(FREE)
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2020
inside:
switching schools: Should You Stay or Should You Go?
+
5 fun things TO DO this winter
FIND AN
awesome
enrichment program
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contents
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
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18 departments
features
In Every Issue
Parenting
06 Letter from the Editor 07 Our Cover Kid
08 Balancing
Around Town 10 Local Spotlight:
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton
Technology and Play
Resources & Calendars
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The School Switcheroo
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Finding a Quality Afterschool Enrichment Program
22 To Do With Your Crew 23 Fun & Wacky
How do you know if it's time to go?
The fun and learning don't have to stop just because the school day is over.
Calendar
21 Beat the Winter
Blues at the MetroParks Ice Rink
Sponsored Content 20 Early Learning and Beyond at Bishop Leibold School
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
WORDS BY NICOLE SIPE
Publisher Mary Wynne Cox mary@daytonparentmagazine.com Associate Publisher & Advertising Hannah Mohler hannah@daytonparentmagazine.com Editor Nicole Sipe nicolesipe@daytonparentmagazine.com Account Executives Katie Clark katie@daytonparentmagazine.com Brooke Litherland brooke@cdaytonparentmagazine.com
New Year, New Intentions “If you don’t pick a day to relax, your body will pick it for you.” I keep seeing this quote on social media lately, and I should probably take it as a sign from the Universe to do what the quote says and RELAX. Because I know very well what happens when I don’t take that quote to heart. I end up like I did three years ago, when my body picked out six weeks of forced relaxation by giving me a case of shingles. Who gets shingles in their 30s? This stressed-out lady, right here! In case you’ve never had shingles, let me tell you what it’s like. It is bad. It is VERY bad. You never, ever want it, trust me. But if there is a silver lining from the whole experience, it’s that it forced me to focus on myself and add rest and relaxation to my daily to-do list. Now, when I start to feel stressed, instead of ignoring
it and pushing through, I acknowledge it and make a conscious effort to do some self-care rituals. I make myself a cup of tea and sit quietly. I go for a walk, or hit the gym, or do some yoga. I watch a dumb movie when the kids are asleep and zone out for a while. I can’t stop stress from happening, but I can try to manage the effect it has on my mind and body. As parents, self-care needs to be a priority. After all, how can we take care of others if we’re not taking care of ourselves? As we look forward to a new year (and a new decade!), one of my resolutions is to carve out more moments for self-care. What are your intentions for the new year? Whatever they might be, I wish you hope, health and happiness for this brand-new year!
DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM I January / February 2020
Creative Director Katie Clark katie@daytonparentmagazine.com
Digital Publisher Wendy Hasser wendy@daytonparentmagazine.com Digital Editor Brooke Litherland brooke@daytonparentmagazine.com
Billing billing@daytonparentmagazine.com
Contributing Writers Lindsay Conner, Lauren Lemons, Haley Paddock, Jennifer Thompson
Calendar of Events calendar@daytonparentmagazine.com
Contact Us daytonparent@daytonparent magazine.com
Dayton Parent Magazine is published bi-monthly. Copyright 2019 by Midwest Parenting Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of products, commentary or services herein.
EDITOR
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Production Manager Karen Ring karen@daytonparentmagazine.com
OUR COVER KID:
ELLA
[age] 8 years old [my favorites] COLOR FOOD SCHOOL SUBJECT HOBBIES
Teal blue Ice cream Writing Gymnastics, coloring, riding my four wheeler, and going on vacation!
[an interesting fact about me] I was born in Louisiana on an Army base!
COVER PHOTO BY: Flash Photography
flashphotodayton.com
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PARENTING
BROUGHT TO YOU BY DAYTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Balancing Technology and Play Being mindful with technology use is key. Children 3-4 years old:
Screen time tends to get a bad rap, but the key is balancing it with other needs in a child’s life.
· One hour of screen time is more than enough — less is always better! · 180 minutes of different types of physical activity is encouraged throughout the day.
“Technology lets us stay more connected to family and friends. We have information literally at our finger tips. Our children need to learn — no, they need to master — this world of technology,” says Melissa King, DO, pediatrician at Dayton Children’s Pediatrics and director of the Healthy Me program. “But it’s also important for our kiddos to get enough physical activity and sleep, two areas that pay the price when there is too much screen time.” According to the new guidelines of physical activity that were recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO), children under the age of 5 should not be sitting in front of screens too much. “Younger kids need more time being active and better sleeping habits in order to grow up healthy,” King says. All of these things combined will help reduce childhood obesity rates and other diseases as children get older.
· At least 10-14 hours of good sleep is needed.
King sums up the recommendations from the WHO below: Infants less than 1 year old: · Screen time is discouraged. · They should be physically active multiple times a day in different ways. · For infants, at least 30 minutes of tummy time throughout the day is essential. · Anywhere from 12 to 17 hours of quality sleep is important for growth and development.
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Children 1-2 years old: · Children under 18 months old should not get any screen time. · Children who are 2 years old shouldn’t get more than an hour of screen time per day, but less is better. · They should be physically active for at least 3 hours throughout the day in different types of activities. · At least 11-14 hours of good sleep is encouraged.
Parents need to manage their own screen time with intention and caution, too. When we engage with our phones and laptops more, we talk with our children less. They hear fewer words from us which can stifle their vocabulary development. We miss opportunities to connect with our adolescent children in discussing life and school. We respond slower to our children and have less patience when distracted, which could lead to more conflict and child misbehavior. Be the role model you would want your children to become. “As with all other aspects of parenting, understand the research and recommendations,” King says. “Put these recommendations into play with what works for your family and make sure your choices are helping you become the best version of yourself.”
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AROUND TOWN
WORDS BY HALEY PADDOCK
Local Spotlight: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton A safe haven for families battling illness and injury. Celebrating 40 years of service to our community, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton (RMHC) aims to provide a “home away from home” to families with critically ill children. Dayton Parent spoke to Kaitlin Webb, marketing and communications coordinator of RMHC of Dayton, to learn more about what this organization offers.
How does RMHC aid the families of sick children? RMHC of Dayton is the only organization in our community solely dedicated to providing hospitality services to families of hospitalized pediatric patients. The Ronald McDonald House — located across the street from Dayton Children’s Hospital, and just minutes away from Miami Valley Hospital and Kettering Medical Center — provides families with many of the comforts of home, such as home-cooked meals, on-site laundry facilities and private rooms. The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms — located inside Dayton Children’s Hospital and inside Emmett’s Place at Miami Valley Hospital — provide areas for families to relax, regroup and regain the strength they need, all while staying just steps from their child’s bedside. Amenities include a fully stocked kitchen, napping pods
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for resting, laundry facilities, computer stations and more. Room availability is based on criticality of the child and the distance families must travel to receive care. Though we do ask for a donation from families staying at the House, no family is ever turned away due to inability to pay.
Can you share a local family’s experience with RMHC? Jonny and Hannah Picard had just decided to move to Ohio, when they learned they were expecting. At Hannah’s 21-week checkup, the couple discovered some devastating news. Their baby boy wasn’t surrounded by amniotic fluid. This meant a very high probability of complications for both Hannah and the baby. The Picards made the very personal and difficult decision to see this journey through to whatever end,
DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM I January / February 2020
After 63 days, Asher Benjamin Picard was born! The Picards remained at the hospital for 32 days while Asher was in the NICU, and then the family began their new life in Dayton together.
and began what would be a 95-day stay at Miami Valley Hospital. During that time, the Picards used the Ronald McDonald Family Room as a place to rest and regroup without having to leave the hospital. “It was so nice to be able to throw in a load of laundry, grab a homemade meal, rest in the comfy chairs and watch a TV show, grab a quick snack or chat with the staff who came to know and encourage us so much along our journey,” Hannah Picard says.
How can people support RMHC? Community members can: 1. Volunteer 2. Donate wish list items/make monetary donations 3. Collect pull-tabs (from pop cans, pet food, etc.) 4. Serve a hot meal 5. Host a fundraiser 6. Become a pantry partner 7. Donate a vehicle Visit rmhcdayton.org to learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities, view the current wish list or get additional information about RMHC.
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HOW DO YOU KNOW IF IT’S TIME TO GO? WORDS BY LINDSAY CONNER
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FINDING A QUALIT Y
AFTERSCHOOL
ENRICHMENT PROGR AM The fun and learning don’t have to stop just because the school day is over. WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSON
Many parents need care for their children after the school bell has rung and the books have been put away. The question is: Which program is the best fit? When contemplating options, parents may want to consider an afterschool enrichment program. The Benefits of Afterschool Enrichment Afterschool enrichment programs offer many benefits, including keeping kids safe after school, inspiring kids to learn new skills, providing academic support and a creative outlet, and allowing time to socialize with peers — just to name a few.
“One of the benefits of enrolling your child in an afterschool enrichment program is that [your child has the opportunity to] make new, likeminded friends they may not share the same class or school with,” says Kristin Bailey, program director for Decoy Art Center in Beavercreek. Bailey also says that some other benefits include boosting kids’ confidence and self-esteem, allowing kids to learn leadership skills, and giving them an outlet where they can try new things and be creative.
When children participate in afterschool enrichment programs, they are able to spend time focusing on their personal interests and further develop specific skill sets they might not otherwise learn in a regular classroom. These subjects might be STEM activities, gymnastics, swimming, theater, computer programming, creative movement, music and more.
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Choosing a Program
With such a wide variety of options available for afterschool care, the idea of choosing a program may seem overwhelming.
“When looking for a quality afterschool program for their child, parents should consider meeting or talking to the teacher, organizer or director prior to registration to learn more about what the program would consist of,” Bailey says. “This will help parents to get an idea whether their child would benefit from it, enjoy it and be comfortable, as well.”
What if you have searched your neighborhood for a program and are not able to find what you are looking for in your community? In that case, Bailey suggests that parents search for enrichment programs that meet once or twice a week instead of daily.
“If a group of your child’s friends are interested, consider a carpool,” Bailey says. “Your child will still be in a fulfilling and enjoyable program where they’ll get to have new experiences and make friends.”
Some parents may love the idea of an enrichment program, but are concerned about the convenience and cost. Oftentimes, programs will offer some form of financial assistance, or possibly even scholarships. When enrolling, check to see if your child is eligible for any of these benefits. Also, some programs offer discounts for families with multiple children attending.
Another thing Bailey notes is that, when registering for an afterschool enrichment program, “look at the age minimums and maximums,” she says. “Many programs have age limits to insure the safety of students, as well as to be sure they are offering age appropriate activities.”
With all of these things to consider, finding an afterschool enrichment program may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Include your child in the process and have fun looking into the different options that are available. Dayton, and the surrounding areas, have plenty of quality programs that cover a broad spectrum of physical, artistic and educational interests. Once you find a program that is right for your family, you can relish
in the fact that your child will be safe, have fun, make friends and develop skills that will last a lifetime.
Questions to Consider When Searching for a Program * Will your child be happy, nurtured and feel comfortable in the program? * How is discipline handled?
* What are the criteria to be hired by the organization? * Is my child interested in this topic/activity? Or is this something they should try on a smaller scale before committing to a long-term program? * What do families, friends and neighbors recommend?
* Do they offer multi-age programming so that multiple children from a family can be involved on the same evenings? * Does my child need to bring their own supplies? * Do the activities change each session? * What is the policy if my child has to miss a day?
* If the organization you are interested in isn’t located nearby, are there other branches of that organization that are close to your community?
* What is the training process of the instructors running the program?
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SPONSORED CONTENT
BROUGHT TO YOU BY BISHOP LEIBOLD SCHOOL
Early Learning and Beyond at Bishop Leibold School Creating life-long learners At Bishop Leibold School, we believe that your student’s early learning experience sets the stage for their educational future! That is why you will find us in our classrooms working on engaging, hands-on, fun learning activities with our students.
Early Learning for 3 and 4 year olds Our preschool and pre-k programs are inspired by the internationally acclaimed Reggio Emilia model (Italy), which features nature, art, and experiential learning. You will find students working in centers such as dr amatic play, art, music, library, writing, and sensory. Students participate in large and small group activities, outdoor play, Bible stories, and daily prayer. Our three-year-old program (preschool) is offered to families five days a week for half of the day. Students may also register for a partial-week option. Our four-year-old program (pre-k) is offered to families five days a week for a full school day. Students can also register for a half-day or partial-week option.
Attend our Open House for preschool through grade 3 on January 26! Or schedule a guided tour! (See details below.)
Kindergarten-8th grade Students continue their education at Bishop Leibold through 8th-grade! Bishop Leibold currently offers half and full-day kindergarten programs. Students begin their STEM education in kindergarten as well! Bishop Leibold has received the State’s top recognition for STEM for 9 consecutive years, the only elementary school to do so.
It is our job to create life-long learners who love school. We follow the standards set forth by the State of Ohio and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We enhance the learning of our students with field trips, special programs, and visitors. Through our focus on differentiated instruction, we are able to help all students excel through interventions tailored for each student’s needs.
OPEN HOUSE Sunday, January 26 from 12:00-1:30 PM at our Our Lady of Good Hope campus 24 S Third St. Miamisburg, OH 45342
Registration for the 2020-2021 school year opens in January! For more information or to schedule a tour visit bishopleibold.orgor call us at 937-866-3021.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY PHOTO CREDITS
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BISHOP LEIBOLD SCHOOL
AROUND TOWN
BROUGHT TO YOU BY LAUREN LEMONS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Beat the Winter Blues at the MetroParks Ice Rink Don’t let the winter weather keep your family indoors all season. Instead, stay active and have fun at the MetroParks Ice Rink, located at RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton. The region’s largest outdoor ice rink, the MetroParks Ice Rink is a family favorite for skating lessons, holiday festivities, family outings and more. “RiverScape MetroPark is Dayton’s front porch, and that really doesn’t change during the winter weather months,” says Meredith Adamisin, RiverScape manager. “The rink is a family tradition for many people, and it’s also a great place to hang out and get some outdoor exercise in a fun, safe environment.” The MetroParks Ice Rink is open daily through March 1. Admission is $6 and rental skates — which are available for all ages — are $2. The rink, presented by Huffy, offers season passes for families (up to five individuals). Season passes are $90 and include unlimited admission and skate rentals, and discounts on concessions all season long.
Warm up in the Kettering Health Network Comfort Tent adjacent to the rink. Grab a drink or snack at the RiverScape Café to help you warm up, including hot chocolate, grilled cheese, hot dogs, soup and more.
Skate to Your Favorite Hits
Celebrate Winter Holidays
Dayton Funk Night, Jan. 17: Represent your city and skate to the funk songs that made Dayton famous.
There are myriad reasons for you and your family to lace up your skates this winter:
Because the MetroParks Ice Rink offers special holiday hours, it is a go-to for many families who want to create special traditions. In 2020, holiday hours for the rink are:
Challenge Yourself and Get Comfortable
New Year’s Eve: Dec. 31, 11 am-10 pm
Are you new to ice skating? Don’t let your limited experience keep you off the ice. The MetroParks Ice Rink is for skaters of all experience levels, but those who truly want to hone their skills can sign up for skating lessons. Offered to all ages, three-week skating lessons are available throughout the season and hosted by an experienced instructor on Sundays. Lessons are $50/person and can be purchased online at metroparks.org/ice-rink.
PHOTO CREDIT
FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
New Year’s Day: Jan. 1, 1-8 pm Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 20, 11 am-5 pm Presidents Day: Feb. 17, 11 am-5 pm Grown-ups can celebrate Valentine’s Day with a couple’s skate at the MetroParks Ice Rink. The Sweetheart Deal runs from Feb. 14 to 16 and includes two admissions, skate rentals, hot chocolate and a box of Bellbrook Chocolates for $20.
Music matched with an evening skating under the RiverScape pavilion is the perfect family activity. Enjoy themed music skates on Friday evenings from 7 to 10 pm in January through the beginning of February:
Frozen on Ice, Jan 24: This evening at the rink is dedicated to your favorite Disney tunes, including songs from everyone’s favorite winter Disney hit, Frozen. Top 40 Hits Skate, Jan. 31: An on-site DJ will play your favorite hits as you skate the evening away.
Music of Queen, Feb. 7: Have fun on the ice while skating to some of Queen’s greatest hits. Learn more about the MetroParks Ice Rink’s hours, programs and more at metroparks.org/ice-rink.
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TO DO WITH YOUR CREW
ANIMALS ALIVE! Join Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District on Saturday, January 11 from 11 am to Noon as the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery shares their incredible and informative "Animals Alive" program! They will be bringing animal representatives from the amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals animal groups. Get an up-close look at these special critters as you learn about special adaptations and maybe even touch one — IF you're brave enough, of course. This event is free but registration is required. For more information or to register, visit bellbrook sugarcreekparks.org.
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for the whole family. Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a prehistoric world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. A special meet and greet after the show offers our brave VIP explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and mindexpanding Jurassic adventure, live on stage Friday, January 24 at 7:30 pm at Victoria Theatre! For more information, visit victoriatheatre.com.
THE ADVENTURE SUMMIT EXPO The Adventure Summit Expo is designed to provide the visitor a chance to mingle with local, regional and national outdoor industry exhibitors. A variety of outdoor clubs, specialty retail shops, outfitters and resorts commonly will be on hand to provide educational sessions and more. The event is free and open to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and interest levels. The Adventure Summit Expo takes place February 14-15 at Wright State University Nutter Center. Find more information at theadventuresummit.com.
BOONSHOFT MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY PRESENTS ANCIENT EGYPT Visit an age of mystery and magic as the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery presents Ancient Egypt, opening Saturday, February 22. This new exhibit commemorates the rich history of dynastic Egypt and teaches guests about Ohio’s close connection with Egyptian antiquity. Explore the geography, culture and history of one of the world’s earliest and longest-lasting civilizations. The centerpiece of this exhibition is Nesiur, Dayton’s Mummy, who lived around 700 B.C. Visitors will experience Nesiur as never before and digitally “unwrap” her story through an interactive mummy table. Ancient Egypt includes hands-on learning experiences for all ages, such as an interactive timeline of Ancient Egypt, pyramid building blocks, write your own hieroglyphics and public programs. Find out more at boonshoftmuseum.org.
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PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE Set sail with an all-new pirate adventure February 22-23 at Wright State University Nutter Center! Because it will be Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, Ryder will need all paws on deck as he and the PAW Patrol discover a secret treasure map while on a mission to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. It’s up to Chase, Marshall, Skye and all their heroic pirate pup friends to save the day and find the pirate treasure before Mayor Humdinger finds it first! For more information, visit nuttercenter.com.
fun and WACKY DAYTON PARENT'S
CALENDAR
Did you know that there is an official holiday for just about anything you can think of? Here are a few fun days worth celebrating!
JANUARY 1/2
1/21
HUGGING DAY
Embrace the day.
WORLD INTROVERT DAY
Shy people, unite!
1/3
FESTIVAL OF SLEEP DAY
Get your zzzzz’s.
FEBRUARY
2/18
PLUTO DAY
Celebrate the dwarf planet.
2/1
READ ALOUD DAY
1/26
Find your favorite book.
AUSTRALIA DAY
Celebrate the world down under.
1/28
KAZOO DAY
Toot your own horn.
1/4
BIRD DAY
For our feathered friends.
2/22
WORLD THINKING DAY Exercise your brain.
2/26 1/9
STATIC ELECTRICITY DAY
What a shocking day.
1/13
STICKER DAY
We’re really stuck on this one.
TELL A FAIRY TALE DAY
2/3
CARROT CAKE DAY
Eat your veggies… in a cake.
Once upon a time…
2/27
POKÉMON DAY
2/8
Gotta catch them all!
Hey, it’s worth a shot.
2/29
LAUGH AND GET RICH DAY
LEAP YEAR DAY
It happens every four years!
1/18
2/11
Oh, bother.
Life is better with friends!
1/20
2/14
WINNIE THE POOH DAY
CHEESE LOVERS DAY
The stinkier, the better.
SOURCE: daysoftheyear.com
MAKE A FRIEND DAY
FERRIS WHEEL DAY
You spin me right round, baby.
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