family fun for fans of comics, TV, movies, superheroes, sci-fi, pop culture, and more. Meet celebrities and artists; Kids Comic Con track held on Saturday and Sunday. Also Saturday and Sunday. Adult ticket $27 and up; up to two children under 10 admitted free with each paid adult ticket. Robots. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Build bots using a variety of recycled materials. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Neighborhood Nature on the Water at Green Hill Park. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary,

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Join us we provide canoes, paddles, personal flotation vests, and canoeing instructions, and learn about the wildlife that depend upon the park. Supervision under 18 required. Register ahead. Free. massaudubon.org. Family Game Day. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Drop in for family games and activities during this opportunity to spend quality time with your children and other patrons through games, building materials, and other activities. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Community Picnic. William Cullen Bryant Homestead, 216 Bryant Rd., Cummington. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a meal with friends as family, as we gather in the spirit of community, kindness, and friendship. Free. thetrustess.org.

19 Saturday MFA Playdates: Making Your Mark. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries followed by art making. Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $25, youths ages 7 to 17 $10, children 6 and under free. mfa.org. National Honeybees Day. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. We showcase the sweet and healthy treat of honey during a day of prizes, raffles, food sampling, freshly extracted honey, a honey extraction demo, and more. Free. thetrustees.org. Hudson Elks Hot Air Balloons & Blues Festival. Elks Club, 99 Park St., Hudson. 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Join us for a spectacular day of fun, as we look up to see hot air balloons flying high starting at 5:30 a.m., balloon rides, food vendors, and live bands throughout the afternoon. $20. hudsonelksballoonfestival.com. Celebrate National Aviation Day. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. We celebrate Orville Wright’s birthday and National Aviation Day by creating and testing airplanes, where you can use our designs or come up with your own. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Happier Family Comedy Show. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. A special comedy show designed for children and their parents. Member adults $9, children $4.50; nonmember adults $10, children $5. carlemuseum.org. Especially for Me: Autism-Friendly Evening. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St.,

Acton. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Join in all the fun during this special evening for families with members on the autism spectrum, with dinner included. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org. Beauty and the Beast. South Garden Lawn, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Dusk. Join Magic 106.7 with your blanket and enjoy a live showing outside of this Disney liveaction film following a captured French girl in the castle of a monster and his living cutlery. Free. magic1067.com.

20 Sunday MAKE/MADE. The Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy this opportunity for visitors of all ages to create artworks of their own in the Bank of America Art Lab, developed in collaboration with arts education students from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Saturdays and Sundays. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $15, youth 17 and under free. icaboston.org. Special Sundays in the Studio. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Explore and experiment with scale. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org. My Grandfather’s Prayers. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 3 p.m. Watch as a fourth-generation cantor invokes the transcendent power of music to uplift souls across two continents amid world war, religious persecution, and personal heartbreak through mixed puppetry. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Members $10, nonmembers $15. puppetshowplace.org. Summer Sunday Series: Live Animals. Francis William Bird Park, 41 Rhoades Ave., East Walpole. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Live owls, hawks, falcons, and vultures await you at the Bird Park from New England Reptile and Raptor Exhibits, with Crescent Ridge Dairy on hand selling its delicious ice-cream products. Registration suggested. Member families $9, nonmember families $15. thetrustees.org.

21 Monday Rigamajig. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Build with this oversized system teaching STEAM education elements through play. Tuesday at 1 p.m. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. End of the Summer Glow in the Dark Party. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Light up the night with us as we celebrate the end of the summer with glowing activities, food, crafts, and more. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

22 Tuesday Take Aparts, Jr. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and grab some tools to check out some gears and more as you uncover the inner workings of household gadgets and gizmos. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Wearable Art. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Make fabulous works of art that you can wear. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. 33rd Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. It’s tomato season! Learn how tomatoes are grown, and enjoy cooking demos, information tables, and sampling, while we begin watching the judging of local tomatoes. Free. thetrustees.org. Backyard and Beyond: Cloud Gazing. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in and join us for some cloud gazing in Discovery Woods, as we learn the names of some of the clouds you see in the sky and try to guess the weather from the clouds. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Summertime at The Street. The Street, 33 Bolyston St., Chestnut Hill. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Dance and play with Little Beats. Free. thestreetchestnuthill.com.

23 Wednesday Superhero Day. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m.3 p.m. Fly over dressed as your favorite super hero and take part in agility and strength exercises, with a special “super” comedy and magic show at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Play in the Park. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Collaborate to construct large-scale temporary structures in response to deCordova’s art and landscape. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Sunset Drum Circle. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Join us on the hillside at sunset for a facilitated drum circle, celebrating the traditions of Native American and African communities. Register ahead. Members $9, nonmembers $15. Fruitlands.org. BAYSTATEPARENT 21

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

24 Thursday Kamishibai & Artcart. The Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Gather around for Kamishibai storytelling and a related art activity to follow. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org Past Finders: Early American Life. Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Join us in the 1710 John Ward House to explore Colonial history, through hands-on activities, including dress-up, crafts, and old-fashioned games. Designed for ages 6 to 12. Members $10, nonmembers $15. buttonwoods.org. Toddlerbilly Rock with Matt Heaton. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 10 a.m. Matt Heaton brings songs that are a mix of rockabilly, surf, American roots, and Irish traditional music, served up with humor and fun for the entire family. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $9, children under 1 free. childrensmuseumineaston.org. Make a Mess: A FANfare of Colors. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in and create a colorful fan using a fun, whole-body painting technique with spray bottles and watercolors. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

22 AUGUST2017

Exploring Nano: Rays Awareness. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Learn about ultraviolet light and do some simple experiments to see how sunscreen protects you by blocking harmful rays, and make your own simple UV detector bracelet to take home. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

25 Friday Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather and the season with the entire family. Designed for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Everyday Engineering: Cup Towers. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Drop in and engage in some everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials, and challenge yourself to build a one-of-a-kind tower made entirely out of cups. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. KidsJam. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy this all ages dance party, featuring a live DJ, dance les-

sons, games, and of course plenty of dancing. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

26 Saturday Holden Days. Main Street, Holden. 9 a.m.3 p.m. Parade at 9 a.m., followed by entertainment, food, games, Roaming Railroad, face-painting, and more. Free. wachusettareachamber.org. The Fairy Circus by Tanglewood Marionettes. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Join us for a dazzling display of circus acts performed in an enchanted garden, during this showcase of turnof-the-century trick puppetry with over 20 handcrafted marionettes. $12. puppetshowplace.org. Make a Mess: Spin Art. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Join in as we twist tools, twirl paper, and give watercolors a whirl, creating uniquely spun pieces of art that won’t leave you dizzy. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Eye Care. The Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Investigate how your eyes work and ways to take good care of them. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

The Secret Life of Pets. South Garden Lawn, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Dusk. Join Magic 106.7 with your blanket and enjoy a live showing outside of this animate film exploring what happens when you leave your pets to their own devices. Free. magic1067.com.

27 Sunday Discovery Kayak Tour. Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, 67 Dike Rd., Edgartown. 10 a.m.12 p.m. Navigate through the salt marshes and coastal ponds of Cape Poge Bay in this discovery kayak tour, as we take the opportunity to explore the saltwater world and encounter a variety of wildlife. Member adults $32, children $16; nonmember adults $40, children $20. thetrustees.org. MAKEmobile. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Take your imagination for a spin with activities that explore artistic and material processes through amusing prompts and challenges. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Flower Crown Making. Stevens-Coolidge Place, 92-128 Andover St., North Andover. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Cut your own flowers at our Flower Fields Cutting Garden and use them to create a beautiful flower crown, as we provide all the supplies and instruction you need to learn how to make a beautiful floral crown of your own design. Members $5, nonmembers $10. thetrustees.org.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Downtown Disc Golf. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy this colFamily Storytime. Worcester Public Library: laboration between the City of Worcester, Discover Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Central Massachusetts, and the Vibram open, as Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Explore you enjoy local foods, shop, play the Festival of themes through rhymes, stories, books, and crafts the Flying Discs, visit with disc and local vendors, during this time of togetherness. Free. mywpl.org. and relax while watching an acclaimed film on the history of flying discs. $20. dcucenter.com. Typewriter Poetry. Newton Free Library,

28 Monday

330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Get creative as we use old-school typewriters to write poems for library patrons on the spot. For grades 7 to 12. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

29 Tuesday Dirtopia. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop by and explore a giant pile of dirt, as we scoop, sculpt, and squish, dig, climb, and burrow, and make mud pies, mud paintings, and mud this-and-that. Through Thursday. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

31 Thursday Fresh, Fast, and Delicious for Less. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Join Project Bread’s Chef Vanessa Labranche as she leads free cooking demonstrations, featuring new recipes based on fresh, healthy foods that can be purchased for the market, and fun for the entire family. Thursdays. Free. thetrustees.org.

30 Wednesday

Youth Fishing. Peddocks Island, Boston Harbor. 12 p.m. Learn the basic of saltwater fishing during this time with our staff when you can bring your own equipment or use ours. Thursdays. Free. bostonharborislands.org.

Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun, and fulfillment, as you help put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend the gardens, and more. Free. massaudubon.org.

Orville Giddings Band. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 7 p.m.9 p.m. Enjoy an exciting family-friend and danceable band showcasing the best Boogie Blues, with games, raffles, food and snacks for sale, and plenty of time to spend together. Member cars $20, nonmember cars $30, walk-ins $10. thetrustees.org.

Free Fun Fridays

in August Enjoy the final month of Highland Street Foundation’s 2017 Free Fun Fridays program, which offers free admission for your family at any of these incredible Massachusetts institutions on select dates this month! For more information, check out highlandstreet.org. August 4 August 18 • Commonwealth Shakespeare Company • The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (Boston) • Old Sturbridge Village • Old State House • Freedom Trail Foundation • The Greenway Carousel (Boston) • Buttonwood Park Zoo (New Bedford) • Fort Devens Museum • Cape Cod Children’s Museum (Mashpee) • Children’s Museum at Holyoke • Concord Museum • International Volleyball Hall of Fame • Berkshire Museum (Pittsfield) (Holyoke) • Emily Dickinson Museum (Amherst) • The Old Manse, The Trustees (Concord) August 25 • JKF Hyannis Museum • Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park • USS Constitution Museum (Charlestown) August 11 • Plimoth Plantation • Franklin Park Zoo (Boston) • MASS MoCA (North Adams) • Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton) • Nantucket Whaling Museum • Cape Cod Maritime Museum (Hyannis) • The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River • Worcester Historical Museum • Griffin Museum of Photography (Winchester) • Museum of African American History (Boston) • Fitchburg Art Museum • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History • Jacob’s Pillow Dance (Becket) (Brewster) • Smith College Museum of Art (Northampton) • Heritage Museums & Gardens (Sandwich) • Naumkeag, The Trustees (Stockbridge)

A Unique Nature Experience For Your Child All Year Round!

• Hand on Science Discovery • 12 Acre Compound • Experienced Caring Staff • Hiking Trails PRESCHOOL 3.5 - 5 years TODDLER/PRESCHOOL 2.5 - 3.5 years INFANT/TODDLER 3 Mos. - 3.5 years

ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT FOR FALL PRESCHOOL PROGRAM! MON-FRI 7AM-5:30PM

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th al 27 nu An The Life is Good Kids Foundation is the official charity partner of Kidsfest

September 23-24, 2017 10am-5pm Sterling Gym presents

Ninja Challenge

un f f o s y a d o Tw e for the whol family!

Rainforest Reptile Show Flying High Frisbee Dogs

Featuring:ent baystatepaordel Cover M t Contes

Maximum Velocity BMX Team

Josh & The Jam Tones

Kids’ Ski Deck

Live Dance and Singing Performances Scenic SkyRide ✷ Pony Rides ✷ Moonbounces Magic Shows ✷ Juggling ✷ Climbing Wall Face Painting ✷ Clowns ✷ Balloon Animals

All activities, e) (except SkyRid included with admission! ADMISSION: Kids under 2 Free; Kids 3-12 $8 advance/$11 door; Adults $10 advance/$13 door Ticket Packages Available! Buy in Advance & Save!

Food, Beverage & SkyRide not included in admission.

Details & Tickets at www.wachusett.com 499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA

978-464-2300

Wachusett Mountain operates in cooperation with the MA Department of Conservation & Recreation

24 AUGUST2017

Fresh, Fun School Supplies READY, SET...SCHOOL!

Style Block Boards samsclub.com • $19.84 Students can jazz up their study/ work area with this set featuring 2 chalk surfaces, 3 dry erase boards, 4 triangle cork boards, and a slew of accessories, configuring the pieces in any shape or design they like.

Ticonderoga Pencil-Shaped Erasers

Shopping for school supplies has never been more fun — or fashionable. Bright colors, funky designs, and new takes on old classics are ready for you when you head to the store (or online) with your child’s list in hand. Here are some favorite finds for Fall 2017.

3M Post-It Fashion Dispenser — Bear Staples (available in-store only) • $7 Leave yourself a note in the cutest way possible with this sleek friend on your desk.

staples.com • $3 The old classic takes on a new look and function with this cute eraser set.

Large Cactus Eraser and Ballpoint Pen Staples (available in-store only) $2 (eraser), $3 (pen) Bring a little desert to your desktop with this super fun, functional duo.

ZIPIT Grillz Pencil Cases amazon.com • $6.38 These cute cases (available in several sizes and styles) feature a monster with shiny teeth. Only when you open it up do you discover the case is made up of one long zipper that can be fully unzipped (and zipped up again).

Colored Floral Rucksack Staples (available in-store only) $24.99 Enjoy a change of pace from the traditional backpack with this colorful, roomy rucksack, available in a variety of colors.

Monster Puppet on a Pen Staples (available in-store only) • $3 Available in a variety of faces and colors, this pen makes note-taking fun thanks to the mouth that opens and closes with the push of a button.

Nail Polish and Popsicle Highlighters Staples (available in-store only) • $3 Jazz up your notes in a new way.

Vintage Little One & Me Small Backpack lassigusa.com • $44.95 Available in blue or grey, this highquality canvas backpack sized for the youngest back-to-schoolers features a large main compartment and side pockets for ample storage, an accessories pouch, and a snap hook to attach that all-important good luck charm.

Scribble Stuff 30-Count Gel Pen Set amazon.com • $14.99 What’s better than gel pens? Scented gel pens! Students will enjoy a variety of scents, including Blooming Florals, Citrus Harvest, and Sea Breeze, as well as soft comfort grips and smooth writing. BAYSTATEPARENT 25

READY, SET...SCHOOL!

How Parents Can Navigate the First Day of Kindergarten BY JENNIFER SHEEHY EVERETT

Kindergarten is a rite of passage, there’s no denying it. Every year, moms, dads, and caregivers strap bulging backpacks onto still-so-small children and send them off to tackle what may be the first stop on their educational journey. The nervousness and excitement in their tiny bodies may be palpable, but perhaps not as overwhelming as the flood of emotions their parents experience at this time of momentous transition. Some may shed tears of worry over how their child will fare being separated from the safety of their parents or go-to caregivers. Others may feel slightly more comfortable if their child has daycare history, but they still may wonder how well he or she will navigate a more structured and less individualized classroom. Parental emotions will run the 26 AUGUST2017

gamut, and experts agree that feeling them bubble up as Kindergarten nears is perfectly normal. Thankfully, there are myriad useful tips that all parents can lean on to alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies this important life transition for their little one and family.

Start by looking inward Explore and embrace your feelings. A parent’s primary role is to care for and protect his or her child, so that first moment of letting go can be jarring. Amy Meade, PhD, a clinical psychologist in private practice in Arlington, with affiliations with McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School — and mother to a preschooler — recommends parents

spend adequate time digging into what is most upsetting them about the transition. “Parents should identify their worstcase scenario fear, then consider the likelihood of that negative event actually happening,” Meade said. “If they have more than one specific fear, they can apply this exercise to each of their worries. Oftentimes, parents will find that they are underestimating their ability to cope [with such a transition].” In some cases, parents may be assuming that their children will face the same challenges they encountered when starting school. Their experiences will likely bear no resemblance, so experts recommend gifting children with a clean slate as they kick off Kindergarten. Recognize that you (and your children) are more prepared than you believe. “Thankfully for families, transition [to Kindergarten] isn’t really a one-time event,” said Margaret Caspe, PhD, director of Research and Professional Learning at the Global Family Research Project (GFRP), a nonprofit formerly known as The Harvard Family Research Project and formerly affiliated with Harvard Graduate School of Education. GFRP’s mission is to connect research, practice, and policy to promote innovative strategies across family, school, and community settings, and the organization views transition as a shared responsibility among families, schools, early childhood programs, and communities. “You don’t wake up for that first day of Kindergarten and — BOOM — the transition has happened,” Caspe said. “The transition actually starts very early on, when a child is 3 or 4, and continues across the Kindergarten years into 1st and 2nd grade. This [knowledge] should alleviate a lot of pressure for families. [The success of the transition] doesn’t all hinge on that one day. There is a long trajectory.”

Be a sponge Seek out information. “Any kind of information that families can get across the transition, or any transition activity that is offered — information sessions to introduce the school, administration and staff; school tours; PTA-sponsored events outside the school, etc.) — will be helpful,” Caspe said. “Many families find the logistics of transition particularly difficult; for example, what time the bus will come, what will happen at lunchtime, how a child will transition from school dismissal to an afterschool program, how a parent should log into any online parent portal, etc. Once families are in the system, these things seem to make sense, but

getting onboard the system can be hard.” Talk to peers and build social networks. While Meade reinforces the importance of collecting information that gives a window into the school day and experience, she sees equal value in parents building relationships with other families in the school community to learn about their experiences and concerns. “Talk to parents of children who already attend the school and to parents of other children entering kindergarten,” Meade said. “The latter probably have worries that are similar to yours, and it’s very powerful to share ‘Me, too’ moments with parents facing the same transition.” Caspe added: “When families feel connected to other people and have an opportunity to have these social networks, it leads to increases in family well-being.” Developing an open and trusting relationship with a child’s teacher is an equally valuable connection to establish at the outset and rely on throughout the school year.

Create a plan and materials to help navigate the transition Establish routines that manage school logistics. “Research shows that routines are important,” Caspe said. “Think about what your routine will look like the night before school, the next morning, at school drop-off and pick-up, etc. Are we packing our bags and laying out clothes the night before to make sure we are ready in the morning? What will it look like when we say goodbye at school? Where will I drop you off? Where will I pick you up? Coming up with routines around separation and reunion are particularly helpful for children and families.” Help teachers get to know your child. In many communities, Caspe says libraries or early childhood programs will give children “All About Me” books they can complete at home and bring the first day of school. These books effectively introduce a child to his or her new teacher and can help parents feel that their child is understood and valued for his or her unique personality and contributions. “All About Me” books of varying types are also available online for download or purchase. Parents and children can also find other creative avenues to share the story of their lives with teachers, and preschool programs may be able to contribute a portfolio of a child’s work to include in any package for teachers. While information gathering, rela-

tionship building, routine setting, and storytelling about the unique children parents will deliver to Kindergarten classrooms is extremely valuable in lessening parental anxiety, parental self-care should be an equal priority.

Take care of you Make time for self-care. “It’s critically important for parents to get enough sleep and give themselves time to exercise to manage stress,” Meade reminded. “They should also lean on close mom or parent friends — and/ or a therapist — to talk through any emotions. A child shouldn’t be the one to take on a parent’s emotions. They simply won’t know what to do for the parent or how to help.” Master the poker face. If anxiety is still rearing its ugly head as the first day of Kindergarten arrives, parents should do their best to project a sense of calm, as much as they may be inwardly nervous, Meade said. “Be strong for your child,” she recommends. “Deliver a positive message about the transition and entrance to school. Children are perceptive, and they will fare better if they see parents who are excited about their transition rather than

fearful of letting them go.” Key for parents to remember as they prepare themselves and their children for that first day is that schools and teachers are well-trained to support children of all personalities and needs during the transition to Kindergarten, and many teachers draw on a deep skill set honed over years of welcoming eager and anxious new students. And, along the way, they’ve likely also mastered how to support the wide-ranging, and perfectly understandable, emotions of moms, dads and caregivers. And for that, parents can be forever grateful. Jennifer Sheehy Everett is a writer, PR consultant, and mother to a busy toddler who’s pretty certain he runs the show at her and husband John’s home in Melrose. She enjoys music and performing, dance, golf, travel, the pursuit of tasty food and wine, and time with cherished family and good friends.

THE SHREWSBURY CHILDREN’S CENTER Celebrating over 30 years of care Now Enrolling Infant, Preschool & Pre-kindergarten Programs!

Now Enrolling Full Day Kindergarten Fall 2015! Call to setup a visit. Fall 2017 Enrollment – Limited Spots Available. Kindergarten Program Fall 2017 - Enrollment OPEN. Infant (from 12 wks) • Toddler • Preschool Call us today to book a tour and see our Center! Pre-Kindergarten • Full Let our family careDay forKindergarten Yours. Infant (from 12 wks) • Toddler • Preschool • Pre-Kindergarten • Full Day Kindergarten

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BAYSTATEPARENT 27

READY, SET...SCHOOL!

New Town, New School: How to Help Your Child Transition BY MICHELLE PERRAS-CHARRON

families enter the last month of summer vacation, many parents begin thinking about their child’s new teacher assignment and school supply shopping lists. But for some, summer is strategically the best time to tackle a relocation to a new town — or even a new state — as the kids are out of school and disruption can be kept to a minimum. Once the actual move is complete, it’s important to support your child when they’re the new kid in town by taking advantage of opportunities not only at your child’s new school, but also within the local community, which can help ease the transition and create a positive experience for everyone.

Setting up for success at a new school First and foremost, parents should take advantage of resources at their child’s new school. Donna M. Denette, director and co-founder of Children First Enterprises, a non-profit childcare organization in Granby, says parents should tour the school, ask questions, and learn about the philosophy and curriculum. “The key is to present this new opportunity with confidence and excitement,” Denette says. “Do not give your child any reason to be 28 AUGUST2017

anxious, as they will pattern their response after yours! For them, if you are worried or hesitant, it signals there is something to be afraid of.” Belchertown mom Jennifer Fleischer, who moved state-to-state two times in the past five years with her 9-year-old daughter, echoes Denette’s advice. “When you move, you need to reflect the behavior you expect your child to mirror. If you get out and make friends, so will your child. If you have a successful move, so will your child!” Fleischer says. Karen Howard moved to

Belchertown last summer with her two sons, then 7 and 9. She found reaching out to the school over the summer helpful. “Ask for a tour of the school with your child before their first day so the school is more familiar and they won’t have as much fear of the unknown,” she recommends. “Meet with the guidance counselors at the school to help them learn about your child and find the best classroom placements.” Howard also suggests asking school officials if they have any programs for new families. Franklin mom Carrie King says her 14-year-old son

will be attending “The High School Experience,” a week-long program offered to incoming freshman to help ease the transition to high school. While King’s family is not new to town, she is trying to help her son move back into public school after a yearlong absence during which he participated in online schooling. “It’s different anxiety, but anxiety just the same as being new to school,” says King, who has already reached out to the school to gather information and have her son take a tour of the building. “I’ve been trying to have conversations about things to look forward to in an attempt to

lift the veil of discomfort.” While trying to introduce your child to a new school, Howard suggests helping him or her keep in touch with their old friends, even if it’s only as pen pals. “It will take time to form new friendships, and you want them to have a social outlet in the meantime,” Howard explains. “We reassured our boys they wouldn’t lose friends, instead they would just gain new ones. More importantly, we kept that promise.”

Navigating “the new kid in town” status Another way parents can help children is by simply getting out into the community. Many local libraries host summer reading programs, with planned events geared towards school-aged children over the course of the summer. Signing children up for the summer reading program and attending these fun, family-oriented events can lead to an early introduction to peers and possibly new friendships before school starts. Howard suggests looking for summer camps or extracurricular activities near the school for this same reason. If your child enjoys sports, enroll them in a sport camp of their choice. If your child is a budding musician, encourage them to join the community band, which typically practices and performs over the course of the summer. These bands are often for all ages, and your child may meet another child with similar interests. Visiting school playgrounds over the summer is another good way to get out and meet local families, Howard says. If that’s not an option, she recommends getting to know your neighbors by taking family walks in the neighborhood and playing outdoors so you have more opportunities to run into those who live around you. “We were lucky enough to move to a neighborhood with a lot of kids, so just playing outdoors helped a lot,” she added. “One day, when we first moved in, our boys were on their bikes and all the neighborhood kids rode over on their bikes to introduce themselves — there were about 12 bikes in all! The kids made friends and then got invitations over to the neighbors’ houses to play. It really just comes down to getting involved in the community and being open to lots of social activities initially.”

Cementing the home-school connection Once school starts, it’s important to allow your child to bond and build trust with their teacher, Denette says. “The very best thing you can do

to support your child is to choose well and build a trusting relationship of mutual respect and support with your child’s teacher,” she says. “You can remove yourself because you have established trust with the teachers at the school you have chosen. And your child can stay and create bonds because you have found the right place for your child to develop.” Howard recommends parents check in with teachers occasionally to find out how their child is adapting: Are they making new friends? Do they seem content or withdrawn? Does the teacher have any advice to help with the transition? “Check-ins with the teacher and talking to the boys really helped me gauge how the boys were doing emotionally,” Howard says. Additionally, being involved at your child’s school, whether as a classroom helper or as part of a PTO or PTA, can help alleviate anxieties for both parent and child. “Volunteering a bit of time at your kid’s school also helps with the adjustment,” Fleischer notes. “By being present at the school you make your kids feel safe.” Howard joined the PTO at her son’s new school and found other PTO parents were able to offer excellent advice and resources. She even made a few new friends herself. “The more you are involved with the school, the more likely you are to build supportive relationships with school staff that can help you identify and resolve transition problems early,” Howard says. Whether they are the new kid in town, or simply transitioning from one school to another within the community, children will naturally experience some anxiety and hesitation. It’s important for parents to acknowledge and validate their child’s feelings, while modeling a positive attitude. “Assume that your child is capable. Assume that your child is ready. Assume that your child will have a wonderful experience!” Denette says. “And know that they will because you have done your due diligence in choosing the right place for your child.” Adds Howard: “My son just told me the other day he doesn’t feel like the new kid anymore.” Michelle PerrasCharron is a freelance writer and mother to four school-aged boys in Western Mass. A Navy brat and also the wife of a retired Air Force captain, she loves writing about people and all topics related to parenting. She also enjoys running and a strong cup of coffee.

ONE WORLD

TUESDAYS, July 11 to August 15 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join us this summer to celebrate the world’s cultural diversity. Each week we’ll visit a different corner of the globe to explore the customs of six vibrant nations, through live performances, crafts, storytime, and more —including book giveaways and free admission to the Mapparium® for youth under 17.

200 Massachusetts Ave., Boston MA 02115 For more information, contact our Educational Programs Coordinator 617-450-7203 | palladinom@mbelibrary.org

mbelibrary.org

Celebrating 100 Years of Catholic Education

PreK through grade 12!

St. Mary’s Schools 50 Richland Street, Worcester, MA 01610 www.stmarysworcester.org BAYSTATEPARENT 29

Because it takes expert care to deliver a miracle

Bringing miracles to life is our passion at the LaChance Maternity Center at Heywood Hospital. Our expert team of physicians, nurses and doulas, provide personalized attention in a state-of-the-art environment that promotes a tranquil and natural birthing experience, resulting in the lowest caesarean birth rate in the state. And our specialty services â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from our post-birth celebration dinner to our rejuvenating spa treatments including relaxing whirlpool hydrotherapy, post-partum massage therapy, music therapy and aromatherapy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will leave you feeling just heavenly. To find out more about the services offered at the LaChance Maternity Center visit www.heywood.org. To register for a Childbirth Class or schedule a tour of the LaChance Maternity Center call (978) 630-6216.

242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440 | (978) 632-3420 | heywood.org

30 AUGUST2017

HWD021_MatAd_BayParJunior.indd 1

7/11/14 10:09 PM

Bring Learning Home This Year!

READY, SET...SCHOOL!

5 Easy Tips for Backto-School Budgeting

Discover heart-centered learning with Oak Meadow's quality, adaptable homeschooling curriculum for K-12, or enroll in our accredited distance school with one-to-one teacher support. • Start anytime and work at your own pace. • Engage with comprehensive print curriculum that supports student interests. • Earn an Oak Meadow diploma or take individual courses for enrichment or credit recovery.

BY RACHEL CRUZE

Can you feel it? Fall is right around the corner, and that means it’s back-to-school time! Hopefully, you haven’t waited until the last minute and you have most of your shopping done. If not, that’s OK! Here are a few guidelines as you get everything together for your child’s first day back in the classroom. 1. Make a budget . . . and stick to it. Whether you’re heading to Target this afternoon or a week from now, you need to make sure all your back-to-school costs are included in your monthly budget. And if you’re not in the habit of making a monthly budget, well, this is a great opportunity to get a little practice! Budgeting tools, such as the free everydollar.com, will help you make a budget you can actually stick to.

you head out to shop.

2. Focus on needs, not wants. Your 8-year-old might want the fancy Lightning McQueen backpack, but that doesn’t mean they need it — especially if it’s $20 more than a basic backpack. I’m not saying you can’t make back-to-school shopping fun, but don’t overspend just because your kid throws a fit in the backpack aisle.

It’s not too late to make sure you’re doing back-to-school shopping the right way. Make a budget, keep your priorities in check, and don’t let the little ones talk you into buying stuff they don’t really need. Use back-to-school as a great opportunity to get your finances in order before the holiday season hits in a few months.

3. Keep it simple. Remember, you just need the basics to get started — not everything you’ll need for the entire school year. If money is tight, buy the minimum your child needs right now, then work the rest into your budget over the next few months.

Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and seasoned communicator, helping Americans learn the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. She’s authored two best-selling books: Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey. You can follow Cruze on Twitter and Instagram at @ RachelCruze and online at rachelcruze.com, youtube.com/rachelcruze, or facebook.com/rachelramseycruze.

4. Talk with your kid’s teachers. If you haven’t received a list of items your child needs for the upcoming year, be sure to touch base with the school and reach out to the teacher. Most schools are pretty good about covering this type of information at orientation or open house, so hopefully you’ll have the information you need well before

Join us for a Virtual Open House! Learn more about Oak Meadow and ask questions at one of our live webinars. Sign up on our website. oakmeadow.com

5. Look around online. Some of the best deals are online. Start with Amazon, then do some research and see what else you might be able to order without leaving home. You might consider buying pencils, paper, and other items that you don’t necessarily need to see before you buy. You might save money, and you’ll definitely save time.

Jack and Jill Preschool First Baptist Church 693 Main Street • North Oxford 01540 (508) 987-3085

BAYSTATEPARENT 31

READY, SET...SCHOOL!

Fun Ways to Sharpen Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Skills Before

They Head Back to School BY KRISTIN GUAY

32 AUGUST2017

PART 2 OF A 2-PART SERIES

here’s about a month of summer vacation — or perhaps less — before your child heads back to school. You can subtlety get them back in the learning mindset through fun, everyday activities that will create family memories and begin charging their brains up for the fall. (You can find Part 1 of this series in our July issue or at baystateparent.com/2017/06/27/18-funways-to-stop-the-summer-slide).

Cooking: A delicious way to keep skills sharp Get your child involved in the cooking process from the beginning. Discuss and plan meals for the week and write a list of what is needed at the store. At the store, have your child read the list and check off items when they are put in the shopping cart. This might require some practice because many grocery store items may come from a higher vocabulary (think “edamame” and “brie”). Start with simple items, such as “milk,” “dog food,” and “apple,” and work from there. It also might help to have some accompanying pictures with some of the more challenging words. Before beginning to prepare or cook, talk to your child about recipes and the importance of completely reading through a recipe and understanding the sequence (for example, some ingredients might be mixed, but set aside). Read through the recipes with your child and ask them to recite the steps. In the beginning, a recipe might only be a few steps, but this is still an extremely important process. Teach your children to make their own snacks. Simple snacks, such as a pita filled with sliced fruit, Goldfish resting on a celery log, fruit kabobs, and an apple “car,” are all fun and health snacks for kids to make and enjoy. Creative food. Encourage your child’s creativity by letting them make “food masterpieces” with their meals. Grapes, bananas, apples, chocolate chips, cheese sticks, and carrots sticks can all be transformed into some amazing edible works of art. Packing snacks and picnics can be a great lesson in math with sorting, patterns, fractions, counting, and sizes. Kids can count how many blueberries will fit into a container vs. how many strawberries will fit into the same container. Kids can learn to cut a sandwich in half, and then cut in half again to make fourths. Kids can learn about patterns while

making fruit kabobs and shapes while making sandwiches out of cookie cutters. International cooking. Use international recipes to teach your child about other parts of the world and cultures. Browse through international cookbooks (or recipes found on the internet) and find a recipe that would appeal to your child. Before cooking, spend a little time researching the area and people of that particular cuisine. The Kids Cook Monday (thekids. cookmonday.org) and Cook with Amber (cookwithamber.com) offer fun and healthy recipes that families can prepare and eat together.

Recycling and conservation activities promote organization and awareness Have your child be the “recycle inspector” and check for recyclable items before they are thrown into the trash. Have them sort items according to the requirements in your community. Plant a tree. One of the best ways you can help the environment is to give back — and what better way than to plant a tree. Research the best tree to have for the area and be sure to learn how to care for a young tree. If you have a tennis ball with a crack, don’t throw it away. Instead, create an extremely useful item for your home. Draw eyes and use the crack as a mouth to hold keys, pens, even the mail. School and art supplies are always in need of being organized. Use recycled materials to create custom-made holders for everything on your desk. A decorated plastic milk jug is especially handy because it can be used for art projects on the go. There are many crafts that can be made using paper from magazines and comic books — the brighter the colors the better. Decoupage bits of paper to the surface of an ordinary item and turn it into something extraordinary (think picture frame, glass vase, or mirror). Decorate a rain barrel. Purchase a rain barrel that connects to a waterspout on your house. This can be your source for watering plants inside and outside your home. Have your child decorate the barrel with waterproof paint. This can be a fun project for the whole family, while saving water at the same time. A pizza delivery box, tin foil and plastic wrap is all that is needed to make a solar cooker and, of course, a nice sunny day! Try making s’mores or even use a skillet to fry an egg. Experiment with the cooker by trying

different positions with the sun to see what works best. Make a bowling set with 10 old cans and a ball. Decorate the cans any way you like and set up matches with your friends. The following sites teach kids about the environment and how to protect it through interactive games and activities: Eek World (pbskids.org/ eekworld), Kids Planet (kidsplanet. org), Kids Saving Energy (eia.gov/ kids), and Global Warming Kids Site (epa.gov/climatechange/kids).

Develop an appreciation of the natural world Go on a nature bingo walk (seasonal cards can be found on the internet). Have one person carry the card and say “I spy…” when they see one of the items. Use solar paper (found in most craft stores) to make solar prints of items found in nature. Take a sensory discovery walk through nature. Find an outside area that provides a variety of sensory stimuli (tree bark to touch, birds or water to hear, pine needles to smell, etc.). Create a sensory chart that challenges your child to find objects in nature that have specific sensory qualities (wet, cold, rough, spiky, smooth, etc.) Survival habitats: Talk to your child about how all forms of life (humans, animals, plants) need basic things to survive: food, water, and shelter. Ask your child to state what humans use to meet these needs, then take a walk in nature and observe how certain animals (squirrels, rabbits, birds) fulfill their survival needs in nature. Further discussion could include other habitats such as African animals, tropical habitats, or sea life. Be a tree detective. There are various resources on the internet that offer bark and leaf identification sheets. Look at these to identify trees in your area. Create an artistic masterpiece using items found in nature. The Artful Parent (artfulparent.com) offers many suggestions, along with colorful photographs to help create beautiful artwork from nature. Terrariums: Children can experiment with different habitats — dry, misty, and woodland. They can use cactus, other succulents, and sand to create a desert terrain; moss and bark can be used to recreate a woodland environment. Take a virtual tour of the national parks (360parks.com): This site offers virtual tours through such parks

as the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Other wonderful Internet resources include the National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org), which has an extensive website filled with activities to help children and families explore and learn more about nature. Also Science Kids (sciencekids. co.nz) and The Imagination Tree (theimaginationtree.com) offer projects, experiments, and games that make learning about nature a fun activity.

Discover the vast universe of stars, planets, and the solar system Make your very own rocket ship — either a small one to use as a toy or a larger one that that accommodates several friends. Household items such as cardboard boxes, milk cartons, plastic cups and bottles, sections of paper, and even an old football can all be transformed into a space ship of your imagination. Learn about mythology: Research constellations and how they relate to mythological stories. See if you can identify them in the night sky (constellation charts can be found on the internet). Make your own solar system: Create paper mache balls or a “stainedglass” solar system using colored tissue paper between two sheets of ironed wax paper. Both projects require some research into the size and color of the different planets. Get a package of glow-in-the-dark stars and planets (found in most craft stores) and create an amazing display in your bedroom. Research and try to place the stars in the arrangement of some constellations seen in the night sky. Learn about the moon phases using Oreos: You will need eight Oreos for each phase of the moon. Slowly twist off the top half of the cookie. Use a spoon to scrape off the icing, creating the shape of the moon in different phases. Arrange them in order. Admire your work, then grab a glass of milk and enjoy a tasty treat. Check seasky.org/astronogy/ astronomy-calendar for astronomical events involving the moon, eclipses, planets, comets, meteor showers, and asteroids. Try astronaut food: Do you want to know what it is like to eat like an astronaut? Check websites (Amazon has a few items) that sell astronaut food. You can get freeze-dried ice cream, dried fruit, and cinnamon apple wedges. BAYSTATEPARENT 33

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Online resources: NASA (starchild. gsfc.nasa.gov), Astrology (astrosociety.org), Kids Astronomy (kidsastronomy.com), and Busy Bee Kids Crafts (busybeekidscrafts.com/ Space-Activities-for-Kids.html).

Explore coastline treasures and learn about sea life Create imaginative stories by using the book Wave by Suzy Lee. This wonderful, wordless book is filled with creative drawings depicting a young girl’s day on the beach. Use the book with your child to create a story. Help your child think of descriptive words to “paint a mental picture” of the scene. Have him or her try making up dialogue and even thoughts of the child. Or take turns with your child: You create the words for one page and the child creates the words for another. This requires some thought because the child will need to piggyback on what was said on the previous page. Get crafty with objects from the sea. Go on a nature walk along the seashore and gather washed up shells, rocks, beach glass, feathers, pieces of driftwood, and ocean plant life. These items can be used to make a variety of sea life crafts such as mobiles, decorative picture frames, and candleholders. The internet provides many great ideas.

Open House

Sunday, November 5, 2017 1:00-3:00 pm Beginners (Age 3) to Grade 6 Co-Educational Financial Aid Program Exceptional Secondary School Placement Afterschool Extended Day

The Chestnut Hill School

Educating. Engaging. Inspiring.

428 Hammond Street Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-566-4394

34 AUGUST2017

www.tchs.org

Math activities with shells. Seashells, rocks, beach glass, and pieces of driftwood can all provide many activities that teach math concepts, such as sorting by size and physical features, creating patterns, and making seashell graphs. Even simple counting activities can be done using items found on the beach. Seashell memory game. Large, flat shells can be used to create memory games for kids. The seashells can be used to conceal letters of the alphabet, numbers, colors, or pictures of objects. The key is that using seashells make this a little different than the ordinary game. Scallop shell lights. The beaches of New England offer many scallop shells, and these can be easily turned into beautiful string lights. Just take a simple strand of lights and glue scallops shells around each of the tiny bulbs (make sure the shells are clean and dry before attaching them to the light strand). Sea life diorama. Help your child create a sea life diorama that depicts sea life above and below the water’s surface. The structure can be made by placing one box on top of another — the top box being above the water surface and the bottom box being below. You can create the scenes by clipping pictures from a magazine or the Internet or drawing the plants and animals. For a special effect, use

sand, rocks, shells, etc., found at the beach as part of your diorama. Gather items at the beach and make observations — which shells have ridges and which are smooth, different colors of beach glass, different types of sea plants, etc. It is very important for your child to articulate the different features as they are examining the items — noting such features as size, color, texture, weight, etc. Even the same shells (such as a scallop shell) can have very different features. Take a field trip to some of the wonderful aquariums and coastal museums in New England. Take a virtual field trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium (montereybayaquarium. org) or The National Aquarium (aqua. org). Both sites provide live webcams featuring a variety of coastal life such as penguins, sharks, a coral reef, jellyfish, and a kelp forest.

Understand the human body and how to be healthy Eat the rainbow: The Whole Kids Foundation (wholekidsfoundation. org) provides information on eating foods from every color of the rainbow and healthy snacking options. Make a rainbow chart and track your progress on eating healthy foods. Trace your body: Get a large piece of paper (or tape together several pieces) and trace your body. Use colored paper, twisted tissue paper, etc. to make bones and organs. Use books to help identify organs, muscles, and bones and help understand the different body systems (respiratory, digestive, circulatory). Check out the American Heart Association website (heart.org) for healthy tips for the family. It provides several activities and important information for kids that promote a healthy lifestyle. Additional online resources include Kids Health (kidshealth.org/en/kids/ htbw), Science Kids (sciencekids. co.nz/humanbody.html), Teach Kid Learn (teachkidlearn.com/anatomygames.html), and Turtle Diary (turtlediary.com/game/human-body. html). These sites help kids learn about bones, organs, muscles, cells, tissues, and personal hygiene. There are also several printable worksheets to learn about the different parts and functions of the human body. Kristin Guay lives in Cape Cod with her husband, two daughters, and beloved black lab. A former middle school language arts teacher, she is currently Youth Services Director at Centerville Library.

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How to Find Your Child’s Organizational Style BY KATHERINE FIRESTONE

There is no one specific way to be organized. Your child does not have to color-code by subject (though, that is one good way to organize). He or she does not necessarily have to use a planner (though the teacher probably won’t appreciate I said that). And children don’t even need a clean room (though it can be helpful). The key to being successful at organizing is finding a style that works for your child. There is no one-size-fits-all rule. To stay organized, you have to figure out your child’s style and plan accordingly. Here are tips on how to first figure out your child’s organizational style, then set up a system that works for your family, so your student can stay organized throughout the school year.

Tip 1: Discover your child’s organizational style Marcella Moran, president of The Kid Organizer and co-author of Organizing the Disorganized Child, identifies three organizational styles: visual, spatial, and chronological/ sequential. Visual organizers need to see everything. If anything is stored in a drawer, it’s forgotten because it can’t be seen. Visual organizers tend to be the ones color-coding everything. Spatial, or “comfy,” organizers like for everything to be within reach. Beds are often a favorite place for this kind of organizer to work because they are comfortable and large enough to fit everything that is needed. Dining room tables or a desk with a rolling chair are also

good options. Chronological/sequential organizers “organize in a way that makes sense to them,” but they often just look messy to others. Yet if you move something, they will be upset because now you have messed up their system, and how will they ever be able to find that again? This is why it’s sometimes OK to be messy — messy rooms for these organizers may actually be organized. You can have more than one organizational style preference. For instance, you can be a visual and a spatial organizer: someone who likes to have everything within reach and who forgets about things that are tucked away in drawers.

Tip 2: Embrace your organizational style Once you’ve determined your child’s preference, embrace it to set him/her up for organizational success! For visual organizers: Try one binder and one notebook per school subject (make sure they are the same color). Also, strive to ensure that your child’s workplace is always decluttered (because clutter is visually distracting). For a child who is visual, use an academic planner with a bold exterior for easy spotting and get rid of drawers! Both spatial and chronological/ sequential organizers tend to like one big binder for all subjects. For spatial organizers: Try 3-subject notebooks, so they can have more subjects in one place. Spatial organizers also tend to like to move

while they work — sitting on the bed, lying on the bed, lying on the floor. Moving from room to room between subjects can help keep them focused, too.

But what it actually means is, “Oh, no! There are more spots to lose my things!” When hunting for a backpack, find one with as few pockets as possible.

For chronological/sequential organizers: Try accordion folders for organizing handouts. If your child is this kind of organizer, they tend to have a ton of random papers, so mesh trays and labels can be helpful to keep papers in one spot. Stackable containers filled with whatever your chronological/ sequential organizer deems necessary are another good option.

Tip 5: Find a planner your child will use

Tip 3: Use page protectors to keep your child’s backpack neat Loose papers are the downfall of every organized backpack. It is so much easier to stuff handouts and returned papers and quizzes into your backpack instead of holepunching them. Even if they come hole punched and you diligently put them in your binder, they rip out easily and end up messing up your backpack, anyway. And who actually uses reinforcers? Certainly not me. Page protectors to the rescue! It takes very little time to put your paper into your page protector and then it stays there forever. Have some empty page protectors ready in your child’s binder for organizing returned papers and handouts right away!

Tip 4: Minimize backpack pockets Often we look at a backpack with lots of pockets and think, “Wow — there is a spot for everything!”

If traditional planners aren’t working for your child, try having him/her write down homework on sticky-notes (in a sticky note wallet). You can also encourage your child to keep a small memo pad in his/ her pocket to write down things throughout the day. At home, they can transfer their homework notes to a large weekly calendar. (Try two Elmer’s Weekly Calendars — one is not enough). It feels awesome throwing away a sticky-note once you’ve completed an assignment. Organization is a trial-and-error process. Help your child discover his/her organizational style by giving him/her some options to try. Let your child know that if those options don’t work, you can try something else. This will help them learn what works best much faster (and more happily) than insisting organization be done a certain way.

Katherine Firestone is founder of the Fireborn Institute (fireborninstitute. org), a non-profit that provides parents with clear, practical, and easy-to-remember strategies to help their children thrive in school (both socially and academically). BAYSTATEPARENT 35

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Now Hiring: Who Will Be the Next Head of Massachusetts Public Schools? BY DOUG PAGE

ducation is to Massachusetts what oil is to Texas — it put the state on the map. Since the Commonwealth’s earliest days, when it was settled by the Puritans, education has been at the forefront, leading it to establishing world-renown universities and, in time, what many now consider the country’s best public K-12 schools. Since 2008, Massachusetts schools followed the lead of Mitchell Chester, commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which oversees all public schools in the Commonwealth. Chester, one of the longest-serving state education officials in the country, shepherded Bay State schools during a contentious period — the adoption of Common Core State Standards and a subsequent grassroots uprising against them. With a cadre of fans and critics, Chester served as a lightning rod for education issues, and now, with his recent, untimely death at 65, state officials face a situation not seen in nine years: a vacancy at the top of Massachusetts public schools. baystateparent interviewed a variety of experts in Massachusetts and across the country regarding what they would like to see in the next DESE commissioner, as well as the expected challenges he or she will face. Todd Gazda, superintendent, Ludlow Public Schools: “Our next

36 AUGUST2017

commissioner must be familiar with the issues facing schools, educators, and policy makers here in Massachusetts. It would be beneficial if our next commissioner was a practitioner who came from the ranks of those in the field, yet that individual also needs a solid understanding of the process of developing and implementing education policies. “There is always an inherent tension between state regulatory agencies and those in the field (public school superintendents, principals, and teachers in the Bay State) who are subject to their directives and oversight. This can’t be helped, but the educational policy environment in the Commonwealth in recent years has really worked to strain that relationship. Our next commissioner should have strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to bring the various stakeholder groups together so that we can work collaboratively to chart the course for our public education system here in Massachusetts.” Lisa Guisbond, executive director, Citizens for Public Schools, a Boston-based statewide public education advocacy organization: “The current Massachusetts school accountability system is completely top down and focused on narrow, standardized test results. Teachers, parents, and school committees

are asked for input, but that input is almost always ignored. Our next commissioner must recognize that teachers, parents, and students know what a good education is and what they need to make it happen. He or she must recognize and respond to the resource disparities that are behind ‘underperforming’ labels. “I would like to see someone in the mold of Vermont Commissioner Rebecca Holcombe, who wrote to the state’s public school parents about state test results: ‘Many (if not most) successful adults fail to score well on standardized tests. If your child’s scores show that they are not yet proficient, this does not mean that they are not doing well or will not do well in the future.’” Frederick Hess, executive editor, Education Next, a journal published at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and director of education policy studies, American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, D.C.based think-tank: “The state’s next commissioner has some enormous shoes to fill. Massachusetts is a state with a legacy of ambitious, bipartisan school reform, and a track record of impressive improvement. The state needs someone who can work closely with a popular Republican governor and a heavily Democratic legislature, and who will respect the state’s impressive accomplishments

while steadfastly believing that Massachusetts schools can and should do much better. That’s not an easy task. The state doesn’t need a “bull-in-the-china-shop” figure, but neither does it need a get-along bureaucrat who thinks the hard work has been done. It needs someone who will come in and ask hard questions; try to understand why Massachusetts NAEP performance has stagnated and voters rejected the push to raise the charter [school] cap; cultivate relationships on the right and the left; take care to understand the practical concerns of educators and communities in Boston and in western Massachusetts alike; and then set to work building on the quarter-century of hard work that so many have already put in.” Linda Noonan, executive director, Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, an association that represents more than 15,000 employers in the Bay State: “Nearly every good job today requires a career certificate or college degree, a high school diploma is no longer enough. Massachusetts should search for a commissioner who understands early childhood and higher education, as well as K-12 in order to continue the strides made during Mitchell Chester’s tenure to align education across the entire pre-K-to-career continuum. It is also critical that the next

commissioner continues to make decisions based on evidence of what works and serves the interests of students in order to maintain the Commonwealth’s national and international leadership.” Tom Scott, executive director, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, based in Lexington: “What we want is someone who has depth of experience in the K-12 public education sector, and certainly we think they should have a variety of experiences — as an educator, in the classroom, at the district level — so they understand and identify with the challenges and issues we face today. They should have that perspective and a clear sense of where they want to go with a system that is very good, want to lead to greater excellence, and where it could use additional improvements. We need somebody knowledgeable and understanding of what reforms have taken place and what new reforms need to be considered. They need to have a sense of compassion, be collaborative, and work effectively with a wide variety of constituent groups. They need to provide clear directions, but also be able to listen to different perspectives on how to get there. I think they need to be able to work effectively within the structure and DESE, but they also need to have the ability to excite and challenge the field. They need to be a strong cheerleader who inspires educators to greater excellence and challenge us in places where we need to improve. “During [Chester’s] years as commissioner, we certainly had our differences. We could agree to disagree. But he never folded his tent and said we could never discuss or talk about an issue again. He always kept his door open to try and find a resolution. In most cases, we found one. Mitchell was a firm believer, and his bottom line wouldn’t change, but how we got there was open for discussion and that was a critical piece. “We’re fortunate to have [Acting DESE Commissioner] Jeff Wulfson there. He’s a good, strong person.” Jim Stergios, executive director, Pioneer Institute, a Boston-based, non-partisan research organization: “The passing of the state education commissioner and the retirement of several longtime staff members make this a good time for reflection. What is the status of education reform? What leadership skills will advance academic excellence for all Bay State students? “Without question, the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act has been a historic success. It has catapulted the Commonwealth to number one in the country on the nation’s report card — the NAEP test — and a top performer internationally in math and science.

While Massachusetts remains a leader in student achievement, funding progressivity and charter and vocational-technical schools, any objective observer would have to note backsliding in key policy areas — academic standards and testing, district accountability, and charter authorizing. The effect on student achievement, as evidenced by Massachusetts’ stagnation and declining performance on the NAEP since 2009, has not been positive. “Beacon Hill has grown complacent, to the point where legislators this year gave serious consideration to a retrograde bill that would have unwound testing in Massachusetts. The next commissioner must bring urgency to the work, understand the importance of academic excellence, and be a champion of good school options for all parents, especially those of poor and minority children. He or she must be willing to move the department from being a compliance-focused organization to one that offers rigorous accountability and constructive academic and data-driven assistance to schools and districts.” Sandra Stotsky, former senior associate DESE commissioner, and a former member of the Massachusetts Board of Education, who was on the search committee that chose Mitchell Chester as DESE commissioner: “I recall some of the criteria we were using to narrow down the number of finalists and semi-finalists we con-sidered in depth. We used a good recruiting firm to locate potential candidates. We interviewed experienced candidates at the U.S. Department of Education, including our own, DESE, a foundation, or other large organizations with developed skill sets addressing budgets, teacher unions, state legislators, and the general public. Today we need a commissioner willing to listen to, include, and weight heavily the concerns of state-based parents of K-12 schoolchildren and college-level academic experts in decisions on the content of K-12 standards in all major subjects, cut scores for mandated state tests and the kinds of optional high school curricula available to all students across the state.”

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Easy Ways to Prevent Heavy Backpack Injuries, Strains in Children BY ROBERT KAULBACH

Backpacks, when used correctly, provide a convenient and easy method for students of all ages to carry books and supplies to and from school. However, many children and parents are unaware that when proper precautions are not followed, backpacks can cause more harm than good. If your child complains about back pain or sustains a neck or spinal injury, their oversized, overstuffed backpack could be the culprit! Here are some cold, hard facts about the dangers of using a heavy and poorly fitted backpack:

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on the back. Plan to spend about $40-$50. • Good, upright posture while wearing the backpack is critical. • Do not raise or hunch shoulders with the backpack on. • Wear both straps. Wearing over one shoulder causes asymmetry and strain. • Wide, padded straps reduce pressure on the shoulders that can cause irritation to the nerves of the arms. • Backpacks with padded backs protect the back from sharp objects inside the pack. • Match pack to the size of the child. The backpack should sit evenly on the back and not sag toward the buttocks. It should not extend 4 inches below the waistline. • A waist belt will help distribute the load away from the spine onto the pelvis. • Compression straps and good use of compartments reduce movement of the pack and stabilize the contents. • Pack only what you need to carry, rather than what fits in your bag. Backpacks should weigh no more than 15% of the child’s bodyweight. • Put the heaviest items against the back and closer to the bottom, as this creates less torque on the back. • Use compartments to distribute and stabilize items. • Clean out old supplies, food, etc., which add weight to the pack. • Go electronic, i.e., have children use an iPad if their teacher has reading materials available in this format. • Do not pack unnecessary textbooks in your bag. If you don’t need them, don’t take them!

As parents, we cannot force our children’s teachers to give less homework, but we can combat the stresses of carrying heavy backpacks by teaching our children simple strengthening exercises to help reduce the risk of injury. In order to correct for forward head posture that a heavy backpack can create, it is important to first perform flexibility exercises for the tight muscles that become short and overactive from that position, and then reinforce it with postural strengthening exercises, such as the scapular squeeze shoulder exercise described below. Scapular Squeeze Shoulder Exercise: It is important to activate the muscles that keep the body tall and erect. The most basic exercise would be to merely squeeze your shoulder blades back together, trying to make them touch, without elevating your shoulders. Think of this as dropping your shoulder blades into your back pockets. Once you can accomplish this scapular squeeze, it can be made more difficult by adding resistance with either a machine row or theraband, ensuring you are initiating the movement with that same shoulder blade squeeze as before, while pulling the handles back with your arms. Perform 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. If you do not have access to any equipment, you can use gravity as additional resistance. Lay flat on your stomach, with a small towel roll underneath your forehead to keep your head in a neutral position, and then squeeze your shoulder blades down and back as previously mentioned.

Robert Kaulbach, DPT, is a physical therapist at ProEx, part of the Professional Physical Therapy family (professionalpt.com).

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Take a Healthy Approach To Sending Your Kids Back to School BY MELISSA WILLETTE

seems like only yesterday that our children were wrapping up their last day of school and heading off to the pool, summer camp, and family vacation. Yet, the new academic year will soon be here, and it’s time to think about what’s needed to prepare them for a safe and healthy start in the classroom. From obtaining required vaccinations to teaching youngsters basic hygiene habits and helping teenagers cope with acne, the responsibilities we face as parents are always challenging, no matter their age. Here are some tips to help make your job a little easier.

Sports and school physicals Increasingly, students are required to obtain exams and physicals at the beginning of the school year. For middle and high schoolers, a sports physical is needed before student athletes can practice and play interscholastic sports. These exams assess your child’s physical condition and ability to participate in sports and determine any issues that would put them at risk. If you have a college freshman, many schools also require a physical prior to enrollment, so be sure to check the admission requirements in advance.

Immunizations Making sure your student is up to date on required vaccinations in Massachusetts is an important item for your back to school checklist. Immunizations schedules vary between states, so if you have recently moved to the area, be sure to review local requirements on the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services website (mass. gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/immunization/guidelines-maschool-requirements.pdf). For youngsters beginning preschool and kindergarten, they must be current on doses of their early age vaccinations: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or whooping cough); Hepatitis B; Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b protecting against meningitis, pneumonia and epiglottis, or severe throat infection); Polio; MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella); and Varicella (chicken pox).

40 AUGUST2017

Seventh and ninth grades are key years in Massachusetts. A Tdap vaccination (also for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) is required for seventh graders. And students living on campus at private high schools need to be immunized for meningitis before ninth grade. That same stipulation is required of all freshmen entering Massachusetts colleges and universities who are living in dorms and have not previously been vaccinated. Remember to schedule appointments for exams and immunizations in advance because primary care providers often vacation during summer months. A retail clinic, such as MinuteClinic located in CVS Pharmacy stores throughout the state, is also an option for school physicals and vaccinations, and is open seven days a week. Always remember to bring your child’s vaccination record.

“Give them a hug and some encouragement on Day One and every day after. A positive attitude always contributes to good health!”

skin cells, and promote new skin growth. First, consider a shorter hair style. Long hair can cause skin to be oiler; especially if it hangs in your child’s face, goes unwashed, or if they sweat a lot. Use gentle shampoos and conditioners, and avoid gels and oils that can get in their face and clog their pores. Next, be mindful of areas where tight-fitting items rub the skin and cause irritation. This includes helmets for sports, headbands, bra straps, and high-collared shirts and sweaters. Daily face washing is important, but keep it gentle. Heavy scrub-

bing, harsh soaps, and hot water can cause acne to get worse. Avoid makeup whenever possible, and always make sure it’s removed at the end of the day. Here’s one final tip for students of any age: Give them a hug and some encouragement on Day One and every day after. A positive attitude always contributes to good health! Melissa Willette is a mother and family nurse practitioner who works at MinuteClinic inside the CVS Pharmacy store in Raynham.

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Hygiene tips Shortly after school begins, we see a steady stream of schoolchildren with contagious conditions, such as strep throat and conjunctivitis (pink eye). That’s why I always encourage parents to emphasize basic hygiene and germ prevention, especially with the young ones heading off to preschool and kindergarten for the first time. Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the restroom and before they eat when their hands will be touching their food and mouth. Show them how to sneeze into their sleeve — not their hands — or to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue and throw it away. Make sure they know not to share drinks in the cafeteria or water bottles on the playground — also a good reminder for older students, particularly if they play on sports teams. Lastly, caution them about sharing hats and towels, both common ways for lice to spread. Locker room towels can also be breeding grounds for a variety of bacteria including MRSA, which is responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections that affect various parts of the body.

Acne Acne is an emotional issue for many adolescents and may affect their self-esteem as they begin classes in the fall. Changes in hormones, stress, and certain medications and cosmetics can all be triggers. A combination of over-thecounter products and prescription medications may be needed to achieve clearer skin. In addition, there are some steps they can take to help remove excess oil and old

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Study: Middle School Years The Hardest to Parent BY JOAN GOODCHILD

or many, the middle school years are remembered as a time full of pre-teen angst, social drama, and lots of awkwardness. And while it’s easy to assume the most challenging stages of parenting would be the exhausting, sleepless months of caring for infants and toddlers, not so says research published by Arizona State University. ASU researchers say mothers of middle schoolers reported the highest levels of stress and loneliness and the lowest levels of life satisfaction and fulfillment. Turns out we all get to relive the rottenness of junior high a second time around — through our offspring. 44 AUGUST2017

“I am not at all surprised by these results,” said Amy Brinn, clinical director of The Parenting Journey, a nonprofit agency based in Somerville that offers programs to assist families (parentingjourney.org). “In my experience, the middle school years can be the most challenging time for parents because it can be the most challenging time for the children. They are in those ‘between years,’ where they are starting to feel the hormonal and body changes of puberty and feel a pull both toward childhood and toward growing up.” As a result, this causes a lot of complicated feelings and moods, and can lead to outbursts, hypersensitivity, and “testing” behaviors, Brinn noted. A sweet child may be likely to bring home bad feelings that spill over from school and cause parents to question whether it is the same calm kid who got on the bus that morning. With emotions running high, it can also prompt some to feel as though they are suddenly alone in their parenting challenges, according to ASU research, which also found parents feeling more isolated and lonely during the middle school years. “When children are in preschool and elementary school, parents often come together at birthday parties and school events,” she noted. “Once children are in middle school, parents are less likely to meet each other and have a chance to talk about what is going on with their children. Maybe the largest factor is that parents really worry about being

judged. They often feel that others have ‘the secret’ to managing their children, and they feel shame that they don’t. But — spoiler — there is no secret.” Brinn said one way to deal with that feeling of isolation is to get active and make the effort to get to know the parents of their children’s friends, even if it’s not as easy as it was in the early years of parenting. “It will really help both to feel less isolated and to create a cohort of parents that will ensure better safety for the children as they experiment with new and possibly risky behaviors,” she added. “Parents need to find a way to take interest in their children’s interests; it’s a way of keeping connected. Children tend to talk most freely in the car and in informal settings, so take advantage of that to learn more about your child. It is so important to find parents that you can talk to without fear of judgment. Seek them out.” Michelle Icard, speaker and author of Middle School Makeover: Improving The Way You and Your Child Experience the Middle School Years (michelleinthemiddle.com), said this is also a time when parents realize that life isn’t all about the kids anymore. “Until middle school, kids see themselves as appendages of their parents. It makes sense,” she said. “Parents have scheduled playdates, signed kids up for activities, even picked out their outfits their entire lives. Once kids begin to pull away

from their parents and toward their peers, it can leave parents feeling stranded. Add to that all the changes midlife brings — from reinventing careers, to reevaluating relationships, to taking care of aging parents. It’s a lot! And didn’t many of us form friendships around our children’s friends’ parents when they were little? When kids go to middle school, not only do they pull away from parents, but they often make new friends, so parents find themselves starting from scratch with friends again, too.” Icard’s advice: Start cultivating your own interests. Find a hobby and take advantage of the free time you’ll now have to explore your own interests (see sidebar). Robert Evans, executive director of The Human Relations Service in Wellesley (hrshelps.org), advised against placing too much importance on the ASU research, and noted the experience in his practice is that middle school is not notably more stressful for parents than high school. “It’s a big transition, which always makes most people anxious,” said Evans, also author of Family Matters: How Schools Can Cope with The Crisis in Childrearing. “The kids are developing physically and sexually, and since they hit puberty earlier now than they did 50 years ago, the change can seem more abrupt.” Regardless, he noted, the parenting experience is individual to all families, and he disagreed that parents feel most isolated and lonely during

this time, as opposed to during the entire adolescent cycle. His advice: Relax and don’t try to manage your child’s adolescence. “They need room to grow and try

things out, and to learn from experience — including disappointment and failure,” he said. “Almost everybody survives their adolescence successfully.”

3 Tips for Easing the Middle School Years Michelle Icard, speaker and author of Middle School Makeover: Improving The Way You and Your Child Experience The Middle School Years, offers these suggestions for parents: 1. By the time your kid heads to middle school, find a hobby. Take advantage of the free time you’ll now have with your child cocooning in their room and explore your own interests. As your child pulls away, you’ll be much happier and you’ll be modeling how to live an engaged and meaningful life. 2. Every middle-schooler will present challenging behaviors. When yours does, try not to react with too much emotion. The more detached and disinterested you seem in your child’s attitude, problems, and bad mood, the more your child will want to talk with you. “I often compare middle schoolers to cats. The harder you try to get their attention, the more they hide. But the moment you appear distracted or disinterested, they come around,” she said.

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3. Research shows that teens often misread facial expressions. The part of the brain that is responsible for evaluating how someone feels by looking at their face doesn’t work well until a person reaches their 20s. This explains why your child often thinks you’re angry when you’re not. To keep lines of communication open and prevent your child from storming off when you ask a simple question, keep a neutral expression on your face when talking to your kid. “I call it having a ‘Botox brow,’” she said. “Pretend you can’t furrow your forehead. You may think when you do that you’re expressing interest, empathy, or concern, but your child will misread you and assume you’re angry. This is my favorite tip, and parents tell me all the time it’s a game changer.”

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How Tweens and Teens Can Learn Tolerance Through Literature BY KRISTIN GUAY

today’s middle and high schools, teens are exposed to a more diverse population than ever before, involving students, parents, and school staff. This diversity is reflected in religion, culture, language, sexual identification and preference, and political beliefs. While this exposure to a diverse population has numerous benefits, it has also created some obstacles and tension in schools and communities around the country. News headlines are filled with hate crimes, school bullying, and hostile engagements between different races and political leanings. This is a world in which teenagers today have a front-row seat — in schools, sports, community activities, and neighborhoods. Now more than ever, it is important for teens to accept these differences — even if they do not agree with them. Teens are living in a world very different from their parents, and the world of their future will also be diverse. In order to be successful, children and teens need to learn to be open to others to ensure success in various aspects of their lives. There are many books on the market that can help teens become more accepting in our diverse world. Some give first-person accounts of what it is like to have a physical disability

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and how others treat a person with such. Other books tell stories of teens who are confused about their sexual identity and other’s expectations of who they should be. Many books can transport the reader to a world that challenges their ideas of freedom. Some books allow a character to explain what it is like to have a family member or friend who is experiencing prejudice, bullying, or intolerance of some kind. Consider this excerpt from the best-selling Wonder by R.J. Palacio, a story about a young boy with a facial deformity. “I know I’m not an ordinary ten-yearold kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice cream. I ride my bike. I play ball. I have an Xbox. Stuff like that makes me ordinary. I guess. And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go. “If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all. I would wish that I could walk down the street without people seeing me and then doing that look-away thing. Here’s what I think: The only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.” This brief excerpt illustrates the inner feelings of a young boy and how his perceptions and feelings about himself are shaped by others’

reactions. A parent may not have the time to read every book their child is reading, but there are synopses of almost all books on the internet. By knowing the content, a parent can ask pointed and specific questions that encourage their child to think about their own actions. Questions such as: “How do you feel when you see someone with a disability?” “How do you think that person with the disability feels when they are in public?” “How do you think they feel about your reactions to their disabilities?” “What would be the best way to respond in this situation?” These are all questions that encourage your child to reflect on their own actions and allow them to express their thoughts and concerns. The parent can work with their child to develop a plan of action for when they see a person with a disability. The child might have a better understanding of what that person experiences on a daily basis and might respond in a more positive and supportive manner. Reading books about specific issues such as disabilities, bullying, and prejudice prompt a dialogue between a parent and child that might not happen otherwise.

Resources for parents There are many wonderful websites and reading materials available to

help parents raise more informed and accepting children. One such site is Building an Eclectic Education (buildingeeducation.com), created by writer, librarian, and teacher Brittney Herz. This site offers suggestions and reading materials that help educate others about different people in the world. Two books that are suggested for parents to read are Lies My Teacher Told Me (James W. Loewen) and The World’s Religions (Huston Smith). In Lies My Teacher Told Me, Loewen attempts to set the record straight about important issues in U.S. history. He feels that history textbooks used in today’s classrooms are tainted by misinformation and blind patriotism — leaving out some of the messy drama and conflict that is so important to the history of our country. As Herz explains, “One way to promote understanding is to make all students aware of the truth. This means teaching them history accurately. Not the watered-down, Disney-esque version that is taught in most politically run schools today. I mean the real history of the world. All the nitty gritty details of it.” The World’s Religions by Houston Smith is considered essential for teaching the world’s predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Teens today sit in classrooms with students of various religions, and an understand-

ing of these religions is necessary for personal and professional relationships. “Tolerance isn’t something that needs to even be as vast as world religions and politics,” Herz explains on her site. “Teaching teens to be tolerant of other students and members of the community is a great place to start. It is much easier for teens to make fun or, or belittle, those with less-visible ailments. For instance, a student who is suffering from Asperger’s may be a target because they do not understand the same social cues as everyone else. This doesn’t mean they are any better or worse than your teen. In fact, the student struggling may have skills your teen does not.” It is important for parents to have these conversations with their teens to help them understand others in their world.

Reading material for parents Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice (Anti-Defamation League): This books covers a great deal of information from birth to the teenage years in understanding where hate comes from and responses to it. Chapters include topics like discovering self and others, exploring differences, learning to interact with others, and learning to be a part of

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society. The book also explores ways to deal with hate and how to change your community in a positive manner. All Kids Are Our Kids – What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescents (Peter Benson): This book challenges communities — families, neighborhoods, schools, business, and youth organizations — to work together to raise children to be healthy, successful, and caring. This guide focuses on bringing out the best in children by creating positive change in our communities. What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids (Peter L. Benson, Judy Gailbraith, Pamela Espeland): Research from the Minneapolis-based Search Institute, which surveyed 90,000 kids in grades 6-12, has identified 40 developmental assets that kids need to be successful in life. This book explores these different assets, including cultural awareness, conflict resolution, and supportive families and communities. This book also covers more than 700 ideas to help make a positive impact in the development of our children. Are We Born Racist?: New Insights from Neuroscience and Positive Psychology (Jason Marsh, Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, Jeremy Adam Smith): This book takes the work of leading scientists, psychologists, educators, and activists to determine how people form prejudices, how racism is harmful, and how we can create a post-prejudice society.

Book suggestions for middle schoolers Wonder (R. J. Palacio): This is a wonderful, uplifting story of a fifthgrader named August starting a new school. August was born with a facial deformity that has prevented him from attending a mainstream school — until now. His mission is to convince his classmates that he is an ordinary kid, just like them. 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts (R. J. Palacio): This is the companion to the bestselling novel. The English teacher, Mr. Browne, shares his principles to live by on a daily basis. The book is filled with messages of hope, kindness, strength, and the desire to live a better life. Wringer (Jerry Spinelli): This is a story about a young boy growing up and waiting to be what he wants to be and what he feels is right — despite 48 AUGUST2017

what is expected of him. It has a positive ending demonstrating how one person can make a difference and change the way people think. New Boy (Julian Houston): A 15-year-old boy is sent to a Connecticut boarding school to escape the segregated South. He struggles with being the first African-American student in the school while also dealing with horrors going on at home. Before We Were Free (Julia Alvarez): Anita is a 12-year-old living under a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic while the rest of her family has immigrated to the United States. She must gather strength and overcome her fears to find eventual freedom. Whale Talk (Chris Crutcher): This story focuses on young athlete “T.J.” Jones and his determination to bother the elite athletes in his school. Themes include multiculturalism, domestic and child abuse, discrimination and blended families. Out of My Mind (Sharon M. Draper): This book will change how everyone looks at others with physical disabilities. Readers are introduced to Melody, a young girl with cerebral palsy who is smarter than most adults and children she knows. The Denver Post notes: “If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it.” Rhyme Schemer (K.A. Holt): This features a seventh-grade poetic bully who becomes the one being bullied. Twelve-year-old Kevin is neglected by his parents and bullied by his older brothers — resulting in his aggression at school. Soon the tables are turned as Kevin must deal with a new situation at school. Maus: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began (Art Spiegelman): Try to picture cats as the Nazis and mice as the Jewish people — that is what you have with this story of a survivor of Hitler’s Europe and his son trying to come to terms with his father’s past.

Kristin Guay lives in Cape Cod with her husband, two daughters, and beloved black lab. A former middle school language arts teacher, she is currently Youth Services Director at Centerville Library.

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Quick Tips For A Healthier Home BY LESLIE REICHERT Have you been thinking about creating a healthier home for your family, but don’t know where to start? If so, you are going to enjoy these quick tips that will make you home a little healthier. Cookware. Try to avoid non-stick cookware or mix in some healthier choices when upgrading your pots and pans. Nothing is safer than cast iron, and there are now so many choices — from fry pans to Dutch ovens. Healthier cookware can make a huge difference for your family. Plasticware. Nothing is more convenient than the plasticware found in grocery stores. Tests show that they are safe in the microwave, but even so we want to avoid having any BPA or phthalates in your food. Instead, choose microwave-safe glassware to heat your food in the microwave. Better to be safe than sorry. Water. Make sure your family’s drinking water is safe. Whether you use water from a public system, a private well, or bottled water, you need to need to know the water is safe. It’s important to know where your water comes from and how it is being treated. Have your water tested and possibly look into a home filtration system. VOC-free shower curtain. Just like that new car smell, the new shower curtain smell can be overwhelming. Those fumes are very dangerous when mixed with hot steam and something you don’t want in your family’s lungs. Invest in a VOC-free shower curtain, and you’ll keep everyone safer in the shower. Fragrance-free personal products. Children everywhere are dealing with skin sensitivities. Try removing some of their regular products and switching to a fragrance-free line. It may take a little while to get used to “no scent,” but it could make a dramatic impact on skin conditions.

Fume-free cleaners. If you’ve ever used a bathroom cleaner and had your eyes start to water or your throat burn, you were using something too harsh to be healthy. Try to find a balance between a cleaning product that works and one that’s safe to use. Try greener cleaning products in the cleaning aisle. You’ll be surprised how well they work. Whiteners. Everyone loves white whites! Bet you didn’t know that there are healthy choices for getting clothes their absolute whitest. Instead of using chlorine-based bleach, use an oxygen bleach in your laundry. Or, just add hydrogen peroxide to your laundry. Your clothes will come out just as white and won’t have any chlorine residue. Fragrance-free laundry soaps. Make your laundry room truly healthy by going without a fragrance in your laundry soap. This is very hard for most families as we tend to associate clean with a smell. Our clothes shouldn’t have any scent. Remember the smell of clean is nothing. Dryer sheets. Take the dryer sheets out of your laundry formula and you will be taking multiple chemicals and fragrances out of your family’s laundry. If you insist on using a dryer sheet, look for a natural product in the laundry aisle, or try making your own with a rag and some essential oils.

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Four Ways to Teach Children Emotional Maturity BY JODI HEALY

Feelings aren’t right or wrong, they just are. What you do with them, however, usually makes them right or wrong. With children this can be a challenge because self-control is an ever-evolving part of growing up. The emotional energy a child experiences can be overwhelming — from stubbing their toe in pain, angst over taking the bus for the first time, experiencing their first succulent taste of ice cream, to a sibling ripping a toy out of their hand. Life is fundamentally a crux of positive and negative energy, and young children have not yet developed adult filters or control. This can cause lashing out, crying fits, temper tantrums, fighting, or the opposite — exploding with excitement, jumping up and down, and yelling in a store. Emotional maturity and mastery comes from being able to confidently recognize, acknowledge, experience, and properly manage all types of emotion. The topic of emotional intelligence first became popular in 1995, with The New York Times bestselling book Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Ph.D. He is also the author of Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships. There are many models of emotional intelligence, often comprised of four domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. This has become a popular field of study and research by top educators and leaders. Many believe emotional intelligence is more important than IQ for success. According to Talent Smart, 90% of high performers at the workplace possess high EQ, while 80% of low performers have low EQ. Reason and consequence evolve as children grow, and they need guidance, encouragement, and support to help navigate and develop their emotions based on different situations they experience.

1. Talking & sharing Having conversations and simply talking to a child is a powerful way to teach emotional maturity. Being able to express yourself is not only a powerful skill, but it also puts the responsibility on how you feel and why on “you,” empowering a child to deal with any situation from a place of clarity and confidence (and not as a victim). 50 AUGUST2017

As you put your child to bed, or at another quiet time of the day, ask your child about their day and the experiences they had. Hear what they did, what they want to talk about, what they liked or didn’t like, or what they want to share, good or bad. Open a dialogue daily, so they are free to say what they think or feel in a safe place and learn to enjoy and share the myriad feelings they have. If your child is not a big talker (some are and

some aren’t), an alternative activity is reading. When reading, see if your child would feel the same in the same circumstances as the characters. Being able to express ourselves freely and without judgement (be who we are) is what we all yearn for, especially children — unconditional love!

2. Detach with love When talking with your child, detach

with love. Just listen! Do not try to fix, control, or change the child’s feelings or experience. I know this is hard as a parent, especially if our child is in pain or suffering! We want to fix it. But allow them to express what they are thinking and feeling, without judgment. Often, we just need someone to vent to, to listen to us, to witness us. Usually, once we burn off the energy (positive or negative), we can think clearly. It is easier to deal with an

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issue once the emotion has lost its steam! Sometimes a child just needs to cry to release the pain they may be feeling. A friend may have said something mean, or even a teacher may have said something or reprimanded them. It hurts! But once the pain is gone, it loses its power, and suggestions are much easier to receive, like “Tell the friend what she said hurt your feelings,” “Tell a teacher. If it continues, walk away,

or find a new friend to play with,” or “Did you tell your teacher it wasn’t you, or that you were sorry, or that you didn’t understand the question?” Feeling confident to say what you think and feel is powerful!

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balls of energy, and just by proximity fuel each other. Just watch five 7-year-old boys in a room and you will witness this! A trigger is a term coined to identify and recognize things that affect you. A trigger can simply be a sibling taking a toy away, waiting for the bus knowing the big kid who yells will be in the back, the tone of your mother’s voice when everyone is running late, or knowing it is a half day! Children (and adults) are affected by everything around them. Being aware of this helps to recognize self-control. Either the child can talk about their bad feelings as they arise or they can figure out a coping strategy (walking away, breathing deeply, or other). If the big boy at the back of the bus is scary, sit in the front. If seeing Mommy getting upset bothers him, learn to check the time and get your shoes on as soon as you finish breakfast. This is a great skill to teach: You are responsible for what happens and can influence it! Being able to identify and understand what is causing a child to experience something in a particular way (negatively or positively), puts the responsibility on the child. If a friend is teasing and keeps doing the same thing over and over again, there are always options and solutions. Why choose to spend time with someone who isn’t nice, fun, or doesn’t make you feel good? Find a different friend,

say hi to someone new! Being able to recognize a trigger without being reactive — retaliating, fighting back, or lashing out — is emotional maturity. The child also is given a choice on how to act, and know there will be consequences if they retaliate. Even if the other child started something or was wrong, if he hits back he will also get in trouble Nothing can truly affect you unless you let it. Recognizing triggers allows a child to realize he or she is not a victim to what is happening outside of them, and that we are in control of how we act, feel, and what we experience. And, most importantly, that we have a choice.

4. Follow your feelings Feelings are how we experience life — good and bad. They are our inner guidance system. We can teach children to use feelings to navigate life. Once a child learns to share openly (talking) and to recognize triggers, they can follow their feelings to answers. Feelings show us what we like and don’t like, want or don’t want. For example, if they do not like playing soccer and constantly do not want to go, it could be for a variety of reasons. The child may not like a girl on her team, or her coach said something she didn’t like, or she

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simply doesn’t like playing anymore. By talking about it, you can help identify and deal with the real issue. Often children make comments when they are in an emotional tornado, “I hate soccer, I don’t want to play anymore!” but that is not really the issue. By helping follow her feelings, first expressing and releasing the pain or hurt, she can then discuss why: “The coach yelled at me because I wasn’t paying attention on the field.” It seems simple, but children can’t always articulate the issue behind the emotion. It is much easier to offer solutions when we can get to the real issue. I gave my daughter a small stress ball to play with on the field because she was bored. Asking open-ended questions are a great way to open a dialogue. An open-ended question is designed to encourage a meaningful answer and a response with more than one word, using a child’s own knowledge and/or feelings. “What makes you feel like you don’t want to play soccer anymore?” or “What happened that made you upset”? A closed-ended question is designed to get a specific answer, a short or single-word answer, a simple “yes” or “no,” or a specific piece of information (“What kind of ice-cream do you want?” “Do you like playing soccer?”). By helping a child explore and talk through their feelings, the true issue can be found. Great open-ended ques-

tions include: “Why are you upset?” “What happened to make you feel this way?” “Is there something we can do?” Emotions, whether “good” or “bad,” are natural and healthy. It is important to help children learn that all feelings are OK. Learning how to deal with feelings is critical for proper social and emotional development. Suppressing feelings can lead to long-term mental or health problems, such as behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, physical illnesses, and more. Children need to feel comfortable and confident in their emotions, in how to share their feelings, and deal with them appropriately. By following the steps above, even though it seems simple, children can learn to enjoy the emotional kaleidoscope of feelings as a guidance system toward what they want or desire. With emotional maturity, children have confidence in themselves and their identity, and grow up to become healthy adults. A mother of three, Jodi Healy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from Clark University. Read more at createahomeof learning.com.

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How to Prevent Dry Drowning BY DAVID TIBER, MD

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“I only looked away for a minute.” Those were the words of a father who was bathing his young son. The child silently slipped underwater and wasn’t breathing when his father looked over and frantically pulled him from the bathtub. Fortunately, the father knew CPR and the child survived. He was brought to the hospital and monitored in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, at risk for ongoing and delayed lung injury. This story has been repeated countless times, and it is often very similar — a brief look away, and suddenly a child is fighting for his/her life. When someone is submersed in water and struggling to breathe, there is a cascade of events. At first, they hold their breath. When this is no longer possible, water enters the airway. When the vocal cords are hit by water, they spasm shut. This prevents water from entering the lungs, but also doesn’t allow air exchange. At some point, the vocal cords will relax and then water rushes into the lungs. The water that reaches the lungs can wash out surfactant, which is a fluid the lungs rely on to prevent collapse. Without

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surfactant, alveoli collapse, and water can be pulled into the lungs from the surrounding tissues, called pulmonary edema, which further worsens the ability to breathe. This injury may develop over time. If the person isn’t rescued, the outcome is unfortunately obvious. If they are rescued, they are most likely to be no worse for wear. In very rare cases, less than 1% of the time, the lung injury may be ongoing, causing symptoms hours later. This is what is people refer to as “dry drowning.” “Dry drowning,” a term used to describe someone who becomes progressively more ill hours after coming out the water, is actually a misnomer. The World Congress on Drowning defines drowning as “respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid” and, therefore, no drowning event can be “dry.” Injury to the lung, however, can continue to accumulate after being removed from the water. This delayed injury can create non-specific signs that affect several body systems. Neurologically, someone may be confused, agitated, have a headache, or just be exhausted. From a respiratory standpoint,

they may be coughing, breathing fast or hard, or have shortness-ofbreath. They may also experience vomiting or abdominal pain as gastrointestinal manifestations. Additionally, their heart may be beating abnormally fast. Young children cannot verbalize these feelings, so if they are acting abnormally, it’s important to watch them closely and seek help if you’re concerned. Drowning peaks in two age groups: those under 5 years old, and again in adolescents/ young adults. The first group, young children, can drown in surprisingly small amounts of liquid: bathtubs, buckets of water, kiddie pools — it only takes a few inches of water. The older group drowns more often in lakes, rivers, oceans, and swimming pools, and are more likely to involve intoxication. The most important thing you can do to prevent delayed injury from drowning is to not let a drowning event happen in the first place. Children must be closely watched around all bodies of water, no matter how small. If your child is in a pool, be in the pool with them. Pools should also have fences around them with child-resistant gates. It only

“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, perhaps we should teach the way they learn.” - Ignacio Estrada

takes seconds for someone to go underwater, so watching your phone (or not paying attention for another reason) for any amount of time can have deadly consequences. Older children/ adults should avoid swimming alone and avoid being intoxicated. Also, unlike the thrashing and screaming you see in the movies, drowning is nearly always silent — there is no dramatic yelling or splashing. In addition, getting trained in CPR is always a solid idea. The knowledge of what to do while waiting for help to arrive can make a huge difference in outcome. Again, most people who experience submersion are going to be just fine if pulled from the water quickly. However, if you have concerns or notice the above signs, it’s best to seek medical help. David Tiber, MD, is director, Pediatric Sedation Service, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. He is also an assistant professor of pediatrics and anesthesia at UMass Medical School.

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VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Inside the Attainable Savings Plan for Persons with Disabilities BY MARSHAL D. HANEISEN

2014, Congress passed The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act. Under this federal law, anyone can place up to $14,000 post-tax annually into an ABLE account for the benefit of a disabled individual without jeopardizing that person’s eligibility for certain federally means tested public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Since the act’s passage, leaders have been working to establish how the program will work and be managed on the state level. Here in the Bay State, the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) has partnered with Fidelity Investments to offer the Attainable Savings Plan (the state’s name for its ABLE program). MEFA is a not-for-profit state authority established under Massachusetts law. It has been helping students and families with higher education costs since 1982 by providing education programs, savings plans, and low-cost loans. State law has now established MEFA as the authority to administer the ABLE program via the Attainable Savings Plan. With the Attainable Savings Plan, parents of a child with disabilities can start saving now for the child’s future disability-related needs. Only a parent or legal guardian can open an account for a minor. Adults whose disability occurred prior to reaching their 26th birthday, or their guardians, can establish an Attainable Savings Plan for their own

needs. The disabled child or adult is the account owner and the person opening the account is called the Person with Signature Authority. Fidelity will manage the Attainable Savings Plans in Massachusetts. “We are delighted to have Fidelity Investments in this role,” said Martha Savery, director of Public Affairs and Communications at MEFA. She explained that Fidelity has created a team of specially trained staff for the program. The company offers a host of plan features and benefits, including the ability to sign up for a cash management account, which offers a fee-free debit card, check writing, and Fidelity Billpay. Accounts can be opened with as little as $50, and the minimum account balance thereafter is $30. Money can also be invested in one of eight investment portfolios to best suit the savings and investment goals of the family or individual. The federal government, through the IRS and the Social Security Administration, sets the program’s financial limits. Currently, once the Attainable Savings Plan is established, anyone — including the beneficiary, family or friends — can deposit up to $14,000 annually into the account for future disability-related expenses. According to a fact sheet available on the MEFA website, “A balance of $100,000 or less in an Attainable account does not impact Federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. Medicaid benefits are not impacted regardless of balance level.”

In addition, invested funds can grow up to $400,000 tax-free, Savery said, allowing a person to better support their future disability-related needs. A disability-related expense is defined as “Any expense for the benefit of the account owner in maintaining or improving his or her health, independence, or quality of life. These expenses include, but are not limited to, education, housing, transportation, employment, training and support, assistance technologies and related services, personal support services, or health and basic living expenses,” according to the MEFA Attainable FAQ. When a Massachusetts resident establishes an Attainable Savings Plan, the account can remain intact should the person later move to another state, Savery said. She added that families and account holders should learn and understand ABLE Act implementation rules in their new state, as each has different parameters. The Attainable Savings Plan is one of several tools to consider when planning for the future of a person with disabilities. “The Able Act and a special needs trust are not mutually exclusive,” Savery noted. Though an individual may only have one ABLE account, having such does not prevent a family from establishing a special needs trust, as well. Attorney Meredith H. Greene, an associate in the Trust & Estates, Special Needs, and Elder Law division of law firm Fletcher Tilton, PC,

explained in an earlier article that because of the annual contribution cap, the ABLE account may be a tool for managing the money a person with disabilities earns through his or her job, while a special needs trust might serve as beneficiary for a parent’s life insurance and retirement accounts (baystateparent. com/2016/06/23/the-able-accountplanning-ahead-for-families-withspecial-needs). “This is a long-overdue program,” Savery said. “We are excited about it, and it has been met with a positive response.” The MEFA website (mefa.org) offers information about how the Attainable Savings Plan works, eligibility, and additional resources. Fidelity representatives are available to answer questions at (844) 458-2253. Marshal D. Haneisen is a freelance journalist, writer, and creative writing instructor. She lives in Fitchburg with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. Her son has a dualdiagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, and her experience as a parent of a child with special needs inspires some of her writing for various publications, as well as for her blog, thespecialneedsfiles.com. Information about Marshal’s writing and workshops can be found marshaldhaneisen.com.

We’re Here to Help Our commitment lasts a lifetime. Whether your loved one with special needs is an adult or a child, we can help with: • Special Needs Planning • Guardianship & Alternatives • Transition Planning & Adult Services • Advocacy Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. 508.459.8059 fmisilo@fletchertilton.com

Art by Dominic Killiany, an artist living with autism 56 AUGUST2017

We’re here to help. WORCESTER | FRAMINGHAM | CA P E CO D | www.fletchertilton.com

ASK THE EXPERT

Should I Worry My Daughter Hasn’t Had Her First Period? BY LAURA K GRUBB, MD

My daughter is 13 and a half and has not experienced her first period yet. Her next well visit is still 6 months away: Should I call her pediatrician and schedule an appointment in the meantime? I’m unsure of the typical age range of first periods these days. Should I be concerned? Dear Reader, Your daughter’s first period, or lack thereof, can be a common cause for concern among parents. However, most young women get their first period between the ages of 11-15, with 12 ½ being the average. There are a number of contributing factors that may determine when a young woman begins her period: family history, ethnicity, health status, and nutrition all play into the expected timeline. During this time they may also be experiencing other signs of puberty, but not their period. Other signs of puberty in young women include breast development, hair growth, and growth spurts. Beginning a period is commonly seen as the “last part of puberty.” Unless there are no other signs of puberty, a young woman who has not begun her period by age 13 is not a particular cause for concern. For many young women who have not yet experienced their first period, there are two very common causes for the delay. The first is a “constitutional delay,” which simply means the period has not yet started and that there are no underlying medical problems or concerns. The second most common delay is due to nutritional issues or deficiencies. If a 15-year-old has not yet started her period, a doctor would most likely complete an evaluation that includes a comprehensive review of her health history, a physical exam, testing to rule out pregnancy, and possibly other labs or studies. If your daughter’s doctor

recommends a full evaluation, you can be prepared to help by providing a detailed family history that outlines any previous or family illnesses, patient’s nutritional status, and any underlying medical conditions or concerns. I recommend having conversations about puberty with your children (boys and girls!) before it starts so they know what to expect and can feel comfortable asking questions. I often advise parents to read books with their children. One of my favorite books for girls and young women is The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book from American Girl. It is a great resource for young girls, and there are two versions based on age group. Books like this are great to sit down and read with your child on a daily basis, but also to leave with your child to read on their own. They may have questions not just about puberty, but about all things concerning growing up and becoming a teenager and young adult. Puberty is a difficult time for young men and women and their parents, and there are always a lot of questions. It is always best to reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you have continued concerns. Laura K. Grubb, MD MPH, is director of adolescent medicine at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and an assistant professor of pediatrics and assistant professor of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

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The Seven Hills Charter School is a tuition - free public school serving Worcester’s children. With no admission test, the school serves a student body that is representative of Worcester’s diversity. Seven Hills Charter Public School does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, gender identity, cultural heritage, linguistic background, political beliefs, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. In the event that there are more applicants than seats, a lottery will be used to select students.

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August’s Child: Robert

Robert is an energetic, sweet and polite 7-year-old boy of Caucasian descent. He loves attention and praise, and likes to play with other children. His favorite toys are Legos, action figures, and Matchbox cars. He also enjoys pretend play and karate, which he recently learned in

an afterschool program. Robert is doing very well in his foster home and is currently in the second grade. He has an Individualized Education Plan, which helps make his school life successful. Robert loves to make friends and is working hard on his communication and social skills. He is on the waitlist for a developmental evaluation, as he does have challenges in some areas of development. Robert is making great strides in therapy. Legally free for adoption, Robert would do best in a loving family that can provide him with consistent structure and lots of attention. Although, he would do well in a family of any constellation with older children, Robert appreciates having a positive male role model in his life. A family should also be open to contact with Robert’s birth father. For more information about Robert, or the adoption process in general, please contact Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoption Supervisor Grace Kirby-Steinau at (508) 929-2033. The DCF ADLU Office located at 13 Sudbury Street in Worcester holds monthly informational meetings about the adoption process. Please call (508) 929-2143 for specific information about the next meeting.

Circle of Friends Tuesday, Aug. 2: Western Region Adoption Info Meeting — Department of Children and Families, 140 High St., 5th Floor, Springfield. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (413) 452-3369. Sunday, Aug. 6: Ironstone Adoption Party. Ironstone Farm, 450 Lowell St., Andover. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join children, teens, their social workers, and friends for a day of horseback riding. This small adoption party is open to any family who is interested in adopting or learning about adopting a child from foster care with special needs. Participate in fun activities with children, learn about the adoption process if you are new to adoption, and network with social workers and other families. Children attending will have the opportunity to ride a horse, guided by Ironstone Farm staff. Families can also learn about different supportive resources available in the community for children with special needs. For more information or to register: victoriat@mareinc.org or 617-542-3678 x13. Tuesday, Aug. 8: Southern Region Matching Night. Morton Hospital, Margaret Stone Conference Room, 88 Washington St., Taunton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Waiting families

are invited to meet with social workers and learn about sibling groups of all ages that are waiting to be adopted. This event is for families with an approved homestudy and is intended for adults only. There will be no waiting children at this event. For more information: rebeccac@mareinc.org or 617542-3678 x127. Wednesday, Aug. 9: Central Region Adoption Info Meeting — ADLU Worcester. 13 Sudbury St., Worcester. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (508) 929-2413. Wednesday, Aug. 16: Boston Region Adoption Info Meeting, DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 617-989-9209. Thursday, Aug. 17: Southern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Morton Hospital, 88 Washington St., Margaret Stone Conference Room, Taunton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: (508) 894-3830. Monday, Aug. 14: Southern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Canton Police Department Conference Room, 1492 Washington St., Canton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: (508) 894-3830.

If your group or organization is presenting a program for adoptive families, and you would like to include it in baystateparent magazine, please send information to editor@baystateparent.com

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BAYSTATEPARENT 59

A GOOD PARTY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON Big Joe

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Storytelling fun for Birthday Parties, Schools, Daycare Centers, Library Programs, Special Events and TV Featuring: • Original & Classic Stories • Puppets, Props and Surprises For Bookings and Info Call: 617-713-4349 E-mail: BigJoe@BigJoe.com Visit me on the web at: www.BigJoe.com

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Thank You

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baystateparent Magazine Cover Model Search Official Rules Sponsored by baystateparent Magazine,a publication of Holden Landmark Corporation (“Sponsor”), 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527. 1. Eligibility: The baystateparent Magazine Cover Model Search (“Cover Model Search”) is open only to children who, as of the date of the Event, are Massachusestts residents between the ages of 6 months (who can sit up by themselves) and 14 years. Each such child (the “Entrant”) must be accompanied at the Event by his or her parent or legal guardian (“Parent”), who must be a resident of Massachusetts and at least 18 years of age. Employees and other representatives of Sponsor, and their immediate family and household members, are not eligible to enter. By participating in the Cover Model Search, Entrants and Parents agree to these Official Rules. 2. How to Enter: Each Entrant and Parent must attend the KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain (the “Event”) on September 23 or 24, 2017 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to be photographed by Sponsor’s photographer (“Photographer”). • Entrants may either (a) pre-register by submitting an entry form and $20 entry fee, between August 1 and September 14,

Alphabetz Learning Center.........................52 Big Joe Productions....................................60 Big Y Foods, Inc............................................4 Black & White Grille...................................59 Boston Paintball.........................................60 Bread-N-Butta Diner..................................59 Breezy Picnic Grounds................................11 Charlotte Klein Dance Centers.....................45 Cherry Hill Ice Cream.................................59 Child Works...............................................23 Children’s Development Network, Inc...........6 Christopher’s Ice Cream..............................59 Community VNA.........................................49 Davis Farmland..........................................18 Diane Kelley Dance Studio..........................49 Ecotarium.............................................19,23 Fletcher Tilton PC........................................56 FMC Ice Sports............................................42 Gibson’s Dairy............................................59 Girls Inc.....................................................53 Gymnastics Learning Center/God’s Little Children ...47,52 Hanover Theatre........................................41 Hebert Candy Mansion...............................59 Heywood Hospital......................................30

2017, to www.baystateparent.com/covercontest, after which an Event ticket will be mailed to Entrant; or (b) register at the Event by submitting an entry form and $25 entry fee. Before Entrant is photographed, Parent must sign a photo release. Entrants who register in advance will be able to select a day and time to be photographed. Registration fees are nonrefundable. Sponsor is not obligated to accommodate, reschedule, or refund an Entrant who misses his or her time slot. • Entrant’s registration and photo release, along with the photograph taken at the Event, will constitute entry into the Cover Model Search (“Entry”). Entries that Sponsor deems fraudulent or that violate these Official Rules will not be accepted, and the Entrant will be disqualified. • By entering, Entrants and Parents (a) consent to receiving email correspondence from Sponsor and Photographer and (b) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions regarding the Cover Model Search. • At any time and for any reason, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, suspend the Cover Model Search or extend the Entry Period. 3. Finalist and Winner Selection: Sponsor and Photographer

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Holden Christian Academy..........................45 Holden Vet Center......................................46 Indian Hill Music School..............................55 Jack & Jill Preschool...................................31 Kimball Farm.............................................59 Legoland Discovery Center Boston..............21 Linda Donoian............................................39 Lowell Summer Music.................................16 LuLaRoe.....................................................57 Madulka’s Ice Cream..................................59 Mall At Whitney Field.................................48 Mary Baker Eddy Library (The)..................29 Metrowest Jewish Day School.....................51 Mike’s Moonwalk Rentals...........................61 Mill Street Motors.......................................22 Millbury Federal Credit Union.....................38 MJA Martial Arts........................................54 New England Cord Blood Bank Inc..............58 Oak Meadow.............................................31 Pakachoag Community Music School..........13 Paula Meola Dance....................................39 Pinecroft Dairy & Restaurant......................59 Reliant Medical Group................................43 Roaming Raceway & Railroad LLC..............60

(“Judges”) will select 10 finalists (“Finalists”). Sponsor will invite Finalists to a second photo shoot at Sponsor’s office. Judges will select one Finalist as the winner (“Winner”). Judging will be based on Judges’ determination of the most photogenic Entries, based on criteria including but not limited to Entrant’s poise, appearance, and personality. The Judges’ decisions are final, non-reviewable, and at the Judges’ sole discretion. 4. Requirements: Finalists will be selected and notified by phone or email on or before November 1, 2017. Finalists and Winner will be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and such other documents as Sponsor deems necessary. If a Finalist or Winner violates these Official Rules; fails to complete, sign, and return required documents within the required time; or otherwise becomes ineligible for the Cover Model Search, an alternate Entrant may be selected. 5. Prizes: The Winner will appear on a baystateparent Magazine cover to be published within 12 months after the Event. The other nine Finalists will be featured inside the same issue of baystateparent Magazine. Sponsor will own all Photographs taken by Photographer at the Event and any photographs taken at the second photo shoot and may use them for marketing, promotion, and advertising in any media for any purpose

Rosalita’s Puppets.......................................60 Scoops n Bites............................................59 Seven Hills Charter School..........................57 Sholan Farms.............................................11 Shrewsbury Children’s Center.....................27 Shrewsbury Montessori School....................52 Speech & Language Specialties Inc..............54 St. Mary’s Schools......................................29 St. Peter-Marian C.C. Jr./Sr. School.............37 St. Vincent Hospital......................................3 The Bolton Fair...........................................17 The Chestnut Hill School.............................34 The Children’s Workshop............................27 The Whole Child, Inc...................................55 Ultimate Obstacles........................................9 UMass Memorial Medical Center...... 16,58,64 Usborne Books & More..............................61 Wachusett Mountain...................................24 Worcester Art Museum.................................2 Worcester Center for Crafts.........................12 Worcester Center for Expressive Therapies..55 Worcester JCC............................................51 Worcester Public Library.............................38 YWCA of Central Massachusetts..................13

(“Publicity”). Prizes may not be assigned or transferred and must be accepted as awarded. Entry constitutes permission to use Winner's and Finalists’ name, hometown, likeness, photographs, and statements for Publicity in any and all media throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, or permission. 6. Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Cover Model Search, Entrant and Parent(s) agree to release and hold harmless Photographer and Sponsor, as well as Sponsor’s officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Cover Model Search, receipt of any prize, or publication by Sponsor. In no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrants and Parent(s) waive the right to damages, including but not limited to punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. 7. Disputes: Entrant and Parent(s) agree that any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Cover Model Search or publication of Entrant’s Photograph shall be resolved individually, without class action, exclusively by the appropriate state or federal court in Massachusetts, under Massachusetts law (without regard to choice of law rules).

BAYSTATEPARENT 61

TAKE EIGHT

with Bayley WWE Superstar Bayley is living the dream of every professional wrestling fan. After falling in love with the sport at age 10, the California native began her training just out of high school. Now 28, she just finished her first year in sports entertainment’s big leagues — The WWE. She’s already held the Raw Women’s Championship belt, and is a fan favorite across all ages thanks to her athleticism and her upbeat, optimistic persona. Bayley and a host of WWE Superstars will be at Worcester’s DCU Center on Aug. 13 for the WWE Live Summerslam Heatwave Tour; she took time out of her non-stop travel schedule to talk with baystateparent about her journey.

How did you become a superfan at age 10, and what made you decide to make a run at a professional career? It was a natural attraction to what I saw on TV; I loved the stories that were being told in the ring. I just knew that this was something I needed to pursue.

Were you active in sports prior to starting your career? I played a lot of sports in middle and high school. I ran cross-country track, but I mainly played basketball. I was team captain my senior year of high school. I really did want to pursue basketball in college, but I decided to start my in-ring training at 18.

Who were your favorite Superstars growing up, and what was it about them that you loved? “Macho Man” Randy Savage was and is my favorite Superstar of all time. He had such a natural charisma and energy about him; he popped off of the TV screen!

What’s harder: learning how to take a fall or learning how to cut a promo? For me, cutting a promo is much more difficult. There are so many different styles and emotions you go through in a promo; I am still learning on a daily basis. As far as taking a bump, so to speak, I was always pretty athletic and the fundamentals came fairly quickly. So a promo is more difficult for sure.

What would surprise fans about the life of a WWE Superstar? The travel grind. What the WWE Universe sees on TV is only a snippet of what we do on a regular basis. There are many flights and long drives that go along with the performances. Sometimes we will get off a flight, head straight to the arena for that night’s show, then jump in our cars and head out and drive 200 or 300 miles that night for the next night’s show. It still surprises me to this day how the WWE Superstars can turn it on night in and night out; but I guess that is just the passion we have for what we do and for entertaining the WWE Universe.

62 AUGUST2017

What are your thoughts about the evolution of women in the WWE, to the point where the Women’s Division is highly athletic and competitive, and women are billed as “WWE Superstars,” just like their male colleagues? WWE just held the Mae Young Classic, which will introduce 32 new women to the mainstream — an entire tournament of women’s wrestling! Women’s wrestling is, in my opinion, the best it has ever been. The women on both Raw and SmackDown Live go out every night and raise the bar; we push each other and we have had some amazing opportunities. The women want to steal every show, every Pay–Per–View, and it shows in the opportunities that we have had.

7 Those unfamiliar with you may be surprised by your upbeat, positive message in and out of the ring, given it runs counter to the traditional aggressive, serious image of many sports entertainment Superstars. What message do you want to send fans? I want my fans to see that you can be positive even in a sport that has physical contact; kindness is not weakness, stay true to yourself, and follow your beliefs and dreams.

You’re a person who has seen her childhood dreams come true. What’s your advice to young fans — and to their parents — who want to chase their dreams? Just go out and do it; there is only one way to succeed and that is to just go out and do it. There is no secret to success, just go after it and work hard.

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