Parent 2 PAR E NT Parent Valley
You may or may not have been tuned in to all the talk of peaches lately, especially the various types of peaches. There are the freestones and then there’s the clingstones. The Columbus Clingstones is the official name of our new Braves AA affiliate baseball team. What a welcome opportunity to take the time to learn all about this fruit that is recognized as Georgia’s predominant crop.
All the chatter about peaches led me to think about pumpkins. Where do all the pumpkins come from, and where are they grown? They show up seasonally at farmers’ markets and church yards are transformed into pumpkin patch fund-raisers. The ‘standard’ orange pumpkin is the “jack o’lantern” and is just one choice of the fruit amongst the beautiful hues of blue, green, and cream that are grown mainly in Illinois. Here are a few varieties that you may see while pumpkin shopping:
Pumpkin carving is a fun family event to partake in together. Send us your creations to feature in our next issue at contactus@columbusandthevalley.com.
The school year is well under way, and at this stage, you and your child are in the groove with their schedule and teachers. If your child needs extra help at this stage, check out Dr. Britney Farmer’s article titled The 411 on Special Education to see if extra accommodations are just what your child needs.
A cultural exchange is an educational experience for everyone involved. The Japanese students and teachers who came to visit Muscogee County middle schools offered insights into their way of life, and equally, we hope they took back with them their own observations of living in our community.
Fall is my favorite season to get out in the Chattahoochee Valley and explore. There’s a whole list of local options in our Family Fun article. Take a snapshot when you are out and about and share with us to be featured on our Valley Smiles page. We can’t wait to see and hear about your adventures.
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SIXTY TWO GRAPHIC STUDIO
Contributing Writers
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KATY M. CLARK DR. BRITNEY FARMER VIRGINIA MCCULLOUGH
Photography RITCHIE WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
P. O. Box 229 Columbus, GA 31902
706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216 www.valleyparent.com
VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE is owned by Jodi and Gerald Saunders and is published monthly by Valley Life Ventures, LLC, dba COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE, P. O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Editorial contributions and letters should be addressed to VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE, Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Copyright ©2024 by Valley Life Ventures, LLC trading as COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. Subscriptions for VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE are available by mail for $25 per year. Call 706-324-6214 to subscribe. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to: Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902.
Jodi Saunders Editor & Publisher
Columbus and the Valley Magazine
CONNECTICUT FIELD
Traditional American pumpkin of the New England settlers and Native Americans
PINK/MORANGA
Pink medium-sized pumpkin also know as Moranga in its’ native Brazil
CHINESE MINI WHITE Tiny pumpkins originally from China/Southeast Asia
ROUGE VIF D’ETAMPE
Large, heavily ribbed pumpkin with a vivid redorange color originally from 1880s Paris
by Dr. Britney Farmer
The 411 on Special Education
By this point in the school year your child has probably received their initial academic performance grade. For some parents, it is shocking to find out that your child is struggling. For others, your concerns are confirmed. So, how does the special education system work in schools? Special education is governed under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) which was originally approved by Congress in 1975. This allows children with disabilities to receive free and appropriate education. Public schools have two types of special education accommodations: Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the 504 Plan.
IEP
• Provides modified learning within a special education setting.
• Written and must be founded in one or more of the eligible categories (see below).
• Examples of modifications include wheelchair access, decreased homework assignments, no requirement to change classrooms settings or using a media device rather than written work. Modifications are changes to the educational objectives based on your child’s ability.
504 Plan
• Removes learning barriers to allow learning in a general education setting
• May or may not be written and can be recommended if your child’s disability is impeding a major life event like reading or paying attention.
• Examples of accommodations include extended time on testing, preferential seating in the classroom, daily check-ins with a counseling professional or more
frequent breaks. Accommodations are adaptations to meet the same educational objective as other students.
To decide determination of an IEP, a parent/caregiver, school administrator, teacher (general and special education), a data specialist and a district representative must meet and discuss the interventions to be instituted. An IEP must include measurable goals separated into milestones and details for how the child will reach those goals. A 504 plan does not include milestones and will likely represent static accommodations for the child.
When parents identify a learning need for their child, the first step should be to meet with their teacher and learn about their performance in the classroom. The teacher should detail what they’ve already implemented to allow your child to meet the educational goal for the year. Parents and teachers should discuss a timeline with the teacher on reassessment of the child’s progress with the classroom level changes that have been made.
no cost to the family. Parents may be asked to provide documentation of the child’s disability and any recommendations from their qualified healthcare provider.
If the child ends up being granted special education services, notification of a meeting with the school’s professional team will be provided to the parents. An IEP meeting is held annually to discuss the child’s goals and progress. Parents can request an IEP meeting more than annually if there is new information to discuss or additional modifications needed. IEPs can be carried over from lower grades to upper grade but this is not guaranteed if the child no longer meets criteria.
The response may not be to grant the child with special education services however, parents will receive feedback from the school’s assessment. If the child is not granted a qualified disability, recognized by the school, there are still ways to enrich your child’s education and prevent them from falling further behind. Schools are only allocated certain funds for this programming. Therefore, it is imperative for the school systems and parents to be judicious about which children need services and what level of intervention.
Private schools are not governed by federal law to provide modifications or accommodations for special education. Most private schools do provide adaptive learning if they have the resources. If a child needs to be evaluated, an evaluation is performed by a local public school. vp
5. Intellectual disability
6. Emotional disturbance (Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, etc.)
7. Developmental delay
8. Multiple disabilities (present in combination)
9. Hearing impairment, including deafness
10. Orthopedic impairment
11. Visual impairment, including blindness
Once that deadline has passed, or if larger deficits are noticed sooner, the parent can request an evaluation for special education to the school administration. In this request, a detailed list of all concerns from the parents should be outlined and must be responded to within 60 days. Depending on the nature of parental concerns, the process of observation and evaluation could take days to weeks. It is a school’s responsibility to provide this evaluation at
The information in this article is not all inclusive. Please access the resources listed below to find out more information on how to best assist your child with their educational journey:
Georgia Department of Education GADOE.org
Alabama Department of Education
AlabamaAchieves.org
Center for Parent Information Services
ParentCenterHub.org
Dr. Britney Farmer is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist originally from California currently living in Columbus, Georgia. Practicing for St. Francis Hospital Partners at the Bradley Center Campus. Dr. Farmer has a passion for children with mental health disorders, learning disabilities and autism.
Ritchie White Photography
Learning Through Exchange:
JAPANESE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THRIVE IN COLUMBUS SCHOOLS
Kiryū, Japan and Columbus, Georgia have enjoyed a vibrant sister city relationship since 1978, fostering cultural exchange through gifts, talents and traditions. This August, a group of ten middle school students from Japan, accompanied by four chaperones, traveled to Columbus to immerse themselves in our local culture.
During their visit, the students were warmly hosted by families
from Richards Middle School and Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts. They participated in school activities, engaged with Muscogee County School District leadership, and explored the city's highlights, creating unforgettable memories. The experience was filled with hands-on celebrations, gift exchanges, laughter and the sharing of traditions, making this cultural exchange enriching and impactful for everyone involved. vp
Muscogee County School District leaders (Dr. Duane Wizzard, Dr. David Lewis, Dr. Virginia McCullough, Mr. Ben Travers, Mrs. Kimberly Casleton) with Kiryū chaperones (Morihio Fukada, Haruko Shigneta, Miyuki Tada and Hidetaka Suto)
Japanese students and Muscogee County students play theatre games.
Japanese students tour Columbus Museum.
Richards Middle School as well as RaineyMcCullers School of the Arts hosted the students.
Dr. David Lewis, Dr. Briant Williams, Mrs. Christine Hull, Dr. Virginia McCullough, Dr. Tim Smith, Dr. Duane Wizzard and Mr. Ben Travers from Muscogee County School District with Kiryū friend Haruko Shigneta at the farewell dinner.
Japanese students check out the reptiles at Oxbow Meadows.
How to Create Your Family’s
BEST-EVER PUMPKIN
by Kimberly Blaker
It’s pumpkin time! How can you make sure you pick the perfect pumpkin and transform it into a boo-tiful jack-olantern? Check out these handy tips with everything you need to know to create your family’s best-ever pumpkin.
Picky, Picky
The best selection at a pumpkin patch will probably be available in early October. Of course, selecting your gourd at the grocery store is convenient any time. My kids have found some of their biggest, best pumpkins there.
No matter where you go, look for smooth pumpkins with no soft spots that indicate rot. It is also ideal to find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.
Try not to let your kids pick up the pumpkin by the stem. If the stem breaks
off, it could take some of the outer pumpkin with it, making the inside rot faster.
Once you get your prized pumpkin home, store it uncarved in a cool, dry spot. When it is time to create your jacko-lantern, aim for just a few days before Halloween. This will ensure that it does not decay too fast (boo, black spots!) and looks frightfully good on the big night.
Carving Station
If you are lucky enough to set up a carving station outside, go for it. The mess from making a Jack-o-lantern is easier to handle on your patio or in your backyard than inside.
Never fear, though. Carving can be done indoors or out, especially with a well-prepared station. To make cleanup easier, go old school and line your tabletop with newspaper or cut open a plastic trash bag to spread over your surface. You will want to clean up quickly afterwards, too, since pumpkin flesh and seeds are super slippery.
Make it Boo-tiful
Have you ever seen a jack-o-lantern with black lines on its face? I know when my family uses permanent markers to sketch our design, we are usually left with a couple mistakes that we must live with or cut out. Here’s a tip I wish I knew years ago: try sketching your lines with a dry erase marker instead as their marks are erasable on pumpkins. Or use
a template that you can attach directly to the pumpkin as a guide.
When it’s time to cut into your pumpkin, leave that to the adults as little ones should not handle anything sharp. Instead, give the kids big spoons or an ice cream scoop and let them scrape out the seeds. Save the seeds if you want to toast them later (more on that below).
Grown-ups, your goal should be to cut with short, controlled motions. Don’t forget to go slow! It’s not a race and you definitely want to avoid a serious hand injury.
Extra, Extra
Another useful tip is to give kids their own small pumpkin to decorate with glitter and glue or foam stickers while you carve the family’s bigger pumpkin. That
way they will stay engaged and not lose interest.
If carving is more trick than treat for your family, then you can always paint your pumpkin instead. Note that you may need several coats to get the desired color and it can take a while for the paint to dry between coats.
Getting Seedy
If you want to roast the seeds later, you’ll want to soak them in a big bowl of warm water. After swirling the seeds and attached goo around with your hands to separate them a bit, let them sit for at least five minutes. The goo sinks to the bottom while the seeds float to the top. Once dry, your seeds are ready for whatever sweet or savory recipe you find on the internet. Enjoy! vp
The Perfect P A R T Y G U I D E
by Katy M. Clark
FALL FUN: Outdoorsy Family Adventures
Summer may be seen as the outdoor season, but autumn also offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. Try some of these family activities and fill your kids’ senses with delight.
Enjoy the Fall Foliage
National parks and state parks are the places to be in the fall. Take an afternoon drive up to F.D.R. State Park in Pine Mountain to hike or picnic, or pack the kids up for a weekend trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to enjoy picturesque views. Check their websites for the best times and activities.
Host a Campfire Cookout
Invite family and friends over for a cookout. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, marshmallows and s’mores are a traditional way to top off the season. Have everyone take turns telling stories around the fire. If you have little ones, check-out library books with autumn themes to read to the youngsters. Join and visit your nearest library to source books.
Attend a Football Game
Gather your blankets and head to the stadium. Football games in the Chattahoochee Valley are great fun for kids and parents alike. Take along a bag of popcorn and thermos of hot cocoa, then snuggle up and get ready to cheer on your
team. Find your favorite school’s schedule at ghsa.net or ahsaa.com.
Take a Horseback Ride
Head to the stables and enjoy the fall colors on horseback. Try locally at RooseveltStablesFDR.com or to find other options, visit HorseRentals.com/Georgia.
Make a Scarecrow
What’s fall without a scarecrow on your porch? It is easy to make. Just buy a couple of bales of straw, then have each family member gather some old clothes and hats. Stuff it using string to tie off the hands, feet and head. Check out the entries at the Columbus Botanical Gardens Scarecrow Contest. The exhibition runs from September 27 through November 1. See more at ColumbusBotanicalGarden.org.
Walk in the Woods
As flies and mosquitoes retreat, it’s the perfect time of year for a walk in the woods. Look for animals scurrying about gathering for the long, cold months ahead. Don’t forget
your binoculars. Visit StandingBoy.org or AlaPark.com/parks/chewacla-state-park for some local trail options.
Leaf Fun
Remember as a kid diving into the crisp fall leaves? Grab the rakes, and have your youngsters pitch in. Pile up the leaves to jump in, build a fort and even have a leaf fight. Don’t have a yard with leaves? There are over 50 parks in our area to find Fall leaf fun! Find one in Columbus at Parks. ColumbusGa.gov/Parks.
Find a Festival
Apple, pumpkin, fall harvest and many more festivals are found this time of year featuring food, arts and crafts, kids’ games, pony and wagon rides and more. Find one on our calendar on page 12.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Begin a family tradition of picking your pumpkins fresh from a patch. After cleaning out the pumpkins, make roasted pumpkin seeds, a yummy treat that kids love. Rinse the seeds, pat them dry and coat with melted butter. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and bake at 350° until golden brown. Be sure and
stir them occasionally. Find a patch to travel to at PumpkinPatches.com.
Bird Migration Watch
As fall fills the air, many birds begin to head south. Check out a state park or visit Oxbow Meadows Walt & Frank Chambers Birding Trail.
Shift Through a Corn Maze
Kids delight in finding their way through cornfield mazes. Visit OakhurstFarms.com or LaneSouthernOrchards.com for dates to explore their corn mazes and fall events.
Plant Perennials and Bulbs
Let your kids try out their green thumbs. After all, fall is the time of year to plant perennials and flower bulbs. Let your kids choose some plants from the gardening store, and give them the opportunity to help design the garden. A hand-painted rock or two adds color until the spring blossoms bloom.
Take a Railroad Excursion
With the colors of fall blazing under bright blue skies, a scenic railroad excursion is a sure bet. Find a trip at SamShortline.com for a fun day out.
Visit an Apple Orchard
Take your kids apple picking, and top off the day with cider, a hayride and picnic. Check out the local seasonal pickings at PickYourOwn.org.
Make a Bird Feeder or House
Kids will enjoy the carpentry experience and marvel at watching birds make use of their creation. Kits are available in hobby stores and online for making bird feeders. To make one from scratch, visit the library and check out a book on how to build a birdhouse, or find free instructions on the Internet. Here’s one! audubon.org/news/ how-make-diy-bird-feeder-recycledmaterials.
Parades & Marching Bands
Find out when your favorite high school will hold its homecoming parade. Be sure to take a blanket and snacks, and enjoy the colorful floats, football team, cheerleaders and marching band. Another great parade will be this year’s Tri-City Veterans’ Day Parade on November 9 at 10:00 am through downtown Phenix City and Columbus. vp
FUN PAGE
So Funny! Outer Space
Why did the sun go to school?
To get a little brighter!
Why couldn’t the astronaut book a hotel on the moon?
Because it was full!
Why did the spaceship go to the party?
Because it was a blast!
Earth is a very small part of the universe. One million Earths could fit inside the Sun, and the Sun is considered just an average-size star.
Universal
Find
Scramble
Can you unscramble these words?
Black Hole Maze
Braxton Lane
Seven-year-old Braxton is the son of Antonese and Malik Lane of Columbus. Look for him on an upcoming cover!
OCTOBER
9
Creature Feature at Oxbow Oxbow.ColumbusState.edu
12
Hero for a Day at Columbus Convention and Trade Center ColumbusTradeCenter.com
15-17, 22-24
Under the Big Top at Springer Opera House SpringerOperaHouse.org
18 Oktoberfest at Fort Moore Moore.ArmyMWR.com/Programs/Oktoberfest
19
South Columbus Public Library Grand Reopening CVLGA.org/GrandReopening
22
26
Little Feathers Kids Festival at Fort Mitchell Historic Site VisitFortMitchell.com
26
COMU Fall Festival ColumbusMuseum.com
26
Paws Humane Trunk or Treat PawsHumane.org
26
Uptown Columbus’ Fall Food Truck Festival AlwaysUptown.com
26
All American Spooky Southern Hoedown at Columbus Civic Center CivicCenter.ColumbusGA.gov
31
Phenix City Parks & Rec Sensory Friendly Trunk or Treat PCParksAndRec.RecDesk.com
31
NOVEMBER
10
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at RiverCenter Rivercenter.org
15-17, 22-24
School House Rock Live! at Springer Opera House SpringerOperaHouse.org
15 - Jan. 4
Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy in Lights CallawayGardens.com
16
Kids’ Printmaking Workshop at COMU ColumbusMuseum.com
16
Astronomy Night at Providence Canyon with CCSSC CCSSC.org
16 & 17
Bike Nights at Fantasy in Lights CallawayGardens.com
The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System at RiverCenter Rivercenter.org See
Edgar Allen Poe-Down at Columbus Public Library CVLGA.org
Academy Dance Center
Acute Care Express
All About Kids Learning Center
Devica Alappan, MD
Angel Academy
Aranas & Stitt, OBGYN
Bareware Pottery
Basilio Pediatrics
Behavioral Health Partners
Bluebelle Artist Market
The Blushing Brunette Boutique
Carver Heights Presbyterian
Child Development Ctr.
Central Pharmacy
Central Christian Church
Central OBGYN
Chambers OBGYN
Ritu Chandra, MD
Childcare Network (Hamilton Rd)
Clement Arts
Columbus Children’s Dentistry
Columbus Clinic
Columbus Museum
Columbus Pediatrics
Columbus Public Library
Columbus Regional Midtown
Columbus Roberts Center
CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Ctr.
Dinglewood Pharmacy
Divine Childcare Learning Ctr.
Columbus Specialty Hospital
James Dorchak, MD
Easter Seals
Miranda Y. Edwards, MD
Fairview Baptist Preschool
The Family Center
Family Physicians of Columbus
First Baptist Church Child Dev./PC
Foot & Ankle of West Ga.
Fort Moore Housing Services
Fountain City Coffee
Generations Knowledge & Care Ctr.
Great Beginnings Child Care
Greystone Falls
Greystone of Columbus Park
Greystone Inverness
Growing Room
Growing Room Too
Hollywood Connection
Imagination Station
Imagination Station Too
International Friendship Ministries
Joyful Journeys Childcare
Just for Kids
Kool Smiles
Mark Lawrence, DDS
Little Angels Child Development Ctr.
Little Paws Preschool
Thomas Malone, MD
Mathnasium
Mickayla’s Place
Midtown OBGYN
Mildred L. Terry Library
My Gym
Necco Foster Care
North Columbus Library
Northside Recreation Center
OBGYN Associates
Lirio E. Palmos, MD
Panvelkar & Panvelkar, MD
Pastoral Institute
Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr.
Phenix City-Russell County Library
Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool
Polka-Dots Early Childhood Development. Ctr. Preppy Pets
Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr.
Rivertown Pediatrics
Russell County DHR
Second Avenue Animal Hospital
Jeffrey Serff, DMD
Smile Doctors
Smith Station Baptist Church
Smith Station Pharmacy
St. John AME Church
St. Luke Early Learning Ctr.
St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr.
Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD
Summerville Baptist Church
Sylvan Learning Center
Nora Tan-Ngo, MD
Toni’s Dancing Studio
TSYS Childcare Center
Uptown Pediatrics
Richard A. Valentine, MD
Wynnton Methodist Preschool
ZÖe Pediatrics
Send your photos and captions to
Olivia Vander started 5th grade this year,
Ellie Claire Averett was ready for 1st grade.
Bennett Oliver loved playing in his homemade ball pit.
Adriti Shrivastava started the new school year at Britt Daivid Magnet Academy. Zion Lane enjoyed exploring his new classroom on the first day of preschool.
