Jax4Kids.com - March 2016 by Jax4Kids

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Page 2 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Contents

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers,

LIVING WELL

t’s March and Spring and Summer Camp planning is underway! This issue will help get you started with articles on Affordable, Dependable and Safe Summer Camps (page 16), Exploring Benefits Before Choosing a Camp (page 18), and a list of and ads for some of the many Spring Break Camps and Summer Camps available. I encourage you to log on to Jax4Kids. com where you’ll find an always updated list of Spring Break Camps and Summer Camps. They’re organized to make it easy to find a camp that’s just right for you child and we’ll link you directly to the camps where you can register online and get additional information. Our online camps guides have been a valued tool, utilized by hundreds of thousands of North Florida parents. We bring it all together in one place for you! Got Fruit? Turn to page 4 and read our Community Profile. This month we profile The Clay County Fair celebrates their 30th Forgotten Fruit, a fruit recovery program that Anniversary this year! Join Jax4Kids on Fair Day, harvests and collects fruit and donates it to the April 4th as we bring you family fun and games! needy. Discount admission tickets and armbands are available when you purchase them in advance Want to improve your mental horsepower? before March 30th at www.claycountyfair.org. Turn to page 19 and learn how. The Clay County Fair will be open from March 31st through April 9th. Meet the Clay County Turn to page 27 and read this month’s Tidbits Fair Association’s new General Manager, Tasha to find out where you can get free pancakes, Hyder, our That’s My Job Guest Columnist on a $3.14 pizza, free golf and math help for your page 20. children, 10% off Zoo membership and more! National Poison Prevention Week is March 20 – 26. In this issue, we bring you potentially life-saving tips to keep your children safe. Read Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons on page 9 and What You Should Know About Lead Poisoning on page 10. Do you wish your children’s closets were more organized? Turn to page 5 and read Six Easy Steps to Organizing Your Child’s Closet.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest at Jax4Kids for lots more! We hope you enjoy this issue of Jax4Kids’ newspaper. Until next month, Alison Peters-Carlson Editor

Follow us... Alison Peters-Carlson Editor................................................... editor@jax4kids.com Linda Bigbee Graphic Designer..................................................linda@jax4kids.com Tim Chavez Graphic Designer....................................................tim@timothyjay.com Doug Berle Advertising Sales..................................................... doug@jax4kids.com Beth Canonica Advertising Sales................................................ beth@jax4kids.com Judi Fields Circulation Manager....................................................judi@jax4kids.com Mary Gustafson Business Manager.......................................... mary@jax4kids.com Jean Sealey Contributing Writer Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2016. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by Jax4Kids.com To Go is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for any errors and/or omissions. The Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to editor@jax4kids.com. For more information concerning advertising, call 904-710-2020 or e-mail advertise@jax4kids.com.

Page 3 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

March 2016

Community Profile: Forgotten Fruit �� 4 Six Easy Steps to Organize your Child’s Closet �� 5

NATURE Outdoor Play �� 6 Paddling the St. Johns River �� 6 Things to Do: Nature Events �� 6

EATING WELL

Savor the Flavor of Eating Right! �� 7

HEALTH & SAFETY

Sports and Concussions �� 8 Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons �� 9

INFANT & TODDLER

What You Should Know About Lead Poisoning �� 10

SPECIAL NEEDS

ABLE Accounts �� 12

SPRING BREAK CAMPS �� 14 SUMMER CAMPS �� 15-19 Affordable, Dependable and Safe Summer Camps �� 16 Explore Benefits Before Choosing a Camp �� 18

EDUCATION

Ideas to Improve Mental Horsepower �� 19 Strategies for Reading Fiction �� 20 That’s My Job! Tasha Hyder, General Manager, Clay County Fair �� 20

DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2016 Fall VPK Registration Begins February 29th �� 23 DCPS Receives Million Dollar School Improvement Grant �� 23 Duval County Public Schools Set to Redesign Six New Schools Next Year �� 23 2016 Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced �� 24 Take the Superintendent’s 25 Book Challenge �� 24

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL NEWS

Kindergarten Registration Underway �� 25 Rookie Teachers of the Year �� 25 Laurie Zentz Named Top Teacher of the Year �� 25

CLAY COUNTY SCHOOL NEWS

Be Ready for the 7th Grade �� 26 National Champs! �� 26 Seussin’ it up! �� 26 Get in Line for Summer VPK �� 26 Title 1 School Survey Now Open �� 26

TIDBITS �� 27 TEENS

Defensive Driving Techniques Can Save a Life - Yours! �� 28

PETS

New Law Ensures No Military Working Dog Will Be Left Behind. Ever �� 29 Cope Easier with a Cuddle Clone �� 29 Things to Do: Pets �� 29

THINGS TO DO

March Events �� 30 Things to Do: Easter Events �� 30

LIVING WELL

Community Profile: Forgotten Fruit

espite the sometimes chilly clime, our area has an abundance of fruit trees and more times than not the fruit is left unharvested. Grapefruit, lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapes, tangelos, satsumas, kumquats, pears, figs, pecans all fall by the wayside and are wasted, left for the birds and other denizens or dumped in the trash. In 2012, the Ward family from North Jacksonville, Chuck, Melissa, and their children Caleb, Grace, Ethan and Annalise, decided to do something about this. They formed Forgotten Fruit Inc., a 501c3 fruit recovery program that harvests and collect this fruit and donates it to the needy. Since then, with the help of hundreds of volunteers and many generous donors, they have harvested thousands of pounds of edible fruit and distributed it to the area’s food pantries and rescue missions to help in their fight against hunger. On their website, forgottenfruit.org, they list ways others can help: 1. Pray for a bountiful harvest. 2. Donate fruit, veggies or nuts! Contact us at Info@ForgottenFruit.org or complete the online form to notify us of a fruit / veggie donation. 3. Make a one-time financial contribution. You can donate online at www.forgottenfruit.org

4. Become a member of the Forgotten Fruit Street Team by making a small monthly contribution. Our Street Team’s job is to spread the word about Forgotten Fruit. Just sign up for an automatic monthly charge on your credit card, (minimum $10) and receive as a “thank you”, a special Forgotten Fruit gift! Donations may also be mailed to: Forgotten Fruit, Inc. 731 Duval Station Road Suite 107, PMB 254 Jacksonville, Florida 32218

“The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full of flowers. ” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Page 4 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

St. Johns Bluff 645-5366

LIVING WELL

EASTER OPEN HOUSE & YARD SALE

Six Easy Steps to Organizing your Child’s Closet

any times, our clients that have children struggle with how to organize and maintain their children’s closets. Here are some easy steps on how to create order in your child’s closet and get you prepared for the warmer months ahead.

online and type in “Child Closet Images” and checkout all of the amazing photos of ways to transform your child’s closet. Step Four: Organize the Space

One thing to remember when organizing the closet is that items need to be accessible in order for your child to be able to use and maintain the The first step to organizing a child’s closet is to closet. Keep a small number of matching tops, remove everything that is currently in the closet. bottoms and shoes accessible on lower racks so As you pull everything out, start sorting it into that your child does not get overwhelmed with categories like clothing, shoes, toys, and bedding. too many options. Contain hair accessories and Once everything is out you can logically see what other small items in small bins and a basket or does not belong. bin on the floor for shoes. Don’t forget to add a small hamper for dirty clothes. Step Two: Sort Step Five: Label Once everything is out it is time to start sorting in more detail. For sorting, use five bins or boxes or Now it’s time to put labels on your baskets or just make five distinct piles around the room. bins. Labeling helps to make sure that all items Label these piles: Now, Store, Too Small, Give are returned and ultimately will assist you in Away, and Trash. Time to start sorting! general upkeep of the closet. For clever labeling ideas, search online or visit your local craft store. Now: This will include items for your child that are the right size, mostly stain-free and the right Step Six: Maintain season. The only way to maintain any closet is to be Store: Included here will be items that are too committed to putting everything back where it large for your child right now. This bin comes in belongs. Labels will help but you and your child handy when your child is receiving “hand-memust develop a routine of picking up and putting downs” or you have older children of the same everything away each day before bed. sex that will be passing down clothes. Place Now that you have had some practice, take these these items, by size, in a labeled bin on the top steps and move on to your own closet! j shelf of the closet. When your child grows into bigger sizes, it will be easy to see what you have Lynn Mattingly has worked as an organizer with Karen Duncan for the past four years. Much of available. her organizing skills came from practical experience while moving 17 times as a military Give Away: Here is where all outgrown or unwanted items go. Take these to a thrift shop or spouse. Lynn is a previous teacher, homeschoolgive to a friend or relative but just make certain to ing parent and mother of four children ages bag these up and get them out! Get in the habit of ranging from 23 to 13. taking these items to your car right after sorting so that you have them close at hand for donation. Trash: Get a large trash bag and get rid of clothes Karen Duncan, Certified Professional Organizer® that are beyond repair, broken toys or any other Productive Environment Specialist™ items that are trash. Organized Home / Organized Office 904-955-7346 Step Three: Create Structure kpduncan@jacksonvilleorganizer.com Teaching children how to be clean and organized www.jacksonvilleorganizer.com https://www.facebook.com/OrganizedHomeOrgaat a young age is very important and helps train nizedOffice/ them for the future. Make sure clothing rods are low enough that your child can help pick out their own clothing and be able to help hang up their laundry. Most closets are set up for adults, so purchase another closet rod and hang a lower bar that your child can easily reach. Store clothes that you may not want them to get into on the higher rod. If you are into a full closet makeover, go Step One: Everything Out

Page 5 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Saturday, March 12

EVERYONE WELCOME!

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: Tours for Preschool, Elementary, Middle and High School Lent Walk Bounce houses and Face Painting Hot dogs, chips, and drinks and a Bake sale $1 each

FREE EASTER EGG HUNT 10:00 am 1-3 yr olds 10:15 am 4-10 yr olds

HUGE YARD SALE 7:00 am - 1:00 pm (Fundraiser for Gate and Flag Pole)

Please call (904) 722-1738 or visit www.seacoastchristianacademy.com

NATURE

Outdoor Play

Paddling the St. Johns River

Educational and social research confirms the changes many people have observed over the decades since the 1950s: Children spend more time inside occupied by a variety of screen media than they did in prior generations. Television, video games and one-dimensional social media contacts compete for outdoor activities. The allure of electronic gadgets, coupled with decreasing safe outdoor environments, has drastically reduced the amount of time children spend outdoors. In general, most children are not given opportunities nor are they encouraged to explore, interact or develop a relationship with nature. Researchers tell us decreased outdoors play is correlated with increases in childhood health problems. Increases in obesity, diabetes, asthma and increased diagnoses of hyperactivity, autism and other childhood disorders correlate with reduced outdoor play time.

In Last Child in the Woods, Louv challenges parents, educators and anyone who cares about children and the future of the environment to examine the scientific literature on childhood development and outdoor play and then take steps to reverse this trend. Louv coined the phrase “nature-deficit disorder” to describe the current disconnect between children and nature. Without interaction with nature, Louv believes children cannot develop concern for the environment. A generation of adults without concern for the environment potentially spells disaster for the future.

Pediatricians and educators are perhaps the prime sources for educating parents and the public of the importance of limiting children’s overuse of technology to the point that it inhibits and limits time spent outdoors in unstructured play. Parents, rather than using technology to entertain and even to educate their children, need The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be made aware of the importance of establish(2015) estimates that obesity has more than ing a balance by providing opportunities for their doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years, and in 2012 more than children to play outdoors in a safe environment in circumstances that allow children to discover, one third of children in the United States were solve problems and create without adult rules for overweight or obese. The American Academy of play. Children need to establish an appreciation of Pediatrics (2015) reports that of the 23 million and a relationship with nature so that as adults Americans suffering with asthma, more than one-quarter are children under the age of 18, and they can make sound decisions about the environment and our future. Look for opportunithe rates are increasing steadily. Negative effects on cognitive development show ties in and around your neighborhood and throughout this issue of Jax4Kids and online at up as diagnoses of conditions such as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and other cognitive www.jax4kids.com for the abundant outdoor activities and nature events North Florida has to deficits. offer. j “The life of the earth comes up with a rush in the springtime.” – Farmer Boy

Page 6 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

here are few better ways for a family to explore the St. Johns River than getting out on the water in a canoe or kayak. Paddling the river allows you to get closer to wildlife, creep up into shallow creeks and shorelines, fish from your boat, and jump out for a swim if you get too hot. When paddling with multiple ages everyone can participate. For children who are too young to paddle their own boat, create a river scavenger hunt and have them look out for animals and plants, or they can record their journey by coloring pictures in a river journal or collect

natural treasures in small bucket. Older children can paddle their own vessel and use a waterway map to guide the group. They can also use a waterproof camera to share the trip with friends or bring a bag and gloves to collect any trash. About 1,100 dentists, along with their staffs and If you would like to start out with a guided trip, contact Kayak Amelia at http://www.kayakamelia. com/. They host guided paddle tours and offer boat rentals with instruction. If you have your own boat you can use the Greater Jacksonville Paddling Guide (available for download at www. greaterjacksonvillepaddlingguide.org) for local paddling. Another resource is the St. Johns River Alliance, which has created the St. Johns River Blueway map (www.stjohnsriveralliance.com/ explore-the-river/paddling-trails) for those who want to explore the whole river. My husband and I have been taking our children paddling on Florida waterways since they were small, and these trips are some of our fondest memories. j

Things to Do Events

Arlington Community Garden Work Day March 3, 2:30pm to 4:30pm March 6, 12:30pm to 2:30pm Arlington Community Garden, located on the grounds of Tree Hill Nature Center, hosts a Work Day. A number of projects will be happening, including harvesting and weighing produce that will be donated to Arlington Community Services. If you are interested and have any questions please call 904-725-8133 or email: info@arlingtoncommunitygarden.org . The Garden relies on volunteers to grow the single, consistent source of fresh foods for struggling neighbors in Arlington. Tree Hill Nature Center / 904-724-4646 / 7152 Lone Star Road Jacksonville FL 32211 / www.treehill.org

Learn. Fun. Naturally.

dvances in technology are seen as progress. They improve our lifestyle, working conditions, medical care and society in general. And yet progress comes with a price. The advances that put digital devices with monitors and screens in the hands of the very young for long periods of time have changed the way children play, the amount of time they play and where they play. Those changes have implicaGiven these negative impacts, it is likely that tions for children’s health and the future of the other abilities are affected as well, including environment. creativity, problem solving and interactions with nature. This lack of interaction with nature is a Journalist Richard Louv’s 2008 national bestselling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our cause for concern for the environment because it will influence the decisions these children as Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, brought attention to a phenomenon that affects children’s adults will make concerning environmental issues. Without actual experience with nature, development, the future of the environment and recent generations of children may be deficient in policies related to education and health. Interest the sympathy and concern necessary to protect in the subject also stimulated scientific research among educators, pediatricians and environmen- our environmental resources for future generations. talists.

Forest Fantasy Nature Camp March 4, 8am to 12noon School’s out and parents are invited to send their K – 8th graders to nature camp. Children will build fairy houses, play magical games, and create mystical crafts. Bring snacks and drinks. Limited space, pre-register required. $10 per student for half day or $25 for full day $5 parking. Crooked River State Park / 912-882-5256 / 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway St. Marys, GA 31558 / gastateparks.org Girl Scout Workshop: Brownies Bug March 5, 9am to 11am Through hands-on crafts and activities, and through classroom discussion, scouts will learn about the little bugs around us and where they live. Scouts will go out on a bug hunt to see the bugs in action. The workshop will take place from 9am to 11am and cost is $12 per scout. Scout leaders are free. Register online in advance. MOSH / 904-396-MOSH / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.themosh.org

Animal Encounters Guided Trail Tours Energy or Water Detective

Programs start at just $6/person.

DISCOVER

NATURE TODAY!

Find us on 7152 Lone Star Road treehill.org

Jacksonville, FL 32211

educator@treehill.org

904.724.4646

EATING WELL

Savor the Flavor of Eating Right! National Nutrition Month ® 2016

arch is National Nutrition Month®! Every year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics presents a theme of healthy eating during the month of March to guide Americans throughout the year. This year’s theme of “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” suggests to us that we need to slow down and enjoy our meals. It also invites us to make wise food choices which can have immediate and long-term health benefits. Enjoy Food as a Social Experience Food reflects our culture, our religion, and our heritage. We bond with each other over meals. Food is central to so many milestones in our lives - we celebrate important events such as graduations, marriage, birthdays, and holidays with family and friends with food as an important piece that solidifies the time together. We know that family meal time promotes healthy eating, lower BMIs in children, and can strengthen family relationships. Savor the Flavor Take time to really appreciate your food. Eating slower will not only help you savor what you are eating, but it will also help you listen to your body’s satiety cues. We often eat our meals on-the-go, or much too quickly to appreciate the food that is in front of us. We can miss the simple pleasure of how our food tastes, the texture of our food, and the overall eating experience by rushing through a meal. Leaving the table feeling stuffed? Slow down and listen for your body to tell you when it’s satisfied, and not full. This comes with practice and patience. This is a good lesson to teach your children as well – help them to recognize that food is for pleasure and nourishment, and not for making him/her feel stuffed.

computer, watching TV or playing video games? Mindful eating means that we slow down and not only think about what we are eating, but where we are eating. Eating in front of electronics for children lends itself to them often consuming empty-calorie foods such as chips or cookies. For adults, it may mean a higher calorie intake overall because one is distracted and not really paying attention to how much food is being consumed. Change your attitude about the food you eat. Instead of regarding food as just a way to “fill up”, instead, make your meals a family affair. Take your children shopping to the grocery store or a farmer’s market and let them pick out the fruits and vegetables for the week. Tell them how their body needs all the fruit/vegetable colors of the rainbow, and let them participate in the food preparation (with adult supervision as needed) at home. Just being more conscience of what is going in your body lends itself to a better, healthier you at the end of the day. So savor the flavor of eating right! Your body will thank you. j

Deborah Shor’s School of Etiquette The Classy Class

Good manners are essential for every child’s self confidence and success in life. Programs starting soon

Ages 6 – 17

Essential Etiquette

A little polish for a lot of shine Table skills Dining Manners Texting and cell phone etiquette Common courtesies Introductions

Making great first impressions Personal grooming Being the perfect guest Thank you notes

Glamour and Fashion 101

Learn how to achieve your own personal style and how to put your best foot forward! Posture Poise

Fashion Dress to Impress

Self-confidence Skin and Hair Care Light Make-up (Depending on Age)

www.DeborahShorsSchoolOfEtiquette.com (904) 864-7166

Debbie.Shor@aol.com

Facebook.com/DeborahShorsSchoolOfEtiquette

Develop a Mindful Eating Pattern How many times have you or your children grabbed something to eat while working on the

Kids really do say the funniest things! Please share your favorites with us by e-mailing your story directly to editor@jax4kids.com. One entry each month will be turned into a cartoon to be published in the next issue of Jax4Kids newspaper. We’ll send you the original cartoon as a keepsake.

Page 7 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

HEALTH & SAFETY

Sports and Concussions

f you play sports or follow professional or college teams, you probably know that concussions are a serious issue. Playing sports increases a person’s risk of falls and collisions with objects or other players. These can cause concussions — a type of brain injury. That’s true of all sports, not just contact sports like football and hockey.

When Concussions Happen

The #1 question athletes ask after a concussion is how soon they can start playing again. The answer is simple: When a doctor tells you it’s OK. Concussions can be tricky: You might feel fine, but your thinking, behavior, and/or balance may not be back to normal. Only a doctor can tell these things for sure.

If you hurt your head while playing a sport, stop playing immediately. A coach should know to take you off the field. But if you don’t have a coach, or It’s essential to wait until the doctor says it’s safe your coach doesn’t pull you from play, take to return to sports, but people sometimes feel yourself out of the game. pressure to start playing again. They worry about letting down the team or they feel pushed by a If you’re skiing or snowboarding, get the ski coach. This is one reason why most U.S. states As long as people play sports, there will be patrol to help you down the hill. If you’re have rules about when kids and teens can start concussions from time to time. But wearing the skateboarding or biking, stop riding. Don’t take a playing sports again after a concussion. These right protective gear and playing the right way chance on hurting your head again. A second rules are there to protect players so they’re not can make a brain injury less likely. head injury can lead to a condition called second- pushed into getting back in the game too soon impact syndrome. Second-impact syndrome — when the risk of second-impact syndrome is If you do get a concussion, take a break from doesn’t happen very often, but it can cause high. sports. Making sure you let your brain heal com- lasting brain damage and even death. pletely helps prevent long-term problems. There are a number of ways doctors can tell if If you hurt your head playing organized sports, a someone is ready to return to play. A doctor will How Do Concussions Happen? coach or athletic trainer may examine you right consider you healed when: after your injury. This is known assideline The brain is soft. The body protects it by cushion- testing because it might happen on the sidelines • the symptoms of concussion are gone • you regain all of your memory and concening it incerebrospinal fluid inside a hard skull. during a game. Sideline testing is common in tration Because the brain floats in the fluid, it can move schools and sports leagues. By watching you and • you don’t have symptoms after jogging, around and even bang against the skull. doing a few simple tests, a trained person can sprinting, sit-ups, or push-ups see if you need medical care. A fall or collision that makes the brain bang Once the doctor tells you it’s OK to start playing against the skull can bruise the brain. It also can Lots of schools or sports leagues test players at sports again, ease back into things. Stop playing tear blood vessels and injure nerves. These the start of a sports season to measure their injuries can cause a concussion — a temporary normal brain function. These tests are calledloss of normal brain function. baseline concussion tests. Coaches, trainers, or doctors often compare these baseline results There are lots of ways concussions can happen in against sideline tests to see if a player’s brain is sports, such as: working OK. • • • • •

helmet-to-helmet tackles in football getting checked against the boards in hockey heading a ball incorrectly in soccer skateboarding or biking wipeouts collisions between skiers or snowboarders

Preventing Concussions in Sports Start With the Right Equipment Everyone should wear properly fitting, sportappropriate headgear and safety equipment when playing contact sports or biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding, or skiing. You can’t prevent every concussion. But helmets, mouth guards, and other safety gear can reduce the risk of a brain injury. Play it Safe Headgear is your first line of defense. But you can still get a concussion because helmets don’t stop injury from happening on the inside. If you hit your head, your brain can still bang against your skull, even if you’re wearing a helmet. Don’t take chances because you think your headgear protects you. This is one reason why there are rules in sports. Learning the right technique and developing the skill to avoid dangerous plays can make all kinds of injuries less likely to happen.

Page 8 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

If you were playing a sport and banged your head but didn’t do anything about it when it happened, be alert for signs of a concussion. Concussions don’t always show up right away. It can take up to 3 days for signs to become obvious. See a doctor as soon as you can if think you might have a concussion and develop any of these problems: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

headache dizziness feeling sick or throwing up difficulty with coordination or balance blurred vision slurred speech or saying things that don’t make sense feeling confused and dazed difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions trouble remembering things feeling sleepy having trouble falling asleep sleeping more or less than usual feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason feeling sad or more emotional than usual

When Can I Play Again?

right away if any symptoms return (that secondimpact syndrome thing again). With the right diagnosis and treatment, most teens with concussions recover within a week or two without lasting health problems. j kidshealth.org

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Your Children Are First With Us!

Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons

he National Poison Prevention Week Council is made up of representatives from industry, government, non-profit and health organizations to educate the public about the prevention of unintentional poisonings and accidental exposures • in and around the home. National Poison Prevention Week is a week nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. This year, that week is March 20 – 26. Poisoning prevention is in your hands. The following tips can help you protect yourself and your children: • • • • • •

• • •

• • • •

• • •

Keep cleaning products in their original container with their original label intact Laundry product labels contain first aid information and are a valuable resource for consumers Always close all household cleaning product containers immediately after use and store them out of children’s reach. NEVER use food containers such as cups or bottles to store household and chemical products. Teach children that laundry and other cleaning products and their containers are not toys. Children are usually curious and explore all new things that they find in the home. Take care to keep laundry products out of reach of young children. Always remember to rinse and re-cap laundry containers before throwing away or recycling. Never use empty detergent containers for storage of any other materials Remove children, pets, and toys before applying pesticides (inside or outside the home). Follow label directions to determine when children and pets can return to the area that has been treated. To protect children from exposure to mouse/ rat/insect poison, use products with a tamper-resistant bait station. Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce possible exposure to lead and pesticide residues Wash children’s hands, toys, pacifiers and bottles often. Store food in a separate area than household cleaning products and chemicals. Mistaking one for the other could cause a serious poisoning. Never combine household cleaning products because some chemical mixtures may release irritating gases. Turn on fans and open windows when using household cleaners and chemicals. Keep batteries out of a child’s reach. Contact the poison center right away if a child swallows a battery or a battery is missing

Page 9 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

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• • • •

• •

from a toy or other household item, no matter how small the battery. Properly dispose of old batteries after they have been removed from an appliance. Keep magnetic toys and other magnetic items away from small children. Call the poison center right away if you suspect a child has swallowed a magnet. Install carbon monoxide detectors near or in your home’s sleeping areas and on every level of the home Buy products in child-resistant packaging whenever possible. But remember, childresistant is not childproof, and is designed to keep children away from the product for a short time before a parent notices. Install safety latches on cabinets used for medicines and household products Ensure children can’t use chairs or stack items to climb to products stored out of their reach Teach children to always ask an adult before eating, drinking or touching anything. Ask babysitters, visitors, and houseguests to keep purses, briefcases or bags that contain medicines up high, away and out of sight from your children. The same rule applies when your children are visiting a friend or relative’s home. Tell children what medicine is and why you must be the one to give it to them. Never call medicine “candy” to get a child to take it. Never leave medicine out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child’s bedside Always turn the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time. Put on your glasses to read the label when you need to take a medicine so that you know. Avoid taking medicine in front of children Keep medicines in their original bottles or containers whenever possible. If you transfer medicines to another container, such as a pill minder or organizer, store them in a place that is too high for a child to reach or see, since these containers are often not child-resistant.

If you think someone has been poisoned, call Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222, to reach your local poison center. This national toll-free number works anywhere in the U.S. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Keep the toll-free Poison Help number, 1-800222-1222, near your phone, or program 1-800222-1222 into your home and mobile phone. When you leave your children in a babysitter’s care, ensure he/she knows about the Poison Help number – 1-800-222- 1222. j

Dr Mahajan and her team truly strive to put your children and their needs first! We recognize that children are individuals with unique needs and temperaments. With 13 years in Jacksonville, we have the experience and compassion to give each child a positive dental experience as well as quality care. Our goal is to provide a fun and gentle dental home for your child. Give us a call today to start on your child’s new dental adventure! MILITARY, LIBERTY DENTAL, UHC AND MOST MAJOR INSURANCES ACCEPTED.

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INFANT & TODDLER

What You Should Know About Lead Poisoning

id you know that for every point above a measurement of 5 on your child’s blood lead test, he or she will have a decrease in the IQ of about 2-4 points? Lead poisoning has direct effects on your child’s kidneys, blood, bones and brain. Because a child’s brain is still developing, the effects are especially serious and potentially permanent. Lead can also affect the unborn fetus in exposed pregnant mothers. Lead poisoning has been linked to developmental delays, speech problems, behavior problems, and aggression.

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening with a questionnaire from age 6 months to 6 years and testing those found to have risk factors. Most doctors will test all children at age 12 months and 24 months, although some do not test if there are no risk factors. Still, a published study in 2013 showed that the questionnaire may not be a good tool to decide who to test. Keep in mind that blood samples taken from your child’s finger may be contaminated and therefore require a confirmatory blood test from the arm.

Recently in the news, we heard about the crisis in Flint, Michigan, where a change in the public water supply exposed the community to toxic levels of lead and other compounds. The number of children with lead poisoning doubled. Here in the Jacksonville area, we still frequently deal with cases of elevated lead levels due to various environmental exposures. So where is the lead coming from, and how do you know if your child is at risk?

Acute lead poisoning, which is rare, may present with pain and weakness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, anemia, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Even with early treatment, chronic lead poisoning effects are likely.

Most lead poisoning is due to chronic, repeated exposure to this toxin. The dangers have been known for thousands of years, and even the fall of the Roman Empire is thought to be partly due to the brain and health effects of ingested lead. The Romans drank from lead urns, used lead in cosmetics, and had lead plumbing systems. The lead sources in the United States are largely due to lead in paint and gasoline, as well as lead in imported products used by our children. The addition of lead to household paint was not banned until 1970 and fully removed until 1978. The lead in gasoline was not regulated and reduced until 1973. And in 1991, the CDC finally created a plan to detect and fight the problem. Risk factors in the U.S. include: • Children who live in or regularly visit homes built before 1978 • Children in homes built before 1978 with recent remodeling • Children who live with someone who has a job or a hobby that may involve lead, such as building renovation or repair, plumbing, or working with automobile batteries or radiators. • Children who live near a lead smelter or paint factory • Children living in a designated high risk area (mostly urban) So how does the lead get into our system? Old water pipes may have lead, mainly from lead soldering, that gets into drinking water. For older homes with leaded paint, the lead can be in the dust that settles in your house and in the dirt that surrounds your house. Remodeling can actually increase the exposure for a period of time. Not only do children get this dirt and dust on their hands and then in their mouths, but also their bodies absorb it much easier than adults. Other sources include some vinyl mini blinds, some imported toys, food stored in glazed ceramics, and some folk remedies, such as greta and azarcon, which are used by some to treat an upset stomach. How can you tell if your child has been exposed? Since most lead poisoning is chronic exposure, there are no obvious symptoms. For this reason, the

If your child’s blood level is less than 5 micrograms/ deciliter, effects are unlikely. From 5 to 10 mcg/dL, mild cognitive effects have been found. Levels above 10, which is considered toxic, leads to progressive and possibly permanent effects on the brain and body. Toxic levels need to be monitored periodically by your pediatrician and reported to the health department if very high. How is lead poisoning treated, and how do I prevent it? Severe acute lead poisoning is treated in the hospital with chelation, a treatment that removes it from the body. But this treatment is uncommonly needed. The mainstay of treatment is identification of those at risk of chronic poisoning and reducing exposure: • Make sure your child practices good handwashing. • Children should eat plenty of calcium and iron. • Teach your children not to put their hands in their mouths. • In houses with lead in the pipes, use cold water from the tap for drinking and cooking, and let the cold water run for 30 seconds before using it. Hot water draws out more lead. • Dusting with wet cloths in older homes may help. If you are concerned about lead in your water, commercial testing kits are available at home improvement stores for about $10. Fortunately, nationwide efforts have reduced the prevalence of lead in our environment. In Florida in 1997, there were 2347 cases of childhood lead poisoning, and in 2012 there were only 306, but still there were 3334 children with mildly elevated lead levels (5-9 mcg/dL), so sources of lead are still common. With continued surveillance, routine testing, and reduction in environmental exposures, we can continue to eliminate this threat to our children. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ or http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/ lead-poisoning/index.html. j

Andrew Sinder, MD, FAAP Jacksonville Pediatric Associates www.jacksonvillepeds.com

Page 10 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Summer art camp JUNE 13 – AUGUST 12 EXPERIENCED art educators from MOCA Jacksonville provide different art-making activities each week to help your child learn about contemporary art and grow his or her visual vocabulary. AGES 4-14 WEEKLY SESSIONS TWO LOCATIONS

Downtown or on UNF’s campus FLEXIBLE TIMING

Half, full, and extended day options available

MOCAJACKSONVILLE.UNF.EDU 333 NORTH LAURA STREET JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202 PHONE 904-620-3221

40th Anniversary Celebration and Silent Auction May 24

Page 11 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

SPECIAL NEEDS

EDUCATE.

ABLE Accounts

ENGAGE.

Leveling the Financial Playing Field for Individuals with Disabilities

ec. 19, 2014 marked a great day in the history books for people with disabilities. That’s the day President Obama signed the Steven Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Act into federal law. For many years, the disabled have had to fight not only to be included in the workplace, but also to keep their government benefits while working. Many in this community hail the ABLE accounts as a chance to do just that. Under ABLE, eligible individuals and families will be allowed to establish savings accounts that will not affect their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and other public benefits.

audit, similar to a health savings account model. Monies can be spent on a wide variety of items, including: education (includes post-secondary), health care, transportation, housing, employment training and support, assistive technology, financial management help, legal fees, basic living needs, and more. Good news arrived early this year, when it was ruled that ABLE accounts can be opened by individuals regardless of the state they live in, an incentive for states to get their ABLEs up and running. That being said, Florida residents may want to wait and consider other state plans before signing up for the Florida plan. Federal officials anticipate that as many as seven states will have ABLEs up and running by this summer. There are still many details to be worked out before ABLEs open, but as a professional as well as a parent of a child with a disability, I’m excited for this new opportunity to save and allow for greater independence. j

As early as 2004, plans had been in the works to allow a tax-deferred savings tool for the disabled. Jacksonville’s very own Sen. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) became the effort’s champion in 2007, as he sponsored legislation to do just that. Seven long years later, this strongly-supported bipartisan bill was passed, and became law. As a federal law, it’s now dependent on each state to pass their own version, with rules and regulations Karen Prewitt for implementing it. Family Care Council area 4 co-chair Luckily, Florida is among those states ahead of the curve. We’ve passed our own state law, and it was signed by Governor Scott mid-2015. The Florida Prepaid College Fund has been tapped to oversee the implementation of ABLE in FL, with a projected start-date rumored to be sometime this coming summer. There is a dedicated website (www.myablesavings.com) for information and updates on ABLE. This includes the eligibility requirements (must be blind or disabled by a condition that began prior to the individual’s 26th birthday), benefits and limitations of the program, and a contact form to receive updates directly to your email. More details about ABLE accounts: Individuals may only open one ABLE account. The account owner is the individual with the disability, however, there may be someone attached to the account with signature authority as well. Contributions can be made up to $14,000 annually by the account owner, family members, and employers. Earnings on these accounts will not be taxed. Once the ABLE account reaches $100,000 in savings, beneficiaries will be deemed ineligible for SSI until the account is spent down. However, they will simply be suspended from eligibility for the time, not exited from the program. Savings in ABLE accounts can accrue to a level set by the state where the account is located that matches the limits for 529 accounts. Account owners will be responsible to obtaining and maintaining documentation needed for both opening an account, as well as keeping receipts on qualified expenses, in the case of an

Page 12 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

INSPIRE.

NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL 2016 Social/Academic, Primary, Secondary, Intermediate, Vocation

Clinical Outpatient 1:1 ABA Therapy

Beautiful campus right off I-95/Baymeadows

Call (904) 732-4343 or visit www.JSAKIDS.org 9000 Cypress Green Drive Jacksonville, FL 32256

Things to Do Special Needs

Believe Autism Dance/Art Classes March 5 9:30am - 3 - 4 yrs 10:30am - 5 - 12 yrs 11:30 am - 13 and up Art rotation of 30 minutes and dance rotation of 30 minutes. Art activities will be new each week or a small art project that will be worked on week to week until complete. The dance rotation will consist of creative movement and social opportunities. Classes are taught by Crystal Thompson, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and ballet, tap, and jazz dancer. Classes cost $10 and are held at The Performers Academy. Space is limited. To RSVP call or email believeautism@gmail.com. The Performers Academy / 704-277-1884 / 3674 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, 32207 / www.believeautism.com 8th Annual Autism Symposium March 9 8am - 4:30pm Who Should Attend? Parents, physicians, caregivers, special needs teachers, psychologists, nurses, speech

therapists, occupational therapists, behavioral therapists, marriage and family therapists, child life specialists, physical therapists, mental health counselors, law enforcement personnel, and social workers. UNF University Center / 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / 904-202-6039 / www.wolfsonchildrens.org/autism Sensory Friendly Films - AMC Theatres LONDON HAS FALLEN Tuesday: March 8 at 7pm ZOOTOPIA Saturday: March 12 at 7pm Saturday: March 26 at 10am THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT, PART 1 Tuesday: March 22 at 7pm AMC Entertainment (AMC) and ASA have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families are allowed to bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 in the Regency Center Square. AMC Regency 24 / 904-725-0885/ 9451 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensoryfriendly-films

Page 13 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Spring Break Camps Creative Minds Spring Camp March 21 -25 • 6am - 6:30pm Ages 5 - 12. Includes Field Trips, Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks. No Registration Fee. New Enrollees Only. Cost: $115/week. www.creativemindsacademyfl.com 904-379-8126 / 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd Suite #704, Jacksonville 32256 904-880-8588/ 14985 Old St. Augustine Road Suite #120, Jacksonville 32258 Jacksonville Zoo Camp • March 21 - 25 9am - 3pm, Extended care available. 5 - 6 year olds: Prehistoric Parade 7 - 9 year olds: Dinosaur Discoveries 10 - 12 year olds: The Archaeological Adventurers’ Club Cost: Members: $185, Non-members: $210 and Extended care: $50 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.jacksonvillezoo.org Jax Surf and Paddle Spring Surf Camp Week 1 March 21 - March 25 Week 2 March 28 - April 1 Ages 6 - 16. Surf Camp is a fun and safe way to advance a child’s surfing skills, ocean knowledge, and comfort in the water. Campers will break into groups depending on age and skill. Intermediate level surfers are welcome as well as beginners. After completing the five-day surf camp, your child will have learned how to have fun surfing, safely, paddling, navigate the surf zone, and stand up on a board. Cost: Half Day – $210/week or $50/day. Full Day – $335/week or $100/day (Lunch included). Enter Code: Jax4Kids16 for $10 off a full week of spring or summer camp. 904-435-7873 / Ocean Avenue and 7th Street in Atlantic Beach / www.jacksonvillesurfandpaddle.com Karate Arts Spring Break Camp • March 18 - 28 9am - 3pm, Extended care available. Spring Break Camp at Karate Arts is more than just fun, it’s a positive experience! Activities include basketball,

sports, gladiator games, karate class, blacklight, ninja skills, video challenges and crafts. Campers have access to a playground, soccer field, and a beautiful campus. Single day camps are available. Cost: Regular camp is $25/day, $99/week (9am-3pm). Extended day camp is $125/week (7am-6pm). 904-722-0110 / 7801 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32211 / www.karateartsflorida.com Limelight Theatre Camp March 21 - 25 • 9am - 12pm Kindergarten - 5th grade. Theatre games, improv, and theatre fun during spring break. Cost: $150/week or $30/day. 904-825-1164 / 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.limelight-theatre.org MOCA Spring Art Camp March 21 - 25 • 9am - 5pm, Half days available. Kindergarten - 5th grade. Experienced art educators teach a variety of media and skills while providing the contemporary art history context for each project. Cost: 9am - 1pm: $25 each day. 1pm - 5pm: $25 each day. 9am - 5pm: $50 each day. 904-366-6911 / UNF, 333 North Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.mocajacksonville.unf.edu MOSH Spring Discovery Camps March 21 - 25 9am - 3pm Kindergarteners through 5th graders, take a blast through time and journey back 75 years to learn about the history of our region during Spring Discovery Camp at MOSH. Campers will work throughout the week on a time capsule and create pieces to be displayed at the Museum in celebration of its 75th anniversary. In addition to delving into the weeklong topic, campers will get to explore Museum exhibits and attend science shows in the JEA Science Theater and the Florida Naturalist’s Center. Cost: $195 /week. MOSH Members receive a 20% discount. 904-396-MOSH (6674) / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.themosh.org

Smitty’s Spring Break Camp March 18, March 21- 25, March 28 • 6:30am - 6pm Ages 5 - 12. Located on 10 acres on the southside of town. Camp activities include fishing, boating, having arts and craft projects, sports, wagon rides and outdoor activities. Cost: $50.00 per day or $150 per week. March 18 - 28 is $250. 904-732-9660 / 7710 Hilsdale Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216 / www.smittysdaycamp.com St Augustine Lighthouse & Museum Camp March 21 - 25 9am - 3pm Grades Kindergarten - 5th. Build your own ship model under the direction of an experienced ship modeler! Then take a second ship model home to practice their skills after camp. Campers learn the architecture and design of wooden boat building on a small scale while creating their own piece of art! Students will talk with boat builders and compare their work to actual wooden boat building. Cost: $225 Nonmembers. Members $200. Includes lunch, backpack & water bottle, all supplies and a second ship model to continue your skills. 904-829-0745 / 100 Red Cox Rd, St Augustine, FL 32080 / www.staugustinelighthouse.org Sylvan Spring Break Camps March 14 - March 18 (Clay County) March 21 - March 24 (Duval County) Monday – Thursday Looking for fun ways to keep your child engaged and learning over the break? Let Sylvan STEM courses be a part of your child’s enrichment. Sylvan’s Spring Break courses feature the basics of robotics and engineering. Your child

will have fun learning Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts. Spaces are limited! www.sylvanlearning.com 904-269-3561 / 1414 Kingsley Ave, Ste 4, Orange Park, FL 32073 904-757-7414 / 2416 Dunn Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32218 TNT Gymnastics Camp March 21 - 25 9am - 3pm, Extended Care Available Ages 3 - 13 years. Campers will spend the week doing gymnastics, crafts, games, challenging fitness skills, and having fun. Cost: $150 first child, $135 siblings, $45/day, $40.50 siblings, $30 half day. 904-998-8681 / 2683 St Johns Bluff Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.tntgymfit.com Yes You Canvas Spring Art Workshops March 18 - 28 11am - 12pm Ages 5 and up. Paintings take about one hour. (Fuller classes may last up to 90 minutes.) Everyone leaves with a finished painting on stretched artist’s canvas. Parents must stay with your kids. (You’ll want to anyway...bring your camera!) This applies to any child under age 18. If you aren’t painting yourself, you will be able to sit as close to your child as the class size allows. Adults who accompany kids only pay if they are painting their own canvases, but all children who come to a class must be individually registered to paint. Cost: $20 per child. Pre-registration required. Visit the website to register. 904-993-9047 / 2777-32 University Blvd West, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / www.yesyoucanvas.com

Visit Jax4Kids.com online Spring Break Camps Guide for an always updated list of Spring Break Camps with links to register online

March 21 – 25, 2016

June 13 - August 12, 2016

WIN NER

Page 14 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Summer Camps Aquatics Camp • June 13 – August 5 Owned and operated by the North Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America, the property is located at the St Johns River Base at Echockotee sitting on Doctors Inlet in Orange Park. Aquatics Camp serves boys and girls ages 6-14. A camper’s day is filled with activities that bring them from the shores of Doctors Lake to the heights of the climbing wall, and from the woods of the archery range to catching some air off the back of one of the wakeboard boats. Extended Care Available. 904-269-2091 / 2513 Doctors Lake Dr, Orange Park, FL 32073 / www.aquaticscamp.org Campapalooza • June 8 - August 7 • 9am - 3pm Field trips, games, special events, and activities each week. Different theme every week. Cost: $99/week. $50 registration fee. Extended Day: $20 for the 1st child and $10 per sibling. Every week they will go to the pool, weather permitting. Most field trips are an additional cost. Camp is held at Blessed Trinity Catholic School. 904-233-5605 / 10472 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.michaelleesdojo.com Discovery Montessori School • June 13 – August 5 Discovery Montessori School is offering a wide variety of camps for children 3 years old - 6th grade. Sign up for camp at their beautiful 3 acre campus in Jacksonville Beach for an enriching Montessori experience in their Toddler, Preprimary or Elementary camps. Get a head start on the next school year. 904-247-4577 / 102 15th St South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250/ www.dmsonline.org

Gymnastics Unlimited Summer Camps June 13 – August 12 8:30am – 3pm Boys and girls ages 5 – 18. Gymnastics on all four Olympic Events (Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor), Cheerleading, Dance, Fitness, Arts and Crafts, Movies, Indoor Games and more. There is a Show-off day EVERY Friday with Awards. Free extended hours available. Half days and daily dro- ins welcome. Cost: First week $150. $10 discount for each additional week (maximum discount of three weeks). 50% deposit is required to reserve space. All money is due on the 1st day of camp week. Family discounts available. 904-783-8043 / 5532 Lenox Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205 / www.gymnasticsunlimitedfl.com MOCA’s Art Camp June 13 – August 12 2 Half Day Sessions: 9am - Noon or 1pm – 4pm at MOCA – Ages 4-6 9am - 4pm at MOCA – Ages 7 - 14 9am - 3pm at UNF Campus – Ages 6 - 9 Experienced art educators teach a variety of media and skills while providing the contemporary art history context for each project. Extended day available. 904-366-6911 / 333 North Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / mocajacksonville.unf.edu MOSH Summer Discovery Camp June 13 - August 12 • 9am – 3pm Summer Discovery Camps are offered primarily for kindergarteners through 5th graders with select weeks offered for 6th through 8th graders. More than 25 camp topics will be offered over nine weeks. $205/ week (some camps are an

additional $25 for supplementary supplies and/or field trip transportation). MOSH Members receive a 20% discount. Before- and after-care is available. 904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.themosh.org Jacksonville Science Festival’s Art Exploration Camp June 13 – July 22 • Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Summer art for ages 5 - 15. Activities include arts and crafts, outdoor activities, field trips, project-based learning, literacy/math, experiments, gardening, hands-on activities and more. Cost: $110 per student/per week. $10 Nonrefundable registration and reservation fee and $20 field trip fee per week. 904-493-3535 / 3675 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.jacksonvillesciencefestival.com Karate America • June, July, and August Convenient times and weekly camps all summer long. Constructive fun and traditional martial arts benefits. Safe structured environment with knowledgeable supervision. Super fun summer camp teaches kids powerful life skills like focus, discipline and respect while learning cool martial arts moves. Diverse activities with physical games, movies, and fun! Kids will accelerate their training, enhance their skills, and have LOTS OF FUN! Enroll Today - Space is Limited! Call the location near you today. www.kidmartialartsinflorida.com 904-724-7544 Kidspark Summer Camp • June, July and August KidsPark, an hourly drop in childcare center, also offers Fun and Enriching Summer Camp Themes. Camp Buddy

for kids ages 2-5 and Camp Blue Crew for kids ages 5-12. Each week will have different themes that are sure to be a hit with each age group. They focus on imaginative play, arts and crafts, music and movement, circle and story time, group games, as well as outdoor play. Flexible “pay as you go” rate that fits your schedule so that you have the convenience of fitting them into your schedule instead of locking you into times you don’t need. www.KidsPark.com 904-387-8602 / 4274 Herschel St, Jacksonville, FL 32210 904-683-4554 / 9726 Touchton Rd #111, Jacksonville, FL 32246 Theatre Jacksonville SESSION A – June 13 – July 8 SESSION B – July 11 – August 5 9am – 2pm Ages: 7-13. During each of our 4-week sessions your child will delve into theatre arts through classes in acting, musical theatre, dance, and improvisation. Led by a team of professional and trained instructors and directors, these weeks of training will culminate with hitting the stage with the star power of our incredible campers! $500 per session of which a nonrefundable $150 deposit is required at registration. Discounts available when enrolling in multiple sessions or with siblings. 904-396-4425 X16 / 2032 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.theatrejax.com

Visit Jax4Kids.com’s Online Summer Camps Guide for a complete list of area Summer Camps including links to register online

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TRAMPOLINE PARK

SUMMER CAMPS

Affordable, Dependable and Safe Summer Camps E

ven as March winds blow and temperatures are still chilly, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission is looking ahead to summer. In particular, the Commission is developing a list of summer camps to serve Duval County students between 5 and 15 years old who qualify for special education services or the National School Lunch Program. The Children’s Commission summer camp program gives qualifying children an opportunity

to make new friends, learn new skills, enjoy the outdoors and have fun under the care and supervision of camp counselors and administrators. And, it gives their parents the peace of mind that their children are in a safe environment and having a good time. The weekly cost of the camps may vary, but registration, enrollment and weekly fees will not exceed $10 per week for the duration of the contract. There may be nominal charges for optional services such as extended hours and field trips.Last year the Children’s Commission offered 92 camps and served more than 6,500 children. The camps are between five and 8 weeks in duration and feature a variety interests – arts, sports, fitness, special interests, learning – and fun. The location of the camps will be announced when all the camp hosts have been selected. Last year the majority of the camps were on the Northside and Westside.

Page 16 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

A number of non-profit youth-serving organiza(Please note, not all camps serve all ages. tions, businesses and churches provide facilities, Please check with individual camps for age supplies and staff to host the camps. Typically, limits.) operating hours Monday through Friday are from • Must be either a special needs/special 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Super Summer Academy sites education student or participating in the operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The camp season National School Lunch Program and have is June 13 through July 29. Dates and hours the required documentation. vary for specific camps. Documentation requirements Watch for more details as the camp list is completed and published. The list should be Special needs/special education students must available by the end of April. The Children’s provide IEP from school for current school year; Commission is excited about its camp locator a current diagnosis report verifying the child tool that will be available on its website, www. would require an IEP if enrolled in public jaxkids.net. The locator will make it even easier schools; or a McKay Scholarship letter with for parents to find the most convenient and the child’s name and current date. most appropriate camps for their family’s needs. Parents will need to contact the camp directly to National School Lunch Program participants enroll their children. must provide report card showing attendance at a CEP-participating school; income-based free/ Take advantage of this affordable, dependable reduced lunch quality letter from child’s school; and safe summer camp experience for your a current copy of Step Up for Students Scholarship letter; or verification that household income qualifying children. does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Eligibility requirements: • •

Must be resident of Duval County. Must be between 5 (by Sept. 1, 2016 and entering kindergarten) and 15 years old.

Please note: Parents must provide copies of documentation to the camp upon registration. j

y a D

2016 Summer Camp

June 13 - August 12 • 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Extended hours available

June 13 - August 5, 2016

Activities include: Warm up games & stretching, tumbling, gymnastics, dance, arts and crafts, movies, cheerleading and group games. Come one week or all summer $150 rst week • $10 oﬀ each additional week

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Mention this ad for $10 oﬀ camp

904.783.8043

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- Enjoy the fun of one or all eight weeks - Busing available from Beach Blvd and Mandarin - 8:30am - 4:30pm (early drop off and late pick up available) Aquatics Camp is a nationally accredited day camp program, open to boys and girls ages 6-14. Discounts for multiple weeks, multiple siblings, shortened week July 4 or if you register on or before May 16, 2016.

- Sailing - Swimming - Tubing - Handicrafts

- Archery - Robotics - GaGa Ball - Cooking

TOMMY HULIHAN BASKETBALL SPOR T S CA M P

SU M M E R B A SK ET B A L L CA M P

5 YEARS OLD - RISING 6TH GRADERS Campers will participate in Team Sports and age appropriate activities.

SESSION 1 Boys 3rd – 5th Grade, 9 am - 12 pm SESSION 2 Boys 6th – 8th Grade, 1 pm - 4 pm SESSION 3 Girls 3rd – 8th Grade, 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Camp Hours: 8 am - 3 pm Extended Care Available: 3 pm - 6 pm

Extended Care Available for Session 1 Campers

MAY 31 - AUGUST 5

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JUNE 13 - 17

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- Wakeboarding - Kayaking - Paddle Boarding - Over 40 Activities!

Aquatics Camp location: St. John’s River Base at Echockotee 2513 Doctors Lake Drive, Orange Park, FL 32073 Phone: (904) 269-2091 Email: camp@aquaticscamp.org

Building Champions Inside-Out!

Your Online Guide to Summer Camps

SUMMER CAMPS

Explore Benefits Before Choosing a Camp M any parents may not have ever gone to a camp, or even if they did go to a camp (or sent their child to a camp before), they may not know that other camps offer different things. Either way, there are several benefits camps can offer for both parents and kids.

The first thing to know is that different camps are just that—each one is unique. When we see a camp in movies or on TV, it’s a place that kids get sent to somewhere in the wilderness and they live there for several weeks. I’m sure that those kinds of camps exist, however, in reality, camps are more diverse in their form and format. Some are daily, for a few hours or for the whole day. Others may last a week or as long as 6 weeks either in a natural setting or with the modern conveniences of the city. Campers may go on field trips to the beach or to museums. They may make arts and crafts, or go swimming. Some camps provide a variety of activities, but others concentrate on specific topics, like science, nature, sports, ocean life, animals, art, etc. A

have to find some kind of child care over the summer anyways. Camps are costly, but usually parents would be spending that money on child care regardless, so it would make sense to at least consider camp benefits versus the cost. Also for parents, their child gets adult supervision during camp. Yeah, it benefits the child, but camp might be for a certain age group, but others usually parents are the happiest about making allow for several ages and group the kids by age sure kids are supervised. Several kids are able and ability. There are even camps for children to—and even like to—look after themselves and with special needs, such as autism, Down’s run around with friends in the summer. That said, syndrome, medical or behavioral needs. In short, many kids may get bored, socially isolated from there’s a camp that fits any kid, most ages, and others, and/or get into trouble if they aren’t being different levels of ability. supervised. Kids benefit from camps in many ways. For one, they have a variety of activities to do. They also get to meet new kids and learn to adapt and make fast friends. If they’re having trouble making friends, most camps try to help them get to know the other kids so that everyone is enjoying it. Kids who are curious about different topics (like science, sports, nature) can immerse themselves in camps that focus in an area of interest. Camps that cater to children with behavioral, social, or developmental concerns can target deficits to help kids with those issues over the summer. Parents also benefit. For instance, most parents

Consider the options before choosing. First, what is the level of adult support? What is the staff to child ratio? If there are a ton of kids and only a couple staff, level of supervision will be lower. Next, what is the quality of the adult support? Are adults just there talking to other adults or are they actively monitoring everyone and helping to facilitate social skills? What is the level of training and supervision of the staff? Not every staff member needs to have a high level degree, but there should at least be some staff who are actively involved in supervision of staff with education and experience relevant to the purpose of the camp. A third area to consider is special needs, impairments, social concerns, health May 30 - August 5th

Open House May 7th

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMP: June 13 – July 29 Extended Care Available

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP: August 1 – 5 Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PRICE PER WEEK: Members $180 Non-Members $200 Call 904.355.0630 or visit cummermuseum.org HEAL Foundation scholarships are available for children with autism.

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Early Registration Cost: $50/week After May 7th: $99/week Extended Day: $25

concerns, and/or behavior concerns. Are the camps you’re considering equipped to manage those concerns? If the camp says that they are, ask how are they going to accommodate your child’s needs. Fourth, think about your child’s interests. Consider camps that are themed around certain areas. Camps with variety are great and useful, but kids who are finicky may find camp a more awesome experience if it offers something they are interested in. Fifth is cost— cost is often a concern, but find out about pricing. Finally, many families don’t consider sending their child to camp because it might restrict travel or vacations. Will the camp accommodate vacation schedules? Most camps do. If not, then they can consider whether the benefits of the camp be sufficient for their family’s needs. Kids can have fun summers, with or without a camp experience. However, it’s worth looking into camps to see whether the things they have to offer can be useful for both the parents and their child. j Andrew Scherbarth, Ph.D., BCBA-D Licensed Psychologist/ Board Certified Behavior Analyst Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics 6867 Southpoint Drive North, Suite 106

EDUCATION

Ideas to Improve Mental Horsepower

ou might be under the impression that intelligence is a fixed quantity set when you are young. But research shows that you’re wrong. How we approach situations and the things we do to feed our brains can significantly improve our mental horsepower. When a questioner keen on self-improvement asked the community on question-and-answer site Quora, “What would you do to be a little smarter every single day?” lots of readers–including dedicated meditators, techies, and entrepreneurs–weighed in with useful suggestions. Which of these ideas can you fit into your daily routine? 1. Be smarter about your online time. Every online break doesn’t have to be about checking social networks and fulfilling your daily ration of cute animal pics. The web is also full of great learning resources, such as online courses, intriguing TED talks, and vocabulary-building tools. Replace a few minutes of skateboarding dogs with something more mentally nourishing, suggest several responders. 2. Write down what you learn. It doesn’t have to be pretty or long, but taking a few minutes each day to reflect in writing about what you learned is sure to boost your brainpower. “Write 400 words a day on things that you learned,” suggests yoga teacher Claudia Azula Altucher. Mike Xie, a research associate at Bayside Biosciences, agrees: “Write about what you’ve learned.” 3. Make a ‘did’ list. A big part of intelligence is confidence and happiness, so boost both by pausing to list not the things you have yet to do, but rather all the things you’ve already accomplished. The idea of a “done list” is recommended by venture capitalist Marc Andreessen as well as Altucher. “Make an I DID list to show all the things you, in fact, accomplished,” she suggests. 4. Get out the Scrabble board. Board games and puzzles aren’t just fun but also a great way to work out your brain. “Play games (Scrabble, bridge, chess, Go, Battleship, Connect 4, doesn’t matter),” suggests Xie. “Play Scrabble with no help from hints or books,” concurs Altucher. 4/1/16.

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6. Read a lot. OK, this is not a shocker, but it was the most common response: Reading definitely seems essential. Opinions vary on what’s the best brain-boosting reading material, with suggestions ranging from developing a daily newspaper habit to picking up a variety of fiction and nonfiction, but everyone seems to agree that quantity is important. 7. Explain it to others. “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough,” Albert Einstein said. Quora posters agree. Make sure you’ve really learned what you think you have learned and that the information is truly stuck in your memory by trying to teach it to others. “Make sure you can explain it to someone else,” Xie says simply. 8. Do random new things. Shane Parrish, keeper of the consistently fascinating Farnam Street blog, tells the story of Steve Jobs’ youthful calligraphy class. After dropping out of school, the future Apple founder had a lot of time on his hands and wandered into a calligraphy course. It seemed irrelevant at the time, but the design skills he learned were later baked into the first Macs. “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future,” Parrish quotes Jobs as saying. In order to have dots to connect, you need to be willing to try new things–even if they don’t seem immediately useful or productive. 9. Learn a new language. No, you don’t need to become quickly fluent or trot off to a foreign country to master the language of your choosing. You can work away steadily from the comfort of your desk and still reap the mental rewards. “Learn a new language. There are a lot of free sites for that. UseLivemocha or Busuu,” says Saloi. 10. Take some downtime. It’s no surprise that dedicated meditator Altucher recommends giving yourself space for your brain to process what it’s learned–“sit in silence daily,” she writes–but she’s not the only responder who stresses the need to take some downtime from mental stimulation. Spend some time just thinking, suggests retired cop Rick Bruno. He pauses the interior chatter while exercising. “I think about things while I run (almost every day).” j

5. Have smart friends. It can be rough on your self-esteem, but hanging out with folks who are cleverer than you is one of the fastest ways to learn. “Keep a smart company. Remember your IQ is the average of five closest people you hang out with,” Saurabh Shah, quora.com an account manager at Symphony Teleca, writes.

EDUCATION

Strategies for Reading Fiction

ast month, I shared several non-fiction reading strategies. This month, I’m changing the focus to fiction texts. There are loads of fiction strategies out there, but here are a few I’ve seen work well with students of all reading abilities. Read out loud to your kids It’s never too early to start reading aloud to your kids. Many parents read bedtime stories to their babies. If you haven’t been reading aloud to your kids, don’t fret. It’s not too late.

“The Read-Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease offers several lists of suggested books for reading aloud to boys and girls of all ages. Trelease’s book also provides ample research supporting the benefits of reading aloud to children. Idea: Visit the children’s or teen section of your local library on your way home from work. Pick up a few fiction books you think will interest your kids. If you need help, most branch libraries have a trained youth librarian who can help you find relevant books. Then, set a time with your

kids and read a chapter or two to them. You may start a wonderful family tradition. You may also save time and money by preventing the need for a reading tutor later on. Make connections to the text Making connections to what we read while we read is one way to make sure we’re reading actively. Active reading yields better comprehension. So, while you read aloud to your kids, you can model making connections to other books you’ve read, to events in your life or to the world around you. Idea: Reading expert and author, Kylene Beers, suggests thinking out loud while she reads aloud to her students. A ‘think-aloud’ is simply a time when a reader stops reading to share what she is thinking while she reads with those to whom she’s reading. For example, I’m currently reading “The Babysitters Club: Jessi’s Secret Language” by Ann M. Martin to our 8 year-old daughter. In the book, 11 year-old Jessi babysits a 7 year-old deaf boy named Matt. Jessi learns American Sign Language to better communicate with Matt. As I read aloud, I stopped and told my

That’s MY Job!

General Manager, Clay County Fair Association, Tasha Hyder

How long have you been the General Manager of the Clay County Fair Association? I joined the Clay County Fair team in November 2015. Why did you choose this career? I think the industry speaks for itself, it’s a fun environment! I spent years in the event coordinating business and I have come to appreciate events that integrate music, art and the community. The fact that bringing agriculture to our guests in a fun and exciting way is also very rewarding and self fulfilling. What kind of education did you get to become the Fair’s General Manager? I have a Bachelors degree in sports leadership and a master’s degree in Athletic Administration, both from the University of North Florida. What are some of your responsibilities? I am basically the face of the fair. My main goal is to get out and talk about the Clay County Agriculture Fair and all of the new things going on during the fair. I am also responsible for the day to day operations of the fair. It takes a lot of preparation and coordination to assure everything comes together for a great fair. It’s not a one person job though, it takes a whole year of dedicated volunteers and staff to make this event run as smoothly as it does. What do you like most about your job? I love being able to create a fun experience for our guests, young and old. The Clay County community’s dedication to the success of this fair is another huge reason why I love my job. I have never worked with a group of volunteers with such passion for agriculture and entertainment. I also love traveling to other fairs throughout the state to get fresh ideas to bring back to Clay County, the fair family is a one of a kind industry!

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daughter about a former middle school student I taught who went on to study sign language in college. Think-alouds work really well with reluctant readers because they’re able to hear what goes on inside a good reader’s head while reading. Add artistic elements Adding art, music or even dance to the reading of a book is a great way to engage kids. Children can draw pictures of their favorite scenes, compose melodies to fit certain characters or choreograph dances to fit elements of a book’s plot. Idea: After your children read a chapter of a book or after you read aloud to them, ask them to create a scene from the novel. You can limit the materials they’re allowed to use, or let them use anything you’ve got at home. You can create a scene as well. When you finish, consider hanging the scenes on the refrigerator or on a bulletin board. Activate Prior Knowledge Activating prior knowledge about a topic works well when reading any genre. With fiction, it is an effective strategy because it helps kids bring

to mind what they already know about a topic. For example, before I started reading “The Babysitters Club: Jessi’s Secret Language” to my daughter, we looked at the cover art and made some inferences about what the secret language in the book may be. The cover shows Jessi and Matt sitting outside making signs with their hands. We both guessed the secret language would be sign language. She then remembered watching a sign language interpreter at a concert we attended last summer. By activating our prior knowledge, we primed our brain pump, so to speak, so we were ready to learn more as we read the book. Idea: If your children are into sports, find a fiction book or two in which the main characters play sports. Ask your children questions about the sport before they read the book. Do your kids know the rules of the game? Do they know the history of the game? What about famous athletes of the past and present? In this way, you can help them activate their own prior knowledge of the sport which may help them be more engaged while they read the book. Next month, I’ll share some strategies for reading and comprehending poetry. j Nancy Lee Bethea

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Space is filling up quickly! Apply today! We are tuition-free public charter schools. Accredited by AdvancED, and proud members of the Charter Schools USA family of schools.

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DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Duval County Public Schools Set to Redesign Six Schools Next Year

DCPS Receives Million Dollar School Improvement Grant As careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) continue to grow, Duval County Public Schools remains dedicated to increasing STEM-based education at all levels. A $1.2 million School Improvement Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education will allow the district to provide additional STEM resources to 11 Title 1 elementary schools in Duval County for state-ofthe-art STEM labs for students in grades 3-5, bringing the number of state-ofthe-art STEM labs to 26 district-wide. The schools targeted to get the labs are: Garden City, George Washington Carver, Long Branch, Love Grove, North Shore, Oceanway, Rufus Payne, San Jose, S.P. Livingston, Stonewall Jackson and West Riverside “This grant allows us to bring collaborative, hands-on, project-based science and technology learning to some of our highest-need students at the elementary school level,” said Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti. “This opportunity will breathe life into their

science education at an early age that may someday guide them into a successful STEM-related career.” It is the second consecutive year in which Duval County Public Schools received the School Improvement Grant. Last year, the district used the funds to implement Pitsco STEM labs in nine lower performing middle schools. To ensure the lab is used to its fullest potential, school educators will undergo professional development training on the curriculum, which satisfies a high percentage of Florida’s standards. The curriculum incorporates team-based lessons that cover all areas of science.

The Duval County School Board approved five initial recommended changes to boundary and school programs on Feb. 2. The changes affect Oak Hill Elementary School, Fort Caroline Middle School, Ed White High School, Samuel W. Wolfson High School, and in combination, Hyde Park and Hyde Grove Elementary Schools. The process for boundary and programming changes began in July 2015. Dr. Vitti shared 19 recommendations to address lower performing schools and offer parents stronger educational options to attract and retain students. These recommendations were vetted through community working groups at each school, who were asked to either accept, modify or reject the Superintendent’s recommendations and provide alternative solutions. “Clearly, we have communities and parents that want more than short term, surface-level reforms to the challenges that we have been facing for many years at these schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti. “I appreciate the Board’s commitment to transformation and innovation. Reform is not easy, and together we are beginning to meeting the demands of parents and students for strong programming and educational options.”

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Below are the five approved changes: Oak Hill Elementary School Change: Full conversion to Autism Lab School. Fort Caroline Boundary Change Change: Convert to International Baccalaureate (IB) infused with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Ed White High School Change Change: Convert to a 9-12 military leadership magnet academy beginning with the class of 2020. Samuel W. Wolfson High School Boundary Change Change: Convert to a dedicated magnet school for Advanced International Studies and Leadership beginning with the class of 2020. Hyde Park/Hyde Grove Change: Convert Hyde Grove to PreK-2. Convert Hyde Park to 3-6. Full transportation and extended day programs at both schools. For the latest information about the recommended changes, visit www.duvalschools.org.

DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2016 Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced Jaime Plauche 3rd Grade teacher (Math lead) Fishweir Elementary School “Mrs. Plauche has always been very open to change, especially in this changing world of education. She is always looking for a way to better her teaching and to learn from her colleagues. She has been utilized as a mentor teacher to other teachers and carries herself as a model for what the teaching profession should be. She provides a nurturing touch to her students and provides a mathematically-minded classroom for her third graders. Her smile is contagious and she is a highly respected teacher throughout our building.” – Marianne G. Lee, Principal, Sadie T. Tillis Elementary School

Five exceptional Duval County Public Schools educators are up for the 2016 Florida Blue Teacher of the Year. The finalists were selected by a committee of educators, community members and business leaders from a preliminary round of semifinalists. Hosted by Jacksonville Public Education Fund, all five will be on stage at the 25th Anniversary EDDY Awards on Saturday, March 12, where one will be named the 2016 Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year. Meet the finalists: Douglas Brown 12th Grade Standard, Honors and A.P. U.S. Government teacher Fletcher High School “Doug’s teaching goes well beyond student motivation and engagement. He is concerned not only with their academic achievement but their emotional well-being and their global citizenship. His teaching encourages students to look beyond prescribed curriculum while simultaneously paying heed to the valuable initiatives and programs without complaint. The students not only comprehend the subject matter, but also realize that an investment in the world is necessary to make a change. Doug’s energy and compassion are infectious and set a positive atmosphere in all his undertakings.” – Tina M. Reed, Testing Coordinator, Fletcher High School Dionne M. Clayton High School Counselor Paxon School for Advanced Studies “Ms. Clayton is an unselfish, dedicated, hardworking, conscientious counselor. The students and adults around her are uplifted as a result of her presence. She is a student advocate that holds students accountable at the same time. She is not easily describable but the impact she has on those around her is consistently positive. As a counselor, Ms. Clayton leads with her heart and follows with her wisdom.” – Royce Turner, Principal, Paxon School for Advanced Studies Kay Park 3rd Grade teacher (all subjects) Alimacani Elementary School “As a student in her class, Mrs. Park made learning fun. She taught me not only how to read, but also to love reading. She also taught us life lessons. I can still hear her saying, ‘In order to live a happy life, you must work hard and always try your very best.’ She would dance with us in class and we all knew how much she loved each and every one of us. She is the type of person who makes everyone feel special and important. As a colleague, Mrs. Park mentored me when I was first hired at Alimacani. She taught me everything she knew about teaching and about children. She left a lasting impression on my life because I know just how much you can inspire kids to love learning by making them feel special.” – Jenna Pugh, 1st Grade Teacher, Alicamani Elementary School

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Darryl L. White 7th Grade English teacher and Athletic Director Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School “Darryl is one of the most artistically talented teachers I have ever met. He has an innate ability to stand in front of a classroom, or with a group of students, and engage them in real 21st-century learning. The students feel valued in his classroom and work relentlessly to contribute to their construction of knowledge for authentic work. His classroom environment and culture is a joy to observe, while his students are conscious of his passion about their lives and learning experiences.” – Jamelle W. Goodwin, Principal, Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School

Take the Superintendent’s 25 Book Challenge Spring Break is a great time for Duval County Public Schools students to become part of DJ’s Book Club and participate in the Superintendent’s 25 Book Challenge! In order to participate, students must adhere to the following guidelines: • •

• •

Read books outside of school time. Complete a reader’s response using the appropriate book log or technology site (i.e. bookadventure. com, accelerated reader). Teachers/ schools may choose response logs appropriate for their students, but the log should include title, author, pages and parent signature. Students submit completed logs to their teacher to document completion Monitor progress and celebrate successes within the classroom and school-wide.

Students who meet the Challenge’s benchmarks will have a special lunch with Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti during the end of the year Literacy Extravaganza, be recognized on the district’s website (www.duvalschools.org), have the chance to receive an Avid Reader Award and earn on-going honors with school level activities and incentives. Additionally, elementary school students will become members of DJ’s Book Club. For more information – including book suggestions and annual grade level reading expectations – check out DJ’s Book Club under the Academic Services page on www.duvalschools.org.

St. Johns County School District News Kindergarten Registration Underway

Early registration for kindergarten is underway. Eligible children (reside in St. Johns County and 5 years old on or before Sept. 1) must register at the school where they are zoned. To find your school, enter your street address in the on the Attendance Zone Locator at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ zoning. Zoning maps are also available. Registration times: 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 10; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 8; and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday May 9. Children must have documentation of successful completion of kindergarten in order to register for first grade (and must be 6 years old on or before Sept. 1). Requirements for registration: - Birth certificate; - Documentation of a health examination performed within one year of enrollment; - Proof of completed required immunizations on Form DH680; - Proof of residence per the Residency and Guardianship Policy located at www.st.johns.k12.fl.us/ student/residency. Parents are encouraged to register early so that schools can adequately prepare for the new school year. Contact the Student Services Department at 547-7598 for additional information on registration and zoning.

Laurie Zentz Named Top Teacher of Year Laurie Zentz of Switzerland Point Middle School is St. Johns County Teacher of the Year for 2015-16. Zentz was named at the 36th annual Teacher of the Year Celebration: “Teachers are out of this World, A Stellar Celebration,” in January at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort. A band teacher for grades 6-8, Zentz has 29 years of teaching experience, 20 of which have been spent with the district. She was Teacher of the Year at Cunningham Creek Elementary in 2005 and a finalist for Duval County’s Teacher of the Year in 1993. The four runners-up were: Courtney Fenner a third grade teacher at John A. Crookshank Elementary; Brian Elmore, of a special education teacher at Ketterlinus Elementary; Jennifer Sparks, an instructional literacy coach for grades K-5 at Durbin Creek Elementary; and Catie Grimes, a kindergarten teacher of Patriot Oaks Academy.

Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) early registration will also take place at select schools on the above dates and times. Children entering the VPK program must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1. The St. Johns County School District VPK offers a high-quality early childhood education program with small class sizes and degreed teachers with certification in disabilities. VPK is available at John A. Crookshank, Cunningham Creek, Durbin Creek, Ketterlinus, Otis Mason, Mill Creek, Ocean Palms, Osceola, PVPV/Rawlings, South Woods, Timberlin Creek and Wards Creek elementary schools as well as The Webster School and Valley Ridge Academy. Also, the Head Start Program is taking applications for the 2016-2017 school year at the Head Start Office located at 102 Martin Luther King Ave. in St. Augustine. For additional information on VPK or Head Start, please contact Early Childhood Services at 547-8965.

Rookie Teachers of the Year John A. Crookshank Elementary, Jessica Brower; Cunningham Creek Elementary, Maegan Cassel; Durbin Creek Elementary School, Chelsea Ragle; W. D. Hartley Elementary, Gretchen Wade; Hickory Creek Elementary, Ashlyn Ahearn; R. B. Hunt Elementary, Sheri Lindsey; Julington Creek Elementary, Erica Saffer-Warkentine; Ketterlinus Elementary, Keri Height; Otis A. Mason Elementary, Ms. Ashley Cothron; Mill Creek Elementary, Stephanie Hecht; Ocean Palms Elementary, Trish Shilling; Osceola Elementary, Ashley Bohanan; Foley Palencia Elementary, Kelly Dueker; PVPV/Rawlings Elementary, Lida “Kate” Smiley; South Woods Elementary, Angela Miller; Timberlin Creek Elementary, Emily DaBruzzi; Wards Creek Elementary, Krista Bittengle; The Webster School, Elizabeth DiBella;

Thursday, March 17 Friday, March 18

K-8 Liberty Pines Academy, Kelly King; Patriot Oaks Academy, Jamie Cipolla; Valley Ridge Academy, Johanna Santinho; Bartram Trail High, Peter Litsas; Creekside High, Amy Kennair; Alice B. Landrum Middle, Nancy Hutton; Pedro Menendez High, Stephanie Toffaletti; R. J. Murray Middle, Hannah Lucien; Allen D. Nease High, Abby Sander; Pacetti Bay Middle, Kim Schwenk; Ponte Vedra High, Joseph Kemper; Gamble Rogers Middle, Ashley Zapata; Sebastian Middle, Jordyn Waters; St. Augustine High, Kaila Schippani; St. Johns Technical High, Susan Conway; Switzerland Point Middle, Melissa Stanke; Gaines Alternative and Transition, Shana Simmons; First Coast Technical College, Darren Libby.

March Calendar Third Quarter ends Teacher Planning Day – Student Holiday

Monday-Monday, March 21-28

Spring Break

Tuesday, March 29

Classes resume

Astronaut Jon McBride spoke at the Teacher of Year Celebration

Laurie Zentz

The Teacher of the Year Celebration was sponsored by Investing In Kids (INK) a public, non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation recognized as the direct support organization for the St. Johns County School District. INK’s stated mission is to lead the efforts of the entire community in raising and distributing funds to support all of our public schools. Programs that are supported by INK are Teachers of the Year Celebration, Horizon Mini-Grants, Art Attack!, Take Stock in Children, Supplemental Educational Services Tutoring Program, and Tools for Schools. 100% of donations are spent on St. Johns County students, teachers, and programs. Visit ink-stjohns.org to learn more.

All teachers of the year at their respective schools: Elementary Schools John A. Crookshank Elementary: Courtney Fenner Cunningham Creek Elementary: Cristin Rudi Durbin Creek Elementary: Jennifer Sparks W. D. Hartley Elementary: Allison Pryor Hickory Creek Elementary: Gigi Lewis R. B. Hunt Elementary: Karen Howle Julington Creek Elementary: Rebecca England Ketterlinus Elementary: Brian Elmore Otis A. Mason Elementary: Mary Ziegenfuss Mill Creek Elementary: Susan Green Ocean Palms Elementary: Mary DeSanto Osceola Elementary: Sarah Blevins Palencia Elementary: Jamie Wardley PVPV/Rawlings Elementary: Barbara Stroer South Woods Elementary: Linda Fuce Timberlin Creek Elementary: Christy Jacobs Wards Creek Elementary: Amy Tarmey The Webster School: Adriana Orta-Vidales K-8 Liberty Pines Academy: Michelle Whittington Patriot Oaks Academy: Catie Grimes Valley Ridge Academy: Jamie Yarberry-Beyah

Secondary Schools Bartram Trail High: Ofelia Hampton-Thomas Creekside High: Troy Keefe Fruit Cove Middle: Lisa Hampton Alice B. Landrum Middle: Ashley Wilson Pedro Menendez High: Rick Ryan R. J. Murray Middle: Ashley Woolston Allen D. Nease High: Durwin Hanson Pacetti Bay Middle: Katie Ludwig Ponte Vedra High: Jennifer Lee Gamble Rogers Middle: Sally Johnson Sebastian Middle: Thomas Pearrow St. Augustine High: Scott Benyacko St. Johns Technical High: Melissa Kurdyla Switzerland Point Middle: Laurie Zentz Alternative Schools Gaines Alternative and Transition: William Wood Virtual Schools St. Johns Virtual School: Mary Maddox Charter Schools First Coast Technical College Mr. Bill Clark

Visit St. Johns County Schools online at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schools/ for more information.

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Clay County School News

Get in Line for Summer VPK

Be Ready for the 7th Grade

2016 Summer Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) begins on Monday, June 13, and ends Friday, Aug. 5, at Argyle Elementary and Paterson Elementary. This program is available to all children who turned 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2015 and have NOT already participated in VPK and will be starting kindergarten in the fall of 2016.

Florida law requires all students have a Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) immunization before entering 7th grade.

Twelve seats are available at each school and will be filled on a first-come-first served basis. Please be advised if one of the above schools does not meet the minimum number of students, that school will be closed.

If you do not have a doctor or healthcare provider, the Florida Department of Health in Clay County offers free immunizations to students. For information call (904) 529-2800.

Parent must provide transportation during the entire summer program.

Help your child have a smooth transition to 7th grade. Immunize now and return proof of Tdap shot (on the DH 680 form) to your child’s elementary school prior to the end of school. Help your child have a smooth transition to 7th grade. Immunize now and return proof of Tdap shot (on the DH 680 form) to your child’s elementary school prior to the end of school. Be Ready!

National Champs! Fleming Island High School’s varsity cheerleaders won the medium co-ed division championship at the National High School Cheerleading Championship at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in February. More than 13,000 cheerleaders and 660 teams from 31 different states competed. All of teams earned the right to compete by qualifying at a regional competition earlier on in the season. Fleming Island’s junior varsity team placed 4th. See at video at https://youtu.be/lUhz_1fmi7s

Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be no classes Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Student hours for the final day will be 8 a.m. to noon. (Lunch will not be provided on the final day.) Argyle Elementary (904-573-2357) is located at 2625 Spencer Plantation Blvd. in Orange Park and Paterson Elementary (904-278-2078) is on Fleming Island at 5400 Pine Ave. To qualify parents must obtain a Clay County VPK Certificate of Eligibility by registering online at https://vpkcp.floridaearlylearning.com/ There: - create an account with a valid email address; - follow link sent to valid email address; - complete application (County for Service – CLAY) - child’s birth certificate and Parent’s Proof of Florida Residency must be electronically; submitted during application process before a Certificate of Eligibility will be issued. Once documents are verified by Episcopal Children’s Services (approximately 2-4 days), an email will be sent to inform parents to log in and print the Certificate of Eligibility. If parents do not have access at home to the internet, they may use any public library computer. The Clay County District VPK will also provide one laptop for internet access, call 904-529-4928. Or they may contact Episcopal Children’s Services to make an appointment to use their Kiosk, call 904-726-1500. You must take all necessary documents and the Certificate of Eligibility to the school to complete registration.

Seussin’ it up!

A complete list of all necessary documents can be found at www.clay.k12.fl.us/PDF/checklist_open_enroll.pdf

Ms. Wallace’s class at Clay Hill Elementary celebrated the 100th day of school with a salute to the good doctor.

If you have questions, please contact the Clay County District VPK at 904-529-4928.

Title 1 School Survey Now Open The 2015-2016 Title I Parent Survey is now open for respondents. Available online through May 31, this survey is open to all parent/guardians of children currently attending a Clay County Title I School. If you have any questions, contact your child’s school or the district office at 904-529-4923. See www.surveymonkey.com/r/WHJHYWQ to take the survey.

March Calendar www.oneclay.net OP/Middleburg (904) 272-8100 Green Cove Springs (904) 284-6500 Keystone Heights (888) 663-2529 TDD (904) 284-6584

Page 26 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Connect with us!

Monday, March 14 through Friday, March 18

Spring Break, Student/Teacher Holidays

Monday, March 21

Students Return to School

Friday, March 25

Good Friday, Student/Teacher Holiday

Friday, April 1

End Third Grading Period (55 days)

Monday, April 4

Planning Day/Fair Day, Student Holiday

Monday, May 30

Memorial Day (Observed)

NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY AT IHOP

DEALS

VOLUNTARY PRE-K (VPK)

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 8th when IHOP will celebrate National Pancake Day. During National Pancake Day, the company’s largest philanthropic event of the year, more than 1,500 IHOP restaurants across the country invite guests to enjoy a complimentary stack of IHOP’s signature delicious buttermilk pancakes from 7 am to 10 pm. Guests will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Guests who make a $5 donation will receive a coupon good for $5 off their next visit.

Save 10% on memberships at the Jacksonville Zoo and Garden through March 7th. The first 1,000 new members will receive a free Destination: DINO tote bag. To become a member and learn more about membership benefits, visit jacksonvillezoo.org.

Florida VPK is 10 years old! The Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program – or VPK – is a free prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds who reside in Florida and were born on or before Sept. 1 each year.

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN On March 8th, there will be a total eclipse of the sun. At total solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow (the umbra) on Earth. The darkest point of the eclipse is almost as dark as night. You can see the eclipse begin via webcam on Mar 8th. Visit www.popsci.com/ or www.nasa.gov/ for more.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13, when clocks will “spring” forward one hour. This will mean more daylight time in the early evening. Did you know? Not all places use Daylight Saving Time? Hawaii and most of Arizona do not. The state of Oklahoma may soon join them. A bill is currently up for vote to repeal Daylight Saving Time in that state. Daylight Saving Time is often misspelled “Daylight Savings”, with an “s” at the end. Daylight Saving Time begins the 2nd Sunday of March and ends the First Sunday in November.

Page 27 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

The Clay County Fair celebrates 30 years this year! Save on tickets by ordering online by March 30th. Save $4 on Adult tickets and $2 on Child (Age 6 – 12) and Senior (Age 65+) tickets. Save up to $10 on advance ride armbands. From now until May 31, 2016 World Golf Village is offering FREE Junior Golf! Bring your child to the course with you and save $10 off the twilight rates. Play the King & Bear for $89 or the Slammer & Squire for $69 after 1 p.m. and bring up to three children (17-and-under) to play for FREE. One child per cart. Call (904) 940-6088 to book your tee time.

MATHOPOLIS Help your 2nd through 12th grader build their math skills with Mathopolis. Log on to www.mathopolis.com and choose “Question of the Day” then click on the grade level 2 through 8 or select Geometry, Statistics, Algebra 1, 2 or Caluculus. Mathopolis will generate a math problem to be solved. The correct answer and how it is achieved will appear after the child gives their answer. Click on the Help button for detailed problemsolving information. There’s a new question every day. Mathopolis also offers math quizzes from 2nd grade through college level, math skills practice and games to improve mental power.

• About 80 percent of all Florida 4-year-olds attend VPK. • Florida is first of 50 states in the nation for pre-K access. • In 2011-12, 79 percent of children who finished VPK were ready for kindergarten. Only 55 percent of children who didn’t go to VPK were kindergarten ready. • Florida has raised the bar for VPK providers who get public dollars, requiring 70 percent of children who attend be ready for kindergarten. In 2011-12, the percentage of VPK programs that met the higher standards rose to 72 percent from 68 percent in 2010-11. Fall VPK enrollment is now open. If you have a child who will turn 4 on or before 9/1/16, you can register them for Fall VPK. Visit www.elcofduval.org to register.

“PI(E) DAY” Your Pie is celebrating “Pi(e) Day” on Monday, March 14th from 11am until 9pm. Pizzas are only $3.14! All combos - a drink & a side salad, a drink & gelato, or a drink & chips are $3.14 too! Two locations: Tinseltown, 4828 W Deer Lake Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246, 904-337-0155 and Fleming Island, 1545 County Rd 220, Fleming Island, FL 32003, 904-375-9771.

LET’S CONNECT

TEENS

Claude Nolan Cadillac / CenterState Bank

SYMPHONIC NIGHT AT THE MOVIES SERIES

Defensive Driving Techniques E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL FILM WITH ORCHESTRA Can Help Save a Life – Yours!

ou’ve just become of age and cannot wait to get your driver’s license. You know that driving is a risky business, but feel that you have a handle on the situation and have learned to be a good driver. The problem is you can’t control how other people drive. If you’ve been out on the roads, you know that not everyone drives well. Some people speed aggressively. Others wander into another lane because they aren’t paying attention. Drivers may follow too closely, make sudden turns without signaling, or weave in and out of traffic. Aggressive drivers are known road hazards, causing one third of all traffic crashes. But inattentive driving is becoming more of a problem as people “multitask” by talking on the phone, texting or checking messages, eating, or even watching TV as they drive. The solution is to learn to drive defensively, honing your defensive driving skills can help you avoid the dangers caused by other people’s bad driving. Don’t put your fate in their hands, become aware and ready for whatever happens. Be cautious, yet ready to take action and not be caught off guard. Following these defensive driving tips can help reduce your risk: Think safety first. Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself will put you in a stronger position to deal with other people’s bad driving. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. Always lock your doors and wear your seatbelt to protect you from being thrown from the car in a crash. Be aware of your surroundings — pay attention. Check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If a vehicle is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down or pull over to avoid it. If the driver is driving so dangerously that you’re worried, try to get off the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit if it’s safe to do so. Also, keep an eye on pedestrians, bicyclists, and pets along the road.

Do not depend on other drivers. Be considerate of others but look out for yourself. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario. Do not assume another driver is going to move out of the way or allow you to merge. Assume that drivers will run through red lights or stop signs and be prepared to react. Have an escape route. In all driving situations, the best way to avoid potential dangers is to position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen. Having an alternate path of travel is essential, so take the position of other vehicles into consideration when determining an alternate path of travel. Always leave yourself an out — a place to move your vehicle if your immediate path of travel was suddenly blocked. Follow the 3- to 4-second rule. Since the greatest chance of a collision is in front of you, using the 3- to 4-second rule will help you establish and maintain a safe following distance and provide adequate time for you to brake to a stop if necessary. But this rule only works in normal traffic under good weather conditions. In bad weather, increase your following distance an additional second for each condition such as rain, fog, nighttime driving, or following a large truck or motorcycle.

Sat, Apr 9 @ 7:30pm

Program sponsored by The Main Street America Group Made possible in part by Sight & Sound Productions

Tickets: 904.354.5547 JaxSymphony.org

Keep your speed down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your speed matches conditions. In addition, higher speeds make controlling your vehicle that much more difficult if things go wrong. To maintain control of your vehicle, you must control your speed.

T H E AT E R NOW PLAYING

Separate risks. When faced with multiple risks, it’s best to manage them one at a time. Your goal is to avoid having to deal with too many risks at the same time. Cut out distractions. A distraction is any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving. Driving deserves your full attention — so stay focused on the task. j teenshealth.org

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” – Lewis Grizzard

For Showtimes and Tickets:

WORLDGOLFIMAX.COM

World Golf Village | I-95 Exit 323 | St. Augustine

Page 28 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

Things to Do

PETS

New Law Ensures No Military Working Dog Will Be Left Behind. Ever.

ore than 2,000 dogs currently serve in the U.S. Military. Each military dog saves the lives of 150 to 200 servicemen and women. We aren’t doing enough for our four-legged heroes. In the not too distant past, military working dogs were left on foreign soil, never to be reunited with their human partners. As a result, many still believe that such practices are common, though that’s not the case. Unfortunately, policy doesn’t always progress with the times and the old rules still allow for situations that reflect old school attitudes towards military working dogs. Technically speaking, if dogs are retired overseas, they become civilians and are no longer qualified to travel home on military vehicles. Fortunately, it’s not common practice to retire dogs overseas. To prevent such unreformed policy from ever presenting such problems to military pups, Congress drafted some new legislation. On Oct. 7, 2015 the National Defense Authorization Act passed the House and Senate. This bill includes language supported by the American Humane Association mandating military working dogs be returned to U.S. soil upon retirement. Even further, the dogs’ handlers and families will have the first right of adoption. The language, introduced in the House by Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) and the Senate by Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) is a

Source: Free Patriot Post

huge furry step forward for military working dogs and their best friends. Thousands of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress when coming home from war, and the dogs aren’t excluded from this. Keeping military dogs with their handlers allows them to help each other heal. Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association president and CEO says: “This is a great day for military heroes on both ends of the leash. We believe ALL our veterans — two-footed and four-footed — should come back to a hero’s welcome, a loving, forever home and the happy, healthy and dignified retirement they so deserve after a lifetime of service to their country.”

Mutt March 2016 • March 5, 9am to 1pm Join the Jacksonville Humane Society for Northeast Florida’s largest pet walk & festival. More than 2,000 animal lovers and their furry friends will gather at the Jacksonville Landing to enjoy a leisurely walk along the St. John’s River followed by a pet festival featuring vendors, pet adoptions, a family fun zone and more. You can participate as an individual walker or start a team. The festival begins at 9am, and the walk starts at 10:30am. Entry fees for the walk are: $30 per Walker, $25 per Team Member on teams of four or more, (All Team Members pledge to raise at least $20), $15 for Youth Walkers (ages 5-17). Registration fee includes event Wag Bag. Animals walk with their owners for free. Jacksonville Humane Society / 904-725-8766 / Jacksonville Landing, 2 Independent Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxhumane.org 11th Annual SPAY-ghetti Dinner & Silent Auction March 5, 5pm to 9pm The Flagler Humane Society hosts the 11th Annual SPAY-ghetti Dinner & Silent Auction. There will be dinner, dancing, silent auctions, raffles and more. Tickets are $30. Flagler Humane Society / 386-446-2709 / Elks Lodge, 53 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.flaglerhumanesociety.org For the Love of Animals March 5, 6pm to 10pm An evening of dinner, dancing, silent & live auctions, live music and more. Tickets are $150 and proceeds benefit the Nassau Humane Society. RSVP in advance.

Pet Events Nassau Humane Society / 904-321-1647 / Ritz Carlton, Talbot Ballroom, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, Florida 32034 / www.nassauhumanesociety.com Yappy Hour March 20, 2pm to 5pm B.Y.O.D (bring your own dog) to the monthly Yappy Hour at the Jacksonville Landing. There will be live entertainment, free prizes, and more. Jacksonville Landing / 904-353-1188 / 2 Independent Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jacksonvillelanding.com Family Dog Obedience March 23, 1pm to 2pm This class teaches you how to best communicate with your dog. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. Commands taught include Sit, Down, Stay, Leave it , Recalls – Teaching your dog to come using three different commands for distance control, Behavior Problems and their solutions will be addressed, and Targeting – Teaching your dog to report to a specific area. Class is 6 weeks for a cost of $130. Far Fetched Tales Dog Training / Nassau Humane Society, 639 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 / dogtrainerpamela.com

Like Jax4Pets.com’s Facebook page at facebook.com/jax4pets to find out about other events for pets.

If you have any questions, contact the foster office at foster@jaxhumane.org j barkpost.com

Cope Easier With a Cuddle Clone

aying goodbye to a pet is sometimes even harder than saying goodbye to family before they pass. So a website called Cuddle Clones wants to make it a little easier to cope with the loss of your pet by creating a plush clone of it using just a handful of photos from different angles. Each clone is custom-made, and the results are remarkably close to the real thing. It’s a considerably less creepy alternative to having a deceased pet taxidermied, because while the plush clones do look a lot like the actual animal, they still have dimensions and features that make them look more like a toy. And despite running anywhere from $130 to $200 depending

JOHNNY PEERS AND THE MUTTVILLE COMIX TICKETS STARTING AT $19!

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 AT 3 PM on the size of your pet, the Cuddle Clones are far cheaper than taxidermying which starts at around $1,000 and goes up from there. j cuddleclone.com

Page 29 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

TICKETS: (904) 276-6815 • THcenter.org Located at St. Johns River State College 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL

THINGS TO DO Firefighter Friday at the Jacksonville Zoo • March 4 All ages are invited to visit with Jacksonville Firefighters at the Zoo’s entrance. Kids can climb aboard the truck, and take home a free firefighter hat. Held the first Friday of the month. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.jacksonvillezoo.org Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic March 5, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic will be held at the Times Union Center for Performing Arts, Moran Theater. There will be three performance times, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. Ticket start at $15. Children who have celebrated their first birthday must have a ticket. Use code JAX4DL to save $4 on tickets! Disney Live! / Times Union Center, Moran Theater, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.disneylive.com JCA Youth Theatre Show: “The Lion King” March 5, 7:30pm • March 6, 2pm March 12, 7:30pm • March 13, 2pm The Jewish Community Alliance’s Youth Theatre performs The Lion King. Tickets are available at the door. Jewish Community Alliance / 904-730-2100 / 8505 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / www.jcajax.org RAM Ride – Family Bicycle Ride March 5, 12, 19, 26, 9am to 10:30am This is a family friendly bike ride for anyone to enjoy. Experience the freedom of cycling, and the fun of cycling as a group. The ride is every Saturday morning. It takes off at 9am from the Riverside Arts Market (Meet near the Bicycle Valet). There will a stop along the way to get some refreshments and/or snacks. It then returns to the Arts Market at 10:30am-ish, in time to enjoy and get fresh local produce, and fresh baked bread. The ride will be approximately 10 miles at a moderate speed, keeping in mind the speed and skill level of the least experienced rider. Every child must be accompanied by an adult and must remain close to their guardian during the ride. The hosts of the ride are not responsible for your children, but do try as best they can to be watchful of them. Please be watchful of your children and understand it is solely your responsibility to make sure they are riding safely. Additionally, all children 16 and under must wear a helmet. Bike trailers, tag-alongs, and kids on bikes are encouraged to come on the ride. RAM Ride / 904-731-1634 / Riverside Arts Market, 715 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / www.facebook.com/ RAM-Ride-Jacksonville Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert • March 11, 7pm Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert features scenes from two classic Disney animated feature films, “Fantasia” & “Fantasia 2000”, presented live-in-concert by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Disney shares its crown jewels of feature animation, highlighting a selection of its magnificent repertoire including Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite. Other iconic moments from Disney’s stunning footage, such as Mickey Mouse as he dabbles in magic in Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the mythical unicorns and winged horses that accompany Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony, will also be shown in high-definition on the big screen. Tickets start at $26.50. Join Jax4Kids before the show for pre-show family fun! FSCJ Artist Series / 904-442-2929 / Times Union Center, Moran Theater, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.artistseriesjax.org Museum Day Live! • March 12 The Museum Day Live! Ticket provides free admission for two people. In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket for free. This special edition of Museum Day Live!, provides an opportunity to the public, especially women and girls throughout the U.S. to enjoy and share in our nation’s dynamic heritage and cultural life. Visit website to find participating locations. Smithsonian / www.smithsonianmag.com St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival & St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 12, 11am to 10pm; March 13, 11am to 7pm On Saturday, St. Augustine’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 10am. Then, the Celtic Music and Heritage Festival returns, featuring traditional Irish music, Scottish pipes and drums, contemporary Celtic Rock, and more. There will also be the Highland Games of skill and strength on Saturday and Sunday, with Celtic vendors, and kids activities. The festival takes place at Francis Field located behind the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center. Admission to the festival is $10 for general admission. Children 12 and under are free. Francis Field / 29 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.celticstaugustine.com

America’s Girls Camp-In • March 12, 6pm to March 13, 8am Help MOSH ring in Women’s History Month with this Mother/ Daughter Camp In. Journey through historic milestones in American History and learn what life was like for these American girls through crafts, games, and activities. Moms bring your girls; girls bring your dolls and take part in a Mommy, Dolly, and Me Fashion Show. Sit down to tea, craft a picture frame, and more. American Girl Dolls and dolls of any variety welcome. The Camp In begins at 6pm and ends at 8am. Cost is $35 per person which includes a late-night pizza snack and continental breakfast. MOSH Members receive 20% off. MOSH / 904-396-MOSH / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.themosh.org Back to the Future Film With Orchestra March 12, 7:30pm Families are invited for a showing of the Back to the Future film, with Alan Silvestri’s newly expanded score played live to picture by the Jacksonville Symphony. Visit website for ticket information. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra / Times Union Center, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org Youth Mental Health First Aid • March 16, 9am to 1pm Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self help care. Anyone can take the 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course, but it is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 1218. Free, but register online. Jacksonville Children’s Commission / 904-630-7251 / 1095 A. Philip Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32206 / jaxkids.com School’s Out Theatre’s In • March 18, 9am to 3pm Workshops are offered from 9am to 3pm on days when school is out in St. Johns County. All SOTI’s are based on books; for the 3rd-5th grade students, a Sunshine State book is chosen for inspiration. The camp includes theatre games, crafts, and improv. Cost is $35 per student. To sign up, call 904-825-1164. K-2: Pete the Cat 3-5: Fortunately, the Milk, SSYRA 15-16 Book Limelight Theatre / 904-825-1164 / 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.limelight-theatre.org Cirque de la Symphonie • March 18 – 19, 8pm Cirque de la Symphonie combines music and fantastic acrobatic feats. Visit website for ticket information. March 18 and 19, 8pm. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra / Times Union Center, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org Batman v Superman Day • March 19, 7pm to 9pm Join Barnes and Noble for Batman v Superman Day to celebrate the upcoming theatrical release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 25. There will be a trivia contest sponsored by DC Entertainment™ for teens and adults at 7pm and a costume contest at 8pm for all ages. Barnes and Noble San Jose / 904-886-9904 / 11112 San Jose Boulevard Suite 8 Jacksonville, FL 32223 / www.bn.com The Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddess March 24, 8pm Based on one of the most popular and beloved video game series of all time, the tour features live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise. Guests will enjoy their favorite game moments from the series, carefully and beautifully timed with a gorgeous orchestral score approved by Nintendo sound director and Legend of Zelda franchise composer, Koji Kondo. Tickets start at $35, plus fees. Times Union Center / 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.ticketmaster.com 30th Annual Clay County Agricultural Fair • March 31 – April 9 The 30th Annual Clay County Agricultural Fair will be held March 31-April 9. Features of the 30th Annual Clay County Agricultural Fair include Family Day on April 3, Youth Agriculture Day on April 8, and Celebrate Clay Day on April 9. There will also be midway rides, livestock exhibits, music, shows, and more. Discounted tickets and ride armbands are available in advance until March 30 at www.claycountyfair.org. Admission for children 5 and under is Free. Advanced tickets through March 30: Clay County Fair / 904-284-1615 / 2497 State Road 16 West, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / www.claycountyfair.org

Page 30 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dates, times and locations are accurate at time of publication; events and activities listed in this guide are subject to change without notice. Visit Jax4Kids.com for updated information and more events!

Things to Do Easter Events

Easter Bunny at the Avenues Mall Through March 26 The Easter Bunny will be available for photos at the Avenues Mall from February 26 thru March 26. Appointments can be scheduled in advance for a $10 deposit. The $10 will be applied towards the purchase of a Bunny photo package during your visit with Bunny. Avenues Mall / 904-363-3054 / 10300 Southside Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32256 / www.simon. com Adventure Landing Easter Egg Hunt March 26, 9am to 12noon Adventure Landing hosts their Annual Easter Egg Hunts on the Mini Golf Courses with a visit by the Easter Bunny. There will be 3 Egg Hunts: 9am, 10am & 11am. Egg Hunt registration begins at 8am. There are 3 age groups for each hunt: Ages 4 & Under, 5-8, and 9-12. A $3 Per Child Donation will benefit the American Red Cross Volunteer LifeSaving Corp. Each hunt is followed by a charity raffle. There will also be stay and play specials From 9am-2pm, enjoy Unlimited Mini Golf and GoKarts. $10 – Guests under 56″ tall or $15 – Guests 56″ tall and over. Laser tag included at Jax Beach and Blanding Blvd. locations. Adventure Landing Beaches / 904-246-4386 / 1944 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www. adventurelanding.com Adventure Landing Blanding / 904-771-2803 / 4825 Blanding Blvd. | Jacksonville, FL 32210 / www.adventurelanding.com Adventure Landing St. Augustine / 904-827-9400 / 2780 State Road 16, St. Augustine , FL 32092 / www.adventurelanding.com Easter Sunday Brunch • March 27 Families are invited for Easter Sunday Brunch at the King & Bear. The cost for Members is $26.95 and non-Members are encouraged to attend for $32.95. Children ages 5 – 11 can enjoy brunch for $14.95, with kids under 5 free. Make your reservations at 904-940-6207. World Golf Hall of Fame / 904-940-6116 / 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / www.worldgolfvillage.com Easter Festival • March 19 Orange Park Presbyterian Church hosts an Easter Festival with egg hunt. In addition to the egg hunt, there will be games, crafts, and more. Orange Park Presbyterian Church / 1905 Park Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073 / www.orangeparkpres.org Annual St. Johns County Easter Egg Hunts March 24, 10:30am Palencia Park, 405 Palencia Village Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32095 Veterans Park, 1332 Veterans Parkway, St. Johns, FL 32259 March 26, 10:30am Al Wilkie Park, 6140 Main Street, Hastings, FL 32145 Treaty Park, 1595 Wildwood Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32086 Area St. Johns County parks host their annual Easter Egg Hunts for kids. Veteran’s Park and Palencia egg hunts will be held on March 24 and Al Wilkie Park and Treaty Park Easter events will be held on March 26 from 10:30am to 11:30am with the egg hunts beginning at 11am sharp. Be sure to bring baskets for the eggs. St. Johns County / www.co.st-johns.fl.us

with a 75-piece symphony orchestra performed live in unison with the classic films displayed in HD!

March 11 • 7 p.m. Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center

Tickets for children 12 and under start at $26.50

fscjartistseries.org (904) 442-2929

Page 31 • Jax4Kids.com • MARCH 2016